Grandmother Over Cherry Blossoms

This year the National Cherry Blossoms will be in full bloom starting today until Tuesday. For the past two years I've made a point to check them out, but sadly I'll be unalbe to see them this year because I can't afford to get out of work Monday or Tuesday. Although I could have seen them today, I decided not to see them becasue today was my father's birthday and in addition to that my family and I wanted to visit with my only surviving grandparent (my dad's mother) because much like the cherry blossoms her time on earth is short lived.

Late last year my Grandmother had a heart attack and was in pretty bad shape, but she has made a pretty good recovery, but again at 80 plus years old you never really know. Well, I guess you never really know for anyone, but in her case with her age/health the chances seem more likely. Anyway, with that being the case I felt kinda guilty for not spending enough time with my grandmother and maybe I should make a better effort to talk to her/visit with her.

I'll admit going to her house is very restful and it's wonderful time caspule of family history. For example, I really enjoyed looking at all the photo albums. In the photos I can see she has lived a very full life. She and my Grandfather have been to so many places such as Italy, Jamaica, Bermuda, and the Florida Keys. Also, there were some beautiful pics from when they were first married and went camping in West Virginia and day trips to different parts of Maryland (much like my friends and I). In additon to the places they've been, it's interesting to see what my grandparents, Parents, Uncles, Aunts etc.....looked like when they were my age. I never imagined I'd see pics of my grandmother in her early to mid 20's posing in her swimsuit. In her day my grandmother looked awfully similar to Betty Page (VERY Beautiful). My father also looked kinda cool. He was a total greaser type and he looked rather handsome.

In addition to all the photos, there were all sorts of interesting artifacts at my grandmother's house. For example, she's kept all the little dolls and trinkets I gave her as a child for various holidays/birhtdays and some of them are proudly featured in her display cases. Also, my father's and his siblings rooms are pretty much the same and look very much the same since the 1960's era.

Going to my grandmother's isn't just about all the stuff/memories she has there, but it's also nice to hear her talk and she's definitley has some stories to tell, but sadly not always an audience to hear them. My grandfather died when I was 7 years old so my grandmother has been livng alone in her place for quite some time. I can imagine how lonely/depressing it could be.

All in all, from this day forward I really should make more of an effort to keep in touch with my grandmother because I really don't know how long she'll have because her condition could easily get worse. I think I just get caught up with working and my social life that I tend to forget/don't appreciate my family as much as I should. Yeah, I've missed out on seeing the National Cherry Blossoms this year, but they'll most likely be around next year. As for my Grandmother, theres no promise that she or anyone will be here next year so that's why I really need to make a better effort at keeping in touch with her and pray that she continues to live a full and happy life.

The Seagull and the Hawk

While I was in the parking lot of my work, I noticed a hawk with a seagull in it's grasp most likely with the intentions of making a meal out of the unfortunate seagull. The hawk had the seagull pinned down on the concrete as the seagull stuggled to escape the hawk's clutches, but to no avail. While watching this scene of nature, I didn't know how to respond.

At first I was tempted to run over and try to scare the hawk away, but I decided to let nature take it's course. Yes, I was sad for the seagull because I knew it didn't have a chance escaping the the hawk's firm grip and would most likely be a meal. There was no guarantee the seagull may have lived after I'd chase the hawk away. Even if it did live, it would've been injured and probably unable to fly away from other predators. Since I'm not a vet, there would be nothing I could do to aide the seagull. Also, I had to consider the hawk's needs. The hawk is trying to survive as well and if that means making a meal out of a seagull so be it. If I did chase the hawk away, it would most likely make a meal out of another unfortunate seagull or maybe even someone's pet.

As creatures on this earth, Humans don't realize how good they have it as they don't have any natural predators and in today's society most people don't need to hunt or kill thier own food and sometimes forget how many animals die for our survival. I don't want to sound like a hippie, because I do eat meats and wear/use leather goods. I just think we all (myself included) need to just remember that something died so we could live longer as with the case of the seagull who died for the sake of the hawk. All in all, something must die so something else can live.

Lesson from Maureen Stapleton

"Just take what you get and like it while you do it, and forget it"
-Maureen Stapleton

While at work, I took a little break and read that actress Maureen Stapleton recently died. The above quote was in her obituary and it was in response to her inability to ever land a lead acting role. Although I'm not really a fan of her work and can't name any of her accomplishments, I seemed to identify with the above quote because that's how I feel with my current job.

After four months of training and another month of being out in the field, I've realized that I really don't like my job. Yeah, I could go on forever and bitch about what I don't like, but is that really going to solve anything? (most likely not) I will say the thing that just drives me crazy about this job is that there really isn't one way to adjudicate a claim because there are so many exceptions and gov't rules and regulations that get in the way. Although I can look at a claim and know it will be a denial, I still have to go through the annoying process of requesting medical information, talking with the claimant over the phone, playing phone tag with the claimant or medical sources, and scheduling doctor's appointments (most of the times the claimants don't show up for their FREE appointment) Anyway, I'm sure you get the hint.

Despite all that nonsense, I figure I've went through all the trouble waiting for this job and writing one too many blogs in anticipation; that I might as well just stick it out for a while and try my best to learn it until I can get enough $ saved up. Maybe over time I'll learn all the rules, regulations, and exceptions. Who knows maybe by that time I'll eventually LIKE the job or when I'm finally going to barber school and cutting hair I can eventually FORGET about my life as a disability claims ajudicator. Also, who knew a quote from a deceased actress, who I knew nothing about prior to this date, would inspire me to write a blog?

Going Cellular

Some of my friends thought they'd never see this day, but over the weekend I surprized everyone by buying a cellphone. As I mentioned in a previous blog, it was only a matter of time because in this day and age it's almost impossible to function without one and I've had one too many incidents where I've gotten lost or have lost someone or something and how much easier things would have been if I had a cellphone.
For example, last summer where I lost my car at the Arundel Mills parking lot and also missed meeting up with my date. Both incidents could have been quickly resolved if I had a cell phone. For example, I could have called my date to see where he was or he could call me to say he was running late, as opposed to me sitting around for an hour plus and then splitting before he arrives. As for the lost car, I could have easily called home instead of wasting all that money making collect calls from the pay phone and I don't need to mention my frantic search to find the pay phone.
Anyway, now with this cell phone I shouldn't have any similar incidents, but I wonder would that give me less to write about?