Steph, you've come up in conversation so many times lately.

I'm struggling with my own bulging discs, and the sentence "She's the literal poster child for the surgery" has been said to so many different (and impressed) people.

I think I need that. I wish I knew I had health insurance for 2015. I've jumped through the hoops, and this is $300 cheaper than COBRA, the bastards. I'm assuming I couldn't have signed up for earlier, but I'm thinking of the $1800 over that I've paid since being let off, and it stings.

This work thing is complicated. There's a company between the recruiter and the place I'd actually work, and they owe me a "document". I'll sign over my remaining aged eggs, and let's get started!

By the way, I'm terrified of my pain and the trip home. I've been worrying the shit out of my mother, apparently, because I'm not talking to her enough, and she's depressed and not eating. I tried to explain to my sister that it's unfair to throw that at an already depressed me, but she's sure the ball is in my court.

They'll see me on Monday! Why do I have to make small talk signs of life until then?

I guess that would be okay if hippogriffs are fuel-efficient.

They certainly seem like they would be eco-friendly. They use a renewable energy source, presumably, although I would guess anything with wings is going to need a lot of fuel. Although maybe not compared to mileage.

Family~ma and document~ma and whatever else, ita.

Oh, I meant to comment earlier - my grandmother's first name was Etta and she pronounced the Ts distinctly, not the way people on the TV say Etta James. I did not call her by her first name (I called her Grandma) and actually rarely heard it used, but when she was, say, giving her name over the phone those Ts were sharp.

Of course, her last name (her married name, I should say) changed pronunciation radically over the time she was using it. But also had no Ts in it.

ETA Argh my typing is going to hell. Maybe I should take a break and build some Gumdrop Mountains.

I think I need that.

I've gotta say, compared to (almost) 12 years ago, disc surgery has improved in some aspects. I think all but the most complex cases are treated laparoscopically, and it's outpatient surgery now (compared to me being cut open and staying in the hospital overnight). I'm not complaining, especially since mine went so well, but it's still amazing to me that it's much easier on the patient now.

Hey, the mechanic just called and said my car is done. Apparently the hippogriff is in good health and it really was just the serpentine belt that needed changed, $80, easy peasy.

It seems I need to post about stuff in order to make it happen. Like...man, that pile of presents still needs to be wrapped. I sure hope that happens!

I saw a truck advertising www.ita.com parked outside my work an hour ago.

I ordered a Nexus 9 tablet, because I wanted to. It was delivered last night just as the mailroom closed. I still haven't received a notification that I have a package. Give me my precious, mailroom. I wants it.

Update: www.ita.com is blocked as malware by my work. Hmmmm...

It says they're ITA Audiovisual Solutions, over on Dana Ave. They didn't seem to be a porn purveyor, although I didn't click past the home page. Maybe it's a front for porn. After all, porn IS audiovisual.

I saw a truck advertising www.ita.com parked outside my work an hour ago

I wasn't going there, even before you mentioned the malware thing.

Darkest timeline!

I have a Nexus 9, shrift, and I'm sure you know how damned pretty those things are. Not as useful as my Samsungs, but well engineered for sure.

Strix, I am EE-ta. Pronounced the Spanish way, for easiest memory--senorita minus senor.

think all but the most complex cases are treated laparoscopically, and it's outpatient surgery now

Oh, that's perfect. I could remember how involved your case was, because if I get this job I'm an hourly employee with a) no health insurance through the job, although my "platinum" pick is cheaper and just as good as what I had through the last job and b) no paid time off, at ALL.

You are, and I don't lie, my inspiration and hope in this regard.

I could remember how involved your case was, because if I get this job I'm an hourly employee with a) no health insurance through the job, although my "platinum" pick is cheaper and just as good as what I had through the last job and b) no paid time off, at ALL.

I don't know what they recommend for time off work these days, with the laparoscopic dealie; since I could edit from home, I took a week off work, and then worked about 20 hours at home the second week, and was back to full time the 3rd week (possibly half at work, half at home, but I disremember). I feel like with laparoscopic surgery you could be back sooner.

You are, and I don't lie, my inspiration and hope in this regard.

I know at least 3 (maybe 4) other people who had the same surgery I did, and they're also doing great. It's freaky (to me) because it was so invasive, but it also did exactly what it was supposed to do. Although, I won't lie, the 6 weeks of PT after recovery was important, too.