A Short Note Of Appreciation

THINGS FALL APART

My car started stalling on me while I was driving. I tried as best I could to diagnose it; checked the battery and fuses , tested the alternator, furrowed my brow and googled the hell out of "Volvo 780 stall check engine" and nothing helped...at lunch today it wouldn't start and jumping it didn't work...fortunately, I had taken my Twin's advice earlier this year and enrolled in AAA, so I was able to get it towed for free. Now I'm just sitting at work, waiting for the phone to ring and hoping it's something relatively cheap (like a sensor) and not something horrible (like the timing chain). If it is something major, my brother will help me get it fixed.

I am very fortunate to have such a good brother.

My eldest cat has been unable to control her pee and she's not getting better on her own, but luckily I have a friend here who loves cats and has a good job- he has offered to help me with my personal financial crisises but pride has prevented me from accepting- but it's my cat and I love the little fucker, so tonight I will call my friend and ask him for help.

My boss spent his lunch hour helping me with my car. It was seriously low on oil and I had no money- he bought two quarts for me and told me not to worry about it and that I could have as much time off as I need, (which I hope is none). A co-worker has offered me a ride home tonight and a ride back to work in the morning, so I won't miss anymore hours. There are some very cool people here at work, it turns out. I'm lucky to work for and with them.

Last week, my PC died on me and a different friend repaired it for me free of charge.

Also, I've been quite ill lately and yet another friend has helped me get medicine which seems to be working.

I've been feeling overwhelmed by my volunteer duties at the radio station. "Isn't there anyone else who knows how to do this?" has been my mantra. A friend at the station connected me with a young man who wants to learn how to do live audio for bands and now he is my intern and was very helpful during last night's double-band broadcast and I am looking forward to having his help in the future.

On top of it all, I have been experiencing a personal heartache that I don't want to blog about but I seem to be unable to cope with on my own- guess what? Friends have helped me with that, too.

Literally, hardly a day has passed in the last month without something bad happening and some of it is more than I can handle. Last week I felt the urge to drink again- something that I never thought I would feel - and I reached out to friends and they were there for me. The feeling has passed. I have too much to live for to throw it away by drinking. I needed to be reminded of that.

Some of the friends who have bailed me out recently live in the same city as me and some of them are sitting in your chair right now. I have friends everywhere and I wouldn't be here without them. Without you.

I'm really lucky to have so many friends.

Thank you.

P.S. - Just as I was getting ready to post this, a co-worker popped in to tell me that ice cream is being served in the lobby. How about that for good timing?