MedWorm provides a medical RSS filtering service. Over 6000 RSS medical sources are combined and output via different filters. This feed contains the latest medical blog items that have been tagged with 'charlie'. Sat, 03 Sep 2011 01:50:18 +0100 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5118615&cid=t_100219_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FxUA4OoCH_wM%2F By Aaron Ross PowellFifty years ago, Joseph Heller published Catch-22, giving us a new idiom and forging a new perspective on the business of war. While other novels—such as Erich Maria Remarque’s All Quiet on the Western Front—stripped warfare of its romance, Catch-22 exposed it as just another form of the fundamental absurdity of bureaucracy. Writes Walter Kirn in Slate: Then, that fall, Joseph Heller’s Catch-22 appeared, abruptly downgrading war’s special status as an existential crucible and also, unwittingly, beginning the process of rendering four-star male novelists irrelevant. The book treats war on a par with business or politics (to Heller they were very much the same), portraying it as a system for alienating people from their own interests and estranging... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5118615 Tue, 09 Aug 2011 16:46:35 +0100 5118615 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4952794&cid=t_100219_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FII6rtUWA2_4%2F By Gene HealySo for three months now, we’ve been at war in a country that the president’s own secretary of defense admits is “not a vital interest for the United States.” Turns out, it’s also a war that the president’s own attorney general believes to be illegal. That’s what I get from Charlie Savage’s recent reporting on how the White House “forum-shopped” its way to its current position on the War Powers Resolution, to wit, you’re not engaged in “hostilities” if you’re hitting someone but they can’t hit you back. As the WPR’s 60-day deadline approached, the Pentagon’s general counsel and, more importantly, the head of the president’s Office of Legal Counsel, Caroline D. Krass, advi... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4952794 Tue, 21 Jun 2011 15:26:01 +0100 4952794 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4952994&cid=t_100219_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2011%2F06%2F17%2Ffatherless-on-fathers-day%2F {Holidays, 2008} This Father’s Day, I’ll be spending the day at my dad’s gravesite. It’ll be two years this August since my father passed away. I thought the wounds would heal by now. But they haven’t. Instead, it feels like the scar tissue is healing all wrong. The first year was a blur. Days dissolving into one another, melting like the clock in one of my father’s favorite Dali paintings. Days spent focused on checking off items on a to-do list. Months spent trying to carve out some sort of a routine in a half-empty house. Time heals all wounds; you hear that all the time. But I don’t think that’s true. Time tears off the Band-Aid, little by little, instead of ripping it off in one fell swoop. As the days, weeks, months and years go by, you just get caught... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4952994 Fri, 17 Jun 2011 10:11:12 +0100 4952994 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4724034&cid=t_100219_117_f&fid=38856&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.timemastermd.com%2F%3Fp%3D2258 Forget  libido boosting, Testosterone, or Growth Hormone promoting herbs, power bars, and high-tech memory boosters: The single best supplement for a guys’ or girls’ diet could be two cheeks full of nuts!  (you can start the jokes now)  As far as I can tell, there are health nuts,  nuts who love health, and then there a whole bunch of people who either vote for, or love people who are nuts! Two Cheeks Full News:  A new research study  demonstrates that naturally occurring antioxidants in pecans may help contribute to heart health and disease prevention. Apparently eating all those bowls of nuts on the bar down the street while drinking beer was the best preventive medicine strategy of all time?! Ever wonder “Why do we love Acorns so much?”  Acorn Bi... Timemaster MD blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4724034 Sat, 16 Apr 2011 15:34:09 +0100 4724034 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4720028&cid=t_100219_131_f&fid=34989&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FGeneticsHealth%2F%7E3%2FEogBLn8v39g%2F Catherine Zeta-Jones released a statement yesterday, announcing that she not only has Bipolar II Disorder, but that she also recently sought treatment at a mental health care facility in the wake of hubby Michael Douglas’ cancer scare. Good on her for being so forthcoming – usually, celebrities go to exorbitant lengths to hide their illnesses from the public which, in most cases, is a recipe for disaster. Hollywood just can’t keep secrets today like it could 20 years ago. TMZ, Perez Hilton, and the 24-hour AP newswire all have insiders and whistleblowers informing them of every celebrity hang-nail, papercut, bunion and sniffle. But Zeta-Jones has effectively issued a preemptive strike against speculation by just owning up to the truth of her situation. Here’s a list of ... Genetics and Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4720028 Fri, 15 Apr 2011 16:06:48 +0100 4720028 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4709248&cid=t_100219_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2011%2F04%2F13%2Fthe-power-of-re-framing-or-would-a-ranunculus-by-another-name-be-as-beautiful%2F The other night, it was my turn to host my children’s literature reading group — I’m now in three of these groups! Partly because I am in three of the groups, I keep the bar low, so I served take-out Chinese food and store-bought cookies, as I always do. But I did resolve to take the trouble to buy flowers for the table (though I must confess, I didn’t even go to a proper florist’s shop, but went to the deli around the corner from my house — lower the bar). When I want to get the flowers, I was thrilled to see that one of my very favorite flowers was available. I hadn’t even known the name of this flower until a few years ago, and I’ve always been sorry that it has such an unlovely name: ranunculus. I was moved to post this observation on Twi... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4709248 Wed, 13 Apr 2011 16:36:25 +0100 4709248 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4696952&cid=t_100219_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FZQ07CF6t0yY%2F For actor James Marshall, his latest appearance offered an unhappy ending. A New Jersey state court jury late last week denied his claim that he developed inflammatory bowel disease after using the Accutane acne med once sold by Roche. His colon was subsequently removed and he sued the drugmaker for $30 million, charging the pill derailed a once-promising acting career. To bolster his case, Marshall relied on testimony from director Rob Reiner and actor Martin Sheen (yes, his son is Charlie Sheen), a move that generated an unusual degree of attention for a product-liability lawsuit involving a prescription med. His Hollywood pals volunteered that Marshall, 42, was headed for stardom before his ailments upended his career. But the jury decided Marshall had a pre-existing intestinal conditio... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4696952 Mon, 11 Apr 2011 12:49:08 +0100 4696952 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4565890&cid=t_100219_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FsF_a79RXyQk%2F By David BoazIs this the last blog in America that hasn't commented on the Charlie Sheen meltdown? There isn't much of a public policy angle, of course. Oh sure, employment-law analysts are looking at whether Warner Bros. has the right to fire Charlie Sheen. John Stossel and Bill O'Reilly talked about that question Tuesday night. But I've got another contribution. If Sheen is gone, Warner Bros. is going to need another actor -- and a new "situation" -- to keep its hit show "Two and a Half Men" on the air. Here's my treatment: A womanizing actor (John Stamos) is delighted to buy a Malibu beach house at a fire-sale price when the owner (Charlie Sheen) suddenly leaves town. Then he's shocked to discover that the brother and nephew of the previous owner are living in the house, not paying rent... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4565890 Wed, 09 Mar 2011 15:06:56 +0100 4565890 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4552072&cid=t_100219_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2011%2F03%2F05%2F7-reasons-charlie-sheen-may-hate-alcoholics-anonymous%2F In one of the myriad interviews he gave over the last week, Charlie Sheen said clearly that he hates AA. A lot of people have trouble with Alcoholics Anonymous. AA is full of people and people can be messy and flawed. The human train wreck formally known as Charlie Sheen is a common sight in the AA meeting halls. The only difference between Mr. Sheen and other self-absorbed, delusional, frantic addicts is the size of the audience to which they rant. These people do not last long in AA. They mock the Fellowship and the 12 Steps (PDF) as too religious or simplistic. AA is beneath them. Here are a few possible reasons why Charlie Sheen might hate AA so much. Reasons Why Charlie Sheen May Hate AA He would have to admit he is powerless. He would need to embrace Humility. Deep tissue Change wo... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4552072 Sat, 05 Mar 2011 16:13:27 +0100 4552072 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4545072&cid=t_100219_122_f&fid=35068&url=http%3A%2F%2Fc.espnradio.com%2Faudio%2F522559%2Fsimmons_2011-03-03-104259.mp3 This is straying pretty far from the usual blog posts, but its topical. Listening to Bill Simmons’s podcast with Chuck Klosterman while driving home last night got me thinking about the role of confidence in society.  Would be interested in hearing feedback on it. A common reaction to periods of high anxiety, stress (or hangovers), is negative self-talk.  Muttering things like “I hate myself, I’m worthless” etc.  These reflexive utterances, though not fully contemplated, produce a running monologue that reinforces negative thought processes during the period of anxiety.  With the amount of stress, hangovers and therapy that Charlie Sheen has been through, I suspect that he has trained himself to reflexively substitute negative self-talk phrases with positive phrases, “I... Brain Windows blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4545072 Thu, 03 Mar 2011 16:00:17 +0100 4545072 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4495186&cid=t_100219_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FKezm3WhuHEE%2F By Michael F. CannonThe Associated Press reports that Alaska Gov. Sean Parnell (R) told the Juneau Chamber of Commerce that he will not be implementing ObamaCare: "The state of Alaska will not pursue unlawful activity to implement a federal health care regime that has been declared unconstitutional by a federal court," Parnell told the Juneau Chamber of Commerce, to applause, Thursday. The AP included a couple of interesting comments from ObamaCare supporters Timothy Jost, a law professor at Washington & Lee University, and Ron Pollack, executive director of Families USA. Jost described Judge Roger Vinson (to whom Parnell referred) as "one renegade judge," when in fact two federal judges have struck down ObamaCare's individual mandate as unconstitutional.  (Since only two federal jud... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4495186 Fri, 18 Feb 2011 12:01:58 +0100 4495186 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4436732&cid=t_100219_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2Fhe9bjIQ7Sr8%2F By Tad DeHavenOver at Downsizing the Federal Government, we focused on the following issues this week: Sen. Rand Paul bucks the trend of wimpy spending cut proposals with a more serious plan. Perhaps Charlie Sheen's agent should consider getting him a gig with HUD. A Senate Democrat supports a plan that would focus on spending cuts and not tax increases. Policymakers should roll back the punishing regulations and taxes that make it difficult for businesses of all races and sizes to succeed. Federal energy policy, Newt Gingrich, and "rank gooberism." This Week in Government Failure is a post from Cato @ Liberty - Cato Institute Blog (Source: Cato-at-liberty) Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4436732 Fri, 04 Feb 2011 18:33:23 +0100 4436732 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4419057&cid=t_100219_83_f&fid=34856&url=http%3A%2F%2Finsidesurgery.com%2F2011%2F01%2Fsurgeon-charlie-teo-auctions-tickets-winners-watch-operate%2F In a rather disturbing development, it is now being reported that Dr. Charlie Teo has auctioned off viewing seats to allow the general public to watch him operate. The proceeds are reportedly used for medical research. (Source: Inside Surgery) Inside Surgery blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4419057 Sun, 30 Jan 2011 22:37:33 +0100 4419057 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4266258&cid=t_100219_150_f&fid=34889&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpharmamkting.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F12%2Fpharma-is-cleverly-navigating-social.html "Surprisingly, it's the pharmaceutical industry that's been at the forefront of moving the FDA to issue social-media rules," reports TIME Magazine reporter Steven Gray in a story published online today (see "Drug Companies Take Their Pitch to Social Media — Carefully"). Steven interviewed me for this story and quotes me in this passage: "The companies realize their traditional websites and advertising strategies are no longer sufficient tools to promote products in a competitive marketplace in which doctors, pharmacists and consumers aggressively trade information about medicine on blogs. The companies are also aware that 'if they can't fully participate in the social-media conversation, they get marginalized,' says John Mack, publisher of Pharma Marketing Blog, which attracts about 25,0... Pharma Marketing Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4266258 Fri, 17 Dec 2010 15:26:00 +0100 4266258 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4253201&cid=t_100219_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2010%2F12%2F12%2Fthe-dreaded-question-is-santa-real%2F Parents often live in fear of this time of the year, because as their child ages, their belief in Santa Claus becomes challenged by hints that perhaps he isn’t as real as they thought. Sometimes the first hints come from watching television, catching a part of conversation that suggests Santa was never real. Other times it comes from surreptitiously catching Mom & Dad putting out the presents in the middle of the night. Yet other times it comes from the realization that it may be physically impossible for one individual to go down so many chimneys in such a short amount of time (not to mention how heavy he would be eating all those cookies!). Psych Central’s parenting expert Dr. Marie Hartwell-Walker will help you get through this transition to help keep your child’s ... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4253201 Sun, 12 Dec 2010 11:36:47 +0100 4253201 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4183284&cid=t_100219_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FaYRbtb2N_LI%2F By David RittgersYou’ve probably heard that a jury found Al Qaeda bomber Ahmed Ghailani guilty on only one out of 286 charges associated with the 1998 embassy bombings in Kenya and Tanzania. A predictable debate followed. Glenn Greenwald cited the outcome as proof that the system works, while Liz Cheney, Debra Burlingame and Bill Kristol described the trial as a reckless experiment. Thomas Joscelyn called the trial a miscarriage of justice. The most insightful commentary I’ve seen is over at Lawfare. Benjamin Wittes and Robert Chesney summed things up pretty well: “Trial in federal court didn’t work out the way the Obama administration wanted, but it wasn’t a disaster–and we can’t honestly say it worked out worse than the military commission alternative would likely have done... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4183284 Thu, 18 Nov 2010 22:51:29 +0100 4183284 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4098459&cid=t_100219_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2Fav8j7ew4lEA%2F Whoever thought the pharmaceutical industry was drifting toward the political center by striking a deal with the White House over healthcare reform must not have been aware of Fred Eshelman. Over the past few weeks, the ceo executive chairman at Pharmaceutical Product Development, a contract research organization, has donated more than $3.3 million to RightChange.com, a 527 conservative group that has funded negative ads in various US Senate races, according to the Center for Responsive Politics. Apparently, his donations constitute most of what the group has raised this year, according to third-quarter data analyzed by CPR, which reported the contributions on its Open Secrets blog. His largesse follows more than $5.4 million he donated to the group during the final months of the 2008 elec... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4098459 Fri, 22 Oct 2010 15:22:16 +0100 4098459 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4036648&cid=t_100219_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Freal-reform-in-healthcare%2F2010.10.06 “We want our employees to spend their time on real issues,” said Charlie Salter, VP of Benefits at ConAgra. He means it. Charlie and ConAgra have built their healthcare benefits around some simple concepts that are yielding impressive results. How impressive? Close to flat healthcare cost trend since 2007. Charlie’s work is part of a growing trend among America’s most innovative companies: Designing healthcare benefits in ways that have a real impact on quality and cost. It’s why I [recently] asked Charlie to share the podium with me in Boca Raton. ConAgra is showing it’s possible to control healthcare costs by helping people do the right thing. The vision behind ConAgra’s programs is simple: Employees have to be responsible for managing their own care. But, says Charlie,... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4036648 Wed, 06 Oct 2010 12:00:37 +0100 4036648 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4013145&cid=t_100219_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FKhclFApgeyQ%2F By David RittgersThat’s the claim the Obama administration made in court. As Glenn Greenwald puts it: [W]hat’s most notable here is that one of the arguments the Obama DOJ raises to demand dismissal of this lawsuit is “state secrets”:  in other words, not only does the President have the right to sentence Americans to death with no due process or charges of any kind, but his decisions as to who will be killed and why he wants them dead are “state secrets,” and thus no court may adjudicate their legality. Italics in the original. My colleagues Gene Healy and Nat Hentoff have expressed concerns about targeted killings. Charlie Savage wrote a good piece on this that highlights how even the most ardent defenders of executive power may blush at this broad claim of power. The govern... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4013145 Tue, 28 Sep 2010 18:22:50 +0100 4013145 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3993889&cid=t_100219_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FG5xocnyPod8%2F By Roger PilonToday POLITICO Arena asks: Does the Republican Party have a sore-loser problem? My response: Lisa Murkowski is Exhibit A of the GOP sore-loser syndrome. Poor little thing: She thought she was entitled to the seat. After all, Daddy gave it to her. But she’s not alone: Charlie Crist, Bill McCollum, Bob Bennett, Bob Inglis, Mike Castle, Dede Scozzafava — all sitting on the sidelines, running against the primary opponents who beat them, or even endorsing the Democrat in the race. They confirm the Tea Party contention: They have no clue about the changes taking place beneath their feet. Lisa Murkowski talks about the bacon she’s brought back to Alaska. But unlike the people marching in Paris to protest moving the retirement age from 60 to 62, the growing Tea Par... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3993889 Tue, 21 Sep 2010 12:44:53 +0100 3993889 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3938482&cid=t_100219_140_f&fid=35433&url=http%3A%2F%2F4thavenueblues.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F09%2Fsecond-chance-for-george.html My old supervisor arrived about as I was getting ready to leave. She was dressed very prettily this morning before putting on her Wal-Mart smock. The first shift had taken over and I caught her in customer service. We walked outside in the cool dawn air to talk for a moment as I told her I had something I wanted to discuss. “How was your first night?” she asked me first very excitedly. “It went fine,” I told her in reply. “I didn’t have any problems. Things went smoothly.  I was just extremely sleepy and nervous, though, all night.” “You will adjust,” she said as she put her arm around me and gave me a strong hug – waves of her perfume wafting over me. “You were way too overqualified for the job you worked for me. It has been bananas trying to fill your position.... The 4th Avenue Blues blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3938482 Mon, 06 Sep 2010 12:13:00 +0100 3938482 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3876601&cid=t_100219_87_f&fid=34872&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblisstree.com%2Ffeel%2Fcharlie-chaplin-on-failure%2F Failure is unimportant. It takes courage to make a fool of yourself. - Charlie Chaplin Post from: BlissTree Charlie Chaplin on Failure (Source: Healthbolt) Healthbolt blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3876601 Tue, 17 Aug 2010 11:00:40 +0100 3876601 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3865400&cid=t_100219_134_f&fid=35187&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FDiabetesDaily%2F%7E3%2FiOuyaoN8_W0%2Fcwd-friends-for-life---fast-driver.php Bernard, Amy, Kerri, Scott, photo by Jeff HitchcockOne of the hardest things at CWD Friends For Life (FFL) was deciding on which session to attend for any given pocket of time.  Each session ran for an hour, or an hour-and-a-half, and there were usually six or seven to choose from at any given time. On Wednesday morning I listened in to Kerri & Amy do a great presentation called "Finding Your Online Voice".  I loved it.  I thought Kerri & Amy were perfect hosts and leaders, and that the information was well received.  There were lots of questions, ranging from "how do I do it?" to "what about privacy concerns?" I hope that a few people found the inspiration to start sharing their stories.  After the session, I jumped on Kerri's coattails to go meet Charlie ... Diabetes Daily blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3865400 Fri, 13 Aug 2010 14:00:00 +0100 3865400 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3790909&cid=t_100219_140_f&fid=35433&url=http%3A%2F%2F4thavenueblues.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F07%2Fup-and-at-em.html Well, it is 4:00am and I am up and at ‘em.  Today, Monday, marks the start of my fourth week of returning to work.  Who would have thought I could have worked three days let alone four weeks a month ago.  A month ago, all I could think of was suicide I was so miserable.  Now? My life has taken on this 180 degree change. Yesterday marked a whole day without anxiety.  Isn’t that just wonderful?  It was the first time in  years.  No social anxiety. No knots in my stomach.  No feelings of impending doom. I thought I was in heaven and relished every bit of it.  I’ve had some withdrawal coming off all those medications, but it is nothing compared to the symptoms I experienced on them.  Who would have thought all those medications that ... The 4th Avenue Blues blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3790909 Mon, 26 Jul 2010 08:36:00 +0100 3790909 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3787098&cid=t_100219_136_f&fid=37852&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdonnatrussell.com%2F2010%2F07%2F25%2Fcharlie-rangel-a-relevant-question-at-last%2F New cartoon by Trussell & Trussell on Politics Daily. Charlie Rangel: A Relevant Question, At Last. Filed under: Politics Daily Tagged: charlie rangel, comics, ethics, investigation, msm, msnbc, political cartoon (Source: Donna Trussell) Donna Trussell blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3787098 Mon, 26 Jul 2010 03:24:23 +0100 3787098 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3730070&cid=t_100219_140_f&fid=35433&url=http%3A%2F%2F4thavenueblues.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F07%2Flove-abounds.html “I love you,” Charlie told me tonight. “I love you so much.  I don’t know how I will ever repay you for all you’ve done for Horsefly over the years. You will always be so special in my heart for helping him to talk and to learn to play like regular kids.” He gave me a strong and loving embrace as we stood in my den. “I have just been so worried about you all day.  It has made me sick with worry!  You don’t seem to be drinking even though you have some money, though.  I thought I would find you drunk tonight when you said you were mowing lawns.  I worry you are going to get in a mess with that job.  I called your father tonight and told him.  He said he is going to call you in a little bit to talk. Don’t worry. He sounded calm. I hated to... The 4th Avenue Blues blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3730070 Wed, 07 Jul 2010 01:28:00 +0100 3730070 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3730072&cid=t_100219_140_f&fid=35433&url=http%3A%2F%2F4thavenueblues.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F07%2Fcathartic-carts.html Work went well this morning.  I was a little tired from lack of sleep, but I handled it with aplomb. Today, I was quietly left to do my job with no supervision which was very, very nice. I wanted to settle into a regular and normal routine.  I want to know what to expect with each day with little surprises.  I didn’t want the socialization of yesterday that involved my coach showing me the ropes all morning.  I was thrown to the wolves as they say and I did fine.  There were only a few moments of stress when the carts seemed to back up faster than I could gather them, but I would eventually get caught up with persistence.  I kept having to tell myself that I used to be a research technician at a major university so surely I could handle this job.  ... The 4th Avenue Blues blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3730072 Tue, 06 Jul 2010 17:55:00 +0100 3730072 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3726756&cid=t_100219_140_f&fid=35433&url=http%3A%2F%2F4thavenueblues.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F07%2Fentrepreneur.html “A little nigger boy named Jerry usually cuts my grass, but I haven’t seen him in what seems like ages,” my elderly neighbor who lives the street over from mine told me this afternoon. “My yard is looking pretty bad. It’s growing embarrassing.  I was hoping he would show up any day now.  He cuts my grass for $10 dollars. I just can’t do it myself at my age. The heat gets to me when I try.  I thought I was going to have to hire one of those expensive yard services.” I was riding around the neighborhood on my raucous riding lawn mower looking for work. That thing is so very loud and obnoxious – the muffler heavily rusted and corroded. I know my neighbors hate me now.  My first purchase for my new lawn care business will be a new muffler.   I saw ... The 4th Avenue Blues blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3726756 Mon, 05 Jul 2010 21:59:00 +0100 3726756 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3724564&cid=t_100219_140_f&fid=35433&url=http%3A%2F%2F4thavenueblues.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F07%2Fcharlie-to-rescue.html “You look so good today!” Charlie exclaimed after entering my house. “You just washed your hair. Let me smell it. You really do fix up nice.  You’re such a good looking man.” Charlie brushed my wet hair with his hand and then gave me a strong hug in greeting.  I relished the close contact with him and the hug.  I’ve been so lonely today. Maggie was just about going bonkers at Charlie’s arrival.  She was doing her little happy dance in the floor at Charlie’s feet.  Standing up on her hind legs. “Yes! I love you too!” Charlie told her as he reached down and rubbed the nape of her neck vigorously. “How has your day been?” Charlie asked me. “I worry about that anxiety you’ve been experiencing.  You really struggle. Don’t you?” “Th... The 4th Avenue Blues blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3724564 Sun, 04 Jul 2010 23:10:00 +0100 3724564 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3703092&cid=t_100219_140_f&fid=35433&url=http%3A%2F%2F4thavenueblues.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F06%2Fquest-for-klonopin.html I was over at mom and dad’s at lunchtime when Charlie pulled up in dad’s Ford  F-150 truck which was filled with antique furniture.  I was standing outside knocking on the backdoor to no avail.  It was as if no one was home. I knew they were there. I was on a quest for Klonopin and my daily medications.  I didn’t want any anxiety whatsoever today and was going to nip it in the bud by taking my medications early if I could convince dad I needed them.  “You can never get them to the door of that big damn house,” Charlie said excitedly and emotionally. “Here, let me try to call your father to get him to the door. He better answer that damned phone of his.” Charlie’s cell phone rang and rang with no answer from dad.  Charlie started to bang on dad�... The 4th Avenue Blues blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3703092 Mon, 28 Jun 2010 00:15:00 +0100 3703092 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3701801&cid=t_100219_140_f&fid=35433&url=http%3A%2F%2F4thavenueblues.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F06%2Fweed-whackers.html Charlie arrived at my house late yesterday evening armed with things to trim and cut shrubbery.  I have my own arsenal under the house as well that dad bought me when I moved into this house.  It was a surprise visit.  He was just laughing and carrying on -- making jokes and being his usual acerbic self.  I was a little apprehensive at first – worried he would have to do all the work and I would sit on the sidelines. I was so worried I would have an anxiety attack.   “Let’s get your shrubbery shaped up,” he said handing me a sack of diet Cokes as a treat. “You’re gonna have the nicest yard on the block.” Charlie did this out of the goodness of his heart.  He could have spent his time doing a hundred other things on his Saturday evening.&nbsp... The 4th Avenue Blues blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3701801 Sun, 27 Jun 2010 07:23:00 +0100 3701801 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3662610&cid=t_100219_83_f&fid=34856&url=http%3A%2F%2Finsidesurgery.com%2F2010%2F06%2Ffloridas-daily-bp-oil-spill-response-update-june-14-2010%2F Florida Governor Charlie Crist and the State Emergency Response Team have released the June 14, 2010 update for the Deepwater Horizon BP Oil spill. (Source: Inside Surgery) Inside Surgery blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3662610 Tue, 15 Jun 2010 02:16:33 +0100 3662610 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3581873&cid=t_100219_167_f&fid=38271&url=http%3A%2F%2Frebeccascritchfield.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F05%2F19%2Fnew-chefs-council-cook-up-healthy-and-delicious-foods%2F We know eating healthy is of the utmost importance, but have you ever wondered just how important? Statistically, two thirds of American adults are ‘obese or overweight and a third of American children are currently overweight. According to the United States department of Health and Human Services, unhealthy eating and inactivity contributes to 310,000 to 508,000 deaths per year.’ Esteemed chefs have joined California Walnut Board’s Chefs Council to provide diners with healthy and ‘delicious menu options while illustrating the benefits from eating healthy’.  The group has the admirable goal of ‘helping to change the American menu’s nutritional profile’ by showing how walnuts, which are high in omega-3 fatty acids, can help in a diet. By getting Americans excited and passio... Balanced Health and Nutrition Rebecca Scritchfield's Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3581873 Wed, 19 May 2010 21:47:09 +0100 3581873 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3552206&cid=t_100219_87_f&fid=36050&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblisstree.com%2Flive%2Fcharlie-chaplin-on-laughter-quote-of-the-day%2F A day without laughter is a day wasted. – Charlie Chaplin Post from: BlissTree Charlie Chaplin on Laughter: Quote of the Day (Source: Breastfeeding 1-2-3) Breastfeeding 1-2-3 blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3552206 Tue, 11 May 2010 11:00:24 +0100 3552206 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3530000&cid=t_100219_140_f&fid=35433&url=http%3A%2F%2F4thavenueblues.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F05%2Fmy-thought-for-blogging-day.html View Full Album Charlie’s New Cat Charlie brought my medications last night.  Charlie also brought some diet Cokes and a fried shrimp plate from Merl’s diner.  He was in a super mood and was just laughing and laughing.  Dad is still having issues with his new computer system and had the tech guys at the store last night after closing.  “I’ve got a new cat,” he said. “For a few weeks, he has made himself at home.  Yesterday, he showed up with a collar with a bell on it.  It seems he has two homes now.” I laughed. It would be just Charlie’s luck.  The cat is a vagabond going where the grass is greener.  Charlie just laughed and laughed about it – so surprised when the cat showed up with a collar.   He had thought the cat was... The 4th Avenue Blues blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3530000 Tue, 04 May 2010 07:46:00 +0100 3530000 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3499297&cid=t_100219_140_f&fid=35433&url=http%3A%2F%2F4thavenueblues.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F04%2Fmy-thoughts-for-blogging-day_23.html My Constant Companion… Dad was in Monroe, Georgia for a 50th wedding anniversary yesterday.  Mom was feeling mentally interesting so she stayed in town.  She spent most of the day with me.  We are both on a high these days and are very busy souls.  I keep expecting the great crash for both of us that will put us in bed for a few weeks.  We went to Wal-Mart twice yesterday to get various things.   The audio/visual cables for my home theater cost $90 dollars alone. “Just how much have we spent at Wal-Mart these past few days?” mom asked me as we sat out in the parking lot of that retail establishment. “I’d say around $250 dollars,” was my reply. I never did get my Blu-Ray player.  Mom said that was too rich for her blood after we tallied up... The 4th Avenue Blues blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3499297 Fri, 23 Apr 2010 08:47:00 +0100 3499297 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3499284&cid=t_100219_136_f&fid=37846&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhealthinfoispower.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F04%2F22%2Fincreased-ovarian-cancer-metastases-identified-in-women-with-brca-gene-mutations-may-shed-light-on-new-treatment-approach%2F U.K. researchers have found that patients with hereditary ovarian cancer – whose tumors are caused by faulty BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes – are more likely to experience metastases of the liver, lung, spleen, and viscera. … [T]he researchers suggest that ovarian cancer patients whose tumors spread to the solid organs … should be tested for [...] (Source: Libby's H*O*P*E*) Libby's H*O*P*E* blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3499284 Thu, 22 Apr 2010 22:32:44 +0100 3499284 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3480916&cid=t_100219_140_f&fid=35433&url=http%3A%2F%2F4thavenueblues.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F04%2Fcharlies-steak-supper-tonight.html (Source: The 4th Avenue Blues) The 4th Avenue Blues blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3480916 Sun, 18 Apr 2010 01:07:00 +0100 3480916 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3437910&cid=t_100219_140_f&fid=35433&url=http%3A%2F%2F4thavenueblues.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F04%2Fmy-thoughts-for-end-of-blogging-day_04.html Charlie called me this afternoon.  I made the mistake of saying Charlie’s name and Maggie whined for hours until he just arrived.  I was so overjoyed at all the treats Charlie brought Maggie and I.  Charlie brought Maggie a big bag of teriyaki beef jerky from Kroger.  I got a carton of Marlboro Reds (rich for my austere tastes). A big plate of Easter fixings with ham, sesame chicken, corn casserole, macaroni casserole, green beans, garlic biscuits, potato salad, and deviled eggs.  I also got a bucket of grilled chicken and a giant cup of sweet tea from Kentucky Fried Chicken.  Charlie also brought my medications and my six diet Cokes for tomorrow which I will, no doubt, drink tonight.  I am off to enjoy this evening feeling very mental well.  I wil... The 4th Avenue Blues blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3437910 Mon, 05 Apr 2010 01:28:00 +0100 3437910 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3436394&cid=t_100219_140_f&fid=35433&url=http%3A%2F%2F4thavenueblues.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F04%2Feaster-sunday-attitude-of-gratitude.html (Source: The 4th Avenue Blues) The 4th Avenue Blues blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3436394 Sun, 04 Apr 2010 07:01:00 +0100 3436394 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3435232&cid=t_100219_140_f&fid=35433&url=http%3A%2F%2F4thavenueblues.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F04%2Fmy-thoughts-for-blogging-day.html Mental Illness Strikes Overnight... I was so disheartened when I woke up in the middle of the night with a severe anxiety attack.  I had never had that happen before.  My heart was racing wildly. I felt mentally discombobulated.  I was drenched wet in sweat.  My eyesight was all askew.  I lay in the bed scared to death and it took two hours to pass.  I don't know what I am going to do.  I am so scared of these attacks.  They are agony.  I wouldn't wish them upon my worst enemy. Charlie Arrives... Charlie arrived last night bearing lots of gifts.  He brought me two Big Macs, a large fry, a regular cup of Coke, and then six diet Cokes for tomorrow.  I took all my medications and we sat down to talk.  Charlie is Maggie's favorite pe... The 4th Avenue Blues blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3435232 Sat, 03 Apr 2010 08:08:00 +0100 3435232 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3416007&cid=t_100219_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FKsQzcQ3YE6w%2F By Chris MoodyHe did it again: Florida governor and senatorial candidate Charlie Crist cited Cato’s 2008 Governors’ Report Card as evidence of his fiscal conservative credentials, this time in a Fox News Sunday debate with his primary opponent Marco Rubio. Trouble is, the report card’s author, Chris Edwards, has gone on the record again and again explaining how Crist has fallen hard off the fiscal responsibility wagon since the report was released two years ago. The Florida media has publicized Edwards’ correction of the record numerous times since Crist began citing the Cato rating in his political ads. It is difficult to believe that Crist can be unaware of that. Here’s Edwards in October 2009: Since I wrote the report in mid-2008, the governor seems to have fallen off ... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3416007 Mon, 29 Mar 2010 15:46:03 +0100 3416007 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3416335&cid=t_100219_151_f&fid=35818&url=http%3A%2F%2Frecoveryissexy.com%2Ffree-aa-mp3s-and-film-of-bill-w%2F Silkworth.net has a selection of free MP3’s of the founders and old-timers of Alcoholics Anonymous. Also there is a movie “My Name is Bill W.” -The Movie – 700 MB, high quality, 1hr 40 minutes. The MP3’s include; The Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous Joe and Charlie Big Book study Father Martin -giving his ‘Chalk Talk’ Alcoholics Anonymous – this is a large print of the Big Book as a pdf file. Talks by Father John Doe A Study Guide to the AA Big Book -by Ken W. Bill W. and Dr. Bob (cofounders of Alcoholics Anonymous) Lois Wilson (Al-anon) Clarence Snyder The ‘Big Book’ as a Windows Helpfile Random Big Book quotes for Windows screen saver See all at – Silkworth.net See also MP3 Free 12 Step Tracks MP3 Recovery Tracks for Lesbians in AA... Recovery Is Sexy.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3416335 Sun, 28 Mar 2010 16:58:00 +0100 3416335 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3412578&cid=t_100219_140_f&fid=35433&url=http%3A%2F%2F4thavenueblues.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F03%2Fmy-thoughts-for-day_28.html The Ghetto Lawnmower… Dad bought me a used lawnmower a few years ago.  I have rarely used it.  Last summer, I was having those panic/anxiety attacks and couldn’t mow my lawn.  Charlie came every two weeks and did it for me.  Late yesterday afternoon, I got out the lawnmower cleaning the air filter, changing the oil, and putting fresh gas in.  It like to have never cranked.  It cranked with a big puff of blue oil smoke.  It’s ghetto.  The deck is rusting.  It uses oil.  It is just downright cantankerous, but it has personality.  I think I can finally cut my grass this year with the panic attacks at bay.  Luckily, I don’t have a large yard.  It will be time to mow in about two more weeks.  The weeds already have a ... The 4th Avenue Blues blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3412578 Sun, 28 Mar 2010 07:22:00 +0100 3412578 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3390973&cid=t_100219_140_f&fid=35433&url=http%3A%2F%2F4thavenueblues.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F03%2Fmy-thought-for-end-of-blogging-day.html Good Vibes! George is doing exactly what I would be doing if I bought an old car and had some expendable income.  Today, he bought a mechanical buffer and spent the afternoon buffing his paint job on the Caprice.  It looks really good and he may not even need to repaint it. “You should have come with me last night!” George said of yesterday’s poker night out.  “We had a good time.” I’ve told George many times I’ve always felt uncomfortable being the only white guy there and I always have this feeling that the shot house is on the verge of being invaded by the police.  It is a den of unsavory sorts and illegal opportunities.   Charlie’s been by with my medications.  I gladly took them.  I had told him yesterday of my new love for Sni... The 4th Avenue Blues blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3390973 Sun, 21 Mar 2010 20:14:00 +0100 3390973 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3387037&cid=t_100219_140_f&fid=35433&url=http%3A%2F%2F4thavenueblues.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F03%2Fmy-thoughts-for-day_21.html Window’s Homegroups Stymied Me… I am enjoying my morning today.  I slept nonstop from between 11pm to 9am this morning.  I guess my body needed the rest.  Maggie is still sleeping – not getting quite enough of her beauty rest.  The National Weather Service has the possibility of snow in our forecast for tonight.  Strange.   I will believe it when I see it.  I currently have the air conditioner on it is so warm outside and inside. This morning, I have been fiddling with my computer trying to share files between the two of them.  Window’s 7 has what is called “homegroups” for sharing that you have your computers join.  Microsoft made this entirely too complicated with passwords and hoops through which you must jump to get it to w... The 4th Avenue Blues blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3387037 Sun, 21 Mar 2010 14:50:00 +0100 3387037 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3387038&cid=t_100219_140_f&fid=35433&url=http%3A%2F%2F4thavenueblues.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F03%2Fmy-thoughts-for-end-of-blogging-day_20.html Charlie has come and gone with my medications.  He helped me clean my bathroom and then spent the rest of his time here doting over Maggie.  Charlie is Maggie’s de facto favorite visitor.   Charlie also brought a big sack of McDonald’s double cheeseburgers on top of the hamburgers George already brought me.  I am not complaining.  I will have a cheeseburger breakfast and Maggie can eat what she wants because of this bounty.  I feel better tonight.  In fifteen minutes, the full effect of my medications will sink in.  I am not sure how sleepy they will make me tonight.  I took a lot of naps today and will probably be up late because of it.   I am relieved to be feeling “normal” for what I consider normal.  I was very s... The 4th Avenue Blues blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3387038 Sun, 21 Mar 2010 02:11:00 +0100 3387038 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3338421&cid=t_100219_140_f&fid=35433&url=http%3A%2F%2F4thavenueblues.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F03%2Fthoughts-for-day_06.html Signs… I should’ve seen it coming.  I am usually pretty good about knowing when my mental illness will flare up.  It started with my smoking copious amounts of cigarettes.  I was only smoking one every thirty minutes beforehand.  Then came the almost uncontrollable pacing of the floor.  I would literally walk until I was exhausted and could walk no more.  I had all this nervous energy I needed to expend it seems.   Then came the drinking of two bottles of wine in an attempt to self medicate.  My life was spiraling out of control again and I was just this hapless spectator I thought.   I had to pull in the reigns and quick.   It is times like these that I have told my father and my doctors countless times that I need to ... The 4th Avenue Blues blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3338421 Sat, 06 Mar 2010 10:35:00 +0100 3338421 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3262872&cid=t_100219_140_f&fid=35433&url=http%3A%2F%2F4thavenueblues.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F02%2Fsleep-eluded-me-last-night.html I am lucky on nights like last night when I can’t sleep that I don’t have to work the next day.  It is truly a blessing and lately my sleeping habits have been so erratic that I don’t know what each night will bring sleep wise.  I slept for four hours and awoke wide awake around 2 AM.  As if I had drank a quart of caffeine, I was buzzed and ready to start my day.  I drove over to get my cokes after letting my car warm up and settled in my command center to begin watching the weather, writing, reading, and twittering.  It is 7:00 AM and I am beginning to feel winded from my post midnight Internet marathon.  Maybe I will sleep soon after I procure more cigarettes before the snow starts.  I am obsessing about that this morning.  Charlie came over... The 4th Avenue Blues blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3262872 Thu, 11 Feb 2010 12:52:00 +0100 3262872 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3262647&cid=t_100219_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2010%2F02%2F10%2Fwhat-two-poles%2F He looks as if he got confused when dressing this morning in his Eddie Bauer hiking boots and his Armani suit. Then I remember the snow and slush I schlepped through on the way to his office. Always ill prepared for wintry weather, or just too stubborn to buy hideous boots, I sit on his leather couch, nervously shaking my wet, tennis shoed foot, legs crossed, pillow clutched protectively in front of me and my demons. For $135, we are reviewing my meds today. On more than one occasion, it’s been pointed out that I “present” well. This psychological jargon translates into: me, looking just fine. By some unconscious effort, perhaps I do act in that manner. Still, no Oscar, or the riches that accompany it, arrives in my mail box. Go figure. Indeed, I am in grand shape. This is the only s... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3262647 Wed, 10 Feb 2010 22:15:45 +0100 3262647 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3244033&cid=t_100219_140_f&fid=35433&url=http%3A%2F%2F4thavenueblues.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F02%2Fstunned-look-on-his-face.html My father is a very dominant person.  Charlie says he’s a mean son of a bitch when he wants to be.  He once hit Charlie in the mouth during an argument.   “I fight with words.  You fight with your fists,” Charlie told him rubbing his mouth astonished.   Well, dad pissed me off yesterday and much to his surprise, I told him so despite his reputation.  It was late in the afternoon and I thought I would get taking my medications over early.  I was feeling kind of iffy.  I called mom. “Can I come take my medications?” I asked mom. Mom asked dad out of earshot. “He says he’s too tired from working in the yard to fool with that right now,” she replied. I hung up.  I was pissed.  It was as if I was some nonentity.  A... The 4th Avenue Blues blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3244033 Thu, 04 Feb 2010 17:38:00 +0100 3244033 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3224998&cid=t_100219_140_f&fid=35433&url=http%3A%2F%2F4thavenueblues.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F01%2Fwhat-is-it.html Charlie got me this picture at Good-Will.  I hung it in my bathroom.  Charlie will walk back and ask me just what it is.  I laugh saying, ”I don’t know.”  I like it though. (Source: The 4th Avenue Blues) The 4th Avenue Blues blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3224998 Sun, 31 Jan 2010 11:51:00 +0100 3224998 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3164026&cid=t_100219_140_f&fid=35433&url=http%3A%2F%2F4thavenueblues.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F01%2Fvery-busy-bee.html “Charlie?  Just what are you doing in there?” I asked as Charlie was in my bathroom with the door closed. You could hear the toilet flushing several times and and the shower running.  There was a lot of activity going on in there.  I walked back in the den to sit down with dad to take my medications. “Just what in the hell is he doing?” dad asked me. “I don’t know,” I replied. “But he sure sounds busy.  It sounds like he is doing a bathroom makeover.” About thirty minutes later when dad was ready to leave, Charlie came walking out of the bathroom. “Dammit!” he said. “I was cleaning your bathroom for you fixing Janice’s computer.” We all started to laugh. “That’s your uncle Charlie,” dad said. “It’s bad when your guest spends his who... The 4th Avenue Blues blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3164026 Tue, 12 Jan 2010 10:00:00 +0100 3164026 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3157659&cid=t_100219_140_f&fid=35433&url=http%3A%2F%2F4thavenueblues.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F01%2Flook-for-simplest-solution-first.html Charlie’s wife called me last night panicked that her computer wouldn’t boot up.  I had visions of fried motherboards and sketchy RAM.  “Charlie’s coming by to pick you up,” Janice said over the phone. Charlie pulled up just as I was hanging up the phone.  I guess they realize I am a home body and am always home. “Janice is about to drive me crazy about that computer!” Charlie hissed as I got in the car. “She wanted me to go to Wal-Mart and buy a new one.” When we arrived at Charlie’s house, I went back to the office and pushed the power button.  Nothing.  I took off the cover of the case to look for any wires and cables unplugged, or anything shorted.  Nothing.  I was stumped.  I sat in the desk chair and thought for a very lon... The 4th Avenue Blues blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3157659 Sun, 10 Jan 2010 12:19:00 +0100 3157659 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3139230&cid=t_100219_140_f&fid=35433&url=http%3A%2F%2F4thavenueblues.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F01%2Fto-go-or-not-to-go.html I’ve been thinking of going to AA again.  The AA meeting hall is a quarter of a mile from my house and a 15 minute walk.  If it weren’t for the dollar donation at the end of the meeting, I would probably already be going again.  I have purely selfish motives.  I want to stay sober and I want to meet like minded friends – friends above anything and all.  I realize George is not a very healthy friend to have when you are trying to be a teetotaler, but he is the only friend I have.  My weather station reads 17 degrees right now.  Cold!  They bumped up our chances of snow from 50 percent to 60 percent Thursday night.  It is only going to get colder if we have snowpack on the ground.  Dad last night was thrilled that I knew it was the col... The 4th Avenue Blues blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3139230 Mon, 04 Jan 2010 12:34:00 +0100 3139230 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3139233&cid=t_100219_140_f&fid=35433&url=http%3A%2F%2F4thavenueblues.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F01%2Fcharlie-and-family-circa-1975.html Someone emailed me disappointed that I didn’t show much of Charlie in that video I took of him and Maggie the other night.  Well, here is the only photo I have of him and family.  Look at the glasses! (Source: The 4th Avenue Blues) The 4th Avenue Blues blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3139233 Mon, 04 Jan 2010 06:30:00 +0100 3139233 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3139236&cid=t_100219_140_f&fid=35433&url=http%3A%2F%2F4thavenueblues.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F01%2Fi-make-house-calls.html “Janice’s email has quit working,”  Charlie told me of his wife as he stood at my door a moment ago.  “She’s driving me crazy and told me to come get you.  I am so sorry to bother you.” Charlie could see from the couch and quiet house that I had been taking a nap.  Power napping as I like to say.  I wasn’t bothered, though.  I assured Charlie I would be overjoyed to help. The fix to Janice’s email problem was a simple solution.  I had it back up in just a few minutes.  When I finished, Charlie was talking on his cellphone to someone about Waterford crystal so I took a seat in the den to watch TV.  Soon, we were back on our way much to my relief.  I had started to feel anxiety as I sat there to the very loud din of the televi... The 4th Avenue Blues blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3139236 Sun, 03 Jan 2010 20:03:00 +0100 3139236 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3136710&cid=t_100219_140_f&fid=35433&url=http%3A%2F%2F4thavenueblues.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F01%2Fsomeone-pass-gas.html “I think he just pooted,” my sister said  of my little 8 month old nephew, laughing as she turned to me. “It’s a stinker!  You’ve been known to poot a few times yourself!” “Oh, Andrew can blow all of us out of the room!!!” Dad said looking at me for my reaction and laughing uncontrollably.  My sister, the hematologist and oncologist – the doctor of internal medicine that reverts back to a silly teenager when she comes home to be with my mother and father. I laughed. “What have you been feeding him?” I asked as my sister checked his diaper. “It’s good to let a good one blow sometimes,” my dad chimed in, cavorting.  My mother started to laugh hysterically as well.  It was all so much fun.  Who thought a little baby passing gas cou... The 4th Avenue Blues blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3136710 Sat, 02 Jan 2010 05:02:00 +0100 3136710 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3129673&cid=t_100219_140_f&fid=35433&url=http%3A%2F%2F4thavenueblues.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F12%2Fback-to-old-running-mill.html Imagine Maggie’s shock when I pulled out the leash yesterday afternoon.  We haven’t walked since before Christmas I don’t think.   Well, Maggie went nuts.  I think she had given up on us ever walking again.  It was cold yesterday afternoon – bitterly cold.  I had bundled up in layers and worried about Maggie, but she seemed to do fine.  She walks so fast on our little jaunts to keep up with my long gait that she must have warmed up quickly.  Midway through the walk, I got to feeling ill, though.  A headache came upon me and I felt like I was coming down with a cold – my nose running uncontrollably.   We turned around at about the halfway point and headed home only walking three miles.  It was probably a good thing as I... The 4th Avenue Blues blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3129673 Wed, 30 Dec 2009 08:22:00 +0100 3129673 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3126789&cid=t_100219_140_f&fid=35433&url=http%3A%2F%2F4thavenueblues.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F12%2Fcharlies-here-part-two.html Again, Maggie was so excited to see Charlie last night.  Charlie surprised me and brought a plate of supper his wife had cooked.  Janice is an awesome cook and cooks some of the best cornbread I have ever eaten (even better than Helen’s).   I had pot roast, creamed corn, black eyed peas, fried okra, cornbread, and a piece of chocolate pie Charlie had made.    Sorry the video was so short.  I wasn’t sure if Charlie would like being put on the web so I cut it off when he was coming inside.  He’s funny about such things.     (Source: The 4th Avenue Blues) The 4th Avenue Blues blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3126789 Tue, 29 Dec 2009 09:15:00 +0100 3126789 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3124695&cid=t_100219_140_f&fid=35433&url=http%3A%2F%2F4thavenueblues.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F12%2Fwhat-is-itunes-gift-card.html This is what Charlie wrote me in the Christmas card that contained my gift, the $50 iTunes gift card.  Me, dad and Charlie all got a good laugh out of it.  I have looked at it several times since then smiling.   (Source: The 4th Avenue Blues) The 4th Avenue Blues blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3124695 Mon, 28 Dec 2009 10:55:00 +0100 3124695 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3124697&cid=t_100219_140_f&fid=35433&url=http%3A%2F%2F4thavenueblues.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F12%2Fcharlie-here.html It was a moment I had been waiting for all evening.  I was sitting on the couch longwise looking out the window wistfully as I listened to Twilight on my iPod.   Around the corner, down the street, turned a car on 13th Avenue passing the drug dealer's house to my right.  I waited a moment making sure it was Charlie before exuberantly crying loudly, "CHARLIE'S HERE!!!" for Maggie's sake.  I could hear Maggie bound off the bed whimpering as she turned the corner into the den - sliding as she quickly strode.  "Uncle Charlie's here," I said again as Maggie looked out the window and yelped with glee and joy. "Hey Andrew," Charlie said warmly as he walked across my yard after parking out front.  Charlie always calls me affectiona... The 4th Avenue Blues blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3124697 Mon, 28 Dec 2009 01:30:00 +0100 3124697 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3123506&cid=t_100219_140_f&fid=35433&url=http%3A%2F%2F4thavenueblues.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F12%2Fleaving-on-jet-plane.html I didn't find out until last night, but mom and dad fly out at 5 am this morning to Washington D.C. to see my brother and his family.  "I thought it would upset you not being able to go," dad told me last night as he was giving me my medications.  "I just didn't think you could make it so I didn't tell you." "You don't have to hide such things from me," I replied, feeling uncomfortable and odd. "Sorry," dad said, giving me a hug.  "We are flying first class, though.  Isn't that neat?  I thought it would be easier on your mother than to be crammed into coach.  She's getting a little wide for the seats.  First class will give us room to breathe." I couldn't have gone anyway, but it did make me feel left out... The 4th Avenue Blues blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3123506 Sun, 27 Dec 2009 07:26:00 +0100 3123506 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3122191&cid=t_100219_140_f&fid=35433&url=http%3A%2F%2F4thavenueblues.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F12%2Fbless-her-into-my-lap-she-goes.html We left at eight in the morning Christmas day.  It was a long two and a half hour drive to my sister's house.   As soon as I got in the car, dad tried to hand me two Klonopin. "I don't want to be drugged for this," I told him, pushing his hand away. OMG!  I passed up feel good drugs!  I so surprised myself, but I didn't want to be in a fog as my medications can sometimes impart.  I wanted my mind to be clear and bright, and without a slurred voice.   Y'all, I was so nervous, though.  My heart was beating a hundred miles per hour on the drive up there and I know my blood pressure had to be high.  I about panicked when dad said Eudell and Jan would be there.  My sister's in-laws.  I hadn't seen them since my sister got m... The 4th Avenue Blues blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3122191 Sat, 26 Dec 2009 07:40:00 +0100 3122191 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3120580&cid=t_100219_140_f&fid=35433&url=http%3A%2F%2F4thavenueblues.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F12%2Finteresting-christmas-so-far.html We went to Charlie's last night for Christmas Eve dinner.  We had hot roast beef sandwiches with horseradish sauce his wife, Janice, had cooked.   I tell you, they were delicious.  Dad made a cake - a lane cake - which was also divine.   Charlie was supposed to go to Atlanta to his son's house for Christmas, but his son's wife left him on Christmas Eve, packed up their daughter, and headed to Tennessee - escaping to her family.  As we were sitting at the table eating our desserts, mom said, "I think I just shit in my pants!"  Dad looked at me.  Charlie looked at dad.  Charlie's sometimes acerbic wife shook her head.   "Well, go wipe your ass and we will go open presents real quick and I will take you home," d... The 4th Avenue Blues blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3120580 Fri, 25 Dec 2009 09:09:00 +0100 3120580 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3115271&cid=t_100219_140_f&fid=35433&url=http%3A%2F%2F4thavenueblues.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F12%2Fyou-can-almost-feel-warmth.html (Source: The 4th Avenue Blues) The 4th Avenue Blues blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3115271 Tue, 22 Dec 2009 23:37:00 +0100 3115271 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3097046&cid=t_100219_140_f&fid=35433&url=http%3A%2F%2F4thavenueblues.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F12%2Fdifference-is-dramatic.html I suffer from SAD (seasonal affective disorder). The long, dark winter nights can really get me down. Charlie bought me all fluorescent bulbs for the house a few years ago to help with my utility costs. I was never happy with the light they put out. They were dark and dingy. Yesterday, I bought a dozen 200 watt regular light bulbs. You can see the difference below. I am so happy. LET THERE BE LIGHT! Let's stave off the dark. (Source: The 4th Avenue Blues) The 4th Avenue Blues blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3097046 Thu, 17 Dec 2009 10:43:00 +0100 3097046 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3092912&cid=t_100219_140_f&fid=35433&url=http%3A%2F%2F4thavenueblues.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F12%2Ftemptations-i-do-not-need.html My only side effect from my medications and the schizophrenia these days is constant drooling like a baby.  I will be sitting at the computer and drool will just pour out of the corner of my  mouth and down my shirt.  I will quickly grab a tissue and wipe my face.  It can be very disconcerting and aggravating.   It is the lessor of other evils as far as my schizophrenia goes, though. George stopped by yesterday for the first time in weeks.  He doesn't come by anymore cause I won't let him drink inside.  He asked me yesterday why I was so militant about it.  He loved to sit in my Lazy Boy and drink while watching TV until he was well oiled. "I don't need the temptation," I told him yesterday.  "I would love nothing more than t... The 4th Avenue Blues blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3092912 Wed, 16 Dec 2009 10:43:00 +0100 3092912 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3084967&cid=t_100219_140_f&fid=35433&url=http%3A%2F%2F4thavenueblues.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F12%2Fhills-and-valleys.html I've felt so much better schizophrenia-wise lately.  This morning my head is so clear and keenly aware.  You don't know how lucky you are to have a well mind.  I feel so well that I am excited about the day to come.   Many days I can dread what may come mental health wise.  Early this morning around five AM I went to get my Diet Cokes.  Mom leaves them on the back porch on days I feel I can drive.  I was so excited to get home and drink them!  The only mar was the one that was fizzed out.  That means I will get an extra one tomorrow!  Oh, the little joys in life. Charlie came yesterday.  He is the only person that Maggie will lick on the face.  Maggie has boundaries you know, but not with Charlie. "Were gonna let you ha... The 4th Avenue Blues blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3084967 Mon, 14 Dec 2009 11:26:00 +0100 3084967 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2947016&cid=t_100219_122_f&fid=34755&url=http%3A%2F%2Fneuropsychological.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F10%2Fmedia-weve-got-charlie-rose-on-brain.html Charlie Rose began his series of episodes about neuroscience with his show last evening, the 29th of October. Go to his website to watch the full episode from the 29th and to check in for the additional episodes: Charlie Rose homepageFrom the website:"Charlie Rose Brain Series Episode One. Tonight’s introductory topic-- The Great Mysteries of the Human Brain: consciousness, free will, perception, cognition, emotion and memory with a roundtable of brain researchers. Co-Host Eric Kandel from Columbia University and Howard Hughes Medical Institute; Cornelia Bargmann from Rockefeller University, Tony Movshon from New York University, John Searle from University of California Berkeley and Gerald Fischbach of the Simons Foundation." (Source: BrainBlog) BrainBlog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2947016 Fri, 30 Oct 2009 22:10:00 +0100 2947016 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2930962&cid=t_100219_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2Fe8FSXQOtY1Y%2F Florida’s airwaves are alive with the sound of Governor Charlie Crist’s radio advertisement trumpeting his grade of “A” on Cato’s “Fiscal Policy Report Card on America’s Governors.” I am pleased that Gov. Crist values Cato’s ratings because we work hard to make them accurate and nonpartisan. But the radio ad is making many fiscally conservative Floridians scratch their heads because of the governor’s recent policy actions. The governor earned his Cato grade in last year’s report mainly because of his large property tax cuts and moderate spending approach. The grade was based purely on quantitative data on revenues, general fund spending, and tax rate changes. However, since I wrote the report in mid-2008, the governor seems to have fallen off the fisca... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2930962 Mon, 26 Oct 2009 21:29:02 +0100 2930962 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2901604&cid=t_100219_87_f&fid=34470&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehealthcareblog.com%2Fthe_health_care_blog%2F2009%2F10%2Fwhy-ahip-needs-the-public-option.html By Matthew Holt It’s been a fun week. After years of THCB explaining that neither could AHIP do genuine research nor could its venerable President open her mouth without lying, the rest of the world has caught on. I won’t... (Source: The Health Care Blog) The Health Care Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2901604 Thu, 15 Oct 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2901604 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2894709&cid=t_100219_134_f&fid=34841&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.diabetesmine.com%2F2009%2F10%2Fyoung-heart-attack-victim-inspires-charlie-kimball.html Most of us have, at some point in our lives, an ‘aha’ moment in which our health springs forward from the far, far back burner and suddenly sits at the top of the priority list. For Brian Harris, the moment for him was a sudden heart attack at the age of 33. After waking up [...] (Source: Diabetes Mine) Diabetes Mine blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2894709 Thu, 15 Oct 2009 15:05:21 +0100 2894709 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2839158&cid=t_100219_140_f&fid=35433&url=http%3A%2F%2F4thavenueblues.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F09%2Fmy-new-haircut-by-charlie.html (Source: The 4th Avenue Blues) The 4th Avenue Blues blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2839158 Sun, 27 Sep 2009 19:43:00 +0100 2839158 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2836324&cid=t_100219_140_f&fid=35433&url=http%3A%2F%2F4thavenueblues.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F09%2Fput-four-letters-together-and-you-can.html I will never forget the first time I said God's name in vain.  I was in second grade and was using the bathroom.  I accidentally peed on my pants and uttered goddamnit.  I froze in fear.  I thought God was going to strike me down that very moment.  The rest of the day I worried and fretted.  What bad omen would appear?  That's a terrible thing for a child to have to go through.  Growing up, my father and Charlie always cussed like sailors.  I can distinctly remember my father on a ladder as he painted a ceiling in our house.  Charlie was painting some door trim right under him.  "Goddamnit!" Charlie exclaimed to dad. "You just got paint all over my shirt." "Daddy?" I said innocently as I stood in the doo... The 4th Avenue Blues blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2836324 Sun, 27 Sep 2009 16:58:00 +0100 2836324 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2671095&cid=t_100219_150_f&fid=34889&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpharmamkting.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F08%2Fcharlie-kimball-novo-nordisk-and-me.html Ever since I wrote my blog post dissing the first-ever pharma branded Tweet, people have wondered if I really have it in for the pharmaceutical industry. (start here and work your way back to catch up on the story).Seems like no matter how "mean" I am, pharma people still come up to me at meetings to say hello and invite me to wine and dine with them. They even invite me into the tent to talk to their marketing people! Imagine that!Today, I was invited to breakfast by Ambre Morley (@ambremorley), Associate Director of Product Communications at Novo Nordisk to meet Charlie Kimball -- the racecar driver and person with diabetes (PWD) who is sponsored by Novo Nordisk's Levemir insulin brand team.Charlie was visiting Novo just a hop, skip, and a jump from where I live and work (Newtown, PA). S... Pharma Marketing Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2671095 Tue, 04 Aug 2009 18:05:00 +0100 2671095 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2653997&cid=t_100219_150_f&fid=34889&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpharmamkting.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F07%2Fnovo-to-social-media-report-facts.html A Twitter friend was surprised I did not respond "2 the Charlie Kimball thing- esp since your journalistic integrity was questioned. :("I had no idea what "thing" he was referring to, but rather than email him and check the facts as any good journalist would do, I just searched Twitter and found a post on Kerri's Six Until Me blog about Charlie Kimball that mentioned me, social media, and journalism "principals" (see "Charlie and the Twitter Factory"). This has to be what my friend was referring to. It's just an assumption, mind you, but if it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck...Kerri was obviously concerned about the "backlash towards Charlie" and cited my post "Novo Nordisk's Branded (Levemir) Tweet is Sleazy Twitter Spam!.""I do not like to see Charlie, the guy, under such attack... Pharma Marketing Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2653997 Wed, 29 Jul 2009 20:41:00 +0100 2653997 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2602213&cid=t_100219_150_f&fid=38374&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FePharmaSummit%2F%7E3%2FynMCBvyiLlg%2Fdiabetes-copany-utilizes-twitter.html (Source: ePharma Summit) ePharma Summit blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2602213 Tue, 14 Jul 2009 19:45:00 +0100 2602213 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2553228&cid=t_100219_150_f&fid=34889&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpharmamkting.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F06%2Fdoes-novos-editing-suck-life-out-of.html Last week I compared the personal Twitter account of racecar driver and diabetes patient Charlie Kimball (@charliekimball) with Novo Nordisk's Levemir-branded Race with Insulin Twitter account (@racewithinsulin), which supposedly features tweets made by Charlie. In that post, I noted that the latter account is a distorted mirror of the former. In fact, it appears that Novo Nordisk is rewriting a select number of Tweets from @charliekimball to create the Race With Insulin account (see "Novo Nordisk Selectively Copies & Edits Kimball's Tweets").It's no surprise that Novo Nordisk would edit Charlie's Tweets. After all, Novo is a regulated drug company and is responsible for the post made on its Twitter account.But is Novo sucking the life out of Charlie's Tweets? A few of Charlie's more p... Pharma Marketing Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2553228 Mon, 29 Jun 2009 10:34:00 +0100 2553228 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2513165&cid=t_100219_150_f&fid=34889&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpharmamkting.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F06%2Fnovo-nordisk-selectively-copies-edits.html Diabetes patient and racecar driver Charlie Kimball is sponsored by Novo Nordisk's Levemir insulin injection. I've written about the Race with Insulin Twitter account, which supposedly features tweets made by Charlie, in previous posts to this blog (see "Novo Nordisk's Branded (Levemir) Tweet is Sleazy Twitter Spam!" and "Pharma Marketers Should Stop Blaming the FDA for Their Dysfunctional Social Media Marketing Efforts").In response to a post I made about a branded Levemir tweet made by Charlie via his Race with Insulin account, I received this email message from a personal friend of Charlie's: "I happen to know Charlie ... I think he is a good guy and hate to see him hurt by this incident. I wonder if someone at Novo is adding in the marketing messages ... Charlie made a mistake by letti... Pharma Marketing Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2513165 Mon, 22 Jun 2009 17:44:00 +0100 2513165 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2523741&cid=t_100219_140_f&fid=35433&url=http%3A%2F%2F4thavenueblues.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F06%2Fhot-days-and-even-more-sultry-nights.html Charlie is cutting my grass in this heat and it is making me feel guilty.  Here I am in my cool home, sipping ice cold orange drink, and listening to Maggie whine.  Maggie loves Charlie and hopes he will come in soon. George stopped by for a brief while this morning.  I had a wicked sense of humor this morning and was giving George a hard time.  "Are all whiteboys as goofy as you?" George asked. Mrs. Jones, George's mom, was cooking liver and onions for lunch.  I was almost tempted to invite myself.  Oh, how I love liver and onions.  The high today is supposed to be 98 degrees.  The hottest day of the year so far.  I've got my fingers crossed that we may get a few heat induced thunderstorms this evening.  If so, I am going to st... The 4th Avenue Blues blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2523741 Sun, 21 Jun 2009 16:22:00 +0100 2523741 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2258331&cid=t_100219_113_f&fid=34634&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FEmrAndHipaa%2F%7E3%2Ff_g1wuzv5x8%2F As most people know, I’m always open to guest posts from everyone and anyone that can provide a thoughtful perspective on a subject.  In the following guest post, Charlie Jarvis, AVP at NextGen, shares some of his thoughts on the HITECH act’s impacts.  I don’t necessarily agree with everything in this guest post, but I do believe that Charlie’s description of the “ambivalent” EMR buyer seems to be pretty accurate.  This will be a major challenge we need to overcome.  I’m hoping to follow up this post with an interview of Charlie. Thanks Charlie! As the national debate over the economic recovery plan and specifically the entire stimulus package continues, the HITECH sections of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) may be “relative... EMR and HIPAA blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2258331 Wed, 11 Mar 2009 09:30:48 +0100 2258331 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2258361&cid=t_100219_113_f&fid=34621&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FHealthcareGuy%2F%7E3%2FOyclg7RCyvI%2F492 This article focuses on the first two of these. Physical Interoperability What is interesting about the physical transport of critical information is that people outside of healthcare probably think that our industry is dominated by the electronic data transactions. I am not sure that is the case. One example of this is prescriptions. According to NACDS, of the 3.5 million prescriptions filed in 2007, only 2.1% were processed via electronic messaging. Keep in mind that the medication prescription area is one of the most advanced, in terms of electronic messaging, in healthcare. So, today, when we talk about physical interoperability, we are talking about transport mechanisms that include ‘sneaker-net’, faxing, file transfers as well as pure electronic processing. This works today becau... The Healthcare IT Guy blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2258361 Mon, 09 Mar 2009 01:55:12 +0100 2258361 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2240785&cid=t_100219_113_f&fid=34621&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FHealthcareGuy%2F%7E3%2FNWd8DvXCAlM%2F490 Last week I asked Charlie Harp to explain what clinical interoperability is – in plain english. Charlie is the CEO and founder of Clinical Architecture and has spent the last twenty years designing and developing software solutions in the healthcare industry.  Here’s what he had to say in his second part of a series I’ll be doing on interoperability. Now that we have a documented definition for clinical interoperability and its macro components, the next reasonable question is: “Why is clinical interoperability important?” Before continuing, please consider the following interoperability scale. This scale represents the potential signal loss when information is exchanged between systems through a computer interface. The line represents the clarity of the information as the ... The Healthcare IT Guy blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2240785 Mon, 02 Mar 2009 15:27:14 +0100 2240785 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2240786&cid=t_100219_113_f&fid=34621&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FHealthcareGuy%2F%7E3%2FLoYGpik98o4%2F485 This article is the first in a series about the challenges of clinical interoperability in healthcare. The first thing we need to do is ask the question “What is clinical interoperability?” The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers or IEEE defines the term interoperability as follows: The ability of two or more systems or components to exchange information and to use the information that has been exchanged. I like this definition because it is short and sweet, but to truly understand interoperability, we need to go a little further. The first thing we need to do is add that clinical interoperability is about exchanging a specific type of information.  It is about exchanging clinical information about a patient that allows our ‘partner’ to leverage what we alread... The Healthcare IT Guy blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2240786 Tue, 24 Feb 2009 12:55:37 +0100 2240786 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2190552&cid=t_100219_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2009%2F02%2F17%2F9-ways-that-humor-heals%2F Of all my tools to combat depression and negativity, humor is by far the most fun. And just like mastering the craft of writing, I’m finding that the longer I practice laughing at life—and especially its frustrations–the better I become at it, and the more situations and conversations and complications I can place into that category named “silly.” G. K. Chesterton once wrote: “Angels can fly because they take themselves lightly.” And Proverbs 17:22 says that “a happy heart is good medicine.” I’d add that human beings can heal (at least partially!) from a host of different illnesses if they learn how to laugh. Here are just a few ways our bodies, minds, and spirits begin to mend with a dose of humor. 1.Humor combats fear. I know this f... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2190552 Tue, 17 Feb 2009 13:32:35 +0100 2190552 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2152819&cid=t_100219_140_f&fid=35433&url=http%3A%2F%2F4thavenueblues.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F02%2Fhomecoming.html There was a knock on my door late yesterday evening.  "Charlie sure is early," I thought.  I opened the door and it was mom.  "Hallelujah!" I said. "Y'all are home!"  It was mom and dad at my front door and they came over just to see me!  No other reason! Soon, Charlie was knocking on my front door with medications.  We had a full house and Maggie was just thrilled.  She spent time going to every human for love and attention.  "Now, count your pills," Charlie told me. "1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6," I replied.  "Now take them," Charlie said. "Do y'all always do this?" dad asked chuckling. "Hush," Charlie told dad laughing. Charlie also brought a chicken plate from KFC and a s... The 4th Avenue Blues blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2152819 Mon, 02 Feb 2009 14:57:00 +0100 2152819 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2147502&cid=t_100219_140_f&fid=35433&url=http%3A%2F%2F4thavenueblues.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F01%2Fon-right-foot.html I woke up this morning feeling better than I have for probably two weeks.  A winter's sun was shining through my windows.  Maggie was on the bed snuggled firmly next to me.  Soon, there was a knock on my door. "I forgot my key," Helen said as I opened the door.  Each arm held a bag of groceries. "I got you some of that ice cream you rave about," Helen then said. "Great! There goes my diet!" I thought. "Thank you," I replied. I usually have trouble with small talk, but with Helen it is easy.  The conversation just effortlessly flows from one topic to the next.  "I've got to leave early so today we will have lunch," Helen told me as she got the rice started.  It was nice having someone in the house with ... The 4th Avenue Blues blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2147502 Fri, 30 Jan 2009 15:17:00 +0100 2147502 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2128802&cid=t_100219_140_f&fid=35433&url=http%3A%2F%2F4thavenueblues.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F01%2Fquiet-around-here.html Helen came today.   She couldn't stay long so just made some tuna salad.  Mom came over to eat a sandwich a moment ago which thrilled Maggie like crazy.  Tonight is Charlie's birthday.  I am not able to go, but will go in spirit.  I certainly hope dad comes by with my medications this afternoon. I still feel very weird to say the least.  I feel like I don't have control of my mind or my emotions.  I keep having slips out of reality.  My doctor told me to, "take a bath, dress, and go about your day."  That was about as therapeutic as telling a 3 year old that Santa was dead.  I do have an appointment with a therapist to work on the anxiety attack stuff.  And I am going to get a second opinion from another doctor. &#... The 4th Avenue Blues blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2128802 Fri, 23 Jan 2009 19:38:00 +0100 2128802 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2073537&cid=t_100219_87_f&fid=34470&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehealthcareblog.com%2Fthe_health_care_blog%2F2008%2F12%2Fis-massachusett.html By Charlie Baker I get asked this question a lot these days, which shouldn’t be that surprising. Harvard Pilgrim is headquartered in Massachusetts, and the Massachusetts health care reform plan is already a couple of years old. More importantly, it... (Source: The Health Care Blog) The Health Care Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2073537 Tue, 30 Dec 2008 05:00:00 +0100 2073537 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2067322&cid=t_100219_140_f&fid=35433&url=http%3A%2F%2F4thavenueblues.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F12%2Fblow-out-of-water.html "You know your dad is gay and he is drugging your mother to keep her complacent,"  my uncle told me over the phone this morning after wishing me a merry Christmas.  "Roger, don't go spreading that rumor around, okay?" I replied with a tone of utmost seriousness. The damage was done, though.  He had already called my mother and told her that as well.  Merry effing Christmas.  I've known for years that dad is gay.  Him and Charlie have been inseparable for the past 30 years.  It is obvious they are a couple. Mom called me later asking for my opinion. "Do you think your father is gay?" she asked. "Rachel always swore he was," I replied of my ex-wife. I didn't outright say it myself.  I wished mom a merry Christ... The 4th Avenue Blues blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2067322 Fri, 26 Dec 2008 15:27:00 +0100 2067322 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2788693&cid=t_100219_101_f&fid=38968&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpoconoparamedic.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F12%2Fin-case-anyone-forgot.html Merry Christmas, everyone. I'll be working. (Source: Pocono Paramedic) Pocono Paramedic blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2788693 Thu, 25 Dec 2008 11:31:00 +0100 2788693 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2052545&cid=t_100219_140_f&fid=35433&url=http%3A%2F%2F4thavenueblues.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F12%2Fchristmas-magic.html Were you one of those children who could never sleep on Christmas Eve?  I was and I remember my disappointment when I realized Santa wasn't real.  Santa's sleigh was a 1976 Ford Ranger Custom.  It was sitting in the front yard as Charlie and my father unloaded our gifts.  I walked out of my bedroom crying to find my mother standing in the hall in her pajamas. "What's wrong honey?" My mom asked. "Santa's not real.  There is no Santa. Dad and Charlie are Santa," I replied. "Santa's sleigh broke down and your father and Charlie are helping him get his presents around town," I remember my mom saying. I was placated somewhat, but still had suspicions.  Now that I am grown, I realize Santa is alive and well in all our hearts.  Th... The 4th Avenue Blues blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2052545 Sat, 20 Dec 2008 00:57:00 +0100 2052545 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2052843&cid=t_100219_133_f&fid=35096&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAutismVox%2F%7E3%2F7p89AgRLPnY%2F I can’t prove it right now, but I’m more and more thinking that Charlie may well have perfect pitch. Though without a piano or cello teacher (I’ve followed a few leads, but with no luck, yet), Charlie has still been practicing, and has often asked to “play cello” in the later afternoon, before he and I go on our usual walk. Last week, after I took the cello out of its case, a few strums on the strings revealed that it was really out tune. As in, really, the D way way too low, the G unidentifiable, the C low, and loose. With Charlie saying “play cello,” “play cello,” I turned the pegs, just a bit, but with the memory of how I once broke a string on my viola still fresh, I was very hesitant. Charlie kept asking to play and so I brought th... Autism Vox blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2052843 Fri, 19 Dec 2008 07:00:12 +0100 2052843 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2032917&cid=t_100219_87_f&fid=34470&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehealthcareblog.com%2Fthe_health_care_blog%2F2008%2F12%2Fcost-shifting-f.html By Charlie Baker The other day, the American Hospital Association, the Blue Cross / Blue Shield Association, Premera Blue Cross and America’s Health Insurance Plans (FYI - HPHC is a member and I’m on the Board of AHIP) released a... (Source: The Health Care Blog) The Health Care Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2032917 Fri, 12 Dec 2008 05:00:00 +0100 2032917 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2005296&cid=t_100219_87_f&fid=34470&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehealthcareblog.com%2Fthe_health_care_blog%2F2008%2F12%2Fmore-on-the-5-m.html By Charlie Baker A good friend sent me a recent op-ed from the Washington Post that discussed the 5 myths of health care reform by Shannon Brownlee and Ezekiel Emanuel. I’ve written about both of them before (here & here).... (Source: The Health Care Blog) The Health Care Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2005296 Tue, 02 Dec 2008 05:00:00 +0100 2005296 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1963858&cid=t_100219_140_f&fid=35433&url=http%3A%2F%2F4thavenueblues.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F11%2Fi-don-tango-i-don-waltz.html Charlie's son, Alan, came to see me tonight.  It was a surprise visit and set my social anxieties into overdrive.   "What will I say?  I am not dressed for this.  Dog hair is every where," all raced through my mind.  Luckily, Al took the lead in this little social waltz or tango.   Gregarious as ever, he laughed and talked and I soon felt at ease.  Maggie, on the other hand, thought little of this strange human with many muted barks and uneasy walks to try and sniff Al.  I had never seen her act so peculiar.  It was almost comical. Al left and I sighed with relief.  I felt as if I had been on stage for 30 minutes performing.  I called Dad knowing he probably encouraged this to happen. "Why didn't you tell me h... The 4th Avenue Blues blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1963858 Sun, 16 Nov 2008 03:22:00 +0100 1963858 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1946993&cid=t_100219_140_f&fid=35433&url=http%3A%2F%2F4thavenueblues.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F11%2Fcloseness-we-haz-it.html A moment ago was one of the weird and odd times that Maggie was practically in my lap.  I was petting her and she was trying to sleep and listen for visitors at the same time.  Soon, a car door shut and she bolted into action.  It was Charlie.  Maggie goes bananas at the sight of Charlie's, my mom's, or my father's cars.  It is the highlight of her day.  Kinda like Santa coming for small kids. "Hey Maggie darling," Charlie said as if he was talking to a baby. This encouraged Maggie to wiggle and whine even more vigorously.  "I know I am early, but take your medications," Charlie said, handing me my pill pack. I needed them badly.  We took my medications so early yesterday that they had worn off over night. "How are you fe... The 4th Avenue Blues blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1946993 Sun, 09 Nov 2008 18:25:00 +0100 1946993 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1945444&cid=t_100219_131_f&fid=35743&url=http%3A%2F%2Fthegenesherpa.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F11%2Fgod-bless-michael-crichton-here-comes.html I want to take today and Sunday to reflect on the vision of a fantastic writer a true futurist and a wonderful physician. His Name is Michael Crichton MD. Yes true, he did write some fantastic books....but in each of them a true moral being told......Just because we can do something, doesn't mean we should.....Even more importantly his stories revolved around those who make great discoveries and how they become corrupted by fame and avarice.His words are most important in an age when everything is "Science" I actually see Michael reminding us of how we can't let, false science be pushed forward as truth. Never more is this evident than in the "Best Invention of 2008"Today the Wall Street Journal agrees with my point.You see, I have mentioned Dr Crichton several times in the past.....a Grad... Gene Sherpas: Personalized Medicine and You blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1945444 Sat, 08 Nov 2008 19:14:00 +0100 1945444 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1946994&cid=t_100219_140_f&fid=35433&url=http%3A%2F%2F4thavenueblues.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F11%2Fcharlie-bringer-of-little-yellow-pills.html Charlie's been taking good care of me while my parents are gone.  He keeps bringing me more Klonopin.  I am usually only allowed two a week. "Dad is going to shit in his britches when he finds out how much Klonopin you've given me," I told Charlie. "I don't want you to get all crazy on me," Charlie said laughing. We both then burst out laughing. Charlie brings me gifts.  Yesterday, I ate entirely too much.  Helen's wonderful meal and then Charlie brought me a Wendy's double with cheese and a Biggie Fries.  My favorite part was the coke.  I don't get caffeine drinks very often. (Source: The 4th Avenue Blues) The 4th Avenue Blues blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1946994 Sat, 08 Nov 2008 18:17:00 +0100 1946994 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1938712&cid=t_100219_87_f&fid=34470&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehealthcareblog.com%2Fthe_health_care_blog%2F2008%2F11%2Fgoing-green-in.html By CHARLIE BAKER I’m pretty sure that most public policy types believe they are doing the right kinds of things to encourage a greener and more resource sustainable economy. And in many cases, I’m sure that translates into a set... (Source: The Health Care Blog) The Health Care Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1938712 Thu, 06 Nov 2008 05:00:00 +0100 1938712 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1911263&cid=t_100219_87_f&fid=34470&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehealthcareblog.com%2Fthe_health_care_blog%2F2008%2F10%2Fbe-careful-what.html By Charlie Baker The show is pretty much the same - every time. Public sector entity gets in budget trouble, cuts have to be made, and providers who do business with the public sector get hammered - hard. It’s happened... (Source: The Health Care Blog) The Health Care Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1911263 Tue, 28 Oct 2008 04:00:00 +0100 1911263 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1908697&cid=t_100219_140_f&fid=35433&url=http%3A%2F%2F4thavenueblues.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F10%2Ferrand-of-mercy.html The last time I got a haircut was August of '07. My family rallied around me today in an intervention of sorts. You see, I have this terrible phobia about getting my haircut. "I'll give you two of your Klonopin tonight if you get your haircut," Dad said bribing me.Charlie was waiting in my father's bathroom with a chair, scissors, and towels. Afterwards, Dad washed my hair and helped me to get to looking better. He then made me shave my neck, sideburns, and mustache. I felt like a better and newer man afterwards. Now, I am going to enjoy those two Klonopin with a night of armchair model railroading. (Source: The 4th Avenue Blues) The 4th Avenue Blues blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1908697 Sun, 26 Oct 2008 23:12:00 +0100 1908697 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1873171&cid=t_100219_129_f&fid=35709&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FUniqueButNotAlone%2F%7E3%2F419051409%2Fphotography-by-daddy.html [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]] (Source: Unique But Not Alone) Unique But Not Alone blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1873171 Mon, 13 Oct 2008 01:28:00 +0100 1873171 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1855953&cid=t_100219_140_f&fid=35433&url=http%3A%2F%2F4thavenueblues.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F10%2Fsimple-treasures.html You know your life is simple when a friend brings you Diet Cokes and you get tears in your eyes you are so happy.  I was so excited early this morning when Charlie pulled up.  Maggie alerted me when she started to whine loudly in the den.  She adores Charlie. "I've come with gifts," Charlie said snarkily as I opened my door. Charlie handed me a 12-pack of Diet Cokes and I thanked him profusely and gave him a hug.  "I am cooking steaks on the grill this afternoon," Charlie also said. "I'll bring you and Maggie a meal around five." Then Charlie totally surprised me and cut my and Joyce's grass.  It is just something I can't do because of my panic attacks.  Every time I try, it brings one on. I've been busy this morning.  I co... The 4th Avenue Blues blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1855953 Sun, 05 Oct 2008 16:46:00 +0100 1855953 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1782425&cid=t_100219_87_f&fid=34470&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehealthcareblog.com%2Fthe_health_care_blog%2F2008%2F09%2Fthe-never-endin.html By Charlie Baker A new study - a big one ($50 MM) - was recently released that compared the short and long term effects of drug eluding stents to bypass surgery for patients with serious heart disease. The headlines --... (Source: The Health Care Blog) The Health Care Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1782425 Wed, 10 Sep 2008 04:00:00 +0100 1782425 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1723431&cid=t_100219_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2008%2F08%2F22%2Fexuberant-videos%2F Kay Redfield Jamison is a great speaker and a recent lecture video captures her mix of expertise and enthusiasm. Exuberance: The Passion for Life is about positive emotions often overlooked by psychology and psychiatry, while asking when does passion turn pathological? Jamison talks about how exuberance changes all of us by creating leaders adept at risk-taking, resilience, achievement, creativity, and teaching. This video’s an hour long, but you won’t notice the time. Randy Pausch, RIP, is the perfect example of an exuberant, inspiring speaker in the famous Last Lecture, Really Achieving Your Childhood Dreams. His enthusiasm was viral to millions of viewers, and worth viewing the hour-long lecture format. I’ve featured another Kay Red Field Jamison video here before, b... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1723431 Fri, 22 Aug 2008 06:30:54 +0100 1723431 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1708722&cid=t_100219_87_f&fid=34470&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehealthcareblog.com%2Fthe_health_care_blog%2F2008%2F08%2Ftalking-about-e.html By Charlie Baker Charlie Baker is the president and CEO of Harvard Pilgrim Health Care. This post first appeared on his blog, Lets Talk Health Care. A few months ago, the New England Healthcare Institute (NEHI) issued a report on... (Source: The Health Care Blog) The Health Care Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1708722 Fri, 15 Aug 2008 04:00:00 +0100 1708722 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1693914&cid=t_100219_129_f&fid=35709&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FUniqueButNotAlone%2F%7E3%2F360855408%2Fdisneyland-usa.html After some time in Phoenix, we drove to Anaheim, California to visit Disneyland. The girls were ecstatic, but the adults were not so thrilled with the crowds and hot, humid 90-degree weather. We all... [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]] (Source: Unique But Not Alone) Unique But Not Alone blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1693914 Sun, 10 Aug 2008 04:34:00 +0100 1693914 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1693915&cid=t_100219_129_f&fid=35709&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FUniqueButNotAlone%2F%7E3%2F360813912%2Fwhirlwind.html Well hello my old pal, blog! I’m back and really not very rested at all so this entry won't be my usual narrative-style of writing. We’ve just returned from a week long whirlwind trip to Phoenix,... [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]] (Source: Unique But Not Alone) Unique But Not Alone blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1693915 Sun, 10 Aug 2008 01:50:00 +0100 1693915 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1671363&cid=t_100219_87_f&fid=34470&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehealthcareblog.com%2Fthe_health_care_blog%2F2008%2F07%2Fdraft-reigning.html By Charlie Baker Charlie Baker is the president and CEO of Harvard Pilgrim Health Care, Inc., a nonprofit health plan that covers more than 1 million New Englanders. Baker blogs regularly at Let's Talk Health Care. I was in a... (Source: The Health Care Blog) The Health Care Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1671363 Thu, 31 Jul 2008 04:00:00 +0100 1671363 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1640180&cid=t_100219_87_f&fid=34470&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehealthcareblog.com%2Fthe_health_care_blog%2F2008%2F07%2Fdraft-charlie-b.html Charlie Baker I usually spend some time throughout the year visiting with accounts, physicians, hospitals, and brokers (among others), just to hear what’s up and what’s going on. Earlier this week, I was out visiting the leadership at a community... (Source: The Health Care Blog) The Health Care Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1640180 Mon, 21 Jul 2008 04:00:00 +0100 1640180 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1638996&cid=t_100219_140_f&fid=35433&url=http%3A%2F%2F4thavenueblues.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F07%2F2-day-keeps-bottle-away.html Went to two AA meetings today.  Both had similar themes - not picking up that first drink.  The first drink would always get me as well.  With one down, twenty would follow.  I still romanticize drinking though.  I stood in the convenience store down from my house this afternoon and eyed the beer longingly.  "It has been so long," my mind said. "One drink won't hurt you."  They say in AA that alcohol is cunning, baffling, and powerful.  It's the truth.  As soon as you let your guard down, old habits arise and the stinkin' thinkin' starts.  Charlie is throwing a big cookout tonight.  It is ribeye steak night at Charlie's.  I declined from going and they will bring me and Maggie a plate.  I've got to get o... The 4th Avenue Blues blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1638996 Sat, 19 Jul 2008 20:44:00 +0100 1638996 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1463698&cid=t_100219_125_f&fid=34819&url=http%3A%2F%2Fflapsblog.com%2F%3Fp%3D7033 Vice President contenders? Former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney, Florida Governor Charlie Crist and Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal The “purely social”get together of Senator and presumptive GOP Presidential nominee John McCain at his Sedona, Arizona ranch Saturday with GOP leaders has “nothing whatsoever to do with the vice presidential selection process” according to Charlie Black, a key McCain campaign strategist. Right. But, what is interesting is the emphasis (leak) now on Fox News that “other” perspective Vice President candidates have either ALREADY visited with McCain at the Hidden Valley Ranch, like Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty OR were invited this weekend and had other committments, like Mike Huckabee. Looks like the campaign was caught... FullosseousFlap's Dental Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1463698 Fri, 23 May 2008 00:56:02 +0100 1463698 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1460901&cid=t_100219_125_f&fid=34819&url=http%3A%2F%2Fflapsblog.com%2F%3Fp%3D7022 Republican presidential candidate, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., waves after arriving in Burbank, Calif., Wednesday, May 21, 2008. Are the McCain VP Sweepstakes on for this weekend in Arizona? Senator John McCain, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, on Friday is scheduled to meet with two Republican governors who have been prominently mentioned as potential running mates, according to Republicans familiar with McCain’s plan. The two governors, Charlie Crist, of Florida, and Bobby Jindal, of Louisiana, have both accepted invitations to meet with McCain at his home in Arizona, according to Republican familiars with the decision. One Republican said that Mitt Romney, a former rival of McCain for the presidential nomination wasalso expected to visit him this weekend. Romney&#82... FullosseousFlap's Dental Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1460901 Wed, 21 May 2008 23:14:50 +0100 1460901 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1336997&cid=t_100219_140_f&fid=35433&url=http%3A%2F%2F4thavenueblues.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F03%2Fwinds-of-change.html Our warm 80 degree day yesterday turned into a 48 degree day today.  It is overcast and murky looking outside.  "It's cold!" Charlie exclaimed, walking into my house with goodies.  "I brought you a fish dinner that you may not like." I assured Charlie I was just glad to get a hot cooked meal.  I was going to have leftover chicken pot pie.  Charlie also brought a bag of sliced smoked ham for Maggie.  I am doling it out to her so she won't eat too much at one time.  "What are you going to do with your day?" Charlie asked me as he sat on my couch. "Most likely read and listen to the radio today," I replied.  "I'm doing yard work which I hate," Charlie told me. It is a joke in the family that when Charlie does yard work the result is "The Desert Look."&n... The 4th Avenue Blues blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1336997 Sun, 30 Mar 2008 19:38:00 +0100 1336997 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1336998&cid=t_100219_140_f&fid=35433&url=http%3A%2F%2F4thavenueblues.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F03%2Fclean-fridge.html I was sitting at my kitchen table last night eating the spaghetti supper Charlie's wife had brought me.  Charlie begins to clean out my fridge on a whim. "You've got four bottles of mayonnaise in here!" he exclaimed. "I like mayonnaise," I replied. Charlie is such a busy body -- always having to stay active.  I watched as he took everything out and put it on my kitchen counters, and then wiped all the shelves with paper towel and Formula 409. "What else can I do?" he asked as he finished. "I didn't want you to do that," I told him.  "Let's change the filter on your central heating and air!" Charlie took the filter outside along with a broom and swept it clean.  "Are your medications making you sleepy yet?" he asked, coming in. "Your father says they put you to sleep." "... The 4th Avenue Blues blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1336998 Sun, 30 Mar 2008 17:01:00 +0100 1336998 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1309123&cid=t_100219_129_f&fid=35709&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FUniqueButNotAlone%2F%7E3%2F253276027%2Four-golden-anniversary.html Seventeen years ago, we had our first date. I'm amazed how time is relative. The smell of my dorm room that day lingers omnipresent. I carefully chose my clothes, and made sure that green was part... [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]] (Source: Unique But Not Alone) Unique But Not Alone blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1309123 Mon, 17 Mar 2008 22:25:00 +0100 1309123 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1305279&cid=t_100219_140_f&fid=35433&url=http%3A%2F%2F4thavenueblues.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F03%2Fmechanical-behemoths.html I watched five trains this morning.  I figure that is a new record for trains coming through town on a Saturday morning.  Each would pass and I would write down the engine numbers and took photos.  My camera's batteries died on the third train.  I left the tracks and walked past Merl's diner up to the shopping center.  None of the gang was out today.  We had a threat of storms that I was carelessly ignoring.  A threat that the gang must be heeding.  I walked into the grocery store and bought a pack of cheese and chives crackers and a chocolate milk. I spent the rest of the morning people watching.  When I had arrived home, Joyce had called Charlie complaining about Maggie having my "underwear" outside.  Charlie was in my backyard picking up... The 4th Avenue Blues blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1305279 Sat, 15 Mar 2008 19:43:00 +0100 1305279 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1277720&cid=t_100219_140_f&fid=35433&url=http%3A%2F%2F4thavenueblues.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F03%2Fhair-of-dog.html I woke up this morning at 12 PM, lunchtime.  I have resigned myself to the fact that my body needs this.  I am getting over 12 hours of sleep a night.  I was laying in the bed trying to get woken up when Maggie came in and rescued my socks from adorning my odorous feet.  She carried them into the den and has been very protective of them.  That always makes me smile. Today NEEDS to be a cleaning day.   I can't see well and didn't notice how dirty my rug in the den was until I got on the floor to put on Maggie's flea medicine yesterday.  There is dog hair everywhere!   I was embarrassed when Charlie came over last night with my medications.  He brought me the coolest wall hanging, though.  A photograph of what I am not sure, but it ... The 4th Avenue Blues blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1277720 Tue, 04 Mar 2008 17:33:00 +0100 1277720 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1179924&cid=t_100219_140_f&fid=35433&url=http%3A%2F%2F4thavenueblues.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F01%2Fblog-post_26.html I always like it when Charlie brings my medications.  My father is in Birmingham babysitting for my sister.  Charlie brought this wall mural tonight to give to me, and Rosa helped me hang it.  I thought it looked pretty nice.  (Source: The 4th Avenue Blues) The 4th Avenue Blues blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1179924 Sun, 27 Jan 2008 03:32:00 +0100 1179924 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1179059&cid=t_100219_140_f&fid=35433&url=http%3A%2F%2F4thavenueblues.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F01%2Fof-higher-powers-that-be.html Charlie had arrived just as I pulled up from my AA meeting.  He was walking in my yard talking on his cellphone.  I invited him inside as he hung up.  "How was your meeting?" he asked as we sat down in my den. "We talked about finding a higher power of our understanding and how important that is to getting sober," I replied. "Oh, I don't believe in all that metaphysical shit," my friend Charlie told me as he laughed. I smiled and chuckled as well. "I use the AA group as a whole as my higher power," I told him. "A collective kind of God." "Do atheists get sober?" Charlie quipped. "They do indeed," I replied. "They even have twelve step meetings for agnostics and atheists in big cities like New York." Charlie just adores Maggie and made a big fuss over her as his attention was... The 4th Avenue Blues blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1179059 Sat, 26 Jan 2008 02:57:00 +0100 1179059 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1163618&cid=t_100219_129_f&fid=35709&url=http%3A%2F%2Falphagirls.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F01%2Fgo-pack-go.html Today, the Green Bay Packers meet up with the New York Giants for the NFC Division championship. It is a very green and gold day on the frozen tundra, where we currently have a temperature of -6 degrees. Burr! (Source: Unique But Not Alone) Unique But Not Alone blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1163618 Sun, 20 Jan 2008 15:35:00 +0100 1163618 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1138141&cid=t_100219_129_f&fid=35709&url=http%3A%2F%2Falphagirls.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F01%2Flove-him.html (Source: Unique But Not Alone) Unique But Not Alone blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1138141 Wed, 09 Jan 2008 02:51:00 +0100 1138141 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1133768&cid=t_100219_140_f&fid=35433&url=http%3A%2F%2F4thavenueblues.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F01%2Fearly-morning-check-in.html Rosa and I both couldn't sleep this morning.  I grew excited this morning in that the holidays are officially over.  The world turns again.  Kids go back to school.  Businesses are back in full swing of things.  Life marches ever forwards.  "Ugh!" Rosa exclaimed early at 5 a.m this morning. "The covers are soaking wet." I've had a problem with night sweats.  Big problem.  I think it has something to do with my medications.  The covers on my bed were literally wringing wet.  We both got up and I threw my sheets into the washing machine.  They needed washing anyway.  It had been two weeks.  Breakfast was soon started.  I walked to the grocery store last night and got one of my favorite breakfast comfort foods: cinnamon and... The 4th Avenue Blues blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1133768 Mon, 07 Jan 2008 12:05:00 +0100 1133768 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1127293&cid=t_100219_140_f&fid=35433&url=http%3A%2F%2F4thavenueblues.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F01%2Fbest-two-days-of-my-life.html It's is fifteen degrees outside.  I set up my tent and threw my sleeping bag inside.  Nightfall came with Rosa anxiously awaiting what I would do. "I can't do it," I told her of sleeping outside as I grinned. "I just can't forego my warm bed for this." "Good," she replied. "I was really going to question your mental health if you did." I laughed.  It did sound kind of crazy didn't it? Charlie came last night for the last time to bring my medications. "Charlie," I told him. "I've had the best two days of my life as far as me doing well and none of my family was around to see it.  Isn't that just my luck?  They only see when I am doing badly." Charlie laughed and said, "Me and you have the same luck!  Nobody ever gives a shit about me.  Join the crowd." It ... The 4th Avenue Blues blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1127293 Thu, 03 Jan 2008 09:53:00 +0100 1127293 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1124132&cid=t_100219_140_f&fid=35433&url=http%3A%2F%2F4thavenueblues.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F01%2Fno-problems-i-swear.html It is so easy to come to this blog and write about problems, but I feel good.  I feel so good, in fact, that I've had a perpetual smile on my face all evening.  I want to be able to come to this blog every night saying the same thing: no problems. I swear! "What's gotten into you?" Rosa asked me a minute ago. "I think my Luvox is working," I replied. "I never gave it much of a chance as I was always throwing up my medications." "Dumbass," Rosa said jokingly. "Take your meds!  I love to see you smile." Charlie has yet to arrive with tonight's medications.  I eagerly await my Benadryl.  It always makes me sleep like a baby.  I, too, welcome Charlie's company.  I admire my father's best friend so much.  He came from a family of fourteen children and had... The 4th Avenue Blues blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1124132 Wed, 02 Jan 2008 00:09:00 +0100 1124132 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1124138&cid=t_100219_140_f&fid=35433&url=http%3A%2F%2F4thavenueblues.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F01%2Fwhat-strange-trip-it-has-been.html "God, it's cold!" I exclaimed to Big S this morning. Big S was bundled up in his hunter's overalls and a big heavy jacket.  The wind was blowing something fierce and cut through you like shards of ice. "I'm heading home," Big S told me. "I can't take this cold." "See ya man," I replied as Big S shook my hand. That left me alone down at the shopping center.  I watched as people hurried inside the grocery store to escape the cold wind.  It was going to get colder as the day progressed.  I didn't stay long.  I was hoping to get up something interesting to write.  I had a really broken sleep last night.  Charlie came by to bring my medications and my Benadryl.  He was in good spirits and brought along two twelve packs of Diet Coke.  I love it when C... The 4th Avenue Blues blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1124138 Tue, 01 Jan 2008 17:28:00 +0100 1124138 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1123720&cid=t_100219_133_f&fid=35096&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAutismVox%2F%7E3%2F209223175%2F Charlie ended 2007 one of his favorite ways: A train trip into lower Manhattan, a walk through Chinatown and Soho, and dinner at Whole Foods (it being New Year’s Eve, he got a double-course dinner of sushi and spring rolls). And now we’re back in Jersey and I’m trying to get some scratched-up Wiggles DVDs to play on Charlie’s computer………….. Wishing you a tremendous 2008! Share This (Source: Autism Vox) Autism Vox blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1123720 Tue, 01 Jan 2008 03:03:34 +0100 1123720 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1123354&cid=t_100219_133_f&fid=35096&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAutismVox%2F%7E3%2F209127723%2F As you most likely have noticed, I post a lot here about many—any—thing related or referring to autism, throughout the day (and night, I suppose—yes, I never go to sleep before 1am). Writing about my now 10 1/2 year old son Charlie was my original reason for blogging. My first blog was My Son Has Autism (June - December 2005) which evolved into Autismland, which I wrote from December 2005 to February of this year. In February, I discerned that it was time to stop writing about the details about Charlie’s life so publicly and so frequently. I do miss sharing our daily adventures about our “Autism Reality Show,” which was how I originally describe my first weblog. My Son Has Autism is still on the web (with photos) and most of Autismland can be read on thi... Autism Vox blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1123354 Mon, 31 Dec 2007 21:35:43 +0100 1123354 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1064816&cid=t_100219_140_f&fid=35433&url=http%3A%2F%2F4thavenueblues.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F12%2Fwinter-wonderland.html I woke up thinking of snow and ice this morning.  Brrrr.  Our neighbors to the north got some pretty decent snowfall to start off December.  Some even got an ice storm.  It is that time of the year that I habitually frequent weather blogs and weather websites that went neglected all throughout the summer months.  I become a man obsessed. "Don't you want it to snow?" I asked Charlie last night as we were sitting in my den watching the weather coverage. "Dammit! Hell no!" he exclaimed as he laughed. "I don't want to have to drive in that mess!" I had dreamed I was homeless and it snowed last night, and I was having trouble keeping the snow out of my tent and sleeping bag.  I woke up feeling bitterly cold and immediately walked into my hall to turn the heat up.&n... The 4th Avenue Blues blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1064816 Sun, 02 Dec 2007 16:00:00 +0100 1064816 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1064142&cid=t_100219_140_f&fid=35433&url=http%3A%2F%2F4thavenueblues.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F12%2Flabel-not-easily-shaken-away.html I'm a tad obsessive compulsive (so is my brother and sister). Throw in a little paranoia. Add a mix of delusion. Yes, I have all of these, but I am coming to the conclusion that I am not schizophrenic, or schizo-affective as my doctor likes to label me. I was just a drunk whose excessive drinking exacerbated these symptoms. I drank extremely heavily for most of my adult life. I was talking to my father and his friend, Charlie, about this last night."I don't think I am truly mentally ill," I told them. "I was just an alcoholic.""Yes, you are," my father said, rolling his eyes. "You are crazy."Charlie just sighed. "Here we go again," he muttered under his breath."Why do you all want me to be mentally ill?" I asked, confused. "I would think you all would be happy if it was just my excessive d... The 4th Avenue Blues blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1064142 Sat, 01 Dec 2007 14:59:00 +0100 1064142 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1058343&cid=t_100219_133_f&fid=35096&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAutismVox%2F%7E3%2F192245831%2F I was scheduled to visit Charlie at his class at precisely that time, 1.30pm on Tuesday. I signed in the school office, put on my sticker name tag, and ended up wandering back and forth in the first floor corridor (Charlie’s school is made up of an old stone building and a much newer, very large, addition). I finally found the room and caught a glimpse of Charlie at his desk, the speech therapist sitting across from him with a stack of laminated cards. When I walked in, he eyed me for a fast moment, said an equally fast “hi Mom,” and went back to work. “Did you tell him you’d be coming?” Charlie’s teacher asked me. I said yes. “And did you tell him the time?” his teacher continued. I was semi-sure I had. “Well, five minutes befor... Autism Vox blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1058343 Thu, 29 Nov 2007 06:47:22 +0100 1058343 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1048367&cid=t_100219_140_f&fid=35433&url=http%3A%2F%2F4thavenueblues.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F11%2Fblog-post_24.html Well, my camera is back. I got up the courage to drive over and get it out of pawn. Just as I was arriving home, my friend, Charlie, stopped by to bring me this weird antique mirror. I was overjoyed to get it and hung it over my piano. The mirror has a fish-eye effect on the room. It has been a good day. I was so glad to get my camera back that I kissed the box! LOL Maggie in my backyard overjoyed that I am out of the house. (Source: The 4th Avenue Blues) The 4th Avenue Blues blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1048367 Sat, 24 Nov 2007 18:09:00 +0100 1048367 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=985656&cid=t_100219_151_f&fid=36047&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FADozenSteps%2F%7E3%2F176064306%2F From AAHistory.com; “Joe McQ. from Little Rock, Arkansas, of the original Joe and Charlie Big Book Studies, moved on to another life October 25, 2007. You are invited to leave a message in his Memorial Book for his family.” Joe’s funeral will be Thursday, Nov. 1st, 2007, 11 A.M. at the Pulaski Height United Methodist Church. History of Joe & Charlie Big Book Studies “Joe McQ. & Charlie P. met in 1973 when Joe introduced Charlie as the AA speaker at an Al-Anon Convention. Joe had wondered if Charlie might be the country-western singer Charlie Pride. “He wasn’t even the right color,” Joe laments. They instantly discovered their mutual fascination with AA’s basic text “The Big Book”. What interested them most was that The B... A Dozen Steps blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=985656 Sun, 28 Oct 2007 03:12:51 +0100 985656 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=809590&cid=t_100219_87_f&fid=34865&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thecancerblog.com%2F2007%2F08%2F20%2Fback-to-school-back-to-physical-education%2F Filed under: ExerciseToday, my oldest child begins first grade. I can't tell you how sad and happy this makes me. I'm sad because I realize my first baby boy is truly on his way to growing up. School has him now; I don't. I can't help but predict he will need me less and less as he takes on the world in his own independent way. This makes me happy too. I am eager to see how he fares on his own, how he develops, grows, and soars. And I must admit, I am pretty thrilled about having five mornings per week all to myself -- my youngest little boy begins school today too.On Friday, we went to six-year-old Joey's elementary school for a meet-the-teacher event. Joey was right at home. He sat at his assigned desk, did a little drawing, and snuggled up in a pile of pillows in the reading corner. I f... The Cancer Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=809590 Mon, 20 Aug 2007 04:00:00 +0100 809590 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=780355&cid=t_100219_140_f&fid=35433&url=http%3A%2F%2F4thavenueblues.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F08%2Fsummer-nights.html There is just something about a summer's night. Winter is looming closer and weighs upon my mind. It is making me savor every last minute of these warm, melodically beautiful evenings. Winter brings cold winds with the only noise being it brushing up against my windows that guard me from the cold. Summer brings katydids, crickets, and the sound of whip-o-wills. All things that bring joy to my heart. When I was homeless, I often had dreams of migrating. The cold of the winter would make me want to live in Miami with warm, tropical breezes and blowing palm trees. If I would have had a car at the time, it would have no doubt found me well south of the Mason-Dixon line. Warm weather would then find me back in my beloved Alabama in the familiar haunts that were the woods I called home during t... The 4th Avenue Blues blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=780355 Sun, 05 Aug 2007 09:34:00 +0100 780355 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=631533&cid=t_100219_111_f&fid=34725&url=http%3A%2F%2Fnursesean.com%2F%3Fp%3D524 Yes, it has been more than a month since my last post. However, after about seven years of blogging, I’m quite aware that my desire to post ebbs and flows. There will be times where I excitedly blog every day. Other times, I will go weeks without posting. Lets face it, blogging is a lot of work! I think the only regret I have is that regular posting generally equals regular readers. I crave the hordes of readers other bloggers have, but they typically post at LEAST once a day. That’s enough talk about how often I post! Too many of my posts start with a similar speech. I also want to mention that I’m aware that I have been tagged for the “eight random things” meme. I will try writing that in the next couple days. For now, I would like to update my last few weeks! Believe it or... Nurse Sean blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=631533 Wed, 23 May 2007 07:28:03 +0100 631533 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=522747&cid=t_100219_111_f&fid=34725&url=http%3A%2F%2Fnursesean.com%2F%3Fp%3D518 First of all, thank you everyone for your kind messages following my last post declaring that I passed my exam and am now a Registered Nurse (god, just writing that made me swoon with joy). I need to correct myself by stating that I am not a registered nurse quite yet. Let me explain… I wrote my exam February 7th, 2007. I received my results and I passed, but that does not automatically make me a registered nurse. I do indeed need to actually register with the College and Association of Registered Nurses of Alberta. So, I am still a Grad Nurse in the meantime. The process to register will probably take awhile. I will be sending them my registration form tomorrow; however, they cannot register me until they receive my transcripts from the University showing that they have granted my ... Nurse Sean blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=522747 Thu, 05 Apr 2007 10:09:47 +0100 522747 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=514470&cid=t_100219_111_f&fid=34725&url=http%3A%2F%2Fnursesean.com%2F%3Fp%3D515 Charlie is doing great! Even though he has a splint, he’s been bounding around the house. We haven’t been able to convince him that he’s hurt and needs to REST! We went to our vet today to have the splilnt changed (it is now bright yellow…she promised we could have purple next time), and she gave us some advice on curbing his activity. So, we have him on his lead at all times…he’s either attached to the coffee table or one of our belts. And it’s working! He can no longer fly up and down the hallway or chase after us, or practice trying to get up on the couch. But the real bonus is that it will help us with house training. We will be able to keep an eye on him at all times. No more sneaking down the hallway to go pee! We actually took him to puppy p... Nurse Sean blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=514470 Sat, 31 Mar 2007 21:28:23 +0100 514470 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=503929&cid=t_100219_111_f&fid=34725&url=http%3A%2F%2Fnursesean.com%2F%3Fp%3D512 So, last night Charlie had his first venture into emergency vet care. While running after Charlie while playing, Richard managed to step on his front left paw. I have never heard a dog yelp so loud and long! We waited about an hour to see if he would “walk it off” and start doing better. When he put wait on it at one point he started yelping long and loud again. So, we scooped him up and ran to the vet. $600 later he had a big blue cast on his leg, which makes him look even more cute and innocent (pictures to follow later today). Unfotunately he’s still a little devil! We were told to limit his activity and make sure he stays off his splint. However, he’s convinced that nothing has changed and keeps scooting around on it…arg! How do you convince an 12 week ol... Nurse Sean blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=503929 Tue, 27 Mar 2007 14:23:06 +0100 503929 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=465118&cid=t_100219_111_f&fid=34725&url=http%3A%2F%2Fnursesean.com%2F%3Fp%3D510 I’m so tired! Puppies are a lot of work. I’m starting to understand the pain of having a newborn baby. I have to get up several times a night to take him to his potty matt. When he’s awake, I need to watch him 100% or he will pee/poo in the wrong spot, or chew things up. I always have to think about how I act toward him, or react to his behaviors, because it could have an effect on him forever. Fortunately, unlike a baby, I can leave him alone and go out. Even better is that in several weeks he should be completely potty trained. Then, I will need to buy a carpet cleaner to get rid of some of his accidents…ugh! The only downside is that I can’t put him in front of the television and have some alone time. He depends on me for almost all his entertainment. Thank... Nurse Sean blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=465118 Thu, 08 Mar 2007 20:34:37 +0100 465118 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=465119&cid=t_100219_111_f&fid=34725&url=http%3A%2F%2Fnursesean.com%2F%3Fp%3D509 I would like to introduce everyone to our new baby. His name is Charlie! He’s as bratty as he is cute! We’re up several times a night so he can pee (occassionally in the right place even), and he whines and cries whenever we leave him. Fortunately, he’s a very smart puppy and is learning very quickly!!! We are very exhausted parents though… He’s 8.5 weeks old (Born January 2nd 2007), and is a crass between a Shetland Sheep Dog and a German Klein Spitz. His mother was 14 inches tall, and his Dad was 7 inches tall…so he should stay fairly small. (Source: Nurse Sean) Nurse Sean blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=465119 Sun, 04 Mar 2007 20:12:38 +0100 465119