I Ain't Afraid of No Daleks

Well, technically, I SHOULD be on my way into work right now, but the physician's assistant INSISTED that I start my medicine today...and have been sitting at home, waiting for my prescription to be filled by the pharmacy, so I can get it. Apparently they didn't have it on hand, and the person at the health centre pitched a fit, and ordered them to get it, so I am playing telephone tag with both the health centre and the druggist, to try and get this prescription...which I am under strict orders to begin tonight, stat.

Seems this infection is dangerously close to messing up my kidneys, and also possibly giving me blood poisoning, which is a potential side effect of the illness...which can, I'm told, kill me, if left untreated. Uh-oh.

Well, I take that okay, 'cos I've had doctor's cry wolf to me, so many times: when I hurt my back getting run over by the pony in '91, I was told I might end up in a wheelchair permanently--tho' it was a tough haul, that scenario obviously never happened. I have, over the years, also been told that I had macular degeneration and was probably going to lose my eyesight fairly quickly--after a year of testing,turned out to be DORMANT retinitis pigmentosa...in one eye. Told I might have MS--it was just a bone spur in my neck, I might have cancer-no, it was actually a female problem, I might have congestive heart failure--after 6 months of tests my heart's fine...all of them turning, thankfully, into false alarms.

However, the kidneys aren't entirely a false alarm--tho' not as bad as originally portrayed, so I am listening to my doctors, just not freaking out or anything like that. Turning out to be one hell of an expensive day---spent $30 already, and haven't physically got anything to show for it, but finding out I'm sick...again. And I have to spend more money, going back to the drug store by cab...sheesh. Being sick in America, sucks. It's soooo-expensive!

But, I did get some good news, today. I'm getting $14 more in food stamps, next month. Not a big increase, but every little bit helps.

I also heard back from the shop, the one I complained to, 'cos they sold me bad cream...10 days out of date, and spoiled as hell. They are sending me a check for a refund.

Well, gotta' ring up the pharmacy and see if my meds are ready---I was told that if this illness gets much worse, I may end up in hospital...not something I want to deal with...being stuck in a hospital bed stinks--being in a hospital bed alone: SUCKS.

Have a good night, all.

Not for the first time, the military under the Bush administration, is baldly lying about civilian deaths during one of its air-strikes.

Time and time again, the Bush administration--ironically an administration, who has party members who believe that they are backed by God himself, has very casually downplayed the deaths of innocent women and children, often by horrendously inaccurate estimates.

Most recently, in Afghanastan, the brave top brass behind the Bush military machine, arrogantly insisted that an air-strike that allegedly took out roughly 30 Taliban militants, only killed 5 to 7 civilians. The Afghans claim as many as 500 deaths, but, hard evidence is coming to light that a minimum of around 20 deaths, to as many as 50 deaths, may have occurred, a good many of them babies and toddlers, as well as two pregnant women.

Villagers are angry, and probably rightly so. And, this is not helping to bring about trust and cooperation with the US-backed government there...which would in fact, go much farther in bringing about less Taliban activity, than bombing the hell out of villages ever could.

The Bush military has begrudgingly backed away from its hard stance as to the statistics of the bombing raid, and is sending ONE military intelligence officer to the region, to "look into the situation." Riiight. That means, he will drive his little Jeep around, talk to a couple of people--who probably weren't there, make some notes, and go back to his posh hotel for a nice meal and a shag with a local prostitute.

Oh yes, I support most of the troops---the one's not torturing prisoners and raping civilians, but will not support the people behind the troops. Never.

There I was this morning, eating my blueberry flavoured toaster waffle with maple syrup, playing some online cribbage, minding my own business, when a great big ol' moth flutters out of nowhere, into my face! How rude! Not to mention startling, as I HATE moths!

Anyway, I opening the balcony window in hopes it would fly back outside...and after a while, it did flutter over to the window, but, moths being pretty feckless and brainless creatures, it didn't quite get that there was in fact an escape, but persisted on fluttering around the closed side of the sliding glass window. Duh. Stupid moth. Anyway, Charlie noticed it, and boy was he thrilled! "I'm gonna' get that moth, ha-ha!" he said to himself, ears pointed forward, tail all aquiver with anticipation. But, just as he was about to pounce, it flew out the window--right under Boot's nose, who was sitting outside on the balcony. Well, Boots pounced...and ate the moth (yes, cats eat moths as well as they do mice).

Charlie was soooo--disappointed. The poor wee thing just kept looking around, ready to pounce at the slightest provocation...poor Charlie, he does adore play. He looked like a little kid who'd just lost his favourite toy.

Well, I'm waiting on a taxi. I'd rung up the health center, and I guess they want to run some blood tests and stuff. So, I rang up my supervisor and asked if I could work night shift--she seemed happy with that (probably they have more work tonight than this afternoon), so I'll be spending the afternoon (whenever the taxi decides to get here) at the health center. My sore throat and congestion seem to have cleared up, mostly, so I think I've warded off that flu that's been making the rounds, 'round these parts.

It's a fantastic autumn day here--not a cloud in the sky, slightly chilly but not at all cold--you can still wear a tee shirt comfortably (at least by my standards), so at least if I have to be ill (if I am ill again), at least I have a nice day for it.

Besides filling the airwaves with past programmes featuring David Tennant--designed to cash in on the actor's huge popularity, in the run up to the Christmas day Dr Who special, now the BBC is going one step further! In two weeks, there will be a Sunday afternoon special feature on BBC's latest channel, BBC Four and a half, which will feature the actor getting his teeth cleaned on live television.

BBC executives expect ratings on the new channel--which has programming exclusively tailored for seriously dull people, politicians, jobsworth's and health and safety employees--to double almost overnight, with the addition of oversexed fan-girls. "We're quite excited to have the opportunity," says one BBC exec, "this is what this channel was made for. Next week, we hope to show David Cameron, shopping for environmentally friendly toilet paper."

Well, a rough night again...not my foot this time, but something internal. I'm sitting here trying to decide what to do...ignore my illness and just go to work as usual, or go to the health centre--the health center where half the time they could give a damn about me, and have IGNORED my symptoms, until they got worse ("oh no, you don't seem to have an infection there..." Two weeks later: "Oh, will you look at that, you have an infection there, gee what a surprise...") Or, I could go to the ER, wait around for 8 hours, and risk the chance of being put in hospital overnight--always a fear, 'cos of the cost...$1000+ bill arriving in the post less than a week later...not to mention two days (or more) lost pay.

I also have developed a "floater" (dark spots wavering in my vision) in my bad eye, which isn't serious (probably) but is highly annoying! Not going to be fun looking at my computer screen this afternoon.

Meh, I'll go to work and ignore it, maybe go to the stinking health center some other time...can't really spare the $20 to $25 co-pay, on top of the $7 in cab fare. I still have the gas/electric bill to pay, and am still $100 short for it--which has got to come out of my pay packet...not to mention the $45 for the internet bill...and the $78 I spend each week for my shots. But, the electric and gas bill comes first. That's not something that can be late, either...if I'm so much as one day late--no joke, National f'ing Grid won't turn a hair about shutting me off, trust me, the boys who own National Grid are greedy, obnoxious, soulless little piggies.

The rubbish people who own National Grid couldn't care one whit if their yobbo "pay us or else" policies actually kill some woman or man horribly, by allowing them to freeze to death--a slow and painful death, I might add. I'm of the mind the worst and most horrible thing this state ever did, was to take away much of their controls over big business. Sure, it helps free enterprise and the economy---but the cost to the poor, elderly and disabled is so awful, it doesn't bear thinking about! You CANNOT allow big corporations free rein, without dire consequences to a portion of your population. Big businesses ONLY motive is profit...and while some corporations do have a conscience, other's do have any at all. They have their snouts in the trough, and if someone gets in the way of the corporate gorge-fest, big business tramples that someone without a thought or care.

Governments who privatize utilites, schools, social programs, etc, are asking for much bigger problems. Sure, they save money, but in the end, the idiots in suits who we laughingly call our elected representatives, will probably shell out more in public assistance for people whom these corporations diddle, than if the goverment just had let things alone in the first place.

At least, that's my opinion.

I've read where the BBC seems to be holding a David Tenant marathon, of late, showcasing the actor's previous television roles, such as 'Takin' Over the Asylum, The Chatterly Affair, and The Quartermass Experiment, and, HBO will be featuring the actor in another film, about Albert Einstein, sometime I believe, in October.

Meanwhile, the actor is busy being a ham--erm, Hamlet, and also, I imagine by now, must be in rehearsals for Love's Labours Lost. Judging by recent photos (below), the actor seems to have lost some weight, and looks rather tired. Of course, maybe I'm reading too much into a few still photos, and certainly, it's none of my business, but one cannot help but wonder just how long Tennant will be able to keep up his frantic lifestyle, before he begins to show his age, or it takes its toll on his health....which is probbly fine...I'm tired and still hopelessly bored and have nothing better to do than chatter inanely about some Scottish actor. I never pay much mind to celbrities, and I have no idea why I'm nattering on about Tennant at this time of night!

Anyway, half-past--11.30pm here, and I must get to bed. Hope you all have a good Monday.

Random Fives: Groups of five questions about you, chosen randomly.

1. What was your biggest challenge this past week? Dealing with my bad foot.

2. What was your biggest accomplishment this past week? Managing to get all my grocery shopping done, without forgetting anything.

3. What was the most exciting thing that happened in your life this past week? Seeing classic cars in Lake George.

4. What one thing made you the happiest this past week? Being able to buy a pot of Golden Cheryl mums for my balcony.

5. What one thing made you the saddest this past week? Me.

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1. Have you even attended a training certificate course or an adult educaation programme? yes, I have a Culinary certificate, and I've attended heavy equipment (construction vehicles), stable management, and flower arranging courses.

2. Are YOU currently in school (any level)? No, dropped out in late 2005.

3. Did you attend a state or public school? Over here, a state school is called a public school, and that's what I attended--tho' when I was in my very early teens, I did after school tutoring at a private (public) school.

4. As far as formal education, what level have you completed? 2 year AA degree in Liberal Arts/Humanities, plus nearly 3 years towards my 4 year degree in communications.

5. What are your thoughts on the cost of tuition for colleges and universities? Would take too long to talk about here. In the early 2000's, Bush did three very bad things in regards to college tuition: first, he cut aid to college, second, he cut financial aid programs, thrid, he made it totally impossible for people to include student loans in any bankruptcy proceedings AND, made it EASIER for lenders to go after student's pay checks, homes, possessions, etc, if they can't pay, AND student debtors also risk being turned down for housiing assistance and other vital necessities, under Bush's pro-lender, anti-student borrower plan.

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1. Where you live, what kind of weather (or weather-related tragedy) do you fear the most? Tornadoes.

2. What kind of weather do you MOST enjoy? cloudless days, no humidity, and temps in the low to mid-70's.

3. What kind of weather do you LEAST like to walk or drive in? Freezing rain or worse--ice storms! Scary stuff.

4. What is the scariest weather-related experience you've had in your lifetime? I was out snowshoeing on a bright sunny day, without a hat or sunglasses, and started to actually go snowblind--my vision got all red, and my eyes began hurting so bad, from the snow-glare, that I literally couldn't see--thank God I was in the field next to our house, and could guess my way home--took a while, but thankfully I was so familiar with trees and sounds and where everything was, that, once I calmed down I was able to find my way across the ditch next to our house, and from there finally bumped into the garage. (My sight cleared withing a half-hour of going indoors and lying down...but--maybe 'cos no one else in my family was at home at the time--I was well scared, let me tell you! I never told my parents about it...in fact, this is the first time I think I've ever mentioned it to anyone.

5. Have you ever experienced a natural disaster? No. I have been in two moderate earthquakes though, here in northeastern New York--but other than knocking some things off desks and stuff, nothing bad happened...the closest things to natural disaster for me, would be the three days we went without power, during a freak blizzard in early October, back in the mid-80's, which dumped a foot of snow on the region--while all the leaves were still on the trees...hence the massive power outtages...couple of people died during that storm, from fallen trees.

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1. What ONE thing would you like to accomplish before the end of the day? Getting all the washing up done.

2. What one goal would you like to attain before the end of the month? Have some money left over, so I can go to a play or to see a film.

3. Are you a "to-do list" writer? If so, do you stick to your list and cross things off as you complete them? Hardly ever, mum was big on lists, I tend think they are self-defeating, when you can't/don't do everything (or anything) on the list. I do sometimes keep reminder lists, or shopping lists, though.

4. In general, how tidy and organized do you feel you are? If you've ever seen Neil Simon's "The Odd Couple," I'm very much an Oscar Madison.

5. Which ONE surface in your home do you have trouble keeping clean? The gas cooker! I don't know WHAT that surface has been treated with, but it's hell to clean...never stays clean for more than a day or so...and very stubborn with letting loose the dirt.

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1. Are there any weird food fetishes or paranoias you have? Feel free to list as many as you like. Mushrooms--can't stand 'em. Not to taste, smell or look at, not in any way, shape or form--get 'em away from me! Bleh! Oh, and I thoroughly dislike fresh fruit--except apples. But I'll eat tinned peaches and sometimes tinned apple sauce. I also don't like some fresh veggies, like cucumbers and celery. And, while I'll eat tomatoes in tinned form, or breaded and fried with some brown sugar--I cannot stomach fresh tomatoes...the cafeteria lady forced me to eat a fresh tomato once, and was rewarded with me puking all over her shoes...haven't been able to stomach a fresh picked tomato, ever since.

2. When you were growing up, what ONE thing did your parents always remind you of, when it came to meal time (or cooking)? Mum was very keen on dinner table manners, and I have a long list, but the number one thing, I think was "chew with your mouth closed!"

3. When you were a child, did you play with your food? Sure. I used to pretend my French fry (chip) was a boat, and the the little pool of ketchup on my plate was the sea, and made boat noises as I "sailed" the chip through the ketchup with my fork--which of course got a cross "don't play with your food!" from my mum. Oh, and we used to throw strands of cooked spaghetti on the kitchen ceiling, to see if it would stick--mum was very put out with us for doing that...can't imagine why...

4. As a child, what was your favourite school lunch? Oh, that's hard to remember. But, I seem to recall being very fond of the Welsh rarebit--that was a flavoured cheddar cheese sauce served on saltine crackers. Yummy!!!

5. When you were growing up, what one meal do you remember as being your favorite? Yankee Noodle Bake---it was a very simple casserole of wide egg noodles, mixed with slices of hot dogs, tinned peas, a tin tomato soup, a squirt of French's yellow mustard, and onion powder or chopped onions, that mum baked in the oven.

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1. Do you do your own laundry or does someone else do it for you? I don't think anyone's done my laundry for me, in at least 10 or 15 years, if not longer.

2. Do you laundry at your home or a laundromat? No washer/dryer, so it's launderette.

3. Are there certain articles of clothing that you need to have dry-cleaned on a regular basis? I do own some clothes that need dry cleaning--but because I can't afford it, I either do my best not to wear them too often, or carefully wash them in the machine.

4. How often do you do laundry? Is there a certain day of the week that you consider "laundry day?" "Laundry day" is whenever I have a free day, feel well enough, and have the funds enough, to do the washing. It's usually the weekend...sometimes every week, sometimes every two weeks, sometimes once a month--depends on my budget and my health.

5. Do you iron your clothes as you pull them out of the dryer or do you wait until just before you wear the clothing to iron? The latter...I'm a terrible procrastinator...and, I detest ironing.

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1. How many times a month/year do you see the sunrise? If I'm up, I will look at the sunrise, so quite a lot.

2. How many times a week/month do you see the sunset? Ditto, every day if possible.

3. Do you go out at night and "gaze" at the stars? When I lived in the country, all the time. Here, only sometimes, they aren't as visible here in the city.

4.Do you like going outside during a thunderstorm to watch the lightning? No.

5. Have you ever watched a meteor shower, or seen a shooting star? Oh yes, I've been 7000 feet up in the Rocky Moutains, watching the Persiad shower all night long-one of THE most amazing things I've ever witnessed! You could literally HEAR them!! And once, in my hometown, I was walking through someone's back yard late one night, and was startled by a bright golden flair that whooshed just over my head--since there was absolutely no one about--trust me I was standing near a septic tank's leach field...I figured it was a shooting star--it was, I later found out...one that was unusually low to the ground, too.

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1. Have you ever been in a play? Yes, several times, in small parts.

2. Have you ever given a public speech? I had to take public speaking for my communications degree, plus I've given college presentations for groups ranging from 8 to 500.

3. Have you ever read poetry aloud to someone? Yes, participated in poetry readings both in English class, and at two open poetry sessions at the college's poetry night.

4. Have you ever been interviewed by a journalist? Yes, several times.

5. Has your picture ever appeared in a newspaper? yes, a couple of times.