Crisis Level: Low, Caffeine Level: High

ednesday, May 21, 2008

Crisis Level: Low. Caffeine Level: High. Current mood:  blessed To break the monotony of a series of dramatic and depressing posts that sadly reflect the status of my life at the moment, and fuled with the power of a thousand (or just two) espressos, I submit the following for your perusal: A post about not-sad stuff. My dad’s doing pretty well right now.  When last I posted, it was 4am and I was trapped in a hotel room in another state, waiting for a flight home.  Dad wasn’t expected to survive until I got off the plane.  For reasons unknown to anyone but maybe God – someone my dad refuses to acknowledge – he survived.  The doctors are still flat out amazed.  They’d come by his room for days afterword and say, “Oh, you’re Mr. PUSHKIN’s daughter.  We can’t believe how well he’s doing.”  And he is.  Doing well.  I’ve taken over his food and medications and he’s a lot more clear headed and with it now.  He is also extremely excited about the imminent arrival of what I’m lovingly calling the SuperChair, a recliner that will rival the advanced technology of the Space Shuttle.  It lifts, it’s automatic, it has pockets and a heated back and seat.  You don’t even have to stand up on your own.  Oh, and it has a remote control.  Apparently, if you’re nearly in your seventies, it’s the shit.  Flat out.  Mom is not excited about the fact that a blue chenille behemoth will be soon sitting in her Frank Lloyd Wright inspired earth-tone living room.  Well, it would be a FLW, earth-tone inspired living room if someone moved the crap and vacuumed some cat hair, but hey! So things are good.  We’re at a pretty calm point.  I’m too scared to leave town again, but that’s ok.  I’m trying to take back little bits of my life, too.  I’m one day away from finishing my awesome apartment.  It’s literally one bookcase-installation away from perfect.  I might even have a party with real people invited over to celebrate.  Don’t hold your breath, though.  I’m still pretty antisocial and cautious when it comes to letting people in my home.  The kitties appreciate it, though. I’ve gotten to go shopping, rock climbing and anticipate girlie-dressing up-martini-drinking madness for the SATC premiere next Thursday.  I’ve been able to practice my marksmanship and am starting a dance class next month.  I’ve even darkened the door of my gym.  I know.  Crazy. I don’t know when the next crash is going to be.  Sadly, given the state of things, it’s certain there will be a next one, but I’ve tried to do what I can to forestall such a horrible thing from happening for as long as possible.  I want to thank everyone who called to check up on us and offered good wishes and prayers and love and support.  My entire family was blown away by the outpouring of support.  I remember sitting at Panera Bread with mom a few days later when we were on bedside break and both of us were listening to message after message and reading text after text of people checking in.  We were both in tears that people could care so much.  The words, “You’re in our prayers” became so real and powerful.  I am a really shitty friend sometimes and I never have time for those closest to me – the situation as it stands just provides me with a long-needed legitimate excuse.  I don’t deserve all the awesome people who are out there and looking in on me.  I love you all.