2010/10/21

Tora! Tora! Toradol!

DaGoddess @ 20:00

Can we all make a note that I may not have Toradol injections again? Yes, please. Got one at the doc’s office to help with generalized aches and pains I’ve been having (seriously, is fibromyalgia something you can develop after traumatic injury??). Doc thought it would help me.

Helped me right into an ambulance, thank you very much.

Yep, I felt my chest tightening, my throat closing up, and the paramedics said I had hives on my abdomen.

I’m at home. Safe and sound now. Ruined my night out. I was going to go see Corey Stevens, but I’ve been pumped so full of steroids that I’m a freakin’ mess right now. Jittery, sore, exhausted. But safe.

(I’m so fucking dramatic, aren’t I?)

I See Skies of Gray and Trees a-Blur

DaGoddess @ 07:07

It’s going to be another fine stormy day here in Vegas. I’m lovin’ it! Even as I prepare to nap prior to my doctor’s appointment this afternoon, I find myself hoping the it continues on for hours, days, etc.

Weird pinkish-yellow cast to the clouds. Wind kicking up just enough to blur the trees. Everything feeling heavy and ready to just let loose.

Hopefully the windshield wipers will hold out just one more day. The one on the driver side of the car likes to try to reach around and wipe the side window dry. Obviously, we need to make an adjustment.

No matter.

My overnight work has proven to be inspired. Or somewhat inspired. The CD design is going… interestingly. Got the tray done. Got the background for the booklet done. Think I might have the cover done, except font. We’re still deciding on that. The back…I know how that’s going to look, but not exactly how I’m going to manage to get all the necessary info on it with it being as busy as it looks like it’ll be. I’m mostly concerned now about the CD itself. We have an idea on how that’ll look. I just don’t know if I’ll be able to wrap/warp the image enough to make it fit. And the cover…hmm…I’m still keeping my fingers crossed that the cover gets the okay. Otherwise, back to the drawing board.

Kind of exciting to have this in my hands. Kind of daunting, too. But it’s a challenge I’ve always wanted — especially at this level — so I’m running with it. Best part is that I get to include a couple of MOBD’s photos in the project. Star trails, the Milky Way. They fit the theme. Yay!

Tonight, I’ll take a short break and go see Corey Stevens play. Take a few photos. Come back home and use that inspiration to propel me forward.

Here’s another inspiration I’ve been using:

Blacc | I Need A Dollar | A Take Away Show – Part 1 from La Blogotheque on Vimeo.

And this:

Jerry Heggleman: The Enigmatic Eye from Mark & Angela Walley on Vimeo.

Off to bed now. Naps are good.

2010/10/19

Like Thunder ‘n’ Lightnin’

DaGoddess @ 22:33

We’ve had some great storms rolling through town here. Late night thunder and lightning. I like! I guess I have always managed to equate storms with the comforts of home. Gimme a good storm and all I want to do is to curl up in bed or on the sofa, wrapped in a blanket, sipping tea, possibly with someone else, but not necessarily.

Of course, when a storm rolls through town I always think of the song “Knock On Wood” by Eddie Floyd and the ever-incredible Steve Cropper. Who doesn’t like this tune?

Pathetic, isn’t it? I can’t even start to tell a story about me liking storms without going into some musical interlude.

Is there a cure for the music bug? Is there? Do I want to be cured?

Oooh! Getting close. I better get off the computer now.

Awesome People I Met at BandCamp…er…BlogWorld Expo and Other Stuff

DaGoddess @ 03:43

I’ve been slow to catch up and to get links out there, but here we go, in no particular order…

Wolf / Cooking With The Troops

Troy Steward / You Served

Toby Nunn / Soldiers’ Angels

Maggie / Bostonmaggie

Matt Burden / Blackfive

Cassandra / Villainous Company

Mrs. P / A Little Pink in a World of Camo

Gary Cagle of Team Rubicon

Jake Rademacher / Brothers at War

Tom Kratman / Author’s page on Amazon

Tom Goering / Navy CyberSpace

Tammi / Tammi’s Trail

Non-milblog related, I met Darren Rowse of DPS. I recognized him from the back of his lovely bald head and called out to him, because I do that sort of thing. Thankfully he was very nice and spoke with me as we hiked our way through Mandalay Bay.

Also saw Adam Carolla while out walking about with Tammi. I didn’t talk with him, but did snap a few photos. Why not?

And then there was Mark Burnett. He made me cry and I didn’t mind. Mrs. P did, too, and she’s allowed to any time.

Oh, can’t forget Mary Ripley, an amazing lady who is very active over on USNI and who is the daughter of John Ripley (USMC).

All the great soldiers who manned the Go Army/Milblogger lounge! Nice folks!

And to my growing legion of sexy bald men, please don’t forget the grapes or the hammock next time. No, not the little one…we shall not discuss that again…I want the full-sized, lying about sort of hammock in which I rest comfortably while you fan me and feed me grapes and otherwise attend and amuse me.

I did NOT get to meet C.C. Chapman, although I wish I had. I’ve adored C.C. since 2002, when we both were hanging with Robyn and gettin’ our boobies on for Boobiethon. I think I saw him a few times, but wasn’t 100% certain and was, of course, blonde while attending an event. Sigh. C.C., next time, okay?

I know I’m forgetting people. Shame on me. I’ve been in total brain meltdown mode for two days. Can’t afford to be as I have much work to do. Photos from BWE, photos from a couple concerts, a CD design…uh…yeah…not just submitting the photos, I’m doing the design and panicking over it! As well, I have a very cute 3 year old’s mother waiting for photos so she can make her selections for her order. Arrgh! Oh, and I have to figure out how to get 1) a sometimes cranky, bitchy/sometimes nice-ish deadbeat to repay her loan (it’s not much, just overdue since March), 2) get presents out to the kids for their birthdays, 3) get my reviews done and posted, 4) not lose the stuff in storage (despite my payments here and there, they want to go ahead and take my belongings…I have a problem with that since I am making every effort to catch up!), 5) get the portrait studio to hire me (it’s photography, it’s a job, and I want it), and 6) find the list of the other things I need to accomplish.

Busy is better’n dead, right? Right.

P.S. If I really did miss your name on this list, I profusely apologize and will write glowing things about you if you leave me a comment and don’t call me a forgetful bitch. Forgetful or bitch is fine. Just not both together.

2010/10/14

Media and the Military: Reality vs Myth

DaGoddess @ 17:16

Interesting discussion regarding Media & the Military: Myth v Reality.

Can the personal, human narrative bias be overcome to depict our military honestly?

J.D. Johannes leads panel with Tom Kratman (author) and Jake Rademacher (director, “Brothers at War”). Lots of points being made, including: with the best of intentions, as a storyteller you have to tell a story, but as a documentarian you also have a responsibility to get the story right!

Rademacher wanted to show Hollywood that the truth can be told and it can be done respectfully. Mrs. P asks where you draw the line, what do you share? Rademacher says you can do it tastefully, but there are horrific bits that are shown because that is the reality. It’s an honest depiction of what our military endure and maybe it takes that glimpse into the horror and ravages of war to appreciate what our military experience.

Earlier, Mark Burnett teared up thinking of his friends lost in the Falklands. It’s a hard reality. You have to face it but you can do so with great respect.

Rademacher mentions Gunny Popaditch and the footage of him used by people trying to push their agenda without honoring him or what others have endured.

Wish I could do justice to this panel. It’s quite moving and these men really do want to give props to our military.

2010/10/13

Squee!

DaGoddess @ 00:59

The best kind of wolf is a Laughing Wolf. I mean, if you can’t bring a somber wolf into your life (say, the one from Little Red Riding Hood…although he was more murderous than straight out somber, to be fair), if you can’t have a somber wolf, go for one who’s more jovial, more personable, you know?

It’s been a long time coming, but I finally met the one today. Picked him up from the airport and finally got in a proper hello. Funny that we’ve been friends for so long, yet had never met in real life. It was good to be able to give him a hug and then sit around talking face to face instead of spending hours conversing over the phone as we have been wont to do in the past.

Now I face and a presence to go with the voice and laughter. Plus, I got to learn a lot more about Cooking with the Troops, which is a rather amazing organization. Over the next few days, I hope to be able to learn enough about the organization to come back here and get YOU all excited and make this your new favorite charity. I don’t want to speak out of turn here and present you with wrong facts, but I can tell you this is bigger than just cooking for our military. Yes sirree, bub. There’s a lot going on. And I will bring you the all the juicy details over the coming days.

So, here I sit, having met the wolf who laughs (good thing I’m a damn chuckling rhino, eh?)…getting excited about Blog World Expo’s military track. There will be a good many people I’ve admired in that room whom I will be able to meet and/or see again and I’m looking forward to it.

I’ll be here, ready to share what I learn along the way. And if you’re all good boys and girls, I may bring you photos of the event. (And I have it on good authority there will be wonderful surprises along the way.)

2010/10/09

My My My, It’s a Beautiful World

DaGoddess @ 06:43

I’m such a dork. But a lucky and happy dork.

I got to meet Colin Hay (Men At Work)! Met his lovely wife who provided backing vocals and dancing, Cecilia Noel, too.

Concert in the park. I was practically sitting onstage. It was wonderfully intimate and absolutely perfect. He played all my favorite songs, except for “Water Song”. I teared up when he played “Waiting For My Real Life To Begin”. I love that song. It speaks to that part of all of us that hesitates, that holds back, that fails to live in the present — ever-waiting for what might be. It’s likely one of the most apt songs ever written. And he played it beautifully.

Oh no I di’int! (Oh, yeah…I totally did!) More photos to come. Just wanted to post a few before bed.

My my my, it’s a beautiful world. And I’m a happy girl.

Still waiting on meeting Neil Finn, but the wait’s suddenly become more bearable.

2010/09/27

I’d Bullet These, But I’m Lazy

DaGoddess @ 02:27

I don’t know how many items will be on this “list” and I won’t go back and count them afterward. I don’t care. Hence, the lack of numbering.

I got pissed off twice this weekend. Once due to a nimrod of a local musician calling me for another musician’s phone number. “I’m a friend of his. I have his number somewhere. I need to ask him…” The musician whose number he needed? Closely guarded. I have been entrusted with numbers and contact info a very special group of people. I respect their privacy and their time. I use the numbers sparingly and I never hand them out to other people. I protect these numbers and my friends’ privacy as I would my children. So, I tell Mr. Local Musician that I’ll see what I can do and call him back. I leave a voicemail, text, and then a second text with Mr. Local’s phone number for my friend. I call Mr. Local back and let him know that my friend is off playing a gig, he has the necessary info, and I’ve done all I feel comfortable doing. Mr. Local launches into a tirade about how I should just hand over the phone number and a bunch of other things. I say, if you need to get in touch with him sooner, try Facebook because he might check it during a break. “I don’t do Facebook!” Well, then, I guess you’ll have to wait for the guy to call you back, eh? And perhaps the next time you call you won’t get all pissy with me and hang up because, guess what? I will so not help in the future. Nor will I be nice when we meet again in public. (Stupid little oompa loompa mofo.)

Edited to remove this section upon request.

My new ringtone is “Blitzkrieg Bop”. I’m in a rebellious mood, I guess.

Every single time I grab my bottle of Ambien to take a dose, I basically dump the pills everywhere. Okay, so I managed to not do that ONCE…

For the first time in about 31 years, I could be fashionably on trend. The 70s are back (according to NY Fashion Week and Milan and London FW)! That means peasanty and colorful and all sorts of interesting things work, including (apparently) curled, feathered hair. Um, my summer trip to Portland yielded my first clothing purchase at a festival ever and it was a purple peasant blouse. Ahead of my time, people. Ahead of my time. And my hair? I have to curl it into submission because of the disastrous cut I got back in April. It’s pretty retro, which means it’s IN and I’m IN. Hahahahahaha! That’ll never happen again.

I like that new show Lone Star. The soundtrack from the first episode? Kind of awesome.

Little Dude and I had a couple fantastic chats this week. Mojo and I talked about a week or so ago. And I had a dream about her yesterday. It was both reassuring and disturbing.

I lost a business card I desperately need. If you were that business card, where would you be?

There was a big send off party for a local musician Saturday night. I was going to go for just a short time and ended up being one of the last to leave. The room was packed with so much talent, you never knew what was going to happen next! I met a couple of performers who have kind of been a big deal in my musical journey, so that freaked me out a bit, but I got over it.

Photo shoot of a 3 year old later today. I can’t wait! I’m hoping we can get her and the peacocks in this park in the same frame. How cute would that be?

Neighbor brought over his newborn the other day and he was a little fussy. I asked to hold the baby, calmed him down, and watched as he just took in the world. It was precious. It’s been so long since I had a baby fix, I wanted to cry. Made me remember my children as babies. God, they’re so not that little anymore!

I have a stack of music to review. And I may have something really special in relation to that happening very soon. Fingers crossed!

I have company coming into town this weekend. Can’t wait! And to top it off, another friend will be here, playing with Ray Manzarek of the Doors. Yep, my company and I will be there!

Lighting intrigues me. I’ve been trying to up my lighting game as far as photography goes and in some ways I’m so much better. In other ways, I’m totally lost.

My camera is really having major focusing issues. I thought it was okay after the fall it took a week or two ago and, nope. Not so much. I can’t afford to have it act up. I also can’t afford to send it in for a look-see on the bench either.

I’m desperately seeking quick jobs to earn enough money rescue my belongings in my storage unit. For the first time since moving, I’ve had a billing issue. Everything meaningful from my grandparents on down to my kids is in there. Everything. New management isn’t quite as helpful as I’d like. Know anyone who needs writing, editing, photography, babysitting, data entry, housecleaning, or anything else done in the next couple days? I will work 24 hours a day to get the money I need to keep my LIFE from being sold out from under me. If you do know of anyone who would be willing to hire me for something, leave me a comment and I will email you STAT.

I’ve been watching the Tim McCarver Show lately. Apparently I’m back into sports.

I broke my sunglasses. Not just popping a lens out or something simple. The whole hinge section snapped. I’m bummed.

I had frozen yogurt this weekend that was a ginger lemonade…and I kinda liked it.

Boobie-Thon 2010 is almost here!

2010/09/21

League (if a league is one) of Extraordinary Gentleman

DaGoddess @ 01:06

The other day I met this interesting older gentleman. He’s like a miniature version of Wilfred Brimley. I was talking with the owner of a tanning salon, talking about my day at the spa (my friend’s boyfriend treated us to massages and lunch), and a show I was going to shoot later that evening and Wilfred piped up, “oh, are you a photographer?” When I said yes, he got all excited. He’s a photographer, too. We started talking about photography and before you could say “boo”, we’d been yakking it up for 30 minutes.

I used my phone to show him a few of my photos and he was quite impressed. I was just grateful he didn’t laugh at my efforts. Then he asked if I’d be willing to show him how to use a digital camera. Of course I would!

I gave him my card and that was that.

Yesterday morning, he called. After I finished a shoot in the afternoon, I stopped by his home and he showed me his work. He’s an excellent photographer. I mean…EXCELLENT! He’s a marvelous artist as well. And his collection of other people’s work? Amazing. Simply amazing.

While I was there, he printed me a photo from his archives and matted/signed/framed it for me. Then he drew me a picture. Yep. He drew one for me right then and there. Actually, he drew two for me. Then I drew him one. He liked it, too. Good thing, cuz I’ve not done much drawing in a very long time, let alone draw while someone watched. I was quite nervous about it. Anyhow, I ended up leaving with two original pieces of art, left one behind, and we’re going out shooting today.

We had such a good time talking art and movies and travel and all that sort of stuff. It’s comforting to know I have a gallery/museum buddy and someone to go ‘splorin’ with. He’s an extraordinary gentleman and I like having a new friend. It’s kind of cool.

2010/09/13

The White House Mystery

DaGoddess @ 04:48

Some mysteries are easily solved with a decoder ring or by a couple of inquisitive teens. Others require a spy of the highest caliber, the kind without a name. And still more so complex that a bevy of Hollywood writers take years to unravel and ravel and unravel and ravel and unravel the story.

I’m sitting atop a bit of mystery here.

Around the corner and across the street is a white house. It intrigues me and MOBD a great deal. It’s been empty since I moved in. It’s been empty for months prior to my moving here. With the market the way it’s been, it’s no wonder that it’s remained empty. It’s a pretty good sized lot, too. Horse property. 2.2 acres. White adobe. Hacienda style. Square. All rectangular/square windows save one round stained glass window on the south side. Two stories. 2,400 sq. feet.

A realtor friend looked up the property. It sold a few years ago for almost $2million. Foreclosure a year or two later. On the market again this past year for under $300k. Foreclosure in less than two months. That was back in December. Empty ever since.

Yesterday there were trashcans out in front for the second time since I’ve moved here. Looks like the bank is getting ready to put the house back on the market so they’re cleaning up. We’ve never seen anyone there. No people. No cars. Nothing.

MOBD and I decided to walk over last night. We walked past a neighbor’s house and heard all these birds. What a racket! Every once in a while, we hear them really raising a fuss. As we got closer to the mystery house, we heard the birds again, but the sound isn’t coming from where we thought. Now it’s coming from back behind the white house or maybe from the pinkish house. WTF?

We step onto the property and start circling the house. Roll up door on the front room. A three car garage that’s pretty much impossible to put a car into or drive out of unless it’s half a Mini. The 3 bay garage is just too close to the house and the roll up door on the front room. Around back, there’s another roll up door on the house, but it’s too small for a car. Hmmm, what could it be for?

The stables out back look sturdy enough. The extra building has some gear stored there. We start walking toward the stables and the bird noises get louder. Sure as shit, there’s cage after cage after cage of birds. Mostly parrots from what we can see. Not exactly great conditions for birds as far as shelter…open sided…no air conditioners, no fans, no heater elements either. Nobody in the house. Not for months. And yet there are birds there. Alive and seemingly healthy.

Obviously someone’s coming by daily to feed and water and otherwise tend to them. How come we never see anyone? And why would there still be birds there if nobody lives in the foreclosed house? MOBD says he’s always heard the birds and he’s been here three years. WTF?

On our way back home, we check the trashcans. Mostly debris from the cages and some yard detritus.

Maybe a neighbor? Maybe someone from the pink house is leasing the stables to house the birds. It’s convenient. It makes sense. But…it still doesn’t quite seem right. There isn’t another neighbor around who’d be doing this. The only other house within an easy walk is empty. Another foreclosure. Huge. Almost 4,000 sq ft. The bank is asking close to $600k for it. (Realtor friend info again.)

But the birds. To whom do they belong? And why do we never see anyone over there? And when is the house going on the market? How much will the bank be asking for it?

The way we see it, if the bank is asking anything under $200k, MOBD will put in a bid. Anything more than that, we’ll just wait until it’s sold, the new people move in, and then we befriend them…and get answers to our birdly questions and we get in to see the house since it’s driving us bonkers. Plus, we want to check out those garages.

For now, we wait. We’ll probably walk over every day until we get some sort of satisfactory answers.

We’re weird, huh?

2010/09/04

Appetite for Surreality

DaGoddess @ 02:48

My life is so very weird.

Two days ago I discover one of my SD blues guys had killled himself over the weekend. Not fun. Not fun at all. This was a month after losing another blues friend. Surreal, even.

Then last night, after a terrible show at my favorite venue in Vegas, I head over to the jam. And I run into drummer Steven Adler (Guns & Roses, Adler’s Appetite, and some may know him from his stint on Celebrity Rehab/Sober House) and Chip “It doesn’t matter who drives the bus, as long as we all get to the picnic” Z’nuff. Yep. Weird, huh?

I’m taking photos of one of my Facebook friends (finally met him in person last night) as he’s up there singing while Steve and Chip are playing, another friend on guitar…everyone having a great time. Diggin’ the whole thing. Cool to watch it all happening and to know that I’ll have a photo or two to share with the guys. After they finish, I get the one guy (the one I just met face-to-face) with Steve for photos. We had problems with Bud’s phone and I say, “dude, just let me use my camera. Don’t worry, I’ll get the pictures to you.” We’re fumbling a bit and Steve throws his arm around me, thinking I’m getting in the picture or something and all I could do is giggle. Like a silly little girl. I finally get everyone back where they’re supposed to be and get two photos taken of them, Bud gets the phone set up and I take one with the phone but it doesn’t turn out, and just as my other friend John is ready to get in the photo, a manager or assistant or someone says, “no more photos, they gotta eat.” Okay, fine. Bummer for John, but good for the guys, right? We figure there’ll be another opportunity to get a shot in after they’re done. Except we didn’t.

But we still got to meet and chill with some bona fide rock stars. In a nice little bar that most people outside of Vegas don’t know about and would probably opt not to visit. Wrong, wrong, wrong, people. This is EXACTLY the kind of place you want to visit. Off the beaten path. Shitty service (all the damn time, except for the cook — who is actually a chef). Good food. I mean, GOOD FOOD. And lots of yummy beers.

Is my life weird enough for you yet?

2010/08/31

Environmental Portrait Chosen for Epic Edits Weblog

DaGoddess @ 04:24

Squee!

A photo I took of a local musician was one of the chosen portraits for the challenge on Epic Edits. Even if you didn’t see my name below the image, and even if I didn’t tell you it was a musician, I’m pretty sure you’d figure out which was mine.

The photo I chose was originally taken for another photo challenge issued by my photography group here in Vegas. Night, square format, urban, portrait. Those were the parameters. I took several photos featuring various people, but Monk was my favorite. And now he’s on Epic Edits!

Fun challenge. Love Brian and his blog.

Here’s Monk:

Monk

2010/08/28

Home.

DaGoddess @ 23:44

I am home.

Which is so weird, because I should be missing San Diego. And I do. Mostly the kids and my folks. But you know what? Vegas is home now. Absolutely. For real. I am home.

I loved spending time with the kids. Mojo is doing well and has some stuff to finish up so she can (fingers crossed) get into college mid-term. She’s working hard at Burger King. Got a cute photo on the old cellphone of her in uniform. It’s my wallpaper. Little Dude hasn’t grown too much since last month, thank God! His hair has, though.

Both my mom and dad are doing okay. It was good to see them, too.

Mostly, mostly…I’m just really happy to have had the time to do this and to be able to introduce both my mom and dad to MOBD so they know I’m really, truly safe and happy. Proof that I’m not living with crazy people.

I also got a few things from storage. Mostly kitchen stuff, my mandolin, and CDs. I wanted to get towels and sheets, but there wasn’t enough room in the car. Oh well, I’ll just keep washing the same stuff over and over again until it falls apart or until I can get back to SD and get more things for the house.

So yeah, I’m home again and it 1) feels good, and 2) feels even better to have some of MY STUFF here with me.

Shower and bed for this girl. I’ve earned it.

(P.S. Just as we hit the edge of Vegas, my friends’ song came on XM/Sirius radio. We just saw them on Thursday and it was the perfect ending to a good trip.)

2010/08/21

Go On, Test Me

DaGoddess @ 15:50

After waiting for over three hours to see the new doc, I was in. I like him. He’s a gentle man and very concerned with providing excellent care for his patients. I started off with his P.A. who is also very nice and extremely thorough. They’re a good team and I know I’m in good hands.

My visit started with a very long wait. They were behind. I’d planned for that, though. I just didn’t know how behind and found myself wishing I had brought the laptop so I could edit photos while I waited. Oh well. They had movies for patients in the waiting room. Nice touch. Not kid stuff. I Am Sam. Contact. Helps to have entertainment when you’re a captive.

There was a cute little elderly man there waiting with me. At one point he got up to use the phone the office provides the patients. “I’m still waiting. Yes. You’re right. It is a long time. Don’t worry, I’ll be home soon, sugar. I love you, babe.” I think I swooned a bit when I heard that. It was so sweet and fresh and unexpected. There was a twinkle in his eye. I do believe I fell in love with this stranger right then and there. He suddenly didn’t seem older at all.

There was another man there. One the rest of us decidedly did not like. Mr. Talkstooloudonhiscellphoneguy. Like a man who has suddenly lost his hearing and therefore speaks loudly and doesn’t realize or care that he’s disruptive. You know, the sort who doesn’t see everyone around him tense up. Or flinch. Every time he opens his mouth. One woman who’d been sitting quietly in the corner near me, got up, walked over to him, and said, “Do you realize how loud you are? Perhaps you should take this call outside.” He looked confused and then quickly went outside. Very quickly. I inwardly cheered this woman. Then I turned to her and thanked her. Everyone else chimed in with their thanks. She just shrugged and said, “someone has to tell him. It’s not fair to everyone else that we should be jangled and unnerved by someone who isn’t aware of others’ discomfort.” I fell in love for the second time that day. I know who I want to be when I grow up: her!

Finally, I’m called back by a nice looking young man. I walk in and am escorted to the xray room. Sigh. Nice looking young man and I chat to pass the time as he sets up the xrays. He asks about possible pregnancy. I laugh and tell him that would be a miracle and it would make me a rich woman. Very rich. I’d own an entire hospital system. He asks if I’d hire him. I say of course I will. And he says, “good, then I can hit on you all the time, like I’m doing right now” and I giggle. I thank him for making my day. He is, after all, young and nice looking. And funny. Then I ask how long he’s been at the job. “Four years. But not for much longer. Which is why I’m being so forward.” Suddenly, I can’t think. I struggle for a moment and then ask where he’s going. “To the other office on the other side of town.” Blah blah blah, we move on. He smiles and it’s a warm, sweet smile. Damn. Too young.

I’m off to wait in the hallway. I talk to a charming older man for a few minutes before he’s called in to see the doctor. Then the cute elderly man of the “sugar, babe” conversation in the waiting room is seated next to me. We talk. He’s been there an hour longer than I have and he’s getting tired. You can see it in his eyes and all over his face. “It’s not usually like this,” he says. “Sometimes they just get too many people at once.” I’m one of the extra people they’ve squeezed into the schedule, so I’m really not complaining. I pass the bulk of the time texting. And falling in love with strangers in a doctor’s office. My cute little old man is called in and I’m alone again. Then Mr. Xray calls out from the xray room, “did you drop something in here? I think you might have.” I smile. I know where this is going. “I don’t know, what is it?” Yes, I’m going to make him work for this. He says this again. So finally I wander in and he hands me a piece of paper. I know before I open it that it has his phone number. I think I may have blushed. I add it to my phone right away, ask for a pen, write my number down, and hand the paper back to him. We make eye contact, smile, and I go sit back down in the hall.

Now it’s my turn. I’m called and shown to a room. The medical assistant is from San Diego, knows my hospital, etc. We chat. Then the P.A. comes in. We go over my history. Dr. Sesame Street Character (yes, that’s what I think whenever I hear his name) comes in. He’s wearing his Sikh turban. It’s actually lovely and frames his face beautifully. Apparently this level of pain and exhaustion and relief at being in the office (finally) have heightened my senses to point where everything is fascinating.

Dr. Sesame reviews my xrays and points out more degeneration above my cervical fusion, along with what appears to be a bone spur. The lumbar fusion looks fine but he’s concerned about some of my symptoms. “We need an MRI. And nerve conduction studies.” Oh joy. I don’t mind the MRI, but nerve conduction studies can be “uncomfortable”.

I’m given meds. I’m given another appointment. I’m told the tests will help them better determine the care I’ll need, the type and extent of the physical therapy I’m hoping I’ll get (and which was recommended by the QME months ago…almost a whole year ago, can you believe that?), and whatever else I need to function as a real human again.

And that was it. My first visit with my new doc. I think I’m going to like working with him a lot.

Oh, and yes, Mr. Xray has contacted me already. He called last night. We’ve been texting most of the day. We may be getting together tonight at a local place where my friend’s band is playing. Informal and no pressure. We’ll see what happens. The man is only 30. THIRTY! I dunno about this.

But I do know that I’m happy to be with a good doc and that’s all that matters.

Also, I want to know how Dr. Sesame gets his turban wrapped so perfectly. I’m fascinated. Delicate folds and pleats. Everything tucked just so. Nary a wrong wrap. Something along the lines as seen in photograph. Those ridges…the lines. As I get to know the doctor better, I’ll probably ask. And I’ll probably ask if I can photograph him, too. (I’ve learned to ask more people I normally wouldn’t and it’s been paying off quite nicely, thank you.)

2010/08/18

Not Quite the Axe Murderer

DaGoddess @ 23:05

Would you believe I’m a garden assassin?

I spent about an hour on the front yard yesterday, taking the hedge trimmer to three large bushy bush things. Okay, MOBD attacked one and I went after the other two with a vengeance. They were so overgrown that it was perilous walking up to the front door. Cars were being terrorized in the driveway and at the curb. It was time to cut these monsters down to size. And that’s exactly what we did.

As some of you might recall from back in the good old days, I used to kind of enjoy yard work. I loved toiling over trimming and planting and digging and watering. I preferred working with plants hardy enough to withstand my black thumbs, but I made plenty of attempts to tackle whatever I could and to plant a few interesting flowers here and there. I met with moderate luck.

But this yard? Oh my. Overgrown, indeed. It was nice to get out there and do what needed to be done. MOBD picked up and bundled all the cuttings when I was done and made everything nice and tidy out there. Then he and our neighbor moved our big sofas into the house. They look fantastic. Yes, my super special bargains are now in the living room where they belong. They looked so inviting, MOBD decided to check out one and is currently snoring away.

I’m really enjoying the new place. All that’s missing (besides my belongings in San Diego) is a bed. I’m still working on that. I’m sure I’ll find one soon enough. (Fingers crossed, friends! Fingers crossed!)

And now that I’ve managed to kill off the majority of the vegetation in the front yard, release some pent up anger in the process, and get the living room looking pretty spiffy, I think I should go finish up some editing. I have lots to get to the printer by noon and I have two deliveries to make tomorrow. I think I’ll sleep well once I’m done.

My only disappointment yesterday? I missed all the good rain. There was a lot at the old house. LIke five minutes before I got there, it was pouring. Three or four raindrops were all I was given. Ppphhhttt. I want rain!

Oh…pssst…I wish you were all here for the band playing tonight. They’re good. My friend is the drummer and he’s so freakin’ funny! I can’t wait to see him again. I think I’m taking cupcakes along with photos I want signed. I’m starting to get a reputation as the cupcake girl.