The View From Drew

So, last night, I got together for the first time with most of the Geek Patrol. We watched MirrorMask, a Neil Gaiman/Dave McKean film. It didn't hold my attention. I just feel that when it comes to Gaiman's visual works, Coraline does the whole alternate world thing better. There were some stunning visuals, but the story was pretty meh and frankly I'm tired of the whole you can't trust the shifty guide through whatever alternate universe Gaiman creates. I'd not see it again myself. Anybody ever catch this film?

This Is My Life, Rated
Life:	6.9
Mind:	5.8
Body:	4.1
Spirit:	6.4
Friends/Family:	7.5
Love:	7.3
Finance:	8.2
Take the Rate My Life Quiz

Woo and -oot! I got A's in my Young Adult Literature and Introduction to Literary Research classes. I'm running straight A's so far.

So, the test results finally came in Monday. No direticulitis. It was just a stomach virus, a nasty one. I'm feeling better and am staying away from cola anyway. I'm finding I'm not missing it.

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Thanksgiving's over
I brace myself for the week
Where did the time go?

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Today's Haiku:

Grey skies greet the morn
Confusion kisses the day
What day is it now?

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So it's Black Friday
With so many bargains but
What of Thanksgiving?

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On Thanksgiving Day
My stomach settles down but
Turkey through a straw

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Although Thanksgiving is my favorite of all the holidays, I so dislike the idea that so many people forget that one should appreciate all that they have year round. With that said, let me remind you and myself that I am thankful for:

Sue, my wife. When I told her I wanted to do a monthly podcast, she thought it was a cool idea. I could see the face drop when I told her we were going weekly. But despite that, she supports me all the way. We're a team and we make it work together.

Eddie and Mikey, my sons. Eddie is turning into a respectful young man despite my misgivings early on. (I was getting nervous there.) Mikey is going through the toddler years and they are trying, but there is an adorable child in all the chaos.

My dear friends who have endulged me in my desire to bring the Rift back. I hope you're enjoying it as much as I am.

My family who may not always get me and who I may not always get, but they've been there when I needed them and have known when to back off when I needed to be on my own.

My students who inspire me every day. I don't work in the best of work conditions, not brought on by an administration but by a miserable teaching staff. The kids keep me going each and every day and I love them for it.

The listeners of The Chronic Rift. And if you haven't tried out an episode yet, check it out on iTunes or at http://chronicrift.mevio.com. There are now fifty episodes to choose from.

You, gentle reader, for taking the time to read and often comment on my random ramblings. I haven't been posting that often as I haven't been feeling so inspired to write lately, but I'm going to try to get back in the game in the new year.

A Happy Thanksgiving to all and to all a good day.

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I have always had issues with my stomach. I get it from my mother. I've had acid reflux for most of my life and have been on Nexium for the last ten years or so. I developed a small ulcer shortly after breaking up with She Who Has No Soul.

In addition there is my yo-yo weight and you have a stomach that is not happy. Also, as happy go lucky as I try to be, I've come to realize I worry more than I'm aware of. I internalize my worries, keeping them under the surface and don't bother people with the small stuff. But the small stuff builds up too and gets me sick. I think this has also contributed to my inability to sleep for any great length of time.

When I get through this and I will, I need to examine my diet and how I handle my stress. I can't keep freaking my kids out like this.

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Thanksgiving eve and
My stomach won't rest until
I pass from this world.

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...direticulitis. At least, that's what it's looking like. Have to wait on the blood and stool results. Let's take stock - vertigo, cytomegalovirus, and breast tissue that could have been cancerous. I think my doctor wants to write a paper on me.

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So, I'm going now to the doctor. One symptom I seem to have picked up that Sue was missing is excessive and painful cramps. I'm having trouble eating anything. I can hold it down, but I simply don't want it.

On the bright side, I did manage to get everything done this weekend for Thanksgiving, assuming I'm not ill enough to keep everyone away.

Also, thanks to themadadmin I now have access to my Rift mail through my iPhone. In fact, I have that and my gmail account set up. Plus, I did my follow throughs with upcoming guests on the podcast. December is going to be a busy month. Where most podcasts take a break, we're going to do a series of all new episodes.

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So, I didn't get to go to Philcon this weekend as Sue was ill. The thing is, she's feeling better and it looks like I have it. Bleh!!

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This being Veterans Day, the school is closed. The timing couldn't be better. Mikey's daycare was closed for the rest of the week because the owner has the H1N1 virus. Sue is off on Friday and will most likely take off tomorrow for Mikey.

Right now, the boys are playing the Wii, but a trip to a veterans memorial near home is in order today. Mikey may not understand, but Eddie will.

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 You know, I really think the worst feeling in the world is when a hero, someone you looked up to, lets you down.  This hasn't been a good fall so far as I've been let down by not one, but two people I admired and thought highly of.  One is a friend, the other is a co-worker who was once my teacher.  Both appear to only care about themselves and both are willing to do anything to get what they want, even if it means hurting other people.  It's sad really and I thought better of both of them despite what others told me.

 So, we gathered online last night and not only was it the first time playing in some time, it was also the first time the whole gang played together in some time.  Skype was a little futzy, but I think that had to do with both myself and themadadmin  being on wireless connections.  There weren't that many encounters, one in fact, but it proved difficult as the party was already injured.  Five giant ants and four aspis drones from the Slave Lords series made them retreat back to a nearby town.  I'm moving the plot along by drugging them and having them wake up in the Slave Lords' dungeons where they'll have to fight their way out.

I hit highs and lows when it comes to my enthusiasm with the campaign.  Moving this along has got me motivated again. 

Thank goodness that is over. Do you know what's worse than an obnoxius New Yorker? An obnoxious New Yorker who is a Yankees fan. Honestly, I was rooting for the Yankees only after the Phillies failed to take command of this series in the hopes that they would end it sooner and we could get on with our lives. Of course, now there's the wearing of paraphenalia, the parades that will result in my students cutting school (why can't these be held on a weekend?), and then the general conversations in my company about how great the game was. You'd swear this was a religion. And they say I'm crazy for believing in God.

(posted in the middle of the night after helping tend to Mikey who threw up and has a 103 fever. I never should have taken a moment to check LJ or FB or Twitter which is littered like a ticker tape parade with celebratory notices of the Yankees win.)

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 Just gave a rep from Cablevision Varsity channel a tour of the school.  They are donating a new camera, tripod, and mac computer to us in order to produce content for their website and channel.  They want short human interest pieces on primarily the sports teams we have, but also on the clubs and activities going on around the school.  It's a great opportunity for the kids as they will be trained by Cablevision producers on getting the best shot and editing their content for broadcast.  It will be great for the school as it will help to promote it.  It will also be great for me as I'm getting a stipend from Cablevision as the moderator of the video club.  Who knew, after all these years, I'd still be working in some sort of video production other than Eddie and Mikey making "poo poo" jokes for the camera.

Just recorded a Roundtable episode on Sherlock Holmes with Andrea as co-host that will premiere this Tuesday.  It features authors Laurie R. King and Kevin Lauderdale (now with the brand, spanking new LJ - kevinlauderdale  -  go check it out).  We had a great time talking about what makes the character what he is for so many people.  We rambled on about the various versions we've seen on screen (including a mention of the God-awful Tom Baker one).  We conjectured about what we can expect to see in the new version featuring Robert Downey Jr.  We even got a chance to work in some talk on the two musicals, much to Andrea's and Laurie's chagrin.

It's all new, all free, and all easy to access at the new home of The Chronic Rift podcast episodes - http://chronicrift.mevio.com.  Make sure you have your iTunes and Zune feeds updated by visiting the website.  And then when you're done, you can tell us how wonderful or how insane we were at http://www.chronicrift.com.