When last you heard from me, I was on my way to school…
…with high hopes for the rest of the evening. When suddenly…Tequila! (And that was TWO days ago.)
I did go to school. I got the “pre-heads-up” to the actual “heads-up” classes I have next week. Signed some paperwork. Got some questions answered. Payed for classes. Bought more books. Drove home excited as hell, but unaware of the complicated nature of what I am about to embark upon.
I have three books and a syllabus right now, and I have three more books to buy. Definitely the most I have needed so far. When I trained for EMT I was on an adrenaline rush for hours after every single class, for like 4-6 months. It was crazy. And I have that same crazy feeling just looking at these books. Two years and god knows how many hours are about to go into this program, but I am ready. I’m not sure my body can take the intensity. I had trouble sleeping before, but I guess that will just help me on the job! I talked so much on the phone to the BF just driving home from a pre-class class, that I, “low-battery-powered-off”, the cell phone. The damn thing drained out good. First time I talked to the cut-off. Even after I plugged it back in it wouldn’t turn on for a little while.
So I take a closer look at this new book. Calculating With Confidence. Drug calculations, measurements, math conversions…OMG, it looks hard. Drug labels, syringes, pills, liquids, fractions, decimals, cc. mL. mg. oz. You need: Aspirin gr 10 p.o. q4h p.r.n. for pain. You have: Drug label, that suddenly makes no sense whatsoever. And tell me how much, with how much diluent, time of day, route of administration, but don’t forget who you are giving it to, how much they weigh, what else they are taking; now mark it on the drawing, and don’t “F” it up because you could kill someone…. I’m paraphrasing…but that’s the idea. Once you take off the plastic shrink wrap, the front cover has a skull and crossbones on it. They don’t want you to see that until it’s too late. And you thought that the nurse handing you two Tylenol in the hospital after dinner didn’t require any skill. HA!
The amazing thing is, that in 2 months, that book is going to make perfect sense, and I’ll be calculating in my sleep (not literally), but for now…we better go to Pepe’s and think about the future.
So the guy that has been working there since he was a child, really, (I know, because we as a family, collectively have been going there for his whole life basically, I even remember a time when he was out in the parking lot trying to drive off in his older brothers car…he got in trouble for that…) anypepestoryway…this kid/adult now (Ricky? The name would not come to me, don’t judge, I’m approaching 40, but Mason and Stevie both agree, yes, on the name) made me a killer, and I mean KILLER margarita. I took 4 drinks and I was feeling the heat. By one third gone, I was TWO thirds gone. I wish I could say I was joking, because I was getting “altered” and fast. (My teeth were numb and I tried to walk out of the clear glass panel NEXT to the door, when I left the restaurant) I ate some chips and salsa and some shrimp cocktail on crackers and a tamale and a chili rellano but food was failing me fast, so I concentrated on finishing the medium margarita that, based on my morning calculations of how-long-it-takes-my-body-to-filter-out-the-alcohol (years of research have perfected this system) there must have been at least, 5 shots of tequila in my drink. I can say that with confidence because I was still slightly drunk at 7:30 in the morning. And I even tried to move the alcohol along with activity and oxygen before I fell into dreamy-drunky sleep the night before but sometimes you can’t keep a good buzz down, or up, or whatever. End of story.
I dragged myself up, took out the garbage, diluted my remaining blood level of tequila with coffee, and watched Regis & Kelly with Pat Tomasulo subbing for Regis (!!) I wrote it on the calendar! Busy schedule, yeah yeah, I’ll be working soon enough and you’ll miss these long, rambling posts. (More Pat Stuff)
The Pat Down. For your enjoyment. And since this is Chicago, we have 2 newspapers…here’s the Trib version. Ok, I think I’m done now.
Then I really pushed the limit with a five mile run. Five point one something something, to be exact. I ran the water bill to the Village Hall, which maps out at 5+ miles. MapMy Run.com. 30 minutes there. 34 minutes back. One hour, four minutes. I will take it. I ran on the sidewalks. Concrete, hard on the shins with lots of hills, (dang Park Forest doesn’t have a completely flat spot 10 steps in a row), and chock full of tripping hazards. Broken cement, uneven, crooked, weeds, rocks…I’m not sure what the village is doing all the time. It seems like they dig holes in random spots all around town just so there’s something for the kids to fall into. At any rate. I was done for the day. Kids got home about 3 ish and we ate ice cream and talked about all they did last week. Stevie made cupcakes! First time on her own and no crunchy ones from egg shells! (So far) So proud. Then dinner and a movie. (Burgers on the grill and Smokey and the Bandit from Netflix) unpack the bags, go to bed and poof! Here we are. Today.
I’m going to skip the run today, maybe go take a walk at the nature trail if I can get the kids out there. Mason has grass to finish and we are open. I have the pictures you have been waiting for…I didn’t forget, it’s just time and energy and getting them off the cell phone. I even have video! The kids wanted to play in the water, but we don’t have a pool. We have a hose. So they filled up larger, plastic, Tupperware bowls and put their faces in them or dumped them over their heads. They would swim in a wet sponge if they could. Then they played water-hose-jump-rope, which is actually pretty funny. So that’s coming too! And all that other stuff I said I had…Remember my theme: Everything is always two days ago!
Cupcakes!
Half with sprinkles, half without! Tasty!
Chicago Support! And something funny after all the sadness! (By season, because I may have overdone it and I need some kind of purpose other than my lack of self control)(I also may have taken some liberties with the whole “season” thing too…)
Summer Time, summer time, sum sum summer time…
I have to say I am hitting that “celebrity” Tag a lot lately…but it’s getting into August…dog days of summer…my life is kind of boring…seriously, this is my day: Run and finish painting the kids room. I’ll post pics later of my progress. (Don’t roll your eyes)
Winter Time. There’s no song for that.
Since I am feeling out of touch with the world, I started getting up early again to watch the news which then segways into Regis & Kelly. Channel 9. WGN News/Station, Chicago, Illinois. I love the morning team. I think they are all pretty funny. I suppose I should shout out: Robin Baumgarten, Larry Potash, Ana Belaval, Dean Richards, Valerie Warner, Paul Konrad.
Forward Time. No, it’s not a season….YET.
But I especially love Pat Tomasulo! The Sports Guy. So funny! And apparently America thinks so too, or at least Chicago America because they voted him to be a co-host for Regis & Kelly when Regis is on vacation or days off or whatever! I didn’t even know there was a contest!! Local news people all over the country, men and women, (for when Kelly is gone). Anyhow, I have been laughing at him way back when I still had a job! This was my:
First Time. (with Pat)
So, in honor of him winning I turned to good old You Tube and posted just a few videos, so you could laugh too! As you may have guessed. Don’t give up right at the end here! This is one of the best! Come on! 3 more minutes of your life is all I’m asking!
Good Time.
Stealing…Borrowing…Copying…Pasting…D-Listed says it’s for real and I trust his research.
Copied the You Tube Video off You Tube.
Copied/Pasted D-Listed Content because it’s way funnier than anything I would have come up with. Credit: Michael K. Check out the site (Adult Content)
His words:
Got an ass so stanky that it makes flies commit mass suicide (don’t look at me)? Got a pair of feet so rank that all your socks disappear from your drawer in the middle of the night? Got a coochie so rancid that the Department of Sanitation declared it a toxic waste zone (Paris, this one goes out to you)?
If you answered yes to one of those questions and are allergic to water and soap, this product is for you! It’s called the Aspray and it’s like Fabreeze for your bits! Apparently, this is a real-life product created by someone named Doc Bottoms (which is also one of Tommy Girl’s pet names).
My words:
I’ll just leave it at that and let the commercial speak for me… I’m thinking Christmas presents for the whole family!?!?!
Huh. You Tube has everything. Video of a song I have on my “running” playlist. Didn’t know.
Sorry. I’m a little late to the whole Pixie’s thing…
Day Quote. Or, “The Case Of The Man Who Was So Stressed Out That He Thought He Lost His Keys And Ended Up Having A Heart Attack.”
“Zero Effect” Special Edition
I always say that the essence of my work relies fundamentally on two basic principles: objectivity and observation, or “the two obs” as I call them. My work relies on my ability to remain absolutely, purely objective, detached. I have mastered the fine art of detachment. And while it comes at some cost, this supreme objectivity is what makes me, I dare say, the greatest observer the world has ever known.
—Daryl Zero
I can’t possibly overstate the importance of good research. Everyone goes through life dropping crumbs. If you can recognize the crumbs, you can trace a path all the way back from your death certificate to the dinner and a movie that resulted in you in the first place. But research is an art, not a science, because anyone who knows what they’re doing can find the crumbs, the wheres, whats, and whos. The art is in the whys: the ability to read between the crumbs, not to mix metaphors.
—Daryl Zero
Now, a few words on looking for things. When you go looking for something specific, your chances of finding it are very bad. Because of all the things in the world, you’re only looking for one of them. When you go looking for anything at all, your chances of finding it are very good. Because of all the things in the world, you’re sure to find some of them.
—Daryl Zero
A few words here about following people. People know they’re being followed when they turn around and see someone following them. They can’t tell they’re being followed if you get there first.
—Daryl Zero
And now for a little bit of dialogue:
Steve Arlo:
There aren’t evil guys and innocent guys. It’s just… It’s just… It’s just a bunch of guys.
Daryl Zero:
I did find one other thing of interest, though.
Steve Arlo:
Holy shit, those are the keys. You found the gold Swiss Army knife.
Daryl Zero:
I know.
Steve Arlo:
And this is the safe deposit box key. Where’d you find them?
Daryl Zero:
They were in the sofa, under the cushion.
Steve Arlo:
What?
Daryl Zero:
They were stuck in the couch in his office.
Steve Arlo:
Was he hiding them there? Is that possible?
Daryl Zero:
Not possible. That’s where they fell out of his pocket, over a year ago.
Steve Arlo:
So… what do you make of this?
Daryl Zero:
I think that just as I feared, Ms. Sullivan doesn’t know a thing about these keys.
Steve Arlo:
Wait–the keys are a coincidence?
Daryl Zero:
Yes.
Steve Arlo:
That’s–confusing.
Daryl Zero:
Yep.
Steve Arlo:
Doesn’t seem like a good thing.
Daryl Zero:
Sure it is. It’s good because the man has been looking for his keys for a year. And I’ve found them.
And finally, wrapping up this special edition Day Quote Segment:
After investigating her, I found myself in better shape than ever before in my life. To me, she will always be a singular unforgettable event, the only time I ever took leave of my objectivity. Perhaps the most able blackmailer of her time, she was at once the worthiest opponent and the greatest ally, and the only woman I have ever… the only woman, period. And though I never would’ve anticipated it, in the end she did for me what I have done for so many: help solve a problem, first by observation, then by careful intervention – in other words, the Zero Effect.
—Daryl Zero
Now go see the movie!
And we are back…it’s Wednesday afternoon, pre-running post…More Warrior, with updates!
As I was flipping thru the internet I noticed that the Helmet Cam video is on You Tube now! Thank goodness! I can’t get the other formats to work or convert or whatever people do to make things show up here. So I am posting that here. It’s long, but it gives a really good playback of what we were doing. Makes you wish you were there huh??
I went to my sister’s yesterday to babysit for her and her house full of children, including my own, because this year her birthday NEVER ends!
The hubby went and bought her tickets! Awwww….
It was a secret, she didn’t know she was going to the SOX game AND sitting behind the dugout–so close to the players she could feel their sweat (Eeeww for me, Yay! for her). She’s kind of a fanatic. At any rate, they took, like, 200 pictures of players I couldn’t identify on threat of death if they were standing right in front of me with their jerseys on, much less standing at home plate facing the other way swinging a bat! But whatever…she had a good time. If she sends me any of her favorite pictures I can add them here as kind of a Sox player-sister-tribute thing. So look for that later too!
Now that’s it. Happy Birthday. It’s over! Sheesh…
Also, they got the pictures back from the Mud-Cam and some are really good! Some are really bad too. Two in particular have me going over the Wall with my ass looking like I put two beach balls in my pants! It’s funny but not TOO funny. I confiscated the actual prints and they are currently residing in my fridge and food cabinets with a serious note to myself asking if I REALLY want to eat anything inside these areas of the house?? Maybe I should go have a big glass of water, run around the block, and reconsider eating any kind of solid food for the next few weeks. But I’m waiting for the digital to show up in my e-mail so I can post, so we’ll see if those two make it to daylight…maybe if I get a few subscribers??? Hint, hint. (Pathetic grab for attention!)
How long can I drag out this Warrior Dash to get more hits for my site? At least a few more days!
We have to go hit the trail now. Third day of the new fitness regiment. Mason doesn’t want to–he’s still sore, and Stevie doesn’t really get it yet…so this should be fun! Mommy has to be the bad guy. Exercise is good! In a month or so they’ll thank me!
I will post later with any new pics and such. Stay active!
Warrior Dash Helmet Cam
If this actually works…my sissy, her husband and myself are at the 2:00 mark. Right near the guy with the blood on the horns of his Warrior Helmet. It’s a lovely video of our backs walking toward the start! Then Mike pretty much zooms away from us!
No.
I don’t have enough skills yet to make this work!
Find the New York Coffee Cup. The Thomas Crown Affair
Well aren’t we all lucky today?? Haven’t found a penny on the street in weeks, but I’m just finding those NY Coffee Cups!
And finding them in movies I’ve never even seen!
And then, finding the clips from those movies on You Tube!
And, strangely enough, The Thomas Crown Affair has Denis Leary in it, who I just had a dream about the other night! Seriously.
It was Friday night into Saturday. I won’t bore you with all the details but it was dream, dream, dream… and… kissing Denis Leary! I don’t remember what the rest of the dream had in it, but in the end it was me kissing Denis Leary. And he was kissing me back!
Anyway, here’s the clip from the movie. I just happened to catch this exact part while it was on cable the other day. There’s no sound for whatever reason, but the cup makes it appearance at the 1:30 mark. It may be in more parts of the movie, but I won’t know until Netflix sends it on over for me to see full length. Until then…Enjoy!
And in a related video…here is Denis Leary doing some comedy about…Coffee! Didn’t know this was out there either. It’s kind of old and it’s WAY full of SWEAR WORDS. Curse words, obscenities, whatever…NOT FOR THE KIDDIES! Otherwise…
Warrior Dash! Video! As promised!
These are all pretty short so take a look!
Number 1: Starting the Race
Number 2: The Second Loop–Looking Tired
Number 3: THE MUD!
That’s all for my videos, but I found this one after I posted mine. This was from another competitor who was way ahead of us in the end, but he just so happened to be starting in our same wave. He has some good video of our start from the back as opposed to our footage from the front. You can kind of see us in front of him in line a little bit here and there, but Mason is in the video for a nice cameo at about the 1:25 mark. This runner also has some good shots of the fire and some of the energy before and after the race!
We will be back next year! I hope you enjoy the videos!
just shy of pretty 