Yuck

I enjoy interacting with my Mom, but this paperwork and informing everyone of stuff sucks.  I feel like I am making life and death decisions.  I know feelings aren't facts.  Well I finished and sent in my Mom's Medicaid application today.  I still need to answer the admissions question of how much Mom can afford a month.  I'm trying to avoid pain and keep putting it off.  It's not even mine really.  Mom will go to the nursing home side of the facility soon.  I know those in their memory unit don't really get out, but that will change soon.  I think I may have started something where my Mom is now.  I see more family members visiting lately.  I think the residents were complaining to their families. Good for them. 

Focus

I was reading in the paper this morning that we have a local free clinic for people that don't have insurance.  I know that is a lot around here.  The working uninsured.  They were looking for volunteers and I was thinking about it.  It would be a nice karma type thing.  After I ran it past a few friends I realized even though it would be a nice thing it is my usual MO.  The office needs my attention and its painful to do at times.  So it's a lot easier to focus on other things.  Even things that could be healthy, but with the wrong motivation means it's unhealthy for me.

Eric called me last night.  Wait it was Wednesday a normal night.  Jeez I thought it was an extra night.  Boy I have no clue what day it is this week.  Anyway he just wanted to know some of my stories on being bullied.  He was okay.  I did get to point out to him that many of my bully stories are from my friends.  So I was able to point out how I picked poor friends as a child.  Did so in adulthood, but I skipped on that.  Anyway he got 4 army men from Speech class. He got 12 checks and then you start over.  So he was very happy and I was also proud of him.

Dragging my feet with my Mom's stuff to transfer her to the nursing home side in the coming months.  Having a hard time dealing with it so I am avoiding it.

Anyway trying to enjoy the weather the next two days since it will be in the 70's before the temperatures drop off again over the weekend.

Wind Knocked from my Sails

As some of you know I live in a big house with 3 other people.  Pete on of my room mates been having some back pain lately.  I offered Saturday if he wanted to come in to the office I would see him.  He said he would try some Advil.  No biggie it's his pain.  Tonight while I was eating dinner he came home and said he had a pinched sciatic nerve.  I asked did he have a MRI.  He stated that he went to a chiropractor today and that is what he was told.  We talked a little about it.  Like usual I don't like to admit when I am in pain.  Not good so I am stopping myself now to admit it. I'm in some pain now.  I feel betrayed in a way.  I don't know Pete very well and of everyone in the house I know him the least.  I've had family members of some of my patients go to other chiropractors and I feel like hitting my patient's upside the head, but this is different.  I guess since we live under the same roof that feeling of family is there.  Well I am bummed about it and the wind has been taken from my sails for the moment.

My rant for the day is checks.  I hate writing them because some one is always holding onto one and I hate balancing my check book.  So the big check I wrote for my Mom's cremation stuff finally cleared.  Yeah it was great to see this huge sucking of money out of the account that should have been done weeks ago.  I know I should do better with my check book.

Well I was able to finish all my holiday marketing stuff today.  All cards are made out and signed, newsletter finished, and December marketing mailing is done.  Boy I hate doing so much paperwork at once.   

I Think it's Tuesday

Man I can't remember what day it is tonight.  I  keep forgetting that I had yoga this morning which helps me remember.  Just tired.  The critter was back about 5 am this morning and woke me up.  So my landlord where trying to figure what it was.  We believe it was something on the roof.  He cleaned the area today so hopefully it won't be back.

The night DJ at my radio station played my themed 5 songs last night and gave me some kuddos for it.  Also I got 2 tickets to see Johnny Winter ast some small setting next month.  The name sounds familiar, but I can't think where.  Hey it's free.  I'll have to find someone next month to go with me.  Hey I got mentioned again on the radio.  Cool.  Like hearing my name on the radio.  Alex is going to spoil me.

I got us our annual elf hats for valet.  I'll have to get pictures for you.  We got the usual "nice hats".  Most people smiled or laughed so it was worth it.

It was nice tonight.  Eric asked me if I have ever been bullied.  I had to laugh and say yes.  He wanted to hear stories which was good.  I have usually explained stuff to him in parable from my own experiences as a child.  He still remembers all the stories.  So I got to tell him the garbage pail and dog shit stories.  Then he had to go which I think was not of his own choice.  I know I have been thinking about this for the last month and  I will need to talk to my ex about this.  That the next time I see Eric to start to teach him how to fight.  He is part of male society so a physical altercation is coming in his future.  He is the biggest boy in his class so that will give him extra time, but it will come.  I was happy he said he would talk beforfe he got off the phone, but I know that is not always an option when someone is swinging at you.  I know their comes a level of confidence in knowing you can handle yourself in a situation that I would like him to have.  I don't think she will go for it, but we will see.

Christmas Comes to the Office

Well I finished decorating the office.  I did without the Charlie Brown tree this year.  I did like these plastic snowflakes a lot better than the white felt ones I had last year.  It's surprising what a little garland can do to spruce the place up.  I also did the wreath this morning.  It was pretty easy except for the ribbon.  Boy what a pain, althought I do like the final product.  I tried to get pictures of it all.  If you need to see better pictures let me know.

 

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Feeling Manly

Well feeling pretty manly with the new James Bond movie under my belt and a married woman flirting with me so I figured I would go with a different design for today's photos.  It's funny, the oceanfront is such a resort area.  During the winter you can lay in the street and most likely you won't be hit by a car.  During the summer it is really hard just to cross the street with all the traffic.  Right now on the beach we have our festival of lights with all the different displays.  The beach is also better in the summer when the sweep it every night.

 

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My Birthday

Well I got up today and headed over to see the new James Bond movie for my birthday.  It was new bond for a new generation.  How to start the day feeling older.  LOL.  The things that make Bond, James Bond weren't really there.  I guess being a predecessor to the other movies that needed to be done.  However with out them it's just another action movie.  I did enjoy it and had no problem with David Craig as Bond although the blond hair does stand out.

Visited some stores today and everything seemed to be back to normal.  No crowds, usual prices, the party's over.  Anyway after a Bond movie, I don't know about you other guys, but it does put me in a mood.  Anyway I was driving over to Starbucks when I pulled up next to this lady who was fixing her Christmas tree on her truck.  She was just finishing when I pulled up.  I was smiling because it was funny.  So I'm sitting there at the light listening to music when I know her window goes down.  Mine was already down.  So I look over she is smiling and we get to bantering back and forth.  Then it happens.  She puts that hand up on the door with that rock out like a beacon and she keeps on talking and smiling.  LOL.  Okay the lure is not looking so good now.  My talking decreases and I let her go when the light changes.  I took it as a nice present on my birthday to have this married lady flirting with me.  I have to admit it lit my day. 

This was all funny to me since I almost asked the woman out last night.  I have been feeling the hole inside me more so over that last few days and I always know that drives me to dating.  I had no idea why I was feeling the hole more so.  For Thanksgiving I had many options on what to do with myself which was great.  My birthday today I got many wishes from everyone which was better than last year when it was more a secret.  So what was it.  Then I remembered something that my ex and I always disagreed on.  Special days I always wanted to have time with her and when Eric was born the both of them.  I didn't need anything fancy just time with MY family.  After that I didn't care what we did.  And that was it.  I'm use to sharing these special days with someone and I am looking for that person.  On the good side I have plenty of friends now (you all included) to share this day with.  It's something new for me and something that is healthy.  So with this awareness I feel better.

I had a nice relaxing time at Starbucks and got to write a whole bunch which always makes me feel good.  Also I got a small smile from the attractive woman at Hallmark that I see every once in a while.  Something for the New Year.

Then it was over to Sam's Club for a cheap hot dog soda combo to eat on my way to the beach.  I'll put pics up later since it is easier to use my office computer.  I was able t find Elf hats for my partner and I for valet.  They were fun last year.

Well that was my day.  Now for laundry, ironing, and to find the rodent that is chewing in the attic.

Thanks everyone for the birthday wishes.

On this Day

Well at 11:55 pm tonight I will be officially 40 years old.  So some birthday facts:

Birthdays 
Charles M. Schulz 1922
Robert Goulet 1933 
Rich Little 1938
Tina Turner (Anna Mae Bullock) 1938 
John McVie (Fleetwood Mac) 1945
Linda Davis 1962
Steve Grisaffe (Road River) 1965
Maia Campbell 1976

IN HISTORY

1716 - The first lion to be exhibited in America went on display in Boston, MA.

1731 - English poet William Cowper was born. He is best known for "The Poplar Trees" and "The Task."

1789 - U.S. President Washington set aside this day to observe the adoption of the Constitution of the United States.

1825 - The first college social fraternity, Kappa Alpha, was formed at Union College in Schenectady, NY.

1832 - Public streetcar service began in New York City.

1861 - West Virginia was created (out of Virginia) over a dispute of slavery. West Virginia was against slavery.

1867 - J.B. Sutherland patented the refrigerated railroad car.

1922 - In Egypt, Howard Carter peered into the tomb of King Tutankhamen.

1940 - The Nazis forced 500,000 Jews of Warsaw, Poland to live within a walled ghetto.

1941 - U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed a bill establishing the fourth Thursday in November as Thanksgiving Day. In 1939 Roosevelt had signed a bill that changed the celebration of Thanksgiving to the third Thursday of November.

1942 - U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt ordered nationwide gasoline rationing to begin December 1.

1942 - The motion picture "Casablanca" had its world premiere at the Hollywood Theater in New York City.

1943 - The HMS Rohna became the first ship to be sunk by a guided missile. The German missile attack led to the death of 1,015 U.S. troops.

1949 - India's Constituent Assembly adopted the country's constitution The country became republic within the British Commonwealth two months later.

1950 - China entered the Korean conflict forcing UN forces to retreat.

1958 - Maurice Richard (Montreal Canadiens) scored his 600th NHL career goal.

1965 - France became the third country to enter space when it launched its first satellite the Diamant-A.

1973 - Rose Mary Woods, told a federal court that she was responsible for the 18-1/2 minute gap in a key Watergate tape. Woods was U.S. President Nixon's personal secretary.

1975 - Lynette"Squeaky" Fromme was found guilty by a federal jury in Sacramento, CA, for trying to assassinate U.S. President Ford on September 5.

1979 - The International Olympic Committee voted to re-admit China after a 21-year absence.

1983 - A Brinks Mat Ltd. vault at London's Heathrow Airport was robbed by gunmen. The men made off with 6,800 gold bars worth nearly $40 million. Only a fraction of the gold has ever been recovered and only two men have been convicted in the heist.

1985 - The rights to Ronald Reagan's autobiography were acquired by Random House for $3,000,000.

1986 - U.S. President Reagan appointed a commission headed by former Sen. John Tower to investigate his National Security Council staff after the Iran-Contra affair.

1988 - The U.S. denied an entry visa to PLO chairman Yasser Arafat, who was seeking permission to travel to New York to address the U.N. General Assembly.

1990 - Soviet President Mikhail S. Gorbachev met with Iraqi Foreign Minister Tariq Aziz at the Kremlin to demand that Iraq withdraw from Kuwait.

1990 - Matsushita Electric Industrial Co. agreed to acquire MCA Inc. for $6.6 billion.

1992 - The British government announced that Queen Elizabeth II had volunteered to start paying taxes on her personal income. She also took her children off the public payroll.

1995 - Two men set fire to a subway token booth in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. The clerk inside was fatally burned.

1997 - The U.S. and North Korea held high-level discussions at the State Department for the first time.

1998 - British Prime Minister Toney Blair made a speech to the Irish Parliament. It was a first time event for a British Prime Minister.

1998 - Hulk Hogan announced that he was retiring from pro wrestling and would run for president in 2000.

2003 - The U.N. atomic agency adopted a resolution that censured Iran for past nuclear cover-ups and warning that it would be policed to put to rest suspicions that the country had a weapons agenda.

MUSIC HISTORY

1956 - Big band leader and trombone soloist Tommy Dorsey died.

1962 - The Beatles recorded "Please Please Me."

1968 - Cream gave its last concert at the Royal Albert Hall in London. It was recorded and released as "Goodbye Cream" February 20, 1969.

1973 - The New York Dolls played their first show (in a London restaurant.)

1973 - 10cc broke up.

1982 - Miles Davis and Cicely Tyson were married. It was his third marriage.

1999 - 98 Degrees performed several songs and sold some exclusive band merchandise on the Home Shopping Network.

Saturday

It was a nice relaxing day.  Yoga this morning got me back into the swing of things since the gym has been closed the last few days.  I picked up a bunch of stuff today to make my own wreath for the office. I'll do that Monday and hopefully it will come out nice.  You'll see a picture either way.  It was a beautiful day here, in the upper 60's so I was able to take my Mom out for some air.

Circuit City added in a few more DVD's on sale so I stopped in a picked up Pulp Fiction.  The stores were pretty normal today compared to yesterday's insanity. 

Here are some more pictures.  A friend asked for a picture of me when I was young.  Boy is it hard to take a picture of a picture.  Also I keep putting my eye up to the digital camera screen like an old type camera.  LOL.  Habits are hard to break.  Also I had many questions more on where I live so here are some more.

 

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Black Friday

I hate going to the stores at this time of the year since I hate crowds.  That's why I finish my Christmas shopping by November first.  Anyway Circuit City had some good deals with DVD's so I did a surgical strike on the way to work.  I was in and out like a duck mating.  From entering the parking lot to leaving it was 15 minutes.  (Oh yeah I got X-men 2, My Big Fat Greek Wedding, and My Name is Earl 1st season; I know I would have been asked)

I love my patients when their asking my permission to come in.  Hey I'm always happy to take your money and it make my life a lot easier in teaching them everything they need to know to stay healthy.

I felt bad for my last patient who is an elderly lady with MS who can't get out of the house.  We got her Meals on Wheels, but they just informed her that they were no longer going to deliver to her since she lived on the second floor.  They would only leave it at the bottom of the stairs.  Hey if she could get down the stairs she could cook for herself too.  Insane.

I want to thank Rebecca from In the Shadow of the Iris for showing me how to add the pics to my entries after a very frustrating 30 minutes trying to do it on my own.

The side affects of having a nicer demeanor (a smile on my face) is that I have every male jerk talking to me.  Especially when I go to Starbucks.  I want to yell, "DO I LOOK LIKE I WANT TO TALK TO YOU."  I'm use to having my I'd rather kill you than talk to you face which I developed in the South Bronx.  It was a nice thing.  Even the pan handlers passed me by.  Over the last 2 years I have been working on dropping it since I figured it would be a hindrance in dating.  However this side effect is unwanted.

A Day in the Life

Well it was a nice sunny day so I grabbed some pictures on my around today with the added Thanksgiving pics.  I still didn't finish putting up all the Christmas decorations in the office so I will hold off on those.  Still can't find a few things.  Very frustrating.  Anyway enjoy.

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Thanksgiving

It rained on us today at valet, but at least it had slowed down a lot.  The weather caused many not to come so their was a ton of food left over.  I could have fed an entire family if I wanted to, but I just grabbed some lunch for tomorrow and some canolis for the nurses by my Mom's. 

Wednesday is the day.  The day the craziness starts.  The holiday parties start.  The money hopefully will be good, but I'm not looking forward to the achiness from all the running.

Well at the last minute Thanksgiving changed.  Went I got home Mal was there with her boyfriend cooking dinner.  So I guessed we weren't going out.  From the time it took me to go upstairs and change to dry close several people had cancelled and it was just the four of us with Herman our landlord.  Mal is Portuguese so it was more seafood theme to everything.  I come from a very non traditional family so food is food to me.  Herman rode me as usual with me not drinking.  I think I might have found out why many younger women are attracted to me.  Mal who is 28 thought I was 28 as did a 39 year old at work.  I don't mind the complement, but I want to attract from a older crowd that is closer to my age.

Anyway I don't have the hook up at the house so I will have to put up pictures tomorrow.

God I Hate Bars

I made sure to get to the networking event about 15 minutes early.  Still I was the first person there besides the executive council of the group.  Oh well.  I knew half of them by face and I said hi to my old patient that stiffed me money.  It worked well since we were sitting next to each other.  I tell you the older I get the more I hate crowds.  My brain can't process all the noise and people.  Although it helps to reach the right attitude with sales people.  The guy I was sitting next too was trying to sell me space in the Filipino phone book which is for the whole country.  The local one doesn't work for me so you better have spiked my soda with LSD to get me to buy this. 

It was a small turn out until I would say the last 15 minutes when people kind of poured in.  We were watching the door wondering if every Filipino walking through the door was coming to the event of just going to the bar.  I found out we are #6 for the largest concentration of Filipinos in the US.  My Mom didn't pass me down any heritage so most of what is important to the group is pretty meaningless to me.  Oh well free wings. 

One thing that threw me was a woman or two looking at me from across the bar.  Probably in any other setting it would be nice, but with all the people and noise.  It's the straw that breaks the camels back.  Say good night Gracie cause I'm out of here.

The good thing is that the society seems more organized than it has been in the last 3 years.  So I will try to attend more of the meetings and these gatherings.

Charlotte and other Crap

When I was at the gym this morning they had on Regis and Kathie, whoops been a while since I saw the show, Kelly and they had on Kristin Davis.  She played Charlotte on Sex & the City and I always thought she was very attractive.  Anyway I'm watching and I realize now I know why I am attracted to my female roommate.  They look similar.  Yeah, mystery solved.

Bummed my friend Anna cancelled on me on going to this business networking thing tonight.  I hate being in a room of people I don't really know.  Although that isn't true since I do know some of them, just not real well.  One thing that I will have to deal with and it's not even mine.  It's an old patient that stiffed me $50.  I finally wrote it off this year, but I'm trying to let go of the anxiety of running in to her tonight since I know she will be there. And I'm not the bum who stiffed.  I know I am weird.  So some character building stuff to work on while I am there.  Wonderful.

Well I Went & Did It

Well I went out and bought myself a digital camera for my birthday.  I think it was Rebecca's In the Shadow of the Iris nostalgia pictures that pushed me over the line in buying one.  I realized how much I wish I had taken pictures over the weekend with Eric.  I felt a little uncomfortable shoveling the money out for it since I know I could pay of some things with it.  However I know I have to treat myself every once in a while to stay sane.

So I have been taking random pictures today.  I wish it wasn't such a horrible day outside so I could take some outside pics,but I guess that will have to wait for the weekend.

Just Like Kids

The deal I have with my Mom is that she has to walk in her unit, but outside I will push her in the wheelchair.  So today as soon as we got down the hall she had to go to the bathroom.  So I pushed her back inside and straight to her room since it would take her at least 5 minutes to walk back across the unit.  I told he that was the only reason I was pushing her in here.

Well after are little outing I push her back inside.  I bring her walker out and tell her okay she needs to walk.  She's like, "I have to go to the bathroom."  I responded, "Well you better hurry up and start walking then."  LOL.  Jeez worse than a 5 year old.  She didn't have to go and grumbled about walking all the way to baking class. 

You really need to keep old people occupied or they really focus on all the little petty stuff.  Why are they sitting there?  Where's mine?  Etc.  Oye!

Let's Get Ready to RUMBLE

I forgot to mention our highlight of the visit.  I think it is more a boy thing, but rough housing is a integral part of growing up.  I know because I didn't get it growing up and boy did I miss it.  So I have to my Daddy duty when we get together since I know no one else will do it for Eric.  He usually can't wait.  So it's always time for me to pull out all the moves.  The Figure Four, Scissors, The Sandwich, The Burrito, and the dreaded Pile Driver.  We usually end up stopping cause our sides just hurt to much from laughing.

Updating

 

Updating all my list today.  So if you wish to be on my Daily Funnies list just email me.  If you want a birthday card on your birthday click here.  Thanks. 

* Please be assured that I will sell all your information and your organs to anyone who will give me cash for them.  Even you, if you want them back.

Weekend Rant

I can't believe my ex lets Eric be such a SLOB.  Half the words out of my mouth when we are home are, did you flush the toilet, did you put that away, did you put that in the sink, did you put you dirty clothes in a pile.  Oye.  I would hate to see the inside of their house.  Eric is always saying he can't find stuff and I know it's because he doesn't put anything away.  It is going to be such a problem for him when he gets older. 

The second is that he has picked up my ex's avoidance of problems.  Everything he dislikes or fears he avoids like the plague and I can't find a way to help him with some of these problems.

Like after any time I spend with him I feel like I am not cut out to be a father.  The usual defect of not being good enough, but I think it is coupled with I think it should go smoother.  Whatever that is?  I know it is all crap, but the feeling still comes up before I toss it out.

My camera is still broke so I need to pick up a digital camera.  Let me ask you.  Can it be 3 megs or does it have to be a 5 meg camera?

I think one of the reasons Eric enjoys our times together is that we do a lot.  For me it's just my life.  Since he was an infant he has accompanied me on my daily stuff and we had fun along the way.  So he is use to those days chocked full of stuff.  Christine one of my friends always worries that I am going to give myself a heart attack with all the stuff I do in the day.  It may seem like a lot to most people, but there is a lot of free time in between for me.  Like I describe myself I am high energy.

Since I got many comments about this I will explain.  I have visitation with Eric the 3rd weekend of every month and 2 weeks in July and 2 more in August.  I just don't have the extra $300 a month to do it every month.  So I work hard to make sure I can do it every few months.  Just doing the best I can.

Weekend Recap Part III Finale

6:45 Eric actually slept last.  Some breakfast, chess, and cartoons found us grabbing some Wendys before heading over to the Air & Space museum.  They added a Firefighters museum next to it so we took a look at that also.  That was fun I got to finally pull one of those fire alarms you saw in school.  It didn't do anything put it was therapeutic none the less.  Living so close to the Navy bases I was surprised how much I knew about all the jets.  Eric liked the one jet that had the count of all the things it had destroyed especially the one camel.  It was pretty funny.  He wanted to stop the gift shop and said, "I know your going to say no Dad."  Which I responded, "that's good saves me from saying it."

We headed back over to McDonalds playplace.  It's a updated one.  So I got to sit in plush seats while Eric climbed through all the tubes.  One thing I forget about NY is the high Hispanic population.  This day found many Latinas in the place and I forgot most of them find me attractive.  LOL.  I felt like I was on display while I walking around. 

Afterwards we went over to the park to play some football.  I was surprised Eric was very good at throwing it.  Then we went over to Toys R Us to waste time before the drop off.  I got to see what he likes now and I figured out why he can't turn his skateboard. When I got mine a long, long time ago you had to loosen the bolts to let it tilt.  So I showed Eric how to do it so hopefully he will have better luck now.  I was sad that he didn't bring his skateboard that we couldn't practice on it.

Drop off went well with still no problems from my FIL.  It was sad and painful, but he knows I will see him in February for his birthday.

B & B

Bond and birthdays seem to go together.  I got use to seeing a new bond movie on my birthday through the Pierce Bronson years, but since it has been dry for the last few years I've fallen out of the celebration.  So I think I will treat myself this weekend to the new Bond movie.  I picked up Seinfeld season 5 for myself.  Now I just have to figure if I should wrap it or not.

Weekend Recap Part II

Oye 5:45 am is not a time to wake up.  However for my son the early riser it is.  Anyway Eric joined Chess club at school and wanted me to teach him how to play.  So we played on and off all weekend.  It was fun.  It brought back memories of being in chess club when I was in 4th grade.  I had forgotten I had won a award for getting into a stalemate with the teacher. 

We went down to the pool.  It was warmed to 89 degrees so it was nice and we had it to ourselves.  Very little swimming training, but a good time was had with all.  So after showers and some cartoon watching we headed out for lunch and play at McDonalds playplace.  After that it was over to the Children's Museum to see all the new exhibits.  The usual grumbling from my son about not buying him anything in the gift shop.  I know he use to my ex always buying him stuff, but it was something we always disagreed on.  The just buying and buying of stuff.  It breeds a non appreciation to stuff since new stuff is always coming. 

At the end of the museum it hit him of how much he misses our time together.  It's been over two years, but I think he only deals with it when we are together.  He kept wishing our family was still together and I had to be honest with him.  The way the family is the way it is staying.  It wasn't changing.  Hard to say to him, but like I told him it was okay for him to be sad.  I just wanted him to know it just wasn't going to happen.  Hopefully it will help him move on.

We ended our day with dinner at the Green Cactus.  I forget that Eric will always order the rice and beans and only eat the rice.  We finished it with Churrios an some TV at home. 

Eric wanted to lay his head on my chest while we lay in bed.  After a while I had to move him since my arm was starting to hurt.  I lifted his sleeping form to find my chest soaked.  I don't know if it was from sweat or drool. :(  LOL.  He ended up sleeping in my bed and I in his.  He woke up wondering why I was in his bed.  I told him and he was like I don't remember anything after I fall asleep.

Weekend Recap Part I

Got a good start Friday morning.  Grabbed a Starbucks before I left since there are almost none on the way up.  The ride is a lot easier just going one way they my marathon round trips.  Not much to say on the way up.  Eric called to say I could pick him up earlier.  I figured that since he usually gets really antsy waiting.  He said he had a count down all week.  He called about 20 minutes too late since I had already passed him and was on my way to my friend's work to pick up the keys. 

I have no idea how many you have been to NY, but as I was driving down the Belt Parkway I saw a sign "Caution Wildlife Crossing".  Now the Belt is a constant sea of traffic.  Even a 2 am its still as busy as some cities rush hour.  So I can't think of anything that could even make it across the parkway alive.  I wouldn't even what to try it.  Besides what the hell could be living there?

Anyway being back in NY is something I don't enjoy.  It's good to see Eric, but all the traffic and congestion is no longer fun.  Oh my ankle hurt from all the stop and go traffic. 

Well this time there was no problem with the pick up with my FIL. The last few times have been problematic and I didn't bring my boxing gloves to go a few rounds with him.

A sad sight was a dog being run over and dragged right in front of me.  The driver was upset, but the dog came running out of no where into the 6 lane traffic.

My friend Paul's place was really nice and a good place to crash.  It was right on the ocean and it was nice to listen to the waves a I sleep.

A Lot of Potential

My last patient today I haven't seen in a few years.  He asked for a lot of my business cards for his martial arts class since they all hurt.  (Know that feeling)  Then the referral from the guy in the gym this morning.  It has a lot of potential to bring in new patients in the office which has been lacking since July 1st and the increase in gas prices.  Besides sharing the sort of good news it reminds me that my perceptions and attitudes rule my life.  While truly nothing has changed in my life only the potential I am in a better mood.  Part of me thinks I am in a better place (I guess monetarily) which is truly false.  Nothing has changed, but my perception and attitude.  Something I always have to remember.

Falling into a rut the last few days.  It's the holdiay season and since my friend Paul works retail it is a time we don't talk as much.  Since we usually talk everyday it has impact on my life.  So I have other people I talk to, but not on a regular basis or fro as long.  I have been breaking them in over the last few weeks, but for some reason this week I have been resistant to call.  I don't know why.  I could feel it tonight as the barnacles of life are buildng on my hull.  I was able to talk to Paul tonight and clean myself out.  It reminds me not to rely so much on one person.  I have been wanting to increase my circle again since it shrunk over the years.  So I have to be careful not to drop into that mindset of what I have to say is not important enough or that I can handle everything without sharing which is a death sentance for me.

Still Not in Oz

Well the winds are still pretty strong here, but no rain so far.  Most of the bad stuff is in the middle of the state.  Glad it stayed nice enough for me to take my Mom out for her birthday.  I got her a ribbon that said “birthday girl” on it so that everyone would know.  She got a lot of attention which was fun.  With her dementia she is like a little kid.  We’re driving down there road and she is just blurting stuff out.  “That man is really fat.”  LOL.  Loud burps in the restaurant, I felt like I was with my son.  What do you say?  The staff at the diner joked with her a lot.  She let out a big bashful laugh when they asked her if she was 21.  So it was a fun time. 

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An older guy at the gym this morning that I know and one of the few people there that know I am a chiropractor helped me out with informing one of the people there that I could help him out.  So it was very nice of him.

 

I have to admit the city is good when you call them up about wounded animals.  They come and get them pretty quick to help them out.  We had a seagull here this morning with a broken wing waddling around.  I know a year ago I had to call when a bird slammed into the glass window where I was staying and injured itself.

Writers Unite

A new Blog to read short stories.  Short Stories.  Nuff said.

Still A Pessimist

My partner called tonight to go over the next weeks schedule on who is working.  He told me the accountant wanted to speak to me.  As usual I go into fear mode.  Can't be good news.  Usually it is total crap, but I guess I still like to freak myself out to know I am still alive and kicking.

Eric seems very excited to get together this weekend.  So much he was like he was like I have to go to bathroom RIGHT now.  LOL.  He broke into fear about learning to swim this weekend.  So we will see.   Hopefully I can help him get through it.  I know he is really looking forward for me to show him stuff on the skateboard.  Jeez it's probably been about 30 years, but he is still learning the basics.  I have to admit I am actually looking forward to it all.  I usually have a sense of fear with it.  I guess I got trained the first few times since they were all court related in my attempts to prove my innocence with my wife's accusations.  Car breakdowns and the such.  So I do have a track history of crap coming up.  So I am happy to be slowly dropping it like the bad habit it is.

Working on today my bizarre fear of letting women know I like them.  Know clue where it comes from, but I know it comes from a place of less than.  It's avoidance.  To protect myself from rejection I don't put myself in the game.  Childish protection system that also keeps me apart from a lot of people.  So with awareness hopefully comes freedom from the defect.

Hanging on a Wednesday Afternoon

Well just hanging at the moment.  Waiting to go on my weekly house calls.  Little irritated with myself in that I went to the Dollar store to pick up a frame for a picture of my brother and niece for the office.  I get back to the office with new decoration, some stuff for Eric for Christmas, and no frame.  Oh boy.

It's suppose to be raining tomorrow. I'm hoping not to hard to take my Mom out for her birthday.  This weekend I will see how she does without seeing me for a few days.  I know she doesn't remember me coming each day, but my brother and I remind her that if she is going to bed at some point during the day she saw me. 

Well the local SPCA finally ran my announcement.  Hopefully it will draw up some business.  Half the month is gone already, but it's better than nothing. 

Okay I want to know what is up with Hallmark.  While I sit in Starbucks drinking my chai latte and writing I see a bevy of beautiful women go in and out of the Hallmark next door.  It's not a normal Hallmark, but a Hallmark Mall.  It's huge.  I've looked in through the window and I can't see what the draw is.  I've seen better, but a large number of women pull up just to go to this store then leave.  What's up with that?  Maybe there selling drugs or exquisite chocolate?

Welcome to CiCi's

Went to pick up a small pizza from CiCi's around the corner.  It's great I can get a small pie for $5 and they got the whole dynamics going there.  I was completely shocked and stunned as I pulled up to see it was closed down.  Windows all painted white.  I just sat there trying to conceive of what had happened and not truly wanting to believe it.  They seemed to always to do good business.  So I don't know, but I am bummed.  All the other places around the area are a lot more expensive for a pie.  And since I can't have cheese on mine I am usually at the mercy of waiting for friends to get a pie to have some. 

Another twenty something story.  At my usual Starbucks last night.  There was an attractive twenty something girl working there.  After I sat down to write she kept looking over and trying to get my attention.  LOL.  Tina pulled her aside an talked to her.  I know no one knows my age there, but Tina and Amy know that I am a doctor and not some college guy sitting there. The attention disappeared after that.

Picked some more Christmas decorations up today.  I have to admit even I am now waiting for the speed bump of Thanksgiving to pass by so that I can put up decorations.

Another Big Step

Well just made the call to the admissions person where my Mom is.  I had to inform her that my Mom's place is not selling so that January will be the last month she can pay full rent.  So that in February she will be moved over to the nursing home side.  I'm in some pain now.  I have sort of been pushing it off for the last week.  I guess it stems from some sort of feeling less than and being responsible for stuff that is way out of my control.  What's funny I was just explaining it to my patient who is starting this whole process.  That this isn't my hand that I am playing.  I'm just sitting in the last round for my Mom and it sucks. But I am handling it.  I know my older brother isn't.  I still haven't heard anything back about Mom's final wishes.  I don't see the reason for a service since it will just be us.  I don't see Mom's friends coming here for the funeral.  It will take 7 days to get the ashes back.  So Mom wanted to be spread out down by the beach.  So I find a nice Neil Diamond song for her and will have a little ceremony amongst ourself and dump the ashes.  Works for me.

Monday Morning

It took me a little bit to let go of the twenty-somethings from my mind.  Most likely because they were attractive.  It was easy to forget the other two women who had flirted with me during the day that I didn't like. 

It was a nice weekend of relaxing, hanging out at the bookstore and Starbucks.  Got to hang with my friend Anna last night.  She had a friend visiting from NY so we went bowling.  As usual she spoke her mind.  I'm throwing the ball and she calls out, "Mike you've been going to the gym.  Your butt is looking buff."  LOL.  At least the place had emptied out before then.

As usual things like this make me go hmmm.  My son called me to tell me he got this giant Bionicle action figure which he wanted.  I didn't ask where or who he got it from, but something like this usually happens around the time I see him. 

Dating Diaries

I am so glad that it is a dead week at the club this week.  I am tired and sore.  My trip to see Eric is Friday and I want to be in good shape for it.  We had an art auction at the club tonight to benefit the homeless.  We had a bigger turn out than we did last year.  Two ladies, one I knew was an artist I wasn’t quite sure about the other.  Both were attractive and both like me, but I passed on asking either one out since I figured they were both in their mid twenties.  If Tom Cruise is your version of Mission Impossible, we’re going to have a problem.  One of my friends always say go for it, since twenty somethings usually are attracted to me.  However I can’t think what to build with.  I mean the life experiences are usually so vast.  Since I am looking more for a relationship than just sex I don’t see it working.

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Trying to think what to get myself for my birthday, I have my want list.  However I don’t know if I want something different.  Oh well I still have time.

 

I am still a dial up guy on AOL.  At work it is no problem, but at home it is a totally different story.  I mean I didn’t think the connection speed could get so low.  I mean 4800.  Jeez a snail could deliver a message faster.

Radio & Thursday Happenings

Hey I love hearing my name on the radio.  Request are fun, but to be told you rock is awesome.  Alex one of the DJ's at the radio station I listen to asked for a name for her request hour.  So I sent in my Blue Plate Request since it is part of her Alex's Restaurant.  They email I got from her was funnier.  She is on my email list for the office so she asks many questions.  So its fun to communicate with a celebrity. 

I'm putting a recommendation to make all parties $10 to valet.  Since $6 has to go to the club we at least get a $4 tip per car.  I'm getting really tired of the $1 tip especially from the BMWs and Lexuses.  Either that or I say we strike in January when it is really cold and let them walk in the cold.  Yes this is a sore spot with me.

Yeah, my tires have grooves back in them.  I got new front tires.  My old ones were still tires in the sense that they were round and were made of rubber, but the treads were pretty much gone. So I figured for my trip to NY next week I would splurge on new tires.

I did that Real Age survey.  I was doing really well until they got to the stress area.  Moving, divorce, financial problems really knocked years off my life.  Anyway I was 2 years younger that my calendar age.  Some of their recommendation were bizarre.  I need to eat more fat since I keep my cholesterol low.  An aspirin a day.  Are you nuts!  It increases the chances of brain hemorrhage way more than it prevents anything.  I need to drive slower and get a dog was also on my list.  Don't see any of that changing soon.

God I am tired.  The holiday season is on us. So the nights are later and by the time I get home there is no time to do anything, but get directly to bed to get enough rest.  My muscles are already starting to ache.  Some of my long time readers will remember my aching a lot last Christmas season at this job.  Must be getting older since I am not looking forward to it this year.

The Price is Right

Visited my Mom today and they were playing the Price is Right.  The activity directors need more enthusiasm or just more energy.  Anyway it was hilarious.  Usually the group is pretty harmonious with the activities, but today they wer all over the place. 

Ms. Reis had just one some lipstick when I got there.  However she didn't like the color and was stuck on that she didn't want it.  Everytime she wa asked a price for a new item she would just drop back that she didn't like the lipstick.

Ms. Finklestein had no clue what the prices could be and wouldn't even guess at it. She would ask a lot of questions on what it was. 

Ms. Landsberg did well.  She just had to keep pointing out to the director who she was.

My Mom could not get pick a lower price.  She just kept going higher and higher. 

Add in they all have dementia or Alzhemiers and can't remember much.  Plus add some more of Ms. Reis calling out what should she do with the lipstick she doesn't like.  It was damn funny.

The best is that they traded in Ms. Reis lipstick for some other makeup she didn't really care for.  When someone else got the lipstick she wanted to see it. :)

Hoochie Momma Defined

Hoochie Momma - older black term for a whore. 

We use it for the Coalition of Young Black Professionals parties.  With a name like that you would expect to see people coming in business attire ready for a cocktail party or such.  But atlas no.  The women are scantily clad and the guys aren't too bad.  Usually a sweater and jeans, but they are the ones usually with the guns and drugs in the car. 

Melancholy

Surprised that finishing up my Mom's cremation plans would make me sad.  Intellectually I know it is reasonable, but still it surprises me.  I'm much better than I use to be with my Mom's health issues, but it still surprise me how much it does affect me.  No matter what has happened in my life I guess she is still my Mom.

I was very happy to hear we have no New Years Eve party this year at the club.  To be free on New Years Eve would be nice than sitting the lobby of the building all night.  Then I heard we might have a Hoochie Momma Party there for New Years eve.  I don't know if any money would be worth that or if I still reeling from last weekends double header.  I know I am still tired from them.

Tuesday

Voting was an experience this morning.  There is no more voting in the schools.  It's been moved to the churches.  I thought there was a separation of church and state, but I digress.  I pull up and there is a humungous line out the door.  Grumbling I got on the end when one of the poller said that if your name is form L -Z there is a second line. So I walk down the path, down one hall and then another to stand first in line for the L-Z people.  I never knew I was in the minority in my neighborhood. 

Well I finally took care of my Mom's wishes for her death.  I had started it a few months back when I moved it from FL, but I hadn't taken care of the final stuff till today.  It was cheaper here than it was in FL.  Just waiting to here back from my brother if he wants a little keepsake for her ashes.  I don't. I wish I had some of my ferret's ashes, but my Mom's I don't think so. 

My rant for the day is how people think my Mom is so great, by how I act.  It's taken many years to deal with the ravages from my youth, as I still do till this day.  I guess the real thing that pisses me off is that people just don't know me.  It reminds me how some woman use to try and put parenting in a good spin for me when I use to take Eric out when he was young.  I use to look at them as if they had 3 heads.  I think the first few years he was alive I did more for him than my wife and I was working full time.   Oh well, I'm finished.

Monday, Monday

My Mom tried to give me "I didn't know we had a deal," when I brought her back to her unit and wanted her to walk.  I went toe to toe with a guy the other night for $10. You're walking!

Still sore and tired from the busy weekend.  I could see the difference in the gym.  Didn't have the umph to really push myself.  So I stopped by my friends to get adjusted and feel much better.  I really wish I could have a dog where I live.  My friend had a dog there that had been abandoned.  He was so cute and friendly.  More a guys dog than a woman's. He really ignored my friend and the other women in the office.  He came right over to me.  Oh well sometime in the future.

Sunday Recap

One thing I hate about late parties is that I get up so late that half the day is gone already. I know lateness in the morning is a relative thing.  I know I get heckled a lot for getting up at 8 during the week.

I passed on the Japanese animation convention since it was ending at 2 and it was after 12 when I left the house. Oh well there is always next year.

High impact injuries abounded from all the running on concrete.  My ankles, knees, and thighs were all sore yesterday.  So I made it a relaxing day.

First up I hit Starbucks to relax with a chai latte, and to start reviewing my first story since I finished the second. Rough work.  Writing I usually just explode on the page, but this reviewing is rough work, but like all new habits it will take some time to get use to.

Boy trying to find some Thanksgiving decorations. Forget about it!  The holiday has been run over by Christmas and left in the dust.

Spent some time at Barnes & Nobles and was happy that a book in one of my series came out with a new book. Ended up helping a elderly lady.  Since she couldn't make it up onto the high stools at the counter she was going to stand and eat.  She looked so uncomfortable so I got her a table sitting down so she cold eat in peace.  While there I did find a awesome site.  Star Trek fans will get a bigger laugh, but I think it is still really funny.  This is one of my favorites.

With some of the money I earned from the big parties I picked up Justice League Unlimited the first season.  So I spent most of the night watching episodes.  It was great since I haven't seen most of them.

 

Saturday

My Mom’s wheelchair arrived today.  So now I am all set to take her out of the memory unit when I see her and take her around.  Due to her decreased cognitive functions from the strokes, new settings can be anxiety provoking.  So I am trying to get her out of her unit routinely so that she can work on that part.  If she stays in the unit she will really not be pushed in that area.  So long distance walking is too hard for her so I made a deal with her.  She has to use her walker in the unit, but I will push her outside.  I know my Mom would love me to push her all over the place.  So I think I got our routine down today.  A stop at the club room for some coffee and then over to the big windows to look at the flowers which she loves.

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I got to stop at the Rock N Roll picture show. It was pretty good with some really nice pictures.  Fewer that I thought and about the right price I would think.

 

Finished Christmas shopping for Eric today and since he is the only person I buy for.  I’m finished. 

Hoochie Momma Party Recap

That was brutal, back to back Hoochie Mamma Parties.  Last night was sick.  We had about 500 people there. They all came early which is unheard of.  It was the usual scantily clad women, punks calling me names, and so forth.  Boy my knees and ankles hurt all night long while I was asleep from all the running on the concrete. 

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Tonight’s party was actually more subdued.  The women were dressed as usual which is to be expected.  However no name calling, be cursed at.  I’m just not use to that.  Almost made it, but in the last 10 minutes I almost got into two fights.  I’m the money person of the two of us.  I know why. My friend can’t say no or put his foot down for anything.  So I am the heavy hand.  I don’t mind since it is good practice for me to stand my ground and these are people I don’t give a damn about so they are the perfect guinea pigs.  The smaller of the fights was really his problem, but the guy came to me.  The guy’s car got ticketed since he wanted it downstairs at a certain time and he showed up 30 minutes later.  We split the ticket.  The second one was my holy grail of the night.  Every single guy in these parties will try to get away without paying, as did one of the security guys tonight.  He tried everything to get out of paying.  Lies, threats, etc.  Finally he paid the $10 dollars.  He said I was a funny guy for going through so much for $10.  It’s enough money for me, but more principle.  Not my responsibility and I’m not picking up yours.  So I feel good tonight to have stood my ground.

Friday Night

I'm beat and I still have to go to work in an hour and a half.  Yuck.  You really need to be in the right mindset for the Hoochie Momma Parties.  I don't think I am ornery enough yet.  I tried to sleep in this morning and skip the gym, but I didn't get enough extra sleep for tonight.  Oh well I'll have to rely on the cold.  It's already in the 40's here and I know down by water it will be a lot colder around midnight.

Send in my ad for the SPCA to run in their email announcements.  They didn't seem as enthused as they were before I turned down their $345 ad.  I wonder why?

I definitely want to hit one of the local mall tomorrow.  The Rock N Roll art show is in town till Sunday and I really would like to go see it.  The other thing I want to try an make is the Japanese animation convention that is happening this weekend.  I will try for Sunday since it is the only free time I will have that is a big block.

Thrusday Musings

I realized yesterday that I my back seat is full of jackets.  With the crazy weather here of 70's during the day and 50's at night I have been switching jackets and forgetting to take them back in the house.  Hopefully since the cool down last night it will stay at one temperature and I can unload my back seat.

Still off day wise.  With no yoga Tuesday and my house calls switched to Friday I have no idea what day it is.  I think this will be a week without yoga since I don't think I will want to get up early this Saturday after a late night Hoochie Momma Party.

I no longer have a ton of boxes of stuff in storage, but it is still a pain trying to find stuff in the 20-30 boxes I do have.  Since the room is small I have to become monkey boy to get through there without breaking my neck.  I found almost everything I need for doing the acupuncture.  I want to find one more book and I have narrowed it down to about 8 boxes.  So I will start the archaeological dig soon.

I see AOL has updated their journal page.  Nothing new though.

 

Need a Shirt

I think I need to get myself a shirt for my birthday which says I am 40 and not in college.  While I do enjoy looking younger than my age I do get tired of people asking me what I am studying in college.  I guess I can't have my cake and eat it too.

Man on Fire

I am use to the good feelings of taking care of myself physically, emotionally, and spiritually.  However over the last 2 days I have been taking care of myself business wise with my marketing.  Trying to restart old clients, the new acupuncture in the office, and the usual beginning of the month marketing.   So I really feel alive today which is a great feeling.

The lady I valeted at night got my tip out of the ATM before getting her car.  A nice crisp dollar bill.  I was soooo happy.  LOL.

Well my landlord if off again on a trip which is unusual, but hey the place to myself again for a few days.  Cool.  Although with back to back Hoochie Momma Parties Friday and Saturday I might end up sleeping most of the time away.