exceeds expectations

Fell asleep on the couch and almost forgot to post something before going to bed. Here I am. My year-end review at work went well today. It made me think about year-end reviews for non-work life. You could solicit feedback from your friends and family, and they would rate your overall performance as a human being. Bonuses would get tricky, I think. The rain chomped my cheapo umbrella to bits, so I am using the one I got at work, an automatic push-button Mary Poppins contraption. It has ShedRain technology, says the label, a good technology for an umbrella to have. My last one had KeepRain and also TurnInsideOutInAnyBreeze. And now to sleep, so that I may wake up early to enjoy the Graffeo coffee and lovely mug that Inkbot gave me. ...

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Posted on 21 Dec 2006 | 6 comments

trigger finger

Wii + Rayman + friends = one happily exhausted me. And now to rest Frankenfinger.

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Posted on 20 Dec 2006 | Comments Off

scary girl

Frankenfinger is all about the alternating deep ache with fast-moving clouds of itchy. I am documenting its healing process with photos, although I can’t imagine sharing these with anyone. It is not at all pretty, although the cerulean blue of the sutures is sort of neat. I was about to promise that this would get more interesting if I stopped writing about my finger, but I can’t promise that, plus I like writing about my finger. It is a Big Deal for me in its perspective-inducing powers. Also, I will soon have a scar, which I hear will make me more interesting. Mostly I just look at the bandage and remember how lame it was not to be paying total attention to the bread knife in my other hand. I mean, generally speaking, if you’re going to...

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Posted on 19 Dec 2006 | 3 comments

another brief

Home again, with one strange little cat asleep on an unopened box of gifts from my mom. Finger pain at times just annoying (itch), at other times much more than annoying (throb throb sear throb). Back to work tomorrow, which should be interesting with typing diminished. Unpack then sleep and dream of life without goodbyes.

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Posted on 18 Dec 2006 | Comments Off

in brief

This will be brief, since my finger is really aching, and my upper left arm feels like it was sucker-punched right where I got the tetanus shot. The MSG cooked turkey risotto tonight with broth made from last night’s turkey. Risotto is one of my favorite dishes, and I had specially requested that he make it while we visited PA. So he did, and it was outstanding. Photos forthcoming. My dad and I walked the dog along the dam this morning, and had a good talk. Two of the three kitties escaped to the outside world tonight, but returned shortly for food and affection. We all watched “Wag the Dog” and laughed and laughed. We leave tomorrow, and I’m not at all ready. I hate living so far away from my family.

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Posted on 17 Dec 2006 | Comments Off

my first stitches

First of all, to my dear Shannon: stop reading now. I’m fine, and that is the most important part. This is taking me a while to type as my left index finger is bandaged, mostly immobile, and in lots of pain. My first serious cooking-related laceration happened today, while I was cutting bread, of all things. It initially seemed to be minor enough, but we decided to go to the urgent care center in town, and I left an hour later with 5 stitches and a tetanus shot. I think the scariest part of the whole ordeal was losing that much blood. It was the most blood I can remember seeing, ever. Also I do not recommend the whole getting shots in a deep wound gig. But I was glad to be numbed up for the sewing part. It was neat to watch, but only for about ten...

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Posted on 16 Dec 2006 | 3 comments

back east

Hello from PA, in the midst of an Italian-food-induced coma. The flight last night was long and cramped, made somewhat better by my early holiday gift to the MSG: an iPod loaded up with movies, podcasts and TV shows. We watched a movie on it; despite the size of the screen, the quality of the picture is surprisingly good. Although there is no snow on the ground, there is a tree to decorate and presents to exchange and “A Christmas Story” to watch and a big black lab to keep entertained. I do believe I’m finally getting into the holiday spirit.

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Posted on 15 Dec 2006 | 1 comment

toothy

Last-minute shopping complete. Time to pack up and head out. I love the dreams I have right before I travel. Last night’s was about returning to the library to visit my former coworkers. When I walked in, everything had been refinished like my grade school. Then my upper right canine tooth fell out, disintegrated without blood in my palm. When I reached up to feel the hole it left, there was already a tooth growing to take its place. I poked at it to see if it was sturdy, and my entire hard palate popped out, clean and without pain, like a dried curve of a cob of corn. Dream interpreters, have at. See you from the other side of the country.

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Posted on 14 Dec 2006 | Comments Off

you are her

An E missing from a sign in my building turns it into YOU ARE HER. A friend of a friend committed suicide yesterday. Two loads of laundry tumble dry while I watch recorded episodes of “Bones” because I miss Angel. Work is sending me to London next month. Holiday shopping is half-done. The plane for PA leaves in 24 hours.

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Posted on 13 Dec 2006 | 4 comments

hatty holidays

Add a note of “ho ho ho hat” to one of your Flickr photos. Do it!

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Posted on 13 Dec 2006 | Comments Off