49 Down, 1 To Go

Ah . . . laska, #49

June, 2006, On the shores of Sadie Cove on The Kenai Peninsula (near Homer)

Today I walked the slushy, snowy streets of Ann Arbor. I was without walker, I was without cane, I wobbled but I went. The only thing that Dr. Bennett, the optometrist, called out was a little less acuity, vision wise, but I knew that even BEFORE the stroke. I need new glasses. Not “Don’t drive!” Not “ Oh, that’s to be expected with a stroke.” Nothing. I felt almost normal. As if we were celebrating, we bought a new pair of glasses AND new contacts AND had lunch at Zingerman's Roadhouse. Ah Life!

Then I thought, “Oh gods, let this continue long enough to get me to Hawaii. (jinx, jinx)”

Home alone, normalcy, t.v., desk, computer, facebook, hours. Then I felt a swoon. I never knew what a swoon was before. But I felt one.

Dizzier than I ever felt before, I was immobilized with fear. And I was immobilized with immobilization. Reaching for the phone for help, it rang. As if by secret twin powers, it was Brian. “Call me back. Give me a minute,” I said. Then it passed.

Was it the great spirit saying “I’m in Charge. Not you. This good stuff can end ANY time. Didn’t you get the message the first time?”

I am perfectly fine now. Reading away. Walking like nobody’s business. Packing.

Which brings us to Saturday. Lift off. (jinx, jinx) Our trip to Hawaii and my question.

When the plane lands in Oahu, my 50th state, will the band play? Will the fat lady sing? Will the Grim Reaper be waiting for me, pointing his bony finger at a hole in the sandy soil? Nooooooo!

I’m not finished.

After I hit my 50th state I have every intention of visiting ALL the countries too. I’ve ONLY been to the USA, Canada, Mexico, Italy, Switzerland, France and Spain. According to WorldAtlas.com there are 193 countries to visit PLUS Kosovo (disclaimer), Palestine, Greenland and Western Sahara AND a lot of Dependencies and Territories TOO! I’ve only been to 7!

7 down, LOTS to go.

- - - David

Found

I once was lost but now I'm found.

There was a time I was a little too addicted to this website. They post something strange everyday. A polaroid of an odd couple, an eerie shopping list, a note written by a kid being bullied . . . anything is possible, all of it is found, most of it takes me by surprise. http://www.foundmagazine.com/

It all started years ago, with a note found on a windshield in Chicago. http://www.foundmagazine.com/about . This evolved into a magazine. Then another, talk radio (NPR among them), tours, a website, international fans; much followed.

Fame. Not too bad for a couple of kids with a fixation for the odd? Now the staff is HUGE.

Oh, and my friend Ginny knows one of the founders, Davy Rothbart, (from Ann Arbor).

Oh, and on Saturday I was found (above).

When the addiction was at it’s zenith, before facebook, a little over 2 years ago, we were renovating the kitchen. One day I tore down a wall that exposed the area under the stairs. It was odd, It was an eerily empty space. Hobie the cat and I immediately explored. There was a lot of dust, a few small kids toys and this strange piece of paper.

I read it and put it with the rest of the small objects we had found around the house. OK, I had found around the house. I keep most everything. There is a fine line separating me from that and an apartment stuffed full of newspapers and cockroaches. Finders Keepers is a comforting mantra to me. A piece of paper with a typewritten message is a FIND. I’m someone who thinks a dirty old miniature dog is a treasure, after all. I kept it. Then on a whim I sent a photo of it to Found™. Saturday, almost 2 years after I sent it in, it was published. I didn’t know until I got a Google Alert.

“Squeeze my cheeks and I’ll give you a kiss.”

or follow you anywhere.

ask Brian.

- - - David

Driving, (me crazy?)

Marcy wrote at 11:37 am (on facebook)

“Sandy is driving too...driving me crazy! :)”

lmao

Today, I drove. This is a major moment. This should be a historical red letter day . . . everybody, holiday, NO working! Drinks are on us!

I still walk and talk like I’ve been spending a little time (and a little money) at the bar at Cub’s, but there I was behind the wheel, and I was doing OKay.

I started safely, in an empty parking lot, but it wasn’t long before I headed out to the mean streets of Adrian. There was traffic, the normal running of the stop signs, the normal pick-ups going 20 over, even the normal pulling out into traffic, ahh, life, I love the smell of danger in the morning.

I even pulled onto Adrian’s equivalent of the Indy 500 . . . U.S. 123. Brilliance. Whoever chose the name 1 - 2 - 3 gets a prize, great numbers. Better yet, Brian gets a prize for having the nerve to sit in the passenger seat. The dogs? No prize, they’d drive with anyone.

For those shaking their heads and thinking, “what’s the big woof, we drive every day”, I say : try sitting in the house or better yet the hospital, too, for 3 months (oh, and throw in some pureed food, some tubes AND then quit smoking.)

How many of us remember learning how to walk and talk? I try to keep the same attitude as a toddler, “So, I’m a little wobbly, I’m getting there!” Walk slowly, smile broadly, cry often, don’t pay attention to people who are watching, these are good guidelines when you are toddling . . . kids do this automatically, they have the right idea, I give them credit. You will notice that few toddlers carry hot cups of coffee, there’s a good reason for this.

Now I am to driving again. This one I remember. So, we could have a few fender benders, I’ll be careful, (isn’t that what the kids say?)

- - - David

Blue Christmas

Room with a view? Pray this comes true.

In 12 days, (that’s a week from Saturday), we’ll be on our way. As we used to say in grade school, "No Brag, just fact". I mean it.

I am freaking.

There’s the good freak, the fact that I’m lucky enough to be alive and going, but also the more frequent and intense freak freak because I am not in the least bit prepared. I am just starting to read the Blue Planet book (at least I didn’t wait until I got on the plane!), but I have very few ideas of what to do/see/visit. I realize there is only so much an old gay guy with a dizzy head, a slow walk and a cane can accomplish in a week while B is attending to business, but if you have any ideas, e-mail them to me. Anyone have a map of O’ahu?

Brilliant ideas like my sister had, “take me with you”, are funny, but not helpful. I wish I had the money and the power to do it. You know you will be there in my heart. I know that’s not as good, but for now it will have to do.

- - - David

My Modest Proposal

O before R

Much ado has been made about Obama’s choice of Rick Warren as a prayer giver at next month’s historical/hysterical inauguration.

On one hand Warren’s on screen analogy of gay marriage with the incest of a brother marrying a sister as a reason for his backing of California’s Prop (H-)8, his further rantings, his church’s banning of unrepentant homos and his citing of “biblical” reasons for legalizing discrimination.

On the other hand, there is Warren’s reported return of 25 years of church salary, reported tithing/return of 90% of his future earnings and his support of the AIDS crises and his publicized support of other charities. Melissa Etheridge (Singer/Survivor/Activist) publishes and accepts Warren’s apologies. Obama further points out that it’s an opportunity to reach out to evangelicals. Saner talking heads say that Warren is only one of the preachers appearing.

Has all this hullabaloo over? Hardly. What can I will I do? Well I am torn. I will cancel my plans to go to D.C. to watch the occasion. I will plan on watching Obama’s swearing in on television, at least most of it. I will turn my back on and not listen to Warren’s prayer.

Maybe this is what the founders had in mind when they planned to separate church and State.

What happened?

I am heartened that a well spoken, thinking man has been elected. But I am tired of the same old politics. I am tired of the hatred that calls itself religion. I am tired of the opinions. I want to be inspired. I crave hope.

So, I will (not quite so) silently protest hatred, unless of course it changes it’s ways.

I can hope.

- - - David

16 Random Things: (tag, you're it.)

Like the flu, but nicer, this thing is going around (on facebook, on the internet).

I am going to send it to everyone who sent it to me and to everyone who might do it. My advice? Don't think, write.

"Rules: Once you have been tagged, you have to write a note about 16 random things pertaining to you. When you're finished tag 16 others. Tag the one who tagged you. If I tagged you it's because I want to know more about you."

1. I was raised catholic, went to mass daily for 8 years, served as an altar boy, wanted to be a priest, then the church made a point of saying I was bad. They embrace child molesters and murderers, but I am bad. No problem, I left.

2. I am a reverend of the universal life church. You can be too. I now describe myself as a Latitudinarian. That is described, by my DICTIONARY as allowing latitude in religion; showing no preference among varying creeds and forms of worship. I still have the faith like I thought the nuns meant when I was young.

3. I love to travel. In January I plan to visit my 50th state. If I make it, Yahoo says there are 194 countries on the planet. 6 down 188 to go.

4. I also love to be home; TV on, feet up, friends over, (between trips).

5. I have always loved to read. I love to read CRAP. I will read whatever is put in front of me. I agree with it, fine. I disagree with it, interesting. I never read anything like it before, fabulous. I go crazy if I can't read a newspaper in the morning, 2 or 3 even better. The New York Times will not deliver to my house. This is barbaric. This is a reason to move.

6. I used to write an advice column. A kind of advice for the home, design/decorating, how-to, why-not column. I was fired, after years. I am still full of it, advice that is.

7. I avoid mirrors. Sometimes I use them to see if I am covered in something odd, most times I do not.

8. I enjoy dogs. They do not look in mirrors either. I do not know if they read, if they bother to write or if they are former Catholics. But I think I know what they are thinking, sometimes.

9. I have always loved science fiction, crime. detective or vampire stories, scary things like Stephen King and/or freaky movies like Blair Witch. Since the stroke they all scare me a little too much to enjoy. Strange but true. I have not bought this up in therapy.

10. Someday, when I go. I would prefer a large party. a pine box, as many containers for my ashes as people want, and to be scattered/buried wherever people choose. I do not wish to be mourned, more than usual.

11. I am getting used to this dizzy stuff, but I do not enjoy it.

12. I wonder if I will ever laugh/dance/run normally again. I hope so.

13. I am monogamous by nature, I can't help it.

14. 14. I am attracted to bright lights and funny people who are not mean.

15. 15. I cannot tie knots very well. or untie them. This is why I avoided tying in kindergarten, dropped out of boy scouts, failed as a sailor and prefer loafers.

16. 16. I do not like heights, but they thrill me.

- - - David

So, it's surrounded by high rises? At least it's Hawaii.

Brian made the reservation today, (don’t tell Lucy). So it’s official, not a sure thing, but official. Kalakaua Avenue it is.

A week on Waikiki beach. I pray for nice weather, but anything would be fine. Oceanfront, balcony . . . spa, surfing . . . leis, luaus.

If I have to be stuck somewhere, it might as well be in a Honolulu Hotel. Hello, room service?


Want to check it out?

http://www.moana-surfrider.com/

- - - David (meet us on the veranda.)

Get Me Out of Here?

A plane with a view . . .
I haven’t been this giddy since I got out of St. Joe’s.

I’ve been out of the hospital since late October. I mostly stay at home. I have been allowed out of the house a few times since then, but mostly I’ve become one with my television and with facebook. I am starting to read more and walk better, but for weeks it’s been me the dogs and the television and the sofa, and sometimes Brian (Though he probably feels that it's ALWAYS and CONSTANTLY Brian). I am not whining. I am grateful for the time I’ve had and the abilities I’ve been afforded and the friends who’ve cared and EVERYTHING.

But between you and me, I’m getting a little cabin fever. Just a little. The mere thought of escape is mesmerizing. Throw in a plane ride and I’m ecstatic. So imagine how happy I am with the idea of getting out and visiting my 50th state . . . Honolulu is calling . . . and I am packing my bag.

Brian has business on the big Island in January and there’s a hotel ( Hōkele ) with a big bed and a larger pool just waiting for me and my cane and calling my name. Can you hear it?

“Aloha”

I can.

Mele Kalikimaka, indeed.

- - - David

College becomes Her

A Radiant Future Awaits

We got the call last night, first from Ginka News, then immediately from the source. I was startled, but not surprised.

Alison Nicole Genevieve (Staskowski) Lunau was accepted by the University of Michigan. (My sister’s daughter/our alma mater) The youngest niece and the Maize and Blue!

She has not decided whether yet whether to major in medicine, law, neuroscience, environmental science, business, the fine arts, a combination of all of the above or to strive for a degree in general studies . . . anything could happen, but she’s in.

If she does what is planned, she will be in the college of L.S.& A. (Literature,Science and the Arts) in the Autumn of 2009. This is where Miss Ruby (Music), the blogger (Architecture & Design), and Brian (B.G.S.), all began. Just 30 years after this favored Uncle (me) graduated, it all begins again. I said favored, not favorite, Brian.

We congratulate her, and remind her we are never far away, (that goes for her brother too). The healing and studious pies of Uncle Brian await you.

Always A Scholar

I’ll just watch, proudly.

- - - Uncle Dave

Solitude

Watching the bulbs grow

The highlight of my life? Sadly, it’s Therapy . . . and that’s ending soon. That either means I’ve progressed so far that it’s no longer beneficial to throw a ball at the trampoline while balancing n one foot OR it means I’ve stopped progressing and I’ll be dizzy for as long as I last.

It’s been almost two months since I left the hospital. The walker and the shower chair are gathering dust, I actually read 15 pages yesterday, what do I have to whine about? The answer is NOTHING. I know that I am lucky to be alive. I am lucky to be given the chance to give up smoking and to give up drinking, and to give up ladders . . . but I want to go outside!

Be careful what you wish for. Two dogs and a husband? Got em. A quiet house with a yard and a white picket fence? Check. No retail work on Saturday? Oh what I wouldn’t give for the voice of a stranger asking why my pots are so expensive.

So what that I almost fell off a step stool hanging holiday greens? I can get around, can’t I? Why the heck would I want to go to Meijer anyway? What’s so special? Thank the gods for the TV, and for the ease of typing on facebook (If you want to join, email me. I’d be happy to invite you. it’s fun!)

I am trying to be careful, to be grateful, to be patient and to be hopeful. I really am! But I am getting tired, and I really want to go outside!

I’ll stop complaining, I am fine. I better get on with my day, Brian was even nice enough to get me the N Y Times, before he left for work. There are places to go, at least in my mind.

- - - David