Conversations over Memorial Day weekend

A very small sampling of conversations held over the weekend:

Information sharing on the best phone to use to call 9-1-1, if the need should arise (answer, the house phone, not a cell, so the address will be sent automatically).

A discussion of the life-span of c-diff bacteria (not definitively known, but a long time), and the best way to avoid getting any oneself (copious hand washing with soap and water, and use of rubber gloves when, for example, changing ostomy bags).

Whether a certain size rubber glove fits, in case the usual bag changer is not available.

Whether it is more worrying for a very frail person with increasingly bad balance to descend steep stairs, or ascend them (I worry more about the descending, because of the balance, but the counter argument is that ascending is more worrying, due to strength issues).

All of these conversations on completely normal, in the realm of reality, subjects. For us, now. It's amazing to me how much we mold our conception of the normal based on current realities.

In other news, I have now officially taken over the job of feeding the rug-colored dog. As in, 'Hello, my name is kimananda, and I'll be your server for the evening. Today's special is a lovely kibble, sprinkled with a multi-vitamin garnish, and drizzled with a spoonful of delightful virgin olive oil, all served with a side bowl of refreshing tap water.'

By which I mean that, if you should see a three-legged Wheaten terrier in your neighborhood, with all her personal belongings wrapped in a handkerchief at the end of a stick, and a sign saying 'Running away, owners not feeding me', well, I'm the one to blame.

*Photo: Rug-colored dog in classic, 'Have you considered, just maybe, feeding the dog?' pose*

Happy Towel Day!

Conversation from yesterday:

Me: Guess what day it is tomorrow.
Thor: Uh...Friday?
Me: Yes, that's true, but what else is it tomorrow?
Thor: It's the day you fly to California.
Me: Yes, that's true too, but what else is it?
Thor: ...
Me: Towel Day!
Thor: Towel Day?...Oh, Towel Day! That's the geekiest day ever. I have to do it!
Me: Me, too.




Conversation on the train to the airport this morning:

Thor: Guess what we forgot?
Me: ...
Thor: Towels.

The beauty of it though, is that 15 hours of travel later, I landed in San Francisco to find that it was still early afternoon on Towel Day. I was able to run errands with a towel in my possession. Sadly, it was in my bag, not making any kind of statement, but I still feel just that little bit hoopier knowing that I too am a frood who knows where my towel is.

Finding myself

The answer to all questions, even age-old ones, can be found in unlikely sources. Here is clearly shown the answer to that great conundrum, 'Who am I?' Of course this won't help you, but for me, it is now clear.

I am Rikke's brother-in-law's little brother's girlfriend.

This answer, which up until that moment I did not even realize I was seeking, was given to me at a birthday party (with two birthday celebrants, and a lot of guests, hence the identifying of affiliation), and it means a lot to me. It was also by far the longest title of anyone in the room (I considered breaking up with Thor simply so I could add in an 'ex', thus making it even longer), so I'm quite proud.

Now, the more difficult part: Who are you? And how did you find out?

Birth announcement

I am pleased to announce that yesterday evening, a thesis was officially born (in triplicate actually), and that in addition, soon after 10 o'clock this morning, Tristino was officially presented as a part of the world. He's a strong 70 page, 25,000+ word beauty, and it is hoped and expected that his presence will make an impact in the academic community, as well as on the future goals and ambitions of his mother.

His birth was greeted by roses, provided by his Danish step-father, along with champagne. Tristino himself did not partake of the champagne (too young, too papery to handle it), but he did pose with the roses. Mother, step-father, and thesis are all doing well.

Feeling sluggish

Yes, sluggish. At the moment, It seems I am just waiting for life-changing things to happen (several of them, all at once, some potentially really good, some really bad), and waiting leads to intertia. I don't recommend it.

On the other hand, a few weeks ago, I took up running, and seem to be sticking with it. It's fun, and seems to actually make a positive difference to my stress level. It also makes me aware of the woods behind my house, which I tend to neglect, but which shouldn't be neglected, especially in May (the most beautiful Danish month, bar none). I've started out slowly with the whole running thing, doing a run/walk program to build up to a 30-minute run, all in the woods. To while away the time while running, I think, ponder and muse. And listen to instructions on my iPod. On the days when it's rained (or when it's raining), I play some games. The first game is called running in the mud. It's fun, except for the doubling back when I reach a lake of water completely covering my path. The second though is my favorite. I fondly call it DON'T STEP ON THE SLUG! I love the slugs. Especially the bright orange ones, which could well be my second-favorite slug color of all time (well, as a third-generation native Bay Arean, my true slug love must be banana colored).

Yes, I know that this slug is clearly not in the woods. In the time it took to go and get my camera after my run, the word had spread and all the slugs had crawled away to hide. This slug on the pavement towards home clearly hadn't gotten the memo, and nicely posed for me.

So, that's my May so far. How about yours? What are you doing to relieve your stress and/or celebrate your lack thereof?