Thursday, January 26, 2006
Doxycycline...
Yup, antibiotics for my sinus congestion. "Take one capsule once daily until finished. Avoid sun exposure." Those are pretty straight forward instructions. There are 10 pills to take, one day at a time, so if multiply and carry the one.... yes, 10 days worth of meds.
The part I'm not too clear on, and it wasn't explained to me at the pharmacy, is the sun exposure issue. Should the pills avoid the sunshine, or should I avoid the sun? If it's the pills, then that shouldn't be too difficult. Stick them up high in the cupboard, so that Kylan will have to get a chair, a stool, and three boxes in order to climb up there. But if I am to avoid exposure to sunlight, things get a little more complicated. You see, I am not nocturnal. I'm awake during the day time. I am also not a vampire, who might be used to timing things so as to avoid the sun's deadly rays. Maybe I could simply wear a long overcoat, sunglasses and a wool toque. Or wrap myself in cloth like a mummy and just say, "bad burn", when talking to people. Should be an interesting next week and a half.
Huh, what's that? Ohhhhhh, right. I live in Vancouver - there is no sun. Then I guess everything's going to be just fine!
From another part of my brain, I want to share a secret with you. My doctor is named Dr. Jones, and I always have this strong urge to greet him with a German accent like that little creepy Nazi guy in the first Indiana Jones movie. "Ve meet again, Dr. Jones!" Alas, I always chicken out. I don't think he'd get it....
The part I'm not too clear on, and it wasn't explained to me at the pharmacy, is the sun exposure issue. Should the pills avoid the sunshine, or should I avoid the sun? If it's the pills, then that shouldn't be too difficult. Stick them up high in the cupboard, so that Kylan will have to get a chair, a stool, and three boxes in order to climb up there. But if I am to avoid exposure to sunlight, things get a little more complicated. You see, I am not nocturnal. I'm awake during the day time. I am also not a vampire, who might be used to timing things so as to avoid the sun's deadly rays. Maybe I could simply wear a long overcoat, sunglasses and a wool toque. Or wrap myself in cloth like a mummy and just say, "bad burn", when talking to people. Should be an interesting next week and a half.
Huh, what's that? Ohhhhhh, right. I live in Vancouver - there is no sun. Then I guess everything's going to be just fine!
From another part of my brain, I want to share a secret with you. My doctor is named Dr. Jones, and I always have this strong urge to greet him with a German accent like that little creepy Nazi guy in the first Indiana Jones movie. "Ve meet again, Dr. Jones!" Alas, I always chicken out. I don't think he'd get it....
Tuesday, January 24, 2006
Survivor...
Well, Canada had it's version of "Survivor" yesterday, and the Liberal party was voted off the island. Well, not too far off the island, actually, just a few benches over in the House Of Commons. Kind of unfortunate, because I hear that Greenland has lots of room for politicians and world leaders, from ANY country. Maybe it could become like a retirement home? Imagine Bush Sr., Clinton, Mulroney, Crétien, Thatcher, Hussein.... all swapping stories and sharing Geritol. I can sense another reality TV series coming on. Mark Burnett, are you reading this??
Ok, back to the national election in Canada yesterday. The old government is out, and the new one is in. Does anyone think things will be much different? We hope so, because the old government just lined their pockets (and their friends' pockets) with money. But I'm not terribly confident in any political party. "With great power comes great responsibility" (I think that's in the Bible somewhere). But unfortunately, great power generally also comes hand in hand with corruption and a personal moral decay. Ah well, at least we can watch the West Wing and see Jimmy Smits and Alan Alda go at it for a couple more months. It makes for good drama. Maybe all politicians should be actors first?
Did you know that they used an official "Elections Canada" wooden ruler to cross off my name when I went to vote? Wonder how much one of those would go for on eBay....
Ok, back to the national election in Canada yesterday. The old government is out, and the new one is in. Does anyone think things will be much different? We hope so, because the old government just lined their pockets (and their friends' pockets) with money. But I'm not terribly confident in any political party. "With great power comes great responsibility" (I think that's in the Bible somewhere). But unfortunately, great power generally also comes hand in hand with corruption and a personal moral decay. Ah well, at least we can watch the West Wing and see Jimmy Smits and Alan Alda go at it for a couple more months. It makes for good drama. Maybe all politicians should be actors first?
Did you know that they used an official "Elections Canada" wooden ruler to cross off my name when I went to vote? Wonder how much one of those would go for on eBay....
Saturday, January 21, 2006
I Have A Drinking Problem...
I've known it for a long time, but have been afraid to admit it. Lately, I've been through some personal introspection and have been able to come to grips with my disorder. Seemingly, all of my family, co-workers and peers have no difficulty with this issue whatsoever. In fact, Vancouverites - nay, all British Columbians - are known around the world for their ability to handle these types of drinks. With all humility I admit that it's true...
I am "hot-beverage-challenged."
Dealing with a cold the past 2 weeks I have been making myself a lot of tea (green tea and regular Lipton's). I like tea. I like hot chocolate. I even like Starbucks vanilla steamed milk. But if I drink it too soon, I burn my tongue. So I blow on it and inevitably it cools down too much. "Just sip it slowly", the experts say. Well, those experts have had years of killing their taste buds and nerve endings by guzzling scalding coffee every day. It hurts me when I sip (I just read that line over and I sound like a wuss). I've even tried sticking out my pinky finger like the British - didn't help.
This morning I made a cup of tea (in the YMI mug that Dennis gave me) and I sat down to play with Kylan. After giving him breakfast, Beth came to take care of him so I went and had a shower. Later in the morning I saw my tea, waiting for me. It was cold. This was not the first time I've ruined a cup of tea by waiting for it to cool and then forgetting about it.
So maybe I should give up the hot drink? Maybe diet Coke with lime will have the same soothing effect on my sore throat as the Lipton's people do? I certainly won't burn the inside of my mouth while sipping something on the rocks. Or maybe I can rig up a hot drink IV? I'm fairly sure that tea taken intravenously wouldn't burn my lips.
Regardless of my next steps (12?), I must confess to the blog world my inability to master the hot beverage. Sorry Starbucks. Sorry Tim Horton, wherever you are. Sorry Tetley Tea elves (do they live in a tree with the Keebler's?). I burn my tongue if I drink too soon. It's unsatisfying if I wait too long. I am convinced that I will have to live with this disability for my remaining days. Sigh. Pass the iced tea please....
I am "hot-beverage-challenged."
Dealing with a cold the past 2 weeks I have been making myself a lot of tea (green tea and regular Lipton's). I like tea. I like hot chocolate. I even like Starbucks vanilla steamed milk. But if I drink it too soon, I burn my tongue. So I blow on it and inevitably it cools down too much. "Just sip it slowly", the experts say. Well, those experts have had years of killing their taste buds and nerve endings by guzzling scalding coffee every day. It hurts me when I sip (I just read that line over and I sound like a wuss). I've even tried sticking out my pinky finger like the British - didn't help.
This morning I made a cup of tea (in the YMI mug that Dennis gave me) and I sat down to play with Kylan. After giving him breakfast, Beth came to take care of him so I went and had a shower. Later in the morning I saw my tea, waiting for me. It was cold. This was not the first time I've ruined a cup of tea by waiting for it to cool and then forgetting about it.
So maybe I should give up the hot drink? Maybe diet Coke with lime will have the same soothing effect on my sore throat as the Lipton's people do? I certainly won't burn the inside of my mouth while sipping something on the rocks. Or maybe I can rig up a hot drink IV? I'm fairly sure that tea taken intravenously wouldn't burn my lips.
Regardless of my next steps (12?), I must confess to the blog world my inability to master the hot beverage. Sorry Starbucks. Sorry Tim Horton, wherever you are. Sorry Tetley Tea elves (do they live in a tree with the Keebler's?). I burn my tongue if I drink too soon. It's unsatisfying if I wait too long. I am convinced that I will have to live with this disability for my remaining days. Sigh. Pass the iced tea please....
Tuesday, January 17, 2006
Precipitation Is Sanitation For The Nation...
Too wet. Way too wet. Rain rain go away, come again another day (and don't let the door hit you on the way out!). I feel it's a bit like when you're a kid and you don't eat your vegetables. It's guaranteed that one of your parental units will say that they are good for you, and that you have to eat because "there are starving kids in Africa." Of course, then you say that they are more than welcome to send your asparagus tips to Ethiopia.
That's how I feel about the rainfall we've been experiencing. 28 days later (wasn't that a zombie movie?), still drenched. Some will say that the rain is good for us. It grows the flowers and makes the plants green. Well, they are green all year round over here on the wet coast already. Send the rain to someone who needs it. Africa. Australia. Cleveland. Anywhere.
Oh, and I'm a dummy. I've lived in the Vancouver area for 15+ years and I don't have a waterproof jacket. Shouldn't I have learned by now? Personally, I think that anyone entering BC should be issued rain gear along with their complimentary Starbucks espresso and union picket sign. It just makes sense....
That's how I feel about the rainfall we've been experiencing. 28 days later (wasn't that a zombie movie?), still drenched. Some will say that the rain is good for us. It grows the flowers and makes the plants green. Well, they are green all year round over here on the wet coast already. Send the rain to someone who needs it. Africa. Australia. Cleveland. Anywhere.
Oh, and I'm a dummy. I've lived in the Vancouver area for 15+ years and I don't have a waterproof jacket. Shouldn't I have learned by now? Personally, I think that anyone entering BC should be issued rain gear along with their complimentary Starbucks espresso and union picket sign. It just makes sense....
Monday, January 09, 2006
Domesticated Thug...
I just saw a guy on the street today who looked like a big, bad biker dude. He was wearing a black leather jacket, wore a bandana on his head with his long shaggy blonde hair sticking out the back. His face had what looked like scars with plenty of 3 day old stubble. He was looking mean, and out walking his dog.
Problem is, his dog was a wee little toy poodle-mix. Anyone could hold it in the palm of their hand. So, the kind of dog that he was walking immediately negated the rough leather jacket. Also, the tiny mutt was on a cute teal coloured leash (that makes up for the bandana and the tough guy hair). Not only was the dog small, but it was wearing a little plaid sweater!! The poor guy now loses any sense of masculinity he once owned. The scars, the facial hair, the snarl - all crossed out due to the tiny dressed up canine at his side.
Here's the worst part: he was standing there waiting while the wee dog was pooping. Sorry bud, but you might as well have been wearing a shawl, knee high pantyhose, horn-rimmed glasses, and pushing a walker! The guys down at the bar better not get wind of your Monday afternoon routine. Hopefully, he doesn't get beat up by a senior citizen looking to take matters into her own hands....
Problem is, his dog was a wee little toy poodle-mix. Anyone could hold it in the palm of their hand. So, the kind of dog that he was walking immediately negated the rough leather jacket. Also, the tiny mutt was on a cute teal coloured leash (that makes up for the bandana and the tough guy hair). Not only was the dog small, but it was wearing a little plaid sweater!! The poor guy now loses any sense of masculinity he once owned. The scars, the facial hair, the snarl - all crossed out due to the tiny dressed up canine at his side.
Here's the worst part: he was standing there waiting while the wee dog was pooping. Sorry bud, but you might as well have been wearing a shawl, knee high pantyhose, horn-rimmed glasses, and pushing a walker! The guys down at the bar better not get wind of your Monday afternoon routine. Hopefully, he doesn't get beat up by a senior citizen looking to take matters into her own hands....
Thursday, January 05, 2006
Lost...
Looking for voice. Lost sometime after going to bed Tuesday night and before waking up Wednesday morning. Reward offered for anyone finding it before Saturday. Willing to trade awful cold and cough for a voice box in reasonable condition (no smokers please).
Meanwhile, I'll be drinking a lot more tea, making terrible throat sounds as I hack up a lung, and hopefully getting some semblance of sleep. Oh yeah, happy 2006 everybody....
Meanwhile, I'll be drinking a lot more tea, making terrible throat sounds as I hack up a lung, and hopefully getting some semblance of sleep. Oh yeah, happy 2006 everybody....
