the Nonsense in Between

Sweet and Sour Turkey

Dominic and I are back from our bittersweet journey through New Mexico. Before we even left I felt a heaviness building in my heart for what I knew was going to be a difficult visit. With everything going on with my grandfather thanksgiving wasn't going to be the big family tradition it used to be. Lost family traditions aside my hometown (Roswell) is just depressing. Drug and alcohol abuse are high, unemployment-high, poverty-high, teen pregnancy-high, crimerate-high... On our visit I found out meth addiction afflicts people in my family as well as a close friend's family. No one's going anywhere and many seem to be doing worse than they were a year ago. With all that said the simplicity and love that fills my parents' house gave me the sense of home I yearned for. On thanksgiving Dominic helped my dad, or mostly kept my dad from helping, fry a turkey in the beautiful 78 degree weather. So, not to lose all tradition we consumed a million calories, napped, and consumed more. Overall Roswell sucks but a visit with my family was much needed.

In Albuquerque Sean and Penny helped us rinse down the bitter aftertaste of Roswell with lots of booze. Good times were certainly had by all and when I find out how to post videos (dan help) you will see what i mean. Hanging out in Albuquerque makes me wish I could have my cake and eat it too. Why can't I take all the people I love with me where ever I go? And why isn't there a Dion's, Los Cuates, or Dos Hermanos in Denver? But most importantly, why isnt there a Sean and Penny here? Sean and Penny, thank you for your hospitality and reminding me why i miss you guys so much.
I also want to thank Trent for meeting up with us for lunch. It was good to see you so happy with Tonya.

Go to the gallery to see pictures from our trip.

I Snowboard!

Ok, not really. Yesterday was the third time I've ever strapped a snowboard to my feet and attempted to glide down a mountain. It turns out beginners do more tumbling and crying than gliding. Last weekend Dominic and I went up and I thought I was going to swear off snowboarding. I couldn't figure it out to save my life. But Dominic is a good coach and with his encouraging words I decided to keep trying. (Actually he had already committed me to a season of snowboarding.) There I was again strapped to that mean little snowboard, facing the scary mountain. To my surprise it turned out beautifully, thanks to my very patient coach. It started out bad but by the end I was starting to get along with the mountain. And for the few moments I wasn't falling I was actually enjoying it. I might have cracked a smile and I'm pretty sure I got a piece of my pride back. I can't wait to go back and show that mountain i'm not afraid, or at the very least make it down without crying.

Something Different, Something Fun

My new job is mostly lame partly because I'm way overqualified but mostly because it's a retail job. This week I had the opportunity to be a part of something cool. Many of you know that I am a "makeup artist". Whatever that means I'm not too sure. What I do know is that when I get to tap into my makeup artist skills, especially for something cool, it satisfies me and leaves me smiling. This week a photography student from the Art Institute called up [my company] looking for help. She needed someone to do hair and makeup for a model she was going to photograph. I jumped at the chance to do something different. If one day I decide to make money from this talent I can use these photographs in my own portfolio. Or maybe Jenny (that's the photographer's name) will hire me when she gets famous.
Good luck with your photography, Jenny. Don't forget about me when you're famous!

Go here to see the pictures.

Also you can check out Sugar Photography on myspace.

Saves the Day

Last night Dominic, Dan and I saw Saves the Day at the Aztlan theater. Upon our arrival we notice an inordinate number of tools filling up the venue. So we head over to the bar to ease the pain. It is here we decide this is the worst venue ever. Not only can you not see the stage you can't even hear the bands!

And then it was time for Saves the Day! As always they put on an amazing show, but that's not the best part. The best part of the night came much later when Dominic and I had the opportunity to talk to Chris, the lead singer. Not only did he give us his time, he was kind, and agreed to do Dominic and I a favor. A favor that will be a part of our lives forever.
Thank you, Chris!

click the pic to go to the gallery

WOW! WOW! WOW!

I can't even begin to articulate how perfect tonight turned out.

Details tomorrow. Stay tuned!

More Medical Madness

Last week Dr. Scalpel Happy researched his 74 year old patient with a lump. He had found the mass one day and highly recommended it be removed the next. That next day, after some research, he discovered that my grandfather was on several medications some of which would make surgery even more unsafe. So the decision was made to take him off of the medications so that the surgery could be performed "more safely". This boggles my mind. First these doctors prescribe these medications arguing that he'll die without them. Now he has to stop taking them to undergo a dangerous procedure.

I understand what Doctors are here for and I understand that most of their decisions are lifesaving. In the case of my Grandfather I worry they may be giving him empty hope. He's putting his life in their hands, literally, but I don't know if he fully grasps the gravity of this situation. He will have this procedure done sometime this week and while I don't agree with the all of the decisions made I pray the doctors know what they are doing. I really want to see my grandfather for thanksgiving.

Quality of Life?

Today, life threatening decisions are going to be made and I fear the worst. Six months ago it was discovered that my 74 year old grandfather had health problems. It came as no surprise to us as we were all aware of the life he had led. He grew up in a village in Mexico lacking more than health care, it lacked roads, running water, and electricity. He also never received education about how to take care of his body and later as an American citizen his habits remained unhealthy. He spent most of his years here doing manual labor and eating tasty but health threatening foods. All things considered, this 74 year old man has had a full and long life.

In the last few months the wonderful world of medicine has transformed the grandfather I knew into a medicated zombie barely able to care for himself. On one of his many trips to the hospital they recently found what may or may not be a malignant tumor on his thymus. Yesterday the doctor convinced my grandfather that he needs to undergo life-threatening surgery to remove the mass, today! I argue that this is another senseless scheme for the doctors to fill their pockets. Even if they remove the mass, that may or may not be malignant, and even if his fragile old body makes it through the surgery he will still have a slew of other serious health problems to deal with. I begged my mom not to let him go through with the surgery but the family is torn. Some still see hope in having the surgery but the rest of us recognize the reality.

Am I a heartless granddaughter if I suggest they take him home and let nature take its course?

I'm Alive

Sorry, I've been too busy (or is it too lazy?) to post lately.
I started my new job this week at my new company.

Halloween was fun, although, not as fun as last year. Infact, I think last halloween might be hard to beat.

I have a ton of pictures I will put up in the gallery someday soon.

that's all I have for now. okay, bye.