Perspective

Isn't it funny how the world expands and contracts around one?

Yesterday I was a "citizen of the world" - concerned about the political situation in my country and the effects of foreign policy on the world.

Today my mother is dying.

My mother will not live to see her next wedding anniversary. 56 years it would be.
She won't live to see another April. My mother is dying.

My world has contracted. All I can think about is my pathetically dysfunctional family and that my mother is dying.

Well, Paul - you're getting your wish. My mother is dying. It's what you wanted. It's what you told me you would "pray" for, when she went into the nursing home.

I hope you're happy, Paul. I'm not. I'm heartbroken, breaking, suffering, falling apart at the seams, crying. My mother is dying.

And I don't know if I'll ever see her again. Depending on what Dad decides to do, I may not. And Dad's decisions will be based in part on what You, Paul, talk him into doing. You wished my mother dead - you're getting your wish.

Mommy. Oh god... Mommmy......

I love my cubicle...

Last week on Friday, I switched desks. Gone from the fishbowl "steno pool" atmosphere of the front office, and into a high-walled private area back in the QA and purchasing departments.

Granted, I am here alone. There is enough floor space to make up a small dance floor, and it is so quiet, I feel as if I can do ANYTHING. No more answering phones, no more having to get up if someone comes to the door, and no more chatty-Cathy co-workers or Nosey Parkers trying to read what is on my screen.

I can eat my lunch in peace, go the accounting stuff in peace, and stay focused on what needs to be done instead of trying to avoid dealing with the shenanigans of co-workers who have declared that they "don't like me".

*rolls eyes*

It's like a little slice of heaven.. *grin*

Certified!

Well, I took my CPR class today. We learned how to do heinous things to plastic dummies, how to hug someone for the Heimlich maneuver, and how to use the new defibrillator (spelling??) device that the company bought.

Then we took a test - and I got all the answers right.

I got an American Red Cross CPR Certification card thingy that is good for 2 years to haul around in my wallet.

I hope to hell I never have to do this. I know I can, and will, if needed - because I did when Dippy stopped breathing back in 1975 - but.... I really hope I never have to again. I was lucky - Dippy lived. Not everyone does, and the CPR part worries me - especially knowing how fragile a heart is from my own self.

But like the trainer guy said - you don't do it unless the person is - essentially - dead unless you do. So I will. But I hope I don't have to.

So there ya go, Kal. I be certified! (Or certifiable.....)

Answers to an Arab Muslim Proselytizer

Interestingly enough - he hasn't responded to me. I wonder why. His comments are with >> My answers follow his comment:

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>>In Muslim countries it is safe to go out at night. You do not have to accompany your little sister.

True. But if you do not accompany your little sister, she will be shot by the government for being out of the house without a male "keeper". *DING* America 1, Islam 0


>You can send your kids to religious school without fearing they will get raped.

True. However, they WILL be taught to strap dynamite to their bodies and to murder those of other religions, or those of Islam who do not agree with them. *DING* America 2, Islam 0

>People will not try to seduce your wife.

But even if they do - or if they rape her, it is SHE who will be blamed and beheaded!! *DING* America 3, Islam 0

>You don't get drunk people rampaging in the street Saturday nights.

You do, however, on a daily basis, have swarms of insane religious fanatics screaming in hatred and burning flags, effigies of leaders of other countries and advocating the death of 1000's of unknown persons. *DING* America 4, Islam 0

>If you get lost in a muslim country your chances are that you will receive hospitality from more than one person (even if you're not lost by the way).

Unfortunately, the moslem definition of "hospitality" is kidnapping, rape, beatings and beheading. *DING* America 5, Islam 0

>Yes we have etremists, they are wrong and they do not represent Muslims.

Liar, Liar, Pants on Fire.
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Now, about these Danish cartoons:

1) Moslems aren't allowed to draw pictures of their "prophet" because of fears that it will incite idolatry.

Too late. Any group of people who place the "honor" of a human being above the LIVES of other humans - have already committed idolatry. Every one of those idiots who sprinkle their words with "May he be forever blessed" and crap like that - HAVE already elevated Mohammed to the level of - or above - their "god" Allah.

2) The only reason anyone could possibly have to be offended by those marginally talented cartoons is exactly the same reason they are "funny". Truth hurts.

Islam IS a religion of violence, hatred and intolerance - a religion that objectifies women and panders to the machismo antics of the barbarian males who are so unable to control and constrain their OWN sexual problems that they mirror them onto the women - and then blame the women for THEIR inability to control themselves.

72 virgins. Of course, the VIRGINS have no say in whether they want to screw the filthy, lying, murderous bastard sons of rabid dog terrorist scum that allegedly are rewarded with these fictitious "virgins".

One can but hope there is a really NASTY version of the clap in Islam's afterlife.

3's a charm?

So ... I think my car is invisible sometimes.

Like - one morning Tony and Tom were sitting at the stoplite at Church street, I'm coming up Grand, and this guy in an Escalade decides I'm invisible and almost hits me as he swings for a HUGE left-hand turn.

Tony assured me I was NOT invisible.

Tom was oblivious. *chuckle*

Last year, I got rear-ended twice at stoplights.

This morning it happened again.

I wish a dashboard light would go off or something to let me know when the car turns invisible so I can take evasive actions....

My Poor Outdated Webpage

*sigh*

I can't seem to motivate myself to update and fix-up my little personal webpage. Not that it's all that and a box of poprocks or anything, but I've done a LOT better 3-d work than I've got sitting up there and the links suck.

Besides of which, I really DO need to post a sizeable rant about the THIEVES at UPS.

And the links are all either broken or outdated because I have changed direction in my own interests and life.

And I really want to put in a link to Mike's airplanes, because Mike builds awesome, incredible HUGE, gorgeous radio-control model aircraft. In fact - check it out for yourself. And that is only the prototype - Black Magic v2 is so beautiful it's heartbreaking.

Now if we could just get Vio to post his artwork.....

Or get Randy to give me a linky to his latest website.

Or get Pirate to answer my e-mails!! *glare*

I don't want much. Just... everything. *grin*

Is there a Dr. in the house?

So my little friend Kal (short for Kalshassan), the inventor and teacher of the KOOCHD, and a gorgeous young man, is working on becoming an ambulance service person in Scotland, and I couldn't be more proud of him.

Once over 30 years ago I had to perform artificial respiration on a friend who had collapsed with an epileptic fit - but I never learned how to do CPR, although I'd always intended to take the class.

The company I work for bought a defibrilator unit (spelling?) this month, and are offering a class on how to operate it, and on basic CPR at work in 2 weeks - and I signed up for it.

Here's to you, Kal, you've been an inspiration and motivating force for this old lady. *hugs*

Things that go "Bump" in the afternoon

Story Here

This happened less than 2 miles from my house. No wonder all the local fire and ambulance folk were out in force! Sirens like mad!

Telephone Etiquette

The phone company has come up with some really nifty devices to make people's telephoning experiences special and memorable.

Take, for instance, Caller ID.

Caller ID is great. I can decide whether to take a call or not, just by looking at the little display screen. This is a good thing.

Unfortunately, some people without brains have Caller ID as well. For instance, there is the young man who called here at work just a few minutes ago. "Did someone call me from there?"

Now. 1) he didn't identify himself, so how the hell do I know?
2) He is calling a business with 11 outgoing lines and at least 30 telephones. Does he think people have to check in with me every time they make a call?
3) If he is calling back everyone who shows up on Caller ID - he obviously needs a more challenging job.

*growl*

So here I am

Back at work.

Taking meds I probably shouldn't, but which make it possible for me to be back at work. I just can't stand sitting at home - sleeping - reading - eating bad sandwiches....

At least here I am doing SOMETHING - and the bad meds along with some hot tea and a stick of gum - are making me get thru the day so far without anything worse than a bunch of coughing.

Being sick is really the ultimate pits. I don't recommend it.

But I'm getting better, and that is what counts. Last nite I couldn't sleep (got my day/nite cycle screwed up) so I worked more on the Ocean/Fishy quilt. Not a lot, but every bit done is a bit I don't have to do again!

The Prince suggested that I make quilts to sell on E-Bay.

My first reaction was "HELL NO" - but now I'm rethinking.
sorta.

maybe.

I'll let ya know.