Leaving Saturday for a family vacation so I wont be posting for about a week. I am sure that when I get back I will have some great posts about my little niece doing something cute (because that is what she does).
Was looking through Frommer's Budget Travel Magazine (one of my favorites) today. They have an article on some of the photo websites (Snapfish, Ofoto, etc). The sites will publish a hard covered book with your photos and captions for like $20 to $30. Each site is a little different but check it out if you are into that kind of thing. I'll probably do one when we get back and let you know how it goes.
Their could be a post here in about 2 weeks of some important news. Not going to jinx it but just stay tuned.
Also, some friends and I were talking the other day about the failure to find Osama. One friend reported that Osama is on dialysis and asked me some questions, seeing as I was the resident expert on dialysis. We googled it and found reports of Osama being on Peritonial Dialysis as I am. Every month I have a big truck come to my house to deliver several boxes (about 35 or so) of my dialysis supplies for the next month. Why cant they find the delivery source for Osama? I dont think a truck goes out to his cave once a month but he has to get the supplies from somewhere...
Wednesday, May 25, 2005
Wednesday, May 18, 2005
ZZZZZzzzzzz
We bought a new mattress over the weekend. It was delivered yesterday. It sleeps VERY good. It is thicker than our last mattress so it is higher up than our dogs are use to. My dog thinks it is very comfortable as he stretches out to his full extent. I think he would prefer it to be a King instead of a Queen... Wifey's dog is smaller and has problems jumping all the way to the top but I think she will have it mastered in a few days. I jokingly told wifey that I would buy her a ladder if she needs it to get in bed.
When I was growing up I had a twin size bed. I had it when I graduated college and moved out of the house. I remember when I finally got a bigger bed. I was about to purchase one when my parents got one that had been in storage that my paternal grandfather built. They cleaned it up and purchased me a mattress for my birthday maybe 6 years. We still have it in the guest bedroom and people brag about it when they stay at our house.
I used to travel a lot for a job I used to have and was able to easily sleep on a bed in a hotel that wasnt my own. Now it isnt that easy of a thing for me to do. I have gotten used to having my wife by my side and at least one dog at our feet (with the other dog being a monster under the bed). I miss them whenever I am not here or they arent here (especially wifey). I didnt sleep well in DC at all.
I used to be a stomach sleeper. Sometimes on my side but usually on my stomach. I havent been able to sleep on my stomach since October because of the port that was in my neck/chest. Now on PD I can only sleep on my right side or my back in order for the machine to properly drain and fill. Unfortunately this also means I cant cuddle when I sleep. I used to be the biggest cuddler (and still am when not hooked up to the PD machine).
When I was growing up I had a twin size bed. I had it when I graduated college and moved out of the house. I remember when I finally got a bigger bed. I was about to purchase one when my parents got one that had been in storage that my paternal grandfather built. They cleaned it up and purchased me a mattress for my birthday maybe 6 years. We still have it in the guest bedroom and people brag about it when they stay at our house.
I used to travel a lot for a job I used to have and was able to easily sleep on a bed in a hotel that wasnt my own. Now it isnt that easy of a thing for me to do. I have gotten used to having my wife by my side and at least one dog at our feet (with the other dog being a monster under the bed). I miss them whenever I am not here or they arent here (especially wifey). I didnt sleep well in DC at all.
I used to be a stomach sleeper. Sometimes on my side but usually on my stomach. I havent been able to sleep on my stomach since October because of the port that was in my neck/chest. Now on PD I can only sleep on my right side or my back in order for the machine to properly drain and fill. Unfortunately this also means I cant cuddle when I sleep. I used to be the biggest cuddler (and still am when not hooked up to the PD machine).
Friday, May 13, 2005
DC Trip
Last week I was in DC for the launching of the National Kidney Foundation's "People Like Us" initiative. They had over 100 people from around the country with kidney disease, on dialysis (hemo or PD), or have had a transplant (or 2 or 3). They are trying to raise the political awareness of kidney patients inhopes of changing certain policies and laws.
I love DC. I love the restaurants. I love the monuments and all of the history there. I always have tons of fun in DC and look forward to going back.
I ran into a bunch of people I know from here that were there for various reasons. I was surprised at how many people I ran into.
One day while taking a cab from Capitol Hill to where the conference was at, I noticed that my driver was auditioning for the Nextel cup. He was doing 75-80+ mph through the streets of DC. I am serious about this.
One of the great things about this conference was the interaction with people that have been or are going through some of the things that I am going through. I learned some things about PD that I didnt know by talking to people that have been on PD for several years. A group of us went out to celebrate Cinco de Mayo (also the last night of the conference). One woman had just been diagnosed with kidney disease and not yet on any type of dialysis was full of questions and I hope that we were of some help to her.
I met one family that their son was diagnosed with kidney disease about a year ago. His mom organized a "walk-a-thon" and raised over $40,000 for the kidney foundation or kidney research or something like that. I met a transplant recipient in California that started a prom for transplant recipient teenagers. She has some ties in the entertainment community and is able to get A-list Hollywood stars to show up. Lots of great stories of people like this, people like me.
On a side-note... if you know me you know I adore my neice. She is 3 years old and thinks her Uncle is the coolest guy in the world (even if she doesnt see me that often because of the distance we live apart) and who I am to disagree? She and her mom were down about a month ago. She told me that she and her mom had been in a "big walk" the weekend before coming down to help people like me get well.
I love DC. I love the restaurants. I love the monuments and all of the history there. I always have tons of fun in DC and look forward to going back.
I ran into a bunch of people I know from here that were there for various reasons. I was surprised at how many people I ran into.
One day while taking a cab from Capitol Hill to where the conference was at, I noticed that my driver was auditioning for the Nextel cup. He was doing 75-80+ mph through the streets of DC. I am serious about this.
One of the great things about this conference was the interaction with people that have been or are going through some of the things that I am going through. I learned some things about PD that I didnt know by talking to people that have been on PD for several years. A group of us went out to celebrate Cinco de Mayo (also the last night of the conference). One woman had just been diagnosed with kidney disease and not yet on any type of dialysis was full of questions and I hope that we were of some help to her.
I met one family that their son was diagnosed with kidney disease about a year ago. His mom organized a "walk-a-thon" and raised over $40,000 for the kidney foundation or kidney research or something like that. I met a transplant recipient in California that started a prom for transplant recipient teenagers. She has some ties in the entertainment community and is able to get A-list Hollywood stars to show up. Lots of great stories of people like this, people like me.
On a side-note... if you know me you know I adore my neice. She is 3 years old and thinks her Uncle is the coolest guy in the world (even if she doesnt see me that often because of the distance we live apart) and who I am to disagree? She and her mom were down about a month ago. She told me that she and her mom had been in a "big walk" the weekend before coming down to help people like me get well.
Wednesday, May 11, 2005
Blogging Delay
I was going to talk about my week in DC last week but I am putting that off for a while as I just dont feel like talking about it right now.
Last year, a friend of mine was diagnosed with Lupus. Lupus is usually not terminal if they catch it in time. Unfortunately it wasnt diagnosed in time. Yesterday my friend's Doctor told her that she doesnt have much time left. This has hit me pretty hard.
Today I received an email from another friend that finds out today if she has breast cancer or not. She is in her late 30's and just got married last fall.
Thanks for being understanding if you are reading this. I'll try to update on the DC trip later.
Last year, a friend of mine was diagnosed with Lupus. Lupus is usually not terminal if they catch it in time. Unfortunately it wasnt diagnosed in time. Yesterday my friend's Doctor told her that she doesnt have much time left. This has hit me pretty hard.
Today I received an email from another friend that finds out today if she has breast cancer or not. She is in her late 30's and just got married last fall.
Thanks for being understanding if you are reading this. I'll try to update on the DC trip later.
Tuesday, May 10, 2005
I'm Getting Old
Sunday, the wife and I went to see the Black Crowes at the Tabernacle in Atlanta. It was pretty loud but not as loud as the Faith No More show with Helmet I saw in the early 90's. We ended up leaving a little early but it was still a good show. Since the Robinson brothers are from Atlanta (as are most of the band) and since it was Mother's Day, Mama Crowe was in the audience. Didnt see Chris's wife though... This got me thinking about all of the concerts I have seen over the years and I have decided to list some of my favorites in no particular order...
Flickerstick at the Roxy in Atlanta This was the third time to see the winners of VH1's show Bands on the Run. It is at least partially responsible for my wife and I marrying. We had dated for about a year but had quit dating. Flickerstick reawakened the feelings I had for wifey and we soon started dating again.
U2 at Legion Field, Birmingham AL 1990ish I love outdoor shows. This was the third show of the Zooropa tour that I had the chance to see. Sat around 12th row center. Opening acts were Big Audio Dynamite and Public Enemy. The irony of PE doing a song in Alabama that talked about racism and had people dressed as Klansmen on the stage, ending with the lynching of a Klansmen helped to make this show. U2 was great, too.
Willie Nelson The first time I saw Willie live was on a lark the day after the above U2 show (somehow I ended up with FREE tickets). I am usually not a big country fan but WOW. I have seen him a couple of times since.
The Wailers, early 90's Bob Marley's old band still tours. I had the chance to hang out with them before this show for several hours and then see them live. I need to see them again.
The Funky Meters, mid 90's Tippitinna's in New Orleans Art Neville's band. The night I saw them, all of the Neville Brothers dropped by to make cameo appearances. The night ended with a big Neville Brothers encore. Tippitinna's (the original one) is a great concert venue.
George Clinton 2003 Atlanta Another outdoor show. The wife and I were backstage with some friends for the entire show. Opening acts were some of my favorites, Drivin N Cryin and North Mississippi Allstars. We ate supper with everybody and got some photos and autographs.
REM 2002 Athens GA at the famed 40 Watt Club. I had just went to a local bar to hang out with some friends when I got a call from a friend in Athens. He asked what I was doing and told me to come to the 40 Watt for a fundraiser for a state legislator friend. I said it was too far. He then said that I would want to see the last band. He wasnt sure of the name they were using but that it was Mike Stipe, Mike Mills and Bill Berry (Peter Buck had missed a plane somewhere). I called the wife (we were dating then) and picked her up and drove to Athens. We stood about 15 feet from the stage. Bill Berry's first show since he had his brain problem.
John Mayer The first time I saw Mayer was at a Borders Books in the coffee shop. There was maybe 20 people there, most were trying to find a quiet place to study. Have seen him numerous times since then.
Rolling Stones, Legion Field, AL 1989 Another FREE ticket and I was there mainly to see Living Color open up for them but seeing the Stones live made them one of my favorite bands. Definitely one of the best shows I have ever seen.
Lenny Kravitz, Auburn AL 1990 ish Yet another FREE ticket. I was there to see the Cult. I was a huge Cult fan, until I saw them live (nothing like a singer too drunk to remember his own words to make you lose interest). Kravitz was the opening act and was incredible. Been hooked since.
Al Green Atlanta 2004 The wife and I enjoyed Rev Al sooooo much. Surprise Guest Isaac Hayes was good to see too.
Pink Floyd 1994 The last show to be played at Grant Field in Atlanta. Floyd is music, sound effects, lights, and movies. Sensory overload.
Lynnard Skynnard 1993 Fox Theatre Atlanta I won tickets off of the radio for front row center. Didnt like my date for the evening. They had Charlie Daniels, Travis Tritt, Zakk Wylde (formerly played with Ozzy), Brett Michaels (former front man of Poison now doing a solo country thing) and a bunch of other folks doing acoustic covers of their favorite Skynnard songs before the show started. The show was shown live on Pay Per View.
Jimmy Buffet I have seen Buffet more times than I can remember. His shows are some of the greatest times as are the parking lots pre-show. I even saw him in 1998 at the Gov's inaguration of Don Siegelman in Alabama. He sang "Stars Fell On Alabama"
Tuba Fats Funeral 2004 New Orleans Not what most people would call a concert but if you have ever seen a funeral procession in New Orleans you might be tempted to reconsider. Tuba played with tons of people (Dirty Dozen Brass Band, etc) and his procession had hundreds upon hundreds of people marching down Bourbon Street and playing instruments and singing and dancing. The procession was probably about 90 minutes long.
This list is getting long so let me just list a few together: Bob Dylan, Bonnie Raiit, Tom Petty, B B King, Buddy Guy, Dr. John and Mothers Finest.
Will probably post later today a more kidney oriented blog. And yes I know I didnt give you any links to the above bands but you can use Google to find them. Check out Pollstar to find out when they are playing in your neck of the woods.
Flickerstick at the Roxy in Atlanta This was the third time to see the winners of VH1's show Bands on the Run. It is at least partially responsible for my wife and I marrying. We had dated for about a year but had quit dating. Flickerstick reawakened the feelings I had for wifey and we soon started dating again.
U2 at Legion Field, Birmingham AL 1990ish I love outdoor shows. This was the third show of the Zooropa tour that I had the chance to see. Sat around 12th row center. Opening acts were Big Audio Dynamite and Public Enemy. The irony of PE doing a song in Alabama that talked about racism and had people dressed as Klansmen on the stage, ending with the lynching of a Klansmen helped to make this show. U2 was great, too.
Willie Nelson The first time I saw Willie live was on a lark the day after the above U2 show (somehow I ended up with FREE tickets). I am usually not a big country fan but WOW. I have seen him a couple of times since.
The Wailers, early 90's Bob Marley's old band still tours. I had the chance to hang out with them before this show for several hours and then see them live. I need to see them again.
The Funky Meters, mid 90's Tippitinna's in New Orleans Art Neville's band. The night I saw them, all of the Neville Brothers dropped by to make cameo appearances. The night ended with a big Neville Brothers encore. Tippitinna's (the original one) is a great concert venue.
George Clinton 2003 Atlanta Another outdoor show. The wife and I were backstage with some friends for the entire show. Opening acts were some of my favorites, Drivin N Cryin and North Mississippi Allstars. We ate supper with everybody and got some photos and autographs.
REM 2002 Athens GA at the famed 40 Watt Club. I had just went to a local bar to hang out with some friends when I got a call from a friend in Athens. He asked what I was doing and told me to come to the 40 Watt for a fundraiser for a state legislator friend. I said it was too far. He then said that I would want to see the last band. He wasnt sure of the name they were using but that it was Mike Stipe, Mike Mills and Bill Berry (Peter Buck had missed a plane somewhere). I called the wife (we were dating then) and picked her up and drove to Athens. We stood about 15 feet from the stage. Bill Berry's first show since he had his brain problem.
John Mayer The first time I saw Mayer was at a Borders Books in the coffee shop. There was maybe 20 people there, most were trying to find a quiet place to study. Have seen him numerous times since then.
Rolling Stones, Legion Field, AL 1989 Another FREE ticket and I was there mainly to see Living Color open up for them but seeing the Stones live made them one of my favorite bands. Definitely one of the best shows I have ever seen.
Lenny Kravitz, Auburn AL 1990 ish Yet another FREE ticket. I was there to see the Cult. I was a huge Cult fan, until I saw them live (nothing like a singer too drunk to remember his own words to make you lose interest). Kravitz was the opening act and was incredible. Been hooked since.
Al Green Atlanta 2004 The wife and I enjoyed Rev Al sooooo much. Surprise Guest Isaac Hayes was good to see too.
Pink Floyd 1994 The last show to be played at Grant Field in Atlanta. Floyd is music, sound effects, lights, and movies. Sensory overload.
Lynnard Skynnard 1993 Fox Theatre Atlanta I won tickets off of the radio for front row center. Didnt like my date for the evening. They had Charlie Daniels, Travis Tritt, Zakk Wylde (formerly played with Ozzy), Brett Michaels (former front man of Poison now doing a solo country thing) and a bunch of other folks doing acoustic covers of their favorite Skynnard songs before the show started. The show was shown live on Pay Per View.
Jimmy Buffet I have seen Buffet more times than I can remember. His shows are some of the greatest times as are the parking lots pre-show. I even saw him in 1998 at the Gov's inaguration of Don Siegelman in Alabama. He sang "Stars Fell On Alabama"
Tuba Fats Funeral 2004 New Orleans Not what most people would call a concert but if you have ever seen a funeral procession in New Orleans you might be tempted to reconsider. Tuba played with tons of people (Dirty Dozen Brass Band, etc) and his procession had hundreds upon hundreds of people marching down Bourbon Street and playing instruments and singing and dancing. The procession was probably about 90 minutes long.
This list is getting long so let me just list a few together: Bob Dylan, Bonnie Raiit, Tom Petty, B B King, Buddy Guy, Dr. John and Mothers Finest.
Will probably post later today a more kidney oriented blog. And yes I know I didnt give you any links to the above bands but you can use Google to find them. Check out Pollstar to find out when they are playing in your neck of the woods.
Sunday, May 01, 2005
Random Ramblings
Near our house is a park with a little pond. This time of year we have to be careful driving by the pond on our way back from the store as there are lots of baby ducks and goslings being paraded about. Some of the goslings look a little different like maybe Mother Goose was doing things beside reading nursery rhymes... like maybe she met a turkey... Anyway, lots of honks and quacks to warn you that they are crossing the road. Honk! Honk! Quack!Quack!Quack!
I think I am addicted to blogs. Not just writing them but also reading them. There are a few celebrities I read their blogs like one of my favorite musicians David Ryan Harris has a blog that he infrequently updates as do poker superstars, Josh Arieh (and native Atlantan) and Daniel Negreanu. I read their sites a lot as well as a couple of friends. Whenever I have some time to kill, I will click on the "next blog" button on the top right of this screen and go searching through the blog universe. I have to warn you to be careful doing this as some are not family friendly, but overall it is intersting.
We have screened 5 possible donors so far and none are compatible. 4 more to go. Of those 4, 2 I have never met and one I have only met 4 or 5 times. I am overwhelmed by their selflessness and generosity.
I love to cook, as does my wife. Last night we colaberated on a BBQ pork. Wifey did the Boston Butt, I did the dry rub and sauce. I have to say, it was one of my better sauces. She is trying to get me enter a national recipe contest with a low sodium gumbo I came up with when I was on my renal diet. Nice prizes. I guess I will try to get my recipe ready to enter this week.
I think I am addicted to blogs. Not just writing them but also reading them. There are a few celebrities I read their blogs like one of my favorite musicians David Ryan Harris has a blog that he infrequently updates as do poker superstars, Josh Arieh (and native Atlantan) and Daniel Negreanu. I read their sites a lot as well as a couple of friends. Whenever I have some time to kill, I will click on the "next blog" button on the top right of this screen and go searching through the blog universe. I have to warn you to be careful doing this as some are not family friendly, but overall it is intersting.
We have screened 5 possible donors so far and none are compatible. 4 more to go. Of those 4, 2 I have never met and one I have only met 4 or 5 times. I am overwhelmed by their selflessness and generosity.
I love to cook, as does my wife. Last night we colaberated on a BBQ pork. Wifey did the Boston Butt, I did the dry rub and sauce. I have to say, it was one of my better sauces. She is trying to get me enter a national recipe contest with a low sodium gumbo I came up with when I was on my renal diet. Nice prizes. I guess I will try to get my recipe ready to enter this week.
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