Rant in a hat...

Time for a Rant...

Actually, there's more than one here, so it gets its own post.

This one goes out to all the folks who are bickering over Ms Schiavo down in Florida.
I do not feel sorry for any of you folks whatsoever.
Why?
It's because of you people that lives in that area, lives of people who have absolutely sod all to do with this news-hogging story, are being disrupted, because you people can't be civil.
Let's take a look at the people about whom I feel sorry.
I feel sorry for the 750+ kids in the school next to the hospice. Because of the violence that took place over the weekend, these kids have to be split up and shuttled to schools across the city, disrupting their daily educational routine. Good on you.
I feel sorry for the other patients who reside at the hospice in front of which you people gather, chant, and blather on into microphones. Don't you think these people deserve some peace and quiet? How about some of that diginity and comfort that they desire in an end-of-life situation? Would you want the same? Good on you.
I feel sorry for anyone who happens to live and/or work in that area, and have to deal with the throngs of people that are gathering, disrupting the normal, everyday flow of life in that area. You're certainly making an impact that's changing people's minds about you folks... and I don't think it's in your direction. Good on you.
Here's the thing. I respect your drive for upholding your convictions. I just don't respect the manner in which you're showing them. True, this is a sad time for both sides of the family, and while the fight on both sides is admirable, it just doesn't matter in the whole scheme of things. Perhaps you should take a step back, put yourself in her position, and think about what you would want. And when I say position, I don't mean the one that you think is happening, I'm talking about stone cold reality here. But then again, when have the religious right ever truly faced reality?


Now this one is dedicated to the unsung heroes in the medical field -- the pharmacist.
My good friend skyglider is from Canada, and so she has already taken a few steps back (over the border) to take a look at how her friends south of the border are behaving themselves.
Recently, she posted a link to an article about how some pharmacists aren't doing their jobs, as they're letting their own religious morals take over, and will not under any circumstances dish out birth control pills.
Excuse me, yes you there, in the white coat behind the counter. What gives you the right to say what you can and can't do in your job? There are only a handful of professions and career paths out there that walk hand in hand with religion. Pumping out medication in plastic bottles isn't one of them. Who are you to judge who gets their scrips filled and who doesn't?
You say that the pill is akin to abortion. Um, doesn't abortion have to happen to a fetus? When was the last time that an ovary pumped out a blastocyst? If this is your way of thinking, that slowing or halting the release of an unfertilized egg, or somehow making the egg impervious to fertilization (I'm not entire sure on how the pills work, bear with me here) is the same as halting the progress of a fetus (which, in your argument would be after conception, right?), then by that logic, perhaps all the women across the world should be locked up for being the worst mass murderers in history.
And let's take a look at the other reasons why the pill may be prescribed. One is to regulate a woman's monthly visitor. Another reason actually comes from a side effect of the pill -- dermatological reasons. Yep, the pill can help clear up your skin.
Haven't thought of that, have you?
Nope, didn't think so.
If you prevent women from getting the pill from your pharmacy, then you better stop stocking those boxes of Trojans and Durex behind the counter, too.
What really irks me about this situation is that not all the pharmacists who perform this act are being disciplined, even after complaints. Yeah okay, you won't fill my prescription, and you won't tell me who will. Fine, give me back my slip and I'll hunt one down.
Actually, I think the article even stated that the scrip slips aren't given back to the customers, even destroyed, forcing the patient to go back to the doctor's office to get a new scrip written up.
Now the larger pharmacy chains are trying their best to maintain a balance between the rights of the pharmacist and the rights of the patient. Okay, fine, how are you planning to do this? Pay to have another pharmacist or body behind the counter who will dole out the medication? Most pharmacies have techs who can dispense meds already. Get them to do it. What does it take? Putting prepackaged meds into a bag and printing up a slip. Two minutes. You can't set your beliefs aside for your job for two whole minutes. Bloody marvelous.
I know, you're about to say, "I don't tell you how to do your job, don't tell me mine." Okay, fine. Be that way. I just won't come to you for any sort of advice or scrips.
I'm just wondering what the next medication these people won't dish out. I'm waiting to hear this one. If it's one I take for anything, I'll be at the front of the protests.
Religion is such a hassle, innit?
Said it before, I applaud your steadfast hold on your convictions and beliefs. Please don't force them on me.

Rants over.

Wednesday ramblings

The Life of Pink

So last night, I made it home in really good time, and we drove to our childbirth class. We didn't have the tour of the birthing department that was on the schedule, but that's next week. She ran over her supposed time allotment discussing intervention, augmentation and induction methods. I grabbed a slice of pizza from the pizza counter, and a taco from the pay-by-the-ounce bar in the caf. When we got home, I made a ham and cheese sammich. Yes, I was hungry.
Of course, hearing about epidurals and C-sections really upped C's worries, and she's decided that unless it's absolutely necessary, we're doing it naturally.
Two classes left. Plus I have the Dad's class, we have the Safety class, and there's a Breastfeeding class in there somewhere as well.
Good Gods Above, it's going to be busy.
Add into that four more weeks of Aikido. I'm going to be rather occupied.

I'm on my own on the phones today. My partner in crime is out for a medical appointment today. So far, it hasn't been bad, but it's only been just over an hour.
I am so going to need Aikido tonight, then a quick dinner, then sleep.

Time for my morning brew up. That means tea.


I've been considering movies to see this summer, either with or without C, all depending. I'd love for her to come along, but it would mean asking my parents to watch Marcus for a little while. Some movies have to be seen on the big screen, primarily:
Revenge of the Sith
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy
Some movies, like The Fantastic Four and Sin City (which I haven't read) can wait until the cheap theatres, I think. I don't really know of any other real blockbusters that are coming out just yet.

I need a nap.

First really nice day we're having in I don't know how long, temperatures threatening to hit or just climb over 60... and where am I?
Hell with it, I'm leaving the building come lunchtime, go out and get me a really good sammich. This is severly needed. Too bad I don't have a stereo in my car to blast.


Sort of stuck when it comes to writing. I have a beginning to the urban fantasy storyline I want to work on, but I'm trying to figure out how I can make it longer than a long short story. Then again, my latest foray into Undocumented Features has also stalled, primarily because I'm not entirely suer where I put the diskette.
Then again, I'm also in the beginnings of working on Hack20, which is a d20 version of Hackmaster. This will prove to be interesting. That is, if I don't get lynched.


Just finished Going Postal. Really good read. Keep imagining Jonathan Pryce as the Patrician Vetinari. (If you don't know who he is, he was the villain in Tomorrow Never Dies, among other movies.) Now it'll be onto Gateways by F Paul Wilson for tomorrow's lunch.


In honor of today's beautiful weather, some kind soul has stocked the freezer here at work with popsicles and fudge pops. I shall partake of them later on in the afternoon, after lunch has settled.
Speaking of lunch, I did take that drive out to get a sandwich. As soon as I parked and got out of the car, the damned car alarm sounded off. There's a short in the damned thing, and the dealer won't touch it since they say it was an aftermarket item. Feh. So I called one of my coworkers to get the alarm fobs out of my jacket (since I didn't wear it outside) and bring them to me. As I waited, I couldn't stand it anymore, so I opened the hood, found the source of the shrieking, and gave the horn area a soft yet solid *thump*. No more alarm, for now.
I have got to get that damned thing taken care of soon.
That and getting a new stereo for the car.







I'd like to take a look at the news...

March seems to be the month for feeding tubes. First we have Ms Schiavo having hers removed, and the big bruhaha over that. Now the Pope is sporting his own tube to keep him going. I think this is another sign that he is not long for this world. I would be highly surprised if he makes it through Spring. I see another Pope in place by year's end for sure.


Burger King has introduced a mammoth breakfast sandwich to their menu. It's a long bun, two portions of scrambled egg, two sausage patties, bacon and cheese. One heart attack special to go, with a Diet Coke, please.
I'm tempted to try it -- once, and I'm not sure if I could down the whole thing. I certainly wouldn't have one before work. Having most of my blood, which is iron-poor to begin with, focused on my stomach trying to digest this thing would make me looking for a place to curl up and have a snooze. This is hibernation food we're talking here. But, give the people what they want and all that, eh?

On a sweeter note... this weekend, M&Ms will be available in dark chocolate. Finally! Of course, this is a movie tie-in to Revenge of the Sith. It all has to do with the Dark Side, get it? I'll get it, when I see 'em, and I will savor them. Time to stock up if it's a limited time thing.


And a moment of silence for the Lawyer of the 1990s. Johnny Cochrane has passed on due to brain cancer. I didn't even know he had it. Took us by surprise.

Rev Jerry Fallwell is in hospital, and reported to be in critical condition. Perhaps he's not long for this world, either.





Nothing more to report.
Carry on.