And we're off...

Sunday, February24, 2008 In:Personal Musings

I can't believe I've managed to set up my own website. I originally set up the website using iweb, a program that came with my Mac. It was a good way to get published, but I liken it to a website builder with training wheels. Do you remember riding a bike with training wheels? Remember how wobbly those extra wheels were? A little rickety as you'd totter back and forth? Yeah, this is iweb. Meant for .Mac publication, there were a lot of compatibility issues with FTP servers. So, I bit the bullet and here I am...an entire week later, and I've actually created my own site. I'm still tweaking where things will go, so check back often as I rearrange the furniture.

What do you think of it so far? Background colors match the banner all right? Any broken links?

Let me know! I'd love to hear from you!

Voting and other broken things

Tuesday, February05, 2008 In:Personal Musings

Back in December I was Christmas shopping at the local mall. Well, I left the Border's and walked outside to the nearest mall entrance. As I walked by a nearby planter, the ground had sunk due to settling or something. And I, laden with many bags, went sprawling. I ripped my favorite pair of pants. And I ripped my skin from low thigh to upper calf. When I called Mall Security, they asked me what sort of shoes I was wearing. “Stripper heels! What difference does it make? A broken sidewalk is a broken sidewalk!”

Deep breath. For the next 6 weeks, I healed, and every time I would bend my knee, the skin would rip open and re-bleed. I didn't think much about my foot, which was a bit sore. Now, my knee is still a little discolored, but about 10 days ago, I was sleeping and woke to a miserable pain in my foot. Being the stubborn nurse that I am, I thought it'd go away.

Finally, yesterday, I went in to see my doc (one of the coolest guys I've met in a long time, btw) who said I either had A. a boxer's fracture (as in kickboxing; however, the reason I want my foot to heal is to get back to kickboxing. It wasn't the cause.) or B. a torn ligament or tendon. I was placed in a cast boot and am supposed to get an MRI. It's about $700 and I haven't met my insurance deductible yet, so it'd be all my expense. I don't know about you, but I can't afford $700. Tax refund or no, I'm not giving my refund to an MRI. Fuggedaboutit.

So, I'm opting to wear the boot for about 4-6 weeks and see how it feels. If it's still messed up, I'm off to the orthopedic doc and will ~sighs~ give in to the expense.

Today, gimp and all, I went to go vote. I am not a republican or democrat. Seriously. I vote across lines, if need be. But I went to the primary and had to vote within my registered parameters. I wait about 20 min in line and get to the front. Here's our new ID issue. You have to have a govt issued pic ID. And it has to match the address on their books. If it doesn't, then you have to provide another govt. issued something or other that has the correct address. In the case of my town water bill, it has to be within the last 90 days. No big. I pulled my latest water bill, my DL (and while it's correct in their system, on the card itself it's my last address), and my voter registration card which also has the correct address. I plunk my DL down on the desk and the lady finds my name. This lady is a trip. Mac, if she voted probably dealt with the same lady. Flaming red hair, in her late 60s to mid 70s and bright red lipstick coming off in chunks. Yup, that's about an accurate visual.

She says my DL doesn't have my correct address. I present my water bill and my voter reg, which both have the same address, and of course, which matches her book.

She says 'You HAVE to replace your driver's license in time for the general election.'

I say 'it has the correct information registered at the DMV.'

Red: 'It doesn't matter, it needs to be on the card itself.'

Eye brow raised, I reply: 'I fulfilled all your requirements, as stated on your web page.'

She, snapping at me: 'You'll have to go through all this again.'

Forehead crease, me: 'All what? I handed you my water bill. I can do that again, with an up to date bill when the time comes. I'm not standing in line for two hours at the DMV to get a new address printed on my DL. It's fine the way it is.' (Might I also insert here that my DL doesn't expire until 2030???? Yes, you read that right. I'll be 60 years old when it expires.)

Snippy redhead: 'That's YOUR prerogative. You need to sign the book before you get your ballot.'

Me, looking around for a pen on the desk, other than the one in her hand.

She of the false red hair, with one long equally-false red nail, taps the book impatiently: 'You need to sign the book HERE, now!'

Me, with a very aggravated, about-to-throttle-her look, talking very quietly, in a dead calm: 'I need a pen to do so.'

She SLAMS the pen in front of me so hard I thought it would break.

I sign the book, then lean down, both palms on cheap conference room table and lean in about 3 inches from her face: 'Are you always this rude?'

She rears back as if she's been slapped. Her mouth drops open as if all muscle control keeping it closed fled. She snaps it shut again, looks down at her book, then back up to me: 'No, I'm not.'

Lady behind her holds out a ballot: 'Ma'am would you like your ballot now?'

Lady behind me, in a LOUD New York infused voice: 'You'd think you could be a little nicer to a woman with a broken leg!'
Entire crowd erupts into laughter. Both ladies stand up, peer over desk at said cast-boot foot and I walk away.

They really need to screen these volunteers. At the very least, make sure they have their rabies shots before reporting for duty!

So, now, here I am with a glass of Nero D'Avola and a homemade salad with pine nuts, feta, romaine, cukes and red onions, topped with balsamic vinegar and olive oil, able to laugh now...but earlier? Wasn't so funny.

Have a great night, everyone. I'm off to watch HOUSE!