The Blog Formerly Found On Vox

Haven't Got Time For The Pain

I've been having a few health issues lately. Nothing serious I suspect, but enough to seek medical attention. I had an appointment last week with some lab tests, another one today and another tomorrow. Three different doctors in the same (giant) medical group, a medical group with a good reputation. But as far as I can tell they don't deserve it. Tomorrow will tell with the third doctor, a specialist, but the first two doctors I've seen have seemed rushed, disengaged and generally on auto-pilot. Like the pilots who missed the airport at Minneapolis/St. Paul International.

Today's doc wrote me a prescription for an anti-inflammatory when I told her I was taking 2-4 Advil per day for joint pain. I asked her why it would be better to take the prescribed meds than what I was doing. Her answer was something about it being more convenient for me to just take one pill that lasted all day. Convenience wasn't an issue for me, but uh...okay.

Take This And Call Me...Wait, What Did you Say?

I filled the prescription at the pharmacy, but before taking anything, I do what I always do, read the warning label. Whoa, this was some powerful stuff! After reading what Walgreen's had to say about it, I went to the Internet for more. On WebMd there was a big warning at the top of the page, not in the fine print.

This drug may infrequently cause serious (rarely fatal) bleeding from the stomach or intestines. Also, related drugs rarely have caused blood clots to form, resulting in heart attacks and strokes. This medication might also rarely cause similar problems. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about the benefits and risks of treatment, as well as other possible medication choices.

If you notice any of the following rare but very serious side effects, stop taking and seek immediate medical attention: black stools, persistent stomach/abdominal pain, vomit that looks like coffee grounds, chest pain, weakness on one side of the body, sudden vision changes, slurred speech.

On other sites there were more reasons to suspect that this was probably not the drug for me. I'm not sure what she was thinking or if she was thinking actually.

I'll just stick with the morning dose of two Advil. And see what the doctor tomorrow has to say, assuming I can get more than 15 minutes of his time and undivided attention.  

  

I Don't Like Any Of These People, And Yet...

I don't, or didn't, watch "Jon and Kate Plus 8" and I don't care for Nancy Grace one little bit.

Yet, because I am addicted to celebrity gossip pop culture, I am familiar with the lives, dramas and personalities of all kinds of people who I have no business knowing about.

I know Kate had a tummy tuck, got a weird hair do and later changed it. I know that Jon thinks he's a celebrity and is really just a dumb ass man in Ed Hardy t-shirts going through some pathetic midlife crisis in public. I know that Nancy Grace is obnoxious, overly judgmental and incessantly ranting at the guests on her show. I think I've seen her a few times on TV for all of about 90 seconds before I have to flip the channel.

And yet, when I see this clip of her grilling Jon Gosselin and his stuttering deer-in-the-headlights look, I can't help but like her just a little bit.

Nancy Grace Rips Jon Gosselin A New One

 

The Way To Make Laurel & Hardy Funny

A Buddhist teacher I follow on Facebook posted this today and I watched it three times, tears of laughter streaming down my face each time.

There's just something about juxtaposing this old Laurel & Hardy clip with the Gap Band that cracks me up. But then again, I've been known to giggle at the silliest things.

Enjoy!

Laurel and Hardy Dance To The Gap Band

Buddha And The Chocolate Box

Intentional Chocolate.

Apparently it's the first chocolate the Dalai Lama ever tasted.

It is the founder's intention to "reintroduce the ancient wisdom of embedding conscious intention and love into food."

All Our Chocolate is Embedded With This Intention:

“Whoever consumes this chocolate will manifest optimal health and functioning at physical, emotional and mental levels, and in particular will enjoy an increased sense of energy, vigor and well-being for the benefit of all beings.”

My doctor-ish friend Mark probably won't like the "science" of this I'm sure, but I'm rather impressed with the marketing science. They added me on Twitter today and the next thing you know I'm reading their blog, watching videos like the one below and going to their website to order some chocolate.

Mindfully of course.

Intentional Chocolate

No, I am not working for this company, nor am I profiting in any way from writing this post. I just liked what I read and hope the chocolate is half as good as the stuff I'm getting from Trader Joe's. And if the good intentions inside ooze out while I'm savoring the taste, even better!