Sunday, July 30, 2006

I'm a geek.

I love to take tests, especially online. Here's the latest one I've found, from Harvard, regarding Moral Sense. Let me know what you think.

http://moral.wjh.harvard.edu/index2.html

Oh, and if you know of any other interesting, unusual, unique sites with tests or whatever, let me know about that, too!

It's been a while...

I know it has been quite a while since I posted anything of substance here, but I thought I'd *try* to remedy that today. I am being a bad girl and skipping church, except when you're a Unitarian Universalist, that whole concept really doesn't even exist. Thank goodness!

There's really been a lot going on lately, and I am not sure how to tie all of this post together, or even if I should. Life is filled with random crap, isn't it? Things that just don't all 'go together'? Or maybe that's just me! Ha!

First and foremost, it's been frikken HOT. I hate hot. I hate sweating. I hate having a red face when I try to survive away from air conditioning. I am a wimp, I know, but this is a life-long affliction for me. At least it's almost August, which means it's almost FALL, my favorite season. Woohooo!

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Yesterday, hubby and I were interviewed on a local radio station about the upcoming Marriage Equality Summit being held at our church next Saturday. It was a very cool experience -- not at all nerve-wracking like I thought it might be. I even listened to the CD of the broadcast they recorded for us, and was surprised and very pleased not to have sounded like an idiot. I even didn't hate the sound of my voice. That's got to be a first!!

I will be so relieved when this thing is over. It's been in the planning since October of last year, when we first began discussing the then-possibility that an amendment to our state constitution defining marriage as between one man and one woman was going to be on the November '06 ballot. As a social justice-oriented church, we knew we had to get involved. Being the then-Chair of the GLBT+Friends Committee, much of the responsibilities fell on me. Through this, I became acquainted with Jack Senterfitt, who is the Senior Staff Attorney for Lambda Legal, Southeastern region. He spoke at Vanderbilt University here, his alma mater, regarding marriage equality, and right then I knew he had to speak for us. We planned a "summit", where we could gather folks together from all the UU churches in Tennessee, and learn as a group how to canvass, how to spread the word, and how to get out the vote. One thing lead to another, and now we have not only Jack speaking, but also a couple of folks from the Tennessee Equality Project, as well as our minister and the now-Chair of the GLBT+Friends committee, who is the Education Coordinator for one of Vanderbilt's largest health clinics. We have music, we have food, we have child care -- we have people needing a place to stay, people with questions about other things to do -- and we have media, which I hope will include news stations from around the city.

I am very proud to have been the major player in this. No matter what else I do, I can say that I was instrumental in coming up with and planning this event, not to mention doing the majority of the 'legwork' involved. I know in my heart that I am on the right side of this issue, and that history will show that this was the correct position to take.

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I've been in PT now for several months, for both upper and lower back issues, and it has helped a good bit. Recently I found that I have several bulging discs in my neck, which my doctor actually wrote to me "equals a small herniation". Ummm.... Anyway, tomorrow I see a physiatrist about, I think, pain control. I'm really not sure exactly why I'm seeing him, other than my doc said this guy is a back specialist and should be able to help. I looked up information about physical medicine/rehab docs, aka physiatrists, and learned that, for one thing, they don't do surgery, for which I am amazingly grateful. My understanding is that these docs deal with the actual mechanics of the body, being able to do things like prescribe orthotic braces and such, as well as doing injections if necessary.

I don't want injections in my back, period. I am just scared to death of that. I'm afraid of that little slip that goes from therapeutic to paralysis. I don't know why I'm afraid of this -- it's not like I know anyone it ever happened to. I guess my reasoning derives from other needle experiences I've had. Here's one that I think illustrates this: I was having an EGD (upper GI) a few years ago, supposedly done by the "best" GI in town. The prep work was being done, and the injection of anesthestic substance, I'm guessing Versed, was done in the top of my hand (easiest place to get a vein, and no, it doesn't hurt or bother me there). When we got into the room for the procedure, the doc sprayed a numbing agent into my throat (another really scary aspect for those of us with anxiety/panic symptoms that include feeling as though one's throat is closing). He then began to try to put the tube down my throat. If you've ever had this procedure done, you may be wondering how I remember this. Well, I remember the whole thing, because THE ANESTHESIA *NEVER* WENT INTO MY BLOODSTREAM. There was a bigger than golf ball sized knot on my hand, where the anesthesia apparently was injected into the surrounding skin, rather than into the vein. I was petrified and crying on that table, trying to pull the tube out so I could tell the doc I was still awake, but he had nurses literally HOLD ME DOWN and continued to snake it down my throat. I saw and REMEMBER the whole procedure -- I guess the plus side is that now I know what my esophagus and stomach look like.

So, in conclusion, some doctors can be really MEAN and hateful and not at all compassionate, or even aware of what's going on with a person. I can't help but be afraid something like this could happen again, so I'm afraid of getting injections into my back.

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My youngest sister is probably going to have to go to court on August 9 to deal with custody issues around her children. That means she will have to travel from Florida to Illinois which is a looooooooong trip. I have agreed to go with her to court, because she just simply can't go alone. Our mom will keep her children for her, so it will just be the two of us. I feel OK about it, though I will most certainly be talking with my therapist before going for a 'shoring up' session. I'm not afraid of the ex brother in law in court, so that's not something that's very concerning. One thing I will be a little anxious about is when we're not in court. Maybe we'll just come back to my house (5 hour drive) instead of staying around there, even if it's late.

Y'all, I have to tell this. My middle sister "A" reads this blog and I don't want to upset her, but still, I have to get this off my chest. So, here goes. Back 3 or so years ago when my youngest sister and her husband divorced, she left him in Illinois and moved to Florida, where our parents are. She did not work and had no money of her own. Her husband said they could both use the same attorney, which I advised my mom and sister against. Still, they decided not to get their own attorney. His version of the divorce papers stated that my sister could not take my niece out of state, nor could my niece live more than 25 miles away from his union hall. And my sister signed this. And my parents READ THIS AND SAID THEY DIDN'T THINK THE EX HUSBAND WOULD BE "UGLY" ABOUT IT, SO LET HER SIGN THIS DIVORCE AGREEMENT WITHOUT EVEN CONTESTING THAT. All this time I'd thought my sister alone was aware of that clause, which was bad enough, but when I found out just recently that my parents knew about it and didn't think it would be a problem, I nearly disintegrated in incredulousness.

Last October when my sister left this guy AGAIN, my husband and I came up with a list of things to do/not do, based on the DIRECT EXPERIENCE we had with a domestic abuse situation involving his daughter, and the information we'd gathered from professionals in fields that deal with this frequently, as well as my own experience working in a foster care/adoption agency. Well, sister went back to this idiot after Christmas. In January my mother confronts me with how it pissed them off that hubby and I 'tried to tell them what to do', implying that we were being smartasses and that they didn't need any help, thank you very much. Since then, however, I have received an apology from my mom, not that it makes any difference, and not that she will always be sorry.

Two months after my own husband died, I bought my mom a plane ticket to come visit me for a weekend. Mom wasn't big on visiting me before, and still doesn't often, but it's more than it used to be, for what it's worth. On that weekend visit 7 years ago, my mom told me that I'm intimidating. I've talked about this before here, and I wish it didn't still sting a little bit when I think about it. What I've learned in the meantime, and what was reinforced by that last story I told regarding the divorce decree, is that my mother meant that she feels 'less than' around me -- she thinks I'm smarter than she is or whatever, which maybe I am in some ways. Still, that doesn't make ME intimidating. It just makes me different from her.


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My step-daughter continues to hate my guts. Her children's birthday (twins) was July 4, and, as always, I helped hubby pick out their gifts, signed the card, etc. This year, the thank you card was ONLY addressed to hubby, so that's pretty clear, don't you think? I do try not to let this bother me, but it truly hurts my feelings that this apparently spoiled-rotten selfish brat of a woman can be so childish. I want to respond in a hurtful or retaliative way, but I know that's not right. Still, I admit to daydreaming about what I would say, or what hubby would say, that would put her in her place and then also make this situation right. I do live in a fantasy world, don't I?


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Next week there will be a memorial service for my friend Melissa Sigler's son Bruce, who, at age 27, passed away of a heart attack. Yes, a heart attack -- no drugs involved, no foul play -- just a heart attack at age 27. Y'all, life is short, and you do not know when your number will be up. Please, tell those around you that you love them -- don't wait. I don't care if they think you're weird for doing it -- just do it. You will feel better and have a better life because of it. No one can say "I love you" too often these days.

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In October I get to go with hubby to Madison, WI for a week. He's attending some sort of conference or class at the university, and we're staying in the ritzy conference center there. We'll go up a few days early, though, flying into Minneapolis, so we can drive up to Lake Itasca, and, per his wishes, scatter my late husband's ashes. It will be good to get this done and know that I carried out my promise to him, even if it seems crazy to me.

We plan also to get tickets for Prairie Home Companion while we're there, and we already have tickets to Michael Feldman's "What Do You Know?" Yes, we're NPR freaks. I can't wait! I also can't wait to find Scandinavian stuff and cheese. I think hubby will concentrate on the beer.

In December we're going to celebrate our anniversary with friends who were actually married on New Year's Eve last year. Our anniversary is 12/20, so this works out well. We'll be heading up to Buffalo, NY, believe it or not, stopping in Cleveland, OH so hubby can finally see the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. (Don't forget to sign that petition for Leon Russell!!) I visited there a few years ago and could have stayed all day. I hope there will be SOME snow -- not the whiteout blizzard conditions that can come from the lake. I don't know where exactly we'll spend NYE -- maybe Niagara Falls? Wouldn't that be romantic and cool???

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I think I've caught y'all up on the major stuff now. I need to try to write more often, and I will work on that. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, to those of you who've written to either ask about me or encourage me to write more often. It means so much!!!

Peace out, yo.

WIP

Thursday, July 27, 2006

Rock -n- Roll!

I have so many posts to make here, but while this is on my mind, if you're any kind of a rock -n- roll fan, please go sign this petition. One of my all time favorite artists, Leon Russell,
is NOT yet in the hall of fame, which is totally beyond me. If you know anything of him, you know he's played with and influenced the entire industry, so why they've ignored him is something I have no understanding of.

Sign the petition, please, and I'll be back!

Wednesday, July 19, 2006

"Being online"

This is my tenth year of being "online". I've learned alot of different things since being here, not the least of which is that "being online" means a lot of different things to people. I'm not sure, even now, that I have the ability to explain what "being online" means, even to me.

For me, "being online" has offered me myriad opportunities that are probably not possible offline. Opportunities like...participating in telephone interviews with the likes of Tom Clancy, Nora Roberts, Paul Simon, the cast of "Touched By An Angel", and many others. Opportunities like...managing a staff of more than 100 volunteers of ages ranging from 13 to 70+ who served as chat hosts. Opportunities like...meeting countless now real-life friends, from all over the world, including my precious Hubby. :)

Yes, my husband and I met online through a :::gasp!!::: DATING SERVICE!!!!!!!! From the first email, we were both hooked, and after a whole 3 days of emailing, IMming, and talking by phone, we met in person. And, basically, we've been together ever since. Within a month or so of that first meeting, we were engaged. Oh, and let me clarify here -- we lived in different cities, 200 miles apart, so we even long-distance dated. We will celebrate our 3rd anniversary in December, and are more convinced by the day that we are most definitely made for each other.

The friends I've made out in cyberspace do mean a great deal to me, whether I've ended up meeting them in person or not, though I have met quite a few of them in real life. This October I'm hoping to meet a friend who was one of my chat host volunteers -- I've known this woman for 10 years, consider her one of my dearest friends, but we've never met in person. We went through the loss of my spouse and the loss of her youngest child, online and sometimes on the phone. We've continued to keep in touch, though by no means daily, through remarriages on both our parts, the birth of another child for her, and moves by the both of us. Finally I will get to hug her neck. :) I can't tell you how exciting this is for me.

Another friend who started out as a volunteer in my area ended up moving to Memphis, where I then lived, to go to college, and lived with me while she did. She has since graduated and is now entering grad school, for which I could not be more proud. I have gotten to witness her growth from teenager to adult, in a way that I couldn't have otherwise, being childless myself. Her life intertwined with mine in a very special and unique way -- I don't think this would have happened with any other person. Apparently, we were just meant to be lifelong friends/family. She tells me I know more about her family than she does (which might be true!), but that's because I've been fortunate enough to be included as part of their family. She is also included as my family, so much so that she and my good sister fight with each other (playfully) like actual siblings. They worry me sometimes. lol Not really -- it cracks me up. Also, my nieces and nephews, in true southern tradition, call her "Aunt So-and-so", because they love her dearly. My mom has adopted her, as has my late husband's family. :) I always have liked having one big happy family, especially when they include my family of choice.

"Being online" has allowed me to research things, to connect with people near and far, to learn new skills, to see the world more broadly, to find better deals on things I need to buy, to view places and things I'll never see in person. And as technology advances, I look forward to the new places the Internet will take me, and you, too, since you're reading my blog.

One thing I did want to add about meeting people in person that you've come across online -- don't be stupid. Just like with any other kind of encounter, don't give out too much info, don't meet in private, don't forget to use your common sense. There are good people and bad people everywhere. Yes, I've met some crazy/stupid people, and yes, I've had bad experiences, but the good FAR outweighs the bad -- FAR FAR FAR! Let your gut and, again, good common sense be your guide when thinking of meeting in person. If you rule out really meeting folks you've connected with online, you are doing a disservice to you both.

Peace, people.

So many topics...

I guess this is a bit of randomness yet again, but I just can't seem to find one topic to settle on, and, being the lazy heifer that I am, I don't want to fool with making multiple posts.

1. It's freakin' HOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Going outside involves trying to breathe. That should be a simple venture, but it's not, because here, it's like you have damp cheesecloth over your mouth & nose, so every breath you take is thick and heavy with moisture. Plus HOT!!! Oy vey.

2. I found out I have bulging discs in my neck, along with a bone spur. Isn't that festive? At least that explains the pain in my arms, which is apparently referred from some of the nerve involvement of my much-too-early arthritis and general decrepitude.

3. However, one of the PT assistants who has been providing my 3-times-a-week-for-the-last-couple-of-months-and-probably-for-a-few-more-months physical therapy told me that I needed to be sleeping with a neck roll and with a wedge under my knees. She said she began doing this a while back and it helped tremendously. She then gave me what's called "The Original McKenzie night roll", which is a little round cushion about 15 inches in length, and I'd guess about 2.5 inches in diameter or so. You slip this into your pillow case at the edge of your pillow where your shoulders would be, and then align yourself so that the roll is under your neck. As for the wedge, I don't know if it has a specific name, but mine is 10 inches tall and can be used as a back rest even. I had no idea how much difference this would make, but have been pleasantly surprised. Yesterday (1st morning), I woke up for the first time in years without a backache at all!!! As the day progressed, though, I did become sore/achy, but that's better than all day long! Today, though, I did have a backache upon waking, but again, not as bad as before, so I'm thinking this is worth doing.

4. It is really difficult sometimes to explain how I may seem outgoing and comfortable with people, but am actually on the shy side (like, not wanting to 'bother' people, particularly ones that matter a great deal to me or that I admire, by IMming, calling, or emailing them). I know I'm weird and complex and sometimes a complete pain in the ass to deal with.

5. I truly do love this blogosphere I've become involved with. I have met some of the neatest people here, and have found so many talented individuals who express themselves in ways I can not even dream of.

Ok, I think that's it about this. I guess I do have one more specific post to make after all, so that's coming up next.

Peace, out -- yo.

Saturday, July 15, 2006

What's in a name?

http://weirdtechnewshub.blogspot.com/2006/07/top-10-worst-url-flops.html

Please, go to the URL above RIGHT NOW and laugh yourself silly. Just trust me.

Wednesday, July 12, 2006

Seven Deadly Sins, ala Neurotic Illini Fan

Greed:Very Low
Gluttony:Low
Wrath:Low
Sloth:High
Envy:Very Low
Lust:Very Low
Pride:Very Low
If you want to see your own score, go here.

This is in honor of Joan, who had this list taped to her kitchen lamp. When I asked her if she'd covered them all, she replied "I'm working on sloth". ;)

The Seven Deadly Sins Quiz on 4degreez.com

Monday, July 10, 2006

Comic relief


Snake #1: Are we poisonous?

Snake #2: I don't know. Why?

Snake #1: I just bit my lip.

Loss

Our friend, Melissa Sigler, lost her only son yesterday. His name was Bruce and he was 27 years old. He appears to have died of a sudden heart attack, with no foul play involved. Melissa said that, looking back, he complained of heartburn, some fluid retention, and possibly chest pain, but who would imagine that a 27 year old would have a heart attack?

I am honored to have been asked to come sit with her this week. Melissa is a private person, though her gregarious nature belies that. She is one of the most modest people I know, when it comes right down to it.

She and her partner have been here in Nashville for about the same length of time I have been -- about 2 1/2 years. They have no family here, other than Melissa's mother, who lives with them. Her mom is in the throes of Alzheimer's Disease, and Melissa has not been able to make that decision that would move her mother to a full-time care facility. She still believes it's reasonable to care for her at home, and that is entirely her decision to make at this point.

I don't know what I'm going to say or do Thursday when I spend time with her. She's such a strong person, and I know her tears are going to bring my own with them. I plan to cook some red beans & rice with smoked sausage for her -- being from Lake Charles, LA, this is one of her favorite dishes. I also have some chicken & dumplins in the freezer, and I will take them too. I bet I can get RunawayImagination to make some of his famous bread for her. In my family, if you don't know what else to do for someone, feed 'em. So, I am carrying on a probably centuries-old tradition.

For those of you that are the praying types out there, if you could say a prayer for my friend's peace, I would be grateful. I myself am going to be praying for the right words to say to a grieving mother.

Sunday, July 09, 2006

Survey Says?!?

Sheep that I am, I'm following NIF and GG to do this little survey dealie.

1. FIRST NAME - You already know it if you're close to me
2. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE - Not that I know of.
3. WHEN DID YOU LAST CRY - Don't remember.
4. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING - No, I think I scribble.
5. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT - West Virginia Baked Ham
6. KIDS? - None of my own. Have 2 stepkids (hahahaha -- in their 30s, young enough to be my brother/sister!) and 4 step-grandkids, though!
7. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON, WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU? Damn straight!
8. DO YOU HAVE A JOURNAL? Le Blogosphere
9. DO YOU USE SARCASM A LOT? I try not to.
10. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS? Yep.
11. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP? Maaaaaaaaaaaaayyyybe. It does look like fun!!
12. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL? Oat stuff.
13. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF? Oh please. No no no.
14. DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG? Damn straight.
15. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM FLAVOR? Vanilla. It goes well with everything.
16. SHOE SIZE - 9 (!)
17. RED OR PINK? Scarlett red for me
18. WHAT IS YOUR LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF? My lack of commitment to stuff
19. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST? My paternal grandmother, late husband, his aunt, my paternal grandfather, my cousin -- basically, anyone who's transitioned over already
20. DO YOU WANT EVERYONE TO SEND THIS BACK TO YOU? I think it's interesting to read these, so I do hope most people do it.
21. WHAT COLOR PANTS AND SHOES ARE YOU WEARING? If capris = pants, then light turquoise soft, cool capris (that are actually pajamas, but you can't tell so I wore them to church even!) and black Tevas.
22. LAST THING YOU ATE? Split a chicken taco salad and beef burrito something with Hubby.
23. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW? XM Radio -- XM Cafe. XM rocks, y'all.
24. IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE? Midnight blue or Whore Red. lol
25. FAVORITE SMELL? patchouli, stargazer lilies, Sumatran coffee beans from Peet's Coffee
26. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE? Hubby.
27. THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE YOU ARE ATTRACTED TO? Face and wit.
28. DO YOU LIKE THE PERSON WHO SENT THIS TO YOU? Damn straight.
29. FAVORITE DRINKS? Depends -- ice cold milk with breakfast, especially pancakes, and some sandwiches, like pb&j; Moet & Chandon White Star Champagne; sweet tea; fresh ground & brewed coffee.
30. FAVORITE SPORT? I can't talk about it here. lol
31. EYE COLOR? Blue/grey/green
32. HAT SIZE? Ummm...17 1/2. I have no idea.
33. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS? Nope.
34. FAVORITE FOOD? Hard to name a favorite. It depends on what I feel like, you know?
35.
36. LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED AT THE THEATER? An American Haunting
37. WHAT COLOR SHIRT ARE YOU WEARING? Black long sleeved (pushed up) comfy shirt
38. SUMMER OR WINTER? Anything but summer.
39. HUGS OR KISSES? Absolutely -- bring it on. :)
40. FAVORITE DESSERT? Creme Brulee.
41. WHO IS MOST LIKELY TO RESPOND? RunawayImagination
42. LEAST LIKELY TO ObxBill
43. WHAT BOOKS ARE YOU READING? Don't remember the names, but one from James Hollis, PhD on Jungian achetypes and mythology; "Space Between the Stars" by Deborah Santana (Carlos' wife of 33 years); a book/workbook on trigger point therapy; a meditation guide.
44. WHAT'S ON YOUR MOUSEPAD? No me tengo un "mousepad".
45. WHAT DID YOU WATCH LAST NIGHT ON TV? "The March of the Penguins" which TOTALLY rocked!
46. FAVORITE SOUNDS? Hubby playing the piano; nieces & nephews cracking up or saying "I love you Aunt WIP!"
47. ROLLING STONES OR BEATLES? This is not an either/or question!
48. FURTHEST YOU'VE BEEN FROM HOME? Aamot, Norway; Maui, Hawaii
49. WHAT'S YOUR SPECIAL TALENT? Picking up on people -- reading them
50. WHEN AND WHERE WERE YOU BORN? Oct. of '62 in Pensacola, FL.
51. WHAT IS THE MOST ROMANTIC THING SOMEONE HAS DONE FOR YOU? When Hubby and I were dating, he lived in one city and I lived in another -- 200 miles apart. Hubby would drive over after work at 4:30pm on Friday, and stay till about 4:30am Monday, when he would drive straight from my house to work. :) Or the time he drove me home, petting on me after I had thrown up all over us both -- reaction to a meal that contained iodine we were unaware of...iodine that I'm allergic to -- and helped me get cleaned up in time to be at the beauty shop in time to get my hair done for the event I was supposed to sing at that night...without making me feel stupid or gross.
52. WHAT WAS YOUR PROUDEST CHILDHOOD MOMENT? I can't think of a thing, honestly.

53. STAY HOME OR GO OUT? Well that depends on a lot of things!

54. FAVORITE MOVIE? Depends. That changes frequently.

55. WHO SENT THIS TO YOU? No one! I stole it! Muahahahahahahahahahaha!!!!

Saturday, July 08, 2006

Rudeness from Doctor OK?

Headline from Comcast News:

CONCORD, N.H. - A judge has ordered the state Board of Medicine to stop disciplinary proceedings against a doctor accused of telling a patient she was so obese she might only be attractive to black men and advising another to shoot herself following brain surgery.

Umm...excuse me? Could this be real? Apparently, yes. Here's a little more:

"If you look at the polling, nobody likes fat women," he said last year. "Is it right? No. Is it sensible? No. Is it true? Yeah ... Black guys are the only group that don't mind that. Is that racist to say that?"

A 2001 complaint accused Bennett of telling a woman recovering from brain surgery to buy a pistol and shoot herself to end her suffering. The doctor was also accused of speaking harshly to a woman about how her son might have contracted hepatitis, according to the ruling.

Can someone please explain to me how this is considered acceptable behavior from a physician?
How do you trust someone to care for you who speaks to you in this manner? How does a hospital allow someone who is so callous towards his patients practice there?

A little more:

"The question now is: Will the board waste more of your and my tax dollars and appeal this, or accept done as done?" he said in a telephone interview.

Fitzgerald also ruled that state and American Medical Association requirements to treat patients with "compassion and respect for human dignity and rights" are so vague they are unconstitutional. Bennett probably would have won his challenges before the board, the judge said.

Bennett said he planned to sue everyone involved for "malicious prosecution."

"I am not inclined to be forgiving about it," he said. "It's been devastating and infuriating."


No, what's devastating and infuriating is that this man is being allowed to get away with what could amount to misogyny and bigotry with absolutely no censure, and that patients have suffered at his hand, or, rather his mouth. Like it or not, patients hold their doctors in high esteem, and what they say can be either uplifting or devastating, when not ignored altogether, of course. Doctors hold a position of authority, and must accept certain responsibilities as a result. One of those responsibilities, I believe, is to not try to hurt their patients. "First, do no harm..."

Words can hurt. Words can ruin. Words can devastate. Words can have the opposite effect of what's intended. The Greek word "sarcasm" means "to tear the flesh", indicating how powerful words can be. This Dr. Bennett has clearly torn some flesh with his statements, and, in my opinion, that qualifies as doing harm.

Oh, and for the record? It's not just black men who like fat women, Doc. And there are a lot who do. Ask my hubby.

Wednesday, July 05, 2006

I've been tagged!

My friend Cathy over at http://arthritisrants.blogspot.com/ tagged me, so here are my answers:

A) Four jobs I've had in my life

Training Coordinator, Medical Office Software
Ghost Typist, AOL partner (Typing for someone who is being interviewed over the phone but is "appearing
in the chat room)
Newsletter Editor, AOL partner
Systems Administrator, non-profit org

B)Four movies I would watch over & over

Terms of Endearment
Raising Arizona
Young Frankenstein
The Big Lebowski

C) Four places I have lived:

Pensacola, FL
Memphis, TN
Nashville, TN
That's it!

D) Four TV shows I love(d) to watch:

Judging Amy
Law & Order
The Daily Show
The Colbert Report

E) Four places I have been on vacation:

Norway
Maui
Sanibel Island
San Francisco

F) Web sites I visit daily:

The blogs of: RunawayImagination, OBXBill, Purr, Capriquarian Girl, Dream Mom, Fat Doctor, Girl MD, Neurotic Illini Fan, Prairie Bluestem, Crazy Aunt Purl, Guiness_Girl, Cathy, and oh so many others!

G) Four of my favorite foods:

Spicy stuff
Sweet stuff
Salty stuff
Crunch stuff

H) Four places I would rather be right now

Norway
Maui
Tahiti
a pool!

I) Four friends I think will respond:

No clue, but all those bloggy types I listed up there should do this too!


Monday, July 03, 2006

Extreme randomosity

I was threatened by a scary friend the other day to post something new, so I'm doing that now in an effort to avoid violence and harrassment visited upon my person!

1. I just finished reading Deborah Santana's book (yes, THAT Santana...the wife of Carlos) "Space Between the Stars", and truly enjoyed it. It's an autobiography, describing her life as a biracial person, and her growing in to the person she is today. I found her writing very lyrical and poetic; she wrote about things that couldn't have been easy to put out there in front of the whole world, but that was the point... If you're looking for a good read that has a good message, this is it.

2. Why is it so damn hot already? I know it's July now, but it's been REALLY HOT for several weeks. That doesn't look good for the rest of the summer, y'all!

3. Why are there so few butcher shops in Nashville? (Sorry, vegetarians!!) I did a Google search and only found a couple, which was disappointing. Hubby wanted to check out meat markets in our area, so we ended up driving to Russellville, KY, which is about 40 miles from us. But it was way worth the trip! The drive was beautiful, for one thing, and we truly got great stuff at a bargain. The ribs, and later the burgers, were fabulous! I guess we'll be visiting Russellville again!

4. Some blogs I love but haven't had time to add to my blogroll yet:
From Guinness_Girl: http://mymentalbuffet.blogspot.com/
From PapaSquirrel: http://squirrel-squad.blogspot.com/ (This is a real-life friend of mine in Memphis, TN who has marvelous taste in all things hip!)
From a lovely woman named Cathy: http://arthritisrants.blogspot.com/
From the very interesting Charity Doc: http://fingersandtubesineveryorifice.blogspot.com/
About Domestic Violence: http://homesweethome.wordpress.com/
Cute Overload = cute animal pics with funny captions -- warning, very silly: http://mfrost.typepad.com/cute_overload/
Doctor Anonymous: http://doctoranonymous.blogspot.com/
In a Doc's Mind: http://docsmind.blogsplot.net
An incredibly funny mom in the Nashville area: http://suburbanturmoil.blogspot.com/
Another interesting Doc: http://foofoo-5.blogspot.com/

5. I didn't list this above because it's special: http://freecycle.org This is an organization that helps folks get rid of things they no longer need that might otherwise end up in a landfill, though my experience is that people give away lots of good stuff, too. For example, Hubby & I picked up a 21-speed mountain bike yesterday that simply needs new tubes for the tires. We happened to also be giving away a bread maker that needed a new pan, but still worked and was usable. It ended up in a trade, which was cool, but the breadmaker could have gone to others, too. Today I saw someone giving away Hootie & the Blowfish tickets for a concert here tomorrow. If it wasn 't outside where it's Hell-hot, I'd ask for them myself. You frequently see people asking for or offering things that one would need for setting up a new household -- like college students, or maybe even displaced people..like when going through a divorce. Anyway, it's a really cool idea that actually works! It's free, you're not allowed to charge for things you put on the list, and I highly recommend it!

6. We've been making a lot of homemade icecream lately. Last night was Ben & Jerry's Fresh Peach recipe. It was very good, but contained raw eggs, which I'm a little leery of. I think I prefer the custard method of making icecream to the raw eggs one, but it WAS very creamy. Maybe because I overbeat the eggs & stuff, but still... Anyone have any recipes for me? I have a Rival Ice Cream Maker, and I think it does like 1 or 2 qts.

7. We'll be doing some traveling this month, to deliver my car...my BABY...to my brother in Florida, who is buying it for his family. It's a 95 T-bird, Moonlight Blue, with pearl grey leather seats and a moonroof. Oh, and a V-8 engine -- not very welcoming of the high gas prices we have these days. The thing is, I don't drive much, so I don't have to have a very economical car necessarily. Hubby bought a new Scion xB, the one that looks like a shoebox on wheels? Honestly, it's the coolest car! You feel like you have so much room inside -- there's a lot of dash space and little cubbyholes for things. He has his XM radio wired in so we listen to that mostly when we drive. I will now be driving....(cue foreshadowing music) his MINIVAN!!!!!!!!! No, seriously, we have to have the van so he can haul his equipment around, but I swear, never in my life did I see myself driving a minivan. A convertible, yes; a minivan, no. What's happened to me????????????? lol

8. I feel all bruised. I've been back in Physical Therapy for about 2 1/2 weeks now, and honestly, I feel more pain now than I did when I started. I will speak with the therapist about this today. I could take stuff for pain, but then I couldn't drive, which wouldn't work on days when I have appointments. I've tried stretching daily, which is part of what I'm supposed to do, but I think I may have strained something(s) last week when we were adding some new exercises to my regime.

9. I have the most wonderful husband on earth. I hate to say this out loud sometimes, for fear of being seen as a braggart, but I am truly blessed. He spoils me rotten -- not with material things, but with love and attention, which are of much great value. He seems to revel in doing little things for me, like paying attention to how much liquid is in my glass and refilling it if it gets low (in his opinion). I have to tell him not to sometimes because I love to crunch on the ice in the glass, but he is ever-vigilant. He also loves to grill, so he does a lot of the cooking lately. He goes to the Farmer's Market on his way home from work to get the best local tomatoes and corn and other veggies, or exotic spices from the international market. I could probably ask him to drive to outreaches of the county to get some little thing I thought I wanted and he'd do it without asking questions or complaining. He does the hard work in the garden and yard; he massages my aching bodyparts with one of those professional massagers you get from a chiropracter's office; he seems to relish every compliment, every lovey-dovey expression; he brings me sweet cards for no reason; he remembers and celebrates our anniversaries, even the day we first made contact, our first date, etc. Btw...have I ever told you we met online, through personals ads? We did -- 3 years ago -- and have been married 2 1/2 of those years. :)

10. Hubby's son is a doll and truly one of my dearest friends. I know I could call on him for any reason whatsoever and he'd be at my aid ASAP. He is growing into the man his father is, but at a much younger age, which is better -- less crap he'll have to endure and more pleasure to be gained. He values his dad's counsel, and his dad values his as well. I am so blessed by the love and respect they have for one another, which was hard-won, according to them both. They went through some tough times in the past, but now they are amazingly close. I'm so happy for them both, and just bask in the glow of their love.

11. We're going to visit my entire family when we take my car to my brother, and though I'm slightly nervous about it, mostly I'm looking forward to it. We are planning to celebrate all summer birthdays when there, which will include both sisters, 2 of the youngest sister's children, and a sister-in-law. Might as well have a party, huh? :)

Well, that's as far as I could get today. I hope that this post keeps me out of harm's way! You never know, though -- my demanding friend is very unpredictable. ;)

WIP