That was unexpected. Like totally.. as I received numerous birthday cards from the Phoenix Rising faithful (and super colorful balloons). Thank you kindly.
Yesterday was likely my first celebrated birthday since 2014. Or possibly, it's that I was more or less unresponsive for a couple of those super severe ME/CFS years early on, and something birthday-like may have occurred.
So you know, the last time I had this many balloons was for my 30th birthday. A couple of my carpool co-workers (they had cars, I did not) picked me up for work after having decorated the backseat interior with tombstones, skulls and crossbones, and of course, skull and crossbone balloons… Oh, and then blew all kinds of confetti in my face and hair, which I shed much of the workday.
Indeed, it was an appreciated effort. Back then, 30 years old seemed… old.
Otherwise, Sunday went off without a hitch. The first person I heard from was my high-school girlfriend in Alabama, USA. And she always texts me early early early in the morning, not even considering that I am a full two hours earlier than she is. But despite the earliness, we had a nice exchange. It's difficult to fathom that we've been going back and forth for 39 years already. Heck, I don't even feel 39 years old. Not really.
Oh, and I had three just-after-midnight birthday well wishes. Yep. These people know who they are. Although only one of them is from The Rising Crew. She knows who she is. But she also knew I was wide awake at that time. The others have absolutely no excuse! Haha!
Later, as the sun rose and I found my way outdoors, I spoke with my two sisters. Then, my mother. And of course, my medical advocate. Also, and probably most importantly, I received a call letting me know that my vehicle warranty had expired. I can't believe I let my vehicle warranty lapse… again! What ever shall I do?
My older sister and I mostly discussed church issues. Problems involving particular personalities pontificating. Right? Was that what we talked about? Either way, plenty of social science was involved. Behaviorism. Carl Rogers. Mister Rogers. Rodgers and Hammerstein, One-upmanship. Metaphysical needs not being met. And of course, an inordinate amount of malapropisms.
My little sister and I talked about her new house, and how my mother is supposed to be moving into that new house once it's been completed. This has been an ongoing saga. The house has been under construction for 17 months. Arizona has problems in that area (ok, in ALL areas!). Not enough workers, not enough supplies. Or at least, that's what I've heard. In any case, my mother is supposed to eventually move into this house up north, and in doing so, good things are supposed to happen as a direct result.
Also In regards to my birthday, an additional celebratory event was scheduled to take place, but that had to be put off. I was scheduled to indulge in pleasure eating, wherein I would eat something, but not actually eat something.
The main reason why I was unable to participate had much to do with my disagreeable innards. But fortunately, my innards are back online. A temporary setback. Hooray!
So thanks to each of you, the cards, balloons, and the three pairs of shorts were much appreciated. Angela is going to come in here and label the heck out of everything later this week (I also received ten pairs of underwear from Massachusetts, USA).
Medical Jazz
Do you know what's coincidentally odd? Ever since covid, ever since having taken a billion and one medications all at the same time, my nail fungus / psoriasis has gone away. I'm wondering what that means. My fingernails look normal and healthy. But prior to covid, going back to the last decade (as I became ill), I've needed to take consistent probiotics each and every day or else the nail problems would prominently reassert, as would the scalp problems. What I also know is that UVB light directly eliminates scalp issues. So it could also just be a matter of me being in the sunshine. Or at least, helping things along. Or maybe it's all part of some anti-autoimmune type of activity.
Care and Compassion Received
I'm having really good people experiences with staff in this particular wing of the building. It's where I moved to initially, after my deceased roommate tested positive for covid. I now have two regular CNAs in my rotation that are absolutely outstanding. Each is personable and improbably present. And with me that goes a long way. I am still also seeing and experiencing other staff members (my favorites from Wing #2) when I am out in the courtyard. They'll typically stop by, hang out long enough to check in, and openly discuss this and that.
¡¡¡Locked Inn!!!
And now, we the residence of blah blah blah… are back in LOCKDOWN!
That means I'm not supposed to go outside for the next two weeks, at least. I am marooned. Grounded. Stuck. Embedded in bed. Blanketed. Tucked in.
Today wasn't so bad though. Angela hung out for 45 minutes. CNA #1 35 minutes. CNA #2 15 minutes. The nurse stopped by and tried to give me drugs (which nearly occupied two interesting minutes… but I didn't take the drugs. Remember, I am now drug-free! But maybe I should have taken the drugs. Perhaps I could have traded the drugs for easy access outdoors!).
The Views
And then of course I nearly have a panoramic view of the outdoors less than a metre away from my face. The whole Northern Exposure is right in front of me, including:
Lots and lots of cerulean sky blue, a car wash, desert scrub, pedestrians padding along, palm trees, parked automobiles, the pedestrian overpass, my flyby hawk, Blink Mountain, and plants breezy blowing!
So again, thanks and appreciation. I will attempt to affix images to this posting. Relevant images. Cards. And such. I had a very special birthday.
Take care,
Howard
Yesterday was likely my first celebrated birthday since 2014. Or possibly, it's that I was more or less unresponsive for a couple of those super severe ME/CFS years early on, and something birthday-like may have occurred.
So you know, the last time I had this many balloons was for my 30th birthday. A couple of my carpool co-workers (they had cars, I did not) picked me up for work after having decorated the backseat interior with tombstones, skulls and crossbones, and of course, skull and crossbone balloons… Oh, and then blew all kinds of confetti in my face and hair, which I shed much of the workday.
Indeed, it was an appreciated effort. Back then, 30 years old seemed… old.
Otherwise, Sunday went off without a hitch. The first person I heard from was my high-school girlfriend in Alabama, USA. And she always texts me early early early in the morning, not even considering that I am a full two hours earlier than she is. But despite the earliness, we had a nice exchange. It's difficult to fathom that we've been going back and forth for 39 years already. Heck, I don't even feel 39 years old. Not really.
Oh, and I had three just-after-midnight birthday well wishes. Yep. These people know who they are. Although only one of them is from The Rising Crew. She knows who she is. But she also knew I was wide awake at that time. The others have absolutely no excuse! Haha!
Later, as the sun rose and I found my way outdoors, I spoke with my two sisters. Then, my mother. And of course, my medical advocate. Also, and probably most importantly, I received a call letting me know that my vehicle warranty had expired. I can't believe I let my vehicle warranty lapse… again! What ever shall I do?
My older sister and I mostly discussed church issues. Problems involving particular personalities pontificating. Right? Was that what we talked about? Either way, plenty of social science was involved. Behaviorism. Carl Rogers. Mister Rogers. Rodgers and Hammerstein, One-upmanship. Metaphysical needs not being met. And of course, an inordinate amount of malapropisms.
My little sister and I talked about her new house, and how my mother is supposed to be moving into that new house once it's been completed. This has been an ongoing saga. The house has been under construction for 17 months. Arizona has problems in that area (ok, in ALL areas!). Not enough workers, not enough supplies. Or at least, that's what I've heard. In any case, my mother is supposed to eventually move into this house up north, and in doing so, good things are supposed to happen as a direct result.
Also In regards to my birthday, an additional celebratory event was scheduled to take place, but that had to be put off. I was scheduled to indulge in pleasure eating, wherein I would eat something, but not actually eat something.
The main reason why I was unable to participate had much to do with my disagreeable innards. But fortunately, my innards are back online. A temporary setback. Hooray!
So thanks to each of you, the cards, balloons, and the three pairs of shorts were much appreciated. Angela is going to come in here and label the heck out of everything later this week (I also received ten pairs of underwear from Massachusetts, USA).
Medical Jazz
Do you know what's coincidentally odd? Ever since covid, ever since having taken a billion and one medications all at the same time, my nail fungus / psoriasis has gone away. I'm wondering what that means. My fingernails look normal and healthy. But prior to covid, going back to the last decade (as I became ill), I've needed to take consistent probiotics each and every day or else the nail problems would prominently reassert, as would the scalp problems. What I also know is that UVB light directly eliminates scalp issues. So it could also just be a matter of me being in the sunshine. Or at least, helping things along. Or maybe it's all part of some anti-autoimmune type of activity.
Care and Compassion Received
I'm having really good people experiences with staff in this particular wing of the building. It's where I moved to initially, after my deceased roommate tested positive for covid. I now have two regular CNAs in my rotation that are absolutely outstanding. Each is personable and improbably present. And with me that goes a long way. I am still also seeing and experiencing other staff members (my favorites from Wing #2) when I am out in the courtyard. They'll typically stop by, hang out long enough to check in, and openly discuss this and that.
¡¡¡Locked Inn!!!
And now, we the residence of blah blah blah… are back in LOCKDOWN!
That means I'm not supposed to go outside for the next two weeks, at least. I am marooned. Grounded. Stuck. Embedded in bed. Blanketed. Tucked in.
Today wasn't so bad though. Angela hung out for 45 minutes. CNA #1 35 minutes. CNA #2 15 minutes. The nurse stopped by and tried to give me drugs (which nearly occupied two interesting minutes… but I didn't take the drugs. Remember, I am now drug-free! But maybe I should have taken the drugs. Perhaps I could have traded the drugs for easy access outdoors!).
The Views
And then of course I nearly have a panoramic view of the outdoors less than a metre away from my face. The whole Northern Exposure is right in front of me, including:
Lots and lots of cerulean sky blue, a car wash, desert scrub, pedestrians padding along, palm trees, parked automobiles, the pedestrian overpass, my flyby hawk, Blink Mountain, and plants breezy blowing!
So again, thanks and appreciation. I will attempt to affix images to this posting. Relevant images. Cards. And such. I had a very special birthday.
Take care,
Howard