RIP Lea and Zipper

My friend's cat has been missing for a few weeks. He is micro-chipped and they put out posters, but nothing. Today apparently, they find out he had been hit by a car and buried by a nice neighbor. I was very sad.

Then I find out that that the dog of my good friend's had to be put down today. She apparently started having trouble walking a month ago. Xrays determined Cancer and she wasn't doing so well. And they have a 6 and 8 year old. I can only imagine how they are feeling right now.

I have been crying for 2 hours now. I love you guys!

Lea


Zipper

So long 2009...

This year has had its up and downs…

1. I've been unemployed all year. That’s good and bad. But that’s all I have to say about that.

2. I went back to Juneau this last July with my Aunt to see my parents on their boat. We were popsicles, but had a great time ;-)

3. I started a diet about 3 months back. Lost 25 lbs… gained 2 back (in only 4 weeks of slacking, not bad) and will continue on.

4. Whole heartedly welcomed a new member of the family… my cousin’s fiancée Savannah. She was always family, but it will become official in February. Being there when she found “The” dress, helping with invitations, seeing the venue, etc, has been awesome.

5. Attended the memorial service for Officer John Hege. He was the brother of a close friend growing up.

6. Road tripped down to L.A. with Sarah, and spent a few days down there visiting with friends from all over, going to Disneyland and to a game.

7. Spent a few fun weekends down in San Jose with out of town friends and seeing some games.

8. Spent a few fun days on the coast and got to see a newborn harbor seal be rescued.

9. Saw the new California Academy of Sciences and the Faberge exhibit at the Legion of Honor.

10. It’s been a financially tough year, so here’s to winning the lottery in 2010 :-)

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!!!

Ryan from The Real World Brooklyn, Return to Duty and Iraq

So because of the fact that over the holidays, every show is a rerun, I have been re-watching The Real World Brooklyn online. Actually just finished the reunion episode a little bit ago. And I never knew MTV made a follow up show called 'Return to Duty' about Ryan. I just started it a little bit ago, then felt inclined to write this.

I admit to finding him a likable guy on the show, and balling the first time I watched the season when he found out be was recalled to the Army and was going back to Iraq. I know I don't "know" the guy. And I know he isn't "technically" a celebrity. But having watched The Real World, I feel Like I know him a little. I know some people whine about why people morn celebrities, for example, when you never actually met the person. But when you learn a lot about a person and get to know their story, it feels personal.

Anyway, after watching the episode where he got recalled last night, I added him on MySpace (and tonight on FB). Not sure why, I'm never on MySpace. But looked him up on there out of curiosity. Then tonight I just read his new blog dated today, about his close Army friend (RIP Darren) who just died 3 days ago of an overdose of pain medication. I just re-watched the scene from The Real World where Ryan, Darren and his child attend the 9/11 ceremony at Ground Zero. It's just so sad to see their interaction, now knowing what happened.

Ryan seems like such a good guy, and has a personality that makes you think he can overcome anything and still have a smile when it's all over and done with. For someone I have never, and will never, meet... I truly respect the guy in a lot of ways. And I hope he returns home safe, and on schedule, this Spring.

John Hege's Service

The service was really beautiful tonight. My mom and I got there early because we knew that parking would get insane. Because he was a former Eagle Scout, there were Eagle Scouts standing around the entrance directing you to the tables to fill out the condolence cards. And even a bunch of local rugby players, that he was once part of, all dressed in their jerseys helping out where needed. There was almost a full room off people (in the seats) already when we got there. But as it got closer to 5pm, the room filled up significantly. And they even took out rows of long tables inside that had food on them to accommodate more standing room. There were about 6 speakers who pretty much just told personal stories from the hilarious, to the moving. They were co-workers at the Rec Dept in Piedmont, one of his best friends from high school, family friends and even a fellow officer and roommate who was the first one to make me cry when he broke down. But for the most part it was very uplifting and very much a celebration of his life.

After the service we walked outside and I was surprised to see the courtyard filled with hundreds more people, including probably 40 or so police officers. Some officers came from as far as Las Vegas to show their support. They had set up speakers outside so everyone could hear the service whether they made it inside or not. I wiggled my way back inside just to go give his sister (and my friend) Anne a hug and let her know I had come to support her. It was good to see her, but under the wost of circumstances. I knew I would have regretted not going, so I'm happy I went to show my support. There were many other former schoolmates and even a former teacher of mine there as well. So it was very nice to see support that her whole family received.

Oakland Officers

So not only was this incident upsetting and sad in it's own right, but now I have a more personal connection to it. A friend's husband was friends with and had worked with several of the officers. I had touched base with my friend over the weekend to see how they were doing. Which wasn't so well at the time, which is to be expected. Then tonight an old Middle and High School friend of mine said that John Hege was her brother. Why I never saw his last name and put 2 and 2 together I don't know. But now I feel a more personal hurt after hearing this news. It's awful. If I can make it work, I am going to try to make it to his memorial service tomorrow evening to pay my respects.

Article about Officer John Hege.