Yes, Hurricane Katrina decided to run inland enough to bathe Nashville with flood warnings, severe storm warnings, and a "tropical storm warning", despite the fact that Nashville has never been "tropical". Fortunately, we have seen only mild winds and regular, but not torrential, rain, meaning that everything is wet enough to keep drivers skidding around on the highways and crazy toddlers doing unknown amounts of damage indoors. No damage has been seen by this Motor Moron, but I was re-routed last night after leaving my sister-in-law's place due to a reported downed tree. That started the inevitable repeated line of questioning from my curious 3 year old son, "Why was that tree in the road, daddy?", for the next 5 minutes. Who knew the hardest words to hear in the English language were "But why?".
To those of you who have read the previous posts, a 1204 was posted by me yesterday in Spider Solitaire. I have now tied my father's record!
Also, a great link for ACCURATE Iraq war information from an embedded journalist is www.michaelyon.blogspot.com. The latest post was chillingly real as the leader of the unit he has been following was injured in a gun battle with an insurgent.
Tuesday, August 30, 2005
Thursday, August 25, 2005
Bring on the Fat People!
This week the state of Tennessee was recognized as having the 5th highest rate of obesity in the US, behind (in order) Mississippi, Alabama, West Virginia, and Louisiana. See the report here- http://healthyamericans.org/reports/obesity2005/Obesity2005Report.pdf, or the abbreviated report for Tennessee here- http://healthyamericans.org/reports/obesity2005/release.php?StateID=TN. Findings state that 27.6% of Tennessee's population is clinically defined as obese, an increase of 1.6% from the previous year. It also demonstrates that obesity rates are highest in the South and Southeast.
How does this come about? Having moved to Nashville after growing up and living in Arizona for the majority of my life, and practiced in rural communities as a physical therapist for the past 4 years, my observations bring me to 3 conclusions:
1. Those with lower educational levels choose poorer diets and exercise less (or not at all) both from a lack of knowledge and time in their lives. It is easy to run to the nearest Krystal or Hardees and get a fatburger or sausage biscuit with their obscene number of calories after your 8-10-12 hour day than spend the time making or learning how to cook a much healthier meal, and sitting down in front of the TV and resting after what essentially has been a very physical workday.
2. Those with lower socioeconomic status also choose poorer diets and exercise less (or not at all) due to a lack of resources available to them. Again, it is easier to buy high calorie, lower nutrition value food instead of purchasing better food for you that costs more on a limited budget. Plus, getting regular exercise is somewhat limited by financial difficulties encumbered with joining a health club, even with sliding fee scales available to those who qualify. Yes, running/walking on roads or playing basketball in the park is always an option, but it is becoming less safe to do these activities in neighborhoods where the poor typically live, and for many people these are not activities their bodies or their interest level correspond with. In addition, who wants to run when the heat index is 106 degrees with high humidity? Remember, these people are already unhealthy, and the stress of exercise in this climate invites more serious medical conditions to develop.
3. Tradition and personal values implore that the current intake of high fat, high calorie food is what has always been the norm and thus perfectly acceptable. In a culture that values the sausage biscuit each and every morning, fried chicken once a week for dinner, and a Coke every time you get thirsty, it is difficult to change people's perceptions that what they are doing is bad for them. I saw a woman who was obviously on a limited budget take healthier items such as fruit out of her shopping cart instead of hash browns and ice cream as she tried to be able to purchase her groceries in a store.
These factors, while sometimes blindingly obvious to an outside observer in the culture, are completely misunderstood to the above people in their own lives. Or, in those already affected by the diseases of diabetes, heart disease, or low back pain, discarded as something that they are not willing to change or somehow is not related to their current state of health. And because behavior is the hardest thing to change in one's life, this population, already displaying a lack of discipline in controlling their health, will continue to increase here in Tennessee. The silver lining for me, however, is that being a health care practitioner, there will be no shortage of patients! As long as these trends continue, and surely they are again being passed down to the next generation, I have great job security.
How does this come about? Having moved to Nashville after growing up and living in Arizona for the majority of my life, and practiced in rural communities as a physical therapist for the past 4 years, my observations bring me to 3 conclusions:
1. Those with lower educational levels choose poorer diets and exercise less (or not at all) both from a lack of knowledge and time in their lives. It is easy to run to the nearest Krystal or Hardees and get a fatburger or sausage biscuit with their obscene number of calories after your 8-10-12 hour day than spend the time making or learning how to cook a much healthier meal, and sitting down in front of the TV and resting after what essentially has been a very physical workday.
2. Those with lower socioeconomic status also choose poorer diets and exercise less (or not at all) due to a lack of resources available to them. Again, it is easier to buy high calorie, lower nutrition value food instead of purchasing better food for you that costs more on a limited budget. Plus, getting regular exercise is somewhat limited by financial difficulties encumbered with joining a health club, even with sliding fee scales available to those who qualify. Yes, running/walking on roads or playing basketball in the park is always an option, but it is becoming less safe to do these activities in neighborhoods where the poor typically live, and for many people these are not activities their bodies or their interest level correspond with. In addition, who wants to run when the heat index is 106 degrees with high humidity? Remember, these people are already unhealthy, and the stress of exercise in this climate invites more serious medical conditions to develop.
3. Tradition and personal values implore that the current intake of high fat, high calorie food is what has always been the norm and thus perfectly acceptable. In a culture that values the sausage biscuit each and every morning, fried chicken once a week for dinner, and a Coke every time you get thirsty, it is difficult to change people's perceptions that what they are doing is bad for them. I saw a woman who was obviously on a limited budget take healthier items such as fruit out of her shopping cart instead of hash browns and ice cream as she tried to be able to purchase her groceries in a store.
These factors, while sometimes blindingly obvious to an outside observer in the culture, are completely misunderstood to the above people in their own lives. Or, in those already affected by the diseases of diabetes, heart disease, or low back pain, discarded as something that they are not willing to change or somehow is not related to their current state of health. And because behavior is the hardest thing to change in one's life, this population, already displaying a lack of discipline in controlling their health, will continue to increase here in Tennessee. The silver lining for me, however, is that being a health care practitioner, there will be no shortage of patients! As long as these trends continue, and surely they are again being passed down to the next generation, I have great job security.
Wednesday, August 24, 2005
Just like with Pac-Man, getting that high score is a must!
Have been trying my luck at spider solitaire on the computer in my free time- lately there has been some of that when you are a new start up therapy clinic- and just cannot seem to get past the magical number of 1191. To completely paint the backdrop of my madness, my father got me started on the easy setting of spider solitaire back in March, when he and my mother visited for a little over a week. He informed me that his all-time best was 1204, and that has intrigued this game-playing addict because, as many sons are want to do, I must top my dad in order to feel that I have accomplished something valuable in this life. Prior to finding out that my father was playing, the more difficult "medium" setting had been my choice, with me successfully completing the game at a 50% clip according to the statistics function in the game's drop down menu. But the news from my dad forced me to go at the "easy" setting, and while I rarely lose one of the games, I have yet to figure out the pattern of minimal moves that would allow the best scoring opportunity. As I said, am stuck at 1191 as my best score. Damn!
But more interesting, I am intrigued by the fact that I am feeling inferior to my father by not outscoring him in essentially is a meaningless computer game! Is it the fact that this is somewhat technology based and being a good Gen-X'er I invariably feel superior to my parents as I have spent more time with a computer than they have and thus think that I should be able to easily outperform them in all things technological? Is is that I feel the simple rush of desire of a child to outdo their parents stemming from those many times they let me win at "Candyland", wanting validation that I can do it on my own merit? Is it the challenge mentally to see a pattern in the game itself, and to master that mental pattern? Am not sure, but let the games continue!
But more interesting, I am intrigued by the fact that I am feeling inferior to my father by not outscoring him in essentially is a meaningless computer game! Is it the fact that this is somewhat technology based and being a good Gen-X'er I invariably feel superior to my parents as I have spent more time with a computer than they have and thus think that I should be able to easily outperform them in all things technological? Is is that I feel the simple rush of desire of a child to outdo their parents stemming from those many times they let me win at "Candyland", wanting validation that I can do it on my own merit? Is it the challenge mentally to see a pattern in the game itself, and to master that mental pattern? Am not sure, but let the games continue!
Tuesday, August 23, 2005
Hugo Chavez & California
Two news stories interested me today...first, the "firestorm" started by Pat Robertson's comments about the US's need to assassinate Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, after Chavez made some comments suggesting that the US was already in the process of developing these plans. Supposedly, it is an "international event" when a talking head such as Robertson makes the above opinions- of which the US has quickly distanced itself via the Secretary of State's office and Donald Rumsfeld's comments both stating for the record that this would be "illegal" and of course not the position of the US Government with respect to relations with another sovereign country. In a country such as ours a person's opinions are their own, valid, correct, or utterly insane and asinine. We are allowed to think what we want, and if the media is willing to put a microphone in front of every lunatic out there eventually the law of averages will state that something outrageous will be orated. But why should the government have to make a statement? Since when was Pat Robertson in a position to make official policy for the US government?
However, the Venezuelan ambassadors were also quick to go to the media, making a public outcry that the government apologize for Robertson's statements. President Chavez and Venezualan Ambassadors, you appreciate the right to denegrate the US in your country and speak badly about our leader, now you know what it is like to be on the other side. Don't cry foul when someone, even someone as unofficial as Pat Robertson and essentially a talking head only, plays the same game. As Will Hunting put it so succinctly in "Good Will Hunting", "How you like them apples?"
Also, it was reported that the Supreme Court of California upheld a lesbian's claim that her former partner, with whom she had jointly became artificially inseminated and bore twins to her partners single child, was responsbile for child support after the partner broke off the relationship and left with her own child. As this woman was the "breadwinner" of the family unit, as is the case with most "traditional" heterosexual unions, she was responsible for child support as they both entered into the parenting process jointly when they were together. Now, while I support the idea of civil unions instead of granting homosexuals "marriage" based on the traditional status of the term "marriage", homosexuals must also see that with rights come responsibility. Responsibility that we heterosexuals have dealt with for some time. As with President Chavez above, if you want to play the game, you have to accept the consequences that come with playing the game and not run away crying when, inevitably, something does not go the way you want it.
Maybe these scenarios continue to display the me-first selfishness and egocentrism that has become such a hallmark on society today- "if it upsets me, then it must be wrong." Well, welcome to the world as it is, you wanted in, now deal with it and shut up like everyone else.
However, the Venezuelan ambassadors were also quick to go to the media, making a public outcry that the government apologize for Robertson's statements. President Chavez and Venezualan Ambassadors, you appreciate the right to denegrate the US in your country and speak badly about our leader, now you know what it is like to be on the other side. Don't cry foul when someone, even someone as unofficial as Pat Robertson and essentially a talking head only, plays the same game. As Will Hunting put it so succinctly in "Good Will Hunting", "How you like them apples?"
Also, it was reported that the Supreme Court of California upheld a lesbian's claim that her former partner, with whom she had jointly became artificially inseminated and bore twins to her partners single child, was responsbile for child support after the partner broke off the relationship and left with her own child. As this woman was the "breadwinner" of the family unit, as is the case with most "traditional" heterosexual unions, she was responsible for child support as they both entered into the parenting process jointly when they were together. Now, while I support the idea of civil unions instead of granting homosexuals "marriage" based on the traditional status of the term "marriage", homosexuals must also see that with rights come responsibility. Responsibility that we heterosexuals have dealt with for some time. As with President Chavez above, if you want to play the game, you have to accept the consequences that come with playing the game and not run away crying when, inevitably, something does not go the way you want it.
Maybe these scenarios continue to display the me-first selfishness and egocentrism that has become such a hallmark on society today- "if it upsets me, then it must be wrong." Well, welcome to the world as it is, you wanted in, now deal with it and shut up like everyone else.
Monday, August 22, 2005
Opening Day
Wow, just getting started on this blog gig, and wondering how serious I will be with posting. You know, I have never even kept a diary and only used a journal for a couple of entries, so my expectations are quite low. That said, it seems that every time I keep my expectations low the outcome of my circumstances seems beyond anything that could have been imagined. Should be interesting to see what happens with this, stay tuned...
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