Today was the last day I had health insurance. Thrilling.
So I spent the day getting a blood draw, doing physiotherapy, and getting a massive amount of drugs from CVS. I basically had the pharmacist go down my central profile and put through anything that would go through that I don't already pay out-of-pocket for (I pay OOP for my quinine sulfate, so there was no sense in getting that one refilled today).
The blood draw was... interesting. They had a new woman today. I was hesitant. As loyal readers know, I am no stranger to blood draws. But my veins can be a little tricksy. My left arm is pretty shot from my 2008 stays in hospital since the IVs kept infiltrating and blowing all my veins. So they insist on sticking my right arm, which annoys me since I carry my bag on my right arm because I open doors with my left arm and use my phone on my left side.
Anyway... the two regular ladies, J and M, know that I don't mind how many times you stick me (really, I don't - if I minded sticks, I couldn't be me), but I hate hate HATE when they go in, miss the vein, and then start digging around with the needle. I'd really rather you just pull out and try again. That digging around shit just pisses me off. But I got a new lady. I didn't even ask her her name because she annoyed me from the beginning.
Have you ever met someone and their face just annoyed you? or their voice? or just the way they walked? I don't know which it was, but SOMETHING about this woman annoyed me right off the bat. First, she has no inside voice. "DO YOU HAVE YOUR PAPERWORK?" "no" That's right. I whispered it, as if to compensate for her yelling at me, despite being three feet from me. J told her that she had it. New Woman (NW) tells me to take a seat in Chair #1. I do, and fervently hope that J or M will be in soon to take my blood.
A few minutes later, NW comes in and says, "GO SIT OVER THERE. SORRY," and points to Chair #2. There's a slight possibility I sighed and rolled my eyes. Chair #2 sucks. It isn't padded. And it's in a dark corner.
NW comes over. Doesn't verify my name or DOB. Great. My luck, she's sending off the wrong test. I'm probably getting a PSA done, and I don't mean a Public Service Announcement. We do the elaborate blood draw dance (she applies tourniquet, I squeeze fist, she palpates, sanitizes, palpates again, sticks, I release, she draws, applies gauze, I apply pressure, she applies tape), and I leave. I make it a point to say hi to M and tell J to have a good day on my way out.
I then walk to CVS. Almost to CVS, I feel something... odd on my arm. I look down and realise that the blood has soaked the gauze ALL. THE. WAY. THROUGH. This has never happened to me before. So I go to CVS, tell the pharmacist what I'm trying to accomplish today, and squeak on to physiotherapy. Once there, I tell Kara (the awesome Patient Service Rep) that I have A Situation. I ascertain that she does not get grossed out, come around her desk, and show her what's going on. We scoot to the restroom, she appears with the first aid kit, and she fixes me up. Whew!
And I now have a big-ass, day-glo bruise. I have NEVER looked like this or had an experience like this after a blood stick. NW is never touching me again. Mind, it didn't hurt at all. But what if I had been wearing a Kyle Busch shirt, yo?
The rest of my day...? Well, it didn't get any better.
31 May 2011
30 May 2011
Book Review: Mourning Gloria
The full review is here.
29 May 2011
A Day of Racing (the non-spoiler edition)
As per usual, my day today was spent watching a LOT of racing. Since I didn't get to sleep until about 3:00 a.m., I didn't get up in time to watch the F-1 race in Monaco. But I heard the results, and now I'm kind of glad because it would have ticked me off.
Then, on to Indianapolis for the Indy 500. There was only one goal here - DO NOT LET DANICA WIN. Fortunately, I had many allies in this goal. I was sure that as long as we worked together, we could achieve this goal. We almost won before the race even started -- on Bump Day. Danica's car had problems in technical inspection and missed her spot in qualifying. Then the skies opened up, and they thought she wouldn't be able to qualify. Unfortunately, it stopped raining, they were able to get the track dried off, and she qualified for the race. So now it was time to make sure that she didn't win. Preferrably, she didn't even do well.
One of the things that pisses me off about IRL racing is that the cars can be forty seconds behind the leader and still be in something like tenth place AND on the lead lap. In NASCAR, if you're forty seconds back, you're at least one lap back (if not two), and you are most definitely NOT in tenth place. (You're probably something like 20-something place.)
Another things that I've grown to dislike about IRL is that when Dario Franchitti is interviewed, if his wife (Ashley Judd) is around, they will actually frame the shot to centre it around her. Yesterday, they were doing the post-race interview of Dario. Ashley was standing in the background talking to some people, and the camera MOVED so that Ashley was in the centre of the shot and Dario was now on the right third of the shot. And then Ashley started posing. Stabbity stabbity stabbity.
As soon as that race ended, it was on to Charlotte for two hours of pre-race coverage before the NASCAR race started. Then the race itself, which took about 5.5 hours. As the race drew to an end, I figured I wasn't going to be happy with who won because of the guys in the top ten positions, there were about two or three that I liked - not great odds! So then it became a game of "who do I dislike the least."
The best part is some of my friends and my Mom play a game where we pick a driver we think will do well in the race. I picked a totally illogical pick because I "had a feeling." And he ended up having a really decent night! In fact, he finished better than all the other picks, which were completely logical and made much more sense!
After all that helping people drive, I am exhausted! Off to bed I go!
Then, on to Indianapolis for the Indy 500. There was only one goal here - DO NOT LET DANICA WIN. Fortunately, I had many allies in this goal. I was sure that as long as we worked together, we could achieve this goal. We almost won before the race even started -- on Bump Day. Danica's car had problems in technical inspection and missed her spot in qualifying. Then the skies opened up, and they thought she wouldn't be able to qualify. Unfortunately, it stopped raining, they were able to get the track dried off, and she qualified for the race. So now it was time to make sure that she didn't win. Preferrably, she didn't even do well.
One of the things that pisses me off about IRL racing is that the cars can be forty seconds behind the leader and still be in something like tenth place AND on the lead lap. In NASCAR, if you're forty seconds back, you're at least one lap back (if not two), and you are most definitely NOT in tenth place. (You're probably something like 20-something place.)
Another things that I've grown to dislike about IRL is that when Dario Franchitti is interviewed, if his wife (Ashley Judd) is around, they will actually frame the shot to centre it around her. Yesterday, they were doing the post-race interview of Dario. Ashley was standing in the background talking to some people, and the camera MOVED so that Ashley was in the centre of the shot and Dario was now on the right third of the shot. And then Ashley started posing. Stabbity stabbity stabbity.
As soon as that race ended, it was on to Charlotte for two hours of pre-race coverage before the NASCAR race started. Then the race itself, which took about 5.5 hours. As the race drew to an end, I figured I wasn't going to be happy with who won because of the guys in the top ten positions, there were about two or three that I liked - not great odds! So then it became a game of "who do I dislike the least."
The best part is some of my friends and my Mom play a game where we pick a driver we think will do well in the race. I picked a totally illogical pick because I "had a feeling." And he ended up having a really decent night! In fact, he finished better than all the other picks, which were completely logical and made much more sense!
After all that helping people drive, I am exhausted! Off to bed I go!
28 May 2011
Parking Wars
Tonight, A&E had a "Parking Wars" marathon. If you haven't seen this show, the first few seasons were set in Philadelphia, then they expanded and started filming in Detroit. Basically, they follow PPA PEOs (Philadelphia Parking Authority Parking Enforcement Officers) and their Detroit equivalents around and watch them do battle with the citizenry as they give out tickets, boot cars, and tow cars. In Philly, some of the more "colourful" scenes take place at the impound lot in South Philly, which is located behind IKEA.
Part of me would like to have this job just so I could zap people who do illegal things. Illegally park in a handicapped space? Zap - $100 fine for you! Block the handicap ramp on a sidewalk? Zap! Park next to a fire hydrant? Zap! Park too close to a corner and make it difficult for people to see if there's oncoming traffic at an intersection? Zap! Park in a bus zone so people can't safely board and exit the bus? Zap!
But watching this show makes me happy that those people do the job so I don't have to. Man. They're just walking down the street on their beat, not even writing a ticket and people will heckle them! "Get a real job!" as if they have some deadbeat, loser job. One person asked a PEO, "Do you even have a high school diploma?"
And I'd never realised how dangerous their job is, either. The people who boot the cars - Christ! People come out and flat go postal on them! They're booting the cars, and people come out and try to drive off! One guy drove off the the boot half on his wheel, dragging on the street. It was returned the next day (a random guy found it in a park), and it had brake fluid all over it. They think it probably broke his brake line. But it could have just as easily broke off and hit them. Several other people flat out tried pushed and shoved the people.
Some of the people are just hilarious, though. For instance, the guy who claimed he couldn't be towed because he's sovereign (he lives in Detroit). Or the woman in Philadelphia who called 911 because the PEO gave a guy a ticket for double parking and she hates the PEO. "He gives everyone tickets! I hate him! He gave the Pepsi guy a ticket! And the beer distributor! I had to deliver a 90-year-old man for five minutes across the street!" (That last sentence in itself gives me a visual that I don't really need.) I mean, that's stuff you can't make up.
I can't imagine going to work every day knowing people are going to yell at me, to my face, for things THEY did wrong.
Part of me would like to have this job just so I could zap people who do illegal things. Illegally park in a handicapped space? Zap - $100 fine for you! Block the handicap ramp on a sidewalk? Zap! Park next to a fire hydrant? Zap! Park too close to a corner and make it difficult for people to see if there's oncoming traffic at an intersection? Zap! Park in a bus zone so people can't safely board and exit the bus? Zap!
But watching this show makes me happy that those people do the job so I don't have to. Man. They're just walking down the street on their beat, not even writing a ticket and people will heckle them! "Get a real job!" as if they have some deadbeat, loser job. One person asked a PEO, "Do you even have a high school diploma?"
And I'd never realised how dangerous their job is, either. The people who boot the cars - Christ! People come out and flat go postal on them! They're booting the cars, and people come out and try to drive off! One guy drove off the the boot half on his wheel, dragging on the street. It was returned the next day (a random guy found it in a park), and it had brake fluid all over it. They think it probably broke his brake line. But it could have just as easily broke off and hit them. Several other people flat out tried pushed and shoved the people.
Some of the people are just hilarious, though. For instance, the guy who claimed he couldn't be towed because he's sovereign (he lives in Detroit). Or the woman in Philadelphia who called 911 because the PEO gave a guy a ticket for double parking and she hates the PEO. "He gives everyone tickets! I hate him! He gave the Pepsi guy a ticket! And the beer distributor! I had to deliver a 90-year-old man for five minutes across the street!" (That last sentence in itself gives me a visual that I don't really need.) I mean, that's stuff you can't make up.
I can't imagine going to work every day knowing people are going to yell at me, to my face, for things THEY did wrong.
27 May 2011
List #11: Restaurants I Love to Hit When I'm in KCMO
1. Dixon's Famous Chili
You guys have heard me talk about their chili and their tacos. Dale always gets their burrito. I have no idea what's so great about it. I know it's huge, though. And I know that while Mom is busy eating her chili and I'm busy eating my tacos, he's busy eating his burrito. Fun for everyone!
2. Cross' Tavern
Best chicken livers and gizzards ever. I hate livers. Mom hates gizzards. We get the combo platter, and we're as happy as Jack Sprat and his wife.
3. Sonic Drive-In
It's my favourite fast food place ever, and there aren't any that are close enough here. So I make Mom take me there at least once. When she comes here to visit me, sometimes I make her stop there on the way to the airport, get me a burger, and fly it here to me. I love the Super Sonic burger #2.
4. El Azteca
It's a Mexican restaurant in KCK (that's Kansas City, Kansas) that's actual Mexican food. Although KCK isn't the best part of town (sorry, Jennifer Jo Cobb). We're pretty sure we watched a drug deal go down on our way there one time (it's the BEST story - remind me to tell you some day). And there's one server who is just a little TOO eager to do her job. She won't let your drink get less than an inch low before she hustles over to ask "More drink, si?" So conversation is difficult when she's coming over every three minutes (there are usually four of us - Mom, Dale, Laura, and me). But the food is SO good.
5. Robert's
This is a Chinese restaurant that has an actual name. I think it's Golden Dragon or some such. But everyone in town just calls it "Robert's," since he's the owner and the only server. He's been on the news because of his phenomenal memory. If you go in once, he'll get your order. You may not go in again for three years, but as soon as you walk in, he'll seat you, point to you, and recite your order. He has Caller ID on his phone, and if you call him to order take-away, if you don't want your usual order, you better talk fast, because he'll answer the phone, recite your regular order, tell you the total, when to pick it up, and hang up (but not in a rude way - not at all!). Not only all that, but he's hysterical, and has awesomely good food.
The last time my mom and I were there, I told my mom that there's a place here in Philly that has chocolate fortune cookies, and Mom told Robert she wanted chocolate fortune cookies. Robert exaggerated his accent and said, "No speak-a the English! No English!" We about died laughing.
You guys have heard me talk about their chili and their tacos. Dale always gets their burrito. I have no idea what's so great about it. I know it's huge, though. And I know that while Mom is busy eating her chili and I'm busy eating my tacos, he's busy eating his burrito. Fun for everyone!
2. Cross' Tavern
Best chicken livers and gizzards ever. I hate livers. Mom hates gizzards. We get the combo platter, and we're as happy as Jack Sprat and his wife.
3. Sonic Drive-In
It's my favourite fast food place ever, and there aren't any that are close enough here. So I make Mom take me there at least once. When she comes here to visit me, sometimes I make her stop there on the way to the airport, get me a burger, and fly it here to me. I love the Super Sonic burger #2.
4. El Azteca
It's a Mexican restaurant in KCK (that's Kansas City, Kansas) that's actual Mexican food. Although KCK isn't the best part of town (sorry, Jennifer Jo Cobb). We're pretty sure we watched a drug deal go down on our way there one time (it's the BEST story - remind me to tell you some day). And there's one server who is just a little TOO eager to do her job. She won't let your drink get less than an inch low before she hustles over to ask "More drink, si?" So conversation is difficult when she's coming over every three minutes (there are usually four of us - Mom, Dale, Laura, and me). But the food is SO good.
5. Robert's
This is a Chinese restaurant that has an actual name. I think it's Golden Dragon or some such. But everyone in town just calls it "Robert's," since he's the owner and the only server. He's been on the news because of his phenomenal memory. If you go in once, he'll get your order. You may not go in again for three years, but as soon as you walk in, he'll seat you, point to you, and recite your order. He has Caller ID on his phone, and if you call him to order take-away, if you don't want your usual order, you better talk fast, because he'll answer the phone, recite your regular order, tell you the total, when to pick it up, and hang up (but not in a rude way - not at all!). Not only all that, but he's hysterical, and has awesomely good food.
The last time my mom and I were there, I told my mom that there's a place here in Philly that has chocolate fortune cookies, and Mom told Robert she wanted chocolate fortune cookies. Robert exaggerated his accent and said, "No speak-a the English! No English!" We about died laughing.
26 May 2011
Where did spring go?
First, I know I usually post a recipe on Thursdays, but I haven't tried anything new lately, so nothing new to post. Sorry.
Somehow, spring has disappeared and summer got here way too soon. Don't get me wrong - I enjoy summer, but it has it's time and place -- after spring and before fall. Not after about two weeks of spring and then a full week and a half of rain. That's just lame.
I had a rather exciting day today. A woman I did some work for when I was getting my Master's degree had referred me to a colleague of hers for a potential job that may or may not exist. I went for an informational interview today, just so we could find out more about each other. It ended up that we quite like each other (professionally), and I'm feeling very optimistic about how this might turn out. There's actually much more involved, and this might get a little tricksy, but I don't want to go into detail here.
My mom has her biopsy tomorrow, and she's just hoping the weather is good. She's been making jokes about hoping that they aren't in the middle of cutting her head open when they announce needing to run to the basement to take cover. So, now you see where I get my morbid sense of humour.
My headache was kind enough to hold off until I got home from the interview, so I apologise for the rambling. More tomorrow.
Somehow, spring has disappeared and summer got here way too soon. Don't get me wrong - I enjoy summer, but it has it's time and place -- after spring and before fall. Not after about two weeks of spring and then a full week and a half of rain. That's just lame.
I had a rather exciting day today. A woman I did some work for when I was getting my Master's degree had referred me to a colleague of hers for a potential job that may or may not exist. I went for an informational interview today, just so we could find out more about each other. It ended up that we quite like each other (professionally), and I'm feeling very optimistic about how this might turn out. There's actually much more involved, and this might get a little tricksy, but I don't want to go into detail here.
My mom has her biopsy tomorrow, and she's just hoping the weather is good. She's been making jokes about hoping that they aren't in the middle of cutting her head open when they announce needing to run to the basement to take cover. So, now you see where I get my morbid sense of humour.
My headache was kind enough to hold off until I got home from the interview, so I apologise for the rambling. More tomorrow.
25 May 2011
Wednesday Weigh-In
Well, not really.
I've been battling a massive headache for the past couple of days. Usually, I would just pop an Ultram and go about my day. But the last time I took one, I had Ultram hang-over for the entire next day. Ultram is what my neurologist gave me to replace Darvocet, and I'd been taking it with great success until the most recent time. Since I had physiotherapy today, I didn't want to take something that might make me groggy and clumsy. And I have an important day tomorrow, so I'm also wary of taking it tonight.
All this to say that I slept in until the last possible moment this morning, dashed off to physio, had a tornado scare back in Missouri to deal with, came home, ate something in bed while I read until I fell asleep (which took about 20 minutes), napped, and showered. By that time my friend was at my door, and it was time to go run errands together. We hit IKEA and Target, and had supper at IKEA. That was my big day! Somewhere in there, I did weigh myself, but it wasn't my usual "first thing in the morning before I've eaten," so I'll just do it next week, and report in then.
In other news, I found out tonight that Katy Perry's contract rider is FORTY-FIVE pages. What the hell crazy-ass demands can someone make that could possibly take up FORTY-FIVE pages???? I was talking to Mom about this, and I said that I think my two "demands" would be "please make sure there aren't any pork-type snacks" and "please make sure there is plenty of water available," since I don't drink any caffeine and I'd feel bad if they wasted money getting a lot of soft drinks.
Mom said hers would be "Please have Diet Pepsi in bottles." (She hates the way it tastes in cans.)
Apparently, we make crappy divas.
So, if you were a huge star, what would your rider have in it?
I've been battling a massive headache for the past couple of days. Usually, I would just pop an Ultram and go about my day. But the last time I took one, I had Ultram hang-over for the entire next day. Ultram is what my neurologist gave me to replace Darvocet, and I'd been taking it with great success until the most recent time. Since I had physiotherapy today, I didn't want to take something that might make me groggy and clumsy. And I have an important day tomorrow, so I'm also wary of taking it tonight.
All this to say that I slept in until the last possible moment this morning, dashed off to physio, had a tornado scare back in Missouri to deal with, came home, ate something in bed while I read until I fell asleep (which took about 20 minutes), napped, and showered. By that time my friend was at my door, and it was time to go run errands together. We hit IKEA and Target, and had supper at IKEA. That was my big day! Somewhere in there, I did weigh myself, but it wasn't my usual "first thing in the morning before I've eaten," so I'll just do it next week, and report in then.
In other news, I found out tonight that Katy Perry's contract rider is FORTY-FIVE pages. What the hell crazy-ass demands can someone make that could possibly take up FORTY-FIVE pages???? I was talking to Mom about this, and I said that I think my two "demands" would be "please make sure there aren't any pork-type snacks" and "please make sure there is plenty of water available," since I don't drink any caffeine and I'd feel bad if they wasted money getting a lot of soft drinks.
Mom said hers would be "Please have Diet Pepsi in bottles." (She hates the way it tastes in cans.)
Apparently, we make crappy divas.
So, if you were a huge star, what would your rider have in it?
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