A Long Week and A Long Catch up Post...

This is a long post, so buckle up and enjoy!

It has been one long week…and a few things have happened that were NOT uneventful.   This string of non-uneventful events started on Saturday.   (And by the way, I am completely aware of the ridiculous, use of double negatives in choosing to use 'non-uneventful' as an adjective…but I don't really care and it's kind of funny.)  So…it all started Saturday…

 

…when I single handedly took down a vagrant who'd snatched an elderly lady's purse in Target.   It was like everything s-l-o-w-e-d d—o—w--n.  I saw him (boldly) take the purse while she was alone in the bleach aisle and then as he strategically run down specific aisles.  The fact that I spend at least 3 days out of the week at Target, pretty much makes me pro, and so I was able to somehow determine where he was going, beat him there, trip him and take him down.  He was running so fast, that his face plant was inevitable…and it was hard!  And on his spill down to the floor, he got a hold of my arm.  Not the bionic one…the one with nerve damage, which is probably worse.

 

The lady I.D.ed him, we got her purse back and the authorities took him away…but my arm was hurting as a result.  Now, everything in the previous paragraph was just an elaborate hoax that popped out of my brain.   I know. I know…but its seems like lately, the most action I get in my life comes when I just make it up.  The only truth out of it was that my arm was and has been hurting since last Saturday.  Nothing sharp or ridiculously painful, but rather a dull, nagging, aching hurt. From what?   I really have no idea, but that seemingly simple thing was the start of this interesting week.

 

Sunday the arm still hurt.  Monday evening it became hard to breathe.  Now separately this two things would never get too much attention from me, as it  happens from time to time post accident.   The fact that they happened together made me a bit nervous, which I believe in turn caused my blood pressure to go up, which cause me to become even more anxious.  The last bit of anxiousness probably made my stomach unsettled which made my appetite leave me. 

 

The internet is the downfall of anyone looking to diagnose themselves, and according to the internet, I was having a heart attack.   That fact didn't affect me terribly, as it took me about a day and a half to even decide to go to the hospital.   It was about 10:00pm ish and I'd just taken Delaware to the airport.  Before I picked her up, I was texting with Six Foot, and she was like you should go to the hospital, and I'll take you.  I told her no, but after leaving the airport, I changed my mind.

 

I drove home, she picked me up and off to the emergency room we went.  I was probably the most nervous when I first got in because they took me in almost immediately for an EKG…and since I was complaining of chest pains and left arm pains, they were required to do so.  I'd seen them done on my father and grandmother but had never had one...at least that not that I know of.   The actual test was no big deal, and when they told me it was OK and sent me back to the waiting room, I felt much better.  I wasn't a heart attack. 

Six Foot immediately saw the difference in me when I came back.  I was obviously less nervous.  So, we sat in the waiting room, chatted, watched 30 Rock until they brought me back to a room for more tests....that was probably around half past midnight.  We chatted and caught up more in between all the normal test stuff.  (It was an unfortunate way to spend time with my friend, but glad she was there.)  

The final call was that it was the scar tissue in my lungs that was causing the discomfort and my arm...well, they didn't really give me any reason for that, but that because it was hurting perhaps I was holding my body in a weird way, which rubbed against the lungs, causing discomfort. 

I was going to go to work the next day, I mean...I didn't have a heart attack, but Six Foot talked me into taking the day off to rest and I'm glad she did.  While I was there, I emailed my boss to give her the heads up.  After I was discharged, I went home, and called the parent.  It was the middle of the night for me, but just the start of her day...then I slept. Woke up, moved to the couch and slept some more.  Moved to the floor and slept some more.  Ate a little bit, then slept some more.  Checked some emails then slept some more.  

My boss sent two emails.  The first was "What's happening? Are you OK?".  The second was "Take care of yourself, you don't have to come in tomorrow if you don't feel like it, I can handle things here, and please let me know if you need me to pick anything up for you...food, prescriptions, anything."  She is really very nice.

This is getting really long...

The next day I come in, and felt like I should tell my boss about the accident which is really the cause of the ER visit...mainly because she was asking what happened.  She was like, you can go home when ever you want, or if you need to stretch out sometimes on the couches in the conference room do it...whatever you need to feel better if you're not feeling good.  She even told me I could go home and then come back for the CBS Diversity seminar I'd asked if I could go to (since it was happening during work hours).  And I did.  Went home, stretched out, took a nap, then came back for the seminar where Mellody Hobson spoke.

                               

She was an interesting speaker.  She was funny, honest and informative.  She's on the board of a million different companies, and I won't even pretend to know how she does it,  but I'm glad I was able to go.

Check out her website:  http://www.arielinvestments.com/about-ariel/

Friday I had a follow up appointment with my new doctor and I really like her a lot.  She's pretty young, funny, has a great bedside manner and really listened to me.  Can't get much better than that for a doctor...except, maybe that she was also Harvard educated...guess that's just a cherry on the top.  God sure knew what he was doing...because I would not have chosen her based on her name alone.  But I'm glad the person I chose (via the insurance website) wasn't available, because then I wouldn't have been referred to her.  I have to go in for some follow up tests next week, but I'm believing they'll come back just fine. 

The rest of the weekend was spent relaxing and working on my arm...which still hurts.  I have to ice/heat it three times a day and take the pain meds 3 times a day...so says the Dr.  Otherwise, if after a week it's still hurting, then she may have to refer me to a physical therapist...which I would prefer not to have to go to.  So, I'm trying to do right.

I did go to the movies...I saw Cloud Atlas.  It was...interesting, but I have mixed feelings about it. Very mixed feelings...so I can't say run out and see it, but if you're curious...eh, why not.

Sunday there was an earthquake at church, but I didn't really feel it.  Enough people felt it for the Pastor to mention it.  I was on camera, so maybe I was just focused on my job.

Today, the Outlook for most of the lot is not working because of the connections being based in NYC...which is obviously in a bit of disarray because of the hurricane.  It's weird because some people, like Delaware have LA connections, but most people have NY connections.  I don't know why, but I was annoyed that she had a connection.  I've been agitated more with her lately...not sure what that's about, but I'll try not to harp on it.  

That was a really, REALLY, long catch up, but it's done now and so is this post...I press on.

Vaca's over...

My Boss has been calling in and working from home the last few days, but today she actually came in. She was mostly catching up on reading and what not, and she was only there for about 4 hours...but, it's safe to say my vaca is over.  I'm not complaining, just stating the facts...it's good because it means her daughter is on the road to recovery.  It's (I won't say bad) but different because I won't have my days to myself.  But it's really all good.  Silly side note: Today was the first day I picked up lunch in about 4 weeks.

She had one meeting today, and it was pushed for about 15 minutes as my Boss bit her tongue and it wouldn't stop bleeding.  She was in the bathroom, called me in and I watched for a few minutes as she tried to stop the bleeding with several napkins in her mouth.  I finally got her some salt water, which she said helped a bit, but it was still bleeding some.  I was, admittedly, a bit grossed out, but it finally slowed down enough and she was able to go on with her meeting.

Tomorrow she has to take her daughter to the neurologist so she probably won't be in...so, I guess it would be more accurate to say that my vaca isn't over...just more intermittent.

After work todayI had planned to go volunteer at my church's Feeding the Homeless ministry, but I ended up having a dinner with a guy I met a while back on the Lot.  He was an interesting guy and it was good conversation.  I think he could be a good friend...and I'm always open for that.   It was nice, but I am looking forward to volunteering next week.

I'm actually tired. I'm going to bed.  Oh, today's FFoD was Greg Kinnear.  He's really fit and good looking...but he wasn't overly friendly.  Maybe he was having an off day.  Ah well...I press on.

Another Weekend

Rain!

It seem like since my boss has been out with her daughter that most of the interesting stuff happens on the weekend.  Well...more of it anyways.  Work is pretty routine now; I read, I try to write, I answer phone calls and emails (which are minimal these days) so not much to report.  Maybe I'll start making up stories...but not today.  

Ice Cream Sandwich

Thursday and Friday were pretty rare days here in Cali as it rained both days.  It was so great...even though many of the natives didn't know what to do with themselves...as if rain were the first signs of Armageddon.  It's pretty funny, but was a welcomed treat for me (outside of it making my car dirty.)  Also on Thursday, the production had an ice cream truck come out.  (Productions will bring out special treats on occasion for the cast and crew.  They've done it pretty much on every production I've been on...it's a relatively cheap way to keep everyone happy.)  This ice cream truck allowed you to pick your cookies and your ice-cream.  I chose double-chocolate cookies, with butter-pecan bacon ice cream.  That's right, butter-pecan bacon ice-cream.  People out here surprisingly make bacon something special and weave it into a lot of dishes.  It tasted like vanilla to me though. 

I also got a new mattress and it is SO nice.  I've always slept well, but now I can honestly say that I've made my having to get out of bed that much more harder.  (and I fully realize that that statement could have been more grammatically correct.)  

My new memory foam mattress

Friday I made a tasty shrimp primavera and it was Yummy!  With the rain and what not, I just felt like enjoying something warm and cozy...but making it myself also made it healthy and affordable!

Shrimp Primavera

Saturday morning I ended up tutoring my adult literacy student.  She's returned from Iran and still would like to continue with me.  I can only see her on Saturdays now, so we'll see how it works out.  

Saturday afternoon Chicago and I went to The Grove (basically a fancy mall in a swanky part of town) and enjoyed some free swag and makeovers provided by Redbook, who was having a women's event...basically to love yourself.  It was a fun was to spend the afternoon.   The only drawback was that we didn't have our third 'gang' member, Six, because she had the flu.

We finished off the night at the movies watching ARGO.  It was really, REALLY good.  I hate to admit it, but I understand why it's already drawing Oscar buzz.  It has a great deal of suspenseful and tense situations, which is what makes it so good.  Go see it!

Chicago's Makeover

Well, Sunday was spent doing what I like to do on a Sunday...church and chillin.  Tomorrow is another week.  I may or may not see my boss...but, good news is the treatments are working, so please continue to lift her up in prayer...and pray that I'll be able to make better use of this current free time I have...because I know it won't last forever.

I press on...

Chicago and I...missing our third.

Weekend...

I look like I'm holding it, but I didn't pick it up!

Emmy!

 The weekend started when the whole office went to the this week's taping, and I stayed in the office holding it down until 7pm.  So, since I was there alone, I decided to get a photo of the future.  That's right, that's me and an Emmy award.   It belongs to Delaware's boss, but one day I'll have one of my own.  I didn't pick it because it would be just my 'luck' that it was rigged to an alarm, or I would drop and break it, or something as equally detrimental would happen...so, I played it safe.

STOP CANCER 5k/10k Run/Walk

Saturday was mostly uneventful, outside of having to get my Mac fixed and having brunch with a new friend.  My Mac was being a little shady, but is working perfectly now thanks to Ron who was able to fix her in a few hours. My new friend is the assistant to one of the managers my boss works with and we got along really well.  She wants to be a manager one day, and also produce which could be beneficial to me as I'm leaning more and more towards writing.  The rest of the day was spent doing some writing and doing some relaxing. 

And this is the cheap gas!

Sunday morning was an early one...I volunteered at a local 'Stop Cancer' 5K/10K Run/Walk.  It was a good time and I enjoyed seeing all the racers.  There were even dog cancer survivors, who also completed the race.   Later (after spending WAY too much on gas) I went to the barn and was able to ride this time.  The trainer was offering the 'crash course' again, where she gives mini lessons to a group of 4 with each taking a turn on the same horse.  It felt good to be in the saddle again, even though my legs are quite upset with me today.  

Me riding Cassie, a draft cross

The trainer said she could tell I had sound training, and gave me compliments on my leg, my outside rein, and my balance (my horse people know what I'm talking about).  She said next time, she's gonna get me over some crossrails...a challenge I might be up for.  

Today was another, quiet day at the office.  We had a few big pitch meetings this week, but they have been pushed for about two weeks.   With my Boss out with her daughter, and the other Bosses in the midst of running a show production and moving to a new house, it just wasn't good for now.   So, it actually works best for my Boss, as she won't have to worry about what's going on in the office and can focus on her little girl.  My Boss basically has to watch her day in and day out and log her seizures. Apparently on Sunday she had about 100.  They are small and short, but still serious.  Please continue for her healing and for strength for the family. 

That's about all for now.  Perhaps tomorrow I'll be more productive all around....I press on.

Funny Story

Today, just as was parking at work, I got a text from Delaware saying that she had a situation.  Now, once before at work she said she had a 'situation' which basically meant she wasn't feeling well after a meal.  So naturally I thought she was feeling under the weather.  Then she sent another text.  Apparently, she'd forgotten her clothes in the car and was naked in the bathroom.  Ha!!!

Now, she often showers in the Bungalow because she goes to the gym on the lot in the morning and doesn't really like to shower at the gym.  Both the men's and women's bathroom in the bungalow have a full shower.   So, I went to the office, got her keys, went back to the parking garage to her car (she has an assigned spot) and brought back her clothes.  I guess it's not all that funny in hindsight, but it was funny to me this morning...and an interesting way to start the day.

No new news on my Boss' daughter, but I continue to keep her in my prayers.  

I feel like I'm not making the most of this new free time I have...I mean I read a lot of scripts, mostly old submissions to keep busy in between scheduling stuff, which is good for work, since I'm at work. But I feel like I could be using at least some of the free time to write.  Even though I have to kinda do it clandestinely, since I feel bad for doing personal work at work, but I don't have much else to do.  When I'm not reading or scheduling, it just seems like wasted time.

I'll figure out a way...tomorrow's a new day.  All the failures of today are in the past.  I press on.

Weekend Fun!

At work on Thursday, the height of my work was ordering 100 cupcakes on behalf of my boss and her daughter for the doctors, nurses and other children on the floor.  It was a sweet gesture...and not just because it was tasty confectionaries.  On a positive note, the didn't find any underlying issues that's causing the epilepsy, so she is able to start her drug therapy.  Continued prayers much appreciated.

I would say that the weekend officially started on Thursday when I came home to find a little treat (the FAMU sweatshirt from V.S. waiting for me at my door.)  Thanks KB!!  

Friday was a pretty chill day with the exception of getting to see my first taping of a scripted sitcom.  Delaware's bosses started shooting their new sitcom to premiere in January sometime.  It was quite nice to be on set and just hang out with the producers and other crew on the floor...without having to work.  I was off the clock and really there just to watch and chill...which was a nice ending to the day.   

Karaoke!

After the taping, I joined 6 Foot and some other friends from MasterChef at a local bar for karaoke night.  And while I'm not big on doing karaoke, I do like to watch people do it and it was very, very fun.  And the best thing about it was that while people were drinking, that's not all they did...and there was actually something to do.  So I will likely go again.

Saturday, Chicago and I went to Universal Studios since I got a free ticket for the month (just for being an annual member) and she'd just broken up with her boyfriend the week before and needs some fun diversions.    It was fun and the company was great.

Batman Live!

Sunday after church, I went to see BATMAN LIVE with a friend at the Staples Center, and while I was initially apprehensive about what I was walking into, after getting in and seeing all the fabulous sets, visual effects and hearing the wonderful sound design, I was instantly glad that I decided to go.  I guess the best way to describe it would be a Batman themed Cirque de Soliel show.  Good fun. 

The Asylum set  Batman Live

Today Delaware and I had a mini slumber party, as today's temp was 109!  Now, her apartment doesn't have AC, is on the second floor and therefore often holds heat in.   Delaware and I have the same issues of sleeping in the heat;  it can be done, but it's not ideal.  So, she asked me last night if she could by pass the heat and sleep over my place since I have AC...and so, she came over after work, made lasagna, and we watched a couple of DVRed shows.  

Jokers' Head, Batman Live!

Friday's FFoD was Paula Abdul and she is SUPER TINY!!!  Definitely a dancer's body, but very petite.   She was pretty nice though.

It was a nice end to a quiet day and a fun weekend.   It's well beyond my bedtime, so until tomorrow...I press on.