Tall Tales All True
Johan Horak, from Simon's Town, South Africa, contacted Chicago web and application developer, Clint McMahon regarding tamaletracker, a twitter application that Clint had developed. Clint, a guy who enjoys late nights out on the town, apparently likes to know where his next tamale can be brought to him by the esteemed Chicago Tamale Guy, and thus created this application to track Tamale Guy's nightly pilgrimage through the Chicago bar scene. I understand that these tamales are really something to behold, so apparently the application caught on like wild fire.
Johan Horak contacted Clint to use the same application for his own purpose; to track and warn the people of his area in South Africa regarding the whereabouts of well known gangs of baboons that break into people's homes, wreak havok, steal food, and then leave. Thus the birth of https://twitter.com/spotdababoon. What a challenge to wrestle in your daily life! Google contains plenty of fascinating items on the topic, but this article sums it up:
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2006/10/061004-baboons.html
It is interesting to me during this process of creating a blog of what I do and do not allow myself to discuss. Who knew? One scenario that I am reluctant to share is so incredibly pervasive to my life, I'd be a liar to withhold it. It is the seemingly fragile health of my little family! We just had our second emergency surgery in eight months, and these just account for two of three lengthy hospital stays we have had during that time. Since my pregnancy seven years ago, we have not gone more than six months without a hospitalization. A very, very expensive little habit. I am generally happy to quietly keep writing checks delighted and blessed that so far, though missing some nonessential organs and committed to several high-maintenance body systems between us, we are all still safe, together, and able-bodied.
This time, however, my mind does not rest. We read about health studies, systems, developments, hormones, neurotransmitters, amino acids, drugs, chemicals, carcinogens, nutrition, and supplementation pretty endlessly. We debate long into the night the value of JAMA studies versus those of independent researchers. We theorize right alongside Kerin O'Dea, T. Colin Campbell, Weston A. Price, Wendell Berry, Marion Nestle, and Michael Pollan about the lifestyles of ancient mankind, endangerment of pre-Western civilizations, and the present day situation. We do not eat processed food! At all! Admittedly, we could (and are about to!) exercise more and drink less, but isn't this still a bit ridiculous?
Am I missing something?!
When making that familiar trip to the E.R., I know exactly what to pack. It is going to be chilly, they won't bring you water, and let's face it, there is nothing healthy to eat in a hospital. Take something for the pain before you go, because you will not be seen for many, many hours once you've arrived. Also, at $1200 a night before receiving a band aid, frankly, I generally feel entitled to take with me all of the surgical gloves, guaze, open-assed dressing gowns, and compression stockings my heart desires. Medical billers know me by my first name. I've spent so much time with several, that I was tempted to send them a holiday greeting card last year. Insurance agents also know me by name. These telephone relationships have failed to contain the same fondness, however.
Certainly, we have been through it enough times, I'd bet money I could inject an I.V. Explaining to employers that yes, truly, another hospitalization is, in fact, underway may be trickier. And of course, I am well aware that everything is negotiable, but even I learned a few things from this speech by a great woman I have had the honor of working with. Los Angeles's own Lynn Jordan on how to pay fair price for medical care:
Exhausted from our recent release, I am still feeling very celebratory. We are all okay! As unlikely as our luck has been these past 7 years, and perhaps a mirror broke, what are the chances we are still all here together, able to laugh and love?! And set a lovely table...
Forgive the blurred photography, but I did want to share. Ruby, the family's most prolific artist these days, made this card for, who else, her Grandpa. A family of birds. Beautiful... as usual, I am envious of her force and energy of expression.
I had my first health setback shortly before my pregnancy with Ru, and though I could not imagine a life without children, I debated long and hard about whether a pregnancy was a good idea. Usually not the most decisive guy in the world, Kris was fearlessly in favor. Lucky, lucky, lucky me.
I had my first health setback shortly before my pregnancy with Ru, and though I could not imagine a life without children, I debated long and hard about whether a pregnancy was a good idea. Usually not the most decisive guy in the world, Kris was fearlessly in favor. Lucky, lucky, lucky me.
Happiness and Health to all of you fearless fathers out there, this Father's Day!
Thank you for all that you do.
Thank you for all that you do.
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