As we're coming up to the first anniversary of mom's death I've started to chronicle the events in more detail in another journal. The 'letters_to_mum' journal was created as a result of a ending of our relationship nearly three years ago. Dad was dying and (unbeknownst to me at the time) mum had started drinking again. I've decided since to ( Read more... )

 I have to share my excitement. I've had a little bit of rockiness with derby of late. I'm super slow so I tried out different wheels to help with speed. That was a disaster which (combined with hormonal stupidity) ended with me exceedingly upset. Take fast wheels, remove the ability to stop and try to do faster pack work. Or not. I switched those ( Read more... )

It's hard putting yourself out there, trying to learn something that is completely new. Derby is that for me. I'm not very aggressive on the track, mostly because I don't know what I'm doing and, truth be told, I'm afraid to get hurt or hurt someone else. In many ways derby is good for me. I'm forced out of my comfort zone every practice. At the ( Read more... )

It's been a couple of months since I started Derby. I missed most of September and October due to travel but managed to skate at least weekly for most of that time. I started figuring out cross overs just recently. That was a party moment! Last night was my first Wreckers practice since the end of August. It rocked, I sucked. I still need to learn ( Read more... )

I've been off skates for a couple of weeks thanks to my hectic schedule at work. Skating after work when I'm tired is simply not fun. As a result from my hiatus I was nervous about the Derby Skills class Saturday. Happily I hadn't lost any of my balance and quickly regained my confidence. We had a new instructor, one who is very good at teaching ( Read more... )

I'm sitting here writing this, not from an over-airconditioned room in Vegas nor a lovely beachside restaurant in Oregon, but from the house. One of my staffers is no longer with my unit, resulting in my needing to both replace her and fill in for her until we hire someone. So that little trip to Vegas that I look forward to every summer won't be ( Read more... )

I had a meeting at the Portland Veteran's Hospital this past week. I worked there for 9 months several years ago and am fairly familiar with the facility. This was the first time I've been to the VA in months and I never would have anticipated my reaction upon entering the lobby. I had a near panic attack just walking in the door. All I could think ( Read more... )

Well, that may not be the case, but I do feel different. Since October I've been working on a series of 4 exams, passing them would result in a professional certification; Certified Manager of Animal Resources. One exam focuses on topics related to managing an animal facility; regulations, ethics, animal care and well-being, the basis of my job. ( Read more... )

I wanted to track the progress with the bird and though, what better way than to start a journal for her? I have to admit, I'm fairly entertained by the entries. Play or not, as always it's your choice.

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