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Why Thailand? Why Not…?

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Paradise

Edema. My feet were looking like loafs of bread and my toes like sausage links. That’s what 23 hours on three different planes got me. But, those 23 hours also got me to one of the most beautiful locations in the world, Phuket, Thailand.

If you ever consider traveling to Asia, fly Korean Air. I think they invented customer service!! Even in economy class the service is excellent. They offer hot food service with real silverware…none of that plastic dinnerware found on US carriers. Parents traveling with infants are offered bassinets which snap onto the wall of the cabin, usually in the exit row. Their attention to detail is impeccable.

We were originally scheduled to catch a connecting flight in Seoul, Korea to Phuket but due to the solar flare storms, we were diverted to Bangkok from Seoul for an overnight stay in a hotel in the Suvarnabhumi Airport. The hotel’s accommodations were in true Asian minimalist style – small bathroom with only a shower and two twin beds for a double occupancy. Nothing luxurious about it but after 23 hours on a 2 planes, I had no complaints, plus the airline comped the room.

The next morning we flew Bangkok Air to Phuket which only took an hour, thankfully.
The JW Marriott Beach Club is EXCELLENT!! I can’t adequately describe the hotel because I’m typing this post using my Xoom tablet with a wireless keyboard. If you’re familiar you know the keyboard is small. Ugh!
So you might be asking, “Why Thailand?”, like a few others have. My response – “Why not?” It’s bad form to answer a question with a question, but in this case, I must.
You are given one life and it is your charge to live it to the fullest. Dare to think outside the box and open yourself to new possibilities. Seek out cultures and people that are different and unfamiliar to what you’re accustomed. Remove the shackles!!!!
When you do that, you will never as me “Why Thailand?” but instead ask yourself, “Why not Thailand?”

To Thine Own Breasts, Be True

The Mammogram

My yearly visits to the torture device, also known as the mammogram, started in 1998 when my right breast began to leak fluid due to a ruptured mammary duct.

That diagnosis cam by way of a general surgeon after visiting a “breast specialist” who, after administering a breast ultrasound told me “Oh, that’s normal.” Good thing I sought out a second opinion.

Never accept a doctor’s word at face value when you know in your heart of hearts that what he/she is saying does not ring true. Do not be afraid to seek out a second, or third, opinion. Be your own advocate!!

During a self breast exam in 2003, I discovered a lump. A mammogram, ultra sound, biopsy, and eventual lump removal revealed there was no cancer. All was good and the torture device visits continued.

Sitting in a meeting at work about 12 days ago (a Tuesday) my upper right arm grazed my breast when I reached for something on the conference room table. I winced from the pain and tenderness and my first thought was “What was that?”

Immediately after the meeting I called to schedule an appointment for a mammogram. (The yearly visit was last August.)

Thursday morning found me at the Cobb Women’s Imaging Center for a mammogram and a breast ultrasound.

There are no words to accurately describe the anxiety. I barely ate and had a headache that laughed at the Tylenol I ingested. Despite trying to remain positive the internal dialogue could not be quieted.

What if it is cancer? How will we decide to treat it? Is it early enough that I won’t lose my breast? Chemotherapy? I’ll lose my hair!! Just when I decided to let it grow out again. I rocked a natural look surely I could rock the bald look too. If it is cancer, they’ll just have to remove the lump ASAP and I will start chemo after I return from Thailand in March.

Then there was the Monday afternoon appointment with the surgeon.

Tuesday -Hit auto-replay and shuffle on internal dialogue.

Wednesday morning – an ultrasound guided needle biopsy.

Thursday – Hit auto-replay and shuffle on internal dialogue.

The call came from the doctor’s office on Friday. It is not cancer.

OH HAPPY DAY!

I am forever grateful to the universe and will continue my monthly breast exams and my annual mammogram. If you’re a woman over 40, you should do the same.

If you’re a woman under 40, or a man (YES. MEN, you can get breast cancer too!), self breast exams are a must. Learn to do them correctly!

Visit the following links for more information on mammograms and self breast exams for men and women!

Here’s to happy healthy breasts!!!

Women click here. Men click here.

Have a Seat….Newt Gingrich!!!

Nothing pisses me more than intolerance and bigots.

Bigot – a person who is obstinately or intolerantly devoted to his or her own opinions and prejudices; especially: one who regards or treats the members of a group (as a racial or ethnic group) with hatred and intolerance.  Merriam Webster

With hatred…and intolerance.

Intolerant – a: unwilling to grant equal freedom of expression especially in religious matters b: unwilling to grant or share social, political, or professional rights.  Merriam Webster

Sitchyo Ass Down

Which brings me to Newton Leroy Gingrinch, known to friends and foes as Newt. Who else finds his middle name Leroy highly ironic? No one? Okay. Moving right along.

Last week during a campaign stop in Columbia, Newt Gingrinch was asked if he would ever endorse a Muslin running for president. To which he replied, “It would depend entirely on whether they would commit in public to give up Shariah“. He went on to say, “A truly modern person who happened to worship Allah would not be a threat, a person who belonged to any kind of belief in Shariah, any effort to impose it on the rest of us, would be a mortal threat“. (Read the full story HERE.)

Leroy Newt…sitchyo ass all the way down!! Have a seat sir!

According to Wikipedia, Shariah (they’ve spelled it Sharia) is the moral code and religious law of Islam derived from the Quran and the example set by the prophet Muhammad. Muslims believe Sharia is God’s law but the interpretations of that vary widely between modernists, traditionalists, fundamentalists and also depends on country, society and culture. (If any Muslim readers can confirm or clarify it would be greatly appreciated.)

Sounds vaguely familiar? Think Christians and the Bible.

Let’s take a closer look at your statements Newty-Newt.

“a person who belonged to any kind of belief in Shariah….would be a mortal threat“

Oh, like the Crusades were to non-Christians? Or like the enslavement of millions of Africans by Anglo-Saxon European (new Americans) using the Bible as justification?

“any effort to impose it on the rest of us” and being “totally opposed” to Shariah law being applied in American courts. Oh, as opposed to say uhm…Christianity?

My name is Leroy and I'm a Cancer

The last time I checked the American governmental and judicial systems were based on Judeo Christian teachings in which non-Christian citizens are expected to operate within. And even though the First Amendment of the Constitution mandates a separation of church and state, Evangelical Christians have become such a powerful lobbying group who consistently flexes its muscle to impose their religious beliefs and biblical interpretations on EVERYONE. Extremists in this group have even resorted to violence in an effort to voice their oppositions to ideas and people who don’t agree. Think abortion clinic bombings. This makes their very existence a mortal threat to those who think differently. Does it not?

Newt, your assertion that someone of a different faith should publicly denounce their religion is beyond shameful…ignorant at best, bigoted at worst. But we should not be surprised nor shocked. You have a proven track record of bigoted, racist, divisive rhetoric, don’t you?

Oh, but what a fine upstanding Christian man you are sir. I mean, you’re a beacon of light, a fine example of Christian values. Who wouldn’t be after divorcing wife #1 when she was battling cancer; wife #2 after she was diagnosed with M.S., leaving her for your current wife (that’s #3 if you’ve lost track) all while calling for President Clinton’s impeachment for lying about his torrid sexcapades with Monica Lewinsky.

Loyalty. Faithfulness. Honesty.

Yes….no Muslim would ever be fit enough to run for the presidency and be graced by an endorsement from the likes of you…..LEROY!!

Have A Seat!!

Sitchyo ass down!!!

It’s been a long time since I have posted anything. Because of this, I’m sure my few regular readers think I have fallen off the face of the earth. But alas…I have not.

I am starting a new weekly posting called “Have A Seat” where I intend to point out the bullshit, hypocrisy and outright lunacy of people, places, or things that grab my attention. These things may be in the news or daily occurrences in my life. That is to say, no one is exempt. Given some of the things I see in the news this could be a long running series.

Now, let’s get started.

Hey y’all!! Paula Deen announced this week she was diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes three years ago. Her revelation was met with a firestorm of criticism from many of her fans, diabetic patients, and a fellow celebrity chef, Anthony Bourdain. (If you missed that you can read about it here.)

The timing of her revelation coincides with the announcement of her partnership with diabetes drug maker Novo Nordisk as a paid spokesperson.

So here we have an overweight celebrity chef whose menu and focus is comfort foods laden with butter and sugar telling the world she is diabetic in order to educate you about the disease.

Ms. Dean….HAVE. A. SEAT!!!

Read Full Article

2011 in review

The WordPress.com stats helper monkeys prepared a 2011 annual report for this blog.

Here’s an excerpt:

The concert hall at the Syndey Opera House holds 2,700 people. This blog was viewed about 14,000 times in 2011. If it were a concert at Sydney Opera House, it would take about 5 sold-out performances for that many people to see it.

Click here to see the complete report.