Thursday, November 11, 2004
On the plus side...
Our team, Schoolhouse Rockstars, won Trivia Night on Monday, to the tune of $260, that's $65 for each of us. All the erstwhile teammates who couldn't be bothered to show up, or thought Brooklyn was "too far away" are sorry now...
Cancerpalooza 2004 North American Tour
Having told this story several times in the past few days, I realized that most of you have no idea what's going on with my family. So here's a rough chronological review...
End of September, Mum has a hysterectomy.
A few days before the surgery, Nonna (Mum's mum, in Chicago) falls down, breaks her arm, and is admitted into the hospital.
A few days after that, Nonno (Mum's dad, also in Chicago) totals his car. He's unharmed, and amazed by the wonder of airbags.
Back to Nonna in the hospital -- she tells the doctors that she fell because she can't walk, because she can't feel her feet. They can't find anything wrong with her, and label her a difficult and uncooperative patient, because of course an 87-year-old woman couldn't possibly actually HAVE something wrong with her that they haven't found yet, right?
Nonna keeps insisting there's something wrong (good for her), they do a CAT scan, and find two pinched discs in her back. However, surgery would be too risky, because she's on blood thinners for one thing, so they decide to try to treat it with physical therapy instead.
In October, Mum finds out that they found early-stage endometrial cancer in her removed uterus (this is not why she had the hysterectomy; this is a bonus surprise). As the organ's already out, and it was caught early, her risk is minimal. Still, Mum and the docs decide to remove her ovaries as well, just to be safe, as if it had spread, that's where it would have gone. Mum wants the surgery done immediately, but she's still recovering from the last one, so they schedule a laproscopic procedure for November 19th.
Back in Chicago, Nonna's not being released from the hospital, because they have to figure out what kind of care she'll have at home. While she's there, they find out she's got colorectal cancer. Again, they can't operate, but they're trying to treat it.
And Nonno is turning 90 on November 20th, and we were all supposed to head out to Chicago to celebrate, and stay through Thanksgiving. But now he doesn't want to celebrate while Nonna's in the hospital, and Mum's surgery is the day before, so that plan is off.
Instead, I'm heading out to Chicago from the 20th to the 22nd, just to hang out and keep him company for a few days. Mum would rather I were with him than with her, since I'll see her a few days later anyway.
These are my Cancerpalooza tour dates:
November 12-14 -- Up in Boston to visit with Mum pre-surgery. I will also be leaving the cat up there with her, because she has requested an extended visit with Siena to cheer her up. I'll miss her, but she likes visiting with her grandparents, and I'll get her back at Thanksgiving.
November 20-22 -- In Chicago to visit Nonna and hang out with Nonno, drive him around (since he no longer has a car), but under no circumstances celebrate anything.
November 24-28 -- Back in Boston for Thanksgiving, and to attend to post-operative Mum. And reclaim my baby monkey.
On top of all this, I have a monstrous head cold, Siena was vomiting and is now suffering through a week of special bland food, and I still don't have a date for Denise's wedding. Which is the day after Christmas, but Mum wants to spend Christmas in Chicago because "it might be Nonna's last," but I don't see how I can do that and be a bridesmaid in Boston at the same time.
Keeping my head up, though. And if anyone will be in Boston the day after Christmas, wants to play escort, and knows how to dance, let me know.
End of September, Mum has a hysterectomy.
A few days before the surgery, Nonna (Mum's mum, in Chicago) falls down, breaks her arm, and is admitted into the hospital.
A few days after that, Nonno (Mum's dad, also in Chicago) totals his car. He's unharmed, and amazed by the wonder of airbags.
Back to Nonna in the hospital -- she tells the doctors that she fell because she can't walk, because she can't feel her feet. They can't find anything wrong with her, and label her a difficult and uncooperative patient, because of course an 87-year-old woman couldn't possibly actually HAVE something wrong with her that they haven't found yet, right?
Nonna keeps insisting there's something wrong (good for her), they do a CAT scan, and find two pinched discs in her back. However, surgery would be too risky, because she's on blood thinners for one thing, so they decide to try to treat it with physical therapy instead.
In October, Mum finds out that they found early-stage endometrial cancer in her removed uterus (this is not why she had the hysterectomy; this is a bonus surprise). As the organ's already out, and it was caught early, her risk is minimal. Still, Mum and the docs decide to remove her ovaries as well, just to be safe, as if it had spread, that's where it would have gone. Mum wants the surgery done immediately, but she's still recovering from the last one, so they schedule a laproscopic procedure for November 19th.
Back in Chicago, Nonna's not being released from the hospital, because they have to figure out what kind of care she'll have at home. While she's there, they find out she's got colorectal cancer. Again, they can't operate, but they're trying to treat it.
And Nonno is turning 90 on November 20th, and we were all supposed to head out to Chicago to celebrate, and stay through Thanksgiving. But now he doesn't want to celebrate while Nonna's in the hospital, and Mum's surgery is the day before, so that plan is off.
Instead, I'm heading out to Chicago from the 20th to the 22nd, just to hang out and keep him company for a few days. Mum would rather I were with him than with her, since I'll see her a few days later anyway.
These are my Cancerpalooza tour dates:
November 12-14 -- Up in Boston to visit with Mum pre-surgery. I will also be leaving the cat up there with her, because she has requested an extended visit with Siena to cheer her up. I'll miss her, but she likes visiting with her grandparents, and I'll get her back at Thanksgiving.
November 20-22 -- In Chicago to visit Nonna and hang out with Nonno, drive him around (since he no longer has a car), but under no circumstances celebrate anything.
November 24-28 -- Back in Boston for Thanksgiving, and to attend to post-operative Mum. And reclaim my baby monkey.
On top of all this, I have a monstrous head cold, Siena was vomiting and is now suffering through a week of special bland food, and I still don't have a date for Denise's wedding. Which is the day after Christmas, but Mum wants to spend Christmas in Chicago because "it might be Nonna's last," but I don't see how I can do that and be a bridesmaid in Boston at the same time.
Keeping my head up, though. And if anyone will be in Boston the day after Christmas, wants to play escort, and knows how to dance, let me know.
Tuesday, November 09, 2004
Siena the Supermodel
Me: I've been eyeing this stool, just for some randomness
T: it's a must-have for every household.
Me: clearly. I am tempted
T: I thought you just bought a coffee table?
Me: I was just given a coffeee table, and I love it. But this is a stool, like to put your feet up on.
T: oh, well, in that case, as I said, it's a must-have.
Me: or upon which to perch Siena and take pictures of the wild jungle cat
T: exactly.
Me: Siena insists that "Rio" be played at all her photo sessions
T: well, that does go with her long curly locks.
Me: except for when she's feeling hungry, hungry like the wolf
T: she must be excited that Duran Duran just came out with a new album
Me: yes, yes she is
T: well, now i know what to get her for Christmas.
Me: she snuck out at midnight with my purse, and went down to Tower
T: she's so sneaky.
Me: also, she's really good at hailing a cab, and at forging my signature.
T: it's a must-have for every household.
Me: clearly. I am tempted
T: I thought you just bought a coffee table?
Me: I was just given a coffeee table, and I love it. But this is a stool, like to put your feet up on.
T: oh, well, in that case, as I said, it's a must-have.
Me: or upon which to perch Siena and take pictures of the wild jungle cat
T: exactly.
Me: Siena insists that "Rio" be played at all her photo sessions
T: well, that does go with her long curly locks.
Me: except for when she's feeling hungry, hungry like the wolf
T: she must be excited that Duran Duran just came out with a new album
Me: yes, yes she is
T: well, now i know what to get her for Christmas.
Me: she snuck out at midnight with my purse, and went down to Tower
T: she's so sneaky.
Me: also, she's really good at hailing a cab, and at forging my signature.
Tuesday, November 02, 2004
PS 321: Countdown to Democracy
When I got to my voting place this morning, the crowds were pretty bad, but not so much as I had feared. The media, however, was out in full force. Vans from NY1 and Fox News were parked out in front, and there were photographers from the NY Times inside.
Fortunately, my district, district 27, had only three or so people in line, so I was in and out in 15 minutes. I think that's because we have a lot of authors, artists, actors, and other types who don't follow a 9-to-5 schedule, and they were probably going to vote once the rush-hour crowds had subsided. One person I did not see while I was there was my across-the-street neighbor, Chuck Schumer, but Gawker did. I know we're a great neighborhood, but I didn't realize we were worthy of so much attention!
Fortunately, my district, district 27, had only three or so people in line, so I was in and out in 15 minutes. I think that's because we have a lot of authors, artists, actors, and other types who don't follow a 9-to-5 schedule, and they were probably going to vote once the rush-hour crowds had subsided. One person I did not see while I was there was my across-the-street neighbor, Chuck Schumer, but Gawker did. I know we're a great neighborhood, but I didn't realize we were worthy of so much attention!
More Portents for Kerry
Our own Jersey Journal is reporting that local psychic Dina Costello has foreseen a Kerry win. Thanks to Barista of Bloomfield Avenue and of course John Shabe.
Monday, November 01, 2004
sushi?
I just saw an ad for Finding Nemo on Ice this morning on the PATH train.
Finding Nemo on Ice? Doesn't that sound like a traumatic visit to the fishmonger's? Who came up with that brilliant idea?
Finding Nemo on Ice? Doesn't that sound like a traumatic visit to the fishmonger's? Who came up with that brilliant idea?
Tecumsah's curse
When the Sox broke the Curse of the Bambino last week, it got me thinking about this other curse: every American president elected in a year ending in zero (every 20 years) will die in office. Which would mean our current president, unless Reagan broke the curse by surviving his assasination attempt. I was kind of amazed that no one had ever mentioned this in regards to the current administration, but even more amazed when I talked about it with my friends over the weekend, and not a one had ever heard of the curse. So now you know.
Redskins predict Kerry win
I'm not a huge follower of football, but I was rooting for the Packers yesterday.
Thursday, October 21, 2004
GO SOX!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This is why it's so great to be a Red Sox fan. Had the Yanks won last night, it would have been their 40th pennant, and <yawn> no one would have cared. But the Sox win? That made HISTORY!!!
Last night, every non-Yankees fan across the country was rooting for the Sox, and they're going to keep rooting for us all through the Series. We are America's darlings! This is why you keep on believing, year after year, heartbreaking loss after heartbreaking loss (don't even talk to me about last year). Take that, Evil Empire! Who's your Papi?
Tonight it will be the Astros or the Cards, and I really hate Clemens. I hated that arrogant lug when he was playing for the Sox, I didn't care how many strikes he pitched. I hated him more when he went to the Yanks after promising he'd never play against the Sox, and I hate him for "retiring" and still being around to annoy us. So, obviously, I want to Cards to win; I've always liked them anyway.
However....
My downstairs neighbor, who knocked on my door at 12:30 last night to celebrate with me, did point out that if the Astros win, it will be Boston versus Texas, kind of like another big competition we've got going on right now. The political implications would be entertaining, to say the least. But I don't think I could take the added stress. Better to put Houston in its place now, and let all our Boston boys ride on to victory!
Last night, every non-Yankees fan across the country was rooting for the Sox, and they're going to keep rooting for us all through the Series. We are America's darlings! This is why you keep on believing, year after year, heartbreaking loss after heartbreaking loss (don't even talk to me about last year). Take that, Evil Empire! Who's your Papi?
Tonight it will be the Astros or the Cards, and I really hate Clemens. I hated that arrogant lug when he was playing for the Sox, I didn't care how many strikes he pitched. I hated him more when he went to the Yanks after promising he'd never play against the Sox, and I hate him for "retiring" and still being around to annoy us. So, obviously, I want to Cards to win; I've always liked them anyway.
However....
My downstairs neighbor, who knocked on my door at 12:30 last night to celebrate with me, did point out that if the Astros win, it will be Boston versus Texas, kind of like another big competition we've got going on right now. The political implications would be entertaining, to say the least. But I don't think I could take the added stress. Better to put Houston in its place now, and let all our Boston boys ride on to victory!
Tuesday, October 19, 2004
Ortiz is my Papi
I am so in love with David Ortiz today. He saved the Sox with a gorgeous homer Sunday night, and then he did it again last night, with a tieing homer and a winning single! And he was having such a bad time of it before that single, too. First the ump counted a ball as a strike, which meant a strike out, but he totally didn't swing around. Then, when stealing second, he tagged the bag before Jeter tagged him -- replay after replay after replay, from every angle, proved it -- but he'd already been called out.
My gift to the Sox continues unabated; they only score when I'm watching. Last night, I kept an eye on the score at work until I had to go home. It was 2-1 Sox when I left. As I walked home from the subway station, I heard lots of horn honking and firecrackers going off, and my heart sank. I feared the boys had lost while I wasn't watching. When I got home, I ran upstairs, turned on the tv, saw the score was 4-2 Yanks, but it was only the 8th inning! I hung up my coat, sat down on the couch, and BAM! Ortiz hit a homer. Seriously, just like that. Me and Papi together, we could win this thing. I've cleared my schedule for the rest of the week, so I can keep a close eye on things...
My gift to the Sox continues unabated; they only score when I'm watching. Last night, I kept an eye on the score at work until I had to go home. It was 2-1 Sox when I left. As I walked home from the subway station, I heard lots of horn honking and firecrackers going off, and my heart sank. I feared the boys had lost while I wasn't watching. When I got home, I ran upstairs, turned on the tv, saw the score was 4-2 Yanks, but it was only the 8th inning! I hung up my coat, sat down on the couch, and BAM! Ortiz hit a homer. Seriously, just like that. Me and Papi together, we could win this thing. I've cleared my schedule for the rest of the week, so I can keep a close eye on things...
Tuesday, September 28, 2004
you could've just asked....
Dinner at Ponte Vecchio last night for Vineel's birthday. We were originally supposed to go to Rocco (not Rocco's on 22nd Street, rather the original one in Noho), because Vineel had eaten there before and liked it, but it was closed.
The food was fine, but not great. Standard dishes like gnocchi in pesto and penne alla vodka. Small portions, bad house wine, and really slow and confused service. And it really wasn't any cheaper than Bar Pitti, my favorite place right around the corner, would have been. For dessert, we were going to head over to Otto for olive oil ice cream (rapture), but the waiter wanted to put a candle in something, so we stayed. The zabalione with berries may have made up for the rest of the meal. Light, rich, not at all runny -- possibly the best I've ever had.
The food was fine, but not great. Standard dishes like gnocchi in pesto and penne alla vodka. Small portions, bad house wine, and really slow and confused service. And it really wasn't any cheaper than Bar Pitti, my favorite place right around the corner, would have been. For dessert, we were going to head over to Otto for olive oil ice cream (rapture), but the waiter wanted to put a candle in something, so we stayed. The zabalione with berries may have made up for the rest of the meal. Light, rich, not at all runny -- possibly the best I've ever had.
Friday, September 17, 2004
mmm, vitello tonnato
It's true, I do love a good lobster roll, but vitello tonnato is my absolute favorite dish. Delicate, creamy, caper-tangy, tuna-fishy, and really not that hard to make if you have a food processor and know what you're doing. So why don't more restaurants offer it more often? Get it while you can.
Wednesday, September 15, 2004
I think I can, I think I can
Oh, dear God. Help me here people. I've been saying forever that I want to move to DC, and I've always claimed to want to be a food writer. So what did I see posted on MediaBistro today? An opening for editor of the Washington Post's weekly Food section!
I want it! I can do it! I love their food section, I read it every week!
Only one problem. Every job I've ever had has been offered to me. I have never successfully applied for a job. I don't know how to do it. I am hyperventilating just thinking about this. My reticence to sell myself in this way is exactly why my career is in the shape it's in: rather good, but not really what I want to be doing, or where I want to be doing it.
Funny, in most other aspects of my life, my policy has always been "why not?" or "it doesn't hurt to ask." But in two very important realms, love and career, I do the exact opposite, exactly where it matters most.
Really, I'm the ideal candidate for the job; I just have to convince them of that. I think I do have excellent experience; I just hate applying for jobs.
I want it! I can do it! I love their food section, I read it every week!
Only one problem. Every job I've ever had has been offered to me. I have never successfully applied for a job. I don't know how to do it. I am hyperventilating just thinking about this. My reticence to sell myself in this way is exactly why my career is in the shape it's in: rather good, but not really what I want to be doing, or where I want to be doing it.
Funny, in most other aspects of my life, my policy has always been "why not?" or "it doesn't hurt to ask." But in two very important realms, love and career, I do the exact opposite, exactly where it matters most.
Really, I'm the ideal candidate for the job; I just have to convince them of that. I think I do have excellent experience; I just hate applying for jobs.
Tuesday, September 14, 2004
the moon is made of cakes
Tonight I'm going to Mooncake Foods for dinner. I've been talking about it since it opened, every time we're thinking about a cheap but tasty alternative for dinner. But it's all the way over by the Holland Tunnel, so we've never managed to go until now. I'll let you know how it goes.
TK got all excited at the concept of mooncakes, though they don't actually serve those, just allude to them. As she explained the Moon Festival to me, I imagined an interpretive dance to worship the moon, with cakes in the dancers' hands. (This year, the Moon Festival will be on September 28.)
TK got all excited at the concept of mooncakes, though they don't actually serve those, just allude to them. As she explained the Moon Festival to me, I imagined an interpretive dance to worship the moon, with cakes in the dancers' hands. (This year, the Moon Festival will be on September 28.)
Get out the VOTE
Okay, so maybe I don't quite get the connection between a website contest and registering to vote, since you can enter the contest and still not register. But here's what I do know:
1. You should register to vote
2. You should vote on November 2 (I'd prefer it if you vote for Kerry, my hometown boy, but of course it's up to you)
3. You should wish me a happy birthday on November 4, while I might be celebrating, I might be crying into a beer, but I'll probably be waiting for the results of the recounts.
1. You should register to vote
2. You should vote on November 2 (I'd prefer it if you vote for Kerry, my hometown boy, but of course it's up to you)
3. You should wish me a happy birthday on November 4, while I might be celebrating, I might be crying into a beer, but I'll probably be waiting for the results of the recounts.
Monday, September 13, 2004
Wednesday, August 25, 2004
independant woman, daddy's girl
As much as I complain about being single, it's no secret that I resist dating as much as possible, and most of my friends think I don't really want to get married. Maybe this is why I'm so gun-shy. Looks like it's not that unreasonable that the only man I really trust is my dad.
Friday, August 20, 2004
Diplomatic Immunity
My boss just called me the "Goodwill Ambassador" for our department, presumably because I'm friendly with people all over the company.
I wish that new title came with a free parking space in the company lot out back....
I wish that new title came with a free parking space in the company lot out back....
Thursday, August 19, 2004
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