Just a little bummed around the edges -

[kyburg]

Oh, let's see. My mother is heading for a big surgery that will forever change her life towards the dependent mode - and is dangerous enough to make all of us concerned about whether she'll survive it. I'm getting ready to have my MIL here for two weeks, beginning Thursday night. (Her younger brother called the other day asking if he could drop by and visit while she is here. She's not speaking to him, BTW.)

Even though this might be the last Thanksgiving we'll have all together with Mom, my older brother is still going to see his in-laws instead. He's married to a selfish bitch who I don't trust, and he has three sons with her I wouldn't spend spit on - and they use him like single-ply toilet paper. But he's going to their Thanksgiving instead of the one I'm holding at my house. I have no feelings on the matter - suuuuuure.

Mom has asked for one thing - she'd like to have all her children go to church with her, just once.

Wonder if I can pry him away from Disneyland on the Sunday after Thanksgiving.

TIES last night dealt with the experts speaking on long-term effects of drug exposure and the adoption/placement process on children. I'm a motor-mouth. I'm also hard to scare, impress, rattle or surprise. One of those same-sex partnerships I mentioned? One of them is an elementary school principal, and I can't wait to talk to him. I also discovered that Almond Joy now comes in a pina colada flavor - and is as delicious as that sounds. I've also had to cope with McDonald's for dinner now both times. Next Monday, I swear it'll be bologna sandwiches from home - at least. Blech. (BTW, the adoption process is probably more damaging than just about any prenatal drug exposure - if you want to know more, ask.)

Oh, and I got to go to the Barry Manilow concert in Anaheim last Saturday. Not until I was in line to get in, did I catch that it was the closing night of the last tour - the VERY last tour ever.

WTF.

Not a lavish show, to be certain - and the guy was coming off a case of bronchitis that had made him cancel two shows prior to this one. But it played like a Greatest Hits album - with some retrospective stuff that was just giggle-inducing. The very first Midnight Special appearance - tied into the live performance of the same song. (He dresses better these days, with better hair - but there was little difference in the performance, except that I think he did a better job of interpreting the work. Can you improve "Mandy?" Yes, you can.)

Dave Koz showed up, rolled up and smoked the sax player (George Whomever you are) as Barry played piano in the middle of this theater in the round stage - and Deborah Byrd got up on stage to sing "I'll Never Love This Way Again" - and smoked Dionne Warwick without even trying hard. (That song sung as a duet? Incredible stuff.)

For the last time? I can't believe it. Coming off bronchitis, he might have thought he sounded like shit, but I didn't hear any acute deficiencies. Sustaining some notes, there was a squeak or two - but every note, every letter was clear and crisp.

Maybe this is the last time this songbook will be toured - but with Harmony getting mounted on Broadway, I can't believe this is the last we'll get to see of him. Harmony is going to open - there is no doubt. And once that is done, I fully expect to see more - maybe another show entirely, wouldn't that be nice? (Imagine the Mayflower album as a broadway show....)

But today? Something just isn't working right.

Those stupid pineapple guavas are attracting fruit rats. I tried to set traps this morning, and did nothing but snap the traps on myself. That'll deflate your ego, lemme tellya. Two-bit pieces of wood with springs - only thing left is glueboards. And Terminix.

I'm a little sleep-deprived too, I think - not that I'm having trouble sleeping. I go to bed, sleep and get up. I just didn't get to bed until after midnight last night, and I was up again about 7:00 AM.

Linkage for the day? Become that which you fear most - TREEHUGGER! Actually, a legitimate place to find products and services - proof positive that progressives like to make money as much as anyone else. My favorite is the ceramic version of the "We Are Happy To Serve You" paper cups found in New York - anyone get a clue for Christmas presents yet? Nifty spot.

BoingBoing working overtime -

Ebay uhhhhhh....

Racing cars powered by tape drive motors found in cassette players. Geek ever onward!

And proof positive that there are no winners and losers in war. You don't win a war. You survive them. If you're fortunate. Pro-life? Are you nuts?

I'm sitting in parenting classes where I am told physical restraint or discipline won't be allowed - and doesn't work anyway - and this stuff dances across my computer screen. Boo hiss.

I didn't approve of this. I didn't declare war on Iraq. And I don't see any benefit to me - and I don't think it's going to make my life any safer. Let alone how much it's going to cost (and you'd better put a dollar figure on it, or some people just won't give a crap).

(That's right Donna, be a selfish little twat. ~whiiiiine~ Hey, at least I'm honest about it.)

It probably requires a subscription - but chatter about this is running around the office today.

Kickbacks in the insurance business. Say it isn't so!

I need some lunch.

Comments

[kshandra]

Oh, and I got to go to the Barry Manilow concert in Anaheim last Saturday. Not until I was in line to get in, did I catch that it was the closing night of the last tour - the VERY last tour ever.

WTF.

Um, exCUSE me?

('course, I didn't even realize he was on tour...nice of him to make a NorCal stop. *raspberry*)

[lysana.livejournal.com]

Last tour. Like Cher's, he means? And does he mean the last "farewell tour" she did or the one she's on now with the Village People?

[kshandra]

Yeah...I've been to enough alleged "farewell concerts" to be viewing this a little skeptically.

[kyburg.livejournal.com]

Supposedly, the big tour two years ago was it as well -

How many times have they killed Superman?

I sure hope not. But damn, if they weren't acting as if it were.

[dandelion-diva.livejournal.com]

Of course, the man *is* getting up there. Maybe he's decided he's content to make musicals rather than concerts.

Though I think we should start a pool for the announcement of the comeback tour. *grin*

Gessi

[murphymom.livejournal.com]

Yeah- much as i love the man, I always felt Stiletto treated NorCal like the product of an unwanted pregnancy.

[lesliepear.livejournal.com]

Hope all goes well with your mom's surgery and your brother honors her request (it's awfully small in the scheme of things.)

The Recorder race thing is cool - at least some cassette players won't be collecting dust!

Good luck with the TIES class and food. I wonder what kind of insights the elementary school principal has.

Spitzer

[lesliepear.livejournal.com]

We've heard a lot about the insurance kickback stuff here in NYC - Marsh used to be in the WTC (I attended a meeting on the 99th floor in their offices once).

Spitzer, NYS Atty general is after everything. I think some people will be relieved if he runs for governor in 2006.

[pseudicide.livejournal.com]

That's a lot to be dealing with right now hon! I've said it before, and I'll say it again, I hope the surgery with your mother goes well. I also hope your brother at least shows up for church... Sigh, that sounds just like my mother's younger brother, we never see him, and he didn't even go to his mother's funeral because of his bitch of a wife. GAR.

Parenting... I wish all parents to be had to take those classes, i mean, really, they can only be good things, and I think of some of the young girls i've known who have had kids...

[riverheart.livejournal.com]

I really hope all goes well with your mother, and that your brother will find a way to be with your side of the family instead of, or as well as, his wife's.

Please elaborate on this: (BTW, the adoption process is probably more damaging than just about any prenatal drug exposure - if you want to know more, ask.)

[misskris.livejournal.com]

i'll be thinking good thoughts for you for the next few weeks.

and pineapple guavas? yummmmm...

[kyburg.livejournal.com]

They make dandy jelly, but I haven't had time or energy to put any up -

But the fruit rats are loving them too, that's for sure.

[lux-ramone.livejournal.com]

All the best to your Mom,you and your family.

[vampireanneke.livejournal.com]

I don't write/respond as often as I should, but I keep reading about your mother, and hope she and you will all be okay. (hugs)

And yes, write more about the adoption process. I want to adopt in the future. Which is becoming not so far away the older I get.

[joggingguy.livejournal.com]

I also discovered that Almond Joy now comes in a pina colada flavor - and is as delicious as that sounds.

*drools*

[feyandstrange.livejournal.com]

All the best to you and your mom, and hopes that your brother will escape his entanglements for long enough to see Mom as he should. (I've got one of those in our family too; my condolences.)

When we had mice, glue boards just made us feel horrible, because there's no good way to remove mouse from glue, and so somebody has to put the thing out of its misery. Poison eventually got them out of the house. Getting a cat capable of chasing them probably didn't hurt.

And in case I forgot to say it before - go go you two for adopting, and for being willing to adopt a kid under awkward circumstances like all that.

[luscious-purple.livejournal.com]

Best wishes to you and your husband and your mother.

If it's any consolation, I found out recently that my ex-landlord, who just turned 85, had an ostomy and bladder removal back in March because of bladder cancer. He's doing just fine with it, except that he doesn't drink enough water and his daughters, grandson, and live-in helper have to keep reminding him about it. Both his parents lived to be in their late 90s, so I'm expecting his family members to keep reminding him to drink more water for a long time to come.

[linusmines.livejournal.com]

However things must turn, I hope they're toward the better.

[ecstaticlght.livejournal.com]

I got to see Barry several years ago and oddly enough he was sick that night too, but he went on stage and made everyone there think that he made a special trip just to play for them. One of the best concerts I've seen.

I've seen the negative side of the adoption process. It can be more damaging when it is not going as it should be. The one thing we have seen is that potential parents absolutely must read each and every word and medical report in the adoption file that is collected for them to view BEFORE they take the child into their home. If anything in that file causes concern do not take that child into your home. If you are not absolutely committed to that child, do not take that child into your home. If you are not prepared for a confused child that needs lots and lots of personal attention and every ounce of time and energy you have, do not take that child into your home. Be prepared to continue with any and all counseling and follow up services are set into place. It is a tragic thing to watch a child "returned to sender" and not just once.

If shear willpower and determination for someone to get through a procedure without any complications is the ultimate prescription for recovery then your mom is gonna cruise, because you won't let it be any other way.

Best thoughts..

[n6vfp.livejournal.com]

Happy Belated Birthday. Hope all goes well with your Mom. I know full well when families don't see eye to eye, got a sister who does nothing to help me care for my Mom, they don't speak, no phone calls, nothing. I do hope he honors your Mom's request. Next time I'm in the area I'll call and we can chat.

[condotierre.livejournal.com]

I've read your LJ for a while and stayed in lurking but the situation with your brother and your mom reminds me of what's going on exactly with my own extended family right now - grandmother, and all that. For what it's worth I'm awful sorry - I know how hard it gets when you want to brain people over the head with mallets for being -such inconsiderate fartbrains-.

Hang in there.