I'm back.....I will survive.

OK, so I've been offline for 2 1/2 months. It's been an up and down time for me...not able to focus much. I ended what was a spectacular vacation to Scandinavia by getting pickpocketed in Helsinki Finland. Yes, I know, it happens to lots of folks. But for me...being cashless, passportless and credit cardless all alone in a far away place was more than a drag. It all worked out OK, the only thing lost was about $1500, a few days and a bit of confidence. And it helped me learn that I can handle pretty much what is thrown at me.



But it was sort of the beginning of a bad run. You know how that goes, once one poo hits the fan it turns into a regular flying poo-fest.



When I got home, my computer died. Then I found out that my beloved friend from childhood had died while I was gone overseas. Then my mentor in the dogworld died. Then my job died. Then the a/c on my car died. Then Hillary's campaign died. Then the economy died. The list goes on, but you get the picture. So I hid. I went into my house, slept 14 hours a day and watched TV for another 8. Days went by without my bathing, brushing my teeth or dressing. I didn't go to church, I didn't go shopping, I didn't seek my friends. I still have no sheets on my bed...just a blanket under and a blanket on top. I ate enough ice cream and cheese to close the arteries of a large ox. Mourning, depression, call it what you will. But I'm pulling out of it, bit by bit.



I bought a new life insurance policy...so am guaranteed not to commit suicide for at least two years. Having closed off that escape route, I tried to decide what to do for money to supplement my retirement. Since CA decided that the services of "retired annuitants" like me were no longer useful, I actually filed for unemployment. This is the first time I have ever done this. It seems that a) the State will give me money to stay home and decide what I want to do next and b) I am actually sort of excited about deciding what I want to do next. I cannot take a retired annuitant job for a year once I take UI so that path is now closed. That means I won't be sitting around waiting for a call back to work, wondering how I should plan to proceed. I didn't realize that I had gotten really tied to that process. I will certainly miss my friends and the work energy that exists in that office. But now that the door is open, seems that there is actually some light out there.



So, for now, I'm pondering. No decisions, but lots of strands emerging. I'm trying on some new skin, being brave enough to bathe and brush my teeth and actually head out the door once in a while. I have several posts for this blog that I want to write in the coming days, so hope you'll join me as I peek up over the edge of the pit.



It's a new day.