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3/28/09

Snuggle fest


Look at ol' Jackie -- you just can't believe how affectionate these cats are. They aren't even put off by total strangers (not pictured). And they came from a shelter. People, go get yourself some cats, for cryin' out loud.

In other news, Owen took first place in only his second international mega-Twister competition. All 63 of the other children had been eliminated for various technical infractions at this point. He basically had the opportunity to 'solo' for a while to collect seeding points for the next tournament. It's gotten a lot more complicated than the leisure game you might remember from childhood!

3/27/09

Not really a sniglet

You know when you're walking down a long hallway at work and you see a co-worker walking towards you from the other end? You don't want to stare them down with a goofy grin on your face for 50 feet so you look elsewhere until you're about 10 feet away at which point you look towards them and say "Good morning!" as if you're just seeing them for the first time. Delayed greetification? I know, a little cutesy but this one's hard to squeeze into one word.

3/21/09

Allergy season

I was violently rubbing my eyes this morning creating some wicked allergic shiners when I noticed that I don't breathe when I rub my eyes. Why? two guesses

one: can't do two face-related things at once? but I breathe while brushing my teeth

two: left over evolutionary survival technique? We used to sleep in caves on the ground . .. If a proto-bear or saber-toothed tiger snuck in and started poking at our eyeballs with its snout, not breathing might make us seem dead and unfit for consumption. This might sound far-fetched but there are some pretty crazy facial reflexes like cold water in the ear causing horizontal nystagmus and cold water on the eyes causing bradycardia, which I have just learned is referred to in some circles as the mammalian diving reflex.

Maybe you can breathe while rubbing your eyes but I wouldn't get in the habit unless you plan on never sleeping in caves.

3/17/09

Finally, number 6.

I have hundreds of patients with high blood pressure and yet, until today, I had only heard 5 original excuses for why it was elevated on that particular day. In no particular order, those 5 are:

Nurse took it as soon as I sat down after walking in (legit but usually not true).

I just smoked a cigarette (semi-legit but brings up other issues).

It always runs high at the doctor but it's good at home (semi-legit but second part usually not true).

I forgot to take my medications (legit).

I'm stressed out (semi-legit minus).

Today I got #6 -- I was at a baby shower last night and had a couple corkers.

3/16/09

Movies

I finally saw a Best Picture nominee -- Milk. It was darn good. The story pretty much tells itself so I'm glad Gus Van Sandt just told it. And, it's true , Sean Penn is amazing, even down to the triumphant/flamboyant arm flailing at every rally. Master craftsman.

From the sublime to the ridiculous...
yes, you have to be in a 'Sunday-night-after-24-hours-of-moonlighting' kinda mood but Role Models is definitely worth a rental, if only to watch the Queen of Droll work her wacky magic. Her character needs a sequel.

3/9/09

PASaNiDST (Parents Against Saturday Night Daylight Savings Time)

Can't it be Friday night? Look what happens to the O-ster Monday morning -- o-stensibly getting ready for school -- when he doesn't fall asleep til 10 the night before. That's the living room couch and school starts in 30 minutes...

Rejoice America!


In these dark economic times, there are still little bright lights scattered around. Especially if you care about colon health. People -- it is Raisin Bran ... with almonds, yogurt clusters (yes! of FiberOne fame), cranberries and 28% of your rda of fiber. And then, as if to say 'yes, shopper, tiny miracles do come in pairs' -- it was ON SALE at Target. I had my first bowl this morning and it was even better than I imagined.

3/1/09

Seven!


O had a great party yesterday. Nobody cried. The cake Mommy made was delicious. Dad was attacked in the street by seven children with marshmallow shooters. When the shooters ran out of ammo, the kids balled up the 'mallows and pelted Dad with them repeatedly. Apparently no photographs were taken of this, probably to keep the kids out of juvey.

This morning, O was recovering nicely from all the excitement, using the Wii/electronic opiate in the 10 minute window Mommy wasn't on it. Users of the Wii will recognize the trance-like state of semi-alertness marked by intense focus on the game but little interaction with other stimuli.