links for 2004-11-30
-
The John Lennon Museum has opened on October 9, 2000, the day when John would have celebrated his 60th birthday.
-
Above us only sky...
« October 2004 | Main | December 2004 »
November 30, 2004
November 29, 2004
Too Melodramatic
In an effort not to be melodramatic I have been avoiding writing anything lately. I am still waiting on tests to come back and more tests to be done and in the mean time I have just been working on improving the things around me that I can. I am going to try to write more as soon as I get out of this funk that I am in, until then expect a blank page.
November 16, 2004
Exercise and Detailed Results
I have decided to go back to working on losing weight. Some how my depression and medication has made me gain 20 pounds over the last year. I decided that for my Christmas present this year I wanted a treadmill and my husband bought me one. I have been walking on it everyday at least 2 miles a day. Somehow I managed to lose 9 pounds in 10 days. I think that is a little much but I would like to lose about 1 to 2 pounds per week. Which by the way you can track my progress at this site.
Back to the results information that I gave earlier. I found out that the nodules that were found mean that there is a possibility for cancer not hypothyroidism. I am more than a little bit worried about it. I especially worried about the 3 month wait to find out if the growth has grown. I hope that it's not something serious. I'm not big on surgery.
I haven't been writing very much because all of this has been going on. Trying to better my health and keep up with doctor's appointments keep me very busy. Plus I don't have much to write about except my current health problems and I am not sure that anyone really wants to hear about them. I just have to write about when I feel like I need to kill time.
I am looking forward to putting up the Christmas tree this weekend. I don't know if I am going to be sending out cards this year. I just don't have the time this year to do it. The tree is really exciting to me though. I love the lights.
Today we added a third gate to the dining room door way. My son has learned to climb the over the two gates that we had there already. I don't know what we are going to do when he figures out how to open the gates.
November 09, 2004
links for 2004-11-09
-
The number of U.S. citizens visiting Canada's main immigration Web site has shot up six-fold as Americans flirt with the idea of abandoning their homeland after President George W. Bush's election win this week.
November 08, 2004
Need for Change
I have spent the last week being disgusted about the events that have occurred over the last 4 years and fearing what will happen to the country with another 4 years of Bush. however, my health is more important to me right now. I figure there is little that can be done about what has happened. I want to spend the next 3 years working on informing people about what is happening around the world and given them options to better it. It won't hurt to add in a little humor as well. I think it's a good focus. In the 4th year I will go back to my daily political postings. I can't say I won't post anything political, but it's not a priority right now. I look forward to sharing with you.
Getting Results
I got some news today. I don't know if it is good or bad but the doctor called about the results of my thyroid test. It looks like I have a "blockage" in my thyroid. I guess that means I have Hypothyroidism. However, my doctor's idea of treating the problem is to wait 3 more months and have another sonogram done to see how much it has changed. Needless to say I am not happy about this method of treatment. I am just not sure what other options I have at this point. I don't know when you are suppose to get a second opinion. I feel like I should be doing something to treat it now.
I am feeling kind of happy that I finally have a physical diagnosis. This could mean that I don't have bi-polar at all. All of my emotional problems could just be a result of the thyroid problem. meaning I could be taking a lot less medicine in the near future and I could be saying good-bye to my shrink.
In addition to finding out the news about the thyroid problem I was finally hooked up to the take home EEG machine. I have 16 electrode stuck to my head like I am some kind of monster. I have to wear this thing for 24 hours and then they will , I hope, let me know why I keep having these "seizures" that I have had for so long. The doctor isn't convinced that I have epilepsy and neither am I. I just know that I have something wrong and I want something to fix it. All the anti-consultants that I am on don't seem to help and I am taking 3.
The blood tests came back with a slightly elevated level of whatever it is they look for in arthritis. So, I am suppose to go see a rhumetologist. The only problem with that is that all the doctors are very far away and also I am spending so much time going to all of these other doctors that I haven't found the time to even schedule an appointment.
I am just going to have to keep looking for more information about all of these things. If anyone has information to share please do.
links for 2004-11-08
-
US voters have reported more than 1,100 separate incidents of problems with electronic voting machines and other voting technologies.
-
A systems software glitch in Craven County's electronic voting equipment is being blamed for a vote miscount
-
A veteran of the first Persian Gulf War is suing the Army after it ordered him to report for duty 13 years after he was honorably discharged from active duty and eight years after he left the reserves.
-
100 Words and Pictures that Define the Time / by Jonathan J. Harris
-
Now that George W. Bush has been officially elected, single, sexy, American liberals - already a threatened species - will be desperate to escape.
-
About 85 students worried about the war, a return of the draft and the future of the environment staged an overnight protest
-
Votergate is the investigative documentary feature film uncovering the truth about new computer voting systems, which allow a few powerful corporations to record our votes in secret.
November 06, 2004
links for 2004-11-06
-
What? The "will of the people" prevents Bush from answering questions?
-
There's actually a semi-serious point to be made here that's relevant to ongoing discussions about the importance of cultural conservatism in US politics, namely that the real lines of cultural cleavage in North America do not track the international boun
-
Election sequence of emotions
November 04, 2004
links for 2004-11-04
-
Note the already-voted-with ballots in the back of the truck with the Bush-Cheney sticker in the back window.
November 03, 2004
Bush Wins
It looks like I get to smoke for another 4 years.
Sick!
I am moving to France, maybe London. I always had a thing for a British accent. Just for a few years maybe.
In honesty, I just feel so frustrated now. I know I have friends who are saying "I told you so" but that doesn't bother me as much as the fact that people voted for Bush not based on what he has done but for the fact that he says he will ban gay marriage and possibly abortion. I believe the number was close to 79% for "Moral Values" votes for Bush, which was 22% of the total votes. The second rated topic for Bush was Terrorism (Fear) with 19% of the voters voting for Bush 86%.The way I see it, if 9/11 had never happened George Bush would not have been able to scare people into voting for a war and then into voting for him because they were afraid, just a side thought.
My intention was to completely change the format of my site after the election, change to a less stressful topic of discussion. I think I will state to focus more on Entertainment and other news but while Bush is still in office I am sure I will have more political posts. The stress of the last year has just driven me mad with frustration at this administration, and I have decided that this election may be over but 2008 I will become a volunteer wherever I can. I will not let the republicans control my rights as a woman or of the people around me, they are much too selfish for that.
So, there will be less politics here at FreshCaffeine and I will try to calm myself now with a nice relaxing bath.
links for 2004-11-03
-
Filmmaker Michael Moore has hundreds of cameras outside polling stations in Florida and Ohio to watch for attempts to suppress voter turnout.
-
New information indicates that hackers may be targeting the central computers counting our votes tomorrow
-
Election Protection Trouble Tracker, tracking the election troubles accross the country
November 02, 2004
Daily Pennsylvanian report
A flyer with a doctored Chicago Sun-Times news story is circulating on campus telling students that if they vote in Pennsylvania they will lose any grant money from their home state.
The document cites an altered Associated Press story about a student from Pennsylvania, which was changed to say that the student registered to vote in the state. The story asserts that students from out of state lose grant money if they vote in Pennsylvania.
In fact, students who register and vote in Pennsylvania will not lose state grant money, regardless of where they are originally from.
The first paragraph of the actual AP story reads as follows: "Some college students from Pennsylvania who plan to vote Nov. 2 will do so at their own financial peril. That is because students who go to school out of state and register to vote on campus lose their eligibility for Pennsylvania state grant money."
The doctored flyer changes the first paragraph to read: "College students in Pennsylvania who plan to vote on Nov. 2 will do so at their own financial peril. That is because students who go to school out of state and register to vote on campus lose their eligibility for home state grant money."
Allegheny, PA
This Flier was sent out in an effort to keep some democrats from voting on November 2nd.
The letter claims that because of the "immense voter turnout that is expected...Pennsylvania has requested an extended voting period". One which would allow Republicans would vote on Nov. 2 and Democrats would vote on Nov. 3.
Milwaukee Voter Suppression
This flyer, distributed around Milwaukee's African American communities, claims to include "some warnings for election time." Among the warnings:
* If you?ve already voted in any election this year you can?t vote in the presidential election.
* If you?ve ever been guilty of anything, even a traffic violation, you can?t vote in the presidential election.
* If anybody in your family has ever been found guilty (sic) of anything you can?t vote in the presidential election.
* If you violate any of these laws, you can get ten years in prison and your children will get taken away from you.
The daily Kos
New Mexico: Eight people turned away
From Mike Miller at Valley High School in the North Valley, Albuquerque:
Eight people have been turned away so far because they were at the wrong precinct. Judges did not give them provisional ballots, we're not sure yet why. Democratic lawyers and MoveOn workers are on site.
One voter turned away had received a call from the GOP telling him this was where he was supposed to vote. He said his name is Frank Sandoval, that he is a Republican himself, it's not his first election, but he said he didn't know why he was given the wrong address. He said he thought it was a joke.
The odds are the Republicans didn't know Sandoval was a Republican. They are just phone-banking Democratic neighborhoods with bad voting
locations.
Problems Plague Some Polling Places
Elections Director Jackie McDaniel says an election judge left a polling place at Sandalwood Elementary School in Essex (Maryland), saying he forgot something at home.
When he returned, he was fired over the phone.
McDaniel says voters who had to wait were allowed to vote by provisional ballot.
Other problems around the area range from missing keys to inoperable machines to a lack of extension cords.
An election watcher's guide to the vote
"Now that Election Day is finally here, the results of the longest presidential contest in history will soon be known. Unless, of course, the counting is just beginning. In 2000, it took 36 days before George W. Bush was judged the winner."
I voted today!
so, I woke up at 6 am and I got dressed. I didn't know what to expect, being my first time and all. We got there at 7 am and stood in line for about 20 minutes. Then I went in front of the ballot machine (touchscreen). A few of the choices took me some time to think about, did I want to vote Democrat or green as I am registered? I went Democrat down the board. I feel good about it though. Now all I can do is watch the news and see how all of this turn out. The same for all of you.
November 01, 2004
Pre-Election Day
I am getting ready to go to bed on election day eve. I am worried about what the morning will bring. I have heard horror stories about things happening around the country and I think I am very lucky to live in Maryland. I don't think that I have a lot to worry about but it's my first time. I am getting up at 6 am and getting to the polls at 7 am. If you have seen my other blog you would know who I am voting for. I decided that I would quit smoking if Kerry wins the election. If Bush wins I get to smoke for another 4 years. We will see what happens tomorrow.
A lot is happening with my mother bit it;s not as important as the election right now. I will get back to it later in another post. I have to go to bed now. I have to wake up early in the morning. Good night.
Election Day Eve
Don't forget to get out there tomorrow people. This is a very important election. As the bumper sticker says "If you don't vote, you can't bitch". I am not going to make this about who to vote for, okay maybe I will make a few points. It's a big day though and every able bodied person should be out there making a choice that will better their future and the future of America. At 7 am I will be attempting to vote for John Kerry, if all goes well I will be able to do that without a problem.
I have friends who say they will be voting for Bush and I find it very sad. I don't want to argue with them, but I want to make them understand the flaw in their thought. For instance, by re-electing Bush the special school that my autistic son goes to will be shut down because of the underfunding that Bush intends and the programs that currently help my son to get treatment at a special hospital will be canceled. Without these programs my son and others like him would probably never be able to enter into the regular school system and integrate into society. So, when they say "no child left behind" they are forgetting about mine and thousands of others with disabilities and behavior problems that traditional schools can't teach as well as special schools.
I have to go off to bed now because I have to get to bed because I have to get sleep so I can wake up early in the morning. I just want to remind everyone to vote, no matter who you are voting for. It's important. Just think hard about what your doing before you make your choice. It effects us all!
links for 2004-11-01
-
Listen to Real People who voted for George Bush in 2000, but will be voting for Kerry in 2004.
-
Never Forget brings together full movies and video clips to help you make the right choice on Tuesday.
-
For any of you who doubted the reports of Right Wing voter suppression campaigns
-
Kerry 296, Bush 242
-
Frequently Asked Election Day Questions