That's Odd

So, I'm going to start trying to write once again. It's really funny to me to consider my writing habits - or more accurately, my habits of procrastinating about writing. I love to write. I love the idea of writing. I love the idea of me as a writer. Yet, for some reason, I can't make myself do it with any discipline at all. I tell other people I'm going to start writing more, and it just doesn't happen. I'm trying to finish this book (a very brief book), and I keep putting it off. It's truly weird.

I noticed on this blog that I didn't write (post) anything at all in 2011. Then I wrote a little in 2012. Nothing at all again in 2013. What is it about odd years? I was born in an odd year, so maybe that means something.

Anyway, the writing is something I've been threatening for far too long without delivering on. So beware. It's going to happen. And it may even just happen here.

The Closest I've Ever Come to Strangling a Pharmacist (so far)

So a few weeks ago, after we got back from Disney, my wife and I were both sick.  Well, I was sicker earlier, so I got more medical attention in the form of a z-pack.  I was feeling much better, though not totally out of the woods when she comes down with "faucet nose."  Her nose is running non-stop - like stuff pouring out of it.  Eventually, this stuff turns yellow.  So I text our doc and ask her what my wife needs to do.  She says, and I'm quoting the actual text: "I would try Sudafed and ibuprofen for a couple of days, then if not better, we'll do more." 

So, we routinely take Advil Cold and Sinus or the generic of that when we get sinus issues, and that's what she recommended.  We had a few left from the last batch, but I figured we would need more to last us a couple days.  Keep in mind, I'm not totally great yet, so I plan on taking this also.

So I run to Walgreens to purchase the stuff.  In my state, a lot of people apparently make meth.  So anything with pseudoephedrine in it is more or less a controlled substance.  Can't just buy it, have to get a card and take it to the counter to purchase.  Before I've had to show my driver's license.  I should also say that I'm not rolling up in the Walgreens in a suit and tie.  I'd been working outside, so I was wearing running shorts and a t-shirt (bright green).  

I go get the card and take it to the counter.  The woman behind the counter says, you are going to have to talk to the pharmacist.  Okay, never had to do this before, but whatever.  So, I start talking with the pharmacist, and I'm going to share his name, because I want him to lose his job - Marvin McKenzie.  Marvin asks me if the drugs are for me.  I say that they are - not a lie, because I do intend to take some of them.  He then asks me my symptoms.  Again, perhaps a bit odd, but I'll play along.  I mention that I have pressure in my head, congestion, sore throat, and some yellow mucus.  He asks if my nose was running.  Now, my wife's nose is running, and I probably should have said "yes" because she would be taking this and really it's mostly for her - but my nose was not and really has never been runny with a sinus infection (it drains down in my throat and makes it like knives there).  So, I say "no."  He then asks if he can show me something else that better fits my symptoms.  I respond that I'd really prefer this product as I've used it many times before, it works, and my primary care physician advised me to get it.  All, I think, reasonable points.

He then precedes to tell me that the laws in Tennessee have changed, and "he has a license to protect."  Now, this offends me, because suddenly I feel that he sees me as being a threat to his license, and that seems rather bizarre.  So, I ask him if he needs to do a background check on me.  He declines.  Then, I give him the number of my doctor - her cell number in fact - and offer to show him her text message.  He tries to call her, but she doesn't answer.  He remains unconvinced about my threat level.  We go back and forth for a while, and my voice is increasing in pitch and volume.  Then, I finally ask him, "Do I need a prescription to get this?"  And he says, "No."  So, I say, "Well then I'd like to purchase it."  And he says, "I can't let you do that."  My brain basically collapses at this point, because I require for things to be somewhat based on reason and logic, and these two thoughts (not a prescription drug AND can't have it even though I don't need a prescription) couldn't co-exist in my head.  I yell at him a little more, and then I say, "Are you going to sell this to me?"  And he refuses.

So, I come home, and I scream a lot about it to my wife.  She then goes to CVS, acknowledges that she has a runny nose, and comes home with the medicine.

I hereby pledge never to shop at a Walgreens again if I can possibly avoid doing so.  I will advise everyone I know never to shop at Walgreens.  And I hope that Marvin McKenzie loses his job because he vastly overstepped his bounds in order to "protect his license." 

Obviously, I am a threat.

Songs That Got Me to Kentucky

I can’t imagine life without music. My earliest memories include music, and I find it difficult to get through a day without music of some kind. One of my favorite times with music is when I’m driving on a trip by myself, and I can play music as loud as I can stand it and sing-yell along with it while I bash the steering wheel and commit a number of moving violations. But in music, as in all things, I’m picky. So the songs have to fit with what’s happening or where I’m going. Here are the main songs that kept me singing on my way to the KenLake Spiritual Life Retreat:

Across 110^th Street – Bobby Womack: Got hooked on this song from the movie “Jackie Brown.” The movie wasn’t my favorite, but it grew on me. Say what you will about Tarantino, but his use of music in film is a gift.

Africa – Toto: When this song came on, I realized my iPhone was not on shuffle (these are the first two songs I have). This song is awesome. It makes no sense, but I love singing it as loudly as I can. One of the best lines of any song ever – “I know that I must do what’s right (as) sure as Kilimanjaro rises like Olympus above the Serengeti.”

Float On – Modest Mouse: Such a fun but complex song. Great to sing with a crowd. One of the best album names ever – “Good News for People Who Love Bad News.”

You Can Call Me Al – Paul Simon: Sheer genius both as a song and as a music video. Best bass solo ever.

Into The Great Wide Open – Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers: I think I first became obsessed with this song through the music video on MTV (which if you’re 15 or younger you have no idea about). It’s a gorgeous song about a pretty ugly situation. I had a Tom Petty renaissance a couple years ago when my brother got me the DVD anthology “Runnin’ Down a Dream.” It was a great gift and made me realize how many of these songs I love – much to the dismay of my friend Mark.

Wavin’ Flag – Young Artists for Haiti: For the most part a wretched song, and yet one that always makes me happy because of where I first heard it. Good times at AC.

El Scorcho – Weezer: Makes me think of some of my closest friends - first meeting Mark, Randall, and Troy, getting to know David and Mandy, and playing in ACE with Eli at Davis-Kidd. Hilarious song. “I’ll bring home the turkey if you’ll bring home the bacon!”

“The Trio” (Rolling in the Deep, Rumour Has It, Set Fire to the Rain) – Adele: I am borderline OCD. This is lived out in music by becoming obsessed with a certain artist or usually song and playing it over and over and over. I’m newly obsessed with these three songs. “Rolling in the Deep” is just unbelievable in its ability to captivate me. I become like my dog when she sees a squirrel. The other two are pretty close in their power. These songs are the essence of music.

A Loveable Lou-ser

Just when you think you've seen it all as a Cubs fan, turns out not. I didn't think the Cubs would be in contention this season. But I had no idea things would go off the rails like this. Guess I should have had a better imagination.

I wasn't all that shocked to hear about Lou retiring at the end of the season. That seemed to be coming one way or another. But then the weird stuff started happening. We trade Derrek Lee to the Braves and then start playing the Braves. One day Lee plays for the Cubs; the next for the Braves - at Wrigley - against the Cubs. It's just too much to adjust to all at once.

And now today, Lou announces his retirement will start after the game - today. There's no arguing with his reason. His mother is apparently in failing health, and he has been on leave several times. Certainly he needs to be with her and put family first. I just hope he is really being allowed to do what he needs and isn't being forced out. At this point, he could coach the team from Tampa over Skype and it probably wouldn't make much of a difference. But if he's being elbowed out, that's pretty scummy, even for Chicago politics.

typical

so i got the swine flu the other day. well, i'm getting ahead of myself. i was told it couldn't be 100% confirmed absent a test from the CDC (which i didn't want to pay for), but it was a type a (like my personality) strand, so chances are better than not. we caught it early, so i got some good meds (100 bucks worth to be exact - about half of which was, from my medical opinion, totally useless), and i'm all better now.

now comes the question: will i start getting the flu shot? here's the thing, as far as i know i've never had the flu before. i get lots of sinus things which may also be related to allergies. who knows anything really? but, the one time i actually did get the flu shot, i got sick as a dog. it was awful. so yeah, maybe i'll just take my chances. i'm a strong believer in prevention but when that prevention makes you sick and you might not get sick anyway, not so much.

but yeah, me a total hypochondriac getting the swine flu. classic.

sorry coco

so i'll be watching conan's final "the tonight show" tonight in sort of a perplexed daze at all that has transpired. i guess nothing in the hollywood world should ever surprise me/us anymore, but after what took place years ago when leno took over (robbed) the show from carson (GRHS), i simply thought the circus had left town. oh no.

i don't want to be completely one-sided. i used to have no use for jay at all. but over the years he has gotten funnier to me. i think he's usually pretty self-deprecating, and he was great in "comedian." but i've always been more of a letterman guy, just more zany, loopy, and ridiculous all around. that being said, i like conan more than them all. i make no bones about it, it's because of his work on "the simpsons." he's hilarious and brilliant and to hear people he worked with on "the simpsons" talk about him...well it's kinda like hearing nuns talk about Jesus. and it rings true. i don't know if anyone in hollywoodland has any sincerity or much integrity, but conan seems to me to come closest. so far no ridiculous affairs or insanity about his life, i guess until now.

i feel pretty sad that i haven't really watched "the tonight show" until tonight. not sure i would have made much of a diference. but i'm sad that he worked so hard and is so talented and is being shown the door simply because it's easier to do what is easy than it is to do what is right.

house musings

so i bought a house a couple months ago. most things have been wonderful. but, of course, i have to keep with the spirit of this blog and whine about the things that have not been so great. the main thing is that i have yet to receive a single service at the house (cable, internet, etc) that did not start with an incorrect bill. i was, of course, always overcharged. today i tried to pay the internet bill, which the lady i spoke with last week assured me would be corrected online, and it was still wrong. i called and they told me that the bill had been fixed in their records, but they wouldn't correct it online or send me another one. so i payed the amount they said, but i know this will come back to bite me because i've done this dance before. next month it will be wrong again and/or i'll be charged for the amount of the incorrect bill i didn't pay. i know it's not a big deal maybe, and there are surely things that could be going wrong that would be tons worse. but it is annoying, and dare i say preposterous that NO ONE can seem to get this stuff right the first time around.