real life

2006-07-14T22:38:00.000-04:00

I MOVED MY BLOG!!!!!!!!!!

PLEASE FIND ME AT THE FOLLOWING site: http://lar2001.wordpress.com/

I think you'll like what you see.

Blogger has been good for the last 3 years...but it's time to move on.

Ta-ta.

2006-07-14T11:49:00.000-04:00

Birthday Wishes...

To me! Sunday is my birthday... I love my birthday... always have... always will. Anyway, I received quite a surprise when I came home last night from work. A box of flowers. Two dozen roses. Not the "deep-red-i-love-you" type of roses... The roses were the very tiny small buds in different colors: red, yellow, white, pale pink, multi, etc... Anyway, I was afraid that they would be quite dead by the time I opened the box (I didn't get home until 9pm last night)... surprisely, they were not. This morning they looked even better.

Today at work my coworkers celebrated my birthday with muffins and juice (plus a Borders gift card and a great picture frame).

Tomorrow I'm going to see "The Lion King." It was my birthday gift to myself.

Tomorrow evening I'm having dinner cooked by the fabulous J Doran. His lovely wife Suzy will be baking my cake of choice.

Sunday evening I'm hopefully eating Indian with another friend.

All in all ... it will be a great birthday weekend.

In other news: I finally figured out what the water bottles filled with the yellow liquid littering around the train station finally are.

2006-07-11T16:23:00.000-04:00

Almost normal...

So, it's been almost a week since my last post. I'm happy to say that I've almost bounced out of my mini-depression. In the past 5 months I have learned a lot about myself and about being in a relationship. So... I move on.. and I push forward.

Thanks to all who were supportive during my "time of need"... Yes, it wasn't a death of a loved one... but it was a death of a relationship. And it hurt. And it's great to have amazing friends to lend support when it is needed.

In other news... tonight is the All Star game in Pittsburgh... Can't wait to watch it... Will love to see what Ozzie Guillen has up his sleeve.. and especially interested in hearing what comes out of his mouth.

Have to run to Elizabethtown, PA tomorrow... very excited about that... it's a day not in the office.

Go have a water ice... it's hot out there.

Enjoy the rest of your day.

2006-07-05T09:58:00.000-04:00

It's all relative...

Today is the day after my worst 4th of July holiday on record. My friend John told me that he didn't want to see me anymore. The reasons I will not go into here... Needless to say, I felt like I was broadsided by a car. We were supposed to walk in Valley Forge park yesterday and then get some dinner. Well, it didn't work out that way.

20 minutes after I got to his place, I was back in my car driving home. I tried seeing if a few of my friends were at home. Well, they weren't. It's a national holiday... I can't blame them that they weren't home to comfort me. It's been a long, long time since I felt so lonely. I didn't come back to my house right away... I drove for another 60 miles with no place in particular to go. I thought about going to the movies... but knew that wouldn't really cheer me up. I finally came home and sat and cried for the rest of the evening.

I did call him last night and we talked for about an hour. He said he would call me again on Friday. We weren't even dating. He never said "Les, you're my girlfriend." I never assumed that he was my boyfriend. How much more this would have hurt were we an "official" couple! I just never want to hurt like this again.

I titled this post "it's all relative"... I did this because as I type this I think of my friend Katy. Her dad died on Saturday. Her holiday has been anything but fun and light and cheerful. In the scheme of things what happened to me was not a big deal compared to what is happening in Katy's world.

God is still God... I don't understand why some things happen. He knows. He knows the outcome of all of this in my life. There is a line in one of my favorite Matt Redman songs... "He gives and takes away. He gives and takes away." I don't know why this had to be this way... but I will continue to trust in the Lord... because he truly does know what is best for me.

2006-07-03T08:48:00.000-04:00

A weekend of movies...

I watched three new movies this weekend... Here is a quick rundown..

Friday night: went to see "The Break Up" with a friend from work. Jennifer Aniston & Vince Vaughn were playing the perfect examples of how NOT to communicate in a relationship. Parts of this movie were painful to watch..(ie.. they were very "real" and I could see them happening)... other parts were v. funny. The movie was set and filmed in Chicago.. there were some "Chicago-isms" in the movie.. if you weren't from Chicago... you would have missed them... Grade: C+

Saturday afternoon: saw "Superman Returns" w/ my friend John. I must have an affinity for superhero movies.. This was everything I thought it would be. Funny, sad, lots of action, some drama, etc... I would love to see this again in the IMAX theatre with the funny 3D glasses. "Superman Returns" had many religious undertones that you might not catch if you aren't looking for them. I think these themes make it a better movie. Grade: A

Sunday evening: Watched "Junebug" at home alone. I've had this DVD sitting around my house for the past 10 days from Netflix and finally got around to watching it. "Junebug" was a little independent film from 2005. The main theme is family... how dysfunctional it can be... and how downright funny it can be. A woman from Chicago marries a man after a week of knowing him. Six months later they are taking a road trip to his hometown in NC for two purposes... one is her business and the other is to meet his family. His family is quirky. His family is rude. His family is like everyone else's family... Definitely recommend this movie! Grade: A

In other news...
1. At work today. Hope it goes by fast. Doesn't even feel like tomorrow is a holiday. I think the weather might have something to do with it.
2. White Sox lost to the Cubs yesterday. UGH.. We can't ever seem to make up any ground against the Tigers.
3. Today my parents have been married 41 years. Kinda cool.

That's about it.
Enjoy your day.

2006-06-28T08:26:00.000-04:00

Good Day to you also...

So... it's always sooo lovely when the first thing you hear when you exit the train is "You're a mother-fu......" screamed into my ear.

Soo, very lovely.

I love Philadelphia in the Summer time. Don't you?

In other news...
1. The White Sox are having fun in the western part of the state... maybe next year they will be back in Philly? That would be nice.
2. Seeing Superman on Saturday evening with my friend J. Can't wait. It looks like it will fun. Don't really care if it will be actually good or not.
3. I'm thinking today will fly by... I have six appoinments...back to back to back to back to back to back... I even gave up my lunch hour to meet with a student. I'm *such* a martyr.

That's it.

2006-06-26T20:37:00.000-04:00

568 miles... 3 rest stops... two tanks of gas... and I'm finally home!

Tomorrow is back to work. My whirlwind trip to Cincinnati is over... It was a nice break. I like driving and driving over 1,000 miles in 2 days (with two days off in between) might be a little much...but for the most part the drive was relaxing... I was a little over tired this morning (as Suzy will attest).

Roadtrips are great... you can do a lot of thinking...listen to a lot of music... or just stare straight ahead and drive. I did a little of all.

A friend let me borrow a book on CD to listen to. I highly recommend this to any single people out there who might still be reading this... "How to get a date worth keeping" by Dr. Henry Cloud. Dating isn't rocket science...but I think sometimes we make it out to be an all or nothing proposition. Cloud asserts that by meeting people and dating for "fun" (ie... with no expectations) we will begin to see what we really want when it comes to "that person" we end of marrying. As I've gotten older my list of "qualities" has changed some...not much..but some.

Listening currently to: "In the Deep" by Bird York..from the "Crash" soundtrack. Amazing song.
Current mood: v.v. tired. I still feel like I'm moving.

Ta-ta for now.

2006-06-17T21:37:00.000-04:00

My last night...

I'm at the hospital tonight... last duty night until at least September/October. It's 9.32 and so far only one page... For a Code Blue. So far tonight I've done the following:
1. called to see how my favorite 4yr old's first movie experience was... he didn't want to talk.
2. checked the score of the White Sox/Reds game... only about a million times.. last time I checked the ChiSox were down... I think they are totally uncapable of winning more than two games in a row.
3. called my friend J & left a message... He's out having fun rollerblading at this city wide event.
4. ordered, picked up, and ate a bunch of Singapore Noodles from the Chinese place across the street.. They were good but not nearly as spicy as I like them.
5. Skimmed the book "Chicken Soup for the Soul...for Nurses"... I think I've had enough touchy feeling stories for one night..
6. Checked my gmail account about a thousand and one times.
7. Drank a Diet Snapple and a Diet Dr. Pepper
8. Read every other blog that I can think of to read.

OK... you get the gist of my evening. It's been slow... but this is not a bad thing. Slow is a good thing in my line of work (albeit it.. volunteer).

In other news:

I saw "Cars" this afternoon. These guys at Pixar are amazing.. they are so creative. It was good.. definitely not my favorite Pixar (that honor still belongs to Toy Story) but it was entertaining and I laughed out loud more than once.

Ok.. that's about it for now. I'm tired of staring at the computer... I think I'll read my magazine now (Chicago magazine.. if anyone cares)

2006-06-14T15:06:00.000-04:00

I think I'm on a sugar high...

Today is my workmate's birthday. His partner sent him a huge bouquet of cookie flowers. Each cookie is probably 8 inches around. With frosting... TONS of really, good (not the sugary kind) frosting. He gave one to each of the rest of the office... I ate about half of mine and threw the rest away... It was delicious... and I'm SURE each cookie is like 900 calories... UGH. It wouldn't have been sooo bad... but I just had a small bag of M&Ms before the cookies arrived.

In other news... people have been emailing me to say "that's great" about my declaration from the other day. It's been fun. I'm honestly not sure what the future holds for him and I... This isn't necessarily a bad thing.. We just don't know. In general, how do people who haven't really dated.. are used to doing things on their own...make room for another person? How do you trust someone else again? How do you know when fast is too fast? Or what if slow isn't slow enough? How do you compromise? How to accept a complement? Or when to give a complement without truly wanting anything in return? How do you know when to be honest about your past? How much should you tell?

I haven't been sleeping well the past few days...mostly because all these questions keeping popping into my head. It's a new world out there.

And, in the end, I have to say ... God is in control. God is DEFINITELY in control of this. And I'm happy about that. I'm excited about this opportunity to learn more about myself and another person.

In other news...
1. Ordered my first Chicago White Sox t-shirt from mlb.com.. it's the breast cancer awareness tee. Very excited... so, I'll be able to wear it to the game in Baltimore.
2. Have my last overnight at the hospital this weekend. V.v. excited about that. I'm totally burned out and need a break from the place.

Ok... that's all of my ramblings for today.

Yea.. stop reading this... it's not that exciting...

2006-06-12T14:04:00.000-04:00

My weekend...

It was chock full of fun stuff.

On Friday night I went to my friend J's house to watch a movie. We watched the original "Alien" directed by Ridley Scott.. I had saw the sequel in the early 80s w/ my mom...but I never saw the original.. It was fun.. it had great characters.

Anyway, enough about the movie.. J doesn't read this blog. He said he thought it would be weird reading it... like he was reading my diary. He lost the link I sent him to this space. He's intelligent enough to find it if he REALLY wanted to...but he doesn't want to (why read about it... when he gets the details live and from me?)

Well, the one comment I will make about my friend. I like him. I like him a lot. He knows this. We talked about this on Friday evening. The other comment I will make is about relationships in general. They take work... even the easiest ones.. which, darn it, this one has been pretty easy so far. And that they are risky and scary and worth every minute talking things through.

Other weekend news:
1. Spent a great time with my friend Jan in DC. We went to the Spy Museum, ate at a place called Ben's Chili (I had a chili dog), and I had a $3.00 cupcake (white cake w/ raspberry frosting... sinfully delicious).

Hmmm...that's about it.

Have a great day.

2006-06-05T19:01:00.000-04:00

DaVinci Code, The White Sox, and Hershey...

Got home from Hershey about an hour ago. It's really nice to be able to go there. I stayed overnight at the Hershey Lodge because of the meetings that I had yesterday and today. After today's meeting ended (around 1pm) I went to the Hershey Spa for my yearly treat to myself. It was amazing as always. The Hershey Hotel is such a grand place. I can only imagine when Milton built it... It's still a site..but I"m sure back when it was built it even seemed more lux.. I'm really impressed by the massage therapists and what they can do with their hands. 50 minutes is definitely not enough time...

The White Sox.... in one word. SUCK. They sooo didn't win the World Series last year... they definitely aren't playing like a World Series winning team. I guess it's still early and with all this losing they are still only 2.5 games behind Detroit.

The DaVinci Code. Saw this Saturday evening. I'm wondering if the reviewers and I saw the same movie? I have to agree with Roger Ebert.. who, was one of the only major reviewers to give this a positive review. I found it a v. good representation of the book. I didn't feel like it dragged. It was fast paced from where I was sitting... there were some great one liners... and it actually had some honest truth about Christian history. I guess it goes to show... you are the best reviewer... you don't need the likes of the NY Times or Roger Ebert to tell you if you will like a movie.. go see for yourself and make your own opinion. My friend and I left the theatre that evening pretty darn impressed with the movie that Ron Howard created.

Well, that's it.. I'm hungry..didn't eat lunch... and the box of Swedish Fish on my desk just isn't cutting it right now. I'm thinking Indian...

2006-06-03T10:04:00.000-04:00

At work today...

Nothing majorly exciting to report... working today...actually getting much accomplished...

1. seeing "The DaVinci Code" tonight... secretly I think that Jesus was really married to Mary. Yea, whatever.
2. White Sox have lost 4 in a row. Definitely not champs... more like chumps. Pitching sucks. Dump Garland.
3. Off to Hershey tomorrow for a committee meeting...after it ends on Monday... going for a massage at the Spa. Looking forward to it.
4. I really need to stop procrastinating... lots to be accomplished.

Ta-ta...

2006-05-30T22:26:00.000-04:00

A Documentary...

I just finished watching "Paper Clips." I can't even remember where I first learned about this movie. Thankfully, Netflix had it... (but then again... what movie DON'T they have??). It was amazing. It is a very simple story of 8th graders from Whitwell, TN. Whitwell is a rural Tennesee town... almost all white, all protestant, all alike. The teachers and principal of the middle school were trying to think of a project to teach tolerance of others. They came up with studying the Holocaust. When they were discussing how many individuals were killed a student asked "How many really is six million?" The teacher didn't know how to answer because she herself had never seen six million of anything... The students investigated and came up with the idea of collecting paperclips. Six million paperclips. One to represent each Jewish victim of the Holocaust.

This movie showed how young children can understand such a thing as the Holocaust.

I was in tears from beginning to end. Maybe it was the movie, maybe it was PMS, maybe it was both...

But whatever... go. watch. this. movie. You will not be disappointed.

2006-05-30T13:56:00.000-04:00

My favorite picture...

I think I was 4 when this picture was taken. I absolutely LOVED this dress... Big Bird... I sorta remember it being my favorite dress when I was little... and I HATED dressing up back then... For my 6th birthday my dad was taking me to see Peter Pan w/ Sandy Duncan. He wanted me to wear a dress... I kicked him in the shins because I didn't want to... Well, his belt on my behind won over my kicks... so, I wore a dress and went to see Peter Pan... but.. I still hated dressing up (I caught the dress up bug in high school...when I HAD to dress up every day).

In other less pressing news:
1. Had a wonderful Memorial Holiday weekend in Chicago. Spent most of the time on the boat on Lake Michigan. It was HOT. HOT. HOT... but fun. I only got mildly sunburn.
2. White Sox won two in a row... they aren't playing that great right now.. definitely it's their pitching.
3. Today is almost over. V. excited about that. The first day back is always the hardest.

Bye for now.

2006-05-24T15:21:00.000-04:00

Wednesday Wackiness...

Totally crazy day............... Totally crazy day............

GO TAYLOR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (In case you are under a rock... it's the guy I hope will win American Idol. I voted 7x for him!!)

Having a little wardrobe malfunction today... I think my skirt is a little sheer and I'm afraid it's see through... my coworkers say it's fine... I'm kinda troubled by this fact... I love this skirt... it looked great in the dressing room....but not so good right now.

That's all for now.

2006-05-18T08:54:00.000-04:00

My Amusing Morning...

So... I drove into work this morning... I have a meeting in West Philly right after work so it was best to drive today. One of the perks about Jefferson is that we have a remote parking lot at Penn's Landing. It costs me $5 to park there instead of the $16-$20 at the garage across the street..

Well, today was amusing for a few reasons.. 1. I came to work early for a blood test I needed to take. As I was half way to work... I remembered that I forgot the prescription (ie.. referral) for the blood test. So, can't do that this morning... I didn't eat breakfast because I thought I was going to be taking the test... Needless to say, I was hungry and a little mad at myself for forgetting the sole reason I came into work early today... The other amusing reason... I didn't get off at the Penn's Landing exit... I totally wasn't paying attention and missed it... I got a little tour of Northeast Philadelphia as I found my way back to 95S. It was all good ... I arrived at work in time for my $4 Starbucks breakfast.

In other less pressing news:
1. My last day of the work week.
2. Lost is soooo good. It amazes me every week. You all should be watching if you aren't!!!
3. Elliott off American Idol. Elliott we hardly knew you!!! I think I want Taylor to win... He seems more down home than a girl who grew up in Brentwood (or was it Sherman Oaks... I can't remember).

I've got nothing else.

Bye for now.

2006-05-14T21:59:00.000-04:00

A quick post about iTunes.... I can download a Clay Aiken song in the privacy of my own home.. without anyone making snide remarks about my taste in music...

But since I just told you all that I downloaded a Clay Aiken song... let the snide remarks come!!!

Enjoy the rest of your evening.

2006-05-12T08:46:00.000-04:00

Ok... it's just too beautiful out this morning...

Instead of getting off at Market East I jumped off the train at Suburban Station and walked the 7 blocks to my office. It is sooo nice out this morning... not too warm... not too chilly... just enough for my sweater to keep me warm.

On the Ipod was playing one of my favorite songs from back in the day... "Another Time and Another Place." I had the ipod on shuffle... so, it *randomly* picked to play this song this morning. It's a great old school (early 90s) contemporary Christian song.

In other noneventful news...
1. I didn't watch ER last night... I purposefully missed it because I was doing something much better than watching TV
2. Another comment about ER ... I remember back when it was really, really, really good... how I wouldn't miss it like I don't miss "Lost" now. It's just in the last few seasons the story lines are getting a little too recycled. I mean.. how many DIFFERENT ways can you show a heart attack, a sick kid who gets better, a sick kid who doesn't get better, a pregnant nurse, etc..
3. My weekend plans.. tonight: maybe an ice cream cone @ Cold Stone and a Netflix movie. Tomorrow: I. Skinner's Bar Mitzvah. Sunday: Church and then a movie in the afternoon... not sure yet what I will see..
4. White Sox rained out last night. Probably a good thing.
5. Oh.. something I learned about cooking: don't use rye bread to make grill cheese sandwiches. Does. Not. Work.

Ta-ta.

Aren't you enjoying my boring little life?

Enjoy your weekend!

2006-05-11T11:34:00.000-04:00

American Idol...

Can't believe Chris is gone.

So. so. so. sad.

McPhee was given a reprieve.

2006-05-08T09:34:00.000-04:00

Market East...

Market East is where I take the train to and from every day on my commute to & from my job. Usually in the early morning as I'm walking to leave Market East and/or the Galleria... there is a bench. On that bench usually sits homeless men or women.. I guess they come right in when the Galleria opens in the morning.

Today was not different from any other day... there was a homeless man sitting there. The thing that was different was my reaction to him. I usually don't have a reaction because I see them everyday. Today was different. This man looked like he could have been in a play. He had make up all over his face... his hair was in dreadlocks and it was put up all over his head in colorful bands. He was sitting there with a huge pack by his feet. I felt compassion for this man. For this weird man sitting there on the bench. I also was scared of him. He looked so different than the normal everyday homeless guy.

I can't even imagine what it would be like to be homeless. I never want to experience it. I try not to see it...yet, it's all around me... in one of the wealthiest cities in the nation... Yes, Philadelphia...we are wealthy. We are not NYC, or San Fran, or London... but we are wealthy.

Makes me think....

In other less thoughful news..
1. White Sox pulled another one away from the lowly Kansas City Royals... how such a bad team hit TWO homers in one inning against the best team in baseball (and I CAN say that they are the best team in baseball) is beyond me. Maybe it's just a White Sox thing.
2. Went for a movie and Baja Fresh w/ my friend John on Saturday evening. Movie was weirdly enjoyable.. We saw Brick. Baja Fresh fish tacos... wonderful as always.
3. Watched the original Ghostbusters after not seeing it since 1984. Totally goofy and fun movie. Thank you Netflix.
4. Worked at the hospital yesterday. It was a good day. Got to meet some way cool patients.

That's it. Enjoy your Monday.

2006-05-05T15:06:00.000-04:00

Ok... I feel old..

Remember "Family Ties"? It was a great show... well, the person who played the little sister... Tina Yothers... well, she turned 33 today. WOW.

2006-05-05T09:00:00.000-04:00

I think I still smell like onions...

So... it's Cinco De Mayo today. What it celebrates I still do not know. So..Happy Cinco De Mayo day!! Go drink happy drinks and wear Mexican hats. I will be eating a my grand Mexican lasgna dish that I got up at 4.30 this morning to prepare for tonight's feast at Chez Doran. One unfortunate outcome of preparing the meal is that my home smells like onions and therefore I smell like onions... I thought the whole shower and soap thing this morning after making the meal would have taken care of that....but I'm not so sure.

In other news...
1. White Sox rock!! Who knew my baseball team would be this amazing??
2. Bought a ticket to The Lion King @ the Academy of Music for July 15. Looking forward to it... but, how does the Kimmel Center justify charging $11.50 in service fees for a ticket purchased over the Internet??? Crazy.
3. TODAY IS FRIDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It's been one heck of a work week. and. it. is. finally. over. in. about. 7.5 hours.
4. Only 6 more days until my alarm clock is in stock at LL Bean. I've been waiting for the Blue Lavender Moonbeam clock to get in stock since February. Yes. I am making a big deal about a crazy clock. I've wanted this clock since before Christmas... and my favorite color has been sold out since then. I must really want this crazy thing if I've been checking the LL Bean website every week since Christmas.
5. Going to see Mission Impossible III tomorrow. Sorta weirdly looking forward to it.

That's about it from here.

Happy Friday.

2006-05-03T10:38:00.000-04:00

Me & TV...

In case you haven't noticed... there are some excellent television shows on network TV right now.

One case in particular... "House, M.D." on Fox. Tonight will be the conclusion of a two part episode. Gregory House is probably one of the most complex characters on TV right now. He's nasty, he speaks his mind, he hates patients...but loves figuring out what's wrong with them. He has no friends (except for Wilson), but I think deep down does care for people. The story lines of "House" are usually contained to a single episode... so you can miss an episode and not be totally lost for the rest of the season. The supporting characters are amazing... how they don't know whether to hate House, love House, emulate House, etc...

Anyway, you should be watching.

2006-04-29T14:51:00.000-04:00

Come on... enough with the A/C!!!

Ok... I enjoy air conditioning... I am thankful for air conditioning...but this is crazy... Since I arrived at the hospital this morning (I'm on for another 2 hours) @ 8am..I haven't taken my coat off once... It's that cold in this place. I just went out to buy an overpriced cup of Starbucks to try & get warm. The cold here is driving me crazy...

In other news... today has been an OK day. A couple of hard things... but not bad.

Tonight.. it's Thai food with my friend. Very excited about that.

Nothing else exciting to report except on how busy I've become... I had something almost every night last week.. and this coming week... every single night until next Sunday. UGH. I am so thankful for my little bed at night to fall into.

OK... must go visit some patients.

Enjoy the sunshine.

2006-04-21T08:14:00.000-04:00

Someone is getting a new heart today...

I just walked into my office. My usual route is through the main entrance to the ER. As I was walking by two security guards & a couple of docs were going the other way... one was dragging an Igloo cooler behind him... on the top of the cooler it was written in block letters "Jefferson Heart Transplant." It immediately sent chills through me. Someone is getting a new heart today. There are two patients here that I have met...both have been waiting an EXTREMELY long time for this to happen.

Totally cool start to my day.

God is good.

All the time.

2006-04-13T18:38:00.000-04:00

Update @ 6.39pm...

My cool red sneakers still are in the Fed Ex truck... I missed them again.. alas, I might not see them until Saturday... I think I can wait.

The curse of the Samoa Girl Scout Cookie struck again.... I just ate 7 before I knew what I was doing and stopped.. I literally could have ate the whole box (there are only 8 more cookies... maybe I'll do it later tonight).

Ta-ta...

Enjoy your evening.

2006-04-13T16:45:00.000-04:00

Nothing all that exciting to say..

Myriad Stuff..
1. White Sox won again... 4 in a row.
2. My contacts are bugging the heck out of my eyes... think it's time for a eye doc appt.
3. Today is J. Doran's birthday. He turned 4 today. Today is A. Rasmussen's birthday. She turned 35 today. Today is B. Tindall's birthday. She turned 50 today. Gosh, April 13th is a popular day to be born. Happy Birthday to all... except to J. Doran. He didn't want me to sing to him this morning...but then again, I don't blame him...because I can't sing.
4. How can someone not watch "Lost" and be drawn in??? Last night's love story between Bernard and Rose was awesome. I cried when he proposed. And, by the way, I was trying to figure out where I knew Bernard from (the ACTOR, not the character)... it's the same actor who played the snarly Dr. Kasen on ER during the early seasons. He was a cardiologist who fell in love with Susan Lewis after she treated him during a heart attack.
5. I've almost saved enough to buy a new bed. A new Pottery Barn bed. V. excited about this. Virgin twin size bed will be seeing the local garbage dump in the next couple of months.
6. Glad Bucky is gone from American Idol.
7. Met a guy on eharmony.com... who knew??? V. happy about that. He's cool. We'll see. God really knows who and what is best for me.
8. Still love my little Mazda...but hate the NOT so LITTLE gas prices (currently $2.71/gallon)
9. I need a really good movie to see... nothing out really excites me currently.
10. I'm hoping my new red tennis shoes from LL Bean will be waiting for me when I arrive at home. I missed the Fed Ex guy yesterday. Is it possible to be totally excited about new red tennis shoes??? I'm here to say... Yes. Yes it is.
11. I need some good Chinese food. Haven't had some in a few months.
12. All my good black pens need replacing. I should get on that one...
13. After spending thousands upon thousands of dollars on my credit card I have finally decided to cash in some of my hard earned points. I cashed in 10,000 points for a $100 gift card to Pottery Barn which will be used for the above mentioned purchase of a new bed. It took me FOREVER to get 10,000 points. Thankfully, I'm not keeping track of how long.

Ok.. that's about it... like I said... nothing overly exciting (unless you count #1, #7, & #10).

Bye for now.

Oh.. tomorrow is Good Friday. The day Jesus died upon the cross to save us from the sins of the world. A good Friday if I ever saw one.

2006-04-10T16:43:00.000-04:00

I think we have a winning streak...

The White Sox just won two in a row...

Thank goodness.

It's about time.

2006-04-10T10:26:00.000-04:00

Monday, Monday....

Oh... how I love Mondays... no, not really. It's so hard to get out of bed on Monday mornings... to get back into the swing of things.

Yesterday was absolutely beautiful here... a little chilly... but nice and sunny... a welcome relief from all the rain we had on Saturday. Unfortunately, I didn't have any outdoor activities..and I was too lazy to make one up... so, I stayed in and read the paper... and took a nap while watching some sporting event on TV.

Nothing else overly exciting to report... gosh, this post is lame.. just talking about the weather. How exciting is that??? I know.. not very.

Bye for now.

2006-04-07T08:47:00.000-04:00

Another Friday...

So.. what has happened in my week....

Monday: came home, watched the NCAA Championship Game... fell asleep on the couch.

Tuesday: left work, went to Drexel, learned all there is to know about DNA in 45 minutes, came home, fell asleep on the couch.

Wednesday: left work, went to my meeting at the hospital, came home, watched LOST, and then...fell asleep on the couch.

Thursday: left work, went to Bible study, came home (around 11pm), watched some of Jay Leno, and then...fell asleep on the couch.

Friday: I presume the same thing will happen. Since I have to work tomorrow I don't expect any grand plans for tonight..except go home, eat dinner, maybe do a little laundry, and then fall asleep on the couch.

V.V. exciting life that I lead.

In other news...
1. I succumbed to the drawing power of Starbucks on 10& Chestnut. I'm $3.75 poorer...but I have one heck a good cup of coffee to start my day. Why do I NOT flinch at the price of Starbucks coffee...but buying gas at $2.59/gallon is making me weep???
2. White Sox got their World Series rings this week. I cried when I read the article... I love that the fans gave Aaron Rowand a huge roar... I'm glad he isn't bitter about being traded to Philadelphia. It still amazes me when I hear "The World Champion Chicago White Sox" ... OK... 2005 is over... they need to get something started in '06.
3. Did I mention that I have to work tomorrow... On a Saturday. UGH.
4. How can people not like "Lost"??????????????? Totally amazing show.
5. Only "24" might claim to be a better program. Kiefer is well... frickin' amazing.

Ta-ta.

Enjoy your weekend.

2006-04-03T15:49:00.000-04:00

Oh. My. God.

i just ate 3 (THREE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!) dunkin' donuts today.

THREE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

my only saving grace.

i spaced them 2 hours apart from each other.

2006-04-03T09:59:00.000-04:00

Updates..

1. Bruise is big... not yet a grapefruit...most definitely an orange.
2. Baseball is back. ChiWhiteSox 10 Clvd Indians 4
3. Had an eye-opening experience at Nordstrom's on Saturday.. that's all I'm saying.

That's about it for now.

2006-03-30T11:46:00.000-05:00

Office Chair 1 Leslie 0

I just ran into the corner of one of my office chairs with my thigh. Ouch is a mild word for the pain I felt. Say all the "forbidden" swear words in your head... That's what I just said...but out loud.

I will have a bruise.

It will be the size of a small grapefruit.

Hopefully, there will NOT be a round two between me and the chair.

2006-03-29T14:50:00.000-05:00

Rejected Hallmark Greeting Cards (no...really!!!!)

For Christmas:

Christmas just wouldn't be the same without peanut brittle....or Jesus.

For Marriage:

Marriage is a bond that is unbreakable except by two-thirds of the population....But it's you top-third couples that give the rest of us hope.

(see the rest at foxnews.com)

Ta-ta...

Update on shoes ordered on zappos.com: they arrived on Monday... I am wearing them today. V.V. nice... :O) Enjoying v. much wearing shoes w/o socks on this beautiful Spring day!!

2006-03-28T22:33:00.000-05:00

Brains, Hearts, Kidneys, Lungs, etc....

Tonight was my first night for the Spring semester of Drexel's mini med school. This class is specifically for lay people (and high school students) interested in learning about medicine in a fun stress free way... Tonight was Gross Anatomy. It was great... I got to hold a human brain in my hands. I got to see what smoking does to your lungs. I got to see a poly cystic kidney... AMAZING....

And...drinking alcohol REALLY does keep your arteries clean... we saw one that had no plaque whatsoever... the pathogist said it was probably from an alcoholic...b/c no one's is that clean.... most everybody will have plaque at one point or another.. So, a couple of drinks will not kill you... it actually will help you... Crazy!!! But true.

We saw an artificial heart value. A brain with stroke. A heart w/ a scar from a heart attack....

And... truth be told... the smell wasn't all that bad...

Ta-ta.

2006-03-28T14:01:00.000-05:00

My Weekend...

Was nice... Not too hectic... not too lazy. On Friday night I stayed at home and read a book and watched some good ol' college basketball (can we say GEORGE MASON!!!). You gotta love March Madness. Sports at its finest.

On Saturday I had the honor of helping out at a birthday party for my favorite little ones on the East Coast. Emma & Joseph. I was totally tired out after 3 hours of 10 little kids running around for 3 hours. It turned out to be a great party... Kudos to Sue & Jamie!!! After the party I did a little shopping at Ann Taylor Loft for Spring. Saturday night had a great salad & watched "The Bourne Identity" with some friends.

Sunday & Monday I was in Hershey, PA for a planning meeting for my conference in October. Love these meetings. Love the fact that I get free food... (ie Lobster Ravoli)... Drove home yesterday with the moonroof open and such... It was a beautiful day.

When I got back from Hershey I watched "The 40 year Old Virgin"... Great Movie. A little raunchy... but the movie had a different way of saying that celibacy until marriage is a good thing. Why would I want to have sex with someone who is not my husband? The quick answer... I wouldn't.

In other news: my friend's brain tumor shrunk 30-40%. Folks, this is a damn good thing. Damn good thing. The docs are amazed & befuddled. God still heals. It is apparent to every one of us (there is still a long way to go...but so far...so good).

On the other end of life... is death. A person I knew from 10 years ago...he has lost 2 friends in the span of 18 days. This man & his family probably don't even remember me anymore... I knew him from when I planning a conference back in Ohio. He is a pastor of a church in Cincinnati. The people who died were also pastors...both young... one of cancer, the other of some type of pneumonia. I've been reading his blog lately and of the people who died. It's still hard to fathom sometimes... you are here today...but gone tomorrow. Literally. 3 days ago, one of the men was celebrating his son's birthday... and yesterday he died of cancer.

Sorry to end this post as a downer. But not really... because both of those guys are dancing with Jesus. So, it's not so bad... really???

2006-03-24T13:27:00.000-05:00

Eating lunch...

Today's lunch was a cup of soup, some jello, and some cookies for dessert. Mmmmmmmmmmmmm... what fun.

Since the beginning of the year I have written down EVERYTHING I have spent. No matter if it's $500 or $0.50. I have realized I spend way too much on food... Honestly that's my biggest expenditure besides my housing costs. I mean to bring my lunch to work, to not stop at Wawa on Sunday afternoons, or stop at Baja Fresh, etc... I just don't... and it so needs to change. But the thing is... I hate to cook. I'm only one person.. the effort it takes to cook for one is hardly worth it. I would much rather cook for a family and take home left overs than to dirty 7 pans for one spaghetti dinner.

Other news:
1. My heart broke for Gonzaga last night... tough, tough loss. That's what I love about March Madness... REAL excitement, REAL misery, REAL talent, etc...
2. Another weekend in Hershey. I should just move there.
3. Found a pair of black shoes... v. excited... except my co-worker said that $80 was too much to spend. I disagree... I'll wear them until they have holes in the bottom.

Nothing else too exciting. Actually, life has been quite boring... which, in truth... can't be a bad thing.

2006-03-22T13:03:00.000-05:00

Shoes, Shoes, Shoes...

I'm in the middle of trying to find a new pair of black shoes for Spring... this is harder than I originally thought. I've tried lots of places for shoes... Lord & Taylor.. my usual shoe place... was a dud. Same with Nordstroms... which is KNOWN for their shoe department. I am now going online... I found a pair I like at zappos.com...they may be promising.

I'm not really a shoe snob... but I know what I like and what looks good... and usually my shoes can't be had for under $70. Maybe that seems expensive to some dear readers...but I wear my shoes until they have holes in the bottom... Anyway, I don't buy that many pairs a shoes/year.. so, $70 isn't that much for me.

In other news:
1. Baseball season is coming close. I just received my O's tickets in the mail for the July 29th game. V. excited.
2. Have decided not to see Wicked (tickets mostly sold out... not willing to pay to sit behind a pole). Still debating about seeing The Lion King. V. mad that the Kimmel Center charges $11.50 for service fees per ticket... Almost seems not worth it.
3. Shashank has two more days at Penn... Gosh, I'm going to miss the guy. There is always email.
4. Hoping Gonzaga can beat UCLA. Definitely would be nice to see (oh.. I do hope Villanova wins also).
5. Ray Meyer, the "Coach", was laid to rest yesterday. One of the main reasons I attended DePaul was because of Ray Meyer. He was a favorite of EVERYONE in Chicago. I remember one person from a family picnic YEARS ago, saying how jealous she was of me because I was able to go to DePaul... She said she would have LOVED to say that she was DePaul student because she could then say that Ray Meyer was the coach of her college basketball team. He lived a good life... died at 92. He's now back hanging out with his wife in heaven. That's a good thought.

Nothing else too exciting. Looking forward to the weekend...but then again, I think I'm ALWAYS looking forward to the weekend.

2006-03-21T10:55:00.000-05:00

Correction...

My old friend just corrected me on my last post... I don't know what I was thinking....

Yes... drug companies make billions of dollars on drugs. Billions upon billions of dollars. Billions upon billions upon billions are dollars.

We need more accountability...... but definitely not a national health plan..

2006-03-20T14:30:00.000-05:00

Very Thankful for Health Insurance...

Just got my Lipitor refilled...

Without insurance... 90 pills... $227.98
With insurance... same amount... $20.00 copay.

No wonder our healthcare system is so screwed up. The drug companies who are charging outrageous prices aren't making any money... same with hospitals & docs.

Still not sure if we should go to a national health plan (ie.. UK or Cananda)... but there has to be a better way...

2006-03-17T08:19:00.000-05:00

Sometimes a perfect day...

begins with a cup of Starbucks Coffee (like today)..

I hope it ends as well as it started.

Have a great St. Patrick's Day.

2006-03-16T09:54:00.000-05:00

Match Day 2006

Today is the day all across the nation when forth year medical students will find out where they will be spending their next phase of their lives...to start their careers as doctors. It's a very exciting day. I'm in the basement and match happens two floors above me... I always can hear the roar around 11.45am when students open their envelopes to find out what hospital has chosen them.

I am slightly jealous of this... I'm slightly jealous that I don't have something or someone or some computer match me up with the perfect place I should be.

I wish I knew where was home for me... .

Also...here's a public shout out to Katy Balk. A woman of God if I've ever met one. She is amazing. She is intelligent (getting her Ph.D. at Johns Hopkins). She is crazy. I'm thankful she's my friend. We had a wonderful conversation last night... the first in about 4 months. It was nice. It was worth using all of my cell phone minutes on her.

Ta-ta for now.

2006-03-14T10:13:00.000-05:00

Checking in...

Hi there. It's been more than a couple of days... Blogging is definitely slowing down. I think this is a good thing....or maybe a bad thing.. one shall see.

News:
1. Zoom-zoom-zoom. My little Mazda3 is a zoomer. Last night I had no where to go...but I still took it out for a little spin around the Delaware Valley. I ended up in Paoli... turned around and came back. It's a great little car. Totally my style. Things I LOVE: the 4 doors, the inside lights that turn blue at night, the great stereo, the mileage that only says "1025"
2. My tongue is still slightly numb from the wisdom teeth surgery. The oral surgeon said everything was healing nicely. Today is the first day since last week where I actually feel like I'm getting better.
3. My "No-Chocolate" during Lent update: Well, all of last week I didn't eat chocolate... this week is another story. I ended up buying a box of chocolate marshmallow star cookies from Acme last night. I ate 3 this morning for breakfast. V. V. good.

That's it for now...

Ta-ta

2006-03-09T09:16:00.001-05:00

Saying goodbye is never an easy thing to do...

So, I met my friend/doctor (Shashank Desai) yesterday afternoon at Penn for a cup of coffee and some conversation. If you remember, dear readers, he is leaving Philadelphia for a job in Fairfax, VA to run & revive a heart transplant program. I was strong... I didn't cry until the very end.

We talked about his taking the job, his time at Penn, his choosing cardiology--specifically heart transplant & how there is NO money in transplant medicine... talked about me staying in Philly, me leaving Philly.. talked about his wife, my lack of a husband, my pining for a guy named Eric, me getting angry about a guy named Eric, we talked about him moving, about running a transplant program, about his lack of organizational skills, about his not having a clue, about how the "medicine" will be the easy part of his new job.

And, I truly believe, if ANYONE can do this job... it is Shashank. He is brillant and humble. Even though he says he doesn't know what he'll do... I know he does. He has trained at the best places in the country for transplant medicine. Now he is moving on to bring that knowledge to an area of the country that desperately needs it. (btw, you wouldn't think the DC region would have such a dire need.... but they do).

I am so thankful that I was able to cross paths with Shashank.
Well, must be getting along... my day is calling.

2006-03-07T12:11:00.000-05:00

Please don't let it stay like this forever...

My tongue is still numb. 4 days after surgery. I read today that this risk gets higher the older you get... It could take weeks or months to go away... Or, worse case scenario...it could be permanent. Right after you burn your tongue on hot soup or pizza... this is how it feels 24/7. I've started to lisp like Cindy Brady.

I'm not a happy camper today. NOT. AT. ALL.

I have an appointment with the oral surgeon on Friday morning. I'm sure he'll just tell me this is normal.

God, I'm hoping that this goes away.

2006-03-06T13:50:00.000-05:00

Monday ramblings...

It's almost 72 hours post wisdom teeth extraction. And I still hurt. I've lost 3.5 pounds... and not for a lack of trying... I have tried eating and I'm not doing very well at it. Mostly have been sipping soup and/or tea. And lots of Nutrigrain bars..b/c they are soft.

To top that off... I think I caught a cold that was going around my office last week... Basically just adds insult to injury. I stayed home from work today... I have the sick time and that's what it is for... when I'm sick.

Post-Oscar Analysis... V.V. happy to see "Crash" win last night. Definitely a best picture worthy film. Jon Stewart wasn't the worst host.. but definitely not the best either.

Ok... I have a headache... think I'll take a nap now.

Ta-ta.

2006-03-01T08:29:00.000-05:00

Why I am running away from the Girl Scouts (& other random words...)

Today is the first day of Lent. Historically, this is the time we are to prepare ourselves for the crucifixion of Christ. In my Catholic upbringing... this also brought no meat on Fridays, the milk boxes to fill with coins for the missions, and the most revered of them all---abstaining from something for 40 days & 4o nights.

Since I have left the Catholic church and have adopted a more "evangelical" Christian outlook on life... and on Easter... most of my Catholic traditions have fallen away.... Yes, I will now eat meat on Fridays without hesitation, etc...

One thing that I have kept year after year is trying to abstain from something that I love. Every year it is sweets...and EVERY year I fail miserably...

So... again this year I will try.... today is Day 1. Only 15 more hours until I go to bed tonight... Only 15 more hours of trying to not eat chocolate. I'm taking it one day at a time.... Gosh, I sound like I'm in a 12 step program.

Regarding my title to today's post: I was at Acme on Monday evening... there were Girl Scouts at the exit hawking their last boxes of cookies... I saw the familiar purple hue of a box of Samoas (my favorite). I knew if I bought them I would have had to finish them all by last night...which, truth be told, wouldn't have been that hard (there are only 14 in a box)... but I went to the other exit... less be tempted by the Girl Scouts and their $3.50 box of cookies.

Ta-ta...

2006-02-27T14:36:00.000-05:00

sleepy....

drove back from BWI last night...got home right before 1am. up for work at 6am... v.v. tired.

i promise a longer post is coming soon...

one good thing (and it's about time).... Kenny Williams (ChiSox GM) FINALLY slammed Frank Thomas for the selfish jerk he is. Ahh... baseball season...right around the corner.

2006-02-15T08:16:00.000-05:00

Updates... and a little thing called iTunes..

Well, the flowers that I bought yesterday for $10.40 were all dead when I walked into my office today. That's never happened to me before with Gerbera (thanks Erica..for the correct spelling) daisies. I went to a flower shop that I have never used before (a block from work)... I think they were pretty much dead when I bought them. Oh well... they were pretty for one day.

My DSL line... is mysteriously working once again... go figure. Maybe when I swore at the earthlink.net IT person... that pushed it through a little faster.... OK... probably not. Sorry all... my cover is broken. I swear sometimes...

So... last night when I discovered that my DSL was up and running... I thought I would look around in iTunes... I happened to have a iTunes gift card that was purchased months ago (frankly I was going to give it away because I didn't think I would ever use it) and decided to experiment a little. Beware, iTunes is addictive. ADDICTIVE. I don't think I'll ever buy a real album again (ok... not true...)... Before I knew it... it was after Midnight and I was still browsing music and purchasing songs for 99 cents. So... on my first run through... here is what I bought:

You're Beautiful.... James Blunt
I could sing of your love forever... Delirious?
History Make... Delirious?
Every Little Thing...Delirious?
I'm Not Ashamed...Delirious?
Another Time, Another Place...Sandi Patty
I can only Imagine... MercyMe
Into the West...Annie Lenox (TLOTR soundtrack)
Bless the Broken Road... Rascal Flatts
I'm Already There... Lonestar
Open My Eyes... Jeff Anderson
Where the Streets Have No Name... U2 (live from Rotterdam version)

Ahh.... my own mix album....totally online.

Addictive I tell you....

Addictive.

2006-02-14T09:28:00.000-05:00

Happy Valentine's Day!!!

I bought myself flowers...because dammit... I'm worth it.
(plus... I love Gerbera Daisies).

Enjoy your day.

2006-02-13T10:39:00.000-05:00

Snow! (it's about time...)

Much to my amazement... it snowed this weekend. Although it seems to make EVERYONE around me a little more crabby...I was happy. Thankfully I don't use my car during the week... so, it silently sleeps under 2 feet of snow.

Other randomness...

1. Grey's Anatomy... LOVE THIS SHOW. I cried when George coached Dr. Bailey through her delivery. I'm definitely glad I stayed up to watch an hour of fine television (it only took a Diet Coke and 8 thin mint Girl Scout cookies)

2. Elizabethtown... watched this as the "snow storm of the century" was happening outside. Not good at all except for the last 20 minutes.

3. Saw that the author of "Jaws" died over the weekend... read that for his 40th wedding anniversary... he and his wife went swimming with sharks. that's just plain weird.

that's it.

ta-ta for now.

2006-02-08T10:00:00.000-05:00

Randomness Wednesday...

1. I think Starbucks Coffee tastes MUCH better when it's free. I now have only 96 cents on my Starbucks Card my mom gave me for Christmas. I probably will not be recharging it.

2. My DSL on my new computer worked for all of one evening. Called Earthlink customer support last night.... Was on the phone for almost an hour. Although they were all extremely helpful, no one could figure out my problem. The wait for a high-speed internet connection continues.

3. Love Monkey on CBS... I'm not so excited about it anymore... I still love Tom Cavanaugh.. but this show is not all that exciting.

4. On the other hand, Scrubs last night was priceless in a "that's so funny" type of way.

Ta-ta.

2006-02-07T11:38:00.000-05:00

"Happy/Sad" Moment...

One of my favorite people in the world is leaving Philadelphia. S. Desai, MD was offered a job in Fairfax, VA and he is taking it. Intellectually, I know he would be CRAZY to not take the offer even though my heart says otherwise.

I met Dr. Desai almost 5 years ago when I was admitted as a patient at the University of Pennsylvania. He's pretty much one of the most amazing human beings I have ever gotten a chance to know. And I really think I'm a better person by knowing him.

There was a point a few years ago when I was upset about a certain thing going on in my life. We happened to be at a dinner thrown by Penn and this topic came around. Of course, I started crying. S. just stopped that and spoke some real truth into my life. Even though this was almost three years ago... I'll never forget it.

Last year I had to be admitted into the hospital because of a certain 3 yr old boy & his germs. They ended up making me quite sick. It was a Saturday morning and all the new interns had arrived by my bedside for rounds. Of course I was crying because I was worried. And then out of the blue, I hear S's voice coming from down the hall (it was a Saturday... normally attendings aren't at the hospital...unless it's their weekend to cover)... he came into my room... and I asked him if all the newbies could leave... he shooed them out of the room... he held my hand and just sat with me until I was done crying. He's wonderful in that way.

He's always treated me as a friend who he knows instead of just a patient he sees and never really "hears".

I ran into him and his wife at the movie theater last summer (they live a couple towns over from me)... It was nice.. in a neighborly sort of way.

When I would come in for appointments... we ended up talking about cars, bands, etc. I would tease him about his BMW... because you know... all docs drive BMWs...

He's someone who doesn't get angry very often. Another person who cares about him deeply said "in all the years I have worked here... I've only seen him get angry once." I wish the same could be said for me (it can't... I have a broken picture frame to prove it).

The best thing about him. He loves his wife. Totally and utterly without a doubt. He is passionate about her. And this is what I love about him.. no matter how much money he will make, how successful he will get, etc...he will always be this guy who happens to love his wife.

I will say goodbye, probably with a card & a gift, and let him go. Maybe I'll get to see him again, maybe not...

If not... I'll be sad for a little while... but I'm so lucky to have known him. So, so, so very lucky.

2006-02-01T12:56:00.000-05:00

Anybody want a much loved Honda???

So.... I got a new car. Brand spankin' new. 2006 new.

The winner this time around was Mazda. I'm the proud owner of a new Copper Red Mica Mazda3 four-door with all the bells and whistles.

To date... it's the most expensive thing I have ever purchased. Feels kinda funky.... as in "I can actually afford something that costs THAT much??" OK guys... it's not a BMW 3 sooo the cost was reasonable.

In other news.... I finally have started organizing my pictures from England and working on my new scrapbook. It's a really relaxing thing for me. I'm sooo not that creative... but the pictures look so much better when there is a story behind them... and I've found that a little creativity goes a long, long ways... I can't wait to see how the finished product comes out.

Superbowl Sunday... I'll be spending it in Hershey. This will be fun...since Hershey is in central PA... there will probably be tons of Pittsburgh fans watching the game with us... will make it all that more exciting (and on a personal note.... Sue, I'm proud of you that you knew which teams were playing in the game on Sunday... even if you only like football because of the "sound")...

State of the Union Address: Loved it. So what if Bush is only at 39% approval rating. Damn it... He is the President of the United States. That trumps everything else. He was very confident last night... and it showed.

Bye for now. Ta-ta.

2006-01-26T09:24:00.000-05:00

Something I've always loved reading...

The sedentary Presbyterians
Awoke, arose, and filed to tables spread
With white, to humble bits that showed how God
Almighty had decided to embrace
Humanity, and why these clean, well-fed,
Well-dressed suburbanites might need his grace.
The pious cruel, the petty gossipers
And callous climbers on the make, the wives
With icy tongues and husbands with their hearts
Of stone, the ones who battle drink and do
Not always win, the power lawyers mute
Before this awful bar of mercy, boys
Uncertain of themselves and girls not sure
Of where they fit, the poor and rich hemmed in
Alike by cash, physicians waiting to
Be healed, two women side by side—the one
With unrequited longing for a child,
The other terrified by signs within
Of life, the saintly weary weary in
Pursuit of good, the academics (soft
And cosseted) who posture with their words,
The travelers coming home from chasing wealth
Or power or wantonness, the mothers choked
By dual duties, parents nearly crushed
By children died or lost, and some
With cancer-ridden bodies, some with spikes
Of pain in chest or back or knee or mind
Or heart. They come, O Christ, they come to you.
They came, they sat, they listened to the words,
“for you my body broken.” Then they ate
and turned away—the spent unspent, the dead
recalled, a hint of color on the psychic
cheek—from tables groaning under weight
of tiny cups and little crumbs of bread.

--Mark A. Noll, Seasons of Grace (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker, 1997), 52-53

2006-01-24T12:46:00.000-05:00

Funny Song Lyric..

"tried talking to Jesus, he just put me on hold..he said he been swamped with calls this week & couldn't shake his cold"
--Colin Hay, "Beautiful World"

thank goodness the above isn't true.

but you know... sometimes it REALLY feels like that.

2006-01-20T12:34:00.000-05:00

Ugh... Duh, Les...

Soup is hot. Who would have thought?

Remember folks, be careful when handling soup... less you become like me and burn your fingers trying to pick up a hot plastic cup.

In other news:
1. I'm about to become the scorn of about 50 students through no fault of my own (but I will be blamed).
2. I'm seeing a Beatles cover band tonight. I can't believe I am saying those words... but it should be fun.

That's it. Now must eat soup...because I'm actually quite hungry.

2006-01-19T13:57:00.000-05:00

If you're ever lost... please don't ask me for directions...

I just ran out a little bit ago to get a salad. Well, a woman in her car at 11th & Walnut called out to me "Ms... do you know how to get to Hahnemann Hospital?"... UGH... "well, take this street down to Race and turn left." I think it's in that general area.

So... poor woman... if you happen to ever stumble across this site... please forgive me for giving you bad directions.

Anyhoo... everybody KNOWS that Jefferson is better than Hahnemann. So... maybe I'm saving her from bad medical care.

2006-01-18T15:35:00.000-05:00

In my opinion...

Wendy's has the best chicken nuggets.

I swallowed 10 of them in about 90 seconds.

I must have been hungry.

2006-01-17T14:58:00.000-05:00

What someone said to me today...

So... I was at a meeting today... this meeting had lots of smart people in attendence. Lots of Ph.Ds, MDs, MAs, etc.... I think EVERYONE in the room (minus one person) had an advanced degree...

Well, I was talking with someone who said ... "so, so&so and I were talking about you the other day... she said you had some interesting way of thinking about some things. She also said that you are in support of the Bush Administration."

I answered her... "Yes... that's true. I'm a Bush Backer all the way. I love the man."

Her answer: "Well, I guess some intelligent people can be Bush supporters."

I just smiled. This is why I don't talk politics in a MOSTLY liberal university. If they only knew... I voted for Clinton twice.

Enjoy your Tuesday.

ps... Watch "Love Monkey" tonight 10/9CST on CBS... My favorite actor is back on television... Tom Cavanaugh. Yes. I'm a TV junkie.

2006-01-15T08:49:00.000-05:00

Finally....

Winter is back. It's about time. I know you all must think I'm crazy for wanting winter weather to return...but, it's January folks... it's supposed to be cold. Bring on the 20 degree days.

But thinking forward to July.... and 90 degree days and days of baseball. I am the proud owner of two seats to the July 29th game between the White Sox and the Orioles at Camden Park. Section 210. Seats 11 & 12. Now all I need is to decide who to take.

I am at the hospital this morning working a shift until 5pm. I'm hoping for a quiet day.

Nothing else too exciting to report.

Enjoy your Sunday.

2006-01-13T16:56:00.000-05:00

I'm off...

to North East, Maryland for the day tomorrow. I'll be spending the day right on the tip of the Chesapeake Bay... seeing old friends, eating good food, listening to great messages about God.

can't wait.

2006-01-11T16:19:00.000-05:00

Really nothing..

yep... nothing exciting to report. contemplating buying tickets to the White Sox/O's game in Baltimore in July.

big tech news: i figured out how to put the white sox logo on my cell phone...

i had lots of pasta last night... definitely a comfort food which helped b/c i was feeling like crap yesterday (left work early).

haven't heard from someone in almost a month... kinda miss talking to him.

looking forward to seeing "Glory Road"... i'm a sucker for inspirational sports movies...(ie... Hoosiers, Remember The Titans, Rudy)

another one of my friends is getting married. are there ANY more single people out there?

is it bad that i already know what type of engagement ring i want??? question... if the guy buys a ring you absolutely abhor... is that a sign???? do you say anything? maybe that's why most guys play it safe with a round solitare.

"Lost" is a new episode tonight. Very glad about that....

I need a new muffler on my car... not happy about that. i'm embarrassed at how loud it is right now.

My car choices have been narrowed .... Ford Fusion or Mazda3. The Ford Fusion is really a Mazda6 in a Ford Body... I think it will be the Mazda... I can't see me owning a Ford. EVER. (no offense to those who do own Fords)

Bye for now.

2006-01-09T08:19:00.000-05:00

My Book & Movie Lists for 2005!

Books I read in 2005 (most were NOT released in '05)
1. The Last Juror, John Grisham
2. Shopaholic & Sister, Sophie Kinsella
3. Shopgirl, Steve Martin
4. Blue Like Jazz, Donald Miller
5. A Walk to Remember, Nicholas Sparks
6. This Side of Married, Rachel Pastan
7. 1776, David McCullough
8. Harry Potter & The Half Blood Prince, JK Rowling
9. About A Boy, Nick Hornby
10. Pride & Prejudice, Jane Austen
11. A Long Way Down, Nick Hornby
12. Jemima J, Jane Green

My favorites from the above list: Pride & Prejudice, About A Boy, Blue Like Jazz, & 1776.

My favorite "chick lit": Jemima J

My favorite quote: from Pride & Prejudice. Elizabeth Bennett is writing to her Aunt regarding Mr. Darcy: "I am the happiest creature in the world. Perhaps other people have said so b efore, but no one with such justice. I am happier even than Jane; she only smiles. I laugh. "

Movies I saw in a theatre in 2005
1. Million Dollar Baby
2. In Good Company
3. Hitch
4. Finding Neverland
5. The Interpreter
6. Crash
7. Kicking & Screaming
8. Star Wars III
9. Cinderella Man
10. Batman Begins
11. Charlie & the Chocolate Factory
12. Wedding Crashers
13. Must Love Dogs
14. March of the Penquins
15. The Constant Gardener
16. Just like Heaven
17. Lord of War
18. In Her Shoes (2x)
19. Shopgirl
20. Pride & Prejudice (2x)
21. Harry Potter: The Goblet of Fire
22. The Chronicles of Narnia
23. Rumor Has It...
24. King Kong

My top 5 movies that I saw this past year:
5. The Chronicles of Narnia
4. Pride & Prejudice
3. King Kong
2. Cinderella Man
1. Crash

My advice to my 5 readers: RUN don't walk... and get yourself a copy of Crash on DVD. I saw this movie on May 15, 2005... and I STILL think about it.

Movie that other people raved about but I didn't like: Million Dollar Baby (other than Morgan Freeman's performance...), Batman Begins

Movies that I wish I would have waited for the DVD: Hitch, Kicking & Screaming, Must Love Dogs, & Just Like Heaven.

Movies that I still need to see from 2005: Walk the Line, Syriana, Good Night & Good Luck (and others I forget).

Movie where I was PLEASANTLY surprised: Star Wars III (George Lucas pulled it out in the end).

Movie where I fell asleep and don't even care: Harry Potter: The Goblet of Fire.

Movie where I jumped out of my seat because I got spooked: King Kong.

Most Magical Movie: The Chronicles of Narnia

Movie that would be on my "Top 5" list if I saw it in 2005: Brokeback Mountain. Another gem by Ang Lee. (I saw it 2 days ago).

Ok... that's about it for now.

Enjoy your Monday (or Tuesday, etc... whenever you read this!)

2006-01-07T09:55:00.000-05:00

It's still early...(to go have fun!!)

I'm going home. I guess it pays to get up at 6am and work for a few hours on Saturday.

I'll write more later... I still have best of 2005 to write about!

Ta-ta.

2006-01-03T11:32:00.000-05:00

It's about time...

Two new Scrubs episodes tonight!!!!

Finally.

2005-12-27T22:06:00.000-05:00

Greetings from Warm Chicago.

I think it was almost 50 degrees today. Way too warm for Chicago in December. Yes, I'm actually complaining. Chicago in December should be at least a little chilly.

Christmas. It was great. Everyone was well fed. The kids loved their presents. The grown ups loved all their drink. We went to Christmas Mass @ 10pm (my parents' church doesn't hold a Midnight Mass anymore) and listened to the Christmas message. The Bears brought home a victory on Christmas Day against a faltering Brett Favre. It was a fun holiday all around.

The day after was spent in Chicago fighting the crowds to get pictures taken at the great tree in the Walnut Room at Marshall Field's before it just becomes another personality-free Macy's. I took some great pictures of the big clock & the signs outside the store. It will be sad to see another Chicago institution go away. And, yes... we also did shop.

The rest of the week will be filled with seeing old friends, going to movies (we saw "Rumor Has It" tonight), and sleeping late. I was invited to a party at a bar down on LaSalle Street for NYE. I think I will go. Supposedly it's a great crowd (older, not so wild) and it's free.

Well, that's about it from here. I must go and fiddle with my new Ipod. Very cool. I think I might just be hip now.

Enjoy your evening.

2005-12-22T12:51:00.000-05:00

How sad...

Tony Dungy's (Head coach of the Indianapolis Colts) son died today. Kinda puts the Superbowl into perspective. In the grand scheme of things.... a ball game really doesn't matter.

2005-12-20T15:31:00.000-05:00

Answers to your questions...

1. Pride & Prejudice.
2. I'm not sure... probably not.

Now... that's random.

2005-12-18T19:05:00.000-05:00

Mr. Darcy to Elizabeth Bennett:

"You must know... surely, you must know it was all for you. You are too generous to travel with me. I believe you spoke with my aunt last night, and it has taught me to hope as I'd scarcely allowed myself before. If your feelings are still what they were last April, tell me so at once. My affections and wishes have not changed, but one word from you will silence me forever. If, however, your feelings have changed, I will have to tell you: you have bewitched me, body and soul, and I love... I love... I love you. I never wish to be parted from you from this day on."

(the movie was better the 2nd time around)

2005-12-16T12:25:00.000-05:00

Because I'm totally unoriginal today (due to lack of sleep getting ready for my Christmas Party tonight)...

(i stole this idea from someone else's blog...)

Four Jobs that I have held
1. TCBY yogurt girl
2. Loews Movie Usher
3. Telemarketer for Montgomery Ward Life Insurance
4. Tutor for Special Needs kids

Four Cities/towns I have lived
1. South Holland, IL
2. Willoughby Hills, OH
3. Cuyahoga Falls, OH
4. Chicago, IL

Four TV Shows I watch
1. Extreme Makeover: Home Edition
2. Grey's Anatomy
3. Lost
4. Two and a half Men

Four Places I've been on vacation
1. San Francisco, CA
2. Aspen, CO
3. London, England
4. Westport, Ireland

Four Websites I frequent regularly
1. cnn.com
2. usatoday.com
3. chicagotribune.com
4. amazon.com

Four favorite foods and/or drinks
1. very cold lemonade
2. a good merlot
3. boddington's beer
4. bbq ribs

That's all folks for today... Enjoy your weekend. :O)

2005-12-15T10:40:00.000-05:00

10 days left for shopping (so get to it Chris...) and other random ramblings...

So, I was asked... (not so nicely... might I add) to do another post in my blog. I think taking a few days off for the holidays is reasonable...

Here is more randomness about me:
1. My first "adult" concert was Michael Jackson @ Comiskey Park (I was 12)
2. During my first year of driving I was involved in 6 accidents (they weren't all my fault). My first accident was plowing down a $500/15 year old Boston Pear Tree.
3. For not being to a dentist in a loooooooooooooong time... it wasn't so bad... only 1 cavity (and the news that.. yes, my wisdom teeth need to come out).
4. I eat cereal without milk.
5. I hate yogurt.
6. Despise peanut butter & jelly sandwiches.
7. My favorite restaurant is Berghoff's in Chicago.
8. I still get excited when I think of the White Sox winning the series.
9. I want to see "Brokeback Mountain"
10. I always wander through the toy aisles @ Target with a smile.

That's about it for now.

Enjoy your Thursday!

2005-12-12T08:30:00.000-05:00

Life... and all its stories...

Sorry to plagarize from the King of Prussia ad that seems to be on the TV every 5 minutes...

So.... today is the dreaded dentist appointment. UGH. Still can't figure out why I am sooo fearful. Will report back tomorrow.

My overnight at the hospital: I'm just in awe of what humans can do to each other. Horrible evening.

From the "You-Can-Learn-A-Lot-From-TV-Sometimes" file: Extreme Makeover: Home Edition... how can you NOT want to jump out and help someone after watching this show???? I think I cried for 2 hours last night. Then there is the sappy, soapy, & dreamy medical drama, "Grey's Anatomy"... One line struck me... One of the docs speaking of why he believes in God said (to his girlfriend... the agnostic Jew): "I need to believe in something bigger than myself... if I don't... I'll go crazy" (or something to that effect)...

So.. go forth my 5 readers... believe in something bigger than yourselves today.

2005-12-10T17:25:00.000-05:00

Saturday evening...

I'm here the hospital for my last overnight of the year. I'm hoping for a slow night. We shall see.

Today I went to see "The Chronicles of Narnia: the Lion, Witch, and the Wardrobe". I really enjoyed the movie. At times, it seemed like "Lord of the Rings: the Diet Version".... and if you see it... you will know what scenes I mean. But other than that, the casting was superb. I loved the kids cast. The story is a classic.

Nothing else too exciting to report.... I'm off to visit a patient.

Enjoy your evening.

2005-12-09T14:47:00.000-05:00

Random Thoughts...

One thing I can never figure out about Protestant churches...most WILL NOT be meeting on Sunday, December 25th. The reason: because it's Christmas Day. One of the most important Christian holidays of the year... & the church doesn't meet. I still haven't heard a very good reason why. This so doesn't make sense. It's a Sunday, so they should be meeting. There is no excuse of the "Oh... Christmas is a Wednesday this year so we aren't meeting." UGH.

The Catholics have and always will have one up on the Protestant church when it comes to Christmas services. Bring on Midnight Mass.

Re: Federal Marshals & Miami airplane shooting. It was horrible that an innocent man was killed...but that's what these guys are trained to do.. shoot to kill. Again, don't yell out that you have a bomb on a plane... you should be OK.

Snow and local news stations in Philadelphia. Some of the worst sensationalist reporting around. It's winter. It's supposed to snow. It's like Chicken Little & the sky is falling.

Good things:
1. 16 days until Christmas & my shopping is all finished.
2. Christmas Music all day long..
3. Snow.
4. My Christmas Tree.
5. Top Tomato Pizza tonight!!

That's it for now.

2005-12-08T09:10:00.000-05:00

Things I'm just *shocked* (I TELL YOU) *shocked* about...

1. I usually don't comment on the life of would be celebrities... cause frankly I don't care... but Nicole Richie and her DJ boyfriend broke off their engagement... SHOCKED!!!! I thought their's would be a marriage forever.

2. If you say that you have a bomb on a plane... you might be shot. I'm SHOCKED that the federal marshals did their jobs. (ok... I'm mildly upset and maybe I should be more upset that an innocent & apparently mentally unstable man died...)

Ok.. their was your 9.14am early dose of sarcasm.

Enjoy your day.

2005-12-06T09:13:00.000-05:00

Ok... Now I need it...and other random weekend stuff..

Remember on the previous post how I said I didn't need a new alarm clock? Well, I now need a new alarm clock. My $10 alarm clock from Target bit the dust over the weekend. It won't keep the time and the alarm will go off at random. So.... maybe I'll get the previous mentioned clock in my stocking!!!

I spent Sunday and Monday in Hershey, PA. I had my first conference committee meeting at the Hershey Lodge. Hershey is so beautiful during Christmas. The Lodge is amazingly decorated. While we were there, a lot families came in just to take family pictures by the fire place and/or Christmas tree in the lobby of the Lodge. Very festive. On Sunday evening we were guests of the Hershey Corporation and were invited to their suite for the Hershey Bears hockey game. Not a huge fan of hockey... but it was nice to have all the food & drinks for free.

Nothing else too exciting to report.

Oh... Go Bears... I think they just won their 8th straight game!!! :O) (over Green Bay.. which is awesome...but also a little sad...because I like Brett Favre so much).

2005-12-01T11:55:00.000-05:00

Christmas wish list (crazy things i won't get...but would like) (yes... Christmas isn't about gifts...I KNOW THIS... it's still fun to open up presents... & I'm just a tad into consumerism)

LL Bean has this alarm clock for the bedroom that is really retro. Here's a picture of it in Blue (also my color of choice... although the green is cool also)... Instead of a horrible beeping sound... it wakes you up with a beam of light (hence the name: moonbeam clock).

Maybe it will be in my stocking. :O) It's not even something that I need... I just think it's a cool design.

Must go.... and, to update you all... I'm feeling much better!!!

2005-12-01T08:47:00.000-05:00

Random musings... & "The Kiss"

I think I'm almost ready to graduate back to my bed. I'm still very stuffy...but it's a little less stuffy from the night before. The only upside of not sleeping in my bed since last Saturday evening is that I don't have to make my bed in the morning. A chore I hate doing... even though it only takes 3 minutes.

I seem to eat more when I get sick... and not good things. but more chocolate. lots and lots of chocolate. I guess it's comfort food...

"The Kiss"... on Lost last night... Jack & Kate finally kissed. A very passionate "I've-been-waiting-almost-two-TV-seasons" kind of kiss. Ahhh... to be kissed like that once in my life. I would be in Heaven (ok.. maybe NOT Heaven... how about Moscow, Idaho?).

That's all I got for now.

Ta-ta.

2005-11-30T14:36:00.000-05:00

Sick.

i have a massive head cold. not fun.
when i'm sick i sleep on the couch. not fun.
i miss my bed. not fun.
i've gone through a box and a half of tissues. not fun.
my head hurts. not fun.
i have to work. not fun.

but the good news......
Paul Konerko just re-signed with the White Sox!!!! Hopefully, I'll get better soon to enjoy this wonderful piece of news.

ta-ta.

2005-11-29T16:03:00.000-05:00

How do you like those Apples?

I had the good fortune of getting a new computer a couple of days ago. An Apple iMac G5. I have to say... what other people are saying is definitely true. I love my little G5. I'm in the processing of uploading my whole music collection (well.. maybe NOT everything... but definitely my favorite albums). Even though I was looking at Apples.. I basically resigned myself into buying another Dell because PCs are so much cheaper than Apples... Thankfully, I have great parents who like cool things... and this translates into a new G5 for me. It's been nice learning a new operating system.

Yes... I love my new Apple. Would recommend it to anyone.

Other randomness...
1. Saw Harry Potter on Satuday. It was OK... not my favorite. I actually fell asleep.
2. Final thoughts on T.O. Please go back to where you came from. UGH.
3. Sick as a dog... took yesterday off. Hopefully my cold won't linger too long. Feeling a little better today... but still not at 100%.

Ta-ta for now.

2005-11-25T09:38:00.000-05:00

Random Cuteness...

(is called Jenna!)

Ok... isn't she cute? In her little Ohio Buckeye's outfit!!! I am sooo NOT an Ohio Buckeye fan... never will be... but her parents are good friends of mine and I miss them horribly. So... seeing Jenna makes me happy.

In other news... I'm hoping today goes by fast... or my employers let us out early. The day after Thanksgiving is dead. NOTHING. HAPPENS. NOTHING.

Re: Thanksgiving. Had a great meal!!! And... (drumroll please).. I tried cranberries for the first time. When I think of cranberries I think of that mushy stuff that slides out of a can... These cranberries were real cranberries... VERY good... and at times... VERY tart. After dinner we all took a very short walk into town (the weather wasn't really cooperating) and then I was allowed to partake on their custom of painting Christmas oranments. It was a fun day. It was very hard getting up this morning for work.

Speaking of work... maybe I'll try to get something accomplished.

Ta-ta

2005-11-21T10:03:00.000-05:00

Big Problem here...

I have a MAJOR tooth ache.... MAJOR... which means i should probably go see the dentist. Only problem I HATE the dentist. I'm SCARED to death about seeing a dentist. Literally, it's my worst fear in life.

I know... I have major social issues. I'm not sure why I'm so scared. But I am. Bad experiences??? I can't even remember... it's been that long.

Any recommendations?

2005-11-20T05:43:00.000-05:00

Only 2 more hours to go...

It started off as a VERY quiet night. I even paged myself to see if the darn pager was working. I tried to sleep around 10.30pm... I think I slept for a few hours. I recieved my first page at 3.07am and then the 2nd one came around 4.37am.

All I can say is people who think getting drunk is cool... are so very wrong.

VERY WRONG!

2005-11-19T17:01:00.000-05:00

Only 15 more hours to go...(5pm)

OK... I just started the pastoral care portion of my evening. From now until 8am tomorrow morning I'm the one that will be called. The woman I am following said that it was a pretty slow day. I'm hoping the evening is the same way. Maybe... maybe not.

For my free afternoon I spent wandering around Old City. I went to my favorite stationary store. Bought one card so I can write a letter a little later tonight. Then I went to Strawbridges to look for some sunglasses since my pair broke a few weeks ago. This is the 2nd major department store in the city to tell me that they do not carry sunglasses during the winter. Apparently, because it's not sunny enough. Well, guys I'm here to tell you that it was pretty darn sunny today. My quest for the perfect pair continues.

After that I went to Reading Terminal Market for lunch. I ended up having a reuben sandwich w/ fries from the Amish Lunch Stand. Sad to say... the fries weren't that good... I left most of them on the plate.

More later...

2005-11-19T14:20:00.000-05:00

2.20pm

I finished with the Open House a little bit ago. Now I have 2 hrs & 25 minutes to kill before I'm needed back at the hospital. I'm going to take a walk down to Old City (where all the historical stuff is)... It's a little chilly outside... but nothing too bad.

More later.

2005-11-19T10:08:00.000-05:00

The Next 24 hours... give or take a few...

10.09am. Here in my office at work. I have an open house to attend for prospective students from 11-2pm.. after this... I have a few free hours to walk around the city. I need to be back at the hospital at 4.45pm for my overnight shift at the hospital for pastoral care duty. I will be able to go home tomorrow at 8am.

Thankfully, I brought my fuzzy slippers for tonight.

More later.

2005-11-15T11:02:00.000-05:00

Chocolate.

Oh... why do I have no will power whatsoever when it comes to chocolate? Is it because I'm a woman? I'm not sure...

I just ate two (TWO!!!!) halves of a brownie w/ thick chocolate frosting. TWO!!!! Not just one... but TWO!!! We have a whole tub of them in our office which are leftovers from Saturday's presentation.

I will be so lucky if I make it through the holidays w/o gaining 50 pounds... Ok... so, I won't gain 50...but 10... that's sooo doable.

And speaking of chocolate... here are my favorites:
1. Godiva Dark Chocolate w/ raspberry filling (but at $2.50/bar.. I don't have them very often).
2. Aero Bar ( and since these aren't produced in the States... I'm pretty safe on these also..but if anyone is going to Canada or Europe..get me a box)
3. Hershey Kisses (basically all varieties)
4. Reeses Peanut Butter Cups
5. Anything w/ carmel.
6. York Peppermint Patties.

That's about it for now....

Ta-ta.

ps... quick update on Saturday evening's dinner. I can soooo NEVER be a vegetarian. Meat is good.

2005-11-15T09:24:00.000-05:00

There's something to be said for boring moms...

http://www.cnn.com/2005/LAW/11/15/sexparty.mom.ap/index.html

They're better than those moms who want to be cool.

God, I hope I'm a boring mom.

2005-11-12T09:20:00.000-05:00

Heat...

Since I started at this position almost 2 years ago... there has been a problem with the heat in our office... almost to the point where I will constanly wear my coat and/or have my space heater running from the minute I get into the office.

Well, folks... I'm happy (HAPPY!) to report... I haven't used my heater in 3 days. The heat is fixed.

Gosh damn...that's a very good thing!

2005-11-10T11:54:00.000-05:00

I just realized...

The White Sox... you know... those guys who haven't won a World Series in 88 years... they didn't even get the cover of Sports Illustrated. The Arizona Diamondbacks got more respect than we did...

Sorry.. I'm done pouting.

2005-11-10T09:18:00.000-05:00

A cool picture & a better message...

The above is from my visit to Ireland. I forget the name of the place... but it where the Irish would go to hold Mass without fear of being persecuted by the Protesants..That's the cool picture...

Now here is the cool message which I took from another blog that I read quite often. The blog belongs to a sister of a person I used to know when I lived in Columbus. You might have all read about the pastor from Waco, TX who was electrocuted while he was in the middle of baptizing a member of his church. His name was Kyle Lake and he was 33 years old. This was to be his sermon that was never spoken.

I just think it's very appropriate. Here begins the portion that I didn't write at all...

Kyle Lake, passed away at the age of 33, last sunday morning during a service at his church. He was the pastor at University Baptist in Waco, TX. Kyle was about to perform a baptism on stage when a microphone fell into the water he was standing in. He was electrocuted and died in front of his congregation.Kyle lived his life fully and touched so many people's lives. i wanted to share with you an excerpt from his sermon the sunday he died...These were to be his closing thoughts... He never got to share them...

"Live. And Live Well. BREATHE. Breathe in and Breathe deeply.
Be PRESENT. Do not be past. Do not be future. Be now. On a crystal clear, breezy 70 degree day, roll down the windows and FEEL the wind against your skin. Feel the warmth of the sun.If you run, then allow those first few breaths on a cool Autumn day to FREEZE your lungs and do not just be alarmed, be ALIVE.Get knee-deep in a novel and LOSE track of time.If you bike, pedal HARD… and if you crash then crash well.Feel the SATISFACTION of a job well done—a paper well-written, a project thoroughly completed, a play well-performed.If you must wipe the snot from your 3-year old's nose, don't be disgusted if the Kleenex didn't catch it all… because soon he'll be wiping his own.If you've recently experienced loss, then GRIEVE. And Grieve well.At the table with friends and family, LAUGH. If you're eating and laughing at the same time, then might as well laugh until you puke. And if you eat, then SMELL. The aromas are not impediments to your day. Steak on the grill, coffee beans freshly ground, cookies in the oven.And TASTE. Taste every ounce of flavor. Taste every ounce of friendship. Taste every ounce of Life.Because it is most definitely a Gift."

Have a great day.

2005-11-08T09:14:00.000-05:00

Very, Very Random...

So... nothing all too exciting happen in the Ramusack household of one. Here are some observations.

1. I hate it when expensive shoes tear up my heal. My heal was bleeding like a rare piece of meat on Sunday afternoon...& now it hurts like heck...but, it's my own fault... the shoes are really, really cool.
2. Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. How can you NOT love this show? I think I cried for two hours straight. Sunday's episode was amazing. The Tom family from CA. This single mom has adopted 8 children with different disabilities. They were such an amazing family and finally I didn't mind all the excess that ABC showers upon them...They deserved every bit of it.
3. "Lost" tomorrow night... I wonder who will die.... Please not Sayeed... PLEASE... He's my favorite character.
4. Have received an invitation for Thanksgiving Dinner. Ahh.... I will not be eating dinner by myself watching the Macy's parade. And, I have a place to bring my Chocolate Peanut Butter Cheesecake.
5. Steak dinner is coming my way on Saturday evening. Ruth Chris Steak House in KOP. Can't wait. It will be an expensive evening... but money isn't the issue for this evening. Celebration is.
6. Terrell Owens situation. To stick with the Thanksgiving theme... he cooked his own goose. He has to be the most selfish professional player I have ever watched. More so than Dennis Rodman during the Bulls glory years. Very glad to see him gone. Probably the best decision the Eagles will make this year.

Ta-ta for now.

2005-11-01T09:48:00.000-05:00

Dealing with Insurance companies...

Brings out the worst in me. Specifically, my heath insurance company. I received a bill for $100 from another medical center who shall remain nameless (but it's the largest employer in Philadelphia). This was from a visit I had back in November of 2004. Almost a year ago. The procedure I had done has a $100 "facility charge" because I do not have it done at my home hospital (ie... Jefferson). Well, this would be all fine & dandy if they told me this 2 years ago... $100 every six months isn't a big deal...but to find out that I now owe $500 because every procedure has had that $100 fee attached. UGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I hung up twice with the insurance company and called them useless to boot.

Like I said... it brings out the worst.

In other news... I will get home for 11 days over Christmas. V. excited about that. I'll be home from 12/23-1/2. It's the first time, well, actually EVER that I've had the whole week off between Christmas & New Years. Now.. I just need to find somewhere to crash for Thanksgiving. So far no invites.

In other, other news... I enjoyed immensely the Trick or Treating last night w/ the kids. Joseph was a lion, Emma was a fireman (or fire-toddler.. have your pick), Sammy was a dragon, & Ben was a Giraffe. It was such a great night to walk outside... Media is a great town.

Bye for now... Can't believe I went a whole post without mentioning the White Sox... oops... I just did!!!

So, in case you were living in a gutter and didn't know... the WHITE SOX ARE WORLD SERIES CHAMPS!!!! It will be a sad winter without baseball..

2005-10-28T08:46:00.000-04:00

"Don't Stop Believing"

I must admit (Luke knows) that I have been worried throughout this baseball season. It's very stressful being on top. Being on top and being a White Sox fan is double the stress. As has been made known quite regularly in the press, the Chicago White Sox are the second team of Chicago. Dusty Baker (manager of the Cubs) has even said in published articles that he wasn't going to root for the White Sox. How's that for brotherly love?

I knew when Ozzie was hired a few seasons ago, that he would make a difference... And, has he ever. Not using his bullpen for the majority of the series against LA...? Preposterous. Acquiring Blum late in the season... who would have thought that he would hit the game winning homer in the 14th inning marathon.

The White Sox adopted "Don't Stop Believing" by Journey as their theme. 88 years have been wiped out. Generations of White Sox fans have lived (& died) for this moment. I started going to White Sox games when I was 5. My family had connections with the White Sox security staff. We would always get seats for the fireworks night. My first "adult" concert was in Comiskey Park (Michael Jackson... yea.. I know!). My hero was Carlton Fisk (I wonder how he is feeling... having played on the two teams that have just won back to back World Series). Even after living in Lincoln Park (where it was cool to be a Cubs Fan)... living in Cleveland during the Indians glory years... I never waivered. Being a White Sox fan is in your blood. And it has finally paid off. I'm sure that there are many of times that we have stopped believing that the White Sox could ever win. Season after season of "wait until next year"... Well, this is Next Year.

This team reminds me of the 2001 Arizona Diamondbacks... another bunch of scrappy guys winning against the Yankees. Curt Schilling, Randy Johnson, Mark Grace (a former Cubbie)... These teams have proved that you do not have to spend trillions of dollars (Mr. Steinbrenner.. are you listening??) to have a winning team.

It's still surreal. The White Sox won the 2005 World Series.

Amazing.

2005-10-26T12:14:00.000-04:00

One game away...

from winning it all! I still can't believe that it might happen... And it might happen tonight. Who would have thought back in April that the Chicago White Sox would win the World Series????? Not me. And I love the White Sox.

I didn't stay up for the 14 inning marathon... The game ended at 2.20am EST. I went to be at the end of regulation. I do have a job. And getting up on time was/is more important than watching a game on TV.. no matter how much I love my team.... they aren't signing my paycheck.

In other news.
1. Today I received a box of Peanut Butter Puffins from a friend of mine here at work. V. excited about opening this box of tasty goodness.
2. Was asked to be on the conference committee next year for my state association. V. excited about this. Conference planning...totally my thing.

Bye for now.

Remember: Game 4: White Sox @ Houston. 8.33pm EST

2005-10-24T11:02:00.000-04:00

True sign of White Sox Fans...

(again...photo from Chicago Tribune)

2005-10-24T08:51:00.000-04:00

October is a grand, grand month...

So.. the White Sox are in the World Series (in case you haven't noticed). It has been amazing. The powers that be say that the ratings have dropped approx 31% from last year's Boston-St. Louis series. Oh well, those 31% are missing one heck of a series.

Konerko
Dye
Crede
Podsednik
Garland
Kotts
Uribe
Buerle
...these will be the players that we will be talking about 50 years from now.

A Houston-White Sox series is a very blue collar series. And I'm happy about that. The Yankees are a great team... but then they are paid to be a great team. Their main goal at the beginning of the season is to win the World Series... and be damned if that doesn't happen year after year... It seems that the Houston-White Sox guys are just happy to be there... and they don't have to make $20 million a year to play well.

That being said... the White Sox organization better do EVERYTHING in its power to keep Konerko in a White Sox uniform for next season.

Ok... in other news..
1... Went to my first Eagles game yesterday... V. interesting. glad I'm not a fan. I like Bears games better.
2. Conference in Lancaster was great. Probably the best one I've ever been to.
3. Nothing else too exciting to report.

Ta-Ta for now.

Remember... Game 3 tomorrow night @ Houston.

2005-10-17T10:01:00.000-04:00

Chicago White Sox...

We are World Series bound.

Nothing more to say...

2005-10-15T08:57:00.000-04:00

Game 3: White Sox 5 Angels 2

Jon Garland pitched a gem of a game. Complete. Can't get any better than that. His only mistake... a two run homer late in the game (which, happened at the EXACT moment I turned on the TV to watch the end of the game... go figure... I think I'm bad luck for my boys in Black!).

Tonight Game 4. Watch it!

In other news... At work today.. I'm out of the office for 3 days next week...which is a good thing. Will work until about 1pm and then head over to Reading Terminal Market.. they are having their Fall Festival. If you have never been... I highly recommend it... It's like being in Lancaster without living Philly.

Ta-ta.. .Enjoy your Saturday.