It might surprise you, dear readers, to know that I rarely find joy in anything. Disappointment builds character and I am brimming with character. I am so used to hitting snags and being turned down and cold cocked with "NO" that some days I don't even try. I just wait for sleep and dread waking up. Today is not one of those days, my friends!
When I went home to Arkansas in September, one of my goals was to get my mother's copy of Christmas with the Mexicali Brass and take it back to Canada to do a phono to cd burn. Sure, it was scratchy and skippy and possibly unplayable...but I had to have that record. So, I ask mom and she points to the album sorter. You know the kind. Looks like it's made of clothes hanger wire and you slip a single album in each slot...So I furiously slide each album up looking for the Mexicali Brass and when I find it I squeel! Then I mutter, "sonofabitch." All album cover, no album. Mom says it's in there somewhere. Yeah, but where?
Today I was feeling kind of festive - getting out the wreath and stockings and all. I started thinking about that Mexicali Brass record and how much I would like to listen to it while I decorate or make cookies...just like when I was little. My mom would hit the egg nog and before too long we were dancing in the kitchen to mariachi-fied Christmas songs. Long story short - itunes has the whole album and it is clean and remastered and now it IS MINE!!! I think I felt a little joy today. When you are used to hitting snags and being turned down and cold cocked with "NO" as much as I am - a little "yes!" goes a long way.
Orange and gold and red and brown and dirt
The ground is littered
Fragile branches sit empty and silent in the chill yet bright air
Sunshine brings bursts of brilliant red into focus
Small berries sit left behind
Autumn speaks in small ways
and in what is not present, rather than what is
It is not an easy beautiful
Last night it crashed into me in a horribly surreal and yet emphatic and fatal way how much I wish I had kept at least my CPR training up to date, let alone the awesome combat lifesaver skills I had in the Army Reserves.
Maybe you've noticed that the U.S. is kind of FLU CRAZY right about now? Maybe paranoid would be a better word. I work in a school, an elementary school, which is pretty near to ground zero for the paranoid flu circus. And I became sick this week.
DIFFERENCES BETWEEN COLD, SEASONAL FLU & H1N1SYMPTOMS SYMPTOM COLD SEASONAL FLU H1N1 FEVER Fever is rare with a cold. Fever is common with the seasonal flu. Fever is usually present with H1N1 in up to 80% of all flue cases. A temperature of 101° COUGHING A hacking,productive (mucus-producing) cough is often present with a cold. A dry and hacking cough is often present with the seasonal flu. A non-productive (non-mucus producing) cough is usually present with H1N1 (sometimes referred to as dry cough).* ACHES Slight body aches and pains can be part of a cold. Moderate body aches are common with the seasonal flu. Severe aches and pains are common with H1N1.* STUFFY NOSE Stuffy nose is commonly presentwith a cold and typically resolves spontaneously within a week. A runny nose is commonly presentwith the seasonal flu. Stuffy nose is not commonly present with H1N1. CHILLS Chills areuncommon with a cold. Chills are mild to moderate with the seasonal flu. 60% of people who have H1N1 experience chills. TIREDNESS Tiredness is fairlymild with a cold. Tiredness is moderate and more likely referred to as a lack of energy with the seasonal flu. Tiredness is moderate to severewith H1N1.* SNEEZING Sneezing is commonly presentwith a cold Sneezing is common present with the seasonal flu. Sneezing is not common with H1N1. SUDDEN SYMPTOMS Cold symptoms tend to develop over a few days. Symptons tend to develop over afew days and include flushed face, loss of appetite, dizziness and/or vomiting/nausea. Symptoms usually last 4-7 days, depending on the individual. Diarrhea is common. H1N1 has a rapid onset within 3-6 hours. H1N1 hits hard and includes sudden symptoms likehigh fever, aches and pains. Symptoms usually last 4-7 days, depending on the individual. Diarrhea is common. HEADACHE A headache is fairlyuncommon with a cold. A headache is fairly common with the seasonal flu. A headache is very common with H1N1 and present in 80% of cases.* SORE THROAT Sore throat is commonly presentwith a cold. Sore throat is commonly presentwith the seasonal flu. Sore throat is not commonly present with H1N1. CHEST DISCOMFORT Chest discomfort ismild to moderate with a cold. Chest discomfort is moderate with the seasonal flu. If it turns severe seek medical attention immediately! Chest discomfort is often severewith H1N1. PREVENTION TIPS: *cough & sneeze into your elbow *wash hands with soap and warm water for a minimum of 15 -20 seconds. Sing your abc's or happy birthday to you *use hand sanitizer when soap & water are not available *avoid touching eyes, nose or mouth without washing or using hand sanitizer first
What does the young squirrel think when the colored leaves that sheltered his home are today gone, littering the
What does the young squirrel think when the colored leaves that sheltered his home are today gone, littering the
I want to believe in doctors, but my past experience makes it very hard to trust anything any of them have to say.
Yesterday I found myself in the walk in clinic up the street to get a refill on some meds. While I was in there I mentioned to the doctor that I had a severe pain running down my legs after walking a few blocks. I stood up, pulled up the leg of my jeans and ran my finger down the outer side of my leg - between the knee and ankle. I specified that the pain is from here (about an inch below by knee cap) to here (just about my ankle bone). I told her that it starts out as a slight burn, but if I continue to walk the burn becomes quite intense and I tend to lose the feeling in my feet. If I rest, the pain subsides (after about 5 minutes) but resumes when I start walking again. I also told her that it was quite the problem since I walk in Vancouver, I do not drive. Most stores I frequent are within walking distance. The pain is excrutiating and it keeps me from being as mobile as I would like.
I told her I bought some shoe inserts and her response was, "and they work?"
If they worked I wouldn't be telling you about the pain, now would I?
I said that it doesn't matter what shoes I wear but I do not have this pain when I ride my stationary bike...only walking.
I also told her that I didn't notice it so much in the past, but that might be because in Arkansas I didn't do as much long distance walking, like I do in Vancouver or when we are on vacation and out sightseeing.
So after telling her all of that here is what she said.
"You have a pinched nerve in your spine. You need X-rays."
I said, "Really, you think that's what it is?"
She says, "Well, the other thing it could be is PAD - but you don't want that. People with diabeties and other chronic illnesses have that. You aren't there."
"Ok. The pain doesn't run up my hip or thigh...just my lower leg."
"How long have you had this problem? Did you have it in the States too?"
"Yes, but it was not as noticiable because it only happens when I am in a situation where I find myself walking a lot."
I was pretty sure I had made this point already but I found myself going through it again, in a more illustrative way. "You see, in Arkansas I was a driver. I didn't walk to the store or anywhere to get to places. Walking the Target parking lot then strolling the aisles isn't the same kind of walking that I do now. I had a very bad episode in Philidelphia several years ago while sightseeing and doing a lot of walking, but I chalked that up to legs not used to walking great distances. I thought it was weak muscles...but my legs should be used to walking by now. I shouldn't hurt this bad. My feet shouldn't go numb after walking 2 blocks."
"So, here is what I want you to do - change your shoes. Don't wear the shoes you are wearing."
I stopped her. I thought I had already gone over this.
"It doesn't matter what shoes I wear. I have Converse sneakers, leather boots, track shoes, Reeboks, slip ons...it doesn't matter what shoe I have on - and I don't wear heels so that is not an issue either."
Didn't I just show you the brand new arch support I put in the shoe???
"Well, I don't think it's anything too serious."
"But I can't walk."
She took a breath. "Hmmm, well it looks like you haven't had a physical in a while...we should schedule you for a complete physical."
Nice way to change the subject.
So a few minutes later I found myself getting 8 spinal Xrays. SIX maybe but...I am not sure why I had to get EIGHT GOD DAMNED X-RAYS. Seems excessive.
I need to find another doctor.
Who are you dying to see in concert?
I want to see Seether or Chevelle. I'm dying to see no-one though!
The more I contemplate this movie, the more I dislike it. I wanted to love it. Sam Raimi is the mother frelling man when it comes to cool and movies that I enjoy - Army of Darkness = best movie ever. Drag me to hell was just not that good. The creatures were cool, as were the effects, but the movie was a no go. It was silly. It was not scary, though creepy at times. It was disappointing. I just need to watch Evil Dead for good Sam Raiminess...
