Desert Diva

Photo Courtesy of Rowiegrl

Friday evening was the opening of my very first photo show at the Percolator Coffee Shop in El Paso, Texas. It was crazy, fun, and stressful all wrapped up into one package. I actually created a slideshow to run concurrently during the opening, there were light refreshments, and a husband of one of the photographers spun some funk and soul.

Afterwards, we had a late dinner at the State Line Restaurant. They serve up some really good barbecue, and I had a combination plate of brisket and smoked turkey. However, many of my “compadres” opted for sausage. I don’t think I’ve ever seen so many links of sausage in one place. Something is just “wrong” about that…

A fun time was had by all - now if we just sell some photographs!

Somewhere in the world, isn’t it already Friday?  It feels like it needs to be the weekend.  Lately, it’s been difficult to survive in the workplace.  It’s a combination of budget cuts, reduced staff, and _____.  Sorry to be cryptic, but there are only so many things you can say about the workplace and not fear retribution from being “dooced.”  I will say that please don’t ask my opinion about policy and procedure, request me to present it in a manual, and then do “something else.”

I attended my first physical therapy session on Monday - at least this office seems to be qualified.  I was beginning to wake up in the middle of the night in pain.  During the initial evaluation the P.T. said that my neck muscles were extremely tight, and asked if I was “stressed.”  No comment.  Anyway, I’m going twice a week and doing strengthening exercises.

The opening reception for the photography show is this weekend.  Nice person that I am ‘-), I volunteered to do a slide show presentation featuring additional work from the artists.  It’s actually quite nice if I don’t say so myself.  I’ve made two trips to El Paso to the venue in as many days.

Speaking of the photography show, I was asked to remove the promotional cards from my office at work.  I can’t take that “request” as anything but “personal,” since the LCPS technical writer put a very nice News Release on the district website for everyone to see.  It’s best not to argue and just move on…

I’m looking forward to a little trip to Borrego Springs with the RV group over Thanksgiving to do a little dancing, drink some wine, play cards, sit by the campfire, and take some photographs.  I can’t “change the world.”  However, I can work to change my perception of how I see (and react) to day-to-day challenges…

The Presidential race is almost over.  I, for one will be somewhat relieved from the barrage of information stuck in my door, endless strings of recorded phone calls, and visits from various supporters.

Last night, while walking Cali in my neighborhood I came upon this “homemade” replacement sign from an apparent Obama supporter.  A few doors down, someone had stolen another Obama sign.  People steal - and not just campaign signs.  It seems that a ceramic owl is missing from someone’s front yard with a cardboard plea to “just return it.”  (I doubt that’s going to happen.)  The guy that lives next door to this “signowner” came out and asked if the residents were in “trouble?”  Uh, for what?

I said the election is “almost over.”  In reality, my involvement (except for watching the media) is over since I voted this evening after work.

A couple of times a week, I go to lunch at NMSU at the Taos Buffet.  The cost (including tax) is $5.35.  Yes, it’s the feeding grounds of the university students who have paid (or their parents) for the school year.  However, I like going over to the campus and there are “stations” at the buffet.

There’s a pasta and homemade pizza station, a burger (with turkey burgers) and fries station, a deli sandwich station, a burrito/taco station, a hot selection of the day with veggies, and a nice salad bar.  Not to mention the desserts from which I try to steer clear.  I can eat a quick healthy meal (if I decide to do so) and the price is right.  They even serve Starbucks coffee.

However, today I noticed that students were eating C*E*R*E*A*L either alone or along with their meal.  Seriously, about 1/2 of the college student there were eating cereal - some with (sacrilege) chocolate milk.  Don’t get me wrong - cereal is OK.  I have it for breakfast sometimes, and also I’ve been known to have it for dinner if I don’t want to be bothered.  Why would someone choose to have cereal for lunch when there’s so much other food around?  Gee, I really feel old…

“It seems the hardest thing in life to learn is which bridge to cross and which to burn.”
~ David Russell

It seems as of late, I’ve run into somewhat of a “dry spell” in relationship to social media. My blog, Flickr, and Twitter have all taken a back seat to day-to-day existence. Not to worry, I’m still here mulling over recent events and which bridges to “cross” and which to “burn.”

OK, that’s a little too dramatic - not really bridges to cross or burn, but rather decisions to make after hearing recommendations. Note to self: Do not go to more that one doctor who even remotely has an opinion on how to treat something that has already been decided upon. Orthopedic hand surgeon won’t do wrist osteotomy until shoulder impingement improves - go to physical therapy. Arthritis/osteoporosis specialist want to do cortisone injections , then possibly physical therapy. Arthritis/osteoporosis also wants me to take “scary” medications that contradict what reproductive endocrinologist prescribed.

A round of calls later, I’ve decided to go with the original opinions of the orthopedic hand surgeon and the reproductive endocrinologist. If I need cortisone injections later or a different osteoporosis medicine, I can “cross that bridge” when I come to it. Now, we can go back to our “regular programming!”