New Adventures and Old Hang-ups

Today is probably not the best day to re-introduce myself to the blogosphere after several months of silence; but it's about time to provide an update.

I've recently started a new part-time contracting job working on Health Care Reform for the State of Colorado. I'm totally excited about it, and a little intimidated. After two weeks since our first meeting, I'm feeling in-over-my-head and nothing less than completely lost on some of the current policy on the issue. I don't doubt that I'm not alone in my confusion, but as I'm the person responsible for making complete sense of a 2000 + page piece of legislation, I'm not in a good position. We have our next meeting tomorrow, and I'm expected to provide a chart outlining the differences between new Federal law and existing Colorado law on several specific issues that will take effect on September 23. It's reminiscent of being back in grad school and being completely unprepared for the professor who takes no prisoners. Only this time, it's my salary, my reputation, and my potential future as a free-lance policy analyst at stake. I've been hydrating all day to prepare for the high volume of Rockstar Juiced that will be promptly consumed this evening to assist in the cramming that must occur.

To add to the threat of impending humiliation, my new computer, bought just one (1) week ago, is seemingly infected with about 11 million viruses. Coincidentally, the only operation the computer can successfully complete is to open the HP Website that allows me to purchase and download Virus Protection Software. It struck me as odd that while the desktop was incessantly producing Error Messages warning that a critical virus designed to read every key stroke and steal all passwords was wrecking havoc on my hard drive, the website still provided the option of typing in a credit card number. I've serendipitously been reminded at this moment of the scene from Office Space where the disgruntled employees take a baseball bat to the copy machine. Perhaps a reenactment is in order. I've also been tempted to attempt to determine the the explosive capacity of this particular technology, ala Dave Letterman. The roof-top patio of my apartment building seems a perfect stage for such an experiment.

There are really good things happening right now too though. I'm getting married in 60 days. That's exciting; the getting married part - not so much the wedding part. However, I do have a fabulous dress and, as confirmed just last Thursday, it does, indeed, fit. Jim and I also just started are pre-marriage counseling. It's not the traditional counseling, but, instead, we are participating in "Prayer Therapy." I think we're both really excited about seeing what God does in our lives and our relationship in the next two months. It's already challenging, but I am confident it will significantly prepare us for the new life we'll share together.

So, that's my world today. Hope yours is wonderful.