Beer Babies

I saw something rather disturbing today... Babies, toddlers and other small children (aka under the age of 21) relaxing at the Beer Garden.

Now some of you may think that the Beer Garden is an actual garden and I will forgive you for not knowing, but the Beer Garden is, for all intents and purposes, a huge outdoor bar. I didn't take any pictures because I did not want to have to deal with privacy issues and such, but believe me when I say that the bathroom even has a baby-changing station.

Ridiculous? YES!

What are these parents thinking? "Hello, I'm raising my child to be a future alcoholic of America. I also plan on helping him/her when s/he goes to AA meetings."

WTF????

Why would you want to subject your young'uns to a bunch of obnoxious drunk beer drinkers that act like children? Oh wait... the kids are in their element then, nevermind... proceed with the corruption of our future.

Death Becomes Us

I haven't written in a while and there is no excuse for my idleness. I do know you'll forgive me though.

Today's topic of choice: Death

The last two months the public has seen a myriad of deaths from the most newsworthy to the little "who was that again?"

So here's a list of those that died just as a reminder...

1) Michael Jackson - I don't think I need to cover his death anymore. The media had a field day with his passing as it was. I will say, though, that it pains me when I read or hear people say things like "he deserved it, he was a pedophile" or "he was a weirdo anyway, good riddance." The man made some strange choices no doubt, but to wish someone's death like that or to say cruel things is uncalled for in my book. Whether he did anything or not, doesn't matter. He was still the man!

2) Farrah Fawcett - I was too young to appreciate her and really the wrong color as well. It's hard for me to look up to her, but she was every teen boy's wet dream... including my husband's, so that must count for something. I do think she was very strong though, it's not easy dying a slow death from cancer and having the will to live after learning that you don't have much longer to live. I just hope she lived those last days to the fullest.

3) Ed McMahon - Here's Johnny! There goes Ed... don't have much to say except I wish they never canceled the original American Idol... Star Search. I loved that show!

4) Walter Cronkite - people were upset about his death. I wasn't. He was old, he lived a long life, I'm sure he was fine with it.

5) Arturo Gatti - Known for the greatest boxing trilogy against Mickey Ward. His career was already on the decline if it hadn't already hit rock bottom with his recent losses. It's still a shame to see someone tragically killed. The investigation into his death is still open. I think his wife killed him, but who knows for sure.

6) Vernon Forrest - another great fighter. I just learned of his death yesterday. He was my husband's age. It's tough to see another good one go. We watched his last fight against Sergio "Latin Snake" Mora last night. It was his last fight and he lost, but just barely. He still lives in in the books though.

7) Steve McNair - Titans quarterback. Two words: Crazy lover. Men, if you plan on cheating on your wives make sure the woman is mentally stable. He had a good career and it was literally blown away.

8) Other notable deaths: Robert McNamara (former Secretary of Defense), Frank McCourt (author), E. Lynn Harris (author), Merce Cunningham (dancer/choreographer).

I could sit here and ask what in the world is going on because of all of the people are dying. OH MY GOD!!!!!

Right, I could, but I won't. People die everyday. It's a part of life. The moment we are born we begin to die. This isn't a bad thing. This just tells us that we need to live our life to the fullest because we never know when it's going to end. My father died two and half years ago. I was witness to it and I can say that he died with a smile on his face. His last vision was of me, my sister and his wife. He died knowing we were going to be okay. Did he die too young? For me, he did, but I liked spending time with him. Was it his time to go? Apparently so.

So here's a moment of silence to everyone that has died and everyone who is still alive not truly living. If you're not living, get off your asses and get to it!

I've made my peace, have you made yours?

What the Blood Clot?!?!?!

Wow. I know you guys have missed me. I've missed myself. It seems my life went for a little roller coaster ride the last couple of months. The most important thing that's happened...my husband was diagnosed with blood clots...multiple clots. Now, this wouldn't be such an issue if he were 60 years old, but he's a very healthy 38 year old man. Strange, huh?

Apparently not...

My husband was hospitalized twice. The first time when he was diagnosed which was a complete waste of time. The second time they actually removed the most of the clotting. However, both times it was brought to our attention how common blood clots are these days... among young people. I wish I knew what the exact numbers were by age group. The only statistic I found was that 1 in 1000 people a year get DVT (Deep Vein Thrombosis - the official term for blood clots in the lower extremities).

I don't know about you, but I find this very odd. It's not normal. What's worse was the nurse said that doctors are recommending people take Heparin shots before they fly to reduce the risk of clotting. Ok. People have been traveling for decades now and clotting, while certainly a risk because of the lack of movement on a plane, was never that big of an issue. My little conspiracy mind is going a mile a minute though wondering what the hell is going on. There should be no reason to take any type of medication if you don't need it.

Heparin for those of you that do not know is a pretty powerful blood thinner and anti-coagulant. The biggest side effect, of course, is that your blood thins and doesn't coagulate properly. So please tell me why anyone would willingly subject themselves to this major side effect for a couple of hours on a plane, especially if you are not pre-disposed to getting clots. It makes no sense. That doctors are telling people to get these shots makes even less sense...unless they are getting a kickback or worse, there's something else in those shots. Hey I don't put it past our government. They've done some f'd up things in the past.

Just to be on the safe side though, here is a list of things that can cause blood clots:

• Flying
• Prolonged sitting
• Pregnant, smoking, female
• Birth control taking, smoking female
• Trauma to the leg (getting kicked in the leg for instance or break/fracture of the leg)
• Some surgeries
• Genetics
  
• Old age

There are more, but those are the the main ones. So watch yourselves kiddies... Don't want to see you in the hospital.