zianuray

 because today was the last lauch of the space shuttle program, and there's nothing slated to replace it.  

I didn't realize until about 11 or noon until quite why I was so upset; I think I've been holding to the (admittedly very faint) hope of making it to a Moon or Mars colony -- I  know, my age and weight would count against me if nothing else did, but I did have that faint hope.  After all, they're going to need broom-pushers for everywhere and dishwashers in the galley and orderlies in sickbay....and the triple-PhDs all over the place won't want to take time from their research and other projects for the mundane chores.  I'm smart enough to not open both doors on an airlock at the same time and not too proud to shovel manure if that's what needs doing (and yes, I've done it).

I pretty much know where I fall as far as intelligence -- not only do I know my scores on several sorts of tests, I know where I fall on the "average human VS Sheldon Cooper" scale -- pretty much 1/3 of the way up.  Smart enough that I have to be careful picking topics of conversation when standing in a checkout line, not smart enough to do differential calculus in my head.

Remember when I posted the pic on my usericon, the bed of the S-10 full of books salvaged from a dumpster?

According to this site a regular size pickup bed full of books is one gigabyte.  Approximately.

I have a "thumb drive" that holds 4 of those.

I just picked up a one terabyte external hard drive for under $100, tax included.

that's enough storage for 1,000 pickup trucks worth of books.







I'm gonna go lie down with a cold washcloth and a warm puppy.

I got a little snitty with a co-worker today.

She said of someone, "What a witch!" and did not intend it as a compliment.

I asked why she didn't call the woman a Baptist?

Then explained that it was just the same thing as calling her a Witch -- that if she was going to denigrate one person's religion she may as well spread it around.

"Well, I'm not going to say 'bitch' in a call center!"

"Just remember, it's harassment on religious grounds and I am not afraid to talk to HR about it.  Are you willing to go that far?"

I did try to put a humorous spin on it and presented it as informational -- but everyone there knows I'm a Witch anyhow, I'm so far out of the broom closet I was never in that it may as well have burned down.

In the end, I think I got the message across -- and we're ok, as far as I can tell there are no feelings of being "picked on" on her part and as for me, I know she just hadn't thought of it that way before, so no harm, no foul.

Yeah, the whole PC thing also annoys me, but damnit, say what you mean!  A bitch is a bitch and a Witch is a Witch; confuse the two at your peril!(Thanks, jeffs_page !)  And no, being a Witch does not mean one cannot also be a bitch.  Or at least assertive.

So...what's your take?  Would you have spoken up if it were your religion being bandied about?  What about "just any" religion?

is that when my nails are short -- like LMT-so-you-don't-gouge-the-client-short -- I won't wear nail polish. Today, I have enough length to enjoy wearing polish. And all mine was given away or thrown out over the last couple of years. So Emily took me shopping! Yay!

My favorite polish, Sally Hansen Prismatics, has been discontinued and the suggested replacement is not at all the same.  Yes, I got a bottle of the Diamond Strength No Chip Nail Color and it doesn't work at all for me, plus there are far fewer colors in the line.

BTW, anyone want to guess what color my nails are today?


jocosa  got it in one!  The actual color is Blue Lace from the Nicole line.

I've been ordering books from various small-press authors and occasional prints from...let's say, some with a...unique?  quirky? something like that, anyway, way of expressing themselves...and yes, there's overlap between the groups there.  A Venn diagram would look rather like an egg, I believe. 


And now I've started tipping/sponsoring/donating to a couple of poets/authors/artists I first found on LJ.  And then there are the birds -- Lady Val and company (Royal Gauntlet Birds of Prey).  For some reason, these actions feel pretty good.  Am I totally off kilter if donating toward a new set of paintbrushes so many people can keep enjoying someone's work actually makes me happier than giving the same amount to a panhandler?  (Yes, I still make and donate the hats, and collect cell phones for the violence shelter, and the other things I've been doing all along.)  (And if anyone has a no-longer used cell phone, hopefully with a charger, I'll gladly take it to the shelter for you.  And I'll take yarn and knot the scraps together to make another hat!)


ETA:  This is not about me asking for approval or head-pats; I feel like I get more from the stuff I donate to than I give back.  It's just...I feel that by sponsoring the artists, even in my very small way or by getting their work and spreading it around, I'm contributing more to "the sort of people I like to hang around with because they stretch me."






      

I do not like World Market Sea Salt Dark Chocolate.

Sheesh!

http://www.facebook.com/zia.nuray

I drove the little pickup for the first time today -- it is certainly NOT proportioned right for me, but we did get the riding mower out of the ditch without hitting anyone or causing traffic delays.  There is a stretch by the street that is a pretty steep (though short) slope, about two mowers wide and a 45% angle going to the fenceline (electric, btw), and the mower went a little too far south!  So DH comes and says "Y'know how we've been meaning to teach you to drive the truck?" it being a stickshift and I said "Oh S***."  So I got all nervous and did it and only killed it once when someone behind me (after we got things right and I was turning around) crowded me.  And I was scared.  I can drive the big stuff -- deuce-and-a-halves and 5-tons and wreckers...it's the little stuff that throws me!

You know how with most job interviews, you're edgy and nervous?  You want to be really careful to give a good impression?

Well, I've an interview this afternoon -- in Springfield -- at a dayspa, and when I was on the phone with the owner we were laughing and joking like we'd been pals for years.  A couple of things were brought up (on both sides) that have been deal-breakers before, and it was like "Oh GOOD!" this time.

I've prepared my usual "about me" folder with copies of pertinent education and licensing, added some fliers and brochures I've done, and printed out my new-and-improved resume`.  What am I forgetting?

Khakis are laid out and a good top,  hair will be pulled back and I'll be ready to provide a sample of my work.  (FYI, I carry sample packets of massage lotions in my purse.  How enthusiastic is THAT?)  (Chuckle.)

Anyway, this sounds like a place I could be very happy (fulfilled is included in happy).  Not in the "Lalala" sense, but in the "OK, I know what I'm doing and YAHOO they're letting me DO it!" sense.  So any good vibes, prayers, whatever would be very happymaking for me, thankyouverymuch.

(See what happens when Mercury goes Direct?)

There are a few minor details to bring up before I hire you.

1)  Do NOT talk down to me.  If I need a definition or clarification, I will ask.  I am a layperson, not an idiot.

2)  Yes, I'm fat.  Morbidly obese is the medical term.  I know this, you do NOT need to bring it up.  When I've given up on doing something about it, I'll ask for drugs or surgery.  Until then, leave it alone.  Do NOT assume that every health problem I have is due to my weight -- you'll be wrong far more often than right.  Conversely, do not discount my concerns because of my weight. 

3)  When I come in, which is seldom, I have a pretty good idea what is wrong and I've taken the relevant OTC meds and likely several herbal or alternative treatments.  You don't need to tell me to take two aspirin and call back in a week -- unless it's a broken bone or large gash I've BEEN sick for a week or more.  And if it's a broken bone or a cut in need of stitches, chances are good I've gone to the ER or Urgent Care and had it taken care of already.

4)  I am, in general, an informed consumer/patient.  I am also NOT very patient.  If I tell you I've tried something, don't ask me thirty seconds later if I've tried it, or tell me to try it.  I'll realize you aren't paying attention, and IT IS YOUR JOB to pay attention.

5)  If you order tests, be prepared to explain why you believe they are necessary.  If I don't agree, I will refuse said tests, especially if they are invasive.

6)  I'm brutally honest when you ask if I've done this or that, both because I know that if you ask, you have a reason and because I know you won't tell anyone without either a court order or my permission.  You're more likely to get a court order. 

7)  I have a living will and a health care directive.  Don't pull punches, and I don't scare easily.  I'm on the list as "take anything useable and give the rest to science."

8)  I will follow your suggestions to the best of my ability if I agree with your reasoning. 

9)  If I am (myfirstname), you are (yourfirstname).  If you are Dr. Whatever, I am Mrs. (lastname).



If you cannot show me the SAME respect you feel that you deserve, or if you cannot abide by the points outlined here, feel free to fire me.  No sense both of us wasting our time.

Signed,

ME

*************************************************

I send a copy by mail when I make my first appointment with a note requesting that the DR read it and place it in my chart.  Then I hand-carry a copy and hand it to the nurse when I'm called back.  THEN I have a copy in my hand when the Doc walks in.

I've had the same Doctor for over 12 years now.  Well, more or less -- haven't been to see him in over 2 years, 'cause I don't see the need to waste time and money exposing myself to other peoples' germs while I'm healthy!

And yes, I fired a doctor before -- we're in his office after my exam to get BCP and he starts on me about my weight, AS HE LIGHTS UP A CIGARETTE in his OFFICE.  Plus he had the classic "drunkard's nose."  I told him when he quit smoking, lost 25 pounds, and got sober he could criticize my weight.  He objected to my observations and I walked out.  With my 'scrip.  I told the payment clerk I was NOT paying and why, and if there was any difficulty I'd be glad to explain to the director.  I never got a bill and when I made another appointment at that office, I got a different doctor without having to ask.  After that was when I wrote up that letter -- it's gone through several revisions!