“Nice large park. Nice concrete pathways suitable even for walkers / strollers / wheelchairs.
Dog friendly… and if you magnify the photo with TEN, you will see a sign that says the dogs may be on or off lead BUT MUST be under control of the owner.
My observation is that sometimes it is lightly used and a pleasure to enjoy your dog there… but other times, there are multiple dogs whose owners sometimes let their dogs run right up to yours… so if your dog prefers a little breathing room, kind of scope it out and if too busy for your liking, come back another time.”
– Shawna Halverson
(775) 887-2000 Carson City Trail (V&T Rail-Trail) Carson City
Rhett Powell, who just turned 1 on June 13th, has a rare genetic disorder that’s killing his liver. He needs a transplant from the perfect donor match to survive.
Reading this little man’s story, I thought to myself, “what if I’m the only one who could match?”
Of course, I know I’m likely not the guy with the golden liver. Having already chopped a kidney out for someone else, I don’t even know if I’d pass the screening to be eligible. But what would it feel like to read that this baby died, unable to find the match, if I didn’t at least put my name in the hat?
I reached out to the transplant center and gave them my info. Being one of the first to do so, I got in ahead of the rest of the nation who read this story, and wanted to help. The mom and the hospital were overwhelmed by responses within the first day! How awesome is that!?
I assumed the transplant center would immediately turn me down, being a kidney donor. But you know what the boomers say about what happens when we assume…
I’ve gone through 2 rounds of over the phone screening so far. Now I’m waiting to hear back after mailing them back a packet of paper they had me fill out. I don’t think I’ll make the “cut” with my surgical history, combined with the tidal wave of good Samaritans. I’m ready to get cut if all those planets align, though.
Doing a quick Google search, I see that there are approximately 13,000 people out there on the list, waiting for a deceased or living donor. Of those, 1,500 are expected to die waiting.
I’ve watched the surgery videos and read up on the operation. They open you up like a frog in a 1980’s biology class. Recovery time is longer than that of kidney donation. While the liver does actually grow back, I read it is a very painful process. Remembering how much I hurt after nephrectomy, I admit it’s a scary thought.
Whether it’s my liver, or [more likely] someone else’s, I’m very happy to see this kid is covered. If I don’t get picked, I’m not looking to seek out another person in need of a liver. Rhett’s story just happened to hit my timeline and touch my heart at the right time, and I went for it. I can’t really explain why.
After a week of work and trolling both sides of the political spectrum with AI images of Trump in different nonsense scenarios, I was looking forward to an easy weekend.
It was a rare occurrence for me – for two weekends in a row, I did not go out to clean up illegal dumpsites in the desert. After almost seven years of getting up on Saturdays to get dirty, I had the opportunity to sleep in, avoiding any excitement or adventures…
Just kidding! There was blood, criminal dentistry, hijacking of a radio station, hail, and even a wedding!
The Devious Dentist
On Friday night, I took my wife out for a show. The Misfits Theater Group presented “D.K. Molar The Devious Dentist” in a hilarious live show at the Odeon Hall in historic downtown Dayton. This was the first time either of us had been to one of these performances. WE LOVED IT!! We will definitely catch the next one.
During intermission, I was called to the stage to stare into the insanely bright spotlight. Not only was I there for the show, I was also there representing Desert Pigs, since Misfits were using that night’s performance to raise money for our nonprofit. The crowd threw a few questions and lots of applause my way while I stood up there. After my deer in the headlights impression on stage, the show resumed.
The show was hilariously fun. My wife and I both enjoyed a cocktail as we watched the performance, and I’m really glad we went. I saw several people I knew there, which reminds me…
Tony, I’ll call the dude about the tires tomorrow! Sorry, squirrel brain and lots going on!
Bloody takeover of KNVC 95.1 FM
I got to sleep in. It was pretty awesome rolling out of bed around 9 am. Without a care in the world, I floated into the living room, plopped my butt on the couch, and picked up my phone…
Ah shit!
The blood drive I was hosting needed me there in Carson City to unlock the radio station, because Vitalant requires venues to have bathroom access, and nobody was at the building. The bus was rolling to the location. Time to put shoes on!
I took the 30 minute drive to west side Carson City, greeted the phlebotomists in the parking lot, and unlocked the doors to grant bathroom access. While there, I hopped on the mic right after some Scottish music show was done. I talked to the listening public for a few minutes about the urgent need for donors in this poorly attended blood drive. I pleaded for any heroes who had the guts enough to bleed, to get to the radio station ASAP to donate. In the end, only 4 people successfully donated.
A random lady on Facebook told me I shouldn’t shame folks for not showing up for blood drives in Carson City, but…
Y’all are weak AF, Carson City! In Yerington and Dayton we fill those buses every time. Even during COVID, I always surpassed the goal for blood units. I guess we Lyon County folks are just built different, huh?!
WIMPS!!!
Later that day: a wedding
While I spent time trying to make Carson City bleed, the clock was ticking toward another scheduled event. Don and Linsey were getting married at Fort Churchill!
This couple heads up the Fernley chapter of Desert Pigs, but jus saying that, is an understatement. Don and Lynsey are absolute rockstars with Pigs. They bring muscle, cool rigs, and awesome leadership to many events. I know if it were not for them I probably would have given up on the effort at some point. I really look up to both of them…
But APPARENTLY, not enough to ever be on time! I ran late to the wedding, and my wife and I missed the actual getting hitched part. We did catch the rain and hail that pounded the venue, which didn’t seem to stop that crowd.
Congratulations, Mr. and Mrs. Hawkins!!!
Reading about a hero
On the trip home from the Hawkins wedding, my wife was driving while I took a moment to peek at the Facebook wall. I read the tragic post a friend put up, explaining how she was about to do the hero walk for her sister, who was about to become a heart, liver, and kidney donor. I could feel the pain in her words, but I could also see he felt that compassion and love headed to three other people who were about to be given a second chance to hold their loved ones again.
Jenn, if you are somehow reading this now, know that I’m dropping tears on my keyboard. Nobody deserves the hell you’ve endured lately, but I can see it’s not burned your angel wings. You have our love and respect.
Gifts from Dad
My father and I haven’t spoken much over the past few years. It’s complicated – even more so now that the alzheimers is hitting hard. Like, how can you be mad at someone who doesn’t even remember why you’re mad? He is also on dialysis now.
Over the weekend, boxes started arriving with cool computer stuff. Dad had called a few days before to see if it had arrived, so I knew it was coming. However, I wasn’t prepared for what came. He spent some serious money on us here! I’m still a little bewildered about that. This wasn’t normal.
During our last conversation, Dad seemed a little different, but mostly happy. It was good to hear his voice again. He spoke of dialysis like it was just some inconvenient thing he has to do 3 times a week. Since I am a kidney donor who didn’t come out 100% OK from my donation, I know the important questions to ask. He, on the other hand, didn’t even know what eGFR stood for when I asked about those numbers.
Dad said he had a surgery to get through on the following day. I don’t know why I failed to ask for what. I haven’t heard from him since then. Since tomorrow is dialysis day, I’ll give it a couple days to reach out. Whatever is going on with him right now, I just hope he’s not in any pain.
Moods change
At one point this weekend, I had some deep inner-reflections about all that had happened. Altruism, weddings, death, coming to grips with my own issues with my elders – it all put into perspective, just how stupid things are, which get me all worked up on a daily basis. What’s the point in stressing over insignificant battles? I should live a deeper life, free from the…
Wait!
What did that beeyotch just say on NextDoor? The Calvary Chapel cult is still trying to take over the public library? Aw man… time to stir the pot!
