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thoughts for my mom
Feb. 13th, 2008 08:14 amYesterday my mom had a mild stroke. There's no bleeding, and no immediate concerns for her well-being. She's lost some function on her right (dominant) side and is having a bit of trouble forming words. But so far, her deficits are small and she can probably go home soon. The worrisome thing at this point will be figuring out how she and my dad, who is disabled, are going to function day-to-day. But that's something the logistics of which my siblings and I will need to discuss.
I will be in Ohio this weekend to see her and talk with my sisters. If you believe in such things, please send vibes/energy/prayers to Mom and Dad.
I will be in Ohio this weekend to see her and talk with my sisters. If you believe in such things, please send vibes/energy/prayers to Mom and Dad.
(no subject)
Mar. 2nd, 2006 07:56 pmI've been reading some of the papers published by the guy at ACADIA. Dude, it's been a loooong time since I've read about g protein-coupled receptors; everything is just going whiizzzzzzzzzzzz over my head. Time to dig out my copy of Alberts and do a little refresher course. Wow. Cool stuff though, lots of mechanistic studies, interesting work teasing out modes of action of anti-schizophrenic drugs. That's the kind of stuff I wanted to study in grad school, stuff that I have sadly never studied. The prospect of the job, the research, and the material I'd need to learn poses an enticing challenge.
*****
I'm not sure there's other news to report. I'm spending lots of time preparing for the SDWC concert this Saturday. I've discovered a latent ability to call local businesses and baldly ask for donations. I've also discovered I'm insanely gungho about the chorus. I still think the chorus made a mistake electing me to the board of directors and that the board made a mistake nominating me for president. But I have no illusions about what I can and cannot do; my only goal is to stick to my strengths and delegate the rest. (ha!)
*****
In the realm of "Reasons My Mom is Cooler Than Yours," did I mention she watches Veronica Mars? She's always had a soft spot for detective shows, so it shouldn't have come as a surprise when she exclaimed "Veronica Mars, I like her!" The trouble comes when I try to align VM with Jessica Fletcher. (Columbo seems less of a stretch, oddly.) ;)
We also spent a HUGE chunk of time watching both LotR 2 & 3. My tech-naive parents were recently given a DVD player. Mom still hasn't figured it out but I think that DVD's subtitle options may win her over. God forbid she actually put in her hearing aid. I think she likes ignoring the world. O.o
*****
I think I'm done. Am I done? Yeah, I think I'm done.
*****
I'm not sure there's other news to report. I'm spending lots of time preparing for the SDWC concert this Saturday. I've discovered a latent ability to call local businesses and baldly ask for donations. I've also discovered I'm insanely gungho about the chorus. I still think the chorus made a mistake electing me to the board of directors and that the board made a mistake nominating me for president. But I have no illusions about what I can and cannot do; my only goal is to stick to my strengths and delegate the rest. (ha!)
*****
In the realm of "Reasons My Mom is Cooler Than Yours," did I mention she watches Veronica Mars? She's always had a soft spot for detective shows, so it shouldn't have come as a surprise when she exclaimed "Veronica Mars, I like her!" The trouble comes when I try to align VM with Jessica Fletcher. (Columbo seems less of a stretch, oddly.) ;)
We also spent a HUGE chunk of time watching both LotR 2 & 3. My tech-naive parents were recently given a DVD player. Mom still hasn't figured it out but I think that DVD's subtitle options may win her over. God forbid she actually put in her hearing aid. I think she likes ignoring the world. O.o
*****
I think I'm done. Am I done? Yeah, I think I'm done.
tiny little bits of serendipity
Jan. 16th, 2006 11:28 amJesse's in a new band (Labor Force) and they're playing a gig at the Grog Shop on February 19th. When I'll be in Clevo. I just sent him a note asking whether it'd be too embarrassing to have his decrepit old auntie in the audience at a show. :)
I'm officially a grownup
Dec. 28th, 2005 09:11 pmMy annoying homophobic (evangelical Christian) cousin sent me a Christmas card with a nice note in it. I just sucked it up and wrote a card to her, too.
I feel all funny in my tummy.
I feel all funny in my tummy.
completely random
Sep. 13th, 2005 12:02 pm- I started catching up with last season's BSG. Oh so good. I really like the understated tension, particularly in scenes with the Old Man. It has its flaws, true, but it's enjoyable genre television.
- I need to take a hiatus from news. I feel like a total pussy for doing so, but reading all this bs day after day is taking a toll on me. Fortunately there are batting cages in which I can vent my supreme frustration with the universe.
- My Buckeyes lost a tough game to Texas this weekend. It's taken me a while to come to grips, but the fact is their offense just stalled out. I think the offensive line needs some tweaking, they just couldn't protect either Smith or Zwick in the pocket and were shut down. Oh well, it's early in the season. Let's hope adjustments can be made.
- Every trip I take back to Ohio illuminates for me how my parents are slowly becoming less able to take care of their home. My sisters do what they can to take care of Mom and Dad; my brother works in the yard every trip he makes to Cleveland. I spent most of my time in Ohio weeding Dad's rose garden. There were thistles nearly 4.5 feet tall and morning glories choking out all the rose bushes. It was pretty sad. I'm coming to the realization that I only have my parents for a finite time, and that I want to spend more of that time with them. In the short term that means more trips to Ohio. In the mid-term (ie next couple years) that will mean a move back to the east coast. I'm having trouble wrapping my brain around it but I feel in my gut it's the right thing to do.
randomalia
Sep. 1st, 2005 09:33 amAnyone have a copy of X's "The World's a Mess, It's in My Kiss?" Mine was on tape and it has since been lost in multiple moves. I am very much jonesing to hear it.
New icon courtesy of the Molecular Probes catalog of stored images. They're beautiful and they're all applications of biological markers and dyes; more proof that biologists love pretty pictures.
Two days until I leave for Ohio. I'm really looking forward to this trip, not only to see my family (and eat ribs!) but to see my friends. I miss those kids something awful.
I'm in a philosophical mood lately, lots of pondering and trying to make my brain work in new ways. Perhaps this is why I'm so looking forward to seeing friends in Ohio; none of them are scientific or technical people and they draw out a different side of my personality. I need that right now; I need to find a way to cultivate that out here, too.
There will likely be another post with a somewhat philosophical bent, later. Right now numbers and data and analysis beckons.
New icon courtesy of the Molecular Probes catalog of stored images. They're beautiful and they're all applications of biological markers and dyes; more proof that biologists love pretty pictures.
Two days until I leave for Ohio. I'm really looking forward to this trip, not only to see my family (and eat ribs!) but to see my friends. I miss those kids something awful.
I'm in a philosophical mood lately, lots of pondering and trying to make my brain work in new ways. Perhaps this is why I'm so looking forward to seeing friends in Ohio; none of them are scientific or technical people and they draw out a different side of my personality. I need that right now; I need to find a way to cultivate that out here, too.
There will likely be another post with a somewhat philosophical bent, later. Right now numbers and data and analysis beckons.
I truly wish I had something interesting to say. I'd update more frequently if that were the case, but my life is fairly mellow. The current excitement may be summed up thusly:
1. I'm apartment hunting. Hopefully I will have a space of my own fairly soon. I will have very little to put in said space, other than myself, but it will be oh so lovely to have my own space.
2. I am surfboard shopping. Yesterday I replied to a craigslist ad for an 8'6 that's barely been used. Cross fingers that it soon belongs to me.
3. My oldest sister turns 50 tomorrow. I have sent a nifty bouquet to her and will call to sing Happy Birthday offkey. This may make her cry but that's okay.
4. My middle sister is on A Mission From Gahd(TM Blues Brothers) to find pots and pans for me. This may make me cry, but that's okay. I love her something awful.
1. I'm apartment hunting. Hopefully I will have a space of my own fairly soon. I will have very little to put in said space, other than myself, but it will be oh so lovely to have my own space.
2. I am surfboard shopping. Yesterday I replied to a craigslist ad for an 8'6 that's barely been used. Cross fingers that it soon belongs to me.
3. My oldest sister turns 50 tomorrow. I have sent a nifty bouquet to her and will call to sing Happy Birthday offkey. This may make her cry but that's okay.
4. My middle sister is on A Mission From Gahd(TM Blues Brothers) to find pots and pans for me. This may make me cry, but that's okay. I love her something awful.
It's reassuring to know that St. Elizabeth Ann Seton still has an annual Lenten pierogi sale. It's also reassuring to know that my nephew Jesse still likes to play with Transformers. And that Mr. Hero's is still the best bad food you can eat.
I have just finished a masterpiece in Crayola which I will now send to my 5 year-old niece. The last time she was at my folks' she made a picture for me, which she then made Mom mail. I figure I ought to return the favor. So I've made a self-portrait geared toward the preschool set, gesturing toward the refrigerator where Devon's picture is proudly displayed. The cats made a special guest appearance, as well. They insisted.
The style is vaguely Picasso-meets-cave painting, but I think its audience will be appreciative.
The style is vaguely Picasso-meets-cave painting, but I think its audience will be appreciative.
You've gotta be kidding me
Jan. 13th, 2005 10:49 amReceived from a family member:
Subject: RE: God is Good! If I don't get this back, I will know you really didn't read it. I got this from someone and thought the last part was really a good thought. Too bad that the person who sent it to me did not know 10 people who would admit to knowing the Lord. If I send this to you, please send it back so I will know that my friends do know the Lord. I don't think I know 10 people who would admit they love Jesus. Do You Love Him? This is a simple test: IF YOU LOVE JESUS, SEND THIS TO AT LEAST 10 PEOPLE, INCLUDING THE PERSON WHO SENT IT TO YOU!This sounds like a bunch of junior high bullshit.
My mom is silly. The other night she called to anxiously ask whether we're near any of the mudslides. "Mom, all of Southern California is experiencing mudslides. But where we live isn't experiencing extreme mudslides." She said that she really wanted to tell us to "get on a plane and come home!" Which response is the best choice:
Response a) "Leave rainy and muddy weather to go to Ohio, where you're reeling from the worst snow storm to hit in ~25 years?"
Response b) "Um Mom, I am home."
Response c) "Mom, we're okay. I'd let you know if there was something to worry about. Besides, I had these really smart parents who taught me to have a level head and keep myself out of trouble."
I chose C. It seemed to work. Not that Mom is any less anxious (I think that's impossible for her, anxiety is her standard operating state) but it relieved her a bit.
Response a) "Leave rainy and muddy weather to go to Ohio, where you're reeling from the worst snow storm to hit in ~25 years?"
Response b) "Um Mom, I am home."
Response c) "Mom, we're okay. I'd let you know if there was something to worry about. Besides, I had these really smart parents who taught me to have a level head and keep myself out of trouble."
I chose C. It seemed to work. Not that Mom is any less anxious (I think that's impossible for her, anxiety is her standard operating state) but it relieved her a bit.
