Some solitude—a day of taking in the living and reflecting on death and dying…

~Saturday~  My mom was one of seven children. Her oldest sister (Rita), and her oldest brother (Raymond) died many years ago; however, she’s lost three of her other four siblings in 2010: February 4, 2010, her baby sister. Annette L. Casmiro Annette, 72, was born on June 26, 1937 and passed away on Thursday, February … Read more

Uncle Rene dies, Kaffee Klatsch with Anna, and drinks and appetizers with Hugh…

~Friday~ I drove in to work again this morning, but instead of using a scratch-off parking pass, I parked in a two-hour zone near my building. At a little after 8:30, I saw an update from one of my cousin’s daughter that her “Pépère” had died. That’s the French word for grandfather—and what I called … Read more

A last-minute substitution, parents dealing, outsourced generic granola bars, and a “bushy” pit…

~Thursday~  It was fortuitous that I just happened to have my phone in my hand walking down to my kitchen at about 7:50 this morning, as it started vibrating, and I otherwise probably wouldn’t have noticed that I had call until about 8:15, which would have been too late. It was my friend and colleague, … Read more

90% humidity, wife-beaters day, lunch w/Susan, and sabbaticals at dancing…

~Wednesday~  I couldn’t understand why—at 76°—I was beginning to sweat at the bus stop. A quick check of The Weather Channel app and it all became clear. Humidity: 90%. Evidently, I didn’t get the memo that it was Black-muscular-men-in-wife-beaters Day along Gorman Street today. I met my, then grad school professor and now friend, Susan for … Read more

A compassionate bus driver, all-I-can-lunch, a difficult meeting, and a diverse night out…

~Tuesday~  I caught the Wolfline #9 Greek Village bus at the corners of Gorman and Kaplan, and although the temperature was in the 70’s, the humidity was at 75%. Moist. I would describe the university bus this morning as fairly full, but not crowded. The Asian guy I’ve portrayed a couple of times, who usually … Read more

Feels like it’s hot, a Man-Up Revival, a piece of cake, and Cup A Joe-ing my blog…

~Monday~  I caught the 8:15 city bus, which I waited for in the heat and humidity until 8:25. My BlackBerry app,  The Weather Channel, said that it was “81° out, but feels like 87°,” and I wanted to add, “And at a bus stop, with absolutely zero breeze, it really feels like 92°. And that … Read more

Brunch at Donna and Rob’s, an uneventful return to Raleigh, and some Scareyoke…

~Sunday~  I woke up at 10:00 and called the front desk to request a late checkout of noon instead of 11:00. No problem. I rode out to Donna and Rob’s for brunch, where the Gregory’s still were, anticipating their 3:00-3:30 departure to the airport for a 4:45 flight. Russ, Pam, and Jan went for a … Read more

Mental health, Charlotte bound, a test drive, some Filet Mignon, & Raleighites in the Queen City…

~Friday~ I took a “mental health day” from work today and slept in. At about noon, I decided to drive to Charlotte today instead of waiting to go up tomorrow morning. I checked the hotel online at which I had a reservation for Saturday and was easily able to add tonight to it. I had … Read more

A mixed-up meeting, a lunch meeting, two more meetings, a workout, & knockin’ on doorbells…

~Thursday~  I caught the 8:15 city bus in, but only took it half the distance I usually take it, as I had a meeting in another building at 9:00—or so I thought. I got off the bus at the Gorman/Sullivan Streets intersection and walked the short way down the street to the Admin II building. … Read more