[Curtain Comes Down]

Well, here we are at the end of another year. Like almost everyone else, I find myself being both introspective about the past and forward looking into the future.

This past year has been eventful, to say the least… breaking up, moving, buying a house, starting a job, quitting a job, starting another job, starting another relationship. Whew!! I’m about as wo out as a lady can get…!!

Laughing Gas/Nitrous Oxide

For some reason, at dinner last night, Jane and I were discussing dental procedures, and the subject of nitrous oxide came up. Jane has never used it during a procedure. I, on the other hand, use it every time I go to the dentist, even when I’m just having my teeth cleaned. The primary reason I get it is because I HATE going to the dentist (for any reason), and I get very anxious. Getting the nitrous is sort of a reward AND it really does calm me down during the procedure. Basically, it prevents me from jumping out of the chair as soon as I see a sharp instrument headed toward my mouth!!

Christmas Shopping

We had our Christmas luncheon at work today, and my employer generously gave us the day off after we were done with lunch. So I took the opportunity to start my Christmas shopping. I don’t have that many people to shop for, but still, it’s got to get done!

More on Dan

Those of you who know me to any degree at all or those of you who have read my blog for any length of time know that I have been a huge Dan Fogelberg fan since I was a freshman in college. The news of his death has really made me sad since last night and today when I’ve thought about it and as I’ve been reading others’ thoughts about it.

Dan Fogelberg, 1951-2007, R.I.P.

I was so saddened tonight when, after a nice party with blog friends, I came up to check email and such, and saw that Dan passed away this morning. He brought so much beauty and thoughtfulness into the world with his music, and it makes me really sad that there will be no more Dan songs. I hope he didn’t suffer.

Here’s one article about him.

So Many Things…

It’s a Saturday morning, and I’m sitting here drinking my coffee, wondering what to write about. I’ve been gone so long from blogging on a regular basis, that I feel somewhat overwhelmed by all of the topics I’ve thought about the past several weeks, thinking “I’ll blog about that later.” Well, here’s later. I only have a short amount of time to write before I have get going for the day, so I’ll write about the thing that’s most on my mind.

I really like my job so far. I like the people, I’m enjoying the work, the environment is nice as well. There’s only one thing that’s giving me pause, and that’s the CEO. He’s a very “vocal” Christian. He writes an article each day wherein he espouses a very fundamentalist point of view about the Bible and social issues. Needless to say, homosexuality is always mentioned when he lists the “evils” that he sees in the world.

Christmas Lights

I love to look at folks’ Christmas lights. Driving around town in the last few days before Christmas, and then coming back to drink hot chocolate are some of my favorite childhood memories. Of course, this year, it might be refreshing lemonade rather than hot chocolate. Sheesh!!

Some decoration choices amuse me. Not so much the mixing of colored lights with white, or having a nativity right next to an inflatable Santa—those are enough for a chuckle, for sure, but I still appreciate the effort. Down the street from me, there’s some industrious soul who strung lights across his entire roof in a way that forms a multi-color star. Of course, the fringe of the roof has those “icicle” lights all the way around, competing for attention. Again, those are personal choices expressing how those folks feel about decorating.

Bowling and a Moment of Determination

Tonight, I went to watch Jane and her team from church bowl. The team they were bowling had a man who I didn’t really pay attention to as everyone milled about.

When it was his time to bowl, he shuffled slowly to pick up his ball, the shuffled slowly to the foul line, ball gripped in one hand. At the foul line, he leaned over and dropped/guided the ball slowly down the lane. His delivery was what got my attention. As he turned around to come back to wait for his second ball, I realized that he must have had a stroke. His non-bowling arm (his right) dangled limply and useless at his side, and it was his right leg that caused his slow, deliberate shuffle. His demeanor and his facial expression (whether caused by the stroke or not, I don’t know) was very calm and non-animated.

Great Arrangement

When you have about four minutes to kill, take a listen to these guys!

Sad, Disgusting, and Fascinating…All at the Same Time

“Thanks, Jehovah, for rewarding my blind obedience to your literal word with a face that looks like my head exploded.” Read the story.