Bits and Pieces

Been working a lot again. Not much to blog about. Getting ready to head off to the West Coast on Wed for another conference- I have two this month- jumping back into mad travel for work. After this, the next one isn't until July.

Hoping that the Bad Things Before Travel trend has petered out. I guess I'll find out soon.

The Ex called last night, saying he'd gotten bad news and could he come over to talk? Cautiously, I agreed. The bad news: he'd just been fired from his job. He's back in the rut. Very depressed, very sad. Not surprised he got fired, apparently he's been having interpersonal troubles with the others who work there.

What to do but shake one's head. I told him I was sorry that he was having such a hard time, I hoped he was able to make some changes to improve things. He asked for a lot of things (money for smokes, for beer, to stay the night, etc) to which I nicely but firmly said NO, and repeated his requests back to him, saying "You really ask a lot of a person. Are you aware of how much you try to get from people?"

That pretty much ended the chat. It is such a sad thing to see him like this. I talked with my sister, and she expressed what I'd felt: "I didn't think he'd get to this. He's always seemed like a strong person- that he'd get over it and get back to normal."

I strongly believed that he'd find his way out of this. He's not using (so he says, he doesn't LOOK like he's using) but even if he isn't, he's the equivalent of a dry drunk. Nothing else has changed, and he's still miserable. He still can't hold a job, is still trying to get things from people, is still lonely, sad, depressed.

I hope he finds his way. I'm not going to cut him out of my life completely, but the walls are up, and staying up. I tell it to him as I see it, and the view isn't pleasant. I'm not sure why he still talks with me, because he's not getting money or sex or even many nice words. There's no point in trying to pretend that things are better than they are. And ultimately, there's nothing I can do to help him, except keep my walls up and tell it as I see it.

Most of the weekend was more fun. The Best Friend and Artist and I went to Ryan's Daugher in Belevedere Square for dinner and a drink. It's a lovely restaurant, divided into many cute rooms and two bars. Not the most varied menu, but decent food, and it definately had the friendly, chatty feel of the Irish Pub. Recommended as a General Place, although not for a special occasion.

Saturday I worked with the NP; today I trained the Best Friend for a full time position at the company I consult for. So it's pretty much been a working weekend. It will be worth it Wednesday, though, when I'm sitting in Cali, preferably on a beach somewhere if it's not all flooded out. Regardless, I'll be sipping a good, strong alcoholic drink and smiling away....

One more good thing: the NP threw me a month's supply of Wellbutrin, also sold under the trade name of Cyban, to treat nicotine addiction. AH!!!! I've manipulated all the methods of quitting that I've used successfully in the past to quit smoking for years at a time (with the exception of quitting cold turkey- that only worked once, and only for a few months). I went the Wellbutrin route the last time, and I know that it works.

Last time, I took the antidepressant and became depressed in the first few days. It was horrible for the two weeks that you take the meds and keep smoking. I wanted to smoke, and smoke, and smoke some more. I cried the night before the quit date, thinking that this was not going to work, I was still smoking 1.5 packs/day, and everyone else I knew who had done it this way had cut down substantially "naturally" before the quit date arrived.

But, the very next morning, my desire to smoke was gone. I didn't pick up another cig for years, until hanging out in Ireland and drinking with the Cashel locals.

Well, I'm giving this another shot. I've been on it for 5 days, have not felt any differenty than normal, but am smoking even more than before. I can't use my usual trick of not smoking during the day (nicotine patch at work), so it's rough fighting off nic fits all day. GRRRRRR! I sometimes feel like a zombie in 28 days later, rabid and dying for a smoke.

But it will all be worth it, March 8th, freedom day.

Oooh...also, the online crush is coming along nicely. Just a lot of emails back and forth, casual chat. Love witty guys with cute pics. At some point, we'll have to meet face to face, and that's where things come clean. He could just be a cool guy but no sparks, or he may take a look at me and run the other way...or he could be a total jerk who just writes well...or he could be someone intriguing and worth getting to know better...who knows? You just can't take this online stuff too seriously, unless and until it develops into something serious. But if and when that happens, it's a long way off.

In the meantime, is it too much to ask for a snow day? It's not supposed to start snowing until the morning again, which means heading off to work. I hope they actually let us out at a decent time, if the snow does show up. It would be such a lovely thing to sit with some hot chocolate and watch DVDs and knit on a Monday. Here's hoping...

The Measure of a Man

Funeral today. Uplifting, for a funeral, as it was focused on his life. And what a life this man led! The church was packed. We got there 40 minutes early, and still ended up standing at the back. Full of people, kids from the private school of which he was the Dean. All the boys in the senior class wore bowties in his honor (one of his traditions). He was one of those people who touched many, many lives.

There was, sadly, only a handful of Hopkins people there. We went to the reception afterwards, held on the school campus. (Reminded me eerily of my high school campus, I went to a private school as well). There was a long line of people waiting to see the widow. When the NP met her, the widow's entire posture changed. She hugged the NP for a long time- the NP was one of the few people who was there strictly for the widow, to acknowledge her tragic loss, having had only a few small periods of time with the husband.

On the ride back to Hopkins, the NP and the Italian Doctor who came with her commented on the lack of Hopkins people who went to support their colleague.

"Is it an American thing?" the NP asked. Then abruptly answered her own question, "It can't be- the entire school community was there. It's just the Hopkins community who didn't show up."

"It's not an American thing," I said. "At Hopkins, everyone is working on their own thing. It's cut-throat and competitive, and few people make the time for things like this. If they didn't know her well, it just doesn't bump other things out of the priority list. When my dad was sick, everyone came out to help. But he was a teacher, too."

And that is true. Not only did my dad's colleagues help out, and his students sent cards and gifts, but my mom's colleagues were supportive, her workplace was supportive, and the entire neighborhood showed up to support my mom, me and my sister. Even long past the intial crisis, the people in my neighborhood take care of my family- they mow the lawn, shovel snow, drop off treats for my dad, who can't drive well anymore, all of this without being asked. My mom was able to go to Ireland because the neighbors arranged to check in on my dad and grandmother for 10 days. That's how it is where I grew up.

When we got back to Hopkins, another one of our colleagues, who I refer to as the Goddess of Knowledge as she takes care of EVERYTHING in our unit, came over. She hadn't been able to make it to the funeral because of meetings for an upcoming grant deadline. She expressed her sadness at the event, and at not being able to go.

She also commented on the insane hours we all work, and the fact that none of us know if our loved ones will be there in the morning, will make it home from work. Everything can change in a second. "It makes you wonder," she said, "what the hell we're doing here all the time."

"But everyone works all the time," the NP said. "Everyone's always here after hours and on weekends." And that, too, is true.

The Goddess and I just looked at each other. The NP *is* a clinican-scientist. She is one of those people who truly lives her work- it is not a burden to her, it is a privilege and an inspiration. Her husband is the same way with his job, and her kids are all committed to a sport. If she were to come home on time, she would be on her own until 9 or 10 each night, because her husband coaches her kids from 6-9 on a daily basis.

The Goddess is not like that. Her kids and her husband miss her. They often request her presence at home since she started working with us a few months ago. It is a painful choice for her to stay late and come in on weekends in an attempt to get the work in some sort of shape, in the hope that if she can just get this much done, the job will become managable.

I don't have a family to come home to (yet, I hope!). But I don't live my job- at least not in my heart. I love what I do, but I also love knitting, my friends, time to read, time to play online, watching hockey and football, trying new restaurants, traveling, and just plain lazy downtime. I have wonderful friends, a great family, I am a teacher of my craft, I am involved in other communities. I don't want my life to be just work.

So these are my thoughts tonight. I have known for a while that I don't want to be in academics forever, and so my plans for school have been put aside. I'd rather find ways to truly live as much as possible, not just in the hallways of hospitals and classrooms.

Lastly, I was strongly moved, witnessing how much good the murdered man effected in his life. My parents were both teachers, then my mom switched into nursing. To this day, one certain way to brighten my dad up is to ask him about teaching- and his school was in inner city ghetto hell Philly for 20 years. The ability of teachers, doctors, nurses to help people cannot be overstated. Just read Epiphany's blog to find someone who makes a personal difference in people's lives.

Of course, to some extent, everyone contributes. From janitors, to engineers, to salesmen. We all work towards something that adds to the human tapestry. What if I am fortunate to help the NP make some breakthroughs in the treatment of traumatic brain injury- 2 million people in the US alone suffer from a traumatic brain injury each year. If we can find something to aid in recovery, that will touch many, many lives!

I guess I am wondering tonight what is the measure of a life, of a person? I don't believe for a second that it's about the money one makes, but I do believe that the willingness of a person to provide for loved ones matters. I've been in the mental health business for a decade now, but I don't believe that you have to be in the "helping" industries to make a difference, though it certainly is a valid route. I've thought that you have to "help" to be a "good" person, but quite frankly, that line of thinking has backfired several times, when I've tried to "help" people or situations and have only prolonged something bad, contributed to a bad situation, or made things outright worse.

Lately I've been thinking that the best thing you can do is take care of yourself, and be the person you want to be. If you're doing it right, you want to be a "good" person, you'd want to do right by your loved ones. You'd want to be supportive, and responsible. As long as you're honest, honorable, etc. I think it's all good.

Still, today I looked at what a man has done in 58 years of life, not even twice my age, and look at what little I've done...

I really need to stop posting after midnight. It's too much to post about making any sense. It's a sad yet uplifting day, and that is more than enough.

Plus, possibly a snow day tomorrow...

Blogging Right Along

I'm going to a funeral tomorrow for the gentleman who was fatally shot in Towsontown Mall. He was the husband to one of the professors in our department, a really wonderful woman who helped the NP and I out tremendously when we were writing the grant. I went to the funeral of the last person who was killed there- a 17 year old was stabbed to death a few years back. He was the grandson of one of my coworkers at my consulting job. There's a bad trend developing here.

On to brighter things, I totally love the Tattoo Artist. He is so much fun, such a great guy. I've known him since we were teens (I say 15 years old, he says 13 years old). We were best friends growing up, hanging out all the time. I stole him away from his house when he was 15 and he never went back- he lived for a year in the basement of the girl who would become his wife, then was totally on his own. He got his GED, took care of his woman, married her when they were 22, helped support her through school, and was totally blindsided when, eight years later, she announced out of the blue that she wanted a divorce. It was the classic move: she's making six figures, and he started an salary-free apprenticeship. Now, a year later, she's showing up in places where she know's the Tattoo Artist will be with her new guy (someone in his circle). She and her new guy both live far away from the places he hangs out- they are not there because there's no where else to go. He won't say a bad word about her, only says that never in this lifetime would he get back with her. Now, he's like a little kid, full of energy, happy, getting involved with his work, his art, traveling, having a blast. So much fun to be around!

In other news, there's another slight online crush developing. Potential is there, but we'll see..

YAWN

Just hopping on for a quick post. Little to say. Another long but good day at work. One of my online dates, from here on our referred to as Steelers Fan, has agreed to interact from here on out on a friendship basis. He's a nice enough guy, but not my type for dating. But I'm glad that he's up for just hanging out and talking sports. And he's into hockey (Pens fan, of course)- not that there's much to talk about this year. Although, apparently Mario Lemieux and Wayne Gretsky are trying to work behind the scenes to salvage something of a season this year. One can hope...

There's been a lot of this friendship thing going on, actually. WIT has emailed, and we might eventually end up hanging out for a beer. The Greek is dating one of my colleagues (splendid! And she had a deal going, where the person who introduced her to her husband-to-be gets a cruise for two on her, and I introduced them...so I am hoping the two of them work out!!), he and I are going to meet up for coffee or something so I can give him a hint or two about her.

The Ex has even stopped by. He seems to be doing better. I reminded him that I'd only be interesting in spending time with him as friends, to which he replied, "Of course! We've been friends for years now. It's good." But this will proceed warily, if at all. We'll see.

And, regarding an established long-time friendship, the Tattoo Artist is coming down this weekend. This will surely mean too much nicotine and alcohol...but he is just so much fun! He is the first person I've met whose spouse initiated a divorce that he didn't see coming and didn't want...and now is far better off than the ex-spouse. He is just loving life. Such a grand thing. And, since we got straight that we are really just friends after the divorce was finalized, it's just a trouble-free Sat night of hitting up the town and laughing off the bar stools. Best Friend is coming along, too, so barring anything major happening this should be a great weekend. Only another work day to go...

Better Days

There is no discernable reason for it, but I've been feeling much happier these past few days. My sleep schedule is still screwy (note posting after midnight); I'm still smoking; my diet hasn't changed; there is no one new in my life. Nothing has changed, except I'm feeling better, more cheerful, more pleased with life.

It might be work. The days are still long, but I don't mind it right now. I'm doing a lot of work with research subjects (patients in the hospital), and I love it. The people I've been working with are so inspiring! This week I worked with a young guy who was the victim of a random assault. He got knocked in the eye, threatening loss of vision, and a few times on the back of the head. If he loses vision, his career is threatened- after spending years and a lot of money in night school to get this particular job that he loves. He's concerned for how he'll support his family, his young daughter. Yet he agreed to participate in the research study, he put forth a lot of effort in doing the neuropsychological testing despite being in pain, having a hard time seeing the tests, and coming off some serious pain killers. When I asked how he was doing, he replied, "I'm a little worried about my job, but I can find a new career. I just take it all as it comes. There's nothing I could do about this, there's nothing I can do about the future. I don't want my daughter to see me upset or worried. My life is intact, my family is intact. It'll all work out."

Today, I did a home visit. These are extremely revealing. You get to work with the person in his or her home environment, get an idea how they live. You learn a lot more about a person by observing him or her with their family in their natural environment. The NP and I drove to a bad part of town, but our research subject lives in a decent home. He was there with his fiance and her young grandchildren. A month ago, this guy was found unconscious next to his truck, apparently the victim of an assault. When we saw him the first time, he was agitated, trying to leave, with limited attention and poor cognitive abilities. Today, he is home, working, fully engaged in family life. It was just so cool to see him and his fiance, laughing, taking care of the kids, taking care of the house, happy.

I love to see people overcome adversity. These are just normal people, nothing particularly special. They aren't rich, they don't have a lot of resources. But they have something inside that they use to get better and find contentment. Not everyone is able to pull this off. This week has been full of the inspiring types. Helps one to appreciate human beings, and also one's own life.

Yeah, it must be work. How cool is it to have a job that inspires you, and make you feel better? It's grand...I'd rather stay with this point of the view than my recent feeling that I work too much and have been shortchanging other aspects of my life. I really need to find a way to get more balance between work and non-work life. But for now, I'm feeling good about the job, about life in general. It's a good mental place to be, so I think I'll just leave it as is, without worrying or thinking too much. Time to get some sleep.

Grrrr...can't figure out how to put a blogroll in, but at least got a few pics up. Must learn more about coding...

Doolin, Ireland (test again) 

Lovely Ireland (test photo) 

Quiz

Found on
Jen's website, a nifty political quiz, Are you a Neo-Con? I liked this one because the answer selection was quite good, able to distinguish some subtle differences in perspective.

Also, the quiz results indicated that I'm a "Realist"- and who doesn't want to be thought of as a realist? 'Course, it's a "realist" using the Christen Science Monitor's definition, not everyone would agree with this definition, although it pegged me pretty well:

Realists…

Are guided more by practical considerations than ideological vision
Believe US power is crucial to successful diplomacy - and vice versa
Don't want US policy options unduly limited by world opinion or ethical considerations
Believe strong alliances are important to US interests
Weigh the political costs of foreign action
Believe foreign intervention must be dictated by compelling national interest
Historical realist: President Dwight D. Eisenhower

Modern realist: Secretary of State Colin Powell

I can't get with the Dems or the Repubs. On social matters, I am diametrically opposed to most of the Repub agenda: abortion rights, gay marriage, affirmative action. On fiscal matters, I don't know a damned thing. I'd like to be able to invest some of my social security, rather than handing over my bucks to a system that in all likelihood won't be around by time I reach social security age, if I even manage to reach that age because it will almost certainly get pushed up. However, I don't know enough about economics to perceive the best way to solve the Social Security issue.

The Dems, though, appear to me to be a party in serious disarray. There is very little currently on the surface of Democratic party that I'd want to associate with because in general it seems more interested in screaming about what is wrong, rather than pointing out a better way to go. The party of John Kerry seemed to prefer to talk about what a mess things are, rather than find a plausible way to improve.

Two Kerry moments really stand out for me. First were his comments directly after the Repub convention, where Bush put on a staged, choregraphed closing event speaking of liberty, democracy, grand ideas, etc. Kerry had an opportunity to echo Bush's patriotic words and restate his commitment to liberty, democracy, etc, as evidenced by his military service, and say that he has a better way. Instead of making a grand statement, which may have held some equilibrium with the grand and patriot statements made by the Repubs, he turned nasty, complained that the Repubs had slandered him and that he wasn't going to stand for it.

The second moment was recently, just after the Iraqi election. He had a decent point to make (namely, the elections are just the start, and the next steps towards democracy and stabilization would be aided by a greater international contribution). He could have made a strong and elegant point by making a big deal about the courage of the Iraqis, the importance of the moment, and using it to invite the US and Europe to put aside differences and begin to work together towards stabilization of the country and the creation of a democracy.

Instead, he snarled, yeah, good job and all, but lets not overhype it, this is Bush's last chance to get it right. He took a grand moment and made it small.
He cannot risk doing anything that would potentially add to Bush's political capital- but he doesn't see that his attempts to diminish Bush's political capital only detracts from his own.

These are not the only moments that lead me to strongly feel that I couldn't vote for Kerry, but they show the underlying theme: this man was not a leader. He couldn't even identify and use the moments of strength that were already available, let alone inspire confidence that he could create a stronger America. Sadly, he was the face of the Democratic party. Thankfully, there's a chance now to find a new face.

What I'd like to see from the Dems are some new ideas about how to move FORWARD. Regarding Iraq, what to do NOW? The time for arguing whether we should or shouldn't be there has long passed- we are there now, there is work to do. What is the best way? What are the ultimate goals?

How about North Korea? What about Sudan? The US can't do everything, so what should it do, how should it help bring change, who should we support in order that chance might occur? If the reaction is, we can't do everything, Bush has screwed us so badly that all our resources are invested in an illegal war, then please move out of the conversation and sit with the Crying Kerry camp. If the reaction is, due to the war in Iraq, our resources are stretched, lets think carefully so that we can effect change, then please join in!!! This is the difference between a group who is only AGAINST someting, and a group who evaluates critically the situation but knows that action is needed to get through it. We need a Democratic party that is not afraid to LEAD somewhere.

Luckily, the Dems have some bright stars. Please put away candidates like Kerry, who inspired little loyalty (and instead inspired websites like johnkerryisadouchebagbutimvotingforhimanyway) and bring on candidates like Barack Obama, who is nothing if not inspiring. Our own Martin O'Malley is likely to be a Democrat star in a few election cycles- he is charismatic, unwavering, and able to get things accomplished. Hillary Clinton is moving center, has remained hawkish, and has an ever-improving chance. Harry Reid is off to a great start as a Dem leader.

There are some great writers on the left side of the blogosphere as well-
Matthew Yglesias and Kevin Drum come immediately to mind as writers who both identify problems and offer suggestions. ADDED:Bull Moose, who seems to hit the real problems easily and offer practical and level-headed suggestions for where to go next.

So I hope this post hasn't read like a slam and dismissal of the Democrats. The Repubs are currently entrenched in Washington, and so are likely to continue to move Right, because they now have the power to do so, and it's been a successful direction for them. Without some sort of challenge, they have no reason to attempt to centralize.

It is therefore important for the Dems to get some balance, to move center, to put forth the better candidates as spokespeople for the party.

I don't even know why I'm blogging about politics today, after the big political season has ended. The NP has actually taken these last few days off, which is fantastic for her, and also very laid back for me. Why not sneak in a blog entry here and there?

Lazy Lazy Lazy

Glorious day off. I should be ashamed to have spent this day, so far, doing nothing...waking up delicously late, managing at most to make some hot chocolate, sit around in PJs reading blogs, reading a book, knitting a sock.

When I got back from Ireland, I thought I wanted to do more traveling, to get out and about and shake things up. And while I did adore checking out Ireland, I think one of the things I liked best was just getting up and deciding how to spend the day. Few constraints. No pre-set plans. Waking up, having a huge and leisurely breakfast, getting into the car and just driving. Stopping when we found something interesting, continuing on when we felt like it.

Of course, that's the beautiful thing about vacation. It's not real life. I don't think I could do this endlessly, but I'd love to have an extended (financed) break. I've been undergoing some strange change, losing my passion to work, and wanting little more than to just sit still and be. I don't care about writing papers, seeing patients, learning more about scans. I still enjoy these things when I do them, but I'm not feeling driven to do them.

This preference for quiet and stillness has also crept into my personal life. WIT just wants to be friends, and while I felt some disappointment, I'm not crushed or perturbed by it. This is probably even preferable. I'm slated for a date on Sat, but I'll probably cancel it. I'm just not interested. I'm content to just hang at home, go out for coffee with the Artist, maybe a beer with the Best Friend. Mostly, I am just treasuring my time by myself. I am far more driven to get home, make some tea, and just relax. It doesn't feel sad or lonely- it feels lovely, quiet, and full.

So I' afraid my blog will be even more boring than usual for a while, unless some huge turnaround occurs. And I'm sure something will occur at some point to shake things up, since that has been the pattern in my life. But for now, I am so pleased to have a period of relative calm. I should be ashamed, but I'm not- I'm happy to be lazy and dull and still. For now, at any rate.

Home, Worn, Happy

Blogging back in the Hobbit Hole, extremely grateful for broadband. Very tired- had 1.5 hour nap from 12:30-2 am, then got up and headed for Baltimore. But will make it through today and come home and crash out. Mmmm...sleep...

The Eagles-Pats game was a heartbreaker. The entire neighborhood got together for a huge bash, high spirits, a keg, a TV in every room. Loud!!! I got a lot of (expected) ribbing for being a Steelers fan- my dad made a few comments about "Rothlesbungle" for which karma suitably was distributed (Big Ben had a better QB rating in the disasterous Steelers-Pat games than Donavon McNabb managed in this close game)- although this once I'd have preferred the Eagles to shine. Alas, a stunning lack of urgency in the 4th quarter and some poor play calls (not to mention FOUR turnovers) resulted in a Pats win.

Everytime my dad gives me crap for the heartbreaks dealt by the Steelers, I point out that I've learned all there is to know about losing by growing up outside of Philly. Sadly, it still holds true.

Now the desolate winter begins: no football, no hockey...only NASCAR (no thanks) and basketball (blah). 28 weeks to go til football is back...

I really need to get up to PA more often. I'm fortunate to have a great relationship (now!) with my parents, and my grandmother is now living with them. Time flies, and it would be wise to enjoy them as much as possible.

Also, going home gives me a reality check. We are all getting older. Life doesn't wait for anyone. If I want to have a family of my own, it's time to start making better choices, to get more conscious of what I'm doing so I don't continue making the same mistakes.

I feel like I've achieved internally most of what I'd wanted to get as a youngster- I am an independent woman. I know I can make it on my own. I'm no longer worried about losing myself in a relationship, or getting trapped in a marriage- all my fears and insecurities that played themselves out in my previous relationships.

I also (for the most part) feel like a competent, functional adult. I no longer worry about being unable to care for another human being (whereas before I felt like I couldn't even take care of myself). If I am fortunate enough to one day become a mother, I think I could do a decent enough job at it- whereas up until fairly recently, I thought that I'd only manage to screw up a child, that I wasn't stable enough myself to offer any stability to a growing being.

I tend to "get" all this when I return to my PA home. I think by returning to the place where I grew up, I get to take a measurement of how far I've come, and reorient to where I want to go.

Unfortunately, it's now time to go to work. Another Monday. Another week. A huge day for the NP. May all go well...

UPDATE: Another Hopkins student has died, one block away from the girl who was murdered. It may have been a suicide. If it was self-inflicted, it's tragic. If it wasn't, it's tragic and frightening. I live in Charles Village! What is going on?

UPDATE II: (I just want to keep blogging and forget about work, apparently!). So, suffering on dial-up in PA, I changed the blog around a bit. One of these days I'll figure out the HTML and get the Baltimore Bloggers list up, as well as my own preferred links.

Home & Hungover

Back in rural PA. My parents must think I'm a raging drunk- nearly every time I see them, I am beat, stinky, worn, red eyes glaring. This is because nearly every time I come home, I stop in the city to hang with the Tattoo Artist, who knows way too many people, too many bartenders, and has too much money from selling his house.
Oh god. Too many drinks!!! Car bombs, baby Guinesses, McEwans Scotch Ale...too much fun.

And a rockin' pic that I might actually post cuz it's one of the few photos of me that I like. Tattoo Artist just got a wicked rifle, and he gave it to me to play with (unloaded...unlike me). He took a photo of me grinning manically, holding it as if he was the target. One of these days, I WILL learn to shoot a gun.

It's so lovely out. My mum and I are heading out into town to meander around and stir up some adventure. She's a great one for that. I know where I get it from...

Sporadic Blogger

Just a quick blog fix before I head off to Philly to hang with the Tattoo Artist. The rest of the weekend will be spent in the childhood home, hanging with family, friends, and neighbors, and watching the Super Bowl. I am extremely envious of everyone's Super Bowl Bliss, and just feel prompted to go at least experience it firsthand, albeit not for my team. It's been a long, long time since the Eagles made it to the Super Bowl, so here it is: Go Eagles!

In other news...met another Baltimore blogger yesterday, the whipsmart and charming Tuesdayscoming. We had a few drinks at Holy Frijoles, then coffee/hot chocolate and dessert at Cafe Hon. All in all, a vertiable Hampen treat of a night.

At first, the idea of meeting up with bloggers was a bit nerve-wracking: meeting someone you've never met, but know a bit about their lives or opinions or whatever it is they blog about. And I keep this blog pretty personal, so the person I'd meet would know a lot of things about me that many aquaintances and colleagues don't know. But so far, it's been a terrific experience meeting Dave, lost gal, and Tuesdayscoming. Maybe one of these days I'll make it to a Baltimore Blogger Happy Hour.

Also, part of the job dilemma appears to be over. The Best Friend has accepted the job at my consulting employer, and we couldn't be happier. I sat with the boss there yesterday, while we drafted the Offer Letter. He added a few thousand onto her salary request, in order to make her the most attractive offer he could. He is a big reason why I still work there, such a great guy and company!

Meanwhile, at Hopkins, I'm afraid my discontent has infected the NP. She's been feeling badly, plagued with exhaustion, headaches, stomache aches. She has left work before 7 pm the last three nights, which in itself may be a sign of an approaching apocalypse. She has a big presentation to give on Monday, and then is taking three days off- to do nothing! In a way, I'm proud of her. Not because she is feeling badly, but because she is chilling out and taking strides to give herself a time out, to take a break. The last time she took a day off without any plans, she came in. So we'll see if she comes to work anyway. But I hope she doesn't- she really deserves a break.

Lastly, there is nothing up on the dating front. I have a definate crush on WIT, but it doesn't appear to be reciprocated. The Best Friend suggested that he might be a little shy, since he replies generally promptly to my emails, but he hasn't taken any steps on his own to email, call, make plans to meet up again. He might be shy, but even so, this isn't the behavior of someone who is interested. I think the mature thing to do is to email/contact and ask where things stand, and to be good with whatever he says. But that will have to wait for another time- it's time now to hit the road!

That's the Life In 6 Paragraphs bit for tonight. Off to enjoy the weekend!