Can You Hear Me Now?

I have been going NUTS trying to get work stuff done, and this next week is going to be even MORE NUTS with the arrival of Rob Szabo today and Peter Katz mid-week, so today I’m taking some time to update before Rob arrives.

Okay, let’s get real here… it’s not like I’m working on taxes 24 hours/day. I’ve just got lots to do, but I’m not able to sit here and work as much as I used to be able to, and need to. I take lots of necessary breaks to sit in my big chair with my feet up, and watch TV or read. And then there is Facebook, with its addictive Scratch and Win and Pull Tabs and Roll up the Brim to Win games that call my name… they’re relaxing, and did I mention addictive? And not hard on my vision like the word games are. But then I can’t sit here forever, and Facebook sucks up time that I should be working, but then I need another break, so I don’t get as much done as I’d like to. And then my favourite musicians come to town, and, well, soon I’m 2 weeks behind. I’m just sayin’.

Not that I mind, however! I will still get everything done that needs to be done by April 30. I know the next few days with Rob here will be a welcome break and God knows I’m thrilled to pieces he’ll be staying with me until Wednesday!! I can’t wait. Just between you and me, though, these guys have got to stop touring out West in April! Heh.

So, I suppose by now you’ve heard about the man who is having a baby. This seems to be upsetting a lot of people. Personally, I cried when I saw that, because I thought it was so great. That this couple can have their very own baby. This couple is very much in love, and that baby will be born into a very loving home, to two parents who really want her. Who cares if the man is carrying the baby?? When he went about his sex change, he consciously decided to keep some girly bits for this exact purpose. His wife can’t get pregnant, so he did. I don’t see anything wrong with that, because I don’t think the ability to carry a child makes you a woman any more than NOT being able to makes you a man. That seems to be the biggest problem with most people. That it’s “not normal”. “Women have a womb. That’s what makes them a woman, their ability to carry a child.” (Quoted from some Christian woman on the news). I couldn’t disagree more, because I have female friends who can’t get pregnant. Either because they were born without the ability, or had a surgical procedure by necessity or choice. And they are NO LESS women because of it. My friend Sylvie has half a womb, among other gynecolgical problems (and MS) and was told she’d most likely never get pregnant, never mind carry a baby full term with half a womb, but she gave birth to a healthy baby boy a couple years ago. Miracle! Any time a child is born into this world it is a miracle. Who cares what body it came from.

That said, is the world ready for this? No, I don’t think so. Not when you listen to the shit that spews out of the mouths of people like Sally “gays are a bigger threat than terrorists” Kern or this Fox News reaction to Heath Ledger’s death (thankfully he has since been fired). People can be so closed minded it boggles my brain. According to a member of my family (who has those attitudes, unfortunately) the Bible says being gay is wrong, and punishable by death. Oh, like this? Well, if that is true, I don’t believe the Bible is the Word of God any more than I believe the Qur’an is. I believe there is one God, and he does not hate. Anyone. Period. (Although I’m sure he has a “special place” reserved for child and animal abusers). I believe he created the Laws of the Universe, but I don’t believe he wrote a book. Because if he did, there would be only ONE book and no wars trying to prove which is the right one. My belief, not yours, I know. My blog, my opinion!

Anyway, I just wanted to have my say about that.

So what else is going on… oh, I stopped seeing my psychologist at the Clinic for Mind/Body Medicine. Partly because I’m so busy this month, and partly because I just don’t need to. How many therapists and psychologists do I need to see, before I realize I don’t need to see one??? This time, she is the one who pointed that out to me. It’s like, give me a call when you’ve weaned off your anti-depressants and need help getting off sleeping pills. Until then, there’s nothing she can tell me that I don’t already know. I ‘ve read all the books and listened to all the CDs and I know how to meditate. I know what I need to do to take better care of myself, and the fact I’m not always doing it is nothing she can help me with, ’cause it’s all in ME. So, yeah. I’m going to my regular doctor next week to get a couple more referrals (I’m hoping to get safer/better walking happening here) and I need a refill on my sleeping pills. I have no idea how I’m going to get off those things. I wish I could fall asleep without them!

Last night I watched the movie Hard Candy with Ellen Page. What an amazing actress that girl is!! That was a pretty tough movie to watch at times, but soooo good. And since I saw Georgia Rule the night before (who got one month free of Movie Central when her Telus TV was installed?? Gee, I don’t know) I think I’ve had my fill of the grown men who think it’s okay to have sex with young teenage girls because they “act older and sexy, like they want it”. *shiver*

Oh, speaking of Telus TV, I am REALLY loving it. If only I could figure out my new remote. And I need to do some furniture re-arranging because all these new channels and on–screen guides involve a lot of reading on screen, which I can’t do with the TV so far away (even with glasses). And since I don’t see myself getting a big screen TV anytime soon, I better move the TV closer. I’ll be putting Rob to work this week! The Shaw Cable guy was a snarky asshole when I called to disconnect their cable. That’s right, Shaw, you lost another customer because Telus TV is offering us a deal you can’t compete with right now. He tried to talk me out of it by scaring me that my “internet will be slower” (which it totally isn’t, if anything it is faster, but that may be because the guy gave me a brand spankin’ new modem to replace the original Telus modem I’ve had since they first came out with DSL in the late 90’s) and that “they make you commit to a 3 year contract to get that one year free”… OHMIGOD. I’ve only had cable for, oh, my entire life, I really don’t see a problem committing to another 3 years. Anyway, we argued for awhile, until I finally said “look, I didn’t call here to argue with you, I called to disconnect”. I understand they are frustrated as I’m sure they are losing customers to Telus, but it’s only going to get worse as Telus TV becomes available in more areas. My brother wants to switch, too, but they don’t have it in his part of the city yet. Both Shaw and Telus now offer all 3 - phone, internet and digital TV/cable. Let the price-slashing war begin!

Anyway, I was about to upload some cute cat pics before signing off, but the move to the new server has put a glitch in that for the time being. So until it’s sorted out, here’s an unedited video clip. I’m off to await the arrivals of my friend Kim and Mr. Szabo!!

Todor is in Major Maker with my friend Lindy. He has done an amazing remix of Radiohead’s “Nude” and needs your vote!!

Oh my God, I am so mean. I just changed a couple of photos that stupid people were hotlinking to from my blog, to this scary naked dude. One of the sites was using a photo I have here as the entire background to the Welcome page of their Chat room. And now everyone will be welcomed by Ugly Naked Guy. I CRACK MYSELF UP.

By the way, Ugly Naked Guy is a man that contacted me on Facebook once (and then I blocked him), and when I looked at his profile, there was only a photo album with 2 naked pictures of him. I laughed so hard I decided to save them to use just for this purpose. He is simply naked, standing over his underwear drawer, sorting tighty whiteys. And he is quite unattractive. If you want to see the picture, you’ll have to email me and ask for it, ’cause I’m not posting it here! Or you can hotlink one of my photos and wait for me to catch you and change it. Hehe. But please don’t.

My mom was here over the weekend. I barely recognize my apartment!! The clutter in the living room, dining room and kitchen is gone. The filing in my office is done. She did SO much to help me sort through crap I’ve been meaning to sort through for ages. But I put it off because it is easier with two hands and some of it involved standing for long periods of time. Last weekend my Stepdad put together my new CD stand, and finally, it is full. And the top of my hutch in the living room is not littered with stray CD and DVD cases and discs. YAY! It looks nice in here again, I actually want to live here.

Oh, update from last entry, my new friend is Sander, not Saunder. He requested me on Facebook so now I know for sure. He also has an 80mb audio file of the Polyjesters‘ show last Saturday which he’s letting me download as I type this. YAY I like new friends.

I am just crushed that Jeff Healey passed away. I only ever met him a couple times myself, briefly, but some good friends of mine have worked really closely with him over the years. So it was very sad news.

Back in December I ordered some tote bags off Make It Right. I finally received them today, exactly 3 months after I ordered them! At the time I ordered them, they didn’t have all the notices they have up now, about how the bags are hand made from the pink material used to showcase where the houses would be going (OMG maybe Brad Pitt touched them!!), and wouldn’t be available until after January 15, and that they’re not in mass production, etc. etc. I had no clue and actually ordered a couple for Christmas gifts!! Then they changed the site. So, Lisa, I have a pink bag for you. Happy belated birthday, even! And Kim, I know pink’s not your colour, but it’s for a good cause, and they don’t come in any other colour. Carry it proudly.

Today was our Provincial Election. I was out all day, as my appointments at the Clinic for Mind/Body Medicine take all day because of the way Access Calgary schedules things. So my day consisted of sitting in a car, sitting at my appointment, and sitting in a car. Long day. I was pretty beat by the time I got home (sitting in a car for well over an hour each way is draining! Especially when the driver is singing songs in Punjabi the entire time) but I still mustered up the energy to get my scooter out and go to the school a few blocks away and vote. My neighbour Richard was working at my polling station, handling all the voters from my apartment complex - about 750 people. He said I was only the 35th he’d seen ALL DAY. That means probably 700 people in my complex didn’t even bother voting! Ugh. Oh well, can’t blame them really, it seems this province will never change parties*, so why bother. PC stands for Political Corporation, not Progressive Conservative, as far as I’m concerned! Hee. Political Corporation. I just thought of that. Did I make it up? Political Corruption. Political Caca. Whatever. Can we get a Hillary over here?

*I’m writing this a couple hours before the election is over, so we don’t actually know yet, but based on the past 37 years it’s an educated guess.

Whoever wins, I hope they do something about AISH (Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped). I still don’t have my benefits for March, which were supposed to be deposited last Tuesday. When I called about it, I was told they couldn’t release my funds because I hadn’t “filed my annual report”. Well, I never received an annual report to file! “Oh, well, my clients are responsible for knowing their Diary Date and getting their reports in on time, I don’t call them if they are late”. Well, in the past 10 years, there was only one other time I didn’t receive the report, and I was called about it, sent another one, and filed it. Every other year, I just file it when I get it. I wasn’t even aware I had a “Diary Date”. And thanks for changing your rules without letting me know. So, she faxed me a report and I filled it out and mailed it (they won’t accept a fax back because they need your original signature). I was able to fax over attachments, however, such as my tax assessment and bank statements. So I did that. And this morning she wakes me up by calling with a million questions, and “fax me this, fax me that” because she doesn’t understand what self-employment means, and I’ve only been doing this for 10 FUCKING YEARS, BITCH! I am NOT ripping you off, but how in the hell do you expect someone to live off $1,050 AISH benefit when their rent is $1,000 and they’re not allowed to earn more than $400 a month before they are deducted benefits. So EXCUSE ME if I collect more than $400 a month, I have write-offs because I am self-employed, it is one of the great benefits of BEING self-employed on the AISH program. And I’ve been doing this for 10 FUCKING YEARS, so why don’t you just ask your boss and stop bugging me. Sigh.

I must tell you about last Friday, a.k.a. I-Must-Have-Royalty-In-My-Blood night. It was the Polyjesters CD Release Party in their hometown of Didsbury, and I got to go. As Sheldon said a couple weeks ago, “if I have to drive in and get you myself, I will, because you HAVE to be there”. Luckily it didn’t come to that, because that guy did enough that night. He did, however, make arrangements for his girlfriend Joelle to pick me up, his parents to give me a bed for the night, and Joelle to drive me back the next day. Among other things.

I had considered taking my wheelchair, and when talking to Sheldon about seating at the complex, he said it was most likely those folding plastic chairs. So I said I’d bring my wheelchair. He said, “Oh, if it’s a chair you need, I’ll bring you a chair! Yes! I’ll bring a special chair, just for you! Then you don’t have to bring your wheelchair and can be more mobile”. I requested a La-Z-Boy, preferably of the electronic lift variety, okthx.

Joelle picked me up around 3:30 p.m. and after a stop for gas and coffee, we were on our way. I love Joelle, she’s super cool and fun to talk to. Didsbury is about an hour away from Calgary, so we got in some good boy talk. When we arrived at the Didsbury Community Centre, we were greeted with gigantic hugs and I was driven right up to the front door so I could by-pass the ice that hadn’t melted out back. (It’s been so sunny and warm, but that back area is all shade). A good friend of the band named Saunder (I’m not sure that’s how you spell it… he is Dutch and it comes from Alexander, so maybe it’s Xander?) paid an awful a lot of attention to me. I think the guys must have paid him to be my personal slave or something. (He lives in Ottawa and is married with an adult son, so it wasn’t THAT kind of attention!) He was just so helpful and took care of me. As so many others did that night, I’m still in awe of everyone.

Sheldon had yet to arrive with “My Chair”, but him and everyone else had been running their asses off all day. There was a big dinner being served before the show, African beef curry that Sheldon cooked up, and beef satay by Saunder. (If I ever get married, I’ll get Sheldon to cater my wedding, now that I know he can successfully cook and serve 100 people). The band rented the hall so they had to look after all the set up, tear down, food, liquor, etc. themselves. Lucky for them, they have very supportive and hardworking girlfriends, parents and friends! I felt pretty useless as I watched everyone else drag out stacks of chairs and set up big tables. Sheldon arrived with My Chair, and once I sat in it, I knew I would not be getting up. Literally, it was one of those low armchairs you sink right into, and I knew there was no hope. The wooden legs slid along the floor fairly easily, and Sheldon slid me right up to the front of the stage where I enjoyed watching everyone’s soundchecks. It was one of those chairs that even looks like a throne, if you know what I mean! Saunder brought me 7up and chips from Indonesia. They tasted a little too shrimp-y for me to eat many, but I could not refuse after he went through the trouble to wait on me!

The early crowd started arriving for dinner around 7:00. Sheldon moved me to the back again, so I could sit with people I knew. By this time Kim had arrived, looking fabulous as usual. She stood in line for her food and brought me a plate as well. I highly recommend curry with sliced apples and bananas. I think I mentioned this a couple entries ago, the first time I tried Sheldon’s curry. It’s sooooo good! After filling up on dinner, I got a couple strong men to help me stand up, and I was able to get to the bathroom! By the time I got back, the room was packed and the show was about to start. I’m not sure how many people were there, I don’t think anyone knows for sure, but my guess would be 250, which is pretty damn good for a local act in a small town putting on their own show!

First up was Tony Charron, a good friend of the Polyjesters, followed by Dave Taylor, another local singer/songwriter. During Tony’s set Sheldon raced me back up to the front, causing a bit of a commotion (there was some laughter and applause as he ran, pushing me in my chair, to my front row spot). I even got a “hi, Donna” from Tony onstage. Both Tony and Dave played short sets, and were really good! After that, CBC Radio got involved. They were broadcasting the show from that point on, attracted by the multi-cultural evening - a French band from Quebec played next, called Chakidor. They were absolutely brilliant. They only sang one song in English, but that was okay! Music is a universal language. They have an amazing fiddle player, and since the Polyjesters were without theirs that evening, I was wishing she knew their stuff too, so she could play with them! The Polyjesters are used to improvising without certain members when they need to, but I do miss the fiddle the most when they’re short a player.

After Chakidor’s wonderful set, the Polyjesters took to the stage. Oh, yes, and I will mention here that I was very well taken care of. Carol (PolyMom) told me she felt bad that I was up there all by myself, but I’m a listener, anyway, so it’s not like I’d be talking to anyone while the music was going. And I had so many people coming to visit me throughout the night; Barry (PolyDad) brought me drinks, Saunder made sure a second helping of his beef satay was brought to me around 11:00, and many friends popped around during and after. Being as close as I was, I managed to get a bit of video, and here are a couple of my favourites:

My photos from that night can be seen in my Public Facebook album, right here. They are all live shots because of my position for the night. If I’d had more running-around freedom (or wheeling-around, as the case would be!) I’m sure I would have some behind-the-scenes and other friends pictures too!

Following the show, clean-up had to be completed before we could leave for the night. Cut to me feeling completely useless again! Even Kim, in her high heels and no commitments to being a volunteer for the night, ran around tossing empty beer bottles into boxes and helped tidy up. There was garbage and empty bottles to go, chairs to be stacked, tables to be put away, floors to be mopped, a kitchen to be cleaned… it all took a couple of hours, and I just sat and watched. Seriously, I didn’t like that one bit. Even though Jason and Sheldon kept insisting it was their pleasure to treat me like a Queen for a night and pamper me. I WANTED TO HELP! Next time I’m bringing my wheelchair so I can at least carry a box on my lap and toss in empties as I wheel myself backwards, which is my specialty.

There would be no partying after this show, as Jason and Sheldon (I’m thinking, especially Sheldon!) had been running non stop all day, it was now 2:00 a.m., and they had to be in Calgary for a soundcheck by 1:00 p.m. on Saturday. I got my hugs and kisses then left with the PolyParents to stay at Chateau Valleau. Barry and Carol were a great help getting me inside, as there were a few steps up with no railing to face once we got there. Once safe inside and sufficiently tackled by their dog Suzie, they showed me to the spare room. Lucky for me the bed is high, so my struggles to stand up were over for the night! Not that I was going to be getting up again any time soon. I think it was about 3:30 a.m. by the time I fell asleep.

I woke up at 9:30 to the sounds of phones ringing, voices, activity in the house… so I figured I better get up too. I went into the kitchen and was greeted by a fresh pot of coffee and Carol making breakfast: pancakes, hash browns, and crispy bacon. Was this heaven? Turns out Carol didn’t even sleep the night before - “I stayed up on the couch reading. I’ll sleep later”. Non-stop, that woman is!! We had a wonderful breakfast and then I washed myself up. I tried to dress myself, but gave up when I was struggling with my pants, so I called Carol. “You’re a mom, you can help me…” of course, she was more than happy to. Pants on, bra clipped, top on. Easy as pie.

Perfect timing, because as soon as I was dressed, Sheldon, Joelle and their friend Dawn arrived. Sheldon was driving right out to Calgary, but my ride was with Joelle, and her and Dawn wanted to stop in Carstairs for some Chinese food. It hadn’t been that long since breakfast, but I did manage to sneak in a couple spicy won tons and dumplings. Oh, and the Ginger Chicken was delicious! Next time I’m going there on an empty stomach. Actually, next time I’m in Carstairs I want to try the Burger Baron, I’ve heard soooo much about it! Anyway, we had a nice lunch and good conversation. Great ladies!

I’m not sure what time I got home, probably around 2:00 or so. I’m pretty sure I spent the rest of the day lazing about.

Since then, I’ve been back to my usual life. Psychologist on Monday, work at Troy’s on Wednesdays, working at home, Facebook, TV, etc. The excitement starts here! Today I bought some Millionaire for Life tickets, so by tonight I’ll know if I’ll be getting a million dollars a year for the next 25 years. Yippeee!

“That was fun! Do you like your new blue carpet?”

It’s been awhile since I updated, but even if I did a play-by-play of the past two weeks or so, it would go something like this: sleep, work, watch TV, eat, go to the mall, cuddle kitties, sleep. Life has been very quiet lately.

The only thing worth writing about is February 8, when my friend Kim came into trown for the weekend and we headed down to the Ironwood to see The Plaid Tongued Devils. The last time I saw them was at In Klezskavania in April ‘05, a play they wrote which is AWESOME and even garnered them a spot on Jeopardy as an “answer”. Before that, I used to go see them in the mid-90’s at the Ship & Anchor Pub, so it had been many years since I’d seen them live like this! The temperature was minus 150 degrees or something, so kudos to everyone who made it out. I felt so bad for Kim, because I wanted to bring my wheelchair (having fallen enough lately, I didn’t want to take any chances) so I’m the one who gets to sit in the car right away while Kim has to stay in the freezing cold, getting my wheelchair in the trunk and stuff. I always feel bad about that, and like I’m such a hassle to get out anywhere, so I really appreciate how willing my friends are to accommodate me. Especially when it’s minus 378 degrees or whatever.

We arrived in good time and saw our friends Sheldon and Joelle right away. Damien made it out, too. It was great to see them! Sheldon is hilarious. The guy seriously makes me laugh so hard I get tears.

Funny in a slightly creepy way, no?

Anyway, the show was great, and we had a blast. Kim stayed until Sunday, but she had other people to see and things to do so I did not get to keep her for myself.

The past couple of days I actually feel like I hit a point in my anti-depressant withdrawal where I’m okay. I’ve been at 20mg for a few weeks now (and staying there for awhile) and I think my brain finally figured it out. I feel like myself again! I’m not going to lower it any more until after my busy work season; it’s too hard on me and I need my wits about me! Some people have asked why I’m going off them in the first place, and the reason is because I don’t need them, I’m only addicted to them because my brain is used to getting that Seratonin Rush every day. But brains can and will produce their own seratonin. I used Paxil to help get me out of a really rough place, but didn’t wean off shortly after. I should have, I know that now. Most people don’t need them long term. It’s just that our brains get used to it, and getting off them is so hard. I AM under medical supervision for my weaning off, no worries. In the long run, this is for the best. THEN, we tackle the sleeping pills…. sigh.

I watched Ellen yesterday, and could NOT take my eyes off Christina Aguilera’s breasts. Am I alone here?

The other day my phone line went dead. It rang at 11:00 a.m., so it was sometime after that. I was in the living room and picked up my cordless to make a call, and it beeped at me “line in use”. So I went into my office, and the light on the phone in there was lit up, with “extension in use” on the screen. Normally when my phone is off the hook, I get a “beepbeepbeepbeepbeep” thing happening. This time the line was just dead quiet. Now, this happened before, a few years ago… my line was in use, just not by me! A utility company used my phone line to transmit data. I figured they just borrow an available phone line to do what they need to do. I dunno. Anyway, my line came back on its own eventually. This time, however, several hours went by and still no phone line, so I emailed my mom at work and asked her to please call the phone company for me. I also filed a repair request online. I was told to unplug everything for 60 seconds, then plug it back in. If that didn’t work, they’d be sending out a technician the next day.

I’m not able to reach everything to unplug it, so I just left it. It wasn’t until I was going to bed that I saw the phone from my nightstand sprawled on the floor, off the hook and unplugged. CATS! Haha I didn’t even bother checking that phone earlier. But I did remember to call the phone company before I went to sleep to cancel the technician for the next day. Can you imagine. That’s like calling the printer repair company to fix your printer just for them to discover it’s not plugged in. Oh, and speaking of, I finally got a guy over to fix my printer so it works with my new computer. It needed a lot more than just to be plugged in I’m not sure what, but I was happy to pay him $63 to figure it so I could print T4s for my clients.

And speaking of repair, my blog is going to be moved over to a new server VERY SOON which means it won’t be going down anymore!! (I mean, no server is perfect, but outages will be limited to minutes and not days). The day of the move, however, I may be down for a day or so. But I can live with that if it means future glitch-free blogging

Tomorrow (Friday) night the Polyjesters are having their CD release party in their hometown of Didsbury, Alberta. I am receiving the Royal Treatment as a special guest, and am very excited!! It’s going to be a great show. They are broadcasting live over Kitchen Radio starting with the opening acts at 8:00 pm my time (7:00 EST or 10:00 EST). Tune in! It’s going to be a blast.

Oh, I know, I’m long overdue for an upate, blahblahblah.

Guess what happened to me yesterday afternoon. SO embarrassing. I got on my scooter and backed it up, and remember that time the walker carrier caught on my TV stand and dragged the TV across the room? Well, this was even worse. The walker carrier caught on the TV stand again, but this time the TV started to fall off, everything on and around the TV stand (DVD player, candle holder, video tapes) crashed to the floor, and the TV was on top of me. I couldn’t move or it would crash to the floor, and I couldn’t push it back up onto the stand. It was… um… awkward.

Since the first thing I do before taking my scooter out (after locking Pita safely in a room) is open the door to the hallway all the way, I figured someone should hear me. The rental office is right next door, after all. So I started yelling “HELP!! HELP!! SOMEONE PLEASE!!” and yelled the names of the girls who work in the office several times. HOW COULD THEY NOT HEAR!?!?! GEEZ. Finally after about 5 minutes of yelling I heard the door across the hall from me open, and knew the man-who-never-wears-pants heard me. I called for him to please come into my apartment. I guess he figured the situation was serious and more than he could handle alone, so he called out “just a minute!” and ran to the rental office. Soon the girl from the office and man-without-pants (wearing, as usual, just a t-shirt that barely covered his tighty whiteys) were both in my living room. There was no time for eye-rolling or giggles, a TV was falling to the floor. So between the two of them they got my TV back up on the stand and detached me. I wish I had asked someone to grab the camera first. Instead, I just took one of the aftermath when I got home:

I am SO getting that walker carrier removed. I never use the damn thing anymore, anyway. It makes my scooter way too long and I hit things with it all the time, and I can’t afford a new TV. Oh, and I’m also very glad I live beside the rental office as that is not the first time they have rescued me.

So, what have I done since we last talked…. oh, I tried to watch “I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry” but turned it off after the first 10 degrading/dehumanizing minutes. I didn’t even want to see what else was in store. I’m really ashamed of you, Adam Sandler, I was a fan!!

Last Monday I had a great night out with some of my very best friends. I LOVE hanging out with these people; there is so much mutual love and they help and protect me so very much. I love my supportive, selfless friends!! Anyway, it started with Jay and his brother Marc (and their friend Dave) picking me up (and they had a burger for me, too) so we could all drive out to Carstairs, home of the Polyjesters. Jason and Sheldon had organized a big show at a local bar, starring Randy & Mr. Lahey from the Trailer Park Boys. We arrived late, (long drive), and the place was packed, but there was my friend Kim at the door waiting for me, and she had saved a couple seats for me at a table. She also gave me a gorgeous bracelet, one which she was wearing, too. “I know you’ve been having a rough time lately, so I want you to wear this and everytime you look at it, remember that I am thinking of you.” Awwwww Jason and Sheldon were there, of course, to supply me with lots of hugs n’ kisses, and a few of their new CDs. YAY! I finally got to see my name in print on a Polyjesters’ CD The first name, by the way. We can’t forget that part.

I gave Marc my camera for the night, so he could go up to the front and take a bunch of shots for me. He… filmed video, mostly. He took a few shots, as you can see, but mainly he filmed it. He used all of my memory to get as much video as he could, and I’ve just ended up with a 700mb piece of video that I can’t share or upload anywhere because it’s too big! Hee

Jason and Sheldon joined them on stage for a few tunes

Mr. Lahey shows off the Randy’s Belly BBQ apron

So, that was a very fun night. The show was funny (most of the time, especially if you like potty humour). The PJ’s joined them on stage and did a few songs they wrote for them, the funniest one being a rap about “that shitstain Ricky, the shit spot!”. (You had to be there). There was a lot of talk about Shitstorms, and wouldn’t you know it, a few minutes after they got off stage, a major shit storm rolled in! The wind was UNREAL. I mean, there were 4 of us in the van and we still felt like we could have been blown off the highway at any minute.

Anyway, thanks all of yous for a great night. And I can proudly call Randy & Mr. Lahey “Pat and John” now, as it is the second time I’ve met them and they remembered me from the last time. Plus, they are very good friends of Jason and Sheldon’s, and Sheldon totally talked me up to them, and Kim had dinner with them, so that makes us all friends.

The next day I ate beef curry that Sheldon had made and sent me home with the night before. ZOMG. So amazing. He sliced apples and bananas in it, which is “how they do it in Africa” I guess, and it was incredible!! That Sheldon can cook, man.

Did anyone else watch Oprah the other day, when Dr. Christine Northrup was on?? How AMAZING is she?? I need to get her books. I wish she was my doctor. How many doctors address vitamin deficiencies, speak out against their own profession with respect to unecessary vaccinations, recommend digestive enzymes, Chi Kung, total mind/body connection (her theory on Fibroids: “It’s creativity that hasn’t been birthed yet because [the uterus] is our creative center, the low heart. Or it is shoving your creative energy into a dead end job or relationship.”) I think THIS was my favourite part. I am learning more and more these days, with my regular visits to the Clinic for Mind/Body Medicine, just how true that is. I just wish I could undo 30 years of hating my body. It’s no wonder I’m in the shape I’m in… I can’t remember a time in the past 30 years that I loved my body. “It” has failed me time and time again, and if there is any truth to that Law of Attraction stuff, my body has been responding to my thoughts and feelings and expectations of it. TA-DA!! Now, how do I rewire my thoughts, preferably overnight??? Sigh.

I actually had a really great meeting with my psychologist yesterday, and there could be some very exciting help available for me soon… she’s looking into it and discussing me with the head doctor at the clinic, who may pull in a few favours he is owed from another specialist… and I could become a Priority Project in the near future. More on that when I find out what they’ve got planned! In the meantime, I’m weaning off my anti-depressants. I’ve cut down slowly from 40mg/day and am now at 10mg/20mg alternating days. It hasn’t been very easy, I cry pretty easily and have had many cry-myself-to-sleep nights, but I know that’s normal. My brain is used to getting that hit of seratonin every night and trying to lower the dose and getting your brain used to producing its own is not something that will happen overnight. It won’t last forever! I hope to be off them completely by the end of February.

Can we stop talking about Britney Spears for five minutes and talk about something IMPORTANT?? Like the fact that The Polyjesters new CD is out and I’m the first name thanked in the liner notes?? And it’s an awesome CD and you can buy your own copy using PayPal or cheque at the Shop on their website? (Individual mp3’s and full digital albums available too). Kitchen Radio, people. It’s the best CD of 2008 and we are only a week into it. Samples of the songs are on their site now, too. And you can hear two full tracks and become a Fan on their Facebook Profile page. So much going on!!

Oh I just noticed that they have a deal in the shop to buy ALL FOUR of their CDs for $50. That is a major great deal!!! Wheeee!!! I’m so super excited about this CD. They are my most favourite band ever, and I don’t need to tell my regular readers how much I love Jason and Sheldon. If you’re not a regular reader, I LOVE JASON AND SHELDON.

And Britney, get some help!!! I don’t want to be reading about your death any time soon.

How’s the new year been treating you so far? Mine has been pretty damn good. My friend Melanie stayed over on NYE and then for a few more days before catching the bus back to Fort MacMurray on Friday morning. (So early that I did not get out of bed to hug her goodbye, she just got a muffled “thanks, bye, good luck, snore” out of me). It was great having her around, she was good company and it’s always nice to have someone here that can help with the basic things that I may fall over while doing. Oh, and she did ALL OF MY LAUNDRY OMG.

I’m feeling rather good these days. Keeping myself on the up and up. I’ve cut my anti-depressant dose down by half so far. Hopefully I’ll be off them completely in another month or so. Then I need to work on the sleeping pills and I’m not looking forward to that!! I have not been sleeping very well lately, even with their help. But I’ll cross that bridge when I come to it, one step at a time.

Yesterday my mom, Bob and I went to Red Lobster for lunch. I had chicken tenders (not a seafood fan, but I’ll go there ANY DAY for the garlic cheese biscuits) and did you know I prefer broccoli over fries as my side dish?? I really do. I wish every restaurant gave broccoli as a choice of side. I’m not a salad fan, so “soup, salad or fries?” quite often ends up as fries. But I sure love me some broccoli, I would eat it every day if you cooked it up for me.

Speaking of cooking for me, I’m patiently awaiting my first food order from Cooking For You. I’m starving, so I hope it gets here soon. I’ve got a hankerin’ for some butter chicken curry!! Or maybe Greek meatballs? And parsley mashed potatoes. Ohhhh, hurry! I hope today is my delivery day and not Thursday. She told me Mondays, but I think it’s Thursdays because I’m south of Highway 1. Argh! I’m so hungry I may just have to make some soup to tide me over until I know for sure.

5 minutes later…. so I was just about to make some soup, tearing open the package, when there was a knock at my door. The rental office accepted the delivery for me earlier in the day when I was out, and decided to bring it over now EVEN THOUGH I’VE BEEN HOME FOR HOURS. Anyway, meatballs and mashed potatoes are defrosting in the microwave while I try to keep my cats from chewing up the huge styrofoam cooler the food was delivered in. I’ll get back to this after I eat, so….hungry….might….die.

I feel much better now. That was really good! Tomorrow I’ll try the butter chicken curry and I’m already planning my next order.

Yesterday I received a lovely note from Kate, who works at the women’s shelter our Pay It Forward project helped. Part of her note said “I do want to tell you one thing that you did with the gifts. I have a client who left an incredibly abusive relationship with 2 small children & she was 5 months pregnant. She has scrimped and saved and been put through the mill with lawyers and no money, etc. She was the first person to choose some gifts you had sent. She was soooo grateful that she had tears of joy at my truck - because of you! So from her & those who also recieved some gifts you had sent - a HUGE BIG ENORMOUS HUG and many thanks!” So… thanks also to all of you who donated! Yay us!

Another new release I must mention is Shauna Reid’s book, The Amazing Adventures of Dietgirl. I started reading Dietgirl just as Shauna was planning her move to Scotland… late 2002. Wow, over 5 years ago! Shauna is amazing. I’m so happy she wrote a book, she’s such a brilliant, funny, and down to earth writer (and person, I’m guessing). I’m anxiously awaiting my copy of the book to arrive in the mail, autographed by Shauny herself. I’m not reading any other books at the moment because I don’t want to be in the middle of anything else when it arrives! Hopefully Amazon.ca will have it back in stock soon… otherwise everyone has to order it from the UK! Maybe copies will start showing up on eBay soon

Speaking of eBay (see that? Great shopping-related transition) I have curbed my addiction somewhat, out of necessity obviously. There is only so much money and so much closet space. However, I found a great deal on a couple MP3 players. I never have owned an iPod, (for shame, I know) but all my music is in mp3 format anyway and I don’t really plan on using it a lot. I’m a little adverse to headphones. I figure one for music and one for my meditation and Laws of Attraction CDs and stuff like that. I think listening to The Secret Meditation CD every night is helping… I mean, it certainly can’t hurt, and I am feeling better these days. Considering I’m weaning off anti-depressants, that says something, I think.

Beautiful Pepper in front of my beautiful new monitor. Jealous, much??

Another week goes by, another update… I meant to do one earlier, but I had a fall on Tuesday night, hit the back of my head, and knocked my equilibrium out. It’s been difficult to see at all, everything is blurry and spinning, and never mind my balance. Non-existent! Computer time has been fairly minimal. Yesterday I saw my chiropractor and he made some adjustments and gave me some homeopathic drops. I’m not as spinny today, but my vision is still really bad; blurry and seeing double. He said it would take a couple days to straighten out, and to take these drops every 1-2 hours, so hopefully that will help. I see my regular doctor on Wednesday as well, so I’ll see what he says if it’s not better by then. I’ve never gone for an IV cortisone drip like most MSers have at one time or another, and this is the first time in my life I’m actually considering it. Whatever will help my vision and balance get back to how it was before, which was bad enough!

Anyway, I’ve been busy since my last update. On Monday night I was taken out for awesome Indian food by two of my favourite people, Jason and Sheldon. We pigged out. Oh, my, I love that stuff… samosas, pokora, curry, vindaloo, butter chicken, naan bread… yum!! We were sort of celebrating the completion of their new CD artwork, on which I worked hard editing the lyrics. So they took me to dinner as a thank you. And, because it had been a loooong time since we’d hung out! Anyway, the CD is ALL done now, and should be ready to buy in time for Christmas. Keep an eye on their website and Facebook group for the latest updates!

Lovely self-portrait attempt of me and Jason

I love Jason!!

Sheldon and the FOOD. Sooooo good.

Pay It Forward update:

On Tuesday, I went to the mall and piled up on things for the ladies and kids at the shelter… I bought many pairs of pajamas and slippers! The store that had slippers 2 for $15 last week now has them at 2 for $12! We now have about 10 pairs of ladies slippers (sizes 5 - 10) and 6 pairs of kids. I bought some 2 piece pajama sets in a variety of sizes (small to 3X) and a couple nightgowns. I also took a swing through Dollarama for hair brushes and emery boards. I added a few pictures to the Flickr album, but I kept everything in the boxes because it is just too hard to lay it all out to take photos, I hope you understand! (The cutest slippers are at the bottom of the box. Darn!) Anyway, I’m getting lots of stuff, but still need more! Thanks to everyone who has contributed so far, and if you re able to help out (all $$ is going to buy necessities for the Central Alberta Women’s Emergency Shelter) please use the PayPal button below, or contact me (donna@innereyes.com) to send money another way.

Tuesday night I fell trying to close the office door behind me to LOCK PITA IN to keep her from running outside when I was going to open the front door. That damn cat! I love her to pieces, but she has caused me about 4 falls now (including the one when I broke my wrist) because she always has to run for the frickin’ door and out into the hallway. I don’t know what to do with her!! I can’t chase her or even bend over to pick her up without falling, so she gets out there and then I have to wait until someone else comes along to help, or she jumps up on my walker (at which point I can lift her inside) or she comes back in on her own accord. Which she doesn’t do anymore, because she likes the hallway… she knows behind every other door is a person who could potentially pay attention to her. Every time someone enters the hall, I ask them to “please scare my cat back inside!” and they go “awwww, she’s so cute…” and pet her and give her love. So of COURSE she wants to be out there! Sigh. The landlord has given me shit because “cats are not allowed in the halls, people have allergies” but I can’t HELP IT!

Wednesday morning, blurry eyed and screwy visioned/unbalanced and all, I had to go to a client’s. The second I opened the door, Pita raced between my legs and was out in the hall. Roaming up and down, crying at every door, looking for attention. Rolling on her back, showing off her cute tummy, waiting for someone to come along and snuggle her. I stood in the hallway with my winter coat on, which made me really hot; they keep our hallway at a ridiculously hot tempertaure, made only worse when you are already wearng your coat. Normally I am just walking out, so it doesn’t affect me much; but this time, I couldn’t leave until Pita was back inside, and the heat was really getting to me. The heat combined with Pita frustration got to be too much… then a door opened at the end of the hall, and Pita ran towards it. Three people exited the suite, including my landlord, who was showing an apartment to these two other people. Oh, crap. “No pets??” said one man. “uh - cats are allowed” said my landlord, as she shot me a dirty look. I was almost in tears. The heat, Pita being a brat, PMS, embarrassment… I cried out “she keeps running out the door and I CAN’T GET HER!!” (I may have stomped my feet like a 3 year old) My landlord tried to calm me down by saying, “it’s okay, I got her…” picked Pita up and put her inside my apartment. I apologized and said “I am JUST SO HOT” and she said she wasn’t allowed to turn down the heat. (Year round sauna in our halls, it’s nuts!) Anyway, I tried to keep my stupid tears at bay as those two men commented on how cute my cat was, and then went outside in the cold air to wait for my ride to work. Within seconds in the cool air I felt better… it’s so weird how that is.

Oh yeah, also on Tuesday I received a call from UPS about my electronic lift chair that I had ordered off eBay (to save $$). Because it was coming from the U.S., and was in a huge cardboard box. it was considered freight, and I needed to hire a broker to get it through Customs. Ack! I was referred to a one-time brokerage firm, and they helped me with the paperwork and charged me over $100. Thankfully, I only had to pay broker fees and GST. N0 duty. Thank GOD. The chair then crossed the border Tuesday night, and would be delivered on Thursday.

Thursday I was supposed to go out for dinner with my friend Melanie. I told her about my condition after my fall, and that it would be best if I didn’t go anywhere. So she offered to come over and hang with me instead, order food in, stuff like that. Cool! I received the call from UPS about my chair around noon, and they said it would be here within the hour. Then Melanie called, and asked if she could come over now, because she had been out shopping and didn’t feel like going home and then all the way out here again. Okay, sure, but I’m not even DRESSED. Anyway, UPS arrives… one guy with this huge cardboard box on a dolly. “I can’t get it through the doors” he says. “Can’t you take it out of the box?” I ask. He’s not authorized to do that… “we’re not furniture movers… we just deliver to your door. I can leave it on your patio.” (He couldn’t get it through my patio doors because of that big pole I have in the middle). So, brand new electronic lift chair on the patio in the freezing cold. There is no way Melanie would be able to lift it in. So, I call my client Troy… he does upholstery work and has big Sprinter vans and technicians who are used to moving around furniture. Fingers crossed, “Hi Troy, it’s your favourite bookkeeper…” wink wink. Troy, because he is amazing and awesome, was at my place within an hour with one of his techs, Dave. (I managed to quickly shower and throw clothes on just in time for Mel’s arrival moments before). They unpacked the chair, moved it inside, set it up (”we work on these kinds of chairs so if you ever have any problems, we probably have the parts to fix it”), removed my old ripped up recliner and all the cardboard to take to the dump, and were off. Talk about service!!! If you are in the Calgary area and own or buy a piece of furniture from a major retailer (La-Z-Boy, Leon’s, The Brick, etc.) and it needs repair, you tell them you want Customer Choice Upholstery to do the repair!!!

So, in the end, the chair is here, safe and sound, and it is perfect… however, I am very lucky to know someone like Troy. Otherwise I may have ended up needing to pay a furniture mover a LOT of money to come on such short notice and do all of that! Plus to remove the old chair… a junk removal place had quoted me $111! I emailed the eBay seller and warned him to advise any other potential Canadian customers (I was his first) of the extra fees and work involved with getting their chair moved in. The chair cost me $999 US, plus $175 UPS shipping plus $105 broker fees… still a savings overall (this chair costs about $2,000 here) but I’m going to have to get Troy and Dave nice thank-you gifts!!

This is why it’s called a Lift chair. No more struggling to get up! (Spots are from my camera. Oops)

Fully reclined. Everything important within reaching distance… latte, water, vitamins, drops, remotes, books, kleenex…

Melanie and I broke out a bottle of wine, watched Elf, ordered Chinese food and just hung out. We were celebrating her birthday (which had been on Monday) and the fact that she landed a sweet 3 month contract working up in Fort MacMurray for mega $$. She left Saturday. I hope it works out for her!

Me and Mel at Pam’s birthday party a couple weeks ago!

Friday my monthly housekeeper came, which was good because I am pretty useless for any of that at the moment. Melanie had helped me load the dishwasher and stuff the night before. My intentions of working on Friday were tossed out the window… I’m just too OUT of it. I just watched a movie that night with one eye and spent a lot of time cuddling kitties in my new chair.

Saturday (yesterday) was the chiropractor, and hopefully I’m on my way back with my equilibrium. My mom and Bob took me out to eat at this Asian place they had tried once before, but I was not a big fan. LOVED my spring rolls, but hated my curry… I guess an Asian restaurant isn’t the best place to get a curry dish. I sent it back because the chicken was nothing but stringy fat. Gross! Most of the menu was pork or seafood dishes. I’d rather stick to my Favourite Vietnamese Restaurant and my #50 chicken satay, any day of the week!

Today I slept in something awful, (I mean, I slept in late, not that I slept in… like… something other than my bed) and finally decided to shower around 4:30 when I could no longer stand the smell of myself. It’s one of those days…

Time to take more drops and rest my eyes settle in for the night… PayPal link below is for my Pay It Forward project! Thanks!

New favourite hangout - the piles of clothes going to the Salvation Army.