And I'm still kicking

So, it's been a really long month.  Janelle and I have been exchanging email with our dad and we talked to him on his birthday.  That was pretty cool...and weird...and cool.  We're slowly getting to know him and our newly discovered siblings.  It's going to be a long and slow process because we've got almost 33 years of catching up to do.  How's that for nuts?

School is going well, though there have been some glitches with the online classes.  I have to say I really like not having to go to class and can just do the work, but I actually really miss the class discussion aspect of it.  That has always been my favorite part of any class.  I'm hoping to be able to take a literature class next semester, in person, with all my lovely and entertaining comments for the whole class to enjoy.  : p

The last week in particular has been a hard one.  One of Jocie's favorite teachers was killed in an ATV accident.  She did everything right, including helmet and safety gear and a controlled speed.  I guess that's what makes it an accident.  She was one of those amazing teachers who brings her subject to life.  That was obviously evident at the memorial service on Friday.  Students going back as far as her classes from the 70's came to say goodbye to a teacher they still remembered with fondness.  That's testament to the lives she touched and changed over 38 years of teaching.  She will be missed.  It's been hard for Jocie, because this is the first person she has lost in life and the suddenness of it has really thrown her for a loop.  It's been hard for me to see her so upset and know that there is nothing I can do to take that pain away.  This is part of life and she'll just have to grieve.

Well, folks, that's about all for now.  I wish I could be slightly more entertaining for you today, but my dog kept me up until after 1:00 last night and I didn't even take a nap today on my extra day off.  I see an early bedtime in my future (well, right after Castle anyway).

Well hello...Daddy?

            As some of you know, Janelle and I grew up without knowing our father.  We were raised by our mom, with the help of our pretty awesome grandparents, and our aunt Judy.  We knew our father’s name, his height, the company he worked for, that he was originally from Oklahoma, and that he’d been transferred with his job before he knew (or she knew) that our mom was pregnant.  This was just an accepted truth.

            Then along comes the internet.  Google, Ancestry.com, Bing…information everywhere.  Except that it was like that saying, “water, water, everywhere, but not a drop to drink.”  How would we ever know which Monty (Monte) McKee could be the keeper of half of our genetic code?  One had died, one was a realtor, one had an IMDB page, and one was in prison.  So many to pick from!  Like a box of chocolates, you never know what you’re gonna get.

            Until September 2, 2011.  In January, Janelle had placed a blurb of information on the McKee surname page of Ancestry.com, just itemizing the things we knew and if anyone had any information, she’d love to hear from them.  Fast forward to that September 2 and Janelle calls about midnight my time and speaks words I’d never really counted on hearing, “I think I found our father.”  On speaker phone, so I heard it, Mam and Pap heard it, and Jocie heard it.  I think all of our jaws hit the floor.  As Jocie and I take inspiration from Bugs Bunny whenever possible, Bugs stopping in his tracks, saying, “CLUNG!!!” pretty thoroughly summed up the feeling at that moment.  After mining Janelle for information, I learned about her Ancestry.com blurb and that she’d received a response from a man claiming to be our dad.  He’d already friended her on Facebook.  We wrote a short email together to the listed address and attempted to go to sleep.

            The next day brought a flurry of emails back and forth.  Suddenly, we had siblings, other than Janine.  Two sisters and two brothers.  I’d never had anything but stepbrothers that I’d never been close to.  I, baby of the family (yeah, by 27 minutes, but that still makes me the baby) was suddenly a big sister.  I had nieces and nephews that were of the two-legged variety, though I’d imagine there was, at least at some point, the same amount of drool involved.  I wasn’t sure what to feel.  How does one be a big sister?  I have no practice with this.  I’m the baby, damn it.

            It was a picture of our sister Codie (baby sister, I have a baby sister) that convinced Janelle.  Her blonde hair was dyed brown, styled like Janelle’s, and she has glasses.  There were/are similarities.  I, however, was not yet convinced and needed more verification.  Like calling Maury Povich and having a DNA day.  However, after asking several questions, this dude answered them all and then some, offering up information my mother could corroborate.  Everyone was in shock.  I, word slinging show off that I tend to be, could say nothing except, “It’s so weird!”  Over and over, to the point my lovely daughter told me to shut up already.  Sweet kid.

            Fast forward 20 of the craziest (see, I didn’t say weird) days of my existence, Janelle and I are trading emails back and forth with our dad.  He sent us pictures.  We talked to him on the phone on his birthday.  We’re friends with our brothers on Facebook.  So far, Wavil is pretty funny and Ryan watches a LOT of football.  I’ve also found a strange delight in picking on him and his Libertarian ideas and my Republican father’s ideas of what’s funny (like sending him the link disproving his disparaging Democratic forward…too fun!).  There’s a lot more to be learned and a lot to share.  It’s only been 20 days, but I just figured it’s time to introduce you all to the other keeper of mine and Janelle’s genetic code.  Watch out world, here’s Monty McKee…my dad.

Oh, and, p.s., he was the IMDB guy.  The one I’d always dismissed outright.  There he was.  He worked on the Wedding Singer.  “Holiday.  Celebrate.”  I bet he could never have guessed the torrent of lines I know from that movie that I throw out on a regular basis.  Oh, and Robin Hood Men in Tights.  Oh, Mel Brooks, how I love thee.  Let me count the commandments.

Another voice silenced.

           Last Friday morning, I got on Facebook and saw a friend’s post that Warrant lead singer, Jani Lane, had been found dead in a hotel room in California.  He was 47.  This made me incredibly sad.  I thought of his daughter and wondered how she was dealing with this news.  When I was in middle school, Warrant was one of my top five bands.  I always thought he had a good voice, melodic but still rock.
            That got me thinking about something Lady Gaga (of all people) said after Amy Winehouse’s death.  She said that the public should be more kind to our pop stars.  Hmm.  I’m not really sure I agree with that.  Yes, tabloids and such do tend to go too far with their telescopic lenses and stalking-like behavior.  On the other hand, what about the handlers of our celebrities?  Do they go far enough in trying to keep them safe?  Is there someone to tell them no?  I think about Elvis, Heath Ledger, Michael Jackson, and now Jani Lane (in addition to the other 27 year old club of Jimi, Janis, Jim, Kurt, and now Amy Winehouse) and wonder how many of them would still be here (barring natural life spans…) if someone had said no to them.  If their doctor(s) had done a simple blood test/toxicology report before prescribing a new prescription.  Granted, I’d imagine some form of consent would have to be involved, but still, something should be done to ensure that a new prescription would not interact with one already prescribed.  A prescription registry could be the answer, but let’s face it, these are celebrities, not just regular people.  They have the ability and the money to get what they want and the livelihood of the people around them depends on that continued celebrity.  If that is saying yes instead of no, when no is the appropriate answer, they are likely to still say yes.  And we know where yes ends up in so many cases…one more voice is silenced, one more talent is wasted, and another kid is fatherless.  It seems so senseless.

            This is obviously not a full argument, because it’s leaving out the whole argument of how addiction is a neurological disorder, instead of a moral one or lack of will power.  Addiction affects the neurological pleasure processes, making your brain basically sabotage your fight for sobriety.  That’s an argument for every addict, not just celebrities.  Celebrities who are addicts have a double edged sword of availability and the enabling by people around them, on top of those neurological saboteurs.  In the end, no matter the argument, it doesn’t bring any of them back.  There is no more music, no more movies, and no way to bring comfort to those who loved them.

Blessed be that this week is almost over.

Between migraines, a complete screw up with my financial aid (now fixed), a new lawn care service, and doggy shots, it's been a long week.  I'm so glad it's Friday tomorrow!

No deep thoughts for the day.  I spent too long giggling at Looney Tunes tonight to be anything but tiredly goofy.  Jocie told me I sounded like the witch from the Hanzel and Gretel cartoon.  "Hanzel?"  Well, that and being slightly annoyed at the host of Legend Quest.  Dude never actually finds anything and has done 2 episodes that I've seen on the legend of King Arthur and quoted different myths that fit what he was talking about.  One of which I had never heard and I went through a fairly prolonged King Arthur phase.  I think he is enchanted with the sound of his own accented voice, instead of the actual thing he's looking for.  I need his job.  I know tons of stuff about crap not many other people give a crap about and just need a tv crew and a travel budget.  Oh yeah!  I'd rock at that job!

Blathering now.  I believe it's time to retire.  Bed sounds good!

Transitions

As some of you may know, I am currently enrolled part-time in college, working through some general studies classes.  I have a basic plan for the future.  I will continue for the next three years, working for an associate’s degree, specifically for a transfer degree.  I then plan to move, possibly to Portland, Oregon (shh, Janelle), and finish my degree there.  This timeline coincides with the graduation from high school of my one and only loin fruit, Miss Saucy Jocie.  She plans on attending pastry school, likely in Portland as well.

What is your major, Michelle?  Good question!  I keep telling myself that I will figure that out eventually.  I have general ideas, which will only get me so far.  Dream job: full-time writer.  Oh yes.  By that, I mean able to support myself completely through my writing.  It wouldn’t have to be on a Stephen King kind of level (oh, who am I kidding?  That would totally rock!), but fiscally profitable.  However, I am logical enough to realize the chances of this are slim.  That won’t stop me from trying, but a plan in place while the trying happens is very necessary.

That is where the confusion sets in.  An English major seems like a dream degree, possibly with a minor in Psychology.  That sounds like fun!  (Yeah, nerd, you’re not even kidding.)  However, I do not want to have that degree and still have to ask what side they’d like with that steak, nor continue working forever as an administrative/legal assistant.  As much as I appreciate being employed, it is not my dream job, nor is there any place for me to advance without leaving my current office, which is not exactly desirable at this time.  Also, I’m in that place in my education and work experience that I have enough to go to another office, but not enough to break into another field.  It’s not exactly desirable to start all over at the bottom.

Perhaps it’s the uncertainty, or very basicness of the plan that has me feeling so discombobulated.  The sheer length of time it will take for me to complete my goals make it hard to keep my patience.  It has never been one of my better virtues.  A possible trip in the future to Portland would likely help…or any friends who live in the general vicinity (or have lived) can feel free to contribute to living in the area!  Kary, if you read this, we need to pick a weekend or something!

Until then, small goals.  School starts in less than a month (happy and sad at that!) and I’m going to have small daily writing goals, just to sharpen my skills.  You know, pen being mightier and all that.  It will have to be enough.  For now.

Starting something new

Just starting a blog.  This will be a place to post some writing that it is my goal to write.  This is the short post letting folks know I'm starting it.  More to come.