Feels like a nice day for an ice bath. If I look close enough, I could probably see steam rising from the surface of my skin. It’s so overbearingly hot that I could probably fry a couple of eggs out on the balcony floor. Unsanitary, yes—but definitely possible.
I read the temperature in my apartment today and it’s so scorching hot in here that the needle has completely revolved around the thermostat, passing the ninety degree mark and is now pointing downward. I suppose that’s one way of telling me that it’s hotter than hell in here! (I should pen that in.) But, I suppose I could probably make the same judgment based on the sweat that is streaming down my back.
Pressing on… I never thought that these final days would ever come, and thus the countdown has commenced. I am beyond elated with the fact that I have only two more days of work until my vacation officially begins. Robbie, Vivien and I will be taking a camping trip up to Richardson Grove, a great area full of monolithic California Redwoods just a little south of Garberville on the southernmost border of Humboldt County. I’ll be sure to take a lot of pictures and post them. Until then, I have made myself a nice garlic-infused shrimp and spinach salad with curry to close out my day. There is nothing like eating dinner in your underwear and staring out into the stunning panorama of the evening sky horizon!
Saturday started off like a normal day: the alarm went off and I woke up to two hungry cats staring at me and meowing in loud bursts, begging for breakfast. After feeding them, I went on about my day: I took a shower, got dressed and went to work. Normally, Atrus is out and about—a rambunctious little kitty, full of life and energy, but yesterday afternoon Robbie and I came home to a sick, lethargic kitty. Atrus was anti-social, had no desire to eat, unable to move and crying out in pain. Cats are commonly quite resilient and we thought that perhaps he just had a little tummy ache and that the sickness would pass in a matter of twenty-four hours. Unfortunately, we were wrong.
Early this morning, we found Atrus hunched over under the table, still very ill and in obvious distress. Robbie and I decided to take him over to the Emergency Animal Hospital in hopes to get him nursed back to health. During our visit we find out that his little bladder was enlarged and hardened due to a urinary obstruction. The surgical procedure was estimated at $2000 dollars, and with a few adjustments to the treatment the most we could get them to lower the price was to $1500 (paid at the time of visit.) And even still, that was a cost that we both could not afford. It was almost shocking to hear and even more so to see it on a piece of paper that she had presented to us. Both of our hearts sunk, and an empty, hollow feeling consumed every inch of us. The doctor offered two final options: euthanasia or surrendering Atrus to the hospital (still paying the fees associated to euthanasia,) in which then they would proceed with the surgical procedure and then adopt Atrus into a new home. With no other alternative, we opted for the latter of the two. Still succumb to a deepening sadness, the overwhelming feeling that we have lost a little bit of our soul is only slightly softened by knowing that he is still alive and will be cared for in another home. He was a ball of pure energy, loving and a joy to have been part of our family. We will both miss him and forever keep him in our hearts. We love you, Atrus! Get well soon.
I am not particularly looking forward in going to work early tomorrow morning, but I am sure I will be able to endure. Besides, another day off begins as soon as the clock strikes three o’clock. My intention tonight was to write, write, and write, but unfortunately I had been distracted by the musings of many strangers from other worlds. My day has now come to an untimely end. The glare from my screen, after staring at it for so long, is somewhat blinding, and the comfort of my soft feather pillows await me. Alarm is set. One more cigarette. Oh, and have I forgotten to mention it? Plan A: Quit Smoking—foiled! Deviating to Plan B: Smoke! Smoke! Smoke! Now my secret has been revealed. Maybe next time. Good night and dream sweet!
First time Olympic competitor, Janos Baranyai of Hungary, experiences a tragic turn of events when he tries to lift 148kg (approximately 325lbs) during an overhead press. No longer able to support the weight of the barbell at the point of reaching the squat position, his right forearm bends backwards and dislocates at the elbow. Unfortunately, it will be about three to four months before he can continue lifting weights and resume his weightlifting career. The following is a short clip of the catastrophic incident.
**WARNING: GRAPHIC IMAGES AND VIDEO BELOW!**
"I'm all in favor of
keeping dangerous
weapons out of the
hands of fools.
Let's start with
typewriters."
-Frank Lloyd Wright
