Sunday, January 10, 2010

Happyfuckinnewyear! (Yeah, whatever...). A Mini-rant.

One week into a spankin' new year and decade, and already the gods are plotting to thwart my grandiose plans. I've pleaded with the Universe to please cut me a break. Last year was bad enough; wouldn't you think I could get at least one week's worth of something good, or even static, rather than more doom and gloom?

Let's begin with my eye, shall we? It has been over a year since I had any major surgery. Knock on wood, the detached retina remains a-attached (medical lingo for "it still sticks.") Yet, a few days before Christmas (when miracles should happen, but apprently that only happens in soap operas and romance novels), something small and peculiar appears. An object floats inside my sightless orb. At first I thought that maybe it was a sign, the Christmas miracle. "Oh, ignore it," I said to myself because who wants to go to the doctor during the holidays? Not me. Surely this strange visual UFO will disappear. Today the sun appeared (a post-Christmas miracle), and I decided to take a drive. Dark sunglasses could not mask the new floater in the eye, which is annoying since I have several floaters in my good eye. I know I'll have to make an appointment to see the retina doctor, which is fine because he's easy on the eye both figuratively and literally, but still...

And then my monster chihuahua, Lola, began walking like a drunk. She lists from side to side and drags her back feet. Monday we took her to the vet for x-rays, which revealed no injury. Possibly she has a pinched nerve, somewhat of a doggie sciatica. The vet sent her home with doggie anti-inflammatories. Five days later, no change, which means she most likely has something neurological going on, and that will entail (pardon the pun) a trip to Cornell Veterinary Hospital for an MRI. Yet, last February my other dog, Daisy, went to Cornell Vet Hospital for an MRI. Her outcome wasn't so good and we lost her last July due to several ruptured discs. Daisy, my dearly departed best friend, was almost fourteen. Lola, my dearly living best friend, is only three. Yes, youth is on her side, but still...

Lastly, some good news. The honors class that I was unable to enroll in because it filled up quickly, opened up an additional section. I was sort of on the fence about the Spring semester thinking that maybe I should skip it, but this class (on memoirs) sang to me ever since hearing about it last Spring. See where I'm going with this? The road ahead as of January 1, 2010 looked clear for take-off. One week later and there's a potential for aborted plans.

Eye doctor equals possible eye surgery. Dog doctor equals possible doggie surgery, enormous vet bill and possible doggie re-hab.

Adios to my grandiose plans. I even planned on squeezing in the beginning of my shiny new idea. Don't know about the rest of the world, but when there's anxiety in my realm I cannot, just CAN NOT concentrate on writing.

Oh woe is me. The lofty feeling of euphoria was fun while it lasted. Hello, Universe, if you're listening, enough already. There must be a terrorist somewhere in the world hiding explosives in his underwear that you can pick on instead of me.

But, I have friends with exciting things happening. One has a new baby girl; another received a request from an agent (or editor) for a full manuscript; this friend progressed to the finals of a writing contest, its possible outcome a shot at publication.

I live vicariously through my friends' good fortunes. It keeps my heart light and hopeful. Isn't that partly the reason for friends? Makes a good argument at least.

How's your New Year shaping up? Hopefully, better than mine.

8 comments:

Edie Ramer said...

Hugs on your eye and your sweet dog. I'm sending healing vibes to both of you. If you don't make it into the honors class, that will give you more time to write. So that will be the good side. :)

Kath Calarco said...

I hope the vibes arrive soon, Edie. The more you suggest "more time to write," the better I feel. :)

Robin said...

Okay, listen up, Universe. The happy, healthy, positive vibes I'm sending to Kath (Savvy) Calarco shall obliterate any other vibes circulating in her air space and shall remain there until long after she's beaten whatever needs to be beaten and carved out the time and space she desires for herself!!!!!

(I really hope that works.) ;)

Kath Calarco said...

Binks, I really hope it works, too. If not, it's a really cool spell at least, lol.

Marcia Colette said...

Aw, hon. Fingers crossed that things will work themselves out and in a good way for both you and Lola.

I say don't let it defeat you. Tell the universe to go suck in a corndog because you've got more important things to do. Usually, that works for me...or at least that makes me feel better. Just keep in mind that you can't control the universe, but you can control your reaction to it.

*hugs*

Kath Calarco said...

Marcia! Looks like your return to work has freed up some time for blog visiting. ;-)

You know, I need to write an new blog edition because this week things are looking better. The dog is slowly recovering and didn't need an MRI or surgery (yet), and I enrolled in a Writers U class on character motivation. Plus, the SNI (shiny new idea) is percolating, so it's all good (for now).

Hope your return to the workforce is all that you expected, even though it sucks to be away from Little Bit.

Marcia Colette said...

LOL! What else is there to do at work? ;-)

I saw that class and character motivation and thought about taking it myself just as a brush up, but changed my mind. Since you're taking it, I might have to rethink that. After all, it's more fun whispering in the back of the class about who said what and were they smoking crack that day.

Kath Calarco said...

Marcia, sounds like a plan!