Hobbie

Here is a wonderful man, named Hobbie, that retired seven years ago. Everyday at rush hour he rides his bike to the bridge leaving downtown Elkton. He leans on the wall and gives everyone a big smile and wave as they go by. His smile is electric. He looks you in the eye, his eyes brighten up, and his smile says, "you have just made my day by driving by and saying hi."

I rode my bike about four miles the other day to get to him and have a short talk. He said that the people waving to him makes his day. I nearly choked up talking to him. I told him my daughter had told me that she always looked forward to seeing him when she had a pizza job a couple of years ago. He said, "everyone can use a little cheer, I'm glad I've found some small way to help."

He has become somewhat of a local celebrity here. Everyone who rides by on both sides of the street, slow down, roll down their windows and wave, some honk and smiles spread faster than a wild fire. And you just feel good after seeing him. It is absolutely amazing.

Julie is recovering very slowly from the radiation treatment. The Tykerb, an oral chemo drug to keep the cancer from the brain, makes Julie sick every night. So, she doesn't sleep well and ends ups sleeping all day. She thinks her vision is improving and it is clear to me that her balance and walking is getting better. But the long battle is having its toll. 

Tough Day on the Farm

Some days are harder than others.  It is hard to know in advance that a day is going to be one of those character building days, but once you are in the middle of it, you know you are there.

My wife had a rough night, I tried to sleep through her being sick, but my sleep was broken.  She went downstairs to not bother me.  I went down to check on her.  She was on the love seat when I got up and went downstairs without my usual shower.  I had meetings at 8:30 and needed coffee more than a shower.

My daugther missed her class again.  She got her psychriatrist to give her an excuse.  Ya, the sorrow is making it harder on her, but her procrastination is her real villian.  She says it is depression that is keeping from doing her assignments and planning.  I think it is her attitude that she can survive doing everything the last minute is killing her.  She almost takes pride in her ability to do assignments three nights in a row without sleep.  Really hard on the dad.

Consulting work went well.  Talked with the lawyer and co-inventor on my lastest patent.  I continue to make other people rich.  I sell my soul and patents for consulting fees.  The rich get richer, the middle class struggles on.

Worked hard on my day job, did okay.  It is hard to manage the bosses at times.  I am smarter, older, and wiser, and still it is all I can do to keep my bosses going in the right direction.  The younger rebellious engineers identify with me.

Then I walked the dog a couple of miles, made some supper, cookied some cookies, and then watched American Idol with my wifeeee.  I wanted to work on my business taxes, but running out of steam.  I still have to collect the trash and take it out.  I want to read a little on the Shack, but I think I am running out of steam.  I think I said that already.  I've had a bottle of wine, to kill the pain, and took time to write this blog and a couple of others.  Hopefully I can get up earily and catch up.

Coffee and Julie

Coffee and Julie

Update on Julie.   She took two Tykerbs last night and was up most of the night half throwing up and half belching.  The Tykerb is important since it is really the only drug the doctors have to keep the cancer out of her brain.  The first time she took it she broke out in a rash, which she now thinks was Shingles (adult chicken pocks).  The belching has been going on for awhile, although last night was more severe.  She is tapering off on her steroid medicine, which we are hoping is the culprit.

Anyway, Julie is sleeping and I am working. I am just as tired as normal.  I buy and drink lots of coffee these days.  I mix decaf and regular so I have to drink twice as much coffee to get the same amount of drugs (caffine).  It would be hard to function otherwise.

Movie and Jakes

We had a normal evening, which these days is not normal.  Julie and I went to see "Monsters and Aliens", a cute movie.  Julie was a little shaky, she has been all week.  We are hoping it is just the withdrawl from the steroids.  She has about four days left until she is done.

After the movie we went to Jake's and got sandwiches and shakes.  Don't get the Big Jake, it is too big.  I should have read the fine print, 3 big patties.  Julie felt bloated and went to bed.  Again, the steroids make her blow up.

Got a new boss at work.  We will see how it works out.  He is treating the group a little like they are children.  He seems to be acting, playing the role of being a boss -- not too sure what he should do. He is struggling and the group is struggling with him.  DR is not the easiest company to work with, he has yet to realize how much the system is going to block him, and has blocked us, in getting stuff done. We will see how it works out, I'm not too optimistic at the moment. I am the only one he has left alone, not sure why yet.