Jake and I actived our cell phones (different types) on Jan. 29th, 2006 and my phone is still within warranty, but lately it had been working horribly. It has slowly over the last few months held a charge for less and less time. By this week it would last maybe an hour after saying it was fully charged - if I didn't use it. It would only last about 1-2 minutes if I was talking on the phone. There were quite a few times that I would sit in my car with the phone plugged into the charger just so that I could talk to people. Pathetic. And it happened so gradually that I kept thinking it must be my imagination and that really I wasn't keeping track properly. Or maybe it was because I leave my phone on in the daytime when I'm at work where I don't get service. I didn't know.
So finally I realized that I had to do something. It just wasn't working. And for those of you who might wonder why this is a big deal, I don't have a home phone, and even if I did, I'm never home - so this is basically my only way to communicate with others.
Anyway, I called the phone manufacturer (LG) and explained the situation. They said it would take about three weeks to diagnose the problem. They told me to mail them my phone, but sorry, they can't give me a replacement during that time. They suggested that I ask Verizon if they could provide a replacement. There is NO WAY that I could lose my phone for what would likely be a month, so I decided to go into Verizon so they could verify whether the problem is the battery. If it was, I would buy a new battery, send LG the old one to get it fixed, and then I would have two batteries.
I took the phone in to Verizon, and the girl immediately told me that the battery had been recalled, showed me that it was bulging, and gave me a new battery IMMEDIATELY right then! I can't even explain how happy that made me. I just don't have time in life to deal with crap like that and I appreciated Verizon making the switch so easy. I know, I know, I'm much too busy if I almost told the Verizon employee that I loved her just because she gave me a new battery, but I really was thrilled.
My phone is now back to normal, lasting a really long time, not requiring itself to be plugged in constantly. Hooray for new batteries!
Thursday, December 21, 2006
Guns Are Scary
Early this week I was almost to my workplace when I saw a cop speading by with it's lights on. It slowed down and looked at two guys standing at the bus stop and then sped away again. The guys looked confused about what had just happened. I was curious also.
Up ahead was another cop car with police out standing next to some people. The first car I mention sped toward them, then stopped suddenly and the guys got out and went toward some thick bushes. By the time I reached the scene up close (that's where I turn right), I could clearly see what they were doing from about 15-20 feet away from me. One cop grabbed a guy who appeared to be hiding in the bushes and pushed him to ground. They must have told him to put his hands behind his back because that's what he did. The second cop drew his gun and had it pointed at the guy on the ground.
It was very strange and somewhat surreal to see all this before I turned the corner. By the way, it's the corner that leads directly onto our campus. I have a hunch that maybe he was trying to break into the cars in that area since students park along that street when they don't want to pay for a parking permit.
Anyway, kind of a strange thing to see on my way to work.
Up ahead was another cop car with police out standing next to some people. The first car I mention sped toward them, then stopped suddenly and the guys got out and went toward some thick bushes. By the time I reached the scene up close (that's where I turn right), I could clearly see what they were doing from about 15-20 feet away from me. One cop grabbed a guy who appeared to be hiding in the bushes and pushed him to ground. They must have told him to put his hands behind his back because that's what he did. The second cop drew his gun and had it pointed at the guy on the ground.
It was very strange and somewhat surreal to see all this before I turned the corner. By the way, it's the corner that leads directly onto our campus. I have a hunch that maybe he was trying to break into the cars in that area since students park along that street when they don't want to pay for a parking permit.
Anyway, kind of a strange thing to see on my way to work.
Thursday, December 14, 2006
Elvis Sighting
We saw Elvis on Wednesday night and he was awesome. Looked JUST like him (haha). Seriously, this guy loved entertaining. He took a long break today the middle of the night and walked around the place visiting and taking pictures. I'm pretty sure everyone he talked to bought him a drink, because he was pretty happy by the second time he took the stage.
Wednesday, December 13, 2006
Assisted Suicide
Let's say that you are in extreme pain and agony. Life has become torture and all you can think about every waking moment is putting an end to all. Then the government steps in and says you can't help yourself to die early. We want you to extend your pain and suffering as long as possible. And no one better help you to die early, to help end your suffering, or we'll put them in jail.
I think Oregon sets a good example on how this could be handled. Here are the requirements to participate in their Death with dignity act. "The patient must meet certain criteria to be able to request to participate in the Act. Then, the following steps must be fulfilled: 1) the patient must make two oral requests to the attending physician, separated by at least 15 days; 2) the patient must provide a written request to the attending physician, signed in the presence of two witnesses, at least one of whom is not related to the patient; 3) the attending physician and a consulting physician must confirm the patient's diagnosis and prognosis; 4) the attending physician and a consulting physician must determine whether the patient is capable of making and communicating health care decisions for him/herself; 5) if either physician believes the patient's judgment is impaired by a psychiatric or psychological disorder (such as depression), the patient must be referred for a psychological examination; 6) the attending physician must inform the patient of feasible alternatives to the Act including comfort care, hospice care, and pain control; 7) the attending physician must request, but may not require, the patient to notify their next-of-kin of the prescription request. A patient can rescind a request at any time and in any manner. The attending physician will also offer the patient an opportunity to rescind his/her request at the end of the 15-day waiting period following the initial request to participate."
Also, they must meet these criteria, "The law states that, in order to participate, a patient must be: 1) 18 years of age or older, 2) a resident of Oregon, 3) capable of making and communicating health care decisions for him/herself, and 4) diagnosed with a terminal illness that will lead to death within six (6) months. It is up to the attending physician to determine whether these criteria have been met."
This isn't a new issue, but one that I was reminded of lately. Oregon obviously has this well thought out and it's a solid way to make sure people are of sound mind and have made a choice that they really believe in. What I don't understand is why people would force their own beliefs on someone else. A person doesn't have to think that it's something they would do themselves, but why stand in the way of someone who wants to end their suffering? I just don't get it.
I think Oregon sets a good example on how this could be handled. Here are the requirements to participate in their Death with dignity act. "The patient must meet certain criteria to be able to request to participate in the Act. Then, the following steps must be fulfilled: 1) the patient must make two oral requests to the attending physician, separated by at least 15 days; 2) the patient must provide a written request to the attending physician, signed in the presence of two witnesses, at least one of whom is not related to the patient; 3) the attending physician and a consulting physician must confirm the patient's diagnosis and prognosis; 4) the attending physician and a consulting physician must determine whether the patient is capable of making and communicating health care decisions for him/herself; 5) if either physician believes the patient's judgment is impaired by a psychiatric or psychological disorder (such as depression), the patient must be referred for a psychological examination; 6) the attending physician must inform the patient of feasible alternatives to the Act including comfort care, hospice care, and pain control; 7) the attending physician must request, but may not require, the patient to notify their next-of-kin of the prescription request. A patient can rescind a request at any time and in any manner. The attending physician will also offer the patient an opportunity to rescind his/her request at the end of the 15-day waiting period following the initial request to participate."
Also, they must meet these criteria, "The law states that, in order to participate, a patient must be: 1) 18 years of age or older, 2) a resident of Oregon, 3) capable of making and communicating health care decisions for him/herself, and 4) diagnosed with a terminal illness that will lead to death within six (6) months. It is up to the attending physician to determine whether these criteria have been met."
This isn't a new issue, but one that I was reminded of lately. Oregon obviously has this well thought out and it's a solid way to make sure people are of sound mind and have made a choice that they really believe in. What I don't understand is why people would force their own beliefs on someone else. A person doesn't have to think that it's something they would do themselves, but why stand in the way of someone who wants to end their suffering? I just don't get it.
Diane's Story About a Speeding Santa Float
My friend, Diane, told me that last week she was on the phone when she suddenly heard sirens and lots of noise. She is on the second floor of her apartment complex and has a great view of the street, so she went to look out the window and what did she see?
A Santa's float speeding by with cop cars chasing behind. There was also a firetruck and ambulance that went by afterward. And to top it all off, there was a helicopter in on the action as well.
Now I'm not one for watching pursuits on TV, but this is one that would have been hilarious to watch. Who in their right mind runs from the cops in a Santa float? This scene could have been taken from a good comedy. Too bad there wasn't time to get a picture. :)
A Santa's float speeding by with cop cars chasing behind. There was also a firetruck and ambulance that went by afterward. And to top it all off, there was a helicopter in on the action as well.
Now I'm not one for watching pursuits on TV, but this is one that would have been hilarious to watch. Who in their right mind runs from the cops in a Santa float? This scene could have been taken from a good comedy. Too bad there wasn't time to get a picture. :)
Tuesday, December 05, 2006
At Family Feud
This was us outside the Family Fued building waiting to get in.
This is a picture that I took of the set on the way out.
This is a picture that I took of the set on the way out.
Jake's Family
Later Saturday night Jake's family hung out at our house and visited. The first day we had 17 people attend the feud, and on Sunday we lost 3 and added 4, which means that 26 people from Jake's family (including the brothers) were able to visit this weekend. It was like a family reunion.
Getting Ready for Family Feud
This weekend was very interesting. I spent most of the time at the family feud or hanging out with Jake's family since everyone staying at our place Friday and Saturday night.
Unfortunately, they didn't win the $20,000, but we all had a fun time. They each ended up with $179.
Below are the brothers getting ready and then ready to go the first day.
Chuck, Jeremiah, Josh, Andy, and Jake
This a video of McKenna and Hugh (my nice and nephew) that I thought was really cute. They love each other and walk around everywhere together playing. McKenna is 19 months and Hugh is 22 months.
Unfortunately, they didn't win the $20,000, but we all had a fun time. They each ended up with $179.
Below are the brothers getting ready and then ready to go the first day.
Chuck, Jeremiah, Josh, Andy, and JakeThis a video of McKenna and Hugh (my nice and nephew) that I thought was really cute. They love each other and walk around everywhere together playing. McKenna is 19 months and Hugh is 22 months.
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