I wrote an earlier post about describing yourself in six words. Today, I spotted this Youtube video that required the numerous subjects to describe themselves in one word or phrase. This is fun to watch on many levels. I can't help but want to think that I know many of…
Sometimes, my body has a strong opinion with which I disagree.
Here’s a good recent example: My body doesn’t like getting stuck with hypodermic syringes. When I refuse to allow my body to leave the doctor’s office and when I allow my body to get jabbed with a hypodermic needle, it retaliates by fainting. It’s one of those things that I completely forget about until I’m sitting in a doctor’s office overly aware that I’m about to be stuck again. At such moments, my body reacts in a way that embarrasses and annoys me.
Here’s a bit of context. For the past few months, I’ve had some nagging back and arm pain. On a lark, I signed up for some acupuncture administered by a chiropractor. Getting stuck with those little acupuncture needles didn’t give me big problems—not that I enjoyed the sensation of those tiny needles being pushed into my back. After three treatments, I gave up on the acupuncture because it didn’t offer any long-term effect (although each treatment relieved my symptoms a bit, for a few hours).
My next step was to see my family physician, who arranged for x-rays. He told me that I had “arthritis” and suggested some physical therapy. [Before going any further, anyone reading this should probably email me a HIPPA form].
I was hoping for more of a pinpoint diagnosis, though, so I visited a doctor who specialized in Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation. He arranged for an MRI, resulting in some fascinating pictures …
Glenn Greenwald has just written a new book, Great American Hypocrites: Toppling the Myths of Republican Politics. He has released a long excerpt on Huffpo. Here is a sampling. Great American Hypocrites examines the deceitful, personality-based election tactics the Right uses to build absurd cults of personality around their leaders…
The disturbing part of this story is the reactions of so-called medical professionals to this couple's situation and decision. Now there are two ways to look at this. The one that might make more sense (though certainly no more palatable) is that these physicians et al are concerned with Insurance…
Imagine that a neighbor walks up today and tells you that he really cares about you. In fact, he loves you like a daughter/son and he wants to show his love. You might be delighted to hear such an expression of affection.
Then imagine that he tells you that he wants to prove to you that he cares for you. He wants to prove it in a way that you will never doubt the depth of his caring.
You would probably be thinking that he’s going to do something nice. Maybe he will give a big donation to charity in your name. Or maybe he will go buy you something nice, or take you to dinner at a good restaurant. But then he surprises you.
He reminds you that he has an adult son named Bill (which you knew, because you know Bill). He then tells you that he is going to let a mob of goons torture and murder Bill in a bloody spectacle, for you!
You are aghast, but he continues on.
He tells you that he is going to let that mob drive large nails through Bill’s hands and feet, for you, to prove that he cares about you. For a grand finale, he is going to allow this sadistic crowd to jab a spear through Bill’s side, to make sure that every drop of blood has been drained from Bill’s body.
It would be patently obvious to you that decent people don’t “show their love” by …