Mid-Year Musings

A bit early, yes, considering the solstice is still about a week or so away, but I'll never have time between now and then, giving the parade is coming up on the 26th. Things are going much more smoothly now that Lindsey is at the helm. I'll have a three-week break before we start up at UCB again. In between I might do other little projects, or perhaps even find time to start working on the Ex-Er Expo and Ball. All in all, I expect to be pretty busy until just before the holidays. Work-wise, it's been a good year -- a nice change from the barrens created by the dot.com bust.

Almost a month since my step-father died. As usual, and probably because I've lost so many people during the last half of my lifetime, I was pretty much able to remain strong, although the cemetary was difficult to deal with and I almost lost it. I thought they waited for you to leave before they lowered the casket all the way down!

The other night I had what I consider a special dream. My mother was giving me some of his things, and among them was a scrapbook he'd kept of things I'd done in school and in the community. In the dream I started to cry with big, heaving sobs. I woke up feeling good, rather than sad, because it was an acknowledgement of his love.

My mother's hearing loss is a major concern... and I worry that, like everything else I've inherited from her, that I'm experiencing loss as well. Maybe it's all those rock concerts I went to...

The Iceland trip is off, dang it. Seems the U.S. Icelandair company doesn't want to honor the Iceland-based sponsorship and airline tickets from our "sister" city, so... so much for my exotic trip this year. Guess I'm either looking at New Orleans, in the swelter, amid the other GS geeks, or perhaps two days up in Calistoga, on my own. I haven't done the latter since Eric and I broke up years ago, so only moderate memories are attached to the place. Still... while I love the ideal of a solo revel in the sun and thermal waters, it would be nice to share it.

As for any midwest journeys, I'm still trying to figure out how largely MIA people and those who spent most of the last year on LOA are more senior and productive than me. I haven't taken one LOA or disappeared for more than a couple of days during the last 7 years. Getting the emails and IMs of disappointment from those who hear I won't be present only affirm that I am liked, loved, and appreciated. There's always Thrilla and Maelstrom By The Bay!