Am I a bad housekeeper if I have let a leaf of spinach and an onion peel lie on the floor of the kitchen for two weeks? And just ignored them?
Played in the woods this weekend. Watched a cool rainstorm blow across a lake. Was attacked by parasites (finding a warm, moist place to bury oneself is not my hand, nor is it my ribs. Seriously!). I itch like bonkers now, must by psychosomatic!
20080331
20080328
Tempest in a BlogSpot!
Lions and Tigers and all that Shit.
You want healthcare for all? Don't you double dog DARE raise my already freaking astronomical taxes to pay for it. We've already discussed my rate of taxation (and no representation) in an earlier post, and that's my beef. Every single plan I've heard put forth by any politician would end up resulting in a tax increase to pay for it. Why? Why? Why?
This is bullshit.
What would happen if we repealed that great $21.99 tax break Ole Georgie Porgie gave us a few years back and earmarked that for our own NHS? What a radical idea? Let me see...if I am doing the correct math (doubtful) my after tax 21.99 becomes.....30.78 pre tax. Since that is bi weekly....12 months in a year...times 24...that is $738.86. That should pay for a rug rat at a health clinic, right? Now, it doesn't pay for private care, but if you are employed and have insurance through your employer, why should you go to the clinic? So you get shots, basic preventative healthcare, basic dental, and emergency care. Everything else comes out of your own pocket.
Here is what would happen: the government will develop and offer a program (who cares how it is funded) for people with little or no income. Employers (WalMart) will suddenly realize that by creative accounting they no longer need to even OFFER insurance to certain classes of employees, because the government offers it as a free benefit. A benefit of being a citizen. So suddenly you have private and public firms finding imaginative ways to continue to rape the public's pocket while padding their own - they will all eventually stop even negotiating with insurance providers for things like corporate rates and discounts. Do people even realize how much power large corporations hold over the insurers? I mean, it's a big deal for a company like....Coke....to walk up to BCBS and say "fuck you, I'm not paying this anymore". BCBS will cave EVERY TIME. This is what it will take. Not little schmuck's like you and me, guys, but companies demanding change. They may not be the ones to use the service, or foot the lions share of the bill, but they are the ones with the wherewithal and the political and financial clout to have things change.
If you think this doesn’t already happen, please look into the statistics of the number of children enrolled in PeachCare whose parents are employees of Walmart (as an example – and y’all know I despise WMT, so take it with a grain of salt, and I will happily find OTHER EXAMPLES if necessary).
I mean, it's a great idea to have two levels of service - public and private. I'm all for it. Don't raise my taxes to pay for someone else. I do not want to have enforced charity. I do not care what anyone else thinks of that opinion. I work for a living, and I work hard to take care of myself and my dogs, and my family.
(and if I were poor, I would have my tubes tied. It's a personal decision, but I feel it is irresponsible and to a degree immoral to have children you cannot provide for).
As for the other matter. I have to say, I’m torn. It is certainly a tragedy that a parent has lost a child because they were relying upon faith instead of medicine. I certainly have respect for the power of faith. And on the other hand, I have respect for the law. There are so few demonstrated incidences of, for example, god reaching down and healing someone in two seconds who is in a diabetic coma because her parents refused to seek medical attention (or give her insulin) that I have a hard time thinking that faith is going to triumph law. It’s a simple fact that without medical attention, that child was going to die. God gave her parents the tools to save the child themselves – it was called “911”. They chose to pray rather than dial – I think at the least that makes them criminally negligent. That’s what I’d go for. Homicide seems too harsh. So does manslaughter. Criminal negligence – they did just lose a child.
The end.
You want healthcare for all? Don't you double dog DARE raise my already freaking astronomical taxes to pay for it. We've already discussed my rate of taxation (and no representation) in an earlier post, and that's my beef. Every single plan I've heard put forth by any politician would end up resulting in a tax increase to pay for it. Why? Why? Why?
This is bullshit.
What would happen if we repealed that great $21.99 tax break Ole Georgie Porgie gave us a few years back and earmarked that for our own NHS? What a radical idea? Let me see...if I am doing the correct math (doubtful) my after tax 21.99 becomes.....30.78 pre tax. Since that is bi weekly....12 months in a year...times 24...that is $738.86. That should pay for a rug rat at a health clinic, right? Now, it doesn't pay for private care, but if you are employed and have insurance through your employer, why should you go to the clinic? So you get shots, basic preventative healthcare, basic dental, and emergency care. Everything else comes out of your own pocket.
Here is what would happen: the government will develop and offer a program (who cares how it is funded) for people with little or no income. Employers (WalMart) will suddenly realize that by creative accounting they no longer need to even OFFER insurance to certain classes of employees, because the government offers it as a free benefit. A benefit of being a citizen. So suddenly you have private and public firms finding imaginative ways to continue to rape the public's pocket while padding their own - they will all eventually stop even negotiating with insurance providers for things like corporate rates and discounts. Do people even realize how much power large corporations hold over the insurers? I mean, it's a big deal for a company like....Coke....to walk up to BCBS and say "fuck you, I'm not paying this anymore". BCBS will cave EVERY TIME. This is what it will take. Not little schmuck's like you and me, guys, but companies demanding change. They may not be the ones to use the service, or foot the lions share of the bill, but they are the ones with the wherewithal and the political and financial clout to have things change.
If you think this doesn’t already happen, please look into the statistics of the number of children enrolled in PeachCare whose parents are employees of Walmart (as an example – and y’all know I despise WMT, so take it with a grain of salt, and I will happily find OTHER EXAMPLES if necessary).
I mean, it's a great idea to have two levels of service - public and private. I'm all for it. Don't raise my taxes to pay for someone else. I do not want to have enforced charity. I do not care what anyone else thinks of that opinion. I work for a living, and I work hard to take care of myself and my dogs, and my family.
(and if I were poor, I would have my tubes tied. It's a personal decision, but I feel it is irresponsible and to a degree immoral to have children you cannot provide for).
As for the other matter. I have to say, I’m torn. It is certainly a tragedy that a parent has lost a child because they were relying upon faith instead of medicine. I certainly have respect for the power of faith. And on the other hand, I have respect for the law. There are so few demonstrated incidences of, for example, god reaching down and healing someone in two seconds who is in a diabetic coma because her parents refused to seek medical attention (or give her insulin) that I have a hard time thinking that faith is going to triumph law. It’s a simple fact that without medical attention, that child was going to die. God gave her parents the tools to save the child themselves – it was called “911”. They chose to pray rather than dial – I think at the least that makes them criminally negligent. That’s what I’d go for. Homicide seems too harsh. So does manslaughter. Criminal negligence – they did just lose a child.
The end.
20080327
20080326
Of course I oversleep.
Then I manage to plonk myself mid throat with a lawnmower handle (don't ask). Immediate loss of air followed by boohooage.
Then in an attempt not whack someone else's car, I shut the truck door on my head. I shut door and scream inside truck in sheer frustration (something like: fuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuck well, really, I'm kidding, but that's what I was saying in my head).
There are literally days when it does NOT pay to get out of bed.
Then I manage to plonk myself mid throat with a lawnmower handle (don't ask). Immediate loss of air followed by boohooage.
Then in an attempt not whack someone else's car, I shut the truck door on my head. I shut door and scream inside truck in sheer frustration (something like: fuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuck well, really, I'm kidding, but that's what I was saying in my head).
There are literally days when it does NOT pay to get out of bed.
Americans are Crass
No surprise there, right?
Even I am amazed: at a recent stump stop, Chelsea Clinton was asked at a college tour how things were in the family (I am VERY loosely paraphrasing here) after the daddy/fat intern blow job incident, to which she classily responded "You know, I've been to 70 schools and you are the first person to ask me that question, I don't believe that is any of your business".
I think it is horrid that anyone would feel it is their right to ask a child about their parent's sex life. I do not care who you are, if you are an adult, and you are boinking (in some fashion) another consenting adult, it is between the two of you (as long as it is legal, Mr. "Hypocritical" Spitzer). Yeah, Clinton lied about it. Dude, if you were the most powerful man in the world, and all you could bag was a plump and dumb intern....? I'm just saying; how embarassing. At least the Kennedy boys took home someone with class.
The thing is, particularly in America, we use sex as an empire toppler. It was inexcuseable of the person in the audience to ask Chelsea that question. How horridly rude. As if she had anything to do with the actions of her father, and she should not be asked to defend them.
The sins of the father, you know....
Even I am amazed: at a recent stump stop, Chelsea Clinton was asked at a college tour how things were in the family (I am VERY loosely paraphrasing here) after the daddy/fat intern blow job incident, to which she classily responded "You know, I've been to 70 schools and you are the first person to ask me that question, I don't believe that is any of your business".
I think it is horrid that anyone would feel it is their right to ask a child about their parent's sex life. I do not care who you are, if you are an adult, and you are boinking (in some fashion) another consenting adult, it is between the two of you (as long as it is legal, Mr. "Hypocritical" Spitzer). Yeah, Clinton lied about it. Dude, if you were the most powerful man in the world, and all you could bag was a plump and dumb intern....? I'm just saying; how embarassing. At least the Kennedy boys took home someone with class.
The thing is, particularly in America, we use sex as an empire toppler. It was inexcuseable of the person in the audience to ask Chelsea that question. How horridly rude. As if she had anything to do with the actions of her father, and she should not be asked to defend them.
The sins of the father, you know....
Let's set the record straight here, people:
I am not sitting on my ass eating bon bons.
1. My house is a fucking disaster.
2. I have a to do list a mile long.
3. I need to spend a grand on some plumbing repairs.
4. I need a dog sitter for roughly a week.
5. I need to spend a week organizing my garage. And another week working on the front yard. And another week working on the back. Oh, did I mention that post move the ENTIRE INSIDE pretty much needs to be repainted?
6. Also, I haven't been able to CLEAN MY FUCKING HOUSE in three weeks????? Yeah.
7. I haven't had a haircut since the beginning of January. It is now almost April.
8. I had my nails done this week, for the first time since January. This is not the hallmark of someone with too much time on their hands.
9. I read my first book OF THE YEAR this month.
10. My dogs have spent the last two weeks of their lives in the kennel. All day. Every Day. Except on Friday, when I am home. I am a bad doggy mommy, and I know it.
So unless you have a plan to help me, I am not interested in hearing either unsolicited advice or any other kind of helpful words. Maybe I got caught broadside by an interesting missive, or maybe someone's email came across the wrong way this morning, but I am rather angry.
I am not sitting on my ass eating bon bons.
1. My house is a fucking disaster.
2. I have a to do list a mile long.
3. I need to spend a grand on some plumbing repairs.
4. I need a dog sitter for roughly a week.
5. I need to spend a week organizing my garage. And another week working on the front yard. And another week working on the back. Oh, did I mention that post move the ENTIRE INSIDE pretty much needs to be repainted?
6. Also, I haven't been able to CLEAN MY FUCKING HOUSE in three weeks????? Yeah.
7. I haven't had a haircut since the beginning of January. It is now almost April.
8. I had my nails done this week, for the first time since January. This is not the hallmark of someone with too much time on their hands.
9. I read my first book OF THE YEAR this month.
10. My dogs have spent the last two weeks of their lives in the kennel. All day. Every Day. Except on Friday, when I am home. I am a bad doggy mommy, and I know it.
So unless you have a plan to help me, I am not interested in hearing either unsolicited advice or any other kind of helpful words. Maybe I got caught broadside by an interesting missive, or maybe someone's email came across the wrong way this morning, but I am rather angry.
20080325
Two happy thoughts for today:
"Happiness is a butterfly, which when pursued is just beyond your grasp, but which, if you will sit down quietly, may alight upon you" - Nathaniel Hawthorne (do love him).
"Whether we love, or close our hearts to love, is a mental choice we make, every moment of every day." Marianne Williamson
"Happiness is a butterfly, which when pursued is just beyond your grasp, but which, if you will sit down quietly, may alight upon you" - Nathaniel Hawthorne (do love him).
"Whether we love, or close our hearts to love, is a mental choice we make, every moment of every day." Marianne Williamson
20080324
Say it with me now, boys and girls: No More Government Bailouts!
Why are we even CONSIDERING offering a line of credit to whomever wants to buy Bear Stearns? Why are we even thinking about creating bailout programs for all these lenders that shouldn't have borrowed, or bailing out all these loan agencies that should have never made the loans to begin with?
Let the law of economics straighten out the marketplace and dog damnit, you idiots in Washington, stop trying to write fiscal policy. It becomes more and more evident that you have NO IDEA what you are doing.
Lowering the interest rate repeatedly has no impact upon consumers OR banks. Banks have tightened their standards SO much that consumers can't take advantage of "cheap money" to refinance. Consumers are so distrustful of the economy - and, lets face it, the administration (just saying we aren't in a recession does not magically make it so) that we aren't going to spend. Most of us are worried about our future personal solvency, so we are saving what little we have or will get so that we have some sort of nest egg in the event we lose a job, etc.
You know what? Bear Stearns was in the market place to make money. And they did. And now they are broke. So fucking what. What happens to other companies when they are broke? They don't get an unprecendented, what amounts to a government bailout!! No, they fucking bolt the doors shut, have a fire sale, and shut the business. What's wrong with that?
Let the market fix itself!!!!! Less goverment watchdogging and more pure market play!
Why are we even CONSIDERING offering a line of credit to whomever wants to buy Bear Stearns? Why are we even thinking about creating bailout programs for all these lenders that shouldn't have borrowed, or bailing out all these loan agencies that should have never made the loans to begin with?
Let the law of economics straighten out the marketplace and dog damnit, you idiots in Washington, stop trying to write fiscal policy. It becomes more and more evident that you have NO IDEA what you are doing.
Lowering the interest rate repeatedly has no impact upon consumers OR banks. Banks have tightened their standards SO much that consumers can't take advantage of "cheap money" to refinance. Consumers are so distrustful of the economy - and, lets face it, the administration (just saying we aren't in a recession does not magically make it so) that we aren't going to spend. Most of us are worried about our future personal solvency, so we are saving what little we have or will get so that we have some sort of nest egg in the event we lose a job, etc.
You know what? Bear Stearns was in the market place to make money. And they did. And now they are broke. So fucking what. What happens to other companies when they are broke? They don't get an unprecendented, what amounts to a government bailout!! No, they fucking bolt the doors shut, have a fire sale, and shut the business. What's wrong with that?
Let the market fix itself!!!!! Less goverment watchdogging and more pure market play!
20080321
There are a couple of essential things every young Atlantan must do (of course, being of a certain age and mind set). Things that range from the mundane to the fantastic...and this would have been my wishlist:
1. Prom in the Egyptian Ballroom at the Fox Theater. I have forever been in love with the decor at the Fox, and I can't think of a more wonderous way to pass an evening. There aren't any public dance balls anymore (and more's the pity)...so the only way I can think of to get to dress up to the nines and go dancing is prom! The only downside would be the crappy gosh darn modern music. If you can call it that. Yo Yo Yo.
2. Tea in Mary Mac's, while wearing a large straw hat and white gloves. Just for the hell of it.
3. Strolling in Piedmont Park during the Dogwood Festival (now, sadly, due to the drought and other political factors, no longer held there).
4. You must attend one concert at Chastain with a crowd so obnoxious you fail to hear the performer, and you must leave quite angry at having spent $70 for "lawn", only to have a bunch of elite assholes with veneers and implants drinking sub par Chardonnay out of plastic stemware in the tableseats ruin your evening.
5. If you are here for Christmas, you might have the particular delight of hearing our Atlanta Symphony's annual Christmas Concert, which is a treat. They also perform Handel's Messiah (for two night's) and one or two other seasonal type programs. People actually sing and have a good time, while listening to a live orchestra - something no one really does anymore. Oh, they clap in the wrong places (you do not clap in the middle of a number, any number. You clap at the END people), but at least they mean well. The symphony is underrated but really very good. Worth the money, definitely. The only time I have ever heard a misstep (and have been there quite a bit) was related to a medical emergency, so very excuseable).
6. Thanksgiving - ignore the television hoopla, and head to Lenox Mall for what is now the lighting of the Big Tree (as well real Atlantans call it) at Macy's. When Macy's was Rich's, and there was The Big Rich's Downtown with The Trolley, Rich's used to put a big tree up (I believe on the roof) every year. They had this little ole ride called the Pink Pig, who has been reincarnated at Lenox as Priscilla, The Pink Pig. The Old Pink Pig used to ride around the roof on a rail, and the roof had the tree, and a bunch of farm animals and little farm and country scenes. Pretty cool for us city kids. Plus, you could go to the bakery and get a sugar cookie. And once in a great while, a caramel cake. Or eat at the deli, which was the big treat. A deli! Remember when you didn't know what in the holy hell that was???? Anyway, it's not the same, but it's still fun. Thanksgiving Night, Lenox Mall.
7. I've never gone, not being a "New Years out with the drunks" kind of girl, but the big gay Peach Drop at Underground could be entertaining. I prefer to sit at home and watch the Big Gay Peach Drop in Conjunction with the Even Bigger Big Gay Crystal Ball Drop in Times Square. Seriously, what's up with the Big Ball Dropping thing as the New Years Theme?
8. Opening night of an exhibit at the High Museum of Art is fun. I have been to a few (Wyeth, Picasso, Monet) and being in a crowd of people who actually appreciate the craftsmanship that goes into doing something so intricate and detailed and gaaahhh! I can't even imagine by hand! Sculpture blows my mind, by the way. Everytime I look at a piece of marble that has been transformed into a human, I'm flabbergasted. I can't fathom how you can take rock and make it into man. I can't. The High itself is a nice open space, that's full of light although unfortunately sound carries quite well. And they have a nice permanent collection. Out of all the Museums I've been to, so far the Met is still the best, but...the High is still pretty nice.
9. I'm a big fan of any of the Chattahoochee River Parks. Any of them - Sope Creek and Cochran Shoals are the best. My grandparents lived off of Azalea forever, and so I'm partial to that area and to the Nature Center as well. Drop in a canoe at any of the drop points and take an early Sunday morning paddle down the river. It gives you an entirely different perspective on the city.
10. Kennesaw Mountain Battlefield Park - I've always tackled this park from behind. In fact, I've only gone up to the top of the mountain proper once, as a kid. I've always come from the back - Illinois, Chatham, Pigeon Ridge, Little Kennesaw (usually I realize I'm starving at that point, and start thinking of the great BBQ place I know of down the road, and head back). Walking through the actual forest and crossing the creek before you hit the bend in the trail that leads to the first of several big clearings that could have been homesteads or fields but were definitely scenes of struggle. Very, very cool. Little Kennesaw's ascent is a bit rocky in places, but fun.
1. Prom in the Egyptian Ballroom at the Fox Theater. I have forever been in love with the decor at the Fox, and I can't think of a more wonderous way to pass an evening. There aren't any public dance balls anymore (and more's the pity)...so the only way I can think of to get to dress up to the nines and go dancing is prom! The only downside would be the crappy gosh darn modern music. If you can call it that. Yo Yo Yo.
2. Tea in Mary Mac's, while wearing a large straw hat and white gloves. Just for the hell of it.
3. Strolling in Piedmont Park during the Dogwood Festival (now, sadly, due to the drought and other political factors, no longer held there).
4. You must attend one concert at Chastain with a crowd so obnoxious you fail to hear the performer, and you must leave quite angry at having spent $70 for "lawn", only to have a bunch of elite assholes with veneers and implants drinking sub par Chardonnay out of plastic stemware in the tableseats ruin your evening.
5. If you are here for Christmas, you might have the particular delight of hearing our Atlanta Symphony's annual Christmas Concert, which is a treat. They also perform Handel's Messiah (for two night's) and one or two other seasonal type programs. People actually sing and have a good time, while listening to a live orchestra - something no one really does anymore. Oh, they clap in the wrong places (you do not clap in the middle of a number, any number. You clap at the END people), but at least they mean well. The symphony is underrated but really very good. Worth the money, definitely. The only time I have ever heard a misstep (and have been there quite a bit) was related to a medical emergency, so very excuseable).
6. Thanksgiving - ignore the television hoopla, and head to Lenox Mall for what is now the lighting of the Big Tree (as well real Atlantans call it) at Macy's. When Macy's was Rich's, and there was The Big Rich's Downtown with The Trolley, Rich's used to put a big tree up (I believe on the roof) every year. They had this little ole ride called the Pink Pig, who has been reincarnated at Lenox as Priscilla, The Pink Pig. The Old Pink Pig used to ride around the roof on a rail, and the roof had the tree, and a bunch of farm animals and little farm and country scenes. Pretty cool for us city kids. Plus, you could go to the bakery and get a sugar cookie. And once in a great while, a caramel cake. Or eat at the deli, which was the big treat. A deli! Remember when you didn't know what in the holy hell that was???? Anyway, it's not the same, but it's still fun. Thanksgiving Night, Lenox Mall.
7. I've never gone, not being a "New Years out with the drunks" kind of girl, but the big gay Peach Drop at Underground could be entertaining. I prefer to sit at home and watch the Big Gay Peach Drop in Conjunction with the Even Bigger Big Gay Crystal Ball Drop in Times Square. Seriously, what's up with the Big Ball Dropping thing as the New Years Theme?
8. Opening night of an exhibit at the High Museum of Art is fun. I have been to a few (Wyeth, Picasso, Monet) and being in a crowd of people who actually appreciate the craftsmanship that goes into doing something so intricate and detailed and gaaahhh! I can't even imagine by hand! Sculpture blows my mind, by the way. Everytime I look at a piece of marble that has been transformed into a human, I'm flabbergasted. I can't fathom how you can take rock and make it into man. I can't. The High itself is a nice open space, that's full of light although unfortunately sound carries quite well. And they have a nice permanent collection. Out of all the Museums I've been to, so far the Met is still the best, but...the High is still pretty nice.
9. I'm a big fan of any of the Chattahoochee River Parks. Any of them - Sope Creek and Cochran Shoals are the best. My grandparents lived off of Azalea forever, and so I'm partial to that area and to the Nature Center as well. Drop in a canoe at any of the drop points and take an early Sunday morning paddle down the river. It gives you an entirely different perspective on the city.
10. Kennesaw Mountain Battlefield Park - I've always tackled this park from behind. In fact, I've only gone up to the top of the mountain proper once, as a kid. I've always come from the back - Illinois, Chatham, Pigeon Ridge, Little Kennesaw (usually I realize I'm starving at that point, and start thinking of the great BBQ place I know of down the road, and head back). Walking through the actual forest and crossing the creek before you hit the bend in the trail that leads to the first of several big clearings that could have been homesteads or fields but were definitely scenes of struggle. Very, very cool. Little Kennesaw's ascent is a bit rocky in places, but fun.
20080320
Pumpkin's Dad - Arrested in Atlanta!!!
Remember hearing the story of a young three year old girl found abandoned in a train station in Australia? It turned out her mother had been murdered and left in the trunk of her car, and she'd been left in the train station by her father.
Chinese papers had carried the story, and a paper delivered here in Atlanta carried the story. Some folks here in our Chinese community saw it, and realized that they had met and knew the murderer. They set him up, trapped him, captured him, and turned him over to police.
Here he is (courtesy of the AJC):
The six people who conspired to capture this heartless criminal received a reward from the government of New Zealand of $10,000. Ignoring their own poverty (and they are QUITE poor), they all agreed to send $2,000 to an elderly and indigent friend in their homeland, while the remaining $8,000 they have returned to a little parentless girl named Pumpkin.
Restoring your faith in humanity, one tiny blog post at a time.
Chinese papers had carried the story, and a paper delivered here in Atlanta carried the story. Some folks here in our Chinese community saw it, and realized that they had met and knew the murderer. They set him up, trapped him, captured him, and turned him over to police.
Here he is (courtesy of the AJC):
The six people who conspired to capture this heartless criminal received a reward from the government of New Zealand of $10,000. Ignoring their own poverty (and they are QUITE poor), they all agreed to send $2,000 to an elderly and indigent friend in their homeland, while the remaining $8,000 they have returned to a little parentless girl named Pumpkin.
Restoring your faith in humanity, one tiny blog post at a time.
20080319
Good morning. Today will find me going to my worthless pcp to badger him/her into giving me a referral to a neurologist.
Let's contemplate the concept of a PCP - a Primary Care Physician. There are twelve doctors in that office, about 8 Registered Nurses, and a handful of other staff. I have yet to see the same doctor, or the same RN, in all the times I have been to that office. So....who is my primary care physician?
My OB/GYN.
Like most American women.
When I was a child, I had a doctor. I saw ONE doctor throughout most of my childhood. One person. Maybe three of four nurses. I think (mom will tell me if I'm wrong on this) that the same doctor delivered all grandmom's children, and the same doctor delivered all mom's kids (is that Dr. Coppage?). Family care - a lost art. Now it's about insurance, and shoving patients in and out as fast as humanly possible.
I have found a good doctor or two. My eyeball doctor is great - he has taken wonderful care of my eyeballs over the years, has allowed me to pay him over time when he knew I didn't have any money, didn't charge me the full price when Maddy ate my glasses and I had to replace the pair I just bought...he's a nice guy. I know all the people in his office. Just like I know all the ladies at the ob/gyn. All nice people, and they all care. It's a career, not a job, and they all at least act like they truly want to help people.
Whatever happened to the single doctor, single practice concept? Am I just too old fashioned, to want what would now be considered a "boutique" doctor?
Let's contemplate the concept of a PCP - a Primary Care Physician. There are twelve doctors in that office, about 8 Registered Nurses, and a handful of other staff. I have yet to see the same doctor, or the same RN, in all the times I have been to that office. So....who is my primary care physician?
My OB/GYN.
Like most American women.
When I was a child, I had a doctor. I saw ONE doctor throughout most of my childhood. One person. Maybe three of four nurses. I think (mom will tell me if I'm wrong on this) that the same doctor delivered all grandmom's children, and the same doctor delivered all mom's kids (is that Dr. Coppage?). Family care - a lost art. Now it's about insurance, and shoving patients in and out as fast as humanly possible.
I have found a good doctor or two. My eyeball doctor is great - he has taken wonderful care of my eyeballs over the years, has allowed me to pay him over time when he knew I didn't have any money, didn't charge me the full price when Maddy ate my glasses and I had to replace the pair I just bought...he's a nice guy. I know all the people in his office. Just like I know all the ladies at the ob/gyn. All nice people, and they all care. It's a career, not a job, and they all at least act like they truly want to help people.
Whatever happened to the single doctor, single practice concept? Am I just too old fashioned, to want what would now be considered a "boutique" doctor?
20080317
You know, we had a tornado in downtown Atlanta here on Friday night. First time since such things were measured that one was ever recorded. An F-2 tornado, so a tornado, but like...a toddler tornado.
Notice where the tornado actually hit. I guess there isn't a lot going on in the world, in the cosmic sense. Or our higher power has developed a sense of fashion. Finally, someone has recognized that the Dome, Phillips, and those ugly statues in the Olympic Park are quite possibly some of the homeliest things ever created.
And now they are gone.
Woohoo!
On another note: Heather Mills is a greedy bitch. It isn't even her money. Shut the fuck up.
Notice where the tornado actually hit. I guess there isn't a lot going on in the world, in the cosmic sense. Or our higher power has developed a sense of fashion. Finally, someone has recognized that the Dome, Phillips, and those ugly statues in the Olympic Park are quite possibly some of the homeliest things ever created.
And now they are gone.
Woohoo!
On another note: Heather Mills is a greedy bitch. It isn't even her money. Shut the fuck up.
Lovely weekend passed us by, really. The rain and the sunshine fought for supremacy, and nicely tied to make it a perfect spring weekend. I stood in the cul de sac in the rain and was neither too cold, nor too wet, and thought "ah, spring!" I could almost hear the earth heave a giant sigh of relief as she quietly went to work restocking her reserves for the long and surely hot summer ahead. The sun would peer around a cloud just long enough to hit the raindrops hanging from a newly unfurled leaf, and it clung to a fern's velvet fronds it seemed like forever before it dropped onto the waiting soil.
I've never, ever, ever been a spring person. I'm more of a fall person normally. That crisp air. Hot during the day, cool at night. Better stars.
Something about spring this year. Maybe things will finally turn out right? The hydrangaes are coming back (although I have lost four to drought). All of my hellebourous are in bloom. My russian snowdrops are in bud. My vincia are blooming like gangbusters, and my creeping phlox. I mean, my yard looks terrible but all my little baby plants that I so carefully planted two years ago and then just ignored last year have come back to me!
I've never, ever, ever been a spring person. I'm more of a fall person normally. That crisp air. Hot during the day, cool at night. Better stars.
Something about spring this year. Maybe things will finally turn out right? The hydrangaes are coming back (although I have lost four to drought). All of my hellebourous are in bloom. My russian snowdrops are in bud. My vincia are blooming like gangbusters, and my creeping phlox. I mean, my yard looks terrible but all my little baby plants that I so carefully planted two years ago and then just ignored last year have come back to me!
You know, there's a special place in hell for people who are mean to animals. I used to watch those animal police shows all the time until I realized it just aggravated my already severe hatred of my fellow bi-peds, and so I gave it up.
The news lately has been full of dog stories: man films neighbor tossing peanut butter covered rat poison cubes into back yard in an attempt to poison his Lab. Man and neighbor get into a tussling match after man attacks neighbor for letting dog swim in apartment complex pool. Man had a history of anti dog violence (kicked one neighbor's small dog, other violent incidents prompted neighbor to move). Dog kicking man dead, btw, died in pool of either a stroke or drowned, can't remember.
And you had the puppy cookers a few years ago...those little black teenagers who thought it would be funny to stick a couple of puppies in an oven and see what happens.
Or all those animals who were confiscated from that farm owner in south GA, a number of them so emaciated that the state oh so quietly had them euthanized. Something like 120 animals were seized; you'll note that the media outlets reported only finding homes for about 70 animals but did not report what happened to the others.
Driving to New Orleans in the middle of the night back in January, I nearly killed us as I swerved at really the last minute to avoid hitting an orange cat that had already been struck once and was probably already dead or nearly so. But I couldn't help it. I refuse to run over an animal on purpose (unless, of course, this is a B grade horror movie called Attack of the Porcupines and they are coming after me to quill me to death. Then running them over is perfectly acceptable). And logically speaking I knew that the flopping of the cat that I saw was probably a last minute spasm of the cat's nerous system, since it was pretty clear via the tire track that ran across it's back that it's spine was crushed. Actually, Mr. Manners told me in no uncertain terms not to do that again unless I wanted to flip the jeep and kill us rather than an already dead cat.
The first thing that causes people to lose our humanity is that we lose respect for life, no matter what it's form. If you can look at an animal - an animal that contains no guile, that is not out to harm you, that has no agenda, that doesn't speak or curse, that doesn't hate you, that just wants your love and affection and hey! maybe food and a belly rub or two, and an ear scratch...and you want to kill it for no reason....
You are one fucked up dude.
So: there's a corner of hell for people who can't stand barking dogs and who kick dogs who talk. They are stuck in the middle of a giant cavern full of howling dogs. Full. Arrroooooooo! For eternity. And Just Out Of Reach are Earplugs Guarded by Cerebrus. Spelling? No, not me!
There are other special kinds of hell for people who throw dogs and cats around....and in this kind of hell people become chew toys, like miniature people....and boy aren't we tasty, because we continually bleed, but because it's hell we don't break!
Oh, the interesting things the brain comes up with!
The news lately has been full of dog stories: man films neighbor tossing peanut butter covered rat poison cubes into back yard in an attempt to poison his Lab. Man and neighbor get into a tussling match after man attacks neighbor for letting dog swim in apartment complex pool. Man had a history of anti dog violence (kicked one neighbor's small dog, other violent incidents prompted neighbor to move). Dog kicking man dead, btw, died in pool of either a stroke or drowned, can't remember.
And you had the puppy cookers a few years ago...those little black teenagers who thought it would be funny to stick a couple of puppies in an oven and see what happens.
Or all those animals who were confiscated from that farm owner in south GA, a number of them so emaciated that the state oh so quietly had them euthanized. Something like 120 animals were seized; you'll note that the media outlets reported only finding homes for about 70 animals but did not report what happened to the others.
Driving to New Orleans in the middle of the night back in January, I nearly killed us as I swerved at really the last minute to avoid hitting an orange cat that had already been struck once and was probably already dead or nearly so. But I couldn't help it. I refuse to run over an animal on purpose (unless, of course, this is a B grade horror movie called Attack of the Porcupines and they are coming after me to quill me to death. Then running them over is perfectly acceptable). And logically speaking I knew that the flopping of the cat that I saw was probably a last minute spasm of the cat's nerous system, since it was pretty clear via the tire track that ran across it's back that it's spine was crushed. Actually, Mr. Manners told me in no uncertain terms not to do that again unless I wanted to flip the jeep and kill us rather than an already dead cat.
The first thing that causes people to lose our humanity is that we lose respect for life, no matter what it's form. If you can look at an animal - an animal that contains no guile, that is not out to harm you, that has no agenda, that doesn't speak or curse, that doesn't hate you, that just wants your love and affection and hey! maybe food and a belly rub or two, and an ear scratch...and you want to kill it for no reason....
You are one fucked up dude.
So: there's a corner of hell for people who can't stand barking dogs and who kick dogs who talk. They are stuck in the middle of a giant cavern full of howling dogs. Full. Arrroooooooo! For eternity. And Just Out Of Reach are Earplugs Guarded by Cerebrus. Spelling? No, not me!
There are other special kinds of hell for people who throw dogs and cats around....and in this kind of hell people become chew toys, like miniature people....and boy aren't we tasty, because we continually bleed, but because it's hell we don't break!
Oh, the interesting things the brain comes up with!
20080314
Fitted Sheets.
I confess, they elude me. What the fuck are you supposed to do with them?
I have tried to fold them, honest! I have tried to square them by their corners and neatly tuck them together - natch.
I have tried to IRON them into lines - natch.
I usually just kind of mush and roll them into something that resembles a round square and stuff them into my tiny linen closet. And then I put the nicely squared sheet on top of it.
And hope no one notices.
I confess, they elude me. What the fuck are you supposed to do with them?
I have tried to fold them, honest! I have tried to square them by their corners and neatly tuck them together - natch.
I have tried to IRON them into lines - natch.
I usually just kind of mush and roll them into something that resembles a round square and stuff them into my tiny linen closet. And then I put the nicely squared sheet on top of it.
And hope no one notices.
Here's one for you:
I posted for a job at work I had no way of getting, really, but I posted for it because I wanted everyone to know that I was interested in branching out. I was candid about my shortcomings in the interview process - with my lack of knowledge in a certain part of the system something I wanted to make sure people knew I was aware of. I thought I acquitted myself fairly well, but, you know...it didn't matter, because there was already an internal candidate identified.
So today our VP calls to provide interview feedback.
First, he provides the feedback that I gave myself, with regards to my technical shortcomings. No surprise there. Then he says "Now, I'm not sure I believe this myself, but....one of the interviewers says that they believe you lack the maturity level to be one of my directs and would require too much coddling and hand holding to be an effective decision maker".
I know the interviewers (two of them very well). I know who said this. This person will know through my utter professionalism and incredible courtesy that I know, and she will never get anything other than what the job requires from me again. Now I am in the unfortunate position of trying to remotely combat what this person has now said in front of an interview panel, and in front of Human Resources, and something that could very well follow me like the smell of stale curry for the rest of my days at this company.
I thanked my VP and hung up the phone. After I collected myself, I sent him an IM again thanking him for the feedback, agreeing with the first part and telling him that I found the second part frankly shocking, and that I found other people's perceptions of me quite interesting, and that I appreciated his candor, and left it at that.
I hate politics. I really do. I wish I could tell you I was a big girl and wasn't upset, but I immediately started to bawl, and stomp around. And then Zoe ran away and wouldn't come back, and then it started to rain. MWAH!!!! :-)
I posted for a job at work I had no way of getting, really, but I posted for it because I wanted everyone to know that I was interested in branching out. I was candid about my shortcomings in the interview process - with my lack of knowledge in a certain part of the system something I wanted to make sure people knew I was aware of. I thought I acquitted myself fairly well, but, you know...it didn't matter, because there was already an internal candidate identified.
So today our VP calls to provide interview feedback.
First, he provides the feedback that I gave myself, with regards to my technical shortcomings. No surprise there. Then he says "Now, I'm not sure I believe this myself, but....one of the interviewers says that they believe you lack the maturity level to be one of my directs and would require too much coddling and hand holding to be an effective decision maker".
I know the interviewers (two of them very well). I know who said this. This person will know through my utter professionalism and incredible courtesy that I know, and she will never get anything other than what the job requires from me again. Now I am in the unfortunate position of trying to remotely combat what this person has now said in front of an interview panel, and in front of Human Resources, and something that could very well follow me like the smell of stale curry for the rest of my days at this company.
I thanked my VP and hung up the phone. After I collected myself, I sent him an IM again thanking him for the feedback, agreeing with the first part and telling him that I found the second part frankly shocking, and that I found other people's perceptions of me quite interesting, and that I appreciated his candor, and left it at that.
I hate politics. I really do. I wish I could tell you I was a big girl and wasn't upset, but I immediately started to bawl, and stomp around. And then Zoe ran away and wouldn't come back, and then it started to rain. MWAH!!!! :-)
20080313
So...riddle me this: seems to be still some continued impropriety (that doesn't look correctly spelled) about the JIA's ability to count the money they make, regardless of source, or to count the number of visitors they have to the island.
Why hasn't all talk of development ceased until this puzzle been solved?
I will tell you:
Greed.
Just the destruction of another pristine environment brought to you by the folks in your Georgia Congress. Stop by and say hello some time. We'll be your friend for a small contribution.
Why hasn't all talk of development ceased until this puzzle been solved?
I will tell you:
Greed.
Just the destruction of another pristine environment brought to you by the folks in your Georgia Congress. Stop by and say hello some time. We'll be your friend for a small contribution.
20080312
Once again, The Onion is trying to make me pee in my pants:
"DOT Creates New Lane For Reckless Drivers
March 12, 2008 Issue 44•11
WASHINGTON—Secretary of Transportation Mary Peters unveiled a new $270 billion federal project Monday to build special lanes for dangerous and careless drivers on most major U.S. highways.
"These new lanes are for the millions of drivers who can't be bothered with speed limits, turn signal use, or not careening madly out into oncoming traffic," Peters said during the opening ceremony for the first reckless-driving route, a steeply banked, guardrail-lined on-ramp to I-395 outside Arlington, VA. "Whether hell-bent on putting themselves and everyone around them in danger or just drunk off their gourds and out for a simple joyride, America's reckless will no longer be forced to putter along with careful, conscientious, considerate citizens." Peters then cut the ribbon on the inaugural lane by speeding through it in a rusted-out 1984 Chevy Cavalier, steering with her knees as her left hand held a cup of hot coffee aloft and her right hand slapped her 4-year-old daughter sitting in the back seat.
Peters said the Department of Transportation plans to construct some 1,400 of the new lanes over the next four years, all of which will feature a special bowl design to keep cars in the lane while drivers are sleeping, drunk, applying makeup in the rearview mirror, receiving or performing oral sex, or drumming along on the steering wheel while singing "The Immigrant Song" at the top of their lungs. Padded concrete embankments and steel-rail barriers will line the lanes in urban areas, and rumble strips will be cut into the pavement every 100 feet in an attempt to help keep drivers alert.
All of the lanes will also feature ramps.
"We wanted to make these reckless-driving lanes as convenient as possible," said Harold Bovy, chief engineer on the project, who added that his team's main priority was containing drivers while allowing emergency vehicles the easy and frequent access they will require. "So we made sure that once reckless drivers are in these lanes, they can only leave them by designated funnel-shaped ramps or in the full- service hearses that will be stationed 24 hours a day at any number of convenient rest areas."
Amid mounting pressure from drivers, the DOT decided to start planning for the new lanes last fall. The department sought out input and suggestions from motorists who, according to Peters, "really know how to drive" or simply believed traffic laws to be for "suckers."
"We made sure to interview a broad spectrum of dangerously incompetent and inconsiderate pricks," said Peters, who stressed that the DOT sent questionnaires exclusively to drivers who have had five or more accidents in as many years or have been issued at least three 100-mph-plus speeding tickets in the last six months, as well as all members of the Corvette Club of America. "Their feedback was invaluable—so much so that we hired many to drive test sections of the highway. Several of those drivers will have sections of the new lanes named after them in memoriam."
While some have raised concerns that law-abiding citizens will be tempted to try the new lanes and get into life-threatening situations, DOT officials claim they will be self- enforcing, self-regulating, and, with proper drainage and fluid grooves, self-cleaning. Nevertheless, steps are being taken to prevent their use by non-reckless drivers.
Signs will be posted to warn regular drivers that they must drive either under 30 mph or over 90 mph, and that their auto insurance is void in the special lanes. Additional wordless signs, intended for the reckless drivers themselves, will feature the icon of a swerving 1988 Mercury Grand Marquis with subwoofer lines emanating from the body and a mattress tied to the top with a single length of twine.
Praise for the new lane from drivers has been widespread and immediate.
"This is something real drivers have wanted for years," said Kevin Louden, who has received 17 moving violations in his nine years of driving. "Now I can haul ass the way God intended without worrying about the safety of others."
"DOT Creates New Lane For Reckless Drivers
March 12, 2008 Issue 44•11
WASHINGTON—Secretary of Transportation Mary Peters unveiled a new $270 billion federal project Monday to build special lanes for dangerous and careless drivers on most major U.S. highways.
"These new lanes are for the millions of drivers who can't be bothered with speed limits, turn signal use, or not careening madly out into oncoming traffic," Peters said during the opening ceremony for the first reckless-driving route, a steeply banked, guardrail-lined on-ramp to I-395 outside Arlington, VA. "Whether hell-bent on putting themselves and everyone around them in danger or just drunk off their gourds and out for a simple joyride, America's reckless will no longer be forced to putter along with careful, conscientious, considerate citizens." Peters then cut the ribbon on the inaugural lane by speeding through it in a rusted-out 1984 Chevy Cavalier, steering with her knees as her left hand held a cup of hot coffee aloft and her right hand slapped her 4-year-old daughter sitting in the back seat.
Peters said the Department of Transportation plans to construct some 1,400 of the new lanes over the next four years, all of which will feature a special bowl design to keep cars in the lane while drivers are sleeping, drunk, applying makeup in the rearview mirror, receiving or performing oral sex, or drumming along on the steering wheel while singing "The Immigrant Song" at the top of their lungs. Padded concrete embankments and steel-rail barriers will line the lanes in urban areas, and rumble strips will be cut into the pavement every 100 feet in an attempt to help keep drivers alert.
All of the lanes will also feature ramps.
"We wanted to make these reckless-driving lanes as convenient as possible," said Harold Bovy, chief engineer on the project, who added that his team's main priority was containing drivers while allowing emergency vehicles the easy and frequent access they will require. "So we made sure that once reckless drivers are in these lanes, they can only leave them by designated funnel-shaped ramps or in the full- service hearses that will be stationed 24 hours a day at any number of convenient rest areas."
Amid mounting pressure from drivers, the DOT decided to start planning for the new lanes last fall. The department sought out input and suggestions from motorists who, according to Peters, "really know how to drive" or simply believed traffic laws to be for "suckers."
"We made sure to interview a broad spectrum of dangerously incompetent and inconsiderate pricks," said Peters, who stressed that the DOT sent questionnaires exclusively to drivers who have had five or more accidents in as many years or have been issued at least three 100-mph-plus speeding tickets in the last six months, as well as all members of the Corvette Club of America. "Their feedback was invaluable—so much so that we hired many to drive test sections of the highway. Several of those drivers will have sections of the new lanes named after them in memoriam."
While some have raised concerns that law-abiding citizens will be tempted to try the new lanes and get into life-threatening situations, DOT officials claim they will be self- enforcing, self-regulating, and, with proper drainage and fluid grooves, self-cleaning. Nevertheless, steps are being taken to prevent their use by non-reckless drivers.
Signs will be posted to warn regular drivers that they must drive either under 30 mph or over 90 mph, and that their auto insurance is void in the special lanes. Additional wordless signs, intended for the reckless drivers themselves, will feature the icon of a swerving 1988 Mercury Grand Marquis with subwoofer lines emanating from the body and a mattress tied to the top with a single length of twine.
Praise for the new lane from drivers has been widespread and immediate.
"This is something real drivers have wanted for years," said Kevin Louden, who has received 17 moving violations in his nine years of driving. "Now I can haul ass the way God intended without worrying about the safety of others."
20080311
20080310
20080307
20080306
Tsk tsk. Two Atlanta college women shot to death in neighboring states. Why? Beautiful girls, with their lives ahead of them.
A strange doorway bomber in NYC who seems to have been blowing up innocent doorways for two years, only to don his grey hoodie and pedal off into the sunset unmolested each time.
A twelve thousand dollar wedding dress.
A sugar glider.
Spring is coming: 67 degrees and sunny.
A strange doorway bomber in NYC who seems to have been blowing up innocent doorways for two years, only to don his grey hoodie and pedal off into the sunset unmolested each time.
A twelve thousand dollar wedding dress.
A sugar glider.
Spring is coming: 67 degrees and sunny.
20080305
Nothing to see here, move on, move on.
Bored. Sitting at work passing time. Thinking of the book I left sitting on the sofa. Need more books! Am feeling a major reading spree coming on. My face is doing its yearly molt. I just realized that the rest of the month is all planned out; it is only the fifth. Shit. There are parties, birthdays, visitors, weekends in the woods, etc.
And maybe if we're all really good it will be warm. Soon. This cold stuff sucks.
It wasn't shorts weather in Daytona, although it was warm. I laid on the beach in a dress...mind, I tucked my arms in next to myself and shivered but DID get some sun after all (as the peeling o the nose will attest)
Bored. Sitting at work passing time. Thinking of the book I left sitting on the sofa. Need more books! Am feeling a major reading spree coming on. My face is doing its yearly molt. I just realized that the rest of the month is all planned out; it is only the fifth. Shit. There are parties, birthdays, visitors, weekends in the woods, etc.
And maybe if we're all really good it will be warm. Soon. This cold stuff sucks.
It wasn't shorts weather in Daytona, although it was warm. I laid on the beach in a dress...mind, I tucked my arms in next to myself and shivered but DID get some sun after all (as the peeling o the nose will attest)
Gary Gygax
Gary Gygax died today at age 69. For those of you that don't know (which will be....oh, almost all of you) he created one of the great games of all time, that had a profound impact on my life:
Dungeons and Dragons.
Responsible for easing the torment of the eight years we lived in that shithole of a mill town.
Gave me a love of miniature painting.
Expanded my love of fantasy writing.
Finally got me to love Tolkien.
Thanks for all the years, Gary!
Dungeons and Dragons.
Responsible for easing the torment of the eight years we lived in that shithole of a mill town.
Gave me a love of miniature painting.
Expanded my love of fantasy writing.
Finally got me to love Tolkien.
Thanks for all the years, Gary!
So I was returning from the mailbox yesterday, retrieving the post, when I hear this cracking noise.
"Aha!" I think to myself "that sounds like a..."
THWACK
"...branch about to hit me in the head"
Yes, it's true. A branch broke off the oak tree that hangs over my driveway and struck me in the back of the head. Wasn't sure whether to laugh or cry so I went with laughing instead. Have a bit of a goose egg today.
I have never heard of anyone else being struck in the back of the head with a branch in their own driveway, have you?
Only me!
Maybe it's god's way of telling me to get the stick out of my ass, eh?
"Aha!" I think to myself "that sounds like a..."
THWACK
"...branch about to hit me in the head"
Yes, it's true. A branch broke off the oak tree that hangs over my driveway and struck me in the back of the head. Wasn't sure whether to laugh or cry so I went with laughing instead. Have a bit of a goose egg today.
I have never heard of anyone else being struck in the back of the head with a branch in their own driveway, have you?
Only me!
Maybe it's god's way of telling me to get the stick out of my ass, eh?
Gay marriage. Doing a bit of reading this morning regarding California's Big Question:
What makes marriage so special? (as they consider leveling the marriage playing field, so to speak, and encouraging growth in the fields of divorce and estate planning law)
My framework is this: marriage is a religious institution, yet one cannot get married without a license, which belongs to the state. I am not sure gays will ever win acceptance from most organized religions, so I don't think you are going to see Bob and John getting married in St. Brigid's....but why can't Bob and John go get a license, and be registered as a union in the eyes of the law?
Why not?
What makes marriage so special? (as they consider leveling the marriage playing field, so to speak, and encouraging growth in the fields of divorce and estate planning law)
My framework is this: marriage is a religious institution, yet one cannot get married without a license, which belongs to the state. I am not sure gays will ever win acceptance from most organized religions, so I don't think you are going to see Bob and John getting married in St. Brigid's....but why can't Bob and John go get a license, and be registered as a union in the eyes of the law?
Why not?
20080301
Would I do that to you?
Would I? Would I leave you hanging in the lurch like that? Just breathless with anticipation?
Let's just say: armpit.
We've arrived. At six thirty this morning. I drove. It was long. And dark. And arduous. Many enemies were slain, but we eventually conquered the territory and acquired much treasure. Now I am relaxing and mocking the natives.
A full narrative will be posted shortly.
Now I must enjoy a seafood repast.
Let's just say: armpit.
We've arrived. At six thirty this morning. I drove. It was long. And dark. And arduous. Many enemies were slain, but we eventually conquered the territory and acquired much treasure. Now I am relaxing and mocking the natives.
A full narrative will be posted shortly.
Now I must enjoy a seafood repast.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
