What's he on about now?

In case the articles, essays and opinions throughtout this site just weren't enough for you, here's my online diary (a.k.a. 'blog'). It's as close as you'll come to the inside of my head, so don't say I didn't warn you
(and remember, you can always e-mail me if you love or loathe anything you're about to read)...


   Monday, October 27, 2003

UH OH....I'M THE HAPPY ONE!

Strange week -- everything's going very well for me and lousy for everyone else.

My old friend Josh is suddenly back in town after immigration authorities in the States abruptly terminated his visa. After four years in California, he's no longer allowed in the US until at least the end of January. He's very upset for several reasons but I'm sure his pregnant wife Terri is the major one.

Tara's grandmother finally died this week. I say 'finally' because she'd been so very sick for so very long. Her decline's been hard on Tara but her passing is worse, for she was the only family member Tara could depend on.

My boss Stan is spending all his time visiting his father in the hospital. Stan's dad has suffered a major stroke, paralysing part of his throat and other areas, and enraging a once-proudly-self-sufficient guy.

My own father is still taking expensive medication for gout and both he and my step-mother are currently out-of-work. Josie's company was bought up by another and the staff predictably down-sized. Money is getting very tight with my dad unable to go back to work as soon as he'd like but we're determined to keep him home until he's healthy.

And as for me? It seems I've got the apartment and the money situation might be OK for paying first-and-last. I'm campaigning for a raise at the store and, despite coming down with a cold this weekend, my health seems fine. Meanwhile, I'm reading Michael Moore's new book, "Dude, Where's My Country?" and enjoying it immensely.

I feel like one of the criminals in "Intacto" who've stolen luck from ordinary people around them but that's A) too silly, and B) way too Catholic. I'm just going to relax in my good fortune while I try to help my friends and family with their lack thereof. Isn't that the whole point?

Labels: family, friends, introspective