And in tonights episode of "American Horror Story"...

Decapitation.

Nazis.

Homosexual aversion therapy.

Masturbation.

Tumescence.

Alien abduction.

Skin removal.

Needle in the eyeball.

Prostitutes. Alcoholics.

Sex on a mental institution kitchen counter with an ax murderess.

Concentration camp atrocities.

Dismemberment.

Torture.

Anne Frank.

Seriously.....how many storylines, atrocities and history lessons can one television show pack into an hour-long (actually 47 minutes) program???

If you know me at all, you know I love a good horror movie/series. But this...well, this is just out of control.

I think I'm over this show. The first season was genius, but this is just overkill.

Yay yay!

When my cousin Mandy was little, she used to say "Yay yay!" when she was happy. I'm saying it today.

Mom is much better, and going home soon.

Her favorite nurse came by tonight to say she wouldn't be at work until Saturday and wanted to say goodbye. I thought that was so sweet.

In other news, the trip to Baltimore was a success. Very nice EP docs, lots of good info sharing. I didn't get to spend much time with my boss, but he's in the office all next week so very much looking forward to that.

A couple good concerts coming up this month - Over The Rhine and Japandroids. Again, yay yay!

I've got my eye on a big tri next year, and I'm going to officially start my training on Sunday. Haven't been swimming for a couple months, will be nice to get back to it. And I've got all my cold-weather biking gear so it's on. Nothing like a good, hard workout to elevate the mood...throw in some chilly weather and you work even harder to stay warm.

Finally, scheduled my monthly visit to Dana, my super cool massage therapist. He gave me some really helpful stretching techniques last time, and they've helped me limber up better before my runs. An hour with him feels like half a day. He's fantabulous.

Small blessings

In Baltimore for an electrophysiologist group meeting. I've been to most of the large NE coastal cities but not here - it's got a nice waterfront.

In the bar last night I got an earful from the local and visiting patrons about the impending election results. I was feeling apathetic about the whole thing, in light of recent events. It was fun watching local results come in...

I took a short, fast run this morning along the waterfront and downtown. Even though it was daylight, I had the distinct feeling that I needed to be extra alert to my surroundings. Lots of random sketchy folks meandering around. The view of the larger ships docked in the port made for a nice change of pace from my usual subdivision course.

Hoping my flight leaves on time as I have a tone of work to catch up on and want to make it up to the hospital for awhile. Apparently a nor'easter is rolling in. This is a truly boring post. Will make sure my next one has some levity.

Integrity

I'm crampy, inwardly-grouchy/outwardly-smiley, worried and chilled, but for some reason my hair is behaving today and looks darn good, so it all evens out, right?

;-)

So I just saw this amazing quote in my friend Amy's feed on FB and had to share it:

"Living with integrity means not settling for less than what you know you deserve in any of your relationships. Asking for what you want and need from others. Speaking your truth, even though it might create conflict or tension. Behaving in ways that are in harmony with your personal values. Making choices based on what you believe, and not what others believe." - Barbara De Angelis

Feels good to start out what could (not, hopefully) be a rough week with a reminder as to what's important.

 

Best laid plans

Did not race this morning, but did make it down to wish my friends well and watch the start. From all accounts it was a superb day to run - cool, sunny skies and beautiful weather to tackle those Forest Park hills. Looking forward to seeing the results. I'm not too bummed, the Frostbite long series is weeks away, and there's always the Go! race in the spring.

Darn pulmonologist came in the middle of the night, of course, after we'd all gone home to get some sleep. Diagnosis is chronic and inoperable condition, but second opinion is forthcoming.

Have to travel for work this week, dislike being away when this is going on.

Weekend

It's difficult to see a loved one struggle with so much pain, especially just to take a darn breath. Hopefully the specialist will have an answer. Everyone is so very nice here at the hospital - our family has spent many hours & days here over the last couple years but the care and kindness from the employees make it less terrible.

Thankful for good friends at times like these. The support and positive thoughts are mighty appreciated.

Keeping tomorrow morning on the books. My head is there...and showing up is 99% of the battle, isn't it?

Punk show

Lots of aging, hangdog punkers and frenetic noobs showed to pay respects  to punk rock royalty last night at Fubar for the Double Negative/Spits/OFF! show.

This triple bill served up a heavy dose of new and old-school punk, and the crowd was aptly appreciative.

Double Negative was very decent - stripped-down bare-bones punk that primed the crowd for what was to come.

The Spits stepped it up with a relatively light show (pun) complete with an overly-agressive smoke machine and grim reaper regalia. I'd seen them a decade ago in NYC, and while a few too many brews may have clouded my judgement then as to their true talent, they brought it last night.

Finally, the main event took the stage - Off! They are a superpunkgroup made up of former/current members of Circle Jerks, Black Flag, Burning Brides, Rocket From The Crypt and Redd Kross. Their performance was clear, raw evidence that punk never dies - it just gets older and better. Hopefully the young'ns took a lesson from these masters - they were truly outstanding.

I got to introduce my good friend Maggie to live punk rock, and she ponied up proper - but then, she's quite fearless so this was expected...and appreciated. Bill took me up to the pit for the start of the Spits, and the front row at any future concert will never again be as good as it was last night. I could only take a couple minutes of the slamming but the energy was worth it.  He also ventured into the Off! pit and stayed a good long while. He's my hero.

Saw some good 'ol friends at the show, made some new ones, and near everything in between. Me & the boys finished the night off at Crack Fox reminiscing about our favorite all-time shows. Theirs - Beastie Boys/Public Enemy/LL Cool J, Bowie - totally outrank mine (will not divulge for fear of looking lame.)

All in all, a very good night.