September 01, 2006

What are your plans?

I'll be playing host and tour guide to my house guests (ex-inlaws) who are just begining their 6th week with me. They'll be leaving middle of week 7.

Now that they are intimitely acquainted with Manhattan I am venturing to the outer boroughs. Tomorrow is Brooklyn day and I wil be doing some live picture blogging and use once again the new hi-res digital camera they gave us for my son's bday (see pretty picture below).

We are going to start at Coney Island Amusement Park which features Astroland (name the Woody Allen movie made there), visit Natasha the beluga whale in her tank at the NY Aquarium. Afterwards we'll hop on a train and head on over to the brooklyn Promenade (where I will try to forget the Spielberg scene filmed there) enjoy the view for awhile while snacking on some brooklyn delicacies, and later try to finally find the entrance to the magnificient structure in the pic below, with the aim to cross that baby on foot over to Manhattan. That's just Friday. I've got fun plans for them (which they've okay'd) for the remaining days too in the Borough of Queens, etc. Monday is my beach day... YAY!

Tuesday, well, that's summer's death knell around here, as that's when the harbingers' of gloom set in on my son in the form of 2.5 hrs of homework a day. I pray they start him off slow, like maybe give him an hour's worth to ease him into it. Hopefully the weekend fun will still be fresh in his mind so he'll have something to hold onto.

Whatever anyone else is doing, I hope they enjoy themselves thoroughly... rain and all. I know I will! But please do share as I'm curious what you all are up to.

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July 26, 2006

6 Degrees of Separation

I have always believed that we are all connected by more than just our existence on earth and our universal conciousness. We are connected by the thread of common human experiences that we share with each other.

I was over at Bou's reading about (her youngest) Bones' 9 lives yesterday and as I read, I realized the reason I had such a mental block in my CPR class the day before was because I was remembering how last summer I had to perform the Heimlich maneuver on my son and how I froze at first, trying to recall the CPR process.

He was the primary reason I signed up for a CPR refresher course. This incident was the second reason, and the 3rd was the fact that the adult I saved 6 weeks ago is trying to sue me for "malpractice". I should have let him die then, huh?

In reading Bou's post, I realized I really wasn't doing anything wrong because I was giving the right number of breaths and compressions, but in my head I was rescuing a child my son's age, and the age of the kid I had saved 6 weeks before. The problem was, in reality I had an infant dummy in front of me, which requires different positioning, approach, compressions and rescue breaths. Realizing that made me want to see if I could remember and perform the right rescue techniques on an infant correctly.

So I grabbed my son's panda bear to practice Infant CPR (which he left behind on Saturday) while visiting Mike (who is a retired NYC firefighter, our Building's Fire Safety Director and is certified in CPR training). So while in his office he suggested that in order to make sure I was focusing on the right age group I should close my eyes and envision an infant before me. Just then he was called away so encouraged me to go ahead and practice in his office.

A few seconds later Tom, Mike's Deputy Director, came in and stopped in the doorway. I opened my eyes just as I was removing my mouth off the bear's face. Realizing the awkwardness of the moment I opened my mouth to explain, but Tom held up his hand interrupting: "No... No.... No need to explain, you two obviously need to spend time alone, so I'll just be on my way" and with that he closed the door.

I sat there with my mouth wide open, embarrased beyond belief! This is something the Fire Safety Team will never forget. I can already see the email subject headline to the team: "Michele found making out with bear... Don't let this happen to you." Yes, that's how they're going to make sure that everyone knows about the new CPR guidelines and free classes.

A short while later, when Mike didn't return, I stepped out of his office to find everyone laughing at the sight of me with my bear in arms. Outwardly I smiled with them, realizing that it was Mike's practical joke. Inwardly, to quote Rosana Rosanadana (Gilda Radner's character on SNL): "I just wanna diiiiiiiiie!" Sigh!

It turns out that Mike restrained his laughter long enough to watch my technique and reassured me I was fine. I'm fine... good to know! [giggle]

Anyway, the 6 degrees comes from having learned the lesson from when I last saved a life 6 weeks ago. The chain of events started with the inspiration from my blog dad's post which led to me being equiped to save 2 lives. Same thing with Bou's post yesterday, it reminded me that I had to get my epi-pen refilled. Didn't want to go one more day without it because I was having mild allergic reactions to the different take out foods I was buying (due to the damned blackout). To make a gigantic story a bit shorter. I got my epi-pen refilled and picked it up on my way home. Last night, after putting my son to bed, I had my dinner. Later, I began to have what I knew would be a major allergic reaction and was forced to use my epi-pen.

So, I attribute to Bou, me being here amongst you today, because my cell was pretty low power last night, and the land line didn't work, so I couldn't call 911 or get an ambulance. All the pharmacies were closed as they were still out of power and if they had an epi-pen, well I don't think I would have used it as it might have gone bad in the heat.

Hmmmm, I wonder if I owe Bou something for having saved my life. I seem to remember there's a chinese proverb about that but I'm still under the effects of what my new, cute, temporary, physician gave me this afternoon and so I'm feeling no pain (and no memory to speak of right now). Just sitting here with a stupid grin on my face, feeling euphoric. I'm going to have me a damned good sleep tonight.

Well, I think I'm finished. I'm not going to re-read or edit this one. I think I'll just sit here and smile for awhile. YOu all take care now... ya here!


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July 05, 2006

The "C" Word

It used to be that the "C" word would conjur up fear in the strongest of men. In my experience, it has a way of making people disappear out of your life. When I was diagnosed with cervical cancer in 1985 (after a routine checkup) every single one of my so called friends vanished into thin air.

When my boyfriend never showed up to pick me up at the hospital after my biopsy, it was his way of ending our engagement. As I made the round of calls that day to see if someone would be kind enough to pick me up, it was a relatively new friend, David, whom responded to my call for help. During the subsequent months of treatment I learned from him, and my fellow patients, a great deal about courage, life, living in the moment and about hope against all odds. It was during that time that David drilled into me that it takes 40 lbs of positive thinking to defeat 1oz of negativity.

That’s part of the reason I posted the email below. Reading the words “If you heal and recover” made me not only feel someone was betting against me. The effect of those words felt like I had been punched in the stomach. The email made me question my judgment about many things. How was it possible that someone who called themselves my friend would be capable of being so callous and inconsiderate? Not once in that email did they wish the best for me. Why did I not see that before; was I delusional, in denial, blind or just plain stupid? If I had been wrong about this friendship, what else could I be wrong about? How could I trust my judgment about my recovery and focus on staying healthy when I couldn’t even choose healthy people to be in my life? What “If” they were right? Needless to say I cried for a very long time before writting my previous post. After I wrote it I still was ambivalent about it.

However, had I not written it, the negative thinking those words inspired would have spiraled me out of control and taken me to a very dark place. I recall telling someone I had just met last year, that their kind of thinking could easily destroy me. ItÂ’s something David used to say whenever I found myself listening to those who bet against me in 1985, if you listen to negative words you will only accomplish living up to their self-fulfilling prophecy. If you listen to positive messages and words of hope, the future will always remain open to endless possibilities.

With your kind messages you have all pulled me back from the edge of that precipice. Now I have a new “C” word in my life – Caring! Thank you!

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July 01, 2006

The Good, The Bad, The Ugly

The Good: All of you for the wonderful messages of support I received. They were touching, they arrived whenever I was worried or my spirits were low.

The Bad: My son needing emergency care for post surgical complications. We were in the ER for over 8hrs dealing with a number of symptoms and finally arrived at root cause to treat it and have been back home now for 18hrs without a relapse. YAY!

The Ugly: New York University Hospital's Emergency Room. One of the top teaching hospitals in the country and the conditions in their environment would fail the American Hospital Accreditation's exam for cleanliness. Not only were the conditions deplorable, they did away with their pediatric emergency ward. I also forgot that June 30 is the date that most residents and Attending's school terms ends and the new docs don't begin until after July 4th. When we were almost done, they wheeled a man into my son's room who was having a heart attack and began working on him as my son looked on. There was no curtain I could close, nothing I could do except pick up my son and carry him to an empty bed down the hall. It pissed off the nurses because we used an empty bed that would now have to be cleaned after we left but I didn't care. My son's mental well being was more important that what these witches thought/said. Oh, I took names and will be reporting the entire hospital to every major place I can. I even took pictures with my cell phone camera to show the violations.

I will never, ever go back there again!

As for me, I'm so sleep deprived I've been making mistakes of judgement and of action. I've been having to stay up to care and medicate my son and although I hired a visiting nurse to help me, I ran errands and started my chemotherapy while she was with my son. Unfortunately they don't work on weekends so no rest for the weary. It seems that I won't get any sleep until possibly sunday night when my brother in law comes to visit and will stay overnight to give me a break.

The worse 2 mistakes I've made was stepping onto oncoming traffic on a busy roadway and forgetting when and if I took my medication. I'm now writing down all the info and have set up alarms in my pda telling me who gets what medicine when. That's a big help! Actually, when we got to the ER, the Dr. was amazed that although I wasn't too coherent or intelligently making correlations, that I at least wrote my son's medical history into my pda prior to his surgery so that I wouldn't forget anything during admission intake. He was not only able to speed the process of my son's assessment by using this history but asked that I download it via the bluetooth feature to the hospital's computer all the info on fever stats, amount/times of fluid intake etc.

As for my son, althought he's hanging in there he's very weak. Not having been able to hold any food down for almost 4 days took a toll on his little body and he lost 6 lbs. He's on liquids only for now until he's able to handle soft solids like ice cream, yogurts and soups.

Well, that's all for now as I have to begin the coaxing, bribing etc. to have my son increase his fluid intake amount. Again, thanks for your emails and voice mail messages, they were greatly appreciated. more...

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June 18, 2006

A Geeky Party

It was an especially busy weekend for me. I had my first party since 9/11 and thought it went well, even if it was a little one-sided. I say one-sided because a lot more men than women showed up. But that had more to do with the fact that I work on a floor where the ratio of men to women is 28:1, rather than who chose to actually show up.

When my department first moved to the location IÂ’m in now, it was hard to get to know people because, we were put in the middle of geek land, and letÂ’s face it, geeks are not the most sociable creatures on the planet. So to break the ice and help us get acquainted with the IT division, I co-hosted a lunch pizza party with lots of fixinÂ’s and cake with ice cream for dessert. Those geeks love free food and sweets! That party really helped us get to know each other.

Over the next few months a few of the guys and I shared coffee and a few accidental lunches (when there was no place else to sit in the lunch room but at their table). They, like me, often eat alone and so sometimes, when weÂ’re pressed for time, we ask if we can join the other at their table. That resulted in some really great conversations and more lunch outings. In May, I started lunch group outings were we do fun stuff to engage our creative brain. On our first outing we went to a jazz club and listened to some great up and coming musicians/students perform for their final exam. Last week we went to a gallery opening and had an even bigger turnout, 23. On Monday, I ran into a large group of them that had gathered to watch the soccer match between USA & the Czechs. Somehow one of them suggested we should do something to organize a futbol party for the weekend. Somehow I got chosen for the task because out of all of us, I'm the only one that owns a big widescreen tv. (I may not watch tv but I LOVE MY MOVIES)!

Well, what initially was supposed to be a group of about 10-12 people, turned out being a group of over 30. It was actually the largest group of people I have ever hosted in my apartment. The good thing about hosting geeks is that theyÂ’re fun and they donÂ’t get crazy so everyone was comfortable. It was really neat, there were people from: Russia, India, Australia, London, Canada, US South & West, Spain, France & Germany, all gracing my living room. And the discussions before and after the game were all very fun and ran the range of topics from politics & economics to science and culture. Ironically, no discussion of technology.

Come to think of it, it felt very much like a grown ups party. There were 2 things that surprised me about myself: (1) I really hadnÂ’t lost my party planning skills, and as a result, 2) I never got nervous before or during the party. That makes a big difference for the guests, when you host a party.

I think a lot had to do with the fact that all the food came out perfect. In fact, IÂ’ve already had a couple of emails asking for my spicy bean dip and my guacamole recipes. I placed the furniture and food stations so that traffic and conversation would flow easily and people would move from one group to the next, rather than staying in one place (as geeks and wall flowers are known to do).

The nicest thing was that they all chipped in and got me a “fully loaded” Starbucks card as a belated birthday present. If they know me this well after 6 months, I wonder how well they will know me after 12? The thought frightens me!!!!

Anyway, the party was also a big success with the kids. I had enough fun activities and treats planned for them and they enjoyed themselves as well, with one notable exception. My son acted out a few times, which I didnÂ’t expect or like. But I finally got to the root of the problem today, he had been missing our private time and wanted my undivided attention. Unfortunately, I didn't discover this until after a few timeouts and privileges had been taken away and a few tears had been shed.

Well, tonight IÂ’ll be paying for my planning and fun, because IÂ’m going to have to catch up on house work, job related work, parental work, so it will definitely be a late night for me.

I sign off hoping your weekend was also enjoyable, and for those who are dadÂ’s, I hope that you felt loved and honored!

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June 16, 2006

A Make up Bag and Some Miracles

ItÂ’s been a busy week of 18 to 20 hr days of combined work and home responsibilities. I knew this week would be hell, and armed with my trusty Treo I was ready for anything that came my wayÂ… or so I thought.

Sitting in meeting after meeting, wearing my monkey suit and 3 1/2in heels, I kept my sanity by either working on silly posts on my cell phone, or composing bad poetry as commentary to my dear blog dadÂ’s posts. However, in all that writing, never in my wildest dreams did I expect a silly blog post about a little black make up bag to foreshadow real life events. The actual events ended with me actually saving several lives with my make-up bag. Never, in a million years could I have thought that would be possible. One yes, but several????? Never!

more...

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June 15, 2006

Got Game?

Then Come Out & Play! and experience the true meaning of MoSoSo as it converges art, culture, and technology into a dynamic social venture.

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June 06, 2006

Reality, Better Than Revenge Fantasies!

The angry little man in the disheveled clothing, yelling for the past few minutes, was trying to furiously channel his inner Napoleon. As he yelled, saliva slowly foamed at the corners of his mouth, making him look more like a rabid, tiny lap dog rather than the imperious man he tried to be.

I sat there, holding my tongue, as my left toe tapped incessantly on the heel of my right shoe. I was channeling my frustration at having to be delayed instead of getting on with my dinner. I was starving, and had already waited too long to eat. My blood's temperature was rising fast and reaching my boiling point.

As the angry little man reached his verbal climax, he stood to say, “This is the worst f@#$%&* building ever!"

I couldnÂ’t help but glare at him. Not only was he wasting our time, he was doing it with a futile and pointless effort. Before us was a fully grown, short little man, in a full-blown temper tantrum. His face turned beet-red as he screamed a few more obscenities and then, in a bizarre and dumbfounding move, he balled up his sweaty handkerchief and threw it at me. Barely shifting in my seat, I let the handkerchief slowly sail past me to hit the sweet older gentleman sitting next to me. I had reached my boiling point!

I exploded by slamming down my hand on the table as I stood up and yelled “Enough”. I waited for the shock of speaking so forcefully, to wear off everyone. Having silenced "little man", I continued speaking in a calm, slow and deliberate voice directly at him, glowering and inwardly salivating at what was about to happen. “You are either going to conduct yourself as an adult, waiting for your turn to speak in a calm normal tone, without cursing, or you will be escorted out of this room”. Knowing him full well I added, “this is your only warning.”

After taking my seat slowly, allowing for everyone's temperature to chill, I then recapped for everyoneÂ’s benefit how I suggested the meeting might proceed. When everyone was in agreement, I asked Tony, the building manager, to lead the meeting. After all, I couldnÂ’t be lead and hunter at the same time. I was too busy psychologically batting my prey about and positioning the others at the right angles to prevent his escape to lead the meeting. I wanted to play the cat and mouse game a little longer before fully pouncing on him.

From everyone’s body language “little man” could tell he was in the lion’s den and about to be eaten alive. There was nothing left for him to do but sit there, anticipating the moment it would happen. Yes he tried in vain to escape our grasp, but it was useless. For every anticipated move on his part there was a deliberate and even more powerful swatting, that left him speechless. Yes, in the end he was eaten alive with one big bite and barely a swallow. For violating the building’s bylaws, and for carrying on as he did, the board fined him mightily and heavily. The total damage: $450 payable in full within 30 days. An additional penalty of 10%/month was imposed for any outstanding balance not paid to the board by the deadline each month. If the balance was not fully paid within 3 months legal action would be taken against him.

Afterwards, we were all home licking our paws with great satisfaction. IÂ’m still walking around with a self-satisfied grin on my face thatÂ’s causing people to stop and look twice. ThatÂ’s how I like my prey, feisty until theyÂ’re finally vanquished!

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June 05, 2006

Bringing up Baby

Not to long ago, during my sonÂ’s Pediatric ENT consult, the doctor asked my son what kinds of things he was reading lately. My son quickly rattled off the last 5 books he read (3 of which were in the Captain Underpants series).

The doc then asked my son if he read any newspapers. “ No” was the answer. The doc in disbelief asked him if maybe he read them occasionally. “Nope” he said “my mommy doesn’t let me.” The doctor turned to me with a surprised look on his face. I looked at him without saying a word waiting to see if he would question me on it. He continued asking us health related questions instead.

By the end of the visit, his curiosity was piqued enough and he returned to the topic of my son not reading newspapers. So after confirming what my son said was true, he finally asked me why.

“What good will come from my son reading about rapes, robberies, murders and titillating gossip at the tender age of 6?”

“What about sports?” the doctor countered.

I smiled and said “We subscribe to Kids Soccer magazine and Children’s Sports Illustrated.”

He nodded and paused for a long moment, mulling over my answer. When he finally looked up, he had a broad smile and a glint in his eye. “How will he ever learn about important developing news events.”

I smiled knowingly back, and said to him, “Go ahead, ask him about any current event you want. So he turned and asked my son what he thought about the controversial initiative being contemplated by our City Council, letting first offenders of misdemeanors go through a speedy court process, and if found guilty, receiving lenient sentences or just probation with no time served.

My son quickly responded by saying: “That’s the dumbest idea I’ve ever heard! How are people going to learn not to do bad things if you give them a free pass the first time they do something wrong.”

The doctor then proceeded to give the example of a hungry kid stealing food from a store for his poor brothers and sisters.

My son stood up, arms akimbo, and said: "I donÂ’t care why that boy stole the food, stealing is wrong and he needs to be punished for it. How else will he learn not to do it again? Besides, if his whole family is that hungry whatÂ’s one loaf of bread going to do? He'll have to keep on stealing in order to feed them. And whoÂ’s going to protect and take care of the store owner? Why donÂ’t you care more about him instead of the boy whoÂ’s being a crimina?"

Out of the mouth of babes.... thatÂ’s my boy!

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May 09, 2006

WANTED

Lots of positive thoughts sent my way.

Thanks!

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April 29, 2006

Past 2 months

The living part of life these past 2 months has not been easy. The advent of multiple losses, which began with the death of my best friend in February and ended with the death of my step-father a few weeks ago, made me miss greatly the support of my close friends all the more. To feel close to them I went to St. PaulÂ’s Cemetery (which faces Ground Zero) before it closes for renovation. I did this not only to reflect back on those early days of 9/11 before the landscape changes, but also to have a heart to heart with my dearly departed friends. Betsey, our best friend and mentor for over 20 years, was lucky not to have been there on 9/11. On that fateful day she was undergoing her first chemotherapy treatment far away from the WTC. In February, she finally lost her battle and joined our beloved friends in heaven.

Several months after 9/11 Betsey asked me to write down my account of that day, providing as much detail as I could possibly. Later when it was still hard for me to talk about my grief she asked me to write a series of letters to all my friends and colleagues who died that day. As a psychologist who specialized in trauma, she thought that writing about it would be cathartic. As a writer and published author, she knew it would help exorcise my demons and help express my grief.

On the day she was to read my story she decided to take me out in a row boat in the middle of Central Park. When I asked her why she simply smiled and explained it was a metaphor I would understand later on.

This week I finally understood the metaphor. But this post is not about getting the metaphor or its meaning. Instead itÂ’s about how grateful I am for having had her in my life and for her friendship. In looking back I realize that through these past 4 years her patience, love and guidance helped me heal and overcome the devastating losses I experienced through out my life, not just during 9/11.

Though I miss her greatly, I know she is in a much better place.

As for me, I don't know if I'm back or when I'll write again. What I do know is that this blog is a place for healing for me, so I'll never really be gone. I don't even know if I'll allow comments and trackbacks. It's not that I don't welcome them, it's that when I'm not actively online spammers lay insult to injury with their garbage by inundating my inbox. So keep my life simple and sane I am closing them for now.

This week has been especially hard as I've had to take my son to the emergency twice due to complications from Strep, asthma, allergies and a high fever that won't go away. So while there, I've had time to think, reflect and visit you all through my cellphone. I'm grateful you're all there and I'm grateful your lives bring so much needed humor into my life. And I say that in a good way.

Thanks for visiting.

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January 22, 2006

Sunday, Bloody Sunday

I've done nothing but rest and nurse a bad cold all weekend. Actually, I've had a bad cold now for almost 9 days. I think packing up our research library in preparation for my department's move has had a lot to do with my condition. In the packing process I've been exposed to dirt, dust and a bit of mildewy documents that made my cold symptoms worse mid week.

I had over 600 pages to read for work this weekend and I just didn't have it in me to do anything other than read my email a few times. This week is hell week, not only do we move starting Friday morning, our new division head comes to visit us overnight this week. A week when legislation in several large states is moving fast and furious.

My job? To make sure everything/everyone is packed and ready to go Friday morning on top of keeping up with all my responsibilities. In truth, I'd rather be listening to music, writing, reading novels or dancing!

As for the post's title, Sunday for me has always been a tough day to get through. Today is no different, especially since I'm so tired of being sick with this cold. Hope your weekends were enjoyable. b

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January 10, 2006

I Am Overwhelmed

Writing yesterday's post provided many powerful realizations and a few life lessons.
After following up with my friend's wife this evening I learned that he's finally back on medication and under a doctor's care. I'm both relieved and tired.

My tiredness, however, is a good tired. It comes from being on the phone till the wee hours of this morning from people all over the world who were concerned and called to express their support. They also shared incredible stories of people in their lives who had also sucked the life blood out of them at some point or another.

To those who commented, called, emailed, and left me messages of support, I thank you! It was both unexpected, unbelievably appreciated, and warmed my heart beyond measure. This evening my last caller was a blogger from Canada who has emailed me regularly for the past 2 years whenever I've been feeling a bit low. It was such a welcome surprise and really such a cumulative overwhelming gesture that I just began to cry... but these were tears of great friendship and affection for the kindness received. I truly feel blessed to have each and every one of you in my life. With each call I began to feel better and better. Well, after such an outpourig of support I now I have a new saying:
Bloggers - the sad blues antidote!

A heartfelt thank you and may God bless each and everyone of you.

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January 05, 2006

Happy and at Peace

Its been a very long time since I've been in this place. I've been here for a few days now, even though for part of that time I've been sick as a dog.

It all started with me coming across some of my friends winter clothes tthat were given to after they died. On one cold night I wore Larry's old FDNY sweatshirt. On another I wore Mike's favorite long sleeve black tshirt. Its comforting to have something of theirs that I can wear. Its like having a big long hug.

I think the rest of the emotional shift began when I wrote my annual holiday letters to my deceased friends, sharing my year's hilights. In writing, I felt as if they were with me and we were having a conversation. It was the closest I felt to them since there death.

That sensation brought me to a place of healing and peace. A place I've not been to in many years. I hope and pray its a place I'll be abe to return to often in the days and months ahead.

.

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October 25, 2005

Extreme Housework?

This post is dedicated to Bou, because I couldn't stop smiling, laughing, and thinking of her when I saw this picture. Here are some enthusiastic people that will gladly take at least one chore off your hands.

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October 19, 2005

H E L P!

I need somebodyÂ… Help! not just anybodyÂ… I NEED YOU!

When I was younger, so much younger than todayÂ… my parents bought me awful presents & still do it to this day!

ThereÂ’s only one way to save me from receiving torturous gifts like the kind Eric has received; and that is to give my family a detailed list of what I really want for Christmas. ThatÂ’s where you, my dear reader, come in.

HereÂ’s how you can help me have a wonderful Christmas!!!! PLEASE TELL me, if you were stranded on an island with only a cd player and/or a dvd player, which music cdÂ’s or movies would you want to have with you and why. I'll take every last one of your suggestions and will put it on my Xmas Wish List and will see what shows up under my tree Christmas morning!

I need you guys to suggest your choices in the comments ASAP as my family is going Christmas shopping for me this weekend and need my selections in their hands by tomorrow night. YIKES!

So please, PLEASE help meÂ… donÂ’t let me suffer the same cruel fate that Eric has fallen victim to!

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October 07, 2005

Dancin' Fool

So in my quest to live to the fullest and experience joy on daily basis last week I signed up for a dance class and committed myself to going once a week at lunch time. Today I went to my first full hour dance class in 15 years. I haven't moved in some of those ways in years! So now my hips are sore and my butt cheaks hurt, but it was worth it for all the fun I had. I love to dance, so much so that some people have said "I'm a dancin' fooooool" [to quote Zappa].

I enjoyed it so much I can't wait to go back next week. I'm counting the days, the hours and the minutes. Hmmmm, could this be love? Sigh, it certainly feels like it. So what prompted me taking this dance class? What was my inspiration? One of the women who works on my floor is a competitive ballroom dancer! She has the body of a goddess and glides as she walks! I want her body!

Nooooo, not in THAT way you pervs! But in me working on myself in this fun wonderful way to slowly get there. A Cyd Cherisse or Ginger Rodgers I'll never be, but in the right masterful hands, like those of my award winning dance instructor, I can at least reach a higher plane than where I am. Sigh!

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October 06, 2005

Updates:



- Well, the magical magnetic orb finally exited swiftly this morning without limited fanfare and to the relief of all (Dr., son & me).

- I am still without a gag reflex as I was tested once again. This time I was tested for legitimate reasons, to make sure that my mild case of strep was gone. When my Doctor called the NYU hospital lab they apparently could not find the results for the tests the Residents did on Sunday. Yep, there was no record of my throat being swabbed.

- On the upside, the results of my physical have revealed that IÂ’m healthy and well. According to my Dr, I have the insides of a 25 year old. Now all I have to do is work on getting my outsides to match my insidesÂ…. but wait, isnÂ’t beauty skin deep anyway? Hey baby [purposeful winking ensues], wanna see my liver? Heh, heh, heh!

Finally, due to the ER visit this weekend I missed my most favorite event of the year - the Medieval Festival! For 2 years IÂ’ve vied against many other women, some incredibly beautiful ladies, for the coveted role of Lady Isabella who presides over the Sunday afternoon jousts and Gala dinner. I dress in a black version of the little number you see below, with a matching headpiece that makes me stand out even amongst the tallest person in the room. At both events I get to sit near the King and Queen as I watch the jousters vie for my honor and my handkerchief. Yes, Contagion is not the only one in the Bad Example Family who is a re-enactor. And I'm no mere Mortar Maiden, nope, I'm a Lady!

So how did I win this coveted role? I was the person who spoke the longest, enunciated the clearest in an Olde Middle English accent. I also didnÂ’t have the shrill little girl voice women are prone to have these days, like my competitor. Well, it was all for naught! She got to go (instead of me) and dined with Kings, Princes, Knights of the Round Table, some who were also dragon slayers.

Big sigh! IÂ’ll have to wait till next year and see if I can be a Lady once again.

lady marion.jpg

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September 22, 2005

A Sad Resignation

Today, I submitted my resignation for my seat on the Disaster Planning and Recovery committee of my firm to take effect on 9-30-05. IÂ’ve been on that committee since before 9-11 at the urging of my friend and mentor, Rick.

Being on this committee meant that prior to, or during a natural or man-made disaster, we would be willing to work long hours from any location. All of us on that team are highly mobile except for me. As a single mom, my 1st job is my son and all my other commitments come 2nd. The good thing is that my firm supports my priorities and has enabled me to work as hard as my colleagues in a very different way.

Over the years IÂ’ve put in many long hours at my home computer, ensuring that our firm, itÂ’s staff and resources were made available to employees (and their families) from affected disaster areas around the globe. When I first took this job I never expected that this role would be as demanding or as rewarding as it has been. As a volunteer for this committee it means that these duties are performed in addition to our regular jobs. 9-11 was my first disaster and it not only tested all the plans our firm had in place, it tested the emotional and mental strength of those on the committee. On that day, though we lost a friend and great leader in Rick, we were able to forge ahead through his leadership, dedication and endless (and I truly mean endless war-game and) practice scenarios, able to save many lives.

In the last 10 months that strength has been greatly tested in a number of disasters; from the Tsunami after last Christmas. to earthquakes in the spring, and now 2 major hurricanes back to back. What many people donÂ’t realize is that after any disaster it can take up to a year for lives to get back to normal. During that entire time we are there ensuring that our firms resources are available to employees and their families. That level of support and planning makes almost triple the work for us. Unfortunately, that is much more than I have to give right now, which is a double edged sword.
more...

Posted by: Michele at 10:43 PM | Comments (7) | Add Comment
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September 21, 2005

What's in a Birth Date?

I'm still not feeling well. I'm going to the doctor's later today where I will sit glued to the TV for news on Ophelia. Half of the staff from our affected 21 branch offices who were affected by Katrina were relocated to Texas, including my best friend. At this point I think our whole country can use a break. So in an effort to distract here's my contribution for the day. If you post your birthday on your site let me know and I'll link back to you. Happy Wednesday! Happy 1st day of Fall, my favorite season.




Your Birthdate: June X



Born on the Xth day of the month, you have a special gift for business, as you can conceive and plan on a grand scale without batting an eyelash.



You have good executive and entepreneurial skills and you're a good judge of values and character.


You should try to form your own business, because you have such a strong desire to be in control.



You are generally reliable when it comes to handling money and can be trusted in this regard.


Idealistic by nature, you are never too busy to spend some time on worthwhile causes, especially if managerial support are needed.



There is much potential for material success associated with this number.

Had anyone said this about me 12 years ago I would have said they were lying. My reaction now is that's pretty much on the money. The difference is that since then I was able to serve 2 terms as President of Student Gov't at my old university, governing over a constituincy of 30,000 students with a fiscal budget of 3.5 million dollars. There are 2 things that stand out about that time: 1) how every one wanted me to throw money to solve every problem, something I refused to do and as a result was labeled the cheapest Pres in the school's history (hey, but I balanced our budget!); 2) How terribly sleep deprived I was, still am in fact. Tonight I plan on correcting that!


Posted by: Michele at 09:00 AM | Comments (3) | Add Comment
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