Question and update

[kelliem]

Hey, do any of you know the title of and original performer of the song that was used in last night's Criminal Minds episode "Coda"? The one the autistic boy kept playing? I can send you a download link to an audio file stripped off the show's soundtrack if you're curious.

I haven't posted in forever, mostly because I feel pretty overwhelmed by Real Life. Work continues to be difficult, they still haven't let us have our front-desk person back so office support for 35 faculty, plus about 90 grad students and 600 undergrads continues to be done by just two people- myself and my co-worker. I discovered that we're the lowest-staffed department in the college, despite the fact that we teach more Core student credit hours than any other department. I feel like we're being punished for being good at our jobs. Plus, state employees haven't had a raise in 3 years and on top of that, they're taking more out for our retirement, so essentially we've gotten pay CUTS.

The kidunit got laid off in mid-November, the same week that Bluster passed away, and shortly after we found out about his autoimmune issues. His being laid off was not a result of his health issues, but they make him difficult to insure, and I am dreading his fast-approaching birthday when he will no longer be eligible for my plan. In the mean time, I can barely pay my own bills let alone his, so we're seriously considering bankruptcy. I wonder if a bankruptcy attorney will give us a two for one deal?

My mother had another stroke about a month ago, and despite her showing all the classic signs of having had a stroke, it took the hospital 24 hours to actually diagnose one, by which time it was too late to give her the tPA like they did last time, so her recovery has been much, much slower this time. While the stroke fortunately did not affect her ability to communicate, she has left-side weakness/unresponsiveness which is responding only slowly to rehabilitation. They're letting her out of the hospital this weekend but sending her to a skilled nursing facility to continue rehabbing, in hopes that she will eventually be able to be independent, but it could be the best we can hope for is assisted. No matter what, she's going to have to sell her townhouse which is on 3 levels and completely unmanageable for her now, so that she can get an apartment in a senior living facility somewhere which can accommodate her needs.

I have been spending much of my free time at the hospital with her trying to help keep her spirits up, and running errands and suchlike for her since she can't do it herself. Once I get home from that, I'm pretty much braindead and only good for staring at the TV. Fortunately a lot of my shows continue to please me- Chuck, Castle, the NCISes, Hawaii 5-0, Criminal Minds (though I am leery of this Prentiss arc, I fear the worst since I know she was on the chopping block at one point this year and may still be for all I know), Top Chef, and The Mentalist. I know everyone else is hating on Supernatural this season, but I'm sort of enjoying it, though I am willing to admit that may be because my critical thinking faculties have gone on hiatus due to stress. I was bummed that Fabio went home on Top Chef. He was my favorite, though I kind of knew all along he probably wouldn't win. Sucks that he went home because of a hamburger, though.

Comments

[grey853]

I've stopped watching Top Chef. Without Fabio, there didn't seem to be a point.

Sorry about your mom and your other troubles. RL can kick ass sometimes and not in a good way. Hope things get better for you soon.

[kelliem]

I'll still watch Top Chef until it's over but with my two favorites gone now, it's not as much fun. Thank you for the good thoughts.

[mtl]

{{{{{{Kellie}}}}}}

I totally understand about life kicking ass--in the bad way. Much love and good thoughts to you all.

[kelliem]

Thank you so much!

[beledibabe]

Oh, hon! ::massive hugs:: I certainly understand about being the shit in the middle of the sandwich! Hope your mom can eventually be as independent as possible, and that the kidlet finds a job with benefits.

Sending good thoughts and strength to you all.

[kelliem]

Yeah, you've been there, haven't you? Thank you so much fo rthe good thoughts.

[sithdragn]

Thinking of you lots, hon. Feel free to call if you want to talk or just brain dump or whatever helps. *BIG SQUEEZE*

[kelliem]

Thanks, I do appreciate that!! {{{SQUEEZEBACK!}}}

[crysothemis]

*Hugs*

I'm so sorry about your mom, and that you're dealing with all the other RL stress on top of that. I hope your mom continues to improve and that you get a break soon.

[kelliem]

Thanks, hon. Much appreciated.

[shiningmoon.livejournal.com]

Good to hear from you, though I'm sorry to hear things have been rough for you. I'll keep you in my thoughts.

I'm crap at identifying music, but send that on if you like. I was only able to find this online: "Closest I've found is that it might be a piano rendition of "Optimist" by Zoe Keating, who plays cello."

[kelliem.livejournal.com]

Thanks, I appreciate that. It always helps to know someone's vibing. :)

Here is that link: http://www.megaupload.com/?d=RZGBRW1W

I think a Zoe Keating song seems more probable than one by a band called 'Road Hawgs', it doesn't seem like the sort of thing a band with that name would play. ;D I will go listen to it and see if it sounds similar to me.

[theamusedone.livejournal.com]

Goodness, that all sucks, I am so sorry!

And please, send the song my way and I will see if I can figure out what it is.

[kelliem.livejournal.com]

Thanks. :/

The link is in my reply to shiningmoon's comment.

[theamusedone.livejournal.com]

I have pretty much all of Zoe's stuff (she does some fantastic things with a cello!), so can sort through when I get home.

[kelliem.livejournal.com]

I listened to it at her site, and it doesn't seem to me to be the same song.

[theamusedone.livejournal.com]

It really is not. She does not use the piano to nearly that extent and the melody is not familiar.

[kelliem.livejournal.com]

I could see why someone might think it was a piano adaptation, it uses similar chords, but overall is too different.

[imkalena.livejournal.com]

OH, GOD.

Family problems are horrible. I'm so sorry. *HUGS* Caring for sick moms, yeah, all stress all the time. Money problems, all stress all the time.

Hope the kid and the mom get better soon, hon.

*more hugs*

[kelliem.livejournal.com]

Thank you! {{{hugsback}}

[madripoor-rose.livejournal.com]

That's a lot on your plate. Hugs.

[kelliem.livejournal.com]

Thank you!

[thisisbone.livejournal.com]

That's a lot to deal with at once, Kellie. :( Here's hoping the stress lightens up on at least one of those fronts soon.

[kelliem.livejournal.com]

Thank you, I appreciate the good thoughts.

[doll-revolution.livejournal.com]

does anyone you know have the 'shazam' app on their phone? this is pretty much exactly what it was made for.

(when i'm at my mom's, i use hers to see what they're playing during the csi lab montages)

[jooniper-pearl.livejournal.com]

I tried using Shazam with this and it couldn't find a match. :( I loved that piece of music too :)

[kelliem.livejournal.com]

My son downloaded Shazam and tried it, but it couldn't find a match.

[matociquala.livejournal.com]

<3 because that's what I got.

[kelliem.livejournal.com]

Thank you! Much appreciated. (Feels funny to use your icon on a reply to you!)