Vital Records

In the archives/records world we refer to birth and death records as vital records. Today is a day to celebrate births and remember the lives of those who have gone. B is celebrating a birthday today. Happy Birthday B! I'm very happy that you were born and are in my life. We also remember the life of Coretta Scott King. We celebrate the contribution she has made to civil rights in this country.

Medication Mayhem

On February 1st I posted that my mom had been diagnosed with diverticulitis and was exposed to the flu while she was a patient at the hospital. I also noted that she had been prescribed a seven day course of tamiflu as a prophylactic thing. I was happy to know that the hospital was at least trying to prevent my mother from getting influenza. I was annoyed when I found out that her insurance company would not pay for the $97.00 prescription when she was released on Tuesday. She is currently arguing with her insurance company to get her money back. She is also planning on contacting the hospital to complain about the fact that they put her at risk by allowing her to be exposed to the flu. I think the hospital should pay for the medication. Everyone is at risk for nosocomial infections when they go into a hospital, but I also feel that the hospital should be held accountable.

Expect the Unexpected

I was thinking over the weekend about what I wanted to write in this blog. Since January 28th marked the 20th anniversary of the space shuttle Challenger disaster I thought I would write about my reaction to this tragedy. I was in the 7th grade, Ms. Foran's english class, when they rolled a tv into the room to watch what had happened. Like a gazillion other Americans I watched with horror and sadness. I also thought I might write about the Run For Research Patient Match party I went to at Jordan's Furniture in Reading on Sunday. I had a nice time. I met one of my matches (Kerri) and some other runners. We had breakfast, chatted, took pictures, and watched Polar Express in 3D. The last idea I had was to write about my new love for Su Doku. Unfortunately something else came up that trumped all these topics.

Saturday morning my mom called to tell me that she had been in the emergency room all night. She said that she had been up for hours with pain in her abdomen. She was in the emergency room for 13 hours before they finally told her that she most likely had diverticulitis. This was a relief for all of us who were fearful that her cancer had come back. Mom was admitted to the hospital, started on antibiotics, and was put on a liquid diet. I spent a few hours at the hospital on Saturday. Sunday I went to visit for a couple of hours. She had a roomate at this point. The roomate supposedly had pneumonia. On Monday mom called to ask if I had had a flu shot. I explained that I had. Her roomate had just been diagnosed with the flu and was being moved to her own room. My mom had been prescribed tamiflu at this point. Crap...I had been exposed. The medication I take for my liver disease suppresses my immune system and makes me more susceptible to illness etc. Hence why I get a flu shot and try to stay away from sick folks. Mom asked her nurse and told her that I probably shouldn't visit. I called my hepatologist. She said I should be ok since I had had a flu shot and such a short exposure. My mother was released from the hospital yesterday and I am feeling flu free at this point. However this is one of those situations where I am reminded of the limitations my disease puts on me. Argh! I just spoke with my mother who said that she is feeling better.

Monday...Monday...

I just got a bit more follow-up from my doctor today. She wants me to come back in April for bloodwork and see her in July. I had been getting bloodwork every three months, but there was some talk about my possibly only needing to have it done every six months. The doctor decided that every three months was the way to go.

It snowed pretty hard this morning. It took me twice the time it usually does to get to work. It looks as if it has turned to rain. I hope it doesn't freeze. I was hoping they would let us go home early from work...no such luck.

We had a great weekend. Friday night we watched Dancing With The Stars with some friends. We later went to Toast to do some more contemporary/booty shaking. Saturday we went to see Parker and spent the rest of the evening at a cocktail party. The party was fun until I realized that my non-alcoholic diet coke had been switched with someones coke and absolut drink. We quickly switched back. I hate when that happens. Sunday I went to church and did some shopping. B and I also went for a walk around Cambridge and Somerville. We stayed up and watched the L Word last night. I was very happy to see that they had added a new character (Moira) to the show. Her character brings both a butch and a working class dimension that was missing before. However I think that the writers have gone a little over the top with this character. We will see how it all turns out. Overall it was a nice weekend.

Run For Research

Each year good-hearted athletes run the Boston Marathon as part of the American Liver Foundation's Run For Research. Run For Research team members raise critical funds in the fight against liver disease. Since 1987 the Run For Research has raised over $8 million to fight against liver disease. I have been fortunate to be involved with this event by participating in the Patient Match Program. This year I have been matched with two awesome runners named Terri Faucher and Kerri Pozzi. Both Kerri and Terri have such great enthusiasm for the work of the American Liver Foundation and their sport. Run For Research team members are required to raise at least $2500 to run with the team. Please go to the sponsor a member page and click on both Kerri and Terri's names to donate. I encourage you to support this cause. I know first hand how important liver research is. Love you Liver!

Changing Face of Davis Square

I was recently disappointed to see that Pluto in Davis Square had closed. I was unhappy about this because it was a great place to buy last minute gifts...funky holiday cards...and unique household items. I wondered what had happened. Were they not getting enough business? Had the building owner raised the rent? Were they making a gazillion dollars at their Jamaica Plain location and decide to put all their eggs in one basket?

Well I think I found out what happened to Pluto while I was at the gym (surprise...surprise...I do go to the gym once in a while) last night. My gym buddy told me that she had tried to go to Picante Mexican Grill in Davis Square over the weekend. She was equally as upset to find out that Picante had also closed. She spoke to a friend who told her that the owner of the building had increased the rent...which forced Picante to close their restaurant. My friend from the gym said that she will miss Picante's spinach quesadillas. I will miss having them so close by as well. I loved their burritos...and chips.

My guess is that Pluto suffered the same consequence as Picante. The fact that they were located exactly next to each other in Davis Square is a significant clue.

Fortunately folks living in the Boston area don't have to live their lives truly void of these very cool local establishments. Both Pluto and Picante have locations elsewhere. Feel free to visit them here:

Picante Mexican Grill
735 Massachusetts Ave.
Cambridge

Pluto
603 Centre Street
Jamaica Plain

Results Are In

I got the results back from my liver tests and they look good. Here is the breakdown:

ALT: 16
AST: 26
IgG: 1050

So what does this mean? Things are great. All my tests came back within normal limits. My nurse practitioner called and said I should remain on 100 mg of azathioprine and have bloodwork in a few months. I am scheduled to see my hepatologist in July.

Big Apple

We had a nice time this weekend. We took the Fung Wah bus from Boston to New York on Friday evening. We stayed with our friends in Brooklyn.

We went to the Metropolitan Museum of Art on Saturday . We spent most of our time at the Fra Angelico and Egyptian exhibits. The Fra Angelico exhibit is about to leave the museum. Check it out while you can. That night we had dinner at Ivo and Lulu's. This is a great place. The food is tasty.....the price is unbeatable. My potato gratin and salad was perfect. The baked pear with blue cheese and honey was wonderful. They don't have a beer and wine license, but they encourage people to bring their own.

Sunday we hung out at the Strand Bookstore and then had lunch at Otto. This was totally amazing. Mario Batalli has done it yet again. I had the yummy pizza special which consisted of marinated onions and goat cheese. B got the linguine con rapini pesto which was damn good too. We also ordered brussels sprouts and vin cotto as a side vegetable. For dessert we had the olive oil coppetta. This olive oil gelato, with tangerine sorbet, fruit, drizzled olver oil and sea salt was very unique and scrumptious. I would totally order it again. We spent the rest of Sunday running around getting things we cannot get in Boston like chocolate corn flakes from Chocolate Haven and coffee from Porto Rico Importing Co. We also stayed up and watched the L Word.

Monday we hung out with our friend Paul and had lunch at the ChipShop. I had the chicken in the basket with chips. I would recommend it. For dessert we split a fried snickers bar.

We took the bus back to Boston on Monday afternoon. The ride was pretty awful. It took five hours....the temperature in the bus was up and down....the bus driver kept pumping the brakes. I was happy to get out of that bus and finally arrive in our warm apartment.

Overall it was a fun weekend. The weather was awful....freezing rain...and cold. However we got to spend some good time with our friends....and take advantage of some things only New York has to offer.

Six Month Check-Up

I am going to see my hepatologist this afternoon. I will most likely have bloodwork done too. I am currently seeing my hepatologist every six months and having blood tests taken every three months. Lets hope things will continue to go smoothly. I am hopeful.

I got my Run For Research match the other day. I was matched with two runners this year....an aunt and niece team. I am looking forward to getting to know them.

Potty Thoughts

On January 4th I posted that I was reading the book Why Do Men Have Nipples by Mark Leyner, and Billy Goldberg. I finished the book and loved every word of it. I was thinking last night that it would be great if they did a sequel to this book that included questions that didn't make it into the first book. I have some questions I would like to see answered. Here they are: Where does poop from a fetus go when it is in the womb? Is it true you will die if you burp and fart at the same time? Just some thoughts.....

Ah Ha Moment

On January 5th I posted something about how I was getting bored waiting for Ariel Schrag to come out with the next issue of Likewise. The first line of my post read "whatever happened to Ariel Schrag?" Well I think I found out the answer to my question.

Last night I sat down with my partner to watch the third season premier of the L Word. This was a much anticipated event in our house. The season finale of season II had been so awful that we were hoping that season III would redeem the show. Fortunately the premier managed to pull this off. I am not 100% happy with the direction they are taking some of the story lines, but they did do a few things right. They brought back Lauren Lee Smith....she is so cute. They finally added what seems to be a real butch character (Moira). Jenny seems to be less annoying. Bette and Tina are back together. Watching Alice is like observing a train wreck, but it is keeping my attention. Beautiful Helena is back and certainly more likeable than last season. Kit appears to be having a better relationship with her son. I'm glad to see that Shane finally learned to trust another woman (Carmen). AND Dana....well I'm not loving her choice in a partner right now.....but time will tell.

That all being said...back to Ariel Schrag. When the L Word credits rolled I noticed that Ariel Schrag was listed as a staff writer. My guess is that this is the same Ariel Schrag of Awkward, Definition, Potential, and Likewise fame. So...thats why issue four of Likewise hasn't come out yet. She appears to be busy doing something else. Now it all makes sense.

Welcome Parker

Mary and Jen had their sweet little baby boy Parker at the Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston on January 5th. We went to the hospital to meet this cutie patootie on Saturday. Congratulations to Mary and Jen.

how do you solve a problem like Maria

My friend Joanie has an article on Maria von Trapp in Prologue magazine. Check it out. It looks like Maria von Trapp and Julie Andrews didn't has as much in common as we had all thought.

speaking of comics....

whatever happened to Ariel Schrag? Sighclub introduced me to her work a few years back. I love her autobiographical comics that chronicle her four years of high school. Awkward, Definition, and Potential were all amazing. Likewise was pretty good too, but nothing has come out since issue three...and that was a long time ago. I really want to know how the rest of her senior year of high school turns out. I hope issue 4 comes out soon. I am losing interest with all this waiting around. You can learn more about Ariel Schrag's books at Slave Labor Graphics.

Strangers In Paradise Lost

I was disappointed to see that Terry Moore has said that the last issue of Strangers in Paradise is set for May 2007. I beg you Terry Moore....please don't stop writing Strangers in Paradise. I love Katchoo...and Francine...and David.

I'm Back......

I stayed home from work yesterday. I was feeling tired......nauseous and a little headachey.

I spent the day doing laundry....relaxing.....and trying to make myself feel better. I watched the Buena Vista Social Club. I had not seen this film before. I would encourage you to see this film if you have not. The film gives an interesting insight into life in Cuba and its wonderful musical tradition. I also got caught up on some reading yesterday. My step-father gave me a fun book for Christmas this year. It is called Why Do Men Have Nipples. This book gives quirky answers to questions you would love to ask your doctor, but are too embarrassed to ask.

I'm feeling a bit better today. I am less tired...nauseous...and headachey.

Happy New Year

I stumbled across this cool 11 minute movie about the National Archives and Records Administration called Democracy Starts Here. The movie was created by NARA and the Discovery Channel. Check it out!

Have a Wonderful New Year!

Seasons Greetings

Happy Holidays to everyone. I hope folks are enjoying themselves this holiday season.

I was taken aback when I went to my blog today and realized that I had not posted since November 3rd. My life sort of took off in a tornado of activity at around that time. I should update you.

First off........my friend Elke's birthday was on November 4th....the day after my last post. Happy Belated Birthday Elke.

We went to my friend Mary's baby shower on November 5th. She and her partner Jen are expecting a baby boy at the end of January. I cannot wait. Unfortunately Mary has recently been put on bed-rest until she delivers. She is at home reading books and watching tv.

I went to the Christmas Craft Festival with my mother on November 5th. We had a nice time. The festival usually marks the beginning of the shopping season for my mother and I. I bought some nice things.

We went to a time-share sales pitch at Inn Season Resorts in New Hampshire on November 11th. We didn't buy the time-share, but we got some gifts for sitting through their presentation. We ended up making a weekend of it. We stayed at a little place right next to Franconia Notch. Looked at what was once Old Man of the Mountain, went out to dinner, went for a swim etc.

I had Thanksgiving with my parents in Belmont. I met some friends for our Thanksgiving morning breakfast tradition. I worked the day after Thanksgiving and got more work done than I could have if everyone else was in work on that day.

I found out around Thanksgiving that Cyn and Mike are pregnant. Yee haw! They are due in May.

I went to the Gilbane conference on November 30th. I went to the keynote on blogs, wikis, and rss and its usefulness across the enterprise. It was very interesting. I have been doing a lot of collaboration stuff at work lately....and am totally excited about blogs and wikis as collaboration tools.

We went dancing at Toast on December 2nd. We were celebrating Ronda and Trish's birthdays. We also met up with our friend Kim who we haven't seen in an age. She moved to New York and then Colorado a few years ago.

We went to Edaville Railroad on December 3rd. We had a lot of fun. I hadn't been there in 25 years or so. It was a little smaller than I had remembered. We also went to the new Ikea in Stoughton that night. We were only able to stay for 15 minutes. They were closing. We still need to take another trip there.

I went to a party at my cousin's on December 10th.

I made Christmas cookies with my mother on December 15th.

On December 16th we went to see the Christmas Revels at Harvard. This was my first time. I would definately go again.

I went to my friend Joanie's holiday open house on December 17th.

We had some friends over to watch the Godfather on December 18th.

We left for Frenchville, ME on December 22nd. We visited with family......and braved the cold weather. We left on Christmas morning to come back to Boston. We had dinner with more family.

I came back to work on December 28th.

That pretty much brings you up to date on my life. My mother is enjoying her job more now than before. She saw her doctor recently who said she looks free of cancer. My liver is pretty much status quo. I'm still on the same meds. I'm assuming my bloodwork will be normal when I go in January. I am hoping to be involved with next year's Football Walk in Boston. I just submitted a patient match form to the Run For Research folks. I'm waiting to hear if they still need patients to match with runners. I'm looking forward to the New Year. The new season of the L Word is starting on January 8th. I cannot wait. My step-brother is in town this week. We had dinner the other night. It was good to see him...it had been a while. Elke is coming for a visit next week. I am looking forward to seeing her. I need to run......

Happy New Year!

Some people like the toilet paper roll to go over....others like it under. I myself like it over. It doesn't come rolling off as easy.....and there is no chance of it running away from you. I am so adamant that the toilet people be over that I have been known to switch it in the homes of dear friends who happen to have a difference of opinion on the matter. My latest trip to the ladies room at work has confirmed my suspicion that the new maintenance guy likes his toilet paper under. I started noticing the toilet paper under thing on Tuesday....here it is Thursday...and the paper is still under. He seems nice enough...and I'm sure he will do a great job. I just wish we agreed on the toilet paper issue. I did an informal survey and it appears that most folks like it over.

I'm in College Park, MD this week. I just went for a swim in the heavily clorinated pool. I had a lovely day at work. I sat in on a class....met with a colleague. I went to IKEA for the first time in my life tonight. I had some super yummy swedish meatballs for dinner. I did some shopping. It was pretty swanky. I got in at around 6:00 p.m. last night. I managed to get to DC for a bit and hang out in Dupont Circle. I went to eat at Wrap Works...I love their tropical chicken salad. I also bought a tasty espresso chew at Firehook and grabbed a flavorful chai at Teaism. I have had a nice trip, but I am ready to go home. I'm looking forward to being back in my own apartment tomorrow night. I'm off to take a shower. I need to get this clorine off me before my hair turns green.