Small Talk: The Impala

[DittyDotDot]

2 minutes ago, AwesomO4000 said:

* And I have this irrational hatred of that woman on the panel with the bleached blonde hair that likes to mention that she went to Harvard Law School every chance she gets. I am not usually like that, but generally whenever she starts talking about the wonders of the republican party and what a loser President Obama is, I just want to reach through the television screen and punch her in the nose. Repeatedly. (And I've never punched anyone in my life). And now that Trump has won, I'm afraid I will be seeing a lot more of that woman - oh joy.

::Wishes you could punch her in the nose through your TV screen::

Sorry, I don't know which woman you're talking about because I had to turn all that shit off months ago for my own sanity, but I feel you have sufficient reasoning behind you! ;)

[Diane]

3 minutes ago, AwesomO4000 said:

Decided to put this in it's own post, because I didn't want to take away from my condolences to catrox...

I've been doing enough emoting around the house myself since Tuesday evening that I'm probably driving my hubby crazy. Heh. But since he likes to watch CNN, I can't be entirely responsible if I see something on there that sets me off.*

* And I have this irrational hatred of that woman on the panel with the bleached blonde hair that likes to mention that she went to Harvard Law School every chance she gets. I am not usually like that, but generally whenever she starts talking about the wonders of the republican party and what a loser President Obama is, I just want to reach through the television screen and punch her in the nose. Repeatedly. (And I've never punched anyone in my life). And now that Trump has won, I'm afraid I will be seeing a lot more of that woman - oh joy.

I am with you, just trying to remember that we just keep fighting.  We show the younger generation that we will never give up. Hope your spirits lift.

[Mick Lady]

In other news...November 10, 1975, the day the Edmund Fitzgerald went down.

https://youtu.be/hgI8bta-7aw

I love Gordon Lightfoot, "If You Could Read My Mind" has always been a favorite.

Edited November 10, 2016 by Mick Lady

[FlickChick]

catrox, just read your post about the loss of your brother. I am so sorry to hear that news, especially since you lost your mom so recently. If you need someone to talk to that understands your grief, you could seek out a grief group through your local hospital if you wish. You will meet people suffering similar losses, and sometimes sharing can help. My thoughts and prayers are with you and yours.  

[rue721]

21 hours ago, catrox14 said:

I haven't wanted to say anything but I feel like I need to share some news.  

One of my two brothers passed away on Saturday morning.  He and I weren't close & there are a lot of issues  surrounding him and the rest of my family. Really heavy things. He had health issues for a long time. Our other brother told me a couple of weeks ago it didn't look good for him, but we didn't think it would be NOW. I expected I would be sad but not all these conflicted emotions given history but also the sadness is rather overwhelming.  It's stirring up so many things. That plus the election... today I feel like I can't feel anything.  

I'm sorry, catrox.

Are you going to be able to visit with your other brother? Is there going to be a memorial service?

Please be kind to yourself. And I want to echo everyone who has said that we're here for you ::hugs::

[SueB]

@catrox14 I don't know how I missed your post.  This is a super rough time for you.  And a lot to process.  I hope you can find some peace of mind.  Let us know how to help. 

[pixelcat]

This is somewhat Supernatural related, but didn't really have a better topic to post it in.

When I go to visit my parents, I take the train.  If you live around DC, you'll know about 95 going south Friday at rush hour, so yeah train.  I take the VRE down (about an hour 20 min) and Amtrak back (little less than an hour).  I love taking the train, instead of driving.  It gives you a chance to see cities from a different perspective, as a lot of train tracks run through more industrial parts of town, or parts that are decaying/abandoned, or both.  I've stuck a Supernatural soundtrack on my phone (consisting of the actual soundtrack, the songs from "Fan Fiction", plus other score music I've found on websites, mostly YouTube), and playing through the whole thing takes about two hours.

After a crap week, be it work, life, or whatever, it's wonderful to be able to sit watching out the window, listening to Supernatural music, and picture Sam & Dean driving down some of the roads we pass by.  Spot a warehouse, that could be where a djinn has set up.  Pass by an ironworks warehouse.  A hole-in-the-wall bar.  Cheap motel.  Make a note of a hardware store.  That store might have guns.  Salvage yard.  Some weird dirt lot that has a billion cars waiting to be hot-wired.  And lots of two-lane roads.

Bottom line, it cheers me up and puts me in a good mood by the time I reach my destination.  I tried to take a few pictures with my phone out the window, but focal length + window reflection = not turning out great.  So have this picture, which reminds me of Supernatural because of the image contents and coloring (I'm currently using this on my work computer as the background):

 

If anyone wants the original for a desktop, I found it here:

http://wallpaperswide.com/desert_road_and_mountains-wallpapers.html

[Diane]

Alright next time I get to visit my brother and his family in D.C all those in the area should meet up. Will probably be sometime next spring. 

[pixelcat]

47 minutes ago, Diane said:

Alright next time I get to visit my brother and his family in D.C all those in the area should meet up. Will probably be sometime next spring. 

I'd be up for that!

[SueB]

Moi aussi.

Edited November 15, 2016 by SueB

[Diane]

Yay would love to meet you both!

[rue721]

Yup, I'm in!

[Demented Daisy]

Aww, I'm down in southern Virginia.  ;-)

[pixelcat]

23 minutes ago, Demented Daisy said:

Aww, I'm down in southern Virginia.  ;-)

How southern?  And don't say "Mystic Falls" !!

[Demented Daisy]

As southern as you can get.  I might as well be in North Carolina.  ;-)

[Diane]

How fun will this be. You are my people! 

[catrox14]

/Waves from 3000 miles away

[Diane]

@catrox14 wish you could join!!

[Mick Lady]

I'm on the other side of the country too, damn it! I'd love to meet you guys!

I LOVE trains. Two of my brothers are Marines, and when they graduated from Paris Island, I was living in NYC. I took the train down both times to see them graduate, and fell in love with the whole experience. It's so romantic, the dining car and the sleeping berths, the observation car...it was the best way to travel!

Thanks pixelcat!

[Mick Lady]

17 hours ago, catrox14 said:

/Waves from 3000 miles away

How are you doing catrox? I think of you often, and we both are keeping you in our prayers.

[catrox14]

7 minutes ago, Mick Lady said:

How are you doing catrox? I think of you often, and we both are keeping you in our prayers.

Hanging in there Mick Lady! Thank you for asking.  Strange strange couple of weeks.  I appreciate all the thoughts and prayers, everyone!

[Diane]

@catrox14 glad to hear your hanging in there.   @Mick Lady how is Mick doing?

[catrox14]

It's kind of a strange day. My brother sent me a link so I could write a remembrance about my other brother, but I honestly don't want to do it today because it's my birthday which is kind of hard because I think a lot about my mom and I miss her terribly which makes me feel like I'm being a selfish asshole for not wanting to do the remembrance today.  I have confused emotions today!

[Diane]

@catrox14 Happy Birthday! I am sorry you are really missing your Mom. This is just me, but I think you should do what you feel comfortable doing.  If it's not today then don't do it.  Take care of you first, then we can better help others.

[SueB]

1 hour ago, catrox14 said:

It's kind of a strange day. My brother sent me a link so I could write a remembrance about my other brother, but I honestly don't want to do it today because it's my birthday which is kind of hard because I think a lot about my mom and I miss her terribly which makes me feel like I'm being a selfish asshole for not wanting to do the remembrance today.  I have confused emotions today!

 

I agree with Diane.  The link can wait til tomorrow.  

[catrox14]

Thanks, guys! Yeah, I'm just gonna wait til tomorrow. I'm taking this day just to kind of re-evaluate my life and take care of me.

[FlickChick]

Exactly as you should, catrox. Happy birthday and I hope you have someone to share it with today - along with us, of course. ;)

[Mick Lady]

4 hours ago, Diane said:

@catrox14 glad to hear your hanging in there.   @Mick Lady how is Mick doing?

He's doing great Diane, thanks for asking! This is the best thing he's ever done!

 

2 hours ago, catrox14 said:

Thanks, guys! Yeah, I'm just gonna wait til tomorrow. I'm taking this day just to kind of re-evaluate my life and take care of me.

First, Happy Birthday catrox! I agree with everyone, wait until later to answer the link. You have to take care of yourself first. I know it's a difficult situation, so you don't want to rush this. God I wish I could give you a big hug! I mostly wish I had something more helpful to say. As I have come to know you here, you're a pretty damn fine person. Don't let this make you doubt yourself.

[AwesomO4000]

Happy Birthday @catrox14!

I wasn't able to check in earlier today - lab today, and some of the students wanted to stay overtime to work on their insect collections - so sorry that it's a little late. I hope that you took the day just for you to get yourself grounded, reoriented, or just to breathe for a moment - whichever you needed. We're always here if you need to talk it out.

@Mick Lady - I'm glad to hear that Mick is doing well. It's good to have you back.

[catrox14]

Thank you for the well wishes, everyone!

I have a friend that moved to Florida from here like 10 years ago. Every year on my birthday she leaves me a message at 3:00 am before she goes to work. I usually wake up when I hear the phone but this year I slept right through it. It's something she's done for literally 10 years. It's just so funny. The first time she did it, I was like "what are you doing?? It's 3 am, I was scared something bad happened." She said "I just wanted to be the first one to tell you Happy Birthday" DAWWWW....and to this day, she's never missed one birthday :).

I took a walk to the local Starbucks.  Treated myself to a latte and a cheese danish and a too expensive bag of Starbucks Espresso Beans.  Hung out for an hour. Surfed a little web. Listened to whatever music they were playing. Did some people watching. Right now, I'm having a glass of pinot noir, some sourdough bread and olive oil with some olives. I've been watching 'Berlin Station" on EPIX which is pretty good. I'll probably watch some of my fave SPN episodes tonight because they make me happy.

I appreciate everyone's well wishes and support today, more than you know :)  (GROUP HUG!!)

[Mick Lady]

53 minutes ago, AwesomO4000 said:

Happy Birthday @catrox14!

I wasn't able to check in earlier today - lab today, and some of the students wanted to stay overtime to work on their insect collections - so sorry that it's a little late. I hope that you took the day just for you to get yourself grounded, reoriented, or just to breathe for a moment - whichever you needed. We're always here if you need to talk it out.

@Mick Lady - I'm glad to hear that Mick is doing well. It's good to have you back.

Thank you Awesom! I've been meaning to write you, but things are nuts here with nurses and PT nurses constantly coming by. I'm looking foreword to some peace and quiet next week.

What I'm really anticipating, is Thanksgiving! It will be just the two of us this year, (plus Taarna, our orange lab) and I love to cook.! Mick will fall asleep in his recliner, and Taarna will be supervising me in the kitchen all day. Doesn't get any better. I have a lot to be thankful for this year, not least of which is all you guys! 

Oh, and football, how could I forget?! Dallas plays the Redskins, so someone in my division (Giants fan here) will lose!

Edited November 16, 2016 by Mick Lady

[rue721]

Happy birthday @catrox14!

Your friend's tradition of calling every year at 3am is adorable. Does she do that for all her friends? Is she up at 3am every night, dialing someone up?! I'm glad there are sweet people like that out there. The world could use more of that.

And I definitely agree with everyone else about taking some time to just FEEL GOOD today!

[catrox14]

10 minutes ago, rue721 said:

Your friend's tradition of calling every year at 3am is adorable. Does she do that for all her friends? Is she up at 3am every night, dialing someone up?! I'm glad there are sweet people like that out there. The world could use more of that.

Thank you, @rue721

HA! I don't know if she does it for everyone or not. She calls on her way to work, she's a surgical tech so she works early hours. So it's 6 am for her and 3 am for me.

Edited November 16, 2016 by catrox14

[Diane]

@catrox14 so happy you were able to have a me day. Take care and vent and talk when ever you need to, we are here. Mick lady thanksgiving is not my favorite holiday, but so glad you will enjoy it.  I can't wait for Christmas although since Penney's has already gone to all Christmas music, I am already over the tunes. You would think even though it's part time it wouldn't drive me crazy, but it does, it's not even thanksgiving yet, ugh. I work my day job and this will be the 4th year at my part-time retail job and really have to work at not being a grinch. Lol the niece and 2 nephews help with that. 

Edited November 16, 2016 by Diane
because I was I tired and made it look like I was working 5 jobs, LOL

[Mick Lady]

14 minutes ago, Diane said:

@catrox14 so happy you were able to have a me day. Take care and vent and talk when ever you need to, we are here. Mick lady thanksgiving is not my favorite holiday, but so glad you will enjoy it.  I can't wait for Christmas although since Penney's has already gone to all Christmas music, I am already over the tunes. You would think even though it's part time it wouldn't drive me crazy, but it does, it's not even thanksgiving yet, ugh. I work my day job and this will be my 4 part-time retail job and really have to work at not being a grinch. Lol the niece and 2 nephews help with that. 

Good God Diane, you work too hard! I'm awed!

I get the not liking the holidays, I really do. Since I married Mick, after a horrible first marriage, holidays have come to mean a lot more to me. And I agree, I HATE the commercialism and the rushing of the season. But you can always come here and regain your sanity with all the crazies!

Edited November 16, 2016 by Mick Lady

[rue721]

1 hour ago, Diane said:

@catrox14 so happy you were able to have a me day. Take care and vent and talk when ever you need to, we are here. Mick lady thanksgiving is not my favorite holiday, but so glad you will enjoy it.  I can't wait for Christmas although since Penney's has already gone to all Christmas music, I am already over the tunes. You would think even though it's part time it wouldn't drive me crazy, but it does, it's not even thanksgiving yet, ugh. I work my day job and this will be my 4 part-time retail job and really have to work at not being a grinch. Lol the niece and 2 nephews help with that. 

Oh jeez work music is The Worst. Chinese water torture.

During a two or three month college waitressing job in 2005 (!!!!), this one song -- Unwritten, the theme song to The Hills ffs! -- lodged itself indelibly into my subconscious.

You know how they say that nobody knows what Albert Einstein's last words were, because on his deathbed, he reverted to his native German (and his nurse didn't speak German)? I'm pretty sure that as I drift peacefully into death, my last words will be the lyrics to this godforsaken song. It is lodged in there DEEP. Hopefully by that point nobody will remember the The Hills connection, though. ;)

Anyway! Personally, I kind of hate the holidays. I find them depressing.

But this year, I don't have to work any of them! So, I'm not really looking forward to the holidays themselves (in fact, I'm dreading them, per usual), but I'm definitely looking forward to the days off.

[Mick Lady]

3 hours ago, AwesomO4000 said:

Happy Birthday @catrox14!

I wasn't able to check in earlier today - lab today, and some of the students wanted to stay overtime to work on their insect collections - so sorry that it's a little late. I hope that you took the day just for you to get yourself grounded, reoriented, or just to breathe for a moment - whichever you needed. We're always here if you need to talk it out.

@Mick Lady - I'm glad to hear that Mick is doing well. It's good to have you back.

 

I love your posts Awesom! "Insect collection" alone creeps me out! I love you, I truly do, but I still kill spiders with no remorse!!!

[pixelcat]

My cat's picture made the top 50 vote-off for a cat calendar at a local cat rescue (same place I adopted him from).  Yay!

[catrox14]

She's your Calendar Cat! 

[Mick Lady]

Wow pixelcat, that is a seriously professional looking picture, it's amazing! Great job!

[Diane]

She is beautiful pixelcat

[7kstar]

For those that pray, I have a student that is having open heart surgery tomorrow and he has a 30% chance of surviving.  I have his brother also.  So your support and prayers would be greatly appreciated.

First production is done and the kid was in a wheelchair and on oxygen.  We created a chase scene just for him.  It was a high point for him as he wanted to perform so badly but due to his health issues talking loudly is an issue.  I'm just hoping that it will be one of many memories for him and his family.  So this year I'm struggling a little.  I guess I'm relating a bit too much to Dean. 

We won't be doing any heavy drama's as my advance class had one student lose his little brother another has her dad pulling out of almost dying.  So it just feels like Billie is hanging around my classroom.  I know it's not the worst stuff but I would love to see something positive happen right now.  Sorry if I'm bringing you all down.

[Diane]

I will share with friends, so many prayers coming for your student.

16 minutes ago, 7kstar said:

For those that pray, I have a student that is having open heart surgery tomorrow and he has a 30% chance of surviving.  I have his brother also.  So your support and prayers would be greatly appreciated.

First production is done and the kid was in a wheelchair and on oxygen.  We created a chase scene just for him.  It was a high point for him as he wanted to perform so badly but due to his health issues talking loudly is an issue.  I'm just hoping that it will be one of many memories for him and his family.  So this year I'm struggling a little.  I guess I'm relating a bit too much to Dean. 

We won't be doing any heavy drama's as my advance class had one student lose his little brother another has her dad pulling out of almost dying.  So it just feels like Billie is hanging around my classroom.  I know it's not the worst stuff but I would love to see something positive happen right now.  Sorry if I'm bringing you all down.

You are my hero, you are doing wonderful work. Thank you so much for all you do for your students, saying prayers for you to lift your spirit. 

Edited November 18, 2016 by Diane

[Mick Lady]

38 minutes ago, 7kstar said:

For those that pray, I have a student that is having open heart surgery tomorrow and he has a 30% chance of surviving.  I have his brother also.  So your support and prayers would be greatly appreciated.

First production is done and the kid was in a wheelchair and on oxygen.  We created a chase scene just for him.  It was a high point for him as he wanted to perform so badly but due to his health issues talking loudly is an issue.  I'm just hoping that it will be one of many memories for him and his family.  So this year I'm struggling a little.  I guess I'm relating a bit too much to Dean. 

We won't be doing any heavy drama's as my advance class had one student lose his little brother another has her dad pulling out of almost dying.  So it just feels like Billie is hanging around my classroom.  I know it's not the worst stuff but I would love to see something positive happen right now.  Sorry if I'm bringing you all down.

I agree with Diane, you've shown yourself to be a wonderful teacher! I taught grad school for 28 years, and I have always appreciated the great teachers my students had early in their education. You 7kstar, are one of them!

Prayers sent, for both you and your student.

[SueB]

Prayer's on the way!  Let us know what happens?

[Morrigan2575]

18 hours ago, pixelcat said:

My cat's picture made the top 50 vote-off for a cat calendar at a local cat rescue (same place I adopted him from).  Yay!

Not only is that a beautiful cat but, you took a great picture

[pixelcat]

Thanks for the likes!  I seriously lucked out with that picture, it's the best one I've ever taken of him and it was on my older Canon, not my newer fancier Nikon no less!

Despite being named after a serial killer that kills serial killers, he really is a Supernatural cat.  He's my binge-watching buddy, and hangs out on the couch on weekends with me watching the show.  I think at this point he's probably seen every episode at least once!

[catrox14]

3 hours ago, pixelcat said:

Thanks for the likes!  I seriously lucked out with that picture, it's the best one I've ever taken of him and it was on my older Canon, not my newer fancier Nikon no less!

Despite being named after a serial killer that kills serial killers, he really is a Supernatural cat.  He's my binge-watching buddy, and hangs out on the couch on weekends with me watching the show.  I think at this point he's probably seen every episode at least once!

Wait, is your cat named Dexter?

[pixelcat]

12 minutes ago, catrox14 said:

Wait, is your cat named Dexter?

Gold star!

Named for both that show, and for the insanely smart boy with a lab...

[Mick Lady]

22 hours ago, 7kstar said:

For those that pray, I have a student that is having open heart surgery tomorrow and he has a 30% chance of surviving.  I have his brother also.  So your support and prayers would be greatly appreciated.

First production is done and the kid was in a wheelchair and on oxygen.  We created a chase scene just for him.  It was a high point for him as he wanted to perform so badly but due to his health issues talking loudly is an issue.  I'm just hoping that it will be one of many memories for him and his family.  So this year I'm struggling a little.  I guess I'm relating a bit too much to Dean. 

We won't be doing any heavy drama's as my advance class had one student lose his little brother another has her dad pulling out of almost dying.  So it just feels like Billie is hanging around my classroom.  I know it's not the worst stuff but I would love to see something positive happen right now.  Sorry if I'm bringing you all down.

7kstar, I know it's early, but any news?

6 hours ago, pixelcat said: