So, I have this nagging feeling of helplessness that won't go away. My Father-in-Law (I guess former since the divorce, but we don't really think in those terms) has been battling cancer most of the year, complete with two very invasive surgeries over at Roswell Peep. He went back over Friday to get the latest report and it wasn't good. The talk of more chemo is too manage pain for a "few more months." If long term terminal is a term, I think I discovered the definition. Since the holidays he was having a rougher go of it. He is one of those who never feels sorry for himself, always wanting the best for everybody and such. Seeing this twist isn't fair under the best of circumstances, but it's been a tough one to swallow. He did everything right. He was a smoker and managed to quit that. He doesn't drink, no red meat, no chicken, heavily into fish and veggies and still Karma decided to say "Fuck You."
Be enough to test your faith, as if mine isn't shaky enough as it is. Got the news yesterday that a distant cousin passed away from unknown causes. She was the daughter of my mom's eldest sister. The sister has long proven to be bonkers so I hadn't them in over 25 years. She was a whack job but I wouldn't wish that on anybody. Even whack jobs deserve a little peace.
So, the yuks aren't exactly plentiful.
I know Dad-in-law doesn't want us all sitting around feeling sorry for ourselves and that is the message my ex and I are going to try and convey to our kids later. At 13 and 16, I suspect my daughters are pretty aware. He's essentially dying, but trying to explain the vast amount of what isn't definite to a 9 year old (The aformentioned number one son). So, what isn't known is what any of this means because we're at a point where everything is just a guestimate.
Depressed yet? I know I am.
Came home from a rare exasperating day at work to that news and my time has been haunted by it ever since.
Mrmike's Journal
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01/20/2008 09:17 #42961
The Mental Plate is a little fullCategory: random
01/17/2008 21:39 #42935
Mrmike, spokespeepCategory: work
Next stop, Broadway.
I'm such a company whore
I'm such a company whore
metalpeter - 01/18/08 17:42
Good article, yes it is off Broadway and then onto to Vegas, just make sure you stay far enough away so if an animal gets out away you are still safe, kidding of course. But that was an interesting article. I read another one today in the Buffalonews. You weren't mentioned it was all about the tigers and I guess there site has some more pictures. I do have one zoo question for you. Does the Buffalo Zoo or any Zoo that you know of have (the tigers that live in snow or where it snows) I think they are called Siberain tigers. I don't know if it is a good idea but I would think a snow exhibit would be a pretty cool one to see tigers in. Thanks for the link to the article.
Good article, yes it is off Broadway and then onto to Vegas, just make sure you stay far enough away so if an animal gets out away you are still safe, kidding of course. But that was an interesting article. I read another one today in the Buffalonews. You weren't mentioned it was all about the tigers and I guess there site has some more pictures. I do have one zoo question for you. Does the Buffalo Zoo or any Zoo that you know of have (the tigers that live in snow or where it snows) I think they are called Siberain tigers. I don't know if it is a good idea but I would think a snow exhibit would be a pretty cool one to see tigers in. Thanks for the link to the article.
museumchick - 01/18/08 15:10
That was an awesome article!
That was an awesome article!
fellyconnelly - 01/18/08 10:18
hey what is this valentines day event they speak of? i LOVE the zoo!
hey what is this valentines day event they speak of? i LOVE the zoo!
mrdeadlier - 01/18/08 10:10
You're famous! Cool!
My kids love the zoo. My wife and I totally take advantage of our membership during Spring-Fall (as many as 10 visits), but have yet to do a winter trip. Maybe we'll finally do that this year.
You're famous! Cool!
My kids love the zoo. My wife and I totally take advantage of our membership during Spring-Fall (as many as 10 visits), but have yet to do a winter trip. Maybe we'll finally do that this year.
drew - 01/18/08 07:37
Awesome, Mike! You're the man.
Awesome, Mike! You're the man.
01/16/2008 11:40 #42911
Warm & FuzzyCategory: work
Got to tell you, this beats selling remotes
Got my first exposure to tiger training somewhat. After getting to take this photo, I got to watch as the tiger staff took the two 3 month old cubs outside for the first time. The girl cub went first sniffing around and exploring the new environs while her brother watched from the ledge of their indoor room.
After a few minutes, one of the keepers went over and gave the boy a little help. The little guy was a tad unsteady for a few seconds only to have his sister pounce on him and playtime was on. Fun to watch. They charmed the pants off even the steeliest of Zoo staffer for the next twenty minutes before going back inside for lunch.
Fun stuff
Got my first exposure to tiger training somewhat. After getting to take this photo, I got to watch as the tiger staff took the two 3 month old cubs outside for the first time. The girl cub went first sniffing around and exploring the new environs while her brother watched from the ledge of their indoor room.
After a few minutes, one of the keepers went over and gave the boy a little help. The little guy was a tad unsteady for a few seconds only to have his sister pounce on him and playtime was on. Fun to watch. They charmed the pants off even the steeliest of Zoo staffer for the next twenty minutes before going back inside for lunch.
Fun stuff
fellyconnelly - 01/18/08 10:15
mmm fuzzy kitty... i want to play with them!
mmm fuzzy kitty... i want to play with them!
metalpeter - 01/16/08 17:55
Nice picture, glad you got to see that it sounds like a good time.
Nice picture, glad you got to see that it sounds like a good time.
jenks - 01/16/08 14:55
AWWWwwWWWwwWW! Great pic. :)
AWWWwwWWWwwWW! Great pic. :)
james - 01/16/08 12:11
Nothing melts hearts like fuzzy baby animals.
Don't expect the same for baby alligators. No one wants to cuddle with one of those.
Nothing melts hearts like fuzzy baby animals.
Don't expect the same for baby alligators. No one wants to cuddle with one of those.
01/13/2008 20:10 #42873
Lasertron and strange goings-onCategory: mental mcnuggets
I had to take number one son to a birthday party yesterday out at Lasertron. After getting him checked in, the mom of the main party celebrant asked me if I'd go in the Lasertron game so our group of kids. I'm not sure what the deciding factor was in that regard: that I'd played before or that I was the only Dad to show up.
They take two groups at a time. 3 adults and 17 (I'm guessing) kids all around age 9 or 10, divided in two groups. You go through a little briefing, get taken out to your side of the arena and have at it. In no time, all these little kids are turning into Tom Sizemore in Saving Private Ryan. I have expected a few of em to sport the cigar stub that the crusty sarge in all the war movies sports. You play four games and I laughed my fool self through all of em. It's glorified capture the flag. At one instance, a little kid no bigger than my hip comes up to me and says "excuse me, sir, I think if we go up and to the left we can blown up their home."
Little twerp was right, we blew it up good. I told the moms I'd take one for the parenting team provided there was a beer waiting (Lasertron serves beer) and there was. Good mothers.
Maybe we should have an (e:strip) shoot'em up some night.
They take two groups at a time. 3 adults and 17 (I'm guessing) kids all around age 9 or 10, divided in two groups. You go through a little briefing, get taken out to your side of the arena and have at it. In no time, all these little kids are turning into Tom Sizemore in Saving Private Ryan. I have expected a few of em to sport the cigar stub that the crusty sarge in all the war movies sports. You play four games and I laughed my fool self through all of em. It's glorified capture the flag. At one instance, a little kid no bigger than my hip comes up to me and says "excuse me, sir, I think if we go up and to the left we can blown up their home."
Little twerp was right, we blew it up good. I told the moms I'd take one for the parenting team provided there was a beer waiting (Lasertron serves beer) and there was. Good mothers.
Maybe we should have an (e:strip) shoot'em up some night.
mrdeadlier - 01/14/08 10:54
haha, awesome. i love the tom sizemore reference. my only gripe is that the staff is always yelling "no running" -- walking through the whole experience kinda ruins it for me :(
haha, awesome. i love the tom sizemore reference. my only gripe is that the staff is always yelling "no running" -- walking through the whole experience kinda ruins it for me :(
tiburon1724 - 01/13/08 22:18
I personally love Lasertron. Most areas don't have a sophisticated laser tag arena like this one. It's not just for kids!
I personally love Lasertron. Most areas don't have a sophisticated laser tag arena like this one. It's not just for kids!
01/10/2008 14:48 #42819
Go Bloomy GoCategory: politics
Got to love the entertainment value if Bloomberg gets in...
Might start paying attention to the election
Might start paying attention to the election
vincent - 01/11/08 00:56
If he runs he is going to make it very interesting for sure. All that data crunching from those Bloomberg Terminals give him something to go on, I may fly to Vegas and put something on him to win.
His appeal is that he's a not a religious wacko and he's ultra business. It's sad but people trust business more than government. So someone that basically built the data analysis system for Wall Street has the admiration of most Americans. That gives him an edge over any Democrat that is still left in the race, since they're pretty much just government resume only holders that never made it in "the private sector."
If he runs he is going to make it very interesting for sure. All that data crunching from those Bloomberg Terminals give him something to go on, I may fly to Vegas and put something on him to win.
His appeal is that he's a not a religious wacko and he's ultra business. It's sad but people trust business more than government. So someone that basically built the data analysis system for Wall Street has the admiration of most Americans. That gives him an edge over any Democrat that is still left in the race, since they're pretty much just government resume only holders that never made it in "the private sector."
jim - 01/10/08 18:48
Yeah, the whole Unity Party thing seems to just be fake grass roots cover for him to run.
Yeah, the whole Unity Party thing seems to just be fake grass roots cover for him to run.
jason - 01/10/08 17:11
I wouldn't be too sure about his ability to draw off support from Republicans. I interact with right leaners of differing commitment very frequently. I have heard not one peep from them about Bloomberg. He is off the radar. And why wouldn't he be? Everyone knows he is a Democratic, and why he ran with an (R) next to his name.
I don't know where he gets support.
I wouldn't be too sure about his ability to draw off support from Republicans. I interact with right leaners of differing commitment very frequently. I have heard not one peep from them about Bloomberg. He is off the radar. And why wouldn't he be? Everyone knows he is a Democratic, and why he ran with an (R) next to his name.
I don't know where he gets support.
mrmike - 01/10/08 16:44
Oh I agree, his candidacy won't change the nature of what's already underway. I
don't believe he'd win in this current climate. My innner-rubber necker likes
watching what his presence would inspire on all sides, given that both he and
his billions are too large to ignore.
It'd be fun to watch, not that it would solve anything, but it would be
entertaining.
Oh I agree, his candidacy won't change the nature of what's already underway. I
don't believe he'd win in this current climate. My innner-rubber necker likes
watching what his presence would inspire on all sides, given that both he and
his billions are too large to ignore.
It'd be fun to watch, not that it would solve anything, but it would be
entertaining.
jim - 01/10/08 15:46
This election doesn't feature a huge group who is disenchanted with the Democratic party. He'll draw off support mostly from the Republicans, but like James says not from many of them. The Democrats are really fired up for this election and getting on with a life post-Bush. Bloomberg needs an electorate disenchanted with the status quo on both sides.
The problem with a new centrist 3rd party or candidate is that they still must schizophrenically deal with all the same issues that drove the Left and the Right apart to begin with. How does this Unity party handle abortion, war, economic and health policy?
Any good workable ideas will be sucked up by one of the main parties leaving the 3rd party with just the unresolvable ones.
This election doesn't feature a huge group who is disenchanted with the Democratic party. He'll draw off support mostly from the Republicans, but like James says not from many of them. The Democrats are really fired up for this election and getting on with a life post-Bush. Bloomberg needs an electorate disenchanted with the status quo on both sides.
The problem with a new centrist 3rd party or candidate is that they still must schizophrenically deal with all the same issues that drove the Left and the Right apart to begin with. How does this Unity party handle abortion, war, economic and health policy?
Any good workable ideas will be sucked up by one of the main parties leaving the 3rd party with just the unresolvable ones.
james - 01/10/08 15:29
I don't understand why a New York City Independent/Really-a-Democrat-but-technically-I-was-a-Republican would think he has anything to contribute to the race. I like Bloomy, I really do. But he is not fiscally or socially conservative at all. He has no real centrist appeal. If he runs it is because his ego is getting to big for NYC.
I don't understand why a New York City Independent/Really-a-Democrat-but-technically-I-was-a-Republican would think he has anything to contribute to the race. I like Bloomy, I really do. But he is not fiscally or socially conservative at all. He has no real centrist appeal. If he runs it is because his ego is getting to big for NYC.
Not really sure what to say other then that is to bad. I guess on a positive note you at least have a place (estrip) where you can kinda get things off your chest where you don't really have to talk to someone if you don't want to and can get some of the stuff out, a lot of people don't have that.