Needles, blood, etc.

Needles, hospitals, surgeries, pain and blood were all well highlighted in our birthing classes.

Problem is, I don't like needles, hospitals, surgeries, pain and blood. I have passed out from needles and blood. I feel a bit queasy about hospitals, surgeries and pain. I'm not one of those people who can watch the surgeries they show on TV. I have to change the channel immediately.

I know they are preparing us for all the possibilities of what might happen. During labor I might be glad I was told of all these things, but for now, they have raised my anxiety level.

Having a baby come to live with us will be challenging but seems manageable. Giving birth to the baby seems scary and out of control.

My rational mind says, "It will all turn out fine. Women are having babies every day without any problems and if there are problems, you're in a hospital with excellent care. You'll do fine and be a great support to your wife. You won't even pass out."

To my irrational fears I say, listen to the rational mind.

Bloviating Senators

I heard the word bloviate in context by a commenator on a news show and I immediately knew the definition.

Rather than ask the Supreme Court nominee tough questions and let him express his views, some Senators chose to bloviate.

Bloviate - To discourse at length in a pompous or boastful manner. The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company.

I would also define it as people who love to hear themselves talk.

Can I call you and bloviate?

Birthing class

How did I manage to slip through 4 decades of life and have never realized that giving birth is a BIG DEAL? Perhaps it's because I've never been too closely affected by someone having a baby except my own birth (which I can't seem to remember). I've had friends give birth not long ago but it's not the same as going through it yourself.

I felt afraid. I heard someone in the video say that this might be the most painful thing a woman ever experiences. I don't want to see my wife in pain. How long will the labor last? Will I be able to be there with her through it all and not pass out? (I used to pass out whenever they took blood from me). No guarantees and yet, most women deliver without any big problems.

Here again, is a situation out of my control, that I must turn to God and ask for help and comfort.

Annual Review

It's time for my annual review at work. It's also known as my annual meltdown over nothing. Also known as making a mountain out of a molehill. Also known as my annual insecurity day.

This year I resolve to remind myself that I am a human being. A human being is not perfect in everything. A human being makes mistakes and needs to make adjustments. If I need to make corrections or adjustments I will take that as confirmation that I am a human being and not a robot.

Besides, human beings are much more interesting than robots.

Less Stress

A few weeks ago I mentioned I was reading a new book called Stress Free Living by David Allen. I still have a lot of the book to read but I've been able to implement a little of what he talks about at work and it helped me a lot.

Two things have helped me the most. First, I try to write down things on paper or in Outlook that I need to remember to do. This helps eliminate trying to keep track of everything in my head. Second, I developed a "to do" list that went beyond just making a list of things to do. Instead, I made a list with the next action I need to take regarding a specific thing to do.

Just doing these simple things lowered my stress level and helped me focus better at work during some of the busiest times I've had at work.

Recovering

I am recovering from three things that have kept me away from blogging of late: sickness (a cold), stress at work and football on TV. The combination have kept me preoccupied with little energy to do anything more than the minimum effort.

I feel like a slug that's been slumbering on the couch for two weeks. At least there was some great football on TV for my slug days. Nice to see the Big 10 win the big games in the bowl games this year. Barry Alvarez and the Badgers clearly had the big upset in their bowl. Some coaches like Alvarez seem to be able to prepare their team so that they play well in bowl games. Lloyd Carr could take some lessons.

The loans are sold and the audit has been sent off for review. The big stressors at work have passed and it's back to a normal schedule. Yay!