These are REALLY annoying. There are periods during the day when I just feel so warm and it drives me crazy. Menopause must be challenging.
This is certainly 1 experience I am sharing with an unforeseen demographic.
Friday, August 11, 2006
Masstige...
In the book, Trading Up, the authors talk about American consumers' desire to feel "special" by treating themselves to a luxury in a category they value. It might be Starbucks vs. McDonalds coffee...or "I only buy Hondas" or whatever they feel is important (Viking ranges, WEber grills, etc.)
They talk about the concept of "Masstige" or "Mass Prestige" where someone with ostensible high class brings products to the masses. You see this at Target a lot and Martha Stewart in Kmart.
Today, my hygienist told me that she only buys "Ralph Lauren" paint from Home Depot.
I'm sure it's extremely high quality, but it's just interesting how Ralph Lauren has put his name on paint and put it in a place of mass consumerism like Home Depot. It's just a trifecta I would not have guessed would have existed.
They talk about the concept of "Masstige" or "Mass Prestige" where someone with ostensible high class brings products to the masses. You see this at Target a lot and Martha Stewart in Kmart.
Today, my hygienist told me that she only buys "Ralph Lauren" paint from Home Depot.
I'm sure it's extremely high quality, but it's just interesting how Ralph Lauren has put his name on paint and put it in a place of mass consumerism like Home Depot. It's just a trifecta I would not have guessed would have existed.
"If Bush wins, I'm moving to Canada..."
I must have heard this statement from about 10-20 people between the 2000 and 2004 elections. Of course, none of these people ever followed up on their statements (I did send a few of them the link to the Canadian immigration website.)
Tamar and I were talking about Hezbollah/Heathrow plot and discussing how much less safe we would feel if the Dems were in power.
"You know," I said, "I kind of want to say that if the Dems win and we start living in Nancy Pelosi-stan that I'd immigrate to Canada...but I'd probably feel less safe there."
Tamar and I were talking about Hezbollah/Heathrow plot and discussing how much less safe we would feel if the Dems were in power.
"You know," I said, "I kind of want to say that if the Dems win and we start living in Nancy Pelosi-stan that I'd immigrate to Canada...but I'd probably feel less safe there."
An argument that can't be won...
The problem with the discussion between Left/Rigth; Dems/Reps; Libs/Conservatives as it relates to the perceived/real threat of Islamofascists is that it's impossible for the Right to prove the other side wrong.
For Conservatives to prove liberals wrong and prove conclusively that Islamofascism is out to destroy Western civilization, wouldn't Western civilization have to be destroyed? What's the fun in saying "I told you so" in that scenario?
Alternatively, as long as Western civilization hasn't been destroyed, the Left can claim that the threat doesn't really exist.
Speaking of the destruction of Western civilization, it seems that yesterday's foiled plot took us one step closer to doing just that. What 400 flights disrupted? Not only was Heathrow disrupted, but it's one of the busiest airports in the world which means that world commerce took a big hit yesterday. Add that to the new restrictions on flying (no water bottles? I take, er, took 2 on every flight) and you could be looking at the end of much optional air travel. And the definition of optional air travel could expand. Plus with technology, many businesses may choose to do things via Internet, as Seth Godin opines.
It may be the end of traditional airlines as we know it...it could also be the beginning of the personal air travel business, if someone can figure out how to do it cost-effectively. Apparently, 80% of flights into Martha's Vineyard are private planes anyway.
For Conservatives to prove liberals wrong and prove conclusively that Islamofascism is out to destroy Western civilization, wouldn't Western civilization have to be destroyed? What's the fun in saying "I told you so" in that scenario?
Alternatively, as long as Western civilization hasn't been destroyed, the Left can claim that the threat doesn't really exist.
Speaking of the destruction of Western civilization, it seems that yesterday's foiled plot took us one step closer to doing just that. What 400 flights disrupted? Not only was Heathrow disrupted, but it's one of the busiest airports in the world which means that world commerce took a big hit yesterday. Add that to the new restrictions on flying (no water bottles? I take, er, took 2 on every flight) and you could be looking at the end of much optional air travel. And the definition of optional air travel could expand. Plus with technology, many businesses may choose to do things via Internet, as Seth Godin opines.
It may be the end of traditional airlines as we know it...it could also be the beginning of the personal air travel business, if someone can figure out how to do it cost-effectively. Apparently, 80% of flights into Martha's Vineyard are private planes anyway.
My daughter's activities...
Seems like Calanit is a right brainer.
She's got a "Yoga Kids" video which she does 2-3 times per week. She enjoys Child's Pose and making deep breathing sounds. I even get to help when she wants to do "Tree Pose" or a headstand.
Add that to her weekly ballet class, general love of dancing, and numerous artitisic efforts...coloring, drawing, and painting.
Plus, she never likes to comb her hair or put it in a twistie...a true free spirit.
She's got a "Yoga Kids" video which she does 2-3 times per week. She enjoys Child's Pose and making deep breathing sounds. I even get to help when she wants to do "Tree Pose" or a headstand.
Add that to her weekly ballet class, general love of dancing, and numerous artitisic efforts...coloring, drawing, and painting.
Plus, she never likes to comb her hair or put it in a twistie...a true free spirit.
Thursday, August 10, 2006
Trust your Gut 2-Endocrinologist
The endocrinologist I met with 2 weeks ago came highly recommended. I really wanted to like her.
Tamar came with me to the initial consultation. She wasn't the warmest person...Tamar felt that she couldn't ask some questions...but my feeling is "look, I don't have to like the doctor, I have to believe s/he can get the job done." And I want to get the job done. I don't care so much about "warm fuzzies."
In the initial meeting, she said, "so you have a multi-node tumor..." and both Tamar and I looked at each other. We KNEW I had a single-node tumor.
A moment later, she caught herself. "Oh, I'm sorry..."
Towards the end of the consult, she handed me a copy of her notes. It read "multi-node tumor."
"Uh, isn't this a mistake?" I asked.
"Oh, I forgot to change my notes," she replied.
On Monday, I speak with her about the two options for radioactive iodine treatment (one outpatient w/less dosage, one in-patient..more dosage.)
She says, "I've got to wait until the blood work from your next appointment comes in before we know what to do. Your tumor is right on the border."
Fine.
Today, she calls me (after I fax her asking for the names of nuclear medicine doctors so we can get this process rolling.)
"You know, I'm not sure what I was thinking the other day," she begins. "Your tumor was 1.5 cm. That's definitely large enough to warrant in-patient."
At this point, I'm not feeling the vibe either and TRUST ME, I wanted to. I wanted to believe she was great, but my Gut is telling me...no way. I've got to find a different MD. The downside is it's going to push my schedule back a bit, but this is irreversible...I'm radioactive and not something I want to screw with. Know what I mean?
She ends by saying..."You should call Dr. ___ at the Washington Hosptial Center. His number is...."
I write the number, listening intently. When she's done, I look at it.
"Uh, Dr., that's my work number."
"Oh, they were written down right next to each other."
I am sorry. She may be the greatest doctor around but a few slips like that just doesn't give me the confidence I need right now.
Tamar came with me to the initial consultation. She wasn't the warmest person...Tamar felt that she couldn't ask some questions...but my feeling is "look, I don't have to like the doctor, I have to believe s/he can get the job done." And I want to get the job done. I don't care so much about "warm fuzzies."
In the initial meeting, she said, "so you have a multi-node tumor..." and both Tamar and I looked at each other. We KNEW I had a single-node tumor.
A moment later, she caught herself. "Oh, I'm sorry..."
Towards the end of the consult, she handed me a copy of her notes. It read "multi-node tumor."
"Uh, isn't this a mistake?" I asked.
"Oh, I forgot to change my notes," she replied.
On Monday, I speak with her about the two options for radioactive iodine treatment (one outpatient w/less dosage, one in-patient..more dosage.)
She says, "I've got to wait until the blood work from your next appointment comes in before we know what to do. Your tumor is right on the border."
Fine.
Today, she calls me (after I fax her asking for the names of nuclear medicine doctors so we can get this process rolling.)
"You know, I'm not sure what I was thinking the other day," she begins. "Your tumor was 1.5 cm. That's definitely large enough to warrant in-patient."
At this point, I'm not feeling the vibe either and TRUST ME, I wanted to. I wanted to believe she was great, but my Gut is telling me...no way. I've got to find a different MD. The downside is it's going to push my schedule back a bit, but this is irreversible...I'm radioactive and not something I want to screw with. Know what I mean?
She ends by saying..."You should call Dr. ___ at the Washington Hosptial Center. His number is...."
I write the number, listening intently. When she's done, I look at it.
"Uh, Dr., that's my work number."
"Oh, they were written down right next to each other."
I am sorry. She may be the greatest doctor around but a few slips like that just doesn't give me the confidence I need right now.
Trust your gut...
In his book, Blink, Malcom Gladwell (author of The Tipping Point) posits that the impressions you form about people, situations, etc. within the first few seconds are generally right on.
In trusting Juan to build the structure out back....
In deciding not to send a certain email at work...
In overcoming a situation with a colleague...
I actually listened to my gut. I FELT it and I knew, just knew, it was right.
Pretty cool, stuff. There was an article a few years back that I read in Harvard Business Review that attributed some degree of success to executives' ability to listen and respond to their guts.
I kind of wonder...what exactly is that feeling you get?
In trusting Juan to build the structure out back....
In deciding not to send a certain email at work...
In overcoming a situation with a colleague...
I actually listened to my gut. I FELT it and I knew, just knew, it was right.
Pretty cool, stuff. There was an article a few years back that I read in Harvard Business Review that attributed some degree of success to executives' ability to listen and respond to their guts.
I kind of wonder...what exactly is that feeling you get?
Lamont v. Lieberman
It's probably obvious by now that I'm not a Democrat. I am sad to see Joe go...which is probably why he went.
A liberal friend of mine changed her vacation plans so she could be in CT during the primary and vote against Joe. She's anti-war and anti-Bush.
I'm sad to see him go because he's a man of principle...and also Tamar and I got 2 nice wedding gifts from him! (he went to my parents' synagogue).
On the other hand, I'm not sad. There are those who say that his defeat is a referendum on the Iraq War. It may very well be. It may be a time of concern for Republicans.
I don't see it that way...I see it as the Dems being further hijacked by the left wing of their party...which means that the moderates will be yearning for a solid moderate like them. If the GOP can muster the strength to get someone who is conservative on foreign policy and economic issues and a bit more liberal on social issues (stem cell, abortion, etc.) they could clean the clocks of the Dems. That's a BIG IF, of course.
I still think the GOP will come out ahead, it's just a question of whether it's winning by a touchdown or 6.
Could be wrong...we'll see, won't we?
A liberal friend of mine changed her vacation plans so she could be in CT during the primary and vote against Joe. She's anti-war and anti-Bush.
I'm sad to see him go because he's a man of principle...and also Tamar and I got 2 nice wedding gifts from him! (he went to my parents' synagogue).
On the other hand, I'm not sad. There are those who say that his defeat is a referendum on the Iraq War. It may very well be. It may be a time of concern for Republicans.
I don't see it that way...I see it as the Dems being further hijacked by the left wing of their party...which means that the moderates will be yearning for a solid moderate like them. If the GOP can muster the strength to get someone who is conservative on foreign policy and economic issues and a bit more liberal on social issues (stem cell, abortion, etc.) they could clean the clocks of the Dems. That's a BIG IF, of course.
I still think the GOP will come out ahead, it's just a question of whether it's winning by a touchdown or 6.
Could be wrong...we'll see, won't we?
Wednesday, August 09, 2006
Everybody's got an opinion...
It's a dangerous thing to have an opinion...ok, maybe not have it, but maybe to share it without thinking about the consequences.
In my case, these days, it's Doctors.
I spoke with one person who is a doctor. He asked..."who's your surgeon?"
I told him.
"Oh, I'd never go to him. I'd go to Dr. ____"
Five minutes into the conversation and it turns out that he'd never even HEARD of my surgeon.
Another one tells me..."you can only go to hospital X for your radioactive iodine treatment. They are the best."
This comes despite the fact that many others...including those who have had the procedure done have told me otherwise.
I know people mean well when they share their opinion, but sometimes we don't think about the fact that a 1 sentence comment that is carelessly tossed in another's direction can create a maelstrom of concern and activity.
Sometimes, I think, it may be better to keep your opinion to yourself...not always, but you need to think about the potential impact.
In my case, these days, it's Doctors.
I spoke with one person who is a doctor. He asked..."who's your surgeon?"
I told him.
"Oh, I'd never go to him. I'd go to Dr. ____"
Five minutes into the conversation and it turns out that he'd never even HEARD of my surgeon.
Another one tells me..."you can only go to hospital X for your radioactive iodine treatment. They are the best."
This comes despite the fact that many others...including those who have had the procedure done have told me otherwise.
I know people mean well when they share their opinion, but sometimes we don't think about the fact that a 1 sentence comment that is carelessly tossed in another's direction can create a maelstrom of concern and activity.
Sometimes, I think, it may be better to keep your opinion to yourself...not always, but you need to think about the potential impact.
The Dove's Olive Branch...
You know how in the story of Noah and the Ark, Noah sends out a dove to see if the water has receded? Eventually, the dove comes back with an olive branch...and Noah knows the water is going down.
Yesterday, Calanit ran into the kitchen holding one baby wipe.
I turned to Tamar, "this is not a good sign..."
I rushed into the next room to find Erez, merrily pulling out ALL of the Baby Wipes from the container.
Wipe=Olive Branch
Dove=Calanit
Flood=Erez
Yesterday, Calanit ran into the kitchen holding one baby wipe.
I turned to Tamar, "this is not a good sign..."
I rushed into the next room to find Erez, merrily pulling out ALL of the Baby Wipes from the container.
Wipe=Olive Branch
Dove=Calanit
Flood=Erez
On the Brink of Madness
I thought the same thing when I posted on the Destruction of Western Civilization. It's just that VDH does it better.
Beautiful, handmade cabinets....
I saw a ink stamp on the inside of the cabinets in our kitchen saying "handmade" and something else that said "quality."
That was right before I took a big drill to it and installed child-proof latches.
Another previously unknown cost of parenting.
That was right before I took a big drill to it and installed child-proof latches.
Another previously unknown cost of parenting.
Tuesday, August 08, 2006
Oasis in the Desert...
Maybe because The Alchemist takes place in the desert, I had the image in my head, but on Sunday night, Tamar and I flipped through the TV and we came across Sunday Night Football.
Granted, it was a pre-season game, but I felt like a man who had traversed that sports no man's land between the end of the NBA/NHL seasons (except for the quadrennial World Cup reprieve) and arrived at the familiar, comfortable, loving embrace of my true sporting love... American football.
The joy was palpable. We had made it through an off-season. I took a deep breath and smelled the fresh air...yes, football season is here.
Granted, it was a pre-season game, but I felt like a man who had traversed that sports no man's land between the end of the NBA/NHL seasons (except for the quadrennial World Cup reprieve) and arrived at the familiar, comfortable, loving embrace of my true sporting love... American football.
The joy was palpable. We had made it through an off-season. I took a deep breath and smelled the fresh air...yes, football season is here.
More on Juan…
You've got to give it to Juan. He showed up this morning at 8.15am, like he said he would.
There were certainly some communications issues…like when he took my $300 down payment check and then promptly left. I was worried for a moment (Tamar thought ‘scam’) but I had his card, his number, his proof of insurance, and some leverage. Besides...when you go discount, you've got to expect some bumps in the road, right? :-)
I called him…he was off to Home Depot.
By noon…a nice portion of the structure was built and I have to say, it looks pretty good. Not too shabby.
The other company called me and left an answering machine message. I decided to call back. I just said…I got the estimate and it was higher than I wanted to pay. They said, “Ok, thanks for the call.” That was it.
I have to say, I like Juan’s attitude, punctuality, and his hunger. I was saying to Tamar last night that I need to find a young guy who’s willing to prove himself. Up until now, we’ve been using my mom’s contractor, but the thing is, I think we’re too small for him. We’re not doing the $50k-$100k remodeling jobs. He’s more established and charges higher rates. We’re the small fish.
It makes me uncomfortable to rely on him (he’s also been very sloppy about returning my calls/emails in a timely manner.)
So far, Juan is proving his value. It’s still early, of course.
Monday, August 07, 2006
Radioactive...
Spoke to the endocrinologist today. After reviewing the pathology report, it's a done deal. I'm going to have to go through a process called "Radioactive Iodine Treatment"
You can read all about it, but it looks like I'll be setting off airport radioactive material detectors for 3 months.
Kidding aside, it's going to be a VERY, VERY tough time for Tamar and the kids (and for me).
I'm going to meet with the endocrinologist on the 15th of August. Then, we'll figure out the exact timing.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Subscribe to RSS Feed
