Tuesday, June 12, 2012

~Doctor's Bad_"BS"_ Manners

After my recent yearly visit to my Family Practice doctor's office,I'm determined to find a doctor on this "Universe" that has good "Bedside Manners"! He's a nice person BUT_I hate when people ask a question, you start to answer & you're abruptly cut-off from your answer.He asked me what was my daily choice of food,to which I stated mostly the Mediterranean Diet,commencing to say things like brown rice,couscous,tabouli with lots of veg...BAM_the good doctor says_ "Those are all Carbs"! I'm like really!...could I finish please.So,I educated the Doc on what just maybe he didn't know about_
This explanation so reminded me of my 18 years as a Medical/Hospital Professional Sales Representative_ explaining to doctors (most rude/abrupt)about the products in my little "brown bag"_yet they wanted all those "goodies" Rx.companies offer them..but no time to listen.It got to this, in order for the Doc to see you_all reps had to wine & dine the staff_bring lunch everyday,take groups of Docs to exclusive restaurants after-hours,please! And,yep it's true_Doctors don't know everything_as they would have you believe! Now this is not the first time the scenario played out_it has on several occasions.So...it's time to "Make A Change" before I go Full Throttle on him_to STH-up,let me finish before you contradict! Okay!...I'm settling down now.

"BAD BEDSIDE MANNERS"
"If you want an idea of how much patients value a pleasant personality in their physician, consider that the Medical College of Ohio's largest individual gift ever, $1.9 million, came with the demand it be used to teach bedside manner.(2005)

The Ruth Hillebrand Clinical Skills Center, dedicated by the Toledo school was borne of the estate of a New York psychologist who felt she had bad experiences with rude doctors. As the school told it, Hillebrand's doctor in New York called her late one night and told her she had mesothelioma. He said there was no treatment and no cure. Then he hung up."Whoa!!! Read the
article here: http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2005/03/21/prl20321.htm

Even Hollywood got in on the act in 1945_although a comedy_ "Bedside Manners"movie!

Let me be clear_BEDSIDE MANNERS_ refers most often to the way a doctor interacts and communicates with patients.Used in a positive way means a doctor is a good communicator, while one without a bedside manner may offend or may be "overly abrupt" with patients.Poor "BS" Manners can manifest as arrogance, failure to listen to a patient, abruptness, dismissal of a patient’s fears, and rudeness! This can also apply to Nurses or other Health Care _so called Professionals!

Although,there are many increasing factors that can cause this "B-BS", like time crunch_no time to listen_which can mean crucial information missed when a patient is not given enough time;quality of care compromised,patient compliance can be low,tendency to intimidate or cause the patient fear.."white coat syndrome"(I do not have this syndrome because I'll Call you Out!);and there's a host of other "blah,blah,blah" circumstances.

Concern about "B-BS" manner has increased in the past few years causing many Medical Schools to provide training courses for both doctors and nurses!! And ,some hospitals even test the docs/nurses with mock patients to test their nerves!!!



My saving Grace for this scenario _I had to get my laugh on with my "FAVORITE DOCTOR OF ALL TIMES"_Doc Martin (Martin Clunes).BBC/PBS to the rescue. He's surly,tactless,self-centered,and uptight_but he's the only doctor in town. Here's a clip _check out his first kiss with Louisa (he admires her,but can't find the words)after the first KISS,you really don't expect some one to say,"I assume you have a regular Dental Hygiene routine BUT _you have Bad Breath! in so many words....Clip #9 at 11:15secs_"ABSOLUTELY BLOODY HILARIOUS"..here you go..


Oh and despite,Doc Martin's relationship with the town dog that loves him_in real life he's written a book called "A Dog's Life"_he loves Dogs! My local PBS station just started to air Series 5,yea!I purchased DVD Doc Martin Collection Series 1-4_you'll find the link to the right of the page(Amazon).I loved the music so much,I purchased the CD_Doc Martin Music by Colin Towns...awesome relaxing,chillin' jazz music ..makes you feel like you're in Portwenn!

Catch the complete first Episode here...enjoy!


Bottom line_"BEDSIDE MANNERS MATTER"!.If you don't like someone, you're probably not going to listen to them and do what they want you to do...Hell "MANNERS"are just important..be it Doctor,Lawyer or Indian Chief!

I'm so over my current_soon to be FIRED doctor,I've helped to pay for his second Mercedes...Now......meet my new doctor_


Enough "BS" for Today....




Monday, June 4, 2012

~50 Shades of Grey~..Scandalous,Maybe,Really??..NO!

Let me just set the record straight..."50 Shades of Grey" is by no means the first attempt at depicting carnal knowledge & the various means of expressing that knowledge through taboo acts...as recent Media would have us think!
Every generation has had and will continue to have a "50 Shades of Grey"! It is simply Trendy Literature to awaken the sense and sensibilities of the new explorers_the 20 somethings & refresh the memory of 30+somethings maybe forgotten_or put on the back burner because of careers and children and well...LIFE! BONUS,ding,ding,ding!!..It may be the Second coming of a new generation of "Baby Boomers" in the making.

If one endeavors to read other Genres besides Erotic Literature_(doesn't seem right using the word Literature to describe this form of writing..it is what it is)_one would learn that even the Bible alludes to lewd and lascivious acts.Greek Mythology in the 5th century gave us Oedipus_who was jealous of his father,wanted his father dead and desired to sleep with his mother;18th Century England gave us the novel "Fanny Hill (1748)_...Whoa...setting a new standard in literary smut with pictures no less depicting the acts_(Note To Self: read this book);heck,there's even a Phallic Museum in Reykjavik,Iceland;Ancient Indian Hindu's Kama Sutra..supposedly composed around 200 B.C.has all kinds of pictures and a section on "The Essence of Biting"...,say what?.

The Creme de la Cream_the MotherLoad is_the scandalous writings of my main man_Marquis de Sade_
In response to the highly acclaimed  Epistolary novel "Pamela" by Samuel Richardson (read this book a couple of yrs ago_my namesake)_Sade wrote "Justine,or the Misfortunes of Virtue".This book was sooooo scandalous Napoleon Bonaparte ordered him arrested and his book censored!!Imagine a censored book in France,no! Even more poignant,watching the 2000 movie Quills_loosely based on Marquis de Sade life...well,I'm still "speechless" and I watched the movie in 2010!


BUT, that was topped by my curiosity about the life of Roman Emperor Caligula (37 A.D. to 41 A.D.).Talk about "Bite Off More Than You Could Chew"..."Caligula"(1979)movie_Italian-American biographical film directed by Tinto Brass with additional scenes filmed by Giancarlo Lui & Penthouse Founder_Bob Guccione (when I saw his name,I should have heard a little voice saying_"Ma'am back away from the Video". I don't think I will ever fully recover from that movie..."I'm still having Post Traumatic Caligula Syndrome"...Not for the Faint at Heart..try at your own risk! I needed therapy after this movie.....

There are a host of books,films,etc.that top E.L.James "train ride to work writings" as she stated in a recent interview.Reminds me of that scene in the movie "Unfaithful"(2002) where Diane Lane starts thinking of her intimate time with my "boyfriend"Oliver Martinez_and starts to play it out while on the train in plain view..enough said! One newspaper critic said_50 Shades... it's a page turner alright,if you can suffer through 500 pages of the heroine's torturous dialogue,not in a sexy kind of way_the age old female submission_depressing really!Not on "My 2012 Summer & Fall Reading List"!

50 Shades of Grey_controversial,yes,scandalous,maybe,first writings of this kind...REALLY?..that would be.....NO!


                                    ~My 2012 Summer & Fall Reading List~
Novels:
The Man by Irving Wallace
Elspeth Huxley:A Biography by C.S. Nichols
No Adam In Eve by Grace Metalious_(finished)
The Tight White Collar by Grace Metalious_(finished)
5th Avenue,5Am by Sam Wasson
The Complete Stories of Franz Kafka by Franz Kafka
The Feast of All Saints by Anne Rice
The Scarlett Contessa,A novel of the Italian Renaissance by Jeanne Katogridis
The Guernsey Literary & Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Shaffer & Annie Barrows
Wide Sargasso Sea by Jean Rhys(Saw the movie..awesome!)
Joy & Pam by Dorothy Whitehall(1920's girl's book series,I have a friend named Joy)

History:
Shipcarvers of North America by M.V.Brewington
Last Call "Prohibition" by Daniel Okrent
Red,White & Black_The Peoples of Early America by Gary Nash
Life Along the Silk Road by Susan Whitefield
Scandalous Women,The Lives  & Loves of History's Most Notorious Women by E.Mahon

Philosophy:
Harvard Classics:Descartes,Voltaire,Rousseau,Hobbs(French & English Philosophers(1889)
Anam Cara_A Book of Celtic Wisdom by John O'Donohue
Michel De Montaigne_The Complete Essays(reading,this will take some time but interesting)

Antiques:
Veilleuses,A Collectors Guide,A Definitive Review of Ceramic Food & Tea Warmers (1750-1860 by Harold Newman

Travel:
Land's End by Michael Cunningham (wrote The Hours(1998),movie based on book) reading now.


             ~READING,IT DOES A MIND GOOD~

Monday, May 28, 2012

DECORATION DAY_aka "MEMORIAL DAY 2012",

Don't want to burst any one's bubble today or rain on your parade_because I know y'all's Grills are being prepped for cooking,the salads,beans,cakes,plenty of beer,wine,& the hard stuff are on hand,smokes,etc are ready_folks on the way to Partee! Yea,it's the beginning of Summer Fundays....BUT Wait...

Take the time today to remember the people who served & still serve in the Armed Forces so that you may enjoy the Freedom to Celebrate!!!!


"Memorial Day" is a day of remembering the men and women who died while serving in the United States Armed Forces. Formerly known as "Decoration Day",it originated after the American Civil War  to commemorate the Union soldiers who died in the Civil War. By the 20th century Memorial Day had been extended to honor all Americans who have died in all wars.

Charles Edward Ives (October 20, 1874 – May 19, 1954)was an American Modernist Composer.
He composed "A Symphony: New England Holidays,aka A New England Holiday Symphony or Holiday Symphony,for orchestra.It took him from 1897 to 1913 to complete all four movements. The four movements in order are:
I. Washington’s Birthday
II. Decoration Day_listen below to his rendition
III. The Fourth of July
IV. Thanksgiving

                                           Composer Charles Ives_Decoration Day

So,even if you don't like Classical Music_just taking a moment to remember is important!Here's some moments in pictures_worth a thousand words....





Here's my other half_he's served in the Army(1st Cavalry),Navy & Army Reserves.
Currently,a Historical Reenactor for The Civil War,Irish Zouaves,Sons of the American Revolution and my sweetie!Both my Dad(deceased) & older brother served in the Navy.
Love my VETERANS!

                                                                         1980
5/28/2012_Taken at Aaron's Hilltop Farm_Headed to the Cemetery... will give a Soldier's Salute w/ his Musket,etc......Served this country from 1975-1995!!!!!!WOW!!!!!!




"And I'm proud to be an American,where at least I know I'm free.And I won't forget the "Men,Women,Gays & Lesbians who died,who gave that right to me"

"HUG A VETERAN DAY"




Wednesday, May 23, 2012

*THE GREEK GODDESS CLAN OF TEXAS*

                                                                    
             "Know Thyself"..in order for one to be wise. *Socrates*


YASOU,
There are moments in one's Life when the simple notion of surrounding one's self with friends is the ultimate JOY! My Birthday Party this past weekend was one of those moments! I'm declaring that I have got the Best Friends ever!!!!....the mixture of personalities,the funny sayings,the laughter,the hugs.. each person is like the most exquisite gifted wrapped present EVER...the Joy of just being with close friends is ....Priceless!!!!!!
As I've mentioned before in my Blog_I started having themed parties about ten years ago.This party was Hosted by a good friend who assured me that her creative skills were all good!Indeed...WOW!,what a setting_by the pool..with the Greek theme flowing from every corner inside and out,Greek music playing in the background.. at one point I imagined that we were in Santorini,Greece....
...okay ,so my mind was playing tricks or treats on me...or maybe it was the Greek Wine..WOW!that's some powerful wine...
"Boutari Greek Wines_Naoussa & Kretikos"

The food was delicious_3 flavors of Hummus dip w/Pita chips & Wheat Rusks,Turkey & Asparagus Wraps,Lentil Salad,Spanakopita,Greek Dolmas,Stuffed Pepperoncini(Pancetta/Cheese),Pepperoncini Dip,Chicken & Veggies Kabobs,Green Beans w/Caramelized Onions & Focaccia Bread_Baklava and Southern Lemon Pound Cake w/Blue Bell Vanilla Ice Cream...(a little Southern Greek food)!

The Bellydancing was OUTRAGEOUS_and if I put the videos on this Blog_I'd have to move into a Witness Protection Program....immediately!!!
JUST SOME OF THE BIRTHDAY PRIZES :
Veilleuses,Collectors Guide(book),Passport w/ stamps from Greece,Cards....
Greek Goddess Veil,Bracelet &Skirt& Headband,Greek Spices,The Scarlet Contessa(book)...
Okay, A Ballerina FROG (with a good Bra),Greek Spices,A White Ironstone style Dish,APicnic Basket for Wine(beautimost)...

Birdhouse Teapot,Wine, Art Deco Chime...

                                        9 NEW VIDEOS!!!!!!!!!WHOA......
                        FRIEND Chime,Mini-Tagines,Greek ice bucket,Silk Road(book)...
                   My girlfriend's daughter(5 yrs old)painting & brooches...so sweet!!!!!
                     Love that Greek Bag & New Greek Cookbook to add to my Collection!
                                             A Blue & White Grecian Salad Bowl
                                                                              &
                       A gift to me from me...My First "Antique Veilleuses Teapot"..Love it!

Here's a couple of presentable photos from the party..
That's me in Yellow w/Violet _my Classmate from East Texas
Pam,Jill(Hostess),Violet & Shelly
Joy,Amy(traveled from Tacoma,WA),Jill & Karen
"Sorors" Pam & Karen giving the hand sign for Zeta Phi Beta
Back row:Shelly,Joy,Amy,Karen
Jill,Pam &Violet
"THE GREEK GODDESS CLAN OF TEXAS"

This my friends was a Damn good birthday party! Who knew these Travel Parties would take on such an adventure. Greece was pretty special_loved it!My hats off to all of my dear friends,EFHARISTO!

     GREECE ROCKS!!!!!!!!!!

Next trip_SPAIN FOR CHRISTMAS ...need to start "perfecting my skills" on making ...
PAELLA,yum

&.

                                                "FLAMENCO,dance like you mean it,Baby!!!"
My friend Amy has traveled to Spain & has danced the Flamenco in Dance School.Can't wait!
Because......              

"Life isn't about finding Yourself.Life is about creating,

                                         Yourself"

                                                     *George Bernard Shaw*

Thursday, May 17, 2012

What's Up?It's My Birthday!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Greetings from the Birthday Girl.....yeah!So,all you fellow May17th Birthday babies...Happy Birthday to ya!
Birthday's have always been pretty "Special" to me.As a kid,it was the birthday cake & ice cream,whatever my favorite meal may have been at the time,friends over for a party or just a family celebration,presents and more presents...and of course the annual....
                                                SPANKING......

I did not like this tradition..Why?Because,I got enough spankings from my mother everyday to last a lifetime.Mind you,I was my "Daddy's Girl"_so I NEVER got a spanking from Dad.Dad would just look at all 5 of us and we were good!

Seems this spanking thingie is in fact a ritual and/or tradition in some places!Take China for example..thousands of Chinese come to the Dong Lung Gong temple on the first day of the lunar Chinese New Year to take part in the century old ritual of spanking to rid  them of bad luck.The part I don't get is_the men are spanked,the women whipped!A little incense is burned_two pieces of wood are tossed_after which they all go home happy_they're Done & Done..and believe their luck will improve...mmm think I"ll pass on that one!

On Easter Monday_the Slavic tradition of hitting girls and young ladies with woven willow switches_then dousing them with water_is an "OUCH" moment for sure...switches,yea I remember those. In Slovenia if anyone succeeds in climbing to the top of Mount Triglav_the reward is a spanking.But the Romans_by God_they added a Festival called Lupercalia_naked men running through the streets of the city,carrying straps which they swatted the outstretched palms of women who wished to become pregnant...HAHAHAHAHAHA!Duh,they just needed to stop running,grab one of the women ...and the rest could be history!

So the North American tradition is a "birthday spanking"_ where the birthday girl or boy receives the same number of hits as his/her age (plus "one to grow on") during the birthday party. Birthday spankings are administered over the clothes and usually by close friends or family members, and are generally playful swats not meant to cause real pain. Okay,I'll keep it clean at this point_because "Adult Spankings" could be misinterpreted as a chapter in "Fifty Shades Of Grey"by E.L James ...read it and weep!

So...my Birthday party will be this weekend!No...it will NOT be a Victorian type settings as pictured above...my friends and I have already done that one...a couple years back with a Jane Austen TeaParty Birthday...no one wanted to eat the traditional "Spotted Dick"Pudding..ah,the name didn't sit well with the girls, :-( !  I have this group of close knit girlfriends_where we make it a point to celebrate each other's Birthday and Christmas together.I started giving theme parties about 10 years ago...I now call them our Passport Parties.We visit a country as .....

"Mental Travelers"to experience the Culture,Music,Decor and Food.So far we've traveled to Africa,Italy,Russia, England,France,Ireland,Brazil,Japan_this year Greece! It started out of my love of cooking,music and being a History Geek! Each time,I've researched the culture,music,food and create the decor for ambiance!I made everyone Passport Books with stamps from each country.

 For the Russian Party _we all took on Russian women names,sang "From Russia With Love" & tasted at least 10 Vodkas_Vodka Shots,Baby_I did DROPPER Shots_no fan of Vodka;France was a 12 course meal with plenty of Wine & we wore berets,Japan was a tribute to one of my favorite movies "Memoirs of a Geisha",we wore Kimonos ate Japanese style;Morocco_I created a tent inside my home depicting a Marrakesh Market & we Bellydanced & sang the Top 10 song of Morocco_you just should have been there_we all become hysterical at the mention of that song;"Under The Tuscan Sun" was awesome (Italy)_learned to eat black truffles+In Home Wine Tasting presented by an Italian Vendor_we were toast by the final wine_Moscato;Brazil_ CARNIVAL....what happens at CARNIVAL stays at CARNIVAL! This year one of my friends took on the task of my Birthday Party.

We're going to Greece,y'all...as in Goddess,BellyDancer,Warrior Goddess, Pagan Goddess Eostre.....around the Pool_ with hopes that scantily-clad Bronze Gods will appear at our beck and call..for whatever our needs may be....(keep it clean people!)





Since the origins of birthday celebrations is like most holidays_Pagan_Tarot Cards may be read,pampering may be had,bellydancing WILL take place,Greek foods will be served,Greek Music will be played and the decor will be Greek inside and out!

We may even do this traditional dance...
supposedly a great way to pass out...mmm,NOT at my partee! 

BUT,.."OPA" a Greek expression to express joy or high spirits while dancing will be heard!
It's a happy word_it's about leaving the past behind and starting over.
So as we partake in the Spirit of Greece...


..we'll be sure to shout an "OPA" or two for the Greeks! The current economic situation of Greece in the world as one Singer Giorgos Alkaios stated:

"I think Greek people want to say an "OPA" and get out and...you know break a plate,and you know,very...with dance,and feelings,and smile.Live or leave it.This is the word we sing".

I can't wait to share with you all the fun,"BREAK A PLATE OR TWO",eat,drink & be Merry! A good friend is traveling from Tacoma,Washington,another from East Texas(my Classmate) and a college friend from Dallas for the partee!We gonna get our Grecian Goddess on......until then all you May Babies...here's looking at ya....


"It's ALL ABOUT THE BULL,BABY..



PEACE OUT.....