Dr. Horrible and the Hill of Doom

I must pull you aside prior to me launching into my latest story addition to apologize for my lack of grammar and/or spelling. This posts are usually written in the middle of the night, and at times are accompanied by tears. Either one makes for a terrible editor, and usually leaves you wondering how on earth I made it through grade school much less college...I'm just saying - don't judge! ;-)



Okay, on to Dr. Horrible.



In this episode, Dr. Horrible happens to be a bit younger of a super hero with more brown than gray in his hair, and considerably more brain mass. You know how wine or cheese is better with age? Well, such is the case with Dr. Horrible (for the most part). On this day he must have been about mid-aged...but I definitely wouldn't have eaten him.



Yours truly (wait let me fluff and primp...okay) was knee high to a grasshopper, and hadn't yet lost the hope that she (I) would continue to grow. One of my favorite past times was being Dr. Horrible's side-kick on days when we would drive to the nearby state prison to buy the cheap fire wood they sold there. Now on this particular day we climbed into Dr. Horrible's mode of transportation, which in-and-of itself was story. The giant truck was one you needed a ladder to get into it, and it was so old that holes had rusted through the body. Since you can't have holes in your vehicle and pass inspection Dr. Horrible had patched the holes with pink cement stuff (love my description?). Thus, we set off in a giant black truck with pink spots...lets just say we weren't looking like the toughest guy on the block...Anyways. That morning we set off through town and up the winding side of the mountain that bordered our valley. This morning however, did not go as smoothly as others in the past had. Half way up the mountain our vehicle in crime died a tragic death relating to the small fact that Dr. Horrible had forgotten to get much needed gas.

There we were, pulled over on the side of the mountain about five miles from home, and this was before the blessed days of cell phones (wow I feel old). Dr. Horrible determined that we must make the long trek home on foot, and so off we started; my little legs trailing after the longer stride of Dr. Horrible as we made our way down on the side of the road. Before long we had reached the valley, walked through town, and headed down the road that eventually would reach our farm. Dr. Horrible then decided that it was much faster to cut through the vast fields of corn than to follow the road. Not being old enough to have a say in such things, and generally thinking that this was a fun adventure, whole-heartedly trotted along. Now here I should pause to remind you of the anatomy of the corn plant. Corn grows tall. About six feet talk to be exact, and almost the entire height of the plant grow large wide leaves whose edges are quite sharp. Now imagine Dr. Horrible at six-foot-two weaving his way through row after never ending row of corn, with a four-foot tall child with eyes tightly shut holding on to the back of his shirt, and repeatedly tripping over every root the protruded from the dirt. Lets just say I did lots of tripping, a little falling, and I didn't see an inch of that corn field. To say the least we made it home intact albeit hot, tired, and dusty. Dr. Horrible had mercy on me and did not drag me back with him when he made the trip back to the truck with the gas can, and for this I will forever be grateful.

How I do miss those days of relative simplicity where people walked places, you got to have a fabulous adventure because we couldn't use a cell phone to call for AAA, and were you got to relax after a hard days work. I think I should just go give the older version of Dr. Horrible a hug...awwwwww see maybe he isn't so horrible after all...or is he...

Isaiah 41:9-11

"I have called you back from the ends of the earth so you can serve me. For I have chosen you and will not throw you away. DON'T be afraid, for I am with you. Do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you. I will help you. I will uphold you with my victorious right hand."

Psalm 19:12-13

"How can I know all the sin lurking in my heart? Cleanse me from these hidden faults. Keep me from deliberate sins! Don't let them control me. Then I will be free of guilt and innocent of great sin."

Psalm 62:1-2

"I wait quietly before God, for my salvation comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will never be shaken.

Psalm 63:7-8

"I think how much you have helped me; I sing for joy in the shadow of your protecting wings. I follow close behind you; your strong right hand holds me securely."

I really feel like I'm in this place where in my weakness He is strong. I literally can't do this by myself, and that is the most wonderful part! So, I had a crummy start to the night, but WOT is the bestest (don't tell me its not a word), and I called her late. Jesus knew I'd need some prayer and wisdom. What a wonderful encouragement to think about all the promises the Lord has for us!! No, I can't fix things, but I can refuse to let the enemy take ground. I can stand firm in the promises that Christ's blood filled for me, and have HOPE found in the loving eyes of a Father who looks at me with tender affection. It isn't easy, but may through all of this I become a reflection of Jesus!

Welcome in the spring, Happy St. Patty's Day!

So, the blog needed a brighter look for Spring ;-) Hope you like it.

I will have to take some pictures, because I'm getting ready to start some potted plants, and I'm very excited!! I've been looking for Gerber Daisies, but I haven't found any yet...sad day! Lowe's has let me down, although I still love that store, oh it smells good in there, and there are so many fun things to explore. Its like an ADHD heaven! Not that I'm ADHD, but if I was...hmmmm

I actually had a good night tonight, after several rough ones. I decided that I was NOT going to let myself get uptight, and I kept my Bible open to Isaiah 41:9-11. That along with the faithful prayers of WOT and some friends I am keeping on!! Jesus is GOOD, no matter how I feel He remains the same.

Today I go to the Neuromuscular Therapist (WOOT), and I'm so excited for her to work some more on my neck which has been okay, but still painful. I'll keep you updated ;-)

Tonight the holiday festivities will be in full swing. Now I'm not really into big parties or lots of people at this point in my life, but DOT's boyfriend and his sister are coming over and we're all going out to hear a band play who are personal friends. I'm hoping that we have lots of fun despite the drunk crowds. I'll try to take my camera and get some pictures...I'm bad about taking pictures, I always forget!

Dr. Horrible at your service!

This is Dr. Horrible I promise he won't bite, but he may shoot you with a stun gun. He is also my father...sort of. I mean in spirit mainly, because obviously this isn't my father's picture. I kind of imagine my father looking like this at work though. The white one-piece suit, giant goggles, and black gloves.

I digress.

Seeing as you all liked the Bathrobe Stories so well, it is high time for the unavailing my new collection...the Dr. Horrible stories. Now first I must make a disclaimer. Dr. Horrible was not my idea, for those of you interested do a google search and you can watch the 45minute show that Joss Wheldon made (there is only one iffy part in the laundry-mate for those of you with kids). However, I'm sticking with this title because it so appropriately fits.

Now my collection of Dr. Horrible sagas begin on a quiet weekend afternoon. Dr. Horrible himself sprawled out on the Couch of Death (it sounds so much better to title inanimate objects) watching football. Around the corner chaos broke out when my lovely sister got her head bashed into the corner of the wall as out German Shepard came bolting through the doorway. There was blood, and crying, and the usual commotion that accompanies such events.

Dr. Horrible may have a great many talents, however observation while engrossed in football is not one of them. WOT was calling Dr. Horrible for clean up on isle 3, having to take my sister to the kitchen for a face repair. Soon the floor was clean, the face patched, the tears wiped, and all evidence of the accident removed...but Dr. Horrible had not moved. Five minutes later he came out into the hall saw my sister's face and asked what happened. We all laughed. How he zoned out of all that chaos I will never know - it was selective hearing at its height. Poor Dr. Horrible, at least he does have some amazing super hero powers, we just have to working his skills of observation!

Me...

I love my friends and family, I'm just going to say that. You all are going to get an extra crown in Heaven for putting up with me for close to a year. You mean more to me then you'll ever know!

WOT and I had a great talk this afternoon, as I was trying to express that I keep hearing "do what you want", but honestly I'm not sure what that is.

I guess part of me even subconsciously thinks about what I "should" do over what I'd "like to" do. I get bogged down in the inconveniences to others, the practicality of living, and forget to look at the big picture. I still don't have answers, but I do know that:

- I want to work day shift (I want to be able to sleep at night again)
- I love family, and being involved in a family

Maybe I can add to that list soon, but for now that will have to do! I love what I do now for work, but at the place my life is at now, I am not sure I even care as long as I can do something that doesn't mess with my body as much as this has.

Sooo...

So...what do you guys want to talk about?

I'm sitting here at 4:30am unable to sleep....

My life is amazingly entertaining right? I know...

I'd like to sleep - but I can't...

So, I'm sitting here, typing nothing important, and thinking that if there was such a thing as sleep rehab I would check myself in.

Extra Activities...

As you all know by now, I am trying to spice up life some, which when the weather is gorgeous like it has been the past several days is not so hard. The Human Society finally posted the new orientation days, and I am all set to get started with that next Sunday. I think it might be a nice change in pace will be fun. I'm so excited, after working the worst schedule the last two weeks I am finally going to have about a week off, and I'm THRILLED! I plan to see the neuromuscular clinic, go to the writers group, get through my SPCA orientation, and hopefully enjoy some weather. Alas, those wonderful goals are glimmers of hope at the end of the tunnel since I still have two more days to work before that stretch off.

I know that working three days a week doesn't seem like a lot, but believe me it isn't always a simple three days. For example my schedule has looked like this:

Work: Thurs, Fri,Sat; Off Sunday; Work: Mon, Tue; Off Wednesday; Work Thursday; Off Friday; Work Sat, Sun, Mon; Off Tuesday; Work Wednesday.

Now, another insight - one day off in between shifts is basically like having an extra twelve hours to sleep. On my first day off I'm beat dog tired, and really by the time I get up at 4:30 pm, most of the day is gone, and so are my plans for anything productive. Usually when I get home from work my feel ache, my neck is killing me, the dog wants attention, I haven't eaten or peed in 6 hours, and I'm not thinking straight. I usually refuse to take a shower when I get home (unless really dirty) because I can hear monitor alarms dinging in my ears in the shower (/e shudders at the thought). Some days, er nights are worse then others of course, but all consist of hours on your feet, cleaning up after someone constantly, answering lights, trying to keep your kid from dying on you, and dealing with parents who generally act like 5 year-olds. I'm telling you - I love what I do, but sheeeesh that first day off I don't do much...and so when I have a schedule like above with only one day gaps between them...you can see why you don't hear from me for long stretches!

Haha, thanks for listening to me ramble - I really should do a day in the life of me at work...it would be entertaining.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BVI8sQQ9JVA&feature=related





Okay, so I couldn't get the video to load on here, if anyone does I would love you forever if you'd tell me! This is a great clip though (it has nothing to do with the picture), so check it out I promise you'll like it!





I have been bored tonight, and bordom usually does not lead to anything productive like knitting socks (I dont knit), washing windows (its dark outside, you can't wash windows when its dark - how do you see the streaks?), or clean off my kitchen table (its called paper art!). Sooo, instead I find comfort in youtube, msn, facebook, and my blog. OH! I also was sent a rather long, but fabulously funny story today, and I thought I would pass on the love, along with a picture (see above) to help you visualize the story....

**Please note this is a fictional story (I think ;p) no squirrels were harmed in the making. Do not try this at home, and if you see a squirrel like discribed I would run...
*********

Having had considerable experience with motorcycles and animals, (not necessarily squirrels), this hits home---

I never dreamed slowly cruising on my motorcycle through a residential neighborhood could be so incredibly dangerous! Little did I suspect.

I was on Brice Street - a very nice neighborhood with perfect lawns and slow traffic. As I passed an oncoming car, a brown furry missile shot out from under it and tumbled to a stop immediately in front of me. It was a squirrel, and must have been trying to run across the road when it encountered the car. I really was not going very fast, but there was no time to brake or avoid it -- it was that close. I hate to run over animals, and I really hate it on a motorcycle, but a squirrel should pose no danger to me.
I barely had time to brace for the impact. Animal lovers, never fear. Squirrels, I discovered, can take care of themselves!

Inches before impact, the squirrel flipped to his feet. He was standing on his hind legs and facing my oncoming Valkyrie with steadfast resolve in his beady little eyes.
His mouth opened, and at the last possible second, he screamed and leapt! I am pretty sure the scream was squirrel for, "Bonzai!" or maybe, "Die you gravy-sucking, heathen scum!" The leap was nothing short of spectacular...
He shot straight up, flew over my windshield, and impacted me squarely in the chest. Instantly, he set upon me. If I did not know better, I would have sworn he brought 20 of his little buddies along for the attack.

Snarling, hissing, and tearing at my clothes, he was a frenzy of activity. As I was dressed only in a light T-shirt, summer riding gloves, and jeans this was a bit of a cause for concern. This furry little tornado was doing some damage!
Picture a large man on a huge black and chrome cruiser, dressed in jeans, a T-shirt, and leather gloves, puttering at maybe 25 mph down a quiet residential street, and in the fight of his life with a squirrel. And losing...

I grabbed for him with my left hand. After a few misses, I finally managed to snag his tail. With all my strength, I flung the evil rodent off to the left of the bike, almost running into the right curb as I recoiled from the throw. That should have done it. The matter should have ended right there. It really should have. The squirrel could have sailed into one of the pristinely kept yards and gone on about his business, and I could have headed home. No one would have been the wiser.
But this was no ordinary squirrel. This was not even an ordinary angry squirrel. This was an EVIL MUTANT ATTACK SQUIRREL OF DEATH!

Somehow he caught my gloved finger with one of his little hands and, with the force of the throw, swung around and with a resounding thump and an amazing impact, he landed squarely on my BACK and resumed his rather antisocial and extremely distracting activities. He also managed to take my left glove with him! The situation was not improved. Not improved at all.
His attacks were continuing, and now I could not reach him. I was startled, to say the least. The combination of the force of the throw, only having one hand (the throttle hand) on the handlebars, and my jerking back unfortunately put a healthy twist through my right hand and into the throttle. A healthy twist on the throttle of a Valkyrie can only have one result. Torque. This is what the Valkyrie is made for, and she is very, very good at it. The engine roared and the front wheel left the pavement. The squirrel screamed in anger. The Valkyrie screamed in ecstasy. I screamed in ... well .. I just plain screamed
Now picture a large man on a huge black and chrome cruiser, dressed in jeans, a slightly squirrel-torn T-shirt, wearing only one leather glove, and roaring at maybe 50 mph and rapidly accelerating down a quiet residential street on one wheel, with a demonic squirrel of death on his back.

The man and the squirrel are both screaming bloody murder. With the sudden acceleration I was forced to put my other hand back on the handlebars and try to get control of the bike.
This was leaving the mutant squirrel to his own devices, but I really did not want to crash into somebody's tree, house, or parked car. Also, I had not yet figured out how to release the throttle...my brain was just simply overloaded. I did manage to mash the back brake, but it had little effect against the massive power of the big cruiser.
About this time the squirrel decided that I was not paying sufficient attention to this very serious battle (maybe he was an evil mutant NAZI attack squirrel of death), and he came around my neck and got INSIDE my full-face helmet with me.
As the faceplate closed part way, he began hissing in my face. I am quite sure my screaming changed intensity. It had little effect on the squirrel, however. The RPM's on the Valkyrie maxed out (since I was not bothering with shifting at the moment), so her front end started to drop.

Now picture a large man on a huge black and chrome cruiser, dressed in jeans, a very raggedly torn T-shirt, wearing only one leather glove, roaring at probably 80 mph, still on one wheel, with a large puffy squirrel's tail sticking out of the mostly closed full-face helmet. By now the screams are probably getting a little hoarse.
Finally I got the upper hand ... I managed to grab his tail again, pulled him out of my helmet, and slung him to the left as hard as I could. This time it worked ... sort-of. Spectacularly sort-of ...so to speak.

Picture a new scene. You are a cop. You and your partner have pulled off on a quiet residential street and parked with your windows down to do some paperwork. Suddenly a large man on a huge black and chrome cruiser, dressed in jeans, a torn T-shirt flapping in the breeze, and wearing only one leather glove, moving at probably 80 mph on one wheel, and screaming bloody murder roars by, and with all his strength throws a live squirrel grenade directly into your police car.

I heard screams. They weren't mine...
I managed to get the big motorcycle under control and dropped the front wheel to the ground. I then used maximum braking and skidded to a stop in a cloud of tire smoke at the stop sign of a busy cross street. I would have returned to 'fess up (and to get my glove back). I really would have. Really... Except for two things.

First, the cops did not seem interested or the slightest bit concerned about me at the moment. When I looked back, the doors on both sides of the patrol car were flung wide open. The cop from the passenger side was on his back, doing a crab walk into somebody's front yard, quickly moving away from the car. The cop who had been in the driver's seat was standing in the street, aiming a riot shotgun at his own police car.
So, the cops were not interested in me. They often insist to "let the professionals handle it" anyway.

That was one thing. The other?
Well, I could clearly see shredded and flying pieces of foam and upholstery from the back seat. But I could also swear I saw the squirrel in the back window, shaking his little fist at me. That is one dangerous squirrel. And now he has a patrol car. A somewhat shredded patrol car... but it was all his.

I took a deep breath, turned on my turn-signal, made a gentle right turn off of Brice Street , and sedately left the neighborhood. I decided it was best to just buy myself a new pair of gloves.
And a whole lot of Band-Aids.

Snow!

I know that the last day or two most of the Mid/East has gotten snow of some sort, and has been quite exciting. Places West of us got 7 or so inches of the white powder, we only got 1-2 inches, and by the time I woke up it had all melted...so much for exciting. I hope that everyone in the North East who is now getting pounded will take some moments to enjoy the snow. Part of me definitely misses the snow, and then the other half is quite contented to be snow less.

My newest escapade has been researching some graduate school options, which I have been procrastinating since my life has been so crazy. I think that I am going to do some sort of Nursing Education degree, because I don't know that I really want to do a Nurse Practitioner program. The down side to this whole idea is having to get my GRE (gets hear the generalized ewwwww). I guess I'm going to need to get studying....(someone please tell me this is a bad idea hehe). I realized that a lot of the non-bedside nursing jobs that are going to be fully day shift will require a masters degree, and that I'd better buckle up and get 'er done!

The other thing that has kept me occupied while not working this week has been this wonderful little website/blog (thepioneerworman.com). My friend Kelly got me addicted to her story about how she met her husband. I had to chuckle as I read, because I can so hear SFL talking in his fake Southern drawl...Really though - its long, but very well written, and her whole site in general is great. She talkes about homeschooling, gardening, photography, the ranch, and whatever else entertains her. Okay, I'm done now...hehe, but really check it out ;-).

Other things in life...Hmm, well I'm still slowly plodding through the book Empire Falls which is a great fictional story, and unfortunately for it (the book) I have been very lazy in my reading as of late. I'm excited though, because I am going up to see the family the first week in April which should be great fun! Also, I have convinced one of my cousins that I need some company, and so I think that she is coming to visit the first week in June. I would love to take a trip to see everyone, and I have open invites to so many places, but between work, my poor brain, and money it isn't always possible. Lets hope that these visits are good things, and I don't stress over them. Oh, oh, and in May I switch to day shift for 6 weeks, so we'll see how that goes...

I should post some sort of fun contest on here or something, hehe...See how many of you still live ;-).