Ok, I’m going to say it only once.  I have lipomas in me.  Its how I carry my fat.  Ten years ago I had one removed and it was found to be benign. Before Christmas I had a massage because of the stress of the holidays and work.  I had an unsually large amount of stress in my back.  When the therapist was relieving the stress in my back she noticed a twinkee sized lipoma on my left size near my ribs subcutaneously.

“You should have that checked out,” she told me.

So I did, first thing when I returned from vacation was go to the doctor, and he examined me.

“Didn’t we have one of  these removed?” the doc asked me as he checked my records.

“Yes, ten years ago,” I said not really worried cause he said then not to worry about them.

“Well, I used to not be worried about these lipomas, but last year I saw a woman who had lipomas just like you.  We had them removed because they were causing her pain and one of them was cancerous.  I learned from her to take these seriously because she died after a 6 month painful battle. I want to send you have a surgical consultation,” that was said to me as he prescribed the usualy antibiotics for my sinus infection.

I haven’t been sleeping well since that pronouncement.

Yesterday I went to go see the surgeon.  And he was amazed by the number of these lipomas I have.  BUT he wasn’t concerned about the stomach or the back.  He was more concerned about a mass of these lipomas on my upper right arm.  He addressed a umbilical hernia that I had and said that all could be fixed in an outpatient treatment.

“We should schedule it this week,” he said.

There was no option, no delay.

But after examining me he wanted me to have my gall bladder checked.  So this morning I went had blood work done, as well as an ekg.  Nothing funnier to a radiologist tech than asking “Mamm, is my baby going to make it?” while she is looking at the screen.

She tried not to laugh but failed.

After research and the great consultation by Doc Chako, I have nothing to worry about. They are nothing, I have nothing to worry about and I will be back at work on Monday.

Mom and Dad are coming up to make sure I am ok after the surgery and also to probably throw stuff away in my house.

If Doc Chako isn’t worried, then I’m not worried.

I just didn’t want to tell everything until I knew more than what I did the last couple of days.  And Marshall, I’m still expecting my money.

Friends heading home…

Friends finding everything but what they need…

Thoughts that have been in my mind, but not available for posting…

My friend Doc Chakko is almost home.  He’s starting the trip back to his home, a slow path of here there and everywhere.  I know Michelle his wife will welcome him back and I’m glad to see him finally get home.  BUT I’ve decided to put together another box of poker cards, magazines etc and send it to his replacement.

I know you are wondering why I would do that?

Just because.

Sometimes its better to be nice to a total stranger than someone you hate

I am still holding my breath until I hear the words “He’s Home” from The Wife and until then I wish him safe travels and my deepest thanks for his service to our country.  May you enjoy your time away from the Army. You DESERVE IT!

I have a friend who is deeply confused on who she is.  She wants to be one thing while staying close to what makes her special. But the problem is, the changes she is considering will destroy what makes her special.  I send up a prayer to the big guy that she will find the answers that she is needing and the hope that she finds the man that will understand her needs.

I went out with my good friend Kerri today to find a suit for Orlando and my trip for my conference on Thursday.  It will be great for me for its in Walt Disney World and I get to see some old friends and new faces.  I get energized every time I go to this conference and it comes at the right time where I am lost in my thoughts and lost in what I want to do in the next 5 years.

I’ve always had a five year plan ready for anything… but lately my five year plan has stagnated.  I just want to find a way to be closer to my kids I think.

I’ve been doing some writing lately. Nothing that I want to post up here. but it’s amazing when I’m not thinking about writing what prose comes from the mind.  When I sit down and try to focus to write, I am unable to put 500 words down on the laptop.

I have friends that make me feel special from around the world, but very few here in Lubbock.  Most of the people I meet, once the find out what I do, expect the “friendship discount”.  But lately I’ve disappointed many people and I just don’t care.  I had an opportunity at the last second to get tickets to George Strait, that would have taken care of one of “those friends” and instead I gave him the West Texas No. I never called him back.

Right now I am lost in my life.  I need to focus on something or someone to help me move on.  Because I find myself just doing the bare minimum to get bu. And that isn’t right.

The time change has screwed up my body clock, the clock at the computer at the office worked fine and there was no tragedy that I had anticipated.  But I find myself staying up because I just can’t sleep.  Maybe its because I’m not with Amanda anymore.  It’s been awhile since we’ve been together but I still miss having a body next to me.

Maybe that’s just wrong, but I need to hold someone.

The kids are less than 2 weeks away from being picked up by me.  I CAN NOT WAIT! I’ve been thinking of things that we can do and go see while they are here.  It’s going to be a GREAT trip I can tell it.  I’m getting that feeling in the pit of my stomach that has me excited beyond belief.  I’m planning games, trips to the museum and I’m thinking of taking a trip to Texas Motor Speedway to show Ryan the track.  At one of the tours they take a van and drive you around the track. I think he would really enjoy it.

I’m going to be meeting Angie and the kids in Vinita Oklahoma at the World’s LARGEST McDonalds.  We’ll stay the night in Vinita and come back to Ft. Worth on my birthday which is on Easter this year, March 23rd. 

We’ll stay in Hurst for a couple days, might make a couple of stops around the Metroplex and head back on the 29th.  It’ll be a sad time for me but I might stop by and see Gcox on the way back.

I had the worst of problems the other day (Thursday) when after cleaning off plates from dinner I started the garbage disposal up and smelt smoke and felt water at my feet.  The damn thing threw something because it was smoking and it had lost its seal with the sink.  So I had a bunch o cleaning to do.  Fortunately I was able to get a replacement as well as a new fawcet for the kitchen which now almost completely finished the kitchen. I’ve replaced EVERYTHING in there but the wallpaper.

I really need to sleep but sleep comes at a premium these days.  I just have to be patient and not only will I get everything I deserve, I’ll get everything I need.

Night

E-mail him, comment him, let him know you are thinking about him.

He’ll be home in a couple of months, but don’t let that stop you.

While you’re at it.  Tell The Wife that you are thinking of her too.

It’s Karma baby!

Bridesmaids are never the cute girl, you never want to show up the bride.  Very few times are the hot girls bridesmaids because women are all bitchy.  WHY am I bitchy?  Cause I can’t break free.  Now some of my dear poker friends will tell me, be patient Sean , it will come.  I know my first MTT victory is so close.  I can taste it.  Yes, I know I have won Dookie’s.  Yes, I know I have won 18 and 27 player tourneys.  But I want a 200+ player tournament victory.  It’s something that my poker psyche needs now.  I guess I’ll just have to change the way I play final tables.   It’s starting to get under my nerves.

2006 APL National Championship 207 runners 6th place.
2007 WPBT Winter Gathering   100+ runners 8th place.

Thank Goodness for Tournament $ , which look like real $ but can’t be cashed out.  I guess next week I have some work to do.

Let’s move on before I get grumpier.  Hell, I almost sound like Waffles.  I need to … never mind.

How I am feeling…

Today, I got about 4 hours of sleep, cause I just didn’t feel like sleeping.  So tonight I feel tired and yet can’t sleep.

My stomach is doing laps and I really don’t think I can chalk it up to nerves.

SURPRISE

I got to talk to Shelby yesterday and I think I am going to work on a surprise for the kids when my ex Angie, her boyfriend Brandon and the kids move into their new house soon.  I have something that will alleviate many fights between Angie and the kids.

I can’t put it on here but I can just say that my friend Reid is coming up here in February to build a new one for me.  He’s an IT director , that’s vague enough for my nine year old to keep asking me what the surprise is.

SHELBY, I LOVE YOU BUT I WON’T TELL YOU WHAT THE SURPRISE IS TILL I SEE YOU NEXT!

The Kids

Which brings me to seeing the kids next.  I have been asked to substitute spring break for the 4th of July so Angie can take the kids down to Florida.  I am close to just letting her.  I really like having the kids with me on the 4th of July, but I am looking down the road.  I’m looking to be the “cool, understanding” Daddy.

I’m not giving in.  I’m trying to find ways where I can see the kids in non traditional times since a place I can’t mention here has limited my availability during the year due to politics.

Politics

I watched the Democratic debate while playing poker and YAWWNNNNnnn it’s a matter of not who I am going to vote for , but whom I’m not going to vote for.

My Grandmother is a life long Republican and there is nothing I enjoy more than pushing her buttons.  She was “SO PROUD OF ME” when I voted for Republicans.  I really vote for the best person available.  But she is such a Mitt Romney fan that I could be sick.

So how do you push the right buttons to make her almost hang up on me?

“So grandma, I think I’m going to vote for the best available bigamist”

“Sean, you don’t know what you are saying.”

“Well I could vote for Guliani with his three former wives,his cousin was one of them right,” I said trying to keep a snicker down.

“That’s why I’m voting for Mitt,” Grandma says.

“Isn’t he Mormon…”

“Now Sean, you do know that bigamy was eliminated by them a long time ago.”

“Are you sure????” Buttons ENGAGED

“Do you want to talk to your mother?” SUCCESS!

I love to make her argue her points.  She’s in her nineties and may not be here on the earth much longer, and I want her razor sharp wit that I have always remembered to be honed sharp!

I love ya Grandma.  I’m just messing with you.  I’m voting for Ron Paul. (chuckle).

HE who must not be named.

I probably will be on MD/IT Radio Wednesday, but I am letting the inmates run the asylum.  I’m going to continue my on crack reporting from the rail.

He who MUST be named!

Let’s keep our thoughts and good Karma for Dr J jecciimd as he begins his second day of play in the Aussie Millions tournament.  If there is anyone that I would like to see to do well it would be him. 

Pimpage…

I’ve put together a box of magazines and books to send over to Doc Chako in Iraq.  I’m trying to get other ideas on what else I should send.  He , as usual, is remaining mum on what he would like or need.  I’m proud of the work that he does for our country and I’m glad that everyone has taken The Wife under our protective arms.

But the question I have for you my Invisible Internet Friends, is when was the last time you went and gave Doc an Attaboy?

If you have to think… it’s been too long.

So put the MEME’s down, I mean PUT THEM DOWN and BACK AWAY SLOWLY, and make a stop to Doc’s blog.  Give him a halfway home and we’re thinking about you message.  Then when you are done.  Go to The Wife’s blog and tell her that you thank her for her patience and love of our friendly knucklehead who got bluffed by the “Chaplain Hammer”.

Don’t do it because I beg you, don’t do it because I ask you. 

Just do it.

Ideas…

I’ve got some ideas that I am working on for a side project and hopefully it will all pay off in the end. 

Guest Posters

Thanks to all my guest posters who stopped by and laid down the law in my absence.  I thank you for taking time out of your busy days to keep my blog going. 

Coming Soon!

Upcoming for me is my #1 fundraiser for our local children’s hospital, the Tenth Anniversary of the CMN Radiothon.  It’s a labor of love for me and I look forward to having some wonderful kid, that doesn’t even know it, present what he thinks is a meaningful to him, but in the big picture even MORE meaningful check this year.  It will be the check that pushes us over $2,000,000 in 10 years, which continues it as the largest radiothon per capita in the US and Canada.  Poker and life will be scarce as we approach the 28th, 29th of Feb and March 1st.  But every time I get a card from one of our miracle kids, all the pain, all the lack of sleep…

it’s all worth it.

So ends this “Iggy Inspired” Uber post.  I leave you with one thought.

If you ever thought your life wasn’t forfilling enough.  Just take a break from it.  I guarantee you’ll understand how forfilling it is after that one week.

Love, Luck and Lollipops my friends.

The rotunda of the Capitol is authorized to be used at any time on November 27, 2001, or December 4, 2001, for a National Day of Reconciliation where —

(1) the 2 Houses of Congress shall assemble in the rotunda with the Chaplain of the House of Representatives and the Chaplain of the Senate in attendance; and

(2) during this assembly, the Members of the 2 Houses may gather to humbly seek the blessings of Providence for forgiveness, reconciliation, unity, and charity for all people of the United States, thereby assisting the Nation to realize its potential as —

    (A) the champion of hope;

    (B) the vindicator of the defenseless; and

    (C) the guardian of freedom.

I am working with the Photoshop King Mookie to pull them out so I may have them posted soon.

EDIT: Yes, he has done it folks.  Enjoy the Photos and the letter from my friend Chuck.

No not that one…

9 Nov 07

Sean,

Sorry it took a little longer to get this to you. I needed some time to think and plan to do it right.

Picture 1: This is my new trailer on Camp Cropper. It’s much closer to the hospital. I live in the door marked “B.” I draw your attention to the big tree.

Picture 2: The Big Tree. Every morning at 5:20 am, the birds in this tree start chirping. The sound is raucous. It truly goes from silence to deafening. They do it again around 5:30 in the evening, too.

Picture 3: The base of the tree. You should recognize the small bottle.

Pictures 4 and 5

Picture 6: Final resting place. I hope this is satisfactory.

Picture 7: This is my room in the trailer. The flag is a nice touch (but I think I have it hung backwards). The American flag you sent is just off screen.

Picture 8: Sorry this picture is a little dark. It was taken in my x-ray / ultrasound room. You can see the x-ray table on the left.

Picture 9: This is my friend Jess. She is the Psychiatrist for the hospital and was more than happy to get in the shot.

Picture 10: We are just happy to be here.

Picture 11: My best over the shoulder pose. It’s not my best look, but at least it shows the back of the shirt.

I hope this is okay! Please keep an eye on my wife in Vegas.

-Chuck “Dr. Chako” Stillman

Consider it done my friend… Consider it done in spades!

Hey – I got your care package! The decks of cards will surely come in handy out here in Iraq. The poker chips were everywhere, but that was easy to straighten up. I really appreciated the magazines, too. So what’s up with the bottle? You mentioned you had some requests. I imagine that has something to do with it.

WAHOO!

To get everyone caught up …

I send Doc Chako a care package in Iraq while he’s over there.  I filled up a box with Poker chips, Cards, magazines and movies. I just grabbed a bunch at the dollar store. Really didn’t pay attention to what they were, but knew that if Doc didn’t like them he would probably find someone to give em to. I also sent to him a Texas and US Flag and a small bottle.

Could you Doc, when you get back, send those flags back to me when you get back.  I just want you to have a visual representation that you have friends here in the Lone Star State that are thinking about you.  They are loaners and when they return, will fly in front of my house in your honor.

Next, if you can get me a pic of you in the Rock 101.1 shirt or at least a pic of you with the shirt somewhere in the country so I can post it on the webpage I would appreciate it.

But now the bottle…

It would be a great favor if you could spread those around anywhere in the country.  My sister in law and I have made it our mission to have my brother Patrick spread across the seven continents of the world. He always dreamed to be able to travel the world and now he is.  He is now in Egypt, Austrailia, Antartica, Europe and North America.  All we have to do is get him to South America and the Arctic.   It would mean a lot to me to have him scattered in Iraq.  If you don’t feel comfortable doing it,. just return him to me and I will understand.

Now… since I threw that box together willy-nilly so you’d get some tricks and treats, tell me WHAT can we get you?  What things do the troops need?  Help me out my friend.  I’ll take care of you and Surflexus among others have pledged support too!

Keep staying safe…