Heart Surgery and More

It's been a rough week. Kasey our cat had to go in to get spaded. Since the operation this past Thursday, she has had bad diarrhea and has now developed a hernia. Normally this would be the gist of the post. But the reality this week also saw a development I thought I would never have to report. On the same day Kasey went under the knife, I was taking my father to the hospital for a scheduled quadruple bypass. My father is a lucky one. He did not ignore the pains in his chest, or the tingling in his arm, the way his father had. he went and got tested. Sure enough they found enough blockages to make it serious. On Wednesday of last week they told him they would call him in during the next three weeks for surgery. It turned out it only took 24 hours after someone else's surgery was canceled due to them mistakenly popping Plavex (a blood thinner). I got the call mid-afternoon on Thursday at work.

"Hi Adrian, it's your father. I need you to come get me after work and take me to the hospital."
"Oh. Is it another test?"
"No, I am going in for the surgery. They just called me. See you at 6 PM. Please don't be late."

Trying to remain composed at work, I closed out the day as quickly as possible and drove my dad to the hospital. I stayed with him until I could stay no longer. Friday was the fateful day for surgery. His sister Simone was to fly in that morning and my sister was ensuring she got there to be with him as well. Knowing he was in good hands, and feeling helpless, I went to work Friday. I did not have the ability to sit in a hospital counting minutes until surgery started. It had been scheduled for 7:45 am, but it was pushed out to noon due to an emergency case. At 12:10 on Friday my father was cut open, and Dr. Ma skilfully healed my father. When I arrived after work, my father was just out of surgery. He was groggy, sleepy and totally out of it, but I knew he knew I was there. I left him after spending a couple of minutes by his side. I knew he needed his rest and didn't want to take away from the healing powers of the body. I returned to the hospital early yesterday, as I have every day this long weekend in Canada. He will be coming home this Friday (I hope) to begin his full recovery back to his normal self. Already he was joking, asking about the family, and enjoying Jello, mashed potatoes and turkey. It's been a tough week, but I thank God for my family and people like O and her family. I cannot imagine what would have happened had this been a couple years ago without them. I also hope you understand if I don't write for the next little while. But I'll try my best to keep you up to date.

Travels Galore and Now a Kitten

I have been all over the USA. Literally. From LA, to Irvine, to San Diego, to Detroit, to Dallas, To Houston, to Phoenix, to Charlotte, to Atlanta, to Cleveland and to Chicago--and that was only the past 8 weeks. I am having trouble keeping up with time zones, as much as I am having trouble staying clear where I need to be next. I have been traveling a lot (such an understatement isn't it?) for work, and I feel guilty I have not written in a while. But alas, I now have some spare time to tell you all about it! I have seen some marvelous airports and hotels, but I have missed being home. Although to be honest home still feels like a hotel, as I have only really been here 2 full weeks since we moved in. I am taking a break from travels for a while to be close to home for family reasons. Nothing serious right now, but home is where I need to be--in case it develops into something more. But let's not dwell on that. Let's say hello to my new kitten, courtesy of the lovely O who rescued it from starvation and abandonment. A surprise upon the return of my last trip, Kasey is now enjoying the good life. Sure Kasey likes to sleep a lot, but then what cat doesn't? The newest addition to our family is a welcome one, and the love it gives is amazing. The friendliest cat you'd ever meet. I'm glad we were able to give it a good nice stable home. Speaking of which, its time to go feed her, she's meowing for some food. Speak with you soon, and be well...

Goodbye Old Hello New

So I am finally moved into my new digs. A whole lot of boxes are around me, and a good portion of my old life is either in a box, a bag or by the curb. It's also a new experience to live with someone, especially after almost ten years in the wilderness. Things like keeping the toilet seat down are things I need to learn to do. It's a strange new adventure, but it's definitely worth it. I have reached a peak of happiness with another human being I thought would never be possible again. Thank God for she who loves me. She is an angel who has blessed my life.

Bye Bye Jenni: A tough lesson in carpe diem

I almost cannot concentrate enough to write this. The pain is so great I am finding it hard to focus, but I will try my best. I had a friend of mine called Jenni Marshall. She lived in San Diego. We used to talk endlessly back in the day. Her and I worked for the same company. Once she came to town for training, and we spent the night, laughing, sipping wine, and just getting to know one another as good friends do. Nothing ever romantic ever occurred, she was someone special to me. I even got some drawings from her daughter Ashley. Then one day the company laid her off. Times were tough around 2002/03 in the industry, and I feared for my friend, especially as a single mother. She was tough though and always optimistic. She could always smile in any adversity and soon she found work at one of our competitors. And she was doing really well. Long after she stopped working for the company we would email and she would always email me and ask when I would come out to San Diego. I always said I would one day. But I always had some excuse. Usually about being too busy or not enough money. Soon the emails became less and less, and we spoke almost no more. Of course, we still communicated once in awhile through mutual friends, but by early 2005, we had lost touch. Our last email was mine telling her about a great girl I just met (who is now soon to be my wife) and asking her about how she was. She was doing okay, and things were really going well for her. Her last line in that last email was “P.S. When you comin to SD?????” It was so typical of Jenni, and was how she ended most of her emails to me. And it was so typical of me to say I was too busy or it was too expensive.

Anyway, fast forwarding to 2008, I am now traveling for work. Actually, I travel a lot. And I was finally making it out to San Diego. I was excited to finally see the city Jenni had sent all those postcards about. I was actually going to see what it was all about. Then the thought crossed my mind it would be cool to see Jenni. As I began to finalize my itinerary for my trip I spoke with Sonia, in the San Diego office. Sonia and Jenni were friends. If anyone had her latest contact details that I knew, it would be her. She also knew I knew Jenni from back in the day. As I asked about Jenni, Sonia went silent.

“ Didn’t you hear? Didn’t anyone tell you?”
“No, what?” I asked, really surprised by the comment, wondering if Jenni had come back to the company
“Jenni’s dead…” Sonia said drifting off
“What? Oh My God” It hit me like a punch in the stomach. I began to tear up as Sonia told me the story. Poor Jenni, at the age of 34, had died from complications while giving birth to her baby daughter just 5 weeks earlier. I couldn’t really take it all in. It was like I just saw her yesterday. I sadden by the news, and could not concentrate for the rest of the day. When I got off the phone, I looked it up and there it was in the obituaries online: “JENNIFER ELIZABETH MARSHALL May 10, 1973-Jan. 5, 2008: Jennifer Elizabeth Marshall, 34, of Chula Vista died Saturday…..”

I printed a copy of it and posted it on my cubicle wall. It’s a reminder about why you need to make the most out of every day and never make excuses. It sounds simple enough, but it’s easy to get caught up in things and forget to take the necessary time. I thank her for one last lesson and the reminder to practice it ever day. And as much as time has passed, I know Jenni will be up there smiling when I finally get to San Diego. I just wish I had made it sooner. Rest in peace. I’ll miss you.

Moving

So the rumours are true! I'm moving. I know hard to believe huh? After 10 years in one place, I'm moving on up to a new, larger place. And not only that, I'm moving sooner than I thought. Hence the free offer of furniture! See the offer at Craigslist! Maybe if don't need a sofa bed or a cabinet you can tell a friend who might!

Writer's Strike Continues...

The writers strike is still on as it can be seen in the news if you search. It's actually on the last page of the paper with so many other things right now pushing it from our daily consciousness. I mean Britney Spears takes up at least two pages of coverage, add in some Political primary news, and CNN (and most news outlets) haven't said much about the writers strike in recent weeks. Personally I am tried of it all. I hope they finally get a fair deal and soon. Not because I care if the Oscars happen or not, or if I am stuck watching reruns, but there are the "little" people behind the scenes who are really suffering. The effect will no doubt have an effect on the Canadian film industry, but it's upsetting to know that families are going without because of a couple bucks per DVD. It's time to stop insanity and get a deal done soon....

RIP Heath Ledger

I guess it's not news by now, but Heath Ledger has been found dead at 28 in an apartment in Soho, NY. It's a pity. Hopefully his soul is now at rest. A little tribute, the video below from a movie where most American's discovered him: "10 things I hate about you". You will be missed Heath. God speed.


Another great tribute

NY Giants Fans Smile

It's hard not to smile for a NY Giants fan to not smile at the news: "Tom Brady may have an actual reason to be on the injury report for Super Bowl XLII. Tom Brady's right foot was under wraps yesterday in New York, but he promises he'll be in full uniform for the Super Bowl. Tom Brady's right foot was under wraps yesterday in New York, but he promises he'll be in full uniform for the Super Bowl. The quarterback, who has played in 126 straight games despite being a staple of the injury ledger because of his right shoulder, was photographed in New York City yesterday with what appeared to be a walking boot on his right foot." See the video here