Rhinovirus

I think I've got the Rhinovirus.
Don't worry... I'll be ok. 100% recuperation will come, but meanwhile I'm kinda miserable. Beware! You are at risk of catching this too!! Want to learn more about the Rhinovirus? You can even check out its pokemon-style battle card here.

Thoughts on the weekend

Hot water makes my heart beat faster & my blood pressure rise. But a super-hot soak in a bubble bath scented courtesy of Victoria's Secret is exactly what does the trick in getting rid of the stench of stale urine and necrotic flesh off your skin and out of your brain.

It's always hard zipping up a body bag... I guess it just doesn't get easier? But then again, I don't ever want to get to the point where it becomes old hat and no big deal. I remember just about everybody who has passed on our floor, and the day I stop giving due reverence to the freshly departed, you need to get me the hell off of the floor. Took over 4 hours for her family to show up and seemed annoyed that we interrupted their sleep ... yeah, so what if you were just getting ready to lie down? Where have you been all day? And don't be so annoyed that we want you to come down - for god's sake, thisu is your mother! Her mouth was locked wide open, and her face sunken in, but she looked so much better than she did alive. No more tubes everywhere, and no more "twitching" (seizing, if you ask me!)

It was a different one that had the stench. Could smell it all through the halls. We had quite a few bad ones last night, but "Madame M" takes the cake. 2 wound vacs sucking out blood and exudate off her, along with countless large spots of dead black flesh. She came from home. The neglect was so obvious, I wanted to cry. I wished she'd been made a DNR - not that it speeds up the dying process, but I think the plan of care is generally more centered around comfort & dignity - which "M" obviously needs. Dubious "M" will ever rejuvinate, and the care she is getting at home is downright criminal. I wish there were more prosecutions of elder abuse.

That's all for now... got lots floating around in my mind, but getting the upfront issues off my chest... going to nap now.

He da debil

if Ray Nagin isn't the devil incarnate, than he must be one of his spawns.

Just a little thought for the day.

Halitosis and the Half Blood Prince

Finally finished the Half-Blood Prince. Had been putting it off for months because I had heard "The spoiler" and wanted to put off the tragedies for as long as possible. (Somehow thinking that if I didn't get to it, it wouldn't happen!) Denial is not just a river in Egypt!

I believe you can tell a lot about a person by looking at their bookshelves - or lack thereof. (hmm.. wonder if i need to post a pic of mine?)

In an old-timey music mood. Listening to the 80's alternative station - Echo & The Bunnymen, The Primitives.. mmm good stuff. Was on a classic punk kick last week, listening to The Ramones, Dead Milkmen, etc. Who knows what it'll be next time. Maybe I'll bust out my Pavoratti collection again!

Writing 2006 has come quite naturally to me - a first. Usually I have to correct myself quite a bit. Guess I'm just really ready for this year!

Keep burping onions. Went to Sake Express and had a veggie plate for lunch. The onions were fierce! And let me tell you: Toothbrushing, Flossing, & Listerine can't kill the onion when its gases are floating up the alimentary canal!

Old-School Double Spacing

Full moon at the PMC and only one pregnant woman made it up our way? Udderly amazing. 'Twas - and I can only safely say this now, after a Fri the 13th AND a full moon - a nice quiet weekend.

Huge exam hell this coming Wednesday. I've got a lot to study. Even in these first couple days, this nursing class has been quite a humbling experience. So far I have been pretty lucky; most of my studying has been in A&P or Micro - not much nsg. I've got a sinking feeling, though, that's all going to change this semester!

Got my first bill for this semester. So far they say I owe $1,515. Of course, I don't believe these bills. Gotta love Queens and their billing department. (Insert big eyeroll here!) Had to cut a check last semester because tuition cost even more than my loans would supply. You can bet your ass that check was written very begrudgingly! Hoping to at least break even after loans & scholarships.

What's this thing now where proper typing etiquette does not require two spaces at the end of each sentence? Something about the fact that computers can automatically calibrate the spacing, and therefore you are only supposed to put one space? No freaking way. This is one I am going to take a stand on. Every sentence I think I've ever typed had 2 spaces at the end; it's just the way I was taught. I guess I'm officially old school? Will continue to 2-space 'em, and let the computers adjust accordingly.

That song Grillz is my newest love-to-hate. I think mostly because I hate the whole gold-tooth thing... yucka. Nothing like a beautiful smile with nice healthy teeth!

Go Panthers! Will probably be sleeping through the game - or at least part of it (starts at 4, I think) but would love to see them take it all the way. Didn't care one way or another about them when I first moved here, but they've kinda grown on me!

Friday the 13th

Didn't even realize that there was a Fri the 13th this month.... Just realized it first thing this morning as I was getting ready for school. - And then, wouldn't ya know, as I'm leaving the neighborhood to go to school - there's 2 black cats fighting and chasing each other right in front of me. So far it's been all right - but I'm hoping it stays status quo ... Here's to hoping for a good day!

Brokeback Mountain

Two words: LOVED IT!
Saw it at the only theater in Charlotte that's playing it... people actually drove all the way from Columbia to see it. Been out for a while, but it just premiered here this weekend. Can't believe nobody is showing this movie; it's excellent. Jake Gyllenhall is good, but OMFG... Heath Ledger. Never thought much of him as more than just a pretty face. Definitely changed my mind.

Broccoli

Last night around 2am, I started getting an itching for something to eat. Felt like we had nothing in the house... except stale bread & tons of meat. Ick. Found a pkg of fresh broccoli crowns I bough a while back , & figured I'd eat that before it went bad. It was 2 crowns, & I steamed it all... and OMG... ATE it all! The package said it was approx 1lb. (Holy WOW -really? A full pound of broccoli!?) It made a heaping bowlful. And let me tell you, it was sooooo good! No cheese, no butter, just broccoli... mmm!

I can only imagine how much gas I produced while I slept. (Bet that could fuel a power plant too when turkey crap runs low?)

Cuddlewhores & Turkey Crap

Earlier this evening I spent an hour & a half on the phone with Dan. OMG, I so miss the guy! Haven't talked to him in like 3 friggin' years!! Was thinking about him & Jeff the other day & Googled 'em. Was so excited to hear back from Dan.

Dan is my little cuddlewhore, and I am his. *(As mentioned before, plenty of people I know IRL read this sucker, so let me clarify:) No, we've never slept together - at least not like that! (eew! I know where that thing has been!!) But we have cuddled & slept together like that plenty of times.
It was funny - it's been so long, but it truly felt like we were able to jump right back to old times. You know that's when things are cool. I've been pretty fortunate to be able to reconnect with a few people from wayback in the past year.

Anyway, so Dan's out in Minnesota building a power plant fueled by turkey crap. (I didn't believe it either!!) Thinking about visiting him. I've never been that far North, & I think I'd have a shitload of fun! (ha! very punny!) If i could hop on a plane right away, I probably would - before I get a chance to stop and think about it.

Except for Aunt Margo, I haven't seen anyone from back home since I've been here, & I'm really missing CA - the family/friends, the culture, the foods, the fact that stores & banks are actually open in hours convenient for their clients! Was thinking about taking a trip back home over the summer, but I'm not making any definite plans ... will wait and see. (OMG, I want some sourdough toast ... Grandma-Style right now... sooo bad!)

Another one to break!

In the year 2006 I resolve to: Pick my nose at stop lights. Get your resolution here

Go 'head... click on it... see what your resolution is gonna be!

Happy New Year - 2006

They say that whatever you do on the first is a sign of what's to come for the rest of the year - which, I think is why mom usually wanted us to clean and do productive things ... I always felt it'd be better spent sleeping - a LOT.

Well, if such superstitions are true, then my year will be just bloody grand! I rang in the new year working.... on the psych ward, on suicide watch!

While i was on watch, I took the time to reflect on the past year... seems all the media has their own little spin on the "Year in Review"... i figure I'd kinda do the same.

Things I've Learned in 2005:

• What an esophagogastroduodenoscopy is.
• How to make potato soup
• Sudoku
• My way around town ... kinda
• Wallpaper is evil and is to be avoided at all costs
• Stephen Hawking wasn't always in a wheelchair
• Breastfeeding basics (don't ask!)
• ... and a lot of other shit I can't think of. Lots of nursing stuff, but don't want to bore everyone with that stuff.