All this Mommy and Daddy blog talk got me to thinking: When did American society become so child-centric?
I ask this not to be facetious but I genuinely want to know.
I was born in 1957 and while having kids was a way of life for my parents and their friends, we didn't seem to be the center of everyone's universe, at least from my perspective. Yes, they spent time with us, did kid things with us, attended our school plays, sporting events and whatnot but they also did adult things with their adult friends, no kids allowed.
Every Saturday night, my parents would go out, sometimes alone, sometimes with another couple and I was left home with a sitter. I actually looked forward to Saturday nights because I got to stay up and play cards (Canasta!)with the sitter or watch Ed Sullivan, drink tea with honey (only one cup was allowed), and eat a Swanson fried chicken TV dinner. Yes, having a TV dinner was a real treat to me when I was 9 or 10. Who can forget the scrumptious, greasy fried chicken, the mashed potatoes that you could remove from its compartment with one fell swoop of the fork, and the gelatinous, but tasty, apple cobbler? God, I lived for Saturday nights.
But I digress. Today, you see kids EVERYWHERE you don't want to see them: at R-rated movies, at the racetrack at midnight, at bars, at fancy restaurants, even at adult-themed parties. God forbid these parents should hire a sitter for one lousy night.
And, it's no wonder that the majority of my current crop of friends are childfree. That's because even on the rare occasion when the kids are left at home with a sitter, the conversation ultimately turns to toilet training, breastfeeding, Mommy and Me classes and sippy cups. Sorry, but life is short and my brain has better things to do. Many of these folks were really cool people before they had kids; it's almost as if the cool part of their brains got discarded with the placenta.
But to me, the telling factor that children have surely taken over the universe is the homes in which they live. That's right, walk into almost any house with kids today and you'll know right away who wears the plastic-lined pants in the family. The house will be strewn with kindercrap, not just in the child's room or playroom but in the living room, the dining room, the kitchen and even the parents' bedroom. All kinds of cheap, plastic, made-in-China crap guaranteed to hold a child's attention for two minutes tops.
When I was a child, my toys had to be picked up and returned to my bedroom or the playroom when I was finished playing with them. I certainly was not allowed to leave them all over the house or on the furniture. I remember crying because our dog at the time had chewed up one of my favorite dolls that I left in the living room. My mother had no sympathy for me, telling me that if the doll had been put away on the shelf in my room, this would not have happened.
But getting back to my original question: When did we become so child-centric? In my opinion, I think it happened sometime after World War II. In the years following the war, people had more disposable income and more imporatntly, more leisure time. Leisure time was almost unheard of when my grandparents were raising families. You worked, came home to eat dinner, listened to the radio, read the paper, went to bed, and got up the next day to do the same damn thing all over again. Vacations were only for wealthy folks.
In post-war middle-class families, more moms stayed home and could, therefore, spend more time with their kids. Once or twice a year, most familes took vacations together. Naturally, since parents gradually began to spend more and more time at home with their kids, a cottage industry grew out of it. Advertisers began marketing directly to kids so that said kids would pester Mom and Dad incessantly until they caved in and bought whatever cheap, imported, plastic bauble or sugar-encrusted cereal they wanted.
Also, for the first time in history, it was no longer a scandal to get a divorce. So, you had more divorced parents, split households and a lot more guilt. The guilty parties would then overcompensate for their perceived failures not just with material excesses but with time as well. Spending more time with your kids is not a bad thing, mind you, but more and more parents began to involve their kids in their own lives, dragging them everywhere, even to places once considered oases for adults.
Call me what you want but I kind of like the phrase, "Children should be seen and not heard." I should not be hearing them in upscale dining establishments unless they can sit quietly and cut their own meat. I should not seeing OR hearing them cry out in R-rated movies or at a bar or a museum (unless it's a kiddie exhibit).
To parapharse the old American Express ad that stated, "Don't leave home without it," my message to these kid-centric parents is "Do leave home without 'em"--at least once in a awhile.
Monday, May 14, 2007
Friday, May 11, 2007
Laughing on the Outside, Crying on the Inside
From the Associated Press Medical Desk:
"DIET: Thin People May Be Fat Inside"
I'm waiting for the study that states: "Poor People May Be Rich Inside."
"DIET: Thin People May Be Fat Inside"
I'm waiting for the study that states: "Poor People May Be Rich Inside."
Thursday, May 10, 2007
5 Questions
This meme was passed on to me from MauiGirl, whose link I've added to this blog:
1. What do you hope to accomplish with your blog?
Very good question, indeed. Originally, I was going to create a blog that was sort of a diary of my running/fitness pursuits. But, if that's all I wrote about, think it would be pretty boring to non-runners/fitness buffs. So now I only mention it when I've run a race particularly well, won an award, or achieved some other goal.
I thought about a political blog but there are soooooo many of them out there. I'd be competing with people like Michelle Malkin and Andrew Sullivan. Not a good idea.
So, basically, through no fault of my own, this blog has become the Everything to Everyone Blog. Do I like that fact? Not really. But I have yet to be inspired as to what I want this blog to become.
A while back, a friend told me to walk into a bookstore and let a book pick YOU, not the other way around. I hope I have the same experience with my blog.
2. Are you a spiritual person?
Yes, I am. I do believe in a higher power. That being said, I don't adhere to any organized religion. Too many man-made restrictions. I know I may get flamed for this but I really don't think that God intended for man not to eat certain foods (well, maybe transfats), wear certain materials, or give up other earthly pleasures. My God also does not discriminate against women. He created them, after all!
Basically, my God wants me to treat other people well, be charitable (not just with money) and to find love in the world.
3. If you were stranded on a deserted island, what three things would you want to have with you?
A book on survival, a fishing pole, a good sunscreen!
4. What's your favorite childhood memory?
Having my extended family together for the holidays. I got a feeling of security from that.
5. Is this your first meme? Yes, it is!
1. What do you hope to accomplish with your blog?
Very good question, indeed. Originally, I was going to create a blog that was sort of a diary of my running/fitness pursuits. But, if that's all I wrote about, think it would be pretty boring to non-runners/fitness buffs. So now I only mention it when I've run a race particularly well, won an award, or achieved some other goal.
I thought about a political blog but there are soooooo many of them out there. I'd be competing with people like Michelle Malkin and Andrew Sullivan. Not a good idea.
So, basically, through no fault of my own, this blog has become the Everything to Everyone Blog. Do I like that fact? Not really. But I have yet to be inspired as to what I want this blog to become.
A while back, a friend told me to walk into a bookstore and let a book pick YOU, not the other way around. I hope I have the same experience with my blog.
2. Are you a spiritual person?
Yes, I am. I do believe in a higher power. That being said, I don't adhere to any organized religion. Too many man-made restrictions. I know I may get flamed for this but I really don't think that God intended for man not to eat certain foods (well, maybe transfats), wear certain materials, or give up other earthly pleasures. My God also does not discriminate against women. He created them, after all!
Basically, my God wants me to treat other people well, be charitable (not just with money) and to find love in the world.
3. If you were stranded on a deserted island, what three things would you want to have with you?
A book on survival, a fishing pole, a good sunscreen!
4. What's your favorite childhood memory?
Having my extended family together for the holidays. I got a feeling of security from that.
5. Is this your first meme? Yes, it is!
Sunday, May 06, 2007
Games Mommies Play
When I was in junior high, we had a Book Fair at our school every year where you could basically purchase books that were outside of the school curriculum. Since I was and still am an avid reader, I looked forward to the Book Fair and always went home with about five new purchases.
I still have many of those books but the one that STILL makes me laugh was a delightful little book called, Games Christians Play: An Irreverant Guide to Religion Without Tears, by Judi Culbertson and Patti Bard (1967: Harper & Row, NYC). Yes, the pages are yellowed and the glue from the binding has long dried up but it's still a classic. Here's a sampling of some of the chapter titles:
Holding the Fort Against Heresy
What to Do When You Know More Than the Minister
Instant Status Games
Included in the last one, there's a section called, "My Bible's More Underlined Than Yours."
I bring this up because today we have a new type of evangelism that is sweeping the nation. No, it's not a religion but its fervor might certainly be compared to one. It's called Mommyism or Mommy-anity, take your pick.
Simply put, if I hear about one more web site or TV show devoted to Alpha Moms (I STILL don't know what that term really means), I'm gonna barf.
Instead of "My Bible Is More Underlined Than Yours," the underlying message of many of these web sites is:
My Child Is Brighter Than Yours
My Child Is Prettier Than Yours
My Child Dresses Better Than Yours
My Child's Nanny Is Better Than Yours
My Child Goes to a Better School Than Yours
Hey, I'm Just a Better Mommy Than You'll Ever Be, So Just Go Stick Your Head in the Oven Right Now and We'll Call It a Day!
You get my drift.
But getting back to the concept of the Alpha Mom: What the hell IS that? I know what the Alpha Male Gorilla is (he's the one that gets to screw all the Alpha Female Gorillas) and even the Alpha Girl Teenager (she's usually the meanest girl in school) and the Alpha Boy Teenager (usually a jock who gets all the girls).
By designating herself as the Alpha Mom, this mommy is saying that she's a better mommy than you and you might as well suck it up now. She's the Internet version of the old playground Yenta Mom or Buttinsky Mom who ALWAYS has a better way of doing things, "Why do you give your daughter Brand X juice? Don't you know that Brand Y is better for her?" or "Your kid didn't get into Montessori? Shame!" You know the type.
My own mother certainly knew the type and would have very little to do with them and would laugh behind their backs.
My mom was a great mom, before the term Alpha Mom was coined. Unfortunately, she passed away in 1992 and so Mother's Day is always a little sad for me.
She didn't have Internet access (she didn't even have a college degree but was one of the smartest people I've ever known) but she knew what to do when one of us got the flu, a fever or a bad tummyache. There was no "Alpha Mom TV" back then but my mom somehow instilled in us the drive to do our best in school, in sporting activities, and with creative outlets.
She also knew when we were lying or bullshitting her and would not let us get away with it. We learned at an early age that our actions had consequences.
My mom, like many moms since the dawn of time, would occasionally compare notes on childrearing over coffee with my aunts or other moms in the neighborhood. No one thought this was worthy of media attention or a full-length feature in The New York Times.
So, why is it now? Why are there so many Mommy (or Daddy as the case may be) blogs? NEWS FLASH: Your kid's teething is not that unusual. Your kid throwing up is not only not unusual, it's gross and I don't need to be reading about it over my morning coffee. Ditto for pooping!
Two years ago, I found a wonderful bumper sticker for times like this. I bought two actually, one is at work and one is on the shelf in my home office. It reads, "My Labrador Retriever Is Smarter Than Your Honor Student."
Take that, Alpha Moms!
I still have many of those books but the one that STILL makes me laugh was a delightful little book called, Games Christians Play: An Irreverant Guide to Religion Without Tears, by Judi Culbertson and Patti Bard (1967: Harper & Row, NYC). Yes, the pages are yellowed and the glue from the binding has long dried up but it's still a classic. Here's a sampling of some of the chapter titles:
Holding the Fort Against Heresy
What to Do When You Know More Than the Minister
Instant Status Games
Included in the last one, there's a section called, "My Bible's More Underlined Than Yours."
I bring this up because today we have a new type of evangelism that is sweeping the nation. No, it's not a religion but its fervor might certainly be compared to one. It's called Mommyism or Mommy-anity, take your pick.
Simply put, if I hear about one more web site or TV show devoted to Alpha Moms (I STILL don't know what that term really means), I'm gonna barf.
Instead of "My Bible Is More Underlined Than Yours," the underlying message of many of these web sites is:
My Child Is Brighter Than Yours
My Child Is Prettier Than Yours
My Child Dresses Better Than Yours
My Child's Nanny Is Better Than Yours
My Child Goes to a Better School Than Yours
Hey, I'm Just a Better Mommy Than You'll Ever Be, So Just Go Stick Your Head in the Oven Right Now and We'll Call It a Day!
You get my drift.
But getting back to the concept of the Alpha Mom: What the hell IS that? I know what the Alpha Male Gorilla is (he's the one that gets to screw all the Alpha Female Gorillas) and even the Alpha Girl Teenager (she's usually the meanest girl in school) and the Alpha Boy Teenager (usually a jock who gets all the girls).
By designating herself as the Alpha Mom, this mommy is saying that she's a better mommy than you and you might as well suck it up now. She's the Internet version of the old playground Yenta Mom or Buttinsky Mom who ALWAYS has a better way of doing things, "Why do you give your daughter Brand X juice? Don't you know that Brand Y is better for her?" or "Your kid didn't get into Montessori? Shame!" You know the type.
My own mother certainly knew the type and would have very little to do with them and would laugh behind their backs.
My mom was a great mom, before the term Alpha Mom was coined. Unfortunately, she passed away in 1992 and so Mother's Day is always a little sad for me.
She didn't have Internet access (she didn't even have a college degree but was one of the smartest people I've ever known) but she knew what to do when one of us got the flu, a fever or a bad tummyache. There was no "Alpha Mom TV" back then but my mom somehow instilled in us the drive to do our best in school, in sporting activities, and with creative outlets.
She also knew when we were lying or bullshitting her and would not let us get away with it. We learned at an early age that our actions had consequences.
My mom, like many moms since the dawn of time, would occasionally compare notes on childrearing over coffee with my aunts or other moms in the neighborhood. No one thought this was worthy of media attention or a full-length feature in The New York Times.
So, why is it now? Why are there so many Mommy (or Daddy as the case may be) blogs? NEWS FLASH: Your kid's teething is not that unusual. Your kid throwing up is not only not unusual, it's gross and I don't need to be reading about it over my morning coffee. Ditto for pooping!
Two years ago, I found a wonderful bumper sticker for times like this. I bought two actually, one is at work and one is on the shelf in my home office. It reads, "My Labrador Retriever Is Smarter Than Your Honor Student."
Take that, Alpha Moms!
Thursday, April 26, 2007
He's Not All That
The "he" being Alec Baldwin.
The highlight of his career, in my opinion, was "Glengarry Glen Ross." Unfortunately, similar to the ventriloquist dummy, Willy, in "Twilight Zone," his character has taken over his entire persona.
The phone call to his daughter was real. How it got onto the Internet is another story but there's no denying it's real. And, it's horrid. I'm not saying parents can't yell at their kids, but it's the ugly name-calling that got to me. Too personal for my blood.
Who's the adult here? He was carrying on like, well, a 12-year-old!
Now he's going around saying that he's sorry and the comments were really meant for Kim Basinger. M'kay. Still, how about exercising a little self-control here? If I was his kid, I would never take a phone call from him again! Hell, I'd be hiding under my bed right now.
I really feel sorry for his daughter. Not only is she caught between these two looney tunes but the whole affair has been made public.
And now Baldwion wants to leave "30 Rock." Personally, I think he should stay. That kid's gonna need money for major therapy.
The highlight of his career, in my opinion, was "Glengarry Glen Ross." Unfortunately, similar to the ventriloquist dummy, Willy, in "Twilight Zone," his character has taken over his entire persona.
The phone call to his daughter was real. How it got onto the Internet is another story but there's no denying it's real. And, it's horrid. I'm not saying parents can't yell at their kids, but it's the ugly name-calling that got to me. Too personal for my blood.
Who's the adult here? He was carrying on like, well, a 12-year-old!
Now he's going around saying that he's sorry and the comments were really meant for Kim Basinger. M'kay. Still, how about exercising a little self-control here? If I was his kid, I would never take a phone call from him again! Hell, I'd be hiding under my bed right now.
I really feel sorry for his daughter. Not only is she caught between these two looney tunes but the whole affair has been made public.
And now Baldwion wants to leave "30 Rock." Personally, I think he should stay. That kid's gonna need money for major therapy.
Thursday, April 19, 2007
"Desert" with the Dean
You can't make this shit up. Some of you know that I was graduated from Syracuse University which is well-known for its Newhouse School of Public Communications. So, I was a bit surprised when I received this Hold the Date email today:
THE SYRACUSE UNIVERSITY
NORTHERN NEW JERSEY
ALUMNI CLUB
SAVE THE DATE
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
The SUNNJAC Speaker Series
“Desert With The Dean”
With Special Guest
Susan Donovan, SU Dean of Admissions
7:30 PM – 9 PM
Orange Lawn Tennis Club
South Orange, NJ
Well, maybe I'm jumping to conclusions here. Maybe the dean is going to regale us all with slides of his recent trip to Death Valley. Or maybe it's an invitation to run away with the dean, "desert with the dean," get it?
No thanks, I'm already taken. By a man who knows the difference between "dessert" and "desert."
THE SYRACUSE UNIVERSITY
NORTHERN NEW JERSEY
ALUMNI CLUB
SAVE THE DATE
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
The SUNNJAC Speaker Series
“Desert With The Dean”
With Special Guest
Susan Donovan, SU Dean of Admissions
7:30 PM – 9 PM
Orange Lawn Tennis Club
South Orange, NJ
Well, maybe I'm jumping to conclusions here. Maybe the dean is going to regale us all with slides of his recent trip to Death Valley. Or maybe it's an invitation to run away with the dean, "desert with the dean," get it?
No thanks, I'm already taken. By a man who knows the difference between "dessert" and "desert."
Tuesday, April 17, 2007
The Good News, The Bad News
The Good News:
I now weigh less than what I weighed in college.
I am starting to see some definition in my abs.
I feel pretty good.
The Bad News:
The weather has not been cooperating, so my race times are off.
A lot of my clothes are too big.
I still have boobage. (WHAT is up with that? Even with all the weight and body fat I've lost, they are still the same size...argh!)
I have no idea what my body fat is now but my guess is that's it's probably between 15% and 16%. The last time I was measured was about a month ago and it was 16% and some change. I should probably go and have it done again.
I am getting to the gym 2-3 times a week but I am certainly not getting out to run as much as I did this time last year because of the damn weather. Yes, I stil do races on the weekend but my times are lagging about a minute behind. A 10K race was cancelled this past weekend in Branch Brook Park. We were all set to do it and then a friend of ours called. Bummer. What's a little rain, right? Heck, four members of my running club did the Boston Marathon in a nor'easter; who am I to complain?
I am eating the same amount, more or less. I say more or less because my boyfriend is now on a special diet (temporarily) where he can't have sugar, dairy or wheat. If you think that's easy, think again. I could give up the sugar, no problem, MAYBE dairy, but wheat is in EVERYTHING! The only grainy thing he's really allowed to have right now is couscous, which is pretty tasty actually.
The reason for the diet: TK was diagnosed as not having enough acid in his stomach to digest his food properly. This, according to the fancy-schmancy NY specialist, is why he's been suffering with stomach pain, shakiness, brain fog, fatigue...a while litany of ailments. This syndrome (don't laugh, it's called "dumping syndrome" because all of the undigested food is "dumped" into the small intestine) can be due to years and years of bad eating habits. I always yelled at him for eating a lot of sugar and white flour products. He never took me seriously. But now the doctor is saying the same thing.
He IS feeling better. In addition to the diet, he has to take a whole host of supplements. They ain't cheap, either. But, like I said, he is feeling better and even did a 5K race for the first time in six weeks this past weekend.
So, even though I don't have to give up wheat, I find myself wanting it less and less. Bread (I only eat whole wheat bread anyway) has become kinda boring. I still like brown rice, though, and oatmeal. Pasta, only once in a blue moon. And, like I said, I am loving the couscous. Hence, the reason for additional weight loss. Whole Foods has lots and lots of wheat-free and gluten-free products so it hasn't really been a problem.
According to some experts, humans were never meant to eat such large quantities of wheat/grain products. We've only been an agrarian people for the last 10,000 years or so, a drop in the bucket of our whole existence. Lots of people have wheat and/or gluten allergies and others, like TK, have systems that just can't tolerate great quantities of them.
So, what's been happening also is that more veggies, fruits and nuts have been replacing the wheat products. Not a bad thing, I suppose.
I now weigh less than what I weighed in college.
I am starting to see some definition in my abs.
I feel pretty good.
The Bad News:
The weather has not been cooperating, so my race times are off.
A lot of my clothes are too big.
I still have boobage. (WHAT is up with that? Even with all the weight and body fat I've lost, they are still the same size...argh!)
I have no idea what my body fat is now but my guess is that's it's probably between 15% and 16%. The last time I was measured was about a month ago and it was 16% and some change. I should probably go and have it done again.
I am getting to the gym 2-3 times a week but I am certainly not getting out to run as much as I did this time last year because of the damn weather. Yes, I stil do races on the weekend but my times are lagging about a minute behind. A 10K race was cancelled this past weekend in Branch Brook Park. We were all set to do it and then a friend of ours called. Bummer. What's a little rain, right? Heck, four members of my running club did the Boston Marathon in a nor'easter; who am I to complain?
I am eating the same amount, more or less. I say more or less because my boyfriend is now on a special diet (temporarily) where he can't have sugar, dairy or wheat. If you think that's easy, think again. I could give up the sugar, no problem, MAYBE dairy, but wheat is in EVERYTHING! The only grainy thing he's really allowed to have right now is couscous, which is pretty tasty actually.
The reason for the diet: TK was diagnosed as not having enough acid in his stomach to digest his food properly. This, according to the fancy-schmancy NY specialist, is why he's been suffering with stomach pain, shakiness, brain fog, fatigue...a while litany of ailments. This syndrome (don't laugh, it's called "dumping syndrome" because all of the undigested food is "dumped" into the small intestine) can be due to years and years of bad eating habits. I always yelled at him for eating a lot of sugar and white flour products. He never took me seriously. But now the doctor is saying the same thing.
He IS feeling better. In addition to the diet, he has to take a whole host of supplements. They ain't cheap, either. But, like I said, he is feeling better and even did a 5K race for the first time in six weeks this past weekend.
So, even though I don't have to give up wheat, I find myself wanting it less and less. Bread (I only eat whole wheat bread anyway) has become kinda boring. I still like brown rice, though, and oatmeal. Pasta, only once in a blue moon. And, like I said, I am loving the couscous. Hence, the reason for additional weight loss. Whole Foods has lots and lots of wheat-free and gluten-free products so it hasn't really been a problem.
According to some experts, humans were never meant to eat such large quantities of wheat/grain products. We've only been an agrarian people for the last 10,000 years or so, a drop in the bucket of our whole existence. Lots of people have wheat and/or gluten allergies and others, like TK, have systems that just can't tolerate great quantities of them.
So, what's been happening also is that more veggies, fruits and nuts have been replacing the wheat products. Not a bad thing, I suppose.
Monday, April 16, 2007
The Monkey Song
"I'm no kin to the monkey, no-no-no/
The monkey's no kin to me, yeah-yeah-yeah/
I don't know much about his ancestors
but mine didn't swing from a tree."
Yes, these are the real lyrics to a catchy little tune, "The Monkey Song," sung by no other than actress Crystal Bernard ("Wings") and her sister, Robin. The song appears on the LP, Dr. Jerry Falwell: Feudin' Fussin' & Frettin' (Fret Not) (Thomas Road Baptist Church) 1972...you can't make this up.
There's also another cute little ditty titled, "The Ecumenical Movement" on the same LP.
You don't have to purchase the album, however, to enjoy them. Just go to www.ubu.com/outsiders/365/03-2.html and you can listen to a strange song every day of the year, including one by Louis Farrakhan called "Is She Is, Or Is She Ain't?" about falling for a transvestite, and William Shatner singing "Rocket Man."
Don't say I didn't warn ya.
The monkey's no kin to me, yeah-yeah-yeah/
I don't know much about his ancestors
but mine didn't swing from a tree."
Yes, these are the real lyrics to a catchy little tune, "The Monkey Song," sung by no other than actress Crystal Bernard ("Wings") and her sister, Robin. The song appears on the LP, Dr. Jerry Falwell: Feudin' Fussin' & Frettin' (Fret Not) (Thomas Road Baptist Church) 1972...you can't make this up.
There's also another cute little ditty titled, "The Ecumenical Movement" on the same LP.
You don't have to purchase the album, however, to enjoy them. Just go to www.ubu.com/outsiders/365/03-2.html and you can listen to a strange song every day of the year, including one by Louis Farrakhan called "Is She Is, Or Is She Ain't?" about falling for a transvestite, and William Shatner singing "Rocket Man."
Don't say I didn't warn ya.
Thursday, April 12, 2007
My Final Words on the Imus Debacle
OK, so he's been fired from MSNBC and now CBS Radio. Yes, and even though I think Imus is a drug-addled animated corpse, I think the firing was excessive. That being said, I stand by the advertisers who wanted to take their business elsewhere after Imus' remarks about the Rutgers Lady Knights.
My 2 cents:
I defend the First Amendment with my life and I abhor censorship, all kinds of censorship, including Tipper Gore's desire to rate music CDs. However...LISTEN UP, KIDDIES...just because you have the right to say it, doesn't mean there won't be any consequences. If you make inflammatory remarks about blacks, Jews, women, Catholics, Zoroastrians, whomever, someone somewhere is going to get pissed off. DEAL WITH IT!
Pissed off can mean many things: letters to the editor, letters to the station manager, protests in the street, advertisers pulling dollars, politicians getting their collective panties in a wad, you name it. (And yes, grandstanding by Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson, whom I think are as equally reprehensible as Imus. But that's another blog posting on another day.)
So, why are people surprised at the backlash? If Imus is allowed to call a bunch of college girls whom he has never met "nappy-headed ho's", I--and lots of folks--have the right to get pissed off. And, if I am CEO of Proctor & Gamble, I have the right to pull my ads if I don't agree with the content of the show. Period. This is not fascism, people. It's my right. I'm not saying shut the guy down, I'm just saying that I'm not going to spend my ad dollars on his show.
Let's say the CEO of some big corporation was an animal-loving vegan. He or she is not going to be spending advertising dollars on a broadcaster who advocates wearing fur or hunting animals. And, that is his or her right. I have friends who won't frequent certain establishments because the corporate office of said establishment gives money to Pro Life causes. I could give countless other examples but I think you get the drift.
Yeah, I think Imus is an ass. He's narrowminded, not funny and he hasn't had an original idea since the Eisenhower administration. But should he have been fired? Absolutely not. Fined, yes. Reprimanded, yes. Hit in the wallet by advertisers, yes.
But people should be allowed to hang themselves with their own rope.
One more thing and then I promise that, unlike Imus, I will shut up about this. Lots of people have been saying, "But he gives so much to charity, to sick kids, blah-blah-blah!" That may be and that is admirable but it doesn't give you the right to be a prick. A poster on Gawker said it best: "I gave money to UNICEF in the 7th Grade. Does that give me the right call you a fag?"
My 2 cents:
I defend the First Amendment with my life and I abhor censorship, all kinds of censorship, including Tipper Gore's desire to rate music CDs. However...LISTEN UP, KIDDIES...just because you have the right to say it, doesn't mean there won't be any consequences. If you make inflammatory remarks about blacks, Jews, women, Catholics, Zoroastrians, whomever, someone somewhere is going to get pissed off. DEAL WITH IT!
Pissed off can mean many things: letters to the editor, letters to the station manager, protests in the street, advertisers pulling dollars, politicians getting their collective panties in a wad, you name it. (And yes, grandstanding by Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson, whom I think are as equally reprehensible as Imus. But that's another blog posting on another day.)
So, why are people surprised at the backlash? If Imus is allowed to call a bunch of college girls whom he has never met "nappy-headed ho's", I--and lots of folks--have the right to get pissed off. And, if I am CEO of Proctor & Gamble, I have the right to pull my ads if I don't agree with the content of the show. Period. This is not fascism, people. It's my right. I'm not saying shut the guy down, I'm just saying that I'm not going to spend my ad dollars on his show.
Let's say the CEO of some big corporation was an animal-loving vegan. He or she is not going to be spending advertising dollars on a broadcaster who advocates wearing fur or hunting animals. And, that is his or her right. I have friends who won't frequent certain establishments because the corporate office of said establishment gives money to Pro Life causes. I could give countless other examples but I think you get the drift.
Yeah, I think Imus is an ass. He's narrowminded, not funny and he hasn't had an original idea since the Eisenhower administration. But should he have been fired? Absolutely not. Fined, yes. Reprimanded, yes. Hit in the wallet by advertisers, yes.
But people should be allowed to hang themselves with their own rope.
One more thing and then I promise that, unlike Imus, I will shut up about this. Lots of people have been saying, "But he gives so much to charity, to sick kids, blah-blah-blah!" That may be and that is admirable but it doesn't give you the right to be a prick. A poster on Gawker said it best: "I gave money to UNICEF in the 7th Grade. Does that give me the right call you a fag?"
Friday, April 06, 2007
Am I Supposed to Feel Sorry for Them?
Well, I don't. Too bad. Actions have consequences, amigos. Trolls belong under a bridge. I especially like Javier Diaz' quote, which I've highlighted.
Miami Sex Offenders Live Under a Bridge
By JOHN PAIN, Associated Press Writer
April 6, 2007
MIAMI - Five convicted sex offenders are living under a noisy highway bridge with the state's grudging approval because an ordinance intended to keep predators away from children made it nearly impossible for them to find housing.
Some of them sleep on cardboard raised slightly off the ground to avoid the rats. One of the men beds down on a pallet with a blanket and pillow. Some have been there for several weeks.
"You just pray to God every night, so if you fall asleep for a minute or two, you know, nothing happens to you," said 30-year-old Javier Diaz, who arrived this week. He was sentenced in 2005 to three years' probation for lewd and lascivious conduct involving a girl under 16.
The conditions are a consequence of laws passed here and elsewhere around the country to bar sex offenders from living near schools, parks and other places children gather. Miami-Dade County's 2005 ordinance _ adopted partly in reaction to the case of a convicted sex offender who raped a 9-year-old Florida girl and buried her alive _ says sex offenders must live at least 2,500 feet from schools.
"They've often said that some of the laws will force people to live under a bridge," said Charles Onley, a research associate at the federally funded Center for Sex Offender Management. "This is probably the first story that I've seen that confirms that."
The five men under the Julia Tuttle Causeway are the only known sex offenders authorized to live outdoors in Florida, said state Corrections Department spokeswoman Gretl Plessinger.
"This is not an ideal situation for anybody, but at this point we don't have any other options," she said. "We're still looking. The offenders are still actively searching for residences."
But she conceded a point that many experts have made: This "is a problem that is going to have to be addressed. If we drive these offenders so far underground or we can't supervise them because they become so transient, it's not making us safer."
County Commissioner Jose Diaz said he had no qualms about the ordinance he created.
"My main concern is the victims, the children that are the innocent ones that these predators attack and ruin their lives," Diaz said. "No one really told them to do this crime."
The men must stay at the bridge between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. because a parole officer checks on them nearly every night, Plessinger said.
They have fishing poles to catch food, cook with small stoves, use battery-powered TVs and radios and keep their belongings in plastic bags. Javier Diaz has trouble charging the GPS tracking device he is required to wear; there are no power outlets nearby.
The whoosh of cars passing overhead echoes loudly under the causeway, which runs over Biscayne Bay, connecting Miami and Miami Beach.
About 100 feet away are the bay's blue-green waters, where a family with young children played in the water this week. In the near distance, luxury condominiums rise from the coastline.
Javier Diaz said he and the other men fear for their lives, especially because of "crazy people who might try to come harm sex offenders."
No shit, Sherlock! But what about the kids you molested? Did they not fear for their lives, too?"
The five committed such crimes as sexual battery, molestation, abuse and grand theft. Many of the offenses were against children. The state moved the men under the bridge from their previous home _ a lot next to a center for sexually abused children and close to a day care center _ after they were unable to find affordable housing that did not violate the sex-offender ordinance.
Twenty-two states and hundreds of municipalities have sex offender residency restrictions, according to a California Research Bureau report from last August.
Miami Sex Offenders Live Under a Bridge
By JOHN PAIN, Associated Press Writer
April 6, 2007
MIAMI - Five convicted sex offenders are living under a noisy highway bridge with the state's grudging approval because an ordinance intended to keep predators away from children made it nearly impossible for them to find housing.
Some of them sleep on cardboard raised slightly off the ground to avoid the rats. One of the men beds down on a pallet with a blanket and pillow. Some have been there for several weeks.
"You just pray to God every night, so if you fall asleep for a minute or two, you know, nothing happens to you," said 30-year-old Javier Diaz, who arrived this week. He was sentenced in 2005 to three years' probation for lewd and lascivious conduct involving a girl under 16.
The conditions are a consequence of laws passed here and elsewhere around the country to bar sex offenders from living near schools, parks and other places children gather. Miami-Dade County's 2005 ordinance _ adopted partly in reaction to the case of a convicted sex offender who raped a 9-year-old Florida girl and buried her alive _ says sex offenders must live at least 2,500 feet from schools.
"They've often said that some of the laws will force people to live under a bridge," said Charles Onley, a research associate at the federally funded Center for Sex Offender Management. "This is probably the first story that I've seen that confirms that."
The five men under the Julia Tuttle Causeway are the only known sex offenders authorized to live outdoors in Florida, said state Corrections Department spokeswoman Gretl Plessinger.
"This is not an ideal situation for anybody, but at this point we don't have any other options," she said. "We're still looking. The offenders are still actively searching for residences."
But she conceded a point that many experts have made: This "is a problem that is going to have to be addressed. If we drive these offenders so far underground or we can't supervise them because they become so transient, it's not making us safer."
County Commissioner Jose Diaz said he had no qualms about the ordinance he created.
"My main concern is the victims, the children that are the innocent ones that these predators attack and ruin their lives," Diaz said. "No one really told them to do this crime."
The men must stay at the bridge between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. because a parole officer checks on them nearly every night, Plessinger said.
They have fishing poles to catch food, cook with small stoves, use battery-powered TVs and radios and keep their belongings in plastic bags. Javier Diaz has trouble charging the GPS tracking device he is required to wear; there are no power outlets nearby.
The whoosh of cars passing overhead echoes loudly under the causeway, which runs over Biscayne Bay, connecting Miami and Miami Beach.
About 100 feet away are the bay's blue-green waters, where a family with young children played in the water this week. In the near distance, luxury condominiums rise from the coastline.
Javier Diaz said he and the other men fear for their lives, especially because of "crazy people who might try to come harm sex offenders."
No shit, Sherlock! But what about the kids you molested? Did they not fear for their lives, too?"
The five committed such crimes as sexual battery, molestation, abuse and grand theft. Many of the offenses were against children. The state moved the men under the bridge from their previous home _ a lot next to a center for sexually abused children and close to a day care center _ after they were unable to find affordable housing that did not violate the sex-offender ordinance.
Twenty-two states and hundreds of municipalities have sex offender residency restrictions, according to a California Research Bureau report from last August.
Monday, April 02, 2007
Laurie Anderson or Biofeedback?
I recently downloaded Laurie Anderson's "O Superman" onto my iPod and I've never had a song have such a sedative effect on me. That's not necessarily a bad thing but when I even THINK about this song, I go into mellow mode. I actually use it as a sleep aid on the bus.
I think I'm onto something.
I think I'm onto something.
Tuesday, March 20, 2007
Friday, March 16, 2007
Catching Up on Movies
TK got me a portable DVD player for Xmas and it's gotta be my fave gift. The funny thing is that when we had been out doing Xmas shopping and saw it in the store, I remarked that it was really cool but it was the type of item I would never buy for myself. Believe me, this was not a subtle hint. Anyone who knows me, knows there is nothing subtle at all about me.
Well, whaddya know? There it was on Xmas morning and I have to say it makes my commute into the city a whole lot more bearable.
So, after the Academy Awards, I am finally catching up on all the movies I never got to the theater to see. A short review follows:
A Prairie Home Companion--A real disappointment. I'm a Garrison Keillor fan by proxy. That is, my brother in Oregon raved about this guy forever and I finally familiarized myself with him and I have to say, he's captivating. I genuinely enjoy his stories about Lake Wobegon and whatnot.
That being said, the movie fell flat. There was a terrific cast: Keillor himself, Meryl Streep, Lily Tomlin, Woody Harrelson, Tommy Lee Jones, John C. Reilly. Geez, even Lindsay Lohan was good. If you like country and western, you'll like the music. My fave was Lefty and Rusty (Harrelson and Reilly were awesome with their dirty ditties). But this was supposed to portray the last live radio show of APHC, so the characters should have pulled out all the stops when it came to reminiscing about the past. That didn't happen. All of their stories were predictable, lame and boring. I didn't get the "feel" of APHC; a good reminiscing movie should pull you in to the action, make you feel like part of the extended family. I just didn't get that.
Honestly, I think I learned more about Garrison Keillor and APHC from Wikipedia!
Some other things that annoyed me:
Virginia Madsen as the "Mystery Woman" ghost. WTF was that all about? Too contrived and totally unnecessary!
Kevin Kline's character. He was supposed to be a security guy. He was dressed more like a guy who got lost on the way to a barbershop quartet competition. Totally didn't get his character.
Things I liked:
Garrison Keillor playing himself.
The guy who did the radio show sound effects.
Rusty and Lefty's jokes.
The music.
Art School Confidential--I wanted to love this movie but that didn't happen. I liked some things about this film but I can't say I loved it.
It was a product of Terry Zwigoff, the same guy who directed Ghost World, which I DID love, so I just expected the lovefest to carry on over.
Granted there were some VERY funny scenes and the acting was decent. Plus, there was an actor in it I have never seen before named Matt Keeslar who was the hottest thing this side of wasabi paste. Where the hell has he been hiding? Note to directors: PLEASE cast this hunk in other productions!
Basically, it's a parody of the pretentious people one might find at art school. Now I've never been to art school but I have been in writer's workshops (Breadloaf) and let's just say there are pretentious characters in any artistic setting. You have the crazy chick, the phony intellectual, the druggie-punk, the closeted gay, the ass kisser, the hippy-vegan, you get the picture.
Now in case there's someone out there who hasn't seen the film, I don't want to put any spoilers in here. Suffice it to say that the movie takes a *comic* twist at the end which really didn't bowl me over. If I had to sum up this film in one sentence, I'd say, "It's a comedy about what an artist will do to get some notoriety."
But something was gnawing me about this film, hours after having viewed it. Where have I seen this theme before? And then I remembered: The King of Comedy, with Robert DeNiro, Jerry Lewis and Sandra Bernhard. Same message but funnier. Genius, if I say so myself.
Reviews to come: Jesus Camp and Little Miss Sunshine.
Well, whaddya know? There it was on Xmas morning and I have to say it makes my commute into the city a whole lot more bearable.
So, after the Academy Awards, I am finally catching up on all the movies I never got to the theater to see. A short review follows:
A Prairie Home Companion--A real disappointment. I'm a Garrison Keillor fan by proxy. That is, my brother in Oregon raved about this guy forever and I finally familiarized myself with him and I have to say, he's captivating. I genuinely enjoy his stories about Lake Wobegon and whatnot.
That being said, the movie fell flat. There was a terrific cast: Keillor himself, Meryl Streep, Lily Tomlin, Woody Harrelson, Tommy Lee Jones, John C. Reilly. Geez, even Lindsay Lohan was good. If you like country and western, you'll like the music. My fave was Lefty and Rusty (Harrelson and Reilly were awesome with their dirty ditties). But this was supposed to portray the last live radio show of APHC, so the characters should have pulled out all the stops when it came to reminiscing about the past. That didn't happen. All of their stories were predictable, lame and boring. I didn't get the "feel" of APHC; a good reminiscing movie should pull you in to the action, make you feel like part of the extended family. I just didn't get that.
Honestly, I think I learned more about Garrison Keillor and APHC from Wikipedia!
Some other things that annoyed me:
Virginia Madsen as the "Mystery Woman" ghost. WTF was that all about? Too contrived and totally unnecessary!
Kevin Kline's character. He was supposed to be a security guy. He was dressed more like a guy who got lost on the way to a barbershop quartet competition. Totally didn't get his character.
Things I liked:
Garrison Keillor playing himself.
The guy who did the radio show sound effects.
Rusty and Lefty's jokes.
The music.
Art School Confidential--I wanted to love this movie but that didn't happen. I liked some things about this film but I can't say I loved it.
It was a product of Terry Zwigoff, the same guy who directed Ghost World, which I DID love, so I just expected the lovefest to carry on over.
Granted there were some VERY funny scenes and the acting was decent. Plus, there was an actor in it I have never seen before named Matt Keeslar who was the hottest thing this side of wasabi paste. Where the hell has he been hiding? Note to directors: PLEASE cast this hunk in other productions!
Basically, it's a parody of the pretentious people one might find at art school. Now I've never been to art school but I have been in writer's workshops (Breadloaf) and let's just say there are pretentious characters in any artistic setting. You have the crazy chick, the phony intellectual, the druggie-punk, the closeted gay, the ass kisser, the hippy-vegan, you get the picture.
Now in case there's someone out there who hasn't seen the film, I don't want to put any spoilers in here. Suffice it to say that the movie takes a *comic* twist at the end which really didn't bowl me over. If I had to sum up this film in one sentence, I'd say, "It's a comedy about what an artist will do to get some notoriety."
But something was gnawing me about this film, hours after having viewed it. Where have I seen this theme before? And then I remembered: The King of Comedy, with Robert DeNiro, Jerry Lewis and Sandra Bernhard. Same message but funnier. Genius, if I say so myself.
Reviews to come: Jesus Camp and Little Miss Sunshine.
Nice Way to Start the Day
So I'm standing in the nasty waiting for the 280 Express bus when this car pulls into the service station next to the bus stop. The window rolls down and a young Arabic guy asks me what time the 280 EX is due. I tell him and then the driver, who appears to be his mom in a headwrap, says to me, "Why don't you get inside? Don't wait out in the snow."
I hesistated for a second. C'mon, fess up, you would have, too! I don't know these people from Adam. They could whisk me away to a mosque somewhere and I would never be heard from again. But my gut, which is usually pretty reliable says, "Trust them."
Well, I'm glad I did because they were the nicest folks you'd ever want to meet. The son, Ahmed, who appeared to be in his early 20s, works in the financial industry. While he was telling me this, his mom, beaming with pride, told me that he got his MBA from Fordham. She herself is a pharmaceutical chemist who turned down a high-paying job in NYC because she didn't want to commute. Smart woman!
In all my years commuting, I don't remember anything like this ever happening, whether it was at the train station in Montclair or the bus stop in Verona. God forbid, some rich yuppie would offer me shelter from the storm. I'd have a better chance of winning the lottery.
Just shows to go ya, you can't judge a book.
I hesistated for a second. C'mon, fess up, you would have, too! I don't know these people from Adam. They could whisk me away to a mosque somewhere and I would never be heard from again. But my gut, which is usually pretty reliable says, "Trust them."
Well, I'm glad I did because they were the nicest folks you'd ever want to meet. The son, Ahmed, who appeared to be in his early 20s, works in the financial industry. While he was telling me this, his mom, beaming with pride, told me that he got his MBA from Fordham. She herself is a pharmaceutical chemist who turned down a high-paying job in NYC because she didn't want to commute. Smart woman!
In all my years commuting, I don't remember anything like this ever happening, whether it was at the train station in Montclair or the bus stop in Verona. God forbid, some rich yuppie would offer me shelter from the storm. I'd have a better chance of winning the lottery.
Just shows to go ya, you can't judge a book.
Thursday, March 15, 2007
Good Start
Had my first 5K race of the season on March 10 and I think I did pretty well. Tough course, tough weather (32 freakin' degrees and very damp), tough crowd (lots of fast runners...the overall winner was a 40 yo man who clocked in at 15 and some change, with a 5:01 pace. Egads!)
Clocked in at 25:15. That's a little bit faster than I was running at this same time last year. And I felt pretty good, albeit a little out of breath more than unusual. But then I discovered that almost everyone I spoke to, even the best runners in our club, felt breathless.
So, although the weight training and cross-training has been paying off, I simply need to get back on the roads again and build up my lung capacity. Now that it's getting lighter at night (coupled with the early DST), that should be happening real soon.
In other news, my trainer/nutritionist at my gym had said he wanted to see me once race season started so he could go over my calorie intake, possibly bumping it up a bit to keep up with the demand. I hadn't seen him in a month or so I was very curious about my BF measurement. I stopped journaling my food intake because I feel I can do this with my eyes closed now. I was pretty good about sticking to the plan even with a few setbacks (dining out with friends, bad weather pre-empting my outdoor training, etc.)
So, needless to say, I was quite surprised when he told me I was down to 16.7% BF! Evidently, my body is not done yet. All told, I have lost 10 lbs. of body fat and gained about 10 lbs. of lean muscle. My scale weight is about the same, though. Really, I don't want to go any lower than this, folks. He told me to add about 200 calories of some good carbs (whole grains, sweet potatoes, fruit, etc.) every fourth day. That works out to be Sunday and Wednesday for me which is good because Sunday is usually race day and I need the extra calories then.
I also need some new clothes but that's another blog entry, another time.
Clocked in at 25:15. That's a little bit faster than I was running at this same time last year. And I felt pretty good, albeit a little out of breath more than unusual. But then I discovered that almost everyone I spoke to, even the best runners in our club, felt breathless.
So, although the weight training and cross-training has been paying off, I simply need to get back on the roads again and build up my lung capacity. Now that it's getting lighter at night (coupled with the early DST), that should be happening real soon.
In other news, my trainer/nutritionist at my gym had said he wanted to see me once race season started so he could go over my calorie intake, possibly bumping it up a bit to keep up with the demand. I hadn't seen him in a month or so I was very curious about my BF measurement. I stopped journaling my food intake because I feel I can do this with my eyes closed now. I was pretty good about sticking to the plan even with a few setbacks (dining out with friends, bad weather pre-empting my outdoor training, etc.)
So, needless to say, I was quite surprised when he told me I was down to 16.7% BF! Evidently, my body is not done yet. All told, I have lost 10 lbs. of body fat and gained about 10 lbs. of lean muscle. My scale weight is about the same, though. Really, I don't want to go any lower than this, folks. He told me to add about 200 calories of some good carbs (whole grains, sweet potatoes, fruit, etc.) every fourth day. That works out to be Sunday and Wednesday for me which is good because Sunday is usually race day and I need the extra calories then.
I also need some new clothes but that's another blog entry, another time.
Tuesday, March 06, 2007
Let's try this again!
I tried posting this pic last week and then one day it was gone. Something to do with the Blogger server, I s'pose. But ain't it purty?
Tuesday, February 27, 2007
Monday, February 26, 2007
What Country Is This Again?
You would think that making an appointment to have a mammogram would be no big deal, right? Think again.
First, some background. I am a 49-year-old middle-class woman with a decent-paying job. I live the NY metro area. I have had yearly mammograms since the age of 40, not because there's any history of breast cancer in my family (thank God!) but because I have a conservative gynecologist who insists that his patients 40 and older have one every year. OK, I can deal with that.
But it's not just him. These days, you can't pick up a magazine, read a newspaper or watch TV without seeing ads for mammograms. If you're a woman, you are bombarded over and over with the same message: Mammograms save lives. OK, I'll buy into that for the sake of argument.
Today is February 26. I call the imaging lab that I've used for the past decade. I've always been able to make an appointment on a Saturday morning, no problem. It might not be this Saturday, or next Saturday, but I was able to get a Saturday morning appointment within 2-3 weeks of my call.
Not only have they pretty much done away with Saturday appointments altogther (they only have them once a month), you can't even get a friggin' MORNING appointment until April! That's right, you read that correctly. My appointment is for a Monday morning in late April.
Well, I realized that it's not the "order taker's" fault but I did make a remark that the scheduling is not fair to working gals like myself. She was very nice and asked if I would like to speak to her supervisor. I said, "Why not?"
The supervisor, too, was very pleasant. Here is what she told me, in a nutshell: Basically, very few med students want to take up radiology anymore due to numerous lawsuits against them (I was not aware of this). Therefore, due to the shortage of radiologists, many imaging centers no longer offer Saturday appointments. In addition, it's very tough to get ANY appointment for about two months or so.
This burns me up on a lot of levels. First, you read about doctor shortages like this happening in the inner city, particularly with minority women on Medicaid or with no insurance whatsoever. You read about doctor shortages in remote rural areas. You hear about doctor shortages in places like Eastern Europe, the sub-Sahara, and even "progressive" countries with socialized medicine. This is not supposed to happen in "enlightened" metro New York, however. I mean, don't people from overseas come here because we supposedly have the best medical care in the world?
Secondly, waiting two months is not a good thing. Two months can be the difference between "early diagnosis" and "point of no return" for some people. So, no, waiting is NOT a good thing.
Third, once again, we have the insurance industry raising its ugly, pointed little head. Why, all of a sudden, are there all these lawsuits? Why weren't they there 10 years ago, 5 years ago? Can we spell G-R-E-E-D?
Really, I am perplexed. If somone has answers, I am all ears.
First, some background. I am a 49-year-old middle-class woman with a decent-paying job. I live the NY metro area. I have had yearly mammograms since the age of 40, not because there's any history of breast cancer in my family (thank God!) but because I have a conservative gynecologist who insists that his patients 40 and older have one every year. OK, I can deal with that.
But it's not just him. These days, you can't pick up a magazine, read a newspaper or watch TV without seeing ads for mammograms. If you're a woman, you are bombarded over and over with the same message: Mammograms save lives. OK, I'll buy into that for the sake of argument.
Today is February 26. I call the imaging lab that I've used for the past decade. I've always been able to make an appointment on a Saturday morning, no problem. It might not be this Saturday, or next Saturday, but I was able to get a Saturday morning appointment within 2-3 weeks of my call.
Not only have they pretty much done away with Saturday appointments altogther (they only have them once a month), you can't even get a friggin' MORNING appointment until April! That's right, you read that correctly. My appointment is for a Monday morning in late April.
Well, I realized that it's not the "order taker's" fault but I did make a remark that the scheduling is not fair to working gals like myself. She was very nice and asked if I would like to speak to her supervisor. I said, "Why not?"
The supervisor, too, was very pleasant. Here is what she told me, in a nutshell: Basically, very few med students want to take up radiology anymore due to numerous lawsuits against them (I was not aware of this). Therefore, due to the shortage of radiologists, many imaging centers no longer offer Saturday appointments. In addition, it's very tough to get ANY appointment for about two months or so.
This burns me up on a lot of levels. First, you read about doctor shortages like this happening in the inner city, particularly with minority women on Medicaid or with no insurance whatsoever. You read about doctor shortages in remote rural areas. You hear about doctor shortages in places like Eastern Europe, the sub-Sahara, and even "progressive" countries with socialized medicine. This is not supposed to happen in "enlightened" metro New York, however. I mean, don't people from overseas come here because we supposedly have the best medical care in the world?
Secondly, waiting two months is not a good thing. Two months can be the difference between "early diagnosis" and "point of no return" for some people. So, no, waiting is NOT a good thing.
Third, once again, we have the insurance industry raising its ugly, pointed little head. Why, all of a sudden, are there all these lawsuits? Why weren't they there 10 years ago, 5 years ago? Can we spell G-R-E-E-D?
Really, I am perplexed. If somone has answers, I am all ears.
Thursday, February 22, 2007
You Have GOT to Be Kidding Me!
I swear, if I hadn't seen this in The Times I would've thought I was reading The Onion:
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/02/22/garden/22depression.html
But the funniest thing of all were some of the comments on Gawker.com:
"This twat stayed up until 3 a.m. fretting about her kitchen backsplash? Jesus God, why hasn't there been a revolution in this country yet?"
So this Toth woman became so depressed she actually found herself cooking in her new kitchen? Someone please hold a telethon...
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/02/22/garden/22depression.html
But the funniest thing of all were some of the comments on Gawker.com:
"This twat stayed up until 3 a.m. fretting about her kitchen backsplash? Jesus God, why hasn't there been a revolution in this country yet?"
So this Toth woman became so depressed she actually found herself cooking in her new kitchen? Someone please hold a telethon...
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