rants and ramblings of utter randomness

Well. Big Brother has finally caught up with LJ at work and is only allowing me access in 6 ten-minute "quota" installments. Of course, I can go computer to computer if I want, and we've got, hmm. *counts* Seven desktops and two notebooks, along with being able to use a generic log-in page that may or may not add things up collectively among them. But I figure that I can read dreamwidth instead at work and save LJ for stuff at home.

It's getting worse for computer stuff at work (which I only use while on break and during slow times when there is literally nothing else to do). First my streaming radio was gone (I did use that during work, but it's not like it was distracting--in fact, it helped me focus). Then the podcasts went away, then Facebook. I didn't really care about Facebook because I figured hey, I had LJ and they couldn't possibly find such a relatively obscure blog. Only now they've found it and stuck this new quota thing on it. I figure it's only a matter of time before they find DW. But, until that happens, I'll read/post here, as much of it is crossposted anyway. Grr. Big Brother.

In other news, I've made my reservations for Ottawa! So far I'll be there from 29 June to 6 July. Dudes. Canada day IN CANADA. And the Queen will be there! *throws red-and-white confetti*

Clearly the bullet list is my drug of choice these days:

• Where is Stan Rogers when we need him?
  
  He wouldn't have been at all surprised, I'm sure. :(
  
  
• I really want to make a list for mission101, but I don't know if I can come up with 101 things I want to do in 1001 days. I want to make them meaningful, you know? I don't want to list something like "start list" and "finish list" and "go to the bathroom".
  
  
• My mother's blood pressure is in the 90/50 range. She also has chronic anemia. She's been dizzy and weak. She's on several BP meds and Lasix. When she told me what her BP was (and it's been somewhat below 90/50) I practically ordered her to not take the Lasix or the BP meds until she saw the doctor. The doctor cut her Lasix in half, and also halved her lisinopril. IMO she needs to not take ANY Lasix. No edema, no symptoms of CHF. She's post-op but doing well considering. Also, one of the side affects of Lasix is ANEMIA. *headdesk* The doc said she may have to go over to Westerly Hospital for blood if her labs come back anemic. Yeah, I'd go with that, but um. I think the fecking meds are causing an exacerbation of the anemia. Of course, I'm not a doctor, nor do I play one on TV. If I did, I'd have a newer car.
  
  Dear AMA,
  
  Giving meds isn't always the answer. People aren't robots, they don't always respond the same way.
  
  No love at all,
  
  Me, on behalf of my maternal unit.
  
  
• songdogmi (not to be confused with songdog, although both are Very Nice People) links to this:
  
  Killing wolves is still illegal in Michigan
  
  Why was it ever legal? Wolves are LESS AGGRESSIVE than dogs. Do we want to open up dog hunting? I don't live in Michigan, but it seems to me that unless an animal is directly attacking humans/livestock/pets, we should leave it well alone. And anyway, since wolves and dogs are almost identical genetically, how is a hunter going to tell he/she's not going after someone's Malamute? I don't remember any news article about pocket DNA tests being invented for use by hunters. wtf?
  
  Also? Cutest. Thing. Ever:
  
  
  
  (from this site, which says "wolves need friends, not owners.") See? Fraser was right. *g*
  
  
• Fannish projects are humming along, despite RL issues. Yes, even axial_tilt. I've also started writing what will likely be my longest fic ever (no, not the Barrett's Privateers one, although that's in the works and I'm gathering info, 'cause that one's hard). I really like the tiny scene I've written; it's one that's been in my head for weeks, and it turned out pretty good on (virtual) paper.
  
  
• Night shift tomorrow. I'll make the obligatory "entertain me" post, I'm sure. No youTube, though, because Butler Hospital is Big Brother about youTube. :/
  
  
• I'm going to have my Tarot cards read with tapped_trish, et. al. on Thursday. I haven't done that in ages. I can read my own, ostensibly, but I haven't in ages.
  
  
• My house is clean save for my room. I'll clean some tomorrow when I'm not writing (see list item re: axial_tilt). But my kitchen! My dining room! My living room and bathroom! Yay!
  
  
• Little Mosque holds its own opposite American Idol.
  
  I cannot tell you how pleased I am about this. LM is cute (not great, but cute and very watchable). AI is teh evil, and shouldn't be shown to kids under, liek, fifty. I loathe it from the depths of everything I have depths of. Bleh. Ick. Ptui. Yay, cute little sitcom!
  
  
• Here, have some Stan Rogers:
  
  Free in the Harbour
  
  
• ETA: How could I forget to add this? Happy birthday to mickeyvt, and kupukello! Many happy returns, dears.

Ick. Woke up nauseated and it's not going away. I'm torn between going to work and hoping for the best, and calling out. Problem is, they're already not happy with me because of something else, and I know I'm going to get (at the very least) a lecture about it today, and I don't want them to think I'm copping out to avoid said lecture. However, if I go in feeling like shit, then I'm not going to be at my best when I have to deal with them. I also don't have a full shift of sick time.

I'd make a poll about it, but I feel too icky.

I just got this postcard in the mail. It's addressed to "TV Household". The bold font is theirs:

"It is my pleasure to tell you that your household has been chosen from all the households in your area to participate in a Nielsen TV ratings study.

In a few weeks, an interviewer from Nielsen Media Research will contact your household by telephone to conduct this important study. Please be sure to let everyone in your household know that we will be calling. The interview will take approximately 5 minutes.

Your participation is strictly voluntary and all of your answers will remain convidential. Please be assured that we are not attempting to sell anything to you. Our only purpose is to learn about TV usage in your area.

We will telephone you soon. Thank you."


*cackles*


Oh, they're gonna love MY household. The last time I turned on the telly was in October (for the last game of the American League East playoffs). I'm not even quite sure where the thing IS at the moment.


In other news, I've finished Cell. Now to go back to The Protector's War, which is quite good so far, although I also want to read Sinn Fein: A Hundred Turbulent Years, which has been calling me in a quite loud brogue for weeks. It's more than about time to read me some nonfiction.

*sigh* So many books, so little time. And then there's the knitting and the sewing and the writing I want to do. Nielsen, Shmielsen. Pish.


Oh, and. Although I'm glad flags are at half-staff in Georgia to honour the memory of Mrs. King (because she was a great woman and she belonged to them [and Alabama, too, of course!]), I really wish RI had done it, too. The whole nation, for that matter.

patchfire and I have this fantasy of a great rock-and-roll band in Heaven, with Jesus and Kurt and Lennon and more (I can never remember which instruments they play, except I think Jesus is on the drums). I like to think that three of our greatest heroes are having a celebratory homecoming supper together. If what we believe becomes Truth for us, then it's a very good chance they're doing just that. *raises glass*



In still other news, I just (unexpectedly) got the day off tomorrow. Which means only ONE more day of six a.m. waking before I start my new (part time) evening shift. Wheee!