All In A Day's Work

A lot of people ask me what it is that I love about being a CNA. When the truth comes out, they seem to have thought that I am a perverse dyke that likes old um, well, that.

Wrong.

I like making a difference. I am proud that I can shower a combative resident by myself because I can make that connection. Maybe I understand what it is like. Maybe I just look like someone that resident used to trust. I don't know. The reason isn't what matters.

What matters is that I can provide comfort and caring. What matters even more is that I do. I may not be able to take their pain away, but I can get them to forget about it for a little while. How, you ask? I get to know a person. (And, I am not scared of the state inspectors in Illinois)

If a lady asks me to call her "Gramma," I will. I take residents outside with me on my breaks. I once brought in a plastic box full of snow for a woman who wanted nothing more than a snowball fight. It isn't the actual work that I love, it's those moments of sheer joy that I get to bring.

In fact, it was a lady at work who prompted me to write with the intention of getting published. She likes to hear stories while she is showering, primping, etc. Eventually, she whittled down my walls until I agreed to try.

There is a completely different and unparalleled relationship that builds with me and my residents. It is akin to the relationship I have with my kids, but completely different at the same time. It's trust, love, kindness, understanding and dependence all wrapped up in one. I know that some of my residents probably wouldn't and sometimes didn't give me the time of day before coming to the nursing home, but now, we are fast friends.

***Please don't take this post to mean that all the residents like me, but I don't get any hate mail either.

Thank A Veteran!

Today, and everyday, take a second to thank a vet. They are the people with the true grit to keep us free. Would you risk your life fighting a war? Would you leave your family knowing that you may never come back?

Our United States Veterans did. Whether they enlisted by choice or by draft, they are the true superheroes. Our Veterans gave up their life to pursue an ideal. Our Veterans went through hell in basic, then went on to fight under more gruelish and cruel circumstances than most of us can even imagine.

Hell, thank anyone that has been or is in uniform. They took the same chance of being called up to war that veterans did. They went through the same training. They still serve for our freedom.

Many gave their lifes for our freedom, be it wartime or peacetime. If you cannot find it in your heart to thank veterans and servicemen, you do not value the freedom that they have won us.

What's Fun?

Writing-I have to write something everyday or I go bonkers. (well, more bonkers than normal) I have tried to post some of my prose and poetry, but I am having a hard time posting from my current WIP since it is fiction based on my reality. It is mostly a work of therapy.

Reading-True escapism. I find that I completely immerse myself in the books I read. I can literally (hehe) see what I am reading.

Knitting/Crocheting-Currently, I am knitting more than crocheting. Like writing, I love seeing what comes from each and every new stitch. You'd have to be into fiber arts to guess the inner peace that they bring.

Sewing/Quilting-I don't get time or space for this much. But, sewing in all it's forms is almost as zen as knitting.

Working-Yes. I enjoy work. I could not imagine my life without it. I am a CNA. I get a better deal than most nurses. I get to make a difference and have that one on one time. I am even more fortunate to be a shower aide. I get a half an hour to an hour with every resident every week to primp, groom, and otherwise spoil them. All the while, we get to talk.

These are just some things I do. Spending time with my family among other things should be self-evident.

So, what do you consider fun?

Not Science Fiction Much Longer

Last night while watching the Discovery Science Channel, there was a program about the BrainGate System. It uses a device planted on the brain to sense electrical activity. Then, it correlates that data to move a pointer on a computer screen, allowing the person to control TV, lights, even a wheelchair.

I never thought that something like this was possible. While it is still in trials, I hope that it can be refined, expanded, and brought to the world.

In fact, it already is. The NueroPort System will be available for limited release in early 2006. It will help monitor patients undergoing surgery for crainiotomies and in elective surgery for the diagnosis and treatment of severe epilepsy.

Poetic Mood

***Be warned. Awful poetry follows.***

Try as I might,
No prose is coming tonight.

The voices heard,
But still not even one word.

Characters lost,
Getting them back at what cost.

Plot lines are drawn,
The light is not turning on.

Meter comedy,
Diabolical you see.

Quick Note

All persons and animals living at my house are alive and well. The two under 18 are making fond new memories of being grounded. Do they ever learn?

Work is going well. Hobbies are going even better. I killed my timeline working on the "Stop the Hate. One Blog at a Time" thingymajigy. It was fun.

I'm working on my "To Buy" book list and on a "Love This" book list. Hopefully, they will end up as a slideshow via javascript.

I'm now working on Sad Comedy. I had another night where I wished I could record my dreams on DVD. I'd have this one outta the door if only. But, it is outlined and each scene has a paragraph description. Also, my first chapter is well on it's way. (Insert crazed giggles here) Megan is still on hold, but I still am adding notes here and there as ideas pop into my head.

Stop the Hate. One Blog at a time.

In the hope of a better world, I am starting a new club. No dues, no fees, no voting for a president or treasurer. To join, just display the graphic below.

Creed

1. I am dedicated to minding my own business.
2. I will voice, debate, rant, whatever, but I will NOT force my opinion on others.
3. I acknowledge that my choices are right for me, not necessarily anyone else.
4. I celebrate or at least tolerate the diversity that makes the human race human.
5. I do not indulge myself in blind hatred. I reserve that for pedophiles, murderers, etc. that truly deserve it. Skin color, age, sex, sexual orientation, religion, and all else that doesn't harm anyone doesn't deserve my hatred.
6. I honor the right of others to disagree with me, and not like my actions or even me.
7. I believe that freedom means just that, freedom. Including the freedom to be me.
8. Anything that harms someone else is not a right, nor covered under any definition of freedom.

Just copy and replace "(" with "<" and ")" with ">" then delete the spaces after the ".com"s.

HTML=
(a href="http://deathbyabsurdity.blogspot.com
/2005/05/stop-hate-one-blog-at-time.html")
(img src="http://photos1.blogger.com
/img/51/3435/1024/oneblogatatimebutton.jpg")
(/a)



Just copy and replace "(" with "<" and ")" with ">" then delete the spaces after the ".com"s.

HTML=
(a href="http://deathbyabsurdity.blogspot.com
/2005/05/stop-hate-one-blog-at-time.html")
(img src="http://photos1.blogger.com
/img/51/3435/1024/humanityisdiverse.jpg")
(/a)

Inadvertantly Tagged

Since when can you be tagged by just reading a blog? But, that is what I should expect for reading Paperback Writer. Her blog is just like her novels, continually surprising and contstantly breaking the "rules". I shouldn't complain, it's her brutal honesty that draws me to her novels.

So here goes:

Total number of books I own: It's approaching the 1,000 mark. I have almost as many different authors as I do books. Yes, I am smug!

Last books I bought:

Non-fiction-Uncle John's Ahh-Inspiring Bathroom Reader by the Bathroom Reader's Institute

Fiction-Acorna's Triumph by Anne McCaffrey and Elizabeth A. Scarborough,
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams,
Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden (audio book),
If Angels Burn : A Novel of the Darkyn by Lynn Viehl,
Tinker by Wen Spencer

Last books I read:
See above and add The DaVinci Code by Dan Brown,
Kris Lognkife: Mutineer and Kris Longknife: Deserter by Mike Shepherd


Five books that mean a lot to me:
Rama Series by Arthur C. Clarke,

This series first showed me that there are alternative meanings to most things that we take as truths.

The Republic by Plato,

Plato, Aristotle, and Socrates taught me that logic is sometimes the only way to see truth.

The Five People You Meet in Heaven by Mitch Albom,

Talk about rekindling spiritualitly. This book did it for me.

Alanna: The First Adventure by Tamora Pierce,

A wonderful story proving that girls don't have to take the socially accepted route.

Brave New World by Aldous Huxley,

Horror story set in Utopia. Want to see the dangers of conforming? I learned appreciation of diversity while reading it.

Is everyone happy now? Good.

Naming Something

I'm trying to find a name for an organization. Guess what I'm finding out? I hate trying to make names that must become a neat anacronym. Ick.

The color I wanted:



Just a little reddish tint to add some interest to an otherwise plain, dirty-dishwater blonde color.

The color I got:



Ick, a purplish-red over mud concoction, the picture doesn't really come close. But, it makes my strange color changing eyes* appear more blue.

*Yes, I said color changing eyes. My eyes have a little green, blue, brown, and gray in them. The dominant color changes.

Aren't We Getting Tired Yet?

I just wish all this debate would come to an end. (Link from Noise in the Attic) Isn't this same old boring topic about homosexual rights getting on anyone else's nerves?

Some of My Views

• Point. Censoring out homosexual content in our schools is not going to get rid of homosexuality. It has been around as long as we have been having sex for fun, if not longer.
  
• Tip. If homosexuality is immoral in your belief system, then be a heterosexual.
  
• Apology. I wish I could help those of you finding conflict with your homosexuality and your beliefs. You must find your own way to happiness. I did. So have many others.
• Values. Whatever your values, they are yours not necessarily anyone else's. America is based on freedom. You have the right to hold your values. As do I.
• Laws. They are written to protect. If something does not harm, there should not be a law against it. Stealing, murder, rape are harmful. Consensual sex isn't.
• Marriage. Marriage is a bond between two people. A same-sex marriage doesn't hurt anyone. Trust me. I'm not going to come knocking down your door to force you to marry me.

Let people live the way they want to live. We should all be celebrating our diversity, not trying to make everyone conform to one single belief system.

I Feel A Rant Coming On...

But, I will behave for now. Hot bath and tylenol have soothed my back. I will not start having spasms again because some idiots, um, dumbasses, um, yeah, people want to censor homosexual material again.

I will calmy and rationally formulate a response. Most likely, it will be a plan to move all hateful heterosexuals to Antartica. (Joking. Really, I'm joking.)

I am now going to go spend some time with my girlfriend and our two boys.

Optical Illusion

Can you find which step is the lowest?

Fun, Fun, Fun

Now that it's getting somewhat summery here, I feel the need to pass along some fun things.

1. Elastic Baby-Almost the most annoyingly fun mouse toy I've seen. (from gf)
   
2. Netdisaster-Destroy! Destroy! At least, you are only destroying a webpage. (from Silent Bounce)
3. The Dialectizer-Turn that carefully edited manuscript of yours into Redneck, Cockney, or Jive speak. Best for literary writers.
   (I think I saw this on Paperback Writer, but don't quote me, I can't find it over there)
4. I Am Bored-Find whatever you need to hit your funny bone.
   

Bountiful Books

Over at Silent Bounce, Holly has posted the first chapter to Talyn. (You must login to read, but it is free and she doesn't spam or sell your email :)

I absolutely loved it. Can I see another chapter? Pretty, Pretty, Puh-leaase!

Paperback Writer is showing off a beautiful cover for the sixth book in the Stardoc series, Rebel Ice. I've been waiting (not patiently, either!) for this series to continue.

But, of course, I'm waiting for her Private Demons, too. Write, PBW, Write.

Just picked up Ghosts In the Snow, by Tamara Siler Jones. Way cool. Definitely a keeper.

Threads of Malice, looks like it will be a wonderful second book.

---Note to me, contact BBRA (Book Buyers/Readers Anonymous) for help sticking to my book budget and space allotment.

Sleep, What's That?

I think I can remember what sleep is. Maybe it's just an illusion.

Youngest child had the tonsilectomy/adnoidectomy on the 2nd. Since then, I think he has gotten every complication possible. Really. I. Am. Not. Joking.

Yesterday, oldest child got a concussion. Long story to go along with that, but I am too pissed off to even think about posting any details.

Afternoon all, off to sle...

It's A Funny Day

Rules of Writing, from Scribe's.

1. Verbs HAS to agree with their subjects.
2. Prepositions are not words to end sentences with.
3. And don't start a sentence with a conjunction.
4. It is wrong to ever split an infinitive.
5. Avoid cliches like the plague. (They're old hat)
6. Also, always avoid annoying alliteration.
7. Be more or less specific.
8. Parenthetical remarks (however relevant) are (usually) unnecessary.
9. Also too, never, ever use repetitive redundancies.
10. No sentence fragments.
11. Contractions aren't necessary and shouldn't be used.
12. Foreign words and phrases are not apropos.
13. Do not be redundant; do not use more words than necessary; it's highly superfluous.
14. One should NEVER generalize.
15. Comparisons are as bad as cliches.
16. Don't use no double negatives.
17. Eschew ampersands & abbreviations, etc.
18. One-word sentences? Eliminate.
19. Analogies in writing are like feathers on a snake.
20. The passive voice is to be ignored.
21. Eliminate commas, that are, not necessary. Parenthetical words however should be enclosed in commas.
22. Never use a big word when a diminutive one would suffice.
23. Kill all exclamation points!!!
24. Use words correctly, irregardless of how others use them.
25. Understatement is always the absolute best way to put forth earth shaking ideas.
26. Use the apostrophe in it's proper place and omit it when its not needed.
27. Eliminate quotations. As Ralph Waldo Emerson said, "I hate quotations. Tell me what you know."
28. If you've heard it once, you've heard it a thousand times: Resist hyperbole; not one writer in a million can use it correctly.
29. Puns are for children, not groan readers.
30. Go around the barn at high noon to avoid colloquialisms.
31. Even IF a mixed metaphor sings, it should be derailed.
32. Who needs rhetorical questions?Exaggeration is a billion times worse than understatement.
33. Proofread carefully to see if you any words out.
    

Got any more?

Good Read, Um, Listen?

Memoirs of a Geisha, by Arthur Golden, is a very good...listen. I thought I'd give audiobooks a try for at work and while knitting. Surprising, but I really do like it. Goes much slower than reading, but is very relaxing.

Youngest's tonsils and adenoids are out. (Can you hear the scream of utter joy?) Hopefully, the infections will be infrequent from now on.

Very On Cue

This describes to a tee. Amazing, insight to your soul by your birthday. Wonderful italicized comments are by me, if you couldn't guess.

***Got this from Rantings and Ravings.***

Your Birthdate: April 16

Your birth on the 16th day of the month gives a sense of loneliness and generally the desire to work alone. (Yep, lonely and isolationist.) You are relatively inflexible, and insist on your being independent. (Can we say bossy?) You need a good deal of time to rest and to meditate. (Writing, reading, knitting, crochet. Yep, relaxing to me.) You are introspective and a little stubborn. (Gf is yelling, "A little???") Because of this, it may not be easy for you to maintain permanent relationships, but you probably will as you are very much into home and family. (I would pick the gf with two boys, and I did leave her once. Shh, I found my wits and came back.) This birth day inclines to interests in the technical, the scientific, and to the religious or the unknown realm of spiritual explorations. (My brother and I did debate the impossibility of correctly defining anything on my birthday. On the way to a bar.) The date gives you a tendency to seek unusual approaches and makes your style seem a little different and unique to those around you. (I thought that I was just wierd.) Your intuition is aided by the day of your birth, but most of your actions are bedded in logic, responsibility, and the rational approach. (Is it coincidence that my favorite college course was logical philosophy?) You may be emotional, but have a hard time expressing these emotions. (Happy, sad, angry, content. What other emotions are there?) Because of this, there may be some difficulty in giving or receiving affection. (My gf begs to differ :)

What Does Your Birth Date Mean?