What We Are: A Tribute To Mister Bobby Clothespin

My old neighbor died yesterday. You can read Jayleigh's account of his life and death here. Mine is a bit different.

I can remember that he was a nice man, and I remember all of the childhood memories too. But Mister Bobby Clothespin was special to me beyond words, because of who he was, and what I became.

He was one of those guys who defied the odds. All he wanted in the world, as a young man, was to be a pilot. We're talking WWII, here. But pilots had to have perfect eyesight. He didn't. But he passed all of the exams, and everyone marveled at his instinct... so they let him become a pilot. He always had great stories about flying over thunderstorms without onboard radar, and about the ladies in Japan, and stuff like that. Probably inappropriate for a 13 year old.. but I wanted to do a report on Japan for my 7th Grade Social Studies class, and he was the perfect resource. Even gave me a few yen to show the class.

After I moved away and started college, Mom would keep Bob informed of my progess. He was so proud that I was going to be a meteorologist! Whenever I came home and saw him, he would beam from ear to ear, hearing me tell about the weather, or what I learned. Since Aviation and Weather go hand in hand, he always loved knowing what I was doing. A couple of years ago my very first post on this blog was written from the chair of aviation meteorology for a major airline. Lots has changed since then, but Bob always beamed with pride, that I "made it".

Ha. (For those of you who have also "made it", you know why I laugh: it's the same reason why as grown-ups we still feel like kids -- we've not "made it" any more than we've "grown up"!).

So there was a mutual respect between us. Even after I was tasked to house-sit for him whilst in Europe, and my then-fiancee' (now-ex-husband) accidentally set his brand-new house on fire with a toaster! Bob still paid me $500 for 6 weeks :).

Godspeed, Bob. Now you're flying around with angels wings. Hope it's as fun as your old plane...

Peace,

Dot.

Animal Instinct... or Just Plain Bad Behavior?

M.W.s former shrew forgot to take Kiki to work this morning. I fail to see how, when someone is living with you and you tell them the night before, you can still manage to get up early and go grocery shopping, instead of take your daughter to work, like she asked you.

That is, unless you're a selfish, cold, heartless person.

I'm upset for both M.W. and Kiki, that they have to deal with her on a regular basis. Even moreso, I've begun to analyze that behavior, to try and understand it.

Bebe, here at the office suggested that sometimes when animals find inperfections in their young, they eat them. Or was it just to kill them? Anyways, shrew's abject selfishness might just be proof that she's an animal. A Hog, perhaps. Oh, oh... Piggy is her new name from now on.

Remind you of Animal Farm, anyone?

Life Goes On... and So Does Her Mouth (a rant)

I'm a GHaG. But for some fugly reason, I do enjoy all other GHaGs. Usually. So I used to hate myself for saying things like this because "Girl Power" and "I am Woman" and all that post-modern neo-feminist schtuff. But you know what? I hate catty bitches!

The GHaG at the women-only gym I go to? She started making fun of my collegiate t-shirts. Normally I would shrug this off, but it happens that I am very sensitive about people saying that I believe I'm smarter than everyone, just because I finished college. Okay, Okay, Michigan Engineering was hard. But I worked my a$$ off. I'm not brilliant. But I wanted to succeed. Passion. Drive.

I told them on Monday that they "weren't cool" for making fun of me. Tonight? They did it again. Well it's NOT cool. And I'm not excited to go back.

The thing is, the one GHaG realized she stepped in some deep doo-doo, because then she started talking and talking and it seemed like a train-wreck of lies, and she just wouldn't stop!

Grr. So I'm distressed and don't want to go back to the Playground that is my gym. And I don't want a super-sized version of Ms. Jordache (a playground bully of my youth) to make me hate every minute I have to spend in her giant presence. I'm a grown up, and I'm paying money to this establishment. And in the morning, I'm also calling her manager. If there's no satisfaction there, the owner of the gym, and then the better business bureau.

Dorothy don't pay to be abused. And it don't pay to abuse Dorothy.

Peace out.

Dot.

Confessions of a Chronic Nail-biter

Whilst removing my socks before bed tonight, I'm not sure why... but for a brief moment as I felt a snaggy toenail, and as I was lifting my foot toward my mouth... I actually thought I could bite my toenail.

1) Gross.

2) How?

3) I've lost all respect for myself by telling you this.

Sissy-girl.... Feelin' fine and recovering nicely.

My Dearest sister, Jayleigh had a cholycystectomy yesterday. I worried for her and prayed and all of the things a sister should do.

As I go through my life taking wreckless chances with my heart, with my safety, and with my life, it doesn't seem scary. I'm in control, I'm Dorothy, and I'm not afraid!

Even though I've been through a cholycystectomy myself, I couldn't help but worry for my sis. Even this thought went through my head: If it came down to me losing my car, house, job, and boyfriend versus losing my sister, I'd give up everything I have in the WORLD, to avoid losing her.

She's my bibba, you know....

Anyways, I am starting to realize that maybe my Jayleigh and my family, including M.W., worry for me too.

Peace.

Dot.