Mermaids are supposed to be sexy, right? Vixens of the sea?
Then why are they women on top, and fish on the bottom? Wouldn't it be more useful if they were built the other way around? Or are mermaids nothing more than a cruel tease to taunt men?
So I go to the doctor the other day to see about my back. For those playing at home, this isn't the first time it's gone awry - it went out 15 months ago, and before that I had a herniated disc in my lumbar area (low back). I've also had several muscular injuries due to work related lifting, rowing, and a litany of car accidents (none of which were even 1% my fault, thank you very much).
And what does the doctor say? I have a disease. Specifically, degenerative disc disease.
What the fuck? Malaria is a disease. Alzheimer's is a disease. The Plague is a disease. Since when is a bad back a 'disease'?
Granted, by technical definition of the word, I qualify. Still it sounds to me more and more like the pharmaceutical manufacturers have had their hand in the pie that is common back problems. Disease implies cure, either available or potential but as yet unknown. For what I have, there is no cure, only management.
</rant>
I'm back from Portland, and managed to throw my back out again during my rowing race. Which of course sucks.
I'm sick of my back. I'm so very very done having persistent issues with being able to walk upright. For the past few days I've been shuffling around in a pain-induced slouch that makes me look like some sort of neanderthal. Very annoying.
On the upside, a big thanks to Donna for looking after furballs for me. They report that they were well tended, and that they were paid due deference by the cat-sitter.
I've decided that I'm sick of the default Windows shell. Reading about Gillian's troubles with dual monitor setups in Linux reminded me that there's a small raft of alternatives to the Windows Explorer shell. So I went out and found a seemingly good one called Emerge Desktop.
The install is stupidly simple, and you don't need to be a geek to use it. It does require a reboot, not surprisingly, and backing out of the change is very easy. The best part though is having the ability to customize things properly again, a la Gnome Desktop or K Desktop Environment. Transparencies, widgets, and alternative menu formats are all things I miss out of Linux, even though Mac has been trying to popularize them for a few years, and now Microsoft is joining the fray with Vista. So it's good to get back into the saddle, as it were. My new desktop is after the jump, along with a quick description of some of what's there.
But wait! There's more!I feel fairly blessed that for a period of my life, I was called 'Daddy'. And I admit that I miss it sometimes. They weren't mine but it didn't matter. I know others who were/ are in a comparable situation, and I understand why some of them do it. I did it too. I always tried to be for them what my grandfather was for me. I don't know if I succeeded or not, but I can hope I made a positive difference in the kids' lives.
Wherever he is, I hope you remembered to call your father figure. Or think of him fondly. And remember that for good or bad, he'sprobably got a fair amount to do with the way you are today.
Anyone feel inclined to offer up some kitty karma? I'm going away for a few days next weekend, leaving on the 21st and coming back on the 25th. My usual source of cat-sitting is unavailable right now, and although I'm sure I could leave the girls alone for 4 days, I'd really rather not. So I was hoping some kind soul would be willing to pop their head in once or twice during that span to ensure that there's still some food and water in their dish. Of course, whomever would also be welcome to spend as much time here as they wish, if the Gastown location is convenient for you.
Anyone? Bueller? Bueller?
UPDATE: Thanks folks... it's taken care of, and the cats have a temporary staff member to amuse them .
In case you hadn't heard, Apple today announced the release of it's Safari browser for the Windows platform (the fact that it's beta was left out of the news story I read). So, being the geek that I am, I downloaded it, installed it, and tried it out.
Now, for the record , since Apple switched to an iteration of BSD for it's operating system, I've been a fan. I use Windows for work purposes, since my clients are all on that platform, and because some of the VPN software I use is not available for other OSes. But I really like the Mac interface and stability, and I really wanted to see truth to the hype that Safari is that much faster than IE or Firefox. After all, Mac OS is far prettier and has a lot of the features that I like in Linux.
Sorry Steve Jobs. You're just not there yet.
UPDATE: After a quick flurry of complaints about bugs, Apple released a new version. It's still not there, and I still feel that the summary after the jump applies. Read on for more.
But wait! There's more!A couple people I know are taking part in a fundraiser called The Underwear Affair. You should support them. Go visit Donna or Gill and make a donation. Do it now.
I have a question though for those of you planning to run around the city in your underwear... what about those people who don't regularly wear underwear? Yes I know a few, although I say nothing about myself in this matter. The point is, what are they supposed to run around in? Is there maybe an exemption on public nudity laws?
There's a storm coming. I can smell it.
The past few days are about to give way to a helluva storm. I've been watching lightning coming in for the past half hour. I'm hoping it'll be a big storm. I miss lightning from Montreal. Bring on the bolts!