I climbed my stairs last night and found a grey and white small cat looking at me from the stairs and then followed me to my door, as if to say, "Well, I'm here; aren't you going to invite me in?" I have no idea what possessed me (i'm a dog person) but I brought her in and gave her some food/water. I made the rounds to the neighbors asking if they had lost a cat. No one has.
She is walking around the apartment as if this is a permanent fixture and follows me where ever I go. Last night, she slept on my bed with me. I need to put up signs to see if anyone has lost her, but I have a feeling that she has not been lost. To make matters worse, she is probably the most beautiful cat and sweetest cat I have ever seen.
What should I do?
I get up in the morning
I drink a cup of coffee
I look out the window
I try to get it started
I turn it all over
Plow it all under
I plant'em in the springtime
Pick'em in the summer
I live in my own mind
Ain't nothing but a good time
No rain just sunshine
Out here in my own mind
I live where I can breathe
Ain't nothing but a cool breeze
Nobody that it won't please
Out here where I can breathe
~ Lyle Lovett
10 years ago: Let's see; I was 16 years old. My teenage years were not the happiest in my life. We were living in San Marcos, CA (northern suburb of San Diego). This was right around the time that my father was laid off for about 18 months. Looking back on all of it, it was probably some of the darkest times of my life - a lot of depression, sadness, resentment, hurt, anger, etc. I knew that at this point that I had to put my way through school and I was going to have to do it on my own. The greatest lessons that I learned was to not let things take you down, to keep moving on and never taking no as an answer.
5 years ago: This takes me to 21 when I just finished graduating college. My last year in college was one of my hardest with severe health problems. A contrast from 5 years ago and 10 years ago, was that this was one of my happiest times and probably should have been the opposite. I did not let my health to get me depressed or angry. In fact, it took the opposite affect on me. I moved to MD after graduating college to live with my parents. I left college hopeful and sad that I was leaving a close group of friends.
1 year ago: I had just recently moved to Memphis, TN, for my job. Everything was new and a little unsure - the job, moving to a new town, not knowing anyone, relationships, etc. It was an interesting beginning of months. I fell in love with running when I moved to Memphis and started to get myself acquantied with the city and making new friends.
Yesterday: Arrived in Memphis after being in Dallas, TX, all week with meetings. Came home, caught up on emails/voicemails, talked with a new client that is not too happy with our services, ran errands, watched a movie, ate indiann food (my favorite) and finally fell asleep on the couch at 10:30 pm.
Today: Woke up in a funk, which I can't describe. I don't know if it feels like I am depressed or plain just don't care about life. I think it is the later. Did some emails for work, tried not to have a client stress me out too much with his curtness and rudeness, ran a few miles, going to the pool and then having a dinner party with friends and going to hear Lyle Lovett tonight.
My official ending time for today's 5k.
I made it under what my goal was. It was a good run and a beautiful day. My asthma kicked in right after the one mile marker, which slowed me down. It is what I struggle with every time I run and today, I made it much longer without it really affecting me.
I am looking at a few more races for this month. I would like to start running in a race about every two weeks. We will see how it goes.
Here is my current list of books that I just finished or am about to begin:
Books:
Just Finished:
HP: Book 4
Winning
Currently Reading:
Falling Angels
On the Bookshelf:
The Goal
Native Son
HP: Book 5
Possible Additions to My Bedside Table:
The World is Flat
Last night I had the experience of being a teenager again. I had 3 of my jr. high girls over for a slumber party; they are now freshman in high school. (Horrible memories of high school come flooding back to my mind; I am glad to be out of that awkard life area.)
We stayed up late, ate oreos, chips and queso, played games, and watched chick flicks. To show how long high school was for me, I fell asleep about 20 minutes into the first movie, which was about 10:15 pm on a Friday night. Hey - it has been a long week. I woke up when it ended, put in the second movie and fell back asleep. This time two of the three girls also fell asleep half way through it.
The morning was filled to dance music playing in the apartment (sorry to the family below me) and eating breakfast good. They are gone and I am back to be back in the adult mode - cleaning, organizing, paying bills and getting ready to travel next week to Dallas.
my poker skills that is. Played poker last night with the boys. It has been months since I have been there and the last time I was there, I had horrible cards the whole time. I waited, played with intuition and with force and left in the top 3. Good times.
I can't watch or hear anything more on Katrina in New Orleans. I have cried several times, and today I cried twice when I heard from two clients. I have one more client to hear from, I can't get ahold of them, I can't find anyone who has, his cell phone isn't working and I am very afraid for he and his family.
Clients are calling me left and right needing advice on how to process all the refugees that are moving to TX, Memphis, Jackson, Atlanta, Chattanooga, etc. These are exhausting phone calls; heart wrenching and just emotional. I can't handle one more person being upset about why we can't provide any background reports in LA; well if the court houses were there that would help, but they are not folks.
And then there is the gas situation here in Memphis. It is almost gone. Panic has hit Memphis fast and hard. I paid 3.29 for unleaded today; unbelievable.
I need to go to bed and sleep a good night's sleep.