Month: April 2006

Just a quick update…

My Al-Anon meeting went splendidly. I shared about my own frustartion and fears concerning my mother and her memory loss, as well as her drinking. Of course I am well aware that I can do nothing to help unless she asks, and until then, must be patient and kind. And that’s what I heard from the group.

The very next morning she announced that she had made an appointment to see the doctor concerning this issue and…wow! I am so proud of her and her decision to take this step towards a recovery of sorts. She is being very brave and despite her protests of “I’m not scared”, I know that I would be. I’ll go with her on Tuesday morning to the local clinic and be with her for that time, and then I fly to Greece a few hours later with a better conscience.

My last paper of the semester is almost finished. I cranked out two pages yesterday and three today which adds up to nine with the previous four. Only 2 more to go and I’m done..yet more clear conscience.

I’ve decided to follow through with season 2 of ’24’. I know that I griped about the formulaic structure and the idiocy and predictability of some (all) of the characters, but to be honest, the storyline hooked me but good. Once again I am noticing the excellent acting, fine writing, and complex story arc.

Only two more episodes of Six feet Under, season 4, to watch and that will be done. I hear in season 5 everyone dies…I don’t know what to say about that. I’ll miss Claire and Brenda. David reminds me too much of an ex during my ‘queer attempt’ years, so he’s a goner in my opinion anyway.

I now weigh 195 pounds. That’s down 20# from my start. Not bad, Johnnyboy, not bad. Keep it up.

Johnnyboy

I went to sleep last night thinking that I need an AlAnon meeting. I woke up with the same thought, so I’m going to one tonight. This is the story:

1. I have a sponsee in AA who is less than honest with me, and I am growing tired of schlepping him around. I need to detach from his disease. If he wants the program, he needs to ask for help, and not be urged into doing so.

2. My mother’s memory is very fragile. She is 82, wakes up at 4am everyday, has 2 or 3 double scotches between 4:30pm and 6:30pm, and fights like a child to stay awake as long as possible. She is terrified of seeing a neurologist, not for fear of being told the worst (Alzheimers, which she doesn’t have), but that the doc will tell her to stop drinking. After 60 years of habitual cocktail hour, this is a tough habit. I need to detach from this disease as well.

There is good news, however…

I have finished my second of three papers and will mail it tomorrow. One more to write and then I’m off on vacay. My AA friends in Greece are waiting me with open arms, and I can’t wait.

I have also finished watching the first season of ’24’ on DVD. I thought the multiple story arc was very well done and the characters seemed well fleshed out. I am happy that the conniving, power mad wife of the Senator was cut off at the end…can you say Eva Peron in the making? The big problem I had, though, was with the kids of the main characters, Bauer and Palmer.

Stupid children acting stupidly…drove me nuts. Honestly, how could smart guys like Jack Bauer and Senator Palmer end up with such idiots for children? If Kimberly Bauer’s brains were dynamite, she couldn’t blow her nose. The mother isn’t much better…and it killed her,.. I think. I have to start in on season 2 tonight.

So my agenda for the next week is:

1. Go to AlAnon at least twice and learn to detatch with love.
2. Write a 12 page paper on the epistemological differences between Kant and Hegel.
3. Watch season 2 of ’24’
4. Watch season 4 of ‘Six Feet Under’
5. Pack my bags.
6. Leave.

Johnnyboy