What's up with you?

[Ensign Steve]

My mom is moving to Indiana for a year (with 2 weeks warning, we don't fuck around when we're ready to do things!) and then to Nevada after the year. One is for a job, the other is for a boy. I'm not thrilled but it's really none of my damn business. She has always done whatever the fuck she wanted and lived without fear or regret, and I love that about her and that I learned that from her. Anyway I have plenty of other family in California.

[lisarea]

I was awakened this morning by EXTREME PARTYING.

A couple of Zsa Zsa and Flossy's friends escaped from their yard and came over to the house to play, I guess.

They live on another street a few blocks away, though. Did they actually come here on purpose? Because that was weird.

BUT DID YOU NOTICE THAT I WAS AWAKENED? Last night was the first night in about a week I actually slept on my actual bed like a normal human! At around 7 or 7:30 last night, my backache turned a corner and started getting better. The muscle spasms and shooting pains are gone, and now I'm just kind of sore and creaky. I'm gonna go carry the refrigerator around for a while or something to celebrate.

(BTW, I would consider a chiropractor if it were positive that it was just a strain or something like that and/or I didn't have other options, but I'm not about to let someone manipulate my spine when I don't know a) them, and b) exactly what's wrong with it.)

[Dingfod]

Or what is wrong with the chiropractor.

[ImGod]

I carried my wife to the doctor one time when her back was all old lady hunched over. He gave her a referral to the physical therapist across the street. They snuck us in that day.

A tiny 100 lb soaking wet 10 year old looking lady chiropracted the crap out of my wife until her left leg matched her right leg in length. About 1" of movement. Then she gave my wife a pile of exercises and stretches, before telling her to "Do these twice a day and come back in a month if these don't work." My wife walked out of there and never came back because it worked. She strengthened up the muscles she needed and when her back bugs her, she stretches and/or pulls out the exercises.

I'd have more confidence in chiropractors if they did this.

[SharonDee]

After years of nursing my hurt feelings, I am finally over my ex-husband. I am so over him that I'm ready to be friends again. I am so over him that I can't wait to meet the fourth Mrs. Dee.

Given all the above, I am planning to visit them in their home this Saturday. Since I can already tell I'm going to like Patty--we've exchanged a few emails and texts--I want to start out on the right foot by presenting a hostess gift.

The trouble is, I suck at gift-giving and I need some ideas.

Particulars: she was diagnosed with breast cancer a year or so ago and is still undergoing treatments for it. She had chemo first and her hair is still growing back after that. Now she's moved on to radiation treatments that seem to really take it out of her. (Someday medicine will be good enough to prolong our lives without torturing us. Right?)

Sure, I could get her something like chocolate doughnuts or something. But I had hoped to think of something that a cancer patient might really be able to use.

Those of you who went through radiation treatments or dealt with someone who did, what would have been a welcome gift? I know doing things for a person is the best gift but 1) I suck at that and 2) I'm not sure whether to offer such a thing until I know her better.

Need advices ... help?

[Dingfod]

You cannot go wrong with consumables, chocolates maybe, or perhaps fruit. But, I was thinking...

[JoeP]

If you get her any foodstuffs stay well clear of anything that might not be ok for a compromised immune system - no eggs, no soft cheese, nothing from west Africa.

Other than that ... no.

Hat / wig?

[SharonDee]

I thought of the wig first thing. But I remember Daughter saying that Patty was so happy to no longer be wearing a wig or scarf.

Plus, would that be tacky?

[Dingfod]

Okay, a nice hat then.

[lisarea]

Well, I'd know just the thing if you lived here or in Washington.

For suboptimal states, maybe something comfortable or distracting, like a cashmere throw or socks, or a DVD set of something she might like but doesn't have.

[Ari]

What's up with me... recently lost a friend to depression, suicide.
Have been helping out her partner to keep her above water as it were.
Man the aftermath is brutal.

[One for Sorrow]

That's awful, Ari. I'm so sorry.

[JoeP]

[viscousmemories]

I'm sorry Ari.

I'm heading to Michigan in the morning. My main reason for going is because my niece is becoming a nun and she invited me to the celebration, but I will also join my other nieces on a suicide prevention walk that they are doing in honor of their brother who committed suicide last December.

[LadyShea]

Sharon Dee. I like lisa's idea of a throw for two reasons...1 a traditional hostess gift is something for the home and 2 my friend who went through treatment had fucked up temp regulation so throws are useful for that.

I keep one on my chair because the AC kills me but other people like it.

Also good on you for being friends with ex

[LadyShea]

Ari I am so sorry

[vremya]

I'm sorry Ari.

[vremya]

I'm going to see The Replacements!

[vremya]

It was a great, great, GREAT show. The last time The Replacements played locally was 20 years ago, and this was outside on a gorgeous fall day. The two opening bands were really good - Lucero and The Hold Steady (more local heroes).

I'm in here someplace. We were about 12 rows back from the stage.



If you really want to get technical, it wasn't really The Mats, since they had a new guitarist and drummer. But we had Tommy and Paul, so that's close enough. Tommy was channeling Sid Vicious it seems.



This has been a good month for live music, which hasn't been the case for a long time.

[Anastasia Beaverhausen]

Big hugs, Ari.

[Kyuss Apollo]

Ari Positive thoughts to you and your friend's partner.

[viscousmemories]

Originally Posted by viscousmemories

I'm heading to Michigan in the morning. My main reason for going is because my niece is becoming a nun and she invited me to the celebration, but I will also join my other nieces on a suicide prevention walk that they are doing in honor of their brother who committed suicide last December.

I had a great time visiting with family and the walk was nice. I'm flying to NYC in the morning to participate in the Brooklyn walk with one of my other nieces and (possibly) nephew; back Sunday night.

[Dingfod]

I had a great time Friday night, at the 40th reunion of BHS Class of '74, and also at the the All School Reunion Saturday. With the exception of one person, I had not seen anyone in those 40 years. I also had underestimated my popularity, I thought I was pretty much invisible in high school. Not so much, apparently.

[specious_reasons]

Went whale watching this weekend. Anybody who's Facebook friends with me can see the pictures which I picked out as "good" - including the orca dick pic.

I'll sort out the "best" (including the orca dick pic) and stick them in a more public-facing site (probably Flickr), just so you can see.

I'm oddly proud of the orca dick pic.

[specious_reasons]

The link to the album:
Whale watching - an album on Flickr

Some highlights:






..and this one:

show spoiler