Musings of an Empress

Five Thousand Years
by Viggo Mortensen

It’s a long, long way
made of stone
from Omaha to Cairo.
From the riverbank
through the dying fields
across the sea
to the bloody quarries
where they keep digging
for rulers
while school bells
echo
North and South
off the twin brown
mirrors of the Missouri
and the Nile.

Reading this poem made me think back to my first semester of college after high school. (I phrase it like that because I took college classes while I was still in high school.)Anyway, I took Physical Anthropology with Dr. Monkey-man (as we called him) who just happened to have one of the cutest teaching assistants i have ever come across. Jim was smart, funny, incredibly hot, a closet punk and…an archeologist?

Besides music most people have never heard of, his passion was archeology…at the age of 24 he had already been on some significant digs in this country. I loved listening to him talk about what they had found and how important it was to preserve this history for future generations.

He was of the philosophy (much like Kalohe) that the reason we have knowledge is so we can share it with others. That said, the man spent hours upon hours teaching me to understand genetics. For a smart girl, I was completely dull when it came to genetics. I failed that particular section twice in high school. But he was convinced that I could learn if only someone took the time.

THat class required us to log many, many observation hours at the local zoo. (I can tell you more about chimpanzees and lemurs than I would care to admit) Well if his students had to be there then Jim would be there too. We spent hours watching the chimps, talking about life and relating genetics to real life.

I did learn enough to pass the class and I did eventually understand genetics…everything I need to know can be summed up with a box of Fruit Loops.

It’s been years since I have seen Jim, but everytime I read about an important dig I look to see if he’s gottent he break he was waiting for.

Poetic, I know. I have been sick off and on for the last four days and it’s getting old. Friday night I had a migraine of Bibilical proportions. I’m only slightly exaggerating…I haven’t been that ill from a migraine since I was 14. I was so sick I even left Clark and Kalohe unattended at the bar to go home and sleep. THe night ended up being fun for everyone else…so that makes me feel better. More on that story later…I don’t have the energy for it right now.

Monday night I started to come down with a cold or something and by yesterday morning, I was completely ill. I didn’t even move from bed until 3 pm. I tried…but I couldn’t get the energy to even move. Today is better, I am back at work…but still not feeling great.

I apologize for all the phone calls, emails, texts, and visits I am behind on. I will eventually get caught up…but either be patient or expect to turn blue. I can not afford to stay sick.

On a positive note, I had a little time to read this weekend. I have three books started (as per usual) right now. I am reading: The Secret Language of Destiny, Savage Peace: Americans at War in the 1990’s and The Portable Henry Rollins. Excellent reads all. I am hoping to finish at least a couple of them by the end of the weekend. I know Savage Peace will take longer…it’s a very in-depth and technical read, but fascinating all the same.

It’s not actually a secret, but it makes for an amusing story. I was watching the movie Be Cool with Kalohe last night. It has The Rock in it, so of course I simply had to watch it. He is, by far, my very favorite. I don’t care whether or not he’s a good actor…I think he’s about the hottest man on the planet. He leads my Top 5 list by a pretty good margin and has for years.

I have always had a thing for big Polynesian men (or tall asian men as MOH and I call them) Though, any of the three of you who read here on a regular basis probably already knew that about me.

Anyway, in the movie, there is a scene where the Rock does something called the Samoan Slap Dance. It’s a hula-type traditional dance and damn, does he look good doing it. So, I am watching and my Kalohe is, of course, commentating. I made mention of the fact that this particular movie is the only one of The Rock’s movies that I don’t currently own. (well, that and Doom now that it’s out) That comment led to a discussion about The Rock’s acting abilities…whether or not he has any. I quote, “Well, he’s kinda lame and stupid, but he’s a local boy, so I’ve gotta give him support. Ya gotta appreciate a local boy makin’ good even if he’s not a good actor.”

My response: “Ummm…you don’t watch The Rock because of his acting…ok, maybe you do…I don’t. In fact, I don’t care what he does…he can just stand there and periodically turn around and I’m down with that.”

And then the Captain Obvious statement of the night: Damn pepe, you’ve got a thing for the Polynesians don’t you!! I mean, you really like your local boys huh, Audrey.

Ummm….hello!! Where have you been?? Kalohe, don’t tell me you are just now catching up with the class!! The fact that you are my magnetic north only mostly has to do with us…it certainly doesn’t hurt anything that you’re a big, pidgin-speakin’, local boy yourself.

It is now the new running joke…anyone around me who has nothing to say will blurt out: “Newsflash!! Audrey likes her some Polynesians!” Gotta love your friends…well, and The Rock, of course.

I love this song. I’ve been playing it all morning…driving with the windows down…the sun shining in…nevermind that work is crazy; I am in a good mood.

“I Break Things” By Erika Jo

I usually boycott the traditional celebrations that take place today. I think it’s just another marketing ploy (albeit an effective one) of the Hallmark Corporation to up their profits. However, I am in a good mood today; so instead of the cynical raving that you’ve most likely come to expect from me, I will take a moment to say something a bit different.

I want to use today as an excuse to tell the people I love just that. I LOVE YOU GUYS!!

You are fantastic friends, both in the real world and the blog realm. I am blessed to be surrounded by such caring, giving people.

I hope you all have a wonderful day knowing you are loved.

Oh, and another thing…it’s officially G-ma Day!!! I pick them up from the airport at 10:30 tonight. Yay me!

Time to say thanks…just because it’s nice to hear once in a while. So, in no particular order, you guys are awesome! (Rae, you rock!)

1. Joan
2. Rielle
3. Rae
4. Chrissy
5. Jason
6. Chad
7. Judy
8. Sgt. Hook
9. Bette
10. Laura

I just returned from the vet’s office. I wrote earlier about my oldest kitty, Junior. She has been ill for a few months and I was pretty sure that today i was going to have to have her put to sleep.

I am so happy to say that the results were far different than I expected. Not only is she still with me, but the vet thinks that she has a few more good years in her. The vet we use is a bit different than most vets. He uses some interesting and unique holistic techniques to diagnose and treat both animals and people.

I’ll admit, when I first took my old Irish Setter to him 14 years ago, I was more than a little skeptical of his methods. But, in the intervening years, he has seen all of the animals in out vast menagerie and has taken excellent care of each one. So, if he says that Junior can have a good quality of life, then I believe it.

She does indeed have cancer, and a nasty bacterial infection that has sped the cancer’s progression. She will be on antibiotics for a couple weeks and after that she will start some holistic treatments that are far less invasive than anything in conventional medicine.

Hopefully, she will get her energy back and can have another few years before the end. I am in such a good place right now…I think I found the only vet who could give me hope for my little Junior.

Thanks for all the good thoughts and concern. You guys are awesome!!

In the light of day, I may think better of this post and take it down…at this point, it’s too soon to say. The words magnetic north come to mind.

Sometimes love means loss.

Doing the the right thing isn’t always easy. Not that the previous statement is a newsflash to anyone. Before anyone gets upset or worried about my state of mind; rest assured, I am alright.

I did get some bad news today. My mom called to tell me that the time has come for my oldest cat to be put down. This has been a long time coming, but I don’t think it ever gets easier. I’ve had Junior for about 12 years…she is fondly referred to as the pirate cat. She only has one eye…an injury sustained when she was just a tiny kitten. She is one of the best mousers we’ve ever had…an important skill for a cat who lives in a barn.

In recent years, her age has begun to show. It takes her longer to get up and down. When she gets sick it takes her longer to recover. She doesn’t hunt as frequently and doesn’t play with the dogs as much. She’s been getting consistently sicker the last few months and I can’t stand to watch her suffer.

So, Wednesday afternoon I will take her to the vet and see what he has to say. If she has a curable problem, then I will do whatever I need to; however, I think that he’s going to tell me it’s time to let her go. She just isn’t herself anymore…if she had just slowed down, I wouldn’t consider having her put to sleep…but I know her arthritis is really bad and I can’t stand for her to be in pain.

I know that letting go is the right decision, but it’s never easy. Sigh…she’s been a good cat for a long time and now I owe it to her to not let her suffer. I just hate thinking about it.