How Could 28 Days Last So Long?
I don't know about you, but for us this has been one incredibly long
month. Twenty-eight little days have dragged on forever.
Usually, February flies by so quickly that I end up, on the 28th,
wondering where it went and why I didn't get anything done. Not this
year. I wonder if that means the whole of 2010 is going to last for
about a decade in my mind.
Hmmm?! That might not be so bad. Maybe I'll get the closets organized
and the morons chased out of the Senate and the mending done and the
bathroom painted and the ironing addressed and the kitchen cupboards
reorganized and world hunger ended and the DVDs alphabetized and the
novel finished (or started) and the Middle East crisis resolved and an
organizer ordered and my hair color changed and the carpets shampooed
and the windows washed and the ...
Aw heck. Maybe I'll just have another cup of coffee and hope that March
doesn't last 60 days.
Pneumococcal Vaccine
A brief article in Reuters Health today, reported that the U.S. Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) has recommended that children, previously vaccinated with Prevnar®, receive a 5th booster shot using the new version. To whom this recommendation was given isn't noted.
I can't say that I am fully aware of the interaction (read: symbiotic relationship) between all of the players in this game. But, I do know that, just minutes before the recommendation was proffered, the FDA approved the updated vaccine. Makes me wonder.
. . .
Read More Pneumococcal Vaccine
Recommending a new-and-improved version of a vaccine is nothing bad, in and of itself. The original Prevnar® was designed to protect against the seven most common serotypes (strains) of Streptococcus pneumoniae. Six additional strains have been added to the updated vaccine.
Again, not bad news. Unless, of course, you are of the opinion that we are over-vaccinating our children. (I am of two minds on that one, and must save that (lengthy) opinion for another day.) Or unless you question the validity of recommendations and approvals that occur almost simultaneously. Wonder who was on the phone with whom? "Stall, stall! We've almost got approval!"
I just don't know. How much faith can we put in the approval process, when things like this happen? And, what is - really - in these vaccines?
The standard warning / disclaimer for any medication: this {insert function here} is contraindicated (should not be used) by anyone with hypersensitivity to any component, is included in the information about Prevnar®. Not unexpected. Highly unexpected: diphtheria toxoid is one of the components in the original version. There is no reason to believe that it isn't, also, in the revised version.
This concerns me. Diphtheria, a serious bacterial infection of the mucous membranes in the nose and throat, is not caused by or, as far as I can tell, related to Streptococcus pneumoniae. According to the Mayo Clinic, and the National Institutes of Health, Corynebacterium diphtheriae causes Diphtheria.
What - exactly - is the purpose behind including a Diphtheria toxin in a streptococcal / pneumonia vaccine? How does this interact with the DPT shots that kids are getting at about the same time?
Baby Black Panther Picture
In July 2007 - July 14, 2007 to be exact - I wrote a post which I called Some
'Interesting' News Stories. One of the stories was about a newborn
panther at the Belgrade zoo, being mothered by a Rhodesian Ridgeback.
The cub's mother, traumatized by NATO airstrikes, had tried to kill it.
A cute story, accompanied by a picture I found online. It didn't seem
like much and, at the time, didn't garner much attention. Boy have
things changed!
In the last couple of months, however, that photograph has become
tremendously popular. It keeps showing up in the keyword results for my
website. Oddly enough, for the 2 years and 5 months prior to that, no one seemed to notice it.
I wonder what triggered this renewed interest in a story that may or may
not, after all this time, be true?
Branson Vacation
Being a curious sort, I was wondering about what a Branson vacation would offer. It's a place I've always wanted to visit. But, was fairly certain that I wouldn't find much to keep me occupied.
I knew there would be musical shows, of course. In my mind, that's what Branson was all about - great concerts. Boy was I wrong. Well, not wrong as much as seriously uninformed. Seriously!
. . .
Read More Branson Vacation
Yes, there are over 100 shows, but not just musicals. Entertainment options include magic and comedy. Remember Yakov Smirnov? Well, he performs in Branson.
Then, there are dinner cruises, tours, a water park, a permanent Titanic exhibit, museums, and a zoo. For the outdoorsy types, the area offers trails, golf courses, and three lakes.
Much more than just concerts, isn't it?
The Big Apology
Admittedly, I didn't watch Tiger Woods' big apology yesterday. Not because I don't care. Well, okay, I really don't care. In fact, I believe that I can, quite probably, predict how it went.
"I cheated on my wife"
- This is pretty standard stuff for a public confession. Nothing
earthshattering. The whole world knew it already.
"I had multiple affairs"
- Again!? This would be stating the obvious. We've been reading about them forever.
And, the way I imagine it, it just gets more interesting from there.
. . .
Read More The Big Apology
"I am sorry"
- Sorry for ... getting caught?!
- Chalk it up to cynicism, but I don't really think that anyone who gets busted is truly sorry for the cheating. They are, in my humble opinion, really really sorry that they got caught. The good old It-isn't-illegal-unless-you-get-caught mentality.
There are indications that his wife was figuring things out, long before she (the way I see it) went after him with a nine-iron. Did that slow him down or stop him? No.
Note to Tiger: When the missus starts checking your cell phone? The secret's out. Don't leave messages for the girlfriend. Start preparing for big trouble.
"I will never do it again"
- Never do what again? My Guess? Get caught.
- Although, this time around, Tiger's handlers and toadies (and the sports press) may be less likely to throw cash at the situation and look the other way. It reflects badly on everyone who knew about the affairs and did or said nothing.
Bottom line? I question the 'addiction' portion of the mea culpa. To me, it's more about power and immunity. This man was in a position of immense power in the sports world.
He was the hero who could have and do anything he wanted. So he did. "Power corrupts; absolute power corrupts absolutely."
There is, however, a bottom line that I hope people remember. This was a private problem - between a man and his wife - that, under any other circumstances, would have stayed that way. Should have stayed that way.
Yes, Tiger Woods is a public figure and role model. His behavior is expected to be above reproach. He's also human, fallible, and - apparently - more image than substance.
I Hate Weekends
I know it sounds odd to say that I hate weekends. Most everyone looks
forward to their two days off. Not me.
First, I work seven days a week or two or four. Whatever my schedule
calls for. So, to me, each day is pretty much the same as the other.
Except for news and television: That's where the similarities end.
. . .
Read More I Hate Weekends
I read a lot of news on my phone, late at night, as I'm relaxing to go
to sleep. Every day of the week, news services update their websites and
provide lots of reading material. On the weekend? Not so much.
Judging by the listings on virtually every mobile news site, nothing
much happens in the world from Friday night through Monday morning. No
new news; no email; lots and lots of nothing I haven't already read.
The one exception, that I've found, is Reuters. Thank heaven! And,
unlike many other mobile versions, their website works well on and with
my phone.
Now, I am quite certain that the world does not stop for the weekend.
But you certainly couldn't tell it by the news.
Ordering Wrinkle Creams
One common complaint I've read about ordering some acne treatments and
weight-loss supplements is the automated ordering process. The customer
opts for a (usually) 14-day free trial; just pay shipping and handling.
Websites may or may not explain that, unless the account is cancelled
within that 14 days, the product will automatically ship at full price.
They also don't mention that the 14 days starts from the moment the
order is placed. And full price is never cheap.
Although more common with other products, some wrinkle
creams pull the same tricks. I know. They got me a couple of years
ago.
. . .
Read More Ordering Wrinkle Creams
Now, don't get me wrong. It's a perfectly good product. Two steps,
applied right after cleansing, you can actually feel the skin on your
face firm up.
Or maybe it's just an astringent in the mix, tightening up the pores.
But, I could feel it work - the few times I remembered to use it. All in
all, I was rather impressed ... until I got the charges on my card.
Then, I was simply angry.
When I contacted customer service, they insisted that I had agreed to
all of their fine print when I place my trial order. Nope; sure didn't.
In fact, I will go to my grave confident that there was zero warning of
the automatic shipping policy.
Happily, they did refund the charges quite quickly. And I learned a
valuable lesson. Ain't no such thing as free.
FDA Recall Notices ~ February 18, 2010
The following recalls, market withdrawals, and/or safety alerts have been posted, through today, by the FDA. In order of listing:
Please visit the above links for complete contacts, product information, recommendations, and return details.
Germ-Fighter Pillows
Our household is perhaps more sensitive to pollutants than the average
family. With Mark on immunosuppressants, missing most of his left lung,
and suffering from diabetes and seasonal asthma - dust, dander, germs,
and allergens are a big no-no for us. After seeing these allergy
pillows, I realized that we aren't doing everything we can to help
him breathe more easily.
To start with, our pillows don't have anything to keep us from exhaling
moisture into them, giving germs and bacteria a nice moist environment.
Worse yet, we're inhaling any mold, dust, and allergens that are in
them. Healthy Dreams Germ-fighter pillows, on the other hand, have a
bio-filter membrane and permanently treated fabric.
. . .
Read More Germ-Fighter Pillows
As the name explains, the membrane filters the air going into, and the
air coming out of, the pillow. And this is no ordinary filter. The
Micrenza bio-filter has the filtering equivalency of an N95-rated
surgical mask; the type used in situations where TB exposure
protection is required.
If that weren't enough, the pillow fabric is treated with an
EPA-registered - permanent - antimicrobial. Definitely above and
beyond the average pillow or pillow protector. And certainly more
health benefits than a monthly trip through the washer.
Another benefit of these allergy pillows? No trips through the washer.
Simply spot clean with a damp cloth and allow to air dry.
Trust me, I have washed pillows, more than once, in hot water
with a little bleach. I have also cleaned feathers and fiberfill out
of my washing machine! Egads! What a pain in the neck!
Since Mark is also sensitive to bleach, this is not a perfect
solution, either. We use anti-allergen carpet shampoo every month and
have ionizing air filters in every room. I think it's time to address
the quality of the air we breathe while we sleep.
And, to be perfectly honest, I would be very happy to wake up without
sinus congestion and headaches.
Odd Uses for Hemorrhoid Creams
The first time I heard about using hemorrhoid treatment for puffy eyes, I thought it was a joke. After all, I was watching 'Miss Congeniality.' And they were doing all sorts of interesting things to Sandra Bullock and her bathing suit at the time.
Imagine my surprise when I read that not only do people do this, it's so prevalent that U.S. manufacturers changed their formulas. They have actually removed two of the ingredients that are reputed to reduce puffiness. Which means they're less attractive to people with bags under their eyes.
But, now, the products aren't as effective for those applying them where they belong, either.
Proposed DSM Reclassification for Asperger's
For several years now, since Mark's youngest moved in with us, I have been researching developmental disorders. We were told he had been diagnosed with ADHD, but so many of his behaviors were more inline with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs).
A friend of ours has a son with Asperger's and much of his behavior was very similar to what we were living with. Perhaps there was a cross-over. I didn't know.
Now, for DSM-V, the American Psychiatric Association is proposing a merger of conditions, so to speak. As I understand it, there would be no diagnosis of Asperger's or Pervasive Development Disorder-Not Otherwise Specified. Everything would fall under ASDs, with a differentiation as to severity of symptoms.
Needless to say, this proposal has caused an uproar from both sides of the issue.
. . .
Read More Proposed DSM Reclassification for Asperger's
Understandably, higher functioning Aspies are not thrilled with the idea of being 'renamed' Autistic. In the world in general, there is a huge difference in the two labels. One being more positive than the other or, at the very least, less negative.
Their fear, which may or may not be justified, is that they and their affected children will no longer receive the services they need, due to that higher functioning. Parents of children at the other end of the spectrum (pardon the phrase) share the concerns over reduced services.
Believing that higher functioning Autistics provide better success stories, these parents fear that their children will be shunted aside in favor of 'good press' for management therapies. I can see both sides. And I understand the concerns.
I guess only time will tell if patient care improves or worsens - for all involved.
Colon Cleansing: Good Idea?
Okay, I'm all for anything that will keep me healthy - or get me healthier. But a colon cleanse detox may just be a bit much. Then again, who knows?
In the spirit of open-mindedness, let's look at the claims and - if possible - the facts. Not much is really known about the benefits of colon cleansing. Although, if I recall correctly Dr. John Kellogg (as in the cereal family) was an almost rabid proponent of colonics and enemas at the sanitarium where he practiced.
The basic purpose of these cleansings, then and now, is to eliminate toxins in the intestines. It was and is believed that these toxic byproducts of the digestive process are reabsorbed into the system, causing a variety of health problems. Logically, it's a valid concept. In actuality, less so.
. . .
Read More Colon Cleansing: Good Idea?
Physically, cleansing doesn't appear to be necessary. The colon and the liver already work to detoxify waste from food. There are mucus membranes in the colon that block substances from getting back into the body. And, according to a couple of sources, the colon sheds old cells every three days or so.
As with anything else, there are risks. Taking laxatives can lead to dehydration and electrolyte imbalances. Irrigation has its own risks. Anything used long-term can alter the balance of good bacteria in the system and create more problems than it solves.
That said, I have to admit that I don't always feel well when I'm not regular. But, frankly, I think I'll just drink more water and go for the whole grains.
Westminster Dog Show
Is it me, or did they move the Westminster Dog Show this year? I thought
it was a Valentine's Day staple, until I couldn't find it on TV
yesterday. Turns out, I didn't miss it; I was just a day early. Whew!
Looking forward to seeing the three 'new' breeds. Two from the herding
group and one from the sporting group. Anyone think a new breed could
actually take Best in Show?
Nah, me neither. But it will still be a great show. It always is.
Skin Care Options
Even though I know that foods do not contribute to breakouts, I also
know that massive quantities of chocolate aren't good for my skin. Not
because chocolate is bad, but because the caffeine and sugar combination
tends to bother my system. I get edgy; I get pimples.
Since I was thinking about the ramifications of (really, really)
enjoying Valentine's Day goodies, I decided to do a little investigation
into best skin
care advice. I've been thinking about getting some kind of toner or
astringent for the good ol' oil factory on my forehead and chin. What I
used as a teenager, is just too strong (if they even make it anymore)
for my aging skin.
Sadly, the first place I found - which seemed to cover everything from
day creams to toners to eye creams - had no content. Nothing. All of the
links went nowhere.
The site had been revised / changed / moved last May, but was apparently
never updated. Very sad. It looks like a great start.
Oh, well. Guess I'll just have to push on and find what I'm looking for
somewhere else.
Happy Valentine's Day
Although many people tout Valentine's Day as a 'Hallmark holiday,' it
truly isn't. Since I didn't really know the origins of the holiday, I
decided to do a little research. Easier said than done, let me tell you.
The Roman Catholic church recognizes three different martyred saints
named Valentine, or Valentinus, and about as many legends exist
regarding the beginnings of the holiday. They range from the romantic to
the political.
A prevalent one has Valentine, a third century priest, performing
marriages against the orders of Claudius II, who felt single men made
better soldiers and outlawed marriage. The emperor had Valentine put to
death for his actions.
. . .
Read More Happy Valentine's Day
It is believed that the February celebration of love and romance began as an homage to his works on the anniversary (or thereabouts) of his death or burial.
Another legend has Valentine helping prisoners, who were frequently beaten and tortured, escape from Roman prisons. In love with a young girl, possibly his jailer's daughter, he is often credited with sending the first message signed 'From Your Valentine.' Whether this is the same Valentine who performed marriages against the orders of Claudius II, isn't clear.
Some put forth the theory that the church decided to celebrate St. Valentine's feast day in mid-February to counteract the influence of Lupercalia, a pagan fertility ritual celebrated on the ides of February. Pope Gelasius officially made February 14th St. Valentine's Day somewhere around 498 A.D.
There is even a story from the Middle Ages, that February 14th was believed to be the start of birds' mating season which indicated to the British and French that the middle of February was a time for romance.
Whatever the truth, and I suspect that all of the pieces fit together
somehow, have a Happy Valentine's Day!
Weight Loss Product Reviews
It isn't difficult to find a website offering weight loss product reviews. (Or any kind of product review, for that matter.) The real question is: Are they honestly reviewing products? Or are they affiliate marketers of those same supplements?
(Don't get me wrong - I have nothing against affiliate marketing. There are several companies with which I do business as an affiliate. But, then, I'm not offering unbiased reviews of their products. I just like what they sell and offer their products to my customers, as well.)
Over time, I've run across several 'review' sites that are more than a little misleading. My all-time favorites, and there are a bunch, are the ones that mirror each other - down to typos and misprints. The top 3 or 5 or whatever combination they choose are always the same few products.
. . .
Read More Weight Loss Product Reviews
I suppose you could say that they're the top supplements across the board, because they are the best. You could. I probably wouldn't, but I'm funny that way.
My problem is that so many weight loss products don't have any supporting clinical trials to back up their claims. The best I've found is that some of the ingredients listed may have some valid claim to supporting fat-burning or weight loss. The ingredients themselves - not the combination in any particular product.
There is no monitoring or control over how much of what is included in a particular formula. And, when you're buying something over-the-counter, there is no medical support to ensure safe usage. Unless the consumer actually works with their doctor to monitor weight loss and side effects. I doubt many people do.
Take what you read with a grain of salt, as it were. Some sites do offer, what appear to be, unbiased reviews of certain products. It is certainly conceivable, though, that those are not the products they are (possibly) being paid to promote.
Focus, Woman, Focus!
I have managed to update the templates for my blog to let me create expandable posts. Now - the problem! It is soooo distracting!
They work - and look - so great that I just keep focusing on how do I use this, when do I use this, I gotta use this! So embarrassing!
It is a great thing for me, distractions notwithstanding. I want more posts on my front page, without forcing readers to scroll, and scroll, and scroll, and ...
Well, you get the idea. Let me know what you think. Please?!
Wrinkle Removers
Since my last birthday, I've been making lots of jokes about wrinkle creams. It's tough to get up in the morning, look in the mirror, and not see the 20- or even 30-year-old face I (for some reason) still expect to see. But wrinkle cream?
Admittedly, not all moisturizers are the same. They run the gamut from simple face cream to instant wrinkle remover, and everything in between. But which work? Which are safe?
It's tough to know. And, since there are new products every day (or at least new websites promoting products), I try to review regularly. Imagine my surprise when I saw a product, previously touted as the best weight-loss pill, offered as a skin treatment. You know I had to check it out.
. . .
Read More Wrinkle Removers
Ah, yes! The Super Foods pill! I remember Lipovox!
It does everything but wash the dishes and scrub the floors. Yet, who came up with this magic pill?! How do you track down the original? That's the fun part.
If you search "I worked with one of the largest Nutraceautical company's in the world and had them find the HIGHEST Concentrates of All 10 Super Foods." you will find no less than 121 sites sharing this story - complete with the typographical errors. There is one 'official' site, but who knows. Half of them look like copies of each other.
The bottom line?! There is no scientific proof that this pill does anything - except empty your wallet. Although, chances are - if you consumed a sufficient quantity of these 'Super Foods' - you would probably notice a benefit. But does this pill provide it?
If you've actually tried Lipovox - please leave your comments below. (Note: Moderators reserve the right to expose spurious claims.)
Just Look at This! It's Getting Done!
It has taken me all day, but I have managed to update the comments
coding. Not only that - I managed to actually updated the appearance to
complement the colors of the blog. It's a little bluer and definitely
uses different background, but I rather like the difference.
Tomorrow, lucky me, I'll be updating the coding to allow what are called
expandable posts.
Undoubtedly you've seen a post that, after a few sentences, has a link
to Read More of the article or story. The format is common in
blogging, especially people (like me) who enjoying writing lots of
long-winded posts. By using these expandable formats, we can have more
individual posts on the main page and our readers aren't scrolling for
hours to see them.
When I had my blog on Blogger, they had the coding all set up for their
users. Now that I'm hosting my blog on my website, I had to figure out
how to code it myself. It took a while, but I managed to figure it out -
as you can see on my
other blog.
In truth, it's rather fun to try something new. I would prefer, though,
to be doing it by choice, rather than necessity. Oh, well. That's what
keeps life interesting.
Setting Up New Blog
Sadly, in mid-post tonight, the laptop lost power and trashed my access to
the database that held my blog.
This is my attempt to recreate the blog - going forward - in a fairly transparent way. All previous files still exist on the Internet. It's just that the basic posting information is gone, so I can't post anything new.
Wish me luck. It's going to be a long few days.
