Wednesday, February 28, 2007
Tuesday, February 27, 2007
Rationalize This
Sorry folks, it is another sports post. Andy does medical posts because he is smart. I do sports posts because I am not. Andy can also do a better sports post than me, so regardless I feel like shit about The Alliance today.
Selection Sunday is looming. Michigan State finally has nothing to worry about, that is unless they totally bomb out their next two games and in the first round of the Big Ten tournament. Regardless, I think they would still make it, but that is my opinion.
The Spartans are firing on all cylinders. They are showing heart. They seem determined. They are everything that I have been waiting for out of them since the season began.
The analysts have made the Spartans pretty much a lock for the tournament. After dogging them all year for being too young and inexperienced, it finally seems like some are taking notice. Maybe it took College Gameday being in East Lansing when the #1 Badgers were visiting. I am fine with that. Where is the rest of the country though?
Looking at the new rankings for this week, where are the Spartans in the Top 25? Ummm..... I didn't see them either. Where is the love? I guess there is a little in the AP poll. They have the Spartans 26th. The coaches, only gave State 17 votes. 17 votes!
My case in point being Air Force. Air Force dropped their last two games, to TCU and UNLV. They are still in the Top 25 in both polls. Air Force has only played a few games against quality opponents. They lost by 15, to Duke. They also lost to BYU. I applaud the balanced attack of Air Force. I can only imagine what it would feel like to have four seniors all scoring in double figures. In the current Bracketology, Air Force is slated as a 5 seed in the South bracket.
Currently, Michigan State is unranked and is slated as a 10 seed in the West bracket. Sure we recently lost 4 in a row, but two of those were to Ohio State (one of which was by 2 points). If anybody wasn't aware of it, Ohio State is the best team in the nation. Duke recently lost four in a row to Virginia, Maryland, North Carolina, and Florida State. They are currently ranked #17 and are slated to have a 5 seed in the West bracket. Michigan State rebounded with a HUGE win against Wisconsin and followed it up by a win against Indiana.
Where is the love people? Is it going to take a large road win against Michigan tonight? Done. Is it going to take another huge win against Wisconsin on the road on Saturday? Done again.
Go State!
Selection Sunday is looming. Michigan State finally has nothing to worry about, that is unless they totally bomb out their next two games and in the first round of the Big Ten tournament. Regardless, I think they would still make it, but that is my opinion.
The Spartans are firing on all cylinders. They are showing heart. They seem determined. They are everything that I have been waiting for out of them since the season began.
The analysts have made the Spartans pretty much a lock for the tournament. After dogging them all year for being too young and inexperienced, it finally seems like some are taking notice. Maybe it took College Gameday being in East Lansing when the #1 Badgers were visiting. I am fine with that. Where is the rest of the country though?
Looking at the new rankings for this week, where are the Spartans in the Top 25? Ummm..... I didn't see them either. Where is the love? I guess there is a little in the AP poll. They have the Spartans 26th. The coaches, only gave State 17 votes. 17 votes!
My case in point being Air Force. Air Force dropped their last two games, to TCU and UNLV. They are still in the Top 25 in both polls. Air Force has only played a few games against quality opponents. They lost by 15, to Duke. They also lost to BYU. I applaud the balanced attack of Air Force. I can only imagine what it would feel like to have four seniors all scoring in double figures. In the current Bracketology, Air Force is slated as a 5 seed in the South bracket.
Currently, Michigan State is unranked and is slated as a 10 seed in the West bracket. Sure we recently lost 4 in a row, but two of those were to Ohio State (one of which was by 2 points). If anybody wasn't aware of it, Ohio State is the best team in the nation. Duke recently lost four in a row to Virginia, Maryland, North Carolina, and Florida State. They are currently ranked #17 and are slated to have a 5 seed in the West bracket. Michigan State rebounded with a HUGE win against Wisconsin and followed it up by a win against Indiana.
Where is the love people? Is it going to take a large road win against Michigan tonight? Done. Is it going to take another huge win against Wisconsin on the road on Saturday? Done again.
Go State!
Monday, February 26, 2007
RIP Cellular Telephone, Part II
As you remember, I had troubles recently with my cellular telephone. I spent $250 to get a new one. It was an unpleasant experience, but I went ahead and did it. Afterall, how else can I satisfy my unhealthy texting addiction?
The new cell phone was purchased on the 19th of February. It officially died on the 24th of February.
I bought insurance on this phone, so financially, I could care less. Functionally, I could care a lot more. My thumbs are beginning to go through atrophy. I can feel them getting weaker and weaker every hour that passes. With insurance, you can not just go to a Verizon store, as I attempted to do Sunday. The phone will be shipped to me at work on Tuesday. I don't know if I will make it.
Of course, all of this is pretty much my fault. When Jimmy's Pub is involved by 1 in the afternoon, for a Spartans game that begins at 9, trouble is bound to be around the corner.
I started off slowly, but gradually sped up to a feverish pace. Kade and Miranda met Caleb, Gerard, and I at Jimmy's later in the afternoon. We tried to maintain like we hadn't been drinking all day. I think we were mildly successful.
We wanted to watch the game at BW3. We knew we had to go there early. So we did. Surprisingly we found a nice table with some other friends. It was downhill from there. My phone was sitting on the table, it fell on the ground. I think it broke. In a stupor, I ensured it was broke, thinking at the time that I should take full advantage of the insurance. (This was helped along in the back of my mind by the fact that one of the buttons was loose, and it bothered me from the beginning, when I got my new phone).
I watched the Spartans until halftime. This is when Caleb, Kade, Miranda, and I decided that it would be better to watch the second half of the game at home, on the couch, in HD. The idea sounds great!! It didn't happen that way.
I went to my car, which would have been a big mistake, except for the fact that I didn't have my keys. The safeguards against drunk driving were well into effect. I think at the time, I was too exhausted to remember this. I lied flat in my car, after getting in with the clicker. I promptly fell asleep. In the meantime, the others made it home safely.
I woke up around 1 and realized that I had been sleeping in my car. I realized that I had no keys, and really wished that I would have just went home with everyone else. I walked over to 7/11 to use the ATM. I figured $100 would get me home. (I am retarded). I then waited for a cab. I got into the cab with four other guys and told the driver where I would need to go. I sat down and took a long ride out to Chandler's Crossing. When the other four guys got out, the cab driver asked where I needed to go. He promptly told me he couldn't go all the way over there. I asked him if that was his job. He got annoyed. I got annoyed even more. He ended up driving me basically back to where he picked me up, swearing that he didn't have time to take me 4 miles away. I even offered him $20 to do so. He said it wasn't about the money. I pointed out that business was about money and that he basically was an idiot. I literally threw $5 at him, as he insisted that I didn't owe him anything.
I got out and sought out another cab. (By the way I only had a sweatshirt on).
The second cab said she couldn't go out to Lansing, she was doing runs from the Brody Complex to downtown only. I got annoyed.
The third and final cab driver basically told me I was an idiot for trying to get a cab to take me to the East Side of Lansing. He said it was a game night and it was too busy to go that way. Flabbergasted, I pondered what the City of East Lansing does to help prevent kids from drinking and driving. This is when I came to the realization that they do nothing. In fact, they prefer that kids drink and drive so they can have more revenue and their police officers can make their bonuses.
On a side note, the City of East Lansing is one of the worst run governments that I have ever seen. They are the epitome of hypocritical, saying they embrace their student population, and turning their backs on them for their residents. I wish they would realize that without the students, their town would be nothing more than a run down, shitty little city.
Sorry, I digress.
I started walking, thinking it was pretty cold just for a sweatshirt. Without a cellular telephone, I couldn't call any friends, or even attempt to call another cab. I walked by the 24/7 store at the corner of Grand River and Michigan Ave. I stopped in to see if any cabs ever stopped there. The two workers said no. I asked if I could call a cab. They handed me a phone book. I asked if I could use a phone. The reluctance was ridiculous. Finally they let me place a call. It was busy. I told them that and they replied that it would be busy until 3am. They promptly took the phone and phone book away from me. The one employee suggested I take CATA. (Although I don't even think they run that late, I tried to get some quarters for the bus. They wouldn't give me change even!
I knew I would just walk in the cold. I had exhausted my options.
Before I left, I muttered something to the employees about getting robbed and shot and killed. Thankfully that didn't happen, because I would have become a prime suspect.
I walked home. Everyone was asleep, as they should have been.
Sunday morning, I found out that MSU won. I was happy, and confused, a little mad at myself, and a little embarrassed.
I fought through the dumb dumbs and had a productive day.
The new cell phone was purchased on the 19th of February. It officially died on the 24th of February.
I bought insurance on this phone, so financially, I could care less. Functionally, I could care a lot more. My thumbs are beginning to go through atrophy. I can feel them getting weaker and weaker every hour that passes. With insurance, you can not just go to a Verizon store, as I attempted to do Sunday. The phone will be shipped to me at work on Tuesday. I don't know if I will make it.
Of course, all of this is pretty much my fault. When Jimmy's Pub is involved by 1 in the afternoon, for a Spartans game that begins at 9, trouble is bound to be around the corner.
I started off slowly, but gradually sped up to a feverish pace. Kade and Miranda met Caleb, Gerard, and I at Jimmy's later in the afternoon. We tried to maintain like we hadn't been drinking all day. I think we were mildly successful.
We wanted to watch the game at BW3. We knew we had to go there early. So we did. Surprisingly we found a nice table with some other friends. It was downhill from there. My phone was sitting on the table, it fell on the ground. I think it broke. In a stupor, I ensured it was broke, thinking at the time that I should take full advantage of the insurance. (This was helped along in the back of my mind by the fact that one of the buttons was loose, and it bothered me from the beginning, when I got my new phone).
I watched the Spartans until halftime. This is when Caleb, Kade, Miranda, and I decided that it would be better to watch the second half of the game at home, on the couch, in HD. The idea sounds great!! It didn't happen that way.
I went to my car, which would have been a big mistake, except for the fact that I didn't have my keys. The safeguards against drunk driving were well into effect. I think at the time, I was too exhausted to remember this. I lied flat in my car, after getting in with the clicker. I promptly fell asleep. In the meantime, the others made it home safely.
I woke up around 1 and realized that I had been sleeping in my car. I realized that I had no keys, and really wished that I would have just went home with everyone else. I walked over to 7/11 to use the ATM. I figured $100 would get me home. (I am retarded). I then waited for a cab. I got into the cab with four other guys and told the driver where I would need to go. I sat down and took a long ride out to Chandler's Crossing. When the other four guys got out, the cab driver asked where I needed to go. He promptly told me he couldn't go all the way over there. I asked him if that was his job. He got annoyed. I got annoyed even more. He ended up driving me basically back to where he picked me up, swearing that he didn't have time to take me 4 miles away. I even offered him $20 to do so. He said it wasn't about the money. I pointed out that business was about money and that he basically was an idiot. I literally threw $5 at him, as he insisted that I didn't owe him anything.
I got out and sought out another cab. (By the way I only had a sweatshirt on).
The second cab said she couldn't go out to Lansing, she was doing runs from the Brody Complex to downtown only. I got annoyed.
The third and final cab driver basically told me I was an idiot for trying to get a cab to take me to the East Side of Lansing. He said it was a game night and it was too busy to go that way. Flabbergasted, I pondered what the City of East Lansing does to help prevent kids from drinking and driving. This is when I came to the realization that they do nothing. In fact, they prefer that kids drink and drive so they can have more revenue and their police officers can make their bonuses.
On a side note, the City of East Lansing is one of the worst run governments that I have ever seen. They are the epitome of hypocritical, saying they embrace their student population, and turning their backs on them for their residents. I wish they would realize that without the students, their town would be nothing more than a run down, shitty little city.
Sorry, I digress.
I started walking, thinking it was pretty cold just for a sweatshirt. Without a cellular telephone, I couldn't call any friends, or even attempt to call another cab. I walked by the 24/7 store at the corner of Grand River and Michigan Ave. I stopped in to see if any cabs ever stopped there. The two workers said no. I asked if I could call a cab. They handed me a phone book. I asked if I could use a phone. The reluctance was ridiculous. Finally they let me place a call. It was busy. I told them that and they replied that it would be busy until 3am. They promptly took the phone and phone book away from me. The one employee suggested I take CATA. (Although I don't even think they run that late, I tried to get some quarters for the bus. They wouldn't give me change even!
I knew I would just walk in the cold. I had exhausted my options.
Before I left, I muttered something to the employees about getting robbed and shot and killed. Thankfully that didn't happen, because I would have become a prime suspect.
I walked home. Everyone was asleep, as they should have been.
Sunday morning, I found out that MSU won. I was happy, and confused, a little mad at myself, and a little embarrassed.
I fought through the dumb dumbs and had a productive day.
RIP Saturn Ion
So remember when I wrote about my car being in multi-organ dysfunction syndrome?
This morning the 2003 Saturn Ion succumbed to whatever insult initiated its decline. It didn’t start. It didn’t even turnover. I was stuck at the Meijer gas station across the street from my apartment.
Luckily Henry Ford messed up my schedule and didn’t have me scheduled to start the rotation until Thursday, so I’m not missing any days. I called the medical education director to say I was on my way up there to clarify this schedule error, but my car was septic and in MODS and is now dead. The schedule is corrected and now I start tomorrow…if I have a car that is alive.
I just got a new CD player with a five year warranty put in this past Friday.
Is this a good way to start the week?
Sunday, February 25, 2007
The Common Cold: Treatment Options
Unfortunately if you were like me you would be battling your third viral infection in as many months.
I was hit up with the cold at the end of November and early December. Then after only two shifts in January in the Emergency Department I caught the stomach flu. Now in February I have acquired the common cold again, despite my frantic hand washing, which is the most effective way to prevent the cold.
The cold and stomach flu are both caused by viruses, but not the same virus. The stomach flu, called viral gastroenteritis, can be due to a wide variety of viruses, but most commonly the Norwalk (formerly the noro-virus) and Rotavirus are the culprits. The common cold, diagnosed as a viral upper respiratory infection (URI), is caused by Coronavirus.
We all know the symptoms of a common cold; low grade fever, fatigue/malaise, rhinorrhea (runny nose), sore throat, productive or non-productive cough, sinus congestion, back aches, etc. All of these symptoms are somewhat non-specific, but in the proper setting, with adequate clinical experience and common physical exam findings the diagnosis of a viral URI is fairly easy and should be at the top of a differential diagnosis.
However, a physician must always think of what else could be causing these symptoms and develop a thorough differential diagnosis. An atypical pneumonia, such as that caused by mycoplasma, or a viral pneumonia may have similar presentation as the common cold. Strep throat, sinusitis and mononucleosis can also present in this manner. On a more serious, but less common level a differential could also include lymphoma or even HIV. Early HIV often presents with vague, cold-like symptoms.
Close to 95% of all URI are viral, so it is easy to dismiss many of these other diseases placed into the differential. The problem with viral infections, especially with the coronavirus, is they will not respond to antibiotics (which only target bacteria) and anti-viral medications are often expensive and ineffective. Moreover, even without treatment the common cold should dissipate after 7-10 days. Thus, supportive therapy and controlling symptoms is the only way to “treat” a viral URI.
So what treatments work? There are not a lot of evidence based clinical trials addressing the treatment of the common cold. Many physicians just rely on their clinical and personal experiences in treating this benign but annoying condition. One physician I worked with used what I termed the RFT treatment – rest, fluids and Tylenol. Another physician prescribed a medication that contained guaifenesin and pseudoephedrine to treat a viral URI. And another physician thought everything could potentially be pneumonia and prescribed one of the most expensive antibiotics on the market to anyone with fatigue and a cough. I don’t recommend the last treatment.
Here’s what I have developed by ripping off the name of some Emergency Department (ED) shotgun treatments. In the ED patients presenting with an altered mental status may receive a “coma cocktail” or if they have heartburn symptoms and an acute myocardial infarction can be ruled out very early, they may receive a “GI cocktail.” So I have come up with a “cold cocktail.”
Disclaimer – there is no randomized controlled clinical trial supporting this treatment. It is based on clinical experiences and has been shown CLINICALLY to be effective. If you believe you have a common cold, you may try this regimen, but if your symptoms worsen or do not improve over a week you should see a physician.
Andy’s Cold Cocktail:
1. Mucinex DM – this medication contains guaifenesin and dextromethorphan (DM). The guaifenesin is an expectorant and will loosen up the mucus production in the upper respiratory tract and the dextromethorphan will suppress the cough, which will help decrease the inflammation from continual paroxysms of coughing. (DM mechanism of action is much more complicated, but essentially that is what it does.)
2. Sudafed – pseudoephedrine is an alpha 1 agonist and therefore constricts blood vessels. If one has high blood pressure, this medication should not be used. However, if one is normotensive this medication will decrease a runny nose by constricting the vasculature in the nose.
3. Ibuprofen – any non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAIDs) will work. I like naproxen over all the other NSAIDs. I take three 220 mg tablets to help with any aches and pains. This medication should be taken with food and avoided if you have a history of stomach ulcers. I prefer NSAIDs to acetaminophen because the latter also decreases inflammation and acetaminophen does not have anti-inflammatory actions. Any infection will cause some level of inflammation so I believe using a medication to decrease inflammation, if it can be tolerated, will be more efficacious than a medication that does not.
4. Rest – take the day off and let your body do some of the work to fight off this infection.
5. Fluids – with any infection the body will use all of its resources to fight it off and maintaining fluid homeostasis is always imperative.
6. Cough drops – this is purely symptomatic, but can temporarily alleviate the cough as well as some congestion.
7. Osteopathic manipulation – if I’m around or your physician is able to provide OMM it really does help. The sympathetic nervous system innervates the lungs at the thoracic vertebrae from T2-T9 and the head from T1-T4. Soft tissue techniques to these areas can help reduce the sympathetic overflow, which will decrease inflammation as well as suppress the cough, decrease nasal drainage and congestion. Also, cranial techniques to help with sinus drainage in the head and neck will alleviate many symptoms found in the common cold.
This is a very comprehensive treatment regimen. It has not been verified by multiple randomized controlled studies or via large-scale meta-analyses, but it has been very effective clinically. If you are unfortunate enough to fall ill to the common cold, try Andy’s Cold Cocktail in part or all of it. If it does not work or your symptoms do not improve see a physician who will be able to better address your symptomotology.
I was hit up with the cold at the end of November and early December. Then after only two shifts in January in the Emergency Department I caught the stomach flu. Now in February I have acquired the common cold again, despite my frantic hand washing, which is the most effective way to prevent the cold.
The cold and stomach flu are both caused by viruses, but not the same virus. The stomach flu, called viral gastroenteritis, can be due to a wide variety of viruses, but most commonly the Norwalk (formerly the noro-virus) and Rotavirus are the culprits. The common cold, diagnosed as a viral upper respiratory infection (URI), is caused by Coronavirus.
We all know the symptoms of a common cold; low grade fever, fatigue/malaise, rhinorrhea (runny nose), sore throat, productive or non-productive cough, sinus congestion, back aches, etc. All of these symptoms are somewhat non-specific, but in the proper setting, with adequate clinical experience and common physical exam findings the diagnosis of a viral URI is fairly easy and should be at the top of a differential diagnosis.
However, a physician must always think of what else could be causing these symptoms and develop a thorough differential diagnosis. An atypical pneumonia, such as that caused by mycoplasma, or a viral pneumonia may have similar presentation as the common cold. Strep throat, sinusitis and mononucleosis can also present in this manner. On a more serious, but less common level a differential could also include lymphoma or even HIV. Early HIV often presents with vague, cold-like symptoms.
Close to 95% of all URI are viral, so it is easy to dismiss many of these other diseases placed into the differential. The problem with viral infections, especially with the coronavirus, is they will not respond to antibiotics (which only target bacteria) and anti-viral medications are often expensive and ineffective. Moreover, even without treatment the common cold should dissipate after 7-10 days. Thus, supportive therapy and controlling symptoms is the only way to “treat” a viral URI.
So what treatments work? There are not a lot of evidence based clinical trials addressing the treatment of the common cold. Many physicians just rely on their clinical and personal experiences in treating this benign but annoying condition. One physician I worked with used what I termed the RFT treatment – rest, fluids and Tylenol. Another physician prescribed a medication that contained guaifenesin and pseudoephedrine to treat a viral URI. And another physician thought everything could potentially be pneumonia and prescribed one of the most expensive antibiotics on the market to anyone with fatigue and a cough. I don’t recommend the last treatment.
Here’s what I have developed by ripping off the name of some Emergency Department (ED) shotgun treatments. In the ED patients presenting with an altered mental status may receive a “coma cocktail” or if they have heartburn symptoms and an acute myocardial infarction can be ruled out very early, they may receive a “GI cocktail.” So I have come up with a “cold cocktail.”
Disclaimer – there is no randomized controlled clinical trial supporting this treatment. It is based on clinical experiences and has been shown CLINICALLY to be effective. If you believe you have a common cold, you may try this regimen, but if your symptoms worsen or do not improve over a week you should see a physician.
Andy’s Cold Cocktail:
1. Mucinex DM – this medication contains guaifenesin and dextromethorphan (DM). The guaifenesin is an expectorant and will loosen up the mucus production in the upper respiratory tract and the dextromethorphan will suppress the cough, which will help decrease the inflammation from continual paroxysms of coughing. (DM mechanism of action is much more complicated, but essentially that is what it does.)
2. Sudafed – pseudoephedrine is an alpha 1 agonist and therefore constricts blood vessels. If one has high blood pressure, this medication should not be used. However, if one is normotensive this medication will decrease a runny nose by constricting the vasculature in the nose.
3. Ibuprofen – any non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAIDs) will work. I like naproxen over all the other NSAIDs. I take three 220 mg tablets to help with any aches and pains. This medication should be taken with food and avoided if you have a history of stomach ulcers. I prefer NSAIDs to acetaminophen because the latter also decreases inflammation and acetaminophen does not have anti-inflammatory actions. Any infection will cause some level of inflammation so I believe using a medication to decrease inflammation, if it can be tolerated, will be more efficacious than a medication that does not.
4. Rest – take the day off and let your body do some of the work to fight off this infection.
5. Fluids – with any infection the body will use all of its resources to fight it off and maintaining fluid homeostasis is always imperative.
6. Cough drops – this is purely symptomatic, but can temporarily alleviate the cough as well as some congestion.
7. Osteopathic manipulation – if I’m around or your physician is able to provide OMM it really does help. The sympathetic nervous system innervates the lungs at the thoracic vertebrae from T2-T9 and the head from T1-T4. Soft tissue techniques to these areas can help reduce the sympathetic overflow, which will decrease inflammation as well as suppress the cough, decrease nasal drainage and congestion. Also, cranial techniques to help with sinus drainage in the head and neck will alleviate many symptoms found in the common cold.
This is a very comprehensive treatment regimen. It has not been verified by multiple randomized controlled studies or via large-scale meta-analyses, but it has been very effective clinically. If you are unfortunate enough to fall ill to the common cold, try Andy’s Cold Cocktail in part or all of it. If it does not work or your symptoms do not improve see a physician who will be able to better address your symptomotology.
Saturday, February 24, 2007
The New Way Rocked in an Old Way
“So basically we’re sixties garage rock. How many bands do that?” drummer Matt Sawicki asked last night during The Wednesdees inaugural show.
Sawicki’s rhetorical question was right on. There are not a lot of bands playing sixties’ covers like The Wednesdees and even if there were, they would not play as well or be as entertaining as The Wednesdees were last night.
Pronounced the “winds – dees” (“like the way old people say it [Wednesday]”), the band is comprised of Sawicki on drums, Jason Barthlow on bass/backing vocals and Jacob Longton as the lead singer/guitarist.
The set opened with a rocking version of Stepping Stone by the Monkees and concluded with a crowd favorite Gloria by The Shadows of Knight. In between The Wednesdees put their own touches on Cinnamon Girl by Neil Young and Hey Baby from Dirty Dancing; the latter brought the crowd together yelling and singing, “Hey baby,” while the former moved some older couples to get up and dance. At one point an impressed, older bearded gentleman dropped $25 onto the stage.
The New Way Bar in Ferndale, Mi was the perfect venue for this young band to debut. It was filled with a large, diverse crowd and the sound of The Wednesdees translated very well in this environment. If one was hallucinating, or just sick from an upper respiratory infection, they may have thought they were back in the sixties when the music was humble, emotional and not manufactured for target audiences like today’s pop music.
The Wednesdees put their own signature touch on each song they played. Barthlow has only been playing the bass since November 2006, but you would not be able to tell after his performance last night. Longton’s Telecaster and overdrive through his Fender amp produced a sixties’ feel, but with a unique new twist. The vocals and mix were outstanding and Sawicki’s mini-drum solos at the end of some songs illustrated how talented he has become behind the traps.
It was a fun night filled with music from a time when music was great. Sawicki, Barthlow and Longton have created an entertaining and talented new band by recycling the excellent music from the sixties. The Wednesdees made each song their own and yet one knew exactly from where the song came. Hopefully The Wednesdees will rock another “Fridee” real soon.
Sawicki’s rhetorical question was right on. There are not a lot of bands playing sixties’ covers like The Wednesdees and even if there were, they would not play as well or be as entertaining as The Wednesdees were last night.
Pronounced the “winds – dees” (“like the way old people say it [Wednesday]”), the band is comprised of Sawicki on drums, Jason Barthlow on bass/backing vocals and Jacob Longton as the lead singer/guitarist.
The set opened with a rocking version of Stepping Stone by the Monkees and concluded with a crowd favorite Gloria by The Shadows of Knight. In between The Wednesdees put their own touches on Cinnamon Girl by Neil Young and Hey Baby from Dirty Dancing; the latter brought the crowd together yelling and singing, “Hey baby,” while the former moved some older couples to get up and dance. At one point an impressed, older bearded gentleman dropped $25 onto the stage.
The New Way Bar in Ferndale, Mi was the perfect venue for this young band to debut. It was filled with a large, diverse crowd and the sound of The Wednesdees translated very well in this environment. If one was hallucinating, or just sick from an upper respiratory infection, they may have thought they were back in the sixties when the music was humble, emotional and not manufactured for target audiences like today’s pop music.
The Wednesdees put their own signature touch on each song they played. Barthlow has only been playing the bass since November 2006, but you would not be able to tell after his performance last night. Longton’s Telecaster and overdrive through his Fender amp produced a sixties’ feel, but with a unique new twist. The vocals and mix were outstanding and Sawicki’s mini-drum solos at the end of some songs illustrated how talented he has become behind the traps.It was a fun night filled with music from a time when music was great. Sawicki, Barthlow and Longton have created an entertaining and talented new band by recycling the excellent music from the sixties. The Wednesdees made each song their own and yet one knew exactly from where the song came. Hopefully The Wednesdees will rock another “Fridee” real soon.
Friday, February 23, 2007
The Wednesdees!
The Wednesdees! Tonight! The show is at The New Way Bar, 23130 Woodward Avenue, Ferndale, Michigan 48220.
Rock n roll all right!
Wednesday, February 21, 2007
Whoopsy Daiseys
Dear readers,
Apparently TheBlogAlliance has been suffering some technical difficulties. It worked on my screen, so I thought everything was ok. That is what I get for trying to show Spartan Pride.
It was pointed out how aesthetically displeasing it looks right now, so I will fix it when I get home.
At least it is legible for now.
Thank You,
Management
Apparently TheBlogAlliance has been suffering some technical difficulties. It worked on my screen, so I thought everything was ok. That is what I get for trying to show Spartan Pride.
It was pointed out how aesthetically displeasing it looks right now, so I will fix it when I get home.
At least it is legible for now.
Thank You,
Management
El Az Cancer? I Hope Not
Oh little Stacy Q., when she doesn’t have anything to do. She comes to my house, but let’s keep that between me and you.
I think it would be creative if a Catholic gave up Catholicism for Lent. Would God be mad at this, or would he/she respect the creativity?
The weather has warmed to over 500% of what it was just over the weekend. The hint of spring has me excited. Last spring was not too eventful, but the spring in ’05 was outstanding. I’m hoping (and I have a feeling) this spring will be like ’05. Anyone want to have a pre-spring party?
I haven’t seen Kohler in ages. I haven’t seen Morgan in 1/2 ages. I hope they are both doing well.
So here’s my new pet peeve in basketball. I still hate it when a score is 1-0, but my new one is when a player flops on the defensive end but acts like the strongest man in the world on the offensive end. Take the douche-bag Alando Tucker for example. He’ll try to defend a player in the post, but if he gets touched he flies across the court. So I think, “Wow. He’s a weak pussy.” Then I realize he’s just a dork, because on the offensive side of the court he’ll drive to the hoop and get fouled, but make the shot and then flex as if he is the strongest man in the world. So on one end of the court he’s strong, on the other end he’s weak. Can’t have it both ways – either you are strong, or you are weak. If you act like both you’re an evil human being…well maybe not, but you are an idiot on the basketball court.
I still get emotional when Luke kills the Rancor in Return of the Jedi and I see the Rancor’s owner come in and cry because his pet was just murdered. I mean I’m happy Luke survived for the good of the galaxy and Jedi, but I don’t like to see animals die…even if they are going to eat someone…as long as that someone isn’t me and if it is I hope someone kills it.
If people had to skip instead of walk everywhere I bet there would be less angst and rage. It’s hard to hate something or someone when you’re skipping. Imagine someone in the Ku Klux Klan skipping somewhere in their dumb costumes. You probably would laugh at them because of their unbelievable stupidity, but also because they’re skipping.
Recently I was engaged in a conversation and the other person was able to relevantly incorporate cartographer into the discussion. That was fucking awesome.
Yesterday at the surgery journal club one of the articles concerned the use of albumin measurements as a prognostic factor in morbidity/mortality of gastric carcinoma, GC, (stomach cancer). The study was done in Mexico and the authors stated GC was the most common gastrointestinal cancer in Mexico. Everyone in the room was surprised and then a resident suggested it might be secondary to their diet. I thought, “Shit. El Azteco is gonna give me stomach cancer and to make matters worse I’ll probably get shoddy service.”
I think it would be creative if a Catholic gave up Catholicism for Lent. Would God be mad at this, or would he/she respect the creativity?
The weather has warmed to over 500% of what it was just over the weekend. The hint of spring has me excited. Last spring was not too eventful, but the spring in ’05 was outstanding. I’m hoping (and I have a feeling) this spring will be like ’05. Anyone want to have a pre-spring party?
I haven’t seen Kohler in ages. I haven’t seen Morgan in 1/2 ages. I hope they are both doing well.
So here’s my new pet peeve in basketball. I still hate it when a score is 1-0, but my new one is when a player flops on the defensive end but acts like the strongest man in the world on the offensive end. Take the douche-bag Alando Tucker for example. He’ll try to defend a player in the post, but if he gets touched he flies across the court. So I think, “Wow. He’s a weak pussy.” Then I realize he’s just a dork, because on the offensive side of the court he’ll drive to the hoop and get fouled, but make the shot and then flex as if he is the strongest man in the world. So on one end of the court he’s strong, on the other end he’s weak. Can’t have it both ways – either you are strong, or you are weak. If you act like both you’re an evil human being…well maybe not, but you are an idiot on the basketball court.
I still get emotional when Luke kills the Rancor in Return of the Jedi and I see the Rancor’s owner come in and cry because his pet was just murdered. I mean I’m happy Luke survived for the good of the galaxy and Jedi, but I don’t like to see animals die…even if they are going to eat someone…as long as that someone isn’t me and if it is I hope someone kills it.If people had to skip instead of walk everywhere I bet there would be less angst and rage. It’s hard to hate something or someone when you’re skipping. Imagine someone in the Ku Klux Klan skipping somewhere in their dumb costumes. You probably would laugh at them because of their unbelievable stupidity, but also because they’re skipping.
Recently I was engaged in a conversation and the other person was able to relevantly incorporate cartographer into the discussion. That was fucking awesome.
Yesterday at the surgery journal club one of the articles concerned the use of albumin measurements as a prognostic factor in morbidity/mortality of gastric carcinoma, GC, (stomach cancer). The study was done in Mexico and the authors stated GC was the most common gastrointestinal cancer in Mexico. Everyone in the room was surprised and then a resident suggested it might be secondary to their diet. I thought, “Shit. El Azteco is gonna give me stomach cancer and to make matters worse I’ll probably get shoddy service.”
Tuesday, February 20, 2007
Watch the Points Keep Growing.
I had just text messaged Andy, asking him where Drew was in the second half.
Neitzel then scored 11 straight for the Spartans. He was once again a Spartan hero and was elated to be just that.
As I crawled around on the floor, with my down blanket draped over my head, I thought about just how long 3 minutes was.
I doubted these Spartans before, and I am sure I will doubt them again.
Tonight was special for Raymar, Drew, and the rest of the crew. Defense ruled, and a +14 rebound margin helped MSU overcome terrible fouls and spurts of turnovers. It seemed like MSU was so close, yet couldn't take over the lead.....until it counted.
MSU had never beaten a #1 team at home before. They were 0-16 in their history. For such a young and inexperienced team (in such desperate need for a big win) to do so is truly remarkable and unbelievable.
Seeing the kids rush the court was beautiful. Seeing tears in Izzo's eyes was touching. The phone calls to friends to all celebrate from afar was amazing.
The early block by Marquise Gray was one of the best I have seen. He was like a volleyball player spiking the ball. the crowd erupted.
The game ended up 64-55. Neitzel finished the night with 28 points in 36 minutes. Travis Walton added 13 points, 10 assists, and 7 rebounds, also in 36 minutes. (These included key back-to-back drives and layups). Raymar finished with 12 points and 8 rebounds.
Although I have a general dislike for the man, Bo Ryan made me laugh, just before speaking to the media in his post-game interview:
Neitzel then scored 11 straight for the Spartans. He was once again a Spartan hero and was elated to be just that.
"This is unbelievable, It is a chance for us to leave our legacy and our footprints on the program."
As I crawled around on the floor, with my down blanket draped over my head, I thought about just how long 3 minutes was.
I doubted these Spartans before, and I am sure I will doubt them again.
Tonight was special for Raymar, Drew, and the rest of the crew. Defense ruled, and a +14 rebound margin helped MSU overcome terrible fouls and spurts of turnovers. It seemed like MSU was so close, yet couldn't take over the lead.....until it counted.
MSU had never beaten a #1 team at home before. They were 0-16 in their history. For such a young and inexperienced team (in such desperate need for a big win) to do so is truly remarkable and unbelievable.
Seeing the kids rush the court was beautiful. Seeing tears in Izzo's eyes was touching. The phone calls to friends to all celebrate from afar was amazing.
The early block by Marquise Gray was one of the best I have seen. He was like a volleyball player spiking the ball. the crowd erupted.
The game ended up 64-55. Neitzel finished the night with 28 points in 36 minutes. Travis Walton added 13 points, 10 assists, and 7 rebounds, also in 36 minutes. (These included key back-to-back drives and layups). Raymar finished with 12 points and 8 rebounds.
Although I have a general dislike for the man, Bo Ryan made me laugh, just before speaking to the media in his post-game interview:
"If you start to chant 'overrated,' I'm leaving,"
Spartan Teams are Bound to Win...
I pulled a muscle jumping and yelling.
It was worth it.
64-55. Nice.
Monday, February 19, 2007
The Death of My Phone
Everyone say goodbye, for my phone has gone away. It started as a glitch, turning the time upside down and making the screen blank and white for a short period of time. It progressed to the blank white screen all of the time.
It still has a little life in it, as it is still able to make and receive calls. Who talks on the phone anyways? Certainly not me. I can not access my phone book anyways. I also can not text message, which is my Achilles Heel. It will probably be a good thing to those of you who I frequently text message. There are a few, since I has 2200 text messages used last month.
I don't really want to spend another $250 or whatever outlandish price they want me to pay for a new phone. It would be under warranty, with a free replacement, but one month after I got it, I had a milk-spilling drunken incident causing it to get a little wet. Apparently, when you get it wet, there is a little indicator on the front cover that turns red, causing your warranty to become void. This does not make sense as there is no cause and effect of the two events, since they happened 8 months or so apart. Try talking cause and effect to a Verizon Wireless customer service person though. If it sounds like something they might have learned about through human development or even the very early years in school, their brains no longer have the capacity to function.
So, if you don't hear from me, this is probably why. Or, you never heard from me in the first place. Or, by the off chance, I suppose I could have decided I just don't like you anymore. In that case, it hurts me more than it hurts you. Or something.
It still has a little life in it, as it is still able to make and receive calls. Who talks on the phone anyways? Certainly not me. I can not access my phone book anyways. I also can not text message, which is my Achilles Heel. It will probably be a good thing to those of you who I frequently text message. There are a few, since I has 2200 text messages used last month.
I don't really want to spend another $250 or whatever outlandish price they want me to pay for a new phone. It would be under warranty, with a free replacement, but one month after I got it, I had a milk-spilling drunken incident causing it to get a little wet. Apparently, when you get it wet, there is a little indicator on the front cover that turns red, causing your warranty to become void. This does not make sense as there is no cause and effect of the two events, since they happened 8 months or so apart. Try talking cause and effect to a Verizon Wireless customer service person though. If it sounds like something they might have learned about through human development or even the very early years in school, their brains no longer have the capacity to function.
So, if you don't hear from me, this is probably why. Or, you never heard from me in the first place. Or, by the off chance, I suppose I could have decided I just don't like you anymore. In that case, it hurts me more than it hurts you. Or something.
Sunday, February 18, 2007
Moldy Cheese Smells
This morning when I got back from work I realized the only difference between my apartment and the dumpster outside of my apartment was last night I didn’t sleep in the dumpster.
Or did I?
I didn’t.
How long does it take for the week old, moldy wet cheese smell to dissipate?
Or did I?
I didn’t.
How long does it take for the week old, moldy wet cheese smell to dissipate?
Saturday, February 17, 2007
What's in a Name?
There can be a lot of things in a name. For example, take my middle name. It is dedication. I stayed at work until 6:30 last night. That may not seem like too much dedication to you, but if you know me, it is.
There are street names. Take Michigan Avenue. There are Michigan Avenues all over Michigan, simply because it is Michigan. There is nothing profound about that. Actually there is nothing profound about any of this. I saw on the news the other day that there have been proposals to change the name of the road that heads west, directly into the capital in Lansing. Apparently, people think it would be better to change the road name from Michigan Avenue to The Avenue of Michigan - Gateway to the Capitol. I don't think that makes any sense. Every business in Lansing located on Michigan Ave. would have to change all of their business cards, menus, brochures, and signs. Way to be commerce friendly proposal. Whatever, it is dumb. If that ended up happening before I am ready to move, I will move strictly because of that.
Finally, there is the name of drinks. Being the weekend, I thought it necessary to throw this one out there. Take my margarita. I called them margaritas, but they were more like large iced glasses of tequila (with a splash of sour and lime juice). It was enough to get me feeling good, and after my daily nerdy after-work interneting I relaxed and got ready to head to the bar by myself. Overall, I won $50 playing Keno. Michigan schools win, and I win.
The NBA rookie v. sophomore challenge was weirdly entertaining to watch. The sophomores, led by Chris Paul, Monta Ellis, and David Lee, crushed the rookies by 41 or so. There was no defense, except when Rudy Gay thought it was necessary to try to show off. He is a goaltender, cheater.
Go State today against Iowa. Can they make a Tournament push? Three weeks from tomorrow we will find out for sure.
There are street names. Take Michigan Avenue. There are Michigan Avenues all over Michigan, simply because it is Michigan. There is nothing profound about that. Actually there is nothing profound about any of this. I saw on the news the other day that there have been proposals to change the name of the road that heads west, directly into the capital in Lansing. Apparently, people think it would be better to change the road name from Michigan Avenue to The Avenue of Michigan - Gateway to the Capitol. I don't think that makes any sense. Every business in Lansing located on Michigan Ave. would have to change all of their business cards, menus, brochures, and signs. Way to be commerce friendly proposal. Whatever, it is dumb. If that ended up happening before I am ready to move, I will move strictly because of that.
Finally, there is the name of drinks. Being the weekend, I thought it necessary to throw this one out there. Take my margarita. I called them margaritas, but they were more like large iced glasses of tequila (with a splash of sour and lime juice). It was enough to get me feeling good, and after my daily nerdy after-work interneting I relaxed and got ready to head to the bar by myself. Overall, I won $50 playing Keno. Michigan schools win, and I win.
The NBA rookie v. sophomore challenge was weirdly entertaining to watch. The sophomores, led by Chris Paul, Monta Ellis, and David Lee, crushed the rookies by 41 or so. There was no defense, except when Rudy Gay thought it was necessary to try to show off. He is a goaltender, cheater.
Go State today against Iowa. Can they make a Tournament push? Three weeks from tomorrow we will find out for sure.
Thursday, February 15, 2007
Today's Arguement.
When I was at the gym this morning, the radio DJ's were discussing the topic of women in the workplace. Apparently there was a news show on last night that discussed working parents (more predominantly mothers) sending their children to school when they are sick, simply since they can not take time off of work to care for. Both DJ's agreed that companies should give more flexibility to working parents, so they don't have to do that.
I don't want to sound totally sexist, so I am going to try to defend myself against that first. This applies to fathers as well. If you are lucky enough in this day and age to live with both parents as a child, between the two working parents, one should be able to stay home with the child when they are sick. That is the bottom line.
If you are a working parent and have a child, regardless if your spouse is around, you should probably think about finding a job that does give you the flexibility to care after your child when they are ill. There are so many companies out there that offer flex-time and opportunities to work part of your days at home. If you are a hard working parent who cares about your children, you should probably find one.
The bottom line is (and I have no basis for this, since I am not a father, as far as I know) that when you have a child, it should become your number one priority. If you have a high paying executive job or any other job that may facilitate less flexibility in your hours, you probably should set aside all of your personal financial goals, or whatever other motivations that you have, and think of your children.
I know this is hard, because in this day and age seemingly everyone sees dollar signs and hardly anything else. I just think that 80 percent of parents are retarded. No offense to retarded people.
I don't want to sound totally sexist, so I am going to try to defend myself against that first. This applies to fathers as well. If you are lucky enough in this day and age to live with both parents as a child, between the two working parents, one should be able to stay home with the child when they are sick. That is the bottom line.
If you are a working parent and have a child, regardless if your spouse is around, you should probably think about finding a job that does give you the flexibility to care after your child when they are ill. There are so many companies out there that offer flex-time and opportunities to work part of your days at home. If you are a hard working parent who cares about your children, you should probably find one.
The bottom line is (and I have no basis for this, since I am not a father, as far as I know) that when you have a child, it should become your number one priority. If you have a high paying executive job or any other job that may facilitate less flexibility in your hours, you probably should set aside all of your personal financial goals, or whatever other motivations that you have, and think of your children.
I know this is hard, because in this day and age seemingly everyone sees dollar signs and hardly anything else. I just think that 80 percent of parents are retarded. No offense to retarded people.
Wednesday, February 14, 2007
Valentine My Ass
For those of you who are in a relationship, enjoy this day. Valentine’s Day falls on hump day. Make good use of this coincidence.
For those of you who are not currently in a relationship, enjoy this day too. You can always hump if you want to.
For those of you who are just excited about the second installment of sixteen straight Lost episodes, enjoy the hour from 10 – 11 PM EST.
I’m really not as bitter as the headline might suggest. I said it on Tuesday and some people laughed, so I used it here. I try to recycle my humor. Recycling protects the environment…or so I’m told.
Emily is a hard-working, intelligent, thoughtful, fair and open-minded young woman. She is not a racist. I’m sorry for calling her that. I still may punch her in the neck though.
Sorry JC, this was not scathing enough. It’s 2007. I’m trying the positive energy stuff.
All you need is love. Love is all you need.
For those of you who are not currently in a relationship, enjoy this day too. You can always hump if you want to.For those of you who are just excited about the second installment of sixteen straight Lost episodes, enjoy the hour from 10 – 11 PM EST.
I’m really not as bitter as the headline might suggest. I said it on Tuesday and some people laughed, so I used it here. I try to recycle my humor. Recycling protects the environment…or so I’m told.
Emily is a hard-working, intelligent, thoughtful, fair and open-minded young woman. She is not a racist. I’m sorry for calling her that. I still may punch her in the neck though.
Sorry JC, this was not scathing enough. It’s 2007. I’m trying the positive energy stuff.
All you need is love. Love is all you need.
My Car is in MODS
My crooked spine, my senses dulled, that’s the point of delirium.
All of the Rally’s in the Metro Detroit area are changing their name from Rally’s to Checkers. That doesn’t change my mind of not eating there. Can I have a side of Betsy?
Although President Bush is slowing his administration’s war rhetoric toward Iran, it is disgusting how Orwellian this new debate has become. Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) have been replaced with a new scary term, Explosively Formed Penetrators (EFPs), war with Iraq replaced with war with Iran and the CIA’s continual intelligent failures. All of this sounds too familiar to replacing the war with Eurasia with East Asia and the Ministry of Truth propagating lies to scare the public into perpetual war.
How is 2007 treating everyone? Well I hope. Any good music I should download?
This is one of my favorite quotes I have read recently. It comes from the awesome Humming Text Vessel website. “.........I just feel like if I knew how to say "don't give me that shit!" in every language, I would be better prepared for what life has to offer..........”
93.9, The River, does not play “kick ass shit” as I was once told by a River employee. However, it does kick the shit out of 89X’s ass. That’s right. I called 89X incontinent.
In medicine there is a syndrome called systemic inflammatory response syndrome or SIRS. SIRS is a relatively non-specific syndrome, but if there is an infective source, like pneumonia, the patient with SIRS + infection has sepsis. Then if that person develops one or more organ dysfunctions, they progress to severe sepsis and then a syndrome called multi-organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS). Unfortunately, if the source cannot be controlled death is not too far off.
Recently a patient was admitted to the ICU at HFWH and surgery was consulted. The intern and I went to see this patient and the nurse and intern were arguing whether or not the patient was in severe sepsis. They believed he was no longer in severe sepsis and probably never was. However, I had to point out when the patient was admitted he was tachycardic, tachypneic, febrile and had an elevated white count so he hit all four SIRS criteria. Moreover, he had a positive C. Diff toxin (Morgan knows about C. Diff) so that was his source. Finally, his cortisol was low indicating his adrenals were not functioning properly. So, he met SIRS, plus a source, plus adrenal insufficiency. Hence, he was in severe sepsis at admission and should stay in the ICU until his cortisol, white count, temp, heart rate and respirations normalized.
Why do I bring this up? My car is in MODS and I just wanted to show the logic behind my theory. It began with the weird odor that was present for a long time. The left front daytime light went out and then the heat stopped working (now my car can only warms up secondary to the defrost). Shortly thereafter the serpentine belt broke. Then the latch to my hood fell off and cost a lot to replace. Then my CD player stopped working, forcing me to listen to the awful radio (but I like Alice Cooper’s show on WCSX). I wish I could make my car all better with antibiotics and IV fluids. But, if the “organs” keep failing in my car it may be time to withdraw care and let nature take its course.
Some quick recruiting news for Michigan State basketball.
The class of 2007 is loaded with talent and Spartan fans are going to embrace the win-at-all-costs attitude of point guard Kalin Lucas. His tenacity on the court is similar to that of Mateen Cleaves, but his game is more like TJ Ford and Chris Paul. That’s not a bad group in which to be included. This season he has lead his team to two fourth quarter victories against top teams in the state of Michigan. Recently he scored 11 of his 22 points in the final eight minutes to propel Orchard Lake St. Mary’s to a win over archrival Detroit Country Day.
Also, the Spartans are one of two schools the five star Lakewood, Oh star, 6’8 PF, Delvon Roe, is considering. At the end of this season the junior will choose between State and North Carolina. Izzo has not had great success in recruiting against ACC teams. He lost Chris Paul to Wake Forest (Paul didn’t want to compete with Marcus Taylor) and he was unable to woo Tyler Hansborough to East Lansing. However, Roe’s father has stated he wants his son to go to a school where the coaches will “get on their butts.” Moreover, Roe speaks with Raymar Morgan regularly and played on he AAU circuit with two Michigan State 2007 commits, Lucas and Durrell Summers. If Roe commits Michigan State’s class of 2008 will include the number three point guard in the nation, Korie Lucious, and the number one power forward.
Oh yeah. The 2009 Final Four is in Detroit. I have a feeling Izzo is building for something.
All of the Rally’s in the Metro Detroit area are changing their name from Rally’s to Checkers. That doesn’t change my mind of not eating there. Can I have a side of Betsy?
Although President Bush is slowing his administration’s war rhetoric toward Iran, it is disgusting how Orwellian this new debate has become. Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) have been replaced with a new scary term, Explosively Formed Penetrators (EFPs), war with Iraq replaced with war with Iran and the CIA’s continual intelligent failures. All of this sounds too familiar to replacing the war with Eurasia with East Asia and the Ministry of Truth propagating lies to scare the public into perpetual war.
How is 2007 treating everyone? Well I hope. Any good music I should download?
This is one of my favorite quotes I have read recently. It comes from the awesome Humming Text Vessel website. “.........I just feel like if I knew how to say "don't give me that shit!" in every language, I would be better prepared for what life has to offer..........”
93.9, The River, does not play “kick ass shit” as I was once told by a River employee. However, it does kick the shit out of 89X’s ass. That’s right. I called 89X incontinent.
In medicine there is a syndrome called systemic inflammatory response syndrome or SIRS. SIRS is a relatively non-specific syndrome, but if there is an infective source, like pneumonia, the patient with SIRS + infection has sepsis. Then if that person develops one or more organ dysfunctions, they progress to severe sepsis and then a syndrome called multi-organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS). Unfortunately, if the source cannot be controlled death is not too far off.
Recently a patient was admitted to the ICU at HFWH and surgery was consulted. The intern and I went to see this patient and the nurse and intern were arguing whether or not the patient was in severe sepsis. They believed he was no longer in severe sepsis and probably never was. However, I had to point out when the patient was admitted he was tachycardic, tachypneic, febrile and had an elevated white count so he hit all four SIRS criteria. Moreover, he had a positive C. Diff toxin (Morgan knows about C. Diff) so that was his source. Finally, his cortisol was low indicating his adrenals were not functioning properly. So, he met SIRS, plus a source, plus adrenal insufficiency. Hence, he was in severe sepsis at admission and should stay in the ICU until his cortisol, white count, temp, heart rate and respirations normalized.
Why do I bring this up? My car is in MODS and I just wanted to show the logic behind my theory. It began with the weird odor that was present for a long time. The left front daytime light went out and then the heat stopped working (now my car can only warms up secondary to the defrost). Shortly thereafter the serpentine belt broke. Then the latch to my hood fell off and cost a lot to replace. Then my CD player stopped working, forcing me to listen to the awful radio (but I like Alice Cooper’s show on WCSX). I wish I could make my car all better with antibiotics and IV fluids. But, if the “organs” keep failing in my car it may be time to withdraw care and let nature take its course.
Some quick recruiting news for Michigan State basketball.
The class of 2007 is loaded with talent and Spartan fans are going to embrace the win-at-all-costs attitude of point guard Kalin Lucas. His tenacity on the court is similar to that of Mateen Cleaves, but his game is more like TJ Ford and Chris Paul. That’s not a bad group in which to be included. This season he has lead his team to two fourth quarter victories against top teams in the state of Michigan. Recently he scored 11 of his 22 points in the final eight minutes to propel Orchard Lake St. Mary’s to a win over archrival Detroit Country Day.
Also, the Spartans are one of two schools the five star Lakewood, Oh star, 6’8 PF, Delvon Roe, is considering. At the end of this season the junior will choose between State and North Carolina. Izzo has not had great success in recruiting against ACC teams. He lost Chris Paul to Wake Forest (Paul didn’t want to compete with Marcus Taylor) and he was unable to woo Tyler Hansborough to East Lansing. However, Roe’s father has stated he wants his son to go to a school where the coaches will “get on their butts.” Moreover, Roe speaks with Raymar Morgan regularly and played on he AAU circuit with two Michigan State 2007 commits, Lucas and Durrell Summers. If Roe commits Michigan State’s class of 2008 will include the number three point guard in the nation, Korie Lucious, and the number one power forward.Oh yeah. The 2009 Final Four is in Detroit. I have a feeling Izzo is building for something.
Today is What?
I was going to write an abrasive and sarcastic blog about Valentine's Day. I decided to leave that one up to AZ. Don't let me down AZ. Don't let me down.
Sunday, February 11, 2007
Ski tripping in mid-Michigan
Saturday was one of those gem days. They do not happen all that often. It was amazing!
Friday night was fun as well, but rather low key. It included only Jimmy's Pub, but with our favorite waitress, Tex. Caleb and I left around1 and walked home in the frigid temperatures and snow.
We awoke Saturday morning and accepted our mission.
The warm clothes were chosen. The Jeep was packed up. It was 11:25am. Jimmy's Pub was visited again, as a token to the day that was ahead of us. Much to our surprise, Tex was there again. We ended up playing Keno and having a few beers and enjoying the Saturday morning/early afternoon patrons and employees. Just before two, we decided that we should head up to Brighton to meet Chris and Katherine.
We received great news that AZ was not going to have to be on call and could join us in the festivities. Although he did not want to ski, he supported the drinking festivities in the lodge.
After a few margaritas it was time to go.
Katherine was fearless in her debut. Chris and I were semi-pros, or very good amateurs. Caleb was spectacular.
I was the first (and only) one to bite it. I went down a side with Caleb that I had no business doing. The only reason I went down was because I was being too cautious and tentative. I put the tip of my ski into the ground and became a pinwheel. I thought I hurt my knee a little from the twisting. Turns out I was just a little baby. I didn't find Caleb again for another hour or so and just skied by myself, which was surprisingly fun.
Meanwhile, after my crash, Caleb sat at the bottom of the hill and watched someone who he thought was me fall multiple times and tumble down the hill. He thought he had killed me. When the gentleman got down the hill, Caleb approached him to make sure I was ok. But it wasn't me.
The second and last fall was not really my fault. We were crossing slopes and I was following Chris. he noticed that there was a rope on the ground and lifted his skis over it. I noticed a split second too late. I got one ski over and the other latched on. I stopped in mid air as my momentum was abruptly halted, and went face first into the ground. It was more comical than painful. It deserved more alcohol, nonetheless.
So the night went on. I think we got out of there at 1:30 after a $120 tab in the lodge. At times, Chris was forced to drink beer out of a white wine glass. He took it well.
I had so many layers on that I was toasty warm the entire time!
Back at Chris's house we played Tecmo Super Bowl. I was 2-0, including a 35-0 romp to end the evening.
Youtube has funny things on it.
Andy and I are chatty Cathys.
I think I sent a million text messages this weekend. Sorry if that makes me lame.
It is time to go back to work. Boo!
P.S. unfortunately, some of the pictures were blurry. Boo again!
Friday night was fun as well, but rather low key. It included only Jimmy's Pub, but with our favorite waitress, Tex. Caleb and I left around1 and walked home in the frigid temperatures and snow.
We awoke Saturday morning and accepted our mission.
The warm clothes were chosen. The Jeep was packed up. It was 11:25am. Jimmy's Pub was visited again, as a token to the day that was ahead of us. Much to our surprise, Tex was there again. We ended up playing Keno and having a few beers and enjoying the Saturday morning/early afternoon patrons and employees. Just before two, we decided that we should head up to Brighton to meet Chris and Katherine.
We received great news that AZ was not going to have to be on call and could join us in the festivities. Although he did not want to ski, he supported the drinking festivities in the lodge.
After a few margaritas it was time to go.
Katherine was fearless in her debut. Chris and I were semi-pros, or very good amateurs. Caleb was spectacular.
I was the first (and only) one to bite it. I went down a side with Caleb that I had no business doing. The only reason I went down was because I was being too cautious and tentative. I put the tip of my ski into the ground and became a pinwheel. I thought I hurt my knee a little from the twisting. Turns out I was just a little baby. I didn't find Caleb again for another hour or so and just skied by myself, which was surprisingly fun.
Meanwhile, after my crash, Caleb sat at the bottom of the hill and watched someone who he thought was me fall multiple times and tumble down the hill. He thought he had killed me. When the gentleman got down the hill, Caleb approached him to make sure I was ok. But it wasn't me.
The second and last fall was not really my fault. We were crossing slopes and I was following Chris. he noticed that there was a rope on the ground and lifted his skis over it. I noticed a split second too late. I got one ski over and the other latched on. I stopped in mid air as my momentum was abruptly halted, and went face first into the ground. It was more comical than painful. It deserved more alcohol, nonetheless.
So the night went on. I think we got out of there at 1:30 after a $120 tab in the lodge. At times, Chris was forced to drink beer out of a white wine glass. He took it well.
I had so many layers on that I was toasty warm the entire time!
Back at Chris's house we played Tecmo Super Bowl. I was 2-0, including a 35-0 romp to end the evening.
Youtube has funny things on it.
Andy and I are chatty Cathys.
I think I sent a million text messages this weekend. Sorry if that makes me lame.
It is time to go back to work. Boo!
P.S. unfortunately, some of the pictures were blurry. Boo again!
Saturday, February 10, 2007
Price Check on Honesty: $40
Last night after returning from the High Strung concert (they were way better than the Teeth, despite what DJ says) I made the customary trip to the Circle K for pizza rolls.
I stopped at the ATM in order to take out enough money to pay DJ/Jacob back for a couple of Sprites and the High Strung CD Moxie Bravo as well as cover myself for the next week or so. I took out $100. The ATM gave me $140.
As I walked over to the pizza rolls I contemplated, “Do I give it back or keep it? I’m poor. I could use 40 extra dollars.”
My conscience got the better of me and I told the weird employee (he freaks me out) the ATM gave me an extra 40 dollars. He smiled and said, “Well maybe somebody left it there.”
“Well it’s not mine,” I replied as I showed him my ATM receipt.
When I explained this to Jacob, he told me sometimes ATM’s make mistakes and withdraw that money from my bank account anyway even I didn’t request that amount.
I checked my MSUFCU account after I got back from the hospital this morning…yep, the ATM withdrew $140 from my account and now the weird employee got $40 from me.
Stupid honesty.
In better news, two new dance moves were invented last night. The Cripple Sexy is an interesting maneuver created by DJ. Then a variation of the Cripple Sexy, The Tyrannosaurus, was developed shortly after. Good moves. I’m sure many of you will see these soon enough.
Now I have to sleep or maybe eat and then sleep. Thank God State doesn’t play today. Greg Oden is a jerk.
I stopped at the ATM in order to take out enough money to pay DJ/Jacob back for a couple of Sprites and the High Strung CD Moxie Bravo as well as cover myself for the next week or so. I took out $100. The ATM gave me $140.
As I walked over to the pizza rolls I contemplated, “Do I give it back or keep it? I’m poor. I could use 40 extra dollars.”
My conscience got the better of me and I told the weird employee (he freaks me out) the ATM gave me an extra 40 dollars. He smiled and said, “Well maybe somebody left it there.”
“Well it’s not mine,” I replied as I showed him my ATM receipt.
When I explained this to Jacob, he told me sometimes ATM’s make mistakes and withdraw that money from my bank account anyway even I didn’t request that amount.
I checked my MSUFCU account after I got back from the hospital this morning…yep, the ATM withdrew $140 from my account and now the weird employee got $40 from me.
Stupid honesty.
In better news, two new dance moves were invented last night. The Cripple Sexy is an interesting maneuver created by DJ. Then a variation of the Cripple Sexy, The Tyrannosaurus, was developed shortly after. Good moves. I’m sure many of you will see these soon enough.Now I have to sleep or maybe eat and then sleep. Thank God State doesn’t play today. Greg Oden is a jerk.
Thursday, February 08, 2007
Mary Shoots She Scores!
First on the board of the 2007 Death Pool:
Mary.
Mary receives 61 points because Anna Nicole Smith died today. That is going to be a tough deficit to overcome. Hopefully, no one on my list dies, so Mary will be the only one going straight to hell.
In the meantime, congratulations Mary. You are one day closer to being a bit richer.
P.S. Anna Nicole Smith was found unconscious in her hotel room today. CPR failed to save her life. I am going to guess that it was due to a drug overdose, as a result of her depression.
This gives me an idea. The 2008 Death Pool will include a chance for extra points. A kicker will be added for predicting the cause of death as well. Word.
Mary.
Mary receives 61 points because Anna Nicole Smith died today. That is going to be a tough deficit to overcome. Hopefully, no one on my list dies, so Mary will be the only one going straight to hell.
In the meantime, congratulations Mary. You are one day closer to being a bit richer.
P.S. Anna Nicole Smith was found unconscious in her hotel room today. CPR failed to save her life. I am going to guess that it was due to a drug overdose, as a result of her depression.
This gives me an idea. The 2008 Death Pool will include a chance for extra points. A kicker will be added for predicting the cause of death as well. Word.
An animal story
Is this your homework Larry? Is this your homework Larry? Have you ever heard of Vietnam Larry? You're killing your father Larry. Do you see what happens little Larry? This is what happens when you F*#k a stranger in the ass!
This is a story about the elements, a squirrel named Larry, a garage, and eviction.
There once was a cute little squirrel, his name later became Larry in the human world. Larry was a loner. His mother never taught him to share. Larry knew that winter was coming. He scoured the streets of East Lansing, but did not quite fit in there. He defected to the East Side of Lansing. He wandered until he found a nice and quiet neighborhood. As soon as he arrived, he immediately got down to business. He found a nice house on Kipling Blvd. to set up his home base. With the very mild winter, up until a few weeks ago, Larry had plenty of extra time to prepare for the elements. He gathered food, and when now one was looking, snuck it into his newly fashioned shelter. Now, you would think that Larry was a lovable little squirrel. At first sight he was.
It was a snowy day. Kipling Blvd. was even quieter than usual, because the inhabitants of a certain household were out of town for the weekend. The L was empty and inviting. J was the first one home on a Sunday. He was tired and ready to lounge around for a bit. Like I said, the L was empty and inviting. J was suddenly awoken from his dream. It is ok, because J dreams messed up dreams. Sometimes he lives them, sorta. C was home, with K in tow. C is always loud when entering the threshold of his humble abode. The door slammed behind him. K was tired too, and like I said, the L was half empty and inviting. C was in a busy body mood. He went outside to grab a snow shovel. J would've helped, but he left his gloves at Jimmy's Pub.
The snow shovels were located in the locked back room of the garage. As C opened the door, he was met with a grin of little Larry who was relaxing in the nest he had fashioned out of insulation on one of the rafters. If I am not mistaken, he was smoking a little squirrel cigar. Now, I would have thought that C would respect the little smoking squirrel, but was a little turned off because little Larry wasn't paying any rent. (Cue the Not in Nottingham song).
C immediately tried to kick little Larry out of his shelter and into the elements. Little Larry, being the little smart ass that he is, informed C that he needed to give him a 30 day Notice to Quit before he could be evicted. As you can imagine, C was taken back by all of this, speechless. He left the garage and came into the house. Still silenced. J and K were probably watching something stupid on MTV.
Little Larry, well he wished he would have made better choices.
The names of certain squirrels have been changed out of respect for their families. Some facts of this story have been altered and embellished to make it more entertaining. The squirrel died of natural causes (freaking coldness). C is not a murderer.
This is a story about the elements, a squirrel named Larry, a garage, and eviction.
There once was a cute little squirrel, his name later became Larry in the human world. Larry was a loner. His mother never taught him to share. Larry knew that winter was coming. He scoured the streets of East Lansing, but did not quite fit in there. He defected to the East Side of Lansing. He wandered until he found a nice and quiet neighborhood. As soon as he arrived, he immediately got down to business. He found a nice house on Kipling Blvd. to set up his home base. With the very mild winter, up until a few weeks ago, Larry had plenty of extra time to prepare for the elements. He gathered food, and when now one was looking, snuck it into his newly fashioned shelter. Now, you would think that Larry was a lovable little squirrel. At first sight he was.
It was a snowy day. Kipling Blvd. was even quieter than usual, because the inhabitants of a certain household were out of town for the weekend. The L was empty and inviting. J was the first one home on a Sunday. He was tired and ready to lounge around for a bit. Like I said, the L was empty and inviting. J was suddenly awoken from his dream. It is ok, because J dreams messed up dreams. Sometimes he lives them, sorta. C was home, with K in tow. C is always loud when entering the threshold of his humble abode. The door slammed behind him. K was tired too, and like I said, the L was half empty and inviting. C was in a busy body mood. He went outside to grab a snow shovel. J would've helped, but he left his gloves at Jimmy's Pub.
The snow shovels were located in the locked back room of the garage. As C opened the door, he was met with a grin of little Larry who was relaxing in the nest he had fashioned out of insulation on one of the rafters. If I am not mistaken, he was smoking a little squirrel cigar. Now, I would have thought that C would respect the little smoking squirrel, but was a little turned off because little Larry wasn't paying any rent. (Cue the Not in Nottingham song).
C immediately tried to kick little Larry out of his shelter and into the elements. Little Larry, being the little smart ass that he is, informed C that he needed to give him a 30 day Notice to Quit before he could be evicted. As you can imagine, C was taken back by all of this, speechless. He left the garage and came into the house. Still silenced. J and K were probably watching something stupid on MTV.
Little Larry, well he wished he would have made better choices.
The names of certain squirrels have been changed out of respect for their families. Some facts of this story have been altered and embellished to make it more entertaining. The squirrel died of natural causes (freaking coldness). C is not a murderer.
Wednesday, February 07, 2007
Word Wizard, Hair and Shaq Attack
If there is someone you don’t like, you don’t have to say hello. There’s no reason you should leave, there’s no reason you should go.
The trip to Philadelphia destroyed me monetarily. Ouch. Looks like I’ll be eating at the Wyandotte Café for quite some time.
US Airways can go to hell.
Big night tonight on the television. Lost returns and the Spartans are in a must win situation on the road at a very much improved Purdue team. Unfortunately I don’t think State can win. Fortunately I’ll have Lost to watch.
The Wednesdees! Rock ‘n’ roll!
For whatever reason my body will only allow me to get five hours of sleep. Some people have trouble falling asleep. I have trouble sleeping in. Sometimes I just want to stay in bed, but then my back starts to hurt and my body tells me to go get chocolate milk and those good cinnamon donuts from Meijer.
I really would like to play Word Wizard on Commodore 64.
There was a gentleman on Headline News earlier this week ranting about Hillary Clinton. He really disliked her and believes that all she wants is to be in the White House like her husband. This man also believes she does not care about the country or any of the people. There probably is some truth to that (the ambition, not the not caring part), but I think that argument can be made for a lot of politicians. I believe that was President Bush’s motivation/ambition in 2000; that is to be in the White House like his father. But he has really fucked up badly. Ambition is not always bad, but it can lead to alienation and discontent when one’s ambition drives a dogmatic ideology. However, I tend to agree although politicians may understand the law and policy nuances, they fall short in truly understanding some of the complexities behind the issue. Health Care is an excellent example. As I watched John Edwards (who I like) talk about his health care proposals on Meet the Press with Tim Russert, I thought, “What a stupid jack-ass. He is fucking clueless…but very cute.”
So what! I wore Shaq Attack Reebok Pumps when I was on the eighth grade basketball team. Sorry I was too small to buy big boy shoes at the real Foot Locker and had to shop at the Kids Foot Locker. Sorry I refused to buy Air Jordan shoes out of my pure disdain for the Bulls and Michael Jordan. There just weren’t a lot of choices for a 5’2, 82-pound kid. Whatever DJ, you can laugh all you want.
I wish I could go back to when I wished I had a lot of facial hair and change my mind. I would say, “Yes, I wish to have some mild facial hair as well as chest hair, but please don’t make me too hairy.”
Sorry, I really didn’t write about anything too important.
The trip to Philadelphia destroyed me monetarily. Ouch. Looks like I’ll be eating at the Wyandotte Café for quite some time.
US Airways can go to hell.
Big night tonight on the television. Lost returns and the Spartans are in a must win situation on the road at a very much improved Purdue team. Unfortunately I don’t think State can win. Fortunately I’ll have Lost to watch.
The Wednesdees! Rock ‘n’ roll!
For whatever reason my body will only allow me to get five hours of sleep. Some people have trouble falling asleep. I have trouble sleeping in. Sometimes I just want to stay in bed, but then my back starts to hurt and my body tells me to go get chocolate milk and those good cinnamon donuts from Meijer.
I really would like to play Word Wizard on Commodore 64.There was a gentleman on Headline News earlier this week ranting about Hillary Clinton. He really disliked her and believes that all she wants is to be in the White House like her husband. This man also believes she does not care about the country or any of the people. There probably is some truth to that (the ambition, not the not caring part), but I think that argument can be made for a lot of politicians. I believe that was President Bush’s motivation/ambition in 2000; that is to be in the White House like his father. But he has really fucked up badly. Ambition is not always bad, but it can lead to alienation and discontent when one’s ambition drives a dogmatic ideology. However, I tend to agree although politicians may understand the law and policy nuances, they fall short in truly understanding some of the complexities behind the issue. Health Care is an excellent example. As I watched John Edwards (who I like) talk about his health care proposals on Meet the Press with Tim Russert, I thought, “What a stupid jack-ass. He is fucking clueless…but very cute.”
So what! I wore Shaq Attack Reebok Pumps when I was on the eighth grade basketball team. Sorry I was too small to buy big boy shoes at the real Foot Locker and had to shop at the Kids Foot Locker. Sorry I refused to buy Air Jordan shoes out of my pure disdain for the Bulls and Michael Jordan. There just weren’t a lot of choices for a 5’2, 82-pound kid. Whatever DJ, you can laugh all you want.
I wish I could go back to when I wished I had a lot of facial hair and change my mind. I would say, “Yes, I wish to have some mild facial hair as well as chest hair, but please don’t make me too hairy.”
Sorry, I really didn’t write about anything too important.
What?
It is 4:12 AM. I am awake to go to the gym before work. I did not set an alarm. I simply told myself before I text messaged myself to sleep that I need to exercise. I turned on the light in the living room and woke my roommate up inadvertently. Studying for your accounting class will certainly make you fall asleep on the couch. Regardless, I may be crazy for doing this, but fat kids have to start somewhere.
Monday, February 05, 2007
The Cab Ride Conversation
The scene: Wachovia Centre; row 12, seat 3. (That wasn’t my seat, but there was a person in my seat and the 76ers are not very good.)
My phone rings. It’s my town car driver for the evening. (I’m gonna be eating a lot of free dinners at the Dotte Café, because taxis are fucking expensive.)
(Read AZ with a nasally mid-western accent and the Driver with a fairly thick Middle-Eastern accent.)
AZ: Hello.
Driver: I am here. To your left.
AZ: (I look to my left). Outside? Oh, can you give me five minutes. The game is almost over.
Driver: Five minutes to ten is in five minutes.
AZ: Okay…I will meet you at the box office in five minutes.
Driver: Five to ten.
AZ: Umm…yeah. That’s fine. (The time was really 9.39.)
I walk outside after the Philadelphia 76ers beat my arch enemy basketball team (well one of them at least) the New Jersey Nets, 100-98 in OT.
The scene: Outside the Wachovia Centre; it is 10 degrees. My phone rings.
AZ: Hello.
Driver: I am here, but they won’t let me there. I am in between two Wachovia. On your left. My car is next to the crazy driver.
AZ: Where are you?
Driver: Left. I am not back there. I am to the left.
AZ: Okay. How should I get to where you are?
Driver: Look left. I’m down from the corner. On the left.
AZ: I’m confused. What is left? I don’t know what your left is.
Driver: I am at the corner.
AZ: What corner?
Driver: To the left.
AZ: (I keep walking, looking to my left) Okay, I think I’m where you are, but I don’t see you.
Driver: Do you see the crazy driver?
AZ: Maybe…
Driver: To the left.
AZ: I’m looking left, I don’t see you.
Driver: I see you. I’m waving my arms.
I look to my right and there is a man parked in the middle of the exit waving his arms. I run to the car and get inside.
The scene: Inside the back seat of a Lincoln Town Car.
AZ: Thanks man. I was confused as to where you were.
Driver: No problem. So did the team win?
AZ: Yeah, the Sixers won, 100-98 in overtime. It was a fun game.
Driver: Do you have the Jersey?
AZ: No, I just got a program. (I show him my program.)
Driver: No, the Jersey.
AZ: No, just a program. (I show him my program again.) What? (I ask confused.)
Driver: No did the Jersey score?
AZ: Who? What? I’m sorry.
Driver: They played the Jersey. Did they score?
AZ: Oh yeah, New Jersey had 98 points, but lost.
Driver: Oh. So are the Phillies the best at the basketball?
AZ: Oh…Well the 76ers are not very good this year. But they played all right tonight.
Driver: The Eagles are not very good.
AZ: Well they made the play-offs, so that’s not too bad.
Driver: But Indiana took the Super Bowl. They are the tough guys?
AZ: Oh yeah…I guess they are…the tough guys…they beat the Bears…I guess that makes them tough…
Driver: Who is the best at the basketball?
AZ: Umm…Well probably the Phoenix Suns or Dallas Mavericks. In the East Detroit and…(I trail off because his phone rings.)
A couple of minutes later and after a long awkward silence…
Driver: Was the game an indoor game?
AZ: The basketball game? Oh yeah, it was indoors.
Awkward silence.
Driver: Was it warm in there?
AZ: Oh yeah. It wasn’t bad. I mean it was comfortable, there really weren’t a lot of people there, but it was still warm…
Awkward silence.
Awkward silence.
Awkward silence.
AZ: So do you live in Philly?
Driver: Yes on the Northeast side.
AZ: Do you like it?
Driver: Yes it is nice. It is mostly Jews.
Awkward silence.
Driver: You know the south and west sides of Philadelphia…they are hubs for blacks. You know fights, drugs, shootings in the street. You go to the north side and it is working class and rich and richer. There are some black people there, but they are decent.
AZ: I see.
Awkward silence.
Driver: I’m not racist, but the west and south sides are hubs for blacks. That’s just how Philadelphia is divided.
AZ: I think I read something about that in the Philadelphia newspaper yesterday.
Driver: Well that’s just where they live.
AZ: Oh yeah. I see.
Awkward silence.
Finally, the drive ended. The driver was kind enough to take me and pick me up from a 76ers game, as if I were a twelve year old girl…I’m actually not too far from that, but that’s a different story. I paid the driver and now I’m trying to recall everything that happened. It was a weird drive. I hate Jason Kidd and the New Jersey Nets. Boo the Nets!
My phone rings. It’s my town car driver for the evening. (I’m gonna be eating a lot of free dinners at the Dotte Café, because taxis are fucking expensive.)
(Read AZ with a nasally mid-western accent and the Driver with a fairly thick Middle-Eastern accent.)
AZ: Hello.
Driver: I am here. To your left.
AZ: (I look to my left). Outside? Oh, can you give me five minutes. The game is almost over.
Driver: Five minutes to ten is in five minutes.
AZ: Okay…I will meet you at the box office in five minutes.
Driver: Five to ten.
AZ: Umm…yeah. That’s fine. (The time was really 9.39.)
I walk outside after the Philadelphia 76ers beat my arch enemy basketball team (well one of them at least) the New Jersey Nets, 100-98 in OT.
The scene: Outside the Wachovia Centre; it is 10 degrees. My phone rings.
AZ: Hello.
Driver: I am here, but they won’t let me there. I am in between two Wachovia. On your left. My car is next to the crazy driver.
AZ: Where are you?
Driver: Left. I am not back there. I am to the left.
AZ: Okay. How should I get to where you are?
Driver: Look left. I’m down from the corner. On the left.
AZ: I’m confused. What is left? I don’t know what your left is.
Driver: I am at the corner.
AZ: What corner?
Driver: To the left.
AZ: (I keep walking, looking to my left) Okay, I think I’m where you are, but I don’t see you.
Driver: Do you see the crazy driver?
AZ: Maybe…
Driver: To the left.
AZ: I’m looking left, I don’t see you.
Driver: I see you. I’m waving my arms.
I look to my right and there is a man parked in the middle of the exit waving his arms. I run to the car and get inside.
The scene: Inside the back seat of a Lincoln Town Car.
AZ: Thanks man. I was confused as to where you were.
Driver: No problem. So did the team win?
AZ: Yeah, the Sixers won, 100-98 in overtime. It was a fun game.
Driver: Do you have the Jersey?
AZ: No, I just got a program. (I show him my program.)
Driver: No, the Jersey.
AZ: No, just a program. (I show him my program again.) What? (I ask confused.)
Driver: No did the Jersey score?
AZ: Who? What? I’m sorry.
Driver: They played the Jersey. Did they score?
AZ: Oh yeah, New Jersey had 98 points, but lost.
Driver: Oh. So are the Phillies the best at the basketball?
AZ: Oh…Well the 76ers are not very good this year. But they played all right tonight.
Driver: The Eagles are not very good.
AZ: Well they made the play-offs, so that’s not too bad.
Driver: But Indiana took the Super Bowl. They are the tough guys?
AZ: Oh yeah…I guess they are…the tough guys…they beat the Bears…I guess that makes them tough…
Driver: Who is the best at the basketball?
AZ: Umm…Well probably the Phoenix Suns or Dallas Mavericks. In the East Detroit and…(I trail off because his phone rings.)
A couple of minutes later and after a long awkward silence…
Driver: Was the game an indoor game?
AZ: The basketball game? Oh yeah, it was indoors.
Awkward silence.
Driver: Was it warm in there?
AZ: Oh yeah. It wasn’t bad. I mean it was comfortable, there really weren’t a lot of people there, but it was still warm…
Awkward silence.
Awkward silence.
Awkward silence.
AZ: So do you live in Philly?
Driver: Yes on the Northeast side.
AZ: Do you like it?
Driver: Yes it is nice. It is mostly Jews.
Awkward silence.
Driver: You know the south and west sides of Philadelphia…they are hubs for blacks. You know fights, drugs, shootings in the street. You go to the north side and it is working class and rich and richer. There are some black people there, but they are decent.
AZ: I see.
Awkward silence.
Driver: I’m not racist, but the west and south sides are hubs for blacks. That’s just how Philadelphia is divided.
AZ: I think I read something about that in the Philadelphia newspaper yesterday.
Driver: Well that’s just where they live.
AZ: Oh yeah. I see.
Awkward silence.
Finally, the drive ended. The driver was kind enough to take me and pick me up from a 76ers game, as if I were a twelve year old girl…I’m actually not too far from that, but that’s a different story. I paid the driver and now I’m trying to recall everything that happened. It was a weird drive. I hate Jason Kidd and the New Jersey Nets. Boo the Nets!
To Expand
I was in a hurry this morning, but wanted to do a Monday morning blog. I just finished watching Prison Break, and refuse to watch 24. I have one hour before the cherry on top of my half-gay night, The Hills.
The other part of the Super Bowl night that I usually don't get into is the commercials. This year, I found myself laughing more than ever before at them. I especially liked the Emerald Nuts - Robert Goulet commercial.
If anyone has ever lived with me, which few have, they probably have come across my in the middle of a bad Robert Goulet styled song. Sometimes, I really dig singing like that. Maybe I am annoying. No probably. No definitely.
I also liked the Bud Light paper, rock, scissors commercial, and the Doritos "clean up on register 6". It was dirty and a little too edgy for television, but funny nonetheless.
Enough about the Super Bowl. It was lame. Payton Manning is lame. If you could say a pretty classy coach who's son committed suicide just over a year ago was lame, I would, but since you can't, I won't.
I am going to start listening to music at work. Sometimes it gets boring. Even though i work in groups, I am usually doing my own section of the audit, so it is dumb to not to. I only wish I had some new music to listen to. I am bored with mine. Thankfully, someone recently turned me on to a radio station that I can listen to online whose playlist includes: Destiny's Child, Mariah Carey, Donna Summer, Usher, Janet Jackson, Toni Tony Tone, Beyonce, and Prince.
Speaking of Prince, did anyone happen to catch the halftime show last night. I was digging the sound, and Prince's guitar playing. I liked his homage to Black history.......until he started covering Foo Fighters. It was one of the oddest and most bizzare things I have ever seen. Now I think I know how Brooke felt when she saw Andy and Chris doing Tatonka downstairs.
If anyone is interested in joining the weekend ski trip, please inquire within.
The other part of the Super Bowl night that I usually don't get into is the commercials. This year, I found myself laughing more than ever before at them. I especially liked the Emerald Nuts - Robert Goulet commercial.
If anyone has ever lived with me, which few have, they probably have come across my in the middle of a bad Robert Goulet styled song. Sometimes, I really dig singing like that. Maybe I am annoying. No probably. No definitely.
I also liked the Bud Light paper, rock, scissors commercial, and the Doritos "clean up on register 6". It was dirty and a little too edgy for television, but funny nonetheless.
Enough about the Super Bowl. It was lame. Payton Manning is lame. If you could say a pretty classy coach who's son committed suicide just over a year ago was lame, I would, but since you can't, I won't.
I am going to start listening to music at work. Sometimes it gets boring. Even though i work in groups, I am usually doing my own section of the audit, so it is dumb to not to. I only wish I had some new music to listen to. I am bored with mine. Thankfully, someone recently turned me on to a radio station that I can listen to online whose playlist includes: Destiny's Child, Mariah Carey, Donna Summer, Usher, Janet Jackson, Toni Tony Tone, Beyonce, and Prince.
Speaking of Prince, did anyone happen to catch the halftime show last night. I was digging the sound, and Prince's guitar playing. I liked his homage to Black history.......until he started covering Foo Fighters. It was one of the oddest and most bizzare things I have ever seen. Now I think I know how Brooke felt when she saw Andy and Chris doing Tatonka downstairs.
If anyone is interested in joining the weekend ski trip, please inquire within.
Never Ever., (At least not for a long time).
This weekend I did a few things I haven't done in a long time. I watched an entire Red Wings game on Saturday. They won, 5-3. I don't think I have done this for about three years. It was mildly entertaining. Then, Michigan State decided to show their true heartless colors, losing to Ohio State at home.
Saturday was redeemed, with a large group of old timers going to the bar. I made it to the Post, Harpers, Woody's, and Jimmy's Pub. It was super fun, but with mild to moderate annoyances peppered in until the end. Eventually, I went to sleep unscathed.
The Super Bowl was super boring, except for the first quarter. After that, the Chicago Bears turned into the Michigan State Spartans. They even changed uniforms. Rex Grossman is the WORST quarterback to ever somehow play in a Super Bowl. Ever. I didn't win any money in my office pool. Although, if Vinitari could have hit the extra point, I would have been $125 richer. I also managed not to drink a drop of alcohol during Super Bowl Sunday. This may be un-American, but whatever. I feel great this morning.
I made a Mexican feast, with Kade's help. My guacamole is no where near what Renee's is, but I gave it a valiant effort. Caleb cleaned. That was nice.
Good luck to AZ on his medical examination. Good luck to Kenny in finding another career path.
Saturday was redeemed, with a large group of old timers going to the bar. I made it to the Post, Harpers, Woody's, and Jimmy's Pub. It was super fun, but with mild to moderate annoyances peppered in until the end. Eventually, I went to sleep unscathed.
The Super Bowl was super boring, except for the first quarter. After that, the Chicago Bears turned into the Michigan State Spartans. They even changed uniforms. Rex Grossman is the WORST quarterback to ever somehow play in a Super Bowl. Ever. I didn't win any money in my office pool. Although, if Vinitari could have hit the extra point, I would have been $125 richer. I also managed not to drink a drop of alcohol during Super Bowl Sunday. This may be un-American, but whatever. I feel great this morning.
I made a Mexican feast, with Kade's help. My guacamole is no where near what Renee's is, but I gave it a valiant effort. Caleb cleaned. That was nice.
Good luck to AZ on his medical examination. Good luck to Kenny in finding another career path.
Saturday, February 03, 2007
Role Reversal
Usually it’s the JC posting from an airport.
Not today. Or maybe he will, I don’t know his plans for the day other than watching the Spartans beat the Buckeyes.
But right now I’m chillin’ (literally cold, they won’t shut the fucking gate door for passengers boarding to San Fran…jerks) at Detroit Metro.
I got here kinda early. I’ve already read Rolling Stone and I probably should start reading over the itinerary for my exam Monday. I have time I guess.
I love the motorized sidewalk things. I purposely walked up and down them four times just so I could pretend I was a character in the Jetson’s.
I wonder if I would have dated Judy if I were in that cartoon? Her name starts with a J and she’s attractive. She’s no Daphne, but in all honesty few are.
Anyhoo, I’ll land in Providence, RI at 3.30 before departing to Motown Philly at 6.00. This gives me just enough time to catch most of the Michigan State basketball game.
The Spartans are retiring Mateen’s jersey. State will win by 15, 76-61. That’s right. Eat 'em up, beat 'em up, kill them in their sleep!
Have a great weekend. It’s cold.
My boarding gate just got switched from A18 to A10. Unfortunately there are no motorized sidewalks. Damn!
Not today. Or maybe he will, I don’t know his plans for the day other than watching the Spartans beat the Buckeyes.
But right now I’m chillin’ (literally cold, they won’t shut the fucking gate door for passengers boarding to San Fran…jerks) at Detroit Metro.
I got here kinda early. I’ve already read Rolling Stone and I probably should start reading over the itinerary for my exam Monday. I have time I guess.I love the motorized sidewalk things. I purposely walked up and down them four times just so I could pretend I was a character in the Jetson’s.
I wonder if I would have dated Judy if I were in that cartoon? Her name starts with a J and she’s attractive. She’s no Daphne, but in all honesty few are. Anyhoo, I’ll land in Providence, RI at 3.30 before departing to Motown Philly at 6.00. This gives me just enough time to catch most of the Michigan State basketball game.
The Spartans are retiring Mateen’s jersey. State will win by 15, 76-61. That’s right. Eat 'em up, beat 'em up, kill them in their sleep!Have a great weekend. It’s cold.
My boarding gate just got switched from A18 to A10. Unfortunately there are no motorized sidewalks. Damn!
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