If you have ever lived or visited Central Arizona in Summer during Monsoon Season, then you have likely seen a few Dust Storms - For those that haven't, these occur primarily in late July & early August, when the monsoonal storms arrive. They pack big winds with them - the wind picks up dust & dirt off of the Desert floor - sometimes blowing it a mile or more into the sky. Its quite a site.
Its officially Monsoon Season here in Phoenix - these images were all taken by the local newspaper - "The Arizona Republic" - they were all taken within about a 50 mile or so radius of downtown Phoenix. I live & work just on the east edge of downtown.
Just to left of the desk here, is a rather large bulletin board - We keep lots of stuff on that board, Clients ID photo's, schedules, bed charts, reference lists, ect.
Over the past couple weeks, stuff has been disappearing from the board, seemingly unexplained. Now, I gotta tell ya, it was a hell of a puzzle - surely no-one was sneaking in here at night and taking stuff off the board, we thought. Well, the office remains locked at night, and with no evidence of forced entry, that idea was out.
Inevitably, there are brief periods of time through-out the day when the office is unlocked with no-one in here, very short periods of time - quick run to the kitchen or restroom, whatever.
Well, today the culprit was exposed. Who is this clever Push Pin Pilfering Culprit, you ask?
We have a Cat here, his name is Boo Boo. He is a fat black cat - fat because he gets lots of table food at mealtime, the clients enjoy this.
Anyhow - I walked in the office today and there's Boo Boo, up on the desk, gnawing away at a push pin, he got it pulled out, and then carried the piece of paper that the pin held to a storage area behind the office here, where he hangs out quite a bit. I went back there, and there was a pile of stuff - schedules, charts, pictures, and some other stuff he had snagged from elsewhere in the bldg.
Case Closed! Though I fear the recidivism rate on this will probably be rather high, the cat is here to stay, he's been here for a couple years now, he came in as a stray when he was but a tiny thing, besides the interaction is healthy for everyone here.
Sherlock Holmes outta be proud!
If I had a nickel for every time I've heard "Yea, But...." as it relates to the program, I could probably go out and buy a brand spanking new Bass Boat, with all the trimmings.
If I were to combine that with a nickel for every time I've said it, then I could go ahead and throw in a nice new Truck to pull it with.
I was talking to a prospective client today, from out of state. The fact that this person went through the trouble to find out about us, then look into transportation costs to get here, then call us - speaks volumes about what state he believes his life to be in.
Everything goes well, until we get into some of the rules & policies, and then I start hearing a series of, - you guessed it - "Yea, But...." We Alcoholics & Addicts can be some pretty fickle people sometimes, me included.
We have to cease fighting anything & everything, and until we learn that acceptance is the answer, then we will continue to struggle.
Ok, I'm done whining....
I got to chat with someone I haven't seen in a long time, I mean a really long time. it was quite fun to reminisce about stuff from way back - (we're talking Smoky & The Bandit days, here - late 70's) - Little did I know, but those years were the "age of innocence" for me.
We chatted about things, people, situations, and places that hadn't entered my mind in probably 25 years, or so. It was almost like I was transported back there, at least in my mind.
Soon after that time period, I got out in the world and began the wild & crazy trip that would be my life up to this point.
Wow - Ain't It Just Crazy....
