poked and prodded

Right now, things are a little nuts around here.  I’m trying to get my health forms completed for my Fulbright, and it’s really a frustrating process.  I’ve had blood drawn twice, gotten a physical, gotten a gyn exam, gotten PPD, and now we’re going to look at my immunizations. No more needles! I’ve learned a few things though -

Test results freak me out. I don’t know why, but I get very anxious when I’m looking at them (even though I don’t expect anything but normal).  There were a few abnormal, but they’re up to interpretation.

I can’t stand the sight of my own blood.  I’m ok with wounds.  But I can’t watch my own blood filling up the vial.  It’s not scary or gross, it’s just surreal.

The health care industry is confusing.  If I didn’t already work in the field, I would be quite baffled.  What does “family history” really mean?  What’s the difference between an HPV test and a Pap test? How often should you update your immunizations? What does the “normal range” indicate?

Straight men should not do pap smears.  That is all I have to say about that.

I should be all done with this madness by Monday, at least until next January or so, when I have to get the immunization updates!

sometimes it’s the little things

So I had some bad public transportation experiences the past few weeks - nothing really big and all resolved in a satisfactory way, but still unplanned for and unappreciated.

Two of the trains I took were late in leaving or arriving, which meant I didn’t get a chance to get work done before class.  Then there was the day the president came to town, and the resulting street closures meant that I got to stand on the shuttle for an hour.   The worst was the day I waited for the shuttle for 30 minutes and it showed up and didn’t have enough room on it (meaning another 30 minute wait).  I had to call the company and they nicely sent someone to pick me up.

So after that, I’ve been a bit grumbly about taking public transportation, and been leaning towards driving to class.  But the last two times I took the train, I got my train ride comped.  The first time was an accident, I think, but the second time, the train conductor did it on purpose.  He gave me a little smile as he punched over an existing punch on my pass.  How nice!   It has definitely made me remember why I prefer taking the train.

pay it forward

we’ve all seen the movie.  now go read the excellent  posts on the subject.

why does etrade suck so much

can anyone answer this? how can a company not get something right FOUR times, in the face of multiple emails, phone calls, and faxes detailing exactly what needs to be done? i really need to find a new bank.

a musical mission

One of the listservs I’m on recently posted a request for quirky upbeat musical selections about the happy moments in life.  I’m pondering my nominee.  My first instinct would go to something by Ben Folds, but I think I’ll think more on this.

It’s a great idea though - a compilation of those songs that remind you of the funny, little things of life, instead of all the silly melodrama so prevalent in pop music.