all the things i can't tell you

Just enough people know who I am to prevent me from writing about some of the most interesting, dramatic, or bitch-worthy things that have been going on in my life, aside from spending 32 of the last 36 days in the field.

• Stress-inducing family drama involving elder care, serious health issues for the cared for and the caregiver, conflicting wishes, legal issues, and, of course, money.
• Wedding news, both recent and upcoming, of people I care about very much, and all my conflicted feelings about them (good and bad) that are none of my business anyway.
• A follow up on my friend who tried to kill himself. That situation troubles me deeply, since I've had no resolution. Although he's completely recovered, I gather, he is also quite completely out of my life, which I never would have expected. I literally still have nightmares about this whole thing.
• Tales of paranoia, plots, pomposity, pissiness, and power at work. It's the pits.
• Obnoxious behavior by members of the public I have to deal with. If there's a silver lining in my future retirement, it's finally being able to tell people what I think of them as a private citizen and not a semi-public face representing two well-known employers. Ignorance, rudeness, selfishness. Three traits that don't sit well with me.

So although I'll still be busy the next couple weeks wrapping up the worst "normal" spring migration I can remember, I will be posting more often, just not anything juicy or compelling, at least on a personal level.

Comments

[Don Watcher]

I was going to say "nil carborundum illegitimus" but according to Wikipedia, that's not correct Latin verbiage. So here's the closest correct version: "Noli nothis permittere te terere".

I hope it helps a little to know that your readers empathize with you. All those things you mention are all too familiar to me - especially your last two items. I was a civil servant for my entire 30+ year career. My retirement a couple of years ago was one of the happiest days of my life! Hang in there and keep looking at birds. It helps.

[Mark]

OK. I look forward to you being at a lower stress-level. I have a book for you.

[bug_girl]

Oh dear. I hope things get better. I wasn't able to find your "recent news" post, but let me know if you need to vent!

[bug_girl]

Oh dear. I hope things get better. I wasn't able to find your "recent news" post, but let me know if you need to vent!

[JP]

Wow, you have an incredible load. For what it's worth, you seem to be a fantastic scientist... I hope that truth helps carry you through here n there. I enjoy your blog.

[Nuthatch]

Thanks, JP. Next on my agenda, an event that will paralyze all attempts to get caught up in jury duty beginning tomorrow in downtown Detroit. Just shoot me now.