11/11/11

I just had to post!

Governor Steve Beshear re-elected

Was there ever any doubt that Democratic incumbent, Steve Beshear, would beat his Republican rival, Senate President David Williams, for the office of governor? I don't think there was much in the Commonwealth of Kentucky.

In fact, David Williams predicted tonight's outcome during KET's last gubernatorial debate (October 31) when he alluded to his return to the Kentucky Senate after the election was complete. I think that is called a Freudian Slip, people!

Conrad Murray Guilty

Dr. Conrad Murray, the Houston doctor charged with the involuntary manslaughter of Michael Jackson, in June 2009, was found guilty by a jury in Los Angeles this afternoon.

Gadhafi Dead

Colonel Muammar Gadhafi was the latest casualty of the NATO-led civil war in Libya. I have heard many conflicting reports, but they did show video and pictures of him bloodied, and then dead. The circumstances may never been known.

The Cake is Baked!

Michele Bachmann just won my vote with her closing comment of, "The cake is baked!"

Let's go USA!

SSRI Holiday Ended

Well, after I thought I could go off of Lexapro, I am now back on the drug at 10mg per day. My job, coupled with daily stress, turned out to be more than I could handle. I am not sure if it is a physiological response or a psychosomatic one, but I found myself becoming increasingly hostile toward my job, and daily life, in general. In addition, I found the "brain zaps," or any trace thereof, ended within two days of resuming my daily Lexapro regimen. I feel much better as a result of taking Lexapro again.

(Yes, I'm a bit tipsy from Stoli, but this was on my mind.)

Niggerhead

Texas Governor Rick Perry stated that he found the name of his family's former hunting lodge to be offensive. I would say so, considering it was "Niggerhead." Of course, that didn't deter him, or his family, from enjoying the time they spent at the lodge over the years.

It's a shame that people--in their right minds--would think this man is fit to be a candidate, Republican or otherwise, for the office of President of the United States!

Racist and extreme to say the least!

Disturbed by Google

Google how could you design such a disturbing Google Doodle? It's Jim Henson's 75th birthday, and Google, in partnership with Jim Henson studios (or something), designed one of their famous doodles for people to tinker around with on the search engine's website. It so happens that one of the creatures (i.e., puppets) eats its neighbor. Even as a grown up, I find that slightly disturbing.

But it's all in fun, right? After all, a frog can fall in love with a pig!

Lexapro & Brain Zaps

After more than a week off of Lexapro, my brain zap sensation is more than 90% gone. I may have had two at the most today. And, even those, were quite mild and unnoticeable.

In other news, I thought I felt depressed yesterday, so I treated myself to a DQ Mocha Moolatte and felt a lot better. Sometimes chocolate and ice cream is exactly what a person needs to combat the blues!

SSRI Holiday

Last Thursday marked my last dose of Lexapro.

Let me clarify. First off, I didn't quit out of choice. I simply ran out in the beginning. I had to get my prescription refilled. In the meantime, I got the idea of waiting to see what would happen if I didn't take my daily 10mg.

For about a year, I have been wondering what life would be like post-Lexapro. I have been afraid to go off of it for various reasons. One of course, being that I may go into a deep, dark depression. That hasn't happened. In fact, I feel pretty good. My mind is clearer, as a result of not taking it. I have noticed that sometimes my brain feels like it is pulsing. (Those may be called "brain zaps.") It's like when the electricity almost goes off, but it comes back on at the last second. I do not feel as if I will pass out, though. It is just a curious sensation. Dizziness and tinnitus were also initial withdrawal symptoms. They have since gone.

Lexapro has been like looking at the world through a foggy glass. You see the major points, but you often miss the small things. Also, my ability to think has improved. Before, I felt like a babbling fool on occasions. I was often lost for a word, or my mind drifted from one subject to another in mid-sentence, which is slightly embarrassing. I had no control over it.

If the proverbial lights stay on in my head, I may extend this holiday to a more indefinite date.

Accutane & Acne (Days 153-207)

After being on Accutane for over half of a year now, I am happy to report that my skin is acne free! My skin feels reborn. The only thing now to work on is the hyperpigmentation of former blemishes. I have been using a 5% glycolic facial wash, by DDF, which is really nice. Even though, my skin is blemish free, I still take 40mg of Accutane three to four times a week. Before, I was taking it daily (sometimes twice daily). It is a good maintenance program for me at this time. Of course, I will endeavor to wean myself completely from the drug in the coming months; even though, my dermatologist informed me that she takes 40mg once a week. She said it keeps collagen built up in her skin; I agree.

I did bloodwork on Friday, and I have an appointment with my dermatologist on Tuesday. I hope everything is a-ok!

Sinus & Allergies

I spent part of today at the doctor's office. My allergies have been killing me this season. I usually can control them with Zyrtec or Allegra and a little Flonase, but not this time. In fact, it had escalated--like things often do--into a sinus and lung infection.

I received two shots in the butt: Rocephin and Decadron. Also, prescriptions for Cipro, Prednisone and Singulair. I felt like I could run a mile shortly after receiving my Decadron injection! There's nothing like a steroid to take you out of a funk.

I was also quite surprised when my opinion was sought on my preference for an oral antibiotic. I was asked how I liked the infamous Z-Pack. I said, "No way!" Usually, I have to bring up that conversation. I just don't care for it. So I opted for Cipro. I don't know why some doctors see azithromycin as the cure all for all ailments. One day I'll be diagnosed with AIDS or cancer and the doctor will put me on a Z-Pack!

Seriously!

Time for Some Balls?

House Speaker John "Cries a Lot" Boehner (R-OH) recently rejected a presidential request to a Joint Session of Congress to address the creation of new jobs. Boehner requested that the address be postponed for a day, as to allow for adequate "security measures" in the House chamber of Congress. It just so happens, of course, Republican presidential candidates are set to debate that same night.

Hmmmm....sounds a bit fishy to me.

If it were me (as president), I'd bust some balls of my own. Sure, the House of Representatives may reject me, but that wouldn't deter me from making my speech on my own terms. Who needs to the House of Representatives anyhow to do it? Personally, since the Senate is Democratic-controlled, I'd go to the Senate chamber and make my speech to the nation. Unprecedented? Of course. But so is denying the President's request for a Joint Session of Congress. As a matter of courtesy, I would invite members of the House to the Senate, if they felt so inclined. Boehner: non persona gratis.

As you may have already guessed, President Obama acquiesced to the demands of Speaker Boehner and rescheduled HIS speech. I suppose Republicans can add this to their "win" category. When is the President of the United States going to realize that his political party controls the executive branch and a house of Congress? It's time to put House Republicans in their place and truly get on with the business of America. If you really think about it, how is the President going to get House Republicans to join him on his jobs initiative if he can't even get them to allow him to make a simple speech?

Duh!

Libyan Independence: Homegrown or Out-Sourced?

After seeing the jubiliant throngs of rebels taking to the streets of a seemingly annexed Tripoli, I am left with a few questions about how these rebels came so far so fast.

My concerns were brought back to the forefront of my mind when I was watching a video provided by CNN, in which the reporter, who was at Gadhafi's former stronghold, Bab al-Aziziya, commented that a rather large crater in the center of the compound's grounds was caused by a NATO bomb.

Now, if I am led to believe that those machine gun toting, 1999 Abercrombie & Fitch wearing, hooting and showboating rebel soldiers did all this by themselves, does that make me a chump?

The answer, I'm afraid, is yes.

If we recall this revolution, as it were, started in the eastern part of Libya. Gadhafi's forces were pushing toward the rebel stronghold of Benghazi about the same time the United Nations called for a ceasefire and the institution of a no-fly zone. Of course, Gadhafi forces were unwilling to accept these terms in the long-term. Why? Because the apparant words of the United Nations only applied to Gadhafi forces and not those of the rebels. Clearly, in this case, what was good for the goose was no where good enough for the gander.

In the days and weeks following this mandate, NATO-led forces, including France and the United States, commenced bombarding Gadhafi loyal forces and strongholds from the sea and air. All the while, rebel forces waltzed west facing only token resistance. Anything stronger from Gadhafi forces meant a whooping by NATO from the sky.

While countries like Tunisia and Egypt can say their revolution was homegrown and delivered by their own people, Libya is not in a similiar situation. Libyan forces relied on a friendly hand from Europe and America to do the work they were unable to do.

So, while watching the smiling faces of rebel forces in Libya, remember there truely is an invisible, wrathful hand watching over them from above. And I'm not talking about a man in a white beard, either.

Muammar Gadhafi: Phone Home!

With rebel forces taking over Tripoli, Libya's capital, the world is now looking for it's de facto leader for over forty years, Colonel Muammar Gadhafi. When the mob entered his fortified Tripoli compound, Bab al-Aziziya, none of the Gadhafis were home.

It's weird because you would think Colonel Gadhafi would be there, since there was no warning beforehand that rebels were on their way.

(I'm so sarcastic!)

NPR reported that the rebel leaders think they will find Gadhafi, because the Iraqis found Hussein after a man-hunt. I'm not so sure Gadhafi will fall for it. He's had time to plan. He seems like a man who would have an exit strategy worked out. I wouldn't be surprised to find out he is now in Caracas!

S&P: AAA

Congratulations to the United States government for getting downgraded from AAA credit status to AA+. While AA+ seems pretty impressive, it puts the United States below its Western European allies, such as the United Kingdom, France and Germany, in terms of debt repayment, etc.

Tomorrow, when the world markets open up, I'm sure we will see a crash. I want to thank members of the Tea Party, and the Republican Party, in general, for its contribution to the downgrade. The eleventh-hour deal did little to salvage the nation's economy.

The country's economy is still stagnant (just look at unemployment figures and small business growth over the last six months). Like I've said numerous times, it is time to end the wars and return that money to the Treasury where it belongs. We will spend the next decade recovering from the George W. Bush years in the White House; it's better to get started now rather than wait. After all, China has threatened to cut-up America's credit card over the downgrade!

Did Boehner Cry?

It's time for the President to invoke the Republican staple, the George W. Bush clause, as a measure to deal with the debt ceiling crisis. He has to raise the debt limit without congressional approval. George W. Bush didn't need the approval of Congress for 95% of the things he did, so why should Obama? He can't let something as tedious as the United States Constitution get in his way.

No sir!

Soccer

Japan irradiates the U.S., wins World Cup!

(Is that in poor taste?)

Roman Empire

As politicians in Washington use the debt ceiling as political leverage, I am reminded of the end days of the Western Roman Empire.

Rome, at its height, was the greatest civilization to ever exist. It was truly the beacon, sitting on seven hills along the Tiber River, for the whole world to gape in awe. Many of its citizens lived unparalleled lives of posh and hedonism, while few of them had any care or knowledge of the pain and suffering of the other world that existed beyond their vast borders.

Years of the good life had taken a toll on the Roman Empire's ability to function as it once did. Years of war, political greed and corruption, out of control spending, and utter neglect, had brought what some called "The Great Whore" to her knees, and eventually to a mouthful of dust as she collapsed, losing life--finally to die at the hands of the very barbarians she had easily slaughtered by the thousands before her less than stellar demise.

The beacon on the hill was no more. It's people left to fend for themselves as the light fell dim--the Dark Ages.

I have heard, in the past, the United States compared to Rome. I never thought that the United States would actually come to the brink of decay it is now. Perhaps, I didn't want to believe it possible in my lifetime. Like those in Rome, I simply was unable to fathom the very destruction of my nation from within, through my very way of life.

That's a very bleak look at the state of things in this country. We have Republicans and Democrats bargaining away our future in dark rooms and corridors, far away from the light of observation of the people they so eagerly attest to serve. The United States may default on trillions of dollars of debt. The Treasury Department says we have until August 2, but I feel as if that was a rather optimistic view of things. An increase in rhetoric from the White House and Congress has led me to believe that zero hour is now upon us. The world's stock markets are taking notice of Damocles' sword hanging over the largest economic powerhouse in the world. Truly, what will happen to the world economy if the United States is unable to pay its debt? I do not think anyone really knows what will happen; it is without precedent.

America's economy is bloated. The unemployed are in the millions; however, money to the wars is free flowing and only serving to further bankrupt us, those who we once had no fear of are watching closely, as the modern-day whore swells. Their wagons are circling.

America the great, the light is dimming and your ungrateful children continue to need more.

Accutane & Acne (Days 116-152)

Since my last update, my acne situation has been in remission. Only this morning I was reminded of acne when I woke up to find a single pimple on my right cheek. It was sort of a let down, but let's face it, one zit in three or four weeks is better than three or four zits every day!

I'm taking one 40mg Accutane each day. I am going to take two Accutane today, a 10mg Prednisone, and a topical application of Topicort directly to the zit. If it doesn't go down in swelling by tonight, I will step up from Topicort to Vanos.

I feel like a dermatologist!