I’ve been so engrossed in podcasts these past several weeks that I haven’t been reading as much - otherwise it’s just too much information, too many words, during the day. Also, I think I approached my entrée into podcasting the same as I did my entrée into TV land back in June. I’m insatiable – I feel like I have to listen to everything, just because it’s there and to figure out what I like. And I only download NPR and Slate.
Currently, I’m making my way through NPR’s: Technology; Economy; Environment; On Health; Religion; News from Lake Wobegon; On Science; Pop Culture; and Sunday Puzzle. Plus, I haven’t even started on the backlog of Car Talk; Fresh Air; Intelligence Squared; Wait Wait…Don’t Tell Me!; and This American Life. Whew!
If you have suggestions for podcasts that you think I should listen to, or would enjoy, please let me know!
Of all that I’ve listened to the past few weeks (podcasts dating back from June to present), some were informative, but I’d say the ones that have stuck with me, or that I’ve enjoyed are: Lake Wobegon; Sunday Puzzle; and On Health. And I want to share these two things from On Health.
1) NPR’s Health Care for All series. Tagline, “In Europe, it’s a reality.”
They did studies of the UK, France, Germany, Switzerland, the Netherlands, and Japan. In each case, highlighting the +/- of that country’s system, interviewing people, and comparing it to the U.S.
“Countries with governments and economies similar to the United States have come up with a variety of methods to make sure that all of their citizens receive health care. While residents in Europe and Japan may pay higher insurance premiums or taxes than Americans, in the end, when all costs are added up, Americans spend more money on health care per person — with fewer people covered.”
Click the “Interactive Graphic” for a comparison of the different countries’ policies versus the U.S.
I’d be better off staying in France if I ever decide to get sick during my lifetime. I worry that when I’m older (1) Social Security will be gone so I cannot rely on that for income; (2) cost of living will be much higher; (3) I will have to rely on my current investments for retirement income, and the state of the US economy is doing nothing to calm me; all thus leading me to point (4) it’d be very easy to go bankrupt in the US when faced with health problems.
Just because you have insurance doesn’t mean you’re covered. It could be coverage only up to $100k (and that doesn’t cover a lot for a major illness); or doesn’t cover some types of surgery, rehabilitation, medicine, etc. And, who’s to say there will be enough doctors in the future?
2) WHO Patient Safety Checklist
Hard to imagine that there wasn’t such a checklist before (see it here) – I mean, having to put on paper, and check off, that everyone in the operating room has introduced him/herself to the rest of the team; or stating what procedure is going to be done; etc. seems redundant. But, you hear horror stories of people having the wrong operation, having medical instruments sewn up in them, etc.
If I ever have to have surgery, I’m taking this checklist with me! Maybe I’ll even create my own checklist for regular doctor’s visits – i.e. review what was written in my chart; ask what alternatives to the suggested treatment are available; etc.
Hope these are helpful and informative to you.
Friday, September 26, 2008
Fruitcakes
Just couldn't let these three things I've read this week go by w/o sharing. And this doesn't include all the crazy political and economic news of the week!
NEW ZEALAND - More mysterious lard-like lumps have washed up on lower North Island shores, proving a beacon to dogs and fortune hunters. (Read about it here)
And...
UNITED NATIONS - Michael Douglas had to field questions Wednesday about the financial turmoil shaking world markets from reporters recalling his role in the 1987 film "Wall Street." (Article is here)
Lastly....
SOUTH CHARLESTON, W.Va. - A West Virginia man who police said passed gas and fanned it toward a patrolman has been charged with battery on a police officer. (Read more here)
(As a coworker said, "I could have charged my brother with battery all those years ago???")
NEW ZEALAND - More mysterious lard-like lumps have washed up on lower North Island shores, proving a beacon to dogs and fortune hunters. (Read about it here)
And...
UNITED NATIONS - Michael Douglas had to field questions Wednesday about the financial turmoil shaking world markets from reporters recalling his role in the 1987 film "Wall Street." (Article is here)
Lastly....
SOUTH CHARLESTON, W.Va. - A West Virginia man who police said passed gas and fanned it toward a patrolman has been charged with battery on a police officer. (Read more here)
(As a coworker said, "I could have charged my brother with battery all those years ago???")
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Trying to Reason With Hurricane Reason
Want to know where I've been lately?
Trials and tribulations getting from Paris/London to Cincinnati involved the fire in the Chunnel. Read here.
Once in Ohio...the fun continued. Read here. We are still without power (entering 72+ hours now); my brother got it back last night.
More details will be posted once I have more than 30 minutes online. Using the internet at my brother's is a bit tricky since it also involves watching my very mobile and curious 15-month-old niece.
Am afraid of what will happen when I leave for Marietta tomorrow!
Trials and tribulations getting from Paris/London to Cincinnati involved the fire in the Chunnel. Read here.
Once in Ohio...the fun continued. Read here. We are still without power (entering 72+ hours now); my brother got it back last night.
More details will be posted once I have more than 30 minutes online. Using the internet at my brother's is a bit tricky since it also involves watching my very mobile and curious 15-month-old niece.
Am afraid of what will happen when I leave for Marietta tomorrow!
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Best, simplest dinner ever
I am in Paris for work this week (again). And, no, it is not glamorous. The Eurostar always makes me feel about 20% queasy. Just enough to make me feel weird, but not enough to actually be sick, or not go in to the office. I’ve tried eating / not eating; drinking / not drinking (free wine in business premier class); sleeping; doing work. Nothing seems to work. And I’m not a motion sick type of person in cars or planes. Can read happily there.
Met two colleagues / friends at near their hotel for dinner tonight (there are about 10 of us from London here this week). (Why am I not at their hotel? Well, always best to stay near one’s boss, in terms of location and price…) Anyway. Got off the Metro at Ave Victor Hugo, got off at exit Ave Raymond Pic… and started walking. Got to Avenue Foch and basically said Fooccchhhh! I knew I had gone the wrong way. This is about the widest Blvd ever, and richest street in the city I think. Turned around, walked UP the hill, and met my friends. We had dinner. Fan-tab-u-lous! The goat cheese (chevre) salad was perfect. Just lettuce, three pieces of toasted baguette (crostini?) upon each was placed a huge slice of chevre thicker and wider than the bread. Had great wine. Had crème brulée for dessert. My absolute favorite (after Graeter’s chocolate chip ice cream of course). This was the BEST crème brulée ever. No pretenses. Just basic vanilla. In a dish nearly the length of my forearm. Perfect. Thank you and good night!
Met two colleagues / friends at near their hotel for dinner tonight (there are about 10 of us from London here this week). (Why am I not at their hotel? Well, always best to stay near one’s boss, in terms of location and price…) Anyway. Got off the Metro at Ave Victor Hugo, got off at exit Ave Raymond Pic… and started walking. Got to Avenue Foch and basically said Fooccchhhh! I knew I had gone the wrong way. This is about the widest Blvd ever, and richest street in the city I think. Turned around, walked UP the hill, and met my friends. We had dinner. Fan-tab-u-lous! The goat cheese (chevre) salad was perfect. Just lettuce, three pieces of toasted baguette (crostini?) upon each was placed a huge slice of chevre thicker and wider than the bread. Had great wine. Had crème brulée for dessert. My absolute favorite (after Graeter’s chocolate chip ice cream of course). This was the BEST crème brulée ever. No pretenses. Just basic vanilla. In a dish nearly the length of my forearm. Perfect. Thank you and good night!
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Don't Chu-Know
One of the other things that has been weighing on my mind (there have been several), is something my friend Vivian told me when I was at Cornwall’s a few weeks ago (on my 2nd weekend in Boston last month). She said she’s learned more about me from reading my blog than she knew about me before. And we’ve known each other for several years – granted, we’d see each other about once a week at Cornwall’s on Fridays after work, and once a month for dinner, but still!
In one case, it makes me glad that I have this blog, no matter how infrequently I write in it, because if people I see regularly don’t know me that well, then most likely friends I see twice a year when I’m in Cincinnati must not know me at all!
But, on the other, it makes me wonder if I just don’t share things with people. Am I anti-social?
Neither thought is one that I can explain/expound upon more. But Vivian’s statement does trouble me – I just cannot put my finger on how or why. I feel like the character on Earth in Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy who is about to discover the meaning to all life but then Earth is blown up to make room for a new outer space super highway. I’m just on the verge of understanding something more about myself, but it’s just out of reach.
The title of this post is a Buffett song, two lines go: “The more we learn the less we know; What you keep is what you can’t let go.” I wonder if that is applicable somehow?
In one case, it makes me glad that I have this blog, no matter how infrequently I write in it, because if people I see regularly don’t know me that well, then most likely friends I see twice a year when I’m in Cincinnati must not know me at all!
But, on the other, it makes me wonder if I just don’t share things with people. Am I anti-social?
Neither thought is one that I can explain/expound upon more. But Vivian’s statement does trouble me – I just cannot put my finger on how or why. I feel like the character on Earth in Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy who is about to discover the meaning to all life but then Earth is blown up to make room for a new outer space super highway. I’m just on the verge of understanding something more about myself, but it’s just out of reach.
The title of this post is a Buffett song, two lines go: “The more we learn the less we know; What you keep is what you can’t let go.” I wonder if that is applicable somehow?
Quiet Faith of Man
This is something I’ve wanted to write about for over a month now (as there have been many things), so I figure I got home at a reasonable hour (18:40), believe it or not I’ve actually seen the few CSI episodes that are showing on TV over here, and I’m having some of my duty free Jameson aged 12 year whisky, so why not write?
What is it I’ve wanted to write about you ask? Song of Solomon (the book in the Bible). (Is “book” supposed to be capitalized? Is Bible supposed to be in italics or quotes since it’s the name of a book? – yes, these are the questions that go through my mind. And, yes, all this on only one sip of whisky.) I digress. One reason I probably didn’t write sooner was that getting my Bible out meant moving the picture frames and other things in front of the religion section of books on my book shelf; ever previous time I was going to get it out I realized I needed to dust and then got sidetracked; and I kept losing one of the pieces of paper I had notes on. Anyway.
Why Song of Solomon? Well, within less than 2 weeks, I read 3 references to this book, 2 of which were the same passage. A bit weird. First, I was reading the book Oil! By Upton Sinclair (*see my thoughts on that below) and one of the characters, Vee Tracy, the movie star siren, quoted a few lines of scripture, more as a pick-up line (p338). Then, when I was going through the weekly offering plate envelopes from Old South, the one for July 6th had a quote from the same passage. Lastly, on July 9th, the UCC’s daily devotional was from the same passage!
Song of Solomon 2:8-12
The voice of my beloved! Look, he comes, leaping upon the mountains, bounding over the hills. My beloved is like a gazelle or a young stag…My beloved speaks and says to me: ‘Arise, my love, my fair one, and come away; for now the winter is past, the rain is over and gone. The flowers appear on the earth; the time of singing has come, and the voice of the turtledove is heard in our land…” from The New Oxford Annotated Bible
As Rev Anthony B. Robinson wrote in his UCC reflection, “Aren't these lines of Scripture lovely? Read them aloud to yourself once more. Scholars debate whether the Song of Solomon is human love poetry that is all about the love of two people, or a metaphor of God's love for Israel and the Church. But does it have to be one or the other? Can't it be both?”
I have never read Song of Solomon, but am very curious to now do so as this passage is quite lyrical and unlike most anything else I’ve read in the Bible, especially the Old Testament! It is a very short book in the Old Testament. Plus, to have those three references to the Bible, to the same book in it, and to the same passage, all within about 10 days is a bit much.
* Oil! By Upton Sinclair: If you’ve seen the movie There Will Be Blood, it is my understanding it is NOTHING like the book. In fact, the cover of the book says it was just the inspiration for the movie. Characters, story line, everything are different. The book is ok, but the main character is a whining, self indulgent, can’t wake up to the real world type of socialist young man. The Jungle is a much more convincing book both for socialism as well as industry reform. Oil! misses the mark.
What is it I’ve wanted to write about you ask? Song of Solomon (the book in the Bible). (Is “book” supposed to be capitalized? Is Bible supposed to be in italics or quotes since it’s the name of a book? – yes, these are the questions that go through my mind. And, yes, all this on only one sip of whisky.) I digress. One reason I probably didn’t write sooner was that getting my Bible out meant moving the picture frames and other things in front of the religion section of books on my book shelf; ever previous time I was going to get it out I realized I needed to dust and then got sidetracked; and I kept losing one of the pieces of paper I had notes on. Anyway.
Why Song of Solomon? Well, within less than 2 weeks, I read 3 references to this book, 2 of which were the same passage. A bit weird. First, I was reading the book Oil! By Upton Sinclair (*see my thoughts on that below) and one of the characters, Vee Tracy, the movie star siren, quoted a few lines of scripture, more as a pick-up line (p338). Then, when I was going through the weekly offering plate envelopes from Old South, the one for July 6th had a quote from the same passage. Lastly, on July 9th, the UCC’s daily devotional was from the same passage!
Song of Solomon 2:8-12
The voice of my beloved! Look, he comes, leaping upon the mountains, bounding over the hills. My beloved is like a gazelle or a young stag…My beloved speaks and says to me: ‘Arise, my love, my fair one, and come away; for now the winter is past, the rain is over and gone. The flowers appear on the earth; the time of singing has come, and the voice of the turtledove is heard in our land…” from The New Oxford Annotated Bible
As Rev Anthony B. Robinson wrote in his UCC reflection, “Aren't these lines of Scripture lovely? Read them aloud to yourself once more. Scholars debate whether the Song of Solomon is human love poetry that is all about the love of two people, or a metaphor of God's love for Israel and the Church. But does it have to be one or the other? Can't it be both?”
I have never read Song of Solomon, but am very curious to now do so as this passage is quite lyrical and unlike most anything else I’ve read in the Bible, especially the Old Testament! It is a very short book in the Old Testament. Plus, to have those three references to the Bible, to the same book in it, and to the same passage, all within about 10 days is a bit much.
* Oil! By Upton Sinclair: If you’ve seen the movie There Will Be Blood, it is my understanding it is NOTHING like the book. In fact, the cover of the book says it was just the inspiration for the movie. Characters, story line, everything are different. The book is ok, but the main character is a whining, self indulgent, can’t wake up to the real world type of socialist young man. The Jungle is a much more convincing book both for socialism as well as industry reform. Oil! misses the mark.
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