TRYING NOT TO BE TOO UNHAPPY ABOUT IT, OR MY LIFE...CLXXXIV

A pretty good tip and the prospect of more.

TRYING NOT TO BE TOO UNHAPPY ABOUT IT, OR MY LIFE...CLXXXIII

I have teeth with which to eat candy.

TRYING NOT TO BE TOO UNHAPPY ABOUT IT, OR MY LIFE...CLXXXII

The pigs are home. And there were five checks waiting for me in the mail.

WEEK 88

''All in all, though, I'd say it was a pretty good visit.''

Aida Turturro

I didn’t whack anybody. No matter how much I felt like it. Of course everything resolved itself about two or three hours before it was time for me to go home. I don’t think Jesus meant for his birthday to be a living hell for everyone.

TRYING NOT TO BE TOO UNHAPPY ABOUT IT, OR MY LIFE...CLXXXI

Record-breakingly beautiful weather, a final walk on the beach, seven checks sent out and another on the way.

TRYING NOT TO BE TOO UNHAPPY ABOUT IT, OR MY LIFE...CLXXX

More beautiful weather and a walk on a different beach.

TRYING NOT TO BE TOO UNHAPPY ABOUT IT, OR MY LIFE DOESN'T SUCK TOO MUCH CLXXIX

Neither Mom nor I live in an institution.

TRYING NOT TO BE TOO UNHAPPY ABOUT IT, OR MY LIFE DOESN'T SUCK TOO MUCH CLXXVIII

Other than the obvious, the word becoming flesh, we had beautiful weather and a nice walk on the beach. And H isn't related to us.

MERRY CHRISTMAS

"War is over. If you want it"

John Lennon

"G-d sent his only begotten son to die on the cross to redeem mankind and all we did to pay him back was make terrible fucking cartoons, like the Transformers"

Jeff Anderson

TRYING NOT TO BE TOO UNHAPPY ABOUT IT, OR MY LIFE DOESN'T SUCK TOO MUCH CLXXVII

Another blessedly short mass with a seven-minute sermon. Two days in a row we heard the verses with"fear not."

And a lovely evening at the Seatons'.

TRYING NOT TO BE TOO UNHAPPY ABOUT IT, OR MY LIFE DOESN'T SUCK TOO MUCH CLXXVI

A beautiful day at the beach, a short mass and an even shorter sermon.

TRYING NOT TO BE TOO UNHAPPY ABOUT IT, OR MY LIFE DOESN'T SUCK TOO MUCH CLXXV

My pigs are in good hands.

Week 87

“What's your encore? Do you, like, anally rape my mother while pouring sugar in my gas tank?”


Brian O'Halloran

That’s about how I feel.

Things over which I have been obsessing: the refinancing, the clean-up, my new office space, my new massage space and the pigs.

What have I learned? That "okay," "normal," and "the way it should be" are not so bad, especially compared to "horrible," miserable" and "catastrophic."

TRYING NOT TO BE TOO UNHAPPY ABOUT IT, OR MY LIFE DOESN'T SUCK TOO MUCH CLXXIV

A Christmas bonus. And a good vet visit.

TRYING NOT TO BE TOO UNHAPPY ABOUT IT, OR MY LIFE DOESN'T SUCK TOO MUCH CLXXIII

Voicemail. And business cards.

TRYING NOT TO BE TOO UNHAPPY ABOUT IT, OR MY LIFE DOESN'T SUCK TOO MUCH CLXXII

Closed on the refinancing. And had filet mignon for lunch.

TRYING NOT TO BE TOO UNHAPPY ABOUT IT, OR MY LIFE DOESN'T SUCK TOO MUCH CLXXI

We have settled a closing time and place. And the vet tech sez whatever I've been doing, it's working.

TRYING NOT TO BE TOO UNHAPPY ABOUT IT, OR MY LIFE DOESN'T SUCK TOO MUCH CLXX

I don't have to bring a covered dish to the office party.

TRYING NOT TO BE TOO UNHAPPY ABOUT IT...CLXIX

Got another Starbucks Gift Card.

TRYING NOT TO BE TOO UNHAPPY ABOUT IT...CLXVIII

Got my Christmas bonus.

Week 86

As politically incorrect as it sounds, this week has been like one long version of the Chinese water torture treatment, as my mother would say. And, having grown up with my grandmother, she should know.

What have I learned? That being "happy," "healthy" and just plain "safe" are as good as or better than "rich," "famous," "glamourous" or "powerful."

And I have learned the importance of good dental health.

TRYING NOT TO BE TOO UNHAPPY ABOUT IT...CLXVII

My big pig is home. And people are responding to my ads.

TRYING NOT TO BE TOO UNHAPPY ABOUT IT...CLXVI

My big pig got through his latest surgery OK. And we are closer to closing on the refinancing.

TRYING NOT TO BE TOO UNHAPPY ABOUT IT...CLXV

My property value may increase by ten to twenty thousand dollars. And I've lost pounds since my last trip to the cardiologist.

TRYING NOT TO BE TOO UNHAPPY ABOUT IT...CLXIV

Free lunch from Guapo's.

TRYING NOT TO BE TOO UNHAPPY ABOUT IT...CLXIII

On to the next step with the refinancing

TRYING NOT TO BE TOO UNHAPPY ABOUT IT...CLXII

I had an easy morning. And an easy evening. And a good sleep in between.

TRYING NOT TO BE TOO UNHAPPY ABOUT IT...CLXI

I got a new curtain for the bathroom. Sometimes we have to stretch it.

WEEK 85

Well, I would like to think the worst is behind me. I am getting a lot of calls and e-mails from potential clients, my big pig had his tooth pulled, I have mailed out all my generic winter holiday cards and the refinancing is scheduled for December 15th. Or maybe the 14th.

I feel as though I've been beaten up.

TRYING NOT TO BE TOO UNHAPPY ABOUT IT...CLX

Both pigs are back home. And my toilet flushes again.

TRYING NOT TO BE TOO UNHAPPY ABOUT IT...CLIX

Free champagne. And hot clients who tip.

TRYING NOT TO BE TOO UNHAPPY ABOUT IT...CLVIII

P gave me a Starbucks gift card, which will be used to buy healthy things. And I only have one card left to send.

TRYING NOT TO BE TOO UNHAPPY ABOUT IT...CLVII

I had my first client in the new space.

TRYING NOT TO BE TOO UNHAPPY ABOUT IT...CLVI

F gave me a Starbucks giftcard.

TRYING NOT TO BE TOO UNHAPPY ABOUT IT...CLV

The leaves were a beautiful shade of yellow, more beautiful than I've seen in a long time. They brightened up the nasty grey sky.

TRYING NOT TO BE TOO UNHAPPY ABOUT IT...CLIV

Barkley Square had 12 calendars left. And H sez he's glad it was me, rather than C, who was on duty.

WORLD AIDS DAY

Today is World AIDS Day.