I have a PhD in Horrible-ness

stupid back

sarabrusselsprouts@gmail.com — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 23:17:16 GMT

My back has been screwed up since the Saturday after Thanksgiving. I went to take a shower that morning, and putting my arms over my head to take off a shirt was excruciating. I could barely lay down (or sit back up after laying down). I went to see lto anyways, since going to the city in pain was more tolerable than sitting around the in-laws house in pain. Especially since mother-in-law has issues that I wouldn't exactly appreciate people trying to make a comparison between our issues.

Pain kept going, just gradually getting a little more tolerable day by day. Got vicodin on Monday from Urgent Care so that I could at least have some amount of time without pain, since it was going to take a week to get in with my back doc. Learned that they try to avoid giving people like me the good shit, since I'd be classified as having "chronic pain" and so they try and delay the narcotic pain meds as long as possible to avoid or delay addiction.

Saw back doc today. She just gave me anti-inflammitories, muscle relaxants, and an order for PT. I asked her if there would be any use in taking the rods out, since I seem to keep getting issues in the same spot. She said that taking out that hook could be an option, but she didn't really know. And that I'd likely be best to go back to TC Spine Center. The hook thing seems a little brutal itself since they apparently cut the rod.

So, I'm going back to see Lonstein next week. Amazing that I got in that quickly. But nice since I hit my deductible for this year already, so I'll only have to pay 20% of the allowed (whatever the insurance thinks should be paid for the procedure). My insurance after hitting the massive deductable is pretty sweet... I paid about $0.87 for my vicodin.

Just hope work isn't bitchy about me taking half days two Tuesdays in a row for doctor appointments. I could have gone back today, but just took a half day so I could relax after since I have the vacation days. Had no clue I'd be able to see Lonstein so quickly.

ggguuuugghhhh

sarabrusselsprouts@gmail.com — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 08:13:09 GMT

Kill me now.

Ugh.

sarabrusselsprouts@gmail.com — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 18:54:28 GMT

I cry when I pee.

Hrmph.

sarabrusselsprouts@gmail.com — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 04:53:33 GMT

Well, I guess the delay with the promotion stuff is that they want to promote 7 people, instead of the previously planned 5.
So, that's a decent reason by my book.
Hopefully we'll find out soon though.

Bleargh.

sarabrusselsprouts@gmail.com — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 04:10:22 GMT

Should know about the promotion any day now.
Actually, should have known already, but apparently there was some delay having to do with upper management.
Tired of waiting. NOW NOW NOW!

Woohoo!

sarabrusselsprouts@gmail.com — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 06:11:38 GMT

Second interview scheduled for Friday.
Now I just have to figure out wardrobe.

Yay!

sarabrusselsprouts@gmail.com — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 05:11:14 GMT

I had my first interview for that promotion yesterday.
It went really well. For the first interview you are with people who already have that job. In my group, they pretended to be people asking you questions, and you have to prioritize and answer them correctly. One of the mentors in the room was my old mentor, and she let me know that I did really well, and that I was the best one from their room (there were two other groups).

So, I should be getting a second interview. Which means I need to find some cute interview clothes.

Oh yeah....

sarabrusselsprouts@gmail.com — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 06:27:34 GMT

And Chris, Mr. "I can adjust my mirrors so there's no blind spot" backed into a pole with his Prius. So now BOTH of our Priuses need new bumpers.

In cool news, my aunt Ruth got a 2010 Prius! They did the cash for clunkers thing though, and had to take what was on the lot, so it doesn't have the sunroof or other special features, just fairly basic features (backup camera, keyless entry).

So now, in MN/WI family, we have an 07, 08, 09, and 2010 Prius. One of us! One of us!

whew

sarabrusselsprouts@gmail.com — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 05:37:54 GMT

My application for the promotion did not get lost this time.

I have an interview on Monday. I have to interview with my old mentor and my old cubemate, which should make things interesting and strange.

Randomness

sarabrusselsprouts@gmail.com — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 08:07:22 GMT

Got a migraine today before work. That was fun, since I had to stare at a computer under flourescent lights for the rest of the night. Tried going outside on break, which was good until we walked to the sunny side of the building (at which point my coworkers decided we should go inside so I stop cowering into any possible shade)

Going for another promotion (same position as last time). This time they assure me the application won't get lost.

Helped decorate two coworker's cubes in retaliation for them decorating a different coworkers car. One got a Twilight themed cube, and the other a combo of Sylvia Plath poetry on pink and purple paper with My Little Pony stickers, power cords, and random girly things (male coworker). Endless amusement for me, and the twilight cube apparently amused her bosses to no end since they know how she hates the movie.

Had a lightning strike so close to our house last weekend that it turned on a Rock Band guitar in our house. Not entirely sure our house wasn't hit.

There's a bug on our TV (the wall). Grrr.

tickets

sarabrusselsprouts@gmail.com — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 05:03:51 GMT

So, I had said earlier that I had purchased Kevin Smith tickets for Mpls. Apparently Chris has something going on that day. So we are going to go to the Chicago show instead.

Therefore.... anyone want 2 Kevin Smith tickets for the Minneapolis show? They're center aisle seats.

Evil.

sarabrusselsprouts@gmail.com — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 22:31:09 GMT

Chris is at Comic-Con right now.
Butthead.

Scoliosis fun

sarabrusselsprouts@gmail.com — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 04:33:25 GMT

I got a survey today from Twin Cities Spine Center (the docs who did my surgery). Just for a study on patients that had over 50 degree curves before skeletal maturity.

Being that they always have implied that any pain is just "muscular" and that everything would be fine after healing from the surgery, I am quite amused by the first question:

Pain tolerance:
a. I can tolerate the pain I have without having to use pain killers
b. The pain is bad but I manage without taking pain killers
c. Pain killers give complete relief from pain
d. Pain killers give moderate relief from pain.
e. Pain killers give very little relief from pain
f. Pain killers have no effect on the pain and I do not use them.

Notice there is not even an option for no pain.
And none fit too well for me, since I mostly just tolerate it, but if I try using pain killers when it gets bad, they give little-moderate pain relief. I only take them for the beneficial effects of anti-inflammatories and muscle relaxants on the overall problem. The TENS is what actually works best for me.

Most of the survey just assumes you have problems. They have a person diagram where I get to mark where I have pain. That should be fun.

KalamaZOO!

sarabrusselsprouts@gmail.com — Sun, 19 Jul 2009 19:52:35 GMT

I'm stuck in an airport with 2 gates,and nothing of value past security. There's 3 vending machines and 1 tv... that's it.
Our flight from Kalamazoo has been delayed by an hour. Joy. And Chris decided we should go through security about half an hour early (because he wouldn't pay attention to me when I was questioning it). Double joy.

Just saw a kid with a wheeled penguin backpack. I should kick him and steal it. Unfortunately I can't make a quick getaway, thanks to NWA.

Wedding last night was fun. Very sweet. "Most relaxed wedding I've ever been to" is what Bobbie kept repeating. I think she was probably weirded out since it wasn't all yuppified. And the bride was about 4 mo. pregnant. It was actually kinda funny because they wanted a unity candle but couldn't have open flame where they were (Western Michigan University), but they made some crack that the "flame of their love had already lit" while the groom put his hands below the bride's belly accentuating the bump, and announced the pregnancy. They had a slideshow and so everyone got to see a geeky pictures of 16 yr old Chris, along with a picture of me, Chris, Sarah and Courtney (the bride) that I had never seen, and one from our wedding since she was one of the groomswomen.

Oh yeah, and they totallly stole our groomswomen scheme. Except in this case it was the best "man", but did similar dresses to ours and had the best "man" in the same dress except in black (but similar cut with being tea length and v necked with wide enough straps for a bra).

The augmentations of the bride's dress were pretty ingenius, since it was intended to be kinda a sheath dress. They put in a corset back, and then did a under-bra thing since she needed a bit more support up top (was originally off-the-shoulder straps).

I never noticed before that TSA agents have blue gloves.... two by two hands of blue. Creepy.

fuuuuuuuuck

sarabrusselsprouts@gmail.com — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 05:08:49 GMT

Just found out that the in-laws are attending the wedding we're going to this weekend.
I swear I had asked Chris and he implied he didn't think they'd go.
And I was looking forward to a nice, relaxing long weekend in Kalamazoo, MI.

heheheh

sarabrusselsprouts@gmail.com — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 07:12:42 GMT

Someone at work sent me this comic. I think I giggled for 3 minutes straight. Then again, I was so bored I made a tree out of binder clips yesterday, which I was debating about adding paperclip leaves to today.

decisions, decisions

sarabrusselsprouts@gmail.com — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 04:02:06 GMT

I'm in need of a new corset/bodice for Ren Fest. My old one no longer fits since I am now sized like a normal human.
I found one I like but I am not sure what to get for fabric. The dress I have still fits fine, and that is a deep purple with black accents, so maybe black, but then there's choices such as velveteen, brocade, canvas, etc. I really like the two-tone brocades, but none of them will go with the purple skirt and top that I already have.

Any ideas?
Or Miss Mafdet, any other suggestions on where to get garb before Fest?

sarabrusselsprouts@gmail.com — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 23:44:25 GMT

It looks like the only problem with my cell phone was the battery. Replaced that and now it has ceased it's annoying habit of randomly turning off anytime I try to do anything (and sometimes when I'm not doing anything).

The depoyment at work that I was supposed to help with got cancelled, so I have 3.5 days off! Woohoo!

I've been bored at work, so I started sketching illuminated letters yesterday. I'll post a scan of the finished one if I can figure out how to use that dang contraption.

misc

sarabrusselsprouts@gmail.com — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 07:48:37 GMT

For Pam/Chad

Everything hates me

sarabrusselsprouts@gmail.com — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 05:17:12 GMT

I'm having issues with inanimate objects (and traffic) lately.

My phone likes to randomly turn off, and I had a laptop and a monitor just randomly stop working on me in the past few months.
Chris is down in Chicago this weekend and took the projector (tv), so I brought up a monitor to use as a tv since it's easier than moving around an old school tv... and that started smoking then stopped working. And I can't get the PS3 to work with the TV so I can play Rock Band...
(side note: got Rock Band for birthday from parents this weekend! Woohoo).

I've had shitty driving luck this week. Saturday I hit stop-and-go traffic on 35E and 694 (making me 20 min late for dress rehearsal). On 35E they were installing one of those electronic signs that tell you about upcoming traffic and crap, and had it down to one lane just north of 94. Then there had been an accident on 694 which had everything all slow and stopping even though it was cleared out. Sunday I went on 169 to a family thing and hit stop-and-go on some construction.

Today... just to top it off.... the road literally self destructed on my way to work, shortly before I got there (thankfully, since it seemed to have hurt tires on at least two cars), which closed the freeway I take to work. Chippewa Fucking Falls, and I end up in traffic.

Oh but back to the side note on birthday gifts... my parents, who rule, got me Rock Band, some shirts, a bike carrier for my car (I got a bike but there is a lack of trails that are accessible from here by bike), a bike pump, some shirts, season 1 of Muppet Show, and Pythonopoly... the Monty Python version of Monopoly (not licensed though, but probably more amusing this way).

sarabrusselsprouts@gmail.com — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 05:08:24 GMT

HAPPY BIRTHDAY LAURA !!

In not so great news... looks like I'll probably not make it down to Chicago this week. I have to work Sunday, and don't really want to take too much time off of work again since I have taken off 6 days in the last 3 weeks. But maybe I'll try and come down sometime later at a time where I can just visit people and not deal with paintball. I'll be down likely sometime in October for a wedding if I don't make it down before then.

Concert done

sarabrusselsprouts@gmail.com — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 06:30:58 GMT

Concert went well.

First of all, our soloist was Katherine Jacobson-Fleisher. Her husband Leon Fleisher is quite the famous musician. I figured that he wouldn't deem us worthy to attend the performace. But he was at the dress rehearsal and concert. No pressure, just a guy who has gotten the Kennedy Center Honors. Actually pzam it would have been interested if you had been there and had spoken to him since he faced physical issues with his piano playing as well (although he was lucky enough to have one working hand).

Now, to make this all the more amazing, Beth attended a small party where Katherine and Leon were there. Apparently Katherine went up to Halstenson, gave him a card thanking us for the performance and GAVE BACK THE CHECK for her performace fee. So... this woman who can play with professional orchestras, gave our measly little community orchestra a performance for FREE. We did perform a piece by her nephew, but it was a cool piece, and we would have likely done it regardless since her nephew is close with Hals.

And I'm amused because the 1st chair Bassoon was at the party, and introduced Beth to someone as "the sister of the English Horn player that should have been recognized" (I had large exposed parts, but none technically marked solo and not recognized as a soloist). I'm amused that it bothers her more than it bothers me. I didn't expect any soloists to be recognized being it was a concerto, and I don't have the ego that needs validation like some people.

Concert

sarabrusselsprouts@gmail.com — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 19:32:56 GMT

I'm really amazed that Katherine Jacobson-Fleisher has us listed on her schedule on her website... Sacramento Symphony, little ol' nso, then Austin Symphony Orchestra.

Come see our concert Saturday! It's at 7:30pm at Andover High School.
We're doing two dances from Rodeo (incl. Hoedown), Overture from Candide, Suite from To the Moon (new piece), and the Gershwin Piano Concerto in F, which is amazing!

New Computer!!

sarabrusselsprouts@gmail.com — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 06:15:32 GMT

Chris got me a new laptop for my birthday, since my old one died around April, and I’ve been using a pretty weak one of Chris’ since then. Yay!

It’s purple!

And it even has XP instead of Vista. And really good resolution.

music

sarabrusselsprouts@gmail.com — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 07:25:48 GMT

So, Sunday was our first NSO rehearsal. I got a text message from Beth on Saturday saying that Hals wants me to bring my English Horn. I had gotten my music, and there were EH cues, but no part.

After the aforementioned lack of sleep, I got to NSO, and didn't see any parts, so couldn't practice quick. I brought it up before we started the concerto, and apparently he put the music on the 2nd bassoon chair.

We're playing the Gershwin Piano Concerto... Gershwin likes icky keys. I had to sight read in 5 sharps. And funky rhythms too.

Our soloist is Kathleen Jacobson-Fleisher... wife of Leon Fleisher the famous pianist... and professor of piano ensamble at Peabody. And she'll be at our rehearsal tomorrow.

I'm a bit nervous since she is the most famous/acclaimed soloist that we've played with so far (other than maybe a bass player from Mn Orch), and I have vary exposed EH parts.

Unfortunately I can only practice for so long on EH before my thumb/wrist starts hurting really bad. So right now I have an ice pack attached to my wrist by a giant rubber band. I collected a bunch of ice packs that they gave me when I got my allergy shots, so they are coming in handy... perfect size.