Ha ha ha!!! Yea, but some people have a real genuine fear of needles.



TIS

The stupid thing here is they only read the tests on Wednesday and Thursday. Good thing I got mine done on a Monday. You have to wait the 2-4 days. So if you get it done on any other day you're screwd because they won't be able to read it in time.

I absolutely hate needles. Good thing I'm not a diabetic. I'd just have my cemetery plot picked out because I'd be dead in a month. There's no way I'd give myself a needle every day.

I am on the phone right now with my mother-in-law. I am about to shoot myself.

Our district has set days also. You can take the test I believe on Tuesday from 3:00 - 4:30 and you go back to the District on Thursday the same time to have it read.

The good part is, I can leave work early (twice) and not go back. I can dig that.


Btw, I have never known anyone with TB, have you???? I don't mind getting the test, but like polio, it seems like a disease of the past no?

TIS

When I was a child my mother's friend had it. He lived with us so we all had to ge TB shots. This is going back to the early 1970's. I know he died years later, but don't from what.

My mother knew people who had TB. It was pretty prevalent when she was a child. Her parents made her so paranoid that to this day, she will not drink from anyone's glass, share forks or plates. She won't even use public restrooms unless it's a dire emergency.

Obviously then, the vaccine is still necessary. I guess I should be thankful that I don't know anyone with TB.


TIS

Here is the email Infection Control sent out today regarding the virus. It's laughable at best.

Dear Colleague:
As we recently communicated, the University of Maryland Medical Center has identified a small number of patients who were colonized and/or infected by an antibiotic-resistant bacterium (Acinetobacter baumannii) in our Surgical Intensive Care Unit (SICU). This unusual event was detected using our sophisticated, infection control surveillance system. Since the time that the Medical Center first became aware of this situation in late December, we have intensified our infection surveillance of patients who had spent time in the SICU. To date, we know of three critically ill patients who had the organism and have died and five additional patients who have the organism and are being isolated in the surgical ICU and treated. We are not aware of any additional patients that have been exposed to this particular cluster but intensive surveillance is ongoing. Patient inquiries regarding potential exposure should be referred to Infection Control @ 8-5757.

As always, patient and staff safety is the top priority of the Medical Center and all of the necessary steps to prevent the further spread of this bacterium have been taken. These precautions require the use of gown and gloves for entry into the patient room, meticulous hand hygiene before and after removal of gloves, frequent disinfection of all reusable medical equipment and thorough environmental cleaning of all surfaces. We have been in constant communication with the Department of Mental Health and Hygiene and they are in agreement with our plan. Since January 11th, new patients have not been admitted to the SICU and this policy will remain in effect until further notice.

Like many bacteria, Acinetobacter baumannii can be spread through direct contact, exposure in the environment or contact with contaminated surfaces. Infected patients can exhibit a variety of illnesses, ranging from pneumonia to serious blood or wound infections. Acinetobacter has been identified in many other hospitals in Maryland as well as wounded military personnel returning from overseas. Acinetobacter baumannii is a bacterium that poses virtually no risk to healthy people. However, patients with weakened immune systems, chronic lung disease or diabetes are more susceptible to infection; therefore it can cause severe infections in critically ill patients and is difficult to treat due to resistance to multiple antibiotics.

We will continue to keep you informed as the situation warrants.

The high for Saturday here is supposed to be '12.

You guys are making me chilly. I need to go get my sweater.

Boy, it's only this time of year, and reading your posts, that makes me glad I'm not in Michigan.


TIS

Well, we're supposed to be a balmy 25 this weekend, so come here instead, TIS!!!

Well, looks like you'll be getting a heat wave over there then hu??? The very very best thing about California is the weather. You can't beat it. (well, it's very scenic as well).


TIS

That's for sure!! I've been to San Diego and San Francisco and loved them both!

Today we are having a heatwave. It's in the '30's.

Well then Mig,, time to get out the bikini and catch some sunrays. (does that sound a tad snippy?) Just joking of course Mig.


TIS

The Col. would. He'll open the bedroom window if he gets to hot while he's sleeping. Don't matter how cold it is out.

My Mother always says not to drink out of damp glasses because that is how colds and viruses are easily passed!
I always reply to her that all glasses are damp due to the fact that they are full of liquid.....
To which she always replies that i am a silly boy and i need to go tidy my bedroom

The high here for Saturday is 7, the low is -1. I can't imagine what the wind chill will be.

Its been raining now i think for about 6 straight days in Nottingham..

Save Tom Cruise. Save the world.

I used to think he was just annoying. He claims only Scientolgists can save people in car accidents, now he saved 9/11 victims. Now he's just mental. Someone save baby Suri before it's too late.

TOM IN GROUND ZERO TANTRUMJanuary 18, 2008 -- TOM Cruise brands federal officials "liars" and takes credit for saving the lives of hundreds of supposedly poisoned workers at Ground Zero in a wacky new Scientology video.

In the promotional tape, the star states, with a scary gleam in his eye: "A Scientologist is someone who can look at the world and really see what it is . . . and be effective and do something about it and someone who's not asking permission to do that. Why ask permission? We are the authorities!" See clips from the video HERE.

Next, the video cuts to news footage of the devastation at Ground Zero as cheap action music plays and a cheesy narrator boasts: "And nothing says that better than the Mr. Cruise response [sic] to the wake-up call in the aftermath of 9/11 . . . If he takes a stand, it's pedal to the metal till the finish line, as in helping New York firemen. He first saw the dust and heard the cough when descending to the ruins, where he bolstered morale among firemen. The devastation had spread an unprecedented combination of toxins through the air - and it was lethal."

Cruise's voice kicks back in: "The EPA came out and said the air was clean. Of course, as a Scientologist, you go, 'That's a lie, [an] out[right] lie . . .' You know, you just go, 'Liar. Fine.' "

The narrator then returns to brag how Cruise "personally saw to the establishment of a first New York-covered detox project. And, no, he did not ask permission."

That detox program, which employs saunas and megadoses of vitamins, has been widely trashed by medical experts, and even Mayor Bloomberg has ripped it, saying, "Reputable scientists do not think Scientology has any basis in science."

VIDEO: Cruise Fuels Scientology Controversy

An Environmental Protection Agency rep had no comment last night, although the EPA stated after the attack that the air at Ground Zero was safe to breathe.

In another video on the Internet, Cruise is seen receiving a Freedom Medal of Valor from Scientologists. Then he stiffly salutes a giant portrait of church founder L. Ron Hubbard and shouts, "To LRH!"

Cruise, said to be Scientology's No. 2 man, has been under the microscope all week after another video showed him describing his dedication to the sci-fi-theme faith, ranting, "It's rough and tumble! It's wild and woolly! It's a blast, it's a blast, it really is fun." Scientology reps could not be reached.

I know next to nothing about Scientology, but do know it's been around for a very very long time. Although I forgot the title of Ron Hubbard's most famous book (I'm OK You're OK????)I took it more of a self-help type book as opposed to any religion.

Everything I've seen and know thus far, indicates this isn't really a religion as we know it anyway. That being said, the more I see Tom Cruise speak about it, I must admit he seems a little "out of whack" for lack of a better term.

TIS

Wow!! I'd love to ask my niece's husband, who is with the NYFD, what he thinks of this crap. After the whole "couch-jumping" thing, I thought he had learned his lesson. Methinks that Mr. Cruise has gone from believer to zealot to cult-member in 0-60, pedal to the metal, apparently like he does everything else.

Have you seen this video he made in 2004? It was put on youtube, but the "church" had it removed. He's saluting the president of the group like he's an army general. They're saying how Scientologists know everything, and the rest of us need to sit down and shut up.

He really goes off on his hatred of psychology. Since Nicole Kidman's father is a psychologist it's a good guess to figure out what ruined that marraige. Katie Holmes is already walking around like a robot these days, so she's beyond being saved I think.

This link you can pull up the video that has parts of his 2004 interview. His demented laugh freaks me out.

http://www.cnn.com/2008/SHOWBIZ/Movies/01/17/cruise.video/

He really is an imbecile. I really like to think of myself as not just religiously tolerant, but tolerant in general, but this guy is cuckoo for friggin' Cocoa Puffs. It's gotten to the point where I don't even want to see his work anymore because of his shenanigans, which is a real shame, because he is a fine actor.

Babe, you're dead on with the cult remark. Cults are dangerous and this guy brings zero credibility to the argument that Scientology is a real religion. Did you see him salute the picture of L. Ron Hubbard?

I saw on one of those shows someone interviewing someone who knows Penelope Cruz saying something to the affect he was with her to try to get in good with Mexico to try to recruit them.

I guess he found the perfect submissive in Katie Holmes. She's too starry eyed to see what kind of creep he is.

I read that too. Yeah, right, he's gonna convert the most deveoutly Catholic country outside of Rome.

heres a little clip of me very very drunk..freestyling (rhyming off the top of my head..not written etc)

You guys will probably think i'm some wigger or something but it's Aussie hiphop people...it's just for a laugh and rhyme improvisation ...enjoy
http://myspacetv.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=26356789

Well Whisper, I love the Aussie accent, but don't be offended if I say I couldn't understand everything you said. Then as anyone here can tell you I'm not into rap/hiphop. The F-word was loud and clear, and I did get bits and pieces. Let me just say have a good time.


TIS

Thanks TIS.The accent is very different.Plus i was drunk and a freestyle.

Hip hop down here is nothing like the glitter glam rap you guy's have.

Thanks for watching.