"Have Tina bring me my coffee"

A few things.

Yesterday marked one year since my dad died. So I wanted to throw that out there. One year since the lives of myself and the other half began to change. That's the time I mark as the life altering moment. We returned to Chicago, and things were on the move. And, here we are.

Today, my Uncle Gary (basically another dad to me--I always felt honored that I shared a birthday w/ him) will be having an operation/procedure on his heart. I don't know the technical term, but he was taken to the hospital last week, was let go, and returns today to have the "thing" done. Apparently, he has some electrical impulses that go the wrong way in his heart, thus leaving him breathless and with a very fast heart beat. When he went in to the emergency room the other day, his heart rate was 240. So, from what I hear, it's a pretty routine procedure, but I'll be crossing my fingers nonetheless. They have to put a catheter into his heart and shock it to start moving the impulses in the correct direction. I'll know more this evening.

The other half has another job interview today. He landed a job last week. It's in Northridge, and begins tomorrow. He's not 100% sure on it, which is why he's still looking around. However, he took it, cuz we frankly don't have much choice at this point.

I had an interview today as well. It seems likely that I'll get it. They really liked me. It should be quite a change. It's a...I guess, just a "worker" at a local nursery. Some great things about it. Likely over time...and perhaps a lot of it. I get dirty all day long, thus I will be wearing shorts and t-shirts everyday. Nice! It's in and outdoors, thus I get fresh air and sunlight throughout the day. It's manual labor, leaving me certain that I'll get into shape just by going to work. Some things I'm a bit afraid of. I have to do deliveries...apparently driving a stick some of the time...which means I'll have to learn that. It also requires some heavy lifting. I have a semi-bad back, but I'm willing to give it a go...just making sure that I stretch very thoroughly each morning, and throughout the day. That's my main concern. It doesn't pay super well, but from what I understand, I will make more quickly if things go well...plus there's that overtime. The guys seem pretty cool, and it's a small amount of folks I'd be working with. We'll see how it goes...but it looks like I have a job...not behind a desk, and not having to dress up for a job at the Beverly Center (that's just an example). Oh, also, they have a lot of high profile clientele as well as set decorators from many film studios, etc. Neat. Let me network wearing filthy shorts and with a line of dirt across my eyebrow. What could be more perfect?

Friday the 4th we spent the afternoon w/ college chums Pat, Jon, Darrin and Kate; and many of their friends. Pool, barbecue, and drinking (although I didn't; since I was designated driver--yes I always am). Saturday, we met friends Chris and Ami in Marina Del Rey, where they have access to a sailboat. I don't know how big (yes I'm an amateur), but it was large enough to have a bed, kitchen, bathroom (the "head" as I was told to call it), and plenty of room to lounge. Chris had been taking lessons, and has been certified/licensed for some time. He's an old salt. Unfortunately, the other half got ill (even w/ his shock-your-wrist watch thingy) when we were out for only a short while, so we headed back in, went to a great place called "Islands" for some burgers and drinks, then went back to the boat and sat around chatting and playing the movie game (I won.) :) I hope I can go out next time, cuz I really loved it. Ami got a shot of me steering (the helmsman?), so I'll post that when I can. I can't wait to go again. We'll have to get the other half some stronger drugs or leave him behind, which he already said he was willing to do. Not that I want to, but now I've got a taste for sailing adventure. He felt bad, cuz I had been talking about this all last week. Even the short trip was great fun; and I learned some basics about sailing...pulling some ropes...er, LINES, and some of the rules of the water. Very fun. Thanks to Chris and Ami for inviting us out...sorry it was so short-lived.

Waiting on the other half to return from his interview, so we can do something today. We spent the entire day indoors yesterday, so we need to get out today. I was told sailing would make me tired, and certainly it did. We got home Saturday night, slept for two hours, got up for a few, then went to bed at 9pm; sleeping another 12 hours. Yadda, yadda, yadda.

Later y'all!