tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31793792024-03-17T17:48:26.353-04:00The Rabid Librarian's Ravings in the WindBorn, like other comic book characters, out of an otherwise trivial but life-changing animal bite, the Rabid Librarian seeks out strange, useless facts, raves about real and perceived injustices, and seeks to meet her greatest challenge of all--her own life.Eilirhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15744359677802538395noreply@blogger.comBlogger12103125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3179379.post-33473148560828202512024-03-17T17:47:00.008-04:002024-03-17T17:47:46.180-04:00I saw a great t-shirt the other day<p> It said, "Don't follow me--I walk into walls." I need this shirt.</p>Eilirhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15744359677802538395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3179379.post-31304242710646738742024-03-09T08:38:00.003-05:002024-03-09T08:41:55.428-05:00This is an excellent portrayal of the threat facing libraries--especially school and public libraries<a href="https://www.al.com/news/2024/03/burn-the-freaking-books-alabama-libraries-under-fire-from-witch-hunters.html" target="_blank">‘Burn the freaking books:’ Alabama libraries under fire from witch hunters</a><br><br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnDvEHHdPGj9wCXoE820CVfTVZ7-encdbX_ffmL7_v2eIwH4MxtgUD8tq3TTTH7ZZWK6Ob0bIoclSWlQFf4e2fLyfuLTBBINcdoBDZ1hupleiz1Y2_nh2aT1TjqrhPMKgr-Q3yyzOYr_5CmY_8Vup75WXwscdAioYLLeCPpsLQtoKAJtI9BWzs/s655/witceslibraries.png" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="Libraries symbolised as a female witch surrounded by religious zealots who are burning her at the stake." border="0" height="320" data-original-height="655" data-original-width="505" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnDvEHHdPGj9wCXoE820CVfTVZ7-encdbX_ffmL7_v2eIwH4MxtgUD8tq3TTTH7ZZWK6Ob0bIoclSWlQFf4e2fLyfuLTBBINcdoBDZ1hupleiz1Y2_nh2aT1TjqrhPMKgr-Q3yyzOYr_5CmY_8Vup75WXwscdAioYLLeCPpsLQtoKAJtI9BWzs/s320/witceslibraries.png"/></a></div><br>
<b>JD Crowe - Alabama Libraries Under Fire - <a href="AL.com" target="_blank">AL.com</a></b><br><br>Eilirhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15744359677802538395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3179379.post-10317314050485158842024-03-08T10:41:00.003-05:002024-03-08T10:47:58.874-05:00Please consider donating<p>If you're on Facebook, you know that they always suggest that you do a fundraiser for your birthday. This year I am doing one for the <a href="http://lexingtonhumanesociety.org" target="_blank">Lexington Humane Society</a>, our local animal shelter. I'm very much an animal lover. I believe animals love us unconditionally in a way no one else does. They enrich our lives, become part of our families, and deserve to be loved and taken care of. Lexington Humane Society takes in animals that for whatever reason have been abandoned by others. They help them get adopted through training, getting their pictures and descriptions posted, and taking care of them on a daily basis until they are adopted. They also provide medical services and have a pantry for people who may not otherwise be able to feed their animals. If you wouldn't mind, consider donating to this very worthy charity. If you don't want to go through Facebook, there are other ways to their donate. They have an <a href="https://lexingtonhumanesociety.org/get-involved/wish-list/" target="_blank">Amazon wish list</a> where you can buy food and other items that are needed. You can also link a<a href="https://www.kroger.com/i/community/community-rewards" target="_blank"> Kroger card</a> to the Lexington Humane Society so that they get a percentage of what you buy there,</p><p>I'm including a link below to my fundraiser. I set the goal only at $150, to start small. Every year I choose the charity, and every year I don't quite make it. I think this is something that many people can get behind because they love animals too. I've made my own donation to start things off. If you do donate thank you so much.</p><p><a href="https://www.facebook.com/donate/1647545602319123/" target="_blank">Elisabeth's Facebook fundraiser for the Lexington Humane Society</a></p>Eilirhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15744359677802538395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3179379.post-19245359733547536962024-03-06T13:34:00.005-05:002024-03-06T13:48:53.409-05:00Fourth meditation<blockquote></blockquote><p><b></b></p><blockquote><b>Let it be thy earnest and incessant care as a Roman and a man to</b><i> perform whatsoever it is that thou art about, with true and unfeigned gravity, natural affection, freedom and justice: and as for all other cares, and imaginations, how thou mayest ease thy mind of them. Which thou shalt do; if thou shalt go about every action as thy last action, free from all vanity, all passionate and willful aberration from reason, and from all hypocrisy, and self-love, and dislike of those things, which by the fates or appointment of God have happened unto thee. Thou seeest that those things, which for a man to hold on in a prosperous course, and to live a divine life, are requisite and necessary, are not many, for the gods will require no more of any man, that shall but keep and observe these things.</i></blockquote><p>It is so very difficult for me to act. Part of that is that I have ADHD, so it is very hard to concentrate on any one action. I think of something else, and it's gone. The thought evaporates, and so the action never comes. That's not all of it. I overthink every action and choice I make. That is the anxiety speaking--the monkey chatter as my therapist likes to put it. In this meditation, Marcus Aurelius basically says you have to get rid of all that and focus on the task at hand without all the different things that go with it. You can see a very simple task to be done right then once and forever, and then move on to the next task. I once said a long time ago that I was a multitasker, which was totally untrue. My friend still makes fun of me for that.</p><p>On the other hand, I get into trouble at work, for not multitasking enough to produce the numbers they want, even though they can't explain why the numbers are lower than those of others. Basically, because I know that I lose an action so quickly even though I mean to do it, I do it right then or at the very least make a note so that I can go back without losing that idea in my head and not performing the action. Apparently, other people do three things at once. The Emperor is on my side I think. What he says is to do not only the action without all of the trappings of overthinking of hypocrisy,y of self-aggrandizement but to do it in a true and unfeigned gravity. In other words do this in a pure state of mind without any distortion in terms of what others want, what the Gods want, how you think about it, that's the thing. It doesn't mean not talking about it or thinking about it.</p><p>It just means that you should do the action for its sake without all the monkey cheddar. Which I think is very wise. I hope to include that in my future actions, and not try to multitask but rather do one action as quickly as necessary, move on to the next action or notate it so that I can come back to it, but most importantly be one in the moment of that action.</p><i></i><p></p>Eilirhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15744359677802538395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3179379.post-79541860051083266092024-03-06T13:13:00.009-05:002024-03-06T13:23:48.796-05:00Twelve12. <i>Asperger's and Adulthood: A Guide to Working, Loving, and Living With Asperger's Syndrome</i> by Blythe N. Grossberg Eilirhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15744359677802538395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3179379.post-19224515818721109102024-03-06T12:05:00.009-05:002024-03-06T13:28:47.147-05:00Ten and eleven10. <i>Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder: Understanding Your Diagnosis, Finding the Best Resources and Support Team for Emotional Regulation, Self-Advocacy, and Obtaining Employment</i> by T.G. Alexander
<br><br>
11. <i>Essential Art Therapy Exercises: Effective Techniques to Manage Anxiety, Depression, and PTSD</i> by Leah GuzmanEilirhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15744359677802538395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3179379.post-7810634547563264762024-02-20T17:25:00.004-05:002024-02-20T17:30:40.253-05:00Numbers eight and nine<div class="a-row a-spacing-none a-size-base feature a-text-ellipsis" data-cel-widget="bylineInfo" id="bylineInfo"><i>8. </i><i>Looking After Your Autistic Self </i>by Niamh Garvey</div><div class="a-row a-spacing-none a-size-base feature a-text-ellipsis" data-cel-widget="bylineInfo" id="bylineInfo"><i><br /></i></div><div class="a-row a-spacing-none a-size-base feature a-text-ellipsis" data-cel-widget="bylineInfo" id="bylineInfo"><i>9. Autism and Asperger Syndrome in Adults</i> by Luke Beardon<br /></div>Eilirhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15744359677802538395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3179379.post-5636248077426696132024-02-18T11:13:00.006-05:002024-02-18T11:17:36.292-05:00Yay!<p>So, I have had a long dearth of reading for several years now. I've skimmed books, even maybe finished a few, but nothing impressive. I find my attention has been very short--probably a consequence of my ADHD and scrolling through the internet. So this year, I've decided I want to get into it again, as I have been a librarian who no longer reads. On <a href="http://www.goodreads.com" target="_blank">Goodreads</a>, I've joined the 2024 Reading Challenge in an attempt to read more. I set a reasonable goal, of 36 books, to try for.</p><p>I am happy to report I'm ahead of schedule, having read seven books so far this year. They're all non-fiction (I'm going to shoot for both fiction and non-fiction, print/e-books, and audiobooks. We'll see how it goes.)</p><p>Here's what I have read so far:</p><ol><li><i>Shoulder Treatment: Guide To Recover From Shoulder Surgery: Typical Shoulder Surgery Recovery Timeline</i> by Jaime Knecht</li>
<li><i>An Adult with an Autism Diagnosis: A Guide for the Newly Diagnosed</i> by Gillan Drew</li>
<li><i>Very Late Diagnosis of Asperger Syndrome</i> by Philip Wylie</li>
<li><i>The Shoulder Patients' Handbook: The Rotator Cuff Tear Guide</i> by Paul B. Roache</li>
<li><i>How to Recover from Shoulder Surgery: Safe, Effective Recovery: A Physiotherapist Shares 40 Years Experience Rehabilitating Shoulders</i> by Bruce Paulik
</li><li><i>The Ultimate Guide for Shoulder Surgery Recovery: Your Complete Guide to Recovery, Tips, Strategies, Diet and Essential Must-haves to Speed Up Shoulder Surgery Recovery Time</i> by Morgan Gray</li>
<li><i>Shoulder Surgery Recovery: Over 100 Tips and Strategies to Make it Much Easier</i> by Anne Talmage Cooksey</li>
</ol>
Currently reading:<div><ol style="text-align: left;"><li><i>Looking After Your Autistic Self </i>by Niamh Garvey</li><li><i>Autism and Asperger Syndrome in Adults</i> by Luke Beardon</li><li><i>Pandora's Jar: Women in the Greek Myths</i> by Natalie Haynes</li><li><i>Asperger's Children: The Origins of Autism in Nazi Vienna</i> (audiobook) by Edith Sheffer</li><li><i>Meditations</i> by Marcus Aurelius</li></ol></div>
<br />Eilirhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15744359677802538395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3179379.post-49753131243100863192024-02-15T22:02:00.003-05:002024-02-15T22:02:53.788-05:00This explains so much<p>So recently someone I know had me read an article he'd been looking at due to a friend we have in common who has high-functioning autism, formerly called Asperger's Syndrome, He'd originally wanted to understand the friend better, but when he read the article, and the symptoms, he decided it might be good for me to read, too, without his comments or indications, but just to read. I didn't really know much about autism, or Asperger's, but once I read the article it was clear that there was a chance it applied to me, which was a surprise. I did seek to be assessed, but the one centre that diagnoses in the area has a five-year waiting list and gives priority to students of that university (Eastern State University, in a nearby city). The two universities in our city do not appear to do this. They did suggest local resources, but the only therapist on it that did assessements charges a lot of money and I just didn't care for the vibe of her website.</p><p>I reached out to a Facebook on neurodivergency and was pointed to a website called <a href="http://www.embrace-autism.com" target="_blank">Embrace Autism</a>, run by a psychologist and another person who is an autist, which contains the same validated tests used to diagnose. The website has the scoring built in, and while it does not provide an official diagnosis by any means, I took six of the tests, five of which are validated by research and are used professionally, and I came out as autistic on all of them, which kind of surprised me, and one, on emotional quotient, indicated much less awareness of appropriate emotions and empathy than I expected. One of the tests asks questions regarding your childhood vs. now, and it was stronger as a child but still clearly within the area of being autistic as an adult. I am pretty highly functional by the test results, and before the diagnosis of Asperger's went away to be included as part of Autism Spectrum Disorder, I would have been considered a person with it. I am more functional than our friend, for example. But this explains a lot of the issues I had a s a child, and one of the tests measured masking and assimilation as an adult in trying to seem more 'normal'.</p><p>So I've been reading a couple of books on self-care for those with autism. And I recognise several aspects of the MRI issues today to be directly related to sensory integration problems (found in autism, though it can be a separate issue as well).</p><p>In addition to the tests, the website has a lot of resources for people who want to learn about autism or who have it. I'd really recommend it. And the main book I'm reading right now is <i>Looking After Your Autistic Self: A Personalised Self-Care Approach to Managing Your Sensory and Emotional Wellbeing</i> by Niamh Garvey (ISBN-13: 978-1839975608).</p><p>Anyway, for what's it worth, it does really make a lot of my life more understandable, and it would explain a lot of my sensory integration and anxiety issues. I just wish I could get assessed officially.</p>Eilirhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15744359677802538395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3179379.post-75011221954494417622024-02-15T21:36:00.007-05:002024-02-18T10:15:13.498-05:00I don't like MRIs, and this is why<p> Today it took everything I could to finish my annual liver MRI/Elastography. [My mom died of non-alcoholic cirrhosis of the liver/fatty liver disease, and I have a fairly mild case of the same disease that we're monitoring and trying to improve.] I'd gotten a Valium to take a little before it to take the edge off of my anxiety because I'm claustrophobic. Because of that, I took the bus to UK rather than drive, since I couldn't drive back. Usually, I'd ask someone for a ride, but I'd asked them if I could go home by bus instead, and they said that would probably be okay.</p><p>I meant to wake up early, take a shower, and go in without too much trouble. I overslept, giving me twenty minutes to throw clothes on and brush my teeth in order to catch the bus. I couldn't even put my contacts in, which is okay because when I'm in an MRI machine I don't want to see it, and while I usually close my eyes, a fuzzy machine is better than a clear one. I didn't take my anxiety or allergy medicine, which became an issue. By the time I got there on the bus, my mouth was so dry I could barely talk because I couldn't have any liquid or food for four hours prior.</p><p>I got taken back to get into the gown and I did have to get other patients to help me tie and untie the gown since I can't raise my arm or put it back without pain, and the tech had left me to undress and later, dress.</p><p>But then it came time to do the test. The techs were so good. I told them about my injury and they positioned me so that I'd be comfortable on that side, or at least as much as possible. I never felt any different from the Valium I'd taken as directed before. I'd had an MRI last month on another part of the body and there was a sort of floating-head sort of thing that lasted just long enough to get through the test. This time, nothing. To get the abdomen, you have to go really far into the machine, as the centre of the body has to be in the middle of the machine. I've been stuffy the last few days (no Covid, but a really light cold) and I'd woken up with no congestion, so I thought I'd pretty much gotten over it.</p><p>If you've never had an abdominal MRI focusing on the liver, a voice tells you when to breathe normally and when you should exhale and inhale then hold your breath. I found that in the tight space, lying down, my congestion built up and I could barely breathe through my nose. By the end, I was having to breathe through my mouth only and barely kept from hyperventilating. They have changed the protocol so the test is much longer. I wound up counting numbers to distract me and get through it. You particularly need to hold your breath when the paddle hits against your abdomen for the elastography, which measures the pliancy of the liver. It got harder and harder to do, and the period of holding my breath was about at my limit with the breathing issues.</p><p>They asked me how I was doing because I think they knew I was breathing hard (I coughed at one point) and I asked how much time we had left, and it was about five minutes, some of the longest minutes I've experienced. By that time, I was in a state of moderate panic, although I did finish it. I'd arrived at 8:30 AM, probably started the test about 9 AM or shortly thereafter, and got out at 10:40. I immediately bought some water and then realised I had to get down from Chandler to Kentucky Clinic for my follow up in just a few minutes. When I'd made the appointment a year ago, they'd been on different days, but they had to change the appointment a couple of months ago and had put it on the same day. I'd been dubious that the results would be read in time, and that was true. My time with the PA was spent talking about my health in general, but she'll have to get the results to me later through the portal. We will change to another drug next year. I then had to go back to Chandler on the shuttle to get my insulin from the pharmacy, then caught the city bus to the transit centre. I brought some paperwork my PCP had signed to allow me to get a disability ID so I'd pay less for bus passes and fares, since I'm coming up on a time when I can't drive and will have to go into work on the bus for four weeks. So I got the ID and pass and then caught the bus home.</p><p>By the time I got home I was exhausted by the noise, the lights, the people, and all the other stimuli on the bus, at the hospital and clinic, and mostly the MRI. I came home, changed clothes, and immediately went to bed with some soft music on, and slept for three hours before venturing out of my room.</p><p>I am so glad this is a once-a-year thing, and that I took off from work due to taking the Valium. But it was a difficult day. :(</p><p>[Update: I got the results through UK's portal. The images were fine, but the elastography did not give usable information. So the whole thing was a wash. :( The physician assistant gave me three options:</p><p></p><ol style="text-align: left;"><li>Repeat the MRI/Elastography in a year.</li><li>Repeat the Elastography itself </li><li>Take a biopsy of the liver to see the amount of fibrosis.</li></ol><p></p><p>I decided on the first. I'm not sure how the elastography without MRI works. I've had an ultrasound elastography and it had me in a much worse condition, giving erroneous results. And as far as the biopsy...no.]</p>Eilirhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15744359677802538395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3179379.post-53409184290528278072024-02-07T21:15:00.000-05:002024-02-07T21:15:02.077-05:00Third MeditationFrom Marcus Aurelius' <i>Meditations</i>:<div><br /></div><div>Book I. XVII.</div><div><br /></div><blockquote><b>Whatsoever proceeds from the Gods immediately, that any man will </b>grant totally depends from their divine providence. As for those things that are commonly said to happen by fortune, even those must be conceived to have dependence from nature, or from the first and general connection, and concatenation of all those things, which more apparently by the divine providence are adminstered and brought to pass. All things flow from thence: and whatsoever it is that is, is both necessary, and conducing to the whole [part of which thou art], and whatsoever it is that is requisite and necessary for the perservation of the general, must of necessity for every particular nature, be good and behoveful. And as for the whole, it is preseved, as by the perpetual mutation and conversion of the simple elements one into another, so also by the mutation, and alteration of things mixed and compounded. Let these things suffice then; let them always untoo then, as thy general rules and precepts. As for thy thirst after books, away with it with all speed, that thou die not murmuring and complaining, but truly meek and well satisfied, and from thy heart thankful unto the Gods.</blockquote><p>One passage from the Hays translation is: </p><blockquote style="font-weight: bold;">Even chance is not divorced from nature, from the inweaving and enfolding of things governed by Providence. Everything proceeds from it. And then there is necessity and the needs of the whole world, of which you are a part. Whatever the nature of the whole does, and whatever serves to maintain it, is good for every part of nature.</blockquote><p>Given the present-day concerns for climate change, we should remember that humankind cannot be divorced from nature, but that we are a part of it entirely. What is good for nature is essentially good for us, therefore. This is the situation for everyone. But as a Pagan, I feel that it is especially important to tie ourselves to nature, both in the enjoyment in it and the maintenance of the world around us so that we are part of that circle of life/global organism.</p><p>Keeping it short tonight, but that's how that meditation speaks to me.</p><p></p>Eilirhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15744359677802538395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3179379.post-71793961871685170032024-02-03T12:57:00.003-05:002024-02-03T13:02:12.248-05:00So I didn't quite make it daily, but here is the second one<p> From Marcus Aurelius' <i>Meditations</i>: </p><p>Book I. XVI.</p><p><br /></p>
<blockquote><b>Whatsoever I am, is either flesh, or life, or that which we</b><i> commonly call the mistress and overruling part of man; reason. Away with thy books, suffer not thy mind any more to be distracted, and carried to and fro; for it will not be; but as even now ready to die, think little of thy flesh: nerves, veins, and arteries; think no more of it, than so. And as for thy life, consider what it is; a wind; not one constant wind neither, but every moment of an hour let out, and sucked in again. The third, is thy ruling part, and her consider; Thou art an old man; suffer not that excellent part to be brought in subjection, and to become slavish; suffer it not to be drawn up and down with unreasonable and unsociable lusts and motions, as it were with wires and nerves; suffer it not any more, either to repine at anything now present, or to fear and fly anything to come,, which the destiny hath appointed thee.</i></blockquote><p>So reason is what should be valued most, as that which should rule the body and spirit, and which also must be cultivated so that it does not become distracted with emotional desires, or for that matter, I think he would agree, minor matters of no consequence.</p><p>This is so hard for me, especially because I have a mood disorder. Without my medicine, I become very labile. And beyond my ADHD, I get so distracted by what is happening in my present life, as well as anxiety for the future, that I don't actually think things through a lot. I have a fairly high IQ (149), and I used to be good at recitation and learning, and I certainly learned critical thinking (mainly studying history at university), but I don't apply them to my life. I've always compartmentalised my theoretical knowledge and actual real-life applications. As a whole, I do much better at theory than practical/applied actions. And I hate that, but I've gotten used to not really thinking much. And that is sad. I'm trying to read more to stimulate my brain (although he specifically values reasoning over learning from others, including through books). I need to really start considering subjects, ruminating upon them, and coming up with reasoned outcomes, hence these exercises. There you go, that's how this section applies to my life, and I need to take it to heart and really improve my thinking, which will, in turn, improve my life. In short, I need to stop being lazy in my thinking.</p>Eilirhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15744359677802538395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3179379.post-15068730132655563942024-01-28T09:49:00.003-05:002024-02-03T13:01:19.042-05:00ExerciseMy roommate suggested that it might be useful, especially given my struggles with anxiety, to read the <i>Meditations</i> of Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius, a Stoic philosopher, a meditation a day, as one would read a devotional [I'm pagan, so I guess it is]. I think this will be good. I should then think about it and relate it to my own life.<div>
<br />Today is the first day. I will be reading from two editions, one an Elizabethan translation by Méric Casaubon [or rather, a comparison of the 1634 and 1635 editions as put together for modern readers by an unnamed person], the first English translation available in England, and therefore in the public domain and available on <a href="https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/2680" target="_blank">Project Gutenberg's website.</a> The second is from Modern Library, translated by Robert Hays, which is presented in modern style. It is available on <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Meditations-New-Translation-Marcus-Aurelius/dp/0812968255" target="_blank">Amazon</a>. Neither is a literal translation but rather put in the colloquial style of their times. However, in introducing my thoughts I will include the Casaubon translation here since it is in the public domain and can be used freely.</div><div><br /></div><div>I'm skipping the first bit, which my friend referred to as a speech thanking the Academy, whereupon he thanks his family, teachers, and the Gods. I may circle around to it. I've already noticed certain differences in the translation, most notably omissions in Hays that do make things clearer, but also delete interesting information.</div><div><br /></div><div>So, for now, I'm starting with Book I, Meditation XV, titled <b>'<i>In the country of the Quadi at Granua, these. Betimes in the morning'.</i></b></div><blockquote><i>say to myself. This day I shalt have to do with an idle curious man, with an unthankful man, a railer, a crafty, false, or an envious man, ab unsociable uncharitable man. All these ill quealities have happened unto them, through ignorance of that which is truly good and truly bad. But I that undersatnd the nature of that which is good, that it only is to be desired, and of that which is bad, that it only is truly odious and shameful: who know moreover, that this transgressor, whosoever he be, is my kinsman, not by the same blood and seed, but by participation of the same reason, and of the same divine particle; How can I either be hurt by any of those, since it is not in their power to make me incur anything that is truley reporachful? or angry, and ill affected towards him, who by nature is so near unto me? for we are all born to be fellow-workers, the as feet, the hands, and the eyelids; as the uppper and under teeth: for such therefore to be in opposition, is against nature; and what is to chafe at, and to be averse from, but to be in opposition?</i></blockquote><p><br /></p><p>Recently I was in a situation where I was brought before my manager for a minor thing (not written up, but it was essentially a verbal warning) that nevertheless had bothered a co-worker. Instead of telling me directly that it made her uncomfortable, she had taken it to my supervisor, who had then taken it to my manager, who had then taken it to human resources. It was concerning something I had little control over, and the co-worker had been the one who had first treated it with humour, so it became a running joke for us, I thought. Instead, I suppose, she was treating it with humour because it was an embarrassing thing, and so never told me it bothered her. I, on the other hand, tending to take people very much at face value, did not realise I was causing any trouble. Both the action and that are on me, of course, but I was very hurt and angry because neither the person I considered a friend, neither my supervisor, who also fit that category, saw fit to say anything to me, but involved my manager and HR, for something that is an embarrassing bodily function brought on by a medicine I am taking--something they all knew, and that we had laughed about it. (Remember--she was the one that started that).</p><p>As far as reading Marcus Aurelius, I came to two ways that this passage can be related to this situation. </p><p>1) My co-worker, who no doubt hid her embarrassment by trying to find humour with it, and who brought this situation to a head, did not understand that the best way to deal with it was to speak to me directly and even bluntly if need be, rather than involve four other people and embarrass me further. Neither did my supervisor. They were not so much malicious, but they caused a reaction to the issue that 1) hurt and embarrassed me, 2) blew it way out of proportion, 3) blamed me for something that I had little control over and therefore could not excuse myself quickly, especially while doing my job--something medical at that, and 4) brought to my attention that I had misplaced my trust, and 5) brought to my attention that perhaps I do not read people's reactions in a way I should. [I think I have written here before that I am seeking testing for autism, although that is another post entirely, as my area has a reasonable programme in another city, with a 5-year wait, or individuals in my city that charge almost $2000 for the testing.] But they did not think that those things would happen, because they were essentially ignorant of anything beyond 'this is something' that bothers me'. It has broken the well-oiled machine-but-still fun approach she and I had in our work, and I am trying not to hold it against them, but I am glad that my co-worker has gotten another in another part of our department on another floor, so I will not have to deal with the fallout so much. In the meantime, I am trying to do what my manager asked, to the point of pain at times, but I have changed medicines and taken other medication to help, so hopefully that will improve the situation.</p><p>2) None of the people involved actually have the power to embarrass or hurt me. It is my reaction to the situation that caused it. I cannot control the actions of others, just myself. Also, it does not benefit me to hold a grudge for what I see as a hurtful thing; and I of course can understand why they were annoyed, I am just sad that it came to what it did, and that a relatively minor thing that shouldn't have affected our work did indeed. And I do have a difficult time holding grudges anyway; I was very quiet with everyone for a couple of days but slowly talked again and it was almost like before, though not quiet. I won't forget, nor have I quite forgiven, but I at least can interact. I do not, however, consider them friends, but rather co-workers. I have fallen into that trap before, and will probably again. I perhaps trust too much, and it's hard for me to read motivations for actions. But I will try to do that less while recognising that people have their own emotions, agendas, and motivations and that they do not necessarily pair up with mine.</p>Eilirhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15744359677802538395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3179379.post-49211974034506756482024-01-24T18:41:00.003-05:002024-01-24T18:41:31.842-05:00I love thisSent to me by my friend Tammy:
<iframe style="background-image:url(https://i.ytimg.com/vi/4_1HJqaOwOM/hqdefault.jpg)" width="480" height="270" src="https://youtube.com/embed/4_1HJqaOwOM?si=i-wsBsJjwm5EyLDX" frameborder="0"></iframe>Eilirhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15744359677802538395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3179379.post-63824937573274366252024-01-19T12:07:00.006-05:002024-01-19T12:09:10.951-05:00A small sample, but interesting
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2024/jan/17/kids-reading-better-paper-vs-screen" target="_blank">A groundbreaking study shows kids learn better on paper, not screens. Now what?</a>
Eilirhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15744359677802538395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3179379.post-33172063581237544042023-12-31T11:22:00.002-05:002023-12-31T11:24:55.639-05:00All librarians and museum curators need to be trained in writing these sorts of letters...<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/zb4VyIJ4-mY?si=UpVFt8aYAsphJlSV" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe>
When I was working in the comic store, we had an obsessive comic fan who was a shut-in who called us regularly. He was sweet, but we invented 'the bye-bye process' to politely deal with him on the phone.Eilirhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15744359677802538395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3179379.post-45879050967105406662023-12-30T22:11:00.002-05:002023-12-30T22:11:15.047-05:00One of my favourite films :)<a href="https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20231222-the-wicker-man-the-disturbing-cult-british-classic-that-cant-be-defined" target="_blank">The Wicker Man: The disturbing cult British classic that can't be defined</a><br><br>
Let me just say the remake was a travesty as well.Eilirhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15744359677802538395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3179379.post-81632041328328001372023-12-30T09:39:00.006-05:002023-12-30T09:40:17.560-05:00AdviceI was on X earlier (I am so sick of the 'formerly known as Twitter' thing--either call it X, or Twitter, or something else, but there's no need to do that, as we all know by now if we're on the Internet). I've really debated just closing my account because in my honest opinion, Elon Musk is at the very least an odious egotist, and I won't get into what his worst epiphets might be. I have accounts on Threads and Blue Sky, but I haven't really established them well yet. But I have a really simple handle (@eilir) and I'd like to keep it on the chance he might stop ruining it and sell the platform.
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So what would you do/what have you done?Eilirhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15744359677802538395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3179379.post-83066952557619973912023-12-27T14:28:00.001-05:002023-12-27T14:28:39.927-05:00If this works it would be revolutionary, and humane...<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/science/2023/dec/27/3d-printed-chip-showing-bodys-reaction-to-drugs-could-end-need-for-animal-tests" target="_blank">3D-printed chip showing body’s reaction to drugs could end need for animal tests</a>
<blockquote>She added: “This device shows really strong potential to reduce the large number of animals that are used worldwide for testing drugs and other compounds, particularly in the early stages, where only 2% of compounds progress through the discovery pipeline.”
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Tavares said there were other benefits beyond simply eliminating the need for using animals in early drug development.
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“This non-animal approach could significantly reduce cost of drug discovery, accelerate translation of drugs into the clinic, and improve our understanding of systemic effects of human diseases, by using models that are more representative to human biology than animal models.”</blockquote>Eilirhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15744359677802538395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3179379.post-14152635425741579862023-12-27T11:07:00.004-05:002023-12-27T11:07:45.130-05:00What???<a href="https://english.elpais.com/international/2023-12-26/the-netherlands-spied-on-jewish-holocaust-survivors-considering-them-a-danger-to-democracy.html" target="_blank">The Netherlands Spied on Jewish Holocaust Survivors, Considering Them a Danger to Democracy</a>Eilirhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15744359677802538395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3179379.post-18415806456587046712023-12-24T14:12:00.002-05:002023-12-27T14:29:22.215-05:00Christmas EveToday's been about memories. I don't <i>actually</i> celebrate Christmas, although I put a lot of gusto into it at work, as I know the patients and others like the silly hats, etc. The spirit of Christmas, after all, transcends religions. But as a Pagan, I celebrate Yule, which is the Winter Solstice. But I don't have friends anymore who are Pagan, and I'm not in a position to really celebrate it to the fullest. I do celebrate Hanukkah with my roommate, but it was very low-key (just the candles) this year. This whole holiday season has been difficult. So I'm in the house, the only one awake (even in the afternoon), and, having grown up Southern Baptist, I think of Christmases past with my family. I had a very complex dynamic with my parents, no siblings to affect it, and no close family left in Kentucky (with apologies to my mom's cousins). I grew up very isolated, and Christmas was the one time we were a family. So here I am feeling a little lonely. Lots of emotions have been flooding me, as the holiday season does for so many. There are some good and bad memories. Truth is, it's all fuzzy anyway. But the emotions are there, and they're particularly troublesome today. But it'll pass. The hope of light is there, after, all, and I have good friends. I'm hoping the new year will be a good one.Eilirhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15744359677802538395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3179379.post-44992460479716398802023-11-04T21:42:00.004-04:002023-11-04T21:42:58.826-04:00Kentucky has allowed early voting for a couple of years now...<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCVuOTHFLZRs5lYUY6Q8q1KAfQXRcu2VCkgn05FOFIO3VJcRNCYjJLy8N6Zy0VxKhDRT9noDb0CZSAtBPueqb7YSxGNHhmGbqi6wi_6xU-3q5jqOZPnH7-npoyFnHsuWAxBhqX23bU2HvwPNx-U6SjPfyI7StP9eravGcsP3h7OJemn09qz6O2/s1562/MeVote.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="320" data-original-height="1562" data-original-width="1562" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCVuOTHFLZRs5lYUY6Q8q1KAfQXRcu2VCkgn05FOFIO3VJcRNCYjJLy8N6Zy0VxKhDRT9noDb0CZSAtBPueqb7YSxGNHhmGbqi6wi_6xU-3q5jqOZPnH7-npoyFnHsuWAxBhqX23bU2HvwPNx-U6SjPfyI7StP9eravGcsP3h7OJemn09qz6O2/s320/MeVote.jpg"/></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC7FTVSaLIAJHkV7gDdCbR4KU3yyU13JRB8bDr7gbbgM5ZVBN5-qNwRNBpMjFD1ryw2t4uxpCoabt_YBWc03kS5traXBXpONKof9wxJ8AJsvdJFlUpzPLaC8M9hjFPMvBsGWRJvZ1nW1rEw93rSLQTmA_XtpmTcvMeGSlK5WgSb5_QUYemL-fq/s2412/VOTE.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="320" data-original-height="857" data-original-width="2412" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC7FTVSaLIAJHkV7gDdCbR4KU3yyU13JRB8bDr7gbbgM5ZVBN5-qNwRNBpMjFD1ryw2t4uxpCoabt_YBWc03kS5traXBXpONKof9wxJ8AJsvdJFlUpzPLaC8M9hjFPMvBsGWRJvZ1nW1rEw93rSLQTmA_XtpmTcvMeGSlK5WgSb5_QUYemL-fq/s320/VOTE.jpg"/></a></div>
Kentucky also has one of most watched races in the country, between incumbent Governor Andy Beshear, a Democrat, and current Attorney General David Cameron (who is Republican, and very much in the Trump camp). Beshear is seeking a second term in a Red State, and there's a good chance he will get it. He's very popular across politics, due to his handling of the pandaemic and also natural disasters, including tornadoes and floods. I have no doubt that if former Matt Bevin, a Repbulican [and in my opinion, a dangerous nutjob who should not have been governor ever], had been in office, more Kentuckians would have died of Covid-19. Daniel Cameron would make history, however, by being the first Black governor in the Commonwealth's history.
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You can probably determine how I voted from my shirt.Eilirhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15744359677802538395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3179379.post-18949485121756368022023-10-22T08:36:00.005-04:002023-10-22T08:39:04.598-04:00AhWoke up to the dulcet tones of my glucose monitor announcing I was having an urgent low (the monitor itself said that; my phone and watch read 39, which is, indeed, pretty freaking low. [Normal's about 80-120 for a diabetic.) Then the sensor went offline, which sometimes happens during the first 24 hours within placement (I am, at least finally doing well with putting it on my arm, and I found an overpatch that actually holds the thing on that I can easily put on myself. Anyway, I ate some Meijer version of Honey Nut Cheerios with banana and rice milk, because that usually makes my blood sugar rise quickly. The sensor came back up and it was 94 within a few minutes. Yay! So glad this woke me up. That's its job, and I'm glad I stuck with it through the learning process (Dexcom sent me no less than nine replacement sensors in the first six months (each lasting 10 days). There were seven that fell off as I couldn't get them on where they stayed. One malfunctioned, probably because I hit a capillary and blood fountained through it (gross), and one I managed to bump into something and tore it right off (ouch). Each time I contacted Dexcom directly, filled out what had happened and they sent another one for free. I'm very grateful for that. There was a learning curve when I started the G6. This was harder. The G7 goes on the arm, not on the abdomen, and I'm fleshier than most of the pictures and diagrams I've seen. But once you get it on, it has more accurate readings, warms up in about 30 minutes rather than 2 hours, and has a 12-hour grace period of readings after the sensor expires before it stops giving readings. I have also learned that if you use both the Dexcom and a smartphone (and by extension a watch, which is connected to the phone), pair the phone first, not the receiver, as it takes almost the entire warmup time to pair to the phone if you don't. Anyway, I would really recommend this, just know it's going to take a while to get the hang of it.
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPhJgBpyPUFl2kwdjcKHklg9dhYIKPnjSAjXWRodkOK9KKV7RrzSueCUWHeUYPjt7xaCLUdjx_CTFOiga3Gb1O_tPbrdgJoQ3_ePGkYL0z5GSWiFjC-1-UiixapZ651_NhoYfVXRBvGlBykKW_bgpqVz-57NrGKSX0im57T68q5-AjkT9Zi0qA/s1836/arm.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" height="320" data-original-height="1836" data-original-width="1377" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPhJgBpyPUFl2kwdjcKHklg9dhYIKPnjSAjXWRodkOK9KKV7RrzSueCUWHeUYPjt7xaCLUdjx_CTFOiga3Gb1O_tPbrdgJoQ3_ePGkYL0z5GSWiFjC-1-UiixapZ651_NhoYfVXRBvGlBykKW_bgpqVz-57NrGKSX0im57T68q5-AjkT9Zi0qA/s320/arm.jpg"/></a></div>Eilirhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15744359677802538395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3179379.post-5131953578556086782023-10-21T12:01:00.005-04:002023-10-22T10:30:04.091-04:00Interesting fact (and an opinion)In Arabic, 'Hamas' means "zeal", "strength", or "bravery". In Hebrew, it means "violence".
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The portion of the Torah for this week that is read in synagogues, from Noach (the Hebrew book named after Noah in the Jewish scriptures) contains the word Hamas.
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My friend, who was watching services this morning, pointed it out to me. It's getting a lot of attention on the Internet given the current events in Israel.
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I just think this whole thing is a tragedy. What happened with the attacks on Jews in Israel was horrible, and unforgivable. The response, attacking civilians who are already corralled in Gaza and who have nowhere to go, the history of supplanting Palestinians [who, incidentally, are a nationality, not a religious group, as there are both Muslims and Christians who are Palestinian], so there could be a Jewish state (regardless of it being their ancient homeland) has roots going back a century-and-a-half and breeds extreme emotions and violence on both sides. And that is tragic.
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My friend's synagogue has members in Israel. They are thankfully safe, and I am so glad for this. His friends from the congregation in general were shocked and expressed extreme grief at the deaths. I also heard a young man asking a lady on the bus with whom he had class how she and her family were. She said they were relieved her brother was safe, as he'd been at the hospital which was bombed, thinking it would be safer like so many. I nearly cried at her words. I can't imagine how either side feels in terms of lack of safety (even here in America there is fear of attacks for both) and the fate of loved ones. I pray for those affected on both sides who are not the instigators themselves, the ones who viciously began this war.
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It's just all so sad.Eilirhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15744359677802538395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3179379.post-43880103715146823082023-10-21T11:32:00.003-04:002023-10-21T11:32:32.763-04:00Well, I'm ready for HalloweenIt took me a while to figure out my Halloween costume for this year. (I didn't want to do Maleficent or my skeleton costume again since I did them the last couple of years. So I'm going to be a butterfly. It's pretty, doesn't involve makeup, is one-size-fits-all, and it didn't cost much. I just needed a black T-shirt without writing and this. I will not be in high heels. :) It does require a choker around the neck that I don't like, but it's very stretchy and got better even after a couple of minutes. It all folds up nicely. The mask is just embroidered floss, and the bulkiest item is the antennae. The colours are beautiful. I'm very happy with it. Also, there is no wire, just finger loops, so I can both put out my arms and type at my desk with no problem.
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