Glad It’s Over: Just seems like I spent the week on the verge of screaming or crying. Part of it is gender-related, part of it is the winter blahs, and part of it is a list a mile-long of personal things I need to do to catch up from being sick for so long. Normally I’d not respond so strongly to all this…just feels like something’s really wrong or out of place and I can’t put a finger on it. Add to that the fact that everything I did this week seemed to take extra effort, or it just went completely wrong and by the time today rolled around, I was not fit for humanity. I was able to act “OK” for part of the day, but I really aggravated someone who’s only trying to help and I feel terrible for that. SO glad for a weekend to hibernate and see if I can break this trend.

Remembering a Story of Hope: It’s been a year since  Chesley Sullenberger and his crew successfully ditched an A320 in the Hudson River due to damage from a bird strike during ascent from LaGuardia. The crew, and especially Captain “Sully,” has been lionized for their cool under pressure that day, and certainly their actions were key to the happy ending we all witnessed. But it’s the fact that the story’s even bigger that still boggles my mind. Things both in AND out of the crew’s control had to go absolutely right for that plane to skim the water and stop intact. If the bird strike had come earlier or later, or if there had been vessels in that part of the Hudson, we’d be mourning instead of celebrating this event. Those are just two of an unlimited number of variables that, if changed just slightly,  would have likely led to a much more sombre tale. That level of serendipity is hard to wrap the brain around and it’s an aspect of the story that I am fascinated with.

I saw Chesley Sullenberger at DFW in June last year, walking alone through the terminal corridors. He went right past where I was seated for lunch. I couldn’t help but smile when I recognized him and I nodded when he saw me smiling, but I quickly felt the need to look away and leave him be. He came by a couple more times as I awaited my flight, and I noticed other people recognizing him as well and just smiling or saying hello, but not engaging him further. He was polite with a nod or smile in return, but seemed to be as he was after the ditching – someone who normally wouldn’t seek out this kind of attention.

The crew and some of the passengers reunited on the Hudson today to celebrate their good fortune and many of them can tell tales of their lives being affected for the positive after the events a year ago. For them, the ditching may be a blessing in disguise – in dealing with the event and its aftereffects, many have no doubt gained an evolved  perspective on what is really important. It could be a small blessing in disguise for New Yorkers as well. For the rest of their lives, any headline containing their town and aircraft will turn their minds  to 9/11 and the trauma that no doubt will linger with them always. But once they can tear their thoughts away from those awful days and weeks and months, they will always have this other “Plane in New York” story to bring a healing, brighter thought – to remind them that sometimes, life can go terribly right.

That is probably the real miracle on the Hudson.

Nothing But Bottles and Actuators: Let’s see…the famous purple AdVair diskus with powdered steroids (look out, Barry Bonds!); ProAir actuator with albuterol (aka asthma rescue inhaler); Cheratussin AC syrup, with an expectorant and codeine; generic Claritin-D for my allergies; medicine to regulate PMS; vicodin and Tylenol+Codeine left over from pre-Christmas tooth extractions; Azithromycin (a very strong antibiotic, in case it’s pneumonia); potent multi-vitamin tablets; Glucosamine, Chondroitin and MSM tablets; Fish oil gel caps; potassium supplements (ProAir can cause potassium deficiency and mine is already low); and calcium+Vitamin D.  There’s just enough room left for a small notepad and pen. Let’s just hope all this stuff cures my cough and helps promote a stronger immune system. I’m sick of being sick!

Tough Year with A Few Bright Spots: I can’t say I’m sorry to see 2009 exit. Many tough things to deal with this year…starting with the loss of my angel, Sabrina, right before Christmas, 2008. Got the year off to a sad, numb start. There was a brief time of levity after I adopted Felix in January, but he ended up having FIP and there was no choice but to put him to sleep in April. An extremely difficult work situation was coming to a head at that time, and I was heading into major surgery just a couple weeks later. It was a less-than-ideal situation for healing and that has taken some extra time due to the stress I was under. Health problems plagued me all year long – since September, I’ve had a chronic cough, asthma troubles and recurring sinus infections. Ended up having two teeth removed last week due to serious infection – hoping that will begin a turnaround. And my new kitten had to have emergency surgery right before Christmas due to ingested string blocking her stomach. Enough is enough, 2009 – you’re FIRED!

Bright spots:

• I had my Felix for a few short months at least. He was such a comical kitty!
• I fell madly in love with U2. Better late than never! I’ve spent all year exploring and discovering the 30+ years of their work. The two concerts I saw on their 360 tour were mind-boggling, and the stage and screen developed for the tour have fascinated me all year.
• The work situation was resolved in such an inspiring way, and I ended up with the most amazing boss as a result. I am so lucky to be where I am.
• In September, I was adopted by Moxie, an adorable black and white kitten who is my new rambunctious little angel.
• I met tons of great new IndyCar people – some in person, but mostly through Twitter. (How did we survive before Twitter?) The Winter Indy Tweetup was a highlight of my year.
• I’ve pared down my social list a bit. Certain folks were taking up some time and energy but weren’t contributing positive things to my environment. Buh-bye!
• My beautiful Sebastian is still the sweetest thing. He’s slowing down now (he’s almost 16), and I’m making a point to spend as much time as I can enjoying his kitty company.

2010 has more races and race fans in store, as well as more U2 shows. Hopefully, my work situation will continue along its lucky path and my health and that of the kittehs will stabilize and become something to celebrate. Here’s to 2010 being a great one for us all.