Training Day Three

Okay, we started the day with a quiz. We had to know all of the management, chefs, corporate people, and the locations, hotels, cities, and names of all of the other restaurants.  It wasn't too bad, but I blanked on the phone number for the casino. Today was predominantly banging service steps such as hospitality rules, teamwork, how to greet/seat/take orders/serve/bus, et cetera.  There are some crazy things.  For instance, we "Lap the Napkin."  This means that after we seat the guest (pulling out the chair, letting them sit, then pushing it in as they sit), we drape the napkin over their lap, without touching them, obviously.  That just seemed a little much to me.  Oh well. We have to get the right silverware out and set properly before the food goes out or else they will not deliver the food.  If you are lacking a steak knife, you will not get your food. We watched a lot of movie clips today.  These were meant to embody certain qualities. For instance: Big Night - Tony Shaloub as a chef not understanding why a stupid American couple wants spaghetti and meatballs with their seafood risotto. (Guest gets what they want, don't look down on them for it) The Devil Wears Prada - Appearances make a big difference in how you are perceived. "More Cowbell" SNL Sketch - Just because it's funny and we needed to wake up after lunch.  That, or maybe because we needed to see how they pulled together and did what needed to be done for the betterment of the song. Remains of the Day - Anthony Hopkins and the whole (huge) staff make exacting and arduous details perfect in order to get ready for a final dinner of a conference. Rudy - Big game, last scene, Rudy is brought in and the selflessness of the team lets Rudy accomplish his dream. Gladiator - Gladiatorial battle where Russel Crowe says "We stay together and we will survive."  Teamwork.  If we don't work together, we will not make it through the shift, much less exceed everyone's expectations. I had to leave an hour early so I could get to work at Famous Dave's tonight.  I had to give away a few shifts so I could go to the training, so Sunday is my official last day at Famous Dave's Novi. End of an era.  End of an era.

Day Two of Michael Mina Employment

Today, we had the stress of finding out which restaurant we would be working at.  They were frantically assembling large binders that they handed out.  They started out by calling the servers for Saltwater, the seafood restaurant.  Two or three of the first servers were not there (How could you miss this?), and I was called up.  I am working at the seafood place with no Kobe beef ribeye, but we do have caviar!  We have Lobster Pot Pie! It turns out that Michael Mina is best known for his innovation in seafood.  It is his claim to fame and his specialty.  Also, this restaurant is a little more upscale than the Bourbon Steak restaurant.  All of the servers come from varied backgrounds.  Many have a lot of fine dining experience, and some don't.  Hell, I came from Famous Dave's and some others came from Applebee's.  It's great that we all get the chance to move into this different realm of serving.  Then, we split into groups and got inundated with information.  There were only eight of us, including the captains.  The restaurant seats between 80 and 90.  So this is an intimate place that won't have scads of open space and servers waiting for tables.  David, the Corporate HR guy walked by and just stopped in his tracks.  He said that we fit the image of what Saltwater was meant to be perfectly.  I hope that's a good thing! Patric Yumul, the Vice President of Operations came up with "The Goldenyr Rule" (read: "goldener") which states "Treat others how they would like to be treated, not how you would like to be treated."  That was pretty much the focus of the whole training.  It doesn't matter who comes in, whether it be high rollers, VIPs, celebrities, people off the street wearing cut-off shorts and tank tops, or anyone else; they are to receive the same treatment. Another big point was that there are no perfect people, only perfect intentions.  As long as you strive to improve every day, you are doing all you can.  And with the fact that the Michael Mina Bellagio has a per person average of $134 (comparison: Famous Dave's per person average is $15) as well as the mention that a group of four can easily drop $6000 on a night out, and I will certainly improve every day! Final note, Bourbon was designed by a Japanese restaurant firm called Super Potato.  How cool is that?

Day One with Michael Mina Group

I have not officially updated yet, but I am now an employee of the Michael Mina Group, meaning that I am leaving Famous Dave's and quite possibly WineStyles.  This is by no means a bad thing.  I will be working for either the Bourbon Steak House or Saltwater Seafood restaurant in the brand new MGM Grand Casino in Detroit as a server, making not only phenomenal tips (price range is from 22-150!!!), but a set wage, which is strange for a server, and after 90 days, included benefits.  Not too shabby, I must say. I started my training downtown in the current MGM, at the now-defunct Ruby on Third.  I have a few observations I took. "9:00am - Ed seems to be in his element.  It smells like a casino -- the recirculated air, the money, the stale, sweet smoke, the metal of the games, and the perfume of the cocktail waitresses.  It reminds me of Atlantic City. All sense of time is truly lost.  It could be 9am, 9pm, or 2am, and I wouldn't be able to tell." We spent the day with orientation things, schedules, and icebreakers.  We broke up into six groups, played games, and rotated managers.  After the second game, I realized that this whole exercise was so the managers could get to know us so they could put us on the list for their restaurant.  I felt like we were picking teams for dodge ball in gym class.  I just hoped I wasn't the last one picked after the fat asthmatic who throws like a girl. Breaking for lunch, we were led through a drab white-walled maze of corridors that link all of the restaurants behind the scenes.  En masse, we descended on the E.D.R. -- Employee Dining Room.  It was nothing special, but the mundanity of it (it's a word now) was appealing to me.  It was the area where off shift or lunch breaks were taken by employees, at their secluded little buffet room that nobody who is not in the employ of MGM/Mirage will ever see. I felt momentarily special. Another note on the video we saw about the restaurants we will be running: "11:00am - I am very pleased.  The interiors do away with the stuffy expectations I had; no smoking, nobody under 21, high ceilings, and modern styling promise a steady income from the hip and trendy as well as the high rollers and bourgeoisie. Menu selection appears to be varied and across the board pricey as well.  Here's to hoping for a bundle.  I want to carry my earnings home by the briefcase, not the pocketful." The hours of operation are as follows: Cocktail Lounges:      4pm-12am Dining Room:      5:30pm-10pm Five shifts a week at eight hours apiece, good wages, great menu, amazing benefits...  Yes, I think I will take the job!

Animoto Montage

This is a video I made using Animoto, a site that professionally makes slideshows using your pictures and music. Just giving it a test run. JCMU 2004 montage, anyone?

Registries

Well, Kelly and I have started it.  We have begun registering for our wedding.  Deciding to forgo any fancy fripperies like fine china, we decided to focus on the essentials at Bed Bath & Beyond.  It took two hours, and we only got through the bathroom and kitchen stuff.  That is to say, no bedding and no dining wares. Wow. Well, if you are curious, interested, or just want to buy me a gift, check it out, here is our BB&B Registry.  We also plan to register for Fiesta Ware at Kohls.  If you have ever eaten at TGI Friday's and gotten a red dish, that's Fiesta Ware. I think that's enough links for the day.  In unrelated news, I also upgraded my phone with the New Every Two plan on Verizon.  I got the enV, which, since I am sick of making links, I will allow you to look up at your leisure.

Coin Counting

Coin Counting 3
Originally uploaded by david_gibb.

Check out the Great Pyramids of Change!

Kelly has had a giant Coca Cola bottle for the past few years. Every time she came home with silver change in her possession, it went in to the Coca Cola Bank. Likewise, bills intermittently arrived as well.

Finally, after Kelly and I have assiduously (fun word) added more and more change to the behemoth bank, it was filled. I dragged it out into the living room and unceremoniously gutted it like a fish. Except that this fish was filled with a plentiful bounty that would keep me laughing -- laughing all the way to the bank!

We counted the bills -- it was $302 on just that alone!

We separated the change -- a good sign, the largest pile by far was quarters. Over the course of the next week, including time spent hitting the local banks and dollar stores for coin rolls, the rolling was complete.

We have $1800 from that bank, if I add in one little dollar.

Moral of this story: save your change, kiddies; it adds up!

WineStyles - Wall of Wine

WineStyles - Wall of Wine
Originally uploaded by david_gibb.

I have been tapped to update the website for WineStyles ( www.winestyles.net/livonia ) so expect a few wine pics here and on my Flickr account.

I really like this shot, it is right when you walk in the door, facing the bar. I think it really turned out well.

Gibb Family Reunion Portrait

Gibb Family Reunion Portrait
Originally uploaded by david_gibb.

The Gibb family reunion was this past weekend and we all came out for fun in the sun. Kelly and I couldn't make it until Sunday since we had to work Saturday, but it was great fun.

We ate, drank, played volleyball, bocce ball, Jarts (those are awesome), and some people swam while others watched old 8mm video that has been converted to VHS. Later on, there was a bonfire followed by me bringing my dad & Rene along with Kevo and Rene's daughter, Allison, back to my apartment, having a bottle of wine, and giving my dad his Father's Day present: a bottle of Montes Cabernet Sauvignon/Carmenere blend. He took one of my favorites, how dare he!

Crazy music messing with my mind.

I have music from a band called m-flo.  They are a Japanese rap/techno group that sings indiscriminately in English and Japanese.  I was thinking of having a few friends listen to a few songs, but I realize they wouldn't appreciate it like I do.  For example, these are the lyrics to one of their songs.

m-flo
Astromantic
I miss you

DJ Play that music louder, お願い

 

BOOM CLAP BOOM BOOM BOOM CLAP X2

 

二人でいるのに I miss you

ちかくにいても I miss you

すこしだけ baby (the cold crush lover is here)

もしかして maybe (the りゅうせい’s flowin this year)

気が変わる前に rock with you

そして今日もこのままwith you

どこまでもすこしだけ

そして朝まで Uh Uh Uh in this atmosphere

 

Don’t know why this love gotte be 難しい

I’m the 宇宙の Super lover ババルなのに

Don’t know why this 高橋たくの beat

Gotta be so fly with 良平とmelody… Now listen

 

I don’t know why 君の基準は

とてもhigh何もかもso uptight

あれもこれもプレゼントされても

Baby you don’t know

それだけじゃないよ

 

I don’t know whyすきまのない迷いのない

態度is thatプライド

Cash or card金で買えるもの何でも

あたえてもshe always says no

I gave her this, I gave her that

限れるものは

夢のようだけど diamond rings are not forever

 

Name anything宇宙船that blings

Just anything月の光までも

So baby, come close to me

 

Ooh, baby can’t you see

分かってほしいthis is my気持ち

Ooh tell me, tell me cuz限度なんてない

好きなものbuyしてla la la la la la

But call もないし

じゃあどうしてほしいgirl

Ooh教えてso I can do it right

So tonight, you and I can just uh uh

 

*repeat

 

BOOM CLAP BOOM BOOM BOOM CLAP X2

 

 

 

One... Tokyo minuteで見せるlove

I gotta lotta of itま、dynamite爆発love

君はHOT! HOT!どうしたらいいんでしょうか

 

cafe mocha HOT! HOT! 誰もが振り向いて

 jealousy

解けちまうぜアツアツShe killin me la la la...

ますますlike Stevie, signed sealed デリバリ-

好きなことdo it baby, 口べり縫ってcan we

まじめに二人でrock rock?  If you don't mind

 

Ooh I'll tell you what this is all about

Your money じゃ買えない物だから

でも (Oh!)見たい見たいyour微笑

and hear your melody

la la la la la la

How can I can I 伝えればいい?

Just spend some time with me

時間がないso please

もしマジなら二人gotta be　gotta be?

loving and huggin and uh uh

 

* repeat

 

DJ play that music louder, お願い

Ooh How You Like Me Now, 二千十三年

スタイル, m-flo's lovin' us now

La La 聞こえてきたら Come and get me

No, cuz this ain't no joke, you deserve it all, and I'm treating you right girl!

 

The way I'm livin' is 5 stars, すごく large

ちょう未来, こうごきたい

Girl, you my type...what's your namae?

とまらない pull over!

Throw ya, hands up in the air, この晩

Girl, 流れ星見たようなfeeelin de  Uh

そのひとみにはまってたぜいつの間にか　because

 

I'm bound to wreck your body and say turn the party out 　X3

 

Tell me why どうしてすれ滋賀って行くの?

(why don't we kiss no more)

もういつの間にか二人は

(so far apart, tell me)

どうすればいいのbaby girl?

(Uh, How you feelin me now?)

We should be vibin' forever

 

* repeat x2

It's just so random as to which they use, back and forth in the same line, all with one single thought process.  And I can follow along with it, but man, it's confusing!

Wedding Woes

So, Kelly and I have been getting our wedding guest list banged out.  It is not pretty.  We conscripted our parents to give us lists so we could figure out not only a ballpark estimate, but a more concrete number. It turns out that Kelly's family is larger than I thought.  Much larger. Here are the numbers: 31    Wedding party (including guests) 84   David's side 140  Kelly's side 21    Friends 276  Total Keep in mind that my side includes not only my mom and dad, but Donna's family also. Damn, that's a lot of people.  It is frightening that the largest wedding that I have ever been to may in fact be my own.  The worst part is that the majority of her family on the list are the ones who will show up to every event which may be good for the gifting side of the wedding (greedy monkey), but it also means we will be shelling out more money for them. Well, that means we'll all have to just drink more booze and make up for the extra cost in alcohol.  Gotta get your money's worth!

Wednesday Workout

Worked out tonight for about an hour.  Put in 15 minutes on the elliptical machine, then I worked out my biceps, triceps, lats, and back.  Time on machines: 30min. Also, I didn't weigh myself beforehand since there were seven or so towel-bound men in the way.  Yikes. Post workout weight: 219.4lb If the scales are off, this makes sense.  Otherwise, cutting out all but one glass of pop a day and making an attempt to eat better is working a lot better than I expected.

Little guy's first Easter

Easter 07 #16
Originally uploaded by david_gibb.

Uploaded 17 new shots, some from Kelly's family gathering, some from visiting Jason, Susie and Alex.

Kelly and I had a busy day. We headed to church and then to brunch, took a break at her dad's to find Easter baskets, followed by dinner at her aunt's house, a stop at Jason and Susie's, and finally a tired drive home over 12 hours later.

Church and brunch were kind of a blur, but Kelly's aunt's place was energetic. How could it be boring with a hyper energetic three year old (who looks like he's five, and acts like it too) bouncing around playing Spiderman? He is a bona fide super hero super fan. After a while (and urging, insistence, and prodding for desserts), we decided to play a game of Texas Hold'em. There was Bev, Kelly's dad, Andy, Amanda, Jason, John, myself, and Kelly playing. One by one, the dominoes fell like a house of cards. Bingo. All who were left was Kelly and Jason. I took third. Hand by hand, nickel and diming Jason, Kelly hooked him into going all in, and won with a Full House, 7s over 5s.

Did I mention that this was the first time Kelly has ever played a whole game of Hold'em? And that she really doesn't play poker? I even had to write out the winning hand hierarchy for her.

I was impressed.

It was getting a little late, so we went to visit Jason and Susie, as well as the pup and the baby. When we got there, the little guy wasn't looking around, but he was flailing. He's sure testing out those limbs of his. Shiva looked a little forlorn, so I gave her some attention and petting. Susie was making them dinner, so we left when they got it ready.

We were so exhausted by the time we got home, we just crashed. Holidays are long.

Bagel to Go

bagel to go
Originally uploaded by rodrigo piwonka.

Seriously, this is genius! What better use for an old cd spindle can there be? Just be sure to wash it first, okay guys?

Wine and Workouts

Workout first, wine second. Tuesday April 3rd, I worked out a little bit.  I started at 9:30 and ended at 10:15.  Concentrating on the hip adductors and abductors (inside and outside of thighs), lower and upper back, shoulders and chest, I went from machine to machine. Beginning weight:    223.6lb Ending weight:          222.9lb I did no cardio, just machines since I had just attended a wine tasting. Which brings me to wine! I recently got a job at WineStyles in Livonia, which sells and displays their selection in a very different fashion.  Instead of organizing by region or grape varietal, they split it all into Styles.  Hence the name. There are eight categories: Red wine, from heavy, full bodied, tannic all the way to fruit-forward, easy drinking and approachable.  - Bold  - Mellow  - Fruity Sweetest wines and sparkling stuff.  - Nectar  - Bubbly White wine, from lavish, oaky, honeyed, cloying wines to acidic citrusy, sit outside on a warm summer day wine.  - Rich  - Silky  - Crisp The idea is that everyone will be able to figure out a category they enjoy and nearly everything in that area will be something they like.  They also do $2 pours for 2oz and 8oz glasses for $8.  On Tuesday and Friday you can come in after work and get 6 flights (2oz pours) for only $6.  There is a wine tasting every week.  It may cost $15, but for two hours of learning about wine and drinking it, it ie well worth it. The reason I didn't work out much was because of the wine tasting.  I was at a tasting from seven until nine on Tuesday, and it was very enjoyable.  However, working out after all of that is just not possible.  I think I will enjoy working here with all of the wine people.

Working Out

I am going to try to make a resolution.  I have a membership at Lifetime, and I plan on losing weight.  When I go to the gym, I will post a bit of information after the workout.  For instance, what areas I work, my beginning weight and my ending weight. Maybe publicizing this will prompt me to get some progress.

Restless.

Spring is beginning.  Around this time of year, I am confronted with the same wanderlust.  I know instinctively that this is the time of year when everything is born anew.  Everything is reset to zero. And I wanna go see it.  I wanna go do it. I saw shows on the Travel Channel today about Alaska; I wanted to go there, see the whales breaching, hear the glaciers calving, see the local wildlife, then eat them for lunch. I've been dreaming Japan again.  I dreamed that Kelly and I were living in Japan and we went to Chanpon for lunch, followed by hanami at Genkyu-en (the garden outside of Hikone Castle). I updated my Flickr account recently, and now I want to start photoblogging, knowing full well that it won't last. The only thing that I know I will be keeping up is going to the gym, since we pay $90 a month for a membership.  Kelly is overworked and exhausted, and I don't know what to do for her other than help her.  However, I am increasingly apathetic when it comes to vaccuming and dishes.  I know I have to do them, but the motivation is lacking.  I would much rather go outside and play, even if it isn't as warm as the beautiful skies tell me it should be. Argh.  Stupid spring, when young men's thought turn to travel...

A New Gibb!

Newborn Baby Gibb 01
Originally uploaded by david_gibb.

It's a picture of me and my little nephew!

I am the proud uncle of Alexander George Gibb, born yesterday (March 27, 2007) at 1:22pm.  He is 20 inches long and weighs 7lbs 4oz.

Kelly and I went to visit him (as well as Susie and Jason) in the hospital, and he is absolutely adorable. He only cried a little bit, and he is so tiny... Literally four or five hours old, I got to see him.

Took the kid long enough to arrive!

I have my pics from the day uploaded in a set on Flickr: Newborn Baby Gibb

A Beautiful Day

Today, the temperature has broken records.  It is March 26th, and it reached 80 degrees.  I was very pleased with this.  I never really realized how much the good weather affects my attitude.  I worked this morning, training a girl at Famous Dave's.  I opened the restaurant at 10, and was there until 3.  Upon walking out the doors, the sun washed over me, I was filled with the warmth of the day and the promise of the season, and I was happy.  In that one instant, I was happy with the universe. I always get this way at the beginning of spring; it really is the rebirth of the year. Now, if Susie would only have the baby, it would get even better!  She's ready to pop!

We got a Wii

Boy oh boy, I got word of what was essentially a relaunch of the Nintendo Wii on the 21st of January at Best Buy.  There were 52 of them available, and I was going to be one of the ones to get it. So, Sunday morning, I got out of bed at 6:15 in the morning.  I arrived at 6:45, and got into line.  Keep in mind, Best Buy opens at 11:00am.  Yes, I was there for over 4 hours, sitting in a folding camp chair, bundled up, wrapped up in my queen size comforter. Being the fifth person in line, I was guaranteed a Wii.  I just hoped they had additional Wiimotes and Nunchuks.  For the uninitiated, those are the controllers and the attachments. To my right was a sophmore in college who was getting a Wii for her boyfriend for Christmas.  What a gift! To my left was a know-it-all spoiled eleven year old brat who didn't believe that I knew how to speak Japanese, that I knew anything about video games, or that I was anything at all. Around 8:00, I called my mom and David Carter to get in line; more people were trickling in.  So, they arrived, and at 9:30, Jason showed up.  I was sneaky and brought them forward in line, so they became numbers six and seven.  When 10:00 rolled around, they handed out tickets and told us to stay in line.  The last hour was torture, but I made it.  We filed in, en masse, and they handed out our new Nintendo systems, and allowed us to pick up what accessories we wanted.  I got a second Wiimote and Nuncuk combination as well as the amazing new Zelda game. I brought it home, and the tv was taken over by a new system that forced us all to get up off our asses and jump around. A week later, and I have fallen for this system; it is no gimmick.  Wii Sports is absolutely fantastic, the Bowling is fun and easy to play for a group, Tennis is great and good to move around to, Baseball and Golf are good but not fantastic, and the Boxing game is a study in frenetic gesticulation until the other Mii falls down.  By the way, Miis are the little avatars made in game that are your characters.  My Mii looks frighteningly like me.  It is still kinda creepy. As for Zelda, I am thirteen hours in to it and many more to come. There is more to life than the Wii, though.  Kelly and I are working a lot; Kelly more than me.  I get to keep the place in good shape.  Oh well, I fail.  At least I get good use out of the Wii. Formal invite: We should play the Wii together with beverages in hand.  Contact me.  You know who you are.

Weekly Doldrums

It has been work, work, work, Kelly, work, school, and more work lately. I dream about being busy at Famous Dave's.  How sad is that? I had a dream that it took me 20 minutes to get drinks for my two tables, and I was seriously stressing about it.  I woke myself up with the rolling around and told myself I was at home and didn't have to be back for.... six hours.  Ugh. Well, at least I'm making money. In other news, Final Fantasy V Advance is coming out, and I must go and make a purchase, as well as Final Fantasy III DS (first time out legally in the US).  Alas, I have no cash to spare for it. I also have to design a ring to cast for my jewelry class.  I am thinking a woman's band with a cherry blossom on either side of the kanji for love (愛).  Either that, or a squared band with my name in kanji across it as a sort of signet ring.  My name in kanji is　義武泥舞.  Kind of hard to carve on to a ring, eh?  Maybe just the first one, meaning 'Honor.' Oh well, clean the fish tank and go to work, yay!

As I Post, Weak and Weary...

Damn, I'm tired. I didn't sleep well last night. I had a great night; Kelly and I watched our shows, had a good dinner, and we rested a bit. Well, I rested a bit while she studied. So, we climb into our delicious pillowtop queen bed. Kelly falls asleep straight away while I sit there awake and no prospect of sleep. I decided to watch Samurai III: The Duel at Ganryu Island. I watched the whole thing and was yet unable to fall asleep. Side note, Mifune Toshiro was a badass. Check his stuff out, but if you have heard of him, you already know this. I couldn't fall asleep until 4:30 this morning. I had to wake up at 8:25. I have not been a happy monkey today. I am grouchy and grumpy and a bevvy of other adjectives taht start with the letter G. If only my brain were not so groggy, I could think of them. In any case, I just wrote to say that if you ever get time for a nap, grab it with both hands and don't let go. I am sad I didn't get that opportunity.

Just Relaxing

I am very happy with my new bed. I had an Odyssey to get it, though. It all started off that I drained and dismantled my waterbed because Jason was going to give me his queen pillowtop bed. I went to my brother's house. We got the U-Haul truck. We took his bed apart and put it in the truck. We brought the couch from the basement and put it in the truck. We dismantled the desk upstairs and brought it down and put it in the truck. We took the couch to my Papa's. We brought the couch in and set it up. We took a chair from my Papa's and put it in the truck. The chair went to my mom's, where it was unloaded. Next, we went to IKEA and Jason and Susie proceeded to choose their new bed. There was a break for Swedish Meatballs and Lingonberry juice. After waiting for the furniture, we put it in the truck and went to my apartment. We unloaded my new bed and set it up. Returning to my brother's place, we unloaded his new King bed and brought it all upstairs. We also had to rearrange the room. At this point, Jason and Susie were going out to Clawson to drop off the desk. I decided to go home. I got to sleep on a real bed, and a really comfortable one at that. Here's to a good night's sleep!

Disturbed - Land of Confusion

I was listening to the radio, and I heard a familiar song from my childhood being rocked out by a very good rawkin band. Land of Confusion (originally by Genesis) was being thrashed by Disturbed. Very good. Very, very good. My first thought is that if they have a new album out (didn't know that it was out), then I have new workout music. Today, I had free time in the computer lab. Somewhere I got a link to the video, which was done by Todd McFarlane. Yes, that's the guy. That Spawn creator. I was expecting quality, but I wasn't expecting such blatant social and political commentary. Don't get me wrong, I don't disagree with it! In fact, I quite liked it. I was reading some of the comments about it on YouTube, and was struck by how little people know about the world. Oh well. In any case -- video goodness embedded below. In case the video does not embed properly, here's the link: Disturbed - Land of Confusion. I'm out.

One of the Longest Nights...

I was at work last night (Thursday), and I was a closer.  I was set to get out at around 11:30, after clean up and check out.  However, I left at 10:15 instead.  Kelly was brought up to Novi, curled up in a ball and hyperventilating. Enter Emergency Mode. I rushed her to the closest place I can think of -- my dad's house.  Kevin woke him up for me so he was sentient when I got there.  Kelly was having a panic attack and her chest pains were worse.  She was not in a good way.  I think she overexerted herself by going to school and work.  We thought the antibiotics were working, but I guess that was not the problem. Dad sent us up to Beaumont with a specific set of instructions.  We were to get a chest X-Ray and blood test to rule out possible blood clots. And here we were without insurance. Kelly got her gown on and laid on her gurney.  Rene came and got the X-Ray ordered post haste and we got down there.  A couple minutes after the pictures were done, Rene came back and whisked her away to the Triage to go get a room.  Blood was drawn, and EKG ordered, and then we played the waiting game. Dad got us sandwiches and we got good news -- EKG clean, blood test clean, and X-Rays lovely.  I always knew she was photogenic. Turns out it was pretty much crazy acid reflux.  A couple grand later, and we find that out.  Ugh, I shudder to think of the bill. So, Prilosec and Maalox later, we are home and sleeping in our uncomfortable waterbed.  It is 3:30.  We were supposed to be home at 11:50.  A long night, but at least Kelly will be better.

Very Stressful Weekend

I just came out of a very stressful weekend. It all started on Wednesday when I was at work. I got a voicemail from my mom saying "Don't worry, but your Papa (her dad) is in the hospital. His leg (that has been bothering him for months) was red and swollen and hurting." So, when someone tells you not to worry, don't you immediately do the opposite? The rest of my night was shot and I could not concentrate on anything. The next day, Kelly and I ditched class early to go visit him. He was just hanging out watching the Tigers lose. He looked tired, but all right. My aunt came down from Canada the next morning before his surgery. What surgery, you say? There were no less than five blockages in the arteries in his legs, which is one of the reasons he has not had feeling in his legs for the past few years. He was to have an extensive angioplasty to get rid of them. He went in to surgery on Friday at 2:30pm. He was supposed to be in at noon. He got out at 8pm. I was a wreck at work. I told them if a phone call came from me, I was leaving immediately. No ifs, ands, or buts. A phone call would mean the worst. Thankfully, there was no phone call. He came out beautifully. He has feeling back in his right leg, and his left leg, the bad one, has circulation. He can wiggle his toes for the first time in years. On Sunday, I took my aunt Dee to dinner at Famous Dave's (because that was the only way for her to see Kelly) and before we left the hospital, he was shuffling to the bathroom (using a walker), and it did not hurt. He has had shooting pains when he walked for many years. This might have been his own little miracle, and he deserves it 100% Now, for Kelly. Sunday morning she woke up and her chest hurt, like it was congested. I had to work, but I got her chest congestion meds and doped her up. She was feeling moderately better by the time Dee and I got to see her at Famous Dave's. Monday morning, she was worse. She had to go to work at A&W, and about an hour and a half into work she called me in tears. That is the worst feeling ever. I raced over and took her to the medical clinic to see a doctor (since my dad is in Vegas, the asshole, hehe). We sat in the waiting room for over an hour and a half. When we were seen, the doctor mistook Kelly's explanation of chest congestion and pain when breathing to mean "I am having a heart attack." ...which was wrong. They didn't do too many tests since her insurance does not kick in until December, and we got the prescriptions for free. She gave us Advil, Clarinex, and Thalomycin (or something like that). The rest of the day I took care of my baby. She felt like crap and thought she was being a burden. I just know that the next time I get sick, she is going to have her hands full. I just like being able to take care of her. Today, she is sleeping and I am at school. I just kicked the butt of a test and have a presentation in about twenty minutes. After that is a break and then my last class before returning home for the day to pamper her. If she is lucky, I will get her The Little Mermaid.