Sunday, August 31, 2003
hi all (all 2 of you, anyway...) i'm back in DC from my weekend in NYC. (New York City!) and i will say that the whole place was very, very LOUD. Noise abounded! Sirens, honking horns, masses and masses of humanity existing is VERY VERY VERY FRICKIN' LOUD!!!!
But kinda neat too. And i belive the New Yorkiers have an undeserved reputation for rudeness. The only rudeness i encountered was at a gay bar from a GAY gay waiter. he was maybe 22, tiny (Napoleonic tiny), and he had michael bolton hair. RUDE rude. not even very nice to Randy (who is also , as they say, GAY gay.)
Central Park is spectacular; and even kinda quiet. Certainly it would be a plus in the lifestyle of NYC. We even had a near siting of meg ryan watching her little girl rollerskate.
Shopping is unbelievable. the real worry is mixing midafternoon cocktails with the garment district. While i only bought a single pair of Prada pumps. Randy indulged in a whole Prada outfit: suit, shirt, shoes and belt.
and then we drank some more.
But kinda neat too. And i belive the New Yorkiers have an undeserved reputation for rudeness. The only rudeness i encountered was at a gay bar from a GAY gay waiter. he was maybe 22, tiny (Napoleonic tiny), and he had michael bolton hair. RUDE rude. not even very nice to Randy (who is also , as they say, GAY gay.)
Central Park is spectacular; and even kinda quiet. Certainly it would be a plus in the lifestyle of NYC. We even had a near siting of meg ryan watching her little girl rollerskate.
Shopping is unbelievable. the real worry is mixing midafternoon cocktails with the garment district. While i only bought a single pair of Prada pumps. Randy indulged in a whole Prada outfit: suit, shirt, shoes and belt.
and then we drank some more.
Thursday, August 28, 2003
Still out of town; humidity is amazing. Had my first 3 margarita lunch in some time. Wheeeee!
As a wishful athlete, I've often thought that I was definitely NOT born to be a runner of any note. Soon I'll be able to prove it.
Being here in DC, I had the opportunity to visit the Library of Congress today. Possibly the coolest place on earth. And I saw the original typed copy for MLK Jr.'s I Have A Dream speech.
Wouldn't it be nice?
As a wishful athlete, I've often thought that I was definitely NOT born to be a runner of any note. Soon I'll be able to prove it.
Being here in DC, I had the opportunity to visit the Library of Congress today. Possibly the coolest place on earth. And I saw the original typed copy for MLK Jr.'s I Have A Dream speech.
Wouldn't it be nice?
Tuesday, August 26, 2003
It's raining like a sumbitch here. I hope to still get out of town on my flight. Tonight. Flash Flood Warning on KNPR.
Here's something to entertain you while I'm gone. Check out "The Misanthrope".
Here's something to entertain you while I'm gone. Check out "The Misanthrope".
Right or wrong, this priest can never again molest anyone in the name of offering counselling. Probably right.
On a personal note; I will be out of town for the next week visiting an old friend in the Beltway. I've never been to NYC. I hear there are a couple of buildings missing.
On a personal note; I will be out of town for the next week visiting an old friend in the Beltway. I've never been to NYC. I hear there are a couple of buildings missing.
Sunday, August 24, 2003
1-800-Petmeds. This is the veterinary equivalent of buying Viagra over the internet. This company is under indictment in several states (Florida and NJ among them) for violation of pharmacy laws. The laws broken include selling products not guaranteed by their manufacturing companies (eg. Rimadyl, produced by Pfizer) and selling drugs manufactured in foreign countries as equivalent products to USDA monitored pharmaceuticals.
On top of this are the latest practices by the company which include slandering veterinarians directly and indirectly implying that veterinarians are obligated to rx out perscription medication. In most states, veterinarians are obligated to give a written perscription, but only within the bounds of a valid doctor/patient/client relationship. The televised ads of Petmeds, imply that by a phone call to their 800 number you can avoid all the nasty contact and visits with Fido's doctor. Untrue, and patently unsafe for any medical relationship. Most vets are fighting back by refusing to communicate directly with this company; written Rx's are given out as requested, but any direct contact with the PME is for the cliet to make.
Any mistakes in the filling of said perscriptions (or problems engendered by the medications) are therefore between the client, and the less than aboveboard company. Unfortunately, the animals can also be affected.
On top of this are the latest practices by the company which include slandering veterinarians directly and indirectly implying that veterinarians are obligated to rx out perscription medication. In most states, veterinarians are obligated to give a written perscription, but only within the bounds of a valid doctor/patient/client relationship. The televised ads of Petmeds, imply that by a phone call to their 800 number you can avoid all the nasty contact and visits with Fido's doctor. Untrue, and patently unsafe for any medical relationship. Most vets are fighting back by refusing to communicate directly with this company; written Rx's are given out as requested, but any direct contact with the PME is for the cliet to make.
Any mistakes in the filling of said perscriptions (or problems engendered by the medications) are therefore between the client, and the less than aboveboard company. Unfortunately, the animals can also be affected.
West Nile Virus has been spreading westward from the Eastern Seaboard over the past 18 months. Deaths in the equine, avian and human population are the worst of it (though the mosquito bites that infect are no fun either. The latest h. sapien
death, was reported from Colorado yesterday. Unfortunately it was not a Professor of Chemistry at Mines.
You know who you are.
death, was reported from Colorado yesterday. Unfortunately it was not a Professor of Chemistry at Mines.
You know who you are.
Saturday, August 23, 2003
Robert Heinlein was the father of the Multiverse , to me. I am quite certain, that there are an infinite number of spinoffs of my life (or maybe I'm a spinoff of theirs....but I doubt it, I'm just too self involved).
Ass-hattery abounds at the office. Petty grievances between staff members threaten to overwhelm any positive attitude shift. And of course, there's always the clients. For every fantastic, well-informed and caring person that brings their pet in as SOON as a problem is appreciated, there are 5 more that call requesting a little "something" (that magic bullet of a cure) for the Fifi in their life that has had a cough for the past 6 months. Not to mention the ulcerated, weeping growth off the left ear since "it never bothers Fifi". "Can't you just give her a shot, Doc?" Sure I can, and it will solve everyone's problems in about 30 seconds.
A dose of the pink stuff....as it was sardonically known in school.
I'm not talking about monetary issues. I wouldn't, couldn't afford a lot of the medicine and surgical procedures I routinely offer my clientele. If the question is whether your children should go to the dentist, versus Fifi getting a dental prophylaxis (the moral equivalent of a visit to Dr. Tooth, for Fifi)....well, I hope everyone has their priorities in order.
THE KID GETS THE DOCTOR VISIT, DUH!
But people, I'm begging the 2 of you who are reading this. If you can't afford to treat a pet's medical condition....have the humanity to euthanize your companion in a humane manner. (NOT talking to you H&A....) Dr. Jack Kevorkian should be venerated as a saint; not vilified as a monster....euthanasia should be every h. sapiens personal decision. And give the gift to your pets.
and don't trip over the soap box on your way out.
A dose of the pink stuff....as it was sardonically known in school.
I'm not talking about monetary issues. I wouldn't, couldn't afford a lot of the medicine and surgical procedures I routinely offer my clientele. If the question is whether your children should go to the dentist, versus Fifi getting a dental prophylaxis (the moral equivalent of a visit to Dr. Tooth, for Fifi)....well, I hope everyone has their priorities in order.
THE KID GETS THE DOCTOR VISIT, DUH!
But people, I'm begging the 2 of you who are reading this. If you can't afford to treat a pet's medical condition....have the humanity to euthanize your companion in a humane manner. (NOT talking to you H&A....) Dr. Jack Kevorkian should be venerated as a saint; not vilified as a monster....euthanasia should be every h. sapiens personal decision. And give the gift to your pets.
and don't trip over the soap box on your way out.
Good morning to all. I had my continuing dream as "Resort at the 4th level of Hell" Set in London this night, as opposed to Paris where I usually am, the shopping experience from the dark side ended with a walk in the mean streets of London while trying to catch a cab I planned to stiff for the fare. and then I woke up.
Reading the NYT this morning I was again reminded how very silly the US rich are. An article about fasting gives truth to the statement people will believe anything if they want to lose weight. We live in the most prosperous and replete country in the world while billions of others die or suffer from starvation. And these folks are using Barneys as a motivation for not eating....or having high colonics.
well, that might help. because someone is OBVIOUSLY full of shit.
Reading the NYT this morning I was again reminded how very silly the US rich are. An article about fasting gives truth to the statement people will believe anything if they want to lose weight. We live in the most prosperous and replete country in the world while billions of others die or suffer from starvation. And these folks are using Barneys as a motivation for not eating....or having high colonics.
well, that might help. because someone is OBVIOUSLY full of shit.
Friday, August 22, 2003
Generally, I start every day with a fresh hope for both personal and public endeavours. Almost daily, without fail, this hope is crushed mercilessly by the painful, willing ignorance of the human protoplasm that washes ashore at my feet.
But how do I really feel? Well....hope springs eternal in my breast to see bright sparks, not only in my patients, but their infinitely less appealing human counterparts. And even occasionally, in my colleagues.
Misanthropy is not just a way of life for me, but a constant disappointment. I would like nothing better to be surprised by the people I encounter. Bright children; men who are not just pretty, but smart and kind; women who concentrate on their own lives rather than gossiping about Demi and Ashton or denigrating the model on the cover of the latest Vogue; bosses who praise when deserved; maybe most of all a general sense of sensibility and a desire to learn about the world around them.
Sometimes, occasionally, this happens. And I glow for DAYS.
But how do I really feel? Well....hope springs eternal in my breast to see bright sparks, not only in my patients, but their infinitely less appealing human counterparts. And even occasionally, in my colleagues.
Misanthropy is not just a way of life for me, but a constant disappointment. I would like nothing better to be surprised by the people I encounter. Bright children; men who are not just pretty, but smart and kind; women who concentrate on their own lives rather than gossiping about Demi and Ashton or denigrating the model on the cover of the latest Vogue; bosses who praise when deserved; maybe most of all a general sense of sensibility and a desire to learn about the world around them.
Sometimes, occasionally, this happens. And I glow for DAYS.
