Oh, holy tired.
First off, just let me say I’m sorry for my lack of writing. I’m apologizing to you all, as well as myself. This winter really did a number on me mentally and I was just going day to day trying to survive it. Toledo hit a record for lowest wind-chill – it was supposed to be -45, and I think it got down to -37 or some crazy shit like that. Then there was a day with 60mph wind gusts, so that was cool. It was dreary and cold and horrible all winter, and extreme weather stresses me out. So I curled up in my cocoon and waited it out.
I survived it, and with the warmer temperatures and sunshine, I’m feeling more in the writing frame of mind.
I did do some fun things this winter, despite feeling less than stellar. I got to cross off a couple concerts on my concert bucket list – Trans Siberian Orchestra, Disturbed and another visit with Lynyrd Skynyrd. Matthew attended TSO and Skynyrd with me, which was phenomenal. Did I already write about seeing Skynyrd with my kid? Maybe. Regardless, it will always be a favorite memory of mine.
I took the hooligans to see the Lights Before Christmas at the zoo, too. I’ve lived in Toledo for almost 14 years now and never been there for that. Not to mention the visit to Santa with Chaser, and the trip to the Henry Ford with Matthew. . . Yes, it was an eventful winter.
My latest concert was Disturbed and Three Days Grace, and after a clusterfuckey beginning due to seating changes and parking issues, I got to enjoy one of the best concerts of my life. I’d read rave reviews about Disturbed’s show, but in no way was I prepared for the emotions it would bring out. I cried and I screamed and I felt every word that David Drainman sang. Disturbed got me through my very tough young adult years, and it was like travelling back in time to those hard, uncertain days. The new album is a little more mellow, with a couple songs that I hadn’t explored yet. I listened to them in their entirety the first time at that concert, talking about the loss of loved ones to mental health and addictions, and memories that should be embraced. It was good for me, the concert date being smack in between the anniversary of dad’s passing (March 3rd) and mom’s birthday (March 6th) on March 5th. It was a release for all I was feeling, and made me better able to cope with it all.
A very unfun circumstance arose however. Remember in September I saw Godsmack and Shinedown and landed myself with strep throat? Well, I went to an AC/DC tribute band concert in February and got it a second time. I chalked this up as coincidence.
But then it happened again at Disturbed.
When I went in and was diagnosed a third time after attending a concert I asked the doctor what the hell was going on. . . What’s the correlation between concerts and strep?
Just that I was unlucky enough to encounter someone with strep at each of these shows was her response.
Sigh. So, this is real life. . .
So last week I had requested to leave early the day of the concert, and have the day after the concert off. Then because I was sick I took off early the following day and was restricted to home the day after that.
So essentially I worked a 20 hour work week last week. Then Chase woke up sick yesterday morning, and only having someone to watch him until 2pm, had to leave early yesterday, too.
So now I’m trying to do all of the things to catch up at home and at work and good Lord I am tired.
I just keep telling myself that this summer there are more concerts coming, and I have big garden plans too, so I need to have my shit together so I can do the fun things.
But I really want to sleep for 3,000 hours.
There’s more memories to be made, more concerts to attend and more gardens to grow. Happy almost spring everyone. Here’s to catching up.
So, This is Real Life 