I am...

That's a pretty powerful opening to a statement!

It is a declaration.  An introduction.  A first, and more importantly, a lasting impression.

Conjugations and past participles aside... it is a phrase that one personally uses to describe themselves, therefore a declaration to those who would not only hear, yet listen...

I am, I was, I used to be, I want to be, I wanted to be, I will be, I could have been, I should have been...






I have heard even more powerful statements, though...

He is, she is, they are, we are, this is...


I know who I am.

Merry Christmas!

One of the hardest lessons I have had to learn, is that pain, destruction, and fear are the things that offer each of us, the most opportunity to grow!  It is up to the individual, to choose to learn from the experience!

I can retreat, run away, hide... my life so far, has afforded me these options!

Yet, I choose not to.

Some will argue that I have actually retreated, run away, and have hidden.  To them, I offer an invitation to tag along with me!  A "walk in my shoes" thing...

Saddle up!  We have a ride!  One stop, then a welcome!  Dare to come with me???

The bottom line?  My time is limited.  I accept this.  A greater good?  Probably.  I am here... might as well make the best of it!

Vanquish a few fears, witness for some, presence for others.  Comfort.  Solace.  Agreement.  Understanding.  Trust.

If still unconvinced, in three or four days, I take this ride.  I welcome any who wish to join me!  I-10/SR85/I-8... if you travel, and see the nomad...  pull in behind... turn on the brights... then pass, and clear the road ahead...

Be sure to speed, yet only 5mph over!  I cruise at 80!  That makes passing difficult... a paradox...  yours to solve!

SPAM!

It comes in many forms.

Email is the most known.

Monty Python is the lesser.

I lean towards the Monty Python experience!


A single can, with adequate water supply, can sustain an individual for a week... a lot of salt...  Dihydrogenoxidase, is the equalizer!


Merry Christmas!

A simple request...

The depths of human strength, to endure such suffering, is unfathomable... I have seen it in history, recently, witnessed it for myself.

Abuela, usted es un pilar! Lamento haberte causado molestias usted, estoy feliz que era capaz de aliviar su dolor. Disfrute del café ... el médico no sabía!

The best of times, the worst of times...

I think of myself, and have been described as, a no-nonsense type of person.  In other words, save the bullshit, what is it that needs to be done?

As an experienced individual, I find that when people are left to there own... they either rise, sink, or just float along.  There are some that might need a boost, or a lift at times; and then there are some that need a reality check, or at least the chair knocked out from under them, every now and then...

I admit, I myself, am not immune.  Throughout my life, I've had a few hands up, a chair or two knocked out, and quite a few 2x4's up side the head, if I may say so.




This past week has been interesting.  I wouldn't call it a personal conflict, yet I have been "bumping heads," with another individual quite often.  I macro-manage, focusing when needed.  This individual tends to micro-manage, looking up and around when they need to get their bearings.

The other day, this individual found themselves as a peer to me.

Their assignment:  Two discharges, an admit, and a new patient via ambulance all at the same time.  Trying to call report on the admit, one of the discharges standing in the hallway demanding that the IV (at least I think that was what they were referring to as the "damn thing") out of their arm, and the disparate look on my peer's face as the ambulance stretcher wheeled into their only open room...

I chuckled.  Thought about just walking by, as I knew they would not ask for help just to prove they could handle it.  Yet, I am able to rise above the petty stuff, cut through the BS, and just get what needs to be done, done.  So I took out the offending IV. Then went to the new patient.  Intake, assessment, and initial interventions completed.

One discharge left without instructions, the admit was on the way to floor, the other discharge due to a condition change, now an admission...  When they finally got to the new patient... I calmly gave report.  Everything was done, awaiting the physician.  As I left, I heard a soft-spoken, "Thanks."  I turned, smiled, and said, "I'm a Nurse too, it's what we do.  You're welcome."

Not a 2x4, nor a chair knocked out from under them, a gentle reminder.

Joy

Tis the Season...

I was asked to provide input.  What brings you joy? How is that joy reflected in your words and actions?

I responded.

Yet the answer was interesting.

'An open road, a destination or not, and a purpose, is what brings me joy.'

However, my words and actions, would probably offend most, most of the time.  Yet, for the one that I am present for...


I can not connect true joy with offending someone.

I will give someone a sandwich, as fast as I send them to jail.  Cross me, and I will walk away.  Push me, and you will feel wrath.  Yet, I will still be the the first one to defend you, and the last to witness.

Best friend, or worst enemy?

My Joy?  Well, it is, deferred.

Layers...

Been gone for a week, working, semi-disconnected...  used my handheld computer device that also seems to have a phone function (who knew!?), to check in every now and then...

Sort of refreshing, in a way.

It is an interesting study; that is, how people connect and/or keep in touch.  Then there are the layers of interaction...


For me, when I hear someone mention "layers," I think 'clothing.'  It was 64 degrees outside as I was departing my locale.  It dropped into the mid-50's during my journey.  Speeds of 80 mph... that's a "feels like" of 45 degrees.  Crosswinds of 9 mph with gusts... ends up being a little lower...

I got as far as Gila Bend.

After an hour and a half of riding, the last ten minutes, I began to shiver. 

Tank topped off, I went inside the store, used the facilities, bought a coffee, announced, and asked if I could stay inside, near the door and just warm up a bit.  The clerk recognized me, probably from my frequent visits, and graciously allowed my request.

As I prepared for my departure, the final leg of my trip, I added a few layers.  The outermost being my leather.  Wonderful and miraculous material, truly a God-given gift!

The more layers I had, the warmer I became... 

and that is something to think about.