A couple of months ago my daughter started saying “what?” a lot. At first we thought she was being a smart ass (yes, they start as young as four) and then we thought she was just choosing to hear what she wanted to hear. And then, finally, we thought, “shit, maybe something is wrong.”

It took five weeks to get an appointment for a pediatric hearing test at a well-respected hospital near us. In that time my daughter’s hearing seemed to get better, so we thought maybe it was a fluke — or whatever was wrong had passed. In retrospect, her hearing didn’t get better, we just talked to her differently. [Read more →]

Tags: blood, license to ill
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If you are female, between 20 and 30 years old, of “appropriate weight for your height” and in very good health, you could qualify to earn up to $50,000 for your fertile eggs! Yes, there is a lot involved and a lot of restrictions will be placed on your life while awaiting the “transfer” — but this is the one time in a woman’s life where she can easily — and legally — earn more than a man.

Men get a mere $100 for their sperm. Yes, you clearly need both sperm and egg to make a baby, but obtaining donated sperm is a hell of a lot easier. Although men do need to go through a battery of tests and extensive questioning of their medical histories and their families’ medical histories, it is ultimately a lot simpler for a man to donate (i.e., a cup and a magazine with pictures of pretty girls or guys (whatever their preference)).

Understandably, in these tough economic times, a lot of women are looking into this option — as well as looking into the option of becoming a surrogate. At one hospital in Cleveland there is no longer a waiting list for egg donors (which in some cities have been longer than a year) and in California, the typical six-month wait to find a surrogate has disappeared completely. Some men have even been encouraging their wives to donate and increase the family purse. Of course, there are others who donate just to help someone else out.

Would you donate for cash? For me, I think it would depend on how strapped my family really was…

Tags: easy go, license to ill
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Some people are just miserable. The other day I was walking to the railroad and five out of six people I passed seemed ready to rip the head off of any person who might look at them funny. It could be that it was a cold, dark, Monday night after a long holiday weekend. Or it could be that people are just seriously depressed and ready to snap at any moment. Whatever the reason, a new report showing that happiness is contagious could not have come at a better time.

And even more exciting, happiness is contagious in a “pay forward” kind of way; it spreads from friend to friend. So I’ve decided I need to be happier. I owe it to the people I love to increase their happiness. I will smile more. I will look on the bright side more. I will not get so angry when the person in a hurry mumbles under their breath as they push me aside, or when I get cut off at an intersection. I will only think positive thoughts; the glass will always be half-full.

I wonder how long I can possibly keep this up. Maybe, at least, through the holidays. Although, I do still need to shop for gifts and the crowds are generally inconsiderate, annoying, and downright rude. Hmmm, maybe I can do this every other day?

Tags: license to ill
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I had to get a root canal yesterday. I know what you’re thinking — “Lucky!”

I know, I know. Don’t be jealous. Root canals are a special treat. For this particular dental experience, I decided to go to a dentist who specializes in sedation dentistry. It was either that or just let the tooth rot out of my head. Honestly. I can no longer bring myself to volunteer for the waking torture of dental work. Not going to do it. Please just knock me out. [Read more →]

Tags: license to ill, low & high
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I’ve been thinking a lot about organ donation lately and a story on MSNBC about a mom hoping to have a hand transplant hit home. I am not an organ donor, nor am I prepared to say I want to be one. But I am not sure why. Why do I hesitate at the chance to give someone else the opportunity to, in some cases, live? What the hell is wrong with me?

When I do think about what organs I would be willing to donate, should I change my mind, I immediately think about things that are inside my body — things that no one would be able to tell went missing. That seems to bother me less. Well, except my heart; I am not so sure I would be willing to let that go. But then I think, really, if a doctor took my heart (after I am already, of course, utterly and completely dead) and gave it to someone who needed it, why should that bother me? I am not going to need it anymore… or will I?

Jerry Orbach donated his eyes. His eyes! How will he see? Okay, obviously he is dead, he won’t need them anymore… so why am I having so much trouble with this?

How do I get past this silly feeling I have of violation? If I am dead, I’m dead, right?

Tags: license to ill, truth (or something)
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I have long been involved with a non-profit group called the Susan G. Komen Foundation. This group raises money, and awareness, for research on breast cancer. My involvement in past years was primarily my strong back. A co-worker and long time Board of Directors member, Barbara Hoffman, would conscript me to move boxes of shirts, pamphlets, equipment and other, manual labor type tasks.

This year, I volunteered to lend my photography skills to the cause and the Board was delighted to accept me as a staff photographer for the local chapter.

Over the last several months, I have been involved in documenting the volunteer effort that goes in to an organization of this type, and I focused on the activities leading up to their largest yearly event, the ‘Race for the Cure.’ This 5K race draws huge crowds of supporters and gives a lot of good media exposure to the foundation.

The race, for many, is just a side show. This event is much, much more than just sweaty people paying to pound the pavement! The event gathers cancer survivors together to celebrate life, to acknowledge the struggle they face and to show the world that they are winning the battle.

As a self-proclaimed curmudgeon and a card-carrying cynic [Read more →]

Tags: license to ill, photography
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That the FDA will consider proposals to sell the public genetically engineered meat doesn’t surprise me. It was only a matter of time. It’s probably a foregone conclusion that the FDA will also find it safe for human consumption — what’s another “oops”? Besides, maybe it is safe. What piques my interest is the controversy over labeling such foods: the producers demand — and the FDA appears to be inclined to humor them — that such food not be labeled because of the ignorant consumer’s fear of the unknown. Since the gross-out factor is pretty high, they argue, it’s best we don’t even know that all the thighs in the family pack came from the same chicken.

I already buy only chicken labeled “no antibiotics” (because “no hormones” label on a chicken is laughable: chickens aren’t raised with hormones; that’s for meat). Do you think the old-fashioned producers will be allowed to label their product “no DNA messing”? Does anyone know of an organized active resistance to this what-you-don’t-know-won’t-creep-you-out school of thought? I want to join.

Tags: license to ill, recipes & food
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My cousin will graduate from the nursing program at Ball State University today. Last night I went to the pinning ceremony and was the first to stand in ovation when the audience was invited to acknowledge the accomplishments of the 2008 baccalaureates. I stood because she is one of the dearest people in my life. I stood because she has overcome seemingly insurmountable odds, and despite all, she has achieved her dream. I stood because she is graduating with honors at the top of her class.

Other than those attending with me, applauding our particular graduate, I don’t know why everyone else stood up when I did. [Read more →]

Tags: educayshin, license to ill
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