Thursday, May 15, 2008

Hitting Nerves

I had my usual weekly check of my blood clotting factor. This involves nothing more than a quick needle and extraction of blood. I have it done a few dozen times since mid-December. Yesterday the lab tech hit a nerve. I gulped air and my legs swing out and back a few times. I blinked to clear tearing eyes and I breathed through my mouth.
She asked me if I wanted her to pull it out, but it was filling nicely and I wasn’t keen to give her a second shot at me.
She seemed nearly as traumatized as me. My pain was transient even as the memory of it stayed, so I’ll be fine. I’ll see her again, probably even today as I have to go back to the lab to get a Holter Monitor.
I hope she’s gotten over it.
##
This put me in a fine mood for reading the newspaper.
I was so heartened to read that George W. Bush was so profoundly moved by sending all these men and women to injury and death in Iraq that he manfully gave up playing golf. Such leadership. If I had anything left in my tear ducts yesterday I’m sure it would have flowed.
##
Our own Glorious Premier outdid himself by calling the liberals “subversive.”
Premier Ed Stelmach is embarking on a $25 million re-branding campaign for the province and apparently, anyone who doesn’t like it is wrong and hates Alberta.
The Progressive Conservatives have been in power since 1971. They have long forgotten that this is a democracy. So have most of the rest of us. He and his party truly believe that speaking out against something the rulers want means you don’t deserve Alberta. Mr. Stelmach, Alberta has done nothing to deserve you.
##
I rarely pay attention to what comes out of the Vatican, but this made my day. Rev. Jose Gabriel Funes, the Chief Astronomer at the Vatican, essentially said it’s okay to believe in space aliens.
I did already. Star Trek was always real to me.
##
When nerves are hit and heads must shake, it is best to find something calming, like running water.









7 comments:

the Bag Lady said...

Love the photo of Crescent Falls!!

And George doublyaw gave up golf!!!? Oh, man, what a gesture.... I'm sure it will make all those folks fighting in Iraq so proud to know that their fearless leader is NOT golfing while they are being blown to bits!!

As far as believing in space aliens? Isn't that where we came from in the first place.....?

Leah J. Utas said...

Oh, yes df Bag Lady, the Vatican is finally starting to prepare us.

Glad you like the photo.

Terrie Farley Moran said...

df Leah,

Great photo.

I love the news clips. It is amazing to me how the Prez never stops embarrassing us.

As to your Premier, he needs to learn that speaking out against something is the best way to show patriotism.

Now if only the Vatican would come to their senses about birth control!!

Terrie

Leah J. Utas said...

dfTerrie - The ruling Conservatives have long since lost sight of what makes a real democracy.

Maybe the space aliens can talk the Vatican into a new birth control policy.

Missicat said...

He quit playing golf to show solidarity with the families? Did those words actually come out of his mouth??? OMG....I really do not think that there has been a president soooo out of touch with reality. *sigh*

Reb said...

Great photo Leah! Yeah, I wouldn't have let her stick me twice. Good luck with the monitor.

Star Trek was always real to me too!

Leah J. Utas said...

Missicat - He is a fearless leader.

Thanks, Reb. Star Trek is the best.