Uncle Roger's
Notebooks of Daily Life

Just when you think things are going well, life rears up and kicks you in the teeth.

I was pretty stoked. Of course, being the colossal cynic that I am, I won't believe it until he's actually moved in there. Nonetheless, things are looking good.

Well, that hit me like a ton of bricks.

I have to admit that I actually cried a bit.

So now I am wracking my brain trying to think of who I know that might have some pull with the Jewish Home. Unfortunately, Most of my friends are either non-religious or I don't know their religious affiliations.

But actually, it doesn't matter anymore -- It just occurred to me that if the problem is that dad is not a practicing Jew, then the simple solution is for him to start practicing. Then, of course, they have no reason not to accept him.

Nonetheless, Rachel and I are going to head over there first thing in the morning to plead our case. Rachel is convinced that someone with more money came along and they decided to give them Dad's spot. I dunno if that's true, but I suppose it's as plausible an explanation as any.

You see, when we first went there, we were told it didn't matter whether or not he was practicing. So the story that "you have to be a practicing Jew" doesn't really make much sense.

And just to top things off nicely, every last section of both of the classes I wanted to take this fall at City College was full.

For those that haven't kept up with what's been going on, here's a quick run-down of what has been happening for the last four years:

November, 1995

About 25 Compact Discs, including several now-unavailable, uncommon ones, were stolen from my desk at HP.

January, 1996

My mother died of an anuerism in her brainstem.

January, 1996

The day after my mom died, my Dad fell over in the parking lot of the funeral home and broke his hip.

Spring, 1996

Got my bike stolen out of the locker at the local YMCA. The YMCA refused to do anything about it, because my brother, who had been using it, was an employee.

Summer, 1996

Destroyed the engine of my Land Rover 109" due to installing an aftermarket oil filter adapter incorrectly.

November, 1996

Rachel's Great-Uncle Joe passes away.

Winter, 1997

My Aunt Barbara passes away due to complications from the amputation of a leg. She had suffered from Diabetes for quite some time.

Winter, 1997

My idiot sister's dog bit a neighbor's caretaker. The neighbor sued reportedly getting $20K. My homeowner's insurance paid her off, and cancelled my insurance.

September, 1997

Smashed my best friend's truck door on a carport support while helping him move.

August, 1998

Rachel's Great-Aunt Cele passes away.

September, 1998

Rachel's Step-Grandmother Jo passes away.

January, 1996 - Fall, 1998

Disputes with my siblings over their lack of visits with Dad result in growing estrangement. By Late 1998, none are allowed in the house.

December, 1998

A good friend, Lois Severy, passed away due to complication from cancer.

January, 1999

Dad has a stroke. It was serious, but not devastating. Lots of therapy got him walking and talking as good as, if not better than, before.

April, 1999

Our cat, Pumacita, has to be put down due to cancer.

July, 1999

A few weeks after completing his therapy, Dad has another stroke. This one, far more serious, is likely to leave him unable to walk or use his right arm.