Tuesday, November 18, 2008, 07:20 PM CST
[General]
So, I'm not a usual blogger as most of you know, especially when it comes to things that are going on in my life. But I think maybe it'll be good to share the things that are going on for me recently.. seems like there is a lot of this going around for people, doesn't it? Heavy things that people are dealing with?.. For me it's been about my aunt. She's had a really bad patch of health over the last week. It all came on very suddenly, without any forewarning for us.. (though she may have had minor warnings??) She was sent to the ER by ambulance last Tuesday night with complaints of a severe headache, dizziness, incoherentness, and erratic driving (a friend was following her in her car on the way to a work meeting).. In the ambulance, while on the way to the hospital, she fell unconscious. They were concerned that her symptoms pointed to a stroke. Much of my family went to the hospital ( I was still driving home from visiting my sister in Brainerd, so wasn't able to get to the hospital. ) They gave her a CAT scan and determined that she had bleeding on her brain.. as they watched her through the night they also found that she had pressure on her brain stem, which probably was the cause of her body putting her into a coma. We were told it was either a stroke, a tumor that burst, or a spontaneous hemorrage, possibly caused by high blood pressure. It was determined by the next morning after another scan that it was a spontaneous hemorrage. The family was all called into a meeting room to listen to the team of doctors' advice. They gave us two options, surgery or 'to let nature take its course' and be less aggressive with treatment, more like just monitoring the situation.. recovery at all would be less likely with the second choice, and with the first, she'd be more likely to recover somewhat, with a probable disability. They also said that probably her vision would be the part affected and the rest of the brain appeared to be in good shape. We decided that my aunt was a fighter, and that doing the surgery would give her the best option for a full life again.. though possibly her periphereal vision may be affected, which could take away her driving ability. This was a really hard decision, because my aunt had said in her health directive that she did not want to live in an assisted living situation and/or to have life support. Hopefully, we've made the right decision and she will bounce back close to her independence before the incident. After the surgery, in which they removed part of her skull to take out the blood clot that was on her brain and release the pressure, she has done remarkably well. That was last Wednesday. She's continued to progress slowly in the past several days. They will be removing the 'brain drain' from her tonight as it's no longer necessary, hopefully her ventilator will be next. She grasped my hand today when I visited her and seemed to be listening to everything I was saying to her. My brother and sister and I started a Caring Bridge website for her and it's really amazing how many people she knows and has touched from many different workplaces and volunteer activities, etc.. throughout her 69 years! She's a trooper and very involved in her community and has always kept up with old accquaintances and friends. It'll be great to be able to share all of the encouraging comments with her as she progresses through this *fingers crossed* (If you're interested let me know, and I can tell you the site address). She's really quite a lady. I can't imagine what it must be like to be in her shoes now. Hopefully, we'll be able to hear all about it very soon..
My Favorite Singer - Comes often to Msp/St.Paul.. want to come see him next time?? Ask me when he's coming or check his website: www.ChrisTrapper.com - you can hear his music there too. :D
From Wikipedia:
Chris Trapper's songs have been winning awards as well as the hearts of devoted listeners ever since his arrival on the Boston music scene in 1995. He is most widely known as the front man for the nationally acclaimed pop/rock band The Push Stars, whose "honest, heartfelt songs with timeless melodies" were described as "the kind of music that songwriters love" by Rob Thomas of Matchbox Twenty.
With The Push Stars, Chris has written material for four studio albums and three self-produced discs. Several of his songs have been picked up for major motion picture soundtracks including There's Something About Mary and Say It Isn't So and for television shows such as Pepper Dennis, ER, and Malcolm in the Middle. His 2002 solo project "Songs from the Drive-In" showcased "his formidable storytelling talents," according to the Boston Phoenix.
His second solo release, "Gone Again," serves up 11 new songs with a Dixieland flavor provided by Boston's renowned Wolverine Jazz Band. The newest release "Hey, You" is his first rock/pop solo record, featuring guest appearances by The Push Stars, Great Big Sea, Sonando, Martin Sexton, Matt Beck (Matchbox Twenty) and Duke Levine (Mary Chapin Carpenter).
In addition to numerous Boston Music Awards, Chris Trapper received two Gold Records, a Platimun record, and the prestigious SOCAN Award twice for his songwriting work with Newfoundland's Great Big Sea. Antigone Rising covered his song "Waiting, Watching, Wishing" on their latest album release. In 2006, he filmed cameo appearances for an episode of "Pepper Dennis," the WB romantic comedy, and for "August Rush," an upcoming film with Robin Williams.
"Boston Girl" - Great song! Chris gives a nod to Mpls/St.Paul in this song!
Style of an Old Irish Drinking Tune, "Keg On My Coffin", *picked especially for you John!*
Same song - "Keg On My Coffin", this time opening for Matchbox 20.
Saturday, November 8, 2008, 08:44 PM CST
[General]
In honor of Art Attack, the open-gallery event of Minneapolis (this weekend!), I thought I'd post this "How to Behave at a Gallery" video.. for those who aren't quite sure how to look at art in the accepted fashion. Believe me, I've seen and HEARD a lot of them! :\
Here's the scoop on Art Attack:
Art Attack is an annual open studio and gallery crawl at the Northrup King Building, in the heart of the Northeast Minneapolis Arts District. The weekend-long event features hundreds of artists working in ceramics, glass, jewelry, mixed media, mosaics, painting, photography, pottery, sculpture, wood, textiles, and more.
Art Attack is the perfect foray into the holiday season, where visitors can find creative, one-of-a-kind gifts, meet the artists, learn about the creative processes, watch demonstrations and performance paintings and support the arts during this festive event. Art Attack Celebrates its 11th Year!
The artist at the Northrup King Building celebrate the 11th year of Art Attack with a fashion show, live music, demonstrations and a chance to win $500 in Art Bucks.
Dates & Times
Friday, November 7th 5:00 to 10:00 p.m. Saturday, November 8th 12:00 to 8:00 p.m. Sunday, November 9th 12:00 to 5:00 p.m.
Location
The Northrup King Building 1500 Jackson Street NE Minneapolis, MN 55413 directions
And a couple other Helpful Hints videos.. There are plenty more on You-Tube, some of these are kind of amusing.
A lost art: "How to Write a Love Letter" A little quirky, but good pointers, for those of us who need to express our deep, undying LUV !
"How to Tidy Up in 3 Minutes" Last minute visitors can be a headache!
"How to Fit in on Your First Day of Work" For those slightly socially awkward new employees out there who might not know these basics. Hey we all need tips sometimes!
Saturday, November 8, 2008, 08:09 PM CST
[General]
NEED something to liven up your weekend?? - Have I got some videos for you !! !
The first time I saw these two clowns, I laughed so hard I almost.. I don't know what.
I wanted to turn away, but just COuuLLDDDN'T do it! I had to see how it ended.
These two are Canadians, of COURSE! Almost any Canadian can get a tv show these days it seems!
Make sure you're in a slightly raunchy mood before watching.. not for the FAINT -of- HEART.
Just for the ILL -of- MIND! :D he he
Their wildly creative competitions are hilarious to watch. Full of crazy winning schemes.. and Spenny usually outsmarts the whiny Kenny. Let the fun ensue.
Let me introduce Canada's newest and raunchiest show, Kenny vs. Spenny
