Disbelief

I think I might be sick.

I came home tonight to a message from my Dad, sounding urgent. When I called him back, he told me my former boss was in trouble for embezzling money. I said, "No way... wrong guy," and looked it up for myself online.

It's true. My former boss and dear friend, a man whose honor I will defend to the death, was suspended yesterday for what is being termed "unauthorized bonuses" he paid to himself and several employees.

Here's what's really going on. There is a small but very vocal faction of people who are on a witchhunt and have been for several years. Their dishonesty and backstabbing led to the resignations of two key people -- one of them being me -- and now they are discrediting a man who has served that community with distinction for more than 20 years. Even when he's cleared of wrongdoing -- not if, when -- his reputation will forever be in question. His children will have to face whispers and gossip at school. His judgment will be called into question no matter what he does, even when it's the right call.

It's a witchhunt. Pure and simple.

I just don't understand why people are mean. What is missing in their lives that they feel the need to bring someone else down? Rodney King was mocked all those years ago, but he was right. Why CAN'T we all get along? Sometimes we disagree and see things differently, but why does that make it OK to ruin someone's life with false allegations and accusations?

If my former boss needs me, I will drop everything to be there for him. I will proudly stand next to him. He is my friend. He is a good person.

He doesn't deserve this.

Go me!

So Monday morning I posted this week's fitness tip about calories in vs. calories out.

A few days later (Wednesday?), some big study was published and carried in all the major news outlets reporting the same exact thing.

Do I know my stuff or WHAT?? I rule! :)

Funniest running bet ever

I saw a friend of IronHubby's at the Y the other night. He was limping a bit, so I asked if he was OK and chatted for a minute. Even though he was in obvious pain, he said he had to keep running because he was on a plan. I must have looked confused, because he asked, "You didn't hear about the bet???" I hadn't, so he explained.

His wife Carol is a pretty good runner. She's consistently a little bit faster than me (probably comparable to Maria). OK, better than pretty good. :) Anyway, Joe bet her in November that he could beat her in a 5K in June. Since November, he's been working his butt off, literally. He's lost 20 pounds and has gone from a 29 minute 5K to 24:30 so far (all on a treadmill... more on that later). Meanwhile, Carol's typical 5K time is in the 22-23 minute range.

Here's the funny part.

If JOE wins the bet, Carol has to get implants. (!!!!!!!!)
If CAROL wins, Joe has to get a part-time job and donate every penny he makes to charity.

Go Carol, go!!!!

When I told IronHubby about the bet, of course he cracked up (don't get any ideas, buddy!). He said, "But Joe's time is on a treadmill! That isn't comparable to outside. Did you explain to him?" I replied, "I'm not telling him nothing! I want her to win!!!"

Let's start our own bet. I am willing to bet $20 that IronHubby calls Joe to offer his coaching services for free. :)

NYC, here I come!

This weekend will be good for my soul. I'm going to NYC to see my favoritest favorite fitness presenter (and my favoritest favorite gay man), Calvin Wiley. Calvin is launching his new fitness program -- which is of course called Calvinography -- and I'm going to the launch party Saturday night. On Sunday I'm going to two classes at Reebok, THE nicest gym in the city according to my friend Jason who teaches at several gyms. (Kyra Sedgwick and Kevin Bacon have been in his Spinning classes at Reebok, among other celebs.)

Yay! Fun, fitness, shopping, and NEW YORK, my favorite city in the world. Can't stinking wait!

I'm going to need a lot more Advil

Yesterday, in what can only be termed a freak accident, a friend's daughter elbowed me square in the nose. Direct hit.

I was sitting on the steps when it happened, writing a check for the Girl Scout cookies they were dropping off. She saw one of the cats on the stairs behind me and tried to squeeze past me to pet her. As she went by, somehow her elbow struck out to the side, hitting me right where it would hurt the most.

The tears were instant and uncontrollable. I sat there weeping for at least 5-6 minutes. I felt badly for reacting so emotionally, but the pain was beyond belief. I iced and iced and iced, but this morning I'm very swollen... so much so that I cancelled my boot camp class because I wasn't sure running was a great idea.

So it's back to the doctor I go (hopefully). And back to the drug store to stock up on Advil, since I took my last three at 5:30 this morning.

:(

Dude!

My boy Mikey had a 5-point game last night -- 2 goals and 3 assists. TOTAL stud!














Let's go, Flyers!!!

Another thing I was recently reminded of...

I love gay men.

I adore them. I love how they flatter you and don't expect anything in return. I love their passion for life. I love their sense of style and personal appearance. I love that they can give me fashion advice.

Yes, I am a Fag Hag. And I'm damn proud of it.

Things I learned (or re-learned) this weekend

1. If you are going to wear a super skimpy outfit to a party, you'd better be prepared to fend off unwanted advances and groping from lecherous men.

2. Men's boxer briefs are really quite comfortable.

3. Standing in 4" heels for six hours, however, is not.

4. Paranoia about sun exposure can ruin an otherwise lovely run on a beautiful winter day.

5. The people who come to my Monday morning class totally rock.

6. Allergies are The Suck.

7. Even when you haven't heard from someone in a long time, you are still on their mind.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Pictures I love

Sunset in Waikiki























The view through our window in Santorini


















Monterey, CA

















Artsy pose outside a vineyard in Napa Valley. Check out Mom, looking sassy!

So many people to thank

This is most likely my last day at home. I'll work part of the day tomorrow and return to a regular work schedule on Wednesday.

Since I'm home being reflective, I want to thank several people for really stepping up the past week.

- IronHubby, for taking most of Tuesday off and waking up at an ungodly early hour to take me to the hospital

- Mom, for rushing over after work Tuesday to sit with me, taking off from work Wednesday, and visiting twice more over the week with homemade soup and stew, soft foods (pudding! jello!), and her upbeat spirit

- My brother, for calling every. single. day, several times a day, to check on me

- Larry, Heather, Maria, Lori, and Lora for sending a beautiful and healthy edible bouquet of fruit

- Andrea, for making a quiche and stopping by for a nice visit

- Laura, for offering to bring me a black & white milkshake (I should have taken her up on it!)

- Karen, for showing up with soup and Girl Scout cookies

- Jackie, for washing my hair twice for me since I still cannot get my face wet

- Dad, for offering to come over and make my favorite Greek soup for me

And many thanks to everyone else who called, texted, emailed, commented here, and facebooked me over the past week. It's so true that you find out who your real friends are in a time of crisis or need. Your friendship means the world to me!!

A long, strange trip

This recovery has been weird. I don't know what I expected, but it wasn't this.

Tuesday:
Very out of it, as already reported. In and out of sleep most of the day. In pain.

Wednesday:
Almost no pain, but the swelling and bruising started.

Thursday:
More pain (????), darker bruising, lots more swelling.

Today:
Less pain again, but I'm dizzy. The bruising is turning yellow, and the swelling is pretty much the same as yesterday. I feel the need to lie down again soon; every time I stand up, I nearly pass out.

With the bruising and swelling, I am a picture of loveliness. :)

UPDATE
Saturday:
Less bruising, less swelling. On the road to recovery!

I'm OK!

Hello hello.

I survived the surgery. Yesterday I was VERY out of it, groggy, drugged, sleepy, etc. The pain was pretty intense, especially when the meds were wearing off but it wasn't yet time to take more.

Today, though, I feel pretty OK. Not too much pain, but the swelling and bruising have begun. Unfortunately, the swelling is causing some discomfort at the top (bridge) of my nose where the break and re-break occured, but it's tolerable.

So far, so good I guess. I'll know more Monday when the splint comes off. Eek!

One more sleep

Tomorrow's the big day. Finally! After a five week delay involving two rescheduled dates, my surgery will finally take place tomorrow.

What's funny is that I'm not as terrified as I was five weeks ago. I'm more... anxious. That's not the right word, but it's as close as I can get to describing how I feel. I've been so overwhelmed with family drama and work commitments that I haven't really had time to focus on myself, including my surgery. Life has been so hectic that I'm actually looking forward to the surgery, simply because it means I HAVE TO relax and do nothing for about a week.

I know my logic is flawed, but then again so I am. :)

So, tomorrow's the big day when a perfectly nice man will break my face on purpose, with my permission.

One more sleep.