Hey Everyone!  So, it's been a few months since I posted last, sorry.  I've been meaning to reflect on the year, but just haven't done it. I don't have any excuses to give, I just haven't done it.

How was 2021?  I'm torn.  I've had it better than a lot of people.  I'm very fortunate in that I have a roof over my head, a job I enjoy and my friends and family are healthy.  Does this mean there haven't been challenges?  No.  Definitely not.  I'm hesitant to complain about anything simply for the fact that so many people DO have it worse.

Physically, I'm doing better now than I have in well over a year.  Most of you know, a year ago December, my left arm started to bother me.  I went to the doctor and he decided to take a "wait and see" course, which was fine by me as I was convinced it would get better and I didn't want to take any pills. Unfortunately, it didn't get better.  After many months of medical appointments, MRI's, x-rays and exams, all the while, losing all use of my left arm, we found out that I had bulging, arthritic  cervical discs (the discs in your spine, in the neck region) and degenerative disc disease.  The main concern was getting the swelling down, taking the pressure off the nerves in my arm (the initial problem).  Two procedures later, they got the bulging down enough to where I could have the manual manipulation of my shoulder / arm, which I believe I've said here before, is putting me out under general anesthesia (for a third time) and breaking the shit out of my shoulder and arm and making it move in ways I couldn't do on my own anymore (and, apparently, taking photos of him doing it!  I was mortified when the doctor offered to show them to me!  NO THANK YOU!!).  It worked, thank goodness.  I've been in physical therapy now for a few months and have about 75% use back.  I'm so grateful.  You have no idea what it's like to not be able to type with two hands, open a door, put on a seatbelt, tie your shoes, get undressed/get dressed properly.  It's been expensive, painful, time consuming and everything else that I could gripe about.

Because I was raised the way I was, I have had a difficult time dealing with the weight gain from the medication and not being able to get any proper exercise for over a year. I've been cleared to go back to the place I hate the most, the gym.  I keep telling myself that Omicron is keeping me from going, but I'm just kidding myself, I hate that place. Yes, I'm hesitant because of Omicron, but let's be real, the time I go is so early, there are only a few people there so it shouldn't be an issue.

I have been getting out an about a little though, so I've gotten started and hope to be back to my normal size by the time my birthday rolls around.  It's been a blow to my self-esteem / confidence though. It's not like I had a lot to start with, so it's been hard.

Work has gotten better.  It was difficult the first 6 months of the year, then we lost a team member who was a drain on everyone.  Sure, it was more work without them, but it was easier.  Does that make sense?

I was able to visit my parents at Christmas and it was great.  In the span of a few days, we got so much snow it wasn't really safe to be out, so we stayed in for pretty much my entire trip.  Mom made cocoa, dad made cocktails, it was amazing.  The snow finally stopped the morning I was all set to leave, then it started again and I was worried my flight would be cancelled.  Luckily, we only got delayed a few times.  It was weird watching "The Ice Man" drench all of the planes on the runway (including ours) with what looked like antifreeze.  We were all bright green!  I touched down back home in pouring rain and was drenched by the time my Uber/Lyft driver came to get me, but I loved it.

For New Years Day, I invited my friend over to celebrate their birthday.  Since it was so cold, I made pot roast.  It was going to be an all-day thing, so we had appetizers, wine, dinner and cake for dessert.  I always have fairy lights up in my home, but I added big pillar candles to my faux fireplace and it made the place even more homey.  After presents (she is the only friend who always gets presents right for me), we put on Infinity War, then End Game.  Infinity War is a favorite of hers, she likes "Dirty Sexy Cap", LOL!  One of the presents I got her was a Funko of Dirty Sexy Cap, HA!

I don't normally do resolutions for the new year, but I do look back on the prior year and try to think of things I could do differently in order to make the next year better.  2021 was such a shitshow, I can't keep track of everything that could be done to make 2022 a better year.  I'm going to try and keep a positive attitude, which I did last year (mostly!) and I hope to be more content this year.  That's not to say that I am going to settle for just anything and get into a rut, but I miss that sense of calm I love so much.  It's been a while.

Because of Omicron, we were sent home to work at the very end of December, but I've managed to sneak in a few times (after getting negative test results, of course).  I managed to work from the office pretty much all but 3 weeks of Covid, so it's taken a bit to get used to.  Unfortunately, there have been so many people coming down with this new variant, my company is taking a prudent approach and having everyone work remotely wherever possible, which I appreciate.  They really do care for us, which is so, so rare.  I'm going to go in tomorrow, but will probably work from home the bulk of the week.  I've really fine-tuned my work set-up here, so it's easier to work from home than is used to be.  I've got my three screens, trackball, wireless keyboard, everything.  The only things I can't do, which means I have to go in every so often, are print (we aren't allowed for compliance reasons), scan and mail/overnight things out to clients who don't use esignature.  The only thing that keeps me from working (sometimes) is my handsome, smart, asshole cat.  He's getting old, so I let him get away with everything though.  I get tired him laying on my keyboard and knocking my pens to the floor, but he's earned the right to be a jerk.  I love this cat so much. (Yes, I say "this", because he's lying on my arm right now as I type this.). 

Oh yeah, I do have a goal for the year - one thing I really am going to do this year is, I'm going to rent a dumpster and just chuck all the worthless crap I own.  I have to wait until my arm and shoulder are a bit better, but it's going to happen.  It's less than $200 to do it and they drop off the dumpster, pick it up and get rid of your shit.  I've currently got bags all lined up for donating, but I need to find a place actually taking donations, LOL!  The places I used to give to are out of business and I don't want to give to the larger local charities that don't put most of the money raised towards helping people.

If only Ebay was easier to sell stuff.............

Well, that's enough for now, I need to start getting stuff ready for work tomorrow.  More later.....

Happy New Year!

I didn’t go to the Fox theater to see the show I mentioned in my last post. I thought the gig was on Saturday, but it was Friday and I was still too hiiiiiiiigh from being under general anesthetic to get behind the wheel of a car and drive. Or talk to anyone. Or do anything that has consequences. HA! 

I’m not sure how it happened, but when I was in recovery, I managed to get to my phone, which is weird, because I couldn’t manage to get it out of my wallet prior to being given propofol (the zipper was jammed!). So even with an I.V. in (which is the worst!), I was able to get it out (I don’t remember) and I sent photos of myself to co workers, friends and my parents. Now, if you know me, you know I RARELY send good photos of myself to anyone, let alone pics of me with a surgical cap, breathing apparatus and NO MAKE UP on!!! My mom sent me a text back that said “I’m SO saving this for blackmail”. 😳

I have a follow-up drs appointment tomorrow, wish me luck! I have Squeeze/ Daryl Hall and John Oates on Friday and I don’t want to miss it! A friend who has cancer (lost a kidney) and is going through chemo also has tickets and we’re gonna catch-up in-between bands. I haven’t seen him in years! He is a concert LEGEND, has a spreadsheet on all the shows he’s been to and I guarantee he’s been to every show you have been to and all the shows you have ever wanted to go to (in the US and UK). I’m glad the Bowl season has started and he feels safe enough to finally get back to concerts, chemo and all. I don’t want my friends to be unhappy and I could tell from our scant few texts that he was.

Fingers-crossed I can go!!!  I’ll let you guys know if my doctor clears me!

Ricky Gervais just cancelled the re-scheduled show from last year (a birthday gift from my oldest and dearest friend). I’m disappointed, but understand. 

Let’s be smart, safe and stay healthy!

Okay, I know it’s been months since my last post. Sorry. 2021 has been a challenging time, especially the past few months and, to be honest, with everything else going on in the world, I just didn't want to post about anything.  All my bullshit seems so small compared to the big picture, know what I mean?

I thought I should post something so y'all didn't think I got Covid or was in an accident or anything. I'm getting through all my work and health nonsense and trying to keep a smile (what else can you do, right?).  Maybe I'll post about it another time.   

I DID go to my first concert since a few days before lockdown started last March 2020 (Keane at the Kodak...amazing gig, front row!).  Saw Squeeze out in Riverside at the Fox Theatre this past Saturday (wore my mask!). Such a great show.  They played a couple of songs I haven't heard them do live since the late 80's and early 90's.  Looking forward to seeing them at the Hollywood Bowl with Darryl Hall and John Oates.  Just gotta figure out the shuttle situation as they don't have the ticket link up on the Bowl website yet.  

If I'm able to do it, I may head back out to Riverside and see a show Saturday.  It's 50/50 though, so I haven't bought a ticket yet.  I don't think it's sold-out, so I'm not worried about getting in if I do end-up making the drive. 

Anyway, I'm alive and fairly well, so... YAY!

Needless to say, things are getting better each day.  

I hope everyone out there is safe, healthy, well and happy.  

Take care!

 Busy week! After 15 months of not being able to see them, I went to visit my parents!  I tried to surprise my mom for Mother’s Day, but my dad blabbed. It’s okay though, she did a decent job trying to pretend she didn’t know.

It’s interesting, I struggled not being able to spend time with them, but by the start of the 2nd day, my mom and I were sniping at each other, lol! Family dynamics are static, even during a pandemic!

After 6 months of dealing with my arm/shoulder, I had my first physical therapy session this past Wednesday. She evaluated the situation and thinks everything probably started with a nerve issue in December and then grew to all the other stuff. It was a little scary to hear it was going to get worse before it got better…then she went to work.  When she started probing the muscle and the large tendon, I just about kneed the poor girl in the side of the head, it hurt so bad! (I was on a table while she was over me digging into my arm and shoulder, causing my knee to inadvertently come up) It probably lasted about 40 mins  and I have the bruises to prove it, HA! After she was done, I got wrapped-up in this weird refrigeration thing that flooded my arm, shoulder and neck in super cold “something”. 

She was right, it’s currently a lot worse than it was, but I’m hopeful it will get better!!! 

Work has been really busy, but should slow down a little after the upcoming IRS deadline, thank goodness!

Here’s to a tranquil weekend… I should probably get my travel junk off the floor, unpack and put stuff away, after all, I’ve been home for 5 days now! I’m so lazy!!!

I'm pretty happy to report that this week was, well, boring!  On both the home and work fronts.  For the first time in a very long while, I didn't have any appointments outside of work, there weren't any crises to deal with at the office and for the most part, folks were in a good mood.  

On a whim last weekend, while I was out on a walk window shopping the stores in my neighborhood, I called my old gym to see if they were open.  Turns out they are, at a limited capacity (along with masks, etc.), so I even managed to go to the gym three times this week (my pandemic weight gain is way out of hand).  As most of my friends know, I can't work both arms, but I've been able to do everything else.  I'm not going to lie, I hate everything about the gym and I don't enjoy a single second of being there.  I count down the minutes until I can leave.  I look for reasons not to go, even after I have my workout clothes and sneakers on and I'm walking up to the stupid place I think of ways to get out of going.  I won't even lie and say that I stopped going because of the pandemic.  I stopped going regularly WAY before Covid-19 showed up!  I think the guy I spoke to on the phone last Saturday probably thought I was lying when, after I asked what time they opened the next day, I said I would be there the next morning when they opened at 5am because he was really surprised when I showed-up at 4:55am... on a Sunday. HAHAHAH!  For about 15 minutes I had the entire place to myself, too bad the lights were set to motion detectors, so it was mostly dark.  I stayed for about 75 minutes and when I left, I think there were 8 people in different areas.  It used to be really crowded there starting at 6am, so I was kind of surprised.  Maybe most members are like me and didn't know they were back open?  I dunno!  What I do know id I can barely walk!  Since I can't use the arm machines, I've been focusing on legs, glutes and abs and it SUCKS.  I know it will get better.  I just hope the thunder thighs, man calves and flabby abs get a little bit smaller.  Fingers-crossed!

Spending so much time at home, I've kind of gotten into replacing things in my kitchen that are cheap or no longer doing what I need them to do with things that might be more expensive, but should last a long time and do a better job.  Don't get me wrong, I'm going out wildly spending money, I'm being really choosy and waiting for sales and stuff.  

It's amazing how dumb stuff can make you happy.  I found a 15-piece set of J.A. Henckels knives on DEEP sale.  These knives are so bad ass!  The blades are crazy sharp and the block they are stored in is pretty neat too.  I don't think there is anything I can't slice, dice or chop.  My old set of knives was okay, but it was 23 years-old and was really not one of those types of sets that you expect to last this long.  I've taken good care of it, but it had gotten to the point where even sharpening the blades wasn't making much difference.

I also found a Le Creuset 11-inch enameled cast iron skillet (the kind that's off-white on the inside) in clearance sale too.  I should be able to get rid of a lot of my pans and free up some space in the kitchen.  Surprisingly, it looks pretty nice next to the shiny black Staub cocotte my friend gave me for Christmas a couple of years ago (I love that thing!!!).  Being that they are different brands, I didn't think they would look good together!  Not that it's important, but it makes me happy.  I'm excited to use my new kitchen toys!  

Just a side note: enameled cast iron weighs A LOT more than regular pans, LOL! 

I just now watched the final episode of Season One of the Falcon and the Winter Soldier.  I don't want to give anything away, but I have to say, this series is the best thing I've seen on TV in a very, very long time (even though I guessed who the Power Broker was the second I saw them on screen).  Is it bad to admit I cried more than a few times during a few episodes?  I can't wait to watch it over again.

A new Thrilling Adventure Hour is tomorrow.  The Work Juice Players' shows and reunions have been bright spots for me over the last year and I'm grateful to have had the opportunity to catch the gigs.  They were early adopters of the Zoom performances for charity thing and have done a lot of good things.  My friends and I haven't missed a single show.  If you read this beforehand, try and get a ticket.  The money always goes to a good cause.

Not sure what I'm doing the rest of the afternoon and evening, but I'm sure it will be low key and involve me not doing my chores.

I might check-in later, not sure.

I was going to proofread this post, but I don't feel like it.  Enjoy all the typos and stream of consciousness grammatical errors everyone.  I promise I'm not this stupid, but I am this lazy!

Have a good weekend!  

 Well, I'm relieved to report I had a VERY good day this past Friday (which was also a day off work).  YAY!!!

I had a follow-up doctors' appointment and found that not only don't I have to have two procedures my doctor scared the shit out of me with, but, in three weeks, the issue has almost totally reversed itself and I don't need to go back until my next appointment in a year.  You have no idea how relieved I am.  It was weird!  I saw it on the screen, clear as day with my own two eyes.  One month,- scary, next month - almost gone.  I'm so thankful to be healthy!  I mean, I'm still broken down and old, but biologically, I am super-healthy!

Speaking of being broken down and old, because of my advanced age, I'm fully vaccinated!  In two weeks, I'll be official.  I'm so thankful to have received the "one and done" Janssen shot.  I know a lot of folks think it's not as effective as the other two, but as it was trialed later in the onset of the pandemic, it was tested against the more contagious SA Variant, where the others weren't.  It's also a different type of vaccine.  I should have 85% protection against serious illness and 100% protection against death.  I'm good with both of those!  It's been a couple of days and no side effects yet.  I'm a little tired, but that's pretty normal for me.

Science is awesome!!!!

Happy Birthday CBLMW. I know the next year will be filled with love, joy, good fortune and happiness. You deserve the very best life has to offer. You have always been a force for change and helping those who need it, I hope you realize people see this and appreciate all you do. Enjoy your special day! Sending you good wishes.....