Word on Murray, a.k.a. Maurice, is that he's feeling much better now. Doctors have gone in and implanted device to keep the arteries open. I'd be in the dark on most details if it weren't for friends filling me in. Thanks for keeping me informed.

Now I'm just planning the weekend and trying to stay motivated for next week. Tomorrow is the Party On The Pink Porch and Sunday will be the day of recovery. The weather was beautiful today. Dry and still just a bit overcast and cooler. Autumn is teasing me and coaxes me into better spirits.

More shifting of my universe and sleep deprivation.

Got a phone call at 2 a.m. this morning from Murray. He's in the hospital now from a heart attack. He phoned 911 when he started having the first symptoms yesterday. Doctors said he was about to have another, massive coronary.

Just two days ago I was talking with my mother about him, saying that I worry how long he's going to be around on this planet. He's got the perfect lifestyle for cardiac arrest or a stroke: high-stress at work followed by more stress at home, a junk food diet that he hasn't changed even after developing diabetes, no real exercise.

I spoke to Larry much later this morning and we both hope some good change comes into Murray's life as a result of this. He needs to stick around for his son and the friends who still really love him despite himself. I want to phone to check up on what his condition is, but I feel that might not be the thing to do since his wife might not be too fond of me.

Police came knocking on my door half an hour ago in referrence to a 911 call from the wild boys downstairs unit, which appears to be abandoned now. The window's been broken from the outside. The inside is trashed. The officer said it looked like no one had taken a bath or cleaned the place in years. I'm wondering if the worst is over now for that unit or if it's just beginning.

I must be positive. I must not think bad thoughts.

Walter says I have pretty fingers.

Walter says No comments:

Went to NetherWorld with Audrey last night. Much fun - it was the first haunted house either of us had been to since high school. Best part: the spinning tunnel illusion. Truth, the anti-smoking brigade, were set up in the parking lot with DJ's and RatMan, who was pointing out that both cigarettes and rat-poison contain cyanide.

Got back home and there were broom handles and a gas can strewn across the parking lot. There was a fish aquarium sitting on the wall of the atrium. The boys downstairs were very active all night. As late as 4 a.m. it sounded like furniture being thrown outside and against the interior walls. I pity my neighbors directly beside and above them. I was able to sleep with the usual earplugs, only waking long enough to put them back in my ears when they fell out in my sleep. I'm sure there was no escape for anyone closer if they were home last night.

Seems like my appointments today fell through mostly, but I have a new batch tomorrow.

Had dinner with Audrey and Nick at the new seafood place in East Atlanta, "Six Feet Under", located across the street from Oakland Cemetary. We ended up splitting a steamer bucket across the table.

Then I hung out at their place with them for a while watching bad sitcoms a trying to avoid being overly mauled and drooled on by their new dog, Sally, a pit bull mix with a brindle coat that's softer than velvet. She's a hyper-active monster child right now though. But she's really sweet at the same time - she'll let you do anything to her and expects the same back. This is not necessarily desirable in an animal who, if she really wanted to, could be the Jaws Of Death.

Thinking about Halloween as different friends are starting their preparations now.
Hmm... what to do or be or be done to?

Upon finally daring to look in the mirror this morning, I look surprisingly well. Not the burnt out jack o'lantern look I should be displaying after a late night out followed by insomnia probably caused by too much seafood too late at night. I tossed and turned and finally got up from my empty growling stomach demanding to be refilled. the four cups of coffee probably didn't help either.

But hey, I'm good now and looking forward to getting together with Jae this afternoon.

At last it's raining here. I can hear it coming down outside my window. The air is a good 10 degrees cooler today and it's wonderful.

Tonight is my girl's night with Ms. Lee. Hopefully this evening will be a lot of fun for us despite a few males wanting to crash the party.

Today I saw someone run a convertible through an automated carwash for the first time. I didn't know you could do that with a convertible.

Which Star-Crossed Marvel Lover Are You?

You are most like Basil, assaulted by bears! Created by Thren. Which Gashlycrumb Tiny are you?

The boys downstairs have been really loud this week. Some people just don't want to take their meds and you can't force them to... Lots of things slamming around down there at all hours and voices rapping in the parking lot. But eventually things must swing back down, whether they want them to or not.

In the words of Miss Tree:

Some days it's just not worth chewing through the leather straps
in the morning.

Spent yesterday with a severe sleep deficit. Feeling much better today after an in-bed marathon over the last 24 hours.