I was going to write about some great Pixar movies I was finally able to catch up on, but something more urgent came up. First of all, I have been rolling along for a while. I enjoyed Grange Fair, Lake Tobias Wildlife Park, and a lengthy vacation down south with little fatigue. This all recently came to a screeching halt.
I normally tag along with my wife when she works in Sayre, PA on the New York border because it's a break from the kids and the normal routine, not to mention her company puts us up in a nice hotel where everyone knows us. We arrived there on Tuesday and planned to leave Wednesday. I woke up Wednesday morning and noticed that my right eye was nearly swollen shut. We paid a visit to the ER at Guthrie Hospital in Sayre. They determined it was a superficial infection, gave me an oral antibiotic and sent me on my way. We returned home Wednesday evening.
The next morning, I felt a constant pain on the right side of my forehead. It began to swell and was warm to the touch, sure signs of infection. We then decided to go to Mount Nittany Medical Center in State College, hoping it was an abscess they could drain. After a head CT, an MRI and a consult with a plastic surgeon, who determined in about 2 minutes she wasn't going to touch it, we needed a neurosurgeon to look at it, because the infection was outside and inside my skull. Mount Nittany's neurosurgeon "left" a few months ago. I am not sure about the circumstances, so that is all I am going to say about that. Meanwhile, my entire face swelled up, and both of my eyes were swollen shut. I was in a good deal of pain.
Since there were no beds available at Hershey, I was transported to Geisinger Medical Center in Danville. The neurosurgeon determined, obviously, that all the infection needed to be removed. In order to do that, an infected bone flap on the right side of my head would need to be removed as well. Since they weren't touching my actual brain and I was in a lot of pain, we decided to have the surgery done at Geisinger instead of traveling to Duke. Despite lots of post-surgical pain and a real push for us to choose Geisinger's neuro team over Duke (like that will ever happen), everything went as planned, and the diagnosis was a severe staph infection. We think the surgery and infection a month after the initial surgery was also staph, and may have been misdiagnosed as MRSA.
A few days later, I was discharged. I have to wear a helmet while in motion because part of my skull is missing and my brain is vulnerable. Also, I need to be on IV antibiotics for several weeks, so I have a home pump that administers the medicine. In about 6 months when the infection is completely eradicated, they will put in a prosthetic bone flap. Hopefully, this will be it for infections for quite a while.
I returned home, and all I can seem to do is sleep. I even get winded walking up the stairs of our house. Hopefully I will be rested up enough so I can enjoy the holidays with my family.
This was a whirlwind tour of three hospitals, and I was pleased with the care and nursing at all of them, especially Geisinger. They made sure I wasn't in pain overnight, and I was getting enough sleep. Thanks also to friends and our church family for praying and sending lots of food. Also, thanks as always to my lovely wife, whose life was sent into upheaval once again, as she had to make sure the kids were taken care of, and juggle my care around her work. To add insult to injury, my mother-in-law, Sandy, was admitted to the hospital with pneumonia, so Jaci had to drive back and forth between Danville and State College. (Sandy has returned home and is recovering well.) I feel so bad, but so appreciative for everyone who has to alter their schedule when I am stuck in the hospital. Hopefully it will be a long time until my next unplanned visit.
Monday, December 11, 2017
Wednesday, November 22, 2017
Another trip to Duke... and a detour!
We loaded up the car, and, along with the kids, we traveled to my bi-monthly scan and consultation at Duke. As most of you saw, judging by the number of likes and comments on Facebook (By the way, thank you!) I had another clear scan.
We then traveled down to Florida to visit Aunt Val and Uncle Biff, and take in a couple of theme parks while we were in the neighborhood. Based on my brother's tips, and other reviews from sites like the DIS, helped to determine what rides we would take in.
We only had the time/money to visit two parks, so we decided on the Magic Kingdom, the first and still the best park in Disney World (although I have never been to Animal Kingdom). The other one was a no-brainer. As a family of Potterheads, we visited both Universal parks.
Our first park was the Magic Kingdom. This is the most visited theme park in the entire world, and it certainly seemed that way when we were there. Waits ranged from 30 minutes (even for the "smaller rides") to 150 minutes. Here are the rides we rode in order.
The Haunted Mansion: 45 minute wait. Still amazing. I still can't figure out how they pull off the effects in here today, let alone in 1971 when they built the attraction. The kids loved it too. Although the ghosts are friendly, some of the darker and/or noisy portions of this ride may scare little ones. This ride is a must-see and is worth waiting in line for.
It's a Small World: 45 minute wait. The costumes, images, music and message make this a timeless classic. No one should leave the Magic Kingdom without riding this.
Peter Pan's Flight had a 90 minute wait, so we skipped it. I remember it being good but not great.
We ate at the Columbia Harbour House for lunch. I had a decent tuna salad sandwich, but like any restaurant in any theme park (with the exception of Knoebels), it was very overpriced.
Splash Mountain was closed for repairs, which sucks, because it's an awesome ride. Also, the Hall of Presidents was closed for refurbishment, which is a bummer because it's fun, and I wanted to boo Trump.
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad: The sign said the wait was 65 minutes, but the actual wait time was about half that. For my money, this is still the best ride in the park. I should begin by saying that my doctor at Duke and I agreed that I could ride thrill rides as long as there were no inversions. Anyway, this is a smooth, impeccably themed roller coaster. It is thrilling, but not too intense, so the younger set as well as coaster freaks like me can all enjoy it.
Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor: 30 minute wait. Like my brother, We were pleasantly surprised by this ride. You can text jokes prior to the ride and some are included in the show. Sadly (and unsurprisingly), none of mine were. They use a person behind the stage and motion-capture technology (used for Gollum in the Lord of the Rings movies) to bring this ride to life. The best gag is "that guy." You will have to experience it to see what I mean. Well worth waiting for.
Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin: 30 minute wait. This is a combination of a ride and shooting gallery, similar to "Men In Black" in Universal. Although this ride is newer and is a decent experience, MiB is better.
Space Mountain: I've been on it, meh. Nowhere near worth the 70 minute wait.
Speedway: This didn't work out because you could only fit two people in a cart, my wife had no interest in the ride and I didn't want to send our 8-year-old on the ride alone. Besides, they are supposedly going to wreck this ride for a "Tron" themed ride.
Tomorrowland People Mover: A 60 minute wait to ride a monorail where the track moves instead of the cars? I don't think so.
Just FYI, Stitch's Great Escape, supposedly a lousy attraction, is closed for renovation.
The relatively new Seven Dwarves Mine Train looked interesting, but no ride is worth waiting 2 1/2 hours for, especially a ride I hear is short and underwhelming.
Mad Tea Party: A great ride, but not worth waiting 50 minutes for.
Dumbo: A 30-minute wait for a ride you can go on at just about any smaller park.
The Barnstormer: 45 minute wait. A Goofy-themed kid's roller coaster. A bit short, but our 8-year old loved it, especially the theming, which included "flying" through a billboard.
Pirates of the Caribbean: Still awesome, and made even better with the addition of characters from the movies. The Jack Sparrow animatronic character used facial mapping technology, and nearly looked real.
Sadly, the Jungle Cruise, one of my favorite rides, had a 70-minute wait, the rugrats were getting tired and we wanted to beat the post-fireworks rush, so we called it a night.
Two days later, we found ourselves in the massive parking garage at Universal Orlando, with my cousin Brian along for the ride. The package we got included Fast Passes which are accepted on almost every ride, but even the standby waits were short, ranging from 5 to 30 minutes.
We proceeded into the park and made our way to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.
Escape From Gringotts: This ride tries to replicate the opening scene from the eighth Harry Potter movie, in which Harry, Hermione and Ron break into Bellatrix Lestrange's vault. They eventually ride a dragon out of the bank. This is a fun, exciting ride that uses a combination of 3D and animatronic technology. I would wait up to 60 minutes for this ride.
We looked in some shops, including Weasleys' Wizarding Wheezes. Hopefully the candy sold in the store, such as Puking Pastilles, doesn't have the same effect it did in the books and movies.
We didn't have time to ride all rides at both parks, mainly because they closed at 7:00. We had to pick and choose the rides.
The Simpsons Ride: I don't like this ride on principle because it replaced the fabulous Back to the Future ride, based on my favorite movie. At least the DeLorean and the time traveling steam engine were still there. That out of the way, The ride is a motion simulator using an IMAX-sized screen. This was a funny, crazy ride that is more rough and intense than its predecessor, especially the part where Maggie uses your ride vehicle as a pacifier. Really. I would like to ride this again sometime because I am sure there are a lot of jokes I missed. I would wait up to 45 minutes for this ride.
We ate at Fast Food Blvd. for a healthy lunch. Some of us got the Krusty Burger, which was supposedly good, others got the aptly named Heat Lamp Hot Dog, and I got a Sideshow Bob Footlong, which was loaded with chili, onions and kraut. Yummy. Did I mention how expensive theme park food is?
Men in Black Alien Attack: Like I mentioned before, this is a shooting gallery ride similar to the Buzz Lightyear ride in the Magic Kingdom. This is executed better because of more elaborate theming, targets that are easier to hit, and the fact that the front and back rows compete for the high score, and a high enough score qualifies you to join the MiB. Needless to say, we did not qualify. Lots of spinning, so steer clear if you have a weak stomach. This WAS my favorite ride at Universal (keep reading), but I would still wait a good 60 minutes to get on this ride.
We decided it was time to get to the other park, so we high-tailed it to Platform 9 3/4 and boarded the Hogwarts Express. If you look out the windows, you see projections of London, the British countryside, and the Dementors stop by to try and steal your soul. Also, the Weasley twins make an appearance to promote their joke shop in Diagon Alley.
At Hogsmeade (the village outside of Hogwarts Castle) there was snow on the roofs of the buildings. There was a presentation inside the wand shop called "The Wand Chooses the Wizard" in which a lucky kid is plucked out of the audience and gets to try out wands. Like in the movie, the first two wands break light bulbs and knock things over, and the third wand glows, and is a match for the wizard. To answer a question Adam had, yes, the person chosen to test the wand has to buy it for the exorbitant $40-50 they charge in order to keep it. Our 8-year old and I bought the wand of our favorite character, Sirius Black, and our 7-year old bought Harry Potter's wand.
Also, if you buy an "active" wand, you can wave it at certain spots in the park to cause actions like a fountain spitting water at you, a frog croaking, etc. This was a lot of fun.
Flight of the Hippogriff: This is another good kids' coaster, similar to Goofy's Barnstormer ride. Not as much theming as its counterpart, and it is a short ride, but the important thing is the 8-year old loved it.
By the way, Dueling Dragons is history, and will be replaced by another roller coaster, which could be any number of themes. I won't even try to guess.
We then went to The Lost Continent, where we were greeted by the Enchanted Fountain. Obviously the voice of the fountain was nearby, because it interacted with us. The highlight was when our 8-year old waved his wand at the fountain, and the fountain responded by spitting water at him.
Jaci and the kids went on to Seuss Landing, while Brian and I rode Poseidon's Fury, which is essentially a special effects show with lots of fire, water and lasers. This may be a little dark and loud for smaller kids, and you have to stand for the entire ride. I would wait no longer than 20-25 minutes for this.
We then met up in Seuss Landing. Very good theming. I wonder if the designers of this park were on something...
One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish: Another small spinning ride like Dumbo. What sets this apart is the fact that water is getting squirted at you from all directions. I was riding with our 8-year old, and, of course, he deliberately moved the fish up and down into the water jets. Guess who was sitting on the outside and got drenched?
Cat in the Hat: A fun family-friendly ride, and a good adaptation of the book into this format, sometimes quoting the book line-for-line. It almost got rid of my memories of the awful Mike Myers live-action movie. Almost. Well worth a 30-minute wait.
We then hopped the train back to the other park, and caught a couple of good rides on the way out.
Revenge of the Mummy: This was my first time on this ride, and is my new favorite ride at Universal. It combines a dark ride with a coaster, and has some crazy coaster elements like drops that seem taller than they are (The longest drop is only 39 feet), launches, helixes, and some genuine moments of airtime. Very impressive for an indoor coaster. I don't want to give anything away, but the last 45 seconds or so are crazy! I would easily wait up to 90 minutes to get on to this ride.
Race Through New York Starring Jimmy Fallon: This entertaining ride, the newest in the park, has the entire theater (72 people) as a motion simulator vehicle. You race the Tonight Show host through the Big Apple as he throws pizza at you, and even uses a T-shirt cannon, reminiscent of Fozzie the Bear's "cheap 3D tricks" in the incomparable "Muppetvision 4D" ride at Disney. This ride may be a bit bumpy for the smallest children, but is not dark or scary. This ride uses a "virtual line," meaning you must have an express pass or reservation for the ride, and there are no "lines" per se. You can freely roam around in the lobby and second floor. In the lobby, which is decorated with memorabilia from former "Tonight Show" hosts (even Conan O'Brien), an "NBC Page" will give you a color-coded studio pass, and you proceed to the second floor to board the ride. Meanwhile, you will be entertained by Hashtag the Panda and/or the Ragtime Gals. Overall, a fun and entertaining experience.
Finally, as I mentioned earlier, I wasn't permitted to ride anything that turns me upside down, so that ruled out The Hulk and the Rip, Ride, Rockit Coaster. Also, I heard the Forbidden Journey was a very intense ride, so I skipped that as well. Brian said the Forbidden Journey was less intense than the Escape From Hogwarts, which I did go on. He also said he hated the over-the-shoulder harnesses on the Rip, Ride, Rockit coaster because he kept banging his head on them.
Overall impressions: I liked Universal better because it was much less crowded and the lines were significantly shorter than the Magic Kingdom. I may have thought the opposite if the lines were long in Universal.
The theming in both areas of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter was impeccable. The King's Cross station seemed dirty, and Hogwarts (we went through the line but didn't get on the ride) was replicated perfectly, down to the moving paintings, including the Fat Lady. The areas in Diagon Alley had signs for "pram parking," a Britishism for stroller. I only wish they also had "Way Out" (exit) signs and "WC" (restroom) signs. Finally, they needed a "Mind the Gap" sign in the train station.
I have been to the Magic Kingdom a few times, but this time was different because I got to see it through my children's eyes for the first time. They got tired and cranky, but they had a great time. We all saw Harry Potter for the first time, and we were overwhelmed. I wanted a hat and a robe, but the wand was so expensive, we had to stop there. Maybe next time.
Now it's time to thank people who helped us on the trip.
Aunt Val and Uncle Biff: My aunt and uncle graciously let us crash at their place north of Orlando. We basically invaded their house for a week and ate their food. They gave us nothing but hospitality and kindness. Also, there were two pools in their community, one of them heated. I haven't taken a swim for a while, and the dips in the pool felt great.
Jaci: Sadly, my lovely wife was stuck doing all of the driving. I can't drive because of a seizure risk. Some of it was stressful, including the stretch on I-95, America's Main Street.
Fred and Sandy: They visited our house daily to feed the cat, and clean the litterbox. Amelia was considerably more chunky when we got home. Hmmm......
Universal Studios Orlando: Because of my illness, they offered my family 30 percent off two-park tickets and complimentary Fast Passes. Considering the cost of theme park admission these days, that is a good discount. It should be noted that Disney World did not offer anything. In both cases, I won't forget this.
Jill: Jaci's coworker generously donated her vacation time so we could extend ours.
One of Jaci's Facebook friends, who is a travel agent, gave us a gift card for Disney.
Finally, thanks to all family and friends who were excited for us to go, and gave us tips and suggestions on how to navigate the parks.
We then traveled down to Florida to visit Aunt Val and Uncle Biff, and take in a couple of theme parks while we were in the neighborhood. Based on my brother's tips, and other reviews from sites like the DIS, helped to determine what rides we would take in.
We only had the time/money to visit two parks, so we decided on the Magic Kingdom, the first and still the best park in Disney World (although I have never been to Animal Kingdom). The other one was a no-brainer. As a family of Potterheads, we visited both Universal parks.
Our first park was the Magic Kingdom. This is the most visited theme park in the entire world, and it certainly seemed that way when we were there. Waits ranged from 30 minutes (even for the "smaller rides") to 150 minutes. Here are the rides we rode in order.
The Haunted Mansion: 45 minute wait. Still amazing. I still can't figure out how they pull off the effects in here today, let alone in 1971 when they built the attraction. The kids loved it too. Although the ghosts are friendly, some of the darker and/or noisy portions of this ride may scare little ones. This ride is a must-see and is worth waiting in line for.
It's a Small World: 45 minute wait. The costumes, images, music and message make this a timeless classic. No one should leave the Magic Kingdom without riding this.
Peter Pan's Flight had a 90 minute wait, so we skipped it. I remember it being good but not great.
We ate at the Columbia Harbour House for lunch. I had a decent tuna salad sandwich, but like any restaurant in any theme park (with the exception of Knoebels), it was very overpriced.
Splash Mountain was closed for repairs, which sucks, because it's an awesome ride. Also, the Hall of Presidents was closed for refurbishment, which is a bummer because it's fun, and I wanted to boo Trump.
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad: The sign said the wait was 65 minutes, but the actual wait time was about half that. For my money, this is still the best ride in the park. I should begin by saying that my doctor at Duke and I agreed that I could ride thrill rides as long as there were no inversions. Anyway, this is a smooth, impeccably themed roller coaster. It is thrilling, but not too intense, so the younger set as well as coaster freaks like me can all enjoy it.
Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor: 30 minute wait. Like my brother, We were pleasantly surprised by this ride. You can text jokes prior to the ride and some are included in the show. Sadly (and unsurprisingly), none of mine were. They use a person behind the stage and motion-capture technology (used for Gollum in the Lord of the Rings movies) to bring this ride to life. The best gag is "that guy." You will have to experience it to see what I mean. Well worth waiting for.
Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin: 30 minute wait. This is a combination of a ride and shooting gallery, similar to "Men In Black" in Universal. Although this ride is newer and is a decent experience, MiB is better.
Space Mountain: I've been on it, meh. Nowhere near worth the 70 minute wait.
Speedway: This didn't work out because you could only fit two people in a cart, my wife had no interest in the ride and I didn't want to send our 8-year-old on the ride alone. Besides, they are supposedly going to wreck this ride for a "Tron" themed ride.
Tomorrowland People Mover: A 60 minute wait to ride a monorail where the track moves instead of the cars? I don't think so.
Just FYI, Stitch's Great Escape, supposedly a lousy attraction, is closed for renovation.
The relatively new Seven Dwarves Mine Train looked interesting, but no ride is worth waiting 2 1/2 hours for, especially a ride I hear is short and underwhelming.
Mad Tea Party: A great ride, but not worth waiting 50 minutes for.
Dumbo: A 30-minute wait for a ride you can go on at just about any smaller park.
The Barnstormer: 45 minute wait. A Goofy-themed kid's roller coaster. A bit short, but our 8-year old loved it, especially the theming, which included "flying" through a billboard.
Pirates of the Caribbean: Still awesome, and made even better with the addition of characters from the movies. The Jack Sparrow animatronic character used facial mapping technology, and nearly looked real.
Sadly, the Jungle Cruise, one of my favorite rides, had a 70-minute wait, the rugrats were getting tired and we wanted to beat the post-fireworks rush, so we called it a night.
Two days later, we found ourselves in the massive parking garage at Universal Orlando, with my cousin Brian along for the ride. The package we got included Fast Passes which are accepted on almost every ride, but even the standby waits were short, ranging from 5 to 30 minutes.
We proceeded into the park and made our way to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.
Escape From Gringotts: This ride tries to replicate the opening scene from the eighth Harry Potter movie, in which Harry, Hermione and Ron break into Bellatrix Lestrange's vault. They eventually ride a dragon out of the bank. This is a fun, exciting ride that uses a combination of 3D and animatronic technology. I would wait up to 60 minutes for this ride.
We looked in some shops, including Weasleys' Wizarding Wheezes. Hopefully the candy sold in the store, such as Puking Pastilles, doesn't have the same effect it did in the books and movies.
We didn't have time to ride all rides at both parks, mainly because they closed at 7:00. We had to pick and choose the rides.
The Simpsons Ride: I don't like this ride on principle because it replaced the fabulous Back to the Future ride, based on my favorite movie. At least the DeLorean and the time traveling steam engine were still there. That out of the way, The ride is a motion simulator using an IMAX-sized screen. This was a funny, crazy ride that is more rough and intense than its predecessor, especially the part where Maggie uses your ride vehicle as a pacifier. Really. I would like to ride this again sometime because I am sure there are a lot of jokes I missed. I would wait up to 45 minutes for this ride.
We ate at Fast Food Blvd. for a healthy lunch. Some of us got the Krusty Burger, which was supposedly good, others got the aptly named Heat Lamp Hot Dog, and I got a Sideshow Bob Footlong, which was loaded with chili, onions and kraut. Yummy. Did I mention how expensive theme park food is?
Men in Black Alien Attack: Like I mentioned before, this is a shooting gallery ride similar to the Buzz Lightyear ride in the Magic Kingdom. This is executed better because of more elaborate theming, targets that are easier to hit, and the fact that the front and back rows compete for the high score, and a high enough score qualifies you to join the MiB. Needless to say, we did not qualify. Lots of spinning, so steer clear if you have a weak stomach. This WAS my favorite ride at Universal (keep reading), but I would still wait a good 60 minutes to get on this ride.
We decided it was time to get to the other park, so we high-tailed it to Platform 9 3/4 and boarded the Hogwarts Express. If you look out the windows, you see projections of London, the British countryside, and the Dementors stop by to try and steal your soul. Also, the Weasley twins make an appearance to promote their joke shop in Diagon Alley.
At Hogsmeade (the village outside of Hogwarts Castle) there was snow on the roofs of the buildings. There was a presentation inside the wand shop called "The Wand Chooses the Wizard" in which a lucky kid is plucked out of the audience and gets to try out wands. Like in the movie, the first two wands break light bulbs and knock things over, and the third wand glows, and is a match for the wizard. To answer a question Adam had, yes, the person chosen to test the wand has to buy it for the exorbitant $40-50 they charge in order to keep it. Our 8-year old and I bought the wand of our favorite character, Sirius Black, and our 7-year old bought Harry Potter's wand.
Also, if you buy an "active" wand, you can wave it at certain spots in the park to cause actions like a fountain spitting water at you, a frog croaking, etc. This was a lot of fun.
Flight of the Hippogriff: This is another good kids' coaster, similar to Goofy's Barnstormer ride. Not as much theming as its counterpart, and it is a short ride, but the important thing is the 8-year old loved it.
By the way, Dueling Dragons is history, and will be replaced by another roller coaster, which could be any number of themes. I won't even try to guess.
We then went to The Lost Continent, where we were greeted by the Enchanted Fountain. Obviously the voice of the fountain was nearby, because it interacted with us. The highlight was when our 8-year old waved his wand at the fountain, and the fountain responded by spitting water at him.
Jaci and the kids went on to Seuss Landing, while Brian and I rode Poseidon's Fury, which is essentially a special effects show with lots of fire, water and lasers. This may be a little dark and loud for smaller kids, and you have to stand for the entire ride. I would wait no longer than 20-25 minutes for this.
We then met up in Seuss Landing. Very good theming. I wonder if the designers of this park were on something...
One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish: Another small spinning ride like Dumbo. What sets this apart is the fact that water is getting squirted at you from all directions. I was riding with our 8-year old, and, of course, he deliberately moved the fish up and down into the water jets. Guess who was sitting on the outside and got drenched?
Cat in the Hat: A fun family-friendly ride, and a good adaptation of the book into this format, sometimes quoting the book line-for-line. It almost got rid of my memories of the awful Mike Myers live-action movie. Almost. Well worth a 30-minute wait.
We then hopped the train back to the other park, and caught a couple of good rides on the way out.
Revenge of the Mummy: This was my first time on this ride, and is my new favorite ride at Universal. It combines a dark ride with a coaster, and has some crazy coaster elements like drops that seem taller than they are (The longest drop is only 39 feet), launches, helixes, and some genuine moments of airtime. Very impressive for an indoor coaster. I don't want to give anything away, but the last 45 seconds or so are crazy! I would easily wait up to 90 minutes to get on to this ride.
Race Through New York Starring Jimmy Fallon: This entertaining ride, the newest in the park, has the entire theater (72 people) as a motion simulator vehicle. You race the Tonight Show host through the Big Apple as he throws pizza at you, and even uses a T-shirt cannon, reminiscent of Fozzie the Bear's "cheap 3D tricks" in the incomparable "Muppetvision 4D" ride at Disney. This ride may be a bit bumpy for the smallest children, but is not dark or scary. This ride uses a "virtual line," meaning you must have an express pass or reservation for the ride, and there are no "lines" per se. You can freely roam around in the lobby and second floor. In the lobby, which is decorated with memorabilia from former "Tonight Show" hosts (even Conan O'Brien), an "NBC Page" will give you a color-coded studio pass, and you proceed to the second floor to board the ride. Meanwhile, you will be entertained by Hashtag the Panda and/or the Ragtime Gals. Overall, a fun and entertaining experience.
Finally, as I mentioned earlier, I wasn't permitted to ride anything that turns me upside down, so that ruled out The Hulk and the Rip, Ride, Rockit Coaster. Also, I heard the Forbidden Journey was a very intense ride, so I skipped that as well. Brian said the Forbidden Journey was less intense than the Escape From Hogwarts, which I did go on. He also said he hated the over-the-shoulder harnesses on the Rip, Ride, Rockit coaster because he kept banging his head on them.
Overall impressions: I liked Universal better because it was much less crowded and the lines were significantly shorter than the Magic Kingdom. I may have thought the opposite if the lines were long in Universal.
The theming in both areas of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter was impeccable. The King's Cross station seemed dirty, and Hogwarts (we went through the line but didn't get on the ride) was replicated perfectly, down to the moving paintings, including the Fat Lady. The areas in Diagon Alley had signs for "pram parking," a Britishism for stroller. I only wish they also had "Way Out" (exit) signs and "WC" (restroom) signs. Finally, they needed a "Mind the Gap" sign in the train station.
I have been to the Magic Kingdom a few times, but this time was different because I got to see it through my children's eyes for the first time. They got tired and cranky, but they had a great time. We all saw Harry Potter for the first time, and we were overwhelmed. I wanted a hat and a robe, but the wand was so expensive, we had to stop there. Maybe next time.
Now it's time to thank people who helped us on the trip.
Aunt Val and Uncle Biff: My aunt and uncle graciously let us crash at their place north of Orlando. We basically invaded their house for a week and ate their food. They gave us nothing but hospitality and kindness. Also, there were two pools in their community, one of them heated. I haven't taken a swim for a while, and the dips in the pool felt great.
Jaci: Sadly, my lovely wife was stuck doing all of the driving. I can't drive because of a seizure risk. Some of it was stressful, including the stretch on I-95, America's Main Street.
Fred and Sandy: They visited our house daily to feed the cat, and clean the litterbox. Amelia was considerably more chunky when we got home. Hmmm......
Universal Studios Orlando: Because of my illness, they offered my family 30 percent off two-park tickets and complimentary Fast Passes. Considering the cost of theme park admission these days, that is a good discount. It should be noted that Disney World did not offer anything. In both cases, I won't forget this.
Jill: Jaci's coworker generously donated her vacation time so we could extend ours.
One of Jaci's Facebook friends, who is a travel agent, gave us a gift card for Disney.
Finally, thanks to all family and friends who were excited for us to go, and gave us tips and suggestions on how to navigate the parks.
Sunday, November 5, 2017
Starship shows are back!
--------SPOILER ALERT--------
This season, the oft-delayed "Star Trek Discovery" finally premiered. Also, Seth MacFarlane introduced a show called "The Orville." Comparing these shows would be like comparing apples and oranges, but both shows are entertaining and successful, and well worth watching. Both shows have also been picked up for a second season.
First, "Star Trek Discovery." There had been a lot of chaos prior to the premiere date, with showrunner Bryan Fuller leaving, and the numerous delays. It was originally supposed to premiere in January 2017, but was pushed back multiple times to September 2017. This is different from any other Star Trek show. As the creators said, they needed a "Star Trek show for the post-Sopranos era of television."
The show is serialized and not as episodic, which works well here. Also, I like the opening credits, which uses images and blueprints as opposed to the ship flying through space through nebulas and asteroid belts. Also, there is no cheesy pop song during the credits, like the Show Which Will Not Be Named.
First of all, because this is on a pay-per-view platform (CBS charges $6 per month to subscribe to All Access with commercials, $10 without), the budget is huge, about $8 to $9 million per episode. That's more than a lot of movies. You can see it on screen, because the effects are movie-quality stunning. The ship uses an experimental "spore drive," which transports the ship to other parts of the universe instantaneously. The hull is made up of three concentric circles. When the drive is activated, the circles spin in opposite directions, the ship rotates fully, and then vanishes. Trust me, this looks cooler than it sounds.
Also, thanks to the pay-per-view format, there are no standards-and-practices requirements. The producers promise to keep things at a PG-13 level, and promise that there won't be any explicit sex scenes (save that for the fan fiction), but the violence is a little more bloody, and they went where no Star Trek movie or show has gone before by using the f-bomb. The word "shit" was used a few times in Star Trek IV, Generations (by Data with his newly activated emotion chip, and he said it for a good reason), and twice by Lily in First Contact (but she was from the late 21st century). Even though I never use the f-word (snicker), I am not offended by it. However, I don't buy its use in this show, because, based on what Spock said about the use of "colorful metaphors" in the 20th century in Star Trek IV, I thought cursing was no longer a "thing" by the 23rd century.
Okay, you are probably wondering what this show is about. It takes place 10 years before the timeline of the original series with Kirk and Spock. Michael Burnham (Sonequa Martin-Green) is a human raised by Spock's parents, Sarek and Amanda, on Vulcan. She is the first Starfleet officer to be charged with mutiny. She ends up on the Discovery while she is being transported between prisons, which is not coincidental.
Starfleet is at war with the Klingons, who are trying to unify and conquer the galaxy, because that is what Klingons like to do. However, the Klingons are given some depth and not portrayed as purely evil. They have clear motivations and goals, and it seems like they are at war with the Federation because they are simply in the way of their goal.
Other characters are first officer Saru, who is able to sense the coming of death, bright-eyed cadet Sylvia Tilly, and captain Gabriel Lorca, played by Jason Isaacs, who most of us know as Lucius Malfoy from the Harry Potter movies. He is a brilliant tactician, but he cares about his crew, like any good captain. However, they make it rather obvious that he has been out in space and in the heat of battle too long. (watch the last two episodes to learn more about this character's motivations).
Overall, this is a very good show, and I will continue to watch it. My only complaints are that the show tries too hard to be gritty sometimes, and is visually too similar to the new Star Trek reboot movies. Also, even though this show takes place 10 years before the original series, the technology is advanced, using touch screens and holographic communication. If they were going for continuity, the bridge would be painted in bright colors and have lots of beeping noises and blinking lights. However, I don't think they are going for continuity, and as Nicholas Meyer (who is on the writing staff for this show) said, every show or movie, regardless of when it takes place, is a product of the date it was released.
Finally, the show understandably gave the Klingons a makeover. It may have been a bit too drastic, because they are now bald-headed and look almost reptilian. For those of you who remember the 1980s, they look a lot like Grig from "The Last Starfighter." At least they are not a bunch of guys with tan makeup and mustaches.
Now, on to "The Orville." I had no idea this show even existed until this past summer (2017), and I thought it was going to be an all-out spoof of Star Trek, which I thought (and still think) is a terrible idea. It's not even a straight-ahead comedy like the great movie "Galaxy Quest." It still has plenty of laughs. MacFarlane's motivation to create this show was that he thought too much of today's sci-fi is dark and dystopian, and he wanted a bright, fun and optimistic view of the future, especially after he found out that "Discovery" was going to be dark and gritty.
The show takes place on a mid-size vessel (The Chevy Malibu of starships?) MacFarlane also stars in the show as captain Ed Mercer, who caught his then wife, Kelly, in bed with a blue-skinned alien a year before the show takes place. As luck would have it, Kelly ends up being Ed's second-in-command, but they develop a friendship and good working relationship. Other characters include a woman, who looks like she is 90 pounds soaking wet, with enough strength to knock down a metal door with her bare hands, and Isaac, an artificial lifeform who believes most species are inferior to his.
This is similar in tone and structure to the original Star Trek series, because the show introduces characters, and brings up issues like sexual mutilation, and how a true democracy functions where every single citizen has a say. There are just enough changes to this show to keep Fox from getting sued - the governing body is called the Union instead of the Federation, plasma torpedoes instead of photon torpedoes, etc. The effects aren't as detailed as "Discovery," but are still very good. They put a lot of money and effort into the show. A lot of writers and directors from Star Trek shows were poached for this show like Brannon Braga, and Jonathan Frakes (as a director). Jon Favreau, who directed "Iron Man," helmed the first episode of the series.
Although "Star Trek Discovery" is sprinkled with a fair bit of humor (especially the recent episodes with Rainn Wilson as intergalactic con man Harcourt Fenton "Harry" Mudd), "The Orville" tries for laughs much more often. The problem is, you have to like MacFarlane's sense of humor. Remember, this was the guy who sang "We Saw Your Boobs" (NSFW) at the Oscars. However, his jokes are greatly toned down compared to his animated shows, and, in my opinion, most of the jokes are downright funny. My favorite so far is when the crew is trying to teach Isaac how practical jokes work. They put "Mr. Potato" pieces on his head (He doesn't use his "eyes" to see, they are just there for aesthetic reasons). He got his revenge on the crew member by amputating his leg while he was sleeping. Don't worry, everyone was fine in the end.
So what is the verdict? Again, these shows are very different in tone and intent, so it's like comparing
apples and oranges. This is close, because both shows have great effects, good characters, and good acting. I will keep watching both shows. "Discovery" is better written and thought out as a single coherent story, while "The Orville" is episodic. However, "The Orville" benefits from its storylines that bring up moral debates, and its sense of humor. I will give "The Orville" the edge, because you have to pay $6-$10 per month for CBS All Access in order to watch "Discovery." However, in you don't like "Family Guy" or "American Dad," you probably won't like "The Orville."
Tuesday, October 31, 2017
"Wonder Woman" review: The DCEU is finally getting it together!
I was excited to see this after the rave reviews it received from critics and moviegoers alike. This was also a pleasant surprise after the mediocrity, like "Man of Steel" and "Dawn of Justice" that DC was churning out. Part of that was due to director Zack Snyder, who is up there with Michael Bay and Joel Schumacher on my list of hack directors, although I have to admit the "Dawn of the Dead" remake was good fun. I think the DC higher-ups are trying to get rid of Snyder, but more on that later.
The movie starts on an island full of Amazons, a bunch of women who can kick pretty much anyone's ass. A wayward World War I pilot crash lands near the island and is rescued by the Amazons. Diana, princess of the Amazons, wishes to go with the pilot and end the war, who she thinks was caused by her evil half-brother Ares.
The movie plays out as a good period piece, and makes a statement about the treatment and strength of women without shoving the point down viewers' throats. Also, it's about time a female superhero gets to lead a movie, instead of getting shoved into the background, like Black Widow.
Also, the movie is well-paced, with a good balance of character development and action. The action scenes are very entertaining and have great effects and fight choreography. The Lasso of Truth is especially cool. Director Patty Jenkins, who also helmed "Monster," is a very competent director, considering her lack of experience in this genre.
If it wasn't for a certain movie sequel featuring a CGI raccoon, a baby tree and Stallone, this would have been the best comic book/superhero adaptation of the year.
Also, Gal Gadot, even though she was Miss Israel 2004, has limited acting experience. However, she is cast well for this iconic role. Her statuesque looks and decent acting make her a good choice for Wonder Woman.
A sequel, which will once again feature Gadot in the starring role and Jenkins as the director, is slated for summer 2019.
This flick was unsurprisingly one of the top hits of the year, making more than $410 million in the U.S. (second only to the Beauty and the Beast live-action remake) and more than $800 million worldwide. Also, its quality puts it on par with the Marvel movies. However, the DCEU has a long way to go before it can go head to head with the Marvel Cinematic universe, which is essentially a machine that turns out nothing but good, entertaining popcorn movies. There hasn't been a bad Marvel movie yet. Most of them are good, some of them are great.
My only gripe is I wish that they would havc explained when and where Diana picked up the name Wonder Woman. Maybe that will be addressed in the sequel.
As always, the DCEU is trying to play catch-up. In a couple of weeks (November 2017) the Justice League movie hits theaters. This movie features Batman, Wonder Woman, Aquaman, Cyborg and The Flash. I also think there is a pretty good chance that a certain Man of Steel will return to fight with the League. Zack Snyder was directing the movie and will be credited as the director. Earlier this year, Snyder "left" the project after his daughter committed suicide, and the overworked Joss Whedon was hired to direct the reshoots and wrap up the film.
Personally, I think Snyder leaving was no accident. With "Dawn of Justice" being a critical and box office disappointment, I think it might have been the studio's intention to get rid of Snyder, since this is the most important film by far in the DCEU. You can already see Whedon's influence in the trailers for the film. The newest trailers, presumably overseen by Whedon, actually make sense and give you some idea of the story, as opposed to the first trailers, which resembled a music video, complete with loud music and slice-and-dice editing.
Anyway, pardon my digression. The bottom line is Wonder Woman is a damn good movie that fans and non-fans will like. (My wife also enjoyed this movie).
The movie starts on an island full of Amazons, a bunch of women who can kick pretty much anyone's ass. A wayward World War I pilot crash lands near the island and is rescued by the Amazons. Diana, princess of the Amazons, wishes to go with the pilot and end the war, who she thinks was caused by her evil half-brother Ares.
The movie plays out as a good period piece, and makes a statement about the treatment and strength of women without shoving the point down viewers' throats. Also, it's about time a female superhero gets to lead a movie, instead of getting shoved into the background, like Black Widow.
Also, the movie is well-paced, with a good balance of character development and action. The action scenes are very entertaining and have great effects and fight choreography. The Lasso of Truth is especially cool. Director Patty Jenkins, who also helmed "Monster," is a very competent director, considering her lack of experience in this genre.
If it wasn't for a certain movie sequel featuring a CGI raccoon, a baby tree and Stallone, this would have been the best comic book/superhero adaptation of the year.
Also, Gal Gadot, even though she was Miss Israel 2004, has limited acting experience. However, she is cast well for this iconic role. Her statuesque looks and decent acting make her a good choice for Wonder Woman.
A sequel, which will once again feature Gadot in the starring role and Jenkins as the director, is slated for summer 2019.
This flick was unsurprisingly one of the top hits of the year, making more than $410 million in the U.S. (second only to the Beauty and the Beast live-action remake) and more than $800 million worldwide. Also, its quality puts it on par with the Marvel movies. However, the DCEU has a long way to go before it can go head to head with the Marvel Cinematic universe, which is essentially a machine that turns out nothing but good, entertaining popcorn movies. There hasn't been a bad Marvel movie yet. Most of them are good, some of them are great.
My only gripe is I wish that they would havc explained when and where Diana picked up the name Wonder Woman. Maybe that will be addressed in the sequel.
As always, the DCEU is trying to play catch-up. In a couple of weeks (November 2017) the Justice League movie hits theaters. This movie features Batman, Wonder Woman, Aquaman, Cyborg and The Flash. I also think there is a pretty good chance that a certain Man of Steel will return to fight with the League. Zack Snyder was directing the movie and will be credited as the director. Earlier this year, Snyder "left" the project after his daughter committed suicide, and the overworked Joss Whedon was hired to direct the reshoots and wrap up the film.
Personally, I think Snyder leaving was no accident. With "Dawn of Justice" being a critical and box office disappointment, I think it might have been the studio's intention to get rid of Snyder, since this is the most important film by far in the DCEU. You can already see Whedon's influence in the trailers for the film. The newest trailers, presumably overseen by Whedon, actually make sense and give you some idea of the story, as opposed to the first trailers, which resembled a music video, complete with loud music and slice-and-dice editing.
Anyway, pardon my digression. The bottom line is Wonder Woman is a damn good movie that fans and non-fans will like. (My wife also enjoyed this movie).
Thursday, October 26, 2017
Have the Eagles found their perfect QB?
Last season, the Eagles were able to trade up in the draft to take QB Carson Wentz, a 6'5" passer from North Dakota State. Although his first season was a little shaky, the Birds finished with a mediocre, but not horrible, 7-9 season. This year, they are 6-1 out of the gate, and much of that is due to Wentz's incredible play. Although he didn't have crazy high numbers last week, this is one of the best games I've ever seen from any Eagles quarterback (and he is in good company with Randall Cunningham and Donovan McNabb). Here are some of the reasons Wentz is the perfect player for the Eagles and Philly.
1. He is an accurate passer.
Most of his passes are thrown with pinpoint accuracy. He knows how to put balls in the receivers' hands, and doesn't throw too many interceptions. The only times he seems to be off the mark is when there is a miscommunication between the QB and receiver in the huddle.
2. He is mobile.
For a lanky 6'5" guy, he really can move. He seems to know when he is out of options and has to keep the ball. The play where there was a pile of players almost certainly looked like a sack, but Wentz managed to wriggle out of the pile of large humans and rush for 17 yards. That was one of the most amazing plays I have ever seen. (link courtesy of NFL)
3. He has field awareness.
I think the most important skill for a QB to have at any level is being able to see the big picture. Wentz does this very well. He knows when his receivers are open, when they aren't, and how the defense is lined up. He isn't afraid to call an audible if he doesn't like what he sees.
4. He is tough and hardworking.
The most important skill for an athlete to have in Philadelphia is to be tough and play your heart out. More than 20 years on, people still hate on Ricky Watters after the "For Who, For What" game, and rightfully so. This town has no place for prima donnas who care more about their own stats than their team. Wentz will usually slide on a run like a QB is supposed to do, but he isn't afraid to take a hit to get a first down or extra yard. Also, he can take a hit and get back up. In Sunday's game, he was slammed to the turf. The very next play, he threw a bomb down the field, setting up a touchdown. (sorry, no clip yet).The commentators said he was "North Dakota Tough," but I am going to call him "Philly Tough." Philadelphia is a proud, working-class town, and they want athletes that don't quit and give their all on every play. That is why some of the names mentioned most in Eagles lore are Reggie White, "Concrete Charlie" Bednarik, and the incomparable Brian Dawkins.
5. His O-line protects him.
Even the best quarterbacks struggle if the offensive line can't block and the QB has no time to throw the ball. After some struggles in the first couple of games, the line has jelled as a unit and are doing a good job protecting their quarterback. Jason Peters' injury will hurt the line, but I am sure Vaitai (I'm not even going to attempt to spell the man's first name) will become accustomed to his new role after a week of practice.
6. He has some good receivers who know how to make plays.
One of the reasons the Eagles haven't been able to win a big game is the lack of playmaking receivers. Todd Pinkston? James Thrash? This season has seen a lot of production from free agency acquisition Alshon Jeffery, and some catches from Torrey Smith. Third-year man Nelson Agholor seems to have found his place as a great slot receiver.
7. Wow! A running game!
Last season, the Eagles were very pass-heavy. This is one of the reasons Wentz struggled a bit. It looked like more of the same early this season, as the offense remained out of balance. However, during the win over the Giants in Week 3, the running game came to life, led by LeGarrette Blount, with lots of help from Wendell Smallwood. Blount is a classic (I hate this cliche) downhill runner who can burst through the line. A strong running game takes pressure off the QB and balances the offense.
8. He has a good relationship with the players and coaches.
His fellow players seem to think Wentz is a nice guy. He doesn't hesitate to congratulate his teammates after a big play or score. He has also earned respect from the coaching staff. Doug Pederson seems like a laid-back "players' coach" and he has even managed to get some of his schemes from North Dakota State into the playbook. One of them was even used on a scoring play.
Now that I wrote this, I have probably jinxed him. Watch him start to suck or get hurt next week. Just don't hold me responsible.
1. He is an accurate passer.
Most of his passes are thrown with pinpoint accuracy. He knows how to put balls in the receivers' hands, and doesn't throw too many interceptions. The only times he seems to be off the mark is when there is a miscommunication between the QB and receiver in the huddle.
2. He is mobile.
For a lanky 6'5" guy, he really can move. He seems to know when he is out of options and has to keep the ball. The play where there was a pile of players almost certainly looked like a sack, but Wentz managed to wriggle out of the pile of large humans and rush for 17 yards. That was one of the most amazing plays I have ever seen. (link courtesy of NFL)
3. He has field awareness.
I think the most important skill for a QB to have at any level is being able to see the big picture. Wentz does this very well. He knows when his receivers are open, when they aren't, and how the defense is lined up. He isn't afraid to call an audible if he doesn't like what he sees.
4. He is tough and hardworking.
The most important skill for an athlete to have in Philadelphia is to be tough and play your heart out. More than 20 years on, people still hate on Ricky Watters after the "For Who, For What" game, and rightfully so. This town has no place for prima donnas who care more about their own stats than their team. Wentz will usually slide on a run like a QB is supposed to do, but he isn't afraid to take a hit to get a first down or extra yard. Also, he can take a hit and get back up. In Sunday's game, he was slammed to the turf. The very next play, he threw a bomb down the field, setting up a touchdown. (sorry, no clip yet).The commentators said he was "North Dakota Tough," but I am going to call him "Philly Tough." Philadelphia is a proud, working-class town, and they want athletes that don't quit and give their all on every play. That is why some of the names mentioned most in Eagles lore are Reggie White, "Concrete Charlie" Bednarik, and the incomparable Brian Dawkins.
5. His O-line protects him.
Even the best quarterbacks struggle if the offensive line can't block and the QB has no time to throw the ball. After some struggles in the first couple of games, the line has jelled as a unit and are doing a good job protecting their quarterback. Jason Peters' injury will hurt the line, but I am sure Vaitai (I'm not even going to attempt to spell the man's first name) will become accustomed to his new role after a week of practice.
6. He has some good receivers who know how to make plays.
One of the reasons the Eagles haven't been able to win a big game is the lack of playmaking receivers. Todd Pinkston? James Thrash? This season has seen a lot of production from free agency acquisition Alshon Jeffery, and some catches from Torrey Smith. Third-year man Nelson Agholor seems to have found his place as a great slot receiver.
7. Wow! A running game!
Last season, the Eagles were very pass-heavy. This is one of the reasons Wentz struggled a bit. It looked like more of the same early this season, as the offense remained out of balance. However, during the win over the Giants in Week 3, the running game came to life, led by LeGarrette Blount, with lots of help from Wendell Smallwood. Blount is a classic (I hate this cliche) downhill runner who can burst through the line. A strong running game takes pressure off the QB and balances the offense.
8. He has a good relationship with the players and coaches.
His fellow players seem to think Wentz is a nice guy. He doesn't hesitate to congratulate his teammates after a big play or score. He has also earned respect from the coaching staff. Doug Pederson seems like a laid-back "players' coach" and he has even managed to get some of his schemes from North Dakota State into the playbook. One of them was even used on a scoring play.
Now that I wrote this, I have probably jinxed him. Watch him start to suck or get hurt next week. Just don't hold me responsible.
Sunday, September 10, 2017
Everything you wanted to know about Optune (but were afraid to ask)
Now that I am back on Facebook (yay!) A few people have been interested in Optune, the new treatment I am undergoing. Here are a few questions answered about this fascinating device. In the interest of education and passing on what I am learning, I am using some information from the patient packet to complete this. I am having a bit of trouble getting pictures on here, but I hope to put them here eventually.
What is Optune?
Optune is a treatment for glioblastoma patients 22 years or older. Optune delivers electric fields (called TTFields) that stop cancer cells from dividing and also destroying some cancer cells. It has been proven that, in conjunction with chemotherapy like Temodar, it has extended survival rates for GBM patients.
What does it look like?
The unit itself is in a small bag that can go over the shoulder, or can be carried hand-held. There is also a backpack available to carry the device.It is connected to four arrays that adhere to the scalp. It can be powered by electricity via a wall plug (ideal for sleeping or work), or with lithium-ion batteries for portability. The unit comes with four batteries, and a charger that holds three of them.
Does it hurt to wear it?
No, if it is applied correctly. The only thing I feel is a small amount of warmth from the arrays.
How do you put it on?
First, your scalp needs to be completely shaved. An electric razor is included that seems to work well. Next, you need to swab your scalp with isopropyl alcohol. Then, you apply the four arrays. The location and placement of the arrays depends on the location of the tumor and the size of the patient's head. This process needs to be repeated with new arrays every 2-4 days depending on hair growth.
Are there any side effects?
Not really. Some patients have complained about sores and irritation on the scalp, and that is usually caused by too much hair on the scalp. If you shave your head and replace the arrays regularly, you should be able to avoid this. Luckily, I have one of the most anal caregivers you can possibly have.
How often are you supposed to wear it?
The FDA recommends 18 hours per day minimum. Optimum is 22 hours per day. You are supposed to sleep with the device on. Aside from the first night, I have had few problems sleeping with it, even while using it with a CPAP (for sleep apnea).
Can you wear something over the arrays?
Yes, you can wear a breathable wig or hat over the arrays.
Can it get wet?
No, you should take it off if it rains, and take it off or use a shower cap when bathing.
Can you talk on a cell phone while using Optune?
Yes. There have been no reported problems related to using the Optune device with a cell phone.
Does insurance cover Optune?
Although the device is approved by the FDA, the actual cost of the device and supplies is very high. The supplier itself provides financial support, and we were lucky enough that our medical insurance (through Penn State) approved it right away. Jaci thinks it is because my file was "flagged" by the insurance company because they did not approve a head CT back in January, and we could sue them if we wanted to.
Can Optune be used for other types of cancer?
As of now, it is used exclusively for GBM. They are supposedly working on adapting Optune to treat lung cancer, using an array that adheres to the chest.
The website Optune.com also provides a lot of great information and some useful testimonial videos.
Any other questions, please ask!
What is Optune?
Optune is a treatment for glioblastoma patients 22 years or older. Optune delivers electric fields (called TTFields) that stop cancer cells from dividing and also destroying some cancer cells. It has been proven that, in conjunction with chemotherapy like Temodar, it has extended survival rates for GBM patients.
What does it look like?
The unit itself is in a small bag that can go over the shoulder, or can be carried hand-held. There is also a backpack available to carry the device.It is connected to four arrays that adhere to the scalp. It can be powered by electricity via a wall plug (ideal for sleeping or work), or with lithium-ion batteries for portability. The unit comes with four batteries, and a charger that holds three of them.
Does it hurt to wear it?
No, if it is applied correctly. The only thing I feel is a small amount of warmth from the arrays.
How do you put it on?
First, your scalp needs to be completely shaved. An electric razor is included that seems to work well. Next, you need to swab your scalp with isopropyl alcohol. Then, you apply the four arrays. The location and placement of the arrays depends on the location of the tumor and the size of the patient's head. This process needs to be repeated with new arrays every 2-4 days depending on hair growth.
Are there any side effects?
Not really. Some patients have complained about sores and irritation on the scalp, and that is usually caused by too much hair on the scalp. If you shave your head and replace the arrays regularly, you should be able to avoid this. Luckily, I have one of the most anal caregivers you can possibly have.
How often are you supposed to wear it?
The FDA recommends 18 hours per day minimum. Optimum is 22 hours per day. You are supposed to sleep with the device on. Aside from the first night, I have had few problems sleeping with it, even while using it with a CPAP (for sleep apnea).
Can you wear something over the arrays?
Yes, you can wear a breathable wig or hat over the arrays.
Can it get wet?
No, you should take it off if it rains, and take it off or use a shower cap when bathing.
Can you talk on a cell phone while using Optune?
Yes. There have been no reported problems related to using the Optune device with a cell phone.
Does insurance cover Optune?
Although the device is approved by the FDA, the actual cost of the device and supplies is very high. The supplier itself provides financial support, and we were lucky enough that our medical insurance (through Penn State) approved it right away. Jaci thinks it is because my file was "flagged" by the insurance company because they did not approve a head CT back in January, and we could sue them if we wanted to.
Can Optune be used for other types of cancer?
As of now, it is used exclusively for GBM. They are supposedly working on adapting Optune to treat lung cancer, using an array that adheres to the chest.
The website Optune.com also provides a lot of great information and some useful testimonial videos.
Any other questions, please ask!
Friday, September 1, 2017
Hurricane Harvey: Helpers and Non-Helpers
The largest and costliest natural disaster in American history is still taking place as Harvey tears through the U.S. Like any disaster, this is bringing out the best and worst in people. Once again, I will take the advice of Fred Rogers and identify the helpers.
All rescuers and emergency workers: Self-explanatory. I would like to single out Houston police officer Steve Perez, who was swept away by floodwaters on his way to work.
The bakers at El Bolillo: Mexican bakers were trapped in their bakery, so, to keep themselves occupied, they baked loaves of bread for two days to feed flood victims. As one Facebook user said, "These people are as sweet as their bread."
Generous celebrities: Sandra Bullock gave $1 million to flood victims. Leonardo DiCaprio donated $1 million. Ellen DeGeneres donated $1 million. Miley Cyrus donated $500,000. Kevin Hart donated $50K and rallied other celebrities to donate to hurricane victims. Dwayne Johnson also pledged $50K. DJ Khaled, Nicki Minaj, J-Lo and A-Rod each pledged $25K. Houston Texans player J.J. Watt started a fund for hurricane victims. His goal was to raise $2 million, and so far, he has raised more than $10 million.
Jim McIngvale: This owner of a chain of furniture stores opened up several of his locations as shelters, and allowed people to sleep on the brand new furniture he was selling.
Shelter workers: Many people are volunteering their time to give people a place to stay after their homes have been flooded or destroyed.
The jury is still out...
President Trump: I give him credit for acting somewhat presidential during his visit to Texas, and his personal donation of $1 million. I think he should have met with some of the victims, although he gave the valid excuse that he didn't want to interfere with rescue operations, although I think the real reason is that Melania didn't want to get her designer shoes muddy.
Tom Llamas: This ABC reporter snitched to the police on looters entering a supermarket to police and was savaged on social media. Some argue that the people were starving and needed food, and others argued that the looters were breaking the law. I think this needs to be further investigated, and questions should be asked like "Did these people have easy access to food and shelter," and "Was this enough of an emergency to allow the taking of items from a business?"
Non-Helpers:
Joel Osteen: This piece of subhuman slime, who claims to be a good Christian, did not let flood victims stay in his 20,000 seat megachurch at first. He didn't let people in until he got bad press and people began to throw shade on him through social media. He, along with the equally contemptible Creflo Dollar, practices the so-called "prosperity theology," which states that good, pious Christians will be rewarded with material gain. So, according to this theory, are poor people bad Christians?
Looters: People should not use a natural disaster to take people's belongings.
Price gougers: $5 for a bottle of water. Up to $99 for a case. $10 per gallon for gas. It takes a true a-hole to use a natural disaster for financial gain.
Chris Christie: The New Jersey governor lambasted Texas senator Ted Cruz for asking for billions in disaster funding after voting against funding for East Coast states after superstorm Sandy. I am no fan of Ted Cruz, but this criticism is coming from a guy who deliberately closed on-ramps to the George Washington Bridge as an act of revenge, and has a lower approval rating than Trump.
All rescuers and emergency workers: Self-explanatory. I would like to single out Houston police officer Steve Perez, who was swept away by floodwaters on his way to work.
The bakers at El Bolillo: Mexican bakers were trapped in their bakery, so, to keep themselves occupied, they baked loaves of bread for two days to feed flood victims. As one Facebook user said, "These people are as sweet as their bread."
Generous celebrities: Sandra Bullock gave $1 million to flood victims. Leonardo DiCaprio donated $1 million. Ellen DeGeneres donated $1 million. Miley Cyrus donated $500,000. Kevin Hart donated $50K and rallied other celebrities to donate to hurricane victims. Dwayne Johnson also pledged $50K. DJ Khaled, Nicki Minaj, J-Lo and A-Rod each pledged $25K. Houston Texans player J.J. Watt started a fund for hurricane victims. His goal was to raise $2 million, and so far, he has raised more than $10 million.
Jim McIngvale: This owner of a chain of furniture stores opened up several of his locations as shelters, and allowed people to sleep on the brand new furniture he was selling.
Shelter workers: Many people are volunteering their time to give people a place to stay after their homes have been flooded or destroyed.
The jury is still out...
President Trump: I give him credit for acting somewhat presidential during his visit to Texas, and his personal donation of $1 million. I think he should have met with some of the victims, although he gave the valid excuse that he didn't want to interfere with rescue operations, although I think the real reason is that Melania didn't want to get her designer shoes muddy.
Tom Llamas: This ABC reporter snitched to the police on looters entering a supermarket to police and was savaged on social media. Some argue that the people were starving and needed food, and others argued that the looters were breaking the law. I think this needs to be further investigated, and questions should be asked like "Did these people have easy access to food and shelter," and "Was this enough of an emergency to allow the taking of items from a business?"
Non-Helpers:
Joel Osteen: This piece of subhuman slime, who claims to be a good Christian, did not let flood victims stay in his 20,000 seat megachurch at first. He didn't let people in until he got bad press and people began to throw shade on him through social media. He, along with the equally contemptible Creflo Dollar, practices the so-called "prosperity theology," which states that good, pious Christians will be rewarded with material gain. So, according to this theory, are poor people bad Christians?
Looters: People should not use a natural disaster to take people's belongings.
Price gougers: $5 for a bottle of water. Up to $99 for a case. $10 per gallon for gas. It takes a true a-hole to use a natural disaster for financial gain.
Chris Christie: The New Jersey governor lambasted Texas senator Ted Cruz for asking for billions in disaster funding after voting against funding for East Coast states after superstorm Sandy. I am no fan of Ted Cruz, but this criticism is coming from a guy who deliberately closed on-ramps to the George Washington Bridge as an act of revenge, and has a lower approval rating than Trump.
Wednesday, August 16, 2017
Great article on what NOT to do as a journalist/copy editor, health update
I remember seeing this when I worked at the Reading Eagle in 1997, and this was passed around to newspaper employees and J-school students across the country as a cautionary tale. It concerns putting "joke" text or content in the story, with the intent of replacing it later with real copy. The difference with this was that some obscene, libelous information made it to print and was distributed throughout the small, conservative community of Gallatin, Tenn.
Many of us have put in joke headlines or copy before (I personally am not commenting), but this shows what could happen. The paper had to pay $950,000 to the young man who was libeled. The reporter never worked in journalism again, and the editor was suspended for three days.
Here is a great, detailed account of the parties involved, what happened in the newsroom that night, and the fallout from the incident. (language may be NSFW).
Health update: All good! It has been 5 months since my DX. The lump on my head has completely drained and is almost healed. Also, I am still fortunate to be walking, talking and volunteering with our church family.
Also, if anyone is interested in getting into a survivor pool (where you pick a winning team to move on, and the last one standing wins), go to this site. Entry fee is $5.
Many of us have put in joke headlines or copy before (I personally am not commenting), but this shows what could happen. The paper had to pay $950,000 to the young man who was libeled. The reporter never worked in journalism again, and the editor was suspended for three days.
Here is a great, detailed account of the parties involved, what happened in the newsroom that night, and the fallout from the incident. (language may be NSFW).
Health update: All good! It has been 5 months since my DX. The lump on my head has completely drained and is almost healed. Also, I am still fortunate to be walking, talking and volunteering with our church family.
Also, if anyone is interested in getting into a survivor pool (where you pick a winning team to move on, and the last one standing wins), go to this site. Entry fee is $5.
Wednesday, August 2, 2017
Crazy day at Pittsburgh
I will start with Saturday (7/30), which turned out to be a disaster. First of all, the power went out, so we couldn't watch TV and the boys couldn't use their electronics, so, of course, they got bored and fought with each other. Secondly, a bat visited our house that same morning, and was hanging on the lamp on the stairs. Luckily, Fred was able to come over and shoo the bat out a nearby window. Finally, I woke up with a lump on the top of my head near my incision. We went to the ER at Mount Nittany. After a head CT, the doctor wasn't too concerned and thought it was fluid. They still called the neuroseurgon at Forbes, and they recommended I come in, but on an outpatient basis. We set up an appointment for Tuesday (8/1) morning at 9:45.
Tuesday comes, and we take the 2 1/2 hour drive to Pittsburgh. I look at the GPS and the arrival time shifts from 9:45 to 10:00 to 10:15. It turns out one tractor trailer rear-ended another truck. There was a fatality and a fuel spill, and Route 22, the road we take to Pittsburgh, was completely closed. We kept trying to get back on the road, but it was closed at every intersection. We ended up on back roads. We were stressed because we got no cell signal, and weren't able to use the GPS or call the hospital. We finally get to Route 30, another major highway that goes to Pittsburgh, and we called and told them we would be a full hour late. They were nice enough to tell us that they knew we were driving a long distance, and they will see us when we get there. So, we finally get there.
The nurse and the doctor see us. Dr. Julian, the neurosurgeon who performed my brain resection, was fearful that the tumor expanded, causing the lump. He wanted me to get an MRI. Initially, they wanted me to come back next week. However, Dr. Julian and the staff sucessfully got a stat order on the MRI so I could get it done on the same day and not take the drive next week.
I got more and more nervous and stressed as I waited 2 hours for the MRI, got butchered by nurses who stuck me 4 times to get an IV in (I am needle-shy), and after the MRI, I had to wait another 30-plus minutes for Dr. Julian to get to the other hospital and call us with a recommendation.
Finally, the radiologist comes out and said Dr. Julian called, it was nothing urgent and we could go home. At that point, all of the stress went out of my body like a balloon. I was nearly hyperventilating and Jaci was crying. Jaci called Sandy, and she was crying. After a celebratory dinner, we returned home.
Dr. Julien was nice enough to call us on Wednesday, and told us that lumps like this can show up while recovering from radiation treatment, it is harmless, and it will go away on its own. He also said I am doing really well and should seek out trials and treatments while I am walking and talking.
Our next steps are for me to get fitted with the Optune device, which creates low-intensity electric fields through a device attached to my head. Also, later this month, we travel to Lancaster General Hospital, Jaci's former employer, to consult with a brain navigator, and an oncologist who specializes in brain cancer. As always, I will keep you updated.
The nurse and the doctor see us. Dr. Julian, the neurosurgeon who performed my brain resection, was fearful that the tumor expanded, causing the lump. He wanted me to get an MRI. Initially, they wanted me to come back next week. However, Dr. Julian and the staff sucessfully got a stat order on the MRI so I could get it done on the same day and not take the drive next week.
I got more and more nervous and stressed as I waited 2 hours for the MRI, got butchered by nurses who stuck me 4 times to get an IV in (I am needle-shy), and after the MRI, I had to wait another 30-plus minutes for Dr. Julian to get to the other hospital and call us with a recommendation.
Finally, the radiologist comes out and said Dr. Julian called, it was nothing urgent and we could go home. At that point, all of the stress went out of my body like a balloon. I was nearly hyperventilating and Jaci was crying. Jaci called Sandy, and she was crying. After a celebratory dinner, we returned home.
Dr. Julien was nice enough to call us on Wednesday, and told us that lumps like this can show up while recovering from radiation treatment, it is harmless, and it will go away on its own. He also said I am doing really well and should seek out trials and treatments while I am walking and talking.
Our next steps are for me to get fitted with the Optune device, which creates low-intensity electric fields through a device attached to my head. Also, later this month, we travel to Lancaster General Hospital, Jaci's former employer, to consult with a brain navigator, and an oncologist who specializes in brain cancer. As always, I will keep you updated.
Sunday, July 30, 2017
Retro movie review: Alive
So, thanks to my steroids, I sometimes wake up in the middle of the night, anywhere from 3:00 to 6:00 in the morning. As much as I love my wife and kids, it is good to have this alone time where I can watch stuff that I want to watch.
One morning, it was the movie "Alive," which is about the crash of Uruguayan Air Force Flight 570, which was carrying a rugby team over the Andes Mountains.
First of all, this was probably the most realistic depiction of a plane crash I have ever seen. Also, the movie does a very good job of showing how people act when they are in shock.
This movie only received 3 out of 5 stars on Netflix. Probably because all of the survivors ate human flesh in order to live. The three people who made it to civilization after walking for several days had backpacks full of human flesh. However, they made it, and although 29 people died, 16 survived.
Members of the team went to see a Catholic priest after the ordeal. The priest told them that, in this case, cannibalism was okay because it was a lesser sin than suicide, which is the worst sin you can possibly commit as a Catholic.
Overall, I think this was a very well-directed and acted film.
My only criticism is that they "whitewashed" some of the Latino characters, using actors like Ethan Hawke and other Caucasians.
One morning, it was the movie "Alive," which is about the crash of Uruguayan Air Force Flight 570, which was carrying a rugby team over the Andes Mountains.
First of all, this was probably the most realistic depiction of a plane crash I have ever seen. Also, the movie does a very good job of showing how people act when they are in shock.
This movie only received 3 out of 5 stars on Netflix. Probably because all of the survivors ate human flesh in order to live. The three people who made it to civilization after walking for several days had backpacks full of human flesh. However, they made it, and although 29 people died, 16 survived.
Members of the team went to see a Catholic priest after the ordeal. The priest told them that, in this case, cannibalism was okay because it was a lesser sin than suicide, which is the worst sin you can possibly commit as a Catholic.
Overall, I think this was a very well-directed and acted film.
My only criticism is that they "whitewashed" some of the Latino characters, using actors like Ethan Hawke and other Caucasians.
Friday, July 28, 2017
Do you like good music?
Those of you who know me well know I am not much of a water bug (unless the water is the temperature of bath water). What really centers me and focuses me is good music. Here are the artists and types of music that I really like to listen to. Also, take a look at the blog entry on The Awesome Music Project to see some more.
Michael Jackson: Most people have the Beatles' "Abbey Road" or "The White Album" as their desert island album, but I would have "Thriller" as mine. These songs, thanks in part to great production by Quincy Jones, go beyond genre from the funky opening track "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'" to the driving rock of "Beat It." "Billie Jean" and "Thriller" also advanced what the music video should be with great production values, and boy, did he ever know how to DANCE!
Best song to listen to: Beat It, Thriller
Best song to listen to: Beat It, Thriller
The Beatles: It's hard not to put them on the list, considering the albums I mentioned above. Many critics say the later albums are overrated, favoring early stuff like "Meet the Beatles." I say horse manure.
Best song to listen to: I've Got A Feeling, Let It Be
Best song to listen to: I've Got A Feeling, Let It Be
Disco: As far as I am concerned, Disco does NOT suck. Many of the songs by Donna Summer, KC and the Sunshine Band and other artists are catchy and make good use of horns. Be careful, though. There are a few duds like "Disco Duck" and "A Fifth of Beethoven."
Best song to listen to: "That's the Way (I Like It)," KC and the Sunshine Band
Best song to listen to: "That's the Way (I Like It)," KC and the Sunshine Band
Billy Joel: Many critics beat up on my man Billy, but the truth is he sings good catchy songs that are easy to sing along to, almost like you around a campfire.
Best song to listen to: This was a tough one. I will go with the Hard Driving "You May Be Right" off "Glass Houses."
Best song to listen to: This was a tough one. I will go with the Hard Driving "You May Be Right" off "Glass Houses."
Soul Music: This is a wide range of music from the Four Tops to Aretha Franklin and Ray Charles, who have the two best voices in the industry. Listen to "I Never Loved A Man the Way I Loved You" and "What'd I Say" If you don't believe me. And make sure you check out the story on how "What'd I Say" was written if you don't already know it.
Best song to listen to: "Don't Play That Song (You Lied)," Aretha Franklin
Best song to listen to: "Don't Play That Song (You Lied)," Aretha Franklin
Elton John: Another unbelievably talented piano player. When he plays "Bennie and The Jets," He bangs the keys like a drum! Also, as a proud Pennsylvanian, I would be remiss if i didn't mention "Philadelphia Freedom."
Best song to listen to: "Bennie and the Jets," "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road"
Best song to listen to: "Bennie and the Jets," "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road"
Chicago: I am talking about REAL Chicago before they were neutered in the 1980s.
Best song to listen to: Considering all the choices, this was a tough one. I am going with "25 or 6 to 4," a hard-driving rock number from Chicago off their second album. RIP lead guitarist Terry Kath, who accidentally killed himself while playing Russian Roulette while under the influence of several illegal substances.
Best song to listen to: Considering all the choices, this was a tough one. I am going with "25 or 6 to 4," a hard-driving rock number from Chicago off their second album. RIP lead guitarist Terry Kath, who accidentally killed himself while playing Russian Roulette while under the influence of several illegal substances.
Hard rock: The late '70s and early '80s also ushered in great groups like Van Halen, with outrageous antics by lead singer David Lee Roth, and guitar solos that could move mountains. I even have some respect for Van Hagar. "Right Now" is a great song! Then came Guns N' Roses, who had me hooked at the first song on their first album, "Paradise City" with Axl Rose's screaming vocals and a crazy guitar solo by Slash. Don't forget some great inside tracks like "Mr. Brownstone." Also, Def Leppard, a British group that sounds very American, put out some great hits like "Photograph."
Best song to listen to: "Photograph:" Def Leppard, Pyromania
Queen: The rest of the group is good, but I am going to single out the 4-octave vocal range and unabashed sexuality of Freddie Mercury. Hearing him sing pretty much anything relaxes me and gives me energy at the same time.
Best song to listen to: "Another One Bites the Dust," "The Game"
U2: I will give this one to my wife. I do think they are overrated, and The Edge is a rhythm guitarist and not a soloist, but Bono's passion when he sings, and their refusal to use the 4-chord progression like every pop group today impress me. The 2002 Super Bowl halftime show, which had me in tears, nailed it for me.
Best song to listen to: "Pride (In the Name of Love)", "Pride (In the Name of Love)."
Barry Manilow: Not my cup of tea, but he is very good at what he does. Listening to "I Can't Smile Without You," I counted FIVE key changes. Also, it's hard not to laugh at the lyrics to "Copacabana."
Best song to listen to: Copacabana (At the Copa), "I Can't Smile Without You"
Frank Sinatra: Every man wanted to be him, every woman wanted to... uh... be with him. He was pretty much an above-average crooner during his early career, then, with albums like "Songs for Swingin' Lovers," There were some deceptively difficult Nelson Riddle arrangements like "I've Got You Under My Skin," and "Luck Be a Lady," which were great. The Chairman of the Board also spawned some imitators ranging from the immensely gifted pianist Harry Connick Jr. to untalented Canadian douche Michael Buble.
Best song to listen to: "I've Got You Under My Skin," "Songs for Swingin' Lovers"
Jazz: People need to keep this alive by listening to great old stuff like Kenton and Buddy Rich. Newer acts, like the Dirty Dozen Brass Band and the Youngblood Brass Band incorporate hip-hop and jazz into their music, which will help keep the genre alive. On the subject of movies, if you haven't watched either of director Damien Chazelle's movies, "Whiplash" and "La La Land," I suggest you do so. Also when I say Jazz, I don't mean soft jazz like Kenny G.
Best song to listen to: Buddy Rich, "Beulah Witch." "Mercy, Mercy."
Prince: Unbelievably talented writer and guitarist. He and Michael Jackson led the way in getting black musicians on MTV, and also recruited and promoted quality talent like Sheila E and Morris Day. RIP.
Best song to listen to: "Let's Go Crazy," "Purple Rain."
RUN-DMC: Broke into the mainstream by blending hip hop with metal. Made history by pairing up with Aerosmith to record "Walk This Way," which even put Aerosmith back on the map.
Best song to listen to: "Walk This Way," "Raising Hell."
No Doubt: Brought ska-punk to the mainstream. Several years before "Tragic Kingdom," they rocked the house with horn and bass-driven albums like "No Doubt" and "The Beacon Street Collection." give these two a listen. They also paved the way for other good ska bands like Reel Big Fish
Best song to listen to: "Don't Speak," "Tragic Kingdom."
Hall and Oates: Their music has kind of an '80s sound to it, but that doesn't keep Daryl Hall from having a great voice. Also, these guys are from the Philly area, and John Oates is from my high school alma mater, North Penn.
Best song to listen to: "Private Eyes," "Private Eyes."
Steve Winwood: Unbelievably talented keyboardist and musician. No one can play the vintage Hammond B-3 like he can. He also plays mandolin, guitar and even drums.
Best Song to listen to: "Higher Love," "Back in the High Life."
Stevie Wonder: Another child prodigy and unbelievable talent. Although some of his songs are cheesy, almost all of them are great.
Best Song to listen to: "Superstition," "Talking Book."
INXS: This Australian group puts out a perfect blend of new wave punk and funk rock, and lead singer Michael Hutchence could belt it out like just about no one else. His untimely suicide was truly a tragedy.
Best Song to listen to: "Never Tear Us Apart," "Kick."
Huey Lewis and the News: This band has its share of critics, but when you hear them play, you can tell they have been together for a while and have a real tight sound. They can also sing a capella really well.
Best Song to listen to: "The Power of Love," "Back to the Future Soundtrack." Lewis jokingly commented that they would have not recorded that song if they knew they would have to play it every f---ing night.
Wham!/George Michael: From the catchy "Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go" to his later solo efforts, he was a great performer and writer. His untimely death last year was a tragedy and a shock.
Best song to listen to: "Faith," "Faith."
Motown: This label was responsible for so many great artists like The Temptations, Edwin Starr, Martha and the Vandellas, The Four Tops, The Supremes, and I can go on and on. What really brings these acts over the top is Motown's house band, The Funk Brothers. If you haven't watched the documentary "Standing in the Shadows of Motown," see it now.
Best song to listen to: So hard because there are so many good songs... I will go with the Temptations' "Ball of Confusion" since the song's message especially rings true in 2017.
So what don't I like? There really isn't that much but let me see...
Angry teenager music like Korn, Limp Bizkit, and Linkin Park, although my sympathy is with the band after the lead singer Chester Bennington's suicide.
Boy Bands: NKOTB, BSB, and stay out of it, Nick Lachey! However, Justin Timberlake has done some good solo stuff.
Hardcore hip hop stuff: I feel horrible for the people who died at the Ariana Grande concert. However, some of their music is terrible. I think Selena Gomez actually sampled the bass line from the Talking Heads' "Psycho Killer" and sang her own song to it.
Country: I don't despise Country as much as people think. I can't deny the talents of one Dolly Parton, and some of the more mainstream acts like Garth Brooks and Blake Shelton are not bad. Keith Urban is palatable for me because he can shred on guitar. The rest can just go away as far as I am concerned. Rascal Flatts sounds overproduced, Jason Aldean has a weak voice, and T-Swizzle is a pop princess who sings about ex-boyfriends.
Maroon 5: Sorry, Jaci. These guys used to have a funky, unique sound on albums like "Songs About Jane" and "It Won't Be Soon Before Long." Their music then morphed into yawn-worthy mainstream pop and hip-hop. Adam still seems like a nice guy on "The Voice," though.
Foreigner: When I am listening to classic rock radio, nothing wants to make we want to change the channel quicker than these overrated hacks.
The Eagles: Although there is some genuine talent in this band, they still seem like an overrated baby boomer act.
Mumford & Sons: Two albums, and all their songs sound the same. Enough said. They released a third album without the banjo and it sucked.
Euro-Trash Dance Music: Anyone remember "Barbie Girl?" "Blue (Da-Ba-Dee)?" "What Does the Fox Say?" "Am I Wrong?" "Macarena?" or "Gangnam Style?" If the answer is yes, we remember them all sucking horribly.
Train: Untalented hacks. They write most of their own music, but it doesn't matter if it all sucks. If you listen to their latest single, "Play That Song," they can't even come up with their own melodies.
Best song to listen to: "Photograph:" Def Leppard, Pyromania
Queen: The rest of the group is good, but I am going to single out the 4-octave vocal range and unabashed sexuality of Freddie Mercury. Hearing him sing pretty much anything relaxes me and gives me energy at the same time.
Best song to listen to: "Another One Bites the Dust," "The Game"
U2: I will give this one to my wife. I do think they are overrated, and The Edge is a rhythm guitarist and not a soloist, but Bono's passion when he sings, and their refusal to use the 4-chord progression like every pop group today impress me. The 2002 Super Bowl halftime show, which had me in tears, nailed it for me.
Best song to listen to: "Pride (In the Name of Love)", "Pride (In the Name of Love)."
Barry Manilow: Not my cup of tea, but he is very good at what he does. Listening to "I Can't Smile Without You," I counted FIVE key changes. Also, it's hard not to laugh at the lyrics to "Copacabana."
Best song to listen to: Copacabana (At the Copa), "I Can't Smile Without You"
Frank Sinatra: Every man wanted to be him, every woman wanted to... uh... be with him. He was pretty much an above-average crooner during his early career, then, with albums like "Songs for Swingin' Lovers," There were some deceptively difficult Nelson Riddle arrangements like "I've Got You Under My Skin," and "Luck Be a Lady," which were great. The Chairman of the Board also spawned some imitators ranging from the immensely gifted pianist Harry Connick Jr. to untalented Canadian douche Michael Buble.
Best song to listen to: "I've Got You Under My Skin," "Songs for Swingin' Lovers"
Jazz: People need to keep this alive by listening to great old stuff like Kenton and Buddy Rich. Newer acts, like the Dirty Dozen Brass Band and the Youngblood Brass Band incorporate hip-hop and jazz into their music, which will help keep the genre alive. On the subject of movies, if you haven't watched either of director Damien Chazelle's movies, "Whiplash" and "La La Land," I suggest you do so. Also when I say Jazz, I don't mean soft jazz like Kenny G.
Best song to listen to: Buddy Rich, "Beulah Witch." "Mercy, Mercy."
Prince: Unbelievably talented writer and guitarist. He and Michael Jackson led the way in getting black musicians on MTV, and also recruited and promoted quality talent like Sheila E and Morris Day. RIP.
Best song to listen to: "Let's Go Crazy," "Purple Rain."
RUN-DMC: Broke into the mainstream by blending hip hop with metal. Made history by pairing up with Aerosmith to record "Walk This Way," which even put Aerosmith back on the map.
Best song to listen to: "Walk This Way," "Raising Hell."
No Doubt: Brought ska-punk to the mainstream. Several years before "Tragic Kingdom," they rocked the house with horn and bass-driven albums like "No Doubt" and "The Beacon Street Collection." give these two a listen. They also paved the way for other good ska bands like Reel Big Fish
Best song to listen to: "Don't Speak," "Tragic Kingdom."
Hall and Oates: Their music has kind of an '80s sound to it, but that doesn't keep Daryl Hall from having a great voice. Also, these guys are from the Philly area, and John Oates is from my high school alma mater, North Penn.
Best song to listen to: "Private Eyes," "Private Eyes."
Steve Winwood: Unbelievably talented keyboardist and musician. No one can play the vintage Hammond B-3 like he can. He also plays mandolin, guitar and even drums.
Best Song to listen to: "Higher Love," "Back in the High Life."
Stevie Wonder: Another child prodigy and unbelievable talent. Although some of his songs are cheesy, almost all of them are great.
Best Song to listen to: "Superstition," "Talking Book."
INXS: This Australian group puts out a perfect blend of new wave punk and funk rock, and lead singer Michael Hutchence could belt it out like just about no one else. His untimely suicide was truly a tragedy.
Best Song to listen to: "Never Tear Us Apart," "Kick."
Huey Lewis and the News: This band has its share of critics, but when you hear them play, you can tell they have been together for a while and have a real tight sound. They can also sing a capella really well.
Best Song to listen to: "The Power of Love," "Back to the Future Soundtrack." Lewis jokingly commented that they would have not recorded that song if they knew they would have to play it every f---ing night.
Wham!/George Michael: From the catchy "Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go" to his later solo efforts, he was a great performer and writer. His untimely death last year was a tragedy and a shock.
Best song to listen to: "Faith," "Faith."
Motown: This label was responsible for so many great artists like The Temptations, Edwin Starr, Martha and the Vandellas, The Four Tops, The Supremes, and I can go on and on. What really brings these acts over the top is Motown's house band, The Funk Brothers. If you haven't watched the documentary "Standing in the Shadows of Motown," see it now.
Best song to listen to: So hard because there are so many good songs... I will go with the Temptations' "Ball of Confusion" since the song's message especially rings true in 2017.
So what don't I like? There really isn't that much but let me see...
Angry teenager music like Korn, Limp Bizkit, and Linkin Park, although my sympathy is with the band after the lead singer Chester Bennington's suicide.
Boy Bands: NKOTB, BSB, and stay out of it, Nick Lachey! However, Justin Timberlake has done some good solo stuff.
Hardcore hip hop stuff: I feel horrible for the people who died at the Ariana Grande concert. However, some of their music is terrible. I think Selena Gomez actually sampled the bass line from the Talking Heads' "Psycho Killer" and sang her own song to it.
Country: I don't despise Country as much as people think. I can't deny the talents of one Dolly Parton, and some of the more mainstream acts like Garth Brooks and Blake Shelton are not bad. Keith Urban is palatable for me because he can shred on guitar. The rest can just go away as far as I am concerned. Rascal Flatts sounds overproduced, Jason Aldean has a weak voice, and T-Swizzle is a pop princess who sings about ex-boyfriends.
Maroon 5: Sorry, Jaci. These guys used to have a funky, unique sound on albums like "Songs About Jane" and "It Won't Be Soon Before Long." Their music then morphed into yawn-worthy mainstream pop and hip-hop. Adam still seems like a nice guy on "The Voice," though.
Foreigner: When I am listening to classic rock radio, nothing wants to make we want to change the channel quicker than these overrated hacks.
The Eagles: Although there is some genuine talent in this band, they still seem like an overrated baby boomer act.
Mumford & Sons: Two albums, and all their songs sound the same. Enough said. They released a third album without the banjo and it sucked.
Euro-Trash Dance Music: Anyone remember "Barbie Girl?" "Blue (Da-Ba-Dee)?" "What Does the Fox Say?" "Am I Wrong?" "Macarena?" or "Gangnam Style?" If the answer is yes, we remember them all sucking horribly.
Train: Untalented hacks. They write most of their own music, but it doesn't matter if it all sucks. If you listen to their latest single, "Play That Song," they can't even come up with their own melodies.
Wednesday, July 26, 2017
Great news from Duke!
Sorry about the delay. It is a bit tricky to get on to Blogger these days.
We had a great visit to Duke! We took the kids and our friend Sara (one of our greatest helpers) was able to drive us.
First of all, whatever I am doing with the tumor is working. First of all, it was fascinating to see images of my brain. Secondly, the tumor has shrunk significantly, to the point where the midline of my brain is no longer distorted. They were hesitant to put me on any clinical trials because they simply ran out of slots for one of them. Dr. Patel, my radiation oncologist at State College, will be helping me implement the Optune device, which is basically an electronic beanie that goes on your head. Since I have a wife that's anal, and a great hairstylist (Tara Clark Waltz, another helper), I should be in good shape and will do my best to suck it up. Jaci also messaged Duke My Chart, which messages my doctors and caregivers, to other treatments that are being offered in New York, Cleveland and London. Kudos again to Dr. Julian for performing a surgery that truly saved my life. Frankly, despite some occasional lapses of judgement, I am walking and talking. It is a privilege to wake up every morning, and I plan to live a long life. It's amazing what the power of faith and a sense of humor can do for you.
Also, we brought the kids along to see a child education specialist. They blew bubbles into water with dish detergent. They simulated surgery by scooping out the bubbles. They simulated chemo by popping the bubbles. They then zapped the bubbles like an Optune device would. They also looked at some MRI images and some models of a CT scan machine and an MRI. They really seemed to understand what my cancer is, and what we are doing to stop it.
We return in September, and we plan to live it up a little bit more since it is our anniversary. Hopefully, we will keep with our tradition and have dinner at the Melting Pot Restaurant.
We had a great visit to Duke! We took the kids and our friend Sara (one of our greatest helpers) was able to drive us.
First of all, whatever I am doing with the tumor is working. First of all, it was fascinating to see images of my brain. Secondly, the tumor has shrunk significantly, to the point where the midline of my brain is no longer distorted. They were hesitant to put me on any clinical trials because they simply ran out of slots for one of them. Dr. Patel, my radiation oncologist at State College, will be helping me implement the Optune device, which is basically an electronic beanie that goes on your head. Since I have a wife that's anal, and a great hairstylist (Tara Clark Waltz, another helper), I should be in good shape and will do my best to suck it up. Jaci also messaged Duke My Chart, which messages my doctors and caregivers, to other treatments that are being offered in New York, Cleveland and London. Kudos again to Dr. Julian for performing a surgery that truly saved my life. Frankly, despite some occasional lapses of judgement, I am walking and talking. It is a privilege to wake up every morning, and I plan to live a long life. It's amazing what the power of faith and a sense of humor can do for you.
Also, we brought the kids along to see a child education specialist. They blew bubbles into water with dish detergent. They simulated surgery by scooping out the bubbles. They simulated chemo by popping the bubbles. They then zapped the bubbles like an Optune device would. They also looked at some MRI images and some models of a CT scan machine and an MRI. They really seemed to understand what my cancer is, and what we are doing to stop it.
We return in September, and we plan to live it up a little bit more since it is our anniversary. Hopefully, we will keep with our tradition and have dinner at the Melting Pot Restaurant.
Monday, July 24, 2017
Toyota Sienna minivan: Review from the passenger seat!
Our friend Sara was kind enough to drive us to Duke and back. Here are my impressions from sitting in the second-row seat.
Power: The brisk 3.5 liter V6 hustles the van along nicely. Fuel mileage was about 23-24 mpg, which is adequate for the size of the vehicle.
Comfort: Not bad. A little tight from where I was sitting, but we were all able to fit comfortably. Leather seats would have been nice. The second row of seats collpased forward, so it was easy for the kids to climb into the third row.
Safety: It doesn't say on Toyota's website, but I assume there is a full complement of airbags, and I am not sure if there are active safety features like active braking.
User interface: The GPS worked well, but that didn't stop us from making a few wrong turns.
Room: Plenty of room in the trunk.
Overall: Adequate for our purposes.
Power: The brisk 3.5 liter V6 hustles the van along nicely. Fuel mileage was about 23-24 mpg, which is adequate for the size of the vehicle.
Comfort: Not bad. A little tight from where I was sitting, but we were all able to fit comfortably. Leather seats would have been nice. The second row of seats collpased forward, so it was easy for the kids to climb into the third row.
Safety: It doesn't say on Toyota's website, but I assume there is a full complement of airbags, and I am not sure if there are active safety features like active braking.
User interface: The GPS worked well, but that didn't stop us from making a few wrong turns.
Room: Plenty of room in the trunk.
Overall: Adequate for our purposes.
Monday, July 10, 2017
Spider-Man: Homecoming: Movie Review
Huge thanks to my cousin Terry for taking me to a rare movie at the theater that isn't animated or rated G or PG. Apparently, the third time is the charm because they finally got the casting right with 19-year-old Tom Holland as the web slinger. He is paired up with Tony Stark, whose flaws and world weariness are an effective contrast to Spidey's naivete. Michael Keaton, who, for my money, is still the best Batman by far, was a great villain, and had a working class everyman sort of appeal to him. Also, there were some impressive set pieces at the Washington Monument and the Staten Island Ferry. Peter even takes the moral high ground at the end of the movie, setting the stage for sequels. Also, watch for a big surprise towards the end of the movie, So, was it a good movie? Yes. was it great? Not quite. First of all, there were too many scenes of him sitting there contemplating his life. Secondly, the special effects weren't up to par. They actually looked like special effects. That's probably because they used more than a dozen effects houses. Usually, a major superhero flick like this can cost $150 to $250 million, and this didn't look like it. Also, we are planning future movie get-togethers for Thor: Ragnarok in November, Black Panther early next year, and some little movie called Star Wars: The Last Jedi in December. The film is full of easter eggs, introducing Betty Brant and even Mary Jane Watson. Finally, there is Captain America, who took over the school's physical education program, detention program and even the post-credits scene, in which he says "Sorry you had to wait so long for something so... disappointing." Also, I am told that the incomprable J.K. Simmons was ready and willing to reprise his role as J, Jonah Jameson, but was unavailable because he is portraying Commisioner Gordon in the DcEU. Traitor!
Wednesday, July 5, 2017
The 'Works!
Once again, The Glunt Family have been true friends and got us to the VIP package at Penn State's 4th Fest. Armed with noise cancelling headphones and earplugs, I was able to enjoy the entire show. As we waited for dusk at 9:15, we unexpectedly got some shuteye as we waited for the show to start. The entire show was a blast from beginning to end, but the many highlights were a colorful jazz-themed show, a Beach Boys medley, and a Trolls-themed show, not to mention the grand finale. Thankfully, they did not use the "1812 Overture" during any of the displays, because many people don't realize the bombastic finale is only a small portion of an incredible 12-minute piece of music. However, snippets of a few other classical pieces like "Chester" were used, as well as some opera for the grand finale. There was a little too much country for my tastes, but it was still an incredible experience. Wow! Finally, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pm-tf6oeF8s is a great version of Copland's "Rodeo" by Bela Fleck and the Flecktones that would work really well with some patriotically themed fireworks. Also, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RG48STSjYSg&list=PLrqPLC1kCVgyvYKEzizyuYxUB_ZWHG_nC&index=9 is an amped-up version of "Sing, Sing, Sing" that would work well with some colorful fireworks.
10 greatest moviegoing experiences
Hello all! Since I am starting to get into more or less of a routine, I am going to write about my best experiences at the movie theater. As T-Swizzle says, I don't want to stir up any bad blood, so I will use discretion where needed.
Star Trek VI: Seen at Frank (formerly Eric) Theaters 7. This was in a very large auditorium full of Trekkers. Everyone applauded loudly when the "For Gene Roddenberry" dedication appeared on the screen. People were jumping up and down and high-fiving when the Klingon ship was destroyed. As corny as it was, All of us were giving a standing ovation during the autographs that kicked off the end credits.
From the Files of Police Squad: The Naked Gun: Seen at AMC 309 Cinema, Montgomeryville,PA: Mike Morawski and I saw this when we were in junior high school, and we could not stop laughing the entire movie. We especially enjoyed the press conference "pee" scene, and the scene with the statues. Jaci would call this "boy humor."
A Few Good Men: Seen at AMC Riverwalk theatre, San Antonio: I watched this alone during my brother's jazz band trip. I was reamed out by my mother, but it was worth it. The entire movie was a slow buildup as Tom Cruise's character had a long psychological battle with Jack Nicholson's character.
The Lego Batman Movie: seen at UEC Theaters 12. Saw this with our good friends, the Glunt Family. Despite our political differences, they are loyal friends and true helpers. This was a truly entertaining movie for all ages. Sadly, the directors were sacked in favor of Ron "Opie" Howard, so they wouldn't deviate too much from the core story.
Scream: Seen at AMC 309 Cinema, Montgomeryville. This is a unique theater to see a movie because of the fact that it sits at the mouth of the 309 expressway, which is basically a direct conduit to some of Philly's finest neighborhoods. This was fun because at least one person screamed whenever the killer showed up. Either way, late horror master Wes Craven deserves a ton of credit for restarting the slasher genre.
Monty Python and the Holy Grail: Seen at Strand Theatre, Kutztown. Lots of friends drove a distance to see this with me. Like any time we watch this film, all we did was laugh. Some people just don't "get" this movie, but we all did.
South Park: Bigger, Longer and Uncut: Seen at Regal Oaks theater. Despite the R rating, some idiot decided to bring a child because "it's a cartoon." After Chef made a joke about "finding the clitoris," She asked Jeff McCoach and I if we wanted to explain it to the child, and we said "Hell, no!"
The Perfect Storm: Seen at Regal Oaks theater: This became a "private screening" with just McCoach and I in the smallish auditorium: We were overwhelmed by the special effects, and may or may not have smoked a cigarette.
Back to The Future: Seen at Plymouth Meeting Mall Twin Cinema: I saw this with my mother and brother back in 1985. BTTF may very well be the perfect screenplay because I was able to perfectly understand and thoroughly enjoy a potentially complicated story about time travel as well as cause and effect.
Aladdin: Seen at Regal Oaks 24: This impressive animated flick was paced like an Indiana Jones film and seamlessly combined 2-D and 3-D animation. The magic carpet was astounding, and the Cave of Wonders sequence was unforgettable. We also can't talk about this movie without the hilarity of the late, great Robin Williams.
Toy Story: Seen at Ardmore Theater. Saw this with my old college pal and true helper Dominic. This was the first Pixar movie and the first fully CGI 3-D movie. I thought the novelty would wear off after a few minutes (like "Who Framed Roger Rabbit."), but we had no idea how much attention to detail there was, and how well-written and voice acted the story was. Although Disney Animation Studios is now a legitimate threat to Pixar (Cars 3 looks like a shitshow), there is a reason that Pixar execs are in charge of the Mouse's entire animation machine.
Inside Out: Seen at UEC Theaters 9, State College: Saw this with my family. Pixar had been churning out some mediocrity (Cars 2, Ratatouille), but "Inside Out" was a true return to form for the studio. All of us loved it and had a great time.
Star Trek VI: Seen at Frank (formerly Eric) Theaters 7. This was in a very large auditorium full of Trekkers. Everyone applauded loudly when the "For Gene Roddenberry" dedication appeared on the screen. People were jumping up and down and high-fiving when the Klingon ship was destroyed. As corny as it was, All of us were giving a standing ovation during the autographs that kicked off the end credits.
From the Files of Police Squad: The Naked Gun: Seen at AMC 309 Cinema, Montgomeryville,PA: Mike Morawski and I saw this when we were in junior high school, and we could not stop laughing the entire movie. We especially enjoyed the press conference "pee" scene, and the scene with the statues. Jaci would call this "boy humor."
A Few Good Men: Seen at AMC Riverwalk theatre, San Antonio: I watched this alone during my brother's jazz band trip. I was reamed out by my mother, but it was worth it. The entire movie was a slow buildup as Tom Cruise's character had a long psychological battle with Jack Nicholson's character.
The Lego Batman Movie: seen at UEC Theaters 12. Saw this with our good friends, the Glunt Family. Despite our political differences, they are loyal friends and true helpers. This was a truly entertaining movie for all ages. Sadly, the directors were sacked in favor of Ron "Opie" Howard, so they wouldn't deviate too much from the core story.
Scream: Seen at AMC 309 Cinema, Montgomeryville. This is a unique theater to see a movie because of the fact that it sits at the mouth of the 309 expressway, which is basically a direct conduit to some of Philly's finest neighborhoods. This was fun because at least one person screamed whenever the killer showed up. Either way, late horror master Wes Craven deserves a ton of credit for restarting the slasher genre.
Monty Python and the Holy Grail: Seen at Strand Theatre, Kutztown. Lots of friends drove a distance to see this with me. Like any time we watch this film, all we did was laugh. Some people just don't "get" this movie, but we all did.
South Park: Bigger, Longer and Uncut: Seen at Regal Oaks theater. Despite the R rating, some idiot decided to bring a child because "it's a cartoon." After Chef made a joke about "finding the clitoris," She asked Jeff McCoach and I if we wanted to explain it to the child, and we said "Hell, no!"
The Perfect Storm: Seen at Regal Oaks theater: This became a "private screening" with just McCoach and I in the smallish auditorium: We were overwhelmed by the special effects, and may or may not have smoked a cigarette.
Back to The Future: Seen at Plymouth Meeting Mall Twin Cinema: I saw this with my mother and brother back in 1985. BTTF may very well be the perfect screenplay because I was able to perfectly understand and thoroughly enjoy a potentially complicated story about time travel as well as cause and effect.
Aladdin: Seen at Regal Oaks 24: This impressive animated flick was paced like an Indiana Jones film and seamlessly combined 2-D and 3-D animation. The magic carpet was astounding, and the Cave of Wonders sequence was unforgettable. We also can't talk about this movie without the hilarity of the late, great Robin Williams.
Toy Story: Seen at Ardmore Theater. Saw this with my old college pal and true helper Dominic. This was the first Pixar movie and the first fully CGI 3-D movie. I thought the novelty would wear off after a few minutes (like "Who Framed Roger Rabbit."), but we had no idea how much attention to detail there was, and how well-written and voice acted the story was. Although Disney Animation Studios is now a legitimate threat to Pixar (Cars 3 looks like a shitshow), there is a reason that Pixar execs are in charge of the Mouse's entire animation machine.
Inside Out: Seen at UEC Theaters 9, State College: Saw this with my family. Pixar had been churning out some mediocrity (Cars 2, Ratatouille), but "Inside Out" was a true return to form for the studio. All of us loved it and had a great time.
A Day in the Life
This post is based on my favorite Beatles song. You can find the post on Vulture.com. The post is very biased against "Abbey Road" and "Let It Be" with the writer assuming that the band was not able to produce decent music given the strain on the band., preferring earlier songs like "I Wanna Hold Your Hand," and "She Loves You." We agreed on the No. 1 song, the epic tune "A Day in the Life." With my life developing into a routine of sorts, here is a day in my life:
6:30 pm: Picked up boys from day care. Offered to take them to IHOP.
7:15 pm: Decent meal. Jaci and the kids seemed to like it, but service and cost were poor. Blood sugar was 214.
8:15 pm: Back home. Kids continue to be noisy. Beginning to focus on family visit tomorrow. Few problems from "People of Walmart."
9:00 pm: Kids went to bed and stayed in bed. I am continuing to drink water. Jaci suggests calling Makayla tomorrow because her bakery fundraiser raised $180 for me. Trump continues to be an idiot.
10:00 pm: Interesting finds from magazines throughout the day. Car and Driver likes the 7-passenger VW Atlas, and loves the Ford GT. Time wrote about the "swamp" at the Trump International Hotel (formerly the Old Post Office Building). This is an instance where he is technically both landlord and tenant of his own building.
11:15 pm: Unfortunately, the night ends with a spat. I was going to call Makayla and give her the "real" reason I wouldn't be at her party. Jaci said she would calll herself and "soft pedal" the message.
5:30 am: OK sleep, more indigestion. The cycle starts over.
6:30 pm: Picked up boys from day care. Offered to take them to IHOP.
7:15 pm: Decent meal. Jaci and the kids seemed to like it, but service and cost were poor. Blood sugar was 214.
8:15 pm: Back home. Kids continue to be noisy. Beginning to focus on family visit tomorrow. Few problems from "People of Walmart."
9:00 pm: Kids went to bed and stayed in bed. I am continuing to drink water. Jaci suggests calling Makayla tomorrow because her bakery fundraiser raised $180 for me. Trump continues to be an idiot.
10:00 pm: Interesting finds from magazines throughout the day. Car and Driver likes the 7-passenger VW Atlas, and loves the Ford GT. Time wrote about the "swamp" at the Trump International Hotel (formerly the Old Post Office Building). This is an instance where he is technically both landlord and tenant of his own building.
11:15 pm: Unfortunately, the night ends with a spat. I was going to call Makayla and give her the "real" reason I wouldn't be at her party. Jaci said she would calll herself and "soft pedal" the message.
5:30 am: OK sleep, more indigestion. The cycle starts over.
Where to shop and save money
with two kids and no active job to speak of, It's not cheap to raise kids. Aside from depending on the faith of others because I am a proud person, it does cost money to raise kids. Here are some of the places we shop at to save money:
Dollar Tree: Simply put, everything is a buck. Of course, we're not talking about quality products here. We've found Bang spray cleaner, and crappy stationery products, but they are a great place to buy gift cards and bags, which can run for more than $5 at the Hallmark store.
Dollar General: Despite the name, not everything is a dollar. Still, you can get some good bargains here. We have found vegetable juice, craft items, "clean" food, medical supplies, laundry detergent, and more.
Ollie's: As Forrest Gump says, You never know what you're going to get. That's Ollie's. There are incredible clearance prices on items like being books, food, and even tools. Sign up for Ollie's Army and save even more. All while looking at the bad puns on the walls. My personal favorite is the "Complaint Dept." over the exit door.
Wally World: Despite the people of Walmart, this is the only store as far as Pappy is concerned. Cheap prices for basic needs like food, salad, produce and rotisserie chicken. Just watch out for rude people cutting you off and getting in your way.
Target: Obviously not as cheap as Walmart, but you pay for quality. Lots of good, clean food, some deals on clothing items and housewares, and their kids' clothes, branded "Cat & Jack" are well-made and guaranteed for life.
Wegmans: Great products, quality and prices. Ready-made food, including sushi is expensive, but worth it. What isn't worth it are snotty, self-entitled shoppers who won't hesitate to cut you off or walk in front of you without a word. Coming here on the weekend is like going to war.
Trader Joe's: A godsend, and not a poor person's Whole Foods. Every product with the Trader Joe's name on it is "clean" food. Their vegetable juice and refrigerated and frozen foods are among the highlights. Don't forget to go for the samples and help your kids find "Leo."
Dollar Tree: Simply put, everything is a buck. Of course, we're not talking about quality products here. We've found Bang spray cleaner, and crappy stationery products, but they are a great place to buy gift cards and bags, which can run for more than $5 at the Hallmark store.
Dollar General: Despite the name, not everything is a dollar. Still, you can get some good bargains here. We have found vegetable juice, craft items, "clean" food, medical supplies, laundry detergent, and more.
Ollie's: As Forrest Gump says, You never know what you're going to get. That's Ollie's. There are incredible clearance prices on items like being books, food, and even tools. Sign up for Ollie's Army and save even more. All while looking at the bad puns on the walls. My personal favorite is the "Complaint Dept." over the exit door.
Wally World: Despite the people of Walmart, this is the only store as far as Pappy is concerned. Cheap prices for basic needs like food, salad, produce and rotisserie chicken. Just watch out for rude people cutting you off and getting in your way.
Target: Obviously not as cheap as Walmart, but you pay for quality. Lots of good, clean food, some deals on clothing items and housewares, and their kids' clothes, branded "Cat & Jack" are well-made and guaranteed for life.
Wegmans: Great products, quality and prices. Ready-made food, including sushi is expensive, but worth it. What isn't worth it are snotty, self-entitled shoppers who won't hesitate to cut you off or walk in front of you without a word. Coming here on the weekend is like going to war.
Trader Joe's: A godsend, and not a poor person's Whole Foods. Every product with the Trader Joe's name on it is "clean" food. Their vegetable juice and refrigerated and frozen foods are among the highlights. Don't forget to go for the samples and help your kids find "Leo."
Monday, July 3, 2017
If You Have Time to Lean, You Have Time to Clean
I was encouraged to see "The Founder" by my cousin and fellow Michael Keaton fan, Terry. By the way, Keaton is still the best Batman for my money and an exceptional actor overall. In this movie, he plays entrepreneur Ray Kroc, who happens upon a McDonald's, and is shocked by the fact that he is served his food 30 seconds after ordering. He meets with the McDonald brothers, who describe their business model to Kroc. The most fascinating part was the description of a basketball court with a chalk drawing of a kitchen as the brothers coached the workers. He eventually is able to convince the brothers to franchise, making the franchise the worldwide juggernaut it is today. I also think McDonald's redefined the concept of working in a food line. Two of my former coworkers, who were supposedly disciplinary nightmares in high school, have become trainers and line captains at Panera, and are able to at least make a living wage.
I still think McFood is still unfit for human consumption, although their fries are hard to resist. Their new line of burgers with guacamole, etc. look good, but aren't. Just watch "Super Size Me," but after you see "The Founder."
I still think McFood is still unfit for human consumption, although their fries are hard to resist. Their new line of burgers with guacamole, etc. look good, but aren't. Just watch "Super Size Me," but after you see "The Founder."
Sunday, May 28, 2017
Hiccup!
For those of you wondering how I ended up getting admitted to Mount Nittany, here's what happened. Following my 5th day of chemo and radiation on Friday, my only side effect was a slight headache. I took Tylenol on Friday, because it hurt a little more while I was exercising. Friday evening, I was cooking a complicated recipe, and started to feel dizzy and see stars. I called for Jaci. She came in, and I collapsed into her shoulders. She started to panic. Of course I told her I was fine, and just to get me to the couch. I blacked out after that. According to her, I vomited, fell (she caught my head), fell a second time and hit the back of my head on our hutch, and fell a third time. When I came to, I vomited a second time. Jaci asked the kids to call 911, but they were too scared to, because my pupils were dilated, and they thought I was dead. I went to the ER, was admitted, and ended up in the critical care unit. Because there were a slew of admissions, I didn't get admitted until 3:00 a.m. As always, the worst part of this whole experience was getting stuck with needles for the IV and blood draw. They tried to do it in the ambulance twice, unsuccessfully. It eventually took a three-person IV team 20 minutes with a blacklight to find veins.
They did let me sleep for at least a few hours, and let me get up to use the bathroom with supervision. Also, I was on a regular diet, and the food was much better. I was discharged Saturday afternoon, with an increased dose of Kepra (anti-seizure medication) and a return to a half-dose of Dex (steroid). I am afraid of what the steroid will do, but I am glad to be home. I feel bad that the boys were so scared and missed their friends' birthday party yesterday. Otherwise, I am now home and okay.
They did let me sleep for at least a few hours, and let me get up to use the bathroom with supervision. Also, I was on a regular diet, and the food was much better. I was discharged Saturday afternoon, with an increased dose of Kepra (anti-seizure medication) and a return to a half-dose of Dex (steroid). I am afraid of what the steroid will do, but I am glad to be home. I feel bad that the boys were so scared and missed their friends' birthday party yesterday. Otherwise, I am now home and okay.
Friday, May 26, 2017
Moore, Roger Moore
Back to non-cancer related posts. So far the chemo and radiation is going well, and aside from a slight headache, I am not feeling any significant side effects. Our next consultation at Duke is set for July 20. It's all been good news. The fact that the tumor is metholated, the ADH1 mutation, are all factors in increasing my life expectancy.
A couple of days ago, we lost one of the actors who played James Bond, when Roger Moore died at 89. Inspired by my friend Erik, I am going to attempt to rank all of the people who played James Bond.
1. Sean Connery: He set the standard, made the mold, pick your cliche. He was the first, and the best. The only drawback is that you could get away with more sexism and Beatle-bashing in the 1960s.
Best movie: Goldfinger, still the best Bond movie ever.
Worst movie: You Only Live Twice, kind of cartoonish, but still entertaining.
2. Daniel Craig: Probably has more raw acting ability than any other Bond. He brings an emotional depth to Bond never seen before. According to a 2012 interview, he is Roger Moore's favorite Bond because of his appearance and acting ability. The next movie after "Spectre" remains in a holding pattern. It is only referred to as "Bond 25" on IMDB. Craig, who performs most of his own stunts, now says he is up for another movie, even though, at 49, he is no spring chicken. Also, "Spectre" was not reviewed well, and it's kind of sad that "Kingsman: The Secret Service" was a better Bond movie than the actual Bond movie.
Best movie: "Casino Royale," I agree with Erik that the parkour scene is the best action sequence in the entire series. The other 2 hours of the movie was pretty good, too.
Worst movie: Quantum of Solace, this is what happens when you make a movie during a writers' strike. Still very watchable, but is more or less a tacked-on (and very expensive) sequel to "Casino Royale."
Update: According to Screen Rant, a release date for the still untitled "Bond 25" is November 8, 2019. It will likely be Craig's last movie as 007. Start debating about who will be the next Bond. Personally, I don't care as long as he is male, British, and a good actor. Idris Elba, the studio's choice according to a leak, would be a good choice, as would "Downton Abbey" actor Dan Stevens, and Michael Fassbender.
3. Timothy Dalton: Probably the most underrated James Bond,and a decent actor. A lot of people didn't like "Licence to Kill" because it was very dark and violent. I thought it was a refreshing departure from the series to have Bond pursue a personal vendetta instead of saving the world as usual. If you watch him in other movies, particularly "Hot Fuzz," his character is much more lighthearted.
Best movie: "Licence to Kill," see above.
Worst movie: "The Living Daylights," process of elimination, as there are only two to pick from. This was still a very good movie, particularly the car chase and escape using a cello and its case.
4. Roger Moore: His portrayal of Bond was more lighthearted than others, and I believe he was fully aware of that. Movies like "Moonraker" and "A View to a Kill" are nearly unwatchable, but other movies like "For Your Eyes Only" wanted to return Bond to its roots after "Moonraker" by killing "Blofeld," having a car chase in a Citroen 2CV instead of a gadget-laden Aston Martin, and a great sequence on a former Winter Olympics site. According to a 2012 interview, he admits he could have done it better, despite the theme song for "The Spy Who Loved Me."
Best movie: "The Spy Who Loved Me," Good action sequences, decent story, and introduces unforgettable henchman Jaws.
Worst movie: "Moonraker," The Bond franchise tried to capitalize of the success of "Star Wars," and the result is the worst movie in the franchise.
5. Pierce Brosnan: He looked the part and got the whole swave and debonair thing down pat, but was hurt by lousy scripts and movies that relied too much on huge explosions and special effects. However, they brought Judi Dench on board as the new M, and she is unforgettable.
Best movie: "Goldeneye," Some fun action sequences, and introduces Judi Dench as M. Also, it spawned a totally awesome video game.
Worst movie: "Die Another Day," A CGI-laden mess, and Halle Berry is terrible. At least its reviews sent a message to the Broccolis that Bond needed to go in a new direction (see Daniel Craig, above).
Incomplete: George Lazenby: This Australian model was only in one movie, but it happened to be based on Ian Fleming's best novel, "On Her Majesty's Secret Service" The movie could have been paced better, but it has decent action sequences and great performances by Diana Rigg and Telly Savalas, and provides an emotional gut punch at the end of the movie. It is hard to tell how good Lazenby would have been in future movies. I can't blame them for bringing back Connery for "Diamonds Are Forever."
A couple of days ago, we lost one of the actors who played James Bond, when Roger Moore died at 89. Inspired by my friend Erik, I am going to attempt to rank all of the people who played James Bond.
1. Sean Connery: He set the standard, made the mold, pick your cliche. He was the first, and the best. The only drawback is that you could get away with more sexism and Beatle-bashing in the 1960s.
Best movie: Goldfinger, still the best Bond movie ever.
Worst movie: You Only Live Twice, kind of cartoonish, but still entertaining.
2. Daniel Craig: Probably has more raw acting ability than any other Bond. He brings an emotional depth to Bond never seen before. According to a 2012 interview, he is Roger Moore's favorite Bond because of his appearance and acting ability. The next movie after "Spectre" remains in a holding pattern. It is only referred to as "Bond 25" on IMDB. Craig, who performs most of his own stunts, now says he is up for another movie, even though, at 49, he is no spring chicken. Also, "Spectre" was not reviewed well, and it's kind of sad that "Kingsman: The Secret Service" was a better Bond movie than the actual Bond movie.
Best movie: "Casino Royale," I agree with Erik that the parkour scene is the best action sequence in the entire series. The other 2 hours of the movie was pretty good, too.
Worst movie: Quantum of Solace, this is what happens when you make a movie during a writers' strike. Still very watchable, but is more or less a tacked-on (and very expensive) sequel to "Casino Royale."
Update: According to Screen Rant, a release date for the still untitled "Bond 25" is November 8, 2019. It will likely be Craig's last movie as 007. Start debating about who will be the next Bond. Personally, I don't care as long as he is male, British, and a good actor. Idris Elba, the studio's choice according to a leak, would be a good choice, as would "Downton Abbey" actor Dan Stevens, and Michael Fassbender.
3. Timothy Dalton: Probably the most underrated James Bond,and a decent actor. A lot of people didn't like "Licence to Kill" because it was very dark and violent. I thought it was a refreshing departure from the series to have Bond pursue a personal vendetta instead of saving the world as usual. If you watch him in other movies, particularly "Hot Fuzz," his character is much more lighthearted.
Best movie: "Licence to Kill," see above.
Worst movie: "The Living Daylights," process of elimination, as there are only two to pick from. This was still a very good movie, particularly the car chase and escape using a cello and its case.
4. Roger Moore: His portrayal of Bond was more lighthearted than others, and I believe he was fully aware of that. Movies like "Moonraker" and "A View to a Kill" are nearly unwatchable, but other movies like "For Your Eyes Only" wanted to return Bond to its roots after "Moonraker" by killing "Blofeld," having a car chase in a Citroen 2CV instead of a gadget-laden Aston Martin, and a great sequence on a former Winter Olympics site. According to a 2012 interview, he admits he could have done it better, despite the theme song for "The Spy Who Loved Me."
Best movie: "The Spy Who Loved Me," Good action sequences, decent story, and introduces unforgettable henchman Jaws.
Worst movie: "Moonraker," The Bond franchise tried to capitalize of the success of "Star Wars," and the result is the worst movie in the franchise.
5. Pierce Brosnan: He looked the part and got the whole swave and debonair thing down pat, but was hurt by lousy scripts and movies that relied too much on huge explosions and special effects. However, they brought Judi Dench on board as the new M, and she is unforgettable.
Best movie: "Goldeneye," Some fun action sequences, and introduces Judi Dench as M. Also, it spawned a totally awesome video game.
Worst movie: "Die Another Day," A CGI-laden mess, and Halle Berry is terrible. At least its reviews sent a message to the Broccolis that Bond needed to go in a new direction (see Daniel Craig, above).
Incomplete: George Lazenby: This Australian model was only in one movie, but it happened to be based on Ian Fleming's best novel, "On Her Majesty's Secret Service" The movie could have been paced better, but it has decent action sequences and great performances by Diana Rigg and Telly Savalas, and provides an emotional gut punch at the end of the movie. It is hard to tell how good Lazenby would have been in future movies. I can't blame them for bringing back Connery for "Diamonds Are Forever."
Thursday, May 18, 2017
Positives
I figured I started with the negative, so I would end with the positive. There have been good things happening, especially the past few days.
Hat tip to Dave, who suggested that the kids participate in the cooking process. Make-your-own omelette was a big hit last night, and we are doing make-your-own taco night tonight.
First of all, I lost 40 pounds, partially because of bad hospital food. I don't recommend getting a brain tumor as a method of weight loss, but 40 pounds is 40 pounds. I am wearing smaller clothes and had to have my wedding ring re-sized.
Also, my caffeine addiction has somehow disappeared. I still like the taste of coffee, but I no longer need 2 cups of coffee to start the day.
Thanks to reduced steroid use, I can now actually sleep at night. That makes a big difference.
Thanks to sleeping and hotter weather, I am able to get up and walk around. I can cook again, and I can do things around the house. I am still weaker than the average bear, because it is hard to get up off the couch, and stairs don't like me.
I was able to speak with an old friend yesterday and hopefully make amends after a few years. Again, I am looking forward to seeing people come in from out of town.
Sorry if we seem distracted or busy when you are here, but we have to at least see who is calling because we are waiting for many important phone calls from doctors and nurses.
Hat tip to Dave, who suggested that the kids participate in the cooking process. Make-your-own omelette was a big hit last night, and we are doing make-your-own taco night tonight.
First of all, I lost 40 pounds, partially because of bad hospital food. I don't recommend getting a brain tumor as a method of weight loss, but 40 pounds is 40 pounds. I am wearing smaller clothes and had to have my wedding ring re-sized.
Also, my caffeine addiction has somehow disappeared. I still like the taste of coffee, but I no longer need 2 cups of coffee to start the day.
Thanks to reduced steroid use, I can now actually sleep at night. That makes a big difference.
Thanks to sleeping and hotter weather, I am able to get up and walk around. I can cook again, and I can do things around the house. I am still weaker than the average bear, because it is hard to get up off the couch, and stairs don't like me.
I was able to speak with an old friend yesterday and hopefully make amends after a few years. Again, I am looking forward to seeing people come in from out of town.
Sorry if we seem distracted or busy when you are here, but we have to at least see who is calling because we are waiting for many important phone calls from doctors and nurses.
Wednesday, May 17, 2017
Restaurant Food, Carbs and Where to go
87 degrees today and a nice breeze. Aaahhh.
Since we have several gift cards from friends for many restaurants, for which I am very grateful, I am going to give my opinion about each of them, what to order, and the value for the money. I am a fan of French Onion Soup so I have rated the soup at each restaurant.
McDonald's, Burger King: Still the bottom of the barrel. The new chicken sandwiches from McD's with guac and other stuff look good but really aren't. Their salad was essentially a pile of wilting brown lettuce. They said they improved the salad. I will have to see it to believe it. Just watch "Super Size Me" again, and think about the possibility that Burger King uses horse meat.
TGI Friday's: You may be ordering from a table, but you are still being served fast food. The endless apps might be a death sentence for someone like me.
Perkins: Overpriced, processed food. Look at the nutrition facts (or lack thereof).
IHOP, Denny's: Not as overpriced, but still nothing but carb bombs.
Wendy's, Chick-Fil-A: A significant step up from other fast food joints, because they use more natural ingredients, and who doesn't like a Chick-Fil-A sandwich? The price goes up too. We can spend close to $30 at Chick-Fil-A for the four of us.
Panera: They famously claim to have clean food. Having worked there part-time, this claim is true. A lot of their bread, like honey wheat, is full of fiber, and many of their salads are zero- or low-carb. You can modify recipes as well. They definitely follow all the rules when it comes to food safety, and I feel safe feeding my kids there, but you pay for what you get. We can spend $50 for the 4 of us.
Red Robin: The tavern burgers start at $6.99 which is somewhat reasonable. No burger is a good burger for a diabetic, but you can eat it with a fork and knife and avoid the bun. Many of their burgers are way overpriced, their onion soup is the saltiest I have ever had, and you need a megaphone if you want to refill the "bottomless" fries.
Five Guys: Again, no burger is a good burger, but these guys use fresh beef and potatoes, and homemade food does make a difference.
Ruby Tuesday: Their garden bar has a lot of ingredients to make a carb-free or low-carb salad, just watch the type and amount of dressing. I use oil and red wine vinegar. Some of their burgers aren't too expensive, just see above.
"Fast" Mexican: These places seem to have exploded. I prefer Chipotle and Moe's which allow you to get bowls and avoid the carb-loaded tortilla. Chipotle's slow-cooked Barbacoa is great, and Moe's offers several different fresh salsas. I am told to limit the tortilla chips to about 10 or so. Priced about right.
Applebee's: Some of their lunch combos and 2 for $20 menu items are reasonably priced and the calorie count isn't outrageous, but their onion soup and food overall tastes processed and salty.
Olive Garden: Most entrees, especially the non-pasta ones, are overpriced. Still most good servers will let you eat all of the soup, salad and breadsticks you want, so that may be part of the price. I prefer the Zuppa Toscana.
Outback: The bloomin' onion is one of the most awful things anyone, diabetic or otherwise, can eat, but you still have to get it. The combo of the app, steak and dessert for $14.99 isn't bad, but I save the dessert for later or give it to my wife. The Outback makes the best French Onion Soup of any chain restaurant. The local Outback in State College has screwed up our orders lately, and made us wait 25 minutes for a messed up kids' order, so we may not visit them again for a little while.
Chili's: The 2 for $20 menu is reasonable, and the lunch menu can be pretty cheap. The southwest Chicken Soup is very good for 230 calories. Their chips and salsa are really, really, good, and, at dinner you can combine the pork and chicken fajitas for tons of flavor. Use just one tortilla to save carbs and cut out the optional rice and beans. They say to limit the tortilla chips to 10, but it is really hard. Their 1,500-2,000 calorie chicken crispers now claim to use natural white meat, begging Jim Gaffigan to ask the question, "What were they using before? Iguana meat?"
Cracker Barrel: I am OK here because everything on their menu is made from scratch, as long as you avoid blatantly high-carb foods like fried food and lumberjack breakfasts. Look for daily specials, which are priced well.
Pizza: Homemade pizza with organic dough and freshly shredded cheese is preferable, but sometimes you just have to indulge and visit the local pizzeria.
As I mentioned, home-cooked, non-processed food makes a difference. Most small-town places that make their own food are better, like the famous Original Waffle Shop in State College, Their home fries are amazing, but usually don't harm me too much. Local diners can be hit-and-miss.
Since we have several gift cards from friends for many restaurants, for which I am very grateful, I am going to give my opinion about each of them, what to order, and the value for the money. I am a fan of French Onion Soup so I have rated the soup at each restaurant.
McDonald's, Burger King: Still the bottom of the barrel. The new chicken sandwiches from McD's with guac and other stuff look good but really aren't. Their salad was essentially a pile of wilting brown lettuce. They said they improved the salad. I will have to see it to believe it. Just watch "Super Size Me" again, and think about the possibility that Burger King uses horse meat.
TGI Friday's: You may be ordering from a table, but you are still being served fast food. The endless apps might be a death sentence for someone like me.
Perkins: Overpriced, processed food. Look at the nutrition facts (or lack thereof).
IHOP, Denny's: Not as overpriced, but still nothing but carb bombs.
Wendy's, Chick-Fil-A: A significant step up from other fast food joints, because they use more natural ingredients, and who doesn't like a Chick-Fil-A sandwich? The price goes up too. We can spend close to $30 at Chick-Fil-A for the four of us.
Panera: They famously claim to have clean food. Having worked there part-time, this claim is true. A lot of their bread, like honey wheat, is full of fiber, and many of their salads are zero- or low-carb. You can modify recipes as well. They definitely follow all the rules when it comes to food safety, and I feel safe feeding my kids there, but you pay for what you get. We can spend $50 for the 4 of us.
Red Robin: The tavern burgers start at $6.99 which is somewhat reasonable. No burger is a good burger for a diabetic, but you can eat it with a fork and knife and avoid the bun. Many of their burgers are way overpriced, their onion soup is the saltiest I have ever had, and you need a megaphone if you want to refill the "bottomless" fries.
Five Guys: Again, no burger is a good burger, but these guys use fresh beef and potatoes, and homemade food does make a difference.
Ruby Tuesday: Their garden bar has a lot of ingredients to make a carb-free or low-carb salad, just watch the type and amount of dressing. I use oil and red wine vinegar. Some of their burgers aren't too expensive, just see above.
"Fast" Mexican: These places seem to have exploded. I prefer Chipotle and Moe's which allow you to get bowls and avoid the carb-loaded tortilla. Chipotle's slow-cooked Barbacoa is great, and Moe's offers several different fresh salsas. I am told to limit the tortilla chips to about 10 or so. Priced about right.
Applebee's: Some of their lunch combos and 2 for $20 menu items are reasonably priced and the calorie count isn't outrageous, but their onion soup and food overall tastes processed and salty.
Olive Garden: Most entrees, especially the non-pasta ones, are overpriced. Still most good servers will let you eat all of the soup, salad and breadsticks you want, so that may be part of the price. I prefer the Zuppa Toscana.
Outback: The bloomin' onion is one of the most awful things anyone, diabetic or otherwise, can eat, but you still have to get it. The combo of the app, steak and dessert for $14.99 isn't bad, but I save the dessert for later or give it to my wife. The Outback makes the best French Onion Soup of any chain restaurant. The local Outback in State College has screwed up our orders lately, and made us wait 25 minutes for a messed up kids' order, so we may not visit them again for a little while.
Chili's: The 2 for $20 menu is reasonable, and the lunch menu can be pretty cheap. The southwest Chicken Soup is very good for 230 calories. Their chips and salsa are really, really, good, and, at dinner you can combine the pork and chicken fajitas for tons of flavor. Use just one tortilla to save carbs and cut out the optional rice and beans. They say to limit the tortilla chips to 10, but it is really hard. Their 1,500-2,000 calorie chicken crispers now claim to use natural white meat, begging Jim Gaffigan to ask the question, "What were they using before? Iguana meat?"
Cracker Barrel: I am OK here because everything on their menu is made from scratch, as long as you avoid blatantly high-carb foods like fried food and lumberjack breakfasts. Look for daily specials, which are priced well.
Pizza: Homemade pizza with organic dough and freshly shredded cheese is preferable, but sometimes you just have to indulge and visit the local pizzeria.
As I mentioned, home-cooked, non-processed food makes a difference. Most small-town places that make their own food are better, like the famous Original Waffle Shop in State College, Their home fries are amazing, but usually don't harm me too much. Local diners can be hit-and-miss.
Tuesday, May 16, 2017
What to eat... Cracking the carb code
Finally, shorts weather! 76 today, 89 tomorrow.
With my condition, I do have to be careful about what I eat as a diabetic keeping my blood sugar level. Aside from the standard 2000-calorie nutritional guidelines, I wasn't given any specific rules or diet, nor I was not told I could not eat red meat.
My wife wanted to try a probiotic diet, which basically is a bunch of dairy-type foods like kefir and kombucha that essentially taste like different kinds of puke. Not happening. I am told there are pills for this, so I will take them instead.
Next is the ketogenic diet. I am incorporating some foods from this diet, like guacamole and nuts. Sadly, most of us are not seafood and fish eaters here, and a lot of seafood is full of polluted ocean water.
First of all, it's important to stay hydrated. I was told 64 oz. per day minimum. I have my water bottle by my side at all times. I am told caffienated drinks don't hydrate. An added benefit is that many restaurants don't charge you for ice water.
Soda, pop, Coke depending where you are located: I miss it, but avoid it like the plague. It is full of sugar and chemicals, and no one, diabetic or not, should drink it. Diet soda takes away the sugar, but is still full of artificial sweetener and other chemicals, and just doesn't taste that good.
What I am thinking the secret is to get foods with zero carbs, and foods with moderate carbs and high fiber. Fiber slows down the digestion process, delaying the delivery of blood sugar. Organic and natural ingredients make a huge difference. Target has a decent selection of organic items, but the best place to shop is Trader Joe's. Any product with the Trader Joe's name on it has all-natural ingredients. Their salsas, bean dips, guilt-reduced guacamole made with Greek yogurt are all delicious and reasonably priced. I am trying to avoid processed foods altogether. If the ingredient list reads like a chemistry set, I don't buy it. Also, any homemade food is preferable to a processed or frozen food, but even Trader Joe's frozen foods have no preservatives or crap in them.
Wegmans has some good stuff, but too many rude, entitled people crowd the store, cut you off and give you dirty looks.
What still kills me the most is limiting my pasta consumption, although Liam doesn't like pasta much either. At least a reasonable amount of whole wheat pasta is edible for me.
At Weis, I literally did what health coaches told me to do and walk around the outside of the store. I got a lot of healthy food. Also, we sampled a lot of local businesses' foods at our local grocery store, and ended up buying them, specifically nitrite- and nitrate-free uncured sausage and bacon.
Also, as much as I loved everyone's food, it is nice to have control of my kitchen again.
With my condition, I do have to be careful about what I eat as a diabetic keeping my blood sugar level. Aside from the standard 2000-calorie nutritional guidelines, I wasn't given any specific rules or diet, nor I was not told I could not eat red meat.
My wife wanted to try a probiotic diet, which basically is a bunch of dairy-type foods like kefir and kombucha that essentially taste like different kinds of puke. Not happening. I am told there are pills for this, so I will take them instead.
Next is the ketogenic diet. I am incorporating some foods from this diet, like guacamole and nuts. Sadly, most of us are not seafood and fish eaters here, and a lot of seafood is full of polluted ocean water.
First of all, it's important to stay hydrated. I was told 64 oz. per day minimum. I have my water bottle by my side at all times. I am told caffienated drinks don't hydrate. An added benefit is that many restaurants don't charge you for ice water.
Soda, pop, Coke depending where you are located: I miss it, but avoid it like the plague. It is full of sugar and chemicals, and no one, diabetic or not, should drink it. Diet soda takes away the sugar, but is still full of artificial sweetener and other chemicals, and just doesn't taste that good.
What I am thinking the secret is to get foods with zero carbs, and foods with moderate carbs and high fiber. Fiber slows down the digestion process, delaying the delivery of blood sugar. Organic and natural ingredients make a huge difference. Target has a decent selection of organic items, but the best place to shop is Trader Joe's. Any product with the Trader Joe's name on it has all-natural ingredients. Their salsas, bean dips, guilt-reduced guacamole made with Greek yogurt are all delicious and reasonably priced. I am trying to avoid processed foods altogether. If the ingredient list reads like a chemistry set, I don't buy it. Also, any homemade food is preferable to a processed or frozen food, but even Trader Joe's frozen foods have no preservatives or crap in them.
Wegmans has some good stuff, but too many rude, entitled people crowd the store, cut you off and give you dirty looks.
What still kills me the most is limiting my pasta consumption, although Liam doesn't like pasta much either. At least a reasonable amount of whole wheat pasta is edible for me.
At Weis, I literally did what health coaches told me to do and walk around the outside of the store. I got a lot of healthy food. Also, we sampled a lot of local businesses' foods at our local grocery store, and ended up buying them, specifically nitrite- and nitrate-free uncured sausage and bacon.
Also, as much as I loved everyone's food, it is nice to have control of my kitchen again.
Losing and Finding my Religion
First of all, thanks to everyone for reading. I only expected a few readers, but it's nice to hear feedback from people I know and don't know.
Also, with things finally calming down (slightly), we will start getting visitors from out of town. I am looking forward to seeing all of you.
Religion has played an interesting role in my life. Obviously, right now, it is stronger than ever. Let's start from the beginning. I grew up in Suburban Philadelphia and was raised Catholic. Weekly mass was the same silly ritual every week. You celebrated your first communion and confirmation and had a huge party. My parents put me in a pricey private Catholic school, and it was an absolute nightmare that I am still to unsuccessfully repress. Advice for parents: No matter how well your child is doing academically, never, ever skip them a grade. Supposedly schools don't do this anymore. Since I ended up in public school, we had to attend some godawful boring class called CCD every week. Everyone just did it because we are Catholics, and it's what Catholics do. Some people enjoy this, and that's all well and good. I got absolutely nothing from it, other than the fact that organized religion does nothing but pit people against each other and is a waste of time.
It was hard to find a pastor for our wedding because we weren't members of a church. Thanks to Terri Housel and their family pastor, we were married at Trinity Lutheran in Lansdale.
Jaci grew up in rural Pennsylvania, which is where we are now. It's safe to say there isn't quite as much to do up here. Going to church is an important part of life for many rural communities. She frequently brought up going to church, and taking the kids. I was very hesitant, but she made a good point when she insisted the kids have at least a starting point.
Our first church was a large church near Lancaster. We stopped attending. The pastor e-mailed to see what was going on. I responded my father had died and I needed some time to reflect. I received no response from the pastor, even though they continued to autodraft our donation every week. Bye.
Church number two. A smaller church, also in the Lancaster area. The pastor was a nice guy but kind of a ham. The church holds a picnic which we signed up for on a paper. We showed up and, despite sunny weather, there was no one there. Apparently, the picnic was cancelled and no one bothered to tell us. Strike two.
We then move to Centre County. At first, Jaci looked into churches that had a good kids' program. This brought us to Grace United Methodist in Centre Hall. I guess it is safe to say I was finally home. The congregation was younger on average than other churches we have been to, and many people came up to us and introduced themselves to us right away. Pastor Mark seemed really nice and down to earth. The only thing I don't like is the contemporary service because there is too much singing. But, if you go to the post on helpers, you will see how important the church and Pastor Mark have been on this journey.
Following this illness, I have discovered the healing power of faith and prayer. In addition to God, I have communicated with my father, who said he was proud of me, and my grandparents, who said they will protect me, because I need to be with my own grandchildren and watch them grow.
We have been to church once since the surgery. It was honestly one of the most emotional days of my life. I was so happy to see everyone, and the feeling seemed mutual. Also, God did communicate with me that day, and said I needed to live and pay it forward. That is the reason I am typing this right now.
Also, with things finally calming down (slightly), we will start getting visitors from out of town. I am looking forward to seeing all of you.
Religion has played an interesting role in my life. Obviously, right now, it is stronger than ever. Let's start from the beginning. I grew up in Suburban Philadelphia and was raised Catholic. Weekly mass was the same silly ritual every week. You celebrated your first communion and confirmation and had a huge party. My parents put me in a pricey private Catholic school, and it was an absolute nightmare that I am still to unsuccessfully repress. Advice for parents: No matter how well your child is doing academically, never, ever skip them a grade. Supposedly schools don't do this anymore. Since I ended up in public school, we had to attend some godawful boring class called CCD every week. Everyone just did it because we are Catholics, and it's what Catholics do. Some people enjoy this, and that's all well and good. I got absolutely nothing from it, other than the fact that organized religion does nothing but pit people against each other and is a waste of time.
It was hard to find a pastor for our wedding because we weren't members of a church. Thanks to Terri Housel and their family pastor, we were married at Trinity Lutheran in Lansdale.
Jaci grew up in rural Pennsylvania, which is where we are now. It's safe to say there isn't quite as much to do up here. Going to church is an important part of life for many rural communities. She frequently brought up going to church, and taking the kids. I was very hesitant, but she made a good point when she insisted the kids have at least a starting point.
Our first church was a large church near Lancaster. We stopped attending. The pastor e-mailed to see what was going on. I responded my father had died and I needed some time to reflect. I received no response from the pastor, even though they continued to autodraft our donation every week. Bye.
Church number two. A smaller church, also in the Lancaster area. The pastor was a nice guy but kind of a ham. The church holds a picnic which we signed up for on a paper. We showed up and, despite sunny weather, there was no one there. Apparently, the picnic was cancelled and no one bothered to tell us. Strike two.
We then move to Centre County. At first, Jaci looked into churches that had a good kids' program. This brought us to Grace United Methodist in Centre Hall. I guess it is safe to say I was finally home. The congregation was younger on average than other churches we have been to, and many people came up to us and introduced themselves to us right away. Pastor Mark seemed really nice and down to earth. The only thing I don't like is the contemporary service because there is too much singing. But, if you go to the post on helpers, you will see how important the church and Pastor Mark have been on this journey.
Following this illness, I have discovered the healing power of faith and prayer. In addition to God, I have communicated with my father, who said he was proud of me, and my grandparents, who said they will protect me, because I need to be with my own grandchildren and watch them grow.
We have been to church once since the surgery. It was honestly one of the most emotional days of my life. I was so happy to see everyone, and the feeling seemed mutual. Also, God did communicate with me that day, and said I needed to live and pay it forward. That is the reason I am typing this right now.
Monday, May 15, 2017
What steroids do to your body
This post uses information from Duke University Hospital's Patient Binder.
Sorry, back to the negative. I had to take the steroid Decadron to keep my brain from swelling. I hope I never have to take it again. The worst was that, as a diabetic, it jacked up my blood sugar, and made me dependent on insulin. In other words, I can't eat a bite of food at a meal until I check my sugar, and get an insulin injection. Few things annoy me more than having food withheld from me, so I will be glad to go back to managing diabetes with just the Metformin pill.
Next was roid rage! Although I wasn't violent, I was constantly irritated, especially at the boys. Jaci thought I was demanding but not loving, and I walked away from a lot of arguments saying things like, "I don't care what you do, I am going to bed." Also, it's probably a good thing I wasn't driving, because drivers around here are either hot rodding jerks with a death wish or oldheads who go 10 mph below the speed limit. Also, to make a right turn, they begin to slow down 1/2 mile before the intersection and turn the corner at about 5 miles per hour. If you pass them while you are turning, you are guaranteed to get a dirty look. Getting the real brunt are the telemarketers selling credit cards and security systems. I would cut them off and say something like "I just had a major surgery, and I am waiting for important calls from doctors and nurses. DO NOT CLOG UP MY PHONE LINES WITH YOUR F-------- B-----S----! Do not call me again and take me off your list!" Finally, I am obsessive-compulsive about wasting food, so I completely freaked out when Jaci, who honestly didn't know any better, left a plastic lid on a tray of food and we lost the whole dish.
Sleeplessness: Spent many nights staring at my feet or at the clock. The fact that the oxygen concentrator is a bit loud doesn't help. I am sleeping better with the CPAP, but still get up in the middle of the night.
Insiatable appetite: When I first got home, I had nearly constant snack cravings. I still crave tomato and vegetable juice with Sriracha Sauce. I constantly crave salt, spicy stuff, and now I have even developed Sandy's sweet tooth.
Blurred vision: Check. I had to use reading glasses to see my phone and some books. That's also improving. I despise opthamologist appointments, and hate getting liquid dropped into my eyes.
Muscle weakness: Steroids weaken your thighs, so it was very hard to get up and move. Since the weaning began, I have had more energy to get up and move, wash dishes, do laundry, and panic during power outages.
My wife insisted to the medical team that I wean off the steroid as soon as possible.
Supposedly, the weaning is going well, because some people coming down off steroids get violent and angry, and I am taking it at least in stride.
Sorry, back to the negative. I had to take the steroid Decadron to keep my brain from swelling. I hope I never have to take it again. The worst was that, as a diabetic, it jacked up my blood sugar, and made me dependent on insulin. In other words, I can't eat a bite of food at a meal until I check my sugar, and get an insulin injection. Few things annoy me more than having food withheld from me, so I will be glad to go back to managing diabetes with just the Metformin pill.
Next was roid rage! Although I wasn't violent, I was constantly irritated, especially at the boys. Jaci thought I was demanding but not loving, and I walked away from a lot of arguments saying things like, "I don't care what you do, I am going to bed." Also, it's probably a good thing I wasn't driving, because drivers around here are either hot rodding jerks with a death wish or oldheads who go 10 mph below the speed limit. Also, to make a right turn, they begin to slow down 1/2 mile before the intersection and turn the corner at about 5 miles per hour. If you pass them while you are turning, you are guaranteed to get a dirty look. Getting the real brunt are the telemarketers selling credit cards and security systems. I would cut them off and say something like "I just had a major surgery, and I am waiting for important calls from doctors and nurses. DO NOT CLOG UP MY PHONE LINES WITH YOUR F-------- B-----S----! Do not call me again and take me off your list!" Finally, I am obsessive-compulsive about wasting food, so I completely freaked out when Jaci, who honestly didn't know any better, left a plastic lid on a tray of food and we lost the whole dish.
Sleeplessness: Spent many nights staring at my feet or at the clock. The fact that the oxygen concentrator is a bit loud doesn't help. I am sleeping better with the CPAP, but still get up in the middle of the night.
Insiatable appetite: When I first got home, I had nearly constant snack cravings. I still crave tomato and vegetable juice with Sriracha Sauce. I constantly crave salt, spicy stuff, and now I have even developed Sandy's sweet tooth.
Blurred vision: Check. I had to use reading glasses to see my phone and some books. That's also improving. I despise opthamologist appointments, and hate getting liquid dropped into my eyes.
Muscle weakness: Steroids weaken your thighs, so it was very hard to get up and move. Since the weaning began, I have had more energy to get up and move, wash dishes, do laundry, and panic during power outages.
My wife insisted to the medical team that I wean off the steroid as soon as possible.
Supposedly, the weaning is going well, because some people coming down off steroids get violent and angry, and I am taking it at least in stride.
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