Hola!

Today is Fiesta day at work.

I swear I work at The Office.

Earthquake Rant

Earthquakes.

I hate them. They scare the crap out of me and regardless of the fact that I have lived in California all of my life, I am still not used to them.

I have many really good reasons to hate earthquakes and for those of you who have not experienced one, some of my issues may surprise you.

First, the thought that this is “THE BIG ONE” that we keep hearing about. I have heard about this destructive quake that is “coming soon” since I was a little kid. Now every time the ground shakes I figure I am going to probably end up underneath a pile of rubble.

There is also the fact that you do not know when one is going to hit. You have no warning at all. At first you think, did a truck crash into the building? Did something explode? It takes a second to realize what is happening and then you wonder, how long is this going to shake and is it going to stop or get harder? Is this the hardest it is going to shake? Is there anything above me that will fall on me? What about my kids? My spouse? My house? My drive home?

Let’s not forget the sound. The grumbling of an angry earth moving beneath you. Like a monster below the surface. It is an awful sound not to mention the dishes, cupboards, drawers and anything else clanging around.

When you turn on the TV people from all over are saying how they “felt it” to which I say, “It was an earthquake. Of course you felt a rolling motion! DUH!” I hate the news because then they say, “There is a chance that this is a pre-shock to a larger quake. We can only wait and see.” Lovely. I HATE the news!

Did I mention the aftershocks? See, the earthquake is not enough, it like when you laugh about a really funny thing that has just happened and then you laugh a few minutes later thinking about it again, and then later that night it pops into your head and you giggle about it and then the next week you really start cracking up again for no reason and then…you understand. The initial “joke” is the cause of many laugh attacks later. Except with a quake, I am not laughing when it continues to shake weeks later.

I did not sleep at all last night because I was just waiting for an aftershock to hit. I won’t sleep well for a while now. Not that I was sleeping very well anyway but now it will be worse.

Tornados, Hurricanes, Floods, are all terrible. I am sad when I see them happen in the world and when a hurricane or flood comes, no one is spared. I completely understand their power to destroy, I just envy the fact that with those you have some time to prepare your brains or get someone or leave. NOT THAT IT MAKES IT ANY EASIER AT ALL! I do not want you to think that I think those natural disasters are easy, I do not.

It’s just that with quakes, you have no warning. No time of the year. No weather pattern. No warning at all. If I knew when they were coming then I think they would be easier to deal with.

I dunno.

One thing is for sure.

I hate Earthquakes.

You Tube Tuesday #79

I am not a fan of Mad TV but I am a fan of Anjelah Johnson and she is hysterical in this skit.

Enjoy.

I Don't Know What To Think

A while back I wrote a post on my dLife blog about a very scary situation that happened to a friend of mine from church.

He is a Type 2 that recently started taking insulin. Anyhow, he totaled his truck after passing out while driving due to an extreme low. Luckily he did not hurt himself and hit no one either.

Yesterday at church I asked him how things were going.

“I lost my license. I have to go to court but I can’t drive. There is a lot of crap going on right now.” He wanted to change the subject and I could not blame him. I could see he was getting upset.

My heart ached for him.

At first when I heard this I was so angry. Was it his fault? Did he ask for this? Who is to blame?

I would say Diabetes is to blame but does that mean he shouldn’t have a license?

He could have killed himself.

He could have killed someone.

He could have killed me.

I could have been behind that wheel.

I am not sure what to think. One side says he should not drive and the other says if he shouldn’t then anyone at risk of anything shouldn’t either.

Whatare your thoughts on this?

A Curious Friday

Today has been a weird one for me. My head is swirling with questions and I am getting dizzy with all this stuff swimming around upstairs. So I am gonna list all the stuff that keeps popping into my head and see if any of you have any ideas for me.

Should I go see the X-Files movie despite the bad reviews?

Why was I up all night dreaming about Earthquakes?

How much longer will it take for me to finish the book I have been reading for months?

Why is New Kids on the Block touring again?

How can something call itself “Reduced Sugar” and still have 35 carbs per serving?

When will I finally book a trip to Minnesota?

Where IS the beef?

And lastly,

Was that Bush or Batman?

Have a great weekend all and be sure and follow the Ninjabetic “tweets” on Twitter. You never what silly antics I may be up to.

Honestly, I am pretty boring but if you want to follow you can.

It Just Feels Right

The meme comes from my good friend Nicole. I have never done this one and frankly, it feels like a meme day.

This one goes like this and if you haven't done it, go for it.

Google your name with the word needs (ie: George needs) - post the results...

Easy enough.

George needs to put Laura in her place - I do not know a Laura but I bet she can get to her place on her own.

George needs break dancers for a new music video - This is so true. I need 7 to accomplish the "move" I have been working on for years. It really only takes 4 but some get hurt during practice for whatever reason.

George needs glasses - CHECK! Got em.

George needs more endorsement - I didn't know I had any to begin with!

George needs your help - Only if you can break dance.

George needs a good home - This one almost ruined the fun for me. A good house would be a better statement. Home, I will always have.

AND MY PERSONAL FAVORITE

George needs someone to slobber on - Only if you they can break dance (its part of the "move").

Happy X-Files Eve everyone.

On Top At Last!

Like many of you in d-blogland, I got an email from Alltop letting me know that The B.A.D. blog was added to their data base.

I was going to give my explaination of what “Alltop” is but theirs is way too cool to not share.

You can think of an Alltop site as a “digital magazine rack” of the Internet. To be clear, Alltop sites are starting points—they are not destinations per se. The bottom line is that we are trying to enhance your online reading by both displaying stories from the sites that you’re already visiting and helping you discover sites that you didn’t know existed. In other words, our goal is the “cessation of Internet stagnation” by providing “aggregation without aggravation.”

Nice huh?

They seem like a cool bunch of people and I am totally honored to be included. There are many cool voices on the “diabetes” page that I highly suggest you check out. I have been using it to check out other topics too but it is safe to say that this site is good spot to start your surfing.

And they have the most kick ass banners I have ever seen. I could not resist so I added one to my sidebar.

I have been meaning to mention Alltop for a while but since it has been blogged by others I did not want to steal their thunder. Not that I could! But you know what I mean.

In fact, forgive me Amy.

Anyhow, check out their site and bookmark it.

I think you'll dig it.

You Tube Tuesday #78

WARNING: You may not stop singing this little tune after watching this clip.

Two of my most favorite things have come together. Feist and Sesame Street!

Enjoy.

Winning, Wedding, & Wings

What a busy weekend!

Friday night was poker night at my buddy’s house. It was a lot of fun and for the first time ever in my participation of any poker party have I been the top dog. It was nice. I should say, it kicked ass because it did. I know it sounds like I am a lousy winner but when you never ever do, it is nice to really get all the mileage you can out of it!


Saturday was spent dreading attending a wedding Saturday night. I think this is typical male thing because most guys I know would rather do a lot of things instead of going to a wedding.
I will say that the wedding was really great.


The ceremony was very beautiful and the reception was a lot of fun. The food was good and the music was awesome. Did I mention the open bar? So with all that, Food, Fun, and booze, why would I not look forward to it? I think the leading up to and the freaking out of spouse about what to wear, what to bring, when to leave, and how to wear hair is enough to make me wish we did not get invited to another wedding for the rest of our lives! But as usual, we leave having a good time and are suckers for the next matrimonial celebration.

And Sunday started with church at two different churches! Our good friend was preaching at his church so we went to his early service to see him and then headed over to our church for the late service. It is cool to hear two sermons on the same text in the same day. Both were so different but both were good. Weird how that is.

After church we went home for a quick costume change and then headed off to the Regal (we call it the “Regal Beagle”) Theater to see “The Dark Knight.” Friends let me tell you that this movie was fantastic and it was the world’s introduction to the most psychotic villain we have ever seen. Heath Ledger was terrifying, frightening, haunting, funny, creepy, and very hard to look at with his haphazard makeup and scraggly hair but when he was off screen, all I did was want him back.

I will not give anything away because I am not nor will I ever be a spoiler kind of guy. I hate that. No, I will just say that if you have the slightest bit of interest then you should head off to the theater as soon as possible. If not, make sure you see it when it hits DVD because it really is fine acting and writing that makes this movie. Not special effects and stunts although those kick ass too.

Did any of you see “The Dark Knight?” Please let me know what you thought but PLEASE no spoilers. That will make me have to delete your comment.

Yesterday Was Hell

Yesterday was hell.

I was in the bathroom and out and in and out and all the time sick sick SICK!

Yesterday was hell.

Thank you all who commented and who sent happy thoughts and prayers my way. After leaving work I ended up at the grocery store by my house to pick up lunch. Why? I have no clue.

I knew we had food at home but my brain was not working well.

I roamed around the store giggling to myself about the strange items and weird advertising. My cell phone rang and I started laughing out loud.

“Where are you?” It was my wife and she was home from lunch.

“The store. I need lunch. They don’t sell keytone strips at the pharmacy here. Oh well, at least they have a aisle full of hot sauce. Did you know Top Raman is only a quarter a pack!”

“Just come home and I will go to the pharmacy to get strips.” She did not think I was funny.

“Alright but I think I am going to buy some more diet soda. I’ll be home in a second. Do we have cheese? Ugh, I hate this store. The music they play sucks. Why are they selling pineapple corers on the paper goods aisle? Why am I on the paper goods aisle? Ha ha!!”

“George. Just come home.”

I did and checked for keytones. Sure enough there they were but not a huge amount. I continued to drink water and check my BG to make sure all was dropping in to the “safe” range. They did and I felt a whole helluva a lot better.

Yesterday was hell.

Today is much better!

Presently High - UPDATE

The room is spinning and I feel like I am in a sauna. My mouth is dry and I thinking I am breathing loudly but no one has said anything yet.

I started to feel really sick to my stomach for no reason about 10 minutes ago. It hit me so fast. I grabbed my machine and checked my BG.

410

I woke up with a 96 and I know I bloused for a breakfast of oatmeal. So I am on the rise quickly. I stumbled out to my car and grabbed my extra infusion set. When I got in the bathroom I sat down on the chair and closed my eyes. I could hear my heart beating. My breathing in and out sounded like I ran a marathon. I am still breathing like that but no one here is saying anything.

Not sure how long I was sitting there but I finally opened my eyes and dropped my pants to pull the set from my thigh. Before I pulled it out I could see blood underneath the set. I pulled it and had blood spilling out of my thigh. I sat there and looked at it. I can feel it now, it still hurts.

I chose another spot on my thigh and inserted the new set. I couldn’t feel it but I could feel the room getting hotter. It is still hot. I need water.

After I got it in I sat there and stared at the old set with the blood filled cannula. Why does this disease allow for such change so quickly? It is a tightrope walk, constantly.

I primed and bolused for the correction from 410. I am at my desk now telling this story to you. This story that so many of us can relate to. My head hurts now.

I do not have Keytone strips here so I am guzzling water and going to check my BG every 30 minutes. I say nothing to my co-workers. The last time I had an “episode” I was told how I must learn to take care of myself. How I should go to the hospital.

I should be mad at them about their reaction but I am. I am now. I am so angry right now.

I need water.

**UPDATE**
All is good now. I did have some keytones going on but drank a lake full of water and watched my BG slowly roll back down to a nice non-icky range.

Thank you for you kind words, thoughts, and suggestions.

And Nicole, You rock! ;)

N-Dough

As I was sitting in the waiting room Monday night "tweeting" away on my blackberry, I thought about how lucky I am.

Lucky to have a good Endo. Lucky to have a family. Lucky to have you all.

Lucky to have blood work with no issues except diabetes of course.

My A1C was 8.3 which is what it was a month ago. I have been running really high lately so it makes sense. He wants me to try some different bolus options like Square and Dual which I never use. In fact, I would love some advice or hear if you use those options. I know they call then something different on other pumps but I only know Minimed lingo.

Anyhow, He suggested I try a brace at night for my hand and see how that goes. I hope that works.

All and all it was a good visit and I look forward to many more good ones.

The thing is, I am not lucky at all.

I am blessed.

w00t!

You Tube Tuesday #77

Stephen Colbert is hysterical. Here is proof.

Enjoy.

p.s. I'll give you the update on the Endo appointment tomorrow. Thanks for the ideas Sara and MN.

Questions for Dr. Endo

I have an endo appointment tonight and so far here is the list of questions I have for him.
- Can I get a referral for a podiatrist?
- What are your thoughts on Symilin?
- I am having trouble sleeping because of my hand. What should I do?
- Any chance of getting covered for a CMGS?
- When did the Diabetes Police start hiring diabetics?

If you have any I should add, please let me know. I’ll check from my Blackberry.

It Drives Me Nuts!

I need surgery.

I know I am not a doctor or a surgeon or even really good at scrabble but I know I need Carpal Tunnel surgery and I need it STAT!

Every night I wake up constantly with my hand numb and hurting. It drives me nuts. While I am at work my hand constantly falls asleep which makes sending out a “quick email” not so quick. It drives me nuts!

A few years ago I was told that I had nerve damage in both of my arms and hands. I had surgery on my left arm. They relocated a nerve running on the outside of my arm to the inside and did the carpal tunnel surgery so many of you have had or know about. Since then, my left hand has had no problems at all.

My right arm was never done because I changed jobs and saw new doctors and yadda yadda yadda. You all know that drill. It drives me nuts.

But now it has gotten to the point where it is almost unbearable. I am tired all the time due to lack of sleep, I am miserable at work because my hand keels going “night night” on me.

It drives me nuts!

My left hand was out of commission for some time after that last one I wonder how the heck I am going to function! Since I am right handed and my work requires lots of computer stuff, at church I play guitar so that will be out, and then blogging and tweeting will take one keystroke at a time! Yuck!

Just thinking about it drives me nuts.

Oh well, we shall see what the Doc says on Monday and go from there. I have an appointment to go over the blood work.

Any suggestions?

Disappointed

“Good afternoon, the Fischer Group, this is George”

“Hey George it’s Rose!”

“Hey Rose how are you?”

“Good good. Hey can I talk to Sheryl?”

“Sure hang on a sec.”

“Hey George are you still not smoking?”

“Yup, almost 2 years now! What about you?”

“Wow that’s great! No I started again. The stress got to me. Ah well, next time.”

“That’s it, next time.” I tried to be encouraging.

She started again? Rose used to smoke (and I guess still does) 2 packs a day. When she told me almost two years ago that she had quit using a nicotine patch I was convinced that I could do it.

I know I should not let this bother me because I am smoke free BUT it does. It hurts that someone you were inspired by gives up.

Then I think about myself and how I have been slacking on the weight loss thing. I feel like I am letting everyone down, most importantly myself.

Stick with me. I will get my act together and drop these pesky pounds if it kills me.

One thing is certain.

I won't be smoking ever again.

Walk-in or Appointment?

I realized Monday morning that I was a week away from my follow up appointment with the new endo. With that I remembered that he wanted me to do blood work a week before this appointment. Doh!

So yesterday morning I arrived at a local lab at 6:15 to get blood drawn before work. I walk in and am asked if I am a “walk-in” or if I have an appointment. I had no clue I could make an appointment so I just signed in on the “walk-in” sheet which was filled. I noticed that many, MANY people had signed the “walk-in” list and many of those had not been crossed off. I have learned that they cross you off when they call you in.

I sat down for a few moments and saw a man walk in.

“Walk-in or Appointment?”

He had an appointment for 6:30 I heard him say. She took his insurance card, asked him to fill out his address and phone number, had him sign a sheet, and told him to come back around to get his blood drawn.

As he strutted into the back room I saw most of the people in the room shoot him a dirty look as if he did something wrong. I should have high fived him as he walked by!

Another man stood up and walked to the counter.

“How much longer? I have been here since 6:00?”

“I would guess another half an hour, there are several people before you,” the receptionist answered.

I knew I could not wait because I am supposed to be at work at 7:30. I went up and crossed my name off. The receptionist apologized for the wait but I told her, “Don’t worry about it. I am going to make an appointment!”

Fast forward to this morning.

I walk in the door at 6:20 and there are only a few seats left in this place.

“Walk-in or Appointment?”

“I have a 6:30 appointment,” I said with pride.

I filled out all the paperwork and headed to the back door to get my blood drawn.

I made sure and held all my paperwork in my left hand just in case someone wanted to give the old Ninjabetic a “high five” I could be ready.

No one did.

Oh well.

You Tube Tuesday #76

This video was taken the last time we celebrated the 4th of July at my sisters house. This clip is shows the fireworks coming from one backyard but keep in mind, almost every other home had fireworks like this going off all night. This was by far the craziest.

You can hear me, my sisters, and my friends all shouting and screaming and laughing. Some foul language may have escaped our lips so don’t turn up the volume too much. ;)

Enjoy.

Weekend Update

Friday was filled with "F's." Fireworks. Food. Fun. Family! My mom, sister, and her family all surprised everyone for my youngest sisters 30th birthday! It was a great surprise and made for a great day.

Saturday was spent at Hollywood Park in celebration of my sisters birthday. We had a private area reserved which was nice. We had it catered and we were able to watch a race from down below at the finish line. That was pretty cool. We all had a great time.

Sunday consisted of church in the morning which included a scary story from one of my friends and then we spent the afternoon at my cousins to celebrate my Aunt's birthday.

Those of you who follow me via Twitter can now understand why I Tweeted with "I rest at work."

I know I complain about being tired but I would rather be busy then sit at home and do nothing. Maybe some day that will appeal to me but for now its Go Go GO!

Freedom

As I reflect on my patriotism today all I keep thinking about is my son's trip to Washington. When he came back from that trip I saw a new love for his country burning inside him and that only helped to fan that fire in me.

I never shared pictures from his big day. Enjoy.



I hope you all have a safe Independence Day.

Not Quite the Same

I am so excited about tomorrow. I have always loved the 4th of July. This year we are going to my sisters for food, fireworks and fun!

In years past we have always gone to my sister’s house for the 4th. She used to live about an hour away from us and had a swimming pool so it was the perfect place to spend the hot summer day.

The thing about my sister’s pad that made it amazing for the 4th was the people in her neighborhood. The crazy people. I remember one year inviting my friend Clay to come and see for himself the unbelievable display of illegal fireworks. He was blown away (almost literally) and made sure he came back the following year.

The amount of “Disneyland” type fireworks in her old neighborhood is terrifyingly awesome! It was like a war zone. Explosions from every side and all at the same time for hours and hours! I tried to upload a clip I recorded a few years back but it is not working. I am going to try again for the next YTT because it is nuts. You have to see it and hear our reactions. So funny.

My sister and her family moved out of state so we do not get access to the firestorm but what is worse is that we can’t just hang out anymore like we used to. I am happy that her family has an great home and they are doing great but my selfish side is bummed that we can’t enjoy Louisiana Hot Links on the BBQ this year nor can I display my “Sparkler Man” finale routine for my nieces like I did every year.

“Sparkler man” consisted of me holding a sparkler between every finger in each hand, several stuck in my shoes and several in my teeth. I would light them all and then walk around like Godzilla. It was pretty much the most awesome thing ever. Well, maybe like the third most awesome thing. J

I hope you all have a great 4th and I am going to try a post a picture filled post tomorrow so check it out if you can!

You Tube Tuesday #75

Today is CGMS denial day as dubbed by Gina Capone. Watch the video and see what CGMS is and why insurance thinks we do not need it.