Bummed Out By Too Many Friends In Crisis

I'm feeling really weighted down now. Not because of politics (the worst will be over by Tuesday, I hope), but by friends in crisis. The husband of one friend (Lea) fell and broke his back while I was in LA three weeks ago, and after a nine-hour session in surgery, they expected to have him sitting the following day. But he is not doing well. He is in and out of consciousness, his temperature spikes (they have him in a very cold room covered by just a towel), his lungs have filled with fluid that must be suctioned out every day (causing him a great deal of stress), he is on oxygen (he has pneumonia), he has to be turned often (and even so, has bedsores...my mother would be furious if this had happened on her watch). Before he was intubated, he was incoherent; now he couldn't talk if he wanted. And my friend is all he has. No family whatsoever. She is a former nurse and she has been a wonderful advocate for him. But it has been extremely difficult for them both. They are both very athletic, riding bicycles, sailing, kayaking. And he simply is not getting better. It is awful.

My friend, Mary, has been having trouble at the office and she is really depressed. I wish I could help her, but there is nothing I can do, except listen. My friend, JJ, has breast cancer. I have known for at least five months. And I have yet to send the card (and a little gift) I bought for her some time ago. She is undergoing chemo and I know she could use the moral support. Janet's mom has been in and out of he hospital, and in an assisted living home, for almost a year. All I can do for her is sit and listen to the difficulties of having to fly to and from Alabama every couple of weeks ($500/flight) to handle her affairs. She can't keep up with the medical bills. I have no idea what is going on with my painting buddy, Betty, because I have not called her in over a month, and she no longer has an internet hookup. She is morbidly overweight and has diabetes and trouble getting around. She suffers from depression.

I seem to be paralyzed with an inability to cope. I don't believe that I, myself, am depressed. Just overwhelmed by it all. I had such a good time in LA, not thinking about anything weighty. I had a wonderful time in Pennsylvania this weekend, too. Then I returned to this.

Well, I know one thing I can do. Right now, I am going to sign off, get up from this computer, find that card for JJ, wrap the little gift, put it in a box, and address it. At least I will have done that much. Then maybe I'll call Betty tomorrow evening.

3000 Miles

Yesterday morning, I was in California. Last night, I was 3000 miles away in Arlington, Virginia. As we got out of the car in front of the house, that little fact really hit me. I had traveled 3000 miles in less than five hours. Two hundred years ago, it would have take three months to travel by horse-drawn wagon, and several days to go by train (well, that part has not changed). If you drive 500 miles a day, it would take six days to drive that distance...of course, when we drive from here to Houston (1500 miles), we usually go 700 miles per day. What an amazing thing. Five hours. Coast to coast.

This country is really wonderful. Lately, with all the politics, and the polls showing "red" states and "blue" states, I have found myself thinking about the different people in each state. New Yorkers are different from people anywhere else in the country (especially New York City New Yorkers). Texans are different, as are Californians. Washingtonians (of the DC variety) are unique, too. Hawaiians. Alaskans. All completely different from other states. It's like living on a continent of dozens of different countries. But it is the sum of the whole that makes this country great. It isn't just one state. It is all of them together. We are all Americans. OK, so now I am getting gushy. But it's that beautiful flight that does it to me. Every single time. I always have to sit by the window, so I can see the quilt patched fields, the snow-covered mountains in Colorado, the unbelievably stunning Grand Canyon, and the hills of California.

I had a great time in California. We did all the things I said we would do. And tomorrow, it's back to work for me. Vacation's over.

Hatemongering

I know that I said I would not think about politics while I am here in beautiful California having a wonderful vacation, but I cannot get away from news of what is going on. I am flabbergasted by the Palin/McCain campaign. If I were still a Republican, I'd be ashamed to my core. Heck, I'm NOT a Republican and I'm ashamed for them. What are they thinking??? I recognize that not ALL Republicans agree with the hatemongering that is going on right now, but why don't they speak up about it? What does it mean that McCain's poll numbers have gone up (on the Yahoo.com page), if just a minuscule amount? I understand that the experts say that negative campaigning works (what does that say about people?), but I don't understand how this kind of despicable behavior can bring positive results for a campaign.

What happened to the McCain of 2000? Were we wrong to think he was a decent man then? Does he ever sit back and wonder how it all got so out of hand? Or does he really even care? He has no control over his followers...maybe he doesn't want to have control. Maybe he secretly likes the reaction of the crowds. Does he go back into quiet rooms and say "Wow, that was great!" or does he say "This is terrible"? Somehow, watching his complete lack of control, I don't think it is the latter. I think he believes that the continued hate rallies will give him what he wants.

Actually, my greatest fear is a terrorist attack before the elections. And it wouldn't be a foreign attack. It would be a domestic attack (probably by one of these crazy followers)...but we wouldn't know that until after Palin/McCain got elected and then it would be too late for us.

It is unbelievable that I could be so terrified now. What happened?

My next post will be more positive. Despite the above, I really am having a good time here.

The Elusive Offspring's New Toy, and a Trip to LA

Following in his father's footsteps, the Elusive Offspring has a new toy...a 1989 Honda CBR 600 F-K (I like that last label). Fortunately, his dad's bike has more power...but not too much. H has a 650 Honda Nighthawk. Clearly, I am too generous with these two (hehe). Anyway, here is the bearded elusive one with the new acquisition on the streets of St Andrews:



I am leaving for LA tomorrow to visit my best friend, Tracy. I will be in gorgeous Marina del Ray for one glorious week. I will TRY not to think of politics, or my office (I busted my behind to finish drafting a filing today, which I will have to file the day I return to the office). But next week will be a true vacation. We are going to walk, shop, swim, eat healthy meals in and fancy meals out, drink wine both in and out, hang out in the hot tub, see movies, visit Catalina Island or Santa Barbara for one day, and generally pretend for one week that we are wealthy. I'm not going to think of the economic crisis because this is trip a great bargain... my airline ticket cost me only $5 because I cashed in my frequent flyer miles with the thought that the airline company may ultimately discontinue those in the wake of the economic crisis. I am staying at Tracy's place, so I don't have to pay for a hotel. And I'm not even taking annual leave, because Monday is a holiday, Friday is my regular day off, and Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday I am using my three TOAs, or (Time Off (for good behavior) Awards). I am feeling very smug.

I am taking a stunning stitching project and my paints, for those times when Tracy is working on her scripts or meeting with A&E or ABC or one of the other major production companies...and she does, indeed, have several meetings scheduled for next week. Go Tracy!

Tracy will let me use her computer from time to time, so I may be able to keep up with my blogosphere...

Bored Now

Saw the second Presidential debate.

Can we vote already?????
Palease! Getting really tire of this.

The Debate

So. I watched the debate. And to answer my question from my last post, no, she didn't wear her hair down during the debate...the only earpieces we could see were the ones over her ears...meaning her eyeglasses. So I think my concern about another Rovian tactic has been calmed. I think the McCain camp did a good job preparing her. I think she did do a good job redeeming herself after those terrible one-on-one interviews, but it really sounded very rehearsed to me. She didn't really answer the questions, and there was not much real substance to what she said, but I am certain that she appealed to her base. She has reaffirmed their faith in her.

On the other hand, I think Joe Biden did a great job answering the questions that were put to him and correcting the record on what she said. I wonder what impact this debate will have on the undecideds...