Oh, the Pain!

Well, I thought I was done with this bad neck. After getting adjusted by the chiropractor last week, I had been steadily recovering from what the back-cracker called a whip lashed neck. All day today, though, all the pain and immobility returned with a vengeance. I can't move my neck without skull-crushing pain, and I've had a sharp headache all day. I'm really getting tired of this.

Ah... Sweet Relief!

After almost two weeks of increasingly unbearable pain in my neck and head, Wifey had had enough. I got to a point where I couldn't move my head to either side, and Tracy made the call to put me out of my misery. "Off to the back-cracker", she cried, and off to the back-cracker I went.

The chiropractor spent a lot of time adjusting my neck, and asked me, "how did you whiplash your neck so?" Whiplash? "No motor vehicle accidents, Doc," I replied. "And I didn't slip on any ice or snow".

He said my neck was sufficiently screwed up to warrant some major rehab, so I've been icing it, heating it, and Tracy has been feeding me Screwdrivers for the pain. The neck bones are adjusted, but the neck muscles are so inflamed, I still have near-constant screaming pain.

So Tired

I'm tired. So very very tired. I've tried relaxing in my usual way (a little soft 70's music, soft lighting, and as much time away from work as possible), but it doesn't seem to work these days. I've had a constant headache for over a week now, and moving my head just the slightest bit to either side causes skull-crushing pain.

I haven't had a full night of sleep in weeks, despite efforts to "sleep in" on the weekends. I keep waking up in the middle of the night, worrying about work. I'm getting comfort from heavy blankets on the bed, but I end up waking up overheated and groggy in the mornings.

I try to go to bed early, but my biological sleep clock is hardwired to prevent me from falling asleep until about 10pm.

Aarrgh! So weary! So tired! Merely want refreshing, pain-free rest!

Diarrhea For Christmas!

Wondering what to get friends and family for Christmas?

More funny videos like the "Diarrhea for Christmas" at Heavy.com

Arthitis Medication... BAD

With the terribly cold conditions locally, I applied from pain-reducing medication on my hands - I have a bit of arthritis in my hands, and the medication provides a modicum of relief. Tonight, though, I stood outside to marvel at the winter weather, and a snowflake got into my eye, so (in a reflex movement) I brushed my hand across my eye. Now my hand is swollen almost shut, and the left side of my face is on fire.

Another family pet gone

We lost our cat, Beelzebub, today. Last night, he suffered a kitty stroke, and was failing fast this morning. Tracy took him to the vet this morning, and the vet said nothing more could be done. He was almost 18 years old, and was a happy cat to the end. We will miss him dearly.

Illinois Governor Arrested - Where's the Media Balance?

Illinois gov. Rod Blagojevich was recently arrested on federal corruption charges. Among the allegations against him is that he tried to sell the now-vacant Senate seat previously held by president-elect Barack Obama to the highest bidder.

Since his arrest, numerous stories have popped up on newswires and on the web sites of popular TV networks, (UPI, AP, CNN, CBS, etc.). Interestingly, what has been editorially left out of any coverage of the story is that Blagojevich is a democrat.

"Whoa there, Radioguy," you might say right now. " "What difference does his political affiliation have to do with anything?" Well, it speaks volumes when you consider who is reporting this story.

Pay close attention to the networks when a republican lawmaker is arrested on corruption charges (and, unfortunately, it happens to both democrats and republicans). If a republican lawmaker is indicted, charged, or arrested for investigation of unlawful conduct, you will hear that lawmaker described as a republican. The recent case against Alaska senator Ted Stevens is a great example. Every reference to him included desciptors like "republican senator", or "Ted Stevens, the republican senator of Alaska". When a democratic lawmaker gets in trouble - as is the case of Illinois gov. Rod Blagojevich - that lawmaker's politcal affiliation never mentioned.

On the surface, it may seem like I'm nit-picking here, that I'm quibbling over mere details. But this sort of unbalanced approach to reporting the daliences of our elected officials adds up, and I hope you, dear reader, will get wise to it.

Tame Deer Killed In Anacortes

I was shocked to see this story in the local newswire:

Anacortes Police Chief Bonnie Bowers says she's disgusted by the most recent case of a deer killed by an arrow in a city neighborhood. In this case the body was left; the buck's antlers sawed off.

In recent months, three deer have been killed illegally in the city limits. The first, shot with a gun, was found in late September. The other two were killed with arrows, the most recent found last Friday.

Says Bowers, "It's terribly wasteful and disturbing and against the law."

Neighbors say the deer had been seen in the neighborhoods for years and were very tame.

Bowers says she thinks the two cases where deer were shot with arrows are related.

Police are working with state Fish and Wildlife officers. Bowers says whoever is killing the deer could face numerous hunting violation charges.

For months now, I have posted pictures of these same tame deer, hanging out in my front yard. These animals have become so trusting of humans that they are not frightened by cars (they usually stand in the middle of the road, so motorists have to wait for them to get out of the way), and they will all but knock on my front door to kindly ask for an apple wedge or a spare cup of corn.

Aside from the fact someone is poaching deer, and in my neighborhood, it shocking to discover that whomever is killing these animals is not killing them for the meat (venison is very delicious, BTW). Deer are being killed for their antlers, only. This is not hunting for sustenance, but trophy killing in its basest form. Granted, deer season is open locally, but killing deer inside the city limits is poaching, and to take advantage of the tameness of the local deer for the purpose of trophy-hunting is unacceptable. I hope the police find whomever is responsible, and prosecute them to the fullest extent of the law.