I was going to write a post, but I'm wiped out. I think it's the remnants of my Hepatitis. So instead of me scribing some witty thoughts or linking you to a compelling story, this is all I can give you:
Zilch.
I got nothing. I'll try tomorrow. Good night, now.
Oh, that would be me.I love college basketball. There's nothing quite like it. This season has been particularly interesting to me. Watching my Bearcats trying to scratch and claw their way into the NCAA tournament has been suprisingly fulfilling. So here are some quick hits this afternoon as I eagerly anticipate the madness that accompanies March. Andy Kennedy should be offered the UC job. President Zimpher miscalculated how much this town loved Bob Huggins and she's paid the price. All Kennedy has done is save her butt. He took a rag-tag group of scholarship players and walk-ons and has the Bearcats on the verge of getting into the tournament. Not offering him the job would be even dumber than firing Huggins. It's true I'm emotionally invested in this one, but it's time to make the right decision and remove "interim" from his title.
Mid-majors are overrated. Bracket prognosticators are saying that the Missouri Valley Conference should get five teams in the tourney, and the Colonial conference should get three. Are they serious? Since when should these leagues get more teams to the dance than the ACC? I attribute this misinterpretation of greatness to the oversaturation of college basketball coverage. If these lower echelon teams are going to get all this run, then I'd encourage teams struggling in their power conferences to drop down to lower ones and start kicking butt. This is getting ridiculous. Cinderella isn't Cinderella if her last name is Trump. Keeping with this theme . . .
Gonzaga is overrated. If they're the fifth best team in the country, then I'm Gheorghe Muresan. I watched these guys the other night need a three-pointer at the buzzer to beat San Francisco at home. The San Francisco Dons [what a mascot] used to be awesome . . . back in the 50's when they had Bill Russell. Gonzaga needs some real competition to deserve that ranking. My prediction: they're out by the second round.
Storming the court has gotta stop. Last night Florida State was given a technical foul when their fans stormed the court with 1.7 seconds remaining in their game against Duke. The game was in hand, but still, the game wasn't over. Fans rushing the court is bush league, especially Florida State who defeated Duke at home two seasons earlier [they rushed the court then too]. With all the drunk loonies in the stands, something is eventually going to go wrong and a visiting player will be hurt. If colleges can't control the environment, they should have to forfeit these games.
All I got for now. More as the madness draws nearer.
I left Kelly at the hospital this afternoon so I could return home and get ready for our prayer gathering. I spent about two and a half hours in the NICU; I keep feeling better and better. Anyway, I hit a red light at the intersection of Dorchester and Reading, where there's a little garden area on the side of the road. I noticed a man standing by the landscaping, staring down at it intently. I then noticed a stream being projected from his midsection.
Yes friends, the guy was peeing on the garden.
Now this wasn't the first time I have witnessed public urination in an urban setting. I grew up going to church in Price Hill so you could say I have a unique understanding of the communal whiz. But here's what I found puzzling about this gentleman I observed this afternoon:
1) It was in broad daylight. If you are going to take a leak out in the open, it's best to wait until after hours. If it was night, this guy could've gone on the sidewalk and the cover of darkness would've made it too difficult to discern what he was doing.
2) It was during rush hour. The clock hit 5:00 as I was driving through the intersection. This is the busiest time of day for this particular intersection. Seriously, any other time of day and fewer cars drive by. This guy picked the ultimate drive-time in which to let loose.
3) There were acceptable alternatives available. This little garden area butts up to a wooded area. Accessing the wooded area only required an additional six steps and would've allowed optimal coverage.
So even now, I'm confused. I wish I had rolled down the window and asked the guy why he decided to micturate before all God's people next to that landscaping. But any guy crazy enough to tinkle on a garden in broad daylight would most likely be crazy enough to kill me. So maybe I made the right decision in not asking, but this will most definitely haunt me for years to come.
And to think: I get gun-shy in airport bathrooms . . .
This is me . . . turning the corner. By far, the best day of the past couple of weeks. I'm still a little out of it, but I'm heading out into the clearing.
This morning Kelly and I were preparing to go to her doctor appointment. Her appointment got cancelled so we went out and bought Kaelyn a crib. We now officially have everything we need to bring the little girl home.
And speaking of the little girl, my nine-day hiatus ended this evening as I felt good enough to spend an hour with her. Holding her was great; she had this grin of contentment on her face as I explained to her where daddy has been.
Kaelyn is growing well; she's regained the weight she lost and is now at 4 pounds, 8 ounces. Unfortunately, she had another apnea episode last night so it restarts the clock. She has to go seven days with no episodes. So now we just wait till she's ready to come home.
Life's getting better. It looks like we've made it.
This was probably the most depressing week of my life. To go an entire week without getting to see your new child is nothing but suck. I think I've turned a corner, but I'm still struggling. I'm still trying to keep a positive attitude about things, but if I don't get back to normal this week I might have to go on a shooting spree. In an effort to let you in on my world, here's some of my observations about my Hepatitis A.
But, like I said, I think the end is near. Tomorrow marks two weeks since I first developed symptoms so that's quite long enough as far as I'm concerned.
So here's to no more Hepatitis. That would rock.
Our little peanut!
The tube you see in the picture is actually no longer there as of today. Kaelyn yanked it out (for about the fifth time!). She let them know she was done with that! Anyway, she's eating more from the bottle now so she may not have to have the tube back in. All of this is progress toward getting her home! : )
Well, since Steve is on hiatus with his hepatitis status, I figured I should entertain the masses in his place.
Steve's jaundice gives him a look as if he has a bit of a tan. Except for those yellow eyes. A little creepy and yet kind of cool at the same time. Reminds me of the Michael Jackson Thriller video. Remember it? I had the video with the whole behind the scenes making of stuff (that we take for granted on DVDs today). Anyway, I remember when they showed how they made Michael Jackson into the werewolf character pictured here. They put these HUGE yellow contact-like things that covered his entire eyeball. Ick! I can't imagine what that felt like! Anyway, when I see Steve right now, I am reminded of these yellow contacts.
Why the silence? I've still been sick. Really sick. Went to the doctor [again] and this time they ran blood work on me. They even sent me over to Deaconess Hospital to get an ultrasound of my gall bladder [it's a boy]. The bloodwork confirmed:
I have acute viral hepatitis A.
Ain't I special?
Unfortunately there are no antibiotics they can give me so I'm left to ride it out, which could be up to two weeks.
Overall, we're upbeat about things but this is getting a little crazy.
Nothing implied here: Kobe Bryant to Joel Osteen in six steps.
1) Kobe Bryant plays in the National Basketball Association for the Los Angeles Lakers.
2) Bryant, who is averaging 35 points-per-game this year, was voted an NBA All-Star.
3) The NBA All-Star Weekend is being hosted by Houston this year.
4) Houston was awarded the game because of the Rocket's new Toyota Center.
5) Their old arena, The Compaq Center, was sold to local Lakewood Church.
6) Of which, Joel Osteen is senior pastor.
Attention American Olympians:
The USOC has asked me to inform you of a fact they that thought you already knew:
YOU'RE AMERICAN.
If you know this fact, you're not acting like it.
It's rather unlikely that all of you immigrated to the US, so you should know that only one thing matters to us Americans:
WINNING.
But apparently winning just isn't a big deal to some of you. First there are Bode Miller and Jeremy Bloom who made statements that winning medals isn't as important as the Olympic experience [tell that to your sponsors and see what they say]. Then there is men's figure skater Johnny Weir who, after falling from a sure silver medal to fifth place, blamed a late bus ride, bad vibes, and feeling "black inside."
And now, our friend, Lindsey Jacobellis.
Jacobellis was competing earlier today in the first women's Olympic snowboardcross final [Is it just me or are they just making up events as they go?] This "sport" consists of people racing through a snowboard track. Lindsay had the event sewed up. The gold medal was hers. She was excited about the victory, so she decided to get some big air, do a little trick, and grab her board during the final jump. Unfortunately, she bit it.
This wouldn't be too bad if not for the fact that THE RACE WASN'T OVER YET! She lost her gold medal and was forced to take home silver. They just showed the tape of the race on NBC. Her lead was massive. She said she was just trying to stabilize herself, but that's damage control. It was no accident she lost; it was just a case of her showboating.
And these, proud Americans, are the Olympians we sent to represent us in Torino.
While we want to be embarrassed by them, it might actually be an accurate representation of what our country has become:
1) We are a country of excuse-makers, justifying all our screw-ups. Instead of taking responsibility, we're looking for something or someone to blame. And not only do we make excuses, we do it preemptively so we have that defense in advance.
2) We are a country of glory hounds, always lauding our own accomplishments. It's no longer enough to get the job done, but it must be done with panache. I have to point my finger in your face. I have to pump my fist. I have to thump my chest.
How sad is it that, in order to get back on track, the voice of reason becomes eccentric Oakland Raiders Al Davis. His rather American mantra: "Just win, baby."
Maybe this Winter Olympics will be worth something afterall: it'll provide a scary reflection of what we Americans have become.
And while I'm on a roll, why does our local media feel the need to bust into regular programming with a "Special Report" whenever it starts to rain? Notice there's no way that they'll ever interrupt a commercial break, but will wait right until the show you're watching comes back on.
Now they'll say that they're doing this because they care about the community. But if this "breaking news" is really so important, why don't they wait till after the commercial break? It's like they're saying, "Yes we care, but not enough to tick off the sponsors and lose advertising money."
My take: They don't care.
There, I said it. I feel better.
Seriously, they're becoming the boy who cried wolf. I'm starting to tune them out. They've broken in so much that someday something serious is going to happen and I'll refuse to listen. They'll interrupt my show, I'll flip over to Comedy Central and be sucked away by a tornado while watching The Colbert Report.
I never switched over to the DISH because of the local channel thing. I now ask myself why I cared.
I need some sleep.
Just watched an ABC Primetime segment on how record labels use bribes to get radio stations to play their artists' music. The reporter was appalled that these labels could manipulate the public, forcing them to buy their music. One of the offenders they listed was J-Lo. I just laughed.
We get that bent out of shape? If the music sucks people aren't going to buy it; Trust me: the only money J-Lo is getting out of my pocket would be me paying her not to sing.
Yes, this might seem unfair to these small bands trying to make but whoever said the music industry was fair? It's all about who you know [or who you're willing to fornicate with]. It's rarely about how talented you are [I rest my case].
. . . and I'm glad. She looks great, but is still moving around slowly.
Now once we get Kaelyn home, life will be wonderful.
Being sick sucks. This we know. What makes it worse is suffering through daytime television. But fortunately for me, there's the Twentieth Winter Olympiad.
"WHAT?!?!" you ask. "The Olympics are horrible!"
I agree. Except for one event:
CURLING!!!
Yes, Curling is awesome! I hope that ESPN comes to their senses and launches a Curling Channel in the near future. That would be rad.
I just watched the USA kick Sweden's butt around the ice. Seriously, I watched the entire match and even gave a fist pump when the US clinched it. I guess there's only one problem: I have no freakin' idea what the rules are.
I feel like an idiot watching them slide their stones and sweep their ice [what other sport involves doing housework?] because I don't know what they're trying to accomplish; I'm still not sure how they score. And the commentators use all these technical terms about the sport. They were speaking English, but it might as well have been Swedish.
You know, I could spend some time researching the sport, maybe checking out a website like this to figure out all the lingo. But . . . honestly, I don't care that much.
I don't worry too much about feeling like an idiot every four years.
Kaelyn: Doing well. At this rate in her development, I'd say she'd have three weeks or less in the NICU. Kelly's loved spending some upclose time with her. Getting her home will be awesome. She's a beauty! Kelly: Doing better. She had a rough day and a half recovering but his flourished the last 24 hours. Unless something changes, she'll come home tomorrow morning- having spent 16 days in the hospital. I repeat: Getting her home will be awesome. She's a beauty!
Me: Doing crappy. Yesterday morning I felt sick. Had a fever all day yesterday and through the night. I didn't like not being able to see Kel or Kaelyn so I even went to the doctor this morning [very rare for me]. He said it's just a virus and antibiotics would be no help. Told me to rest, fluids, blah, blah, blah. So I've been staying away from the hospital. Thankfully Kelly's parents have stepped up big time, staying at the hospital to help out. This has meant I haven't been able to see the baby. Hopefully I'll be better by Friday so I can see her.
As I sit here in the quiet of this hospital room, my wife asleep on the bed next to me, and my daughter four floors below me, I'm still trying to assimilate what has happened in the past 24 hours. I can't remember anything like this. Nothing in the world itself changed but I can't help but know it'll never be the same. And now, despite that I'm totally exhausted, I know I can't let this day slip away without trying to put into words what I feel.
Kaelyn is one of the most beautiful things my eyes has ever seen. I know that statement might sound a little off, but I have to be honest: I've seen some pretty amazing things with these eyes. To me, the most beautiful thing I've ever laid eyes on is Kaelyn's mother. Not to put the two of them in competition with one another, but Kelly will always be first to me. You see, Kaelyn didn't choose me to be her father, but Kel chose me to be her husband; I wouldn't be the man that I am today without her. That's why, when we were doing the great big name search, the name just seemed perfect. I couldn't very well name her Kelly Lynn Jr., but our little girl will now always know the high regard that I hold her in. Kelly's sleeping now, but she's still so beautiful.
This little girl is amazing, though. She's so frail, but I had to participate in the obligatory new father custom of putting my finger in her hand. And she gripped it tightly. Like I said, I've seen some beautiful things, but that might be the most precious feeling I've ever experienced. I know, years from now, Kaelyn won't remember that she took hold of my finger but I'll take it to the grave. In that one touch of her hand, I knew that I was ready to be dad. She's my daughter, and I love her so much.
Last night, Kelly was only able to spend five minutes with her. She woke up this morning determined to feel better so she could get downstairs to spend some time with out baby. Kelly's been a trooper the past two weeks, with all the magnesium and such that they put her on, but she always blazed on. Today was her toughest day yet; but she fought through it and this afternoon I wheeled her down to the elevators, to the ninth floor to spend quality time with the little girl.
After a few moments of staring at her, Kelly asked the attending nurse for what she truly wanted: to hold Kaelyn for the first time. Gingerly the nurse wrapped up our child and handed her to Kelly. As I stood behind her, I looked down and saw my wife holding our child. And I was breathless.
And I celebrated the moment by taking this picture. Yeah, kinda cheesy, but it was a Kodak moment that I would never have again. Another moment in my life that I will never forget. Again . . . no words.
I'm grateful for the opportunity to be a parent, to experience things that I've never dealt with. I'm not fooling myself that it'll be a cake walk. There will be dirty diapers, bruised knees, temper tantrums, rebellious teenage years, but just for today I'm basking in the glow of being a new dad.
Thank You, God, for life.
My girls.
Friends, Allow me to introduce you to our daughter:
Kaelyn Rhae [pronounced "KAY-LIN RAY"] was born at 10:42pm on Sunday February 12th. She weighed 4 lbs, 6 ozs and was a little over 16 inches long. Kelly was amazing; both mom and baby are in good shape.
Just in case you're curious, Kaelyn was my choice as an abbreviation for my favorite girl, Kelly Lynn. Rhae is Kelly's mom's middle name. And, um, Carr is our last name.
Because she was premature, Kaelyn will have to spend the first few weeks of her life in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit here at Good Sam. But fortunately we get to spend the rest of our lives with her.
Thanks for the prayers. I'm sure I'll have more to say soon but, believe it or not, I'm actually at a loss for words.
Praise God!
I only met Amy twice: once a few years ago and when she visited our church a couple weeks ago. A dedicated wife and mother, Amy passed away Wednesday. She was thirty years old. Amy's husband, Chad, is a minister near Falmouth, Kentucky. I'm really not close friends with him [Aaron and him grew up together], but I've known him for about seven years now. When I first met him, he wasn't even in the ministry; he was working for his dad's printing company. But he answered a call to the Antioch Mills Christian Church as their youth minister, later becoming their preacher.
I've written about it before, but the ministry is a different profession; it's unlike any other job I know. Because of that, there's a certain camaraderie among ministers. That's why, despite Kelly being in the hospital, I knew I had to go to the visitation tonight.
Their church, where the visitation was held, is in the middle of nowhere; it's small town. There was a police officer directing traffic because the crowd was so large. We waited in line two hours just to get to see the family. There were hundreds of people there. It was an amazing sight; an incredible testimony to Amy's life.
Chad said in Amy's obituary that, "she was a joy to be around. She was generous and always giving. It didn't matter if it was money or cooking a meal for somebody or just teaching a [church] class, it was always about other people. Just to walk with her made you want to give and give and give."
Amy played piano at the church. This past Sunday, two days before her death and weakened by her illness, she forced herself to get out of bed and play for the morning worship service.
But perhaps more meaningful than all of this were the words of a guy I stood next to in line named Charlie. Charlie was an older gentleman who lived his entire life in the Falmouth area. I struck up a conversation with him and discovered he attended Antioch Mills. He had nothing but great words about the Doerrs and the church. "Those people have made a huge difference around here," Charlie told me. And as his voice began to quiver he added, "everybody loved her. This is the biggest viewing I've seen in this county in all my life." You never know how your life has affected others. A simple conversation with Charlie showed me that Amy touched lives everywhere she went, even the life of a rugged old country boy.
Thank God for people like Amy who fight the good fight and finish the race strong. If my daughter can be half the woman that she was, she'll do well for herself.
Keep Chad and their daughter Emrie in your prayers.
