Tag Archives: Life

She Flew With a Fever

America, Current Events, Ebola, Healthcare Issues, Life, Opinion, Politics, Reality, World Events, , , , , , , , , , , ,

I swear this was not what I had in mind for my next post. I have some other things I am working on, but I just can’t believe healthcare worker Amber Vinson got on a plane knowing she had a fever and knowing she had been exposed to Thomas Duncan, and Nina Pham, the other nurse who has been diagnosed with Ebola. She of all people KNEW BETTER! Vinson has now been diagnosed with Ebola, and flown to Atlanta for treatment.

When asked how this could happen, that one of these exposed healthcare workers could get on a plane and travel during the incubation period when they were supposed to be being monitored for symptoms – the answer the official gave was the one we keep hearing over and over – Well, somebody dropped the ball there.

I heard another official say that the risk of the infection spreading was “very very low,” but we all know that’s bullshit. Why don’t they just tell the truth – though the risk appears to be low, this is a dangerous disease, and everyone must be vigilant, period. AND they haven’t been!! Those that could be exposed need to be trained thoroughly and provided the appropriate protective equipment. AND they haven’t been!! It’s been reported that the nurses who treated Duncan also treated other patients. Those in charge really are not taking this issue seriously. How could they be, with this type of decision-making and resulting behavior?

And I’m sorry, regardless whether anyone kept Vinson from flying or not – SHE should’ve known better, she did know better, she just didn’t care. Shit, I take more precautions to keep from exposing people when I have a cold. I have to admit, I was fucking blown away when I heard she got on a plane knowing she had a fever and her exposure history. I could go on about that, but serves no purpose.

[I have to add a post-script here: A few hours after the initial report that Vinson traveled by plane, it was discovered that she DID contact the CDC and inform them that she had a fever. The CDC, in their infinite wisdom, told her to go ahead and fly, as her fever was still under the threshold they had set. The CDC , in my opinion, have just lost an immense amount of credibility by not erring on the side of caution. I pray that mistake doesn’t come back to haunt them, as well as the rest of us.]

I said in my last blog – I hope everyone that has come in contact with these patients is being quarantined and monitored. I can’t help but worry that someone has been missed, unnoticed, or unidentified. Well, we now have proof that exposed people are out there in the general population coming in contact with others who have no idea.

There are 70+ other healthcare workers who came in contact with Duncan, not counting how many others who have come into contact with Pham and Vinson. So far, none of the original 70+ people are being quarantined, knowingly allowing them to possibly expose others.

AND while all of this is going on, and we have turned our attention to our own inattention to precaution against Ebola and are now scrambling to stop the possible impending crisis, I can’t help but wonder what else might be going on elsewhere – while we aren’t paying attention?

Just something I was thinking about . . .

Fine & Boycott the Bastards

America, American Infrastructure, American Jobs, Current Events, Employment, Future Generations, Life, Opinion, Politics, Reality, Thinking Independently, World Events, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

stop-outsourcing

Okay – so in the last three days I have had to call Comcast, Chase and my local credit union. Do you know where their customer service call centers are located – The Philippines (yeah, I asked!), every last one of them, even my credit union (which I must say surprised the shit out of me).

It’s no wonder people here can’t find jobs . . .

And don’t get me wrong, I want people in the Philippines to be able to work and eat and raise their families, but not at the expense of American’s doing without these jobs that President Bush-43 called the jobs of the 21st century.

Now, mind you, I have been out of work for over a year, though I am not a customer service person, but this kind of business practice affects us all!

I think everyone who does business this way should be heavily fined, and if possible boycotted!

Okay my rant for the day is done . . . (yes, this pisses me off!)

Just something I was thinking about . . . something I think about often, as a matter of fact! ☮

 

 

Did You Live Today?

Life, Opinion, , , , ,

Not feeling real serious this week . . . enjoy . . .

Did you live today?? 🙂

 

Just something I was thinking about . . .

[Yeah, still celebrating my birthday just a little – long time girlfriends, Mexican food, and margaritas! Gotta love old friends ❤ ]

UNDERSTAND, ADAPT and SURVIVE: Re-* (SoCS)

Stream of Consciousness Saturday, Writing Prompts, , , , , ,

Response to Stream of Consciousness Saturday  (SoCS) writing prompt –“ The prefix, re-.  Add whatever you want to the end of it and away you go!”   If you’re interested, go on over to Linda’s Blog and read the rules to participate 🙂

IamStrong

After listing a few “re”-words, it’s easy to see – words using prefixes with re- are just another way of saying doing it again. At first thought, this seems wasteful – wasting time, energy, money, materials. Upon reexamination though, many “re”-words are expressions of survival, adaptation, working through problems – all actions important to be successful in life and understand how to cope with  certain disappointments with  careers, relationships, passions, dreams, goals, and other journeys people take through their lifetimes.

Relive the joys

Rejuvenate your energy

React after counting to 10

Reapply concepts that worked

Retrain your mind

Reevaluate your goals

Redefine your career/life choice, as you grow

Remake your “public” image

Resupply your self-esteem

Replay your dreams

Review your affairs regularly

Reflex and intuition can be trusted

Reset your response clock

Rewrite your destiny

Revisit the past, especially the best parts

Reappear in someone’s life

Research your needs

Rewind your negative attitudes

Rebuild flailing relationships

Rearrange your priorities

Revise your plan as needed

Refill your happy cup frequently

Reinvent your life

Rerun the traditions you value

Regroup when frustration sets in

Relax your expectations

Reassess your weaknesses

Reinforce your faith and trust

I don’t know, this is just me writing stream of consciousness, but seems to make sense. Maybe overall, a good philosophy. What do you think?

Just something I was thinking about . . .

socs-badge

What Was He Thinking??

American Infrastructure, American Jobs, Current Events, Employment, Future Generations, ISIS, Life, Opinion, Politics, World Events, , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Watching the news today – I know, it’s always an experience and often entertaining, and it has been a few days since I’ve watched any because I had to check out for awhile – and as I’m listening, the reporter starts talking about the color of President Obama’s suit at a news conference yesterday. It was tan, or what some would call taupe. Seriously, I’m not shitting you. I saw it, of course you know they had to show it, and it was a nice suit; I saw nothing wrong with it. (I haven’t seen the news conference yet, wasn’t engaged yesterday and have been busy today – but I will find it and watch it.)

Those that know me know I am not a fashion icon by any means, BUT come on people – with all the problems in the world, in our country and in our own lives – does the color of his suit really matter? Am I just an idiot for thinking it doesn’t??

Then one of my Facebook friends commented that some news reporter/commentator went on to chastise saying – after mentioning the suit debacle, of course – that President Obama stated that first he wanted to say something about some revised numbers on the economy, like real Americans cared about that after the beheading of James Foley and ISIS concerns. Then the president went on to say that we don’t have a strategy for ISIS.

Now I am a real American, and for the first time in decades, I have been unemployed for 15 months. I’m living off my retirement money and I have at least 15 years until I can retire. So I do care about the economy. That is most important to me at this moment. Having said that, what we ALL better be concerned about is that we don’t have a strategy to deal with ISIS, and if that’s not bad enough, now the whole world knows. The whole world also knows that those crazy ass Americans are in an uproar about the president’s suit color, not that their military has no plan.

Oh my goodness – as I am writing this, just heard the news reporting the color of Obama’s suit was the top trend on Twitter. That, my friends, is exactly why this country and maybe some other parts of the world are in the shape they are in. Look at the shit the “important people” – the communicators, the decision makers, the money makers/spenders, the policy makers – are focusing on. What the fuck is wrong with you people?!?

Okay – I am so not related to these people, I can tell you  . . .

I’m curious what y’all think about this, too.

Anyway just something I was thinking about it . . . and felt the need to rant about 😉

Some Days I Just Breathe

Current Events, Ebola, Ferguson MO, Future Generations, Life, Opinion, Reality, World Events, , , , , , , ,

I’ve been listening to this song lately, probably because right now I am having trouble making sense of so many things – things in my personal life and events and happenings in my own country and in the world at large. I have said this before, the world is a scary place. Most times, life is never easy. People’s thought processes and actions and reactions continue to confound me. Sometimes as I write this blog, it’s not so much to share MY opinions, but to get insight from you, my readers and others I follow, as to how to make sense of it all. Are you as confused (and concerned) as I am?

The racial tensions in Ferguson, Missouri, are troubling. I saw a town meeting today on one of the news channels, and it was pretty apparent, to me anyway, that the governor of Missouri is totally in over his head and has very little control over the situation due to  a lack of trust from his constituents.

The crowd kept asking why the police officer involved, Darren Wilson, hadn’t been arrested yet. I do not know all the details of the Michael Brown shooting, but in all honesty I don’t believe a week is long enough to investigate it, all the while dealing with the protesters and rioting. Just being realistic here.

I know the cops aren’t always the good guys, though I was raised to believe that they were. I also know sometimes kids are ignorant and immature and do stupid and crazy-ass things. I did (not stuff like robbery but still really cocky , thoughtless, careless and stupid stuff) and I am not that person anymore. Unfortunately these days, we can’t be sure if some dumb-ass punk  (AKA young adult or teenager totally not acting in an age-appropriate morally and socially acceptable way) is going to try and kill us when they act stupid.

IF this kid acted towards the cop the way he did toward the store clerk he robbed, I can understand why the outcome was what it was. In all honesty, if that was my store and I had a concealed handgun license, I might have shot him myself when he doubled back and came back into the store rushing me, after pushing past me to get out and make a run for it. Pretty sure as big as he was and as small as I am, I would have felt threatened. Shit, what is wrong with kids today?

They are doing a second independent autopsy to confirm the findings. I am sure that is going to answer a few questions. {Man I love science!} Then again maybe not. They’re also continuing to investigate the robbery. I hope they do an honest and thorough investigation of this entire case. I hope the people of Ferguson can find some closure soon.

A curfew was to begin tonight – just checked the news, and it is not going well. Protesters and others are not getting off the streets and looting is going on. Peacefully protesting I understand, looting, definitely NOT. I can only say, with the way the situation continues to escalate, I hope no one else gets killed.

ISIS – now I do not even know where to begin with these radical killing machines. Their ideology and attitudes and mind-set are beyond me. I certainly comprehend it, but for the life of me, can’t understand it. My husband and I watched some 30 minute piece CNN ran with a reporter embedded on the mountain with the Yazidis, flying in on a supply drop helicopter. It was truly horrific what these people are going through, AND we didn’t see any of the really bad stuff – but I can just imagine . . .

What is going on over there has to be stopped. I don’t know what they need to do, or even actually WHO “they” are. But collectively, all of these leaders have got to get on the same page against ISIS and figure out how to take them out. Warring between themselves is bad enough, but this is a whole new enemy. And I know this sounds really bad, but between everyone involved, they ought to be able to figure out a resolution. I’ve said this before, when Syria, Iran, and Iraq are asking for us to help them, it’s some bad shit.

I’ve already talked about Ebola and it’s getting worse.

In light of all that, I got my own stuff nipping at my heals, too. Some days are longer than others. Music (though I can’t play it – or sing it 😉 ) is a staple in my life – kind of like breathing. On that note – yeah pun intended – I like to start my day with this one . . . here’s to you . . . with blessings from above . . .

Just something I was thinking about . . . ☮

One-Liner Wednesday

Just Jot It July, One-Liner Wednesday, , , ,

The one thing you can always count on – everything changes.

*         *          *         *         *          *          *          *         *          *

Just something I was thinking about . . .

Written in response to writing prompts:

http://lindaghill.wordpress.com/2014/07/23/one-liner-wednesday-writers-block/

Just Jot it July

Who Would You Choose?

Appreciation, Inspiration, Just Jot It July, Life, Opinion, , , , , ,

ifhad1hour-whospenditwith

If I was given this luxury or gift of spending an hour sitting with anyone from the past or the present, it would be a difficult choice to make. I have a few that come to mind:

My Mom – I would apologize for all the times that I was such a bitch! Seriously!! I wasn’t a bad daughter per say, but I was a rebellious (to say the least) teenager and a hard ass as an adult. Now that I am older, I can appreciate a few of the situations she found herself in and why she struggled the way she did. I can also appreciate and understand the bond and love you feel with your children, especially your first. I don’t think most human beings really understand this until they have become a parent – truly. I know I didn’t. I would want her to tell me all about Heaven.

My Brother – Though I am the oldest sibling, my oldest brother died when I was five. He was 3 ½ years old. Things were said like pneumonia, crib death, and other things, but who really knows. Did he know I loved him? (I was told that I was so good with him and sweet, but did he realize it?) I would want to ask him what Heaven is like in his eyes, because I know if there is one, he is surely there!!  I’d want him to know even after all these years, though I don’t recall much, I have never forgotten about him. HE was my first real friend, and after watching my granddaughters together – I just know he and I were close like that.

My Papa – My grandpa died when I was 14. He had a massive heart attack in his 50s. I didn’t get a whole lot of time with him, but I got enough. I would want him to know that even after all these years, he was one of a few good men I was able to look up to and respect. He was one of the only men I ever trusted completely. I would tell him the lessons I learned from him were lifelong. I still think of him so often even now. They say some girls marry a guy just like their daddy, well I certainly didn’t – but I’m pretty sure I married a guy a lot like my Papa 🙂

My Father-in-law – I would gladly insist my husband take my place and spend that time with his dad and get those last words they needed. The one day he rallied to say goodbye to everyone was the one day out of three and half-weeks that we did not make the 3.5 hour drive one way to the hospital. The next day, we showed up early in the morning, but he was out of it again. He died a week later. We missed our opportunity to say goodbye – most importantly, my husband missed his opportunity. I would love it if they had that time together.

My younger self – I have so much advice, especially in hindsight. There’s a few habits I wouldn’t have picked up, and a few others I would’ve. I would have saved so much more money, had I only known what the future held. I wouldn’t have taken a few things so personally. I would’ve handled a few keys thing very differently, which would have changed the course of my life in some aspects, I believe, for the better.

This is a tough decision, so good thing it’s not for real! If you had this luxury or gift, who would you choose? It’s an interesting train of thought, for sure.

Anyway, just something I was thinking about . . .

http://misslouella.wordpress.com/2014/07/07/just-jot-it-july/ 

Catching Up On a Few Things

China, Current Events, Life, Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370, NASA, North Korea, Opinion, World Events, , , , , , , ,

Owls in tree
Baby owls in my tree – look closely, there are 5 sets of eyes!

The world really freaks me out – I mean like frightens me, especially for my kids and grandbabies. I heard that North Korea is really incensed about some movie scheduled to come out in October, with Seth Rogen and James Franco. It’s called “The Interview.” The movie is about a plot to assassinate leader Kim Jong Un. He is pissed and feeling completely disrespected and has said if this movie is released it will be considered an “act of war that we will never tolerate.” Seriously, we are going to have a war with North Korea over a movie . . .

This is from http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-28014069:

The North Korea [foreign ministry] spokesman was quoted by the state KCNA news agency as saying: “Making and releasing a movie on a plot to hurt our top-level leadership is the most blatant act of terrorism and war and will absolutely not be tolerated.”

He added that the “reckless US provocative insanity” of mobilising a “gangster filmmaker” to challenge the North’s leadership was triggering “a gust of hatred and rage” among North Korean people and soldiers.

“If the US administration allows and defends the showing of the film, a merciless counter-measure will be taken,” the spokesman was quoted as saying.

What can you say about that? I certainly believe in free speech, but at what cost? Is this particular movie and article of free speech worth poking this crazy frickin’ bear? What do you think?

And then I heard Iran, Iraq, and Syria want help from the U.S. in the form of air strikes to help them fight against ISIS. The world just keeps getting stranger. Not sure what I think about the request – could be advantageous later, but then again, it seems whenever we get involved in this type of conflict, especially in that part of the world,  those we go to help seem to turn on us later. I don’t know, I just can’t help but think if we ever have another civil war here, the United States would not tolerate any other country stepping in, in any way, shape, or form. I understand about needing a peacekeeper/peacemaker/mediator sometimes, but who appointed the U.S. government in that role?

They still haven’t found the plane and I am beginning to think they never will. I don’t know, maybe aliens did snatch that baby right up, or maybe Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 went through an area like the Bermuda Triangle. I remember growing up, we all talked about the Bermuda Triangle and whether it was weather-related, pirate-related, alien-related, or a series of coincidences  – we weren’t savvy enough at the time to think any government might be involved. Now that I am older and with the advent of cable TV and the Internet, I don’t hear much about the infamous triangle anymore. Maybe it’s lost its appeal, with everybody paying attention to Lindsey Lohan, Justin Bieber, that icy blue-eyed criminal and zombies and other useless kind of stuff.

Speaking of that icy blue-eyed criminal  – his mugshot finally hit over 100,000 likes on the Stockton Police Dept.’s Facebook page. The noise on him has definitely quieted down a bit. I can tell you some of the comments are on that page are just stranger than fiction. REALLY!

Russia has hinted they may pull out of the International Space Station (ISS) in 2020, as opposed to getting the full life out of it, manning it until 2024 or 2028. They want to re-allocate Russian ISS funding to work on projects with China and India. It sounds like Russia wants a piece of the moon, if you ask me. Anyone paying attention to NASA lately had to have seen that one coming . . . I did. I see lots more to come on that regard, and I can promise it will be interesting to say the least. NASA has high hopes the amicable international partnership of the ISS will continue. I hope they are right.

There’s a new Planet of the Apes movie coming out – that just scares the shit out of me . . . really LOL!! Like the world isn’t a scary enough place, without thinking about apes being in control 😉

On a joyful note, I did find out there are at least five owl babies!! I don’t believe the nest is in my fig tree, but is in in one the trees in that little corner thicket, maybe in one of the cedar trees. Haven’t seen them in over a week now, so maybe they got big enough to fly away. Sure hope they come back next year!

Just some things I was thinking about . . .