— This is an endless week. I already can’t see to the end of it.
— I have never read Where Angels Fear to Tread
— I’m getting surgery on Tuesday. I’ve never had anesthesia and am a bit anxious about it.
— But let’s hope the surgery does the trick. This health situation cannot continue.
— Juggling freelance gigs is strangely satisfying while at the same time totally nervewracking.
— I know when I decide to re-organize my DVD collection that I am deep in the throes of procrastination.
— On Halloween night, Jen and I spontaneously went to go see Monsters at the Sunshine Movie Theatre on Houston Street (unfortunately for us we were on the “wrong” side of the parade when we wanted to get home in a timely manner). Monsters was garbage. Afterwards, Jen was in the Ladies Room, and I sat waiting for her. Out of the Ladies Room came Lauren Hutton. She was alone. She had on bright red corduroy pants and Hi-Top sneakers. This is the second time in my life I’ve seen her in the flesh. Once, she was on a flight back from LA that I was also on, and she was sitting in first class, in a pale blue sweater, reading a newspaper. I have no idea what movie Hutton was going to see, by herself, on Halloween night, but she was openly weeping as she walked by me. I have always loved her, and now I love her even more. Going to the movies alone on Halloween night at the Sunshine. And crying as she walked out.
— I went up to Siobhan’s for dinner this past week. Michelle was there. Siobhan had made delicious chili and corn bread. There was a bottle of Wild Turkey. Ha! We talked about everything under the sun. It was so good to see Siobhan. She’s busy with school work. I didn’t get to see Ben, he was “at prison”, as I was informed. (He does workshops with prisoners, but still it was a funny moment. “Where’s Ben?” “At prison.” “Oh.”)
— Just finished a wonderful biography of Gouverneur Morris, he who wrote the Constitution. I only knew a little bit about him: that he had a wooden leg, that he wrote the Constitution, that he delivered the eulogy for George Washington, and that perhaps apocryphal story of him taking the dare from Alexander Hamilton to go up to the always-formal Washington and address him in a familiar back-slapping way just to see what would happen. It did not go over well. That event may have never happened, but I love the story anyway. He shows up in every biography of “those guys”, and he is always a likable and amusing presence, so it was fun to get to know his whole story. The book is Gentleman Revolutionary: Gouverneur Morris, the Rake Who Wrote the Constitution
— I’ve been gorging myself on film noir.
— Jean and Pat’s new baby is due this month! Lucy is about to be a big sister!
— My mother is coming down to help me recover from surgery. I am very grateful.
— I have moments where I am suddenly overwhelmed by a feeling of well-being. The most recent happened when I was driving to the beach on a sunny cold morning. I suddenly felt good to be alive, overwhelmed, actually. The opposite still happens. I suppose I’m still getting over last year. But when that wave of well-being pierces me, I always take a moment to revel in it. There. Aren’t I lucky to feel that way? Aren’t I lucky to be alive?
You will be in my prayers for a successful surgery and speedy recovery. There’s nothing like having your mother help you recover :). I’m 37 and when I’m sick I still want my mom, just wish she lived closer. Hope you are stocked up on old movies and good soups! Best of the best to you sheila.
Jennchez – Thank you so much! It’s been a yukky month of tests and things like that. I am so glad I’m finally just getting it done, and yes, my mother will be a great help!!
Maybe that’s why I spent the afternoon re-arranging my DVD collection – so it will be all well-organized for my recovery!
I am grateful for you every day…
Me too, Bets. Friends for life. Can’t wait to play hostess in December!
Sending positive healing vibes your way. Can’t wait to see you (and your organized DVDs. I was gonna mention their disarray when Betsy and I were there, but I held my tongue….)
// I was gonna mention their disarray //
Okay, that made me snort with laughter.
So if you’re having surgery (good luck) and will be recovering (with DVDs), two words for you: “Indian Summer.” Trust me. (Or “The Muppet Movie.” Either one.)
Best wishes this week, Sheila. I was nervous about my anesthetic for surgery a year or two ago, never having had it before either, but it went fine.
Since you mentioned film noir, you might enjoy a book I’m currently reading on literary noir: “The Best American Noir of the 20th Century,” edited by James Ellroy and Otto Penzler. In the Foreword, Penzler writes (in essence): “If you find these stories delightful, commit yourself to an insane asylum.” This is followed immediately by an Introduction by Ellroy: “These stories are delightful!”
Craig – Oooh, I love Ellroy. I am SO curious about his latest book which seems to focus on his relationships with women. I love that guy. I will definitely check the book out, thank you so much! And yes: an insane asylum is just the place for me.
I am afraid of losing consciousness. Do you feel groggy when you wake up? Or is it like you’ve just had a nap? (You don’t have to answer if you don’t want.) Thanks for the vote of confidence.
Jason – I love you for The Muppet Movie suggestion! I actually own it! Now, Indian Summer – I know nothing about that – what is it? Of course I could IMDB it, but I’d rather hear it from you!
Not too groggy. More like a nap. I was anxious about losing consciousness too, but I had a good anesthesiologist who kept talking and lightly joking with me until I nodded off. Don’t even remember doing it, I just remember waking up afterwards. Then going home and sleeping some more. ;)
One of the stories in the noir anthology is “Gun Crazy,” which the movie adapted. Ellroy, in addition to being co-editor, has a story of his own, a dry run for what became his L.A. Quartet.
Craig – This is a relief to hear. I hope I have a good anesthesiologist – I like my doctor very much (her office not so much). I just can’t wait for it to be OVER.
Oh Gun Crazy. It may very well be one of my favorite movies. I never get sick of it. It’s so subversive, so hot. The cars turning around to meet each other again after they try to separate! Such a classic example of the crime duo. They cannot be without each other.
And thanks for sharing your experience. It helps to hear about!!
Re: surgery – will send winged positive thoughts your way.
Dan – thank you thank you! Like my friend David just emailed me: // Women’s bodies are fraught with complications.//
Enough already!
Ouch, sorry to hear about the surgery, best wishes. Hurray for mums! I get the wellbeing feeling when I’m walking hard, really striding out, and listening to something energising on my iPod. It kind of kills me to admit it, cos I mostly hate exercise, but that’s when it most often happens. So hurray for those moments, too.
Good luck with the surgery Sheila. I’m glad your Mom will be there to help during your recovery.
The last time I had surgery, they gave me a dose of something in advance that relaxed me so much I didn’t care what they did to me by the time I met the crew in the operating room.
Who looks at a sweet tiny baby and goes, “Gouverneur” ??
Wish you the best, Sheila!
*A follower and admirer of your most excellent blog in New Delhi, India
I had surgery for the first time in my life in August to repair a shattered left ankle. I was apprehensive big time, but by the time the crew came to get me and take me down to the OR, I was Ready to just do it and get it over with. It was midnight and I was the only person in the staging area. The OR was freezing cold so they brought me a hot blanket and it was heavenly bliss. The anaesthesiologist was wearing teal scrubs and he had the most amazing teal-colored eyes above his mask. Only a short time after I got there, he told me to “choose your dream” because it was happening soon, and I chose my dream, the mask thingy went over my nose, and about 2 hours later I was in recovery. It was strange, no grogginess at all, my eyes just popped open and I know its not possible, but I think I remember seeing absolutely clearly without my glasses. They took me back to the room and my husband was there, I got some pain meds in my IV, and I went to sleep with a plate, 7 screws, and 2 pins in my ankle. I am still in therapy, but coming along nicely. One adjusts. Good luck with your surgery, cant wait to have you posting again!
I’ll be praying for your recovery.
Regarding anasthesia – when I had my appendix out, they just told me to count down from 100. I don’t remember getting to zero. It wasn’t scary, though I was much younger so perhaps I didn’t have the necessary sense of mortality yet. I hope that your anasthesiologist tells you to pick a dream or something much more cool than just “count back from 100.” I remember thinking, “Great, I have homework here too!”
“Indian Summer” — Overlooked 1993 film with, among others, Diane Lane, Elizabeth Perkins, Kevin Pollack and … Sam Raimi. But the movie is stolen by one of the best — yes, really — Alan Arkin performances you’ll ever see. It’s a sweet movie I never get tired of, a chicken soup movie that’ll warm you up. A few years ago, someone I worked with was, like you, having surgery. She wasn’t a big movie watcher but knew I was. I decided to give her “Indian Summer” as an out-of-the-box suggestion. Success! A few years later, same scenario, same advice, same success. So you can make three. Move it to the top of your Netflix queue, or browse the $10 area at Barnes & Noble, were I’ve seen it more than a few times. (Isn’t it irritating when great movies are in the bargain bin? So insulting!)
Trust me, “Indian Summer” will get you moving right along to feeling better, until something better comes along, and you have a rainbow connection. Can you picture that? Hey… wait a minute. This seems familiar, vaguely familiar …
In other words, “The Muppet Movie” works, too.
Hey wait a minute. Does it take place at a summer camp? I did see that! In the movie theatres, I think! I don’t remember Sam Raimi though – I love Elizabeth Perkins so much. Putting it on the queue again – I would love to revisit it.
Elizabeth Perkins. Ya can’t live with her, ya can’t live without her. There’s something irresistibull-ish about her …
Speaking of all of this, why oh why is The Muppet Movie soundtrack not readily available? I think it’s only on vinyl. Can someone confirm?
“Though sadly we just left Rhode Island …”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MMR5JVo21wQ
Nailed it on “Indian Summer.” And, sadly, on the soundtrack for “The Muppet Movie.” However …!
There’s a 25th anniversary CD for “The Muppet Show” — and don’t think for a second I don’t have it — that includes several tracks from that movie: “Rainbow Connection,” “Movin’ Right Along,” “Can You Picture That?” and “The Magic Store.” So, alas, there’s no hoping that something better comes along (though I do), or promises to go back there someday, which, incidentally, my preschool class sang at our recital when I was however-many-years-young. But you also get “Muppet Show” classics like “Mahna Mahna” and “Bein’ Green,” among others, plus some tracks from other Muppet movies.
And speaking of “The Muppet Show,” when on earth is Season 4 coming out on DVD?!? It’s driving me crazy. (Seriously, it’s the one thing I hope to discover EVERY TIME I go into the TV series section of a DVD store.)
While I’m here, nothing, and I mean nothing, makes me happier than this …
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PLqb64Pb9So
Of course, this comes close …
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6AjovHGK-TA&feature=related
And if you feel like having your heart broken, there’s always this …
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G9Em3vVwsm0&feature=related
Putting in the fix for a successful, swift, and complete recovery (also adding a plug for The Muppet Movie).
Good luck with surgery tomorrow :) I’ll be keeping you in my prayers until it is over. Anesthesia is usually nothing to worry about, but everyone I know who has had it for the first time worries. Yay for mothers!
Jason Bellamy: “But you also get “Muppet Show” classics like “Mahna Mahna”….”
One of the great moments from the show’s inferior but still enjoyable ’90s revival was Sandra Bullock as a psychiatrist who summons those horned backup singers with her every iteration of “phenomena”.
nightfly: “…when I had my appendix out, they just told me to count down from 100. I don’t remember getting to zero. ”
If you’re like me, or most people I’ve talked to, you got to around 97 or so. Which I hope doesn’t increase your anxiety, Sheila. The experience was unique*, no awareness–even the vague, groggy sense one has after a nap–of time passing, just my lids drooping pleasantly down and then, in the next breath, being awakened in the recovery bed. A sliver of time removed from me along with the bones in my toe. I’m forever three hours ahead of myself now, having jumped the rails, and even decades later I sometimes think of that with sincere wonder. I hope you find the phenomenon (doo-DOO-doodoo-doo) similarly engaging, and your recovery comfortable and Muppet-fortified.
*With some embarrassed recollection of my younger, heartier partying self, the closest anything else has come is an alcoholic blackout. Though of course that’s followed up more by shameful curiosity at whose couch I’m sleeping on and whose floor do I now have to clean my sick up from.
Bruce Reid- that is one of the funniest posts I have ever read!
blessings and prayers, Sheila!
also, closest thing I can find to the Muppet Movie soundtrack: http://muppetmusique.blogspot.com/2009/01/muppet-movie-soundtrack-cd-version.html
Dear Sheila,
Hope you are recovering well. I had anasthetics when I was 11 and only managed up to 16 before dozing off. And being young and without fear, I could not understand why my mother was so fearful and wanted me to tell the doctor, it was only a bit of stomach trouble when actually I was down with appendics. However, in retrospect, it was because she loved me too much and did not want me to die. I hope I have done well by her till today.
Emilio in Malaysia
Hope you are resting comfortably and healing tonight, Sheila! I am glad to hear your mom could come look after you. (Also, how exciting about the new baby!)
I hope everything went well today and you are on your way to a speedy recovery. Let Mom take care of you, that has always worked for me in these situations. :)
Best wishes for a happy, speedy recovery! My thoughts are with you.
I’ve had to have surgery twice in the last 5 years, ack, anyway, my impression of the anesthesiology business is that they have that part of the surgical procedure nailed down really well. When I came to, I was fully awake instantly, it was not like waking up from being asleep, kind of odd actually in being so easy, no weird after effects either. And it seems to take about 30 second for them to knock me out, it’s a breeze.
Bruce: // I’m forever three hours ahead of myself now, having jumped the rails, and even decades later I sometimes think of that with sincere wonder. //
hahahahaha
Beautiful funny comment, much appreciated. All went well, although it of course sucks to be in the hospital. It’s all over now, and I am recovering quickly.
Or, to keep with the Muppet theme: I am “moving right along, foot-loose and fancy free, we’re ready for the big time, won’t you share it with me?”
Thanks for all the comments.