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 |  My Blog. Generally Intended for Reading-Not Eating!. |
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Rose-Tinted Ramblings ** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** A Little of What You Might Expect & A Lot of Everything Else that You Don't!. My writing style for my blog is invariably 'snarkastic'. This is because I am a nice, unassuming and quietly-spoken person IRL-and this blog is where my innermost moments and torments happen. Trust me, I am no exception to that delightful rule. Greetings! Welcome to my THIRD blog here on WDC. A re-incarnation of my earlier version of my Blog, here "Insanties and Sensibilities" this v.03 should prove to be equally...challenging and hopefully, entertaining. That said, life often weaves through our writing in mysterious ways, and this Blog will probably prove to be no exception to that. We are very likely all quite different, yet the same, us writers and our collective little whims, fascinations and insecurities. |
| March 09, 2008. Whether the Weather be: 52 (F) Sunny. Events of Note: "Beanie" is home again. In the Nudes: Didn't look.  "Beanie" is home, after a last-moment, sudden dash up the mountain, last night. She's still sick  . My FIL is sick, too, and getting significantly worse by the hour.  I'm at a low. |
| Here in the U.S, we are living not only with a Military Industrial Complex, but within what I suggest is also a Medical Industrial Complex. With Hillary campaigning strongly on the basis of her so-called health-care policy experience, here's a look at how the Clintons fared in the 1990s. Politics has a deliberately short memory, and here's why:- Back in 1994, when the Clinton health plan was being debated, some kind of managed care was already a reality for everyone in the health care sector. From providers to consumers. Managed care was facing changes and limitations itself, irrespective of whatever long-term policies were enacted. The basic change was that consumers would have less providers and fewer options, as well as treatment plans that were subject to increasing 'pre-approval' from insurers. The previous year (1993) Bill Clinton had tried to introduce the doomed "Health Security Act". This newly proposed Act included guaranteed private health insurance for everyone, a much wider choice of services, a clamp-down on unfair insurance practices, and the preservation of Medicaid and MediCal. It talked about underlying principles of "simplicity, choice, care and responsibility". As Bill Clinton summed it up in his speech to Congress, "In short, all the things that are wrong with our health care system threatens everything that's right." Opposition was daunting to say the least of it. On the provider side, were most of the medical/provider hospital groups, and managed care industry groups. Then, there were the big business interests-the U.S Chamber of Commerce and the National Association of Manufacturers, to name just two. No small hitters. So, while the plan was comprehensive and sounded good in theory, it didn't have the marketing, lobbying and political strategizing behind it to let it fly, and in the Summer of 1994, the Clinton Health Plan (or CHP) died a natural political and special interests death and was soundly defeated. Interestingly, as Jonas et al (2007) recently found,  As a nation, the U.S spends too much on health care, not too little. The rate of health care costs, which has gained alarming momentum since 2000, has not been mediated by any sort of intervention.  In 2002, The British Medical Journal (BMJ) reported that, "Pharmaceuticals again ranked as the most profitable sector in the United States, topping the annual Fortune 500 ranking of America's top industries, released this month." Companies like Pfizer, Well-Care and Humana have all doubled or tripled their yearly earnings and revenues throughout 2006, and similar increases are predicted for 2007.  The distribution of health services is highly variable.[ It's basically a crap-shoot. Having insurance is no protection when insurance companies are involved in actively betting against health consumers. Your health insurer is not your friend, and they are certainly not ethical in the ways of doing business that we assume that they are] Much that could be done to improve health and prevent disease is NOT [emphasis mine] being done, despite the fact that technology and knowledge is available to do so. If these factors aren't morally troubling "enough" to our politicians, then there is less hope, faith and trust in the goodness of humanity than I thought. Guess who's really running this country?. References: Jonas S, Golsteen R, Golsteen K (2007) An Introduction to the U.S Health Care System, New York: Springer (pp. 246-248) |
March 07, 2008. RANT AHEAD---->>>>I must be blue, jaded, and outta touch. Because I've been turning an interesting shade of red, green and white while reading some of the Static Item Editorials on here, tonight. I'm always interested to read views that are different from my own-that's what makes my intellectual world worthwhile. What grates on me more than anything, are dis-jointed ramblings, poor editing skills (non-existent paragraphing, non-sentences) and weakly argued points. An editorial expresses an opinion, viewpoint or observation, or argues for a particular position on an issue. If I'm so distracted by the simplest of structural considerations, then my opinion of the writer, will be far less enhanced, and the credibility of their thoughts will be diminished, in my overall opinion. Perhaps I'm wildly mistaken and authors have merely posted their first draft on there as a beginning point. In which case, my best option would be to offer a thoughtful and constructive review. Not tonight: I have a headache   I was never much of a fan of Quentin Tarantino. His "Kill Bill" movies creeped me out, and I found them gratuitous and degrading towards women. However, with his "Death Proof" film that I saw this afternoon, he has entirely redeemed himself. With huge thanks in no small measure to Zoe Bell. Woot!. That woman has serious spunk. It was a sad, twisted irony that the male lead was played by Patrick Swayze. It's deliberately styled as a "B-grade" film, but is actually relatively compelling (I've been watching an average of three new releases per night). It's raining, it's Friday, and there's fresh Banana Bread for dessert. Yep, life is real rough in our household. The only missing ingredient is "beanie". Come home soon, sweetheart  |
| March 07, 2008. Whether the Weather be: 50 (F) Overcast Events of Note: Getting back into 'it'-sort of In the Nudes: Anti-whaling protester claims he was shot by Japanese whalers. Weather changes from high pressure to low pressure used to always affect/trigger my asthma. That was ten years ago now. Following last week's major asthma attack, that same trigger has been "reactivated". So, with another North-Western Pacific storm beginning to blow in here last night, I've been miserable with respiratory difficulties. Didn't sleep until 6:00am, and overslept for calling "Beanie" in absent from pre-school (again) at 8:00am, which jeopardizes her placement. Ergh. Still, by 11:00am, I'd managed baking for the restaurant, some shopping, two loads of dishes and a load of laundry, which is probably the most work and activity that I've managed for a month, or more. Am planning a low-activity afternoon because otherwise, I will pay for my exertion tonight. Oh, and I will pay, if last night is anything to go by. I'm trying to read Blogs here that I might otherwise give the go-by. I don't care if you're at the top of some list, or at the very bottom, nor do I discriminate based upon case color. If you interest me, I will read you. If you really pique my interest, I'll leave you a comment. I've looked at blogspot and various other blog websites, and they are about as inspirational as a soggy sock. Life is too unpredictable to simply 'settle'. So-see you in the blogs. |
| March 06, 2008. Whether the Weather be: 51 (F) Mostly cloudy Events of Note: Feeling 'yuck' and 'stuck' In the Nudes: School shooting in Jerusalem. Yesterday, I ran the hot tub twice. I failed to get in it twice. That tells me something right there. Just can't find any physical energy at all. Snacking on cereal constantly, which is not really something to be too concerned by, lol. Add to that, my husband kept kicking me in bed last night, which was disconcerting, but he was so unwell that I seriously doubt he was even aware of his actions. What a sorry pair we are. Now, my respiratory passages have filled up with a mix of old blood and glutinous gunk, and I'm feeling especially congested. Oh, bother. Haven't had a hair-wash for a week, despite the fact that I know that I will feel better afterwards. No motivation. My clinic meanwhile does nothing, except for the standard soothing sympathies, "You have what everyone else has". Tell me this too shall pass. Tell me anything. I'm past it, already. It's Day 25. They're gunning for 30-that's pretty standard-before I'm 're-evaluated'. Whatever the heck that means. |
| ** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** On The Face Of It-04.06.08 Special Edition-The Golden Glob Beauty Awards for 2007. Throughout 2007, my mailbox regularly filled up with different samples from cosmetic manufacturers, fashion houses, and beauty retailers. All aimed rather blatantly at swaying/convincing/cajoling me into purchasing and re-purchasing, gifting with purchasing, and deluxe sampling. Case in point: the samples on my desk at this moment, include Cosmedicine, Clinique, Curad, Dove...I could go on In short, 2007 was as competitive as any other year in the beauty industry. Major drugstore and pharmacy brands essentially re-branded themselves with a swathe of anti-aging skincare lines (‘L’Oreal”, “Olay” “Ponds” and “St Ives”) Meanwhile, in department stores, brands like Estee Lauder and Lancome revamped their foundation and face makeup ranges. At the higher end, the fashion beauty houses like “Chanel” and “La Prairie” launched luxurious treatment, spa-style skincare products, ranging in price from US$150-US$450 (each). As with many consumer-based and driven industries, the e-commerce and online retailers fought a fierce battle for the beauty dollar. In particular, the retailer, Sephora, and the budget cosmetics line, E.L.F. outshone many others with interesting, on-trend websites. E-tailing was surely in-style. So, after a ‘difficult’ year of sampling, reading thousands of reviews, conflicting opinions (mostly mine) and reading through several thousand marketing ‘blurbs’ (or barbs) here are my 2007 Golden ‘Glob” Beauty Awards: Best Facial Cleansers: “Olay Hydrate and Cleanse Serum With Microbeads” (US$14) “Babor Gentle Cleanser” (US$26) “Dove Sensitive Skin Beauty Bar” (US$4/4) Best Facial Moisturizers: “Lancome Bienfait Multi-Vital SPF30” (US$55) “Unlisted Brand Beauty Fluid” (US$9) Best Eye Cream for Tired, Stressed Eyes: “Avon’s Hydrofirm Bio Eye Cream” (US$7) Outstanding Acne Treatment in a Skin-Supporting Role: “Avon’s ClearSkin Immediate Response Spot Treatment” (US$8) Outstanding Best Value Beauty Treatment: “Queen Helene’s Mint Juleep Mask” (US$3.95) Outstanding High-End Beauty Treatment: “Babor’s Anti-Stress/Anti-Jet-lag Cream” (US$55) Tinted Moisturizer: “Lancome Immanence SPF15” (US$46) Crème Blusher: “Avon You’re Blushing in Rose Petals” (US$7) Lip Treatment: “DHC Moisture Care Lip Gloss” (US$9) Best Body Moisturizer: “Nivea Crème” (Classic Version). (fromUS$2 for a flat tin) Frankly, I was heartily unimpressed with most body moisturizers during this past year. Bodycare brands are simply trying to do too much in the one product. As a result, many lines are unbalanced, smelly and sticky-as well as grossly over-priced. In addition, my point-of-view was probably not helped by the fact that many body creams I tried made my nose itch!. Best-Dressed Decorative Cosmetics: Lip-Glosses:Nourishine (Mary Kay), Lip Shine (DHC), Lip Butter (Korres) Eye-Colors/Eye Make-Up: Stila, E.L.F Overall Winner for Best Natural Cosmetic Brand: Afterglow Cosmetics Overall Winner for Best Designer Decorative Cosmetics Brand: “CK-Calvin Klein” So, there you have it. Some of the best, and not always the most expensive. Proof, too, as if it was ever needed, that some brands enjoy too much of an elevated status amongst some beauty editors, whereas the real gold-standard test remains in the choices made by consumers. Have a beautiful 2008!. |
| March 05, 2008. Whether the Weather be: 49 (F) Sunny Events of Note: Feeling pensive, pent-up and cranky In the Nudes: U.S politics. I'm feeling especially pensive and short-tempered today, which probably means that I'm winning my longstanding battle against this dreadful 'flu, which has managed to disappear an entire month on me somewhere. Ergh. I do have a personal dislike of people who complain, with absolutely no clue of the issues involved. "Beanie" is missing us. We miss her equally as much. Hopefully, we can be well enough that she can return here by the end of this week. My husband is still suffering from 'flu, too. Restricted to light duties. Again. Still. Well, I'm off to think about a possible topic for the March issue of the BVN. |
| March 04, 2008. Whether the Weather be: 47 (F) Sunny. Events of Note: Nightmares, nostalgias and continuing illness. In the Nudes: George Bush was wrong-you've gotta eat your broccoli.  Now that I've blown the junk outta my nose, everything takes on a new complexion. As it was, I was awake till 5:00am, so I'm feeling quite fragile still. I re-united with my best friend from back in my senior high school days, just yesterday. Apparently, she'd tried contacting me well over a year ago, but her mail failed. Sometimes, it feels as if life has come full circle. We were girls, and now we talk enthusiastically about our girls, their education, and them not becoming part of that archaic system that was responsible for molding us into young women, and often failing us miserably through social oppression and expectations that were simply too high for a small town upbringing. Hollywood wants to film my house, according to my latest spam. I could also lose 20lbs just by agreeing to flush out my colon. Thanks anyway. |
| March 03, 2008. Whether the Weather be: 50 (F) Overcast. Events of Note: Upset tummy (meds). Feeling sleepy, too. Not conducive to writing. In the Nudes: German jet plane almost crashes in windy conditions at airport. {e:balloon1) Much malaise, and mail-aze, today. Found that the Coroner's Inquest files for Peg's death are 'open access', so I can ask the government archivists in New Zealand to open the documents and send me photocopies. They have a fifty year seal on access, whereas her patient files from Seacliff have a legally-binding100 year access denial. They may or may not contain a lot of information, but at this point, something is an improvement on no death certificate at all (or birth certificate, for that matter). As Kåre Enga in Montana   commented here, people can and are still cruel to one another. Moreso, if you are marginalized, or considered to be "on the fringes". Most people don't give two hoots about such issues, unless, if and when it ever affects them personally. Indifference and/or ignorance and arrogance. Constant lobbying and advocacy is just plain tiring, too, sometimes. Not to mention, highly politicized. "Beanie" is thriving at the mountain, apparently. Painting and drawing a lot. Very much into wearing "big girl panties"-ahem. I'm off to sneak a nap while the house is relatively quiet. |
| Whether the Weather be: 41 (F) Partly sunny. Events of Note: Avoided E.R visit, last night. Today?. We'll see. In the Nudes: Man sickened with the deadly poison Ricin in Las Vegas. While I was waiting on my medications to do everything that they could and 'should', last night, and with half an ear on the film, "Mrs Henderson Presents" (starring Dame Judy Dench), I continued with my research into the death of my great-aunt. My great-aunt died in 1942 in a mental asylum fire, at Seacliff in New Zealand. 37 women died in the heavily Gothic-style wooden structure, because the windows were all too securely shuttered and locked, as were all doors. In addition, because of WW2, there was a shortage of nursing staff, especially night shift staff. After years of looking, I've now discovered some official documentation confirming her as a victim, and stating her formal cause of death: suffocation. Because the hospital ward was reduced to ashes, everyone was burned beyond identification. No bodies were ever recovered. A Commission of Inquiry held afterwards never determined a cause for the fire, but was responsible for instigating major legislative changes in subsequent fire and architectural regulations. Seacliff was widely seen as being a graphically cruel institution, even by 1940s mental asylum standards, and was particularly torturous to its population of women 'inmates'. The famous New Zealand author, Janet Frame was a 'resident' herself, and fortunate that she managed to survive the degradation at Seacliff (she later died in 2005). Most women 'patients' were considered mainly as being 'schizophrenic" which was a convenient catch-all diagnosis for all sorts of different mental illnesses, including Freudian versions of "female hysteria". So, I found my beloved Aunt Peg. A cold, harsh statistic, and a far cry from the calm, gentle-natured and healthy young woman whom I'd admired in many different black and white family portraits. There is a commemorative tree, and a plaque, where the old structure once stood proudly as part of New Zealand's largest ever building back in the '30s, ironically, on recreational grounds now dedicated to the work of the dictatorial male founder of the Seacliff institution. Closure is unlikely. As more years pass, fewer people have survived to remember her. Yet, I do. Because she is my family, and a part of who I am now. Despite disturbing genealogical discoveries, I managed to avoid another trip to the hospital, last night. My routine four-hourly medication cocktail is disruptive to my having any sort of rest, yet the alternative isn't really that attractive either. Because my asthma is more potentially life-threatening to me at the moment, than this ruddy 'flu, per se, my asthma medication is suppressing my immune system, while it manages the condition of my lungs for me. Consequently, my 'flu symptoms feel especially brutal at the moment, while my system is otherwise 'redirected' elsewhere. Now, if I could only get back to my writing...Happy Sunday!. |
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