come on sweet catastrophe

So I drove to Ithaca and got into a car accident. The rest of the week was a bit better, especially after I started taking the Vicodin. Good stuff that Vicodin! I took some time away from Alyssa which helped, but she still gets under my skin. More on that topic later.

We saw all these amazing waterfalls, Ithaca, Buttermilk, Taghonnick (sp?), and Lucifer’s Falls. We probably hiked over 5 miles, maybe even 6 in two days time. Pictures will follow. It was fun. Hard, but good to get some physical exercise and amazing views. We drove home on Sunday, during which I got a call from my mother that my grandfather had gone to the hospital that morning and my father had cancelled his flight home. She didn’t tell me much more because my service was crappy and, as it turned out, her news was crappy. When we got home, finally at 10pm, Mom told me Grandpa had bleeding in his chest cavity and that was why he was in the hospital. He passed out for a while, but woke up for a bit. He signed a DNR and told the doctors he didn’t want to be connected to any machines. They gave him oxygen and eventually morphine, basically making him comfortable. My father and grandmother were staying up at the hospital with him. I called for a few minutes and my grandmother sounded eerily cheery. My dad just sounded tired. My mom and I discussed all the options concerning us going to FL and whatnot. I had to unpack all the stuff I had just repacked for Ithaca so it could be washed. Alyssa and I were planning on going to NYC so she could see Ground Zero and a few other sights of the city. We scraped that plan due to circumstances, and decided to just stick around the Valley. I needed to talk to my boss about my accident and now my grandfather. I wanted to go see my home doctor about the injuries from the accident. I also needed to get an estimate for my car. Alyssa agreed to stick around if wanted or needed, but was more than willing to leave if needed.

My grandfather did last the night, but passed away about 11am Monday morning. I still did all my errands. I saw the guys at work, who were great. Steve and Leandra, after hearing the news, both said, “Do what you need with your family. We have you covered.” The new guys (who Leandra says are good hard workers) also quickly offered to help out. They are all one of the reasons I love my summer job. I got the estimate on my car ($3200!!!), but the owner of the place is a firefighter buddy of my dad’s and is willing to figure out what MUST be done and what doesn’t really NEED to be done. That got put on hold due to the trip to Florida. I did see my doctor and got more drugs. Unfortunately, a side effect of the Vicodin and muscle relaxers is high blood pressure. Thankfully, I have unusually healthy blood pressure, but its something I’m going to have to watch until I’m healed. The doctor is also a little concerned that I may have actually riped something (muscle or ligament) considering how much pain I’m still in a week later. She said to wait another week and see how the pain is doing and we’ll go from there. After a stop to the pharmacy to get my drugs, Alyssa and I came home. Mom didn’t want to cook, so we went out for dinner. Manny came over later to just hang out with me and provide a little buffer between Alyssa and I. She’s been really great, but she sometimes tends to grate on my nerves a little bit. I don’t know if I’m being moody or testy or what, but I’ve been under a little stress. While I am grateful she stayed, I was equally grateful to have someone else there for a bit. Seeing Manny…. That’s another entry.

So in about 3 hours, Mom and I are leaving for the airport and we’ll be in Florida before lunch. This is going to be a long week.

Shake down you make me break
For goodness sake
I think I’m on the edge
Of something new with you
Shout out don’t drown the sound
I’ll drown you out
You’ll never scream so loud
As I want to scream with you

Standing there with your smile blinding
Your eyes from seeing
My face as I’m dying
To figure out a girl
But she drifts so far away
I’m on her coast
So maybe I should stay
And map around your world

So don’t say
“These currents are still killing me”
And you can’t explain
But the wind went and pulled me
Into the hurricane

Stand up don’t make a sound
Your ears might bleed
There are sweet flourescent enemies
That live inside me
The world moves faster than I knew
Not fast enough to not creep up on you
And the space we put between
So pull me under your weather patterns
Your cold fronts and the rain don’t matter
Becuase the sun burns what I needed

So don’t say
“These currents are still killing me”
And you can’t explain
But the wind went and pulled me
Into the hurricane

You don’t do it on purpose
But you make me shake
Now I count the hours ’til you wake
With your babies breath
Breathe symphonies
Come on sweet catastrophe

Now maybe this time I can follow through
I can feel complete
Stop paying dues
Stop the rain from falling
Keep my ocean calm
This time I know nothings wrong

So don’t say
“These currents are still killing me”
And you can’t explain
But the wind went and pulled me
Into the hurricane

Hurricane ~ Something Corporate