Setup and Prep

I've spent most of the week doing extra bus runs, because they need the help and I need the money. My attendance in classes has suffered, but as I mentioned, most of the heavy lifting is already done. I haven't been going in to the Rational Data office either. Just too busy.

Meanwhile, people have been coming in to town. Jackie flew in yesterday, and my mom and her friend arrived last night. Dad and Jeannie are coming in tonight, and Zach and his girlfriend will not be in until tomorrow.

Tonight was spent mostly preparing the rental property for the reception, and tomorrow looks to be spent the same way. After that, off to the rehearsal, and the next day... my single life is over. I think I can handle that.

Cut Slack

Well, today was the last midterm exam in linear algebra, and I realized a couple of hours prior that I really haven't been studying. I've had so much going on that I have not been keeping up with the homework in class, and even been missing class frequently. It all came back to haunt me this afternoon, and staring at the review sheet for the first time, I realized I had a serious problem. There's no way around it now. I just have to cut slack and focus on my other classes instead of wasting time flailing in linear algebra. It's not incredibly difficult, but it just fell to the back burner in my mind. I just have to accept the losses and move forward. On the bright side, I can relax a bit.

My writing group has finished our final report, so there's little work left to do in that class. In Principles of Programming Languages, we have two of our normal homeworks which are not unbearable. And in Operating Systems, I have one homework and one programming project left. And of course, finals in PL and OS. That's really it. Oh lord, just help me get through to the end of Saturday. Here comes the bride...

Rest in Peace

Monday night, I got a call from my dad. He told me that my great grandma Gene was on her deathbed, and would probably pass on within the week. While I was sad to hear the news, I was happy that she would be out of pain. Her health has been deteriorating for many years, and I know she was in almost constant pain. Later that night, Dad called back to say that she had indeed passed on. The rest of the night was very sombre.

The rest of the week, I've felt ups and downs. I had a nice trip taking a conference of scientists to the Twenty Ninth Street Mall's Wonder of Science outdoor exhibits. I've seen the exhibits before, and it was fun to learn the scientists' perspectives on designing the exhibits and all of the factors involved. Thursday, Ashley and I met with the deacon to iron out the final paperwork. We're all done with classes and counseling, and the license is now at the church, ready to be signed on the big day.

Tonight was grandma Gene's visitation, but I was scheduled for my usual bus run. I called several people, but I couldn't find anyone. I didn't think it would be a large emotional issue if I missed the visitation. I didn't visit very often, but I did always feel like it was quality time. I loved grandma Gene. I guess it struck me as I drove in to work, and showed on my face when I walked into the office. Immediately, the scheduler and transit manager started looking for a substitute driver, and told me just to pre-trip the bus. I was very thankful. It was hard to admit, even to myself, but I was very sad at that moment. I'd always gone to visit grandma when it was convenient, but many things had been more important at the time. I couldn't believe that I had made work more important than her final visitation. As dull as it can be to drive buses, and as much as it sucks to give them extra time when they're in a pinch, I'm really blessed to have such good employers.

The visitation was a hard thing at first. I sat in my car at the mortuary for a few minutes before I could go into the building. When I located the visitation room, I couldn't immediately face that, either. When I finally found my way into the room, I met many distant relatives, some I had met once or twice, some not at all. I was surprised by how poorly I remembered the family tree on that side. I learned that grandma Gene's sister, Dee, had passed away on the same night, not 12 hours after Gene. I don't know if I ever met my great aunt Dee, but I do remember her name, at least.

It's been a very emotional night. I think I'll rest.

Looks Like Rain!

Ashley and I celebrated our wedding shower yesterday, and it was beautiful! We had the party at her mother's vacant rental property. It was sort of a dry run for the reception. It was a fairly small gathering, abut 30 friends and family. Ashley's mother served up a great meal. We played some of the usual shower games: bingo, and the TP dress game. After those, we opened the gifts, and there were quite a few.

Afterward, a few people stuck around to clean and play the card game spoons (we play similar to these rules). The whole day was a lot of fun, and moved along with very few hitches or problems. I'm getting excited for the wedding!

License to Wed

Today I took off a couple of classes to deal with some of the wedding details. First, Ashley and I went to the county records building and filed for our marriage license. We'll need to sign it on the wedding day, then turn it back in for recording, and finally we'll receive our marriage certificate back. I never knew it worked that way.

In addition, I drove to Aurora today to try and demystify Tricare insurance. Of course, I had scarcely more luck than usual. Nobody can give me any guarantees until the wedding is over and my bride-to-be is in the DEERS system, and no clerk is an expert on any coverage option because every option is managed by a different contractor. It's thoroughly frustrating.

Beyond that, we have a few more wedding details to work through, and the shower is this Saturday. I'm a busy guy, that's for sure.