I go under the knife tomorrow morning, right after sunrise. I admit I’m nervous, but the benefits far outweigh the risks.

One never grows if one doesn’t take risks. So I’m taking the leap. See you once I’m put back together.

It looks like we’ll be getting an early Christmas present this year.

I took Kelly and Hallie with me to Big Ed’s City Market this afternoon for lunch. I feasted on chicken and dumplings, butter beans, and broccoli. Dessert was some tasty banana pudding. The occasion was my upcoming inability to eat solid foods for a while.

Now what I really need is a good nap, but I’m still working and have a two hour training session beginning now. Yawn!

On my way to the library in a desperate attempt to get books for my hospital stay, I saw a dazzling sight in the night sky. There was the moon, a sliver of crescent showing, hanging above the horizon. Above that was Venus, just as bright as last night. And Mars peered over the shoulder of Venus. If I hadn’t been racing to get there before the library closed, I’d have pulled over in a second to view that celestial line-up.

There are actually five planets lining up with the moon right now. It’ll be that way until early April. It’s definitely worth a look if you get a chance.
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I’m all scheduled for my laparoscopic nissen fundoplication Thursday morning. So what does that mean? My adventure begins Wednesday night when I eat a light meal for dinner. Then I shower using bacterial soap before going to bed. I wake up at 5 AM (providing I get to sleep in the first place), wash my abdomen with the soap again, and drive to Chapel Hill.

Once at the hospital, I go to pre-care and get checked in. Then it’s off to Ambulatory Care where they prep me for my surgery, including being interviewed by the anesthesiologist. My belongings go into a locker and I put on a hospital gown. I wave goodbye to Kelly as I’m wheeled into the operating room. We won’t see each other again for at least four hours.
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Now that disk drives are cheap as dirt, I’m considering re-ripping all my CDs into Shorten format. That way, I never have to rip again. Also, I don’t lose any sound quality, something that can become apparent on certain songs or players.

Or, maybe I’m just nuts.

A NOAA study released this week reports that carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere have reached record levels.

Is it hot in here, or is it just me?

The birds whom I’ve been considerate enough to feed have repaid the favor by decorating my car. 🙁 It seems like only my car has been targeted, to add insult to injury.

At least the squirrels haven’t learned this little trick.

I was taking the trash out to the curb this evening when I was awestruck at the night sky. The cold, dry air that is rapidly pushing temperatures below freezing tonight also makes for some incredible stargazing. I stood captivated at the sight of Venus, brighter than I can ever remember, shining like a spotlight in the western sky.

It sure will be fun taking Hallie out on nights like this and giving her her first look at the universe.