Throwback Thursday April 28th 2016 - Because Ken

This is my friend Kenichi Hillis.  We went to college together. 

He had open-heart surgery today, so I'm thinking a lot about our friendship and the time we spent together. 

 



We majored in theatre and both suffered for it. However, we had a lot of amazing times and some hilarious memories to show for it.

 

He's got more charm, charisma, and creative energy than most people I know. And that's saying a lot.

 

I regret many decisions I made in my youth and during my college years, but being friends with Ken was never one of them.

 

Hang in there, Ken.  I love you, and I love your family.  You are forever the brother I never had.

 

 

 Update: Ken made it through and is recovering with his family!

Walking on the Elkhorn Slough

I used to go to Cross-fit twice a week, but circumstances surrounding my son's therapy schedule has made it difficult to attend.  To compensate for my lack of exercise, I've been using my breaks to walk a loop around the Elkhorn Slough. 

It's pretty picturesque.

Don't You Wish You Worked With My Sister?

So, I know some of you read my earlier post about my sister. 

http://creepycompound.blogspot.com/2016/03/trader-joes-anecdote-or-buffalo-wings.html

Awesome, right?  Well, my Dad texted me further proof of her awesomeness.  My sister, a faithful employee of Trader Joe's in Costa Mesa, leaves her artwork around for her coworkers to enjoy:

This inspires me to think of tax-related haikus to entertain my coworkers. On second thought, that might not go over very well.  While I'm thinking about that, look at this:

 

It's a little hard to read, so I'll translate: "We're ever so grateful for all that you do, and for coffee that helps us all do it!  So let's clean up behind any coffee we grind, every splash when we drink, or we brew it!" I do enjoy a clever limerick, but by the evidence of the coffee puddle, it might not be as effective as one might hope.

Sad Anniversary

On April 1st 1999 my mom died.  Her kidneys hadn't been working for a few years, but she was getting along okay on dialysis. However, something went septic in the catheter, and the resulting infection took her down within a week. 

The day I found out she died was probably one of the worst days of my life. I could say it was "the worst," but I've had some zingers, so I'm going to put it firmly in the top three.  It also happened on April 1st, thereby making April Fool's Day the most awkward day of the year for me.  Every freaking year.

Even though she's been gone for seventeen years (that's the age of a surly teenager on the verge of adulthood), I miss her constantly. Especially these days, now that my own son is a special needs toddler, and my Mother In Law is unstable, should be on medication, and is causing me all kinds of problems.  Yeah, I've got challenges and I need my mom to talk to.  I need her yesterday. 

Anyway, I miss you mom.