Shaken Not Stirred

Sunday, July 31, 2005

Mind Altering, Body Altering

Yesterday, while studying some psychiatry and some pharmacology, I reflected on that day when Matt Lauer was told by Tom Cruise that Matt didn't understand mental illness and also of the time he said something about Brooke Shields and her use of drugs for post-partum depression.
And yes everyone is entitled to their beliefs and their understanding of the way the world works. One of my professors, Dr. Francis always says, educated opinions should be presented with these following words..."from what I read and understand....". Which is true, it's really a matter of what we understand when reading any material. One person may walk away making all the connections (I've got faulty wiring, so I make only some of the connections, the rest of the switches turn on opposite aspects), while another may see something completely opposite to what the author was trying to convey.
While I was studying pharmacology, I was thinking, these drugs can alter certain pathways and block certain body enzymes. These body enzymes when blocked, will alter a person's sensorium. So if there were an alteration in the body due to an illness, a dysfunction, then the cure or at least a palliative reprieve could be gotten by blocking that enzyme causing the grief, the illness, malady or what-have-you.
Let's face it, we all know that there are drugs out there that can potentially make someone seem crazy, relaxed, or outgoing (depending on how a person perceives the effect). So in turn, there have to be drugs that can also alter for the good of a person. As a future physician and Christian, I believe that these medicines were created by God for that sole purpose of the cure.
And yes, everyone is entitled to their own opinion. I'm just stating mine.

Thursday, July 28, 2005

Ever Get That Feeling Someones Right Behind You

One of my friends recently told me that he visited an Amish home. He wasn't technically invited and he didn't know the owners of the home. He paid an admission and toured this home. From the gist of his story, what I got was, an Amish man sold it to a Menninite (sp?) and then it was sold to someone who felt like profitting from the fact that an Amish family had once lived there. Not really sure the history of it all. I thought this was somewhat bizzare. Should Catholic and Jewish, Prostetant, Buddhist and Hindi families start selling tickets to tour their homes. Hmm, the oddities that people will pay to see. Much like my fascination with reality television. Doesn't really matter the premise of the show--I've even watched "The Surreal Life" and got hooked. The only reality show, which didn't keep my attention, was "The Benefactor" with Mark Cuban. From the moment he walked onto the show and introduced himself as the "benefactor", I tuned it out. I think so did the rest of the world.
Back to my original topic, I was wondering why people pay to tour some famous person's home. It's not like we don't get a glimpse into their lives anyway--look at all the resources we can get---US Magazine, In Touch, People, the Enquirer. I would feel weird being in someone's home that I wasn't invited into. It's a little creepy if you think about it, like you are stalking them or something. I can sort of understand a historical place, like the White House or the home where Anne Frank's family live in seclusion, but some random home like the home of a former Amish family? It wasn't even like it was the home of one of those Amish kids that ventured out to L.A. to be on that reality show (Amish in the City).
I guess to each their own. Why not save a few bucks and just peep into their windows or go thru their trash? At least you can see what the owners are like, when they aren't prepared for "guests".

Tuesday, July 26, 2005

Things That Go Bump In The Night

My mother loves these musical clocks. She's got one in her home in West Virginia and one in her home in Florida. The clocks aren't that beautiful or unique in any other way, except for chiming out music every hour, on the hour. And it's an eerie sounding sort of chime too--like old grandfather clocks, except to the tune of "Memory", "Moon River" and "Top of the World". At night, it can sound really scary, especially if you are alone in the house.
One time Saritha and I were talking on the phone and the one in West Virginia happened to chime. I don't remember the tune, but Saritha responded by saying, "I'll wait". I was wondering what she meant by that--"I'll wait"? So I asked her what she meant and she said "wasn't that your cell phone?". She had thought the sound was coming from my cell. Now first of all, I don't like cell tunes--completely annoyed by people who do have cell phones that sing. And secondly, if I did choose a cell tune, it certainly wouldn't be one that sounded like a 1970's B-flick movie. When I told her what made the sound, she burst out laughing.
Anyway, according to my Mother, she said these clocks were a "rage". And I guess they sell pretty quickly, cause the store that she gets them at, has sold out. This is the reason that there was a gap between her purchases. She was thinking of buying two more, one for my brother's home and one for my sister's home. I know for a fact that my sister didn't like it. The chimes use to wake her children when they took naps while visiting. I'm not sure about my brother.
To make a long story short, what happened to clocks that just told time. And are there dancing clocks to compliment these singing ones?

Thursday, July 21, 2005

Everythings Going To Be Alright

I was riding my bike this morning, it's suppose to be a sturdy mountain bike, but somewhere on a normal road, the tire flattened. I thought maybe it might just need air, since my overweight body was giving them such a work-out. Used a bike tire to inflate them--to no avail. There was nothing doing with the tire--it remained as flat as the abdomen I dream of having.
So I thought to myself, maybe this is fates way of showing me that I should exercise by walking. And talking to one of my friends who has lived in Florida all his life, except for a brief childhood stint in Beckley, West Virginia, he told me that there are alligators and rattlesnakes all over the place. The two things I dread the most (land animals that is--sharks are a whole new story). Now, how am I suppose to walk down some of those sidewalks adjacent to my neighborhood? Some of the brush that lines those sidewalks are so tall that they make me look like a pygmie (can you belive that someone in my review class actually thought that pygmies were a fictional character?). I'm afraid that I'll accidently run into a hungry alligator or angry rattler.
Anyway, the liquid diet is going well so far. Like I said, I modified it to a shake for breakfast, a rice-cake for a snack, a healthy lunch (which today consisted of pasta) and a shake for dinner. I'm only doing this for the quick effect, after the initial weight comes off, the shakes will be replaced by fruits and vegetables. Maybe I'll just slide into the whole fruit and vegetables as a meal thing eventually. Unlike my dear friend Saint Adeogba (who pulled into a Burger King Drive-thru at the spur of a moment because as she put it, "I crave meat") I don't really like the thought of eating meat. I like it's taste and all, and the things they can do with it. But when it gets right down to it and I realize what I'm eating, I'm completely turned off by it.
Anyway, long story short, about the bike, I know everything is going to be alright. I've spoken to my soul mate Saritha several times this week. Much better than a valium in calming my nerves (and right now they are more wired than an inner city's electrical system), she always seems to let me know, everything is going to be alright.

Tuesday, July 19, 2005

Wind blown hair, birthmarks, and diet excretions

I should have been studying, but on one of my meal breaks, I watched a little bit of Mariah Carey's E "True Hollywood Stories". Is it me, or does it always seem like she's got a fan blowing her hair around? It just seems like it's constantly being pushed back away from her face, like she's a swimming mermaid. Just an observation of mine. Plus I think on the cover of her new album, her hair seems hurricane swept too. By the way, I do like her new music.
Speaking of hair, I tried one of those "just for men" shampoo-in dyes. Let's face it, this gray in my hair was unbecoming. I don't know how it got there. It must have been all the stress from being in Champaign-Urbana and all the unhealthy habits I picked up there (i.e. Chili-Cheese Fritoes and Mountain Dew for many dinners). So anyway, I followed the directions, put this stuff in my hair and then five minutes later washed it out. The directions specified not to guess that it's been in there for five minutes, but to actually time it. Being the slight rebel that I was, I left it in for six (hehe--no one tells me what to do. You have to fool me into thinking it was my idea, and then I'll do it). Anyway, after washing it out with my own shampoo (like the directions said--preferably a colorsafe shampoo), I dried myself off and found a slightly tan outline around my hairline--a little bit more outline around my side-burns, almost like a birthmark). Great, how long will this take to go away. I tried using an astringent to make it go away. It did help make it lighter in appearance. But I can tell it's there. It's almost dirty looking, like I haven't washed my face in quite awhile.
Lastly, in my ever quest to get myself back to pre-Champaign-Urbana self, I've gone on a diet. I've started walking in the morning. I tried the jogging thing, but Florida is so hot. I've even done some Tae-Bo in the afternoon. And in keeping with the whole health thing, I've decided to do the Slim-fast diet. A shake for breakfast and then one for dinner. I modified that--instead of a healthy dinner, I have the healthy lunch. Now, in the three days that I've been on this liquid diet, I've noticed that I've been going to the bathroom more. There must be a lot of fiber or something in those shakes. Oh well, as long as it doesn't remain inside me forever (like the seven years for swallowed gum). I can live with going to the bathroom.
Okay, that's enough for now. I'm sure you guys didn't need to read the last paragraph. But I wanted to let the world know that if they were calling my phone, the reason that I didn't always answer it right away.

Friday, July 15, 2005

Singing aloud, solitude, and thunderstorms

I made my way down to Florida in the last week. This trip was a vain attempt to get some solitude, which I desperately need in order to study. Driving down was not as bad as I had feared. I actually was able to drive the 14 hours by myself, stopping only to pee, eat and gas up (in that order). Of course, I got so lonely that I was singing out-loud to myself. And not singing any of the cool songs, but old songs. I was reminded of that scene in Tommy Boy (where Chris Farely and David Spade sang the Carpenters at the top of their lungs). Of course I remained safe and didn't use my cell phone while driving--except for when Saritha called, and then I took the next rest area exit and I used my hands free device (thank God for blue-tooth huh--I'll write about this new toy in my life later).
My only frustration about driving down was the trucks on the road--especially at the construction sites. Hello!!! Fines doubled in work areas--these trucks didn't seem to mind this threat. When the speed dropped down to 55 from 70, some of these trucks still barrelled along. One truck nearly pushed me off the road and was going so fast that in the span of 5 minutes, I was no longer able to see it. I took down the number of the truck and all cause I was going to bitch about it here, but what's the point. I already did my venting, no need to drag in any names.
Anyway, my days of solitude are numbered as I've been informed by my parents, I have Canadian relatives travelling down to use this summer home for about a week. So much for getting away. At least my bedroom is in the back of the house and can be shut off from the rest of the home.
By the way Bob Thong and Antonio, when we drill our P.P. clues, I'm sitting on the lanai (an enclosed backyard deck). That was thunder you guys were hearing last night, not a railroad station. I just thought it would be nice to sit outside during a thunderstorm and not worry about getting wet, but get all the effects of being part of nature!!!!
Happy Birthday to my Mom who celebrated her birthday yesterday!

Monday, July 11, 2005

GQ

I've realized that I've recently let myself go. Not that I've had a complete grip on myself. I mean after all I still only wear Ralph Lauren and J. Crew because the colors are easily mixed and matched. I believe that I still need some sort of dress code, like the garanimals stuff they use to have--match the animals on the tags. I'm not that fashion able. Certainly not GQ material as far as my wardrobe goes.
However, since I've been studying in Illinois, I've gained so much weight. This is due to the fact that dinner usually consists of Chili-Cheese Fritos and a Mountain Dew (diet of course, to somehow undo the many calories of the Fritos). Not only have I gained weight, I think I forgot how to comb my hair--so I had most of it chopped off. Worst of all, my nose hair has grown to unreasonable lengths. They've grown so much that they've taken on personalties of their own, can even wave "bye-bye". This is the most disheartening part--there is some gray ones mixed in there.
So when I arrived in Charleston, West Virginia on July 5th, I was finally able to assess the damage that non-caring has done. I could tell by the way family and friends gave me that look, like "it's nice seeing you, but what the hell happened along the way". And when I looked in the mirror of my childhood bedroom, I was shocked to see something resembling an Oompa Loompa that now wears depends underwear. I've aged!!!!
I've since taken out the hedge trimmers, facial wash and started eating wheat and lettuce again. I've gotten some whitener things for my teeth (which were stained by coffee--thanks to Bradley Jones and Sissy Varghese chat sessions). Give me about a month to rectify what damage was done. I think by then I'll again look like a young Oompa Loompa.

Thursday, July 07, 2005

Sssshhhhhhhhh!

Do you think it's rude to shush people during a movie or a television show.
I was watching "House, M.D." the other night at my aunts. I was obviously not receptive to conversation from anyone--the clue being that my eyes were glued to the screen. Why did some people take it upon themselves to ask me questions? The first was, "what is going on?". To which I quickly replied, "I don't know. The show lets us know what is really going on at the end". A follow up question was, "What disease does that person have". To which I quickly replied with some strain in my voice--the kind of strain which most astute people can hear as, "I'm trying to be polite by not telling you to shut-up". I told them that I was listening to the dialogue because they often discuss lab results and differentials and that if I heard enough clues, I might be able to pick up which malady the actor had. Following that strained conversation, I was then asked, "what is going on?", for the second time. To which I said, "I'm watching".
Why don't people get it? When you are watching something, it isn't the time to have a conversation? Or am I an old fuddy dud? I love conversation like the next person. You can ask my twin, Saritha. I was born to speak. I think that is why the cell phone with free minutes was invented, because of people like me.
Anyway, that's what has been weighing on my mind. That and the fact that my father is updating his iPod to the 60GB with the capability of storing pictures. His other iPod wasn't even filled yet. My sister adopted his 20GB and quickly erased everything it once had and is in the process of filling it again. But I don't understand why he wants to carry around something like that--music and pics. I mean really, how much room does Frank Sinatra need?