11/23/93 - Fifteen Years

I still miss my Dad.

Most of the time it's a dull ache; other times it still has bite. I do know this -- you never completely get over it. Maybe some people do, but I won't.

Fall is when I miss him the most. His birthday in October when leaves start to fall, the death date in November when the trees begin to look stark and bare. Every year I remember it like it happened yesterday. The cold, harsh, sunny day when it happened. The crushing migraine and tears. The numbness that followed.

So much water under the bridge. But, really, no time at all.

Two

The blog turns two today.

Once again, I will thank all of you who read and comment here. You are the reason that this is fun. I have enjoyed the friendships that have developed over the past two years (and much earlier for those of you from FMD and SSD).

Two years ago, I was in the summer doldrums and going a little bit crazy trying to study for Part 1 of my board exams. Back then I was posting about stuff like Dilberty things at work, laughably annoying and incompetent people I used with work with, how it never rains here (the big drought was just getting started then, and I had no idea I'd still be bitching about it two years later), and of course books, TV, and movies. Catblogging started very early on, as did LL complaining about the cat pictures. But wait! There's more! Top ten lists, bizarre "research" into odd subjects, and shameless YouTube filler posts. There was also a generous helping of the habits, hazards, and just plain goofiness of ordinary living.

Two years on, I'm in the doldrums of summer, studying for Part 2 of my board exam, still not getting enough rain, and posting about the same old crap as in 2006. You would think that doing something for two years would involve getting better at it, but sadly, that doesn't seem to be the case here. Maybe the third year's the charm?

Cat-o-versaries

Both Moxy and Silvio were adopted from the shelter in the month of June, so this post is for them. Moxy came on the scene just a few weeks before I started this blog. My first post about her was only my second blog entry here. I also posted a photo of her first (and only) bath. Moxy was a darned cute kitten.



Silvio joined the family almost exactly a year ago. (Yes, I had a major camera upgrade between these two pictures, and it shows!) Don't let those big, innocent eyes fool you. He is Trouble with a capital T. He gets shot by "Winona", the disciplinary squirt gun, a lot.



I was saddened by an article in the local newspaper about the record numbers of euthanizations of unwanted pets in the Atlanta area brought on by the foreclosure crisis. All the shelters are maxed out. That really sucks. I wish landlords were more accepting of pets. If you think about it, pets are far less likely to damage property than children. They might poop or puke in an inconvenient spot now and then (as will children), but pets won't write on the walls with permanent markers or play with matches. I'm just sayin'... It is a terrible thing that families lose their homes and then have to give up their pets as well. Especially when it is highly likely that those older pets will never find another home and will end up being put down. Very sad.

The Big Honkin' First Blog-O-Versary Post

It has been one year since I started the blog one evening on a whim. I believe there was some alcohol involved. Shocking, no? All of you who not only stop in here on a regular basis, but who take the time to comment, are the reason I am still writing posts a year later. It wouldn't be fun and interesting without you. I mean, come ON! Someone's got to come up with good content, and it usually isn't me. It started with a few people that I knew from the old 'Frell Me Dead' Farscape message board, and through the magic of links and getting to know your commenters, it eventually grew to a damn good set of regulars. So today I am giving a shout out to everyone who has ever contributed a comment here. THANKS!

The cast, in order of appearance:

trinamick
NYPinTA
john
LL
PDM
MW
Terri
Beth
Madre Farbot
shellig
ctheokas
BC
wa11z
Chelle Belle
TheWriteGirl
Mom
Kathleen
Dave
dr sardonicus
Taylor
Hedy
Jim Donahue
Eartha Kitsch
Linds
Jay
MyUtopia
Nat
magnetbabe
Ryan
punkinsmom
Brooklyn Frank
Welfl
Susan
tiff
mr. schprock
Posolxstvo
Paul Champagne
labwench