Bridge Man and I have always lived fairly modestly. I've held off buying those 200 dollar boots until I make it big as a stylist to the stars or Bridge Man designs the next Golden Gate Bridge and makes his first million. Be that as it may, we do have our extravagances. For my husband, it is the cable box on the television and for me, it's the Internet. Super-duper fancy, right? Back in the day when I lost my job to the beginning of this fantastic economic crisis, we had a conversation about cutting back expenses. As you can probably guess, my Bridge guy was willing to give up the Internet without the blink of an eyelash and I, the TV. Who needs 80 channels anyway? In the end, no conclusion was made and we kept both. After all, after about a month or so I found another job and all was not lost.
Our poor city is under a monopoly by this cable giant who goes by the name of *Comcrap. Long story short, in a period of about two months or so, we have had to contact said Internet/cable provider for a problem with the service. Each call becomes a 40-50 minute ordeal. First there is the automated voice, of whom I've become very familiar, then there is the hold message that insists how important my call is to them and pleads for me to wait a few more minutes, then, after 35+ minutes I am patched through to a customer service representative who is unfortunately unable to answer my question but can put me through to someone who can.
Then you wait.
And wait.
And wait.
And then, a second automated voice pipes up and states that an appointment has been made for you for the next business day between the hours of 8am and 4 pm.
This is all well and good except for the small fact that both Bridge Man and I have to work the next business day between the hours of 8am and 4pm.
For the last three weeks or so we have been suffering with patchy cable and a digital box that pops up on the screen with random letters and numbers at will. As for the Internet, it has been totally MIA. I've come to the end of my rope and would like to cancel both services. However, that means sitting on the phone for another 30-40 minutes to complete this simple task. You can see my predicament.
Thus the reason I sit here soaking in the free Wifi that Panera Bread so generously offers poor patrons such as myself. This is the first time I've been on the world wide web since Christmas. Oh, woe is me.For this reason, my dear reader, I cannot guarantee a quick return to this blog. I hope to be back within the week. Bridge Man and I are looking into getting a mobile access card.
P.S. While this is unfortunate, it couldn't have come at a better time. In two weeks I take my state board test to get my license as a cosmetologist. I can use this free time to study like a good little student. Wish me luck!
* This is the name I came up with for this company after the fourth time I sat on the phone, on hold for 35 minutes.
05 January 2009
29 November 2008
Nov. 30th
Tomorrow is one of those can't-get-out-of-my head type days. It's like anticipating a holiday or anniversary but without the excitement. The anticipation is more about the unknown. I don't know if I'll be a sobbing mess or if I'll be able to plaster on a cheesy smile and sail through the day. Tomorrow marks the 365th day since my mom passed away. What makes this day verses any other different is beyond me. I continue to mourn her death no matter what day of the week. It seems almost morbid to mark tomorrow as an anniversary because the word is associated with positive things, a first date, a first kiss, a wedding. Unfortunately, the date brings with it words I haven't been able to get out of my mind for the last month, "At this time last year I was..." And for the last month that phrase ended with, counting respirations, administering morphine, dressing wounds and telling my sweet, sweet mother how much I love her for the last time.
This last month has been a roller coaster of emotions. At one minute I'm smiling and laughing with friends, the next minute I'm sitting silently in a blank daze, and the next I'm fighting to hold back tears that are taking over. Those closest to me were warned from the beginning and have been more than understanding. It seems impossible that I just made it through one year without someone who was, for so long, involved 100% in my life as I was in hers. It seems impossible that I am to continue for the next years without her. That any future children I have will not know how wonderful she was. Sure, I can tell stories but they will never know her voice, her touch, her personality.
People called her stubborn. I call it strong. She fought her disease for two years as a single mother of five children and one grandchild. She worked a job until the day she went into the hospital for her final surgery. And when the doctor called me that night to tell me she had two days to live, she fought for two weeks. Two weeks that allowed us to talk, laugh, cry, and be a family. Two weeks for her to make sure she had taken care of everything and that her children would be OK when she was gone. She did her job. We are OK.
This last month has been a roller coaster of emotions. At one minute I'm smiling and laughing with friends, the next minute I'm sitting silently in a blank daze, and the next I'm fighting to hold back tears that are taking over. Those closest to me were warned from the beginning and have been more than understanding. It seems impossible that I just made it through one year without someone who was, for so long, involved 100% in my life as I was in hers. It seems impossible that I am to continue for the next years without her. That any future children I have will not know how wonderful she was. Sure, I can tell stories but they will never know her voice, her touch, her personality.
People called her stubborn. I call it strong. She fought her disease for two years as a single mother of five children and one grandchild. She worked a job until the day she went into the hospital for her final surgery. And when the doctor called me that night to tell me she had two days to live, she fought for two weeks. Two weeks that allowed us to talk, laugh, cry, and be a family. Two weeks for her to make sure she had taken care of everything and that her children would be OK when she was gone. She did her job. We are OK.
06 November 2008
Call to duty
Hello friends.
As you know by now, I lost my best friend and mom to cancer last year. The last few months leading up to the one year mark have been very emotional for me. At this time last year, one of the things that helped me to get through this difficult time were the cards and good wishes that were sent my way.
This is where I ask a favor of you. A little boy, Evan Hoffman, I had the pleasure of meeting three years ago was diagnosed this last June with Rhabdomyosarcoma, a rare form of cancer of the soft tissue. He is currently battling this with 52 weeks of chemotherapy. As you might expect, he is unable to attend his 6th grade classes, go outside, or spend time with his friends and extended family.
Recently, Evan was given a map of the world and some push pins. For each card/message he receives he puts one pin on the map to represent the place from which the message came. The outpouring of responses have been phenomenal but it wouldn't hurt for him to get more. Please consider taking the time to write a note on the website for this wonderful little dude. He deserves all the support we can muster.
Thanks,
Xteener
As you know by now, I lost my best friend and mom to cancer last year. The last few months leading up to the one year mark have been very emotional for me. At this time last year, one of the things that helped me to get through this difficult time were the cards and good wishes that were sent my way.
This is where I ask a favor of you. A little boy, Evan Hoffman, I had the pleasure of meeting three years ago was diagnosed this last June with Rhabdomyosarcoma, a rare form of cancer of the soft tissue. He is currently battling this with 52 weeks of chemotherapy. As you might expect, he is unable to attend his 6th grade classes, go outside, or spend time with his friends and extended family.
Recently, Evan was given a map of the world and some push pins. For each card/message he receives he puts one pin on the map to represent the place from which the message came. The outpouring of responses have been phenomenal but it wouldn't hurt for him to get more. Please consider taking the time to write a note on the website for this wonderful little dude. He deserves all the support we can muster.
Thanks,
Xteener
05 November 2008
Buggers
While today was an all-in-all good day (Yay, OBAMA! & some other things that require far too much explanation, but good nonetheless) I would like to share with you a few things that drive me up the wall in a Trainspotting kind of way.
- Bad grammar* - let me give you an example of something I hear FAR too often.
"I seen that car drive through the red light." GAH! It pains me to even write those words down in that order. Since when are the words 'seen' and 'saw' interchangeable?
- Bad driving - From my first day in Springfield, I noticed one thing that most Springfieldians failed to learn in drivers ed. Turning into your own lane. It happens so much that most (99%) drivers will yield to those turning into the wrong lane as if it's common practice. Let me draw you a picture.
Oh how I love Photoshop. So, with this professionally, detailed picture I drew for you readers, you'll see what I mean. The black car is waiting patiently for the red car to turn into the far lane before the black car will even consider turning. This will take place as if there is nothing wrong. It would be far more efficient for each car to turn into their own lane, yes?
- More bad grammar - In the infamous words of Ross Geller (Season 4, The One With The Jellyfish), "Y-o-u'r-e means 'you are. Y-o-u-r means your!" The same goes for 'they're' and 'there.'
There, I've said my peace.
*Yes, I don't always have perfect grammar, in fact I'm sure there are a few typos throughout this post alone. I'm just saying.
- Bad grammar* - let me give you an example of something I hear FAR too often.
"I seen that car drive through the red light." GAH! It pains me to even write those words down in that order. Since when are the words 'seen' and 'saw' interchangeable?
- Bad driving - From my first day in Springfield, I noticed one thing that most Springfieldians failed to learn in drivers ed. Turning into your own lane. It happens so much that most (99%) drivers will yield to those turning into the wrong lane as if it's common practice. Let me draw you a picture.
Oh how I love Photoshop. So, with this professionally, detailed picture I drew for you readers, you'll see what I mean. The black car is waiting patiently for the red car to turn into the far lane before the black car will even consider turning. This will take place as if there is nothing wrong. It would be far more efficient for each car to turn into their own lane, yes?
- More bad grammar - In the infamous words of Ross Geller (Season 4, The One With The Jellyfish), "Y-o-u'r-e means 'you are. Y-o-u-r means your!" The same goes for 'they're' and 'there.'
There, I've said my peace.
*Yes, I don't always have perfect grammar, in fact I'm sure there are a few typos throughout this post alone. I'm just saying.
04 November 2008
Happy Election Day
It all started two years ago. Temperatures were below freezing and yet Bridge Man and I trekked our way through thousands of people to see this:
I am proud to be able to tell my great great grandchildren that I was there the very first time Obama announced his candidacy for president. I WAS THERE! Yes, it took my toes over an hour to thaw from standing outside on that February day in Illinois, but it was oh, SO worth it.
And now we have come full circle, dudes and dudettes. It's election day, and guess what I did.
I got a hair cut! Oh, yeah, and I voted. How fabulous is that?
Go out and do your American duties people. Al the cool kids are doing it.
I am proud to be able to tell my great great grandchildren that I was there the very first time Obama announced his candidacy for president. I WAS THERE! Yes, it took my toes over an hour to thaw from standing outside on that February day in Illinois, but it was oh, SO worth it.
And now we have come full circle, dudes and dudettes. It's election day, and guess what I did.
I got a hair cut! Oh, yeah, and I voted. How fabulous is that?
Go out and do your American duties people. Al the cool kids are doing it.
24 October 2008
To Vet or Not to Vet
I know, how crappy of me to stay away for so long and show back up out of the blue with nothing but a video. But.... come on, I'm trying. And how fun is a video all political and such. Enjoy.
08 October 2008
Curiouser and Couriouser
I must admit I've been sucked into the vortex that is this political campaign, the ever controversial "Race for the White House". Last night I passed up the option of school, you know, that thing that will hopefully make me a living one day, to watch the debate. I missed the first one because of school and couldn't bear the idea of missing all three. Was it worth it? Well, there was much to be desired but I'm glad I trudged through.
As I've stated before I wouldn't have the passion for politics if it weren't for Bridge Man. The boy is passionate about his politics. Check out this letter he e-mailed to senator McCain just this last week.
"John McCain: Your recent attacks toward Barack Obama claiming he "pals around with terrorist" are completely untrue and you know it. Over the last 2 years you have become a George W. Bush and Karl Rove style politician. You are spewing the same kind of garbage that was spewed about you by those two despicable people in the 2000 campaign. I used to have respect for you because you were one of the few politicians who actually treated those with whom you disagreed respectfully. If you weren't such a sellout you could have easily won this election. Because of your dishonorable and unpatriotic behavior reminiscent of Bush and Rove you have lost all of my respect and I find you to be not only a disgraceful senator but a disgraceful human being. Your choice of Sarah Palin is also disgraceful simply for the reason that it is well known your first choice was Joe Leiberman and because the "base" didn't approve of a democrat, God forbid, you went with a choice to please their irrationalizations instead of a choice that was based on the question "who is best for the country?". You have disgraced yourself and become someone other than the person for whom I once had respect. You will lose this election and our country will benefit greatly."
What can I say, when I'm not there to supervise his political intake, he gets mad and foams at the mouth.
I've been trying to think about each candidate with an open mind although sometimes I feel as if my opinion is already made. At our house, we spend a lot of time watching MSNBC, CNN, and on Sunday mornings, Meet the Press. And with my open mind, I can't help but feel that maybe, just maybe (dare I say it?) the news is biased. There are certain stations that are blatantly right wing and some that are blatantly left. And the idea that the news I watch does more than simply inform makes my eye twitch.
I know that I could simply choose to watch a different station but the fact is, no matter how curious I am, there are only a few programs I can stand to watch. So my question to you is, where do you get your news? Do you tend to watch/read news based on your preferred candidate? Maybe I should forgo news, stick to a simple list of the issues, and vote for the candidate I agree with most. Maybe that's the key.
As I've stated before I wouldn't have the passion for politics if it weren't for Bridge Man. The boy is passionate about his politics. Check out this letter he e-mailed to senator McCain just this last week.
"John McCain: Your recent attacks toward Barack Obama claiming he "pals around with terrorist" are completely untrue and you know it. Over the last 2 years you have become a George W. Bush and Karl Rove style politician. You are spewing the same kind of garbage that was spewed about you by those two despicable people in the 2000 campaign. I used to have respect for you because you were one of the few politicians who actually treated those with whom you disagreed respectfully. If you weren't such a sellout you could have easily won this election. Because of your dishonorable and unpatriotic behavior reminiscent of Bush and Rove you have lost all of my respect and I find you to be not only a disgraceful senator but a disgraceful human being. Your choice of Sarah Palin is also disgraceful simply for the reason that it is well known your first choice was Joe Leiberman and because the "base" didn't approve of a democrat, God forbid, you went with a choice to please their irrationalizations instead of a choice that was based on the question "who is best for the country?". You have disgraced yourself and become someone other than the person for whom I once had respect. You will lose this election and our country will benefit greatly."
What can I say, when I'm not there to supervise his political intake, he gets mad and foams at the mouth.
I've been trying to think about each candidate with an open mind although sometimes I feel as if my opinion is already made. At our house, we spend a lot of time watching MSNBC, CNN, and on Sunday mornings, Meet the Press. And with my open mind, I can't help but feel that maybe, just maybe (dare I say it?) the news is biased. There are certain stations that are blatantly right wing and some that are blatantly left. And the idea that the news I watch does more than simply inform makes my eye twitch.
I know that I could simply choose to watch a different station but the fact is, no matter how curious I am, there are only a few programs I can stand to watch. So my question to you is, where do you get your news? Do you tend to watch/read news based on your preferred candidate? Maybe I should forgo news, stick to a simple list of the issues, and vote for the candidate I agree with most. Maybe that's the key.
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