Not Knowing & Trusting

Haven't Got Time For The Pain

nobody@vox.com(Patty) — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 23:18:00 -0700

I've been having a few health issues lately. Nothing serious I suspect, but enough to seek medical attention. I had an appointment last week with some lab tests, another one today and another tomorrow. Three different doctors in the same (giant) medical group, a medical group with a good reputation. But as far as I can tell they don't deserve it. Tomorrow will tell with the third doctor, a specialist, but the first two doctors I've seen have seemed rushed, disengaged and generally on auto-pilot. Like the pilots who missed the airport at Minneapolis/St. Paul International.

Today's doc wrote me a prescription for an anti-inflammatory when I told her I was taking 2-4 Advil per day for joint pain. I asked her why it would be better to take the prescribed meds than what I was doing. Her answer was something about it being more convenient for me to just take one pill that lasted all day. Convenience wasn't an issue for me, but uh...okay.

Take This And Call Me...Wait, What Did you Say?

I filled the prescription at the pharmacy, but before taking anything, I do what I always do, read the warning label. Whoa, this was some powerful stuff! After reading what Walgreen's had to say about it, I went to the Internet for more. On WebMd there was a big warning at the top of the page, not in the fine print.

This drug may infrequently cause serious (rarely fatal) bleeding from the stomach or intestines. Also, related drugs rarely have caused blood clots to form, resulting in heart attacks and strokes. This medication might also rarely cause similar problems. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about the benefits and risks of treatment, as well as other possible medication choices.
If you notice any of the following rare but very serious side effects, stop taking and seek immediate medical attention: black stools, persistent stomach/abdominal pain, vomit that looks like coffee grounds, chest pain, weakness on one side of the body, sudden vision changes, slurred speech.

On other sites there were more reasons to suspect that this was probably not the drug for me. I'm not sure what she was thinking or if she was thinking actually.

I'll just stick with the morning dose of two Advil. And see what the doctor tomorrow has to say, assuming I can get more than 15 minutes of his time and undivided attention.

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I Don't Like Any Of These People, And Yet...

nobody@vox.com(Patty) — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 14:42:13 -0700

I don't, or didn't, watch "Jon and Kate Plus 8" and I don't care for Nancy Grace one little bit.

Yet, because I am addicted to ~~celebrity gossip~~ pop culture, I am familiar with the lives, dramas and personalities of all kinds of people who I have no business knowing about.

I know Kate had a tummy tuck, got a weird hair do and later changed it. I know that Jon thinks he's a celebrity and is really just a dumb ass man in Ed Hardy t-shirts going through some pathetic midlife crisis in public. I know that Nancy Grace is obnoxious, overly judgmental and incessantly ranting at the guests on her show. I think I've seen her a few times on TV for all of about 90 seconds before I have to flip the channel.

And yet, when I see this clip of her grilling Jon Gosselin and his stuttering deer-in-the-headlights look, I can't help but like her just a little bit.

Nancy Grace Rips Jon Gosselin A New One

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The Way To Make Laurel & Hardy Funny

nobody@vox.com(Patty) — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 12:18:26 -0700

A Buddhist teacher I follow on Facebook posted this today and I watched it three times, tears of laughter streaming down my face each time.

There's just something about juxtaposing this old Laurel & Hardy clip with the Gap Band that cracks me up. But then again, I've been known to giggle at the silliest things.

Enjoy!

Laurel and Hardy Dance To The Gap Band

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Buddha And The Chocolate Box

nobody@vox.com(Patty) — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 21:54:05 -0700

Intentional Chocolate.

Apparently it's the first chocolate the Dalai Lama ever tasted.

It is the founder's intention to "reintroduce the ancient wisdom of embedding conscious intention and love into food."

All Our Chocolate is Embedded With This Intention:

“Whoever consumes this chocolate will manifest optimal health and functioning at physical, emotional and mental levels, and in particular will enjoy an increased sense of energy, vigor and well-being for the benefit of all beings.”

My doctor-ish friend Mark probably won't like the "science" of this I'm sure, but I'm rather impressed with the marketing science. They added me on Twitter today and the next thing you know I'm reading their blog, watching videos like the one below and going to their website to order some chocolate.

Mindfully of course.

Intentional Chocolate

No, I am not working for this company, nor am I profiting in any way from writing this post. I just liked what I read and hope the chocolate is half as good as the stuff I'm getting from Trader Joe's. And if the good intentions inside ooze out while I'm savoring the taste, even better!

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Wow. Just Wow.

nobody@vox.com(Patty) — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 19:10:32 -0700

Kseniya Simonova - Sand Animation (Україна має талант / Ukraine's Got Talent)

The historical references, the music, the theatrics and then the amazing artistic talent. With grains of sand.
This is like a moving mandala.

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Too Big For Your Skin

nobody@vox.com(Patty) — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 11:28:15 -0700

Too Big for My Skin - The Campaign

The creator of this says that ""Too Big For My Skin" is not just a poem. It's a mind state." It's an international awareness campaign on YouTube created by some people in Minneapolis who invite you to leave your response in their comment section or to submit your very own video response. According to their site, "it's about positive body image, acceptance and strength. It's about finding your voice and speaking." I know one of the wonderful women featured here and, and as readers of this blog know, I am big on supporting acceptance of all the beautiful shapes and sizes that women come in.

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80's Dating Friday or Some Things Never Change

nobody@vox.com(Patty) — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 14:37:29 -0700

The 80s, the 90s, today; some things never change. Like how fun dating can be. Umm..yeah, right.

I'm just glad that mustaches went out of style with the mullet.

80s Video Dating Montage

Thanks to Dating LA for posting this.

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Guest House

nobody@vox.com(Patty) — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 12:39:58 -0700

This being human is a guest house.
Every morning a new arrival.

A joy, a depression, a meanness,
some momentary awareness comes
as an unexpected visitor.

Welcome and entertain them all!
even if they’re a crowd of sorrows,
who violently sweep your house
empty of its furniture,
still, treat each guest honorably.
He may be cleaning you out
for some new delight.

The dark thought, the shame, the malice,
meet them at the door laughing,
and invite them in.

Be grateful for whoever comes,
Because each has been sent
As a guide from beyond.

-Rumi

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QotD: Favorite Beatles Song

nobody@vox.com(Patty) — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 22:27:10 -0700

Qustion of the Day: What's your favorite Beatles song? Bonus points if you share it with us.

I've never liked having to pick a "favorite" anything. What's your favorite color? What's you're favorite movie? But Beatles' songs are almost impossible to elevate to the top status. That's like asking what brand of potato chip is best. They're almost all delicious and irresistible, no?

So many Beatles songs are about LOVE, both the "I want to hold your hand" sweet and personal kind and the "all need it love" transcendent spiritual and universal kind. Those who know me, even just from this blog, know what that I'm drawn deeply toward both varieties. So how could I possibly pick a favorite?

This one's might come closest to summing up several of the others, but there are so many good ones, don't make me pick; there's plenty of love to go around.

All You Need Is Love

Love, love, love.
Love, love, love.
Love, love, love.

There's nothing you can do that can't be done.
Nothing you can sing that can't be sung.
Nothing you can say but you can learn how to play the game.
It's easy.

Nothing you can make that can't be made.
No one you can save that can't be saved.
Nothing you can do but you can learn how to be you in time.
It's easy.

All you need is love.
All you need is love.
All you need is love, love.
Love is all you need.

Nothing you can know that isn't known.
Nothing you can see that isn't shown.
Nowhere you can be that isn't where you're meant to be.
It's easy.

All you need is love.
All you need is love.
All you need is love, love.
Love is all you need.

All you need is love (all together, now!)
All you need is love. (everybody!)
All you need is love, love.
Love is all you need (love is all you need).

Yee-hai!

These ones popped into my head rapidly as well.

In My Life
Nowhere Man
Let it Be
All My Loving
Within You, Without You

We were talking-about the space between us all
And the people-who hide themselves behind a wall of illusion
Never glimpse the truth--then it's far too late--when they pass away.
We were talking-about the love we all could share-when we find it
To try our best to hold it there-with our love
With our love-we could save the world-if they only knew.
Try to realize it's all within yourself
No-one else can make you change
And to see you're really only very small,
And life flows ON within you and without you.
We were talking-about the love that's gone so cold and the people,
Who gain the world and lose their soul-
They don't know-they can't see-are you one of them?
When you've seen beyond yourself-then you may find, peace of mind,
Is waiting there-
And the time will come when you see
We're all one, and life flows on within you and without you.

With A Little Help From My Friends
Tomrorow Never Knows

Turn off your mind, relax and float down stream,
It is not dying, it is not dying

Lay down all thought, surrender to the void,
Is it shining? Is it shining?

That you may see the meaning of within
It is being, it is being

Love is all and love is everyone
Is it knowing? Is it knowing?

That ignorance and hate may mourn the dead
It is believing, it is believing

But listen to the colour of your dreams
Is it not living, is it not living

Or play the game "Existence" to the end
Of the beginning, of the beginning

Paperback Writer
Penny Lane
Love Me Do
Baby It's You
Maybe I'm Amazed
Maybe I'm amazed at the way you love me all the time.
Maybe I'm afraid of the way I love you.
Maybe I'm amazed at the way you pulled me out in time, and hung me on a line.
Maybe I'm amazed at the way I really need you.

Maybe I'm a man, maybe I'm a lonely man
who's in the middle of something, that he doesn't really understand.

Maybe I'm a man, maybe you're the only woman who could ever help me.
Baby, won't you help me understand?

Maybe I'm amazed at the way you're with me all the time.
Maybe I'm afraid of the way I leave you.
Maybe I'm amazed at the way you help me sing my song, right me when I'm wrong.
Maybe I'm amazed at the way I really need you.

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When Regular Composting Isn't Enough

nobody@vox.com(Patty) — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 13:13:52 -0700

When you're regular composting bin isn't quite earthy green enough, then like me, you can start worm composting.

Thanks to the marketing efforts of San Mateo county, we have one Wriggly Ranch.

Now to get some food scrap eating worms.

Yee ha!

A Wriggly Wranch sound like it should be outside Las Vegas

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