You can try to cast your vote for the new California state quarter, but I had a difficult time getting the webpage to work properly.
Today I was pretty shook up after what you might call a brush with death. On the way out my gym I noticed the front desk staff franticly calling 911 and making an annoucement on the PA for a doctor or nurse. I heard the clerk say to the 911 operator that a man was unconsious and not breathing. I rushed over to the comotion near the men's bathroon and said "I know CPR." I used to be a lifeguard and still keep my CPR and firstaid certification current. I was not prepared for what I walked in on.
A large man was on his back, blood trickling from his mouth, and the worst was that his skin was blue, an ugly grey-blue. A couple of others were already helping. I was so glad that one of the aerobics instructors was pullling out her face mask and getting ready to do mouth to mouth.
I guess I could have done CPR, and would have if I was the first one there. But I am so glad that someone else was already starting and that I wouldn't have to bend down, tilt back his head, clear out the blood from his mouth, pinch his nose, and give two quick breaths. It was scary.
Thankfully the ambulance arrived within minutes as I was walking out of the door. I am very thankful for our 911 emergency system, but I don't know if they'd be able to save him though, his skin was so blue.
Apparently some fringe religious sect called the Raelians have announced that they have cloned the first human being. Of course most people in the scientific community, including myself, are extremely skeptical. Now, I must say that I believe it is scientifically possible to clone humans; they have done it with cows, sheep and mice. Human cloning will be a reality one day, probably just not yet.
I for one do not feel threatened by the idea of human cloning. Bush says it is "deeply troubling." I disagree. Basically, human cloning would be to creat an indentical twin of someone. There are plenty of identical twins walking around this earth, and they aren't "deeply troubling." Also, just because someone's DNA is identical, does not mean they are the same exact person, again the identical twin example.
The main difficulty I see in human cloning is the huge expense. As it stands now, for an infertile couple to achieve a pregnancy through current technology it often takes tens of thousands of dollars. If human cloning becomes a practical reality, at undoubtedly astronomical prices, this becomes available only the very wealthy and elite.
I'm so glad Jesus was born. I get two whole paid days off work with which to see Lord of the Rings as many times as I can stand.
I'm so proud of myself. I just finished jogging 6.5 miles - a personal best.
I've been trying to get in better shape to complete a triathlon in early summer. I plan to start with half, or "sprint," triathlon which is generally swim 500 yards, bike 12 miles, and run 3 miles. My goal is only to finish the darn thing, not win any prizes. So far I'm doing pretty good and feeling very fit.
I've been noticing more and more how much gossip goes on at my work. I know people have been under alot of stress with the move, but it seems like there has been alot of complaining, bitterness, and even backstabing. Or maybe it has always been there and I'm just noticing it more now.
I must admit sometimes I like hearing the latest gossip, joining in a conversation about how rude Ms. X is, hearing the latest stupid thing Ms. Y did. It makes you feel better about yourself, that you are in the "in" crowd. I guess, we just try to cover our own sense of insecurity by taking others down.
But lately I've been feeling uneasy listening to someone else talk smack about a friend or coworker. When I participate in making fun of others, I also start to wonder "What are they saying about ME behind my back?" It is not a nice feeling.
So lately I've been trying to avoid speaking ill of others. I tell myself that nobody is perfect. Also, I wouldn't want other people to make fun of me. But most of all, I certainly wouldn't want someone else to find out that I said something mean about them.
So I am trying my best to avoid gossip. And let me tell you, when you start to pay attention to the content of most conversations, it is scary how much of it is hurtful and mean spirited. If someone starts talking crap, I attempt to stand up for the underdog or at least change the subject. It is hard to not complain when someone does something stupid or annoying, but I feel better holding my tongue. I try to use the rule - if the person I was talking about was here, would I still say this? or Would it be okay if someone said this about me? It feels better not participating in bad mouthing others.
I'm still bummed about my office moving. The other day I was sitting in my car, in a sea of traffic, with all the other nameless, faceless commuters. I just thought to myself "I used to just be able to walk away from all this."
It also sucks as I am getting less activity throughout the course of the day. Now I have to go out of my way to burn calories. Good thing I am an exercise addict... but more on that in future posts.
I'm all bummed because my office is moving. Not so far away- just a few miles- but enough that I won't be able to walk to work anymore. That is one of the coolest thing about my job right now. Soon I will join the rest of the work force and drive to my place of employment.
Of course the other irritating part is that we have to pack all our stuff, work out of boxes for a week, and then unpack. Right now, I sit on the floor to answer the phone and have all my work stuff, which used to be in my desk or in a filing cabinet, is packed away in boxes. Of coure, since our boss doesn't want to lose money, we're still operating as usual. On top of the whole packing thing, it turns out the new clinic isn't up to code yet, so who knows how long it will be before I have a real desk and phone again. Ugh.
Today is the seventh day of Channuka, the Jewish festival of lights, when we remember the rededication of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem. The holiday comes early this year starting the day after Thanksgiving. It is because the Jewish calendar is based on a lunar cycle. I learned from my mom the other day that Channuka always occurs during the new moon nearest to the winter solstist. This means we are lighting our menorahs on the darkest nights of the year.
After a long hiatus, I will endeavor to maintain updates on my website.
As for the recent past, I spent Thanksgiving weekend with my family in S. Cal. Wednesday we saw the new Harry Potter movie and loved it. Thursday we spent Thanksgiving with my Aunt Betsy's family in Fullerton. She got "the kids" some really cool Lord of the Rings presents. Friday I got to hang out with my good friend Cathy at Huntington Gardens. Saturday I got to gloat over my very hung-over brother (He had gotten way too drunk the night before and woke the whole house up at 4am.) and then see Macbeth. Sunday, while Gary went to visit his folks, my family went to visit my Grandpa George. We had the most fabulous sushi dinner in Santa Barbra - oh I had missed the tast of raw fish.