You know, there are the kinds of phone calls you just don’t want to get. Jim left me a voice mail late yesterday before I left work, and I could tell immediately that something was wrong. I was bracing myself for the worst, but he said that he didn’t know what he did as he was trying to install the new read/write CD drive on the computer, but he fried the motherboard. After I heard the voice mail, I realized that as upset as he was it could have been a lot worse. I thought he had an accident, or something big at home broke (other than the computer), or all kinds of things were racing through my mind. But it was the computer – ok that can be fixed.
I can’t believe it is the end of March. The first quarter of 2009 is gone, and hopefully we are on our way to an economic recovery (of sorts) if cooler heads will prevail and the spending spree that our government seems to be on will end. Of course yesterday, the announcement comes down that the white house has asked the CEO of GM to step down. Now, I know that technically he can’t be fired by the President, but part of me is wondering just who they think they can fire. Do we really think the government is capable of running GM, selling Chrysler to Fiat, or handling anything else when they don’t have their own house in order? I hope we are not witnessing the destruction of capitalism and trading it for socialism. These are scary things to be witnessing. Although, I think the overreaction to the AIG bonuses and a clearly unconstitutional retro tax on things is much worse because it is clearly unconstitutional to pass a law to penalize or tax someone for something that has already happened. If they can pass a tax like that, there would be nothing to stop passage of laws or taxes to be applied retro-actively. This is insanity!
However, I digress. This has been a very busy week, and I was disappointed at the basketball on Sunday as the games were just not that good. Saturday’s games were really good – especially the Villanova/Pitt game. Villanova almost blew it at the end, but managed to score the winning basket at the end of the game (after they left one of the Pitt players standing underneath the basket to make an easy shot to tie). I am looking forward to going to my sister’s house next Friday for Easter weekend. I am taking a day off (wow I am going to get behind even with just one day), so that we can have a long weekend. The only bad part is that Sunday the 12th will be the final round of the Masters and I will want to be watching it all, but we’ll have to drive home. I don’t know who came up with the DVR, but I love that thing and will be DVRing golf so I can make sure not to miss any of the action!
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
So True – Nine Words
I just got an email about nine words that women use and their meaning. These definitions are so true. I have used these on many occasions, and the description is very accurate. I think I use these words in this way because I try to express my frustration without really letting the four letter words fly, getting mad, or nagging. I have also been in the kitchen and end up slamming dishes around because I’m frustrated that I don’t have help, but I don’t want to turn into my mother and become a professional nag. So to all you guys out there, if your wife/girlfriend/significant other is using these words, she’s trying not to nag you, pick a fight, or say bad words.
NINE WORDS WOMEN USE
(1) Fine: This is the word women use to end an argument when they are right and you need to shut up.
(2) Five Minutes: If she is getting dressed, this means a half an hour. Five minutes is only five minutes if you have just been given five more minutes to watch the game before helping around the house.
(3) Nothing: This is the calm before the storm. This means something, and you should be on your toes. Arguments that begin with nothing usually end in fine.
(4) Go Ahead: This is a dare, not permission. Don't Do It!
(5) Loud Sigh: This is actually a word, but is a non-verbal statement often misunderstood by men. A loud sigh means she thinks you are an idiot and wonders why she is wasting her time standing here and arguing with you about nothing. (Refer back to # 3 for the meaning of nothing.)
(6) That's Okay: This is one of the most dangerous statements a women can make to a man. That's okay means she wants to think long and hard before deciding how and when you will pay for your mistake.
(7) Thanks: A woman is thanking you, do not question, or faint. Just say you're welcome. (I want to add in a clause here - This is true, unless she says 'Thanks a lot' - that is PURE sarcasm and she is not thanking you at all. DO NOT say 'you're welcome' . that will bring on a 'whatever').
(8) Whatever: Is a woman's way of saying F-- YOU!
(9) Don't worry about it, I got it: Another dangerous statement, meaning this is something that a woman has told a man to do several times, but is now doing it herself. This will later result in a man asking 'What's wrong?' For the woman's response refer to # 3.
* Send this to the men you know, to warn them about arguments they can avoid if they remember the terminology.
* Send this to all the women you know to give them a good laugh, cause they know it's true!!!
NINE WORDS WOMEN USE
(1) Fine: This is the word women use to end an argument when they are right and you need to shut up.
(2) Five Minutes: If she is getting dressed, this means a half an hour. Five minutes is only five minutes if you have just been given five more minutes to watch the game before helping around the house.
(3) Nothing: This is the calm before the storm. This means something, and you should be on your toes. Arguments that begin with nothing usually end in fine.
(4) Go Ahead: This is a dare, not permission. Don't Do It!
(5) Loud Sigh: This is actually a word, but is a non-verbal statement often misunderstood by men. A loud sigh means she thinks you are an idiot and wonders why she is wasting her time standing here and arguing with you about nothing. (Refer back to # 3 for the meaning of nothing.)
(6) That's Okay: This is one of the most dangerous statements a women can make to a man. That's okay means she wants to think long and hard before deciding how and when you will pay for your mistake.
(7) Thanks: A woman is thanking you, do not question, or faint. Just say you're welcome. (I want to add in a clause here - This is true, unless she says 'Thanks a lot' - that is PURE sarcasm and she is not thanking you at all. DO NOT say 'you're welcome' . that will bring on a 'whatever').
(8) Whatever: Is a woman's way of saying F-- YOU!
(9) Don't worry about it, I got it: Another dangerous statement, meaning this is something that a woman has told a man to do several times, but is now doing it herself. This will later result in a man asking 'What's wrong?' For the woman's response refer to # 3.
* Send this to the men you know, to warn them about arguments they can avoid if they remember the terminology.
* Send this to all the women you know to give them a good laugh, cause they know it's true!!!
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Five Points Fun - Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
So we decided to brave the chilly temps yesterday and go to Columbia as planned for the St. Patty’s Day festival in 5 points. We were fortunate to not have rain, just a little mist at times. Had so much fun, saw several people I knew, drank some Harp draft beer, Jim had Guinness, listened to some cool music, ate some good food, and just blew off some steam. I don’t normally sleep late, but I woke up just before 9 this morning! We stayed at the Inn at USC which was great because we were able to check in around 12:30, park the car, and walk to 5 points.
It is always nostalgic to walk through campus. Went by the College of Business - which was my second home since I worked in that building and most of my classes the last two years were there, and also by Capstone where I lived just across the street. My dorm room my senior year was a corner room on the front of the building on the 3rd floor. I lived on the side facing Columbia Hall my junior year in ‘88 - ‘89, and lived on the 3rd floor my senior year. I can’t believe this time 20 years ago I was finishing my junior year. Scary.
Anyway, had a great time seeing some fun landmarks - Jungle Jim’s, Capstone, the College of Business, the Fountain, Yesterday’s, Goatfeathers, Village Idiot Pizza, Sharky’s, Group, and an assortment of bars whose names have changed over the years. It really makes me miss Columbia when I go for things like that and see all kinds of people I know. I always look forward to the bands, people, and beer trucks too!
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
March is DVT Awareness Month
DVT is an important subject for my family. My dad had an unexplained blood clot in his leg at age 51. Fortunately, it was identified quickly and it did not break off and go to his lungs (a Pulmonary Embolism or PE for short).
Unfortunately, my sister developed a blood clot in her leg that went undetected for a few weeks at the age of 34. Her leg was very, very swollen and she was in pain, but not the sharp kind like my dad had (and he had no swelling). Even after she got on the blood thinner, she developed PE’s as she had 6 clots go to her lungs. She had 1 in her jugular vein as well and her neck was very swollen.
After her clot and after they ruled out cancer as a cause, they suspected that my sister had a clotting disorder – a Factor V Leiden mutation. Meg was tested, I was tested, and it turns out that we shared that mutation causing a hypercoagulable state of our blood. This means that we have a predisposition to blood clotting, and if you develop a blood clot you are more likely to develop another one. With the life threatening condition of a PE, Meg is on coumiden every day for the rest of her life.
As for my dad, he takes a baby aspirin every day per his doctor. I take one too even though it has not been prescribed and I had to get off The Pill (which I had taken for almost 20 years at that point – scary as that exponentially increases the risk). I am also cognizant of long trips in cars, sitting for long periods of time at my desk, traveling, and the need to stay hydrated.
Do you remember David Bloom of NBC News? That is how he died while covering the Iraq war – he developed a blood clot in his leg and it broke off and became a PE. His wife Melanie has established The Coalition to Prevent Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT), and March is DVT awareness month. There is some great information on her website, and there is a risk analysis as well to assist you in determining if you are at risk. In this case, prevention is worth 100 pounds of cure.
DVT occurs when a blood clot forms in a deep vein, usually in the lower limbs. A complication of DVT, pulmonary embolism, can occur when a fragment of a blood clot breaks loose from the wall of the vein and migrates to the lungs, where it blocks a pulmonary artery or one of its branches.
• Up to 2 million Americans are affected annually by DVT
• Of those who develop PE, up to 300,000 will die each year
• More people die in the United States from PE than breast cancer and AIDS combined
Who is at Risk?
Certain individuals may be at risk for developing DVT, although DVT can occur in almost anyone. Some risk factors or triggering events to discuss with your doctor include, but are not limited to:
• Cancer
• Certain heart or respiratory diseases
• Prior DVT
• Advanced age
• Acute medical illness with restricted mobility
• Inherited or acquired predisposition to clotting
• Obesity
• Hospitalization
• Patients undergoing major surgery, such as joint replacements, who remain immobile in bed after an operation
• Pregnancy (Miscarriages can also be caused by clots in the umbilical cord)
• Restricted mobility caused by long-distance travel
• Use of birth control pills
• Postmenopausal hormone replacement therapy
• Trauma
Unfortunately, my sister developed a blood clot in her leg that went undetected for a few weeks at the age of 34. Her leg was very, very swollen and she was in pain, but not the sharp kind like my dad had (and he had no swelling). Even after she got on the blood thinner, she developed PE’s as she had 6 clots go to her lungs. She had 1 in her jugular vein as well and her neck was very swollen.
After her clot and after they ruled out cancer as a cause, they suspected that my sister had a clotting disorder – a Factor V Leiden mutation. Meg was tested, I was tested, and it turns out that we shared that mutation causing a hypercoagulable state of our blood. This means that we have a predisposition to blood clotting, and if you develop a blood clot you are more likely to develop another one. With the life threatening condition of a PE, Meg is on coumiden every day for the rest of her life.
As for my dad, he takes a baby aspirin every day per his doctor. I take one too even though it has not been prescribed and I had to get off The Pill (which I had taken for almost 20 years at that point – scary as that exponentially increases the risk). I am also cognizant of long trips in cars, sitting for long periods of time at my desk, traveling, and the need to stay hydrated.
Do you remember David Bloom of NBC News? That is how he died while covering the Iraq war – he developed a blood clot in his leg and it broke off and became a PE. His wife Melanie has established The Coalition to Prevent Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT), and March is DVT awareness month. There is some great information on her website, and there is a risk analysis as well to assist you in determining if you are at risk. In this case, prevention is worth 100 pounds of cure.
DVT occurs when a blood clot forms in a deep vein, usually in the lower limbs. A complication of DVT, pulmonary embolism, can occur when a fragment of a blood clot breaks loose from the wall of the vein and migrates to the lungs, where it blocks a pulmonary artery or one of its branches.
• Up to 2 million Americans are affected annually by DVT
• Of those who develop PE, up to 300,000 will die each year
• More people die in the United States from PE than breast cancer and AIDS combined
Who is at Risk?
Certain individuals may be at risk for developing DVT, although DVT can occur in almost anyone. Some risk factors or triggering events to discuss with your doctor include, but are not limited to:
• Cancer
• Certain heart or respiratory diseases
• Prior DVT
• Advanced age
• Acute medical illness with restricted mobility
• Inherited or acquired predisposition to clotting
• Obesity
• Hospitalization
• Patients undergoing major surgery, such as joint replacements, who remain immobile in bed after an operation
• Pregnancy (Miscarriages can also be caused by clots in the umbilical cord)
• Restricted mobility caused by long-distance travel
• Use of birth control pills
• Postmenopausal hormone replacement therapy
• Trauma
Monday, March 2, 2009
Third Time is the Charm
Well we finally had snow when it was predicted as we had about four inches of snow between 6:30 and 10:00 last night. It was coming down heavy – those big wet fat flakes of snow. Wow, it has been a long time since I’ve seen this much snow and this is the first real snow we’ve had since we’ve lived in the Charlotte area. I am working from home this morning, and I hope to make it in to the office later today. It is supposed to melt today with the sun and above freezing temps, so hopefully the roads will be clear by this afternoon as it is supposed to be something ridiculous tonite like 13 for the low. Not good at all. I am so tired of the cold, but it is supposed to hit 70 this weekend – yeah!
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