Intermittent Access and Other Random Thoughts

No, that doesn't mean we have computer or internet access issues. Intermittent access refers to the time that I'm able to dedicate to my blog and the reading of others' blogs. I apologize for that. There are several reasons for my intermittent access. School is really ramping up now. Psych nearly killed me. The class was terrible! But I passed. No final grade posted, yet, but I know it'll be at least a B. And now on to Paradigms in Health. Ugh! Work has been EXTREMELY busy in the past month or so. My boss had an administrative hearing a few weeks ago, which requires a lot of preparation on my part. And now it's 2010 budget time...fun, fun! And then there is BACA, which has taken quite a bit of my time, lately. We had a very successful benefit poker run for our friends Sticks and Dimples last weekend. You can see the pictures from that run here. Along with 2 others, I have been tasked with planning our state picnic in November. And we have our 1st Annual East Valley Poker Run coming up on October 10th. AZHD and Linda came to the benefit, and Linda even won something in the raffle! We have a lot more raffle prizes for the East Valley Run, too. I would like to formally invite all our blogger friends to this run. For those that would like to attend, the Days Inn & Suites next door to Smokey's in Mesa is offering $39.99/night when you mention the BACA run. Their normal rate for this time of year is $110, so they are really helping us out. You need to call during the day and talk to Stacy, the manager, to get this rate. The number is 480-969-3600. I hope to see some of you there! And this weekend, we're leaving Friday for Tucson, AZ to participate in the Thingamajugs Breast Cancer Run on Saturday. I'm looking forward to the weekend, and the riding, but not necessarily the ride to Tucson. There is nothing but wide open desert between Casa Grande and Tucson on I-10. That's about a solid hour of riding through nothing. At least it won't be 115° out! So, as you can see, along with everyday life, doctors appointments, Vicki, etc., I have been swamped. I'm reading some blogs from work when I can, but I can't comment from there. I'm hoping things calm down for a while, but it's not looking good right now. Ride safe!

An Interview With A Doctor

I had an opportunity to interview a world-reknowned cardiologist, Dr. Wailee Ming, a few weeks back. He was very difficult to get a hold of, and no, he is NOT taking any new patients. Q: Doctor, I've heard that cardiovascular exercise can prolong life. Is this true? A: Heart only good for so many beats, and that it... Don't waste on exercise. Everything wear out eventually. Speed up heart not make live longer; that is like say you can extend life of car by driving faster. Want live longer? Take nap. Q: Should I cut down on meat and eat more fruits and vegetables? A: You must grasp logistical efficiencies. What does cow eat? Hay and corn. What are these? Vegetables. So, steak nothing more than efficient mechanism of delivering vegetables to system. Need grain? Eat chicken. Beef also good source of field grass (green leafy vegetable).. And pork chop can give 100% recommended daily allowance of vegetable products. Q: Should I reduce my alcohol intake? A: No, not at all. Wine made from fruit. Brandy is distilled wine. That means they take water out of fruity bit; get even more of goodness that way. Beer also made out of grain. Bottoms up! Q: How can I calculate my body/fat ratio? A: If you have body and you have fat, ratio is one to one. If you have two bodies, ratio is two to one, etc. Q: What are some of the advantages of participating in a regular exercise program? A: Cannot think of single one, sorry. My philosophy: No Pain...Good! Q: Aren't fried foods bad for you? A: YOU NOT LISTENING!!! .... Foods fried in vegetable oil. How getting more vegetables be bad for you? Q: Will sit-ups help prevent me from getting a little soft around the middle? A: Definitely not! When you exercise muscle, it get bigger. You should only do sit-ups if want bigger stomach.. Q: Is chocolate bad for me? A: You crazy? HELLO ... Cocoa beans! Vegetable!!! Cocoa beans best feel-good food around! Q: Is swimming good for your figure? A: If swimming good for figure, explain whales to me. Q: Is getting in-shape important for my lifestyle? A: Hey! 'Round' is shape! Well, I hope this has cleared up any misconceptions you may have had about food and diets. Dr. Lee is the busiest doctor in the world after interviews like this! For those of my readers that may not have made the connection, this came to me via email, but I just had to share it!

My Trip Back East

First I would like to express my gratitude to everyone for your prayers and kind words for our friends, Sticks and Dimples. They are doing well and expected to make a full recovery. They, too, appreciate your kind words, prayers and thoughts.

Recently, I went back home for a long weekend. I just felt like I needed to connect with my sisters.

I landed in Boston on Friday afternoon and the sun was shining brightly. That was the last I would see of the sun all weekend. I met my sisters for lunch at Ruby Tuesday, and ran into an old friend while there, too. It felt good to be sitting at the same table with my sisters, rather than talking on the phone or trying to communicate through email or facebook. It just seems like some things get lost in translation through electronic communication. It was great to re-connect with them.

Friday night, I went out with our friend Joker and Susan. It was nice to meet Susan, she's a great gal. And it was great to see Joker. We had quite a time with Blackstone at the Boneyard. It just seems like the bars close SO EARLY back there! Anyway, I stayed at their place Friday night because it was too far and too late to drive back to my mother's condo. I got up early Saturday morning and drove back after sleeping on the most comfortable couch my ass has ever made contact with!

After sleeping a few more hours at the condo, I had to dial-in to a conference call back here. It lasted 1.5 hours, and my cell phone would only work in a parking lot near the condo. Not actually at the condo. So I sat in my rent-a-wreck in the rain while on the call. After that, I enjoyed some wonderful New England Clam Chowda, and headed back to the condo.

In going through my Mother's things, my sisters found a large box of letters. These weren't just any letters, though; they were letters that my Dad had written to her while he was in the Army and she was in college. One of my sisters is reading them, the other does not want to. So after Gayle reads them, she will be sending them to me. I sat down to read some of the letters Saturday afternoon. They were wonderful! My Dad ended every letter with "Love, George" and "P.S. I miss you." These letters are a true treasure, and I'm so glad my Mom kept them.

Saturday night, we had a sleepover at my sister Christine's house. She had a few friends over, as well. It was a great night filled with lots of old memories, and beer, wine and spirits. ;) It is times like these that I wish I lived closer to them. We had so much fun.

Sunday we went to the cemetary, as I hadn't seen the new stone since Mom had passed. Then we went to lunch at Lindsay's. The chowda, crab cakes and clam plate were all incredible, but I just couldn't finish it. There was so much food!

After lunch, I decided to hang out on Cape Cod a little longer. I went to Onset Beach and took a nice walk. It was overcast, but not raining. And it was warm enough that I didn't need my sweatshirt. I walked on the pier and watched the people that were fishing. Saw all the boats moored in the harbor, and remembered when Dad had a boat moored not far from here. We used to love going out on the boat in the summer. Even though it almost always broke down, we still had fun. These are the kinds of memories that I cherish. I often wonder if I would cherish them so much if I still lived there? Or do I cherish them more because I don't live there anymore? Yes, there were some real deep thoughts going on that weekend.

After coming back from the Cape, I stopped in at Gaff's, the local watering hole in Taunton. Our great friend Savina was there, and I had a few beers with her. We were dancing and having a great time when I noticed someone familiar-looking at the bar. I took a second look and realized it was someone I hadn't seen in 19 years! I went to school with John, and after that he worked with my Dad for a while. It was so nice to see him!

When we left the bar I gave Savina a ride home and got back pretty late. I had to get up fairly early for my flight on Monday, so I was just going to read a little bit and then go to sleep. That didn't exactly happen. I ended up reading Dad's letters to Mom until 3:30 a.m. I figured I could sleep on the plane. :) I really can't wait to receive the rest of those letters from my sister.

It was difficult to leave the condo, as I knew this would be the last time I saw it. I think it was so difficult because this is not only where I last saw and spoke to my Mom, it's where she died. It didn't make me uncomfortable to stay there, but it was very hard to leave.

I stopped at my sister Gayle's house on the way to drop off the rental car. I hadn't seen my niece Amanda all weekend, and I wanted to see her before she left for college at Johnson & Wales University in RI. She's moving into her dorm today, by the way. Good luck, Manda-Panda!

The flights home were uneventful. I wasn't able to sleep, but did read The Notebook. I was a crying mess while reading that, but it kept people from talking to me, so it was ok. :)

After getting in late Monday night, I had work and class on Tuesday. Then I was at an HR conference for the rest of the week. We're having a party today, and I have a huge psych paper due on Tuesday. To say that I've been busy would be a large understatement. I should have taken Tuesday off from work just to rest up and get some things done around the house. But that's what Saturdays are for. :)