Several weeks ago I made an appoinment with an allergist because of itchy hives. I'd been taking an antihistamine everyday for about six months. Eventually I figured that it was silly to have to take a pill everyday and I ought to look into this.
After my follow-up appointment this week, it seems that I have the best case scenario of all the possible diagnoses: Dermatographia. The treatment? Take an antihistamine everyday. Hmmm, sounds strangly familiar. While it's nice to know I don't have Lupis or a thyroid problem, the thought of taking an antihistamine everyday indefinitely is annoying. On the plus side, at least now I know I'm not allergic to anyparticular foods and that I won't suffer anaphylactic shock (again).
Dermatographia: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/Dermatographia/DS00755
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Monday, February 2, 2009
Hats
I would like to see more men wear hats. No, not stocking caps for cold weather or basball caps, though these have their place, sometimes that place is in the trash. I would like men to wear hats that look like they paused a moment, pondered, and selected a particular hat for a reason other than covering bed head or to support their favorite sports teams.
Why don't men wear real hats anymore? Some say that the decline of the hat fashion began when President John F. Kennedy went to his inauguration hatless. However, maybe it has more to do with laziness. I do not think many men want to be bothered with the extra step of selecting a hat to match their clothes, coat, or style. Oh, and then there is the added step of removing the hat indoors, a step baseball caps do not seem to need anymore. Believe it or not, there is actually laziness beyond the baseball cap. Consider the frayed brim baseball cap (the ones you actually buy pre-frayed, perhaps a cousin to the pre-ripped jeans). Some men can not be bothered to put forth the dedication involved in wearing a baseball cap so much that the brim frays. Which is surprising since they tend to get a lot of wear indoors and out.
Hats used to define a man's status. What happened to the Fedora? That is a fine hat with some style. What does the Fedora say about a man's status compared the the frayed baseball cap, store frayed or otherwise? I am not going to say it, you can judge for yourself. However, I am going to urge men to wear Fedoras. Toss laziness aside and bring real hats back in style!
Why don't men wear real hats anymore? Some say that the decline of the hat fashion began when President John F. Kennedy went to his inauguration hatless. However, maybe it has more to do with laziness. I do not think many men want to be bothered with the extra step of selecting a hat to match their clothes, coat, or style. Oh, and then there is the added step of removing the hat indoors, a step baseball caps do not seem to need anymore. Believe it or not, there is actually laziness beyond the baseball cap. Consider the frayed brim baseball cap (the ones you actually buy pre-frayed, perhaps a cousin to the pre-ripped jeans). Some men can not be bothered to put forth the dedication involved in wearing a baseball cap so much that the brim frays. Which is surprising since they tend to get a lot of wear indoors and out.
Hats used to define a man's status. What happened to the Fedora? That is a fine hat with some style. What does the Fedora say about a man's status compared the the frayed baseball cap, store frayed or otherwise? I am not going to say it, you can judge for yourself. However, I am going to urge men to wear Fedoras. Toss laziness aside and bring real hats back in style!
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Review: This is Your Brain on Joy by Dr. Earl Henslin
The book is a hybrid of self-help book and scientific paper. It is refreshing to read about hard science’s role in a field typically described as a soft science. The author explains with the use of SPECT scans (brain imagining scans) each major section of the brain and its chief responsibilities concerning moods and emotions. His goal was to make the brain easy to understand for the average person. However, at times the ‘dumbing down” is more confusing because the author assigns more than one name to various brain sections, the scientific and the folksy term. It would have been less distracting if he had chosen one and just stuck with it.
Indeed, the author takes on a difficult task in covering all of the treatment options, medical and holistic, that are available today. For example, common prescription drugs, supplements, music, cinema therapy, physical exercises, and aromatherapy are all covered. In addition, the author provides famous quotations, Bible passages, and case histories to motivate and sooth those with the discussed problems. The treatments are in easy to navigate tables and categories.
Despite the positive components of the book, I have two main criticisms. Firstly, the author should regard supplements with the same caution as he does prescription medicines. Herbal medicines and supplements could have interactions with other medications, not just anti-depressants. Secondly, the author’s attempts at humor in various sections of the book are at best distracting. In some cases, they are obnoxious and ungrounded. For instance, more than once PMS is called Pre-Monster Syndrome and at one point is likened to bipolar disorder.
This is Your Brain on Joy
http://www.thomasnelson.com/consumer/product_detail.asp?sku=078522873X
Indeed, the author takes on a difficult task in covering all of the treatment options, medical and holistic, that are available today. For example, common prescription drugs, supplements, music, cinema therapy, physical exercises, and aromatherapy are all covered. In addition, the author provides famous quotations, Bible passages, and case histories to motivate and sooth those with the discussed problems. The treatments are in easy to navigate tables and categories.
Despite the positive components of the book, I have two main criticisms. Firstly, the author should regard supplements with the same caution as he does prescription medicines. Herbal medicines and supplements could have interactions with other medications, not just anti-depressants. Secondly, the author’s attempts at humor in various sections of the book are at best distracting. In some cases, they are obnoxious and ungrounded. For instance, more than once PMS is called Pre-Monster Syndrome and at one point is likened to bipolar disorder.
This is Your Brain on Joy
http://www.thomasnelson.com/consumer/product_detail.asp?sku=078522873X
Friday, January 2, 2009
New Year's Resolutions
As the new year approached I encountered more people than I would have liked who did not make resolutions for the new year. Their reasons differed slightly but mostly could placed into a category I will call what's-the-point? Some people do not make resolutions because they admit they never keep them or because they can not think of any "good" ones. In a few cases people proclaimed that they did not bother because they did not want to change a thing about themselves. But enough about these new year's resolutions scrooges, I want to focus on what is great about new year's resolutions.
It doesn't matter if you keep your resolution all the way until December 31st or whether is gets the quality stamp of approval from everyone you meet. It can be lofty or simple, personal or communal, unique or common. Mostly, it can be a time to put your best foot forward. Making a resolution is a good way to be introspective, organize your goals, and motivate yourself to be a little better in some way or a little closer to the person you would like to be. In doing so, you simultaneously acknowledge humility and hope. That hope is what is, dare I say, beautiful about a new year's resolution. However, in failing to embrace the process of resolution making, you recognize their opposites: arrogance and defeat, an odd couple to say the least. There is hardly anything worth being arrogant about regarding giving up and calling it quits. It certainly does not sound like a good way to approach life regardless of the date.
Kudos to those who have set their standards for themselves a little higher this year and have not given up on themselves or ther world! And, to those who have yet to create a resolution, set cynicism aside and permit yourself to be optimistic for once; make a resolution ...even if it is the same as last year's.
It doesn't matter if you keep your resolution all the way until December 31st or whether is gets the quality stamp of approval from everyone you meet. It can be lofty or simple, personal or communal, unique or common. Mostly, it can be a time to put your best foot forward. Making a resolution is a good way to be introspective, organize your goals, and motivate yourself to be a little better in some way or a little closer to the person you would like to be. In doing so, you simultaneously acknowledge humility and hope. That hope is what is, dare I say, beautiful about a new year's resolution. However, in failing to embrace the process of resolution making, you recognize their opposites: arrogance and defeat, an odd couple to say the least. There is hardly anything worth being arrogant about regarding giving up and calling it quits. It certainly does not sound like a good way to approach life regardless of the date.
Kudos to those who have set their standards for themselves a little higher this year and have not given up on themselves or ther world! And, to those who have yet to create a resolution, set cynicism aside and permit yourself to be optimistic for once; make a resolution ...even if it is the same as last year's.
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
The American Patriot's Almanac by William J. Bennett and John T. E. Cribb
The seasoned historian and the newcomer to American history are bound to find this book both interesting and useful. The American Patriot's Almanac has a unique layout. Each day of the year, except February 29, is chronicled by a historical event. These entries are brief, seldom more than a few paragraphs. Then a timeline with 4-7 bullet points follows with just a sentence on more events that occurred on the same day. The format reminds me of a “history lesson a day” calendar, only more thorough and interesting.
The author reveals details uncommon to popular knowledge like the words President Lincoln spoke before signing the Emancipation Proclamation, the connection between Candlemas Day and Groundhog Day, or the original honor of the Purple Heart medal. In addition, each month is separated with more lengthy historical information that is not tied to a specific date, such as flag etiquette, poems, the lyrics to patriotic songs, and the Constitution of the United States.
The writing is clear and to the point. The historical topics are more than just battles and presidents. Indeed music, population censuses, and inventions are included. Females and minorities are not left out of America’s history in this book either. Occasionally, an entry includes a sketch or picture.
http://www.thomasnelson.com/consumer/product_detail.asp?sku=1595552677
The author reveals details uncommon to popular knowledge like the words President Lincoln spoke before signing the Emancipation Proclamation, the connection between Candlemas Day and Groundhog Day, or the original honor of the Purple Heart medal. In addition, each month is separated with more lengthy historical information that is not tied to a specific date, such as flag etiquette, poems, the lyrics to patriotic songs, and the Constitution of the United States.
The writing is clear and to the point. The historical topics are more than just battles and presidents. Indeed music, population censuses, and inventions are included. Females and minorities are not left out of America’s history in this book either. Occasionally, an entry includes a sketch or picture.
http://www.thomasnelson.com/consumer/product_detail.asp?sku=1595552677
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Hot Dogs Made Easy
The other day while shopping in the grocery store my husband and I stumbled upon the epitome of meal laziness. Now, keep in mind that we can be pressed for time just as much as the next family. We have Morning Star Grillers at the ready and have been known to rely a little too much on nachos as a dinner option. However, Oscar Mayer Fast Franks go one step further by eliminating one of the overwhelming two steps involved in making a hot dog. These hot dogs come packaged individually nestled in their own bun. That's right, you can now save yourself 20 seconds of time by eliminating that pesky task of opening a package of hot dog buns. Whew! A time saver indeed.
On a serious note, this highlights a concept that I was reading about regarding the food industry's ability to make profits. The main point was that food companies make more money by providing a service than by actually selling foods. For example, cut lettuce or onions cost more than a head of lettuce or an individual onion. Likewise, when you buy Fast Franks, you are not just paying for a hot dog and bun, you are also paying for the service of having the hot dog already placed inside the bun. I'm impressed that Oscar Mayer could actually come up with a way to insert service into a meal that requires such little effort and, thus, has little room for service. Perhaps next they will be offering us individually wrapped slices of toast.
On a serious note, this highlights a concept that I was reading about regarding the food industry's ability to make profits. The main point was that food companies make more money by providing a service than by actually selling foods. For example, cut lettuce or onions cost more than a head of lettuce or an individual onion. Likewise, when you buy Fast Franks, you are not just paying for a hot dog and bun, you are also paying for the service of having the hot dog already placed inside the bun. I'm impressed that Oscar Mayer could actually come up with a way to insert service into a meal that requires such little effort and, thus, has little room for service. Perhaps next they will be offering us individually wrapped slices of toast.
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Review: My Little Girl by Tim McGraw and Tom Douglas
In this story. a father and daughter enjoy activities together which are refreshing for two reasons. First, they are not stereotypical “little girl” activities, like tea parties or playing with dolls. Instead the pair head off to see animals at the local co-op, play on a swing, watch clouds, and more. The activities could easily have been a part of a book entitled “My Little Boy.” Secondly, the activities are not based on expensive outings. Instead, the premise is to just spend time together. The daughter says it best when she tells her father that her favorite part of the day was, “Being with you!” While the storyline is choppy in places, the message is clear. The story would be excellent for bedtime as it ends with a bedtime routine: brushing teeth, story, prayers, and goodnight kiss.
The illustrations resemble water-color art and proponents of marriage will be pleased to see that the father wears a wedding ring in several pictures. The book also has a spot on the last page for a father to write down a special shared moment with his daughter. Having that special moment in writing will likely be a treasure to the daughter when she is no longer a little girl.
Publisher's Link:
http://www.thomasnelson.com/consumer/custom/top20/My_Little_Girl_Tim_McGraw_Tom_Douglas.asp
The illustrations resemble water-color art and proponents of marriage will be pleased to see that the father wears a wedding ring in several pictures. The book also has a spot on the last page for a father to write down a special shared moment with his daughter. Having that special moment in writing will likely be a treasure to the daughter when she is no longer a little girl.
Publisher's Link:
http://www.thomasnelson.com/consumer/custom/top20/My_Little_Girl_Tim_McGraw_Tom_Douglas.asp
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