BACK TO BUSINESS More physician evals last week. Back surgeon came in with a little model of a backbone held together with rods and screws and no doubt gorilla glue. Whoah - I think you got the wrong model here. What was especially interesting is I waited in what must have been a pediatric exam room as it held a creepy Minnie Mouse doll -no doubt a P.A., baby shoes attached to a rod (another torture device) and a sign admonishing one not to put dirty diapers in the garbage pail. Though on second thought there are a lot of, ahem, older patients visiting here so diapers or depends-it's all relative.
I am open to the less invasive laminectomy with an abbreviated recovery time so I can again stand in lines and walk the malls. Come to think of it, that doesn't sound like much of a trade. May be simpler to tattoo a sign to my forehead "invisibly disabled, so me first". Face tatts are all the rage, so I fit in plus positive spoiler alert, they do not sag noticeably as one gets older due to the forehead placement (unlike tramp stamps). A little wavy but one can work with that using cursive. Plus, when you are not looking for accommodation artfully placed bangs will cover up the message. Win-win.
Upon questioning on whether I had a fall that screwed up my back I thought back to famous falls I have known. Ok. Fall in between the dock and boat that left a massive and colorful bruise on my hip. Fall down the stairs when I was alone and managed to crawl back up the stairs and go on. Dropping my Honda 250 on me while driving around the yard. Jumping over a barrier and coming down hard at an accident scene. But I maintain, as a boomer, it was a lack of technology. How many trainings did I perform hauling a massive reel-to-reel projector around loading and unloading it into awkward places. How many trips did I take with a (imagine) non-wheeled suitcase, again loading and unloading into awkward places. How many times did I haul around Resusci Anne performing CPR training. How many times does one "hold up their end of the item" knowing it was too heavy so I wouldn't be marked the useless member of the team. It adds up. However, the days when I could just lie on the floor and put my legs up on the couch for relief are long past. Plus, it's a bit harder getting up off the floor-lol.
CITY TIME Speaking of my salad years I saw a story on Lansing's former Mayor David Hollister the other day. He was incredible to work with and gender, color, orientation was not a concern for him. He just wanted results. I learned a lot about management style from him. They mentioned the seat belt campaign he launched when he first took office (well actually delegated to me). We created billboards and advertising materials showing the belt around the Capitol. The LPD had a great time with stopping people (before it was the law) and "gifting" them with a Burger King coupon if they were in compliance. Scared the hell out of drivers. Side Note: the OH did not start wearing one habitually until his little girl asked him why he didn't have one on. Caught by the old do as I say, not as I do clause.
They also mentioned the new City logo he created with the sun behind the Capitol. Privately we pointed out that because of the placement of the sun behind the Capitol one would be facing west so the sun was actually setting, not rising, ahem. However, the die had been cast, literally. Clinton's visit to Lansing (and the Mayor's assistant falling off her chair on the podium) the Lugnuts stadium project and the campaign to keep GM in Lansing were also during his regime, so it was an exciting time to have an inside seat at the mechanics of the projects (and the parties). Though having to meet Geoffrey Fieger and escort him up to the Mayor's office during his ill-fated run for governor was definitely a low point-a total tool.
SIGH Pay attention people. I was reading an article stating about 50% of Americans think the economy is shrinking or in a recession - neither is true. They think the stock market is at its lowest which is the exact opposite with Dow and S&P hitting numbers never seen before. They think unemployment is at its highest level in 50 years when at 3-4% it is the lowest in 50 years. We are the envy of the world as we negotiated a soft landing, and the economy has not only recovered from the pandemic but is actually growing. Yes, gas is always a bone of contention; groceries are obscene but the lines at attractions are huge and everybody's filling the planes, trains and highways so apparently, it's "the other guy". I blame the media focusing on the negative and the magas spreading manure.
ROAD WORK With all our doctors in Lansing or East Lansing (they tend to cluster together) negotiating travel has been challenging as the Gov is busy "fixing the damn roads". The routes change daily-no exaggeration. I find it best to smile and wave at disgruntled workers. This accomplishes two things: 1) they are assured we see them and 2) forestalls having a tool "accidently" thrown in one's direction. However, you can't cover up dropping in a hole after missing a detour-you're on your own there. As the route to the surgery center keeps narrowing, I am in awe that all of us older patients, GETTING EYE SURGERY are able to negotiate the entry, and especially the exit, without causing road construction mayhem.
Actually, the prettiest sign spotted is the one that says, "End of Road Work". Heading to a barbecue so peace out....💚 💙💛 Happy Summer- The Hummers are back.
THANKS TO THOSE WHO GAVE THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE! WE REMEMBER YOU AND WELCOME HOME.
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