Had an interesting episode at the doctor's office recently. I went in with a nasty sore throat and was told it wasn't strep (yay!). Doctor told me it's a viral infection, not bacterial.
"Let me write you a prescription for antibiotics."
Wait. Didn't you just say it was a virus?
"Umm... do I really need antibiotics?"
"No, not really. You can just gargle salt water four times a day instead."
Whoa Nellie!!! Now, I'm not in the medical profession, but it seems to me that a course of antibiotics and gargling salt water are on two vastly different ends of the treatment spectrum...
But that's just my humble opinion.
Saturday, November 21, 2009
Monday, November 16, 2009
Leeches & Bloodsuckers
because I have friends who will help me remove
mean nasty viruses
that some script kiddie thought were fun
to put on other people's computers.
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Guy Fawkes
Remember, remember the Fifth of November,
The Gunpowder Treason and Plot,
I know of no reason
Why the Gunpowder Treason
Should ever be forgot.
Courtesy of Wikipedia: Guy Fawkes Night
The Gunpowder Treason and Plot,
I know of no reason
Why the Gunpowder Treason
Should ever be forgot.
Courtesy of Wikipedia: Guy Fawkes Night
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Pepper's Story
Seeing as Pepper is now famous as the cat on my profile photo (and some of you know what a delightful cat he is), it's time we heard about him. This is Pepper's story.
The house where I first saw Pepper was a sad sight. Dozens of dogs and cats ran throughout the small grassless yard and more could be heard inside. Pepper was the last of the litter to go, but by no means was he the runt: right from the start you could tell he was going to be a big cat. He was passed over because he was covered in muck.
A common misconception about cats is that they need to drink milk. Far from it – many of them are allergic to the stuff. I’d owned such a cat before and recognised right away what the problem was with Pepper. This pitiful, filthy ball of black fur was literally being poisoned by kindness. But the little kitten was not about to suffer that chaos any longer. He had a plan.
As soon as he was placed in my hands, he squirmed around until he faced me and then latched onto my shoulder. Immediately he began a purr to rival a chainsaw, with his whole body vibrating as hard as it could. He rumbled his way into my heart right then and there, which was just as well because he wasn't about to let go of my blouse.
It didn’t take much to clean up this little gem. Ten years and 15lbs of muscular bulk later (no excess fat – the vet says he’s buff), he still purrs like a chainsaw and has been a source of fun and many laughs. Here’s to another 10, mate.
The house where I first saw Pepper was a sad sight. Dozens of dogs and cats ran throughout the small grassless yard and more could be heard inside. Pepper was the last of the litter to go, but by no means was he the runt: right from the start you could tell he was going to be a big cat. He was passed over because he was covered in muck.
A common misconception about cats is that they need to drink milk. Far from it – many of them are allergic to the stuff. I’d owned such a cat before and recognised right away what the problem was with Pepper. This pitiful, filthy ball of black fur was literally being poisoned by kindness. But the little kitten was not about to suffer that chaos any longer. He had a plan.
As soon as he was placed in my hands, he squirmed around until he faced me and then latched onto my shoulder. Immediately he began a purr to rival a chainsaw, with his whole body vibrating as hard as it could. He rumbled his way into my heart right then and there, which was just as well because he wasn't about to let go of my blouse.
It didn’t take much to clean up this little gem. Ten years and 15lbs of muscular bulk later (no excess fat – the vet says he’s buff), he still purrs like a chainsaw and has been a source of fun and many laughs. Here’s to another 10, mate.
Monday, October 26, 2009
The Gap
In Sacrament Meeting yesterday, one of the speakers discussed the difference between what we say we'll do and what we actually do. Calling this difference "The Gap," the sister giving the talk explained that it is something we experience in many ways in our daily lives.
This sister pointed out that if there is "a measurable need and a measurable outcome," we find it easier to rise to the task, no matter how difficult or even life-threatening it may be. With the natural disasters of the past few years in mind, think about how many people have sacrificed time, money and their own needs to attend to the needs of total strangers. These men and women have been angels to those unto whom they ministered.
The flip side to this is when there is little or no measurable need or outcome. This is when we often fail to perform – even if the task is easy. When we are rushed, overworked and tired, do we take time to sit down with the neighbour who just needs friendship? Do we listen to the child who wants to tell us yet another "knock-knock" joke? One of my friends has a sign in her house that says "Please forgive the mess and noise; my children are making happy memories."
Our Father in Heaven knows each of us personally and it is He who calls us to carry out this, His work. And as the scripture says; "when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God" (see Mosiah 2:17). When we finally realise these truths and act on them, this is when we fill The Gap.
This sister pointed out that if there is "a measurable need and a measurable outcome," we find it easier to rise to the task, no matter how difficult or even life-threatening it may be. With the natural disasters of the past few years in mind, think about how many people have sacrificed time, money and their own needs to attend to the needs of total strangers. These men and women have been angels to those unto whom they ministered.
The flip side to this is when there is little or no measurable need or outcome. This is when we often fail to perform – even if the task is easy. When we are rushed, overworked and tired, do we take time to sit down with the neighbour who just needs friendship? Do we listen to the child who wants to tell us yet another "knock-knock" joke? One of my friends has a sign in her house that says "Please forgive the mess and noise; my children are making happy memories."
Our Father in Heaven knows each of us personally and it is He who calls us to carry out this, His work. And as the scripture says; "when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God" (see Mosiah 2:17). When we finally realise these truths and act on them, this is when we fill The Gap.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
My Big Fat Greek Lie
When Mum came to visit last month, she brought 7kg (US translation: ~15lbs) of chocolate with her; or would have brought if it weren't for her suitcase being overweight. The chocolate was unceremoniously jettisoned, destined to follow her by mail. I suspect the arrival of said chocolate may have had something to do with the huge zit I noticed making it’s debut on centre stage last night.
My first thought as I stared at my reflection was "put some Windex!" After all, the father on My Big Fat Greek Wedding might be on to something. Hands up everyone who's removed a stain from their carpet with Windex? It works, people!! Although I recommend the clear stuff, not the blue.
I think that may be the extent of it's usefulness though. Carpets and windows. As for the unsightly pimple the next morning - that Gus doesn't know anything.
My first thought as I stared at my reflection was "put some Windex!" After all, the father on My Big Fat Greek Wedding might be on to something. Hands up everyone who's removed a stain from their carpet with Windex? It works, people!! Although I recommend the clear stuff, not the blue.
I think that may be the extent of it's usefulness though. Carpets and windows. As for the unsightly pimple the next morning - that Gus doesn't know anything.
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Sugar and Spice
My neighbours have two of the most adorable kiddies. Three-year-old Kate is growing up to be a very pretty, bi-lingual, mischievous tom-boy who has a kind heart and no qualms about sharing with others.
Her younger brother took an immediate fancy to my cat, although I’m not sure the feeling is mutual. True to the differing natures of girls and boys, once shown how to be gentle with Pepper, Kate immediately followed my example. Joseph, however, fixated on the body part that was presented in his face, and gave a sharp tug on Pepper’s tail.
Joseph has subsequently added a new word to his vocabulary; in fact apart from agua (while pointing at Pepper’s water bowl) it’s the only word I’ve heard him say: “meow-meow.” Although to be honest, it comes out more like bow-wow so he may be a little confused. It’s quite a common (and endearing) occurrence to hear the waddle-stomp of a 18-month-old who, with little nose and hands pressed against my patio door, hopes for a glimpse of the kitty, “bow-wow”-ing all the while.
Her younger brother took an immediate fancy to my cat, although I’m not sure the feeling is mutual. True to the differing natures of girls and boys, once shown how to be gentle with Pepper, Kate immediately followed my example. Joseph, however, fixated on the body part that was presented in his face, and gave a sharp tug on Pepper’s tail.
Joseph has subsequently added a new word to his vocabulary; in fact apart from agua (while pointing at Pepper’s water bowl) it’s the only word I’ve heard him say: “meow-meow.” Although to be honest, it comes out more like bow-wow so he may be a little confused. It’s quite a common (and endearing) occurrence to hear the waddle-stomp of a 18-month-old who, with little nose and hands pressed against my patio door, hopes for a glimpse of the kitty, “bow-wow”-ing all the while.
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