I AM a doctor (M.D.) and yet...no I don't really get anxious, especially since test results are posted long before my visit. Pens? I was cocky about that but still groused when there was no "Clean/Dirty" designation, then I got RSV--which is much more fomite transmissible than is SARS-CoV-2, AKA COVID--even though I was mask compliant at all times, found the research that suggests airborne contagion of RSV is less important than contact. Both are still suspect, though. Paperwork: a plague on paper usage; my co-pay receipt was handed me in 8-1/2" x 11" format...I'll note that when I return the six pages I received from the medical center via snail mail with information readily available online. I know: not everybody has internet access. Really?! It's 2023 in the land of AI!
Thx for your response. RSV-- not fun. I miss snail mail. I miss good ol' fashion letters. THere's a post in there. I noticed you're retired. Do you volunteer anywhere using your skills?
I notice you're in Seattle (or was that someone else); do you have a suggestion? I've done a lot of volunteer work over the decades; in fact, a lot of the early parts of my career were, in a sense, similar to volunteer work. You'd have to read my "memoir" (which is why I joined Substack, a lazy way to publish it, piece by piece) to understand how/why. I like good ol' fashion(ed?) letters, too, but they take up a lot of space...and there's the whole environmental thing (does it really matter? see any recent article on China and Russia colluding against us in a Cold, potentially Hot, War). But I ramble. ADHD. I wonder if I should have titled my Substack The ADHD'd MD so people wouldn't think I'm yet another ADHD "expert." I like your writing; I haven't leapt into subscribing much...but tempted.
I'll subscribe to your newsletter. Sounds interesting. If you're in Seattle area I know that the Search and Rescue department always needs volunteers. Hubby and I may volunteer. They love highly trained people like MD's, experienced hikers, climbers and just regular people who will walk a field to find evidence. I know Air Support uses EMTs. Not sure if they're volunteer or paid. Don't know how you feel about helicopters.
Mar 27, 2023·edited Mar 27, 2023Liked by Good Humor by CK Steefel
Your comparison of Seattle vs New York is everything! I have spent a lot of time in Seattle. Like a LOT and Seattle sure does have a high opinion of itself. Don't get me wrong, I love Seattle with my whole heart....but her inhabitants can be precious about their "rugged" urban lifestyle.
Now NYC, I've never been there but I want to go and your description made the gritty, equalizing vibe palpable. I want to see what goes on in those allies with my own eyes!
As usual, great little piece. You have a way of capturing real life in a believable way that makes me LOL. Keep them coming.
PS - The cup of death!! I'll be laughing about that for a while.
Now that would be a great post!! I also feel like I should mention, us Alaskans are no less insufferable about our outdoorsy lifestyle. So really no shade on Seattle. Alaskans and Seattle...(ites ?) Are really quite similar in attitude and proclivities. I feel comfortable making fun because they are my people. Many many many Alaska kids relocate to Seattle and fit right in!
I've met a few Alaskan transplants. Why don't you write about living in Alaska? I love all the reality shows about people surviving in the wilderness of Alaska. We took a cruise there. Hubby and I would love to return for a land-only trip.
I used to have a blog about Alaska called “Across the Inlet”. It was fun but I don’t want to limit myself to only Alaskan subject matter. Though it does seep in here and there. I wrote an issue about Alaskan Spring a few weeks ago and this Thursday will feature Commercial Setnetting.
You’ll definitely have to come back. There’s so much got explore here.
As a fellow bad-gut-haver, what medical science doesn't know/how they blow off our pain/discomfort and basically gaslight us instead of just saying, "I don't know," is annoying and offensive. What I do know is that my 3 healed ulcers (the doctor saw the scars) were replaced by severe gastritis...and I miss those effing ulcers. I hope you feel better and get some good answers soon. xo
Totally. Did that first with my EBV and then the ulcers. That's when dairy was given up (about 30 years ago now...good gawd). I'm also doing a modified version of The Autoimmune Solution, which was helpful. Need to get strict again, but chickpeas/chickpea flour make such wonderful things! xo
Sounds familiar. I can’t have dairy, gluten, soy, corn, processed sugar, alcohol, caffeine and now chocolate. Chickpeas sounds good. I worry about lectins but I know hummus is great for cancer survivors.
Try it and see how you feel (there's a great recipe for socca, which is like a flat bread made from chickpea flour). If it's a once in a while thing, maybe best of both worlds? But I'm *that* girl, too. Haven't had red meat since Live Aid. The easiest way to describe me is I'm a grain-free vegan who eats chicken and seafood (but am allergic to crab and can't comfortably digest seabass, halibut or raw fish...same for pears and quinoa and no one knows why). I'm caffeine-free but allow booze in moderation (Irish/English DNA, so the only grain I allow is barley lovingly fermented into a fine Irish whiskey) and am low-sugar (try to completely avoid anything refined and use monk fruit or coconut sugar if a recipe demands it). I was super strict for about 1-2 years, then I found almond flour cookies and chickpea vegan "Cheetos" and went nuts with nuts (cashews are from the gods)...and now I'm paying fines, fees and taxes on that. Have to get back to being strict. I really do. Dammit. xo
Same and we should! Hippeas have rice flour in them, sadly, so I go to another brand, Biena, that I love. And, I'm addicted to the vegan cheese AshaPops. Damn, they are good but pricey! Let's make snacks and rant! xo
Two things: I HATE how they always ask for birthdate and you have to announce it to the whole room. And speaking to oneself with a mask on--I still do this, all the time. Love how I can get away with acting somewhat crazy at the grocery store, but it's just me and my mask. No one else knows.
Having just been to doctor's office twice in past week, really the only public place I go to since Covid hit, this really, really resonated with me. Although I must say, all the staff were so much nicer in my experience, even when I couldn't pee in the cup the first time around. I had carefully timed this but they took me in 30 mins early (because I always get places early), and had me do the urine test first thing, so I completely blew the timing! And I was 8 lbs heavier than home scale, but refrained from even asking to take my shoes off (smile.)
also my fav. thing about Sting is his heartfelt tip of hat to the influence of james taylor who made him want to be a song writer im sure you knew that tho
I AM a doctor (M.D.) and yet...no I don't really get anxious, especially since test results are posted long before my visit. Pens? I was cocky about that but still groused when there was no "Clean/Dirty" designation, then I got RSV--which is much more fomite transmissible than is SARS-CoV-2, AKA COVID--even though I was mask compliant at all times, found the research that suggests airborne contagion of RSV is less important than contact. Both are still suspect, though. Paperwork: a plague on paper usage; my co-pay receipt was handed me in 8-1/2" x 11" format...I'll note that when I return the six pages I received from the medical center via snail mail with information readily available online. I know: not everybody has internet access. Really?! It's 2023 in the land of AI!
Thx for your response. RSV-- not fun. I miss snail mail. I miss good ol' fashion letters. THere's a post in there. I noticed you're retired. Do you volunteer anywhere using your skills?
I notice you're in Seattle (or was that someone else); do you have a suggestion? I've done a lot of volunteer work over the decades; in fact, a lot of the early parts of my career were, in a sense, similar to volunteer work. You'd have to read my "memoir" (which is why I joined Substack, a lazy way to publish it, piece by piece) to understand how/why. I like good ol' fashion(ed?) letters, too, but they take up a lot of space...and there's the whole environmental thing (does it really matter? see any recent article on China and Russia colluding against us in a Cold, potentially Hot, War). But I ramble. ADHD. I wonder if I should have titled my Substack The ADHD'd MD so people wouldn't think I'm yet another ADHD "expert." I like your writing; I haven't leapt into subscribing much...but tempted.
I'll subscribe to your newsletter. Sounds interesting. If you're in Seattle area I know that the Search and Rescue department always needs volunteers. Hubby and I may volunteer. They love highly trained people like MD's, experienced hikers, climbers and just regular people who will walk a field to find evidence. I know Air Support uses EMTs. Not sure if they're volunteer or paid. Don't know how you feel about helicopters.
With wet hair. Oh how we think of things like that. All pens now seem dirty to me.
Purell after everything at the docs office.
Yes! I need to lather up my hands after touching a strange pen.
You've reached your goal! I'm entertained and my heart is warmed with your writing here. ❤️
Thank you! ❤️❤️
Your comparison of Seattle vs New York is everything! I have spent a lot of time in Seattle. Like a LOT and Seattle sure does have a high opinion of itself. Don't get me wrong, I love Seattle with my whole heart....but her inhabitants can be precious about their "rugged" urban lifestyle.
Now NYC, I've never been there but I want to go and your description made the gritty, equalizing vibe palpable. I want to see what goes on in those allies with my own eyes!
As usual, great little piece. You have a way of capturing real life in a believable way that makes me LOL. Keep them coming.
PS - The cup of death!! I'll be laughing about that for a while.
Thx so much. Seattle has changed a lot. I have to do a post about the fashion differences. Patagonia vs Anything purchased in NY.
Now that would be a great post!! I also feel like I should mention, us Alaskans are no less insufferable about our outdoorsy lifestyle. So really no shade on Seattle. Alaskans and Seattle...(ites ?) Are really quite similar in attitude and proclivities. I feel comfortable making fun because they are my people. Many many many Alaska kids relocate to Seattle and fit right in!
I've met a few Alaskan transplants. Why don't you write about living in Alaska? I love all the reality shows about people surviving in the wilderness of Alaska. We took a cruise there. Hubby and I would love to return for a land-only trip.
I used to have a blog about Alaska called “Across the Inlet”. It was fun but I don’t want to limit myself to only Alaskan subject matter. Though it does seep in here and there. I wrote an issue about Alaskan Spring a few weeks ago and this Thursday will feature Commercial Setnetting.
You’ll definitely have to come back. There’s so much got explore here.
As a fellow bad-gut-haver, what medical science doesn't know/how they blow off our pain/discomfort and basically gaslight us instead of just saying, "I don't know," is annoying and offensive. What I do know is that my 3 healed ulcers (the doctor saw the scars) were replaced by severe gastritis...and I miss those effing ulcers. I hope you feel better and get some good answers soon. xo
Dang. So sorry. Have you tried to holistic route?
Totally. Did that first with my EBV and then the ulcers. That's when dairy was given up (about 30 years ago now...good gawd). I'm also doing a modified version of The Autoimmune Solution, which was helpful. Need to get strict again, but chickpeas/chickpea flour make such wonderful things! xo
Sounds familiar. I can’t have dairy, gluten, soy, corn, processed sugar, alcohol, caffeine and now chocolate. Chickpeas sounds good. I worry about lectins but I know hummus is great for cancer survivors.
Try it and see how you feel (there's a great recipe for socca, which is like a flat bread made from chickpea flour). If it's a once in a while thing, maybe best of both worlds? But I'm *that* girl, too. Haven't had red meat since Live Aid. The easiest way to describe me is I'm a grain-free vegan who eats chicken and seafood (but am allergic to crab and can't comfortably digest seabass, halibut or raw fish...same for pears and quinoa and no one knows why). I'm caffeine-free but allow booze in moderation (Irish/English DNA, so the only grain I allow is barley lovingly fermented into a fine Irish whiskey) and am low-sugar (try to completely avoid anything refined and use monk fruit or coconut sugar if a recipe demands it). I was super strict for about 1-2 years, then I found almond flour cookies and chickpea vegan "Cheetos" and went nuts with nuts (cashews are from the gods)...and now I'm paying fines, fees and taxes on that. Have to get back to being strict. I really do. Dammit. xo
We can commiserate for hours. I'm a good ear if you ever need to vent. Love those HipPeas Cheetos.
Same and we should! Hippeas have rice flour in them, sadly, so I go to another brand, Biena, that I love. And, I'm addicted to the vegan cheese AshaPops. Damn, they are good but pricey! Let's make snacks and rant! xo
I've never heard of a pen cup. I would have thought that it was something between a pancake and a hiccup.
Lucky you didn’t have to go to the doctors during the Covid years.
Oh I did.
Two things: I HATE how they always ask for birthdate and you have to announce it to the whole room. And speaking to oneself with a mask on--I still do this, all the time. Love how I can get away with acting somewhat crazy at the grocery store, but it's just me and my mask. No one else knows.
I talk to myself at the grocery store too. 😃
Having just been to doctor's office twice in past week, really the only public place I go to since Covid hit, this really, really resonated with me. Although I must say, all the staff were so much nicer in my experience, even when I couldn't pee in the cup the first time around. I had carefully timed this but they took me in 30 mins early (because I always get places early), and had me do the urine test first thing, so I completely blew the timing! And I was 8 lbs heavier than home scale, but refrained from even asking to take my shoes off (smile.)
Glad you had a helpful staff. I exaggerate of course for the sake of comedy. But the essence is real.
haha re. the shoe weight chart and much else
also my fav. thing about Sting is his heartfelt tip of hat to the influence of james taylor who made him want to be a song writer im sure you knew that tho
carry on !!
I didn't know that bit of trivia about James Taylor. Interesting. Glad you enjoyed!