Posts filed under 'On-topic Only'
Sorry if I’m stepping on anyone’s toes, but this is OT and I thought we need a single place for info. And, the previous post was getting up in numbers.
Books & Co. posted their February schedule. Jenny et al are only there for an hour (7-8)! Doesn’t sound like a long time; I’m sure we can change that as we take over the bookstore. (insert evil grin here.) They’ll be at the Greene, which if I remember is the same place as last time.
http://www.booksandco.com/calendar.html
So, if anyone wants to post flight schedules, arrival times, hotel info, etc., I thought we could do it here instead of hunting through the previous posts. I’m driving down Friday morning, with a couple passengers, I believe. First question to be decided: are we meeting at the hotel, or CF, or B&C?
February 2nd, 2009
Okey dokey. As I mentioned on the previous post, I think May is the best month for me* for a CB invasion of Scotland, and Christina said a weekend that month would also work for her.
So, I’ve setup the following blog http://scotlandwhackinvasion.blogspot.com as a place to scheme and plot and also to post travel and other info. Right now there’s nothing there to see. If anyone else wants posting privileges, just let me know. No furries, I’ve made it non-searchable, and non-something else. So hopefully it will be private.
Um, oh yeah, one more thing. I was thinking of maybe setting up an online vote to select a weekend in May, assuming May is good with everyone. Not that you all can’t come for longer, but it would be a definite date when folks could try to overlap their trips. Let me know if you think I should go ahead and do this.
And I apologize in advance for how expensive it is to visit here. (But I am THRILLED that folks want to come!)
August 5th, 2008
. . . a tale told by Lori, translated into coherence by BCB.
Okay, I think I’ve managed to break the code and translate the majority of this so it will make sense to everyone. It wasn’t easy. My translations are in [brackets]. You will see soon enough that it was necessary. I removed the reference to herding cats and the “just because BCB couldn’t make it work” comment. It’s better that way. Hey, no need to thank me. Anything to convince you not to do this make it easier to share photos. Really.
~BCB
Private Photo Sharing Options:
From what I understand, the group in Portland decided they want to be able to share pictures with the rest of the CBs without putting them out there for the world to see (like using the blog would). [Translation: Had she been in Portland, she could have put a stop to this then and there.]
There are a couple photo sharing websites that have options that would enable us to do just that. [Tr: But she's going to tell you about some others instead.]
Option 1: Create a private group on a photo sharing website.
(Like www.flickr.com or www.keepandshare.com)
I am leery having one account and giving everyone the sign in and password information, [Tr: You all are crazy and not to be trusted.] but if we want all the pictures in one location, we can use something called a “Group” on the Flickr website. Everyone would need to sign up for a Flickr account, which is a part of the Yahoo family (making it easier for people with Yahoo emails). [Tr: You would have to do something and then remember what you did so you could do it again later.] It would be considered a private group, so the only way to become a member of the group is to be invited by a person who is already a member. Groups can also set up administrators and moderators that have the power to enforce any rules that govern the group. [Tr: Yeah, right.] The administrators can also temporarily remove or ban members. [Tr: With any luck, all of them.] Flickr would never allow the group content to go public. [Tr: Though it has never dealt with this group before.]
Individuals who wanted to share pictures with the group would upload their pictures to their individual Flickr account using the “private” setting. They would then choose to “share” those pictures with the group. [Tr: All this is gibberish, just ignore it.] This is pretty simple and standard stuff, [Tr: This is extremely difficult and should only be attempted by a professional.] but if people have questions, there is help available (from both flickr and myself). [Tr: If this is not confusing enough, she can make it worse.] Once pictures are shared with the group, the individual could put a link to the pictures at the Bar & Grill. People who followed the link would be prompted to sign into their Flickr account in order to see the pictures. There is also a space for people to comment on pictures in Flickr. [Tr: As long as you don't use the letter "e" which is banned from the site.]
Members of the group are allowed to view and comment on any photos that are “shared” with the group. They can also add tags (keywords) and other various things along those lines. [Tr: Various things like more code words that will need translation.] There is also a spot for “Group Discussion.” As of right now, I’m not sure it would necessary to use the discussion area, but it is there regardless. [Tr: This is MN humour, meaning: "Not sure why you all feel the need to talk all the damn time."]
The only other photo sharing website I came across with a “Group” option is called Keep and Share. I have not explored this site much yet, [Tr: She is incredibly busy.] but I will if y’all decide you like it. [Tr: You bother her with this, she will hurt you.] If you know of another photo sharing site that supports groups, and you think it has potential for us, please let us know!
Option 2: Use your choice of photo sharing website and send a link to private photos or albums by email.
(Like www.picasa.com, www.snapfish.com, www.shutterfly.com, www.flickr.com, and more.) [Tr: More MN humour, meaning: "If you thought that was too complicated, try doing this at home."]
On most photo sharing websites, it is possible to upload photos with a “private” setting and share a link to those photos by email. Only the people who get the email have access to those photos. [Tr: You all will be sending a lot of email invitations.] If the CBs choose this route, people could upload their pictures to whichever photo sharing website they prefer then send an email invitation to view those photos to all the CBs. [Tr: As well as Thank You notes.]
You would not need an account to view the photos because you would be able to view them just by following the link sent to you in the email. [Tr: This doesn't really work, but it sounds good in theory and provides hours of entertainment for admin types.] Most of these sights also have areas for people to comment on pictures.
If we did this option, we would probably need to compile an email list of those people who want to receive links to pictures (and put the list in a safe place?). [Tr: Are you kidding me? There is no safe place.] Or we could put one person in charge of the list and have that person receive email with the link and forward it to the rest of the CBs. [Tr: She just volunteered to be in charge.]
Okay, almost done: [Tr: Obviously, more MN humour.]
I actually have some concerns with either option. [Tr: Mostly that you all think you need to share pictures in the first place.] However, I have not come across anything better, so now it’s your turn. What are you thinking? [Tr: She really doesn't want to know.] What looks good, bad, and ugly? Are there other options? [Tr: No, there are not.] Did anything I just said make any sense?
[Editor's note: It does now that I translated everything. So, you see? Lori's educated and highly professional opinion is that this won't work. No need to discuss. No need for decisions. Move on to the next post.]
July 1st, 2008
It’s getting confusing, but this is the only way I know to arrange this.
The Summer Solstice is June 20, 2008.
My house (THE house) is in Hillsboro, Oregon.
CMS , a more traveled CB than I, points out that it’s cheaper to travel mid-week to mid-week rather than on the weekends. Me, all I know is that my boss gets cranky if I take too many weekdays off. What I figure is, you should arrange your work/travel schedule within these guidelines:
The general idea was to have a party on the summer solstice. I vote we arrange matters so that the most CBs can be in one place at one time. I was thinking of suggesting a party on Saturday, June 21st, that everyone who could be there would be there. (That way, K.L. or Cary wouldn’t have to take time off on Friday, and those who had to travel on Friday could arrive at the party non-tired.)
This would mean that some people would be forced to travel here earlier, or leave here later, and therefore might have to (O! the Horror!) pet my dog, put up with my cooking, or explore Portland more thoroughly than they otherwise might have intended.
I don’t know if this schedule is feasible or fun-sounding. Please feel free to amend as desired. I’m throwing ideas out as they come to me.
McB suggested a tequila tasting. I am situated quite close to a Mexican-centered area, but I’m not sure which are the best restaurants. However, if anyone is so inclined, I have just found out that 3 blocks away, in the basement of the former city library, is the “12th best Japanese restaurant in the United States.” I’m not sure how such things are determined, but that sounds pretty damned impressive.
- If you’re coming to my house from the north, you might want to coordinate travel plans with K.L., if she’s available.
- If you’re coming to my house from the south, please coordinate travel plans with OH as I think she’s hoping to get a caravan going.
- If you’re coming to my house from the east, or you’re not sure of the coordinates, please let me know and I will supply you with either a)the location b)some aspirin.
- In any of these cases, could you let me know also so I can arrange bedding, chairing, and ferrying?
The nearest main airport is PDX. If you are planning to fly your own airplane (and frankly if BCB or McB is the navigator I do advise against this), the nearest airport is Hillsboro.
Once you land at PDX you have three choices:
- shop until you drop at all the best Oregon stores until you have to catch your return flight
- call for a ride. The Merry Ferry service is available
- take the Max! out to outer Hillsboro (the blue line) and call for a ride for the remaining 4 blocks
Questions, comments, concerns? My email address is angstriddengoddess at gmail dot com
February 22nd, 2008
If you’re going to Mary’s in June, please say so in the comments, so we can get an actual list going. Pam (eidlhe) had the smart idea to get an e-mail going, but I didn’t want to have a repeat and have emails cluttering up CBs’ boxes like last time- this way it cuts down hassle in the long-run. So just say “I’m going” and we’ll make sure you get on the list. And if you’re a maybe, or just want to know what’s happening, get on the list too.
Thanks!
February 21st, 2008
It has been brought to my attention that there are a few people that are interested in having another CB Gathering. Possibly this could be something along the lines of Dayton. And since we are all grown-ups, most of the time anyhow (or OH pretends to be, usually ) it was suggested that we could maybe possibly meet in some grown up place… like say, maybe… VEGAS.
It was suggested that we pursue this further. So I decided to start a special ON TOPIC ONLY post, just for the discussion.
Just to get an idea, is anyone interested in having a meet-up? Would you be willing to travel? Have any ideas where we should go? Ideas for when?
Yes, I know it’s the holiday season right now, so money is probably tight for everyone today. But that won’t be the case forever. So if you’re interested, now is your chance to speak up, chime in, and be heard.
And can you believe I actually was able to log in and post? Wonders never cease!
December 12th, 2007
Okay, this is hard.
http://margaretsnews.blogspot.com/
November 1st, 2007
Okay, we are over 90 comments and it’s not even Friday yet. I’m not due to post until Saturday, but I thought this might be a good time to do the book discussion we’ve been talking about. I think everyone should have read the book by now, yes? Feel free to continue talking down at CMS’ NJ post, however, as I’m choosing to keep this one ON TOPIC ONLY.
So. I blogged over at RLOS about impressions and it led to thoughts of Agnes which I am rereading. That seems like as good a starting point as any.
At the start of the book, Agnes idealizes Brenda. Brenda is who she wanted to grow up to be, to the extent that she bought Two Rivers, Brenda’s house. She even argues with Lisa Livia who, really, ought to know her mother better than Agnes. And when Brenda does something even Agnes can’t ignore, Agnes makes excuses for her until finally she sees Brenda for what she really is. Brenda, of course, went off the deep end at the end of the story; but what she was at the core really wasn’t any different. What Agnes had really envied all those years was the mask that Brenda wore. Brenda knew how to say and do the right things to … wait for it … create an impression. And thinking about it, I’ve known a few Brendas, and you probably have too. Okay, maybe they didn’t sabotage a wedding dress and try to kill you; but I’m betting you know someone who turned out to not be as great as you thought they were. And looking back, you can usually see all the signs you ignored early on. Just like Agnes did. So a first impression can conceal the bad as well as the good. A good example of art imitating life. Ironically, Agnes acquires what she wants by being herself while Brenda faked it. And look at how they each ended up.
October 11th, 2007
I don’t want to step on Jen-t’s post time, but this is important. On-topic discussion only, please. Here’s an email I got today:
FROM a nurse:
“I’ll never forget the look in my patients’ eyes when I had to tell them they had to go home with the drains, new exercises and no breast. I remember begging the Doctors to keep these women in The hospital longer, only to hear that they would, but their hands were tied by the insurance companies.
So there I sat with my patients, giving them the instructions they needed to take care of themselves, knowing full well they didn’t grasp half of what I was saying, because the glazed, hopeless, frightened look spoke louder than the quiet ‘Thank You they muttered.”
A mastectomy is when a woman’s breast is removed in order to remove cancerous breast cells/tissue. If you know anyone who has had a Mastectomy, you may know that there is a lot of discomfort and pain afterwards. Insurance companies are trying to make mastectomies an outpatient procedure. Let’s give women the chance to recover properly in the hospital for 2 days after surgery.
It takes 2 seconds to do this and is very important .. Please take the time and do it really quick! Please send this to everyone in your address book. If there was ever a time when our voices and choices should be heard, this is one of those times. If you’re receiving this, it’s because I think you will take the 30 seconds to go to vote on this issue and send it on to others. You know who will do the same.
There’s a bill called the Breast Cancer Patient Protection Act which will require Insurance Companies to cover a minimum 48-hour hosp ital stay for patients undergoing a mastectomy. It’s about eliminating the ‘drive-through mastectomy’ where women are forced to go home just a few hours after surgery, against the wishes of their doctor, still groggy from anesthesia and sometimes with drainage tubes still attached.
Lifetime Television has put this bill on their Web page with a petition drive to show your support. Last year over half the House signed on.
PLEASE!! Sign the petition by clicking on the Web site below. You need not give more than your name and zip code number.
***********
That link didn’t work for me the first few times I tried, but when I Googled it, I got the page with that link.
My mom had a lumpectomy for breast cancer about 20 years ago. There is no way she could have gone home the same day, and that was without having a major portion of her anatomy removed. That’s major surgery! Sending someone home after an ordeal like that is just barbaric. Which made me wonder if this was just another “urban legend.” So, I went to Snopes and checked it out. Here’s what they had to say:
[[[Home --> Politics --> Medical --> Breast Cancer Patient Protection Act
Breast Cancer Patient Protection Act]]]
Claim: A bill known as the Breast Cancer Patient Protection Act seeks to require insurance companies to cover a minimum 48-hour hospital stay for patients undergoing mastectomies.
Status: True.
The examples they gave included the email I received.
Origins: In January 1997, Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro of Connecticut sponsored H.R. 135, the Breast Cancer Patient Protection Act of 1997, in the 105th Congress. The bill sought to “amend the Public Health Service Act and Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 to require that group and individual health insurance coverage and group health plans provide coverage for a minimum hospital stay for mastectomies and lymph node dissections performed for the treatment of breast cancer.” Among other provisions, the proposed law mandated that the benefits of patients covered under group insurance plans not be restricted “for any hospital length of stay in connection with a mastectomy for the treatment of breast cancer to less than 48 hours.”
This bill was never brought to the floor for a vote after its introduction to Congress. It was referred to various congressional committees, where it languished without action until it expired with the end of the 105th Congress. Rep. DeLauro has since sponsored the same bill four more times: as H.R. 116 to the 106th Congress in January 1999 (the Breast Cancer Patient Protection Act of 1999), as H.R. 536 to the 107th Congress in February 2001 (the Breast Cancer Patient Protection Act of 2001), as H.R. 1886 to the 108th Congress in April 2003 (the Breast Cancer Patient Protection Act of 2003), and as H.R. 1849 (the Breast Cancer Patient Protection Act of 2005) to the 109th Congress in April 2005.
In each case, the bill’s fate was the same: it languished in committee, never being brought to a vote. It was reintroduced to Congress (as the Breast Cancer Patient Protection Act of 2007) in January 2007 — the House version (H.R. 119) was referred to the Subcommittee on Health, Employment, Labor, and Pensions in May 2007, and the Senate version (S. 459) was referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions in January 2007.
Although most efforts to see this bill passed urge supporters to affix their names to some type of petition, we believe the most effective course of action is for advocates of this legislation to contact their congressional representative(s) directly, by U.S. mail, telephone, fax, or e-mail.
Additional information:
AMA letter in support of H.R. 536
Last updated: 7 June 2007
Urban Legends Reference Pages © 1995-2007
by Barbara and David P. Mikkelson
**********
There are links on the Snopes page to the various bills and to Rep. DeLauro which didn’t come through. If you want to use them, click the link above this section to get to their original page.
So, IMO, it won’t hurt to sign the petition, but the Snopes page advice to contact your elected reps personally sounds like the best way to support this legislation, should you be interested. Or both.
September 24th, 2007
Okay, I think we need to get a little more organized about this. We’ll keep this on-topic so that we don’t distract from Wapak’s post.
- Are you planning to go to the J&B signing in Dayton on 8/30?
-
Do you need a room or roommate?
- If you are not going, do you want one of us to get a copy of AATHM signed for you?
What I’m thinking is that someone can be in charge of figuring out where we stay and pairing off those who want to save $$ by sharing a room. Also someone can keep track of who wants books and then we can split it up amongst those of us in Dayton.
Also, for those of you not aware, I think the bookstore is actually in the Dayton ‘burbs. Someplace called Beavercreek off of Indian Ripple.
And if anyone has suggestions, please speak up.
July 27th, 2007
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