An officer from the gang unit visited my office today, to give a talk about recognizing gang signs, interpreting graffiti and generally explaining what gangs are like.

In Omaha, we have the two obvious factions of gangs, along with some Mexican gangs. I wasn’t aware, until today, that every high school in Omaha has 3 gangs and every junior high has at least one. Even where I live, which I thought was relatively gang-free.

I don’t want to write too much about it, but there was a lot that was eye-opening. Good-to-know stuff for people with kids. You can find out more about gangs here or here.

I was interested to hear how members of the gang unit go out and talk to gang members. I would be afraid to. I kept thinking about the guts involved in that sort of work.

and one of the best songs Eric Clapton’s done, IMO

(genius on guitar)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marmite

I spent some of last night and some of the first half of the day in a panic attack. For awhile, I wondered if I should really go to the hospital. My pulse was 96. I’m not sure what my blood pressure was. I used the company’s automated bp cuff and it measured me super high (in error) the first time and super low the second time (also in error).

I heard my heart pounding in my head off and on, and as I took my pulse, my heart skipped a beat, went some more and skipped another.

I began to think this was some sort of sad joke. I mean, really, if you are stressed out, is it really fair to have the feeling of dread added to by having your heart skip beats?

I talked to Ian at lunch. He was worried. I started talking. I unloaded. I cried at silly things like schedule changes and the sound of my daughter’s name and other things too silly to mention. He says, at these moments, that he doesn’t know what to do, because he is there and I am here, but he does. He knows exactly what to do. It’s not an easy job being the Masked Avenger.

Within a 1/2 hour of returning to work, I was a calm person again. No racing heart. No fight or flight instinct. Everything was cool again.

Oh, the rain…   We had a big thunderstorm last night.  It blew down a few trees and knocked out power for 14% of the city.     I hope they had it fixed by the afternoon.   It was upwards of 90F.

Ian has started getting Google Alerts for Omaha.   Today’s news involved staying away from a petrol shop in NE Omaha.  There was a shooting there.   Unfortunately, that’s not very shocking.

The VJ’ers and I are keeping ourselves occupied by sharing our wedding preparation plans (no peeking, Mr. Barker.. I mean, “Parker”)

I think that’s it.  Have a happy day!

I am not sure who this is, but evidently the State of Nebraska does.   LOL

The clerk made an error.    I called them to let them know something was wrong.    She said, “So, you guys didn’t see this when you signed it?” and I said, “We haven’t signed it yet.  My fiance lives in England.”    “Oh”, she said, “then you’re not married yet.”

“No”

“Good, I’m printing out the correction right now.   Thanks so much for calling before you got married.”

Hmmm..   I wonder what would have happened if we hadn’t noticed the typo.

You know, the more I watch the funeral/memorial on the TV, the more I just have a hard time believing Michael Jackson is dead.   The fact is that he was an amazing entertainer.

TLK and I have been perusing videos on YouTube, and of course, the media coverage has been extremely thorough.   We’ve had days and days of television access to just about every Michael Jackson video ever made.  All brilliant, in my opinion.

People all over the world had their eyes glued on television coverage of the memorial services, releasing balloons into the air and other various things.   Strangers are outside Stapes saying, “This is it.  He’s gone.  He’s really gone.”

Wow.   It’s amazing to watch, really.   And still unbelievable.