The Manic Mechanic

A quick update and some words. First off, and most importantly, Jeff and I went to his doc this afternoon for the results of the biopsy performed on his thyroid a a couple weeks ago. The growths are benign. This was a huge parting of dark clouds for us. Still needing to be addressed is the cause of and the symptoms (tiredness and lethargy primarily) from these growths. This will take place in the near future. Thankfully there is no push for surgery and treatments the worst of the news would have brought upon him. So, I can't yell "YAY!" loud enough or from too high of a mountaintop as an expression of relief and joy.

Now I can get on with my own health issues. These have gotten me quite bummed, but I will work it out.

And here's the part when I stand humbled, with hat in hand. In my post from a while back I lamented my dissatisfaction and disappointment in regards to "social media" and its varied and uncertain value to me at times. Well, in the posts since, I was (once again) reminded of the value of the phenomenon. While I still feel that it often exacerbates the disconnect I feel between friends because of the inevitable distances involved, there is no denying the connections offered. There are real people, with true concerns and even love at the other end of the posts, comments and messages. Yeah, I get frustrated that people I know I'd have an awesome time being around are hundreds or thousands (or even just a few) of miles away. So, I will try harder to measure the real folks with real words coming from the glow of my screen against the occasional disappointment I feel because they are not in the same room. I will also endeavor to rectify the latter as much as possible with more travel, trips and invitations. I might have been rather quiet here as far as followup replies to comments and such, but rest assured your words have a definite effect. And I loves yas all for it.

So, it's with a bit of extra sunshine that the plans we've been making for travel and fun despite what has been unfolding for the past few months. We've got tix to see Elton John this weekend, Cirque du Soleil's Totem in a couple months, four trips to Hillside and an extended trip to PTown. And we'll do more I'm sure. And I hope to make real more of the virtual connections I have.

I humbly thank each and every one who have left words of concern and encouragement. You've done more for me than you know. And, well, more than *I* know at times.

Peace.

Reviewing my last series of entries, I come across as practically a basket case. This really is not the case, though I do have some issues, of course. Suffice it to say, I was a bundle of nerves at the thought of losing out on a chance to have a break, potential issues at work, and the weekend of the break was shadowed by my memories. Kinda like a perfect storm of emotions. Add to that a crashed PC and the potential for a great deal of lost work and data and me on the business end of a LJ posting interface, and, well, you have my last post.

All is not lost, however. This week I resolved some problems at work, Jeff got his dealings at work a bit more nailed down, and I am putting in some long term changes. PTown looks better and better, as we anxiously await our first true vacation of the year. I have changed to a 9-80 work schedule that will give me every other Friday off. This will allow me to catch up on stuff around the house as well as help to accommodate long weekends for things such as camping trips. This will also help to save some gas money as well. Just tonight filling up the truck, the MINI and a five gallon diesel fuel container cost me 165 dollars. Anything to put a dent in these increasingly major costs is welcome, and needed. So each step I take in these directions will lend themselves to my peace of mind. Something I sorely need. Issues like the busted PCs can wait, and I will tend to them after our big getaway.

I have to also thank everyone for their concern and advice. It's not being ignored or dismissed. Just knowing there are folks out there willing to take a moment of their time and offer good advice helps in itself. I've been taking some time away from LJ as well to tend to things, and also just plain collapse after coming home from work and recuperate. Lots of good things planned for the near and not-so-near future have both of us happily looking forward to some fun stuff and finished projects.

I see the light a the end of the tunnel, and I am pretty sure it's not an oncoming train anymore.