Some images are tough. Seeing my 7 year old weeping in H's lap tonight was tough. Seeing H ask her to lift her arm over her to hold her was even harder. Not being able to hold your child is well...just unfathomable, which is what this disease pretty much is.
My 9 year old switched places w/ her (from me) and had her turn as well. Sometimes I think it's OK to just kind of let that happen. Not try to distract them with TV or even really discuss the 'elephant in the room'. Just let it flow for a while, burn through some tissues and try and get it out of the system.
When my 11 year old got home from soccer, seeing everyone is a sad state of affairs offered to turn on "Survivor" as a distraction because they all like it. Well, of course this was not the best suggestion in the world, unbeknown, of course to her and created another round of wailing. Irony has its way of making itself known to us every day in some way.
Changing subjects...
So, two disparate works of art collided for me this week. Recently H and I watched Band of Brothers, the HBO series, which is an incredibly well told tale of the Easy Company in the 101st Airborne and their journey from Basic Training through WW II. If you have not seen it, I highly recommend it. Amazing story and a great reminder of the fact that personal stories are attached to each experience in war, disease or other difficult circumstances that are happening on a large, even global scale. When we learn history about WWII, generally we learn about this or that battle, how many soldiers were killed on either side and who won and who lost, what tactics they used, etc.
Disease is very similar, we tend to view it on a global scale, detached, somewhat horrified, somewhat saddened; that is until it sits in our homes or stares at us in the mirror. I've said this before, pain is personal, and it's real and it sucks. J-bean asked me tonight "Dad, is this just some nightmare we are going to wake up from?"
I wish it was my little friend. I wish it was. The only reason I guess I really know it isn't is because there is so much love in it. I've never had a nightmare with love, much less this much.
The artistic collision happened when I watched "Bullet in a Bible," which is the name of the video production of the Green Day concert I previously mentioned from their tour that was mostly filmed at an outdoor arena in England over two days which was attended by something like 135,000 people. For those of you not familiar, Green Day is sort of a "new" punk band (as punk rock bands go) that has actually been around for about 15 years. Maybe they are the oldest of the new punk bands.
I, knowing something but not much of Green Day, assumed that "Bullet in a Bible" was some sort of flippant commentary in an anti-religious tirade baked into one of their lyrics. I was wrong. In a clip on the vid, the band makes a tour of some eloquently named War museum in England and in this museum, there was actually a Bible with a bullet in it that they viewed and later showed on the video. It looked like the bullet had made its way about 3/4 of the way through the Bible and likely saved the life of the person carrying it for at least a moment.
When I heard Green Day and "Bullet in a Bible" in the same sentence, I was a bit appalled to be honest. I assumed something sinister at it's worst and ironic at it's best. It turned out to be ironic in a way that I didn't expect, which actually was artistically thought provoking and kind of well blended. They had Bible's with shrapnel in them too at the museum, but "Shrapnel in a Bible" just isn't quite as hard-hitting, though I'm sure the carrier was equally thankful.
So, I guess I'm reminded by this that you can't really read too much into things that you don't really know about.
OK, enough of that. Had to change the subject though, from where I started. I have to sleep tonight.
Thanks for reading.
B.
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Monday, April 6, 2009
Thank you.
As Usual,
The team is coming through. Just a sample of the support we have...
Lots of FB comments and emails about my post regarding Mindy and her clinic. All positive, all keeping me hopeful that A: she'll feel it, B she'll answer my questions, C: She will not rape people who are desperate. I don't know if that is what she is doing, but I will feel like it until proven otherwise. I continue to weigh my options in this regard. Several people have offered to help from a legal perspective. Right now, I don't have the energy to pursue it. That doesn't mean I won't.
Good:
Great Dinners! OMG. Our neighbors and friends are so awesome. Curry, Coconut shrimp, Fried Chicken, Chocolate mousse, Teriyaki chicken, stew, salads.... YUM. Thank you so much. Love you guys and everyone that keeps this food coming. It rocks so hard that I almost can't take it. I have to run miles and miles just to exhaust the calories and the feelings that it churns up. I honestly am in awe of all of you. I know too that you think it is the least that you can do, which is so not true. I think it is the most.
Good:
Buddies for movies. So a couple of my buddies from across the pond keep turning me on to these awesome British gangster movies. They are ridiculous, violent and darkly humorous, but hey, it's a good distraction. Layer Cake, Lock Stock and Two Smokin' Barrels and Snatch, so far. Madonna's EX Guy Ritchy seems like the genius behind them. Classic bad (good) films. Not exactly the Shawshank Redemption, but entertaining none the less.
Good: Green Day. Their concert on Palladia made me churn the ELIP faster than ever, 7.2 mph pace for 35 mins on level 11. Maybe that's not exactly rock star speed for elite athletes, but I have not been one of those for about 15 years. Man, those dudes rock. Also saw Kid Rock's "Storytellers." I've seen the Kid in concert once and he does not disappoint. The dude can hit it. Storytellers is not long enough or set up in a true concert setting, but it's cool to hear the artists' rap on their own stuff and their influences. Highly recommend.
Good:
Planning a trip to Mexico to go fishing with some buddies. Clear my head, feed my soul, and give me strength to carry on. Recharge the batteries so to speak. Sometimes I feel SO drained. I will spend a week thinking about the best rigs to catch marlin, tuna, wahoo and pargo. I will think whether or not my three sevens will beat whatever my buddy is bidding $20 on. I will wonder whether i'm going to drink Pacifico or Corona, and I will think about "the little picture." I can't escape the big picture. I have never been able to do that, but I can try to do a little focusing on the little picture for a week in early June. I thank everyone that is helping make that happen in advance for that, and for those of you that are going.
Good:
Songs are forming in my head. I'll need a musician to help me actually make them songs, but so far I think the lyrics are powerful. I have not written them down yet. Some of it leans dark, some of it not. I'm not ready to write more about that yet.
Good:
I got to share a half a chapter or so of my book with a friend this week that was relevant to him in a business setting. He sent me a note that he was ROTFL. Which is a good sign. Sometimes I have no idea how my writing affects people, but I did think that story was pretty funny too. In retrospect, of course. That stuff 'ain't funny when you are going through it.
Good:
Never thought I'd say this but: Spring break is over. Kids are back in school, Friends that help are coming back to town and I don't have to worry about entertaining the kids for 7 hours on top of everything else going on. I USED to LOVE spring break. Hmm...what is the summer going to be like. Starting to fill it up NOW!
Peace,
B.
The team is coming through. Just a sample of the support we have...
Lots of FB comments and emails about my post regarding Mindy and her clinic. All positive, all keeping me hopeful that A: she'll feel it, B she'll answer my questions, C: She will not rape people who are desperate. I don't know if that is what she is doing, but I will feel like it until proven otherwise. I continue to weigh my options in this regard. Several people have offered to help from a legal perspective. Right now, I don't have the energy to pursue it. That doesn't mean I won't.
Good:
Great Dinners! OMG. Our neighbors and friends are so awesome. Curry, Coconut shrimp, Fried Chicken, Chocolate mousse, Teriyaki chicken, stew, salads.... YUM. Thank you so much. Love you guys and everyone that keeps this food coming. It rocks so hard that I almost can't take it. I have to run miles and miles just to exhaust the calories and the feelings that it churns up. I honestly am in awe of all of you. I know too that you think it is the least that you can do, which is so not true. I think it is the most.
Good:
Buddies for movies. So a couple of my buddies from across the pond keep turning me on to these awesome British gangster movies. They are ridiculous, violent and darkly humorous, but hey, it's a good distraction. Layer Cake, Lock Stock and Two Smokin' Barrels and Snatch, so far. Madonna's EX Guy Ritchy seems like the genius behind them. Classic bad (good) films. Not exactly the Shawshank Redemption, but entertaining none the less.
Good: Green Day. Their concert on Palladia made me churn the ELIP faster than ever, 7.2 mph pace for 35 mins on level 11. Maybe that's not exactly rock star speed for elite athletes, but I have not been one of those for about 15 years. Man, those dudes rock. Also saw Kid Rock's "Storytellers." I've seen the Kid in concert once and he does not disappoint. The dude can hit it. Storytellers is not long enough or set up in a true concert setting, but it's cool to hear the artists' rap on their own stuff and their influences. Highly recommend.
Good:
Planning a trip to Mexico to go fishing with some buddies. Clear my head, feed my soul, and give me strength to carry on. Recharge the batteries so to speak. Sometimes I feel SO drained. I will spend a week thinking about the best rigs to catch marlin, tuna, wahoo and pargo. I will think whether or not my three sevens will beat whatever my buddy is bidding $20 on. I will wonder whether i'm going to drink Pacifico or Corona, and I will think about "the little picture." I can't escape the big picture. I have never been able to do that, but I can try to do a little focusing on the little picture for a week in early June. I thank everyone that is helping make that happen in advance for that, and for those of you that are going.
Good:
Songs are forming in my head. I'll need a musician to help me actually make them songs, but so far I think the lyrics are powerful. I have not written them down yet. Some of it leans dark, some of it not. I'm not ready to write more about that yet.
Good:
I got to share a half a chapter or so of my book with a friend this week that was relevant to him in a business setting. He sent me a note that he was ROTFL. Which is a good sign. Sometimes I have no idea how my writing affects people, but I did think that story was pretty funny too. In retrospect, of course. That stuff 'ain't funny when you are going through it.
Good:
Never thought I'd say this but: Spring break is over. Kids are back in school, Friends that help are coming back to town and I don't have to worry about entertaining the kids for 7 hours on top of everything else going on. I USED to LOVE spring break. Hmm...what is the summer going to be like. Starting to fill it up NOW!
Peace,
B.
Friday, March 27, 2009
OK, this one a long time coming...Mindy...Why?
So, I've said many times that I want to save people that are going through this some headache, heartache and potentially some money. I have had a long time to think about this post. I have hesitated, because generally, I try to stay positive in my posts here, but I felt like our experience with Mindy Goodin at Creek Trail Medical Clinic in Colorado Springs, CO was worthy of a post. I wrote this post several days ago. Since then I've considered many things, but at the end of the day, my beef is justified. My questions are logical and my motivation is not coming from a place of anger. Mostly i'm mystified and confused. I'm also disappointed, and you will see why below.
I've also trusted this post, in advance, to people in the ALS community that I have met through my outspokeness about these issues and the resounding message was essentially that I "have" to post this, for the benefit of others. So know that I don't do this out of anger or personal rage, but out of hope for answers and hope for perspective, both for us and for others who may have had the same, similar or might have the same experiences.
I'll write this as an open letter in order to give her an opportunity to respond publicly. I imagine that eventually, someone will make her aware of this post. I will try to state the facts as I know them. If anyone has a great success story from their treatment from Mindy, please feel free to post it here as well. I'm asking questions that I feel need to be asked, and I feel that the public should be aware of our experience.
Dear Mindy,
We were desperate to find someone who would listen to our suspicions about Lyme disease. We had tested positive for a few "titers" and a few co-infections for the disease. As it turns out, these labs are famous for positive results. Lyme disease sucks worse than most diseases, but it represents hope, believe it or not, for people that have been diagnosed with ALS. You gave us hope. You "believed" that H had Lyme disease and some co-infections and you were willing to treat it.
You had worked with Dr. Martz, who "cured" himself of ALS by treating Lyme disease. He retired and you opened your clinic. You are a PA, who practices your medicine under an MD, who we never met and who probably rarely comes into the office. He's doing "research" on this, right? What's his name? Dr. Harvey? Never met him. Do PA's generally get $700 for an initial session and $225 an hour? I don't know. Seems a bit pricey to me. My work generally saves companies millions of dollars and I bill my services directly at $200/hr. But then again, what price can you put on "potentially" saving someone's life?
Well, H went under minor surgery at your recommendation to get a Groshong Catheter so she we could "easily" administer IV antibiotics here at our home. We bought literally thousands of dollars of antibiotics and other medications from the pharmacy you recommended that is right next door to your office because "you are comfortable with them and they know how you want the meds prepared." We took them "religiously" for about 6 months.
We were stuck in our house for hours every day waiting for the drips to go into H's veins. When we started, H could walk a bit. When we finished she couldn't. Open meds required refrigeration, sanitary conditions were paramount. We adopted out (gave up) our cats. We could have gone on trips. I feel like we wasted a whole summer, and being honest, I'm angry about that because time is our only valuable commodity now.
Why did your main practicing nurse quit the week after she trained us on how to service the IV's? She was really nice, I liked her. She's really the reason that I advocated us going on your plan in the first place. It's not like you came across as the warmest person in the world at our first meeting. She was the one we bought in to, not you. So, why did she leave? I was wondering about that. Probably a good reason, but I'm curious. Maybe she'll find this and post. Penny, right?
All the time, H is in decline. Who knows..maybe it's slower than it would have been had she not been on the antibiotics. Who knows really? Isn't that convenient for you?
The emotional toll is enormous, so she goes on anti-depressants, two of them to be exact. Both of the labels say "do not discontinue this medication without Dr. supervision." or something close to that. You are perscribing these drugs. They are nothing to play around with, right?
A couple of months later, H has a breakdown and we come see you for an emergency consultation which you make time for, on a non-office hours day. Practically an intervention. Doses of drugs are increased. Tolerance is assessed. Tears are shed. I lay my heart out on the table and you pick it up and show it to H as a reason why she should not take herself out of the game. Figuratively of course, but this was the essence of the meeting. I've been through some serious shit in my life, this was about as serious as it gets.
Did you use me to keep a paying patient? (That's how I feel today)
About a month later we express some question regarding a "pulsing" strategy that some recommend with regard to long term antibiotic therapy to treat chronic lyme or other co-infections. H is on, I think 5 of them altogether. 3 of them IV and most days 3 hours spaced out over the day. Side effects can be adding up...we don't know really, but H is not feeling good, and definitely not feeling better.
We call to talk about this pulsing idea, and you tell H "You need to pick a pew and sit in it." Apparently you don't like anyone else's ideas about treatments. hmmm..pick a pew, like in a church? Are you God? We take a seat back in your pew for a while...
Later, H calls to tell you that we want to take a break from the antibiotics. It is a gut wrenching decision, but it is hard to do this every day, it is expensive and it does not seem to be working. Your assistant takes the call. You never call us back. Not once. To be clear, H didn't say quit, she didn't say we didn't believe in what you were doing and perscribing, she said "break." If you were not clear on that point, you would have been clear on that if you had bothered to call.
The next day or two an antidepressant is running out and we call to re-fill. You have already instructed the pharmacy to discontinue ALL prescriptions for H. ALL of them.
You know how depressed H is. You know that stopping anti depressant medication immediately can cause massive harm and suicidal tendencies. You did it anyhow. Were you mad at us? Were you disappointed? You already knew she was on the edge when she was ON the medication. What did you think would happen? After six months and all we went through with you did you care at all?
I am open to your response to any and all of the above questions. You probably have my number in your files. If you don't then that is also negligent.
You deal in human life every day. We deal with it in the context of our family. I don't want to be another number to you or a + sign in your ledger without regard to our reality. This is what disturbs me. You never called. It seems like you never cared, or really had any hope. I am very well aware of this, acutely aware of it, one might say. I don't fear the truth. In fact, I fear nothing.
Here's an example of justice:
http://blog.nj.com/ledgerupdates/2007/09/nj_doctor_draws_prison_term_in.html
57 months will give that person some time to think about it.
This is your chance, before I get really mad.
Thank you,
Bill
I've also trusted this post, in advance, to people in the ALS community that I have met through my outspokeness about these issues and the resounding message was essentially that I "have" to post this, for the benefit of others. So know that I don't do this out of anger or personal rage, but out of hope for answers and hope for perspective, both for us and for others who may have had the same, similar or might have the same experiences.
I'll write this as an open letter in order to give her an opportunity to respond publicly. I imagine that eventually, someone will make her aware of this post. I will try to state the facts as I know them. If anyone has a great success story from their treatment from Mindy, please feel free to post it here as well. I'm asking questions that I feel need to be asked, and I feel that the public should be aware of our experience.
Dear Mindy,
We were desperate to find someone who would listen to our suspicions about Lyme disease. We had tested positive for a few "titers" and a few co-infections for the disease. As it turns out, these labs are famous for positive results. Lyme disease sucks worse than most diseases, but it represents hope, believe it or not, for people that have been diagnosed with ALS. You gave us hope. You "believed" that H had Lyme disease and some co-infections and you were willing to treat it.
You had worked with Dr. Martz, who "cured" himself of ALS by treating Lyme disease. He retired and you opened your clinic. You are a PA, who practices your medicine under an MD, who we never met and who probably rarely comes into the office. He's doing "research" on this, right? What's his name? Dr. Harvey? Never met him. Do PA's generally get $700 for an initial session and $225 an hour? I don't know. Seems a bit pricey to me. My work generally saves companies millions of dollars and I bill my services directly at $200/hr. But then again, what price can you put on "potentially" saving someone's life?
Well, H went under minor surgery at your recommendation to get a Groshong Catheter so she we could "easily" administer IV antibiotics here at our home. We bought literally thousands of dollars of antibiotics and other medications from the pharmacy you recommended that is right next door to your office because "you are comfortable with them and they know how you want the meds prepared." We took them "religiously" for about 6 months.
We were stuck in our house for hours every day waiting for the drips to go into H's veins. When we started, H could walk a bit. When we finished she couldn't. Open meds required refrigeration, sanitary conditions were paramount. We adopted out (gave up) our cats. We could have gone on trips. I feel like we wasted a whole summer, and being honest, I'm angry about that because time is our only valuable commodity now.
Why did your main practicing nurse quit the week after she trained us on how to service the IV's? She was really nice, I liked her. She's really the reason that I advocated us going on your plan in the first place. It's not like you came across as the warmest person in the world at our first meeting. She was the one we bought in to, not you. So, why did she leave? I was wondering about that. Probably a good reason, but I'm curious. Maybe she'll find this and post. Penny, right?
All the time, H is in decline. Who knows..maybe it's slower than it would have been had she not been on the antibiotics. Who knows really? Isn't that convenient for you?
The emotional toll is enormous, so she goes on anti-depressants, two of them to be exact. Both of the labels say "do not discontinue this medication without Dr. supervision." or something close to that. You are perscribing these drugs. They are nothing to play around with, right?
A couple of months later, H has a breakdown and we come see you for an emergency consultation which you make time for, on a non-office hours day. Practically an intervention. Doses of drugs are increased. Tolerance is assessed. Tears are shed. I lay my heart out on the table and you pick it up and show it to H as a reason why she should not take herself out of the game. Figuratively of course, but this was the essence of the meeting. I've been through some serious shit in my life, this was about as serious as it gets.
Did you use me to keep a paying patient? (That's how I feel today)
About a month later we express some question regarding a "pulsing" strategy that some recommend with regard to long term antibiotic therapy to treat chronic lyme or other co-infections. H is on, I think 5 of them altogether. 3 of them IV and most days 3 hours spaced out over the day. Side effects can be adding up...we don't know really, but H is not feeling good, and definitely not feeling better.
We call to talk about this pulsing idea, and you tell H "You need to pick a pew and sit in it." Apparently you don't like anyone else's ideas about treatments. hmmm..pick a pew, like in a church? Are you God? We take a seat back in your pew for a while...
Later, H calls to tell you that we want to take a break from the antibiotics. It is a gut wrenching decision, but it is hard to do this every day, it is expensive and it does not seem to be working. Your assistant takes the call. You never call us back. Not once. To be clear, H didn't say quit, she didn't say we didn't believe in what you were doing and perscribing, she said "break." If you were not clear on that point, you would have been clear on that if you had bothered to call.
The next day or two an antidepressant is running out and we call to re-fill. You have already instructed the pharmacy to discontinue ALL prescriptions for H. ALL of them.
You know how depressed H is. You know that stopping anti depressant medication immediately can cause massive harm and suicidal tendencies. You did it anyhow. Were you mad at us? Were you disappointed? You already knew she was on the edge when she was ON the medication. What did you think would happen? After six months and all we went through with you did you care at all?
I am open to your response to any and all of the above questions. You probably have my number in your files. If you don't then that is also negligent.
You deal in human life every day. We deal with it in the context of our family. I don't want to be another number to you or a + sign in your ledger without regard to our reality. This is what disturbs me. You never called. It seems like you never cared, or really had any hope. I am very well aware of this, acutely aware of it, one might say. I don't fear the truth. In fact, I fear nothing.
Here's an example of justice:
http://blog.nj.com/ledgerupdates/2007/09/nj_doctor_draws_prison_term_in.html
57 months will give that person some time to think about it.
This is your chance, before I get really mad.
Thank you,
Bill
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Shawshank and Hope
So, after so many of my friends on FB and in general have picked The Shawshank Redemption as one of their favorite movies of all time, we decided to buy it on PPV last night. Wow, what a film. Raw and uncompromising in many areas and not an endorsement of the prison systems during the period. That being said, it is an amazing story, well written, well acted, directed and the cinematography was amazing. I have always liked Morgan Freeman and Tim Robbins as actors (though I wish Tim would shut up about his politics.) Both did a stellar job in this movie.
If you have not seen it, or have not seen it recently, obvoiusly highly recommend it.
What I took as the core message from the film was the theme of "hope." I won't ruin it for you, but essentially The TR character "Andy" believes in hope as his salvation and the MF character Red feels that Hope is something that is a killer in Prison, especially to lifers as both of them are.
Hope is something that in my opinion that you have to hold on to, no matter what "they" tell you. Life without hope really is not living, it's more like dieing. Your vision of hope can change. You can always hope for something else.
With ALS, it seems like the first thing the Neurologists try to do is take hope away. They are the MF character. Not antagonistic, often very kind, very "understanding." They don't "wish" this on you. But they don't offer hope either. The TR character Andy knows that deep within him, no matter what happens to him (and boy do some awful things happen to him) he knows that there is a place that they can't touch, and that is his hope.
So let's all try to not lose that!
Peace,
B.
If you have not seen it, or have not seen it recently, obvoiusly highly recommend it.
What I took as the core message from the film was the theme of "hope." I won't ruin it for you, but essentially The TR character "Andy" believes in hope as his salvation and the MF character Red feels that Hope is something that is a killer in Prison, especially to lifers as both of them are.
Hope is something that in my opinion that you have to hold on to, no matter what "they" tell you. Life without hope really is not living, it's more like dieing. Your vision of hope can change. You can always hope for something else.
With ALS, it seems like the first thing the Neurologists try to do is take hope away. They are the MF character. Not antagonistic, often very kind, very "understanding." They don't "wish" this on you. But they don't offer hope either. The TR character Andy knows that deep within him, no matter what happens to him (and boy do some awful things happen to him) he knows that there is a place that they can't touch, and that is his hope.
So let's all try to not lose that!
Peace,
B.
Friday, March 20, 2009
Wow, nearly a week since my last post!
Welcome to Spring. The weather this "winter" in Denver has been extremely mild. I don't know this for a fact, but I would venture a bet that this winter is in the top 10 of 70+ degree days. Since it's Spring, we still expect a few large snowstorms, but literally, I think most snow's we have had this year barely warranted shoveling because of the quick melt offs or general paltry volume in first place. It's supposed to be in the 70's all weekend with a 76 on Sunday. Nice.
I was at a business conference in Los Angeles the first half of this week and thanks to Frontier airlines cancelling my flight I got to spend an "extra" 6 hours sitting in LAX. That was fun. Does anyone else suspect that when flight is not full that they cancel it, call it a "mechanical" and make everyone sit around and wait so that they don't waste gas or something? My last two flights home from CA (both on Frontier) should have been 3 hour journeys but turned in to 11 hours. It did give me some time to figure out things like "mobile uploads" of photos to my Facebook account and some catch up time on emails. On the upside, I watched "The 40 year old Virgin" on TBS on the plane and got a few laughs. That movie, if you have not seen it, is hilarious in parts. Crude, but hilarious. I was LOL several times, which I needed after my long day, though i'm sure people were wondering about me. I'll say that the sensors for that movie on TBS had their work cut out for them (no pun intended.) If you are offended by bad language and crude humor do not watch this movie, you will be very offended. I loved it, so that gives you sense of my sense of humor, I guess.
Some ratings from my trip:
Hyatt Century Plaza: B-: Great friendly people, Comfortable rooms. Great outdoor seating, nice spa/gym. Only downside: Expensive: $10.50 for a vodka tonic, $18 for an overcooked burger? Come on people, that's not nice, don't you know there's a recession going on?
Restaurant: Toscana: A: Great service, Great Food (I had the short ribs...they were OMG good.) Also a bit pricey but in this case worth it. Had a phenom Super Tuscan, wish I got the name.
Restaurant: Houston's: C. Decent Martini, but my Halibut was overcooked.
Frontier: D-: They were fine on the trip out there, but a 5+ hour delay and then an offer to "comp" my TV 20 minutes into the flight after I had already swiped my credit card didn't seem like much of a mea-culpa. It happens, I know.
Viper room: B: Pretty cool place, not crowded on St. Paddy's day, but then again, not exactly an Irish pub either. The "band" was WEIRD. A bunch of people wearing B&D style masks with markings making them look like some kind of Aliens. Annie Lennox "sweet dreams" kind of pants/shirts w/ suspenders. All very butch. The singer had a great voice though I couldn't understand word 1 of what she was saying. It was sort of a techno vibe thing though so that's not surprising. Either way, it was, shall we say ... Interesting. Also, the doorman was clueless. We asked them if there was a band and he said no. Then we got in and the "no band" was two bands and a DJ in the "DJ performer" sense. On the other hand it wasn't like a "band" it was more like performance art with music. Also, what's with the DJ raising his hand to the crowd when he changes a beat? Then the crowd cheers? It's not like he just ripped off a massive, complex guitar solo or something. OOOOH...he flicked a switch or pushed a button at "just the right time!" WOW! whatever...
Thanks to Phil for coming all the way from TN to look after H in my two night absence (that turned into the better part of 3) and to Mike for picking me up at the airport at the late hour.
What does all this have to do with ALS? Nothing really, but I had a bit of a break this week, so I thought I'd give you one too. As I have not posted for a week, I just wanted to let everyone know that we are still out here and doing OK. It was nice for me to get away and catch up with business associates, a lot of whom I count as friends and to meet some new people as well.
Peace,
B.
I was at a business conference in Los Angeles the first half of this week and thanks to Frontier airlines cancelling my flight I got to spend an "extra" 6 hours sitting in LAX. That was fun. Does anyone else suspect that when flight is not full that they cancel it, call it a "mechanical" and make everyone sit around and wait so that they don't waste gas or something? My last two flights home from CA (both on Frontier) should have been 3 hour journeys but turned in to 11 hours. It did give me some time to figure out things like "mobile uploads" of photos to my Facebook account and some catch up time on emails. On the upside, I watched "The 40 year old Virgin" on TBS on the plane and got a few laughs. That movie, if you have not seen it, is hilarious in parts. Crude, but hilarious. I was LOL several times, which I needed after my long day, though i'm sure people were wondering about me. I'll say that the sensors for that movie on TBS had their work cut out for them (no pun intended.) If you are offended by bad language and crude humor do not watch this movie, you will be very offended. I loved it, so that gives you sense of my sense of humor, I guess.
Some ratings from my trip:
Hyatt Century Plaza: B-: Great friendly people, Comfortable rooms. Great outdoor seating, nice spa/gym. Only downside: Expensive: $10.50 for a vodka tonic, $18 for an overcooked burger? Come on people, that's not nice, don't you know there's a recession going on?
Restaurant: Toscana: A: Great service, Great Food (I had the short ribs...they were OMG good.) Also a bit pricey but in this case worth it. Had a phenom Super Tuscan, wish I got the name.
Restaurant: Houston's: C. Decent Martini, but my Halibut was overcooked.
Frontier: D-: They were fine on the trip out there, but a 5+ hour delay and then an offer to "comp" my TV 20 minutes into the flight after I had already swiped my credit card didn't seem like much of a mea-culpa. It happens, I know.
Viper room: B: Pretty cool place, not crowded on St. Paddy's day, but then again, not exactly an Irish pub either. The "band" was WEIRD. A bunch of people wearing B&D style masks with markings making them look like some kind of Aliens. Annie Lennox "sweet dreams" kind of pants/shirts w/ suspenders. All very butch. The singer had a great voice though I couldn't understand word 1 of what she was saying. It was sort of a techno vibe thing though so that's not surprising. Either way, it was, shall we say ... Interesting. Also, the doorman was clueless. We asked them if there was a band and he said no. Then we got in and the "no band" was two bands and a DJ in the "DJ performer" sense. On the other hand it wasn't like a "band" it was more like performance art with music. Also, what's with the DJ raising his hand to the crowd when he changes a beat? Then the crowd cheers? It's not like he just ripped off a massive, complex guitar solo or something. OOOOH...he flicked a switch or pushed a button at "just the right time!" WOW! whatever...
Thanks to Phil for coming all the way from TN to look after H in my two night absence (that turned into the better part of 3) and to Mike for picking me up at the airport at the late hour.
What does all this have to do with ALS? Nothing really, but I had a bit of a break this week, so I thought I'd give you one too. As I have not posted for a week, I just wanted to let everyone know that we are still out here and doing OK. It was nice for me to get away and catch up with business associates, a lot of whom I count as friends and to meet some new people as well.
Peace,
B.
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