...Forever Feels Like Home...

Where to begin... Such fleeting words, encased like shifting butterflies, waiting for their time to emerge and release their beauty into this world. But there is nothing beautiful about these twisted things hiding within the catacombs of my mind. They writhe and hiss, resembling Aliens hidden within the walls of their hive... Silent, patient...waiting; forever scrutinizing their surroundings with a voracious hunger I will never understand. One opportunity and they'll spill forth in a black flood of rage and teeth. Made of darkness and horror they travel behind my eyes. Living shadows made of nightmares.

I envy their strength. Their ability to feel no fear. Frighteningly beautiful in their skeletal perfection. I want them to take me away from all this... Emotion. Carry me down into a void that only wants to welcome me. Bring me to the great mother and lay me in her terrible arms... Where I'll be safe in all of her monstrous beauty.

I've been rereading my Aliens comics again... Can you tell? 

*smirks* 

There's a strange slowness in me today. As though I'm drifting. Nothing more than a weightless thing carried along the edge of the tide. Fragile, broken... I've lost something along the way. As though bits and pieces of my spirit have torn away and have been scattered to the winds. I'm not quite myself today.

Going through the motions, I awoke early as my dreams fought to trickle through my half-conscious mind. I got up, collected myself and proceeded out into the house to make a strong pot of coffee and took my leave to the bathroom. Within all the white noise blaring in my mind, my body moved on its own accord. I felt as lost as a Moth fluttering toward an unknown light trapped within the thick darkness of night.

I feel twisted inside. Every time I've paused, a moment...just a simple, single moment... My thoughts would scream toward my Father and this terrible stone would crush against my chest. So very heavy...and yet, so very numb at the same time. I am an enigma of emotion that I haven't the strength to understand.

Writing these words give only the briefest of clarity, allowing some of this chaos to suss itself out as I try, so very desperately to keep myself steady. To remain calm and stoic...to not fall apart as the threat of tears sting my eyes.

No word on the status of his condition. Not a whisper. So as I wait, I keep myself in this clouded state, hoping that as I remain contained, I can keep a level head for whatever news that's brought to light. I can't afford to fall apart. My eyes are too swollen and tender to withstand another breakdown after yesterday.

With everything spinning towards the drain, seeing the out-pouring of love and support actually made me pause. It was overwhelming and incredibly humbling. As I type this, the sting returns to my eyes... How grateful and touched I am to be blessed to have so many Angels in my life. I am humbled by your warmth.

I may not personally respond to everyone, but there is a reason for this. Currently I'm unable to repeat the same painful information over and over. It'll only put more cracks in a severely damaged levee that's struggling to keep me from snapping. I also tend to become quiet when I'm fighting through an emotional roller coaster. If I'm short in my replies and don't seem very engaged in conversation, know that it is not personal. As social as I am (my motto being, 'I open my Mouth and Words fall out') when I'm not quite myself, I go silent. Which tends to scare those who know me. Don't worry, it's just another facet of who I am. I'm half Extrovert and half Introvert. It's an odd mix, but it keeps me balanced...mostly. Feeling what I'm feeling... I'm not interested in speaking. To anyone. And when I am, it's brief and generally benign. I become very calm and guarded. It's strange, but a natural defense mechanism that actually helps me.

So if I seem other than myself, just know that I'm trying to work all of this out internally without going nuclear. Last thing I want to do is snap and start driving on the sidewalks for Fun.

*chuckles softly as the song, "Keep Away" by Godsmack plays over the speakers* The song describes my current temper if provoked. I literally snapped at a young man yesterday when I had to walk into Stater Brothers just to pick up some Cat Food for my boys. He had some kind of newspaper and I knew he'd been watching me walk toward him shortly after I'd gotten out of my car. I was in No Mood to be social, let alone listen to some teenager's sales pitch for a product I could give to shits about. He started his pitch and I firmly stated, "No thank you darlin'." But when he took a step toward me, completely ignoring my polite decline and continued speaking, I wheeled around, stood up straight, threw my shoulders back and when I spoke, my voice had dropped several octaves and every word was very articulated, "Look, my Father is Dying, I'm Not in the mood." and oddly enough, he shut right up and literally took a step back.

Heh, guess I was channeling a certain muse...

Riddick would be proud.

-Anon-

...Words Like Silent Raindrops Fell...

Something inside me knew this would happen... The strange feelings I've been getting, the sense that a shadow was lingering nearby, patient, silent... I knew this would happen. Almost to the day. I even said a few months back, when Dad was doing really bad, that if things kept heading downhill like they were, he would be gone by the end of Faire. I even saw a date in my head that kept pulsing in my thoughts like an unwanted beacon within the darkness... May, it whispered in a haunting voice that fell from no human lips. I even sensed something about the time frame, between the 11th and 18th. Now, I keep thinking of the number 15 and I don't know why. God make me wrong... For once, let my intuition be wrong. Just once...

*takes a deep breath and lets it out slowly*

I just got home maybe 30 or so minutes ago after spending most of the day with Dad. One of my dearest friends whom we call Little Lauren, followed me all the way from Altadena to Loma Linda where my big Brother and his Wife were waiting for us. Glenn warned me Dad didn't look too good...and I could hear it in his voice, even over the phone as we began walking toward the building, something was very wrong. And what's even stranger, is the more upset I became (though contained) this Wind had started to gust around us, starting from Altadena and followed us all the way to Loma Linda where I've never felt it be so windy. This, is not an uncommon anomaly when I'm incredibly upset. People have literally experienced the wind suddenly start blowing when everything was calm just minutes before. This has happened since I was a little girl. Strange, but I'm not the only one who's witnessed this. 

*shrugs*

We walked in through the back entrance near the E.R. because the Main Lobby was closed. I didn't realise they did that for Mother's Day, so we did a bit more walking than I had expected. Not all that big of a deal because mentally, I wasn't all there. I was on autopilot. Hoping that when I walked into Dad's room I could get him to wake up.

That was not the case. When I tried, he wasn't there... It was as though he was in a partial coma... I knew he could hear me, I could feel that he knew we were there. 

For hours we sat there, watching as he laid there and breathed... Hours. At one point we all walked out to the parking lot for a break and we were able to spend a little time with the Geese. I was able to call my large White Chinese Swan Goose who I've nicknamed 'Gus' to us. I called out to him as he was way across from us in the pond where someone had bread and was feeding the other Geese. But as soon as he realised it was me, he turned and started calling out to me while paddling his way to me in the most adorable fashion.

I got to introduce him to little Lauren and had him follow me over to my Brother and his Michelle and even got him to eat from their hands and he let them pet and touch him. Goofy ass bird. I love him.

*grows a small smile, but it hardly reaches her tired eyes*

After spending much needed time with my feathered friends, we went back in...Dad was still unresponsive. Though, we were told by a wonderful nurse named Linda, that he actually said the words 'Leave me alone' to her when she wanted to change his gown. We were pleasantly surprised to hear this. So Glenn suggested I try to talk to him and see if he'd wake up. The interesting thing, is I told Dad Glenn and I were there and we weren't going to leave anytime soon. That we were gunna spend time with him even though he was sleeping. I even gently touched his shoulder, and he didn't jerk away like before. Instead, he visibly relaxed and even took a deep breath (almost like relief) and I could feel his energy shift. I'm glad he heard me and could hear Glenn's voice.

What it comes down to... Is that there is a small chance he can wake up. But his body is so tired... They want us to be prepared. It could be at anytime...a waiting game basically.

It's incredibly hard to be writing these words... Knowing that the time has come and it's up to him whether he's able to wake up, or if it's time to cross over.

I'm selfish. I don't want to let go yet. I want him with me. But it's not up to me. If it's his time, then I'll accept it. That's just the way things are.

*smirks darkly and shakes her head* And here I was worried about money, or the lack thereof I should say, along with Bills and trying to get by day to day. Stupid every day shit that's nowhere near as important as my father's well being.

*lets out a shaky breath and keeps herself as calm as possible*

Huh...this is the first time I've ever Not gone to Faire while working there. I've never missed a day. I feel so... I can't even explain what I'm feeling.

My chest hurts.

-Anon-

What Lies Beneath

A cool hand reaches out, invisible fingers leaving a trail of goosebumps it their wake as they dance lightly along my flesh. I shudder and pull my jacket closer as early morning light breaks across the horizon causing the dew drops against the table's surface to sparkle; tiny rainbows trapped within a translucent cage.

I bring my nightmare before christmas thermos to my lips and take a drink of my coffee; the heat streams down my throat and pools in my stomach like a warm hug. A soft sigh escapes my lips and I find myself drifting through the files of my memory warehouse. Remembering as if it were just yesterday, moments in time... Precious and fleeting... Moments with my Father. I'm stung by a sudden wave of emotion, welling up in the back of my throat, choking my voice as the threat of tears dance along my lash line. I don't want to feel this...I don't need this kind of pain right now. I've done so well... I've kept it locked down and buried, kept it secret, kept it safe. I pushed it so far down I wondered if I'd ever remember what it was like to truly Feel again.

I've been numb for so long...

But human emotion is a tricky bitch.

Heh, interesting that I'd be talking about this right now as Breaking Benjamin's "What Lies Beneath" is playing and the words catch my attention, "All in all, You're no good, You don't cry, Like You Should, Let it go, If you could, When love dies in the end." 

*smirks and shakes her head* Gotta love random coincidence through music.

It's been a struggle these past few days... Getting hit by memories so intense, I can almost remember the scent in the air that day; the lingering aroma of Dad's Kools and fresh Sea Air pouring in through the open window. The way the sunlight bled in through the blinds, casting long, playful shadows along the old apartment walls...

*stops and swallows the hard lump from the back of her throat*

I don't get it... I honestly do not want to be feeling this. It just needs to bugger off.

*growls and rolls her neck* Anyway... I gotta pee... (As though you needed to know that lovely tid-bit of information. Your day is now complete. You're welcome :P lol) So I'm gunna go visit the porcelien god, get me More coffee goodness and go outside for another smoke... Maybe this weight in my chest will lift and the urge to cold-clock someone across the face will subside... I hope.

-Anon-

Second Star On The Right...

Music pours into the air all around me as the wind rushes wildly outside my bedroom window. A relatively cool morning despite the velocity of the airflow slamming against everything it touches. It's going to be interesting driving on the freeway to see Dad today if the wind doesn't let up anytime soon.

*pauses to take a drink of her coffee*

Had an escape attempt earlier, one of my fuzzy children (Namely old-fart Pez) somehow slipped past me as I came back into my room and was chased around by the dogs. No one was hurt, they didn't attempt to eat him (though it would've served his fuzz-brain if he'd gotten a love-bite right on his fuzzy ass) he doesn't have a problem with dogs, he loves everybody (he IS the attention whore of my feline boys) and when I came out of my room, he was up on the chair to my left, not too puffed out and unscaved. My stomach dropped when I realized he'd gotten out in the first place. Little asshole. He's fine, the pups are fine. I just don't know how he managed to do it. Well one thing's for sure, I'm makin' Damned sure that doesn't happen again. Even if that means making sure my room is locked every time I leave it. Damned cat... *lets out a frustrated sigh*

In other news, I just learned that one of our greatest actors, Bob Hoskins... Passed away at the age of 71 after battling pneumonia. My heart hurts...:(

I grew up knowing his face; Mermaids, Who Framed Roger Rabbit, Super Mario Bros, Hook...etc. He portrayed the character Smee twice, in two different renditions of Peter Pan. He was such an amazing actor... This coming weekend at Faire is 'Pirate Weekend'...it will be very bittersweet.

*lets out a soft sigh and takes another drink of her coffee*

In other, lighter news... I watched Supernatural last night, it was the introduction to their Spin-Off called, "Bloodlines". Gotta say, wasn't half bad. Also proved how friggin' tall both Winchesters really are lol Seeing as I've seen Jared and Jensen in person, now I know for a fact they BOTH are a damned Moose *laughs* Oh that's right... I still haven't written about the Supernatural convention in Vegas, have I? Well it was really amazing for one thing, and Osric (aka Kevin Tran) was just a sweet heart. Wasn't short either. He stands around 5'8. Again, the boys are Ents. *snort*

*laughs as 'DangerZone' starts playing*

I swear Pandora Radio has a sense of humor XD

Anyhoo, I'm gunna drink the rest of my cup, possibly get another cup and keep my keys with me at all times so there are No More Escapes *sighs and shakes her head*

-Adieu

E-Gads, Brain! I Exist!

My, my... It's been awhile since I've updated on the ever so magical happenings of my tiny existence. I apologize for the wait, I've been rather distracted with Renn Faire shenanigans :P

*chuckles and takes a drink of her coffee*

It's been pretty awesome thus far. Spending time with my Faire Family and Friends, creating Chaos and wonderful Memories I won't soon forget. It's amazing that we're already half way... Only 3 Weekends left and this season of the Renaissance Pleasure Faire will close and we'll all have to wait until next Spring to do it all over again.

*grins as Guns'N'Roses 'Sweet Child O'Mine' begins playing over the speakers*

Honestly, being able to work faire again as a Rabble Rouser at the Joust, has really done my spirits good. I wasn't even sure if I'd even be able to do so this year due to everything that's been happening with Dad's health. Thankfully, the Fates seemed to give me a small break... Finally got some breathing room.

Dad's actually doin' alright for the most part. He's still at the VA Hospital and they're doing everything they can to get him his strength back, but of course it's not going to be an easy battle. His Liver is barely functioning and may never recover due to the abuse that has been inflicted on it for so long. However, whatever they're doing has brought my Dad back... Sure, he still has a little confusion, but it's nothing like before. I wish more than anything for a miracle...but I'm a realist. He can either improve quickly and maybe be able to come back home, or they keep him stable like they have been and we'll go from there. It's unfortunately, a waiting game. I have no problem waiting, but Dad desperately wants to come home even though he knows that's not going to happen unless he's at least able to walk on his own. 

*takes in a deep needed breath and lets it out slowly*

This illness has done a real number on him physically. I try not to think about it; how he went from being strong, barrel chested and very independent... To being almost unrecognizable. I know that it's hard on him emotionally, but he's still just as stubborn and isn't ready to give up anytime soon. So that's a plus :)

*chuckles and takes a drink of her coffee*

I've also been driving Ellie allot more since Faire started. I wasn't sure if she'd make an Hour and Twenty minute drive twice every weekend, but she's been fantastic. She seems to enjoy stretching her legs. Especially since I get to open her up and let her go 70-75MPH on the freeway. Trust me when I say that's Not speeding for a '70 Chevy. It seems that she evens out and rides smoother at those speeds and does pretty well on Gas even though she can be a gas guzzler. She was designed for long hauls, so it's less expensive then I feared it would be. I'm proud of my baby ^_^

Anyhoo, I'm gunna stop here and go finish my coffee. I promise that I'll make a point to write more, especially after I first get up so I don't forget.

-Adieu

Venus In Furs

I sit down, my Nightmare Before Christmas Thermos full of delicious coffee goodness as I set it down to my left and open Pandora and the first song that begins playing is Lou Reed & The Velvet Underground's, 'Venus In Furs'. If you've never listened to it, I suggest you do... It's slow, rhythmic and very haunting. It brings an interesting scene to mind...

Shrouded in night, a large bonfire illuminating the darkness with eerie hues of golds and reds, casting playful shadows on the faces that ghost by. Just a large group of people enjoying the early spring night filled with laughter. A group of nomadic, gypsy like misfits enjoying their time together as the night carries on.

Basically all of us Rennies hanging out after hours at a campsite somewhere *chuckles* Pretty fitting, right?

Today looks to be interesting... It was sprung on me yesterday by the hospital that they wanted to have a small meeting today with Dad and Myself, to go over what they're trying to achieve with having him there. Apparently he's been feeling good enough to start threatening them that he's going to leave. He gave them til friday. I don't think he quite understands what that means if he does come home, which is why they want to have this little meeting in the first place.

Where he is, he's receiving palliative care. Which is a step up from simple Hospice. He's also surrounded by Docs that can adjust his medication whenever need be because of how quickly his Ammonia Levels fluctuate. *pauses for a moment as Creedence Clearwater Revival's, 'Green River' starts playing* Now, he may be feeling a bit more like himself, but they're still a little weary about sending him home so soon. They know his past history of being in the hospital for a time, seeming to be well again, and after they release him, not more than three days later he begins to spiral downward again. They want to make sure he doesn't have to come back to the hospital again after just a week of being home again.

*Chuckles as The Doors', 'Moonlight Drive' starts playing* Seriously? *chuckles shaking her head* I always get the best soundtrack for writing my blog.

The thing is, if he ends up coming home because he just won't listen and that's what he wants, then they're going to have to explain to him that he'll be receiving In-Home Hospice. That's generally Not the lesser of two evils. Not to my knowledge. They really want to get him well, or at least as well as he can be considering his Liver is no longer in service. The whole point to him being there, is to figure out what really works for him (they're also creating a sleep aid specifically for him so he doesn't have to be up all night anymore) get him in the best shape they can and then they'll have absolutely no problem with letting us bring him home. He's only been in the Retirement area for less than a week and at first he was totally happy being there. That obviously didn't last long.

So today's gunna be just, fun... *sighs softly and takes a drink of her coffee*

I love my Dad and I just hope he's coherent enough to understand what they explain to us today. That's all.

Random Video Time!

And on that note...I needs me more coffee and some waking up to do...XD

-Adieu

Coffee, Good Music and a Beautiful Day

Crisp air caresses my tired form as I fight to regain some heat back into my numb fingers after sitting outside to marvel at the beauty of another morning. The rain has finally dissipated, allowing the sun to break through the misty cloud layer, revealing a snow kissed mountain in the distance. It appears more like powdered sugar lightly dusted along it's dark surface.

As I sit here, recalling the beauty of nature... A live version of 'Hotel California' begins spilling through the speakers. Sometimes, Pandora has an eerie way of playing the right kind of music that goes along with my mood. *gives a small smile* It's honestly one of my all time favorite songs...and always causes something to ease in my chest when that haunting beat slithers through my ears.

*takes a drink of her strong coffee of doom and laughs as Deep Purple's 'Smoke On the Water' starts playing*

Considering everything going on right now, I'm feelin' relatively more like myself again. Maybe it has to do with that fact that Spring is ever nearer and that has always given me a charge. Also, knowing that Dad is in a better state (despite his rough moments) and is SAFE really takes a weight off of me. The only thing that jabbed me a alittle was yesterday, when he called around 1pm and proceeded to use me as his verbal punching bag for his frustrations. When he's like that, I know it has more to do with his ammonia levels fluctuating. I got off the phone feeling as though I had disturbed a nest of vipers somewhere deep within my stomach and they were none-too happy about being jostled awake.

*gives a slight shrug and lets out a soft sigh*

He's going to have his ups and downs, and I just have to remember he's never going to be quite the same again. He's become more or less crotchety and has moments where he's real mean...and uses me as his personal sounding board. I just have to suck it up, keep quiet and let it pass because honestly, there isn't much I can do or say to make it better.

*grows a lopsided smile as The Doors 'Soul Kitchen' begins playing*

Pandora definitely has a knack for playing the best kind of music when I'm writing.

*takes another drink of her coffee* 

In other random news of doom... I've found my camera and have been snapping way too many pictures again. Oh and as I write this, Gir just flew up and ninja-hugged me...so he's now on the back of my chair, hugged me and just leapt over to the bed before he lost his balance... Oi XD

Anyhoo, yes...pictures'n'junk. I've also been taking several snap shots of these cute lil ladybugs that have been showing up on our little bench on the front porch. One is bright yellow orange, another is more tangerine and the smallest is red. No idea why they've started using my front porch as their sanctuary, but I don't mind *smiles* It's nice to have company when I'm out there by myself, even if they act more decorations than little creatures.

*laughs as AC/DC's 'You Shook Me All Night Long' starts playing*

Well, seems the hamster in my brain has decided to fling itself off the wheel again and is now twitching on the floor... So I'm going to scamper off, finish my coffee and go run some errands. I honestly look forward to getting out of the house for a bit...especially on such a beautiful day ^_^

-Adieu