Well, the move is now past tense...though the unpacking remains. And will likely remain in bits and parts for some time. Of course, that is the nature of it and, with hope (perhaps misplaced due to my nomadic manner) there will not be another address for some years.
I adore the home, though it still does not feel like we really own it. We both expect that we shall return home one day to find the old owners have returned from some extended holiday and our trespass is at an end. It is such a difficult concept to wrap my brain around. I remember feeling the same way when I bought my first new car. For months I couldnt believe that the dealership had presumed that I had the ability to pay for it. Like I had duped them somehow.
I look forward to finally putting away the last of the boxes and hanging up some pictures and making it our own. I will definitely be sharing it at that point.
In other news, I am still recovering........and thankfully quite well. I still have the stamina of an elderly person and fatigue quickly. It is amazing how quickly the body atrophies, and how slowly it builds. I keep wondering how this imposter got hold of my body and ran it down so much.
I will write more when time avails. For now, slumber calls.
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Wednesday, September 09, 2009
Roses and Thorns
Used to play a game after trips called roses and thorns. Thought I would bring it back blogger style. Roses (best parts) and thorns (worst parts) of Hawaii
Roses:
- verdant mountains shrouded in clouds
- Puka dog - SO GOOD!
- Plate lunches - carb lovers heaven
- Snorkeling at Hanauma Bay
- ABC stores - they sell EVERYTHING (and are more numerous than Starbucks here)
- lounging with Tia on the beach with a good book
Thorns:
- lizard poop - they are quite, er, prolific
- giant centipedes - I thought it was a snake
- hot hot heat
- sunburns despite liberal applications of SPF 45
- the high cost of grub
All in all, it was a really good experience and i am excited that I finally got to see Hawaii.
time for bed. One more day of work and then Friday is the big moving day. God help us. Experiencing the collision of the joys of new home ownership crashing into the horrors of packing and moving.
Friday, September 04, 2009
Puka Dog (Broke da mout)
I love hot dogs! I dont know how I can say it more emphatically without resorting to a weird font or 36pt bold faced type. Always have, always will. Just yummy (if somewhat mysterious) goodness.
Got to try Puka dog today (broke da mout is pidgen for delicious), and it was relevatory. Had some kind of banana relish and a spicy lemon garlic sauce slathered on it inside of a sweet roll. So unbelievably good! Have been craving one since seeing it on the Travel channel. Better than anticipated.
http://www.pukadog.com/menu
Staying another day in WAikiki.........off to play in the sun and enjoy the day.
Got to try Puka dog today (broke da mout is pidgen for delicious), and it was relevatory. Had some kind of banana relish and a spicy lemon garlic sauce slathered on it inside of a sweet roll. So unbelievably good! Have been craving one since seeing it on the Travel channel. Better than anticipated.
http://www.pukadog.com/menu
Staying another day in WAikiki.........off to play in the sun and enjoy the day.
96
Wow, how is it already Thursday? The vacation, like any time spent doing whatever you want instead of what you have to, is flying on by. Time for a brief update.
Spent the morning hours attempting to eat at a minuscule, but evidently hugely popular, breakfast place. Gave up when it became apparent that we would likely be eating lunch there instead with the wait stretching into hours. Headed back to the condo, both of us somewhat irritable from the heat and the accompanying sunburns. So, we decided to splurge a bit and get a hotel on Waikiki for the night....smart move all around.
First of I have to say that I LOVE, ADORE, and am OBSESSED with AC at this point and am thrilled to be sleeping in it again tonight. It cools down somewhat at night, but I already run warm and it is an adjustment. So, we hotwired a hotel and ended up in a pretty nice establishment near the heat of downtown. Spent the majority of our time wandering around the myriad shops, and eating an assortment of fried sweets (testing my new GB-less GI system.....which seems to be improving markedly) at the farmers market before heading to a beach front restaurant where we sipped tropical drinks festooned with pineapple and paper umbrellas and listened to a Hawaiian band play. Exactly what I thought Hawaii would be. Color me very impressed and thoroughly happy.
Now for another Mai Tai :)
Spent the morning hours attempting to eat at a minuscule, but evidently hugely popular, breakfast place. Gave up when it became apparent that we would likely be eating lunch there instead with the wait stretching into hours. Headed back to the condo, both of us somewhat irritable from the heat and the accompanying sunburns. So, we decided to splurge a bit and get a hotel on Waikiki for the night....smart move all around.
First of I have to say that I LOVE, ADORE, and am OBSESSED with AC at this point and am thrilled to be sleeping in it again tonight. It cools down somewhat at night, but I already run warm and it is an adjustment. So, we hotwired a hotel and ended up in a pretty nice establishment near the heat of downtown. Spent the majority of our time wandering around the myriad shops, and eating an assortment of fried sweets (testing my new GB-less GI system.....which seems to be improving markedly) at the farmers market before heading to a beach front restaurant where we sipped tropical drinks festooned with pineapple and paper umbrellas and listened to a Hawaiian band play. Exactly what I thought Hawaii would be. Color me very impressed and thoroughly happy.
Now for another Mai Tai :)
Thursday, September 03, 2009
72
Rough winds and an angry sea today. Sunburns all around in spite of an apparent lack of direct exposure by either of us. The melanin impaired are not safe here :)
Saw Julie and Julia. Though it seemed a bit, well, incomplete perhaps..........it was quite charming and thoroughly enjoyable. Plus, the theater had AC.....double bonus on a hot day.
Saw Julie and Julia. Though it seemed a bit, well, incomplete perhaps..........it was quite charming and thoroughly enjoyable. Plus, the theater had AC.....double bonus on a hot day.
Wednesday, September 02, 2009
48
DAy 2 was a lot of fun........in the relaxing kind of way that we all wish vacations could be while we are scurrying about trying to tick off things on our vacation to-do lists. We spent the late morning/lunch hour wandering around an indoor/outdoor mall in Honalulu and the bulk of the remainder of the day lying down in a park reading, watching the clouds, and occasionally wandering around in the bathwater of the bay. Simple and enjoyable.
Monday, August 31, 2009
24
Its hard to encompass all the experiences of a vacation (or a week in general) in retrospect (though, in retrospect, everything except what is happening right now is that way). So, I am making it my aspiration to try to write about things nightly rather than on my return to the states when I am sure I will be exhausted from returning to work, packing, moving, and unpacking. So, lets commence with the blogging.
Our flight was unremarkable. Which is exactly what you want a flight to be. You know they will be cramped, overlong, and largely uncomfortable.........but that is no surprise to anyone who has traveled. Remarkable is now almost exclusively falls into the domain of the horrifying and awful in regards to air travel now, and thankfully we were wholly bereft of that. Plus, our bags arrived with us. Double bonus.
My first impression was that Hawaii is VERY different than I thought it would be. In fact, it is overwhelmingly akin to south Florida. Or, at least the area we are in is that way. If you took away the mountains, replaced the Hawaiian people with Cubans, and put some consonants on the road signs, I don't know if I could tell the difference. The weather is the same. The lush tropical plants are the same. Even the architecture (and general era) of the homes is the same. I don't know what I expected it to look like here, but I didn't expect the overwhelming sense of deja vu.
Other things that have stood out: Zippy's restaurant (the island version of Denny's and absolutely the only thing open past 10 on a Sunday night), is terrible. Poor Tia and her theoretically safe order of spaghetti that turned out to somehow be inferior to Chef Boy-R-Dee in every way except price and was served with the leavings of a can of Veg All (the only mixed vegetables that dare try to toss in lima bean). I had a far superior meal in every way, and that is only backhandedly complimentary. However, I guessed enough to at least order the national side dish (macaroni salad) which was quite good.
Lizard poop: Lizards poop here. A lot. They are also quite indiscriminate as to where. nuff said.
Smoothie meals: Yum! Take a smoothie and dump it into a bowl with an assortment of fruit, toss some granola, a sliced up banana, and some almond slivers on top. Coat with honey. Breakfast in a bowl that is far more filling than you can imagine and you don't feel guilty about eating it.
Mixed plates: These are yummy and evidently a staple of the cuisine here. WE finally found a place to eat this evening (they are not common away from the city.......bizarrely rare actually, to the point you wonder where people eat out at ever) and had our first mixed plate. Basically it includes: 2 scoops white rice, one scoop of macaroni salad, and any combination of meats you can think of. Quite good, even if the combo of white rice with another carb is a bit odd.
Other than, we saw some surfers, walked some beaches, and drove half the island. Perhaps some touristy stuff tomorrow.
Our flight was unremarkable. Which is exactly what you want a flight to be. You know they will be cramped, overlong, and largely uncomfortable.........but that is no surprise to anyone who has traveled. Remarkable is now almost exclusively falls into the domain of the horrifying and awful in regards to air travel now, and thankfully we were wholly bereft of that. Plus, our bags arrived with us. Double bonus.
My first impression was that Hawaii is VERY different than I thought it would be. In fact, it is overwhelmingly akin to south Florida. Or, at least the area we are in is that way. If you took away the mountains, replaced the Hawaiian people with Cubans, and put some consonants on the road signs, I don't know if I could tell the difference. The weather is the same. The lush tropical plants are the same. Even the architecture (and general era) of the homes is the same. I don't know what I expected it to look like here, but I didn't expect the overwhelming sense of deja vu.
Other things that have stood out: Zippy's restaurant (the island version of Denny's and absolutely the only thing open past 10 on a Sunday night), is terrible. Poor Tia and her theoretically safe order of spaghetti that turned out to somehow be inferior to Chef Boy-R-Dee in every way except price and was served with the leavings of a can of Veg All (the only mixed vegetables that dare try to toss in lima bean). I had a far superior meal in every way, and that is only backhandedly complimentary. However, I guessed enough to at least order the national side dish (macaroni salad) which was quite good.
Lizard poop: Lizards poop here. A lot. They are also quite indiscriminate as to where. nuff said.
Smoothie meals: Yum! Take a smoothie and dump it into a bowl with an assortment of fruit, toss some granola, a sliced up banana, and some almond slivers on top. Coat with honey. Breakfast in a bowl that is far more filling than you can imagine and you don't feel guilty about eating it.
Mixed plates: These are yummy and evidently a staple of the cuisine here. WE finally found a place to eat this evening (they are not common away from the city.......bizarrely rare actually, to the point you wonder where people eat out at ever) and had our first mixed plate. Basically it includes: 2 scoops white rice, one scoop of macaroni salad, and any combination of meats you can think of. Quite good, even if the combo of white rice with another carb is a bit odd.
Other than, we saw some surfers, walked some beaches, and drove half the island. Perhaps some touristy stuff tomorrow.
Sunday, August 30, 2009
most recent big news
So, the last week has brought may changes. Some in evidence (see my bloated picture above) and some less visibly apparent. Obviously, foremost among the changes, my gall bladder is gone. It was, based on the surgeon's estimation, a much needed operation due to spreading inflammation. Sadly, I don't recall much of the day (or happily perhaps). I went in at 1, got an IV started, and fluids began to run. The surgeon and anesthesiologist stopped by and Versed was promptly administered. The next thing I remember, it was close to 7 that night. Thanks to morphine, I felt very little. Thanks to Versed, I remember even less. I stayed overnight for observation since I came out of the anesthesia a bit languidly. I have spent the intervening days on a slowly declining level of Percoset, kind of sleepwalking my way through the days. Its hard to believe it has already been 5 days since the surgery. I am very pleased that I was required to take 2 weeks off though, because it would be near impossible to work in my present condition (when I am up and about, I have little enough stamina). But, the doctor believes that this will lead to a vast improvement in my overall condition. Lets all cross em that proves true.
We also signed for our house this week. We don't officially close until next week (nor move until the week thereafter) but it is progress. Scarily rapid after so much languishing. It is amazing how quickly you can sign over your next 30 years.........honestly, it took longer to buy my last car. We are excited though. Now if we can just extricate ourselves from our current place without having to pursue litigation. The joys of renting be damned!
The last event is on its way in mere hours.............my first trip to Hawaii. An early thank you to Diane's boss for letting us use his place. The weather does not at present appear like it will be overwhelmingly cooperative, but I trust forecasts very little.
Off to finish packing.
Sunday, August 16, 2009
A compromised life
I always tell Tia that a good compromise leaves neither party truly happy. In that case, I made a good compromise with my health..........because certainly no one is happy, least of all me. I put off my surgery until the 25th of August because my work preferred to have 30 days notice for a leave of absence. So, I tried to make them happy. I thought I would be able to work until then and support my co-workers who have been wonderful to me. So, I tried to make them happy. Tia planned a recovery/vacation for after the surgery that I badly wanted to be part of, so I tried to make her happy. But mostly, I tried to make myself happy by playing the role of good employee, coworker, and husband. I have managed to mangle it all while being a misery myself. All the while I have to wonder how I ended up doing this.
In the intervening month, I have managed to have a spotty attendance record at work because my pain is sometimes unmanageable, even with medication. In the worst catch 22 of all, I cant take pain medication at work because it makes me too foggy and languid. However, without it, I am in enough discomfort that performing many facets of my job is an ordeal. I have managed to paint myself, in some ways, as less than reliable which pains me because I take a lot of pride in my work ethic. I may not be the best, but I at least show up :)
I managed to upset Tia because I hobble along when she believes, and not wrongly, that I should have just had the surgery earlier since the problems were relevant even then (though I was trying to satisfy the 30 day notice rule at work). In the meantime, she has to listen to me perform as my own disgusting one man band of bowel related noises all while complaining of myriad aches and pains. It is, suffice to say, more than one should have to bear and I owe her for doing so with such good humor.
I managed to destroy my own health to the point where the most basic of tasks is now a labor. I feel jags of exhaustion and fall asleep at the merest notion of comfort. I grimace at sudden shifts in my posture. The pain medication causes side effects that affect my bowels and make life even less pleasant (causing me to take even more meds to, um, expedite things).
Still, though I use this as a forum for my own bitchings, I try to understand that I am incredibly fortunate. I have a supportive group around me and I have a good life. I know many people do far more with much less. I am trying not to get caught up in the 'why me?' ness of it all.
One week to go now........well, 8 days, until the surgery. I look so forward to it though it terrifies me greatly, if only because I don't know if it will ultimately make things better.
I would say wish me luck on the surgery, but honestly I would just as soon if you were doing so that you wish it for me tomorrow and any other day of work from now until the surgery. I think I may need it.
In the intervening month, I have managed to have a spotty attendance record at work because my pain is sometimes unmanageable, even with medication. In the worst catch 22 of all, I cant take pain medication at work because it makes me too foggy and languid. However, without it, I am in enough discomfort that performing many facets of my job is an ordeal. I have managed to paint myself, in some ways, as less than reliable which pains me because I take a lot of pride in my work ethic. I may not be the best, but I at least show up :)
I managed to upset Tia because I hobble along when she believes, and not wrongly, that I should have just had the surgery earlier since the problems were relevant even then (though I was trying to satisfy the 30 day notice rule at work). In the meantime, she has to listen to me perform as my own disgusting one man band of bowel related noises all while complaining of myriad aches and pains. It is, suffice to say, more than one should have to bear and I owe her for doing so with such good humor.
I managed to destroy my own health to the point where the most basic of tasks is now a labor. I feel jags of exhaustion and fall asleep at the merest notion of comfort. I grimace at sudden shifts in my posture. The pain medication causes side effects that affect my bowels and make life even less pleasant (causing me to take even more meds to, um, expedite things).
Still, though I use this as a forum for my own bitchings, I try to understand that I am incredibly fortunate. I have a supportive group around me and I have a good life. I know many people do far more with much less. I am trying not to get caught up in the 'why me?' ness of it all.
One week to go now........well, 8 days, until the surgery. I look so forward to it though it terrifies me greatly, if only because I don't know if it will ultimately make things better.
I would say wish me luck on the surgery, but honestly I would just as soon if you were doing so that you wish it for me tomorrow and any other day of work from now until the surgery. I think I may need it.
Thursday, August 06, 2009
more lamentations about malfunctioning body parts
I swear I will stop the lamentations soon........as soon as the problem is resolved, which may need to occur sooner than originally planned. Evidently my body is not like a dinner party and cannot be planned like one (plus, there evidently aren't any hors d'oeuvres during or prior to the surgery. weak).
So, the original plan is for my gall bladder to be evicted on the 25th..............but now I am seriously contemplating the 14th (the next available). This will, unfortunately, cause some complications with my leave, the staffing at my job site (which I am sure they will overcome) and the sorta kinda vacation Tia and I were optomistically planning during week 2 of my recovery (if I have to sit around and do nothing, why not do that on a sandy beach in a more tropical climate?). Unfortunately, much like the whole planning thing, my GB is also entirely too unpredictable to negotiate with and seems to flare up without regard for my personal and professional schedule causing me to miss work and plans outside of work. So, whether missing a few days between now and the surgery is better or worse than just having the surgery and being done with it is a point of personal contention with me. I would, of course, just as soon have all the pieces fall into place and muddle through the next two weeks on a combination of anti-nausea and pain medication.
On the other side of the coin, the house is moving forward. We also locked in a stellar rate far below our anticipated one. Plus, the inspection was pretty clean. It is definitely getting exciting........if only because we wont know what to do with so much space! How fun.
Nothing else to report at the moment. Keep em crossed for me. The next few weeks will be hit and miss.
So, the original plan is for my gall bladder to be evicted on the 25th..............but now I am seriously contemplating the 14th (the next available). This will, unfortunately, cause some complications with my leave, the staffing at my job site (which I am sure they will overcome) and the sorta kinda vacation Tia and I were optomistically planning during week 2 of my recovery (if I have to sit around and do nothing, why not do that on a sandy beach in a more tropical climate?). Unfortunately, much like the whole planning thing, my GB is also entirely too unpredictable to negotiate with and seems to flare up without regard for my personal and professional schedule causing me to miss work and plans outside of work. So, whether missing a few days between now and the surgery is better or worse than just having the surgery and being done with it is a point of personal contention with me. I would, of course, just as soon have all the pieces fall into place and muddle through the next two weeks on a combination of anti-nausea and pain medication.
On the other side of the coin, the house is moving forward. We also locked in a stellar rate far below our anticipated one. Plus, the inspection was pretty clean. It is definitely getting exciting........if only because we wont know what to do with so much space! How fun.
Nothing else to report at the moment. Keep em crossed for me. The next few weeks will be hit and miss.
Monday, July 27, 2009
houses, heat waves, and gall bladders
This weather truly sucks. I sometimes forget exactly how hot it would be in the summer time in Florida. Only, unlike here, it would go on for months and months. Of course, also unlike here, air conditioning abounds. Thankfully our apartment gets very little sunlight (a fact we openly lamented during the cold grey winter), so we are able to, with the assistance of some timely opening and closing of windows and a room a/c unit, keep the place reasonably comfortable. However, the weather has had the same effect on me as the heat does in Florida.........it makes me want to do anything but go out in it. Hence, lots of reading, blog hopping, and general laziness.
I am not sure if I have blogged on it, but we have an accepted offer on a house. While the thought of the hunt being over and finally moving into a place of our own (especially since it is FAR nicer than we hoped have reasonably hoped or expected in our price range), it still sends little shivers of fear up my spine when I think about all the things that home ownership means. So long extra cash, hello large mortgage payments. Goodbye flexibility, hello stability. Of course, the hope is that the good will outweigh the bad and I certainly want to believe that is the case.
We had our home inspection today and, as we had hoped, the inspection revealed little of note. I didnt anticipate that it would, since the house is only a few years old, but you always worry. Just like when they do a routine blood test and you have the moment of worry that they will find some rare blood cancer even though you feel healthy. Of course, I havent really seen much to make me overly confident of home inspectors anyway and I can't help but think that you give them an awful lot of money for very little in return. If they encounter any issues, they just tell you to contact whatever specialist the malfunctioning equipment requires. I know it is still helpful, but I guess i expect more for what amounts to $175/hr for their time.
The gall bladder is set to depart my body on the 25th of next month, barring unforseen flare-ups. Right now my body and I have an uneasy truce that is shaky at best. I definitely pay manyfold times over for any indulgences and sometimes just for the hell of it, but the situation is largely bearable. Will it remain so until the 25th? Tune in next time to find out. I have never really had a surgery save for a tonsillectomy that I can only vaguely recall, so I am unreasonably anxious about the procedure. I think I would feel more firmly behind it if the results were virtually guaranteed, but they aren't. Too many people seem to have this done only to find themselves dealing with similar symptoms.
Saw Watchmen (finally!). My review is simple and I think agrees with most others. If you are a fan of the book (series), you will love it, or at least really like it. They stayed very true to the storyline. However, there were a number of parts edited out for brevity which were unfortunate, but necessary. The ending was also quite different from the book. That said, overall it was well done and stunning to watch.
I am not sure if I have blogged on it, but we have an accepted offer on a house. While the thought of the hunt being over and finally moving into a place of our own (especially since it is FAR nicer than we hoped have reasonably hoped or expected in our price range), it still sends little shivers of fear up my spine when I think about all the things that home ownership means. So long extra cash, hello large mortgage payments. Goodbye flexibility, hello stability. Of course, the hope is that the good will outweigh the bad and I certainly want to believe that is the case.
We had our home inspection today and, as we had hoped, the inspection revealed little of note. I didnt anticipate that it would, since the house is only a few years old, but you always worry. Just like when they do a routine blood test and you have the moment of worry that they will find some rare blood cancer even though you feel healthy. Of course, I havent really seen much to make me overly confident of home inspectors anyway and I can't help but think that you give them an awful lot of money for very little in return. If they encounter any issues, they just tell you to contact whatever specialist the malfunctioning equipment requires. I know it is still helpful, but I guess i expect more for what amounts to $175/hr for their time.
The gall bladder is set to depart my body on the 25th of next month, barring unforseen flare-ups. Right now my body and I have an uneasy truce that is shaky at best. I definitely pay manyfold times over for any indulgences and sometimes just for the hell of it, but the situation is largely bearable. Will it remain so until the 25th? Tune in next time to find out. I have never really had a surgery save for a tonsillectomy that I can only vaguely recall, so I am unreasonably anxious about the procedure. I think I would feel more firmly behind it if the results were virtually guaranteed, but they aren't. Too many people seem to have this done only to find themselves dealing with similar symptoms.
Saw Watchmen (finally!). My review is simple and I think agrees with most others. If you are a fan of the book (series), you will love it, or at least really like it. They stayed very true to the storyline. However, there were a number of parts edited out for brevity which were unfortunate, but necessary. The ending was also quite different from the book. That said, overall it was well done and stunning to watch.
Thursday, July 16, 2009
MY GD GB
Dear Gallbladder (GB),
God Damn You!
I thought we were a team. I eat, you help digest. Remember all the good times we had.........BBQ buffets, molten chocolate cakes, and cheeseburgers with onion rings? I remember them. Where did it all go so wrong?
Sure, most doctors now say that you aren't a necessary organ. Some even refer to you as an anachronism from early on in our development......but I stood by you. Well, no longer. This relationship has become abusive. I know from watching Oprah, that we need to just make a clean break. I'm am going to have to ask you to pack up your stones and go. And don't try to come back......I am already planning on replacing you with my liver.
Good day sir.
Regards,
Bryan
God Damn You!
I thought we were a team. I eat, you help digest. Remember all the good times we had.........BBQ buffets, molten chocolate cakes, and cheeseburgers with onion rings? I remember them. Where did it all go so wrong?
Sure, most doctors now say that you aren't a necessary organ. Some even refer to you as an anachronism from early on in our development......but I stood by you. Well, no longer. This relationship has become abusive. I know from watching Oprah, that we need to just make a clean break. I'm am going to have to ask you to pack up your stones and go. And don't try to come back......I am already planning on replacing you with my liver.
Good day sir.
Regards,
Bryan
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Revolutionary Road
Tia and I watched Revolutionary Road last night and it really made me think about the nature of life in general (perhaps that's why I prefer escapist fare that doesn't make me think at all.....thinking sucks! :) Anyway, the film is about a couple in the 1950s who meet while young and idealistic and then, flash forward about 10 years, they have two kids, a suburban home, and Kate Winslet is a housewife and Leo DiCaprio has a nondescript mid-level job. They are the picture of idyllic suburban life, epitomizing the American dream such as it is. Of course, they always thought of themselves as more than what they have become and are unhappy with their life of abject normality. This isn't a review, so I won't go much further into it....but it is worth a watch for the performances alone. Also, watch it if you want to think (see above for reminder about how much that sucks before you do however).
What this is, is my take on the film and what it made me think about. Tia and I have been going round and round about whether to buy a house or continue renting. We both have jobs that we are happy with, though neither is our dream job (Tia has more definite ideas about her dream job than I however). We have good incomes, drive reasonable cars, and enjoy the little things that life provides in Portland. The question that the film raised in my mind was: Do we have the things we have and want the things we want because we truly want them, or because we are conditioned to want them? I feel we are self-limited by our exposures and socialized to want certain things so I have to wonder if we aspire to the American Dream because it is the only dream we know.
For instance, I like the idea of a house, but hate that it means a 30 year mortgage and endless dollars poured into maintenance. And, owning a house means that there is less money to travel, more time spent doing house related things, and a sense of fixing ourselves into a location for the forseeable future. Its the same general concern I have about having children. There is an overwhelming sense (to me anyway) that gratification should be delayed for the trappings of adulthood (mortgage, children, career). And the further we delve into these trappings, the more remote spontineity and whimsy become because of the inertia created by such things. We end up doing things because of what we have to instead of wanting to, and trying to convince ourselves otherwise. Even the idea of the future is now so wound around whether or not one can afford to retire and concerns about how that will happen, that I find myself having to care about pensions and 403b plans far more than concerning myself with what happens today, this week, or this month.
Of course, I am sure I am considered immature for even having the notion. You tell people you dont want kids, people look at you crosswise and wonder why not (though to ask people who want children why they do causes the same peculiar looks). The same for home ownership. In the film, Kate Winslet has the notion to drop everything, sell the house, and move to Paris just because...........and most people treat the couple like they are certifiably insane. Am I insane for finding the same notion compelling?
This is kind of rambling, but I am in a rambling kind of mood. Now I am off to anesthetize myself through the escapism of an ambling walk and maybe some lighthearted comedy tonight.
What this is, is my take on the film and what it made me think about. Tia and I have been going round and round about whether to buy a house or continue renting. We both have jobs that we are happy with, though neither is our dream job (Tia has more definite ideas about her dream job than I however). We have good incomes, drive reasonable cars, and enjoy the little things that life provides in Portland. The question that the film raised in my mind was: Do we have the things we have and want the things we want because we truly want them, or because we are conditioned to want them? I feel we are self-limited by our exposures and socialized to want certain things so I have to wonder if we aspire to the American Dream because it is the only dream we know.
For instance, I like the idea of a house, but hate that it means a 30 year mortgage and endless dollars poured into maintenance. And, owning a house means that there is less money to travel, more time spent doing house related things, and a sense of fixing ourselves into a location for the forseeable future. Its the same general concern I have about having children. There is an overwhelming sense (to me anyway) that gratification should be delayed for the trappings of adulthood (mortgage, children, career). And the further we delve into these trappings, the more remote spontineity and whimsy become because of the inertia created by such things. We end up doing things because of what we have to instead of wanting to, and trying to convince ourselves otherwise. Even the idea of the future is now so wound around whether or not one can afford to retire and concerns about how that will happen, that I find myself having to care about pensions and 403b plans far more than concerning myself with what happens today, this week, or this month.
Of course, I am sure I am considered immature for even having the notion. You tell people you dont want kids, people look at you crosswise and wonder why not (though to ask people who want children why they do causes the same peculiar looks). The same for home ownership. In the film, Kate Winslet has the notion to drop everything, sell the house, and move to Paris just because...........and most people treat the couple like they are certifiably insane. Am I insane for finding the same notion compelling?
This is kind of rambling, but I am in a rambling kind of mood. Now I am off to anesthetize myself through the escapism of an ambling walk and maybe some lighthearted comedy tonight.
Monday, July 13, 2009
Guilty pleasures
Tia and I were unwinding last night and watching Daisy of Love. Now, I am not going to say that it is my proudest viewing moment, but it is not the worst television trash that I have subjected my brain cells to. It is junk food for the brain pure and simple. With that, I thought I would delve into other guilty pleasures.
Andrew Zimmerman: What won't he eat........actually what won't he eat with a smile on his face? The man has iron fortitude and I love watching him merrily masticate things that would elicit gastrointestinal revolt in most of us. Kudos mister Zimmerman.
Daisy of Love: As plastic as a barbie with as many tattoos as Kat Von D being vied for by guys with names like 12 pack and Sinister. Yet, somehow more realistic than the much more refined Bachelor/Bachelorette shows because the chase for fame is so blatant and the chase for love so comical. If you are going to pretend that these type of shows yield anything, at least pretend in vibrant technicolor I say.
Sweet Tea: In a world where tea yields so much goodness in the way of antioxidants, the south has figured out a way to chase that dragon and make it a near confection. I adore them for it. Is there anything better with BBQ or on a hot summer's day? I dare say not.
Asian food: When I was younger I would have said pizza, but now it is Asian food in most of its forms. Whether the fresh herbs and savory pork of my favorite Vietnamese dishes, a quite nosh of sushi on a go round, or a thai curry with just enough kick to get your nose running, I am hopelessly addicted.
Dresden Files Books: Like romance novels to the 60 plus set, these are to the geek at heart crowd: escapist trash. But, escapist trash with flare enough to stick with the adventures. Kudos also to the series the Hollows for the same.
Happy Hour: cheap food and slightly less expensive than normal drinks. Throw in a patio and friends. Nuff said.
I could go on and on, but then I would never post this and I have already been an absentee father for my blog.
Not much else to add on the personal front. No house. No job changes. No new pets. No babies. Got a swell new netbook though :)
Later taters.
Andrew Zimmerman: What won't he eat........actually what won't he eat with a smile on his face? The man has iron fortitude and I love watching him merrily masticate things that would elicit gastrointestinal revolt in most of us. Kudos mister Zimmerman.
Daisy of Love: As plastic as a barbie with as many tattoos as Kat Von D being vied for by guys with names like 12 pack and Sinister. Yet, somehow more realistic than the much more refined Bachelor/Bachelorette shows because the chase for fame is so blatant and the chase for love so comical. If you are going to pretend that these type of shows yield anything, at least pretend in vibrant technicolor I say.
Sweet Tea: In a world where tea yields so much goodness in the way of antioxidants, the south has figured out a way to chase that dragon and make it a near confection. I adore them for it. Is there anything better with BBQ or on a hot summer's day? I dare say not.
Asian food: When I was younger I would have said pizza, but now it is Asian food in most of its forms. Whether the fresh herbs and savory pork of my favorite Vietnamese dishes, a quite nosh of sushi on a go round, or a thai curry with just enough kick to get your nose running, I am hopelessly addicted.
Dresden Files Books: Like romance novels to the 60 plus set, these are to the geek at heart crowd: escapist trash. But, escapist trash with flare enough to stick with the adventures. Kudos also to the series the Hollows for the same.
Happy Hour: cheap food and slightly less expensive than normal drinks. Throw in a patio and friends. Nuff said.
I could go on and on, but then I would never post this and I have already been an absentee father for my blog.
Not much else to add on the personal front. No house. No job changes. No new pets. No babies. Got a swell new netbook though :)
Later taters.
Friday, June 26, 2009
Centralia
I have never thought much about Centralia Washington. Tia and I even stopped there once and didn't recall that we had been there before until we noticed the Burgerville we had eaten at on our way to Vancouver BC. It was wholly forgettable. Just another place off the interstate to fuel up the car and fill up on fast food.
However, once in BC, we met a couple from Centralia who recommended a more extended visit. Since it is less than 100 miles distant and Tia's birthday was near, it seemed like a good place for an overnight getaway. They even boast a McMenamins (Olympic Club Pub) which we decided to stay at. Evidently the town is known for its antique stores and an outlet mall. Sadly, neither proved impressive.
I should preface the rest of this entry by stating that we had a fun time. This was largely due to going to a nearby casino for a few hours and the cheap spirits proferred by the Olympic club after 10pm. The town itself resembles the kind of place where meth production probably began if for no other reason than because there was nothing else to do. The antique stores were chock full of expensive wares, though the houses in the surrounding area did not give the impression that anyone could afford them. The restaurants were the kind of cheap diner locales that sport tasty, inexpensive, and straightforward fare and the downtown lacked for most anything that was open after 8pm (save the place we stayed). The outlet mall was scattered about in three or four locations that were not near enough to one another to walk between and held about 30 stores, few of which were worth bothering with. The Olyimpic club itself was quite well preserved and has an interesting history behind it. The only failing of it was its proximity to fairly regularly used train tracks. The windows did little to dampen the sound of the horn blasts each time the train approached. However, the amber nitros did a fine job of mitigating that minor obstacle to restful slumber.
So, all in all it was a fun getaway, but I think Tia and I will probably not soon return to Centralia to stay........or shop for that matter. WE might, however, stop in for a pint at the Olympic club or some seasonal shakes at Burgerville on our way to more interesting destinations.
However, once in BC, we met a couple from Centralia who recommended a more extended visit. Since it is less than 100 miles distant and Tia's birthday was near, it seemed like a good place for an overnight getaway. They even boast a McMenamins (Olympic Club Pub) which we decided to stay at. Evidently the town is known for its antique stores and an outlet mall. Sadly, neither proved impressive.
I should preface the rest of this entry by stating that we had a fun time. This was largely due to going to a nearby casino for a few hours and the cheap spirits proferred by the Olympic club after 10pm. The town itself resembles the kind of place where meth production probably began if for no other reason than because there was nothing else to do. The antique stores were chock full of expensive wares, though the houses in the surrounding area did not give the impression that anyone could afford them. The restaurants were the kind of cheap diner locales that sport tasty, inexpensive, and straightforward fare and the downtown lacked for most anything that was open after 8pm (save the place we stayed). The outlet mall was scattered about in three or four locations that were not near enough to one another to walk between and held about 30 stores, few of which were worth bothering with. The Olyimpic club itself was quite well preserved and has an interesting history behind it. The only failing of it was its proximity to fairly regularly used train tracks. The windows did little to dampen the sound of the horn blasts each time the train approached. However, the amber nitros did a fine job of mitigating that minor obstacle to restful slumber.
So, all in all it was a fun getaway, but I think Tia and I will probably not soon return to Centralia to stay........or shop for that matter. WE might, however, stop in for a pint at the Olympic club or some seasonal shakes at Burgerville on our way to more interesting destinations.
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Calvin pissing on Toyota
I was driving home from work one day last week and ended up behind a car sporting the, what I thought was long defunct, image of Calvin peeing on a car logo, this time a Toyota logo. Typically, these decals appear on vehicles either masking the insecurities of the driver, living out some kind of suspended adolescence, or a combination of the two (yes you a-holes with the jacked up trucks, the Freebird blasting Camaros/Mustangs, or the cars sporting decidedly homemade looking ground effects and exhaust systems that sound like a magnified version of baseball cards in bike tire spokes). However, this car was none of the above. In point of fact, it was a late model Toyota. So, I had to deduce that either: A. They hated their car, B. They were making a statement about the status of lost American autoworker jobs overseas, C. They were making an ironic statement about the stupidity of the decals or D. They were too dumb to understand the point of the decal. Take your pick as to my guess.
Other than that minor bit of diversionary whimsy, my week was hellacious. I was involved in more PICC lines in the span of the week that during the previous 2 months.....including my training on PICC lines. Insane. Even more frustrating was the fact that at least one line was removed the VERY NEXT DAY because the patient's treatment was completed. So, rather than putting in an extremely low risk inexpensive peripheral IV line, the doc opted for an expensive and far more technical PICC line. BTW, the risk of infection, despite the sterility of the procedure, is many times higher. The short sighted nature of some of the doctors is truly infuriating. Other than that, the job is going well although my new cropping of grey hairs would argue otherwise :)
Not much else has transpired of late. Just another batch of movies:
Frost/Nixon: great grownup entertainment by my account. Tia found it dull.
The Lookout: interesting and solid. Good acting overall. Good enough to see once and then not again.
Yes Man: not just awful, god awful! Truly terrible. Wasted the talents of all involved.
Off to play today. Work tomorrow.
Other than that minor bit of diversionary whimsy, my week was hellacious. I was involved in more PICC lines in the span of the week that during the previous 2 months.....including my training on PICC lines. Insane. Even more frustrating was the fact that at least one line was removed the VERY NEXT DAY because the patient's treatment was completed. So, rather than putting in an extremely low risk inexpensive peripheral IV line, the doc opted for an expensive and far more technical PICC line. BTW, the risk of infection, despite the sterility of the procedure, is many times higher. The short sighted nature of some of the doctors is truly infuriating. Other than that, the job is going well although my new cropping of grey hairs would argue otherwise :)
Not much else has transpired of late. Just another batch of movies:
Frost/Nixon: great grownup entertainment by my account. Tia found it dull.
The Lookout: interesting and solid. Good acting overall. Good enough to see once and then not again.
Yes Man: not just awful, god awful! Truly terrible. Wasted the talents of all involved.
Off to play today. Work tomorrow.
Thursday, June 11, 2009
We swim like lions through the crest and bathe ourselves in zebra flesh
It has been incredibly hard to post lately because there is very little that has really changed of any note. My work remains stressful but overall enjoyable. I still, weekly if not daily, encounter situations that I had heretofore no experience with and try piecing answers together with less direction than Ikea furniture comes with. However, I generally learn from my errors. So, the good news is that if you come down the pike in about 6 months I ought to be pretty well schooled.
My weekend workmate, partner in crime, has gone on her maternity leave early. This leaves me with people from the float pool who, hopefully, are versed in the clinic. The last time my cohort was out, I ended up being the MOST experienced member of the group with a number of patients scheduled for the clinic (an error quickly and mercifully remedied by the people up at the top). This could have been a bad thing. I have the capacity to perform a majority of the tasks required at this point........but only IF everything is ready to go and proceeds smoothly. If either aspect fails, then I end up with that blank stare that woodland creatures get when a car's headlights strike them. Hopefully the foresight of those in charge prevails and I dont have to develop a permanent thousand yard stare.
In other news, Tia actually had to turn down an intriguing opportunity this week. It would have taken quite an offer to pry her loose from her current position (she has a great work environment and a stellar group of coworkers) including about a 15% pay increase, and that wasn't part of the offered package. The job would have been more in line with her direct interests, but one always has to be careful what they wish for. They tried though and it is always nice to know you are in demand. I think we both realize how fortunate a position we are in when she can turn something like this down. This economy truly sucks.
The house buying, while not put to bed, is in its pjs waiting to be tucked in. The rise in interest rates caused a corresponding decrease in our interest in purchasing. Plus, it is increasingly clear that our residence is not a highly desirable commodity. Ah well........only a few more months. Int he meantime, my sis found a great place out in Beaverton.
My dad finally made it out to Portland. And not a moment too soon with the unbearable heat of summer already quite pronounced down in Florida. I spent one summer working with him out in the heat and I will forever be thankful that he did that for the family because the weather, especially on blacktop, is unbelievably cruel. I am overjoyed to think of him spending his retirement puttering and tinkering and doing it at his own pace while exploring all the Pacific NW has to offer. You deserve it dad!
Other than that I am agonizing (okay, that's hyperbolic) over the purchase of a netbook to replace my ill mannered laptop (it tries mightily to inflict third degrees burns on whatever surface it rests upon.......frequently the lap. Ouch!). I always take FAR too much time researching these things because I fervently hope that, somehow, I will make the best decision possible and end up with something that will actually last me. Of course, all the research really does is make me wonder aloud if, as soon as I pull the trigger, the next newest greatest will come along. My worst fear isnt that of course, but rather buying a lemon like the one I presently own. On the upside, a netbook is only a fraction of the cost of this POS. decisions decisions.
Saw Up! this past week. Quite good really. Is it sad that between that and Wall-E, I feel like they can now put more emotional depth in a cartoon than in real actors. Also recently watched Benjamin Button which, to me, felt a lot like a less humorous, slower paced, Forest Gump. Of course the acting and the look of the film was fantastic but the story, for whatever reason, didn't get me to emotionally invest in it. Also recently rewatched Back to the Future. Still holds up, though it doesn't have the 'magic' that I remember it having. Might have to rewatch the trilogy.
Well, I have the dreaded Friday (our busiest day of the week typically), Saturday, Sunday rotation this week, so I better shuffle off to lala land. I will try to be better about updates......but unless the mundane becomes the exceptional, it is dicey. Until next time, you stay classy Portland.
My weekend workmate, partner in crime, has gone on her maternity leave early. This leaves me with people from the float pool who, hopefully, are versed in the clinic. The last time my cohort was out, I ended up being the MOST experienced member of the group with a number of patients scheduled for the clinic (an error quickly and mercifully remedied by the people up at the top). This could have been a bad thing. I have the capacity to perform a majority of the tasks required at this point........but only IF everything is ready to go and proceeds smoothly. If either aspect fails, then I end up with that blank stare that woodland creatures get when a car's headlights strike them. Hopefully the foresight of those in charge prevails and I dont have to develop a permanent thousand yard stare.
In other news, Tia actually had to turn down an intriguing opportunity this week. It would have taken quite an offer to pry her loose from her current position (she has a great work environment and a stellar group of coworkers) including about a 15% pay increase, and that wasn't part of the offered package. The job would have been more in line with her direct interests, but one always has to be careful what they wish for. They tried though and it is always nice to know you are in demand. I think we both realize how fortunate a position we are in when she can turn something like this down. This economy truly sucks.
The house buying, while not put to bed, is in its pjs waiting to be tucked in. The rise in interest rates caused a corresponding decrease in our interest in purchasing. Plus, it is increasingly clear that our residence is not a highly desirable commodity. Ah well........only a few more months. Int he meantime, my sis found a great place out in Beaverton.
My dad finally made it out to Portland. And not a moment too soon with the unbearable heat of summer already quite pronounced down in Florida. I spent one summer working with him out in the heat and I will forever be thankful that he did that for the family because the weather, especially on blacktop, is unbelievably cruel. I am overjoyed to think of him spending his retirement puttering and tinkering and doing it at his own pace while exploring all the Pacific NW has to offer. You deserve it dad!
Other than that I am agonizing (okay, that's hyperbolic) over the purchase of a netbook to replace my ill mannered laptop (it tries mightily to inflict third degrees burns on whatever surface it rests upon.......frequently the lap. Ouch!). I always take FAR too much time researching these things because I fervently hope that, somehow, I will make the best decision possible and end up with something that will actually last me. Of course, all the research really does is make me wonder aloud if, as soon as I pull the trigger, the next newest greatest will come along. My worst fear isnt that of course, but rather buying a lemon like the one I presently own. On the upside, a netbook is only a fraction of the cost of this POS. decisions decisions.
Saw Up! this past week. Quite good really. Is it sad that between that and Wall-E, I feel like they can now put more emotional depth in a cartoon than in real actors. Also recently watched Benjamin Button which, to me, felt a lot like a less humorous, slower paced, Forest Gump. Of course the acting and the look of the film was fantastic but the story, for whatever reason, didn't get me to emotionally invest in it. Also recently rewatched Back to the Future. Still holds up, though it doesn't have the 'magic' that I remember it having. Might have to rewatch the trilogy.
Well, I have the dreaded Friday (our busiest day of the week typically), Saturday, Sunday rotation this week, so I better shuffle off to lala land. I will try to be better about updates......but unless the mundane becomes the exceptional, it is dicey. Until next time, you stay classy Portland.
Thursday, May 28, 2009
To buy or not to buy, that is the question
Though at the moment, the answer is not to buy. Of course, that is subject to change.........weekly perhaps. The summer is a hard time NOT to want to purchase something. To have a yard to hang out in, a garden to root around in, and space to spread out and soak up the sun's rays in private. Its the best way to enjoy all the wonderful things about a Portland summer. Mind you, that summer is, in the scheme of things, relatively brief. The remainder of the year the idea of a yard to maintain in the steady drizzling rain under the dead sky of winter is not at all appealing. So, looking for houses in the summer is the equivalent of beer goggles as far as I am concerned. Unfortunately sobriety doesnt happen the next AM, but rather months later after you are locked in for 30 years.
Other than the constant flip-flopping on housing, not much of note has occurred. Work is starting to smooth out. It is now down to just a few rough patches a day instead of the off-roading feeling it was before. The phone calls still flummox me and there are patient situations that I have no earthly idea how to manage, but mostly I am holding it together and seem to be progressing. I definitely feel fortunate to have landed somewhere that seems fairly stable........though I very much enjoyed my position with the clinic.
Been reading a lot of late, having stumbled upon a series of enjoyable new books. Just finished Lost on Plant China which was another great travel journal by Mr. Troost. I highly recommend his other books as well. I can say, with absolute certainty, that I am forever cured of wanting to visit China after reading this book. Also read Into Thin Air by Jon Krakuer that was fantastic. His personal accounts of the Everest disaster were simply amazing and he boasts a spectacular command of the language. His other books, such as Into the Wild, are also worthly reads. My next forays are back into my geek books, so I will spare anyone those recommendations.
I suppose I should collect myself and actually go out and enjoy the sun.........but lying here staring at it through the window for the time being is compelling in its own right. Such are the difficult decisions one has to make when you have a day off to yourself. Sometimes its nice to just feel content.............that is, until we see another house we want to buy :)
Other than the constant flip-flopping on housing, not much of note has occurred. Work is starting to smooth out. It is now down to just a few rough patches a day instead of the off-roading feeling it was before. The phone calls still flummox me and there are patient situations that I have no earthly idea how to manage, but mostly I am holding it together and seem to be progressing. I definitely feel fortunate to have landed somewhere that seems fairly stable........though I very much enjoyed my position with the clinic.
Been reading a lot of late, having stumbled upon a series of enjoyable new books. Just finished Lost on Plant China which was another great travel journal by Mr. Troost. I highly recommend his other books as well. I can say, with absolute certainty, that I am forever cured of wanting to visit China after reading this book. Also read Into Thin Air by Jon Krakuer that was fantastic. His personal accounts of the Everest disaster were simply amazing and he boasts a spectacular command of the language. His other books, such as Into the Wild, are also worthly reads. My next forays are back into my geek books, so I will spare anyone those recommendations.
I suppose I should collect myself and actually go out and enjoy the sun.........but lying here staring at it through the window for the time being is compelling in its own right. Such are the difficult decisions one has to make when you have a day off to yourself. Sometimes its nice to just feel content.............that is, until we see another house we want to buy :)
Friday, May 08, 2009
Sticken em
My skills at poking people with a small to medium gauge needle are improving markedly. Yeah for small steps. I am also learning more about the computers and getting the grasp of some of the medications. I still have no idea about most of the paperwork side and I am constantly learning new or better techniques from my coworkers which are a solid group. The weird thing is that the way the schedule works out, you often see certain people maybe once or twice a week tops. Actually, because of vacation, illness, and training, I have only seen my boss maybe one time in the past 4 weeks altogether.
Other than work, I am finally on the official mend. I am nearly normal. Tia, however, is still climbing up that hill. With hope, this will be the last dalliance with the flu for at least 6 months.
Saw Wolverine on the big screen. Kind of like the last Hulk movie........it was better than I expected it to be, entertaining with amazing special effects, and ultimately fluffy and forgettable. Perfect summer fluff.
Tia and I are off to Bend for the weekend to celebrate our 1 year anniversary which also means it has been a full year since I finished nursing school. Bizarre! Hopefully year 2 will yield more stability. I can't handle all this job hopping. It would be truly strange to only have one w-2 form at the end of a year.
Other than work, I am finally on the official mend. I am nearly normal. Tia, however, is still climbing up that hill. With hope, this will be the last dalliance with the flu for at least 6 months.
Saw Wolverine on the big screen. Kind of like the last Hulk movie........it was better than I expected it to be, entertaining with amazing special effects, and ultimately fluffy and forgettable. Perfect summer fluff.
Tia and I are off to Bend for the weekend to celebrate our 1 year anniversary which also means it has been a full year since I finished nursing school. Bizarre! Hopefully year 2 will yield more stability. I can't handle all this job hopping. It would be truly strange to only have one w-2 form at the end of a year.
Tuesday, May 05, 2009
The joys and perils of antibiotics
Ah, antibiotics, pharmaceutical's original laxative. How I abhor your side effects. I am, at writing, in my third and final go round with western medications answer to my sinus infection. Thankfully either it is working or something else has changed because the sinus infection is finally clearing. Of course, the rest of my body has been in an unusual state of shambles (a state shared by my now laryngitic wife). I was forced to call out ill on Friday and Saturday and was wiped out from working the majority of my shift on Sunday. I have spent the better part of the last two days prone with either tv remote, laptop, or novel glued to my palms. Thankfully, the weather has cooperated by being unusually damp even by Portland standards, detering all by necessary excursions.
As I have had little experience the past week, I have little to say. I did have opportune to speak to a supervisor and will hopefully get some more focused practice on specific skills rather than the more or less scattershot learning I have been doing. Still, for what I have experienced, the job is a good one. Now if I could get my own proverbial s%$t together.
Have, by and large, given up on the whole housing market for the time being. Or at least will try to ignore it as best as possible. We are intractably tied to this lease, and it would serve us best financially to stop struggling with the knots. A few more months is the mantra of the moment.
Three days in a row begin tomorrow...........then a nice mini-holiday anniversary away in Bend.
As I have had little experience the past week, I have little to say. I did have opportune to speak to a supervisor and will hopefully get some more focused practice on specific skills rather than the more or less scattershot learning I have been doing. Still, for what I have experienced, the job is a good one. Now if I could get my own proverbial s%$t together.
Have, by and large, given up on the whole housing market for the time being. Or at least will try to ignore it as best as possible. We are intractably tied to this lease, and it would serve us best financially to stop struggling with the knots. A few more months is the mantra of the moment.
Three days in a row begin tomorrow...........then a nice mini-holiday anniversary away in Bend.
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Guess who's back?
Well, hopefully the troubles with the now only to be referred to as 'the clinic' are behind me as I have done what I could to ensure there is no reference to them. I did a lot of research and I was not in any way shape or form in conflict with anything that I have written regarding HIPAA, but I am not willing to fight about it when my livelihood is at stake. In the meantime, I have tried to keep up with some postings while the site was dark for maintenance. I hope you will take the opportunity to catch up with me and will be able to follow me forward into the many new and interesting predicaments that I find myself in.
In the meantime, I just finished watching the Wrestler, which was actually better than I had hoped it would be. I try not to expect much of critically acclaimed movies because, typically, that means they are slow and lack clear resolution. I don't mind complexity on occasion, but generally prefer my movies to be escapist in nature. That said, this one was solid fare and well done.
Watched Doubt as well. Really enjoyed the first 2/3, and kind of gradually lost interest as it played out. Again, critically acclaimed means not much happens and the resolution is lacking. Still, good acting.
Quantum of Solace - I am not, by and large, a huge fan of Bond films. I think they are entertaining, but I rarely get excited to see one. However, they have really pushed the stunts to a new level. Utterly unrealistic and insane............and fast paced and exhilarating. The story line, such as it is, just serves as a flimsy vehicle for explosions, shoot outs, and races across scenic locales. Pure popcorn and immediately forgettable. Escapism at its apex.
Off to bed. Tomorrow I get to hear the dentist bitch at me for my poor flossing (absent flossing?) habits.
In the meantime, I just finished watching the Wrestler, which was actually better than I had hoped it would be. I try not to expect much of critically acclaimed movies because, typically, that means they are slow and lack clear resolution. I don't mind complexity on occasion, but generally prefer my movies to be escapist in nature. That said, this one was solid fare and well done.
Watched Doubt as well. Really enjoyed the first 2/3, and kind of gradually lost interest as it played out. Again, critically acclaimed means not much happens and the resolution is lacking. Still, good acting.
Quantum of Solace - I am not, by and large, a huge fan of Bond films. I think they are entertaining, but I rarely get excited to see one. However, they have really pushed the stunts to a new level. Utterly unrealistic and insane............and fast paced and exhilarating. The story line, such as it is, just serves as a flimsy vehicle for explosions, shoot outs, and races across scenic locales. Pure popcorn and immediately forgettable. Escapism at its apex.
Off to bed. Tomorrow I get to hear the dentist bitch at me for my poor flossing (absent flossing?) habits.
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Piccing on me
This past week was entirely devoted to PICC (peripherally inserted central catheter) training. Quite terrifying since, ultimately, the goal is the thread the catheter from the basilic vein (ideally) just above the elbow on the inner arm to the superior vena cava just over the right atrium of the heart. This isn't exactly the complexity of a surgery, but it isn't as far off as I initially thought.
First, PICC placement involves complete and total sterility. What this means is a series of very VERY specific ways to do things to not contaminate your sterile field. You have to open sterile packages onto a sterile field without contaminating the field by actually touching anything within the field (including the things you are dropping onto the field). If things fall outside of the field, they go in the trash. If you touch inside the sterile field, you risk contaminating the whole thing and having to toss the whole lot and start again. Then, you yourself need to become sterile which involves a gown you cannot touch the exterior of and putting on sterile gloves through said gown (to mimic this at home, try putting winter gloves while your arms remain on the insideof a long sleeved shirt). You also have to be sure to drape the patient appropriately and not touch them or the bed shile sterile.
Once you are in your sterile gown with your surgical hat and mask on (including a plastic face shield) and you are gloved up, you can finally touch the things in your sterile field. There are too many things to really bother naming (and it wouldn't necessarily mean much), but suffice to say they have to be set up in a certain way and there is a specific order in which you progress through the procedure. It is a bit stressful trying to remember all that........especially with the patient awake and often alert waiting for you to begin.
Also, part of the procedure is using an ultrasound to locate the veins you are going to access. I fully appreciate the techs and other medical professionals that have to deal with them. It isn't always as clear a picture as one could hope for honestly. It is a lot of grey and black and exceedingly grainy. Like playing an old Caleco game on a black and white tv.
The actual procedure (don't read this if you are sqeemish............you've been warned) involves accessing the vein with a large needle that you place with the aid of the aforementioned ultrasound, then threading a wire into the vein and removing the access needle. After that, you place a larger holder in place over the wire and into the vein after making a small incision at the access point. You then de-access the guide wire and thread the catheter anywhere from 45-55cm in (depending on the person) and try to place it in the superior vena cava over the Right atrium of the heart. Then you wait for radiology to let you know if you hit the right spot, or if you need to pull it back/advance it. All in all, it can take anywhere from 45 minutes to 2 hours or more. I certainly NEVER expected that I would be doing something like this.
Another week begins soon enough. Now back to trying to figure out the clinical side of things.
First, PICC placement involves complete and total sterility. What this means is a series of very VERY specific ways to do things to not contaminate your sterile field. You have to open sterile packages onto a sterile field without contaminating the field by actually touching anything within the field (including the things you are dropping onto the field). If things fall outside of the field, they go in the trash. If you touch inside the sterile field, you risk contaminating the whole thing and having to toss the whole lot and start again. Then, you yourself need to become sterile which involves a gown you cannot touch the exterior of and putting on sterile gloves through said gown (to mimic this at home, try putting winter gloves while your arms remain on the insideof a long sleeved shirt). You also have to be sure to drape the patient appropriately and not touch them or the bed shile sterile.
Once you are in your sterile gown with your surgical hat and mask on (including a plastic face shield) and you are gloved up, you can finally touch the things in your sterile field. There are too many things to really bother naming (and it wouldn't necessarily mean much), but suffice to say they have to be set up in a certain way and there is a specific order in which you progress through the procedure. It is a bit stressful trying to remember all that........especially with the patient awake and often alert waiting for you to begin.
Also, part of the procedure is using an ultrasound to locate the veins you are going to access. I fully appreciate the techs and other medical professionals that have to deal with them. It isn't always as clear a picture as one could hope for honestly. It is a lot of grey and black and exceedingly grainy. Like playing an old Caleco game on a black and white tv.
The actual procedure (don't read this if you are sqeemish............you've been warned) involves accessing the vein with a large needle that you place with the aid of the aforementioned ultrasound, then threading a wire into the vein and removing the access needle. After that, you place a larger holder in place over the wire and into the vein after making a small incision at the access point. You then de-access the guide wire and thread the catheter anywhere from 45-55cm in (depending on the person) and try to place it in the superior vena cava over the Right atrium of the heart. Then you wait for radiology to let you know if you hit the right spot, or if you need to pull it back/advance it. All in all, it can take anywhere from 45 minutes to 2 hours or more. I certainly NEVER expected that I would be doing something like this.
Another week begins soon enough. Now back to trying to figure out the clinical side of things.
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Week #2 & #3
Since I have been mostly lying around in bed today due to a crazy allergy flare that is sticking to me like Popsicle drippings, I thought I ought to blog and hope to post sometime in the nearish future. As a few are aware, I ran into some recent difficulties with a place I will heretofore refer to as 'the clinic' and I have to edit/remove some info that was evidently in question on my blog. In re-reading through it, I am honestly not finding said info, but I am not going to try to root it all out so I can make my blog fully public again. I am a scofflaw evidently.
Week 2 was nearly as busy as week 1 but with the added bonus of knowing some of what to expect. I also have a greater grasp on the new terminology, albeit it a rather tenuous one. I managed to not kill anyone for the second week in a row. Kudos to me! I am still learning a lot about well, everything and the constant switching from clinic to floor work makes it more, not less, confusing. I prefer to focus on one thing until I understand it and then move on to the next skill. Instead, I feel like it is hard to master anything at all.
Week 3 was more comprehensible because someone amongst the powers that be decided that I should spend the entirety of the week learning the clinic instead of bouncing back and forth. There is a lot to learn, but the people are great and seem more than willing to teach (to their benefit once I learn obviously, but it is amazing how some people dislike teaching others). I was able to focus a few days on just blood transfusions which let me practice IV starts, play with copious amounts of tubing, learn the blood pump, practice on Echarting, and learn all the intricacies of transfusions. I even, sadly, saw a reaction (thankfully not on my patient). The woman recovered, but it was alarming just the same. Good thing about working in a hospital though, she was taken straight to the ER (where she recovered nicely).
I am definitely liking the job thus far. A good blend of the things I thoroughly enjoy (clinic type settings, in and out of patient rooms, no total care) in conjunction with some intricate skills that will be very portable. It is also quite amazing how many of the skills I learned in 'the clinic' are coming in handy both in patient interactions and in a variety of needle sticks that I had copious practice with. I have PICC training next. I wish I had a better chance to cement some other skills first, but they will evidently have to wait. I admit, I am more than a little nervous after watching some other PICC procedures.
Week 2 was nearly as busy as week 1 but with the added bonus of knowing some of what to expect. I also have a greater grasp on the new terminology, albeit it a rather tenuous one. I managed to not kill anyone for the second week in a row. Kudos to me! I am still learning a lot about well, everything and the constant switching from clinic to floor work makes it more, not less, confusing. I prefer to focus on one thing until I understand it and then move on to the next skill. Instead, I feel like it is hard to master anything at all.
Week 3 was more comprehensible because someone amongst the powers that be decided that I should spend the entirety of the week learning the clinic instead of bouncing back and forth. There is a lot to learn, but the people are great and seem more than willing to teach (to their benefit once I learn obviously, but it is amazing how some people dislike teaching others). I was able to focus a few days on just blood transfusions which let me practice IV starts, play with copious amounts of tubing, learn the blood pump, practice on Echarting, and learn all the intricacies of transfusions. I even, sadly, saw a reaction (thankfully not on my patient). The woman recovered, but it was alarming just the same. Good thing about working in a hospital though, she was taken straight to the ER (where she recovered nicely).
I am definitely liking the job thus far. A good blend of the things I thoroughly enjoy (clinic type settings, in and out of patient rooms, no total care) in conjunction with some intricate skills that will be very portable. It is also quite amazing how many of the skills I learned in 'the clinic' are coming in handy both in patient interactions and in a variety of needle sticks that I had copious practice with. I have PICC training next. I wish I had a better chance to cement some other skills first, but they will evidently have to wait. I admit, I am more than a little nervous after watching some other PICC procedures.
Friday, April 03, 2009
4 days
I had the idea initially to try and post daily following my shift over the course of my first week of orientation at least. But, by the time I got home after more than 10 hours at the hospital, the last thing I could manage was sustained focus and I lacked any ambition to do more than shovel in some food and curl up to relax and hope to fall asleep so that I wouldn't be in abysmal spirits at 5:45 when I had to get up. So this journal will be a little more retrospective than I had intended.
Day 1: This day wasn't particularly vexing in any way, but left me drained nonetheless. A LOT of computer learning related to charting. They chart everything at the hospital. I would say that a fair chunk of the day is actually spent on the computer writing about what what you did, how long it took, and what equipment you used. I am a little surprised that you don't chart your charting time as well. I found this noteworthy considering just how many patients you see in a day when you are doing rounds. Other than that, I got to explore all areas of one of the hospitals. It is a nice sized hospital, manageable but large enough to accomodate some extremely varied patient acuities. Just the same, I think I will be much happier in the smaller and more sedate confines of Meridian Park. Beyond the computer stuff the day was most akin to my first day in nursing school: a blur of information spoken in terminology so foreign that I couldn't attest whether or not it was actually in English. I just smiled and nodded..........a lot.
Day 2: Returned with my brain still hurting from day 1. Spent the early part of the day learning how to start IVs and change bandages on a rubber arm and then accessed a power port and changed dressing on a rubber chest. If only real people had the delightful combination of bulging stationary veins and the ability to stoically sit motionless as I poked and prodded with my needle. Also, it is nice to have absolutely NO pressure. We spent the second half of the day on rounds looking in on a few patients. I went home exhausted again.
Day 3: Woke up feeling weird. My allergies were in their not uncommon hyperactive state and they were unwilling to leave me physically unscathed. I looked at the mirror to see blood red eyes staring back. Knowing that taking an antihistamine is not my best bet in the AM hours, but having no real recourse other than trying to explain to everyone I met that day that I was not in fact contagious, I opted to take something. Mistake.
We started the day taking one of the phones and two floors. This meant that we would be responsible for the patients on our units and any calls that came into our phone. Thankfully the phone was mercifully silent because, not long after 10, I observed my first IV start. It was evidently not a clear one as my preceptor was having a hard time getting a blood return. I started to feel very loopy and, shortly thereafter, plopped myself down on the chair so as not to pass out. I immediately felt shivers and broke out in a sweat as I willed myself to take slow deep breaths and not pass out in a patient room. I have passed out before, but only in high school for unknown reasons and after giving blood, so I know the feeling just before. However, this time I was able to staunch the wave that had heretofore always managed to overtake me. Would have made for an interesting day. The remainder of the day was uneventful and I learned even more seemingly foreign terminology and went home both confused and a bit concerned about whether or not this job would be a good fit if I couldn't maintain consciousness and all.
Day 4: Looks like it was the meds. We did 9 IV starts (I even managed my first successful one on a patient that was well medicated) and I didn't even feel a twinge of lightheadedness. No more AM antihistamines for me. I will just have to sport sunglasses when my eyes well up and tell people that I am in witness protection or something. The phone was ringing all day long and I got to see quite a bit. Left feeling quite successful and ready to tackle week 2............which will be a whole new orientation to a different hospital. Maybe I should just crawl in bed now so I will be ready for Monday.
1/4 update btw: I had a goal for new year to run 400 miles with aspirations to do 500 if at all possible. Well, 25% through, and I am above pace for 500 (close to 55o actually). I am pretty excited because most resolutions dont last me even this long. Will update again at the half way point. Wish my knees luck.
Day 1: This day wasn't particularly vexing in any way, but left me drained nonetheless. A LOT of computer learning related to charting. They chart everything at the hospital. I would say that a fair chunk of the day is actually spent on the computer writing about what what you did, how long it took, and what equipment you used. I am a little surprised that you don't chart your charting time as well. I found this noteworthy considering just how many patients you see in a day when you are doing rounds. Other than that, I got to explore all areas of one of the hospitals. It is a nice sized hospital, manageable but large enough to accomodate some extremely varied patient acuities. Just the same, I think I will be much happier in the smaller and more sedate confines of Meridian Park. Beyond the computer stuff the day was most akin to my first day in nursing school: a blur of information spoken in terminology so foreign that I couldn't attest whether or not it was actually in English. I just smiled and nodded..........a lot.
Day 2: Returned with my brain still hurting from day 1. Spent the early part of the day learning how to start IVs and change bandages on a rubber arm and then accessed a power port and changed dressing on a rubber chest. If only real people had the delightful combination of bulging stationary veins and the ability to stoically sit motionless as I poked and prodded with my needle. Also, it is nice to have absolutely NO pressure. We spent the second half of the day on rounds looking in on a few patients. I went home exhausted again.
Day 3: Woke up feeling weird. My allergies were in their not uncommon hyperactive state and they were unwilling to leave me physically unscathed. I looked at the mirror to see blood red eyes staring back. Knowing that taking an antihistamine is not my best bet in the AM hours, but having no real recourse other than trying to explain to everyone I met that day that I was not in fact contagious, I opted to take something. Mistake.
We started the day taking one of the phones and two floors. This meant that we would be responsible for the patients on our units and any calls that came into our phone. Thankfully the phone was mercifully silent because, not long after 10, I observed my first IV start. It was evidently not a clear one as my preceptor was having a hard time getting a blood return. I started to feel very loopy and, shortly thereafter, plopped myself down on the chair so as not to pass out. I immediately felt shivers and broke out in a sweat as I willed myself to take slow deep breaths and not pass out in a patient room. I have passed out before, but only in high school for unknown reasons and after giving blood, so I know the feeling just before. However, this time I was able to staunch the wave that had heretofore always managed to overtake me. Would have made for an interesting day. The remainder of the day was uneventful and I learned even more seemingly foreign terminology and went home both confused and a bit concerned about whether or not this job would be a good fit if I couldn't maintain consciousness and all.
Day 4: Looks like it was the meds. We did 9 IV starts (I even managed my first successful one on a patient that was well medicated) and I didn't even feel a twinge of lightheadedness. No more AM antihistamines for me. I will just have to sport sunglasses when my eyes well up and tell people that I am in witness protection or something. The phone was ringing all day long and I got to see quite a bit. Left feeling quite successful and ready to tackle week 2............which will be a whole new orientation to a different hospital. Maybe I should just crawl in bed now so I will be ready for Monday.
1/4 update btw: I had a goal for new year to run 400 miles with aspirations to do 500 if at all possible. Well, 25% through, and I am above pace for 500 (close to 55o actually). I am pretty excited because most resolutions dont last me even this long. Will update again at the half way point. Wish my knees luck.
Friday, March 27, 2009
Inspection day or, as I refer to it, time to freak out!
Well, our offer was accepted on the house. Good in a 'wow we have a nice place to live in' kind of way and bad in a 'what the hell do we do with our remaining lease on our current residence' kind of way. Moving is kind of like Jenga, you can make the whole thing collapse with just a few wrong moves. I wish our place just had a buy out clause, but instead we will be searching for subletters. Hopefully we find someone in the not too distant future.
As for the inspection, nothing major came up, but there were, of course, enough minor things to make me REALLY think about this whole buying a home notion. Good lord there are a lot of things that you just don't give a rip about when you are renting. Some cracks in the floor (how much is that too repair?). Using the wrong possible wiring combinations (electrical safety inspection now required). A furnace in the crawl space that would requiring cutting open the floor to remove it (what in the hell!?!?). Other than that, the usual litany of doors not hung properly, some shoddy worksmanship on the caulking, and other little time consuming but not generally financially onorous repairs. Hurm!
In other news, I finished up my 2 days of hospital orientation which, while somewhat tedious, were actually fairly informative. It is clear they do a WHOLE lot for their employees from discounts at local places to very comprehensive benefits including a traditional pension plan. I feel incredibly fortunate to have gotten a job there, especially in this economic climate. The computer training was a bit less useful, only because I was really only tasked with following a minimal amount of what was covered because my position doesn't require it. Odder still, I was exempted from a lot of the other general hospital training that my friend Bob had to go through when he oriented for the same position fresh out of school. I know I have some experience now, but most of the other people orienting that had to go through the training had far more (years worth) and I can safely assure you they need the general training less than I. Just the same, I am sure I will be fine and not feeling poorly educated and incompetent for two weeks will keep my confidence high.
I better get out to do some running so I can go get my allergy shots this afternoon. What would a weekend be without swollen itchy red arms after all?
As for the inspection, nothing major came up, but there were, of course, enough minor things to make me REALLY think about this whole buying a home notion. Good lord there are a lot of things that you just don't give a rip about when you are renting. Some cracks in the floor (how much is that too repair?). Using the wrong possible wiring combinations (electrical safety inspection now required). A furnace in the crawl space that would requiring cutting open the floor to remove it (what in the hell!?!?). Other than that, the usual litany of doors not hung properly, some shoddy worksmanship on the caulking, and other little time consuming but not generally financially onorous repairs. Hurm!
In other news, I finished up my 2 days of hospital orientation which, while somewhat tedious, were actually fairly informative. It is clear they do a WHOLE lot for their employees from discounts at local places to very comprehensive benefits including a traditional pension plan. I feel incredibly fortunate to have gotten a job there, especially in this economic climate. The computer training was a bit less useful, only because I was really only tasked with following a minimal amount of what was covered because my position doesn't require it. Odder still, I was exempted from a lot of the other general hospital training that my friend Bob had to go through when he oriented for the same position fresh out of school. I know I have some experience now, but most of the other people orienting that had to go through the training had far more (years worth) and I can safely assure you they need the general training less than I. Just the same, I am sure I will be fine and not feeling poorly educated and incompetent for two weeks will keep my confidence high.
I better get out to do some running so I can go get my allergy shots this afternoon. What would a weekend be without swollen itchy red arms after all?
Friday, March 20, 2009
Ah, the negotiations.
So, house #1 is a bust. We officially withdrew our offer Friday morning. The short-sale process was taking too long and, honestly, with the aptly named Ozie-Arkies (spell check that for me Tom) out back and the traffic out front, we were falling less and less in love with it. In retrospect, house #1 is too akin to the one we reside in now; wonderful to rent, iffy to purchase. Plus, the place was going to require a fair amount of work to get it to where we wanted it to be. Sadly, Labor costs money. Supplies cost money. The house itself costs money. Where this money actually would come from is anyone's guess. Unless you guessed from us, in which case I would applaud your vibrant imagination where we could live off of the cookie trees and it would rain gumdrops (yum). Combine the funding issue with a lack of time and a general disinterest in renovations of that scale, and you have a losing combination altogether.
Anyway, onward and upward...........we were poking around and found place #2. We are now in the stage where the sellers have our offer and we are awaiting word as to whether the negotiations are to begin in earnest. There is this difficult tightrope you walk when buying. You find out the cost they want to sell it at upfront, then you find the comps in the area (rarely are these two numbers congruent), and then you make an offer that you hope is not so high that they jump at it excitedly (making you feel like you are overpaying) or so low that they reject it outright. The thing that I find most difficult about this is that the response takes some time......1 or 2 business days. Then, you have the same amount of time (roughly) to respond to their response. And so on and so forth. But, we still need to sublet this place, so if it were to not come through, I would be sad but not crestfallen. The balance between finally having a place of our own and the relative savings of not having to move, sublet, and pay a higher monthly payment is difficult to accurately quantify, but still strangely compelling nonetheless. Word to follow when anything actually happens.
rmls: 8108913
link of the moment: who doesn't love the early 90s rap/dance of DJ Cool and also love the Fraggles? Like peanutbutter and jelly really :)
Canucks, Transylvania, & Envy
Oddly enough, I guess this past week was a combination of vacation and being unemployed. Its a weird feeling, but one I could get used to. Starting the day when you want to. Performing tasks at your own pace. With the exception of being broke and Tia staring daggers at me, its pretty ideal. Damn you money!!!
We spent the past week in Vancouver........the, eh, one that pronounces 'ou' like 'oo' not the pseudo-suburb of Portland with the cheaper homes and infuriating commute. It was cold and wet, but enjoyable nonetheless. We walked.........and walked..........and then for good measure walked some more. It is quite a lot like Portland, but on a larger scale. Lots of little shops and eateries in the outskirt neighborhoods and even cheaper eateries closer in to downtown. The large distinction is that the shopping downtown is akin to what you would find at the mall or wandering around the Pearl. We did get to try a Transylvanian bakery (who knew they were so adept at baking, what with the whole Vlad the Impaler thing hanging over them, I just assumed they coasted by on fear tourism or, you know, bloodletting). The bakery items, tiramisu for Tia and a spiced rum cake for me, were spectacular and extremely sweet.
We had them as dessert after stumbling upon a Pho restaurant that had the most amazing Bahn mi sandwich I have had to date. If they could market them correctly the Vietnamese could destroy the business of Subway, Quiznos, or their bretheren. And I say this as a fan of those other places.
The apex of our trip, both literally and figuartively, was a journey between two mountain peaks (well, close enough anyway) in Whistler, the site of the 2010 Winter Olympics, that spans almost 3 miles (nearly 2 of which are unsupported. A few cars even sport glass bottoms so that you can see below (we waited for one and, while the view was truly exhilerating, there was a child onboard who was amongst the most loud, loquacious, and misbehaved as any I have had the displeasure of sharing space with...........and his parents were little more than facilitators. One of the other passengers had the temerity that I wish I had and inferred not indirectly that the parents should no longer breed. We felt every one of the 11 minutes it took to cross to the opposing peak). Definitely the highlight (as well as the lowlight) of the trip to Canuck Country.
We returned feeling fat from our many epicurean adventures (Thai, Vietnamese, bizarre pizzas, Indian, amongst a smattering of others...........although sadly no poutine this trip) and tired from our many amblings about. Having displayed a measure of restraint and financial prudence in choosing a trip we could drive to, we rewarded ourselves with a massage at a place called Massage Envy (http://www.massageenvy.com/), which offers an amazingly low price on your introductory massage. Having little resistence to a massage to begin with, the low price was a cincher (much like the $1 double cheeseburger or $2 pints, I am a sucker for cheap meets want). I opted for the first time to extend the time to a 75 minute massage (instead of the stadard 50) and I am officially ruined for the shorted massages now. Every time I get a massage, I remember immediately how much I completely and utterly enjoy them, and then proceed to not get one for a number of months that follow. Admittedly, this is largely due to the cost. Actually solely do to the cost. But they have a plan that extends the cheap massages throughout the year. Now if I can just convince them to also start serving cheap cheeseburgers and beer!
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Last day tomorrow
As my friend Josh said to me, "You go through jobs like a vagrant goes through sterno." I thought it was apt (and funny). Tomorrow is my last day at yet another job. I always hope I will stay longer, but one thing or another seems to occur, and I am off to the next.
+ Cambridge had horrid pay and benefits and the ownership/management (not you Josh) was a joke. They wouldn't even let you have a paid sick day and NEVER so much as let us know about accruals (as if it was some European concept). The place was a meat grinder for both students and staff alike.
+ Ride Connection was a great group of people and good cause to boot. Benefits were quite impressive and their PTO was generous. I just had nowhere to go in my position and little growth within it. Hence the whole leaving to live in frigid western NY for school thing.
+ Willamette hospital. Bad fit altogether. Too much poop, too little training. A nightmare despite good pay and benefits. Did I mention poop? (That cannot be mentioned enough based on my patient poop exposure ratio).
+ 'the clinic' was a place that I loved, and not just for the lack of poop (huge bonus). Good people, decent pay, nice schedule, fun boss and interesting job. Free treatment for my own rather extensive list of allergy/asthma problems. But, the benefits, which were not great to begin with, quickly degraded and the hours were wildly inconsistent. Too little pay considering the house mortgage sized student loans. Sad to leave it all the same.
Short post...........last day and all tomorrow and we are short staffed and the schedule is loaded. Sleep time now.
Link of the moment (if you like watching a guy gag on frozen cat and dog treats: http://www.freezerburns.com/wordpress/2009/03/01/episode-63-frosty-paws-and-cool-claws-frozen-pet-food/
If you prefer Flight of the Conchords instead: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XVoCJJFuS60
+ Cambridge had horrid pay and benefits and the ownership/management (not you Josh) was a joke. They wouldn't even let you have a paid sick day and NEVER so much as let us know about accruals (as if it was some European concept). The place was a meat grinder for both students and staff alike.
+ Ride Connection was a great group of people and good cause to boot. Benefits were quite impressive and their PTO was generous. I just had nowhere to go in my position and little growth within it. Hence the whole leaving to live in frigid western NY for school thing.
+ Willamette hospital. Bad fit altogether. Too much poop, too little training. A nightmare despite good pay and benefits. Did I mention poop? (That cannot be mentioned enough based on my patient poop exposure ratio).
+ 'the clinic' was a place that I loved, and not just for the lack of poop (huge bonus). Good people, decent pay, nice schedule, fun boss and interesting job. Free treatment for my own rather extensive list of allergy/asthma problems. But, the benefits, which were not great to begin with, quickly degraded and the hours were wildly inconsistent. Too little pay considering the house mortgage sized student loans. Sad to leave it all the same.
Short post...........last day and all tomorrow and we are short staffed and the schedule is loaded. Sleep time now.
Link of the moment (if you like watching a guy gag on frozen cat and dog treats: http://www.freezerburns.com/wordpress/2009/03/01/episode-63-frosty-paws-and-cool-claws-frozen-pet-food/
If you prefer Flight of the Conchords instead: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XVoCJJFuS60
Sunday, March 08, 2009
Beak free eggs
So much going on and so little that ties together that I figured it was best to just post a random assortment of nonsense. Here goes:
+ Celebrated #32 (or as I like to refer to it as 2 to the fifth power........but since I cant figure out how to type that to make it look like anything other than the number 25, we will go with 32). It was the most grown up birthday I have ever experienced. The day began bright and early with a visit to the mortgage broker where we discussed loan rates and how the market is set for them, etc. Then, Tia and I went and looked at a variety of flooring and tile in the inner southeast. We then went and test drove an Infiniti G37 (http://www.infinitiusa.com/g_coupe/?dcp=ppi.16643732.&dcc=0.96526493), which we had no actual intention of buying, but apparently I now look trustworthy enough to not even need to fork over my driver's license to take the car out for a spin (which made me feel good in one way and old in another). We finished up the day with dinner and then an early bedtime because of work the next morning. All the day needed was a glass of metamucil to push it into the truly surreal.
+ Speaking of the Infiniti G37...........well, it was less than I hoped it would be. It was refined and had all the accoutrements I assume one would want in a vehicle in that price range, but had none of the raw power that I had anticipated. My Rabbit is a lot more fun to drive honestly. Half the horsepower, less than half the price, and twice as fun. Bummer.
+ Wake and Cake - After eating birthday cake as an accompaniment to a well balanced breakfast (perhaps well balanced is somewhat hyperbolic) I began to think how unacceptable cake is as a breakfast item. What is a donut after all, but a deep fried cake? So, my new idea is a cake specific breakfast eatery. Potential investors can leave their info in the comment section.
I am dragging ass, so I better scurry off to bed. Daylight savings always seems difficult to immediately adjust to. I leave you with some sugarlumps: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YtbQaJzZh1k&feature=related
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
still sick.............but
I got the job! yeah! I even start with a minute (though graciously accepted) pay grade bump because of my on the job experience. More to come when I have more time (and more coherent and unclouded faculties). For now.............just a huge sigh of relief and, hopefully, a permanent home for my career!
Monday, February 23, 2009
Still sick
I used to think that the common thread between my career choices (teacher, nurse) was the element of teaching or working in female dominated professions.............now I realize it is just the exposure to germs. For some reason I have chosen to constantly test my delicate lungs through contact with the broadest spectrum of viruses and bacteria possible in close quarters over prolonged periods of time. Hence, I am not feeling that well yet again. Although, for the last 6 months +, my health has been surprisingly sturdy. So much for that.
In other news, the waiting game continues with the possible new employer. Now I have been instructed to re-apply for the position because it has to be opened to the public (initially it was evidently only an internal position). Suffice to say, though I have been told that the job is 'mine', I find this a bit disconcerting. Until it is done and the signatures have dried on the paperwork, I don't think I will feel comfortable with it. It is nice to be in the enviable position of liking my current job enough that, were this to fall through, I wouldn't be devastated. That said, I am not sure how many times an opportunity like this will come along and I really hope it happens.
I am off to take even more medication in the hope of finding the delicate balance between runny and stuffy..........or at least something to knock me out so that I no longer care either way.
In other news, the waiting game continues with the possible new employer. Now I have been instructed to re-apply for the position because it has to be opened to the public (initially it was evidently only an internal position). Suffice to say, though I have been told that the job is 'mine', I find this a bit disconcerting. Until it is done and the signatures have dried on the paperwork, I don't think I will feel comfortable with it. It is nice to be in the enviable position of liking my current job enough that, were this to fall through, I wouldn't be devastated. That said, I am not sure how many times an opportunity like this will come along and I really hope it happens.
I am off to take even more medication in the hope of finding the delicate balance between runny and stuffy..........or at least something to knock me out so that I no longer care either way.
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Everything is cooler in 3D
I finally got to see the movie Coraline, which I have been waiting for nearly as much (though not for as long) at the Watchmen movie. I absolutely love stop motion films, the writing of Neil Gaiman, and, uh, 3-dimensional things (I needed a triumvirate). The verdict: so-so. The movie had amazing visuals that were all the more stunning since CGI was not a part of the equation. Parts of it were trying otherwordly and quite breathtaking. But, unfortunately, the story was just average. If not for the visuals, it would have been hard to even stay focused on the movie at all, and at times that was a bit of a stretch. I was mildly bummed that it wasn't better, but very pleased that I wasn't entirely disappointed.
Speaking of disappointed, we had one of the worst times I have ever had at a restaurant. In itself, that is a hard thing to do. After all, a restaurant serves food and, generally, libations. that alone makes it pretty hard to beat. But, Pastini at Cedar Hills managed to take it down several notches. First, we had to wait to be seated which is never my favorite thing to do. That kind of ups the ante for me right off the bat. All is forgiven (and immediately so) with the appearance of food and drink of course......and thats where this situation went horribly awry. We were given menus and, after not having made up our mind withing the first 30 seconds of being seated when the waitress stopped by initially, we were allowed more than adequate time to memorize them had we chosen to do so. Then, we waited for a good 20 minutes plus for what had to be among the worst ceasar salads I have ever had. To say it was liberally coated in parmesan cheese is a vast understatement. Pizzas dont come with this much cheese on them. We then waited some more........with nary an appearance of a bread basket, refill, or our waitress. Another 20 minutes passed before we decided, and then executed, our departure from the restaurant. I do not advocate the dine and dash, but since we scarcely dined (our main courses could still be in the kitchen for all I know) and hardly dashed (sauntered perhaps), I did not think it improper. Suffice to say, I wont be back.
I am still awaiting word from the hospital regarding the job news that I am hoping to share. But for some reason they outsource their background checks, meaning that they move with the alacrity of our government. Worse still is that NO ONE can tell me when they should know anything because it is in someone else's hands entirely. By the time I (hopefully) get the job, I am not even sure I will remember what it was that I interviewed for in the first place.
I havent had much time to blog hop since my last post, so no new insights into the series of tubes and wires that bring the internet into my house. More to come as more occurs.
Oh who am I kidding........check this out: http://thisiswhyyourefat.com/
Speaking of disappointed, we had one of the worst times I have ever had at a restaurant. In itself, that is a hard thing to do. After all, a restaurant serves food and, generally, libations. that alone makes it pretty hard to beat. But, Pastini at Cedar Hills managed to take it down several notches. First, we had to wait to be seated which is never my favorite thing to do. That kind of ups the ante for me right off the bat. All is forgiven (and immediately so) with the appearance of food and drink of course......and thats where this situation went horribly awry. We were given menus and, after not having made up our mind withing the first 30 seconds of being seated when the waitress stopped by initially, we were allowed more than adequate time to memorize them had we chosen to do so. Then, we waited for a good 20 minutes plus for what had to be among the worst ceasar salads I have ever had. To say it was liberally coated in parmesan cheese is a vast understatement. Pizzas dont come with this much cheese on them. We then waited some more........with nary an appearance of a bread basket, refill, or our waitress. Another 20 minutes passed before we decided, and then executed, our departure from the restaurant. I do not advocate the dine and dash, but since we scarcely dined (our main courses could still be in the kitchen for all I know) and hardly dashed (sauntered perhaps), I did not think it improper. Suffice to say, I wont be back.
I am still awaiting word from the hospital regarding the job news that I am hoping to share. But for some reason they outsource their background checks, meaning that they move with the alacrity of our government. Worse still is that NO ONE can tell me when they should know anything because it is in someone else's hands entirely. By the time I (hopefully) get the job, I am not even sure I will remember what it was that I interviewed for in the first place.
I havent had much time to blog hop since my last post, so no new insights into the series of tubes and wires that bring the internet into my house. More to come as more occurs.
Oh who am I kidding........check this out: http://thisiswhyyourefat.com/
Friday, February 13, 2009
"Moist" "Panties"
If i end up moving on to more lucrative pastures from the cozy confines of 'the clinic', then there will definitely be much to miss. Mostly, it will be the 'team' that I work directly with, though the auxiliary staff is also, by and large, top notch. I get a similar feeling when I visit Tia's job........there is a certain cohesiveness and level of positivity that can really only happen with a smaller group. A kind of collective lightheartedness that makes even the most mundane tasks palatable. I have had the good fortunes to work with some very enjoyable people in my scattershot work history, but this has been the best combination thus far (because of a few sticks in the mud at RC and a suffocating corporate culture at Cambridge, not because there weren't some standout people at both places that I happily call my friends still). Which of course brings me to "moist" "panties."
We were just generally discussing things that we don't like. Gena's utter distaste for baked beans (which shouldn't be sweet according to her.......I emphatically disagree), to Kelly's annoyance with her husband drinking from the container and how I hate peanut butter with jelly (its an issue on know). Somehow the conversation turned to words. I don't know that there are any that I find horribly distasteful, but Gena hates the word moist and Kelly dislikes the word panties. This would have been the end of the story in most places I have worked........just an amusingly odd conversation quickly forgotten, but not with this group. We had fun with it. For the remainder of the day, we described everything that was even remotely applicable within Gena's earshot as 'moist' ('have you tried the cake downstairs, it is incredibly moist' or 'the weather is supposed to be awfully moist tomorrow') resulting in Gena cringing and giggling. Then, similarly, dropping the word panties into the conversation around Kelly. The main point, we had fun with it and it made the day enjoyable. It probably doesn't relate as well in the telling that I hope, but it is just an example of the many goofy/fun things that we all genuinely get into that make it seem like not just a group of people that work together, but a group of people that would hang out anyway. I will miss that camaraderie because, collectively, it isn't something that you find as an entire staff often (though I certainly hope to).
As for job stuff, the train is pulling forward, albeit at the speed of new ketchup from a glass bottle. My information has been forwarded to a separate company that performs the background/reference checks. I am not certain how long this will take, but I am not looking forward to having to sit down with Dr. P and walking away (my hope is honestly to stay on as a fill in when needed). I want to fill in more details about the 'possible' new job, but I don't want to jinx it along the way. As soon as the offer is on the table, I will spill the beans (preferably the Bush's baked variety).
Another slew of movies, most disappointing, that I have seen all or parts of.
Elizabeth: Went for the Oscar winning period piece and ended up pulling the cord on it 1/3 the way through. It moved slower than whatever line I pick at the supermarket.
Vicky Christina Barcelona: Woody Allen is an acquired taste. Kind of like Clamato. Also like Clamato, it is a taste I will evidently never acquire (or want to). Thumbs down for being so boring that I didnt even make it to Penelope Cruz and Scarlett Johansen making out.
Incredible Hulk: Sometimes having low expectations is a good thing, you are much more likely to be pleasantly surprised. I feel better being pleasantly surprised when the fries are just right at McDonalds than I do feeling mildly disappointed with far more elegant fare. I felt the same way about this movie. Was it great? No. Was it better than I had reason to think it would be based on reviews/box office? Yes. Yummy fries all the way.
Return to Oz: Sure the special effects held up about as well as those cheap uncoated paper plates do after your third helping of baked beans (had to reference it), but it still brought back memories. Almost worth it just to see the brief intro by lead Faruza Balk (who has aged like Amy Winehouse's liver). A surprisingly dark turn by the Disney corp.
Indiana Jones and the kingdom of the Crystal Skull: I was never a big fan of the Star Wars movies, so I didn't understand the collective outrage at George Lucas when he churned out 3 prequels that, though they made a ton of money, were widely reviled by both the hard core fans and casual viewers alike. It is sad to see your childhood memories dragged before you and then beaten into something barely recognizable. It is in this vein that I place this George Lucas travesty. From nuking the fridge, to swinging in the trees with CGI monkies, to the culminating UFO storyline, I can't think of a better way to Bruckheimer (aka: f-up) the franchise. Bravo!
On that note, I need to go take a moist shower and put on some clean man panties for dinner.
Oh yeah: your time waster du jour: For whatever reason, I love reviews. I read them about cars, movies, kitchen appliances that I have no intention of buying. Most of all though, I like reading reviews of things that I might actually put in my belly. Yes, it is nice to read about the newest restaurant, but I much prefer reading about the still I actually eat..........bring on the Impulsive Buy. Check it out...........the reviews are hilarious and frequently offensive in some way. I love it. http://www.theimpulsivebuy.com/
We were just generally discussing things that we don't like. Gena's utter distaste for baked beans (which shouldn't be sweet according to her.......I emphatically disagree), to Kelly's annoyance with her husband drinking from the container and how I hate peanut butter with jelly (its an issue on know). Somehow the conversation turned to words. I don't know that there are any that I find horribly distasteful, but Gena hates the word moist and Kelly dislikes the word panties. This would have been the end of the story in most places I have worked........just an amusingly odd conversation quickly forgotten, but not with this group. We had fun with it. For the remainder of the day, we described everything that was even remotely applicable within Gena's earshot as 'moist' ('have you tried the cake downstairs, it is incredibly moist' or 'the weather is supposed to be awfully moist tomorrow') resulting in Gena cringing and giggling. Then, similarly, dropping the word panties into the conversation around Kelly. The main point, we had fun with it and it made the day enjoyable. It probably doesn't relate as well in the telling that I hope, but it is just an example of the many goofy/fun things that we all genuinely get into that make it seem like not just a group of people that work together, but a group of people that would hang out anyway. I will miss that camaraderie because, collectively, it isn't something that you find as an entire staff often (though I certainly hope to).
As for job stuff, the train is pulling forward, albeit at the speed of new ketchup from a glass bottle. My information has been forwarded to a separate company that performs the background/reference checks. I am not certain how long this will take, but I am not looking forward to having to sit down with Dr. P and walking away (my hope is honestly to stay on as a fill in when needed). I want to fill in more details about the 'possible' new job, but I don't want to jinx it along the way. As soon as the offer is on the table, I will spill the beans (preferably the Bush's baked variety).
Another slew of movies, most disappointing, that I have seen all or parts of.
Elizabeth: Went for the Oscar winning period piece and ended up pulling the cord on it 1/3 the way through. It moved slower than whatever line I pick at the supermarket.
Vicky Christina Barcelona: Woody Allen is an acquired taste. Kind of like Clamato. Also like Clamato, it is a taste I will evidently never acquire (or want to). Thumbs down for being so boring that I didnt even make it to Penelope Cruz and Scarlett Johansen making out.
Incredible Hulk: Sometimes having low expectations is a good thing, you are much more likely to be pleasantly surprised. I feel better being pleasantly surprised when the fries are just right at McDonalds than I do feeling mildly disappointed with far more elegant fare. I felt the same way about this movie. Was it great? No. Was it better than I had reason to think it would be based on reviews/box office? Yes. Yummy fries all the way.
Return to Oz: Sure the special effects held up about as well as those cheap uncoated paper plates do after your third helping of baked beans (had to reference it), but it still brought back memories. Almost worth it just to see the brief intro by lead Faruza Balk (who has aged like Amy Winehouse's liver). A surprisingly dark turn by the Disney corp.
Indiana Jones and the kingdom of the Crystal Skull: I was never a big fan of the Star Wars movies, so I didn't understand the collective outrage at George Lucas when he churned out 3 prequels that, though they made a ton of money, were widely reviled by both the hard core fans and casual viewers alike. It is sad to see your childhood memories dragged before you and then beaten into something barely recognizable. It is in this vein that I place this George Lucas travesty. From nuking the fridge, to swinging in the trees with CGI monkies, to the culminating UFO storyline, I can't think of a better way to Bruckheimer (aka: f-up) the franchise. Bravo!
On that note, I need to go take a moist shower and put on some clean man panties for dinner.
Oh yeah: your time waster du jour: For whatever reason, I love reviews. I read them about cars, movies, kitchen appliances that I have no intention of buying. Most of all though, I like reading reviews of things that I might actually put in my belly. Yes, it is nice to read about the newest restaurant, but I much prefer reading about the still I actually eat..........bring on the Impulsive Buy. Check it out...........the reviews are hilarious and frequently offensive in some way. I love it. http://www.theimpulsivebuy.com/
Thursday, February 05, 2009
I bless the rains down in Africa
Today I realized, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that I am a child of the 80s. To make a short story long, I was using the restroom at work and noticed that the toilet manufacturer was Toto. To most that would mean little or nothing, but older generations would likely imagine a little dog that accompanied Dorothy in the land of Oz. However, I immediately started to hum and bless the rains down in Africa. You see, the name that is shared with an 80s band (I suspect unintentionally unless the company harbors an immeasurable disdain for the long defunct band and surreptitious and long-running campaign to disparage them). I wondered who else has made the same connection. Simultaneously, I began to wonder if anyone else had noticed how long I had spent in the bathroom. I digress.
I had hoped to post with some rather big work related news........but I have nothing to report thus far. I will post as soon as anything happens............if anything happens at all. Until then, mum is the word.
My favorite time waster du jour: http://www.avclub.com/features/my-year-of-flops/
If you like reading about movie failures, some that you secretly loved, it is an interesting read that is updated frequently.
Not much else going on in sunny (for a few days at least) Portland. Hopefully more to come soon.
I had hoped to post with some rather big work related news........but I have nothing to report thus far. I will post as soon as anything happens............if anything happens at all. Until then, mum is the word.
My favorite time waster du jour: http://www.avclub.com/features/my-year-of-flops/
If you like reading about movie failures, some that you secretly loved, it is an interesting read that is updated frequently.
Not much else going on in sunny (for a few days at least) Portland. Hopefully more to come soon.
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
My friend said you shred the cello, and I'm jello baby!
I was listen to my Ipod .01 (whatever brand it is with its tiny flash drive) and I heard my favorite Weezer song, El Scorcho, for the first time in about a year. I was just thinking about how nice it is to hear a random long neglected song, like finding a $5 in a jacket pocket. Then, in a roudabout way, it made me think about my poor neglected blog........overgrown with weeds and assorted verbal shrubbery at this point. But I am back, and will hopefully prove a more dedicated blogger again.
Waht has the new year brought thus far..........well, lots of work.......and running........and sleep. Somewhat all tangentally related. Work has been steady busy this new year and, with one co-worker with small children, one out on maternity, and one having her share of familial tragedies, I have been uncommonly harried. All to the good though because the days pass that much quicker. Plus, in the midst of all this work, I have managed to begin my allergy shots.
I have given, at this point, roughly a thousand injections by my estimation between shot clinic and working with Dr. Price, but have until recently not fully understood what it is like to go through the process myself. Let me say emphatically, it is NOT FUN! It isn't terrible by any stretch, but I am thoroughly exhausted on days that I get my RUSH therapy. One evening, I was fast asleep before 8pm. Most evenings, I kind of wish that were the case. Evidently this will pass in time. Otherwise I have no idea how anyone could tolerate it. Additionally my right tricep has been red and itchy for the past 4 days. On the upside, the swelling makes me look totally buff!
Ah yes, the running. First, I should say that I am not one to make resolutions. On the rare occassions I have made them, I have either aimed too high or had to vague a goal in mind and, subsequently, failed miserably (if I remembered making the resolution in the first place that is). This year, I am trying to actually stick with one. I am going to try to accumulate 400 miles of cardio work this year. I expect to, hopefully, surpass that number....but it is my goal. I am only counting actual cardio work, not my walks to and from my car or the wandering I do on the job. It is a modest goal yes, but considering my limited lung capacity, I am sure it will not be as easily achievable as it seems at the moment. That said, I am off to a good start. Updates periodically.
In other news, I have seen another batch of ho-hum movies, none of which are particularly memorable in a good or bad way. I also re-watched the latest Batman movie, and sadly it didn't hold up as well as I had hoped. All I could see the second time around were the gaping plot holes.........though the acting and action sequences were still top notch. I am already pre-geeking out for Coraline and the Watchmen.
I read a really interesting book........perhaps it was Crichton's last: State of Fear. I am not saying it was a great book, but it brought up some interesting counter-points to the global warming theory. I don't know if i agree with all those counter points either, but it was rather intriguing and it did make me think about the things that we take for fact that often don't have a lot of supporting evidence or, at the very least, have no conclusive evidence.
Some possibly interesting news on the job front. Tune in next time with your Ovaltine decoder rings!
Waht has the new year brought thus far..........well, lots of work.......and running........and sleep. Somewhat all tangentally related. Work has been steady busy this new year and, with one co-worker with small children, one out on maternity, and one having her share of familial tragedies, I have been uncommonly harried. All to the good though because the days pass that much quicker. Plus, in the midst of all this work, I have managed to begin my allergy shots.
I have given, at this point, roughly a thousand injections by my estimation between shot clinic and working with Dr. Price, but have until recently not fully understood what it is like to go through the process myself. Let me say emphatically, it is NOT FUN! It isn't terrible by any stretch, but I am thoroughly exhausted on days that I get my RUSH therapy. One evening, I was fast asleep before 8pm. Most evenings, I kind of wish that were the case. Evidently this will pass in time. Otherwise I have no idea how anyone could tolerate it. Additionally my right tricep has been red and itchy for the past 4 days. On the upside, the swelling makes me look totally buff!
Ah yes, the running. First, I should say that I am not one to make resolutions. On the rare occassions I have made them, I have either aimed too high or had to vague a goal in mind and, subsequently, failed miserably (if I remembered making the resolution in the first place that is). This year, I am trying to actually stick with one. I am going to try to accumulate 400 miles of cardio work this year. I expect to, hopefully, surpass that number....but it is my goal. I am only counting actual cardio work, not my walks to and from my car or the wandering I do on the job. It is a modest goal yes, but considering my limited lung capacity, I am sure it will not be as easily achievable as it seems at the moment. That said, I am off to a good start. Updates periodically.
In other news, I have seen another batch of ho-hum movies, none of which are particularly memorable in a good or bad way. I also re-watched the latest Batman movie, and sadly it didn't hold up as well as I had hoped. All I could see the second time around were the gaping plot holes.........though the acting and action sequences were still top notch. I am already pre-geeking out for Coraline and the Watchmen.
I read a really interesting book........perhaps it was Crichton's last: State of Fear. I am not saying it was a great book, but it brought up some interesting counter-points to the global warming theory. I don't know if i agree with all those counter points either, but it was rather intriguing and it did make me think about the things that we take for fact that often don't have a lot of supporting evidence or, at the very least, have no conclusive evidence.
Some possibly interesting news on the job front. Tune in next time with your Ovaltine decoder rings!
Wednesday, January 07, 2009
Rachel getting my $8........and married
Tia and I like different kinds of movies. On occasion we reach an accord, but just as often we do not. I cannot justifiably say that I have better taste than she, just different. I like movies that require me to suspend disbelief and often are in no way based in reality (or only tangentially so). With comedy as well as action, I tend towards that direction. Tia tends to like more 'real' films, though she, like I, generally stipulates that something must happen to make the movie worth seeing (not just a slice of daily life). What we tend to agree upon with near unanimity however, is that most oscar nominated films (or films that at least create a 'buzz' akin to that for fine acting performances and the like) are dead boring. Such is the case with Rachel getting married.
Yes, something did happen at this film, the titular character did indeed get married, but other than that it was like watching a home movie of someone else's wedding........someone that you know nothing about. Unless you have wedding fever, it is as dull as it sounds. Its a bummer because Tia really wanted to see it, and was equally disappointed. Just makes me thankful that we only paid $8 instead of $18 to see it. Then i might have had to demand my money back.
On a scale of 1-5, this film fell soundly in the 1 column.
1 = Bah! (wish I had those hours of my life back)
2 = Meh! (It was a diversion, but nothing I would care to see again)
3 = So-so (if it were on TV in the future, I might sit for it again)
4 = Yah! (would watch again)
5 = Yippee! (one of those films that you could watch over and over and never really tire of)
Other films we have seen recently:
Happy Endings - Some sort of interesting storylines that, too neatly and unrealistically, tie together at the end. = 2.5
21 = very glitzy and decently paced with a nice twist at the end. Nothing spectacular, but good fun. = 3
Step Brothers = Will Ferrell usually brings the funny.........not this time. With the exception of the music video, an almost complete loss. = 2
Burn after reading = for me, Coen brothers movies are either home runs (Fargo, O Brother Where art thou, The Big Lebowski) or complete an utter misses (No Country, Intolerable Cruelty) and this definitely falls in the latter category. Disapointing. = 1.5
Zach and Miri make a porno = in Kevin Smith's usual way, the dialogue is quick and profanity laden. The film is uneven, but overall solid and there are some big laughs along the way. It isn't great, but it definitely falls into my solid 3 category.
Crazy Love = An slow paced, but interesting doc about a couple that met, and subsequently broke up, in the 1950s. oh, and the gentlemen in the film paid some hoodlums to throw lye in the woman's eyes blinding her and going to prison for 15 years for it.........and yet they end up together. = 3
Off to watch another movie. Hopefully something at least happens in it.
Yes, something did happen at this film, the titular character did indeed get married, but other than that it was like watching a home movie of someone else's wedding........someone that you know nothing about. Unless you have wedding fever, it is as dull as it sounds. Its a bummer because Tia really wanted to see it, and was equally disappointed. Just makes me thankful that we only paid $8 instead of $18 to see it. Then i might have had to demand my money back.
On a scale of 1-5, this film fell soundly in the 1 column.
1 = Bah! (wish I had those hours of my life back)
2 = Meh! (It was a diversion, but nothing I would care to see again)
3 = So-so (if it were on TV in the future, I might sit for it again)
4 = Yah! (would watch again)
5 = Yippee! (one of those films that you could watch over and over and never really tire of)
Other films we have seen recently:
Happy Endings - Some sort of interesting storylines that, too neatly and unrealistically, tie together at the end. = 2.5
21 = very glitzy and decently paced with a nice twist at the end. Nothing spectacular, but good fun. = 3
Step Brothers = Will Ferrell usually brings the funny.........not this time. With the exception of the music video, an almost complete loss. = 2
Burn after reading = for me, Coen brothers movies are either home runs (Fargo, O Brother Where art thou, The Big Lebowski) or complete an utter misses (No Country, Intolerable Cruelty) and this definitely falls in the latter category. Disapointing. = 1.5
Zach and Miri make a porno = in Kevin Smith's usual way, the dialogue is quick and profanity laden. The film is uneven, but overall solid and there are some big laughs along the way. It isn't great, but it definitely falls into my solid 3 category.
Crazy Love = An slow paced, but interesting doc about a couple that met, and subsequently broke up, in the 1950s. oh, and the gentlemen in the film paid some hoodlums to throw lye in the woman's eyes blinding her and going to prison for 15 years for it.........and yet they end up together. = 3
Off to watch another movie. Hopefully something at least happens in it.
Sunday, January 04, 2009
Pudding on the rice
I love food, but I am not a foodie. I don't harbor the desire nor do i have the inclination to wax poetic about each french fry that passes my lips..........but every once in awhile a place catches my attention and i feel compelled to say something about it. Frequently, it is a particular menu item like bulgogi, the tomato soup at Elephants, or my most recent palate delight of chocolate braised rabbit. But, Tia and I were in Bridgeport Village returning clothing (and doing so unsuccessfully, exchanging the one item for other items worth more), and we happened up a place called Pudding on the Rice. They serve only a few things and I cannot speak to most of them, but the rice pudding is sublime and comes in enough flavors to make Baskin Robbins jealous. I urge anyone who reads this with a remote predilection for the desert to seek this place out and try it. Let me know if you try their tart yogurt or crepes as well. I certainly hope to.
http://www.puddingontherice.com/
http://www.puddingontherice.com/
Saturday, December 27, 2008
A look back
Since newspapers, magazines, and umpteen shows are all making their end of the year lists, I thought it would be a good time to reflect on all the things that happened in this incredibly eventful year, a year in which Tia and I moved three times and called four different addresses our own.
The year began in Rochester, NY amid a background of cold and snow. I spent the first month plus wandering around the maternity ward of the hospital and saw my first birth, changed my first diaper (on a child anyway), and watched enough circumcisions to qualify myself as an expert. I followed that up with 5 weeks with children/adolescents which was both rewarding and somewhat sad. By April, clinical time was done and I was 90% to graduation. Of course, then I had to pass an exit exam, finish up group projects, and then begin to study for the most difficult test I have ever taken, the NCLEX.
May finally arrived and with that came our wedding and honeymoon, smack between the end of classes and 'official' graduation (which I did not attend). It was a whirlwind time and one that was both an amazing life change and a welcome respite from the rigors of the program. We returned to Rochester briefly, long enough to sell off the majority of our belongings, pack, and get a trailer hitch installed on Tia's car (along with selling my own). Tia's mom flew out to help us drive across the country yet again (I have had my fill of cross country moves now). Along the way, my body started to betray me.
With much studying to do, my health continued to deteriorate as did I. Within a month, I had lost 20lbs and was not improving. Turns out it was my gall bladder (Not Colonel Mustard in the study with a wrench). Thanks to Tia's persistence and Diane's aid, medication finally patched me up enough to function and I have stayed fairly solid since (my gall bladder still holds a tenuous lease with my body).
Despite the ailments, I did manage to locate my first job, pending my passing the national boards. I ended up accepting a job in Salem............and then one nearer in Oregon City. I decided against working in Salem (long commute and nagging suspicions related to some issues Tia had with them). Took the NCLEX (passed it miraculously) and began working in Oregon City. The job fit like a square peg in a round hole. Code Browns seemed to dominate most days and I often saw far too much resemblance betwixt this job and my brief but memorable time in long term care. I was miserable and felt wholly unprepared for the realities of the weeks and months that were to lie ahead. Less than 3 weeks (and two lost lunches) later, I found myself interviewing with Dr. Price and her team. A job offer accompanied the interview and, after a brief meeting with the head of the nursing team in Oregon City, I took another leap of faith.
Thankfully, the job has worked out about as well as I could have hoped. No, it isn't perfect (the benefits are porous and there remains too much time off sans pay for my liking), but I adore my co-workers and my boss and I genuinely like the job itself 98% of the time. Plus, as a fringe benefit, I will be able to hopefully conquer my own allergy demons along the way. On the whole, I feel very fortunate.
As for Tia, her job continues to treat her well. Like me, she has a good relationship with her boss and co-workers and, also like me, there are some things she would perhaps alter could she do so, but the sum is a positive one and that is a far greater thing than most jobs can profess to offer.
Now, as the year closes, we are finally free of Wilsonville and back within the confines of the Portland we had hoped to return to. I am sure the new year will offer many challenges (as they always do), but hopefully it will also come with many rewards as well. For now, I will be pleased to have some stability and possibly find myself in the same home and same employ at this point in the coming year.
PS: thank you to both sides of my family and my wife for the wonderful Christmas gifts and memories. Both are gratefully received.
The year began in Rochester, NY amid a background of cold and snow. I spent the first month plus wandering around the maternity ward of the hospital and saw my first birth, changed my first diaper (on a child anyway), and watched enough circumcisions to qualify myself as an expert. I followed that up with 5 weeks with children/adolescents which was both rewarding and somewhat sad. By April, clinical time was done and I was 90% to graduation. Of course, then I had to pass an exit exam, finish up group projects, and then begin to study for the most difficult test I have ever taken, the NCLEX.
May finally arrived and with that came our wedding and honeymoon, smack between the end of classes and 'official' graduation (which I did not attend). It was a whirlwind time and one that was both an amazing life change and a welcome respite from the rigors of the program. We returned to Rochester briefly, long enough to sell off the majority of our belongings, pack, and get a trailer hitch installed on Tia's car (along with selling my own). Tia's mom flew out to help us drive across the country yet again (I have had my fill of cross country moves now). Along the way, my body started to betray me.
With much studying to do, my health continued to deteriorate as did I. Within a month, I had lost 20lbs and was not improving. Turns out it was my gall bladder (Not Colonel Mustard in the study with a wrench). Thanks to Tia's persistence and Diane's aid, medication finally patched me up enough to function and I have stayed fairly solid since (my gall bladder still holds a tenuous lease with my body).
Despite the ailments, I did manage to locate my first job, pending my passing the national boards. I ended up accepting a job in Salem............and then one nearer in Oregon City. I decided against working in Salem (long commute and nagging suspicions related to some issues Tia had with them). Took the NCLEX (passed it miraculously) and began working in Oregon City. The job fit like a square peg in a round hole. Code Browns seemed to dominate most days and I often saw far too much resemblance betwixt this job and my brief but memorable time in long term care. I was miserable and felt wholly unprepared for the realities of the weeks and months that were to lie ahead. Less than 3 weeks (and two lost lunches) later, I found myself interviewing with Dr. Price and her team. A job offer accompanied the interview and, after a brief meeting with the head of the nursing team in Oregon City, I took another leap of faith.
Thankfully, the job has worked out about as well as I could have hoped. No, it isn't perfect (the benefits are porous and there remains too much time off sans pay for my liking), but I adore my co-workers and my boss and I genuinely like the job itself 98% of the time. Plus, as a fringe benefit, I will be able to hopefully conquer my own allergy demons along the way. On the whole, I feel very fortunate.
As for Tia, her job continues to treat her well. Like me, she has a good relationship with her boss and co-workers and, also like me, there are some things she would perhaps alter could she do so, but the sum is a positive one and that is a far greater thing than most jobs can profess to offer.
Now, as the year closes, we are finally free of Wilsonville and back within the confines of the Portland we had hoped to return to. I am sure the new year will offer many challenges (as they always do), but hopefully it will also come with many rewards as well. For now, I will be pleased to have some stability and possibly find myself in the same home and same employ at this point in the coming year.
PS: thank you to both sides of my family and my wife for the wonderful Christmas gifts and memories. Both are gratefully received.
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Memories courtesy of Facebook
I admit, I was a reluctant adopter of the whole social networking phenomenon. I was tardy in my adoption of Myspace (though quick to abandon it once people began pimping their 'space' out and it starting loading like dial up) and behind the times with Facebook (and admittedly only then because of the now defunct Scrabulous application). But, what I have found it to be, more than anything, is a weird meeting place for the forgetten members of our individual pasts as much as it is a way to stay connected with people in the present.
Memories are an odd thing. There are things you can't forget, and things you can only remember when prodded by a certain scent or a song and otherwise never cross your mind. My old friend Michelle, who is the impetus of this post, is like a song that defined a particular place and time in my life. In this case, freshman year of college.
Michelle was an acquantance in high school and little more. One of those people you could pick out of a lineup, but remain otherwise indistinct in our lives. As is the case with most people who leave for college and are away from home for the first time, the graduates of our high school that attended UF (perhaps a baker's dozen) found one another and clung together until we felt secure enough to venture out on our own. It is in this way that Michelle and I became close friends, skipping classes together and hanging out in my dorm room for the usual weekend drinking binges that occurred on my lightly patrolled dorm floor. Nothing ever happened between us, she was like a sister, but I have so many memories of us shuffling through used CDs at one or another of the many music stores near campus, attending numerous free concerts put on by the school, and late night cram study sessions. She is an indelible, and until recently, forgotten part of my college experience. She stands out all the more because, after freshman year, we drifted apart rather quickly. I began a serious relationship and closed my social circle and she joined a sorority that I, at the time, thought was quite ridiculous. So, just like that, the door opened and then abruptly closed A friendship with a distinct beginning and ending is a rare thing and leaves an indelible print the way romantic relationships often do.
On an utter and complete sidebar, thinking of her, I can't help but recall how insanely self-righteous I was at that time and place in my life.......and utterly hypocritical. I was militantly anti-smoking, but had a far more liberal policy about underage drinking (no stance whatsoever really). I thought religion was just a crutch for the weak minded and was willing to argue the point ad naseum (I still don't find any personal value in it, but understand that some people find it imensely important and I decline to concern myself with it as long as it does not infringe on my rights). I had never met an open homosexual and had a poor understanding that they were not some strange societal niche group, but rather part of every niche group and none at all. In other words, exactly like everyone in the greater majority save sexual preference. In short, I never was more certain (and likely egregiously wrongheaded) about the black and white nature of all things than I was in my late teens. I can't help but want to look back and laugh, though I know that much like the awkward physical growth spurts that define the earlier teen years, mental and emotional growth spurts are just part of life (only far more awkward in retrospect).
So, I am grateful to Facebook for this surprise trip down memory lane. I wonder who else will find me in the future and spark a similar journey. All i know is that I will look forward to it when it happens.
Happy Holidays to everyone.......remembered and (temporarily) forgotten.
Memories are an odd thing. There are things you can't forget, and things you can only remember when prodded by a certain scent or a song and otherwise never cross your mind. My old friend Michelle, who is the impetus of this post, is like a song that defined a particular place and time in my life. In this case, freshman year of college.
Michelle was an acquantance in high school and little more. One of those people you could pick out of a lineup, but remain otherwise indistinct in our lives. As is the case with most people who leave for college and are away from home for the first time, the graduates of our high school that attended UF (perhaps a baker's dozen) found one another and clung together until we felt secure enough to venture out on our own. It is in this way that Michelle and I became close friends, skipping classes together and hanging out in my dorm room for the usual weekend drinking binges that occurred on my lightly patrolled dorm floor. Nothing ever happened between us, she was like a sister, but I have so many memories of us shuffling through used CDs at one or another of the many music stores near campus, attending numerous free concerts put on by the school, and late night cram study sessions. She is an indelible, and until recently, forgotten part of my college experience. She stands out all the more because, after freshman year, we drifted apart rather quickly. I began a serious relationship and closed my social circle and she joined a sorority that I, at the time, thought was quite ridiculous. So, just like that, the door opened and then abruptly closed A friendship with a distinct beginning and ending is a rare thing and leaves an indelible print the way romantic relationships often do.
On an utter and complete sidebar, thinking of her, I can't help but recall how insanely self-righteous I was at that time and place in my life.......and utterly hypocritical. I was militantly anti-smoking, but had a far more liberal policy about underage drinking (no stance whatsoever really). I thought religion was just a crutch for the weak minded and was willing to argue the point ad naseum (I still don't find any personal value in it, but understand that some people find it imensely important and I decline to concern myself with it as long as it does not infringe on my rights). I had never met an open homosexual and had a poor understanding that they were not some strange societal niche group, but rather part of every niche group and none at all. In other words, exactly like everyone in the greater majority save sexual preference. In short, I never was more certain (and likely egregiously wrongheaded) about the black and white nature of all things than I was in my late teens. I can't help but want to look back and laugh, though I know that much like the awkward physical growth spurts that define the earlier teen years, mental and emotional growth spurts are just part of life (only far more awkward in retrospect).
So, I am grateful to Facebook for this surprise trip down memory lane. I wonder who else will find me in the future and spark a similar journey. All i know is that I will look forward to it when it happens.
Happy Holidays to everyone.......remembered and (temporarily) forgotten.
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Let it snow, let it snow, let it...............ok stop already!
It is kind of hard to blog when the sum our your experiences are encompassed within the walls of a 900 square foot condo over the past few days. Forays the week prior were dominated exclusively by trips to and from work (gripping the wheel with white-knuckled ferocity). Mostly I have spent countless hours perusing websites far and wide, reading novels until my eyes blur, and watching television indiscriminately (with the only qualifying factor being that they are not The View and don't revolve around couples with an inordinate amount of children........I'm looking at you Jon and Kate and your like-minded television brethren). Ah, snow in Portland. Pretty on day 1, but by day #5, you are beginning to view cabin fever as a physical malady.
Here is hoping that everyone out there is keeping themselves sane cloistered as we all must be in our respective homes. Happy Holidays!
Here is hoping that everyone out there is keeping themselves sane cloistered as we all must be in our respective homes. Happy Holidays!
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Dexter
Well, we finally did it. We moved into our new place and what a clusterf*#k it has been! First, I would like to take this opportunity to publicly (and privately) denounce BB Management as possibly the worst property management company to ever operate such a business. If not the worst, certainly the worst I have had the displeasure of dealing with. We are learning how to be the squeakiest wheel possible thanks to them.
It all began on the first when we attempted to move some of our belongings in. Tia and Diane packed up their respective cars and we headed over only to find that, despite the condo being 'ours' as of that morning, there was much left to be desired. The switch plate covers were half missing, the linen closet had no shelves in it (later to be deemed cosmetic.........as in, an 'us' problem, not a 'them' problem and we have thus had to procure our own shelves), the A/C unit was missing (which resulted in a vented hole in the wall going to the outside), and the place clearly had not been cleaned. Additionally, the backsplashes in the kitchen were (and remain) just leaning up against the wall, the sink in the kitchen had, at best, the kind of weak stream that would require medication in people, and the drains throughout were sluggish. And, our key did not work and the mailbox key was MIA as was the garage door opener. After much back and forth, a threats of litigiousness, most of our problems were resolved, though it was made painfully evident that they were doing it 'out of the goodness in their hearts' not out of necessity on their part (which is horseshit of the highest order). They have been prompt thus far in repairing most of our other claims, though I have a feeling we will never have properly secured backsplashes or a vent cover in our bathroom. And to think, you could purchase this place for your own for the princely sum of $185K (or about 30-50% above its actual value in my estimation). Start saving your pennies for when our lease expires! :)
In other rather rotten news, my work benefits are being cropped back in the new year.......a real shame since I just got them a week ago. Evidently due to budgetary constraints, the basic package will no longer be gratis. Additionally, not only will we be paying some out of pocket for it, but the benefits will be degraded, with higher deductables and a lower percentage of services covered. All in all, not good. Plus, dental coverages will now have an out of pocket expense as well. Oh yeah, as the final kick to the nether regions, they are also dropping long-term disability and death and dismemberment. Go USA and our altogether ridiuculous health care system! Pleae help us Obama!
Like the local news, I try to end 30 minutes of bleakness with some whimsical positivity that makes the preceding stories of murder, drugs, and other crime a little more digestable. Unlike the local news, I do not have access to a video of a squirrel waterskiing (okay I do....http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JXcaFC1vF0Q). Anyway, the positive news is that we finally have a pet to call our own. An all white (read: no more black clothing and lots of money invested into lint rollers) adult from the CAT shelter named Dexter (the titular character in our current favorite show). Unlike his namesake, Dexter the cat is neither sociopath nor particularly motivated in any way. He is the lazy lapcat I always wanted (though he drools enough that you would think him canine or at least be concerned about dehydration).
A last bit of interesting news, I made an appointment for a dentist today, which wouldnt be noteworthy except that said dentist is evidently part of some new, and hopefully enjoyable, business venture. It is part dentist, part spa. With each cleaning, you get a foot or hand massage and they have a full service spa as well. Makes going to the dentist something to savor instead of dread. A review to follow after my service on the 17th ( http://www.dentspa.net/). Interesting to say the least.
It all began on the first when we attempted to move some of our belongings in. Tia and Diane packed up their respective cars and we headed over only to find that, despite the condo being 'ours' as of that morning, there was much left to be desired. The switch plate covers were half missing, the linen closet had no shelves in it (later to be deemed cosmetic.........as in, an 'us' problem, not a 'them' problem and we have thus had to procure our own shelves), the A/C unit was missing (which resulted in a vented hole in the wall going to the outside), and the place clearly had not been cleaned. Additionally, the backsplashes in the kitchen were (and remain) just leaning up against the wall, the sink in the kitchen had, at best, the kind of weak stream that would require medication in people, and the drains throughout were sluggish. And, our key did not work and the mailbox key was MIA as was the garage door opener. After much back and forth, a threats of litigiousness, most of our problems were resolved, though it was made painfully evident that they were doing it 'out of the goodness in their hearts' not out of necessity on their part (which is horseshit of the highest order). They have been prompt thus far in repairing most of our other claims, though I have a feeling we will never have properly secured backsplashes or a vent cover in our bathroom. And to think, you could purchase this place for your own for the princely sum of $185K (or about 30-50% above its actual value in my estimation). Start saving your pennies for when our lease expires! :)
In other rather rotten news, my work benefits are being cropped back in the new year.......a real shame since I just got them a week ago. Evidently due to budgetary constraints, the basic package will no longer be gratis. Additionally, not only will we be paying some out of pocket for it, but the benefits will be degraded, with higher deductables and a lower percentage of services covered. All in all, not good. Plus, dental coverages will now have an out of pocket expense as well. Oh yeah, as the final kick to the nether regions, they are also dropping long-term disability and death and dismemberment. Go USA and our altogether ridiuculous health care system! Pleae help us Obama!
Like the local news, I try to end 30 minutes of bleakness with some whimsical positivity that makes the preceding stories of murder, drugs, and other crime a little more digestable. Unlike the local news, I do not have access to a video of a squirrel waterskiing (okay I do....http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JXcaFC1vF0Q). Anyway, the positive news is that we finally have a pet to call our own. An all white (read: no more black clothing and lots of money invested into lint rollers) adult from the CAT shelter named Dexter (the titular character in our current favorite show). Unlike his namesake, Dexter the cat is neither sociopath nor particularly motivated in any way. He is the lazy lapcat I always wanted (though he drools enough that you would think him canine or at least be concerned about dehydration).
A last bit of interesting news, I made an appointment for a dentist today, which wouldnt be noteworthy except that said dentist is evidently part of some new, and hopefully enjoyable, business venture. It is part dentist, part spa. With each cleaning, you get a foot or hand massage and they have a full service spa as well. Makes going to the dentist something to savor instead of dread. A review to follow after my service on the 17th ( http://www.dentspa.net/). Interesting to say the least.
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