Re-visiting the Doctor

It's just gone down hill since I wrote about Dr. Oz in Don't Talk to Me like I'm Four

Since I wrote that, I've attempted a few more viewings and have about given up. Today I just changed the channel. A few more irks finally made me do it. Let's discuss:

Nothing smacks of being bought quite like the freebies that were rampant last week (sweeps, anyone?). Usually, any of the hundred assistants of the day (we’ll get to that in a minute) gets to keep some little token (basket of oranges, bottle of vitamins, etc.) gift that has to do with the segment that they just covered and “assisted” with. But all last week, Dr. Oz spent his episodes highlighting various products that do this, that, or the other to improve health or hygiene, and then he would (no-longer surprisingly) announce that everyone in the audience was getting one. Such an Oprah-esque move was so gratuitous that it was actually embarrassing to watch. “Let’s see, how shall I buy more fans today?” I’ve always cringed at the purchase of people’s attention via gifts and prizes. It just feels so cheap. These were no longer simple bottles of multivitamins but, rather, complex electronic equipment or visits to spas.

I think what really rubbed me the wrong way, though, was the blatant endorsement of commercial products. This really sat heavily with me. Doctors are supposed to be neutral, un-invested and non-judgmental. I have no problem with him talking about adding avocados to my repertoire of snacks. I’m glad to know that my love of beans is encouraged by a doctor. I even appreciate knowing which kinds of vitamins and supplements are best for me and in what combinations. But the moment specific products - name-brand products – are being hocked by anyone, there is clearly a vested interest in the exchange. Free advertising for the company, financial gain for the show’s production. I no longer feel warm and fuzzy.

As for the assistant of the day, I believe I mentioned that there is rarely any segment anymore that doesn’t require “assistance” from an audience member. So I find it perplexing when, by the time we’re 40 minutes into the show and have seen 12 audience members participate in some way or another, Dr. Oz announces that he will now select his Assistant of the Day for the next segment. For the life of me, I can’t seem to distinguish the difference between this person and all the others that have gone before her or which come after.

This would be a good time, by the way, to mention that some of the women who participate in the various segments (Assistant of the Day or not) are clearly coached to respond to questions in a way that will prompt the appropriate dialog and move the “plot” along. Again, I find this embarrassing for everyone involved. There is usually some bad acting involved, or some leading questions. The whole thing comes of as so contrived that all I keep coming back to is that these set ups aren’t even necessary. What ever happened to the straight-forward approach? There is information to impart. Impart it and move on to something else.

Speaking of imparting information, I have one final grievance. As I mentioned, we expect a certain neutrality from our doctors. I want to know that if and when there is an issue to address, my doctor will give me the facts and not throw alarmist puzzles my way. Socially speaking, we tend to hold doctors in an unfailing light, benevolent and looking out for our best interests. Medically speaking, they are supposed to be our safety nets. They follow news with a plan of action and words of hope and level-headedness. But doctors on TV have a different purpose. They are no longer primarily the voice of comfort but, instead, the voice of alarm. Dr. Oz’s position as a show host overrides his position as a doctor so that his primary concern is to accrue viewers. This is done by designing commercials or teasers between segments that sound like apocalyptical warnings. “Are you at danger for ovarian cancer? Up next, five symptoms you may be ignoring.” Or, “Three deadly toxins in your home and how you can prevent tragedy in 5 simple steps.” Geez. Fatalist much? The flip side is similar but at the opposite end of the spectrum, building false hope: “Lose weight in 5 minutes” or “Five magic foods that will burn fat.” Of course, those five minutes refer to only one set of strenuous exercise, which added to the other 4 sets are now 25 minutes and there’s nothing new about this information. And the five magic foods are your basic metabolism boosters which also have to be used in conjunction with a sensible diet and exercise. We know this. But the wording is leading. It’s isolated so it looks as though this one bit of information can work in exclusion of any other factors. I’m offended to think that anyone should think I’m so clueless as not to notice that there wasn’t really anything new imparted.

This weekend, I bought the book by said Dr. Oz and his trusty colleague, Dr. Roisen, You: Staying Young. I buy it knowing that I’m getting old like everyone else on the planet and I have no problem with that. My interest is in maintaining my health as well as I can. I liked the other book of theirs that I purchased years ago and have adopted much of what is covered in it, although I’m in no way the compass for trim and healthy ideals. As in all information, you take what you need or what you can deal with at the moment and chose to be proactive about bits and pieces at a time. I’m going to continue to change my patterns and habits little by little, no drastic changes for me. I like having the information so that I can put it to use as I become ready to do so.

Yet another example of books being better imparters of information than TV.

The Foodie Doesn't Fall Far From the Tree

This is where I get my sense of adventure regarding food.

This morning, Dad was up and cooking something in the pressure cooker, his favorite mode of meat preparation. The whole house smelled of meat. Mom was horrified at the permeation of the aromas throughout the living room. She was even more horrified when dad announced that the meat had burnt. and the horror continued when she discovered that he had been cooking cow tongue and lips.

I got her narration of it all when I went into the kitchen to get Coco's morning meds. I looked in the pot and the contents didn't look burned, nor did they look particularly unappetizing.

Just now, I've gone back to the kitchen to get a snack. Something small to tide me over until dinner with cousins. Dad was in the kitchen and told me he burned the meat he was making, but that some of it was ok and with some salt it was good. I peeked in the pot again and told him I didn't think it was burnt and that it was just a dark meat. And did he want me to make him a couple of tacos. He said ok. Dad and I have a sort of conspiratorial dynamic. I'm not going to scold him for his experiments, and if anything, he knows I can usually save them and make him feel better about trying things.

To be honest, the meat was wonderfully tender and flavorful. Sure enough, it was just particularly dark, but not charred in the least. It was easily pulled apart with a fork, so I heated some tortillas, filled them with the meat, squeezed some lemon drops and laced with the salsa in the fridge.

Those were the best tacos I've had in a long time. Sold.

It's typical that dad should bring these oddities home once in a while. A couple of years ago we were at a Spanish restaurant and no one wanted to try the escargots except him and I. We also share a love of oysters on the shell and brain tacos.

I think I should encourage him more. I think he's lived with curiosities that he hasn't been brave enough to explore on his own. Maybe it's time to get dad out and about in the bigger world of cuisine.

...Aaaaand We're Up.....

It's Saturday. This is supposed to be my ONE day to sleep in. M-F I'm up at 5:30 to go to work, and Sunday I'm up at 7 to see a tutoring client.

Today is Saturday. I'm supposed to sleep 'til my eyes melt.

Instead dad decided to trim the grass edges with the big motor thingie. Right outside my window. At 8. Good morning.

So, I've been up since 8 and have scoured the bathroom, washed last night's dishes, taken out the trash, and mopped the kitchen floor.

That's it. That's all they're gettin' out of me today. The rest of the day is MINE. I have a tutoring client at 11, lunch right after, then a play in LA, then dinner with friends in LA.

I've said my peace. I'm gonna go find something to wear now.

The Warm and Fuzzies

I Should Just Get a Salt Lick and Be Done With It

I've got serious salt cravings. Considering I was supposed to get into bed 40 minutes ago, I think you can see what kind of shape my internal schedule is in.

Between my faulty internal clock, my watering mouth, and the ongoing war with mosquitoes (just exactly HOW are the damned things getting into my room?!), nights are becoming nightmarish.

Soft Wrestling

'Memba This?

Must Re-Think that Mensa Membership Application

I’ve been at the same company for a year now and have worked my way up two rungs and a hefty raise. I still don’t know how to change the toilet paper.

To her credit, the Accounting Department lady decided that it was time to give everyone a refresher course since there were a couple of us who were new and finding new toilet paper rolls propped up on the old cardboard tube was probably getting old for her. She went about it very official-like, setting up a “training demonstration” via Outlook, invited all us newbies and any veteran who might want to join. We had to accept the invitation on our calendars and then were to show up at the bathroom just as officially as if it were a department or floor meeting.

Alas, just prior to my scheduled training, I was finagled into a telephone conference by the company’s owner, due to some unforeseeable changes that needed to be made. So I missed the infamous training where Accountant Lady ushered everyone into the ladies’ room and shared some magical secret or other.

So, now everyone in the building but me knows how to change the toilet paper roll.

The Trickle of Cleanliness

Earlier, this month, I tried to install a shower head filter.

The original post can be read in I Need to Borrow a Husband.

I did end up doing the vinegar-in-a-bag thing and it worked like a charm. At the first attempt, the next morning, it gave and I was able to add the filter, re-assemble the shower head, and have been using it since. I'm not going to claim any kind of noticeable change in my hair's texture or general health. To be honest, my hair has always been one of the healthier aspects of me, needing little attention since I opt not to over do it in the product-application and hair setting processes. I very rarely blow dry. I just let my hair air dry and only ever treat with leave in conditioner or anti-frizz serum. I don't tease or iron and if I pull it up into a pony tail or bun, it's done loosely, as is my style. I'm not into the severe looks. They don't go with my image, nor with my personality.

The filter was a last ditch approach due to a sudden problem with dry scalp that I'm having. I've not made any drastic changes in the products that I use, so I don't know what has brought this on. I'd never had issues with the quality of the water in this area, so I didn't think it would be a factor, but it occurred to me that I might as well start somewhere and go through the variables.

Updates

Up Next!

Don’t go away because coming up, we’ll revisit some subject matter that has made a prior appearance but has since either changed, been added to, or in some way requires closure or a sense of completion. Each of the next few posts will make a reference to a past post and will include the link for either re-reading (if you’ve been around for a while) or for background (if you’re new to this place). Neither of the subjects absolutely requires the reading of the prior post, but is more complete for it.

There are more than a handful of updates, so they’ll be spread out over the weekend as time allows.

Happy reading, everyone!

And now, a word from our sponsor…

Nightmare

I just had a bad dream. Too many very real details.

Earthquake, hail, tornado, and physical assault.

Waking from it was a bit of a moment of confusion, even. I thought I was awake, but I kept seeing things, still.

Saccharine Alert

I'm watching Mamma Mia! What the hell's gotten into me?







Edit, 1 hour later: Ok, I'll admit one thing, and one thing only: I'd be hard-pressed to choose between Pierce Brosnan and Collin Firth. That there's a tough call.

This is Too Good Not to Share

I've never been a particularly pink-and-lace kinda gal. So, my gag reflexes were very much tested at the following sight:

The Countdown Begins...

Yes, kids, the time draws near. Exactly one month to go until the long-awaited day of joy and much tissue-soaking.

Keep the date: June 18 - Les Mis

'Nuff said.

To Sleep, Perchance to Dream...

I really, really need to work on getting to bed at a reasonable hour. I've always been terrible about getting anywhere near the healthy 8 hours of sleep per night that one should get. As I get older, though, I do need to pay better attention to my basic habits, and sleep is one I've neglected for far too long.

This is outside of my bank of knowledge. If anyone has any good ideas about how to adopt a strict schedule for at least 7 hours per night for this chronic night owl, I'm willing to hear ya out.


*Image: photobucket.com

Itchy Fingers

I'm watching Max, the story of Hitler's dabble into the art world via Max Rothman.

That's neither here nor there. I like the historical setting, in terms of art. The work of Ernst dominates the movement and, of course, Hitler hasn't a shot in hell.

But, I'm loving the circle of activity, the gallery exhibits, the modernist movement, in all its break with tradition. I love the creation of it all. Simple things like getting a glimpse of the tools of the trade, tossed on a table, mixed in with the coffee cups and mail. Listening to the conversations about philosophy that invariably follow suit with modern art. Rothman's guidance and encouragement for Hitler to find depth. Hitler's inability to face a blank canvas. Just watching him squeeze oils onto a palette made me nostalgic for those moments of preparation.

A few weeks ago, at work, friends from the lab brought me some of our surplus product that they'd come across after quality control inspection, and asked if I wanted any. Sure! I've been wanting to paint with food for the longest time. What threw us both is that mixed in with the bottles and jars, we found three tubes of paints: One large oil tube of white, one small oil tube of cobalt blue, and one small gouache tube of black. They're sitting on my bookshelf right now, still waiting to be put to use. I've not decided what direction to go in with them. But they feel so perfect in my hand, so familiar.

I've been playing with some ideas outside the box for some time now. I've wanted the weather to be lovely so that I can spend a day outside, set up, and experiment with various media. I don't know why I keep putting it off except that I come home from work, tired and with just enough energy to cook a meal. I really should just sit myself down and do it.


*Image: artspectrum.com.au

Undecided

Last Friday we hit about 83 degrees.

Now, it has just started raining.

Figure that one out...

Couch, Meet Potato

I had a completely non-productive weekend. I'm not sure how I feel about that. Usually, I can forgive myself for the occasional sluggish behavior, knowing sometimes a body just needs to regroup. But I did have some things I wanted to do this weekend and didn't get around to.

Mind you, it's not too late to at least get a couple of loads of laundry in, so I'm guessing I'll at least do that.

Geeking it Up...Maybe

I've never done this before. I've never watched the 6 Star Wars movies all in a row, chronologically. To be honest, I've never watched the later productions of the first three parts at all. Wait, no. I think I did see one, but I don't know if it was Part I, II, or III.

I just know that when I was a wee lass, I saw the first production (now identified as part IV) and then I saw the other two that followed, but then I heard negative reviews of the newer and prefacing productions, so I never really got swept up in the frenzy.

This does not fall within my current genres of interest, let us be clear. But there is a part of me that likes the idea of getting the full story, start to finish, the way it was meant to be told. Then I can cross that off my list and be done with it. And maybe I'll know what people are talking about in mixed company.

I have 10 minutes to decide, because the full first three parts will be aired on Spike right now and that would take care of the episodes I've not seen or have no sense of chronology about.

I dunno, man. Is this what my Saturday is going to become?

To Each Her Learning Methods

I’m not so much in charge of quality control as I am in charge of inventory at my current position. Still this requires an understanding of various aspects of the components that we purchase as well as finished products that we manufacture. Some of our purchased products make it up to my office for review or further understanding of the purchasing constraints and factors. For a few weeks now, a number of large poster-board sized sheets of specs that were brought to me for my perusal have remained, leaning against my wall.

I don’t like clutter. The first thing I did when I moved into that office was clean up the piles of documents and files that seemed to be heaped up on each other with no rhyme or reason. In the bustle of learning and taking on increasing responsibilities, the spec sheets remained propped up against the wall. I don’t have any kind of storage set-up for that kind and size object, and it’s not really something we have to file away. As I said, it was brought up for me, so that I could better understand the layout of some of our components.

Today, I decided it was time to toss them, but just to be sure, I thought I’d give each spec a thorough review before I threw them out. So I got to it. Most of the co-workers had left for the day when the floor supervisor walked past my door. Then he doubled back.

I was sitting, cross-legged, in the middle of the floor of my office, with poster board all around me.

Boss: …Um…

Me: I have to put this in my head before I throw it away.

Boss: Of course.

*Image: binbin.net

Freeze!

Right at this very moment, I'm happy.

No reason. Just realized it.

Stop and check. You might be happy too and you haven't even noticed.

I Need to Borrow a Husband

I bought a shower head filter and I tried to install it last weekend. I was unsuccessful. It's a simple task, in theory. I know the steps involved; they're not complex. I've even done it in the past. The problem is that having located a wrench to unscrew the existing shower head, it refused to budge.

Either my elbow grease is non-existent (not completely out of the realm of possibility); dad has epoxied the darned thing; or the hard water has accumulated, binding the threads shut. After much huffing and puffing, standing on the rim of the tub and pushing at the thing at an awkward angle, I've come to accept that the only hope is to toss a hand grenade and hit the deck. That or try the vinegar-in-a-bag trick, overnight.

I'm going to wait a bit until my self-esteem resurfaces and then give it another go.

It's Real. It's True.

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Good evening. Tonight, I can report to the American people and to the world that the United States has conducted an operation that killed Osama bin Laden, the leader of al Qaeda, and a terrorist who’s responsible for the murder of thousands of innocent men, women, and children.

It was nearly 10 years ago that a bright September day was darkened by the worst attack on the American people in our history. The images of 9/11 are seared into our national memory -- hijacked planes cutting through a cloudless September sky; the Twin Towers collapsing to the ground; black smoke billowing up from the Pentagon; the wreckage of Flight 93 in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, where the actions of heroic citizens saved even more heartbreak and destruction.

And yet we know that the worst images are those that were unseen to the world. The empty seat at the dinner table. Children who were forced to grow up without their mother or their father. Parents who would never know the feeling of their child’s embrace. Nearly 3,000 citizens taken from us, leaving a gaping hole in our hearts.

On September 11, 2001, in our time of grief, the American people came together. We offered our neighbors a hand, and we offered the wounded our blood. We reaffirmed our ties to each other, and our love of community and country. On that day, no matter where we came from, what God we prayed to, or what race or ethnicity we were, we were united as one American family.

We were also united in our resolve to protect our nation and to bring those who committed this vicious attack to justice. We quickly learned that the 9/11 attacks were carried out by al Qaeda -- an organization headed by Osama bin Laden, which had openly declared war on the United States and was committed to killing innocents in our country and around the globe. And so we went to war against al Qaeda to protect our citizens, our friends, and our allies.

Over the last 10 years, thanks to the tireless and heroic work of our military and our counterterrorism professionals, we’ve made great strides in that effort. We’ve disrupted terrorist attacks and strengthened our homeland defense. In Afghanistan, we removed the Taliban government, which had given bin Laden and al Qaeda safe haven and support. And around the globe, we worked with our friends and allies to capture or kill scores of al Qaeda terrorists, including several who were a part of the 9/11 plot.

Yet Osama bin Laden avoided capture and escaped across the Afghan border into Pakistan. Meanwhile, al Qaeda continued to operate from along that border and operate through its affiliates across the world.

And so shortly after taking office, I directed Leon Panetta, the director of the CIA, to make the killing or capture of bin Laden the top priority of our war against al Qaeda, even as we continued our broader efforts to disrupt, dismantle, and defeat his network.

Then, last August, after years of painstaking work by our intelligence community, I was briefed on a possible lead to bin Laden. It was far from certain, and it took many months to run this thread to ground. I met repeatedly with my national security team as we developed more information about the possibility that we had located bin Laden hiding within a compound deep inside of Pakistan. And finally, last week, I determined that we had enough intelligence to take action, and authorized an operation to get Osama bin Laden and bring him to justice.

Today, at my direction, the United States launched a targeted operation against that compound in Abbottabad, Pakistan. A small team of Americans carried out the operation with extraordinary courage and capability. No Americans were harmed. They took care to avoid civilian casualties. After a firefight, they killed Osama bin Laden and took custody of his body.

For over two decades, bin Laden has been al Qaeda’s leader and symbol, and has continued to plot attacks against our country and our friends and allies. The death of bin Laden marks the most significant achievement to date in our nation’s effort to defeat al Qaeda.

Yet his death does not mark the end of our effort. There’s no doubt that al Qaeda will continue to pursue attacks against us. We must –- and we will -- remain vigilant at home and abroad.

As we do, we must also reaffirm that the United States is not –- and never will be -– at war with Islam. I’ve made clear, just as President Bush did shortly after 9/11, that our war is not against Islam. Bin Laden was not a Muslim leader; he was a mass murderer of Muslims. Indeed, al Qaeda has slaughtered scores of Muslims in many countries, including our own. So his demise should be welcomed by all who believe in peace and human dignity.

Over the years, I’ve repeatedly made clear that we would take action within Pakistan if we knew where bin Laden was. That is what we’ve done. But it’s important to note that our counterterrorism cooperation with Pakistan helped lead us to bin Laden and the compound where he was hiding. Indeed, bin Laden had declared war against Pakistan as well, and ordered attacks against the Pakistani people.

Tonight, I called President Zardari, and my team has also spoken with their Pakistani counterparts. They agree that this is a good and historic day for both of our nations. And going forward, it is essential that Pakistan continue to join us in the fight against al Qaeda and its affiliates.

The American people did not choose this fight. It came to our shores, and started with the senseless slaughter of our citizens. After nearly 10 years of service, struggle, and sacrifice, we know well the costs of war. These efforts weigh on me every time I, as Commander-in-Chief, have to sign a letter to a family that has lost a loved one, or look into the eyes of a service member who’s been gravely wounded.

So Americans understand the costs of war. Yet as a country, we will never tolerate our security being threatened, nor stand idly by when our people have been killed. We will be relentless in defense of our citizens and our friends and allies. We will be true to the values that make us who we are. And on nights like this one, we can say to those families who have lost loved ones to al Qaeda’s terror: Justice has been done.

Tonight, we give thanks to the countless intelligence and counterterrorism professionals who’ve worked tirelessly to achieve this outcome. The American people do not see their work, nor know their names. But tonight, they feel the satisfaction of their work and the result of their pursuit of justice.

We give thanks for the men who carried out this operation, for they exemplify the professionalism, patriotism, and unparalleled courage of those who serve our country. And they are part of a generation that has borne the heaviest share of the burden since that September day.

Finally, let me say to the families who lost loved ones on 9/11 that we have never forgotten your loss, nor wavered in our commitment to see that we do whatever it takes to prevent another attack on our shores.

And tonight, let us think back to the sense of unity that prevailed on 9/11. I know that it has, at times, frayed. Yet today’s achievement is a testament to the greatness of our country and the determination of the American people.

The cause of securing our country is not complete. But tonight, we are once again reminded that America can do whatever we set our mind to. That is the story of our history, whether it’s the pursuit of prosperity for our people, or the struggle for equality for all our citizens; our commitment to stand up for our values abroad, and our sacrifices to make the world a safer place.

Let us remember that we can do these things not just because of wealth or power, but because of who we are: one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

Thank you. May God bless you. And may God bless the United States of America.

A Bin Laden-Less World

President Obama is about to give a statement on the death of Osama Bin Laden.

I can't even make complete thoughts right now.

Zoo Additions

Our little family continues to grow. This weekend, I was tending to the yard and discovered that the mockingbird nest in the rose tree is boasting three new babies. I never would have noticed except that the parents were flying back and forth, carting every manner of insect to their brood and every time they perched on the nest, the three babies would screech something awful. 'Nuff to raise the dead.

So, I went over to see what the ruckus was, thinking one of the cats had made it up to the pergola and discovered the nest. But no, it was the babies, all stretched and screaming, mouths open awaiting dinner. I congratulated the proud momma (or poppa, I dunno) and briefly considered helping them collect more bugs, but then I got back to watering, knowing fully well they were perfectly capable of providing for their little rugrats and would be just fine without me.

Today I had lunch in the patio and watched the insect-carting dance continue as I ate my chicken and quinoa meal. They're darned ugly. Can't wait 'til they start looking fuzzy and cute.


*Image: sport-studio.net