Scatterbrained
This post may wander a bit, which is appropriate, because my intention is to talk about how my mind currently wanders a bit.
The way things are going, though, I may wind up talking about something else entirely. I guess we’ll find out after I get to the end of this post.
Wow. I’ve started wandering already.
Sorry About That, Joyce
At work today, a coworker — the HR person in my company — walked by and said hi to me.
"Hi, Lynne," I replied.
She disappeared into her office, after which the person I was talking with said, "Uh, that was Joyce."
It’s not weird that I called someone by the wrong name. I am pretty sure I call my twins by the wrong name more often than by their correct names. What’s weird is that I didn’t realize I had called her the wrong name until someone pointed it out.
Dimness like this is pretty common for me right now. Earlier that morning I was giving a presentation to the sales team in my company and came across the acronym "SOA." It’s possibly the most common acronym used at my company, but I could not remember what it stood for.
"I’ve blanked on what SOA stands for," I admitted.
"Service-Oriented Architecture!" the sales team yelled, in unison (and probably with some concern that the product manager for the company didn’t know).
Deer in Headlights
I’m kind of limping along with this blog, too. I mean, I tried to be kinda funny about the Velveeta thing last week, but after I finished it I could see that it wasn’t right — it skirted and glanced off of the joke, without actually being funny.
And I’ve had to breathe into a paper bag a few times when I’ve considered what I’ve done by committing to building and maintaining a set of four teams for the LiveStrong Challenge, along with drumming up all the support to make them successful. It’s the right thing to do, but my energy isn’t up to my intentions.
So of course I posted a request for help, and now I’ve got more than 350 unread email messages, from people volunteering to help me out. I’ve opened my email program five or six times with the intention to start working through the list. Then I shut it down, telling myself I’ll get to it later.
No, I’m not bailing out. Just acknowledging that today I feel weak. It’s weird to be in a state of being so overwhelmed you can’t even process offers of assistance.
The thing is, try as I might to fake it, I am seriously overextended, mental energy-wise. I have used up everything I have trying to take care of Susan and the kids, with a little left over for my job.
I know, some of you will encourage me to set aside the blog and take care of the essentials. And that’s good advice.
But I’m not going to take it.
See, writing helps me clarify what’s spinning around in my head. Plus, I feel like it’s worthwhile to describe this whole experience, as honestly as I can. And right now, that means writing — and I get the irony here — about not having the energy to write. About trying to focus my thoughts well enough to describe how I’m currently unable to focus.
Seriously, I have no idea of whether I’ve succeeded or not.
Comment by InPin | 11.17.2008 | 12:09 pm
It seems to me that you (more than) succeed every day. And you amaze me and it seems, many others. Hang in there.
Comment by Erik | 11.17.2008 | 12:12 pm
Hang in there. We’ll be here whether your write or not right now. Do whatever you need to do.
Comment by Kathleen | 11.17.2008 | 12:14 pm
You articulate everything – even your confusion – beautifully.
Do what you can and what you want to.
Know that we’re here for you and don’t give a thought to those 350 emails. I’m sure every single one says “respond if you need my help-otherwise don’t worry.”
Comment by Mocougfan | 11.17.2008 | 12:18 pm
Elden,
Seems to me you have a good “core team” around you. With biking buddies, other friends, and family. Let them do what they can. Delegate.
Man that sounds real serious. Sorry. Focus on your family.
We love ya brother. Wish we could help more.
Chad
Comment by Nein | 11.17.2008 | 12:24 pm
DELEGATE – Get three people you can trust. Make them Fatty VPs, and forward each of them 100 emails. They can wade through the praise, cheers, etc to get to the emails of content.
Comment by Ethan | 11.17.2008 | 12:27 pm
Maybe it would make you feel better if you posted the eggs/velveeta recipe up here for all of us to enjoy…
Comment by bikemike | 11.17.2008 | 12:28 pm
Elden, you are still the man. Your worst day of writing on this blog is still way better than my best day of writing on my blog(o.k., i don’t have a blog but if i did, it would be). see what i mean.
Fat Cyclist is still the standard by which others must judge themselves.
Comment by ann | 11.17.2008 | 12:28 pm
It’s still a picture of ‘winning’ to me. Praying for you all, for the specifics that matter.
Comment by Little1 | 11.17.2008 | 12:29 pm
random rambling is very important, at least yours makes sense… mine just makes people wonder when they are coming to take me away!
Comment by Dan O | 11.17.2008 | 12:30 pm
You, more than others, realize that you’ll do whatever it takes for you to win this for Susan. Win this for her. Write here if it helps, we’ll be here.
life is good
Comment by Minx | 11.17.2008 | 12:34 pm
Does it help to know you’re not alone in feeling like this? Going through a similar situation I was exactly the same and couldn’t work out why I didn’t even have the mental energy for the things that I usually sought refuge in. Having come though it, I now realise the important thing is to be kind to yourself and accept that there are days when you will feel overwhelmed – and that it’s really really OK to be that way.
Hugs from across the pond.
Comment by Barb | 11.17.2008 | 12:39 pm
Hang in there. What about putting one of your stressors on the back burner? That is what family leave is for. Believe it or not, they can probably manage at work without you for a while.
Comment by getinlost | 11.17.2008 | 12:49 pm
The mere fact that you’re not a drooling mess with a twitch is astounding to me. I in your place fear I would not do so well.
WIN SUSAN!
Comment by Maria | 11.17.2008 | 12:59 pm
If it means anything at all, I think it’s become that time of year when everyone gets a little rattled, but you’re certainly juggling much more than most. I’m sure Joyce, and everyone remotely familiar with your situation, understands minor slip ups. You’re main priority is Susan and your family and you’re doing a fantastic job managing that! Everything else can be delegated out.
Comment by Dorothy | 11.17.2008 | 1:00 pm
I’m with Barb on this one. Family Medical Leave… utilize that benefit, you’ll be very glad you did. You can probably take up to 12 weeks off with pay.
Put the Livestrong teams off until after the first of the year… there is plenty of time, and everyone is concerned, saving, busy, etc with the upcoming holiday season. In January everyone is looking for a new start, new goals, resolutions, and all that. We’ll be here, ready to work, ready to go, ready to win.
Write for clarity…write for focus…write for you.
Take care of yourself.
Praying for you and your family!
Comment by leroy | 11.17.2008 | 1:02 pm
Stress and lack of sleep will make anyone lose words, forget faces and basically scatter their thoughts.
I’m still learning stuff reading whatever you write. For example, I thought Service-Oriented Architecture referred to a McDonald’s drive-through.
Write if you want, don’t when you can’t. None of us are going anywhere.
And Nein’s idea about delegating email responses and organization to three trusted deputies makes a lot of sense.
Best wishes to you and your family.
Win Susan!
Comment by BotchedExperiment | 11.17.2008 | 1:02 pm
Arbitrarily designate 2-3 voluteers to process the offers to voluteer, then forward 350 emails to them and ask them to figure out what to do.
Comment by Chris | 11.17.2008 | 1:15 pm
You’ve succeeded. You’re doing great. Just divide and conquer… and rest.
I’m sure Joyce and the sales team understand and are simply glad to see you there and in one piece.
Still praying for Susan, you, and the kids…
The Ross’
Comment by Bitter (formerly known as Lissee) | 11.17.2008 | 1:16 pm
Oh Fatty!! I feel for you!
Don’t worry. Let things happen as they will and when they will. If you feel like writing, write. When you feel like answering emails (non-work of course), answer.
We’ll still be here whenever you check in, and we totally understand.
Love ya,
M
Comment by Paula Kirsch | 11.17.2008 | 1:23 pm
I wish I were there to give you a hand, I’ll bet most of us do.
Paula
ps hey “scatterbrained” is pretty much SOP around here LOL
Comment by WheelDancer | 11.17.2008 | 1:27 pm
Writing in my blog is the best therapy I have done and it’s free. When I don’t feel like it, I don’t make any posts and it’s all good. Lots of folks out here pulling for you and Susan and we lap up whatever fatty drops you choose to share and patiently wait for the next serving.
Take care of yourself, take care of Susan, take care of the twins; we support you but can take care of ourselves and will help take care of you when you reach out.
Peace.
Comment by Annie | 11.17.2008 | 1:30 pm
I get it. You have clarity even when you feel you don’t.
Comment by cheapie | 11.17.2008 | 1:31 pm
dude…just throw us a bone now and then and take care of the family. have some of your rather amusing friends write guest pieces (i know i can never get enough of dug’s bathroom stories), find a good someone to run all the livestrong stuff, and just pop in occasionally to make us laugh. or cry.
Comment by Jodi | 11.17.2008 | 1:36 pm
While I was at your house, I read all your email and each one said the same thing –
forward this to Jodi, she’ll organize it, and then send the information you need to see back to you.
Weird, huh?
Comment by Woody | 11.17.2008 | 1:43 pm
You have succeeded. BTW – Jodi’s offer sounds awesome!
Comment by Steph Bachman | 11.17.2008 | 1:44 pm
Don’t worry about the scatterbrain. Nobody that reads this blog is here to criticize and if someone does, just post the message so everyone else can flame them.
You have more than enough on your plate to warrant a little fuzziness. A good night or two of sleep might help you a lot, though, if that is do-able right now.
Comment by MikeonhisBike | 11.17.2008 | 1:49 pm
Even on your worst day of blogging it far exceeds my best day. I’m with everyone else. You should delegate out for now. Hang in there, you’ll get a tailwind soon.
Mike
http://www.mikeonhisbike.blogspot.com
Comment by Jenni | 11.17.2008 | 2:01 pm
Your plight is very familiar to me. I took care of my husband through cancer treatment. He wasn’t at the stage that Susan is, but I felt the need to take on everything, which completely wore me down physically and mentally. Working out did for me what blogging does for you – and though there were mornings when an extra hour of sleep may have made more sense than an hour long run, I chose the run. I get it – at least as much as I can, since I wasn’t and am not in quite the same circumstances. Sometimes it’s just about putting one foot in front of the other, getting through the next hour (or even less), and the next task.
My prayers are with you and your family.
Comment by Rob L | 11.17.2008 | 2:04 pm
Dude Eldin.
Conversion to the Velveta darkside is always funny. It’s like watching I dunno some sort of america’s stupist home video’s or something. It’s like wiley e coyote vs gravity.
Velveta + spicy rotel tomato stuff is awesome. Evil but awesome.
Comment by Richard | 11.17.2008 | 2:29 pm
Elden: I echo the suggestions above; praticularly the deligation aspect. You need 3 – 4 people to help go through e-mails and help organize the 4 rides. I get the impression that you like to do everything yourself, but it also seems that you have hit the wall…
Just let us all know what you want us to do…….
Comment by Heather | 11.17.2008 | 2:30 pm
Just a gentle reminder that if you overlook caring for yourself, at some point you won’t have anything left to give to anyone. I agree with everyone above, its time to let your village, both local and internet-based, step in and lend a hand. I’m willing to help in whatever capacity you need! (I’m close-ish to the Austin event)
Comment by Jamie | 11.17.2008 | 2:35 pm
Don’t worry about slipping up with names or acronyms or whatever at the moment. No one is going to be worried about that. I think we’re all in awe of you for dealing with it all.
If I were in your shoes, with all the things you have on your plate, i’d have curled up in to the fetal position and be mumbling to myself long ago. You’re a far stronger man than I.
Keep fighting the good fight.
Comment by Lizzylou | 11.17.2008 | 2:40 pm
If you’re mental energy is used up… remember the new wireless Dura-Ace designed specifically to prevent mental fatigue!
And as my father always says, “I’ve never met a hill I couldn’t walk up.” So maybe instead of attacking the e-mails in your inbox, you just need to climb off and walk slowly. (We all do it occasionally even if we hate to admit it).
Comment by aussie kev | 11.17.2008 | 2:47 pm
Clarify away.
k
Comment by Carolyn Online | 11.17.2008 | 2:57 pm
Just keep breathing. In and out. And writing when it helps. And riding when you need to. And then breathe some more.
Comment by Boz | 11.17.2008 | 3:41 pm
I fully get where you’re at. I’m in a similar spot having lost my job in an industry that’s on the skids. I find myself up one minute, down the next, wondering what is going to happen to my family. It wouldn’t be so bad if it was just me, but when a wife and kids are involved, it’s hard to keep a stiff upper lip. I admire the way you’re handling your situation and I take some solace knowing you’ve got a much tougher row to hoe and have maintained better than could be expected.
Win Susan!!
Comment by carey | 11.17.2008 | 3:42 pm
I don’t know many people that could do as well as you!
Just know they’re a lot of people out here praying and sending you, and your family positive thoughts.
Comment by Eric (aka LowPhat (aka RiderX)) | 11.17.2008 | 3:58 pm
1) Don’t feel bad – you’re under a lot of stress, and that makes your brain work less banana, and you start to forget important umbrella stands.
2) The word you’re looking for is “humorish”. Something that has the appearance of humor, without actually being funny.
I have a tag for it on my blog.
http://blogs.msdn.com/ericgu/archive/tags/Humorish/default.aspx
Comment by patty | 11.17.2008 | 4:06 pm
Fatty, you are doing a totally awesome job and i selfishly look forward to your blog because you express your feelings so well and you make me laugh…and cry…and i understand your feelings of overwhelmed-ness and being in a fog and feeling weak and vulnerable…take care of yourself as well as you have been taking care of susan and your lovely family. Hang in, there…we are all rooting for you!
win susan!
Comment by regina | 11.17.2008 | 4:48 pm
you are doing great, no need to worry about us, we are with you. You can always tell us you feel overwhelmed and we will just be with you waiting patiently for when you are not. you are doing great.
win susan!
Comment by William | 11.17.2008 | 4:55 pm
I know (to a small extent) how you feel; when I get stressed, I lose the ability to understand what people are saying to me. My wife kinda gets it, but it’s really embarrassing when it happens around my coworkers. Some days it’s like listening to the martians from Mars Attacks! or the adults on The Peanuts. I just try to fake my way through the day.
Comment by anji | 11.17.2008 | 6:01 pm
Stress of any kind, really taxes the brain… be sure to take care of yourself among all that is going on.
Now, didn’t you say you had some really great friends? I bet that you have some who’d be willing to take on the livestrong stuff for you. If they offer, let them. If someone offers to help you with the emails? Let them.
And for writing? Write! Do what you need to do to take care of yourself and your family…
Comment by Aaron | 11.17.2008 | 6:11 pm
Comment by Lizzylou
“If you’re mental energy is used up… remember the new wireless Dura-Ace designed specifically to prevent mental fatigue!”
Yep, a perfect excuse to buy the new wireless Dura-Ace. Not that you really NEED an excuse….
Hang in there man.
Comment by Pink | 11.17.2008 | 6:39 pm
You are a great guy and your world is rooting for Susan. No one cares what you call them. They are just rooting for you and your family.
Don’t forget prayer. It will help your head. You are a wonderful husband, father and employee.
Comment by Insert Name Here | 11.17.2008 | 6:48 pm
DELEGATE Indeed. I second, third, fifteenth the motion!
Signed,
Insert Name Here
Comment by Jaime O. | 11.17.2008 | 7:28 pm
After my own recent journey into the land of “dear god I don’t even have the energy to help myself or to even communicate what kind of help I need,” I understand that feeling of total overwhelmedness. (is too a word). The only thing I can say is, We love you Fatty. We’d love to help any way to need us to.
Comment by Shelia | 11.17.2008 | 8:16 pm
Hi, I stumbled across your blog somehow a week or so ago. I complete understand how you are feeling,,I took care of my 46 year old Mom while she was very sick. I chose to write in a journal. It helped and it still helps me. While I pray that your wife will get better, I lost my mom. I go back and reread things that I wrote while she was sick. I was moving in such a state of daze/shock that I couldn’t remember things that happened to me during that time. I wish and your family all of the best,,do what you have/need to do. I am praying for you all.
Comment by Di | 11.17.2008 | 8:49 pm
Fatty -
I know what you mean. It’s funny that you wrote this, because I’ve addressed my recent breakdown in my blog. No, I don’t have a spouse with cancer. I don’t even have a spouse. I do, however, have my own life with its own set of worries and obstacles. I, too, like to take on a lot. I do have step back, though, and take a hard look at and make myself regroup.
My blog isn’t just about my cycling, but about how I make time for it, or don’t. It’s a great way to organize my life so I can look at it and make decisions about how to handle things. My friends use it to support me. It is also a little place where I can entertain my friends and share my art. Your blog seems to be the same for you.
It’s ok to let things slide, especially when it’s time to regroup. I think you’re at that point.
Comment by Jennifer | 11.17.2008 | 9:05 pm
Everything you feel and everything you do is ok.
(see, everyone is nodding in agreement with me)
Now, delegate. Delegate the whole she-bang to Jodi, and she will take care of all the sub-delegations. We, your legions of adoring fans, will dang near fall over ourselves to do her evil bidding! (grin!)
Comment by Mark | 11.17.2008 | 9:29 pm
To me it sounds like you’re doing incredibly well under the circumstances. You’re still human and it’s OK to not be 100%, especially with all you’re going through. You’re still doing an amazing job and it sounds like you’re doing just great for everyone.
I know it sounds trite but worrying about feeling overwhelmed never helps, just trust us that you’re doing a decent job of things and don’t push yourself too hard. If you keep taking things one step at a time and keep letting people be there for you where they can then you’ll be OK.
Blog entries are good be they laser-sharp, rambling or frequent or infrequent!
Comment by bikesgonewild | 11.17.2008 | 9:51 pm
…it’s a consensus…everyone thinks you make perfect sense but you…we’re the objective critics of what you write, so ergo, one less thing to worry about…now you can cross that off yer list…
…see…you oughta be feelin’ better already…
…do what yer heart & head leads you to…
…WIN, susan…
Comment by ChefJT | 11.17.2008 | 9:57 pm
Hi Fatty:
there are 50 comments here already, all with great advice, but you’re the only one who knows what you need to do. I will say that, based on what I’ve read, your a true hero to your family. Your situation seems more severe than mine was with my wife and I admire your courage. Don’t be afraid to take a little time for yourself.
My 2 cents worth is simply this. Go kiss your wife and tell her you love her. It always made me feel better.
Chef JT
“Wrinkles only go where the smiles have been” (Jimmy Buffett)
Comment by cja | 11.17.2008 | 10:09 pm
elden
the strength and toughness you have shwon us is balenced by the love and compassion for your family thay you share with us on a dailly basis. You have an entire country wishing 1 wish…WIN SUSAN! not bad for not making much sense. Don’t ya think?
Comment by cja | 11.17.2008 | 10:10 pm
elden
the strength and toughness you have shown us is balenced by the love and compassion for your family thay you share with us on a daily basis. You have an entire country wishing 1 wish…WIN SUSAN! not bad for not making much sense. Don’t ya think?
Comment by Lisa | 11.17.2008 | 11:41 pm
I know what you’re feeling, and I’m nowhere near juggling the kind of load you’re juggling right now. If I can nod in agreement at some of your statements above and only have grad school as the biggest of my worries, know that you are doing an incredible job managing all you’re managing as well as you are. I know that’s small comfort, but know that I have limitless respect for your ability to keep pushing through. Yes, you’ve succeeded in many ways, and there will be many people that will help you succeed in more, because you have inspired them.
Comment by Co | 11.17.2008 | 11:41 pm
I second Botched. Answer 3 volunteer emails and assign them the task of reading and coordinating the rest.
Comment by Jeff | 11.18.2008 | 1:21 am
Chin(s) up, Fatty! You’ll get through this mental haze. Also, how about delegating some of the Livestrong Challenge workload to individual team captains?
Comment by mary | 11.18.2008 | 5:10 am
OMG I can’t believe NO ONE has suggested what we all know to be the cure…GO FOR A BIKE RIDE!!!!!
And, if you take to commuting by bike, for goodness sake remember to dry your clothes out between the ride in and home, use your bike as a drying rack! (I remembered your post from last year about getting into damp gear for the ride home)
Comment by pammap | 11.18.2008 | 5:25 am
I agree with everyone else: BE KIND to yourself and DELEGATE. You are a good man in a very difficult situation.
By the way, FMLA (Family Medical Leave) is unpaid leave: “a total of 12 workweeks of unpaid leave during any 12-month period.” Joyce, in HR, can give you all the details and the necessary paperwork.
Comment by Andrea | 11.18.2008 | 5:44 am
Listen to your sister. I think she’s offering to help you. I’ll bet she doesn’t mind and it beats slogging through 350 e-mails. As one of those 350, trust me, I will not take it personally if you don’t respond. Do what you can and don’t worry about the rest. Write if you feel like it and leave it to your loyal readers to figure out what it means. So far, we haven’t had a problem.
Comment by lady clay | 11.18.2008 | 6:43 am
Hey Fatty,
Thanks for continuing to post if and when you feel up to it. There are so many families struggling to support a sick parent or child, and your blog helps all of us understand what friends, family, coworkers may be going through – which helps us be more helpful to them, if you see what I’m saying. Even when you don’t post, it helps us understand how busy and overwhelmed families can get.
Comment by Mike Roadie | 11.18.2008 | 7:08 am
Actually, very well said……….
somehow, I feel a little responsible for the confusion. It was my idea to create the LSC teams. But, I am one of the 350 offering to help–gimme the teams………
Comment by alice | 11.18.2008 | 8:01 am
So if you call your co-workers wrong names like you do your family….does that mean work has become family? You are doing incredibly with all there is to juggle…..You seem to be keeping all the balls in the air. Almost dropping them looks like part of the juggling act. Hugs to the troups.
Comment by Ron | 11.18.2008 | 9:04 am
We’ve never met, can’t say we’re friends… but I’d give you a big hug if I could.
I’ve gone through “tough times” in my life, but know it pales in comparison to what you’re going through. But the fact that you’ve held up for this long is awesome.
I can only imagine that your co-workers are aware of your family situation. I can only hope that they are as sympathetic to your plight as all your loyal readers. So the occasional faux pas can certainly be overlooked.
I say that, only to say… don’t try to hold yourself to a standard of perfection, that’s not possible even in the best of times, much less the darkest time in your life.
I wish you peace, love, and strength.
God Bless
WIN SUSAN
Comment by gewilli | 11.18.2008 | 9:11 am
100% succeeded… writing keeps you (and others) sane…
keep writing…
and go for a damn bike ride eh? just around the freaking block if ya have to…
it will help that mental head of yours as much as writing… and you need the help, those two things YOU need… need… as in don’t do without…
It is remarkable that you are making through as much of it as you can… time to find an intern to help you with your email ;)
Comment by kiki | 11.18.2008 | 9:17 am
Elden, for what it’s worth, I thought the Velveeta post was quite humorous. But then again I’m from Iowa.
Comment by ChefJT | 11.18.2008 | 9:33 am
Yeah, Mary’s got it…..Get out and ride, man. Not a commute, not a training ride. No HRM or power meter, just ride your damn bike. That’s the ticket.
Comment by buckythedonkey | 11.18.2008 | 10:16 am
You’re message was loud and clear: it is plain to see that you are in need of a bike ride. I wonder if anybody thinks you don’t deserve it. :-D
You are, as many have said, in dire need of assistance. Can I help? I’ve just moved from a job where I used to get hundreds of emails a day to one where I get maybe two dozen. I don’t miss it, but I’m pretty damned good at it. It might even be my superpower.
Does the core team contain a ringmaster? If so, I’d be willing to bet that us non-core types have between us the skills needed to make this gigantic, glorious project fly. It’ll give us something to do and it’ll give you more time with your family.
Go on, mate. Go for that ride, have a think about it and…
…WIN!!
Comment by Bonzai Buckaroo | 11.18.2008 | 10:49 am
DITTO
Comment by Mtbnomore | 11.18.2008 | 10:56 am
First off, don’t worry about being funny for the sake of entertaining us. I believe I speak for the majority of the readers here in saying that the fact that you would want to share your personal trials with, and confide in, complete strangers is admirable in its own right.
Secondly, why not pass some of the blog duties off to some other people? Maybe have some guest blogs written? You know, if you’re concerned about that sort of thing.
Hang in there, you’re doing great.
Comment by Sara | 11.18.2008 | 11:38 am
Whatever works for you, do it, we’ll be here no matter what, don’t worry about it!
WIN SUSAN!
Comment by Clydesteve | 11.18.2008 | 11:43 am
Sheesh, the comments section of this wasteland sounds like a Hallmark card! What is this? the “Pioneer Woman Decides To Sucker Her Readers Into Getting Really Sappy” blog?
Oh, never mind. I was never that good at Al Malviva style sarcastic humor anyway.
Just send the emails to Jodi to sort out, and assign Mike Roadie to organize the teams. Then go for a stinkin’ bike ride with a huge gut-buster of a hill or two. I would be happy to be the Seattle LSC Team Lieutenant or Team Scribe or Team Spreadsheet Keeper Tracker, or whatever it is called. Unless Bob is going to do it.
Comment by Clydesteve | 11.18.2008 | 11:44 am
oops. that needed a right about at the end of the 2nd “, i believe.
Comment by Moabmedic | 11.18.2008 | 11:45 am
I thought your Velveeta post was flippin hilarious.
Comment by mburdge | 11.18.2008 | 12:02 pm
ramble your way through it. Your wife is very sick, and you have lots of other things going on. YOu are not supposed to have a coherent reponse to what is going on right now. When I worked as a chaplain I got to develop a bit of a feel for these sorts of things. The alternatives (raging at your friends and family, drinking, telling everyone it is ‘all part of Gods plan,’ wallowing, blaming the doctors for ‘not doing more,’) don’t help–keeping the connections with friends and family, talking about it, admitting you feel helpless and weak–in short, drafting your core team is the only way to get home.
take care and WIN SUSAN
mburdge
Comment by Andrea | 11.18.2008 | 12:10 pm
Fatty-
I’ve been reading your blog for some time. I have laughed, cried, and prayed for you and your family. Our lives are very different. The last time I rode a bike I was twelve and got hit by a car. Your writing though is the most honest I’ve ever read. I think you touch more people than you know.
Comment by Kt | 11.18.2008 | 12:57 pm
Hm, I must have a warped sense of humor, because I thought the velveeta post was funny. :)
But hey, I’m easily amused. Write what you need to, it IS good therapy and, as someone else pointed out here, free! And I’m all about free stuff these days.
Also, +1 on Nein’s and Botched’s idea about delegating. Set up your @fatty email address to automatically forward to Jodi, who can sort and further delegate if needed, or send back to you for proper handling.
Keep your chin up, remember to breath, and WIN SUSAN!
Comment by Monty | 11.18.2008 | 2:27 pm
You’re doing fine man, just keep doing whatever works for you and the rest will take care of itself.
Comment by Meredith | 11.18.2008 | 8:48 pm
My blog does the same for me…clarity in times of crazy. I wish you strength through this journey.
Comment by Jaime O. | 11.24.2008 | 7:26 pm
Fatty’s guests: funny, witty, as crazy as Fatty.
To Fatty: I miss you, man. Nobody replaces you. Just sayin’.