The Weight of The Wait

I've been waiting to learn the results of a biopsy of a lump discovered in my breast.

Normally, I'm not so bothered to wait for test results, but this situation is different. Partly because finding a lump was so accidental, but also with Roni's cancer, Michelle's cancer, Roni's recurrence and what is likely a recurrence of breast cancer in an aunt....all inside 13 months...

I really think it's benign, but I'd feel better if I had a little science to back that up! I am feeling the weight of waiting.

I know that I haven't been myself...now you know why.
Wait! Put down the phone...this isn't a call to rally. I don't want to be rallied. The logical Chris reminds me that almost everything is nothing; that there's no use worrying unless there's definitely something to worry about; that testing faith proves endurance. I said the other day, "I've got a compost heap of variations on It all works out in the end. The question is, when does it end?"

The biopsy was Nov 20. I've had some difficulty scheduling a follow up appointment with the specialist to review the results. His assistant finally agreed to pull my chart, ensure the pathology report was read by the doctor, and then contact me with an appointment time. The surgeon has only one day allocated for office visits before January.

I could guess the news of the report based on when he would see me.

Assistant: Christine? The doctor will see you on his first day back in the new year.
Me: OK. So it's not urgent then.
Assistant: I can't say that.
Me: Well if it was urgent, he'd see me next week, right?
Assistant: No, we're double and triple booked that day already. We just can't see any other patients before he breaks for the holiday.
Me: He's reviewed the report?
Assistant: No, we haven't located the report.
Me: What are you actively doing to locate the report?
Assistant: We're doing what we can.
Me: When you find the report, please fax me a copy.
Assistant: That's highly unusual. We follow up with patients in the office. {Pause} Then, What's your fax number.
Me: I'll get back to you with that.

If there's even a shred of 'suspicious' , 'inconclusive' or some other expression that's suggests any element of doubt in this report, I'm gonna have this guy's head!

The funny thing is that when the lump was detected, the doc's approach was, 'Well, it may be nothing, but given such a strong family history and since it will be some time before we can perform a biopsy, we should move forward with it so that there's no chance we'll be caught off guard.'

We were all impressed by this take-action approach.

The delay has seriously sapped my energy.

Looks like another Christmas without fudge, and Grinch trees all around.

I sent one card only (to Bridget) - and that's all that's going out.

You know we wish you Good Cheer! ... don't look for those wishes in your mailbox.

Too weary to tag this post.

Punctuation * In the Hall of Fame ?

George Mitchell released his report today on the use of steroids and human growth hormones in Major League Baseball. To nobody's surprise, Mitchell condemned MLB for ignoring the problem: 'The use of steroids in Major League Baseball was widespread. There was a collective failure to recognize the problem as it emerged and to deal with it early on.'

Among the baseball stars implicated in Mitchell's report are Barry Bonds and Jason Giambi. Both have previously been accused of steroid use in The BALCO Affair.

Mitchell's report points to steroid use by future hall-of-famer Roger Clemens. Clemens denied using steroids when his name surfaced in other investigations, but Mitchell dedicates 8 pages to Clemens.

Clemens always struck me as a guy with integrity. A 7-time Cy Young winner, he's been called 'the world's best living pitcher' and named to the All-Century Team. He was a shoo-in to baseball's Hall of Fame on the first try. His Foundation supports athletics for youth in Houston.

According to Mitchell's report, every MLB team has had at least one player involved with performance enhancing drugs during the decades he investigated. The list of players includes as many superstars as average players.
Forget about marking Bonds' home run record with an asterisk...hall of fame nominations of any player who was active from, say 1987-2004, might have to be marked with a question mark.

Except Cal Ripken Jr.

Tags: [Mitchell Report]  [Baseball's Steroid Era]  [BALCO]
[George Mitchell]  [Bud Selig]
[Roger Clemens]  [Barry Bonds]  [Cal Ripken Jr.]  [Jose Canseco]

Interesting: Jose Canseco was denied entrance to the press conference where Mitchell's report was unveiled. In his autobiography, Juiced, Canseco admits using steroids. He has reportedly inked a deal for a follow-up book, Vindicated.

From the Simply Obvious Laboratory

Dr. Patricia Sagaspe released the results of her recent study on sleep:

Naps Work Best to Overcome Sleepiness.

Dr. Sagaspe of the Clinique du Summeil in France studied 12 people between 20 and 25 years old and 12 people between 40 and 50.

Each drove 125 km alert and when sleepy. Subjects were either given a cup of coffee, a cup of decaf or a 30-minute nap before the second drive.

She found that drivers who had coffee or a nap were more alert. Young drivers performed best after a nap.

Eye-opening science!
What's up for tomorrow? Food Satisfies Hunger?

[Dr. P. Sagaspe]  [Sleep Study]
[Driving When Tired]  [Naps]

China Overrun With Irony

Merchandisers for the Beijing Olympics 2008 are frustrated by the availability of unauthorized apparel and souvenirs being produced by merchandise pirates.

Authorities had investigated about 80 commercial and personal Web sites selling fake Olympic merchandise, or lacking licenses to sell the legitimate product. "The supply channels on these illegal Web sites are chaotic," Xie Funing, a spokesman with the Olympic E-commerce Operation Centre, was quoted to say.

The Global Congress on Combating Counterfeiting and Piracy, called the illicit trade "a global epidemic reaching a scale now too great for individual governments, industry sectors or companies to solve."

China is the largest supplier of counterfeited merchandise worldwide. It is estimated to cost legitimate manufacturers $50 billion in sales.


Tags: [Beijing 2008]   [Fake Merchandise]   [China]
[Global Congress on Combating Counterfeiting]

And Then There Were Three...

Today, Australia voted to ratify the Kyoto Protocol to reduce emissions that impact climate change.

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd said 'the Federal Government would do everything in its power to help Australia meet its Kyoto obligations, including setting a target to reduce emissions by 60 per cent on 2000 levels by 2050.'    more...

The Kyoto Protocol was introduced in 1997. The objective of the international framework is to stabilize greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere at a level that would reduce future impact on climate change. The protocol has been ratified by 175 countries.

The United States, China and India still have not signed on. They are the #1, #2 and #4 worst polluters (respectively).

A conference opened today in Bali for countries to discuss the next phase of emission targets.

Tags: [Kyoto Protocol]    [Prime Minister Kevin Rudd]   [Australia]
[Climate Change]   [Greenhouse Gas Emissions]   [Bali Conference]

Histroic Mispelling For Sisters of Lorretto

New Mexico is unveiling its first Landmark for Women by honoring The Four Sisters of Loretto.
The Loretto Sisters were pioneers of education in New Mexico and started the first school for girls in the state.
Unfortunately, the historic plaque has been erected with several errors.
The plaque commemorates the Sisters of Lorreto, not Loretto; and uses know instead of known. Close ups ( in video) . The dedication ceremony is Saturday, Dec. 1 / 07.

San Francisco artist, Maria Alquilar knows the cost of public misspellings. "My career in public art is over," said the artist, after "Eistein", "Shakespere" and "Michaelangelo" appeared (along with 8 other spelling mistakes) in the mural she created for the Livermore Library. Alquilar said that she chose to leave the errors in her piece, claiming it was part of the art. Since her drawings show the correct spellings, I can't buy her 'art' theory.

How about the Ministry of Education report on school standards in The Isle of Wight? You know the one - it referred to The Isle of White throughout the document.


Tags: [Sisters of Loretto]  [Landmarks for Women]  [Santa Fe, NM]
[Maria Alquilar]  [Livermore Library]  [Education - Isle of Wight]

Who's Your Daddy? Tests to Go.

Such an obvious title.

Sorenson Genomics is test-marketing a do-it-yourself DNA kit.
The Identigene-branded paternity test, which carries a suggested retail price of $29.99, is the first of its kind to be sold over the counter at pharmacies" Read more

On the U.S. west coast, the sample collection kits are available in Rite-Aid stores. Meijer has the mid-west covered, including Michigan and Illinois. Using the prepaid mailer, and for an additional $119, the DNA samples will be compared by Identigene's laboratory.

4 Easy Steps to Proof * 1 Pick up your kit 2 Collect Cheek cell samples from child & alleged father 3 Send DNA samples for testing 4 DNA test results are provided via phone, mail, & email * Source: Identigene®

Sorenson's C.O.O., Doug Fogg, said, "We would certainly like to distribute this kit nationwide... a lot of people just are not aware that testing for paternity purposes is so readily available and affordable." "Just because something's available does not mean it's safe or effective or worth your money," Kathy Hudson, director of the Genetics and Public Policy Center at Johns Hopkins University, countered. Day-time television viewers around the U.S. were loudly exclaiming, Maury Povich, in the case of paternity testing, you are not the father. Anymore.

Tags: [Sorenson Genomics] [Identigene] [Paternity Tests]
[Doug Fogg] [Kathy Hudson] [Maury Povich]

The Maury Show - Topic: I'm back to Prove the 2nd Baby Is Not Mine

Home For The Holidays

A neighborhood feud in Sonning-on-Thames, Berkshire, England shows no signs of easing after Vic Moszczynski was acquitted of damaging his neighbors' properties.

After 18 years enduring Moszczynski's over-the-top Christmas light displays, his neighbors were successful in restricting his decorating. Moszczynski was served with an injunction last year.

(click to enlarge)

His display could include no more than "four 7ft tall inflatable cartoon characters, eight 30-ft strips of rope lighting and two light moulds in the ground in his front garden", in addition to his lights. It was alleged that Moszczynski caused a total of £600 damage to 3 homes on the street in retaliation.
The Prosecutor's only evidence against Moszczynski was security videotape provided by one of the victims, Gordon Jones.
Ruth Paley, lawyer for Moszczynski, said "it was impossible to tell the ethnicity, height, build and age of the man in the video."

District Judge Terry English agreed.

Hope those are LED lights, Vic.

Tags: [Vic Moszczynski]  [Gordon Jones]  [Berkshire, England]
[Ruth Paley]  [Terry English]
[Christmas Vacation]  [Chevy Chase]  [Clark Griswold]

Revenge in Montezuma?

In the recent mayoral race in Montezuma, Ohio, Daniel Huffman(45) ran against his sister, incumbent Charlotte Garman. Garman, 49, has presided for 8 years. She also serves as Montezuma's postmaster.

Montezuma has just 138 registered voters in the town. Garman collected 43 votes; Huffman had 24. Before the election, Huffman credited his sister with "doing a tremendous job as mayor." On the other hand, Garman said that Huffman "has never attended a council meeting and doesn't seem to keep up on issues and projects in the village." The mayor of Montezuma earns $50 per month.

Montezuma, OH Total Area - 0.1 sq mi Elevation 883 ft Population (2000)- 191

Looks like the family really does like her best, Dan!

Tags: [Montezuma, Ohio] [Daniel Huffman] [Charlotte Garman]
[Mayoral Race] [Sibling Rivalry]

Remembering The Fabulous Moolah

Lillian Ellison, known to wrestling fans around the world as "The Fabulous Moolah," passed away at her home in Columbia, South Carolina, on Nov.2, 2007. She was 84.

The Fabulous Moolah began wrestling in the late 1940's. She took the women's championship belt in 1956 after defeating Judy Grable in a 13-woman Battle Royale.

Moolah held the title, except for a two-week period, until 1984, when she lost to Wendi Richter, in a match that was aired on MTV.

In 1984, The Fabulous Moolah was managed by Captain Lou Albano, who was involved in a feud with Cyndi Lauper. Their dispute was settled in the ring by their wrestlers, Moolah and Richter, in The Brawl to End it All. That bout marked the beginning of Rock'n'Wrestling in Vince McMahon's W.W.E. (which was known as W.W.F., at the time).

I hope Moolah didn't hit St. Peter with a folding chair on her way through the pearly gates.

Tags: [Fabulous Moolah]   [W.W.E.]   [Wendi Richter]
[Vince McMahon]   [Lou Albano]   [Cyndi Lauper]

Research Triangle's Leading News Source?

I've been loosely following Tranzyme's clinical trials of TZP-101, a prokinetic drug that shows promise in treating gastroparesis. The headline of this announcement got my attention:

Perscription for Growth?
Tranzyme Closes on $20M in New Financing

The sub-headline announcement about securing $20 million in capital was lost to the error in the headline. Perscription?

It would be perjorative to say that the busy editor of the preceeding story is a little out of practise. Persuing corrections is the perogative of the editor.

A basic spell-check would've caught the mistake.

Tranzyme Initiates Phase II-b Testing of TZP in multinational clinical study.

Tags: [Tranzyme Pharma]   [Gastroparesis]   [TZP 101]
[WRAL]   [Research Triangle]

Colbert's Man of the Year Challenge Undone

Comedian and late-night host Stephen Colbert was proclaimed the Favorite Son of South Carolina on Sunday. At a ceremony at University of S. Carolina, Columbia Mayor Bob Coble presented Colbert with a key to the city and a framed proclamation as South Carolina's Favorite Son. Coble then declared October 28th Stephen Colbert Day.

The executive council of South Carolina's Democratic Party met November 1^st to review all potential candidates. In order to be included on the ballot, each candidate must have national viability and demonstrate that he/she has been campaigning in the state.

Last night on his show, Colbert took a call from Carol Khare Fowler, chair of the state Democratic Party. She informed Colbert that he had not been successful in his quest for the presidency.

Originally, Colbert was going to run as both a Democrat and a Republican candidate, but the $35,000 filing fee required by the Republican party was too steep a price for his campaign. Colbert's campaign was sponsored by Doritos, the first time in history that a presidential candidate's campaign was funded by corporate sponsorship.

Colbert appealed to viewers to help him win by donating to a school in South Carolina at donorschoose.org. Over $40,000 has been raised so far.


Tags: [Stephen Colbert] [South Carolina]
[2008 Presidential Candidates] [Doritos]
[Donors Choose] [Schools in South Carolina]

Country Kicks Rock & Rolls to #1

Billboard magazine, the sacred book devoted exclusively to the music industry since 1961, set a new record this week. "In a Billboard 200 first, three country debuts occupy the Nos. 1-3 slots on the chart, led by Carrie Underwood's "Carnival Ride." " (Read more...)

1. Carrie Underwood - Carnival Ride 2. Robert Plant/Alison Krauss - Raising Sand 3. Gary Allan - Living Hard 4. Serj Tankian - Elect the Dead 5. Josh Groban - Noel 6. Coheed And Cambria - No World For Tomorrow 7. Kid Rock - Rock N Roll Jesus 8. Rascal Flatts - Still Feels Good 9. Seether - Finding Beauty in Negative Space 10. Soundtrack - High School Musical 2

Billboard has been publishing for the complete entertainment industry since 1894. The first album ranking appeared in 1945, and it became a weekly staple beginning in 1956, with the explosion of rock music. The Billboard 200 rankings are based upon sales data compiled by Nielsen SoundScan. Sales

include retail album sales and digital downloads when all tracks on the album are purchased.

HipHop is unrepresented in this week's top 10. Artists may need more than a limited vocabulary and a nickname to score those top spots.
Fo sho.

Tags: [Billboard Magazine] [Music Charts] [Carrie Underwood]
[Nielsen Company] [SoundScan]

Redundant Conclusions of Texas Brief

The Texas State Library and Archives Commission's working group to analyze government reports has found, after an 18 month study, that Texas has too many reports.

The Commission's 668-page brief lists the unnecessary reports that are still prepared by staff even though there is no longer a need for the data. "Report 1473 calls upon the Department of Aging to prepare a report, although the Department of Aging no longer exists. There are still report requirements for the Human Rights Commission, which the Legislature abolished in 2003."

Records administrator Michael Heskett points to the trend toward transparency in government and more open administration to account for the duplication of information and the preparation of parallel write-ups in past history.

To save money and paper, the legislature and state agencies can't afford to postpone until later their cooperation together to ensure that each and every report prepared will be to the mutual benefit of both parties.

Tags: [Texas State Library & Archive]   [Michael Heskett]   [Texas Reports]
[Pleonasms]

Special News Update

We interrupt our regularly scheduled programming to bring you this news update:

Nichols Acquitted in DUI Manslaughter Trial  (link to story)   Nichols Acquitted in DUI manslaughter Trial  (link to story)

"In closing arguments, DeCarlis called Nichols a "decent guy in a bad situation." DeCarlis and Fuller contended that a "poorly maintained" road, a missing white line and a defective truck were responsible for the crash."

Nichols' attorney, William DeCarlis backed away from the original defense argument that gastroparesis was responsible for his client's BAC exceeding the legal limit after FDLE Forensic Toxicologist Ruth Vacha testified that 'If you were suffering from severe gastroparesis, you would be knocking on your doctor's door really quick.'
(Original story reported at Ocala.com )

In other news, Buddy's fine.
He barks at the letter carrier and the German Shepherd every day again. He thanks you all for keeping him in your thoughts. We haven't seen Max in the neighborhood since that fateful day.

We now return to our regular programming.

[William "Billy" Nichols]   [William DeCarlis]   [Ocala]
[Nancy Cummings]   [Holly Cummings]

[Pet First Aid]   [Dog Bite]

Happy Birthday to the World

Anglican Bishop James Ussher, "the author of the book frequently described as the greatest history book ever written", concluded the world was created Oct. 23, 4004 B.C. – making it exactly 6,010 years-old this week.

In the 1650's, Ussher wrote Annals of the World. "It's the history of the world from the Garden of Eden to the fall of Jerusalem in AD 70." The book integrates biblical history with secular chronicles. MasterBooks commissioned the updating of the material from the 18^th century to present-day; and the translation from its original ancient Latin to English.

The basis for Ussher's date is that ancient civilizations began the calendar year at the harvest. He uses the first Sunday following autumnal equinox to start the year. Because the calendar has been manipulated over time, we now mark the autumnal equinox on September 21.

World, I'm sorry these birthday wishes come late. I suggest we mark your 6010^th birthday the same as all the other years - we'll burn fossil fuels creating pollution that warms the earth and contributes to climate variability.

See your candles in this picture of the earth at night? Remember to make a wish before you blow them out.

Tags: [James Ussher]  [Annals of the World]
[MasterBooks]  [World's Birthday]  [Julian & Gregorian Calendars]
[Global Warming]  [Climate Change]

Dolphins Play For A Cure

The Etobicoke Dolphins Midget BB hockey team hosted the Brampton Canadettes at Centennial Park Arena on Saturday, October 20, 2007.

The Dolphins donned pink jerseys for the home game as part of the EDGHL's Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign. Gate fees and donations were collected and forwarded to The Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation.

Photo by John Krieger

The Dolphins were 4-1 victors in the gritty match, that included ejections for 2 Brampton players.

The Etobicoke Dolphins play in the North Central Division of the Lower Lakes Hockey League. Their record in the regular season improves to 2-0-1.

Tags: [Etobicoke Dolphins Girls Hockey] [Brampton Canadettes] [L.L.F.H.L.] [Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation]

BlogRush's Traffic Jam

In mid-September, John Reese, internet marketing wizard, released BlogRush. BlogRush is a cooperative syndication widget. It's over there, in the right sidebar. It offers 5 headlines from other blogs with posts on similar topics as mine.

The basic premise is simple. I install the widget and tell BlogRush the general category into which my blog posts fall (Philosophy? Health? Fashion?) Every time a page in my blog is viewed, BlogRush puts one of my post headlines into its rotation and promotes it on another blogger's site.

Each time a reader from Very Random clicks through a headline in the widget, I get a bonus syndication credit in the blogosphere, and the other blogger has added some traffic. BlogRush redeems the credit by adding another headline from my blog to their playlist. Since BlogRush is divided by topic categories, all traffic it generates should be relevant.

There's also an Amway-style slant with BlogRush. Let's say another blogger liked the idea and installed BlogRush on his blog via a link here. Whenever his blog was viewed, he would get a credit and I would get a credit, too. Once his reader clicks through a headline, we would each earn one bonus syndication credit. And so it goes. More referrals in my network means more displays for my headlines.

The best part? BlogRush does all the work. That's ideal for the way I use my blog. I don't have to solicit new friends, work around no-follows, consider flow states or field reports. According to those who have done the math, the algorithm used at BlogRush favors smaller sites.

I'm realistic about BlogRush. My site receives an average of 75 unique visitors (first-time visitor) each week. I'm fairly pleased with that - Very Random is not The Huffington Post!

In the first week, my headlines were displayed 167 times, and 5 new readers came via the widget. Three percent click-thru is considered average performance when it comes to CTRs. (If the reason I kept a blog was to increase click-thrus, I'd put the posts in the sidebar and the sidebar info in the main section!)

Less than 24 hours after the release of BlogRush, some Probloggers (people who make their living by blogging) went ballistic about it. "It's a pyramid scheme" some posts cried, followed by the "Ponzi", "Leaking Readers" and "Violates Terms of Service" camps. Writers with 10,000-plus daily visitors to their site were complaining about delays in getting displays! (How/Where would you look for blogs that might have your headline in the widget?)

Every new technology brings out the hackers, and BlogRush was no exception. Programmers were spoofing impressions on their blogs to amass credits; making the headline widget "invisible", and using it on splogs. Some users went so far as to create new blogs with no posts and kept reloading the page to build syndication credits. I manually blocked some adult content sites from my widget. (I don't want to get a "Not Safe For Work" label!)

So BlogRush became more like blog-stall and moved to a full manual review of its members' blogs. In a broadcast email, John Reese explained that "If a blog does not meet our guidelines and criteria, IT WILL BE REJECTED from the network and not allowed to join ...They will have no access to any BlogRush services...BlogRush needs to only have members that have quality blog content."

There's no information on the criteria they'll use to assess "quality". I've been kicked out of places, sure, but never because I failed to meet quality standards. That would be quite a blow.


Tags: [BlogRush]   [John Reese]
[Blog Syndication]   [StumbleUpon]
[Ariana Huffington]   [Blog Dictionary]

Incidentally, I get Stumble-d-Upon about 60 times per month.

BlogRush Goes to Green

I'd forgotten about BlogRush.

Today, I received this email from John Reese, internet entrepreneur extraordinaire:

Congratulations!
You are receiving this update because your blog has passed our strict
Quality Guidelines and criteria -- we believe you have a high-quality
blog and we are happy you're a member of our network!

Now that I'm in, I went back to check on my stats.

      Your Traffic Today: 54 unique visits
      Your Traffic Last 7 Days: 284

Right now, that's the only data on the BlogRush stats panel, but I can check my referrals through a different analytic tool. I've recorded 8 visits via the BlogRush widget promoting my headline on some other blogs over the past week. I could probably find out the stats since BlogRush launched, but it's not relevant to me. Bottom line: I forgot all about BlogRush, and I still have around 3% CTR.

A month into BlogRush's launch and John Reese's team is still sorting out bugs in the reporting and impression system. Some Probloggers continue to warn their proteges against using the widget, saying it's a bad idea to let your readers discover other blogs.

I don't want to be that protective of my readers.
There are niche blogs, with their pillar posts and corridors of authority; and there's Very Random, a cubbyhole with a hook where I can hang my hat.

Tags: [BlogRush]   [John Reese]
[Andy Beard]   [Problogger]
[Internet Entrepreneurs]
[Blog Traffic]

Gastroparesis Defense Against DUI

In 2004, William Nichols Jr. of Ocala, Florida, was charged with 2 counts each of DUI-manslaughter and vehicular manslaughter. He lost control of his truck and crashed into a Tempo being driven by Holly Cummings. Holly's mother, Nancy, was a passenger in the car. Both were killed in the crash.

Jury selection and opening statements in his trial were conducted last week.

Nichols' blood alcohol content was found to be 0.103 and 0.104, two-and one-half hours after the crash. The legal limit is 0.08. "The defense is not disputing the alcohol results at trial. Instead, they plan to offer a medical explanation about the high alcohol content. The defense says Nichols may have had a gastroesophageal condition which caused the alcohol to sit in his stomach and not metabolize."
The 7-person defense team, led by William DeCarlis, will argue that Nichols suffers from gastroparesis; slow gastric emptying caused him to have alcohol in his system more than 6 hours after he'd consumed the alcohol.

If Nichols had been charged based on a Breathalyzer^™ test, it's reasonable that the BrAC was influenced by alcohol remaining undigested in his stomach. Diffusion rates, the rate at which liquid is absorbed into the blood through the stomach membrane wall, are usually slower in people with gastroparesis. Gastroparesis creates reflux, which might increase the alcohol eliminated in Nichols' breath.

But, Nichols was not arrested at the scene or even administered a Breathalyzer. He was picked up later, after the Florida Department of Law Enforcement had the BAC results from samples of Nichols' blood. The specimen was collected more than 2 hours after the accident (over 8 hours since he'd had his last drink).

It is estimated that from 0.5% - 2% of ingested alcohol is not metabolized and enters the bloodstream through diffusion. "Alcohol is removed from the bloodstream by a combination of metabolism, excretion, and evaporation." Alcohol is slow to metabolize. Ninety to 98% of alcohol is metabolized (removed from the blood) by the liver.

Questions:
- How does his claim that the alcohol was retained in his stomach because of gastroparesis account for alcohol being found in his blood?
- Does it make a difference how that level of alcohol got into his blood (i.e., via diffusion or normal digestion)?
- Is he claiming that he's not responsible for his impairment, but his disease is?
- Is it OK to drive with BAC over the legal limit, because you have a disease? Alcoholism is also a disease, but is it a defense against DUI charges?

Nichols faces up to 15 years in prison on each charge, if convicted.

A Patient Story: Living with Gastroparesis

Tags: [Billy Nichols]  [Ocala]  [William DeCarlis]
[Gastroparesis]  [DUI]  [Breathalyzer]
[Alcohol - Digestion & Metabolism]

Philadelphia - The Ugly Duckling

Travel and Leisure Magazine has completed its survey to rate 25 major U.S. cities based on various criteria including citizen attractiveness.

"According to 60,000 respondents to the magazine's online survey, Philadelphians are slightly more repulsive than Washingtonians (24), Dallasites (23) and San Antonions (22) but way uglier than Miamians (1), San Diegoans (2) and Charlestonians (3)." Read Hey! We're Not Just Fat - We're Ugly, Too

Philadelphia City Councilman Frank DiCicco had this to say about Miami: " 'Most people are walking around in thongs so everybody looks good there. But who can tell who lives there and who's just visiting? We have cold weather here so we're walking around for months with our noses running and our cheeks red and fur caps on our heads. How can you see what we look like under all that clothing?' "

Resident Fred Glick suggested that an editorial bias against brunettes and redheads figured in Philadelphia's low rating. "I hope we're closer to the top of the list for brains. It's more important," he told Dan Geringer of PhillyNews.

Philadelphia was ranked 14/25 when it came to intelligence. Miami came in at 23.

It's OK, Philly. You're the City of Brotherly Love and you've got a good personality.

None of us is as smart as all of us - Phil Condit
Never pick a fight with an ugly person, they've got nothing to lose - Robin Williams

Tags: [Philadelphia]   [Travel & Leisure Magazine]
[Miami]   [Dan Geringer]

Woman Fired Because She Has Cancer

The Employment Opportunity Commission has accepted the case of Angie Arttus, a woman in Sparta Wisconsin, who says "she was fired because she has breast cancer." Read the article...

Arttus's claim states that a Human Resources manager at Dura-Tech Industries asked her to resign from her job as shipping clerk, which she has held for 4 months, because it "would look better on her resume than if she was terminated".

The EEOC will investigate the complaint.

Lesson: The Human Resources department serves the needs of the company, not the employees.
Lesson: Breast Cancer Awareness Month creates awareness, not understanding (or sensitivity).
Lesson: There is no "I have cancer" in TEAM

Aside: The Etobicoke Dolphins Midget BB team Raises Money for Breast Cancer Research this Saturday when they host the Brampton Canadettes at Centennial Arena. The puck drops at 7:00 p.m.

Tags: [Angie Arttus]  [Dura-Tech Industries]  [EEOC]
[Breast Cancer]  [Wrongful Dismissal]  [Breast Cancer Awareness Month]

Colbert in ' 08

During his appearance on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, Stephen Colbert officially announced that he was officially announcing that he would officially consider making an official announcement about his candidacy for President of the United States.

Later, on The Colbert Report, Colbert confirmed that he would, in fact, enter the Primary in his home state of South Carolina as a Favorite Son. He will run as both a Republican and a Democrat candidate and floated the idea of sponsorship (advertising on his suits) in lieu of traditional fundraising.

Colbert's show parodies news broadcasting and political punditry. He has used the publicity tour for his book I Am America (And So Can You), to mock the process by which many candidates declare - Christopher Dodd (D) while a guest on Imus in the Morning; Rudy Giuliani (R) announced during a guest spot on Larry King Live; Mike Huckabee (R) on Meet the Press; Sen. John McCain (R) in New York on The Late Show with David Letterman, and Ron Paul (R) on C-SPAN.

It's been done before, a comedian running for U.S. President. Man of the Year (2006) starring Robin Williams as comedian Tom Dobbs. Wait, that wasn't real.

Colbert stated, "it will be a success for me if at the Republican or Democratic convention, someone stands up and says, 'The great state of South Carolina, home of the finest peaches, home of the finest shrimp, casts one delegate for Stephen Colbert.' "

Colbert surprised me...I figured he'd only run for President 30 minutes after Jon Stewart threw his own name into the ring (and Stewart's too smart to do that).


Tags:  [Stephen Colbert]   [2008 US Presidential Candidates]
[Jeff Greenfield]   [The Colbert Report]
[South Carolina Primary]   [Favorite Son of South Carolina]
[Jon Stewart]   [The Daily Show]   [Comedy Central]
[Robin Williams]   [Barry Levinson]

Carp Diem

I'll be able to sleep at night now.
A report from scientists at Stanford University School of Medicine concludes that fish may suffer from insomnia.

In order to understand sleep disorders, Emmanuel Mignot and his team were looking at how the brain regulates sleep, by studying zebrafish. They report that "some zebrafish have a mutant gene that disrupts their sleep patterns in a way similar to insomnia in humans."

I find it a little surprising that fish have any difficulty sleeping. Sounds from nature, like water and ocean tides, are recommended to create a relaxing atmosphere, reduce stress and induce sleep. Based on that, I would expect the research to find that most fish slept a lot.

Maybe the comforting sonances create a high incidence of Hypersomnolence.

Maybe it's not really an issue, since fish don't have to get up and work in the morning.

O Captain, my Captain.
Carpe Noctis.

Tags: [Zebra Fish]   [Sleep Disorders]   [Insomnia]
[Public Library of Science-Biology]
[Stanford School of Medicine]   [Emmanuel Mignot]
[Dead Poet's Society]   [Walt Whitman] [Carpe Diem]

Revenge on Mad Max

It's Sunday, around noon.

John puts the leash on Buddy and they set out for a long walk. Buddy's exercise and weight loss plan requires a 2 km walk each day. They walk 100 yards down to the path that runs behind the school. A woman and 3 children are walking with their dog toward John and Buddy.

John discovers that this dog's name is Max after Max pulls and breaks his leash. He runs, with teeth bared, at Buddy, jumps and starts attacking. Max's owner calls his name, but he doesn't stop.

Buddy doesn't like this new dog, Max. He tries to defend himself, but the surprise attack has put him at a disadvantage. Eventually Max is contained but not before he has removed a chunk of Buddy's ear.

We administer some first aid but can't stop the bleeding from the wound. Buddy's 2 km workout turns into a 10km drive to the Veterinary Emergency Hospital.

Once cleaned and inspected, a local anaesthetic is administered and the wound is stapled close. For the next 7 days, we need to keep him from scratching or rubbing his ears. He is fitted with an Elizabethan collar, that doesn't make him feel regal in the slightest.

Wearing the cone will prevent him from removing the staples; but it also prevents him from getting a drink, ducking under the table to get crumbs, squeezing between my legs and the cupboard.

He bumps into everything. He is afraid to go downstairs. He is afraid to go up to the landing where his bed is. Every time he bumps into something, the noise frightens him. It makes him jump, which makes him bump into something, which makes the loud, irritating noise that frightens him.

Sporting his piercings and sans collar, I took Buddy for a walk last night. Not too far, not strenuous. He was begging to go - maybe showing off his new Goth style (staples with his black toenails) would be good for his spirit. I studied all the other dogs on leashes looking for Max. Two times a dog got near and Buddy stopped and just laid down.

One meeting with Max has turned Buddy into '... a shell of a dog, a burnt out, desolate dog, a dog haunted by demons, a dog who wandered out into the wasteland. And it will be here, in this blighted place, that he learns to live again... (Taken from MadMax 2: The Road Warrior)



Once Buddy gets his spirit back, you'd better look out Max!

Photo of dog wearing Elizabethan collar from
The Fun Times Guide

Tags: [Dog Bites]   [First-Aid for Pets]
[Healing and Rejuvenation]   [Mad Max]

Do Not Create False Drive Thrus

A recent survey showed that more Americans can accurately list the ingredients in a Big Mac than recall the ten commandments.

In a study of 1000 people, 80% correctly identified the seven elements of the Big Mac; less than 60% remembered 'thou shalt not kill'. Read more...

The survey was completed at the request of the producers of the animated movie The Ten Commandments (Oct. 19).

Kelton Research also found that "survey participants had an easier time remembering the names of the six children on the old TV series 'The Brady Bunch.' "

Imagine how much more dismal the results might have been if Moses hadn't dropped a tablet, reducing the commandments from 15 to ten!

Tags: [Ten Commandments]   [Big Mac]   [Kelton Research]
[The Bible]   [McDonald's]
[Mel Brooks]   [History of the World Part II]

Honoring Mothers Defending Children

Motherhood is called a great surrender.

The mother surrenders control of her body to the child during her pregnancy. After the birth, mothers surrender to the unpredictability of their cherubs. We watch proudly as our little one achieves milestones and develops and displays her personality.

The great surrender doesn't mean resignation; good mothers recognize the perils of control and raise empowered children. Mothers protect and defend children. It teaches young ones how to protect and defend themselves.

All that to get to this: A Michigan mom faces aggravated assault charges after her daughter was involved in a fight at school.   Read more...

Loving your child unconditionally doesn't mean you beat down the security guard at her school! Our civilized society may have forgotten that defending the child doesn't mean absolving him of responsibility. Face it, your kid isn't always right.

Mom may choose to use this to illustrate that actions have consequences.

Tags: [Ottawa Hills High School]   [Grand Rapids, MI]   [School Safety]
[Mary Lee Brown]   [Mother]

Humanity's Wallet

As a child I would sometimes ask, "Mom, are we rich?"
"We're rich in love," my Mom would reply.

My friends used to tell me that my family was rich. It was curious that they could be so sure when I wasn't certain myself. These same friends also told me that our house was haunted. Since there were occasions when I could confidently say that it wasn't, it was difficult to know when to trust their authority.

It's not that we were poor. Our needs were always met. The only things we were 'in-want-of' were truly extras. None of us suffered because we shared a bike or a bedroom. Each of us was so creative, however, we put on some good displays of suffering!

As I grew up, I better understood the elements of being rich in love.

Loyalty is the hundred dollar bill. You flash a roll of loyalty around because it says "Mess with me, mess with my whole family". That's good news for the family, bad news for the mess-er.

Understanding and faith are the Ulysses S. Grant of this currency. For kids, these fifties are rare and harder to part with. As adults, we understand items with tremendous value can be found for $50. Knowledge and compassion are factors of this bill.

Since it's the only denomination stocked in an ATM, humor has to be the double-sawbuck. Check the wallet of humanity of any member of my family, and you'll find at least five crisp bills of humor, receipts for a withdrawal today and yesterday and the day before. It's fully accessible, as convenient as a debit card, accepted almost everywhere and can be used to get 'cash back' on purchases. Looks like our particular banking plan allows unlimited debit card transactions.

As adults, respect is like a $5 bill. It may be a little humble, but this smallest denomination of paper money makes one feel richer. It's versatile - it's enough for two coffees, or a Frappuccino, or a
Grande Mocha, or an entire Happy Meal. The point is, $5 can get you a little or be stretched to get a little more.
As kids, respect was more like a commemorative coin. We gave it and knew a sibling would keep it in a safe place and occasionally pull it out of his/her memory to recount the specifics of the day it was presented.

That we can measure our fortunes in a currency other than cash makes us very wealthy indeed.

[Qualities of Humanity] [Measure Your Wealth]

Quizno's Ad In Poor Taste

Have you seen Quizno's ad for the new Chicken Carbonara sandwich?
Click the sandwich poster to watch the 30-second spot.


It focuses on lunch in an office. A staffer declares that he has given up on eating as he rolls an I.V. pole closer to his desk. His colleague tells him that food deserves another chance. He offers the Chicken Carbonara sandwich as proof of a satisfying alimentary experience.

It's not that I'm offended by the commercial, exactly. I rely on intravenous nutrition and hydration because of severe gastroparesis and if I had to choose, I would choose food any day.

Every day.

Tags: [Quizno's]   [Chicken Carbonara Sandwich]   [Lunch]
[Gastroparesis]   [I.V. Nutrition (TPN)]

Student Takes Action Over Mark

UMass student Brian Marquis received an A-minus numerical grade in his Political Philosophy course. While reviewing the final grades, the TA chose to adjust the grades on the curve. Marquis' mark changed to a C.

Marquis "filed a 15-count lawsuit in US District Court in Springfield in January claiming the university violated his civil rights and contractual rights and intentionally inflicted "emotional distress."

Jeremy Cushing, TA in the course 'Problems in Social Thought', wrote in an email to Marquis " 'As I am entering grades, I consider whether or not they seem fair,. . . I thought your grade was a good reflection of your work.' "

I'll admit that I expected this story would focus on helicopter parents who sued a university over the grade their precious snowflake's assignment had received. Adjusting on the bell curve is not new. In the end, Marquis' A-minus grade was deemed to be average for the course.

The lawsuit was dismissed by a District Judge last week, but Marquis is considering an appeal. Whether he appeals or not, launching suit against the university is likely to have some effect on his application to law school.

In 1978, the University of Missouri was served with similar proceedings. The following is from the court decision: "University faculties must have the widest range of discretion in making judgments as to the academic performances of students and their entitlement to promotion or graduation."

Maybe Marquis should review his notes from Foundations and Fundamentals.

Tags: [Brian Marquis]   [Jeremy Cushing]   [Grading on the Curve]

Clinic Visit Gives Patient Little Relief

I had to go to the Walk-in Clinic. I needed a prescription refilled. Three of the doctors who serve our local clinic are familiar with my health and treatment plans. Today's doctor-on-duty was new; we'd never met.

I explained that I needed a prescription refill. He asked some screening questions and then read the prescription label. "This indicates that you have 2 repeats left on the order," he said.

"The 2 repeats represents 2 doses," I responded. I explained that I had been to the pharmacy yesterday to get the refill. While the original prescription was for a quantity of 32 boxes, the pharmacy dispenses these by the dose. That meant that the pharmacist translated the 32 boxes as 32 doses. "But the pharmacy doesn't actually dispense less than 5 doses, so I need a new order altogether," I finished.

"This is a narcotic," the doc said. "I'm not comfortable to write such a large order for a narcotic."

"I understand that you're at a disadvantage because we've never met, but my history is all here," I said, pointing to the massive paper chart.
He was clearly overwhelmed by my chart. The stack of papers in the folder is more than 6-inches high. It is, in fact, one of 2 folders that make up my chart.

Ten pages into the paper chart, he lost patience (an echo, labs, more labs, a mammo, ultrasound, a dictation, ultrasound, more labs, a fax...) Eventually, he agreed to a short term refill of the 'scrip and I agreed to see my family doctor for a more complete order.

I stopped at the reception desk to make the appointment.
"The next available appointment is," the clerk paused, "October 22."

Three weeks away, and I've managed to get just one week of my pain relief medication. I caught up with the doctor in the hallway and explained that I will need 3 weeks of meds to make it through to the appointment date.

"I'm just not comfortable writing a long-term order for that class of drugs," he repeated. He suggested I return to the clinic before I reached the end of the prescription to get another short term repeat.

How's that going to look - returning each week for a short term refill on a narcotic-class prescription.


Tags: [Doctor's Office] [Prescription Drug Abuse]
[Rush Limbaugh] [House]

Rash Reaction

"A boy who suffers from a severe nut allergy has been excluded from school because he is considered to be a health and safety hazard."

Read the whole story...

The story, out of Goole, about 170 km east of Liverpool, grabbed attention with its "Allergic Boy Banned From School" headline. According to the Times article, George carries an Epipen and has been taught to use it in case of an allergic reaction. At his previous schools, anaphylaxis wasn't a controversy.

When you read the report, it is clear that the boy is being tutored at home just until a support system is in place at Howden School to protect students who face severe allergies. What has the school been waiting for?

In Ontario, Sabrina's Law was enacted in 2006. The bill ensures that school officials and staff receive training to recognize and give first-response aid in the case of a life-threatening allergic reaction. British Columbia has Bill M210 to protect students in that province.

Before the legislation, students with severe allergies were in the school. Parents trained the staff on identifying a reaction and administering epinephrine to their child. The legislation confirms that all school buildings will have designees who are prepared to give assistance to a student or volunteer or visitor, if it is required, anywhere in the province.

Facts About Food Allergies 1. Anaphylaxis affects 10% of the population. 2. Allergic reactions may occur up to 3-5 hours after exposure. Symptoms may persist for up to 72 hours. 3. Most fatal reactions occur as a result of accidental exposure. 4. The cause or trigger of the anaphylactic reaction isn't always obvious. Source: www.epipen.com	It's really a shame that the banner "Allergy Boy" has emboldened some readers to leave some insensitive comments that only underscore their ignorance of anaphylaxis. Anaphylaxis is a serious medical condition. It has nothing to do with how protective one's parents are. People with severe food allergies are not trying to control you, but we have a responsibility to keep ourselves safe.

Tags: [George Hall-Lambert]   [Howden School]   [Anaphylaxis]
[Epipen]   [Twinject Injector]
[Anaphylaxis Canada]   [Sabrina's Law]

Recall by Lexus Will Affect 55,000 Units

Lexus issued its 86th safety recall yesterday. The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) issues recalls when an investigation concludes that "an auto manufacturer is found to be responsible for a serious safety or mechanical defect".

In the Lexus situation, incidents of accidental acceleration related to the Lexus ES350, Toyota RAV4 and Tacoma truck were reported to the agency in August.

"One driver told the agency the vehicle had hit speeds of 100 m.p.h. over a 6-mile stretch of freeway due to the problem. A Michigan woman said the problem caused her to lose control of her Lexus, triggering a rollover crash on I-75 that totaled her car."

Lexus will replace 55,000 floor mats that, when not properly installed, allow the mat to crowd under the gas pedal, interfering with the safe operation of the accelerator.

Owners of the Prius and Avalon are being asked to check the installation of their floor mats as a precaution.

This isn't about floor mats.
Part of the story is that since 1990, Lexus has issued just 85 recall notices to vehicle owners. That's across its entire line up of vehicles.
Over the same time period, Ford^* announced 1721 recalls; General Motors announced 1142⁺ recalls of its light truck and van lines; and Chrysler recalled the Sebring model alone 72 times since it was introduced in the 1995 model year!

Over 12 years, the Sebring has been recalled almost as many times as the complete product mix of Lexus over the past 17 years! And the Sebring is described by Canadian Driver with the following phrases: "high value", "solid performance", "consistent Chrysler quality".

The floor mat example demonstrates that it needn't require great expense or considerable time to return a vehicle to NHTSA safety standards.
But isn't it just a little embarassing that the #1 luxury car brand issued a recall involving a $25 rubber mat?

^* Refers to Ford branded models only. Does not include Mercury or Lincoln.
⁺ Applies to GMC light-duty trucks, vans, minivans.

Tags:   [Lexus]   [Toyota]
[Automotive Recalls]   [Accidental Acceleration]
[Runaway Audi Scandal]   [Detroit Three]
[Weiss Research]   [Automotive Recall Scoreboard]   [Floor Mats]

Further Reading on North American automotive market:
The Demise of the American Auto Industry and the Rise of Toyota
(Martin Weiss, Money and Markets, March 2007)

If the accelerator is stuck: Hook your toes under the pedal to free it up.
If that doesn't work, downshift into lowest gear (some pros say neutral) and apply the brakes.
Pull off the road once vehicle has slowed.

Shoe Squabble

Marc Jacobs unveiled these gems at FashionWeek. Part of his Spring 2008 collection, the shoes will retail for around $660.

"A chunky, four-inch heel nestles horizontally just under the ball of the foot. Where you'd expect a heel, there is nothing but fresh air.
The centre of gravity therefore is somewhere under the arch of the foot, forcing the whole body to tilt forward. The effort of staying upright in them will be the equivalent of an advanced level Pilates class."

Well, Jacobs did say that he was trying to overturn conventional fashion with his 2008 line. He calls this year's line The Emperor's New Clothes.

Wait! What's this? Turns out, these are very similar to Junko Shimado's line that was introduced in March. Shimado's appear slightly more comfortable, with a longer heel stem.

Looks like there may be a fashion footwear feud afoot!

Tags: [Marc Jacobs]   [Junko Shimado]
[Fashion Week]
[The Emperor's New Clothes]