21 August 2006

I love my job! / Stuff I transcribe

I have probably 300 different reports I would like to post in order to be able to show a good representation of what I transcribe, but it's going to be a gargantuan task, so here are just a few for now. See, in addition to everything radiology (plain films, CTs, ultrasound, MRIs, MR angiograms, nuclear medicine, PET scans, ESIs, fluoro et al.), I also do radiation oncology, cardiology, EEGs, sleep studies, mammography (incl. FNAs and biopsies), discharge summaries, H & Ps, pain management, dermatology, pulmonology, urology and occasionally a few others.

The reports below are going to have incorrect grammar in places because each physician has his or her own style that they prefer, and a lot of times that includes ignoring what is correct format - whatever works for them. Also, when this blog posts, it only keeps one space in between sentences instead of two. Ahh, such is cyber life. lol

Note: I have removed all identifying terms in order to comply with HIPAA.
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MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING OF THE BRAIN WITH AND WITHOUT CONTRAST:

HISTORY: Left-sided sensory neural hearing loss.

TECHNIQUE: Multiplanar, multisequence magnetic resonance imaging of the brain was performed according to the internal auditory canal protocol, including postcontrast imaging. An additional whole-brain axial FLAIR sequence and a limited axial T2 STIR sequence were also obtained.

FINDINGS: No previous examinations are available for direct comparison.

Age-appropriate moderate cerebral atrophy is present. Minimal foci of increased T2 and FLAIR signal intensity involving the periventricular white matter is seen suggesting minimal small vessel disease in a patient of this age. There is no acute intracranial hemorrhage, mass effect, midline shift nor extra-axial fluid collection seen. No diffusion abnormalities are seen to suggest recent ischemia. The ventricular system is within normal limits for the degree of atrophy present. The craniocervical junction is in normal position. The visualized orbits and paranasal sinuses are unremarkable.

In particular, there are no abnormalities involving the cerebellopontine angles nor internal auditory canals identified to explain the patient's sensory neural hearing loss.

However, there is a somewhat ill-defined approximate 6-mm focal area of contrast enhancement in the right lateral aspect of the pons without associated mass effect. There is no associated restriction diffusion. This lesion shows slightly increased T2 signal intensity with a small amount of T2 star blooming artifact. This pattern of findings is most suggestive of a small vascular malformation such as a small cavernoma or perhaps a capillary telangiectasia. The sequelae of an infectious or inflammatory process is a less likely consideration given the T2 star changes noted. Short-term followup imaging in approximately three months' time is recommended to ensure stability or resolution of this finding. Correlate with clinical history.

IMPRESSION:
1. SMALL, SOMEWHAT ILL-DEFINED AREA OF CONTRAST ENHANCEMENT WITH SUBTLE ASSOCIATED T2 STAR BLOOMING CHANGE SUGGESTING OLD BLOOD PRODUCTS OR CALCIFICATION SEEN IN THE RIGHT LATERAL ASPECT OF THE PONS. THE PATTERN OF FINDINGS FAVORS A SMALL VASCULAR MALFORMATION. SHORT-TERM FOLLOWUP IMAGING IN APPROXIMATELY THREE MONTHS' TIME IS RECOMMENDED TO ENSURE STABILITY OR RESOLUTION OF THIS FINDING.
2. AGE-APPROPRIATE CEREBRAL ATROPHY.
3. MINIMAL PERIVENTRICULAR WHITE MATTER CHANGES SUGGESTING SMALL VESSEL DISEASE IN A PATIENT OF THIS AGE.
4. OTHERWISE UNREMARKABLE MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING OF THE BRAIN WITHOUT EXPLANATION FOR THE PATIENT'S REPORTED SENSORY NEURAL HEARING LOSS IDENTIFIED.

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2D/3D RECONSTRUCTIONS DONE AS PER PROTOCOL.

CT OF THE SOFT
TISSUE NECK WITHOUT CONTRAST:

HISTORY: Sleep apnea. Assess for airway compromise.

TECHNIQUE: Axial images obtained. Extended study. Study reviewed on an Advantage Windows Workstation.

FINDINGS: Bilateral hilar and mediastinal calcifications are seen. The pulmonary parenchymal structures look normal. The frontal, maxillary, sphenoid and ethmoid air cells look normally aerated. Bilateral middle turbinate concha bullosa are seen, larger on the right side than on the left. Also the margin around the inferior aspect of the nasal turbinates bilaterally posteriorly looks nodular. This is seen best on the coronal reformatted views on the workstation. The orbital margins look intact.

There is also thickening of the posterior superior aspect of the nasal septum, which does narrow the posterior nasal cavity. This is present bilaterally. There is a relatively long uvula. The retropalatal airway cross-sectional area measures 90 mm2 in minimal dimension. There is a thick posterior soft palate. The posterior soft palate measures 12 mm in thickness.

The retroglossal airway is widely patent measuring over 250 mm2. The dimensions of the oropharynx look normal. The vallecula looks symmetrical. The right piriform sinus is larger than on the left side; this is probably due to retropharyngeal left internal carotid artery which loops behind the left side of the hypopharynx which is a normal anatomic variant. The hypopharyngeal airway and glottis, cervical trachea and carina look normal. There is no mass or adenopathy seen in the neck. Mild degenerative changes are seen in the cervical spine. The muscles of mastication look symmetrical. There are prominent medial pterygoid muscles bilaterally and lateral pterygoid muscles seen with also prominent anterior belly of the digastric muscle present bilaterally. This could be seen with bruxism or clenching.

Three-D evaluation of the facial skeleton demonstrates normal sized maxilla and mandible, and there is no midface fracture identified.

OPINION:
1. THERE IS MILD DEVIATION OF THE NASAL SEPTUM.
2. MILD TURBINATE HYPERTROPHY IS SEEN. THERE IS ALSO A NODULAR APPEARANCE OF THE INFERIOR ASPECT OF THE TURBINATES BILATERALLY INFERIORLY. THIS CAN BE SEEN WITH SMALL POLYPS OR WITH RHINITIS WITH MUCOSAL HYPERTROPHY.
3. THERE IS A THICK PALATE. THE RETROPALATAL AIRWAY MEASURES LESS THAN 1 CM. THE DEGREE OF RETROPALATAL NARROWING MAY BE WORSE IN A SEDATED OR SLEEPING STATE, AND THIS COULD BE ESPOUSED TO SNORING. TYPICALLY SEVERE SLEEP APNEA IS ASSOCIATED WITH A RETROPALATAL DIMENSION OF LESS THAN 5 MM. CONSIDER DIRECT ENDOSCOPIC EVALUATION WITH A MUELLER MANEUVER.
4. THERE IS SLIGHT ASYMMETRY OF THE LEFT PIRIFORM SINUS. THIS IS PROBABLY DUE TO PRESENCE OF AN INCIDENTAL RETROPHARYNGEAL LEFT INTERNAL CAROTID ARTERY WHICH IS A NORMAL ANATOMIC VARIANT.
5. THERE IS BILATERAL HILAR AND MEDIASTINAL CALCIFICATION SEEN. DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS WOULD INCLUDE PRIOR GRANULOMATOUS-TYPE INFECTION. THIS COULD BE SEEN LESS LIKELY WITH TREATED LYMPHATIC INFILTRATIVE DISORDER. THE CALCIFICATIONS ARE COARSE, AND THERE IS NO INTERSTITIAL LUNG DISEASE TO SUGGEST SILICOSIS.

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NUCLEAR MEDICINE SCAN, BREMSSTRAHLUNG IMAGING:

Approximately 0.5 gigabecquerel of SIRSphere was slowly infused into the middle hepatic artery, which distributes in the anatomic distributions of the middle and left hepatic areas.

SPECT images were performed. There is accumulation of radiopharmaceutical within the left lobe of the liver. There is no gross evidence of extrahepatic deposition.

IMPRESSION: POST-RADIOEMBOLIZATION IMAGES DEMONSTRATING DEPOSITION OF RADIOACTIVE MICROSPHERES WITHIN THE LEFT LOBE OF THE LIVER.

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RIGHT CHEST PORT PLACEMENT:

INDICATION: Chemotherapy for ovarian cancer.

PROCEDURE: Informed consent was obtained. Conscious sedation was achieved with fentanyl and Versed given by the conscious sedation nurse according to the institution protocol. The patient was appropriately monitored and a moderate sedation level achieved for approximately 30 minutes.

The right neck and chest were prepped and draped in the usual manner. Using ultrasound guidance, the right internal jugular vein was punctured at the base of the neck with a micropuncture set, and a guidewire was advanced centrally. The subcutaneous pocket was then created over the right upper chest wall at the second anterior rib level. This was performed under local anesthesia using sharp and blunt dissection. Once the pocket was completed, the single-lumen catheter was attached to a tunneler and brought through a subcutaneous tunnel created from the port pocket to the anatomy site. The catheter was cut to length and attached to the port. The port was flushed. The port was then secured in place in the pocket with Prolene suture. The pocket was irrigated. The port was flushed. The catheter was then passed centrally through the peelaway sheath and the sheath removed. The venotomy site was then closed with Dermabond glue. The port pocket was closed in layers of 2-0 Vicryl and 4-0 Monocryl followed by Dermabond glue. The post aspirated and flushed well. Heparinized saline was used to irrigate the port. A film was obtained which confirmed the catheter tip in the upper portion of the right atrium.

SUMMARY: UNCOMPLICATED PLACEMENT OF A SINGLE-LUMEN RIGHT BARD CHEST PORT.

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EXAM: CT OF THE CHEST, ABDOMEN AND PELVIS

HISTORY: Colon malignancy.

Compared with CT of the chest dated 01/09/06. There has been a marked interval increase in mediastinal and bilateral hilar adenopathy. The largest mediastinal node mass is between the trachea and superior vena cava measuring 3.8 cm maximum diameter. There is partial compression of the SVC. There is a 3.1-cm node in the superior aspect of the right hilum. There are smaller left hilar and subcarinal nodes. There has been interval development of numerous pulmonary nodules as well as less well-defined parenchymal opaciites which may represent distal atelectasis and/or lymphangitic spread. The largest nodule is laterally at the left lung base measuring 2.9 cm maximum diameter. At least twenty nodular densities are now identifiable. There appear to be some tiny cavitations associated with nodules, most notable in the right middle lobe.

There is a rounded low-density lesion in the left aspect of the L2 vertebral body not seen previously, probably a bony metastasis. No other definite metastatic lesions are demonstrated. Extensive degenerative changes are present in the spine, particularly at the lumbosacral junction.

The liver is homogeneous. There is some soft tissue thickening between the stomach and crux of the left hemidiaphragm, possibly pleural thickening at the lung base. No definite adrenal enlargement is identifiable. There is a moderate amount of adenopathy in the porta hepatis and retroperitoneum surrounding the aorta and inferior vena cava. There is some compression of the vena cava in the midabdomen. It is not opacified over fairly a substantial segment. No collateral circulation is identifiable. The largest retroperitoneal node mass measures 3.2 cm maximum diameter seen at the level of the mid right kidney, although margins with the vena cava cannot be determined with accuracy.

There is a tiny, simple-appearing cyst at the lower pole of the right kidney. Otherwise the kidneys are unremarkable. There are extensive diverticula in the colon. There is wall thickening in the distal colon. By history, this probably represents the area of the patient's primary neoplasm. Diverticulosis can have this appearance.

Other chronic findings seen previously have not changed appreciably.

IMPRESSION: Marked deterioration compared to 01/09/06 with increasing mediastinal and pulmonary metastases as well as retroperitoneal and some abdominal adenopathy. Single probably bony metastasis at L2. Other findings as described above.

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CHEST:

The frontal view is rotated to the right. The trachea is in the midline with no widening or shifting of the mediastinum. The hemidiaphragms are smooth and well positioned, and the costophrenic sulci are sharp. The lungs are clear and satisfactorily aerated. The cardiovascular silhouette is normal. The visualized bony thorax is unremarkable for the patient's age. Osteopenia.

CONCLUSION: Normal chest.

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CT ANGIOGRAM:

HISTORY: Headache this morning.

TECHNIQUE: Axial images obtained with CT angiographic protocol, 80 cc of Isovue 370.

FINDINGS: There is a subarachnoid hemorrhage in the posterior fossa and in the prepontine cistern, slightly more on the right side than on the left. No hydrocephalus is seen. The right posterior cerebral artery is diffusely larger then on the left side, but there is no aneurysm seen.

T
he left posterior communicating artery is larger than on the right side, but there is no aneurysm identified.

OPINION: NO ANEURYSM IS SEEN. A SUBARACHNOID HEMORRHAGE IS IDENTIFIED. NO HYDROCEPHALUS DETECTED.
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CT CHEST, ABDOMEN AND PELVIS WITH IV CONTRAST:

COMPARISON: None.

INDICATION: Rollover ATV accident.

TECHNIQUE: Following the uneventful injection of 120 ml of Isovue 370, contiguous axial images were obtained through the chest, abdomen and pelvis.

FINDINGS:

CHEST: Thoracic inlet is unremarkable. No axillary, hilar or mediastinal adenopathy. There is a small amount of soft tissue within the low anterior mediastinum, likely representing residual thymus. The thoracic aorta is normal in course and caliber without convincing evidence for caliber change or contour deformity. Heart is within normal limits.

Lungs are clear. No pleural fluid collections or pneumothoraces. The airways are widely patent.

ABDOMEN: Liver, spleen, adrenal glands, kidneys, and pancreas are unremarkable. The gallbladder is normal in size and configuration, and there is no intra- or extrahepatic biliary ductal dilatation.

No retroperitoneal or mesenteric adenopathy.

No infiltration of the mesentery, and no free fluid.

PELVIS: Trace free fluid, likely physiologic. Uterus and ovaries are grossly unremarkable. No free air. The urinary bladder is grossly unremarkable.

Bowel gas pattern is not obstructed. There is moderate retained stool within the colon.

No displaced fractures identified.

IMPRESSION: ESSENTIALLY UNREMARKABLE EXAMINATION, WITH NO SIGNIFICANT
POST-TRAUMATIC CHANGE.

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MRI OF THE BRAIN WITHOUT AND WITH CONTRAST:

HISTORY: Renal cell cancer. No neural symptoms.

IMAGES: Greater than twenty-five.

Multiplanar, multisequence MR imaging was accomplished through the brain without and with contrast. Ventricles are midline and not dilated. Sulci are age appropriate. Gray-white matter interface is preserved. Patchy punctate T2 FLAIR signal hyperintensity is seen in the periventricular hemispheric white matter, consistent with small vessel change. This also extends into the pons. Major vascular structures including major dural venous sinuses are patent. After contrast administration, no abnormally enhancing lesions are identified. Diffusion-weighted imaging shows no acute restriction.

IMPRESSION: NO ACUTE FINDINGS.
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EXAM: OBSTETRICAL ULTRASOUND:

HISTORY: EDC xxx. Left pelvic pain.

FETAL BIOMETRY: There is a single intrauterine pregnancy. The fetus is in a transverse lie with head on the maternal left. Aggregate measurements are consistent with a gestational age of 20 weeks/4 days, correlating adequately with the first-trimester estimate of 19 weeks/6 days. Measurements are as follows: HC = 19 weeks/5 days; AC = 21 weeks/0 days; FL = 21 weeks/0 days.

PLACENTA: Posterior. No evidence of placenta previa.

BIOPHYSICAL PROFILE: Normal amniotic fluid volume, fetal tone and fetal motion.

FETAL ANATOMY: Image quality is limited because of maternal body habitus. Satisfactory images of the ventricular outflow tracts, nose and lips were not obtained. Imaging of the posterior fossa is also unsatisfactory. Allowing for these significant limitations, no abnormalities are identified. Heart rate is 152.

UTERINE AND EXTRAUTERINE ANATOMY: There is an isoechoic, intramural fibroid or persistent myometrial contraction in the anterior fundus measuring 4.6 x 5.5 x 7.0 cm. Otherwise no evidence of uterine or extrauterine abnormalities.

The patient indicated that her pain was in the left inguinal area. She points to a lymph node measuring 5 x 10 x 13 mm that has a prominent fatty hilum and is not significantly enlarged.

IMPRESSION: Appropriate growth since 04/18/06. Limited, incomplete fetal anatomic survey. Anterior fundal fibroid or persistent myometrial contraction. Recommend followup. Pain in the left inguinal area appears to localize to a benign lymph node.
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CT OF THE THORAX, ABDOMEN AND PELVIS:

COMPARISON: None.

FINDINGS: There is moderate-to-marked global cardiomegaly. Atherosclerosis including the coronary arteries. There is enlargement of the central pulmonary arteries suggesting pulmonary arterial hypertension. There is enlargement of the aortic arch with maximum transverse dimension of 3.4 cm. Prominent atherosclerosis is noted in this region. Small penetrating ulcer into a plaque in the medial aspect of the aortic arch is a consideration. Irregular partial mural thrombus intraluminally could render a similar configuration. Calcified mediastinal and hilar lymph nodes which is compatible with a granulomatous residua. There is left paratracheal confluent lymphadenopathy. Subcentimeter mediastinal and hilar lymph nodes are also noted which are nonspecific. Subcentimeter hypodense focus is noted within the right lobe of the thyroid which could represent a small nodule or cyst of indeterminate etiology. There is minimal soft tissue prominence of the distal esophagus which is nonspecific.

Imaging of the lungs demonstrates moderate centrilobular emphysematous changes. Mild focal eventration of the left hemidiaphragm posteriorly. No focal consolidation, pleural effusion or discrete pulmonary nodularity.

Imaging of the abdomen and pelvis demonstrates no discrete focal hepatic abnormality. Slightly diminished attenuation of the liver in relation to the spleen, however this may be related to early phase of intravenous contrast opacification; subtle fatty infiltration cannot be excluded. The spleen, pancreas, and adrenal glands are within normal limits. Partial enhancement of the renal cortices may be related to early phase of contrast opacification. Atherosclerosis of the renal artery origins is noted for which renal artery stenosis cannot be excluded. There is a subcentimeter, hypodense focus in the interpolar region of the left kidney, which while too small to characterize could represent a cyst. There is ectasia of the abdominal aorta with a borderline aneurysmal dilatation of the infrarenal aorta measuring 2.8 cm AP x 2.0 cm transversely. In this region of maximum diameter (at the level of the inferior pole of the kidneys), there is prominence of partially circumferential mural thrombus. Superimposed prominent penetrating ulcer versus less likely chronic focal dissection is noted. There is fusiform aneurysmal dilatation of the common iliac arteries, with the right and left common iliac arteries each measuring 1.7 cm in maximum transverse diameter. Prominent atherosclerotic changes in these regions are also noted. The left hypogastric (internal iliac) appears to be thrombosed. The right hypogastric (internal iliac) artery distally is diminutive. There is also focal narrowing of the external iliac arteries bilaterally.

Evaluation of the pelvis is very limited due to extensive streak artifact from bilateral hip prostheses. There is mild distention of the urinary bladder. The prostate and rectum as well as the portions of the sigmoid colon are not well visualized. Small inguinal hernias bilaterally containing nonobstructive loops of small bowel, most pronounced on the left. No retroperitoneal iliac or inguinal chain lymphadenopathy by strict size criteria. Incidental notation is made of atherosclerotic changes of the celiac and SMA axes which appear to be focally stenosed. Multifocal degenerative changes of the glenohumeral joints and spine. Heterotopic bone formation is noted surrounding the hip prostheses. ? Poorly visualized degenerative change and/or nonspecific lucent lesions with cortical irregularity in the left acetabulum/superior pubic ramus. Similar-appearing lucencies are also evident within the left scapula adjacent to the glenoid. These findings may represent prominent degenerative geodes, however metastasis or other primary osseous neoplasm, or even Paget’s disease or fibrous dysplasia, cannot be excluded.

Remote anterolateral rib fractures bilaterally.

IMPRESSION:
1. LEFT PARATRACHEAL LYMPHADENOPATHY. PRIMARY METASTATIC MALIGNANCY, LYMPHOMA OR EVEN REACTIVE ETIOLOGIES CAN BE CONSIDERED. CONTINUE SHORT-TERM FOLLOW UP WITH A REPEAT CT OF THE THORAX IS RECOMMENDED. ALTERNATIVELY, PET SCAN CAN BE PERFORMED.
2. SUBCENTIMETER MEDIASTINAL AND HILAR LYMPH NODES WHICH ARE NONSPECIFIC.
3. GRANULOMATOUS RESIDUA CONSISTING OF CALCIFICATION OF SEVERAL SUBCENTIMETER MEDIASTINAL AND HILAR LYMPH NODES.
4. NO FOCAL PULMONARY NODULE OR MASS.
5. MILD-TO-MODERATE CENTRILOBULAR EMPHYSEMATOUS CHANGES.
6. PULMONARY ARTERIAL HYPERTENSION.
7. MODERATE-TO-MARKED GLOBAL CARDIOMEGALY AND BORDERLINE PROMINENCE OF THE AORTIC ARCH.
8. EXTENSIVE SYSTEMIC ATHEROSCLEROSIS WITH PARTIALLY CIRCUMFERENTIAL MURAL THROMBUS WITHIN THE AORTIC ARCH AND ABDOMINAL AORTA. SUPERIMPOSED PENETRATING ULCERS AND/OR LONGSTANDING IRREGULAR ATHEROMATOUS PLAQUE WITH SECONDARY LUMINAL IRREGULARITY WITHIN THE AORTIC ARCH AND MID ABDOMINAL AORTA. CONCOMITANT-TO-BORDERLINE ANEURYSMAL DILATATION OF THE MID ABDOMINAL AORTA MEASURING 2.8 X 3.0 CM. MINIMAL FUSIFORM ANEURYSMAL DILATATION OF THE COMMON ILIAC ARTERIES BILATERALLY, EACH MEASURING 1.7 CM IN MAXIMUM TRANSVERSE DIAMETER.
9. THROMBOSED LEFT INTERNAL ILIAC (HYPOGASTRIC) ARTERY AS WELL AS MULTIFOCAL DIMINUTION/STENOSIS OF THE RIGHT INTERNAL ILIAC (HYPOGASTRIC) ARTERY. MILD STENOSIS OF THE EXTERNAL ILIAC ARTERIES BILATERALLY. SUBTLE STENOSIS OF THE ORIGIN OF THE SMA AND CELIAC AXES.
10. SUBTLE DIMINUTION OF THE RENAL CORTICAL ENHANCEMENT MAY BE RELATED TO EARLY PHASE OF CONTRAST OPACIFICATION, HOWEVER HYPOPERFUSION IN THE SETTING OF RENAL ARTERY STENOSIS IS NOT EXCLUDED.
11. EARLY CONTRAST OPACIFICATION OF THE LIVER VERSUS SUBTLE DIFFUSE FATTY INFILTRATION.
12. SUBCENTIMETER HYPODENSE FOCUS IN THE INTERPOLAR REGION OF THE LEFT KIDNEY WHICH, WHILE TOO SMALL TO CHARACTERIZE, COULD REPRESENT A CYST.
13. MILD DISTENTION OF THE URINARY BLADDER.
14. BILATERAL TOTAL HIP ARTHROPLASTIES WITH SURROUNDING STREAK ARTIFACT, SEVERELY LIMITING EVALUATION OF THE PELVIS.
15. INGUINAL HERNIAS BILATERALLY CONTAINING NONOBSTRUCTED SMALL BOWEL, MOST NOTABLY ON THE LEFT.
16. DIFFUSE RETAINED FECAL DEBRIS THROUGHOUT THE COLON AND ABSENCE OF ENTERIC CONTRAST IN THIS REGION PRECLUDE EVALUATION OF THE COLON. COLONOSCOPY CAN BE PERFORMED AS CLINICALLY WARRANTED.
17. MULTIFOCAL DEGENERATIVE CHANGES OF THE SPINE AND GLENOHUMERAL JOINTS. ? SUPERIMPOSED GEODES WITHIN THE LEFT GLENOID AS WELL AS THE LEFT ACETABULUM. HOWEVER GIVEN CONFIGURATION AND EXTENT AWAY FROM THE JOINT, OTHER ETIOLOGIES CANNOT BE EXCLUDED. PLEASE SEE ABOVE DISCUSSION.
18. EVALUATION OF THE PANCREATIC HEAD AND DUODENUM IS LIMITED IN THE ABSENCE OF ENTERIC CONTRAST OPACIFICATION AND CONFLUENCE OF STRUCTURES IN THIS REGION.
19. MILD EVENTRATION OF THE POSTERIOR ASPECT OF THE LEFT HEMIDIAPHRAGM.
20. MINIMAL SOFT TISSUE PROMINENCE OF THE DISTAL ESOPHAGUS WHICH IS NONSPECIFIC.
21. REMOTE ANTEROLATERAL RIB FRACTURES BILATERALLY.

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CT ABDOMEN AND PELVIS:

TECHNIQUE: Multislice exam with oral and nonionic intravenous contrast.

No bowel, biliary or urinary tract dilatation. No obstructive or inflammatory process demonstrated. No ascites or lymphadenopathy.

No abdominal wall defects of significance; a small umbilical hernia is present, containing fat, without inflammation.

Normal appendix. No diverticula. The questionable small bowel wall thickening reported on prior study is not demonstrated. The pancreas and other abdominal organs are within normal limits.

The lung bases are clear. Normal heart size.

IMPRESSION: Within normal limits.

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ULTRASOUND PELVIS:

Transabdominal and endovaginal sonography of the pelvis, the latter for optimal visualization of the adnexa and endometrium.

FINDINGS: The uterus is retroverted, measuring 5.8 cm AP x 3.9 cm CC x 5.2 cm transverse.

The endometrial canal is upper limits of normal thickness, 10 mm, but homogeneous. Likely related to phase of patient's cycle.

The right ovary measures 4.0 x 1.3 x 2.2 cm, with multiple small follicles. Normal flow.

The left ovary measures 4.4 x 3.5 x 2.6 cm, and contains a large, heterogeneous hypoechoic lesion with septations, measuring 3.0 x 2.4 x 2.0 cm. Normal flow to the ovary; no significant vascularity in or around this complex lesion.

Trace free fluid in the cul-de-sac.

IMPRESSION:
1. Complex left adnexal cystic lesion, possibly a hemorrhagic cyst or endometrioma. Followup ultrasound at a different phase of patient's cycle is recommended.
2. Trace free fluid.
3. No evidence of torsion or other acute pelvic abnormality.
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CRANIAL CT:

Comparison is made with report of previous cranial CT study obtained earlier in the day.

The ventricles are normal in size and appear midline in position. There is no focal mass or extraaxial collection. There are no findings of acute intracranial hemorrhage.

The previous study reported a hyperdensity with CT density exceeding 100 Hounsfield units. No similar finding is seen on the submitted study. There is only one tiny punctate hyperattenuating focus in the subcalvarial right frontal region. This only measures approximately 40 Hounsfield units in greatest degree of attenuation and is of doubtful acute clinical significance. No additional hyperattenuating foci are identified.

The bony calvarium appears intact without depressed fracture. The visualized portions of the paranasal sinuses are free from any obvious fluid level.

IMPRESSION: NO DEFINITE ACUTE OR FOCAL INTRACRANIAL ABNORMALITY IDENTIFIED.

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AP PELVIS WITH FROG-LEG LATERAL VIEW OF THE RIGHT HIP:

COMPARISON: None.

INDICATION: Fall with hip pain.

FINDINGS: There is a large amount of stool and gas obscuring the sacrum and SI joints. The pubic symphysis is grossly in line. Pelvis and obturatorrings are grossly intact. Femoral lines are located bilaterally, and noconvincing proximal femoral fractures are identified. There is extensive vascular calcification.

IMPRESSION: NO DISPLACED FRACTURE.

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THREE-VIEW LEFT ELBOW:

COMPARISON: None.

INDICATION: Rollover ATV accident with elbow pain.

FINDINGS: Alignment at the elbow is intact. No elbow joint effusion is seen. No convincing bony fractures. There is infiltration of the soft tissues along the ulnar side of the upper arm, likely representing contusion.

IMPRESSION: NO CONVINCING FRACTURE. SOFT TISSUE INFILTRATION LIKELY REPRESENTING CONTUSION.

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13 August 2006

Gimme Your Stuff! coooooool

Okay this is sweet!! What an awesome idea!! "Swap items of significance to your area with items from others around the world." Cool!!

So I'm in central Illinois (midwest) in the USA. I can do pretty much anything - "arts/crafts, books/magazines, candy/food/drink, clothing, music," etc. ...Stamps, postcards, travel/souvenir type stuff, toys, cosmetics, whatever.

The things that top my list are:


1) MAD magazines (current or old - i.e., France and Germany stopped but I'd still like to see theirs), primarily Australia's
2) anything with historical or cultural significance to the originating location
3) stamps, postcards, stationery

...Umm... Anything "the locals" think is da bomb. lol It's too bad that money can't be sent because I'd LOVE to have more foreign money than the whopping two or three pieces I already have, lol...

Oh, and in the cosmetics department, I'm always drooling over the things Lancôme distributes overseas - like stuff I see in the Moodie report? www.moodiereport.com Oh man, if I could shop in Tokyo, Thailand, the Philippines, France, England, and anywhere in Oceania, hoo boy would I be in Heaven. lol

Actually, not just Lancôme either - also Estée Lauder, Clinique, MAC, Chanel, Elizabeth Arden, Benefit, Stila, Agnes B., Philosophy, etc.

Anyway email me, and let's see what we can come up with. JEPRomans828@aol.com




Gimme Your Stuff

26 July 2006

Brobdignagian playlist

You're not going to believe this, but Yahoo has a maximum number of characters it can accept in each blog (65536)! lmao Leave it to me to find that out, right? hahaha So here I am posting my playlist on blogger. Anyway, there may be duplicates in this list because it's a consolidation; also it is still not in any way complete. I did try to organize by genre, however. ...I think I'm gonna skip the rest of the disclaimers this time and let you in on a secret: Not all of my literary submissions are perfect! lmao

Closer (Original) - Nine Inch Nails
Closer (Deviation) - NIN
Closer (Further Away) - NIN
Closer (In Da Club) - NIN (Mashups)
Closer (Internal) - NIN
Closer (Precursor) - NIN
Closer (Super Mario Bros.) - NIN
Closer (Trance) - NIN
Closer (Come Together) - NIN (Mashups)
Control - Puddle of Mudd
Inside of You – Hoobastank
Animals - Nickelback
Figured You Out - Nickelback
Why Don’t You And I – Nickelback
Savin’ Me - Nickelback
Next Contestant - Nickelback
Rockstar - Nickelback
You and Me - Lifehouse
Hanging by a Moment – Lifehouse
Breathing - Lifehouse
So I Need You - 3 Doors Down
I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing - Aerosmith
Angel - Aerosmith
I Just Want You - Ozzy Osbourne
I Dare You To Move - Switchfoot
Thunderstruck - AC/DC
I Wanna Wake Up Where You Are - Googoo Dolls
I Want You Bad - Offspring
Have You Ever Wanted Someone So Bad - Def Leppard
Pour Some Sugar on Me - Def Leppard
Love Bites - Def Leppard
Addicted - Simple Plan
Stranglehold - Ted Nugent
Belief - Gavin Degraw
Against All Odds (remake - awesome) - Gavin Degraw
Dreams - Gavin Degraw
I Don't Want to Be - Gavin Degraw
Falls on Me - Fuel
Hemorrhage – Fuel
It Only Hurts - Default
Won’t Back Down - Default
You Can Count on Me – Default
Everything Changes - Staind
Right Here - Staind
Zoe Jane – Staind
Epiphany - Staind
Deep Inside of You - Third Eye Blind
Echo - Trapt
Broken Like an Angel - Crossfade
Cold - Crossfade
Cold Remix - Crossfade
Cold Acoustic - Crossfade
Invincible - Crossfade
Broken - Seether
Remedy – Seether
The Gift - Seether
Diary of Jane - Breaking Benjamin
Broken Soul - Breaking Benjamin
Polyamorous – Breaking Benjamin
Sooner or Later - Breaking Benjamin
Caught in the Sun - Course of Nature
Do You Call My Name – Ra
Foxy, Foxy – Rob Zombie
Trying to Be Me – Tommy Lee
Why I’m Here – Oleander
Wasteland – 10 Years
Animal I Have Become - Three Days Grace
I Hate Everything About You - Three Days Grace
Wargasm - L7
Only Happy When it Rains - Garbage
Animal - W.A.S.P.
The Incubus (Le Revenant) - Sasha Lazard
Angeli - Sasha Lazard
Temptation - Sasha Lazard
Remember Me - Hoobastank
Pieces - Hoobastank
To Be With You - Hoobastank
Out of Control - Hoobastank
Lucky – Hoobastank
Disappear - Hoobastank
Escape - Hoobastank
Crawling in the Dark - Hoobastank
Born to Lead - Hoobastank
If I Were You – Hoobastank
Running Away - Hoobastank
The Reason – Hoobastank
I’m Afraid of Americans - NIN
Every Day is Exactly the Same – NIN
Something I Can Never Have – NIN
The Hand That Feeds - NIN
You Know What You Are – NIN
Sadness – NIN
Lateralus - Tool
Parabola - Tool
The Pot - Tool
Sober - Tool
Vicarious - Tool
Coming Undone - Korn
Did My Time - Korn
Liar - Korn
Make Me Bad - Korn
Broken – Everlast
What It’s Like - Everlast
So Long – Everlast
Straight Out Of Line - Godsmack
The Messenjah – P.O.D.
This Is My Life - Fefe Dobson
Take Me Away - Fefe Dobson
Don’t Let It Go To Your Head – Fefe Dobson
Unforgiven – Fefe Dobson
P.S. I Love You - All-American Rejects
Dirty Little Secret - All-American Rejects
What Does Your Soul Look Like - DJ Shadow
Unbelievable - EMF
You Broke My Heart (So I Broke Your Nose) - Lovebites
I Want Your Sex - George Michael
Still Don’t Give a F*** - Eminem
C** Again - E-rotic
Showerf*** - E-rotic
Wild and Strong - E-rotic
Gimme Gimme Gimme - E-rotic
Is That The Way You Are? - E-rotic
Rough Sex - Decoder Ring
Rough Sex - The Dancefloor Assassins
Bite to Break Skin - Senses Fail
Sex Is Violent - Jane’s Addiction
Violent Sex With Gas Station Condoms - Birds of India
Dune Buggy - Presidents of the United States of America
Naked and Famous - Presidents of the U.S.A.
Body - Presidents of the U.S.A.
Lump - Presidents of the U.S.A.
Peaches - Presidents of the U.S.A.
Jeremy - Pearl Jam
Glycerine - Bush
Come Down - Bush
Cumbersome - Seven Mary Three
Shame, Shame, Shame - Kenny Wayne Shepherd
Déja Voodoo - Kenny Wayne Shepherd
Blue on Black - Kenny Wayne Shepherd
Behind Blue Eyes - Limp Bizkit
Six Feet From the Edge - Creed
My Sacrifice - Creed
What's This Life For - Creed
My Own Prison - Creed
Higher - Creed
Wasted Time - Skid Row
American Idiot – Green Day
Young Lust - Pink Floyd
6 Underground - Sneaker Pimps
Low Place Like Home - Sneaker Pimps
Becoming X - Sneaker Pimps
Spin Spin Sugar - Sneaker Pimps
Post-Modern Sleaze - Sneaker Pimps
Sick - Sneaker Pimps
Roll On - Sneaker Pimps
Bloodsport - Sneaker Pimps
Your Everything - Keith Urban
Somebody Like You - Keith Urban
Makin' Memories of Us - Keith Urban
You Do or You Don’t - Terri Clark
Now That I Found You – Terri Clark
I Can Love You Better - Dixie Chicks
Satisfied - Ashley Monroe
I Left Something Turned on At Home – Trace Adkins
If I Could Make A Living – Clay Walker
No Doubt About It – Neal McCoy
I Need You - Leann Rimes
Tall, Tall Trees - Alan Jackson
More Than You'll Ever Know - Travis Tritt
Can I Trust You With My Heart – Travis Tritt
This Everyday Love – Rascal Flatts
I Melt – Rascal Flatts
That’s the Beat of a Heart – Warren Bros. ft. Sara Evans
This Kiss – Faith Hill
Breathe – Faith Hill
Just to Hear You Say That You Love Me – Faith Hill
Let’s Make Love – Faith Hill
Just to See You Smile – Tim McGraw
I Like It, I Love It – Tim McGraw
It’s Your Love – Tim McGraw
I Love You – Martina McBride
Valentine – Martina McBride
Blessed – Martina McBride
My Baby Loves Me – Martina McBride
Safe in the Arms Of Love – Martina McBride
Strawberry Wine – Deana Carter
Shut Up and Kiss Me – Wynnona Judd
She’s in Love With The Boy – Trisha Yearwood
How Do I Live - Trisha Yearwood
Shameless – Garth Brooks
I Try to Think About Elvis – Patty Loveless
Everything I Do - Brandy, Bryan Adams
Swallowed by the Sea - Coldplay
Best Days - Matt White
Your Body is a Wonderland - John Mayer
Baby, Baby – Amy Grant
I Wanna Wake Up Where You Are – Googoo Dolls
I Need to Be Next To You - Michelle Branch
Here With Me - Michelle Branch
You Get Me - Michelle Branch
Breathe - Michelle Branch
I’m Alive – Céline Dion
I Drove All Night – Céline Dion
Do What You Have To Do – Sarah McLachlan
Fumbling Towards Ecstasy - Sarah McLachlan
Sweet Surrender - Sarah McLachlan
Possession – Sarah McLachlan
I Love You - Sarah McLachlan
Angel - Sarah McLachlan
Answer - Sarah McLachlan
Fallen - Sarah McLachlan
Stupid - Sarah McLachlan
Ice Cream - Sarah McLachlan
Sweet Ones - Sarah Slean
Come To My Window – Melissa Etheridge
Self Control - Laura Brannigan
I’m Not Missing You – Stacie Orrico
Stuck – Stacie Orrico
Hopelessly Devoted – Play
I Must Not Chase the Boys – Play
Let’s Get to the Love Part - Play
You Know I Can - Eden’s Crush
Love This Way – Eden’s Crush
Promise Me – Eden’s Crush
I Wanna Be Daylight in Your Eyes – Eden’s Crush
I Wanna Sex You Up – Color Me Badd
Black Roses Red - Alana Grace
Ironic – Alanis Morissette
You Oughta Know – Alanis Morissette
Uninvited – Alanis Morissette
You Learn – Alanis Morissette
What's Left of Me - Nick Lachey
Energy - Natalie
Where Are You - Natalie
Deeper and Deeper - Madonna
Crazy For You- Madonna
Hung Up - Madonna
Erotica - Madonna
Fever - Madonna
Sanctuary - Madonna
Future Lovers - Madonna
Human Nature - Madonna
Justify My Love - Madonna
Express Yourself - Madonna
La Isla Bonita - Madonna
Inside Of Me - Madonna
S.O.S. (Rescue Me) – Rihanna
If It’s Lovin’ That You Want - Rihanna
U & Dat – E-40
Me & U – Cassie
Do It To It - Cherish
Run It – Chris Brown
Gimme That – Chris Brown
These Words (I Love You, I Love You) - Natasha Bedingfield
It's Gonna Be Me - N Sync
Can't Stop - Mozella
I Wanna Be Bad - Willa Ford
Can’t Stop Me – Willa Ford
I Don't Like Anyone - Dream
He Loves U Not – Dream
This is Me - Dream
8th World Wonder - Kim Locke
I’m Glad - Jennifer Lopez
Love Don’t Cost a Thing – Jennifer Lopez
Control Myself - L.L. Cool J. ft J. Lo
So in Love With Two – Mikaila
When You’re Mad - Ne-Yo
Sexy Love – Ne-Yo
Let Me Love You – Mario
Gallery - Mario Vazquez
Torn – Latoya Luckett
Love – Keyshia Cole
Feeling You – 3LW
Take Care of You – Shanice
What You Know – T.I.
Bossy – Kelis
Good Googly Moogly – Project Pat
Promiscuous – Nelly Furtado
Ms. New Booty – Bubba Sparks
I’m Sprung - T Pain
I’m In Luv Wit a Stripper Remix – T-Pain ft. Akon
Doin’ Too Much – Paula DeAnda
Instigator – Kaci Brown
Over and Over Again - Nelly ft Tim McGraw
Country Grammar - Nelly
Cater 2 U – Destiny’s Child
Soldier – Destiny’s Child
Lose My Breath – Destiny’s Child
Check Up On It - Beyoncé
Naughty Girl – Beyoncé
Crazy in Love – Beyoncé
Sexy Little Thug - Beyoncé
Call on Me - Eric Prydz
Just Like a Pill - Pink
You Make Me Sick – Pink
Dear Mr. President - Pink
Dirrty - Christina Aguilera
Genie in a Bottle – Christina Aguilera
What A Girl Wants - Christina Aguilera
Ain’t No Other Man – Christina Aguilera
Take U On A Ride - Pretty Ricky
Your Body (Yes Sir) - Pretty Ricky
Do the Damn Thing - Rupee
Hips Don’t Lie - Shakira
Oh - Ciara
Goodies - Ciara
Ooh Baby - Ciara
Lookin’ At You - Ciara
Touch My Body - Sean Paul
Your Body Is Mine - Amanda Perez
Baby, Come Over - Samantha Mumba
I’m A Slave For You - Britney Spears
Toxic - Britney Spears
Do Something - Britney Spears
(You Drive Me) Crazy - Britney Spears
Hit Me Baby One More Time - Britney Spears
Rock The Boat - Aaliyah
Only You - Ashanti
Sweet Baby - Ashanti
Don't Leave Me Alone - Ashanti
It's Gonna Be Me - N Sync
Tu Es Toujours Là - Tina Arena
Honey - Mariah Carey
Sweetheart - Mariah Carey
Breakdown - Mariah Carey
The Rooftop - Mariah Carey
Dreamlover – Mariah Carey
Emotions – Mariah Carey
Ice Cream - JS
I Taste Just Like Candy - Li'l Kim
Whoa – Li’l Kim
I Want You So Bad - Eamon
I Know What You Want - Busta Rhymes ft Mariah Carey
Mr. Lonely - Akon
Keep On Callin’ - Akon
So Fly - Akon
I Love You…I’ll Kill You - Enigma
Principles of Lust - Enigma
Candy - Mandy Moore
In My Pocket - Mandy Moore
Tangled Up In Me - Skye Sweetnam
Why Can't I - Liz Phair
Diggin' on You - TLC
Red Light Special - TLC
Scrubs - TLC
Me and My Girlfriend - Jay-Z & Beyoncé
Me and My Boyfriend - Tupac & Toni Braxton
How Much I Love You - Mariah Carey ft Usher
The Boy is Mine - Monica & Brandy
Angel of Mine - Monica
It's All For You - Janet Jackson
Don't Stop (All Nite) - Janet Jackson
Love Will Never Do Without You – Janet Jackson
Fallin' In Love With You - Tyrese
All That She Wants - Ace of Base
Miracle – Cascada
Bad Boy - Cascada
Every Time We Touch - Cascada
Endless Summer Night - Cascada
I Don't Care - Ricky Martin
Beautiful Soul - Jesse McCartney
Back Here – Maroon 5
This Love - Maroon 5
Damn I Wish I Was Your Lover - Sophie B. Hawkins
Never Had A Dream Come True - S Club
You're Just Too Good to be True - Lauryn Hill
Killing Me Softly - Fugees
Irresistible – Jessica Simpson
Pieces of Me - Ashlee Simpson
Homeboy - Jojo Baby It's You - Jojo
Touch Me - DJ Tiesto
You're Makin' Me High - Toni Braxton
You Make Me Wanna - Usher
Nice And Slow - Usher
My Boo - Usher
My Way - Usher
Right Thurr - Chingy
How Deep is Your Love for Me - Dru Hill
Lay Your Body Down - Pretty Willie
Twisted - Keith Sweat
Gett Off - Prince Brown Sugar - D'Angelo
Short D*** Man - Salt n' Pepa (sorry, but this is hilarious)
Shoop - Salt n' Pepa
Your Body's Callin' - R. Kelly
You Remind Me - R. Kelly
Down Low - R. Kelly
True - Ryan Cabrera
Angels - Robbie Williams
Feel - Robbie Williams
Heaven - Robbie Williams
Millennium - Robbie Williams
Fall For You - The Whitlams
No Aphrodisiac - The Whitlams
Blow Up The Pokies - The Whitlams
A Love Affair With Distance - Kisschasy
Face Without A Name - Kisschasy
One Mistake - Kisschasy
The Shake - Kisschasy
Weir - Killing Heidi
I Am - Killing Heidi
Mascara - Killing Heidi
Heaven Sent - Killing Heidi
No Reason - Grinspoon
Hold On Me - Grinspoon
Don’t Change - Grinspoon
Chemical Heart - Grinspoon
Sweet As Sugar – Grinspoon
Kills, Thrills and Sunday Pills - Grinspoon
Scar - Missy Higgins
Falling - Missy Higgins
Ten Days - Missy Higgins
Night Minds - Missy Higgins
The Special Two - Missy Higgins
Greed For Your Love - Missy Higgins
The Sound of White - Missy Higgins
Unbroken - Missy Higgins
Derailed - Epicure
Life Sentence - Epicure
Together We're Apart - Epicure
Self Destruct in Five - Epicure
Throw Your Arms Around Me - Epicure
Feet From Under Me - Epicure
Armies Against Me - Epicure
Tightrope Walker - Epicure
On My Mind – Powderfinger
My Happiness – Powderfinger
Set the Record Straight - Reef
Place Your Hands - Reef
Sexual Healing - Ben Harper
Get It Like You Like It - Ben Harper
Diamonds On The Inside - Ben Harper
Forever - Ben Harper
Gold To Me - Ben Harper
Red Blooded Woman - Kylie Minogue
Can't Get You Out of My Head - Kylie Minogue
Fever - Kylie Minogue
Chocolate - Kylie Minogue
Breathe - Kylie Minogue
Put The Needle On It - Danni Minogue
Lift - Shannon Noll
Drive - Shannon Noll
Shine - Shannon Noll
Now I Run - Shannon Noll
What About Me - Shannon Noll
C’mon Aussie C’mon - Shannon Noll
Baby’s Eyes - Halogen
Lucky In Love - Sherrie Austin
I Want You - Savage Garden
Truly, Madly, Deeply - Savage Garden
I Knew I Loved You - Savage Garden
4Ever - The Veronicas
I Could Get Used to This – The Veronicas
Speechless - The Veronicas
Heavily Broken – The Veronicas
Emotion Sickness - Silverchair
I Miss You Love – Silverchair
Tomorrow - Silverchair
Your River - 28 Days
Say What - 28 Days
The Art of Cruelty - Lior
Carry On - Motor Ace
Natural - Infusion
Big City Life – Mattafix
Passer By – Mattafix
Ocean Avenue – Yellowcard
1985 – Bowling For Soup
Don’t Listen to the Radio – The Vines

02 July 2006

Fireworks and phat cars

So my daughter played with the kids of friends at Chuck E. Cheese last week. (I actually still call it Showbiz, lol - I had my 9th birthday party there {in Naperville}; I still remember writing out the invitations to it, lol...) I didn’t go though because I was sleeping before I had to go to work (I work third/early first). But fear not, I have been threatened with ammonia salts the next time there’s a get together!! lmao

So where are my fellow yanks going to watch fireworks this year? Amazingly enough, I found a great spot last year - see, prior to that, since 1999 we’d watched them from my grandma’s parking lot - her apartment complex was situated on Peoria’s second steepest hill, and the lot faced the river (which is where they shoot them off from). Before that, ever since I can remember we watched them from Grandma’s office downtown - she had a huge corner office facing the river on - guess which floor? The 16th! It was saaweeeet! lol But then she retired in 1998 and I didn‘t have the cajones to ask the new lady if we could go there to see ‘em still. lol Anyway I can’t wait. I need an excuse to get some fresh air and see something aesthetically pleasing.

Speaking of which… 0 to 60 in 2.5 s, 987 horses, and leather and Alcantara* upholstery? ::Be still my heart!:: Check this out, and don’t miss the slide show. Try to keep the drool from ruining your keyboard. http://www.businessweek.com/innovate/content/jun2006/id20060606_403090.htm?chan=innovation_auto+design_auto+design

Straight from the horse’s mouth: http://www.bugatti-cars.de/bugatti/choice_en.html

More eye candy: http://autos.aol.com/article/luxury/v2/_a/you-better-have-money/20060320172809990001

…If you’re at all interested in Blu-Ray & HD DVD, let this serve as a sort of a followup to my previous post on the subject. This tells the differences in the formats and explains features (and prices) of various players: http://www.businessweek.com/technology/content/jun2006/tc20060626_899401.htm?chan=topStories_ssi_5

…A feel-good article relating to my last post: http://fifaworldcup.yahoo.com/06/en/060628/1/8dph.html

…And this is just cool: http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2006/06/060627-snake-color.html

~~~~~~~

"Recognize that...there is great intelligence in the universe. Fact: A single human cell measuring 1/1,000 of an inch across contains instructions within its DNA that would fill 1,000 books of 600 pages each (Eckhart Tolle, The Power of Now)!"**

* Alcantara is a “microfiber ultrasuede” - http://www.ultrasuede.com/products/automotive/aftermarket/
** http://health.yahoo.com/experts/yeahdave/105/relax-its-all-goooooood

29 June 2006

"When It All Falls Apart"
The Veronicas

I'm having the day from hell,
It was all going so well (before you came)
And you told me you needed space,
With a kiss on the side my face (not again)
And not to mention (the tears I shed)
But I should have kicked your (ass instead)
I need intervention
Attention to stop temptation to scream

Cause baby
Everything is F'ed up straight from the heart
Tell me what do you do, when it all falls apart
Gotta pick myself up where do I start
Cuz I can't turn to you when it all falls apart
No

Don't know where I parked my car
Don't know who my real friends are (anymore)
I put my faith in you
What a stupid thing to do (when it rains it pours)
And not to mention (I drank too much)
I'm feeling hung over (and out of touch)
I need intervention
Attention to stop temptation to scream

Cause baby
Everything is F'ed up straight from the heart
Tell me what do you do, when it all falls apart
Gotta pick myself up where do I start
Cuz I can't turn to you when it all falls apart
No

Can it be easier?
Can I just change my life?
Cause it just seems to go bad everytime
Will I be mending?
Another one ending once again

Everything is F'ed up straight from the heart
Tell me what do you do, when it all falls apart
Gotta pick myself up where do I start
Cuz I can't turn to you when it all falls apart
No



"Gone Gone Gone"
John Ralston

Lately you’ve been acting in a role that’s unbecoming
Of the girl who taught me there was so much in this world worth living.
The part that you’ve been playing has me dazed and missing you.
But now you’re gone, gone, gone.

The promise never harvested in fallow fields shall lie.
In a shallow grave of stubble field and half-remembered lies.
A burning heart deceived me and you really put me on,
But now you’re gone, gone, gone.

The memories are bittersweet;
The taste you leave is still stuck in my mouth.
I want to touch you, want to breathe you,
Say, "Fuck you I don’t need you - get out...right now."

We were strangers when we met and we were strangers when you left
Into a shadow world of painted girls and marionettes.
Used to pride myself on living a life without any regrets,
But now that’s gone, gone, gone.

How can such sweet kisses come from such a poison tongue?
How can a bed of roses hurt so much to lie upon?
It was the thorn beneath the flower that I wasn’t counting on.
And now you’re gone, gone, gone.

The memories are bittersweet;
The taste you leave is still stuck in my mouth.
I want to touch you, want to breathe you,
Say, "Fuck you I don’t need you - get out...right now."

The city’s not the same, But all the streets they know your name.
They ask me all about you, but my answers pull up lame.
I’m staggering in last night’s clothes and it’s starting to rain.
And you are gone, gone, gone.

If parted by a river that was running deep and wide,
I’d build a boat to get to you or else I’d drink it dry.
Could fill it back up right now as the tears fall from my eyes.
And you are gone, gone, gone.

The memories are bittersweet;
The taste you leave is still stuck in my mouth.
I want to touch you, want to breathe you,
Say, "Fuck you I don’t need you - get out...right now."

Babe if we should meet again way on down the road.
Do me this one favor and pretend we never knowed.
I’ll say that you remind me of a girl I knew so long ago,
But now she’s gone, gone, gone.

27 June 2006

Congrats Italy, but **good onya Aussies!!**

Originally posted yesterday on my 360 page...

Before I talk about that, let me digress a moment - just got back from tanning, and I can already tell it’s a HUGE difference today. I’m not even done developing yet. lol You know that fancy schmancy lotion I toldja about? I’m running out of it, so the other day I got the same thing only in a level 2. Talk about advanced. Whoa. Like I told a friend the other day, I’m gonna look Puerto Rican soon. :)

So I watched the FIFA match #53 today (Australia v. Italy). Things were okay until the last 3 minutes or so - at that point it was still 0:0 and looked like it would be a draw; but Italy won a penalty (which was bunk), and so they ended up winning - yes, for those of you who don’t know by now, it took a penalty kick to win. Can we say “fakers?" I’m not sure about the Cup, but Italy sure deserves an Oscar. Some Italy fans were saying they rocked because they were a man down. Heh, excuse me? They were playing with 11 - don’t forget to count the ref. :: shaking head :: It’s a pity when the ref decides the game instead of the players. Who cares if you win if you have no dignity? So my summary is this:

*The Aussies won the world’s respect, while Italy only won a game.*


http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200606/s1672404.htm
http://fifaworldcup.yahoo.com/06/en/w/mcast/mc.html?id=53

http://fifaworldcup.yahoo.com//06/en/w/match/template.html?id=53&year=2006&month=06&day=26

http://sports.yahoo.com/sow/news?slug=ap-wcup-italy-australia&prov=ap&type=lgns

I love the smell of gasoline

Originally posted on my 360 page on Sunday June 18, 2006 at 0802 CDT.

I wish you could post in more fonts. Oh well.

So I'm listening to Mudvayne. Have you guys heard of them? I know you local peeps have. They're from ratch'ere in Peoria. I remember when they were just playing around here. I'm pretty sure Chad Gray, the lead vocalist, did one of my tats - he used to work at I'm No Angel Tattoos; that's where I got half of mine done. Anyway it's kind of cool actually knowing people and watching them get "big." They have a Myspace page plus a “real“ website, www.mudvayne.com. Their site says, “They’ve sold more than two million units worldwide and racked up four RIAA Gold-certified releases. They’ve garnered extensive radio and video airplay and were honored with the first-ever MTV2 Award. They’ve played hundreds of sold-out shows around the world and have been featured in the pages of Rolling Stone, Revolver, Entertainment Weekly, Newsweek, Blender, Maxim, Spin, Guitar World, USA Today and a myriad of others. They were even written into a pivotal episode of HBOs smash mafia drama The Sopranos. For most artists, such achievements usually mark the summation of an entire career - if they’re lucky. Mudvayne, however, did all that in just three short years…” My favorites by them are "Forget to Remember" (anyone seen Saw II?), "Fall Into Sleep" and "Happy."

Speaking of Peoria, did anyone go to Steamboat Days? I didn’t, but my dad took the spouse and Christine. She came home telling me about all the rides she went on (including bumper cars, which I wouldn‘t let her ride in until this year because I didn‘t want her to get whiplash, being so small, lol), it was so cute. She’s gonna be a little carnie lover. lol Nah, not really. But her mommy loves rides, too. I love the fastest and wildest of them all, especially at Six Flags; does anyone remember when the Shockwave came out? I waited in line three hours to ride it that year. lol (Since I lived in Naperville, we went to the one in Gurnee, IL.) Then when the Batman ride was new I remember going on that one, at Six Flags in St. Louis, MO. That’s pretty sweet, your feet dangle in the air. Heh. My friend Isaac reminded me a few weeks ago about how when we were in class (HS) one day I was telling him about how when I went there I saw this little East Indian girl, fully clothed, casually squatting and peeing on the ground; I guess I got loud, and the teacher got miffed. lol I’ve been to Disney World too, but unfortunately I don’t remember all that much about it, or about the rides I went on (bit of family trauma going on at that time in my life - I was 14). Anyway, I do have sensitive ears/equilibrium, but interestingly I’ve never gotten the least bit nauseous from any ride, ever. Gotta love it! The only thing I hate about roller coasters and other vigorous rides is the pansy females who constantly scream the entire time. I mean, does that really help? Does it make the ride end sooner? Just what does it do for ya there, girlie? Gimme a break. :: rolling eyes, shaking head ::

Hey so check out the new pics on my myspace page -
www.myspace.com/hesavedme78. Y'know, I remember when I first started tanning in tanning beds (which was a year or two after I started tanning outdoors, which was when I was 12), you (or at least I, a Scandinavian vampire) had to go at least 12 to 14 times to get anything decent. But now, look at this! This is after FOUR runs, guys. Four!! You totally get your money's worth now. The technology of the beds/lamps and the lotions* makes tanning so much quicker and easier. A Norwegian clown like me's gotta love it!

*Check this out, this is a trip, all big time 'n s***:
"California Tan Ionyx / Golden Accelerator Time - Release Ionic Technology Tanning Lotion
Performance Ingredients:
Accelerators - Vitatan 200 ~ TyroStan
Firmers - Caffeine ~ Skin Tighteners
Anti-Oxidants - Grape Seed Oil ~ Vitamin E
Delivery System:
Ion Therapy featuring Cationic Protein
Hydration: Time-release hydration technology"

(yes it cost a pretty penny, but look what it did! lol)

If you have MSN Messenger, be sure to download their Live beta 8.0 version as well as Plus!, which gives you more “stuff.” What I found amusing is that among the options is an “activate boss protection shortcut,” for which the description reads “this shortcut instantly hides every messenger window when pressed. This is useful if you're in a situation where you're not supposed to be participating in online conversations.” lmao What an unorthodox cyber tool!

Have you guys heard about this? It sounds fun, but I wouldn’t want to pay taxes on it, lol. But check out some of the funny comments people made:
http://www.autoblog.com/2006/06/13/shiver-me-timbers-volvo-launches-treasure-hunt-for-buried-suv

Song download recommendation for the day: “Crazy Bitch” by Buckcherry. It’s not something that probably took more than 5 minutes to write, but I love it just the same. lol

Website recommendation for the day: www.allofmp3.com. You can buy an entire album here for like, a little over a buck. Of course, you can just buy individual tracks too, for like an average of 10 cents. You also have your choice of bitrate, which thrills me (doesn’t take much). They don’t have everything on there (it’s Russian, but don’t worry, everything is in English), but they have at least the top 100 in many genres plus lots of movie scores & soundtracks, too. And they’re prolly adding more stuff constantly as its popularity grows.

Sayonara!

I hate the smell of soy and pollies

Originally posted on my 360 page on Saturday June 10, 2006 at 0747 CDT.

I canNOT believe Yahoo lost my photo albums. I know that I am not the only one who has had problems with Yahoo the last two weeks. I hope they get their act together. There is no way I can remember the titles, descriptions, and captions within all of the (five!) albums I had. Two of them I just put up, like 72 hours ago. I'm quite irritated.

Speaking of being vexed, it would please me to refer you to the following article: http://www.cnn.com/2006/POLITICS/06/09/congress.iraq.katrina.ap/index.html. I sincerely hope that no one on this entire planet can keep a straight face and say they can't understand how the United States could be so much in debt. May I make comments on a few particular snippets? Thanks.

I. “Lawmakers added funding to upgrade Abrams tanks and Bradley fighting vehicles for National Guard troops and nearly doubled the Pentagon request for new, better-armored Humvees.”

.....Now do you suppose that anyone has done a study to determine whether the military and human value of possible injuries reduced and lives saved as a result of having the better-armored Hummers will be equivocal to an amount greater than their cost to build and deliver?

II. “The bill also contains funding for controversial, accident-prone V-22 Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft for deployment to Iraq, as well as more popular C-130 cargo planes.”

.....That’s right folks, in America, a toy company can be sued an arm and a leg for one human injury as a result of, say, a sharp part being exposed during the handling of a toy - which the toy company knew nothing about prior to distribution. But it’s perfectly okay to PAY an arm and a leg (out of the taxpayers’ money) for something that is KNOWN to have problems and would quite obviously harm MORE THAN ONE individual with its malfunctions. “Truth, justice and the American Way,” right?

III. “The bill contains $19.8 billion in new money for hurricane relief along the Gulf Coast, including housing aid and flood control projects for Louisiana, small-business disaster loans, rebuilding federal facilities and replenishing Federal Emergency Management Agency disaster relief coffers."

.....A) Okay wait, housing aid? So, absolutely none of the $60 BILLION given to Katrina victims a month after it happened went toward finding them a new place to live? That's an awful lot of soap and peanut butter.

..........1. “Early in September, Congress authorized a total of $62.3 billion in aid for victims.” (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hurricane_Katrina#Government_response)

..........2. “Additionally, President Bush enlisted the help of former presidents Bill Clinton and George H.W. Bush to raise additional voluntary contributions.” (same link as above)

..........3. “Since September, the Presidents have raised approximately $115 million; awarded 42 grants, and disbursed more than $53 million through April 30, 2006.” (http://www.bushclintonkatrinafund.org)

.....B) Yes, I’m sure all federal agencies are completely broke now, since they never get money from Uncle Sam any other time - as evidenced by things like the spectacular job benefits most government employees receive as well as the as-modernized-as-possible facilities they work in.

IV. “The agreement caps weeks of mostly behind-the-scenes talks on Capitol Hill over how to balance lawmakers' hopes for additional hurricane relief…”

.....And why, you ask, would the lawmakers be hoping for additional hurricane relief? I’m not even going to dignify that with an answer.

V. “The Senate-passed version of the bill had exceeded Bush's request by more than $14 billion…”

.....Oh, really? What interest would the Senate have in how much money… Oh, wait. I think we need to look at section IV again.

VI. “GOP Sens. Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania and Mike DeWine of Ohio sided with Democrats on a House-Senate negotiating committee to insist on $7 billion in additional money on top of Bush's $873 billion cap for the upcoming annual spending bills…. They wanted to dedicate the $7 billion to health and education programs; the White House and House GOP leaders were dead set against the idea. ‘Period,’ said House Majority Leader John Boehner, R-Ohio. ‘These are things I care very much about, education and children's health issues,’ DeWine said. But DeWine and Specter were overruled when Inoue (Sen., D - HI) and Landrieu (Sen., D - LA) signed on to the agreement.”

.....Yes, let’s NOT spend money on giving our children and young people healthier childhoods and better educations - that way we can feel more at ease putting them in the cockpits of accident-prone combat planes.

More than any drug could EVER do for me...

Originally posted on my 360 page on Thursday June 8, 2006 at 2155 CDT...

Ahhhhhh… So I went tanning this evening. I hadn’t been for a few years, and I’d forgotten how good it feels. It was kind of a whim yesterday when I stopped in to buy a package and a bottle of overpriced (but very effective) lotion - but I soooo needed it. It was like…a release. The intense, close warmth of the bulbs, and the breeze from the fan at the foot of the bed, and the feel of my circulation increasing, and the sweat forming at the small of my back, and the smell of the lotion on my skin reacting to the UV, and the oxygen swirling around me, and the melanin production (lol)... It was simply divine.

…And then something funny happened. When I got to the corner where I should have turned to go home, instead I went straight. You know what I did? I rolled down the windows the rest of the way, I turned up the stereo which was on the classic rock station, and I went for a ride. The car’s temperature thing said 78, which is the best number there is , and my skin was still hot and radiating that sweet after-tan aura, and my hair was disheveled and free, and I had my sweet independence, and I just had to... …I don’t think I’ve breathed that deeply for months. Seeing the cars, the people, the lights of the places, the Thursday night stuff going on, feeling the wind blowing through my hair, it was great. And just when I thought it couldn’t get any better, what did I hear but the first few chords of “Crazy Train.” Yyyyessss.

There was one thing that could have made it better. But that’s a whole ‘nother story. ;)~

Life............
............is............
........................GOOOOOOOOOOD........................

Les voyelles et consonnes d'un cœur de la femme...

...And other jewels from my tortured mind lol

Did you know that “crapulent” means very drunk, or otherwise sick from overindulgence? lol Can you imagine how junior high kids would react if their English teacher put that word on a vocabulary test? (…I just thought I’d enrich your life with that tidbit - etymological freak that I am.)

‘Nother thing I’ve been thinking about today is the fact that a few days ago Mt. St. Helens cleared her throat. See http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/wireStory?id=2018202&CMP=OTC-RSSFeeds0312 and http://www.theolympian.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060530/NEWS06/60530031. Smoke and ash 16,000 - 20,000 feet in the air, 3.1 quake, “large rockfall from the lava dome,“ etc. It’s closed to climbing now, you know? Interesting stuff. …Uhhh...You fellow yanks knew about this too, right? I mean, this is your own country’s geological formations and activities we’re talking about here… Sure. Okay.

Have you guys seen/heard of MST3K (Mystery Science Theater 3000)? www.mst3kinfo.com It’s basically a show where two bots and a guy make (hilarious) commentary on b-movies, while their own story progresses. There's an intermission and a couple of commercials, but just enough "segment hosting" to get you involved in their story. Kind of like “Dinner & A Movie” only much better, and without the continuing saga. lol They haven’t made new ones since 2004, but you can still join their “fan club.“ I got some info from them the other day, and among other things was a list of the 300 or so movies they did. Some of these titles are hilarious. …Of course I had to amuse myself with making taglines and/or comments after them to whet my appetite for completion (lol), but the titles themselves are not mine. Check these out:


Kitten With a Whip - Watch out for those hissy fits.

When I Held Your Brain in My Arms - A poignant story of cerebral caresses.

Overdrawn at the Memory Bank - Collections, recollections, and insufficiencies in both.

Attack of the Giant Leeches - You know, they sure do suck (what?! It’s a b-movie for cripes sake).

Santa Claus Conquers the Martians - How he really got the technology to make that sleigh fly.

The Incredible Melting Man - I can’t even think of anything for this one until I figure out how he got himself back together. It bothers me. Kitty litter, perhaps? No, that’s all wrong. A Jell-o mold and refrigeration?

The Incredibly Strange Creatures Who Stopped Living and Became Mixed-Up Zombies - Chronicling the lives of fast food restaurant drive-thru employees.

Parts: The Clonus Horror - Know someone with Tourette’s syndrome, or even just coprolalia?* Watch this, and you’ll never complain again.

The Dead Talk Back: A Date With Your Family - And don’t miss the spellbinding sequel, The Dead Eat Cake - Scenes of Deadded Bliss.

Bloodlust: Uncle Jim's Dairy Farm - A startling behind-the-scenes look at the “Good Cheese Comes From Happy Cows, Happy Cows Come From California” commercials. Guest starring several prominent members of PETA.

*Coprolalia means, literally, “talking s***.” It’s “the uncontrolled, often obsessive use of obscene or scatological language that may accompany certain mental disorders, such as Tourette's syndrome.”

I’m glad someone reads these blogs. Haha, jk. Je m’en branle.

Zut! Je suis dans un de ces merdiers, moi alors! C'est un peu déprimant. Peut-être je suis mal foutu. Peut-être je suis une conne. Mais devinez-quoi? J'ai trouvé la perle, l'oiseau rare et sans prix - un trésor. Je suis mordue de lui, j'ai lui dans la peau. Écoutez-moi, quel pitoyable! De toute façon, au fond, il a pris mon cœur. ...Mais il m'allumé! Il fait des ravages! lol …Bien, non pas vraiment. Mais cela est qu'il se sent. Merde! Tu sais, je ne peux pas le croire, vraiment. J'pige quedale à c'situation, moi. Évidement, maintenant je suis de souffrance beaucoup. Pourquoi est-ce que me j'ai permis tomber amoureuse de quelqu'un qui ne me veut pas? Il m’aime - il a me dit - mais c’est outre le point. Correct? :: hhhh :: Pourquoi est-ce que je suis stupide? Comment pourrait quelqu'un qui est parfait pour moi n'échange pas même un petit morceau? Je suis confondu. Je pense, rien qu'à l'idée de ne jamais être avec lui, mon cœur se brise en mille morceaux. C'est sur le sol pour tout le monde marcher sur. Qu'est-ce que j'ai que je ne peux pas tomber amoureuse de mon mari? Qu'est-ce que j'ai que je ne le veux pas dans la façon que je veux cette autre certaine personne? Il a tout je veux. Tout! Il n'a pas d'idée comment heureux je le ferais. Je veux le dire. Je veux le montrer. Il serait stupéfait. C'est... C'est moche, vraiment. Comment je me remettre de ceci? J'ai pensé que j'ai été fait ayant mon cœur cassé. Comment est-ce que je suis arrêter penser de lui constamment? Comment est-ce que je suis arrêter adorer lui? Est-il possible même? Mon Dieu! Je suis profondement amoureuse de lui, et non seulement est-ce qu'il ne sait pas à quel point, mais de plus il ne l’est pas au point d’être (vraiment) avec moi, à cause de la distance entre nous. Je suis tellement amoureuse de lui que je perds sommeil. Seigneur, quoi fais-je maintenant? Pourquoi fais-je trop confiance aux gens? Pourquoi est-ce que je donne mon amour librement et intensément? J'ai su qu'il n'a pas senti la façon pareil de moi, mais je ne pourrais pas m'arrêter. Il est trop parfait. Est-ce que je jamais trouverai ou trouvé par l'une dont la vie est je suis supposé pour compléter? Ou il jamais verra que la lumière et change d'avis? Oh, que je veux mourir. Je me sens horrible. Je me sens sans valeur. Je suis vraiment désolé pour aimer lui. Je suis désolé pour voir tout qui est parfait de lui. Je regrette de rêver de comment nous serions incroyables ensemble. Je ne peux pas continuer comme ceci. Quand est-ce que ces blessures guériront? Jamais? :: hhhh :: Un de ces jours... Ceci est trop pénible. J'en ai assez. J'en peux plus! Est-ce que quelqu'un m'aidera s'il vous plaît? lol Je sais, je sais. ...Encore, je sais que mon français est mauvais. Et encore, je m'en branle.

I posted this originally on my 360 page on Monday June 5, 2006 at 1843 CST. What I said in French above has changed slightly... Things are much better now... ;)~

Do not begin reading this without a clear exit strategy!

Thanks to "The Usual Gang of Suspects" for that one, lol... Please read this that I posted on Saturday June 3, 2006 at 0658 CST...

http://blog.360.yahoo.com/blog-WpRfQDU7fra0lhqN7Ww-?cq=1&l=16&u=20&mx=92&lmt=5&p=179

Vowels & consonants of motherhood, part 2


So I was in the bathroom doing my hair, and Christine came in to talk to me... I noticed she was kind of chewing. Here’s a transcript from memory of the exchange that took place, about three hours ago - she is the first to speak:

“I like those still.”

“Like what?”

“Those ice cream cones.”

“What ice cream cones?”

“The ones that we have.”

“What? Where'd you get an ice cream cone?”

“We still had some.”

“Does daddy know you had one?”

“No.”

“Did you ask if you could have one?”

“Yeah.”

“You didn't ask me.”

“Well, can I have one?”

“Didn't you just tell me you already had one?”

“No.”

“Yes you did.”

“Well, can I have another one?”

LMAO LMAO LMAO!!!



Then, in an entirely different episode, she smacked her father (it wasn‘t that hard, but it‘s the principle of the thing). We’ve been working on this, that you can’t smack people. So I spanked her. Guess what she did then? The little nut bit me! Check out the pic! (It's my wrist.) And this, my friends, is why many comedians found their calling after they became parents.

Listening to "Can't Stop" - MoZella

25 June 2006

And now, the vowels & consonants of motherhood

...So I walk in the kitchen, and what do I immediately discover? I'm walking in water. Not just a puddle here and there, but about 25 ft² of it. I ask my (4½-year-old) daughter what's up, and she says, "I mopped."

Isn't it funny how kids take some things really seriously? For example, when we're watching a movie in the bedroom (where the BIG TV is lol), like there'll be a stuffed Pooh on the bed. She'll come over and put him upright, saying with just a bit of exasperation, "You know, he has to sit up to see." Right on.

Then sometimes she'll go through her old books - the kid has so many, she goes through new ones like I do - and since ABCs are extremely old hat to her, now she has to analyze the illustrations. The other day it was "U is for umbrellas...That do NOT stand up by themselves... ::sigh:: X is for the X-ray machine that that rabbit really shouldn't be messing with..."

The other day we're watching - surprise, surprise - "Dora." Dora and Boots are on the bridge over a river, and Dora is lowering a line so she can retrieve, I dunno, a boot or something, from the water. So Christine gets this concerned look on her face and goes, "Wait, does she have her fishing license?"

And then there are the times when things that AREN'T toys are PLAYED WITH as toys. And Mommy gets upset. Like, the portable DVD player that I bought for the car. (Okay, it's a minivan, but I hate that word, it makes me sound so "barefoot and pregnant." It's a 2005 Dodge Caravan SXT. It's not a kid wagon. Ayeayeaye!) Do you know what happened to it? Heh, neither do I. But it doesn't spin now. I mean, it doesn't read DVDs anymore. It cost as much as, like, 10 hours of work, to get that thing.

Anyway, I just wanted to share. Kids are a riot.

23 June 2006

This little light of mine...



Check out the difference between pre-soleil and after only going tanning four times. Yahoo! lol

It’s not ALL about sex though, is it?

I posted this on my 360 page too, but I thought I'd spread the love. lol

Psychoanalysis rocks. I do it to myself all the time (well, the interpretation part, not the therapy, lol). But I wanna know if y'all think behavior and personality are as related to biology as Freud thought... How ‘bout it, peeps? I personally don’t think so. I do think a lot of character traits can be/are shaped by experiences (read: psychic trauma) during our childhood/formative years, but I don’t think everything is based on infantile libidinous development. Sex as gender probably has a lot to do with it , but I don’t think it’s phylogenetic. The Oedipus complex (read Greek mythology, it’s very interesting) may very well be universal, but I’m sure some people never experience it and for sure don’t have any “unconscious guilt” about it; if anything is born of it, perhaps some other unconscious mental processes - but not necessarily guilt. However I do agree that free association can be beneficial if you know how to properly channel its manifestation(s). I know from personal experience that “undischarged" emotional energy can be quite detrimental... Of course, again, whether this conversion is sexual in nature depends on a number of factors... It’s NOT all about that, Sigmund. lol

Have I told you guys on here that I'm a lyric freak? hahahaha

…Do as you are told and maybe then we'll let you out
you might be dead and cold, you might be full of doubt
don't try to escape cuz you don't have nowhere to go
if nothing is your fate, there's no scenario

do you call my name
do you stain my brain
my eyes are blurry and I can't see you anymore
do you call my name
do you breed my pain
my heart is bloody and I can't take it anymore

so you just sit there stuck, afraid to risk reality
afraid to cause yourself more pain to face insanity
but nothing ventured nothing gained, you see your fear's your cage
you beg for help but you're alone, stuck in a helpless rage

do as you are told and maybe then we'll let you out
you might be dead and cold, you might be full of doubt
don't try to escape cuz you don't have nowhere to go
if nothing is your fate, there's no scenario

do you call my name
do you stain my brain
my eyes are blurry and I can't see you anymore
do you call my name
do you breed my pain
my heart is bloody and I can't take it anymore…

(From "Do You Call My Name" - Ra)

17 June 2006

Saw the Disney/Pixar movie Cars last night...

Here's my review that I posted on Yahoo:

Overall Grade: A+
Story: A
Acting: A+
Direction: A+
Visuals: A+

Enough to make you forget gas woes!

Okay, this is a movie that is worth adding to your DVD collection (and the soundtrack is pretty awesome, too)! This was VERY well done, not juvenile at all - it sounds trite, but everything was perfect! Most will agree that with the previous six films, Pixar has proven itself to know what it's doing in computer animation; but IMHO, this film really outdoes all of their previous productions. I was truly amazed at the skill displayed in capturing the minute detail in everything, such as the shiny paint jobs of the cars, the reflection of the floodlights on their hoods during the night race, the spray of the waterfall, etc. - it looked much more technologically advanced than Monsters, Inc. or Toy Story (although that may not really be true - I'm no expert). The way the cars were made to look alive, with their facial expressions and "body language" (i.e., gesturing with their tires, like hands) was just spectacular. The plot itself was charming and fun to watch unfold, and while this is a children's movie, it contained many elements of "real people" films, with (family-friendly) adult concerns. It also had plenty of real car references and sounds - like whenever McQueen would start his engine - talk about cool! :) There were no gaps in the storyline, and the characters were just great - one felt familiar with all of them. It was pretty humorous too - it's kinda hard to get me to laugh from TV or movies, but there were a lot of genuinely funny things - and so I was that much more impressed. ;) Plus the audience learns quite a bit, such as some history of Route 66, and the degree of fanfare and sentiments surrounding race day and America's favorite drivers. ;) This was a lot of fun! ...Oh, and at the theater they gave my daughter a Cars "fun pack," which included a trading card/matching game with 20 cards, a "driver's license" with stickers, and a coupon for a free Icee at Target! Neato! ;þ

Here's a link to the review on Yahoo - not sure if this will work, but what the hey: http://movies.yahoo.com/mvc/dfurv?mid=1808626781&iid=7-4015595&s=rc_d&rvid=255-716718&i=0&ys=jYJdZcMkei2UEMmjVVBTeQ--

Listening to:

1) "Life is a Highway" - Rascall Flatts
2) "Route 66" - John Mayer
3) "Find Yourself" - Brad Paisley
4) "Real Gone" - Sheryl Crow

Consumable Performance Art *lol*

I posted this on my 360 page a few days ago...

If you have Yahoo as your home page, you’ve already seen this. But for everyone else, and for those of you who were too busy to click, let me bring this to your attention. It’s hilarious!

Do you fellow late gen-X/early gen-Y’ers remember the Pop Rocks/Pepsi scare (I really shouldn’t have to remind anyone that this was a hoax/urban legend, and Mikey is alive and well)? Well now, enter “pop-goes-the-geyser,“ part two…

“June 7, 2006

More than 100 2-liter bottles of Diet Coke. More than 500 Mentos. And two men in goggles and lab coats. You can imagine that this portends a fateful—and combustible—encounter. But perhaps you can't imagine just how combustible, nor how stylishly orchestrated. EepyBird compares the results to a 'mint-powered version of the Bellagio Fountains in Las Vegas.' A Blue Man Group-hijacking of Old Faithful comes to mind too, though certainly the Bellagio corners the market on geyser choreography—until EepyBird, that is. After you ogle the video, take in some of the earlier experiments, such as the one that 'didn't go quite according to plan' or the one that, gulp, 'seemed like a good idea.' If you find yourself wondering about the health repercussions of swigging a Diet Coke while mouthing a Mentos, EepyBird offers some reassuring science behind the explosively fresh soda/candy relationship.”

I’d start here: http://picks.yahoo.com/picks/i/20060607.html

To go straight to the video, go here (but I‘d recommend reading just a tad about it first): http://www.eepybird.com/dcm1.html

One writer’s comments on the Coke company‘s response to all of this - short, worth reading: “Coke Is An Idiot” http://news.yahoo.com/s/fool/20060612/bs_fool_fool/115014124318

A few simple words on surface tension and nucleation sites (the science of it all, y’all!): http://www.eepybird.com

And incidentally, one of my personal favorites from the food & humor category, lol: http://www.tomatoesareevil.com