Memorial Day Tribute 2012

I'm not sure what he meant by that

Last weekend I woke up with a short story in my head. It was a great story and in my sleep I had sketched out the whole thing from beginning to end, in order. I know it was a great story, but I can't remember anything else about it.

Not the plot. Not the characters. Not the beginning. I remember it was great and it was simple with a twist at the end. Not much to go on, is it?  But trust me, it was great.

This story reminded me of a comedian who told a story about dreaming the world's funniest joke. He woke up and wrote in on a notepad he kept next to his bed just for that purpose. He went back to sleep happy in knowing that he had the world's greatest joke to add to his routine. When he awoke the next morning and eagerly read what he had written in the middle of the night, he said, "That's the dumbest thing I've ever heard."

Maybe, maybe not

Right now the 3 weather forecasts on my home page say it will be mostly sunny today.  From what I can see out the window from here, it looks partly cloudy.

Is this a case of you say "The glass is half full" and I say "The glass is half empty"? 

Or is this a case of "Open the blinds so you can see what you're saying?"

We may never know.  I don't think I care enough to get off my duff and walk that far.

You may say "The glass is half full", but I say, "Who's been drinking my whiskey?"

Procrastination is My Middle Name

I have begun cleaning out my desk and cubical at the Dumass Corp where I work in preparation for my impending retirement (or my I-Can't-Take-This-Job-One-More-Minute-ment day) later this year.  In one stack of papers, I found a resignation letter I wrote in March 2008 that made a vague reference to a soul-sucking, intelligence-draining, thankless job. 

And here it is more than 4 years later and I'm still there.  Not in the same cube, but the same soul-sucking, intelligence-draining, thankless job.

Maybe Procrastination is my first name.

Sometimes

About 30 years ago, I was a pediatric nurse and, sometimes, I still miss the little rugrats.



This video is the product of Chris Rumble, an aspiring filmmaker and hockey player.  He is also  a patient at Seattle Children's Hospital.

I'm still sick

I can't believe it.  I'm still coughing, hacking, and wheezing.  I sound like crap and I look worse.  My voice is so hoarse that I even stopped talking to myself.

It must be my age.  It didn't used to take me this long to get over a simple cold.  When I was younger, I just refused to accept illness and pain.  Mind over matter.  When did I lose that part of my mind?  I mean, the part that mattered?

I've been at home all week. Inside.  I only went outside twice.  Not only am I going stir crazy, I'm running out of food.  The milk expired.  I broke my last egg.  I slurped the last can of soup days ago. 

I did discover a new recipe though.  Quick, easy, and nutritious with only one pot to clean afterwards.  I made it up myself but I doubt if I was the first.

Pasta Primavera

1 cup whole wheat pasta
1 box Green Giant frozen Antioxidant Blend mixed vegetables (broccoli, carrots, and sweet pepper strips in a garlic-herb infused olive oil)
Cheese

Boil pasta for about 10 minutes (follow directions on box)
Cook vegetables according to package directions when pasta is about half way done.

Drain pasta when done to your liking.  Return pasta to pot. 
Add vegetables.  Stir. 
Put a generous helping on your plate, sprinkle with cheese, and eat it.

Notes:
I used Mexican cheese blend because that's what I had, but I would have preferred an Italian blend.  Parmesan cheese would be good.   I only had about 1 - 2 tablespoons of the cheese and that was about the right amount.

You could add about 2 ounces of cooked chicken or turkey, or even tuna if you wanted.  And if you had some.

And the party ontinues

I spent last night hacking and coughing and blowing my nose (TMI?).  This morning when I got up and sat on the edge of the bed trying to figure out what time it was, I tried to say something, but when I opened my mouth no sound came out.  It was like I forgot how to talk overnight.

I've had colds where it hurt to talk, or my voice would be husky or hoarse, but I don't think I've ever lost it completely before.  I'm able to form words now, this afternoon, but they don't sound like me.   Sometimes I have to stop and think about how to speak before the words come out. 

Think and then speak.  A good motto for everybody.  Sick or not.