Nick has come back it appears. And it also looks like he brought the rest of the band with him. It hurts and has a bright red mark where I expect it to start bleeding again any minute. GRRRRRRRRRRRRR.
I do not want to have to have him removed again. I don't want to have to do it again later either. I want them to stay gone when I have them removed!!!!! I want to be able to afford the surgery. I want to be able to get health insurance.
Apparently I want for too much.
I have a few recipes, but somehow, now doesn't seem like the proper time to share them.
I will say though, that bacon and peanut butter go VERY well together. Something that was discovered while in the process of making something entirely different.
--Little Bird does not want the band back.
Showing posts with label Grrrrrrrrr. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Grrrrrrrrr. Show all posts
Saturday, January 29, 2011
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Just a Note
Hello everyone! Today's post is from New Mexico. It is sunny and cool and Mama Bird's B-day party was a rousing success. No cell service up here though. So if you haven't gotten a call from me (assuming you were expecting one) I can't do it.
Okay, on to the other thing I wanted to address. This is a blog. It is sort of an on-line diary. If you are not interested in the goings on in my life, you are not required to read it. However, if you're going to comment about how no one wants to hear/read about my issues, have the balls to sign your goddamned name. Even if it is a screen name. If you feel the need to say something, clearly you care. Also, if you know I won't publish it due to the fact that you are a fucking asshole, why comment at all?
--Little Bird says FY,YFF!
Okay, on to the other thing I wanted to address. This is a blog. It is sort of an on-line diary. If you are not interested in the goings on in my life, you are not required to read it. However, if you're going to comment about how no one wants to hear/read about my issues, have the balls to sign your goddamned name. Even if it is a screen name. If you feel the need to say something, clearly you care. Also, if you know I won't publish it due to the fact that you are a fucking asshole, why comment at all?
--Little Bird says FY,YFF!
Monday, February 1, 2010
Verizon sucks, part III
It just keeps getting worse. Now they say that there were TWO phones charged to us!! TWO equipment fees!! PLUS late fees and taxes on all of that stuff!!! That's right, taxes on items that we never ordered AND had removed from our bill. They seemed to think we should still pay the tax on the item even though the item did get removed. They say our bill is well over a thousand dollars now. So, Mama Bird had a rather lengthy conversation with someone over at Verizon's offices. We think we have it cleared up. We're still waiting on that bill. And they know for a fact that we will be taking our business elsewhere.
We think the second phone thing is a clerical screw-up due entirely to reporting it. That, or they're trying to get us to pay for as much as they can (real or invented) because they know we're dropping them. Either way, it sucks.
Learn from this fiasco, do NOT sign up with Verizon!!
--Little Bird is tired of it all.
We think the second phone thing is a clerical screw-up due entirely to reporting it. That, or they're trying to get us to pay for as much as they can (real or invented) because they know we're dropping them. Either way, it sucks.
Learn from this fiasco, do NOT sign up with Verizon!!
--Little Bird is tired of it all.
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Verizon sucks, part two
So, the fraud department was supposed to take care of the problem and they seemed to do so. I stopped getting texts threatening to shut off my service at least. Until yesterday. I got the text and called Mama Bird. Needless to say she got a little upset and her voice rose a few octaves while we were talking. She called Verizon and lit into them. They had an explanation. Of COURSE they had an explanation. That explanation was in a word LAME. They said that the bill was actually somewhere around $500 because of an "equipment" fee. This is a fee that gets applied when you order a device and don't activate it. But, let's remember... we didn't order any device in the first place. Then they tell us that we have some late fees to deal with. But we STILL haven't gotten our bill!! It turns out that they either didn't change our shipping and billing address back to what it should be, or they did so incorrectly.
We are not going to have to pay any late fees. We did get that cleared up. I think. I hope. And as soon as that bill is paid, we are all getting new phones with a new provider.
There is other stuff going on as well, but nothing I can talk about here really.
--Little Bird anticipates an iPhone (maybe)
We are not going to have to pay any late fees. We did get that cleared up. I think. I hope. And as soon as that bill is paid, we are all getting new phones with a new provider.
There is other stuff going on as well, but nothing I can talk about here really.
--Little Bird anticipates an iPhone (maybe)
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Verizon SUCKS!
If you have a Verizon contract, you may be interested to know what has recently transpired in this birds nest. I have been getting phone calls and texts from Verizon, telling me that Mama Bird owes them lots of money. She hasn't been getting the calls, I have. And the person I spoke to wanted me to give them Mama Birds credit card number! As if I would a) have the credit card number and b) give it to ANYONE! As it appears, someone hacked her contract. Someone changed her shipping and billing address and then ordered a blackberry. The blackberry was shipped but never activated. That happened in November. Whoever did this did it via phone. To do this they had to know her account number, and her social. When Mama Bird tried to clear this up (via phone) she was told that she had to come in and show proof of identity, keep in mind whoever did all the changing did it via phone. This was a few days ago when it was FREAKING cold outside. And this little trip to the Verizon store took two hours. And nothing could be done until yesterday because the fraud department was closed for the weekend. Now, the blackberry has been blocked and can never be activated because Verizon did something using the blackberry's serial numbers. BUT the fact remains that the contract itself is not all that safe. My step father's contract and mine are just about up, for us to transfer to a different carrier will cost us nothing. For Mama Bird however, they want to charge her $155 to get out of her contract.
Mama Bird did some research and got the address to which the blackberry was sent. IT'S A VACANT LOT. So if the blackberry did get sent, who received it? And why didn't they activate it in NOVEMBER? We think it's an inside job. They would have access to her info and could do this fairly easily.
Verizon should let her end her contract WITHOUT incurring a fee, since this is an error on their part. We haven't heard back from the fraud department yet. They say it will take at least two weeks to clear up. This is unacceptable. At best we expect to not have to pay for the blackberry and any late fees having to do with unpaid bills, as we never got the damned bills BECAUSE SOMEONE CHANGED THE BILLING ADDRESS!
Needless to say, Mama Bird has been a little upset lately.
On a lighter note, Mama Bird, my stepfather and myself had my birthday dinner this past Sunday evening. We had spicy southwest steak tar-tare, a great big southwest style salad, guacamole and chips. It was delicious! I was given an apron from a restaurant in Santa Fe, Julia Child's "Mastering the Art of French Cooking" and another cookbook titled "How to Cook Everything". That last book has 2,000 recipes in it. I think I'll be set for some time now!
--Little Bird is going to be cooking up a storm
Mama Bird did some research and got the address to which the blackberry was sent. IT'S A VACANT LOT. So if the blackberry did get sent, who received it? And why didn't they activate it in NOVEMBER? We think it's an inside job. They would have access to her info and could do this fairly easily.
Verizon should let her end her contract WITHOUT incurring a fee, since this is an error on their part. We haven't heard back from the fraud department yet. They say it will take at least two weeks to clear up. This is unacceptable. At best we expect to not have to pay for the blackberry and any late fees having to do with unpaid bills, as we never got the damned bills BECAUSE SOMEONE CHANGED THE BILLING ADDRESS!
Needless to say, Mama Bird has been a little upset lately.
On a lighter note, Mama Bird, my stepfather and myself had my birthday dinner this past Sunday evening. We had spicy southwest steak tar-tare, a great big southwest style salad, guacamole and chips. It was delicious! I was given an apron from a restaurant in Santa Fe, Julia Child's "Mastering the Art of French Cooking" and another cookbook titled "How to Cook Everything". That last book has 2,000 recipes in it. I think I'll be set for some time now!
--Little Bird is going to be cooking up a storm
Monday, November 16, 2009
Nick/ Cut
So, today I had the little tumor-thing cut off my back. I named it Nick, after one of the Backstreet Boys. Subsequent tumor-things removed from my back will be named after the other band members. The doctor was very pleasant, and quite kind. He played music, I think to keep me from hearing what he was doing. Regardless, I heard the "snip" when he cut away the bulk of Nick. It was a bit disconcerting. Not nearly as disconcerting as seeing Nick, held between thumb and index finger four feet away from my body.
I have a few stitches that have to come out next week, and a few rules to follow in the meantime. Put polysporin on it, change the bandage, don't get it wet for twenty four hours, those sorts of rules. It twinges a little, and if it really starts to hurt I can take tylenol (I think it's weird that spellchecker has no problem with the word tylenol, but Avis is flagged). The only thing that worries me is when I sleep. See, I move around when I sleep. A lot. I don't want to aggravate the stitches anymore than they already are.
I do not have health insurance. So every time I need to have a tumor removed (or just a plain old check up) it costs a lot of money. Out of pocket. Most of my doctors have been really cool about it, offering some sort of price reduction to help out. This visit cost less than it could have, thanks to the doctor for understanding that no insurance and no job means parental payment. We still had to pay a lot though. Plus there was an additional $200 pathologist fee, to have someone look at it to see if it has anything to do with the dreaded "C" word.
Neurofibromatosis is a "pre-existing condition" that precludes me from most insurance. The places that WILL cover me want an arm and a leg in monthly fees and a HUGE deductable. It costs less to not have those fees. But, if any of my tumors (I have well over 40) should turn cancerous, I'm screwed.
Why does health care have to cost so much? Why isn't there a better system in place to help people who can't cover those costs?
I would like to encourage everyone who reads this (all four of you) to go to www.ctf.org and learn more about neurofibromatosis. The site explains things far better than I could. If you have any questions pertaining to my specific case, I'll answer as best I can.
--Little Bird is now Nickless
I have a few stitches that have to come out next week, and a few rules to follow in the meantime. Put polysporin on it, change the bandage, don't get it wet for twenty four hours, those sorts of rules. It twinges a little, and if it really starts to hurt I can take tylenol (I think it's weird that spellchecker has no problem with the word tylenol, but Avis is flagged). The only thing that worries me is when I sleep. See, I move around when I sleep. A lot. I don't want to aggravate the stitches anymore than they already are.
I do not have health insurance. So every time I need to have a tumor removed (or just a plain old check up) it costs a lot of money. Out of pocket. Most of my doctors have been really cool about it, offering some sort of price reduction to help out. This visit cost less than it could have, thanks to the doctor for understanding that no insurance and no job means parental payment. We still had to pay a lot though. Plus there was an additional $200 pathologist fee, to have someone look at it to see if it has anything to do with the dreaded "C" word.
Neurofibromatosis is a "pre-existing condition" that precludes me from most insurance. The places that WILL cover me want an arm and a leg in monthly fees and a HUGE deductable. It costs less to not have those fees. But, if any of my tumors (I have well over 40) should turn cancerous, I'm screwed.
Why does health care have to cost so much? Why isn't there a better system in place to help people who can't cover those costs?
I would like to encourage everyone who reads this (all four of you) to go to www.ctf.org and learn more about neurofibromatosis. The site explains things far better than I could. If you have any questions pertaining to my specific case, I'll answer as best I can.
--Little Bird is now Nickless
Friday, August 28, 2009
It's The Little Things
This is a question for the women who read this. All three of you.
What do you keep in your purse?
A wallet, sure. And in that wallet are credit cards, money and ID. I bet your keys are in your purse too. A hairbrush, some make-up, perhaps a phone. Anything else? Anything that you value?
If you keep anything at all that you value in your purse never, EVER hang said purse from the back of a chair when you are anywhere but home. It will eventually get stolen. Then you have to replace those things. AND whoever took your purse now has your home address and your keys. That's worse than having to replace all that stuff.
My mothers purse was stolen yesterday. Right off her chair. People saw him, but didn't realize what he was doing. Most of the stuff is replaceable. But (and here's where it gets kinda sad) the only hairbrush she had was in that purse. It was a really good hairbrush, the kind of thing you have for years. Of all the hairbrushes she has owned, this was her favorite. So when her purse was stolen she couldn't even brush her hair. Something so simple, so everyday. Her stolen purse interrupted her very basic daily life.
After she came home (my step-father and I took care of cards and keys) she and I went to get her, among other things, a new hairbrush. As soon as she got out of the store she ripped the brush out of it's packaging and brushed her hair. You could literally see her start to feel better. Reclaiming that little tiny part of her life made a difference. It was... moving to see it happen.
Salsa with Corn
1 ear sweet corn
2 large tomatoes
1 serrano pepper
1 smallish red onion
cilantro
Roast the corn (on the ear) after brushing lightly with olive oil. You can also put it under the broiler, but keep an eye on it. It will need to be turned a couple of times.
While the corn is roasting, chop the tomatoes into pieces smaller than a half inch. You can leave the skin and seeds in or not, whichever you prefer ( I like to leave them in).
Remove the seeds and membrane from the serrano pepper and discard them.
Dice the pepper finely. Be very careful not to touch either your eyes or your nose until you wash your hands very carefully).
Dice the red onion, again you want really small pieces.
After coming back to the kitchen after wiping your eyes from the onion fumes, start removing the stems from some cilantro.
You can add as much or as little as you like, but you don't want the stems. I recommend chopping the leaves a bit as well.
Mix all these things together and allow to sit so the flavors really mix.
If the corn is done by this time, remove it from the oven and allow it to cool. When it is cool enough to handle, remove it from the ear with a knife (or one of those nifty corn "zippers"). Allow the corn to cool completely before adding to the mixture. You can eat it right away, or put it in a sealed container and chill overnight. Serve with corn chips or heat it up and serve over chicken.
It's a great mix of spicy and sweet!
--Little Bird with a public service announcement
What do you keep in your purse?
A wallet, sure. And in that wallet are credit cards, money and ID. I bet your keys are in your purse too. A hairbrush, some make-up, perhaps a phone. Anything else? Anything that you value?
If you keep anything at all that you value in your purse never, EVER hang said purse from the back of a chair when you are anywhere but home. It will eventually get stolen. Then you have to replace those things. AND whoever took your purse now has your home address and your keys. That's worse than having to replace all that stuff.
My mothers purse was stolen yesterday. Right off her chair. People saw him, but didn't realize what he was doing. Most of the stuff is replaceable. But (and here's where it gets kinda sad) the only hairbrush she had was in that purse. It was a really good hairbrush, the kind of thing you have for years. Of all the hairbrushes she has owned, this was her favorite. So when her purse was stolen she couldn't even brush her hair. Something so simple, so everyday. Her stolen purse interrupted her very basic daily life.
After she came home (my step-father and I took care of cards and keys) she and I went to get her, among other things, a new hairbrush. As soon as she got out of the store she ripped the brush out of it's packaging and brushed her hair. You could literally see her start to feel better. Reclaiming that little tiny part of her life made a difference. It was... moving to see it happen.
Salsa with Corn
1 ear sweet corn
2 large tomatoes
1 serrano pepper
1 smallish red onion
cilantro
Roast the corn (on the ear) after brushing lightly with olive oil. You can also put it under the broiler, but keep an eye on it. It will need to be turned a couple of times.
While the corn is roasting, chop the tomatoes into pieces smaller than a half inch. You can leave the skin and seeds in or not, whichever you prefer ( I like to leave them in).
Remove the seeds and membrane from the serrano pepper and discard them.
Dice the pepper finely. Be very careful not to touch either your eyes or your nose until you wash your hands very carefully).
Dice the red onion, again you want really small pieces.
After coming back to the kitchen after wiping your eyes from the onion fumes, start removing the stems from some cilantro.
You can add as much or as little as you like, but you don't want the stems. I recommend chopping the leaves a bit as well.
Mix all these things together and allow to sit so the flavors really mix.
If the corn is done by this time, remove it from the oven and allow it to cool. When it is cool enough to handle, remove it from the ear with a knife (or one of those nifty corn "zippers"). Allow the corn to cool completely before adding to the mixture. You can eat it right away, or put it in a sealed container and chill overnight. Serve with corn chips or heat it up and serve over chicken.
It's a great mix of spicy and sweet!
--Little Bird with a public service announcement
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
On Windows And Jets
I've learned an interesting lesson this past week. If the windows are open at my folks' place, I can stay with the cats for a longer period of time. I now know why my step-father ALWAYS has a window at least cracked! We had a heat wave here in Chicago recently and I had closed the windows and turned on the a/c. I itched. I sneezed. I turned off the a/c and opened the windows today. It's not as bad this way. And the heat wave seems to have passed.
My folks are extremely lucky to not be in town this weekend. The air show will be here. Fighter jets and freaking HUGE planes will be buzzing our buildings for two days. I hate the air show. And they are doing practice runs all week. Nothing says "good morning" like an F-15 (I have no idea what kind of plane it was, so I'm using a name I know) screaming past your window at 8 am. I should point out that they are at roughly the same height as my windows too. It sounded like the thing was going to come crashing into my living room. I wasn't at my folks' place so I couldn't tell you what the cats did. But I can guess. They must have freaked. And hid in the closet. And I know one of 'em puked.
Why do we even have air shows? Friday morning about a million people will descend on my neighborhood and trash it. The maintenance guys are putting up the orange hurricane fencing now in an effort to keep them off the grass. They'll have to post one guy up on the sundeck to keep non-residents out. If we have to have air shows, why can't they be out in the 'burbs?
Other than that, it's been slow around here. With the folks being in Europe for a bit, and not due back for a few more days, there's not all that much to do. The markets are nice, I live off of them nearly exclusively. Which means the food is good. I've been walking (primarily to the markets) and I have somehow managed to lose some weight. I am now down ten pounds from the starting point. When I reach my goal I'll tell what that was, but not before.
The ice cream ball is getting a little use, but not too much. I don't want to gain weight, I want to lose it. Nor have I used the fry daddy. To be honest, I'm a little afraid of it. I don't want to start a fire. Or burn myself. And I regularly burn myself on my oven so you can imagine what damage I could do with the fry daddy.
-- Little Bird itches, a bit
My folks are extremely lucky to not be in town this weekend. The air show will be here. Fighter jets and freaking HUGE planes will be buzzing our buildings for two days. I hate the air show. And they are doing practice runs all week. Nothing says "good morning" like an F-15 (I have no idea what kind of plane it was, so I'm using a name I know) screaming past your window at 8 am. I should point out that they are at roughly the same height as my windows too. It sounded like the thing was going to come crashing into my living room. I wasn't at my folks' place so I couldn't tell you what the cats did. But I can guess. They must have freaked. And hid in the closet. And I know one of 'em puked.
Why do we even have air shows? Friday morning about a million people will descend on my neighborhood and trash it. The maintenance guys are putting up the orange hurricane fencing now in an effort to keep them off the grass. They'll have to post one guy up on the sundeck to keep non-residents out. If we have to have air shows, why can't they be out in the 'burbs?
Other than that, it's been slow around here. With the folks being in Europe for a bit, and not due back for a few more days, there's not all that much to do. The markets are nice, I live off of them nearly exclusively. Which means the food is good. I've been walking (primarily to the markets) and I have somehow managed to lose some weight. I am now down ten pounds from the starting point. When I reach my goal I'll tell what that was, but not before.
The ice cream ball is getting a little use, but not too much. I don't want to gain weight, I want to lose it. Nor have I used the fry daddy. To be honest, I'm a little afraid of it. I don't want to start a fire. Or burn myself. And I regularly burn myself on my oven so you can imagine what damage I could do with the fry daddy.
-- Little Bird itches, a bit
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Having a Ball
Ok, so I went to another concert in the park yesterday. It was a glorious evening, not too hot, not chilly. There was no rain to soak the grass (and therefor my blanket). Since it was just me, I only took the blanket and some food. And a bottle of wine. I made a salad of roasted corn and grape tomatoes, this time with chives. And of course, pesto. I brought a book so I could relax and read while enjoying the music. Not too far from me was a couple with a few kids. About 30 minutes before the music started the kids (boys) were running around giving themselves noogies while shouting "NOOGIES!". I think perhaps they were unclear on the concept. Shortly after that a small group of people set up camp behind that family. That family was joined by a couple more adults and a couple more kids as well. Then four more adults and a kid. Then one more adult and about three kids. The people who had sat behind them moved so the family could have more room. That family kept growing. And someone brought hula-hoops. By this time there were sooo many people they were standing right next to my blanket. So close in fact, that in order to get past the standing adults, the kids were running on my blanket. Then the music started. And. They. Did. Not. Shut. Up. The adults in the group all moved to one area and chatted away while the kids started to hula-hoop. Right next to my head. Those folks that moved earlier suggested I might want to do the same. I very much agreed and they helped me do so! It was so kind of them! I offered them some of my pesto and salad, but they had brought their own feast and declined. Not five minutes after I moved, the guy in the kind group got whacked in the head by a hula-hoop. Twice.
I wish I could tell you about the music, what little I heard sounded like the score to a really good movie. The kind with sweeping scenes of fantastic vistas. But so much of the music was drowned out by yelling kids and yammering adults. Once again it bothers me that what is most memorable about last nights experience (other than the fantastically helpful, thoughtful group) is the sheer inconsiderateness of the family group. A concert is not the place to hold a family reunion. There are other people there who have come to hear the music. I don't think I'll go alone again. I'll go with someone or a group and let them pick the spot since I seem to have rotten luck at it.
In other news, my ice cream ball came in today!!! And yes, it has been christened. I made Strawberry-Orange sorbet. And it was great! It only takes about 30 minutes plus whatever time blending your ingredients before putting them in the ball's canister. I'm gonna make real ice cream this weekend.
Also planned for the weekend, pizzelles. To be formed into little cups to hold the ice cream. I also plan on making french fries (finally gonna use that fry daddy) and then spraying those with truffle oil. I figure I'll use every gadget I own this weekend.
One of these days I plan on making a meal where nearly every aspect is made from scratch. Veggies with an onion dip, the dip being made from sour cream and onions and parmesan. Pasta (by hand) with a pesto cream sauce (no surprise). And either sorbet or ice cream. If I got really adventurous (and planned ahead, waaaaay ahead) I could make bacon vodka and make bloody marys with it. No, the morph into Martha is as yet incomplete. But I'll keep you posted.
--Little Bird can't picnic alone anymore
I wish I could tell you about the music, what little I heard sounded like the score to a really good movie. The kind with sweeping scenes of fantastic vistas. But so much of the music was drowned out by yelling kids and yammering adults. Once again it bothers me that what is most memorable about last nights experience (other than the fantastically helpful, thoughtful group) is the sheer inconsiderateness of the family group. A concert is not the place to hold a family reunion. There are other people there who have come to hear the music. I don't think I'll go alone again. I'll go with someone or a group and let them pick the spot since I seem to have rotten luck at it.
In other news, my ice cream ball came in today!!! And yes, it has been christened. I made Strawberry-Orange sorbet. And it was great! It only takes about 30 minutes plus whatever time blending your ingredients before putting them in the ball's canister. I'm gonna make real ice cream this weekend.
Also planned for the weekend, pizzelles. To be formed into little cups to hold the ice cream. I also plan on making french fries (finally gonna use that fry daddy) and then spraying those with truffle oil. I figure I'll use every gadget I own this weekend.
One of these days I plan on making a meal where nearly every aspect is made from scratch. Veggies with an onion dip, the dip being made from sour cream and onions and parmesan. Pasta (by hand) with a pesto cream sauce (no surprise). And either sorbet or ice cream. If I got really adventurous (and planned ahead, waaaaay ahead) I could make bacon vodka and make bloody marys with it. No, the morph into Martha is as yet incomplete. But I'll keep you posted.
--Little Bird can't picnic alone anymore
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Strong Silent Type? Pfffffft!
When I get sick, boy do I get sick. This used to happen to me 4 or 5 times a year. Back when I was in school and in contact with germy kids. This isn't to say I wasn't a germy kid, but when you throw a bunch of germy kids together, someone's (me usually) gonna get sick. As I've gotten older the colds, flus, what have yous are much less frequent. You would think that because I was sick so often then, I would now be the strong, silent stoic type when it comes to being sick. This is sooooo not the case. I whine. I complain. I mope. I ask my mother if she would please please bring soup, cough medicine, Halls, orange juice, soda, tissues and toilet paper over to my place. That being said I would like to take this opportunity to thank Mama Bird for bringing over soup, cough medicine, Halls, soda, orange juice, tissues and toilet paper. Thank you Mama Bird, thank you.
I have not stepped out of my apartment since I got home Monday night. I have no idea what the weather is like right now. The most walking I have done has been from the bed to the bathroom, or from the bed to the kitchen. Since Monday night I have eaten part of a can of SpagettiO's and about ten spoons full of chicken noodle soup. I haven't eaten anything at all today. AND I'M NOT HUNGRY. I'm pretty sure I spend more time asleep than I do awake, though I'm not really sure. Today has been the first day that I really played around online for more than half an hour at a time.
After the forum this weekend every little pain I get has me worried. I can't seem to help it. My mind immediately goes to the worst possible scenario. But, in my defense, I haven't been sick like this in a looooong time. And I have NEVER had a cough this bad. EVER.
The good news is the coughing has subsided. However, my nose is still congested, and the headaches have gotten worse. I finally started taking my migraine meds to ease the pain. Mama Bird suggested it, and also suggested I call the pharmacy to see if it was safe to mix with my cough medicine. It's safe, but the pharmacist told me if it doesn't help or if it gets worse to call my doctor. She didn't think my description of the headaches was something to fool around with.
About cold and cough medicine. When did they all go non-drowsy? Why did they all go non-drowsy? Drowsy is good! Drowsy lets you sleep. Sleep lets your body concentrate on fixing the stuff that needs fixing. Besides, when you're sick don't you WANT to sleep? Half of the meds over the counter today actually cause restlessness. Because that's exactly how I want to feel when I'm sick, miserable and acutely AWARE of it. By the way, if this post seems to swoop from topic to topic, I have taken said migraine meds, and they are basically a heavy duty prescription painkiller (i.e. NOT imitrex). So I might get a wee bit loopy. Which really is how I want to feel when I'm sick. I want the pain to go away, I want to not care that I haven't eaten in over 24 hours, I want to sleep for more than three and a half hours at a time. Most of all, I want to FEEL BETTER.
--Little Bird is cooped up
I have not stepped out of my apartment since I got home Monday night. I have no idea what the weather is like right now. The most walking I have done has been from the bed to the bathroom, or from the bed to the kitchen. Since Monday night I have eaten part of a can of SpagettiO's and about ten spoons full of chicken noodle soup. I haven't eaten anything at all today. AND I'M NOT HUNGRY. I'm pretty sure I spend more time asleep than I do awake, though I'm not really sure. Today has been the first day that I really played around online for more than half an hour at a time.
After the forum this weekend every little pain I get has me worried. I can't seem to help it. My mind immediately goes to the worst possible scenario. But, in my defense, I haven't been sick like this in a looooong time. And I have NEVER had a cough this bad. EVER.
The good news is the coughing has subsided. However, my nose is still congested, and the headaches have gotten worse. I finally started taking my migraine meds to ease the pain. Mama Bird suggested it, and also suggested I call the pharmacy to see if it was safe to mix with my cough medicine. It's safe, but the pharmacist told me if it doesn't help or if it gets worse to call my doctor. She didn't think my description of the headaches was something to fool around with.
About cold and cough medicine. When did they all go non-drowsy? Why did they all go non-drowsy? Drowsy is good! Drowsy lets you sleep. Sleep lets your body concentrate on fixing the stuff that needs fixing. Besides, when you're sick don't you WANT to sleep? Half of the meds over the counter today actually cause restlessness. Because that's exactly how I want to feel when I'm sick, miserable and acutely AWARE of it. By the way, if this post seems to swoop from topic to topic, I have taken said migraine meds, and they are basically a heavy duty prescription painkiller (i.e. NOT imitrex). So I might get a wee bit loopy. Which really is how I want to feel when I'm sick. I want the pain to go away, I want to not care that I haven't eaten in over 24 hours, I want to sleep for more than three and a half hours at a time. Most of all, I want to FEEL BETTER.
--Little Bird is cooped up
Monday, November 3, 2008
One More Day
CURRENT EVENTS
History will be made tomorrow. No matter what the outcome is, history will have been made. I can't wait for it all to be over. The stress is really getting to be a bit much. I'm on pins and needles, and have been for sometime now. I want to know NOW!! My mother is addicted to reading her political blogs, to the point where she just can't tear herself away from them if she's at home. This topic of politics has dominated conversations for MONTHS. And after tomorrow, we'll hash, and re-hash what the winner did right, and what the loser did wrong. Ad nauseam.
HALLOWEEN
So, I was a barfly. It's an older costume of mine that I still had the parts to. Wings and antennae made of itty bitty Jack Daniels bottles. Other than that I wore all black. Thank what ever higher power responsible for it, but the weather was perfect!! I didn't have to wear a coat, and was actually almost too warm in my turtle-neck sweater. The parties were a blast, I saw so many great costumes I don't remember them all. Once I figure out how to post those damned pictures, I'll be able to show what mine looked like.
FOOD
Ok, last night (afternoon) I made a lavender scented roast chicken. OH. MY. GOD. This is my new favorite way to prepare chicken! It was amazing. Basically you take Herbes de Provence, and a tiny bit of lavender, some grey sea salt and one minced clove of garlic and pat that on the bird. Quarter one red onion and shove it into the bird. Roast at 375f for an hour and a half. I put potatoes and carrots and pearl onions around it. I think I died and went to heaven. I am going to alter this slightly and roast a turkey this way for Thanksgiving. Yummmm.
--Little Bird is stuffed
History will be made tomorrow. No matter what the outcome is, history will have been made. I can't wait for it all to be over. The stress is really getting to be a bit much. I'm on pins and needles, and have been for sometime now. I want to know NOW!! My mother is addicted to reading her political blogs, to the point where she just can't tear herself away from them if she's at home. This topic of politics has dominated conversations for MONTHS. And after tomorrow, we'll hash, and re-hash what the winner did right, and what the loser did wrong. Ad nauseam.
HALLOWEEN
So, I was a barfly. It's an older costume of mine that I still had the parts to. Wings and antennae made of itty bitty Jack Daniels bottles. Other than that I wore all black. Thank what ever higher power responsible for it, but the weather was perfect!! I didn't have to wear a coat, and was actually almost too warm in my turtle-neck sweater. The parties were a blast, I saw so many great costumes I don't remember them all. Once I figure out how to post those damned pictures, I'll be able to show what mine looked like.
FOOD
Ok, last night (afternoon) I made a lavender scented roast chicken. OH. MY. GOD. This is my new favorite way to prepare chicken! It was amazing. Basically you take Herbes de Provence, and a tiny bit of lavender, some grey sea salt and one minced clove of garlic and pat that on the bird. Quarter one red onion and shove it into the bird. Roast at 375f for an hour and a half. I put potatoes and carrots and pearl onions around it. I think I died and went to heaven. I am going to alter this slightly and roast a turkey this way for Thanksgiving. Yummmm.
--Little Bird is stuffed
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Die With a T
So I started a diet. And exersizing. All this means is that I am unbeleivably tired. And I have lost 5 pounds. Or I had lost 5 pounds as of Sunday. If can average 5 pounds a week I will be very happy indeed. The diet is very simple. Lots of salads. small amounts of pasta or breads. No chips. Diet Coke with splenda (I'm allergic to neutrasweet folks) and Propell. I have rice cakes for snacking emergencies, and I actually like them.
In addition to the reduced calorie intake, there is the exersize. I walk my mother to work each weekday. On days that I don't work I also ride my bike 10 to 14 miles (if it doesn't rain) and then walk to meet my mother and accompany her home. Wednesdays I add a walk to the Licoln Park Farmers Market. Saturdays and Sundays I don't ride ('cause that would be insane, the park is PACKED on the weekends*) but I do try to walk at least 6 miles. So an average weekday has anywhere from 3 to 9 miles of walking and then add the biking. I also do things like standing on a balance board while washing dishes or folding laundry. I should be skating more and hula hooping too. I am determined to lose the weight damnit.
No, I am not perpetually hungry. I eat several tiny meals in a day. What I am mostly is sleepy. I seem to be working off as many calories as I take in. Which is good, and so far it's working for me. That first week I lost 5 pounds. The second week is not over yet, so I can't say what I have lost. The scale is at my mothers house and weigh-ins are a once a week deal.
Since I started this I have seen a few weird things. Underwear. On the sidewalk. Only once was it ladies undies and those were obviously brand new, never been worn. The tag was still on them and they had that flat/folded look that only new undies seem to have. All the rest have been boxers. Plaid boxers. Rumpled and in a pile, as if they were removed and just tossed aside. Why is this? Why are men (assumption) taking off their boxers in really random places? In the middle of the sidewalk in an upscale residential neighborhood. Along the bike path by the lake-- NOWHERE NEAR ANY BUILDINGS! Nowhere near the waters edge either. In the middle of the park, by the zoo's farm. That last one scares me a little since all the boxers I have seen are adult sized.
* About the park on weekends: this is Chicago, a destination spot for vacation for a lot of people. The park on the lake's shore is a tourist mecca. It is also the place where everyone who lives here goes on the weekends. The paths are full of runners, walkers, skaters, and mommies. And then add the tourists who don't realize there is a protocol on the path. Stay to the right if you are not on a bike or moving fast. If you want to stop and watch something or look for something in your bag, GET OFF THE DAMN PATH! When you hear some one call out "on your left!" this means "move to your right" because someone on a bike is attempting to pass you. This is a sticky subject with me. I am of the opinion that they call it a bike path for a reason. It was designed with cyclists in mind. It was also designed so that pedestrians can use it WITHOUT GETTING IN THE WAY. There is a narrower section that is marked off for walkers to walk single file. Additionaly there are chat paths next to much of the bike path. My mountain bike can take the chat, and the grass if need be. But most of the cyclists I've seen have lightweight bikes with super-skinny tires, they can't ride on the chat- much less the grass.
The worst offenders are the mommies. With their $700+ strollers that have gigantic wheels. They walk 2 and sometimes 4 abreast, forcing everyone else off the path. Again for me this is not the worst thing. Unless we happen to be between Oak Street Beach and Fullerton. Then a veer off the path (for anyone) means either a 2 foot fall onto concrete (before North Ave.) or into the sand (after North Ave.). In some spots, that veer will land you in the water. The water being the rather cold and stinky Lake Michigan. It's not like I have particularly strong feelings about this or anything. Yes, I keep an eye out so I don't run over some kid. No, I shouldn't have to be your babysitter. Mommies should share the path, moving over for faster moving "vehicles". The rules of the road do apply to the path.
What am I saying?! I keep forgetting! These are the same women who drive their SUVs three blocks to the drugstore to pick up toothpaste!! Who think that ALL roads belong to them.
--Little Bird aims to be littler
In addition to the reduced calorie intake, there is the exersize. I walk my mother to work each weekday. On days that I don't work I also ride my bike 10 to 14 miles (if it doesn't rain) and then walk to meet my mother and accompany her home. Wednesdays I add a walk to the Licoln Park Farmers Market. Saturdays and Sundays I don't ride ('cause that would be insane, the park is PACKED on the weekends*) but I do try to walk at least 6 miles. So an average weekday has anywhere from 3 to 9 miles of walking and then add the biking. I also do things like standing on a balance board while washing dishes or folding laundry. I should be skating more and hula hooping too. I am determined to lose the weight damnit.
No, I am not perpetually hungry. I eat several tiny meals in a day. What I am mostly is sleepy. I seem to be working off as many calories as I take in. Which is good, and so far it's working for me. That first week I lost 5 pounds. The second week is not over yet, so I can't say what I have lost. The scale is at my mothers house and weigh-ins are a once a week deal.
Since I started this I have seen a few weird things. Underwear. On the sidewalk. Only once was it ladies undies and those were obviously brand new, never been worn. The tag was still on them and they had that flat/folded look that only new undies seem to have. All the rest have been boxers. Plaid boxers. Rumpled and in a pile, as if they were removed and just tossed aside. Why is this? Why are men (assumption) taking off their boxers in really random places? In the middle of the sidewalk in an upscale residential neighborhood. Along the bike path by the lake-- NOWHERE NEAR ANY BUILDINGS! Nowhere near the waters edge either. In the middle of the park, by the zoo's farm. That last one scares me a little since all the boxers I have seen are adult sized.
* About the park on weekends: this is Chicago, a destination spot for vacation for a lot of people. The park on the lake's shore is a tourist mecca. It is also the place where everyone who lives here goes on the weekends. The paths are full of runners, walkers, skaters, and mommies. And then add the tourists who don't realize there is a protocol on the path. Stay to the right if you are not on a bike or moving fast. If you want to stop and watch something or look for something in your bag, GET OFF THE DAMN PATH! When you hear some one call out "on your left!" this means "move to your right" because someone on a bike is attempting to pass you. This is a sticky subject with me. I am of the opinion that they call it a bike path for a reason. It was designed with cyclists in mind. It was also designed so that pedestrians can use it WITHOUT GETTING IN THE WAY. There is a narrower section that is marked off for walkers to walk single file. Additionaly there are chat paths next to much of the bike path. My mountain bike can take the chat, and the grass if need be. But most of the cyclists I've seen have lightweight bikes with super-skinny tires, they can't ride on the chat- much less the grass.
The worst offenders are the mommies. With their $700+ strollers that have gigantic wheels. They walk 2 and sometimes 4 abreast, forcing everyone else off the path. Again for me this is not the worst thing. Unless we happen to be between Oak Street Beach and Fullerton. Then a veer off the path (for anyone) means either a 2 foot fall onto concrete (before North Ave.) or into the sand (after North Ave.). In some spots, that veer will land you in the water. The water being the rather cold and stinky Lake Michigan. It's not like I have particularly strong feelings about this or anything. Yes, I keep an eye out so I don't run over some kid. No, I shouldn't have to be your babysitter. Mommies should share the path, moving over for faster moving "vehicles". The rules of the road do apply to the path.
What am I saying?! I keep forgetting! These are the same women who drive their SUVs three blocks to the drugstore to pick up toothpaste!! Who think that ALL roads belong to them.
--Little Bird aims to be littler
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Oh, For Crying Out Loud!!
Ok, so now I'm officially giving up. He called. We talked. We made plans to get together today. I called him to tell him I was back at home and he could come by anytime. I had to leave it as a message because he didn't answer his phone. I called a little later to see what the ETA was.... and HE TURNED HIS PHONE OFF!!! I don't care if he feels poorly today, he can pick up the damn phone and tell me so. I think I'll not be returning any calls from him, not that I expect to get any.
---Little Bird is fed up
---Little Bird is fed up
Friday, March 28, 2008
Bad Hair Day
There are good days and bad days. Yesterday was a bad day. First off, I headed outside to walk to the hair salon (for a haircut) and it was raining. Then, holding onto the handle I swung my umberella to extend it and the functional part of the thing fell off into the mud. And then, when I got to the salon, the guy who cut my hair, butchered it. And now I can only do one thing with it. AND to add insult to injury, I now must use a ton of product to make it do the one thing to it. Otherwise it just looks awful. I guess those were really the only things that happened, but truely, a horrid haircut can ruin your day.
The good news is the hot pink that went into my hair the day before yesterday looks great! It's almost a perfect match for the pink in my orange and pink glasses. And I love it.
Other than that I have no new news. At least nothing that I can share with anyone. Secrets. Aren't they fun?
--Little Bird wants a good day.....soon
The good news is the hot pink that went into my hair the day before yesterday looks great! It's almost a perfect match for the pink in my orange and pink glasses. And I love it.
Other than that I have no new news. At least nothing that I can share with anyone. Secrets. Aren't they fun?
--Little Bird wants a good day.....soon
Saturday, March 22, 2008
Frozen Bunny
Oh, Spring you fickle season. The other day you teased us. It was so nice outside. Not exactly warm, but the promise of better weather. And then yesterday. Why do you do this to us? It SNOWED!! There is still snow on the ground. And piles of what Wendy over at poundy.com calls "lumpy icefuck". That awful conglomeration of ice, dirty ice, and the droppings of pets, not to mention the trash dropped by people.
It'll be Easter tomarrow and there is snow on the ground. Grrrrrrr. But hey, tracking that Easter Bunny will be easy.
I need spring to really arrive. I would even welcome the thunderstorms.
--- Little Bird is in danger of turning into a broken record
It'll be Easter tomarrow and there is snow on the ground. Grrrrrrr. But hey, tracking that Easter Bunny will be easy.
I need spring to really arrive. I would even welcome the thunderstorms.
--- Little Bird is in danger of turning into a broken record
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Monsoon
This has been an eventful week or so for me. I had a house guest over that I've known since grade school. We're talking 28 years here. We had a blast, breakfasts, beer, roller derby, more beer, sushi, beer again and the phone call from hell. You know the phrase "Into each life a little rain must fall"? Or something like that. Well, I think I now fully understand that. I got an 8:20 a.m. phone call from my stepmother. This woman has not called or willingly spoken to me in 12 years. In a nutshell she wants to stop paying my life insurance and me to take over the payments. AND she wants me to keep her and my father and her as the beneficiaries. Then she talked to me for 2 hours about nothing. I don't like this woman and this woman doesn't like me. She systematicly cut my father off from every woman in his family. His mother, his sisters, and me his daughter. She insulted me several times. She insulted my mother. She patted herself on the back and basicly I wanted to hurl. Then I told her that the last time she recieved a communication from me I meant what I said. That I was tired of being insluted every time she communicated with me. That she had hung up on me everytime I had ever called since I was 21. My childhood friend told me she was proud of me. I think I got caught in a monsoon. I was physically exhausted by the time I got off the phone.
I did find out that I can cash out that insurance package and then I could maybe get a few things out of the way.
--Little Bird is keeping an eye out for lighting at this point
I did find out that I can cash out that insurance package and then I could maybe get a few things out of the way.
--Little Bird is keeping an eye out for lighting at this point
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
One Day in February Isn't Special
This is when all of you (all one of you) finds out that I hate the up-coming non-holiday. I mean despise. Even when I WAS in a relationship, it was always sucky. One boyfriend did ok. We just didn't do a whole lot for the day. We decided to do it that way. Another boyfriend (this time the title is used loosely) argued that we should drink the cheap wine and save the good wine (the one with the heart on the lable) for a special occasion. Um. Yeah. A special occasion. So. I hate valentines day. Enough to refuse to capitalize it. I've got a crush on someone unattainable. I THOUGHT someone else was interested in me, but he hasn't called. This is after he asked for my number. You can't see it but right now, I'm pouting.
It's snowing again. Again!! I think Chicago is going to be buried under snow. They'll have to bring in hellicopters to rescue us from the rooftops. I cannot go to work as it is STILL SNOWING!!!! Grrrrr.
So this is me feeling sorry for myself. I think I'm gonna take a hot bath and wallow.
--Little Bird is snowed in, litteraly and figuratively
It's snowing again. Again!! I think Chicago is going to be buried under snow. They'll have to bring in hellicopters to rescue us from the rooftops. I cannot go to work as it is STILL SNOWING!!!! Grrrrr.
So this is me feeling sorry for myself. I think I'm gonna take a hot bath and wallow.
--Little Bird is snowed in, litteraly and figuratively
Tuesday, May 15, 2007
On the phone and in my apartment
I am currently in the middle of arguements with my cable provider. Not that surprising is it? Especially considering the fact that Comcast is my provider. About a month ago I had a techncian in to fix my reception. He did, and he broke ny orange buddha head. The buddha head was about 5 feet away from the tv do there is no reason it should have happened. So I called in a damage complaint. Then I needed to have a digital converter box installed. Then they sent me the wrong box and sent someone to fix my reception that I did not need. Then they sent someone to bring and install the right box. Then I called to complain that I hadn't heard from anyone about the broken buddha head. That person told me it normaly takes one month to get through those things AND that I must have the item to show a supervisor when they come to inspect. No one said anything like this during my initial phone call. Thank God I saved it. So I called yesterday to complain that I STILL had not heard from anyone concerning my buddha head. I told the lady that I would start calling everyday until I recieved a check to replace it. I was transfered to a supervisor, and given the name of an individual who will expidite this issue. On top of all this I am not getting all of my channels. I told them this and they did some wierd stuff that included turning off my cable box remotely (not just cutting transmision, but actually physically turning it off-- as in not plugged in off) and they got back my missing channels but now I am missing more so a tech is coming over between 1 and 5 to fix this. At some point last night I recieved a phone call from a survey-type company wanting to know how satisfied I was with Comcast. Me, the pissed off one who's had personal property damaged and can't watch a few of her favorite channels. They wanted me to rate Comcast!! I had a few choice things to say and did give them good ratings when it came to them being polite and curteous and not being put on hold for forever and a day. They may blow you off, but they're very polite while doing it.
Add this to the stress of having to stay at a friends house because my folks have told friends of theirs that they could stay in MY apartment. The stress of this includes the place having to be clean enough to perform surgery in. And the removal of any and all items that personalize my space. The one exception? My salt and pepper shaker collection. My step-father actually thinks the collection is cool. I just need to put the shelves for them up. I would rant some more about this but I have to go put everything of mune that is in my room in a hiding place while still leaving room for the guests to put their stuff (as if this were a hotel--devoid of personality). Bitter? Who? Me?
--Little Bird is stressed to distraction
Add this to the stress of having to stay at a friends house because my folks have told friends of theirs that they could stay in MY apartment. The stress of this includes the place having to be clean enough to perform surgery in. And the removal of any and all items that personalize my space. The one exception? My salt and pepper shaker collection. My step-father actually thinks the collection is cool. I just need to put the shelves for them up. I would rant some more about this but I have to go put everything of mune that is in my room in a hiding place while still leaving room for the guests to put their stuff (as if this were a hotel--devoid of personality). Bitter? Who? Me?
--Little Bird is stressed to distraction
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