Graphs and Charts, Domestic-Style

Whose Ox is Being Gored?


Yeah, the hubster—you know, the Center of the Universe (CoTU), made an off-color, off-handed, off-planet remark that can’t be repeated in this PG-13 blog. I clucked my tongue, rolled my eyes, and he protested as follows:

“Hey, that’s pretty harsh—don’t forget, I supply you with about 70% of all the material you use in your blog!”

Yeah, well I sure can’t use that.

But now I wonder if he’s counting up the number of posts that stem from his little gem-like offerings, and creating a spreadsheet to keep track of the true percentages…

It wouldn’t surprise me.

I have long thought that our relationship is basically the equivalent of a science fair project for him. He says something offensive, and silently measures my response and/or reaction. If there’s no visible reaction, he ramps up the O&O-factor (Offensive and Obnoxious) till I break. It may just be a look, a rolling of the eyes, or a subtle shaking of the head. The verbal responses just tend to escalate the insanity, egging him on to defend his frat-boy comments. Thus I often opt for the silence I have perfected over the years. It’s so much simpler that way.

Still, I believe that somewhere in the house, perhaps under the bed, perhaps behind his desk, there’s a display board complete with graphs and charts, recording for all time how many crude comments it takes to get a rise out of me. There are the short-term responses and the longer-term trends. It’s likely titled, “Driving Leah Crazy, One Crack at a Time”.

Project 2,996 Tribute to Lisa B. Cannava

I am honored to participate in Project 2,996 --an initiative to memorialize each of the lives lost on 9/11. What follows is my tribute to one of those lost souls.

On September 11, 2001 we lost 2,996 of our fellow human beings to a series of senseless acts of terrorism. Although eight years have passed, we must not forget that each of those people was beloved of others. Each left behind a network of people whose lives were intertwined, and whose loss was incomprehensible then, as it remains today.

One of the Americans who died that day at the World Trade Center was Lisa Cannava. She was only thirty years old, and worked as a supervisor at Carr Futures. Sixty-nine CF employees died there on the 92d floor of the WTC. Lisa’s desk was “right there where the plane went in.”

In an incredible coincidence, Lisa’s brother, John DiFato also worked in Tower 2, eleven floors from his sister. They were the only children of Tony and Theresa DiFato.

Lisa Bella DiFato Cannava left behind a loving and devoted husband, Richard. Richard worked five blocks away, and ran toward the WTC when he heard the news. When he was 300 feet from the building it collapsed.

John DiFato left behind a wife and three children. He was described as a terrific family man whose spirit and goodness would always be remembered fondly and lovingly.

Richard Cannava described Lisa as “a remarkable and wonderful wife, friend, sister-in-law, daughter-in-law and aunt.” He said that he was truly blessed with a loving friend and spouse. Speaking of John and Lisa, Richard said, “Their smiles, spirit and goodness would remain alive in the hearts of everyone who knew and loved them.”