A mixed bag

Good news, bad news. I had my latest doctor appointment yesterday regarding my ankle. It turns out my ankle is showing signs of healing, but it isn't healed yet. In the short term this means no surgery, and it also means I don't have to wear my boot anymore. The long term means I have physical therapy three times a week for the next four weeks, and I am still not allowed to return to work. And, surgery is still not out of the question.

My next appointment is September 27. There we'll find out how the healing is progressing. If there are no further signs of healing after a month of physical therapy, surgery is a sure thing. I am glad it has started to heal, and I am glad to be out of the boot, but I wish we could get past the uncertainty. I want an unrealistic, "Hey, it's all better and you can go back to work!" It has just taken so long to heal. September will be my fourth month out of work and my third without pay. Ramen, anyone?

Almighty Katrina

I am finding myself glued to the TV watching Katrina and her awesome power take aim at the Gulf Coast, and more specifically, New Orleans. What an amazing storm. Despite the fact we're under an excessive heat warning as temps are expected to hit 110 and above tomorrow, I'm glad I live in the arid southwest when storms like this threaten the southeast. It's hot here, but dry, and that's the key. Despite 150+MPH winds, experts say water will be the big story. Especially since New Orleans sits below sea level. As they're reporting, Katrina is a monster.

I also found it interesting the Super Dome in New Orleans is one of the main shelters for those that can't get out of the area. They're expecting as many as 35-thousand people to take refuge there. Unbelievable. And they could be there for days, depending on how much flooding is present after Katrina blows out. Now we know why the call it the "Fishbowl State."

Defiance

Despite having a fractured ankle, I am doing my damnedest to have a good time while trying not to aggravate the injury. For the third time since I've been dealing with this, Beth and I and some friends went dancing last night a local's night club. I can get out on the dance floor and move a little... there is a lot of butt shaking and arm and hand movement to compensate for the little movement my feet make. It's nice to get and still enjoy a little entertainment and time with friends.

As far as the ankle goes, I had an MRI this last Thursday. I'll find out the results of that at my doctor appointment on Tuesday. I am very anxious for that appointment to find out where we stand and where we go from there. We'll see.

Sinking feeling

So I haven't written about my ankle lately, so here's the update. Yesterday I got a new boot! I feel like I went shopping for new shoes. The old boot cracked and had to be replaced. It really wasn't that exciting. My next Dr. apointment is August 30. I should find out then whether or not surgery is in my future. I am really hoping not, but I have a feeling I'll be screwed, literally.

I've been going through all the paperwork required by my employer to ensure this leave from work is all legit. So far, I've used three different leave types, which complicates the whole process. I have been out of sick time since late June (my absence began June 3) and because of some red tape, I can't get the 16 days of vacation that I would normally be allowed to take in an absence like this (retardidly, I'll get it when I come BACK to work). So now I get to pay all my benefits out of pocket. For three months (July, August and September) that totals just under a thousand bucks! Remember that air conditioner repair?

The good news is Beth and I have the resources to weather the storm, though it appears the storm clouds are getting darker. Oh, did I mention the company overpaid me in June? Now I owe them six hundred bucks on top of the grand for benefits. The sad thing is my actual medical benefits are less than $70 a month, but with a medical spending account and supplemental this, that and the other, it all adds up. And you'd think I'd have disability in all that. Nope. Apparently the company terminated its provided disability coverage last year, leaving it up to employees to notice and chose a disability package to add to their benefits. It would have been nice to have noticed. And it would've been nice not to have broken my ankle. Such is life.

Happy Birthday, Jenn!

Wow, two birthadys in a row. Happy Birthday Jenn-i-fire! KITZ!

Happy Birthday Lover!

Happy 28th to my best friend and wife, Bethany!

Swan song

Ha, ha! Dan brought this story to my attention and I liked it too much not to share.

From ABCNews.go.com:
"Each spring when they return to the Public Garden the Mayor leads a grand parade and hundreds of kids arrived dressed as swans and ducks. They even nicknamed one swan duo that each never leaves the other's side 'Romeo and Juliet.'

"Only, it turns out neither swan is Romeo — they are both female.

"'This happy same-sex couple exhibits all the behaviors of two heterosexual swans that have mated for life,' said Dr. Frank Beall, general curator Zoo New England, where the swans live in the fall and winter."

To read the full story, go here.

Peter Jennings 1938-2005

I would be remiss if I did not mention ABC News anchor Peter Jennings and his passing. Mr. Jennings had a huge influence on me as a young child with an early fascination of the news. ABC was the station my parents always watched, and I often found myself watching the evening news, anchored by Peter Jennings. I would later persue journalism in eighth grade, and again in high school in grades 10, 11 and 12. I would eventually become the editor of my high school newspaper, and even started working for a TV station at the age of 17. I even pursued journalism in college.

Although my attention to journalism has given way to commerical piloting, it is because of people like Peter Jennings and my middle school english teacher that I took such a liking to journalism, and still, to this day, share the same passion for news as I ever have.

Peter Jennings was an idol to me, a man who performed eloquently under pressure and was an encyclopedia of knowledge. He had the ability to take that knowledge and break it down into digestable pieces, often times small enough for me, as a child, to understand.

I just finished watching the ABC News special dedicated to Mr. Jennings' professional career. It was a fantastic look back at some of the amazing things he has done. And what's even more impressive is that he reported the news so well, everytime. The ending of tonight's special was particularly poignant, with a lone trumpeter playing the signature ABC World News Tonight theme. In the background, Mr. Jennings' empty chair at the anchor desk sat brilliantly lit, with a picture of Peter in the background.

Happy anniversary to me!

Today, at this minute, is my fourth anniversary blogging. It surprises me that I've stuck with it this long, however; I really do enjoy writing and this is an easy and fun way to write out my thoughts. How cool... four years!

On Wal-Mart, hurricanes and Pop Tarts

You wouldn't think there'd be any special connection between Wal-Mart, hurricanes and Pop Tarts, but low and behold, there is. I watched, for the second time last night, a documentary about Wal-Mart on CNBC. It's an excellent show if you ever get the chance to watch it.

So what's the connection? It turns out Pop Tarts, in particular strawberry, are in extreme demand when there is a pending storm. Wal-Mart actively watches weather around the country. When a storm looms on the horizon, Wal-Mart ramps up it's orders for strawberry Pop Tarts and dispatches the toasty tarts to affected areas.

You may find that interesting, or not, but the show itself is an unbiased look at the country's largest retailer. For me, the show reaffirmed why I won't shop there, but for the retail giant's supporters, it reaffirms why they shop there all the time.

Even more cute niece pix!

There's the cutie! If you'd like to see more pics, which you haven't seen before, click here.

Idiot Lending Solutions

Not that mass mail advertisements or their creators have ever been all that smart, I received a new mailer that seems a little more stupid than others. "Our records at [not-so-] innovative lending indicate you obtained a mortgage from lender A." Yeah, I did, some three and a half years ago. Lender A sold the mortgage to lender B before we even made our first payment. And, we've since refinanced with lender C. [Not-so-] innovative lending is a little behind the ball. They're offering me a refinance on a mortgage I haven't had in over three years. I take comfort in knowing they waisted at least 50 cents in mailing me this 'exciting offer.'

More baby pics

Little Sophia is celebrating her second day in this world, as you can guess, in the arms of mom and dad. I just spoke with Brian and baby is doing very well, same with mom. In fact, Sophia was sleeping in Brian's arms as we spoke on the phone. How cute.

Grandma, of course, is loving her first grandbaby! Mom and dad returned home yesterday, but will be headed back to Sacramento this weekend to spend more time with their granddaughter. The whole thing is amazing, but it doesn't make me any more ready to have one of my own!

For more pics, go here and here.

Introducing Sophia Rene Hickey

Wait no more! Little Sophia was born at 12:01am on August 3, 2005 at UC Davis Medical Center in Sacramento, CA. Baby, mom, dad and grandparents are all doing well. Baby weighed in at 7lbs 11oz and has strawberry blonde hair. For more information, check out Brian's "It's A Girl" website. Beth and I are so excited for Brian and Rene, and the grandparents, too! Beth and I will be heading up to northern Nevada later this month and can't wait to head over the mountains to meet our new niece!

Baby watch continues

Brian and Rene have not had their baby yet, but, the little one will be arriving soon. She's ten days late, but that's ok, she takes after her father. It is expected that sometime overnight tonight little Sophia will make her grand entrance. Rene has been in the hospital since last night. I spoke with my mom, who is there in Sacramento, and my brother earlier this evening and things are going well. Rene is doing well and anxious to meet her daughter. For more information, check out Brian's baby website.

In other news... our air conditioner is working, albeit temporarily. It turns out the second problem was a faulty circuit board in the forced air unit. A new board has been ordered and should be installed Thursday or Friday. For now, the blower runs constantly, but that's ok because it keeps the house cool. Fortunately, the AC unit itself only runs when needed, it's just the blower that goes 24/7.

Taken for a ride

There is a friend of a friend, who is a licensed heating and air conditioning repair man, here at my house fixing the second problem with our air conditioning. I showed him the invoice from the "other guy" who performed the "other repair" and low and behold, I was taken for a ride. And I kind of had a feeling I was being taken for a ride.

Two of the repair costs added up, but the third, and largest, did not. It turns out, the fan motor that was replaced should have cost me somewhere around $300. I paid $675! There's another HOLY SHIT! I had a feeling, but when your house is over 90 degrees inside, you don't exactly have the luxury of calling around and waiting for technicians to come out and give you an estimate. Also keep in mind it costs between $50 and $100 just for the service call to come out and tell you what's wrong.

Not working and having numerous other problems to face at the moment, this is so not cool.

On the other hand, I just heard the broken thing being fixed now running again! Yeah, perhaps I can put this behind me, learn a few things, and move on.

I've already learned one thing: there is such a thing as home appliance warranty companies. One of them, Old Republic Home Protection, warranties most house hold appliances for $295/yr. All you pay is a $45 service fee when someone comes to your house. All repair costs and labor are covered by the protection plan. Having shoveled out a grand, and needing to shovel out another $500 in the next few days, I think the plan is more than worth it and I will sign up ASAP. Shit, that $1500 would have covered five years of service. I've only lived in this NEW home 3.5 years. Ugh!

Will it ever end?

Did someone send me some shitty forward promising bad luck if I didn't forward it to 50 people? Because that's what it feels like. On top of having a fractured ankle (1) and most likely being out of work for another two months (2), and the air conditioner breaking down and costing 980 bucks to fix (3), more shit continues to happen.

Last night the "Check engine soon" light came on in Beth's car (4). Keep in mind it's only three years old, but no longer under warranty. In addition, we have no air conditioning once again (5). But, it's a different problem this time. Before, the problem was in the condenser, this time, the blower isn't working, which is in an entirely different device. So again, no air, I'm sweating to death, and it will likely take a day or two, and more money, to get it repaired. AND, the main dial on our washing machine broke tonight (6). That is not such a big deal, I found a way to make it work in the short term until I buy a new dial, but OH MY GOD! I've had it!

Numerous problems, most very costly and in a short period of time. I am not going to ask what else can go I wrong. I know the answer is EVERYTHING. I just hope I've had my share of shit for a while. Fuck!