Two Miles or Closer and an Hour Away

[mrdreamjeans]

Until yesterday, I hadn’t been more than two miles away from the house in a week. Part of it is was due to Dad's health challenges, part of it was making sure I kept/keep a lid on spending. I’m finding many odd things can happen without traveling too far from home.

My Dad improved throughout the weekend. He will be at the doctor’s tomorrow morning for evaluation, then most likely be referred to a neurologist for further tests. We now believe that he has had a series of mini-strokes, TIAs or TAs, which hit the part of his brain affecting short-term memory. We monitored Dad carefully throughout the weekend; he was never left alone or allowed to drive by himself. Whatever happened to him, happened Thursday. I’ve followed his doctor’s advice (which echoed many of your comments to my previous post). Your words of support and encouragement are deeply appreciated.

A Good Witch

On Friday, I took Dad out to our local Mexican restaurant. Our delightful server wasn’t a type you’d expect to find in a town of 12, 000. Dad admired the ring she was wearing and asked what it was. She answered it’s a pentagram. I’m Wiccan. ( I hope I used this term properly.) Dad wasn’t sure what it was. I said Dad, she’s a witch. As it turned out our server is Wiccan, the daughter of Jehovah’s Witnesses who kicked her out of the house at the age of 15. She’s completing her degree in theology. She seemed thrilled that Dad and I were interested in learning about her beliefs and weren’t judgmental. I didn’t expect to find someone like her close to home. Sadly, a few hours later Dad didn’t remember meeting her.

Parking Lot Run Down

Saturday, at the local grocery, HEB (which stands for Herbert Butts:), I was wheeling a full cart of groceries to the car with Mom following close behind me. I was crossing the area with broad yellow stripes (pedestrians clearly have the right of way). There were dozens of people crossing. This young girl in a car waited till I was nearly across and honked at me, startling me; then she aggressively accelerated her vehicle through the zone. Maybe it was her laughing at me, maybe it was her endangering folks who were inconveniencing her, but she got more than she bargained for.

I yelled at her, keeping up a steady stream of invective and went after her. (I was really trying to get her license plate number.) She was caught up in a line of traffic. I was on foot, chasing her up and down the aisles of the lot. It must have been pretty funny to watch, but I was pissed!!! People standing around Mom said they couldn’t believe that she came so close to hitting me with a smirk on her face. I didn’t catch up with her, but she looked frightened. At least, I wiped that friggin' smile from her face! (I guess the situation with Dad did have me a bit on edge. I’m much calmer now:)

Bye, Bye Blue

I wrote about trading in my blue truck last month and ordering a new car. I loved my truck and was sad that they planned to take it to auction. Well, it turns out they didn’t. They put it on the lot and it sold Wednesday. It was purchased by a young couple in the military. They were moving due to transfer, from Florida to Nevada. Their loaded car broke down for good in Columbus, Texas. They didn’t like the Dodge dealer there, contacted my dealership which picked them up and towed their vehicle to Brenham. Three hours later they continued their journey, the new owners of "Blue". I’m happy the truck found a new home; but the first thing I did was call my salesman and ask if the truck sold for significantly more than they gave me for a trade-in. If it did, I want some of that money added to my deal:)

An Hour Away in Bombay

I drove the 70 miles into Houston yesterday to attend the touring production of “Bombay Dreams”. The conductor and the assistant stage manager on the tour are good friends. Elaine Davidson was the musical director/conductor for most of the “Evita” tour and now serves in the same capacity for “Bombay Dreams”. She invited me to “put on blacks” and sit next to her in the orchestra pit (on a raised podium) for the Sunday matinee. It was exciting to see a show from that vantage point! I’ve never had that opportunity and I enjoyed it ... and the show ... immensely!

Besides Elaine and Bill Gilinsky, the ASM, I knew the production stage manager, two of the actors and five out of nine of the traveling musicians from previous gigs. The young leading man in the show isn’t much of an actor, but the leading women are terrific. My favorite performance was by a young man who plays “Sweetie”, a eunuch; the actor is dressed as a woman throughout the show. He gave the show its heart. “Bombay Dreams” had much stronger music (not lyrics) than I expected. For those not familiar with it, the show takes place in India and is about the film industry, Bollywood ... about a young man who comes from the slums of Bombay and becomes a film star. It’s not a great piece, but it is unique and well worth seeing.

Comments

[becker-boy.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the update about your dad....

and thanks for letting us know how close you came to being run over..Jeez! If I had been there, there would have been two middle-age guys chasing after the woman on foot and that would have been a sight to see!

Great time in Houston, I see....thanks for sharing it with us.

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

I know it was a funny sight, but I would have yanked her bald if I had caught up with her. Nothing infuriates me like stupidity combined with meanness. I bet we could have caught her:)

Houston was a nice break. I've spent most of today in the clinic and hospital as Dad was checked out, then had blood work and a Cat scan done. We're waiting right now to hear the results. He's been way whacked out, remembering little for the past five days. It got better over the weekend and then bad again last night and this afternoon.

It's really hard to patiently explain the same thing 6 times, especially when someone gets hostile. I am doing my best.

Thanks for the support ... Hugs ...

[labeartorycub.livejournal.com]

I'll be thinking of you and your dad in my prayers. Sorry to read that you had incident in the parking lot. Incidents like the one you had make me wish I had powers like Holly Marie Combs' character (Piper) on the show Charmed in which I could just obliterate a malicious person. Glad you and your mom are okay.

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

Obliteration would not have been enough. My patience is thin. I've been answering the same questions over and over again for my Dad and trying to keep him from doing something harmful. It's been bad this afternoon. Results from the CAT scan should be in before the end of the day.

Thanks for keeping us in your thoughts and prayers ...

Hugs ...

[ciddyguy.livejournal.com]

Wow, the bitch! She obviously was in her own world and didn't give a rat's a** about anyone else. Geez... Glad all was fine.

Glad to know the latest on your father. TIA's are what my sister experiences and that's apparently what she that temporarily froze her right side.

She goes into the hospital this week for several days of testing to get the latest prognosis on her cancer.

I know how you feel about selling a beloved vehicle but glad it went to a good owner.

Take care of yourself now! :-)

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

She wasn't in another world at all. She waited till I had just about crossed and had my back to her, then she honker horn. It was deliberate. When I turned she had a smirk on her face; what she didn't reckon is that I am in very good shape and fast. I nearly caught her:)

I am happy that my truck went to someone who really needed it. It was a luxury vehicle and I would not have replaced it except for the low gas mileage.

You take care too. Let me know how your sister does.

[ciddyguy.livejournal.com]

Thanks!

I'll let everyone know how she does and what we know, when we know. :-)

[bearfuz.livejournal.com]

See, you have *plenty* to blog about, even without currently being in the "biz"! I hope you never stop.

I trust that on your Bombay Dreams visit you got to at least say hello to Faithie. It was a pleasant surprise to get to see her in SF a couple of weeks ago.

Your parking lot experience made me smile in the end, because I'm sure that bitch will think twice about acting stupidly while driving. I guess you didn't get her license after all, eh? ;-)

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

I had dinner with Faith, Elaine and Bill between shows on Sunday. It was great to see her. The last time we were together was at dinner in LA when she and another conductor friend, Jack Buckhannan were all there with different shows. I may see her again this week if I attend Bombay Dreams and watch from the audience:)

I didn't get her license, but I did manage to scare her ... just like she did me ... I'm pretty nice most of the time, but that kind of incident infuriates me. My mother was right behind me and could have easily been hit.

Say a prayer, light a candle, do whatever you can that will help me get a job! *grin* Sleep with random strangers in SF and write it off as networking for a pal:) *kidding*

[gaugetx.livejournal.com]

Looking forward to the up dates.

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

I'm awaiting results as I write this. Fingers crossed ... Hugs!

off the subject...

[howbearca.livejournal.com]

a local group is doing WONDERFUL TOWN next summer and I don't know the show very well.

can you tell me if there are any good character actor parts in the show that don't require singing? I realize it is a musical but I am not much of a singer.

any ideas you can give me are greatly appreciated

Re: off the subject...

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

There are several character roles for men; however, the only one who does not sing solo or dance is the painter Appopolous ... He's got sort of a fractured greek accent. He sings in the opening and closing numbers, but not by himself. There are two character men who play several roles, but they must sing and dance well. My role, Officer Lonigan, is an Irish tenor with a ballad and step dancing. You should give it a go. Appopolous is over the top and great fun!! Good Luck!

Re: off the subject...

[howbearca.livejournal.com]

wow...thanks for that information...i certainly appreciate it.

[madisonbear.livejournal.com]

Glad to hear your dad is improving! Hope the doctors can nail down the problem quickly and take the necessary action!

*hugs* to both you and your father.

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the kind words .... Dad seems to be fine except for memory. It's a test to be around him. I hope I get a passing grade.

Hugs back ....

ps ... Hope you didn't spend any more time worrying about the alcoholic acquaintance.

[mikeybill.livejournal.com]

What a horrible woman to do that to you!
Hope things are going ok with your Dad. Hugs

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

Thanks for hanging with me. I can use the support and kindness.

Big Hugs ...

hug

[tkn1114.livejournal.com]

best wishes to your dad, papi. It's hard to take care of the folks. It's actually harder than taking care of children. I don't think a lot of people realize that until they actually do it. Children are happy and healthy all the time, it's just a lot of energy. You can always "fascist" your way on them. But the folks are neither children nor *your* children. There's a whole lot of senior-specific factors on top of pain and crankiness and the rest... It's not Disneyland, that's for sure. Hang it there!

Biche, how come you sneak into Houston and don't even call???

Brenham's on the way to Austin, right? If convenient, will drop off some fruits to you (that's what you bring elderly people, you know, hehehe) I'm thinking of doing the Hippie Hollow/Splash thing and all the *TX* must and cliche things one more time before I leave for good. Wanna come? Haven't done any of this in years. Boy, Chip would LOVE Hippie Hollow, would'nt he? wink, wink, LOL!

HUG

Re: hug

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

Your first paragraph contains much wisdom. Thanks ...

The trips into Houston have been quick ... to the theatre or a specific appointment ... then back home to deal with Dad. It's been bizarre. He doesn't remember huge chunks of information. It is taking every ounce of patience I can muster to respond to the same questions over and over again. I've got to be kind. For dad, it's the first time he's asked it. At least in his mind.

I'd love to hear from you if you are coming through Brenham, though I won't be here on and off the remainder of this week. Are you making the trip this weekend? I've never done the Hippie Hollow/Splash thingie ... can't do fun in the sun stuff any more ... (too much damage from my lifeguard days) Plus the whole laying on a raft with people getting drunk around me holds little appeal:) However, I do want to see you. Let me give you a holler when we come up with a course of action in dealing with Dad's challenges.

Big Hugs!

hug again

[tkn1114.livejournal.com]

"I've got to be kind. For Dad, it's the first time he's asked it. At least in his mind" - a wrenchingly beautiful statement that embodies so many things and says so much about you, my dearest Neil. If I love you and I do, I now revere you. Those of us who know what it's like know it's not easy. Hug.

Splash: Sometime in Aug/Sept, I think?... It's the last summer thingie for the mainly Austin/UT & nearby collegie crowd. Lots of eye candy and, yes, you get laid :0) I don't even know if they're still doing it? I'll find out and let you know. You can always appear in a kimono under a fabulous umbrella like an Agatha Christie creation :0) Myself, I kind of like to do it one more time because of all the happy memories and people of a certain period in my life. But it is mindless.

Hippie Hollow: Nudie trippie thingie :0) That's why I think Chip would enjoy it! Damn, be a blast with him there! I'll holler. Hug.