Best Fathers Day ever. My dad, Matt's dad, Matty and I went to the shooting range and then to the Hofbräuhaus for beer and food. It was the first time Mike (mine) and Wayne (his) had ever met. Matt's dad has a James Bond-looking pistol - a little shiny .25 that literally fit in his pocket. It was SA-WEEET. My dad, who has just taken up guns/shooting as a hobby, has a .22 and a .357. Matt had never shot before. I only shot 1.5 times before. A shotgun twice in Georgia, and the 1/2 was a month or so ago in my parent's basement with a bb-gun and an air gun. Matt turns out to be a good shot, and I'm not too shabby.
After Armstrong Arms we headed to the Hofbräuhaus for a liter or so of beer and some food. Oh, and some accordian music.
There was not one moment of tension, boredom or negativity. I didn't think there would be, by the way, but let's be honest; rarely a day goes by in anyone's life where there isn't a moment you wished did not happen or happened differently. Not today.
This wonderful day coming after a great time with local friends last night, and a whole week of living in the same city with Ryan, which frankly just plain old fills me with the utmost joy. And that all gets me thinking about you, and you and you too. And I am the luckiest woman alive. Thank you so much.
June 21, 2009
March 18, 2009
Yummy Morrissey
I almost didn't go - man would I have felt like a big turd if I hadn't have gone. Morrissey played at the Carnegie Music Hall in Oakland last night - to a sold out crowd of about 2000 people, many of which have been stood up by His Hotness in the past. CMH is a GREAT place to see a show - we (me, little and jimmy) were in the last row of the 2nd balcony and could still see everything that went on. We were crammed, yes, but every seat in the house is at least a decent one. The fact that the place was an absolute sauna hardly even annoyed me once the music started. Everywhere is a sauna mid-March when it could just as easily be 30 degrees as 70 and the dip wads still have the heat on. Ok, it annoyed me a lot - I forgot a pocket square and was sweating like a whore in a mosh pit in the old 9:30 club.
Anyway, perhaps because he's not been here in so long, we were treated to more older music (read: Smiths) than I think he generally plays - you won't hear me complain about that at all. He also took his shirt off once, and the 3 of us nearly fainted (and not from the heat.) Play list follows:
This Charming Man / Billy Budd / Black Cloud / How Soon Is Now? / Let Me Kiss You / Irish Blood, English Heart / That's How People Grow Up / I'm Throwing My Arms Around Paris / Ask / How Can Anybody Possibly Know How I Feel? / The World Is Full Of Crashing Bores / The Loop / Death Of A Disco Dancer / Seasick, Yet Still Docked / Why Don't You Find Out For Yourself? / Best Friend On The Payroll / Sorry Doesn't Help / I Keep Mine Hidden / Something Is Squeezing My Skull / I'm OK By Myself // First Of The Gang To Die
And here is a picture taken by Randy Monroe, who I believe also made it on stage for a minute:
February 23, 2009
Aw Toots
Conversation during the Oscars
me: Penelope Cruz just won an 0scar
Matty: I don't like her
me: me either
Matty: is she still married to Tom Cruise??
me: What? omg are you serious? They were never married. They dated a while ago though. Tom Cruise is married to Katie Holmes
Matty: What?!?!? Katie Holmes? From Dawson's Creek?
me: yes. They have a baby and everything
Matty: are you serious?
me: oh, I'm serious.
me: Penelope Cruz just won an 0scar
Matty: I don't like her
me: me either
Matty: is she still married to Tom Cruise??
me: What? omg are you serious? They were never married. They dated a while ago though. Tom Cruise is married to Katie Holmes
Matty: What?!?!? Katie Holmes? From Dawson's Creek?
me: yes. They have a baby and everything
Matty: are you serious?
me: oh, I'm serious.
February 4, 2009
SUPERBOWL XIII And Other Amazing Occurances in 2009
Here we are, a mere 35 days into 2009, and already it's been one of the most exciting, invigorating, heart warming and wonderful years of my life (and in my opinion, of America's life too.) Below are the reasons I think this. They are in loose order of importance. It was amazingly difficult to rank these, as frankly they are all number 1 to me.
Barak Obama was inaugurated as the 43rd president of the united states. He is the first black president. He is thoughtful. He is young. He has made countless americans, including myself, believe what we were taught to believe about american all along. 8 years ago at this time I was 25, I had been bartending for 8 years and was just at the start of getting my shit together. I was not politically active - unless you count bartending for Clinton's second inauguration. So for the bulk of my adult life that I actually paid attention to (or was even mildly sober for) GW was our pres. It's no wonder this feels so damn good.
PITTSBURGH STEELERS WON THE SUPERBOWL!!! For the 2nd time in 4 years the Steelers won the superbowl. We won under the leadership of the youngest coach to ever win the superbowl. He also happens to be black (and mighty fine.) Next time, we're going to watch it in person. SUPERBOWL XLIII BABY!!!!!!! Larissa got to come over which was awesome. We got to head down to the South Side to celebrate with thousands of other folks after the victory. I had no idea that high-fiving and chest bumping could be such a work out. Everyone was sore the next day. It was awesome. Just amazing.
I got an engagement ring!!!! This ranks last on the list because in my mind our engagement was official in June (the fact that Matty and I are going to spend our lives together didn't come to light in 2009 - it came earlier.) Oddly, it seems more real to both of us now though. It definitely seems more real to everyone else too. First, we didn't really make an announcement over the summer. We sort of just told people piecemeal style.
I never would have thought I would be so excited about a ring. I was seriously giddy about it. I'm still giddy about it frankly. I still like checking it out. And every once in a while I flash it at Matty. He likes it too. It's super sweet. I never even wanted an engagement ring - I wasn't against it or anything, just didn't think it was necessary. And while I still feel that way, I'm glad I have this one. I love it, and I'm proud of what it symbolizes. I'm proud of both of us - we've both grown so much together and have done so much for each other - we are family, and I while I don't need a ring to prove that to anyone, I am more than happy to let the ring be a public representation of those feelings. It is also meaningful to us privately, which is the most important.
Barak Obama was inaugurated as the 43rd president of the united states. He is the first black president. He is thoughtful. He is young. He has made countless americans, including myself, believe what we were taught to believe about american all along. 8 years ago at this time I was 25, I had been bartending for 8 years and was just at the start of getting my shit together. I was not politically active - unless you count bartending for Clinton's second inauguration. So for the bulk of my adult life that I actually paid attention to (or was even mildly sober for) GW was our pres. It's no wonder this feels so damn good.
PITTSBURGH STEELERS WON THE SUPERBOWL!!! For the 2nd time in 4 years the Steelers won the superbowl. We won under the leadership of the youngest coach to ever win the superbowl. He also happens to be black (and mighty fine.) Next time, we're going to watch it in person. SUPERBOWL XLIII BABY!!!!!!! Larissa got to come over which was awesome. We got to head down to the South Side to celebrate with thousands of other folks after the victory. I had no idea that high-fiving and chest bumping could be such a work out. Everyone was sore the next day. It was awesome. Just amazing.
I got an engagement ring!!!! This ranks last on the list because in my mind our engagement was official in June (the fact that Matty and I are going to spend our lives together didn't come to light in 2009 - it came earlier.) Oddly, it seems more real to both of us now though. It definitely seems more real to everyone else too. First, we didn't really make an announcement over the summer. We sort of just told people piecemeal style.
I never would have thought I would be so excited about a ring. I was seriously giddy about it. I'm still giddy about it frankly. I still like checking it out. And every once in a while I flash it at Matty. He likes it too. It's super sweet. I never even wanted an engagement ring - I wasn't against it or anything, just didn't think it was necessary. And while I still feel that way, I'm glad I have this one. I love it, and I'm proud of what it symbolizes. I'm proud of both of us - we've both grown so much together and have done so much for each other - we are family, and I while I don't need a ring to prove that to anyone, I am more than happy to let the ring be a public representation of those feelings. It is also meaningful to us privately, which is the most important.
January 8, 2009
movin' and groovin'
A week or so ago I FINALLY made an appointment for Matty with one of the doctors that Brian Ahlstrom (Dr. Ahlstrom and Matt Ahlstrom's dad) suggested to us. His name is Galen Mitchell (sounds like gay-lin) and he's a UPMC/Pitt guy. First available appointment is in April, which frankly is sooner than I thought we'd be able to get him. The other guy Brian suggested at UPMC/Pitt is Rock Heyman (sounds like hymen.) He didn't have an available appointment until September. I'm glad we're going to see someone else. First of all, we shouldn't have dawdled this long about getting a 'second opinion.' Although I'm sure the diagnosis won't be different, and I'm very very confident that Matty is on the right meds, it will be good to go see another doctor. Hell, it'll be good to see a doctor at all. Matty saw his neurologist one time - when the tests were ordered. In fact, it wasn't until AFTER the PA gave us the diagnosis that anyone in the office had actually seen his MRI - they diagnosed him on the report write up and on the lab results from his spinal. I have to give credit where credit is due here though. Matty wanted his results as soon as possible (and rightfully so.) He didn't want to wait until the actual doctor was available. We have his 8 week follow up appointment this friday 1/30 where again, we will see the PA not the doctor. No biggie, he's not due for another MRI until May or so. Still, I want Matty to see and talk to a doctor fer chrissakes!
The two guys at Pitt, and another one at AGH, Dr. Thomas Scott are the 'MS guru's' of Pittsburgh. Scott has done a lot of work with the avonex folks (matty is one avonex.) The two at Pitt, however, are not only more convenient, but as Brian said, they're also closer to the research - they see patients and teach and probably oversee research. All three of these guys certainly have their finger on the pulse of MS research and medications.
I can't believe it's only been 8 weeks! (I started writing this on 1/8 and didn't bother to finish it until now, 20 days later. oops.) Ok, not exactly. Matty was diagnosed the Monday before Thanksgiving, so it will really be closer to 10 weeks. Still, it feels like it's been much longer. Thankfully, I think that's because we were quickly able to get back to 'normal' so to speak. I can't honestly tell you whether or not I even think about it everyday. I must on some level, but I'm not consumed by it. Neither is the mutant. He's been basically symptom free for at least a month now. Actually, soon after starting the meds he could tell a difference. Is this psychosomatic? Perhaps in part - but so what! The power of the mind is amazing, and knowing what was going on with his body helped decrease Matty's stress level, which I believe directly affected the frequency and severity of his symptoms.
We are also lucky because it seems he was diagnosed "early." He was probably symptomatic for less than a year. We've both read stories of people who were unknowingly living with MS for 10 and 20 years before being diagnosed. In the past, before MRIs and before there was so much knowledge, people would seek to have their symptoms treated and often didn't know until they were severely affected or disabled that they had MS. So we're lucky.
We heard from my soon to be brother in law (that story is for my next post!) that a friend of theirs, who has been on avonex for 5 years, may be taken off of it after her next MRI. So far, the meds seem to have not only stopped the progression of the disease, but also actually reversed some of the damage. I look forward to talking to the doc about that as well.
The two guys at Pitt, and another one at AGH, Dr. Thomas Scott are the 'MS guru's' of Pittsburgh. Scott has done a lot of work with the avonex folks (matty is one avonex.) The two at Pitt, however, are not only more convenient, but as Brian said, they're also closer to the research - they see patients and teach and probably oversee research. All three of these guys certainly have their finger on the pulse of MS research and medications.
I can't believe it's only been 8 weeks! (I started writing this on 1/8 and didn't bother to finish it until now, 20 days later. oops.) Ok, not exactly. Matty was diagnosed the Monday before Thanksgiving, so it will really be closer to 10 weeks. Still, it feels like it's been much longer. Thankfully, I think that's because we were quickly able to get back to 'normal' so to speak. I can't honestly tell you whether or not I even think about it everyday. I must on some level, but I'm not consumed by it. Neither is the mutant. He's been basically symptom free for at least a month now. Actually, soon after starting the meds he could tell a difference. Is this psychosomatic? Perhaps in part - but so what! The power of the mind is amazing, and knowing what was going on with his body helped decrease Matty's stress level, which I believe directly affected the frequency and severity of his symptoms.
We are also lucky because it seems he was diagnosed "early." He was probably symptomatic for less than a year. We've both read stories of people who were unknowingly living with MS for 10 and 20 years before being diagnosed. In the past, before MRIs and before there was so much knowledge, people would seek to have their symptoms treated and often didn't know until they were severely affected or disabled that they had MS. So we're lucky.
We heard from my soon to be brother in law (that story is for my next post!) that a friend of theirs, who has been on avonex for 5 years, may be taken off of it after her next MRI. So far, the meds seem to have not only stopped the progression of the disease, but also actually reversed some of the damage. I look forward to talking to the doc about that as well.
January 6, 2009
Ideas for 2009
These are some things I may be considering looking into as I enter a new year. I reserve the right to have frequent, multiple relapses, however I also plan to actively limit said relapses with more than a modicum of vigor (this is called 'hedging your bet' and I am a big fan.)
1. Do not cook while wearing your (time to move on anyway) house coat. The less dog hair in food the better.
2. Do not assume red wine is the answer every time you're thirsty. Sometimes it might be something stronger. It also could be water - decaf tea even. (if you are confused, this means 'mixers' but without the booze....or with is good too)
3. Do not confuse acid reflux/indigestion/ (add) with hunger. This adds pounds. (note: red wine may exacerbate condition)
4. Answer the phone more often. Also check voicemail once in a while.
5. To something exercisey every day and cardio at least 40 mins 3 x a week.
6. Get stretchier (see above)
7. Save money
8. Build credit
9. YFW!!!!!
10. More park time with Basil
1. Do not cook while wearing your (time to move on anyway) house coat. The less dog hair in food the better.
2. Do not assume red wine is the answer every time you're thirsty. Sometimes it might be something stronger. It also could be water - decaf tea even. (if you are confused, this means 'mixers' but without the booze....or with is good too)
3. Do not confuse acid reflux/indigestion/ (add) with hunger. This adds pounds. (note: red wine may exacerbate condition)
4. Answer the phone more often. Also check voicemail once in a while.
5. To something exercisey every day and cardio at least 40 mins 3 x a week.
6. Get stretchier (see above)
7. Save money
8. Build credit
9. YFW!!!!!
10. More park time with Basil
January 5, 2009
Funny, in a tea bagging sort of a way
An article in CNN just caught my eye because it was titled "Burris Plans to Show up at Senate Chambers" and of course, even though the spelling is different, I immediately thought that Plax was going to try to plead his case to the US Senate. What can I say, after blissfully watching 12 hours of football over the weekend, with another 12 in store for this weekend, I've got the greatest game on earth on the brain.
Well, as you may have guessed, the article was actually about one Roland Burris, Blagojevich's appointment to Obama's senate seat. Burris maintains the governors problems have nothing to do with him, and in fact stated, "there's no taint on me" - HA HA HA. There's NO TAINT on Burris. This of course immediately caused at least 2 rank but hilarious images of Roland Burris with, well, some taint on him. Is there a gay porn set in the senate chambers? If not, there should be, and it should have lots of taint in it.
Well, as you may have guessed, the article was actually about one Roland Burris, Blagojevich's appointment to Obama's senate seat. Burris maintains the governors problems have nothing to do with him, and in fact stated, "there's no taint on me" - HA HA HA. There's NO TAINT on Burris. This of course immediately caused at least 2 rank but hilarious images of Roland Burris with, well, some taint on him. Is there a gay porn set in the senate chambers? If not, there should be, and it should have lots of taint in it.
First of 2009
I'll admit it - I'm writing this now because I feel like I should, not because I've got anything in particular to say. This has a lot to do with my ginormous case of ADD. I think about things to write all the time - all the time I'm not faced with actually writing that is.
I suppose what I should do it use this blog as it was intended - as a way for me to journal AND keep folks up to date with my perspective of Matty's diagnosis with MS and it's ensuing adventures. The thing is, neither of those two things seems entirely appropriate or necessary. First, certainly I would not be able to post everything that I would think to journal - journals can be raw and while that's fine for a blog too, perhaps I feel more comfortable blogging about what I may (or may not) journal rather than as a journal itself. Secondly, my life is not crowded with Matty's MS in the way I thought it might be after his diagnosis. We are at a new normal, but a normal nonetheless. This, by the way, is wonderful.
What is this all about then? I suppose I don't actually have to answer that question other to say that it's about whatever I damn well please. I guess I did have something to say. Happy New Year.
I suppose what I should do it use this blog as it was intended - as a way for me to journal AND keep folks up to date with my perspective of Matty's diagnosis with MS and it's ensuing adventures. The thing is, neither of those two things seems entirely appropriate or necessary. First, certainly I would not be able to post everything that I would think to journal - journals can be raw and while that's fine for a blog too, perhaps I feel more comfortable blogging about what I may (or may not) journal rather than as a journal itself. Secondly, my life is not crowded with Matty's MS in the way I thought it might be after his diagnosis. We are at a new normal, but a normal nonetheless. This, by the way, is wonderful.
What is this all about then? I suppose I don't actually have to answer that question other to say that it's about whatever I damn well please. I guess I did have something to say. Happy New Year.
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