Part-part-part time blogger

My blogging efforts border on pathetic, so now with my new Mac Mini, I hope to spend more time in this space.

Let's see, an update since New Year's Eve 2010 is in order:

December - February - Laid off, then not laid off

A stunning announcement just in time for Christmas - 60% of company tossed, followed by an agonizing 60 days of frantically looking for a new job.

On day 59, due to very, very bad planning (apparently) a few of us were offered to stay on. It was truly the epitome of the "11th-hour" concept, and it went something like this, "We changed our minds, did you want to keep your job, btw?"

Note to corporate execs: how big were your bonuses for this colossal cluster f$&# that devastated many productive employees' lives, while you all had a very happy holiday? Please save as lesson in how NOT to downsize.

February - March - Muddled through a lack-luster, depressing winter, but still lucky to have a job.

March - thank goodness for spring. Had a mid-life crisis after 55th birthday - decided to do something healthy by shedding poundage and reuniting with atrophied muscles.

March -June - Lived for July

7/17 - Christian and Mary wedded in an amazing ceremony and venue in Lakeville

7/25 - Two-week jaunt to Italy with Cathy - Positano as the appetizer, Rome as the entree (another magical wedding), and Florence as dessert

8/9 - Back to not-laid-off job (heavy sigh)

8/10 - 8/27 - Fantasize about how to move to Italy

8/28 - Wicked summer cold

9/1 - CAT Scan and Diverticulitis

9/4 - Post Hurricane Earl (the storm that never happened)

A fabulous, sunny, breezy start to Labor Day weekend.

Time to enjoy the day . . .

Ciao!

Almost forgot, the weight loss

Alone-ness

. . . is getting tired.

I did a 1000-piece puzzle of Rafaello's 'School of Athens.' I bought it at the Vatican in 2008, and saved it for a winter's day (or six).

I was sick on New Year's Eve, which turned out to be a blessing in disguise. This has been my second NYE solo. I discovered that it's not so bad. Once you get past the count down and stroke of midnight, the sadness goes away. sort of.

Christmas morning is another story -- still haven't gotten used to waking up alone, and it is lackluster without my little Albabe sharing gifts under the tree.

I want a do-over. I can't shake this feeling of loss.

Looking forward to spring, my flowers, and the sun to warm my neglected soul.

Lost the Election but Kept the Breast...

Well, the breast wasn't ever in danger of being lost, but I'll bet the dramatic title doubled my number of readers (2 to 4).

Final election count was about 1485 for the Republican incumbent to 1035, my Dem debut. The independent candidate had less than votes. For my first run for elective office, I'm thrilled with the results.

As for the "palpable mass" in my right breast, it's nothing malignant. Mammogram, ultrasound, and needle biopsy say so.

Speaking of mammograms, a study was just published that recommended an incredulous, and horrifying, change in the age at which women should begin routine annual screenings for breast cancer. Some brainiacs decided that too many false positive results led to too many unnecessary biopsies and that women should wait until age 50, instead of 40, to commence with annual mammograms.

I don't have a strong enough word in my vocabulary that comes close to my opinion of their opinions.

Let's just say that I hope they will never, EVER, be allowed to work on projects more important than shoveling shit at circuses. And even that wouldn't be fair to the elephants.

Election Day November 3 2009

Ok, so I'm a Democrat running for a seat on the Planning and Zoning board (not to be confused with Parks & Recreation.)

One minute I join the Democratic Town Committee, the next minute I'm campaigning.

And all it took was someone I just met to say, "... we think you should run for Planning and Zoning."

Next Tuesday is election day, and I have no idea what to expect.

I will be out at the polls early (theoretically 6 a.m.) and I'll be one of those people who accost the voters at the walkway. I've always been so annoyed by 'those people.' Something about milling around like a vulture smacks of desperation to me, but I'll give it a go.

I suppose there are the few voters who are undecided, and they might take one look at me and say, "Sure, I'll vote for you!"

And then they'll walk inside and ask "Which row is the Republican ticket?"

After the polls close, we'll await returns at headquarters. In the end, I'll either be toasting my drinks or drowning in them.

Regardless of the outcome, it will be a cool experience. (yeah, sure, it's sort of like saying, "It's ok if I don't win the Oscar, just being nominated was an honor.")

I hope that the vacation day I am taking will be be worth it. I hoard vacation days in the event, however unlikely, that a pile of money will rain down on me, and I'll be able to take off to Europe for two weeks.

I'd also like to take this opportunity to thank my neighbors for putting my sign on their lawn. Awfully sweet of them!

"Palpable Mass"

Routine checkup, but not so routine this time. Doctor found a lump in the other breast.

I guess the right side felt ignored after 7 years of the left side getting all the attention.

Hoping it's only a benign fibrous cyst, but a chill went up my spine when the doc said, "It's probably nothing."

That's what was said the last time. . .

Woe is me.

I'm almost more annoyed about the forthcoming medical bills. Haven't finished paying the last ones.

Health care keeps me hostage. I better get to Paris or Prague soon.

I'm just saying.

Rambling actually.