it's this never ending rollercoaster...

[saturn]

I stayed on Long Island last night because my Echo was out there this morning. Have you ever had an echo on your heart? It's fucking cool. I could see my heart beating and the valves working and my heart is just fine so that's great news. After the Echo, my mother and I picked up my step-father and he came back into the city with me for the MRI. The MRI was a bit more nerve-wracking because it was follow-up on an anomaly rather than a precautionary test. I was lying on the table, waiting for the doctor to analyze the results, and every terrible possibility played out in my head. It turns out, however, that the spot on my brain is likely a small area with additional fluid but is completely harmless. It's such a relief. I didn't even realize how stressed I was until I heard that I was fine. (I also had a chance to look at the scans of my brain. My brain! It's wild.)

The huge snag today was that Colombia Presbyterian Eastside Radiology doesn't take my insurance. I had to pay $2735 out of pocket. I'll be able to submit a claim but, with the hospital bills, the cardiology bills, and the neurology bills, I'm worried that I'm not going to be fully covered. I can't even imagine how I would do all of this without insurance. Still, I'm incredibly grateful that I'm healthy because I get the feeling that a lot of people at that radiology center don't get such good news.



I finally have my offer letter from HR and the mortgage is approved. The appraisal is tomorrow at 9am and the inspection is at 12:30pm on Thursday. I'm getting somewhere. I'm going to be so relieved when I close.

So, I have the offer and it's official but I can't really tell anyone internal or external about the position or the details because someone who's reporting to me hasn't been informed of the change. We're currently at the same level and it's a bit sensitive. It leaves me in an awkward spot, though, because I have to start letting people know how my responsibilities will change and I can't do that until this other employee is notified. I'm trying to just take these little snags as they come because, in the end, it's all part of a very good thing and I have to keep reminding myself of that when things get stressful or overwhelming.


Gordon Cooper died this weekend. Ironically, I was talking about him with my mother this morning. I've always named my pets after astronauts (three frogs named Roger, Ed, and Gus after the crew of Apollo 1 and a fish named Deke after Deke Slayton) and I was saying that "Gordo" or "Cooper" might be cute names for a cat. Maybe now it's even more appropriate. But, since I don't have the cat yet, I probably shouldn't get ahead of myself. God speed, Gordo.

And, somewhat related, I'm going to go to space one day.

Last night, eleanor_lavish and I met at Macy's before we had dinner and we were treated to the full "Britney Spears - Curious" perfume campaign. The entire make-up section of the store is Britneyfied. We were talking to one of the sales people who said that this is largest fragrance launch they've ever had. Thing is...it smells damn good. El will attest to that. I don't wear much perfume so I bought a bottle for my sister. I couldn't help myself.

Marathon Monday's on Bravo are a new reason to enjoy the start of the week. The West Wing! All night! Every Monday! When the heck does this season start? I'm ready for the show to redeem itself. And can they please bring Sam back?