Hodgepodge

Everything all at once, since I keep meaning to update and I keep psyching myself out:

• The work situation is precarious. While I'm not concerned about being pink-slipped in the near future, TPTB are shuffling the responsibilities of myself a few other folks with similar titles in an indirect response to all the Medicare cuts and audits going on. I now have more on my plate, having to manage an involving task that I'm not very comfortable with, while completing all the bureaucratic BS that the new business-oriented senior execs seem to have prioritized over patient care and employee satisfaction. Add to that the wave of anti-union sentiment coming from Republican actions in the Midwest along with the stuff wafting over from New Jersey along with our employee contract expiring in January next year and sweet God are we going to have a tough fight on our hand. Dollars to donuts TPTB will try doubly hard to take away pensions and to either cut or make us pay for our health insurance. I'm stocking up on antacids from now.
  
  
• Work being the most immediate stressor in my life at the moment, I'm hoping the periodic abdominal/epigastric discomfort I've been dealing with lately is an ulcer of some sort...? Doing what I do, I tend to think the worst of persistent aches and pains. I'm already dreading my future bilateral knee replacements and possible lumbar surgery; I'm insane. And I know if I go to my doctor about this he's just going to tell me to take Prilosec or an equivalent, cut down on acidic foods, and get the eff out of his office. Let me hope things improve within the next week.
  
  
• I've started a running class. "Running class." I know, sounds ridiculous. Basically it's a session held by the NY Road Runners where folks are divided into one of seven levels based on experience and skill and then taught/coached on how to improve. I'm in the basic beginner class because I've never run as a form of exercise before and I was concerned about using incorrect form due to my leg alignment issues. First class was this past Tuesday, and it was very manageable: we walked about a mile from our starting point to Central Park, then ran around the Reservoir (a *gorgeous backdrop) alternating one minute of running with two minutes of walking. The curriculum for the classes can be found here. My one difficulty will be finding time during the week to run outside of class, since I'm taking Spanish on Mondays and Pain Management on Wednesdays and they kill my evenings. But I'll try to squeeze in what I can whenever possible. Have another running session tomorrow that I'm sort of stoked about.
  
  
• Bit concerned about Dad's increased memory problems. I always figured his stroke and seizure history would segue into dementia and/or Alzheimer's, but... Mom mentioned his problems remembering little tasks previously but I never noticed much impairment. However a few days ago he forgot that I was home. Completely forgot, even though we'd had a rather long discussion/quibble earlier that evening. He came to my room and woke me up to check and make sure I was actually home. That's more than a little troubling to me.
  
  
• I am not excited about my sister's wedding. However, I am excited about the vacation I have the week I return from the wedding. Seeing as my next time extended length of time off from work after that April vacation won't be until the last week of September (!), I'm going to revel while I can.
  
  
• Someone screwed up somewhere: I'm fat and black, yet not sassy nor do I burst into R&B/soul ballads. Perhaps a refund is in order?
  
  
• My desire to see The Book of Mormon keeps increasing.
  
  In conclusion: I need recs. Anything and everything is being solicited and will be very much appreciate. Thank you.