I can now give a comparison review of Mass General (Boston) and Mercy Medical (Portland, Maine) with regard to treatment of dislocated shoulders. Mercy wins hands down.
South Portland, Maine has lovely ponds for ice-skating, but a wise woman would not try any fancy footwork on the cracked and bumpy pond ice. I took a rather bad fall showing off for the FoilKids and FoilMormor (it's not a good idea to try to do a series of three turns and mohawks over cracked and bumpy ice).
Fortunately, today gave plenty of examples that counter my general philosophy that human beings are generally trying to prove Thomas Hobbes' maxim true. No nastiness or brutishness today, except possibly by me while being moved around for the x-ray machine.
Why is Mercy (a regional hospital) better than Mass General (a world class, Harvard-affiliated teaching hospital)? Well, Mercy gave me pain medicine before moving my arm around to take x-rays. At Mass General, when I screamed when the x-ray technician moved my arm around to get a good shot, he commented that I had a low pain threshhold, but didn't seem to think that moving an arm attached to a potentially dislocated shoulder would be something that would make an ordinary person scream. Wha?
Then at Mercy, they gave me real pain medicine before relocating (not the proper medical term, I know) my shoulder where it belong. At Mass General, the doc just shoved my shoulder back in the socket, and was shocked when I punched him in the face with my good arm after that assault. At Mercy, I had a "bolus" (whatever that is) of some sort of synthetic morphine and the was put under some sort of conscious anesthesia which caused me to not mind in the least that some handsome young ER doc was shoving my arm back into my shoulder socket.
So, Mercy beats Mass General, hands down. And it's time for my next hydrocodone dose (how did people with injuries survive without narcotics or good fake equivalents)? And how the hell am I getting two kids and all our luggage on a plane on Thursday. Oh, yeah: I'll pay the bag check premium and give out copious tips to the Redcap gentlemen at the airport.
December 29, 2009
December 24, 2009
Off to New England
I can't believe I'm flying with two kids on Christmas Eve. Almost as good planning as scheduling surgery and a move two weeks later. No more posts until the New Year, unless I get non-dial-up Internet access. I hope everyone enjoys the holidays.
December 23, 2009
Winter Wonderland
Mean Neighbor made no appearance this weekend while the Foilkids and friends made snow forts, had snowball fights, and used moving boxes as sleds to slide down the little hill in front of the picnic area. It snowed from Friday night until Sunday morning early (1 or 2 a.m.), and we had close to 2 feet of snow on the ground.
I have run so many dryer loads of socks, snow pants, mittens, hats, etc. I don't even want to think of my electric bill. And the school system cancelled first Monday, then Tuesday, and then today, providing my offspring with many more opportunities to get snow covered and delighted. And not a peep out of MN. Probably already on Christmas travels, but one can hope that the idea occurred that fussing about kids playing in snow probably wouldn't win the Good Neighbor award.
I'm not sure how MN moved into my complex, because my neighbors are otherwise almost uniformly nice and considerate (OK, I've trained them well), although there is one other exception, which might just be a cultural thing.
In some parts of Boston and other points north, it's a custom that once a city dweller has shovelled out a parking space, that person is entitled to save the space by leaving a lawn chair there. No one else parks in that space (This only works in residential-only neighborhoods, like Southie -- I've never seen this tried in Back Bay or in Harvard Square. It's a class thing as well as a neighborhood thing. In the Boston/Cambridge area, saving a parking space with a chair is pretty much a blue collar thing.) without risking a fight or slashed tires.
On my way to the bus stop, I walked past a chair left in a parking space. No-one else has done this is my neighborhood. Mainly that's because several neighbors were out Sunday a.m. helping other neighbors dig out. I was digging out my car when the father of two of TG's friends stopped by with a large economy size snow shovel and proceeded to finish shovelling out my car: it had taken me a half an hour to get it about 1/4 done. He finished the job in about 20 minutes. And then moved about the neighborhood doing the same for others. Fortunately, I had a stock of firewood (gift from another neighbor) and gave him a load for a fire in his fireplace. Several other neighbors were doing the same as the Good Neighbor Guy (and while he's married, he's got a nice trim build, so his good deed was also nice viewing) and everyone, self included was loaning shovels to neighbors without. Later in the day, when the kids were bored (If you're not a parent, you don't know how scary the sentence "Mama, I'm bored." really is.) I sent them off with shovels, brooms, and car scrapers to dig out cars that were still just sitting there.
So Neighbor-with-the-Chair, you just outed yourself as someone who only dug out one space in a neighborhood where the cultural norm is to take care of your neighbors, not set yourself in opposition to them. Oh well. Maybe NwtC and MN can hook up and move to an island where they're not part of the social compact.
Meanwhile, my complex has shoveled it's snow and has clean sidewalks, as does my employer, but last night I discovered, while trying to use the sidewalk along Rockville Pike in North Bethesda (don't ask) that the Boy Scouts of America couldn't be bothered to shovel their sidewalks (they weren't prepared?) and neither has the Temple Hill Baptist Church or the Bethesda Crest ("Luxury Townhomes from the low $1 millions) homeowners association. So they're in a three-way tie for the bad-neighbor-in-Bethesda award. Three days after a storm, I'll give a by to householders, as this was a mega-snowstorm, but big organizations and homeowners associations? Get off your backsides and shovel your sidewalks. Not everyone drives.
Fortunately, I'm back in my own, nice, caring for the neighbors neighborhood, getting ready to pack for the Christmas trip to New England. On my way to the bus, I'm checking out TG's snow fort.
I have run so many dryer loads of socks, snow pants, mittens, hats, etc. I don't even want to think of my electric bill. And the school system cancelled first Monday, then Tuesday, and then today, providing my offspring with many more opportunities to get snow covered and delighted. And not a peep out of MN. Probably already on Christmas travels, but one can hope that the idea occurred that fussing about kids playing in snow probably wouldn't win the Good Neighbor award.
I'm not sure how MN moved into my complex, because my neighbors are otherwise almost uniformly nice and considerate (OK, I've trained them well), although there is one other exception, which might just be a cultural thing.
In some parts of Boston and other points north, it's a custom that once a city dweller has shovelled out a parking space, that person is entitled to save the space by leaving a lawn chair there. No one else parks in that space (This only works in residential-only neighborhoods, like Southie -- I've never seen this tried in Back Bay or in Harvard Square. It's a class thing as well as a neighborhood thing. In the Boston/Cambridge area, saving a parking space with a chair is pretty much a blue collar thing.) without risking a fight or slashed tires.
On my way to the bus stop, I walked past a chair left in a parking space. No-one else has done this is my neighborhood. Mainly that's because several neighbors were out Sunday a.m. helping other neighbors dig out. I was digging out my car when the father of two of TG's friends stopped by with a large economy size snow shovel and proceeded to finish shovelling out my car: it had taken me a half an hour to get it about 1/4 done. He finished the job in about 20 minutes. And then moved about the neighborhood doing the same for others. Fortunately, I had a stock of firewood (gift from another neighbor) and gave him a load for a fire in his fireplace. Several other neighbors were doing the same as the Good Neighbor Guy (and while he's married, he's got a nice trim build, so his good deed was also nice viewing) and everyone, self included was loaning shovels to neighbors without. Later in the day, when the kids were bored (If you're not a parent, you don't know how scary the sentence "Mama, I'm bored." really is.) I sent them off with shovels, brooms, and car scrapers to dig out cars that were still just sitting there.
So Neighbor-with-the-Chair, you just outed yourself as someone who only dug out one space in a neighborhood where the cultural norm is to take care of your neighbors, not set yourself in opposition to them. Oh well. Maybe NwtC and MN can hook up and move to an island where they're not part of the social compact.
Meanwhile, my complex has shoveled it's snow and has clean sidewalks, as does my employer, but last night I discovered, while trying to use the sidewalk along Rockville Pike in North Bethesda (don't ask) that the Boy Scouts of America couldn't be bothered to shovel their sidewalks (they weren't prepared?) and neither has the Temple Hill Baptist Church or the Bethesda Crest ("Luxury Townhomes from the low $1 millions) homeowners association. So they're in a three-way tie for the bad-neighbor-in-Bethesda award. Three days after a storm, I'll give a by to householders, as this was a mega-snowstorm, but big organizations and homeowners associations? Get off your backsides and shovel your sidewalks. Not everyone drives.
Fortunately, I'm back in my own, nice, caring for the neighbors neighborhood, getting ready to pack for the Christmas trip to New England. On my way to the bus, I'm checking out TG's snow fort.
December 18, 2009
Children Playing in the Streets of Jerusalem
A favorite bible quote. And an instrument of neighborly revenge for me. The DC area is due a "major winter storm" this weekend. Newscasters are prophesying 6-12" of snow. So tomorrow I am so going to be an active and involved supervising parent at snowman building and igloo building that will take place right under Mean Neighbor's window. I'll be ready and able to answer all complaints about the annoying sound of children playing.
Now if I can only channel the serene aspect of Innana for this interaction. Yelling at the stupid bovine really won't help, and I'm sorry to insult cows and bulls everywhere by comparing them to this neighbor.
But my girls have snow pants, hats, parkas, warm winter boots and mittens, and will definitely be able to stay outside for a long time. I think we'll build a few snowmen, an igloo, have a snowball fight or two, and then use boxes as sleds and slide down the small hill in front of MN's apartment (in front of many others' apartments, too, but they don't mind and often come out and join us or invite us in for cocoa afterwards). We could be outside for five or six hours, go inside to warm up, and be outside for another three or four hours. Additionally, the hillside is lit in the evening, so the girls and I could be sliding out there, squealing appropriately, until eight or nine in the evening tomorrow.
I am so looking forward to this. Mainly, to watch my girls have fun, but also for the MN interaction. Yes, I am evil.
Now if I can only channel the serene aspect of Innana for this interaction. Yelling at the stupid bovine really won't help, and I'm sorry to insult cows and bulls everywhere by comparing them to this neighbor.
But my girls have snow pants, hats, parkas, warm winter boots and mittens, and will definitely be able to stay outside for a long time. I think we'll build a few snowmen, an igloo, have a snowball fight or two, and then use boxes as sleds and slide down the small hill in front of MN's apartment (in front of many others' apartments, too, but they don't mind and often come out and join us or invite us in for cocoa afterwards). We could be outside for five or six hours, go inside to warm up, and be outside for another three or four hours. Additionally, the hillside is lit in the evening, so the girls and I could be sliding out there, squealing appropriately, until eight or nine in the evening tomorrow.
I am so looking forward to this. Mainly, to watch my girls have fun, but also for the MN interaction. Yes, I am evil.
December 13, 2009
Only Connect
Yesterday was a lovely day: I had a visit and lunch with Innana. Lunch was at the Evening Star Cafe in Del Ray, which was a delight, and then I met the Professor to see a holiday show and have dinner. And last weekend I went to the NFL game with Uber and this week I attended a work holiday party as well as a professional association holiday event with lots of old colleagues who I've known for more than ten years.
Today, after teaching Sunday school, I came home and mended TG's cello case, baked office Christmas presents, and then got the spirit and played the piano and guitar for the first time in months. Piano: Pachelbel's gavotte & variations, some depressing Jackson Brown and Janis Ian stuff and then Christmas carols: Adeste Fideles, The Holly & the Ivy, Born Is He the Child Divine, Bring a Torch Jeanette, Isabella, and Cold December Fled Away. Guitar: some Child ballads: Mary Hamilton and Unquiet Grave, and then the Cherry Tree Carol and the Friendly Beasts. I might even be able to play well enough to do carols with the girls.
Somehow, seeing friends and playing music really does cover all the bases. Not all of them, but cooking a pot roast and cookies pretty much covered any gaps.
All good.
Today, after teaching Sunday school, I came home and mended TG's cello case, baked office Christmas presents, and then got the spirit and played the piano and guitar for the first time in months. Piano: Pachelbel's gavotte & variations, some depressing Jackson Brown and Janis Ian stuff and then Christmas carols: Adeste Fideles, The Holly & the Ivy, Born Is He the Child Divine, Bring a Torch Jeanette, Isabella, and Cold December Fled Away. Guitar: some Child ballads: Mary Hamilton and Unquiet Grave, and then the Cherry Tree Carol and the Friendly Beasts. I might even be able to play well enough to do carols with the girls.
Somehow, seeing friends and playing music really does cover all the bases. Not all of them, but cooking a pot roast and cookies pretty much covered any gaps.
All good.
December 12, 2009
None, I Think, Do There Embrace
It's odd, but I'm completely uninterested (and disinterested as well, both of which are unusual for me, to date) in men, dating, romance, and sex. At least for the last nine months or so. And I'm 48, I'm not pregnant or anything. I wonder about perimenopause and changes related to age.
Probably, it's just single parent exhaustion and plenty of physical affection (TG still sometimes climbs into bed to cuddle, and DG does so routinely) that make it so that I'm not interested. Except not interested isn't the right description either. I'm vaguely interested, but not interested enough to do anything at all, and I'm not interested enough to do anything in response to someone who expresses mild interest but doesn't seem to have followthrough.
Last weekend, I saw a Redskins game (v. exciting, versus the Saints, a heartbreaker) with Uber and her husband and TG. This week, I attended my office Christmas party, limited myself to two drinks, flirted with a very shy man who I know likes me, and left before people started to embarrass themselves (self included). This weekend, I'm going to the theater with the Professor and seeing Innana.
That's another part of it. I have more than enough friends. I have trouble keeping up with the friends I have. Aside from Innana (who really is a sister, just born of different parents) and the FoilKids (peace be upon them and may they not be too brutal in their soon to occur global takeover), everyone else gets short shrift. And new relationships have to combat that. It's a nice thing about being older. I remember being young and wanting to make friends and trying to make friends. Now, friendships are like cheese and wine: I know most of them are better for maturing.
But I really have lost interest. I read other people's dating exploits in their blogs and think: gosh, that sounds like a pain. Where's my knitting (or chocolate or guitar or ice skates)? Somehow, a season has passed -- it may return again, these things tend to be cyclical -- and I'm perfectly happy with that. I look down on the brook outside my bedroom window (really!) and wonder what birds will nest in the trees above the brook this spring and what total mess-creating adventures TG and DG will be having there when they think I'm not looking (they'll be wrong, but I won't be obvious about it). I have Christmas decorations to hang, a couple big work projects to finish, friends in New England to connect with and set days for visits before flying up there for the holidays, things to cook, and naps to take. I wonder at times if I should be doing more, and then think that maybe in a year or so, I'll have the energy to undertake caring for the much longed-for pet TG wants (essay: 10 Reasons I Need a Hamster). Actually, the pet will probably be a smallish dog, and only once I own a home and am not renting. But that seems like enough on my plate.
Probably, it's just single parent exhaustion and plenty of physical affection (TG still sometimes climbs into bed to cuddle, and DG does so routinely) that make it so that I'm not interested. Except not interested isn't the right description either. I'm vaguely interested, but not interested enough to do anything at all, and I'm not interested enough to do anything in response to someone who expresses mild interest but doesn't seem to have followthrough.
Last weekend, I saw a Redskins game (v. exciting, versus the Saints, a heartbreaker) with Uber and her husband and TG. This week, I attended my office Christmas party, limited myself to two drinks, flirted with a very shy man who I know likes me, and left before people started to embarrass themselves (self included). This weekend, I'm going to the theater with the Professor and seeing Innana.
That's another part of it. I have more than enough friends. I have trouble keeping up with the friends I have. Aside from Innana (who really is a sister, just born of different parents) and the FoilKids (peace be upon them and may they not be too brutal in their soon to occur global takeover), everyone else gets short shrift. And new relationships have to combat that. It's a nice thing about being older. I remember being young and wanting to make friends and trying to make friends. Now, friendships are like cheese and wine: I know most of them are better for maturing.
But I really have lost interest. I read other people's dating exploits in their blogs and think: gosh, that sounds like a pain. Where's my knitting (or chocolate or guitar or ice skates)? Somehow, a season has passed -- it may return again, these things tend to be cyclical -- and I'm perfectly happy with that. I look down on the brook outside my bedroom window (really!) and wonder what birds will nest in the trees above the brook this spring and what total mess-creating adventures TG and DG will be having there when they think I'm not looking (they'll be wrong, but I won't be obvious about it). I have Christmas decorations to hang, a couple big work projects to finish, friends in New England to connect with and set days for visits before flying up there for the holidays, things to cook, and naps to take. I wonder at times if I should be doing more, and then think that maybe in a year or so, I'll have the energy to undertake caring for the much longed-for pet TG wants (essay: 10 Reasons I Need a Hamster). Actually, the pet will probably be a smallish dog, and only once I own a home and am not renting. But that seems like enough on my plate.
December 10, 2009
Software Add-Ons (and Certain Neighbors): Oh, How I Loathe You
I am generally pleased with my new Internet/phone provider, my new cell provider, and my new cable provider in the new ersatz-ChezFoil*, but my life is being sucked dry by all the "improvements" to my service. Setting up the wireless network. Installing the antivirus and parental controls and computer efficiency programs (not so effing efficient, you know?), and hooking up my new to me and TG's new to her computer (me) and laptop (her) in harmony with appropriate protections (her). Someday, I'll actually have time to play again.
Speaking of playing, a neighbor of mine, whose place overlooks the picnic/public area of the complex, has decided that kids shouldn't play there. They have to play at the nearby (1/3 mile away) public park. MeanNeighbor (MN) has no rational basis for the belief that kids are not supposed to play in the public area. She works from home, and finds the sounds of children playing annoying. Innana took MN on this weekend whilst babysitting for DG. Some kids had been yelled at by MN and told to go to the park. Innana went to the management office with the kids, and the management (I love you, management) said: "Oh. That tenant. Of course the kids can play in the public area." So Innana went to closely supervise the play, which was child-style exuberant, but not offensively loud. On a Sunday afternoon after a snow, mind you, and kids were sliding down a small hill squealing with glee, as they are wont to do when sliding on snow. MN came out and said the kids had to leave. Innana said "No, they don't." MN: "They should play in the park." Innana: "I just spoke to management. It's okay for the kids to play here. This is not a private area. It's the picnic area. The children aren't misbehaving." MN: "They need to leave." Innana: "No, I've checked. And the children aren't being overly loud. They're being children." MN: "They need to leave." Innana: "They're going to continue playing. You need to take this up with management."
Clearly a fight that will happen again (it happened before). Obviously, MN needs a more private and isolated home, and I understand that sounds affect people differently, but JeezLouise and all that. MN is superlucky it was Innana who was the respondent, not yours truly. Innana has much better manners and more self-restraint than I have. And Innana assures me, the kids were well-behaved, etc. They had the brains to come get an adult, after all, when MN showed up.
Suggestions? Earplugs? I'm just waiting for springtime, when the EuroDudes and MilitaryDudes have their barbecues. They're a heckuva lot louder than the ScooterClub, the SoccerClub, and the SnowSliders (Yes, they named their clubs, isn't that cute? How do you join? Show up.) are. I'm thinking of making a special mix CD just for MN. More suggestions?
This is the only unpleasant neighbor we've bumped into in four years, and MN is not in my building. So really, this isn't a big problem, except for kids trying to play.
*It's not an apartment or flat -- it's sort of townhouse-like, so I can't call it the FoilFlat anymore.
Speaking of playing, a neighbor of mine, whose place overlooks the picnic/public area of the complex, has decided that kids shouldn't play there. They have to play at the nearby (1/3 mile away) public park. MeanNeighbor (MN) has no rational basis for the belief that kids are not supposed to play in the public area. She works from home, and finds the sounds of children playing annoying. Innana took MN on this weekend whilst babysitting for DG. Some kids had been yelled at by MN and told to go to the park. Innana went to the management office with the kids, and the management (I love you, management) said: "Oh. That tenant. Of course the kids can play in the public area." So Innana went to closely supervise the play, which was child-style exuberant, but not offensively loud. On a Sunday afternoon after a snow, mind you, and kids were sliding down a small hill squealing with glee, as they are wont to do when sliding on snow. MN came out and said the kids had to leave. Innana said "No, they don't." MN: "They should play in the park." Innana: "I just spoke to management. It's okay for the kids to play here. This is not a private area. It's the picnic area. The children aren't misbehaving." MN: "They need to leave." Innana: "No, I've checked. And the children aren't being overly loud. They're being children." MN: "They need to leave." Innana: "They're going to continue playing. You need to take this up with management."
Clearly a fight that will happen again (it happened before). Obviously, MN needs a more private and isolated home, and I understand that sounds affect people differently, but JeezLouise and all that. MN is superlucky it was Innana who was the respondent, not yours truly. Innana has much better manners and more self-restraint than I have. And Innana assures me, the kids were well-behaved, etc. They had the brains to come get an adult, after all, when MN showed up.
Suggestions? Earplugs? I'm just waiting for springtime, when the EuroDudes and MilitaryDudes have their barbecues. They're a heckuva lot louder than the ScooterClub, the SoccerClub, and the SnowSliders (Yes, they named their clubs, isn't that cute? How do you join? Show up.) are. I'm thinking of making a special mix CD just for MN. More suggestions?
This is the only unpleasant neighbor we've bumped into in four years, and MN is not in my building. So really, this isn't a big problem, except for kids trying to play.
*It's not an apartment or flat -- it's sort of townhouse-like, so I can't call it the FoilFlat anymore.
December 7, 2009
The Torrent of Consciousness
Yes, I have Internet access and it has been two weeks. I still loathe and despise Verizon. My new service provider seems entirely, er, adequate. More than that I really can't say. Adequacy seems to be the highest goal to which most telecommunications providers aspire. But my new service provider actually approaches adequacy, which means it tops Verizon by several orders of magnitude. Verizon, like Lori Gottlieb, is an idiot.
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