Bag of Randomness for Friday, March 24, 2023

  • MLB is grading batboys and batgirls on speed, and will fire them if they’re too slow
    • New standards will be enforced for bat boys and bat girls, whose ability to quickly retrieve equipment will help efforts to speed up the game, according to the memo. The league will evaluate the performances of bat boys and bat girls and could ask teams to replace them if their performance is considered substandard.
  • A new musical coming out of Dallas about the history of silicone breast implants
    • The story tracks the rise and fall of the silicone gel implant, from its humble beginnings at Baylor University College of Medicine to white-hot status symbol to eventual subject of lawsuits and federal bans and, ultimately, a safer reemergence in the twenty-first century. Our protagonists are based on real-life surgeons Tom Cronin and Frank Gerow, who invented silicone implants in Houston in 1962. Dr. Conan (Brian Hathaway) dreams of his legacy, while Dr. Rousseau (Josh Kumler) cuts a more empathic figure. The first implants went to, true story, a dog named Esmeralda.
  • In deep-red Texas, officials warn GOP plans could doom rural public schools
    • Backed by a surge of campaign spending from far-right Christian megadonors, Republicans in Texas and nationwide are pushing legislation that would siphon money from public education under the banner of “parents’ rights.” These plans, commonly known as vouchers, would give parents the money the state would have spent educating their children in public schools — between $8,000 and $10,000 per child per year in Texas — and allow them to put it toward homeschooling expenses, private school tuition or college savings accounts.
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Bag of Randomness for Thursday, March 23, 2022

  • Draconian is not the right word for it, but that’s what came to mind when I decided to get an eye exam at a local chain that offers the service and sells eyeglasses. I’ve taken pride in my great vision all my life, but as WifeGeedingII recently informed me, “Getting old sucks.”
    • Most of the exam was done virtually. I was led to an exam room where a lab tech set up a few things, then she turned the light off and I was looking through some ocular medical equipment in a dark room and conversed with a “doctor” on a TV screen in front of me. The doctor could control the ocular medical equipment remotely. For any of you who have been through such a procedure, it’s a lot of lenses being switched out and you are telling them which one looks better. One, or two? One, or two, or about the same? The whole thing felt so impersonal. I lost connection with the “doctor” three times, so I got to work with three different “doctors” and was feeling frustrated. Each doctor read from a script in a very monotone fashion, were heavily accented, and they all appeared to be working out of a cubical as opposed to an office.
  • Even though I really don’t like having to rent a car for a relatively short road trip, I do enjoy checking out all the new bells and whistles a rental car offers. My last two cars have been Toyotas, and I think it’s neat that the driver display always lists the speed limit of the road you’re driving on.
  • Focusing on mental health, broadcaster Nadel to miss beginning of season
    • I’m sorry Nadel is going through this, but I hope he has a support system to get him through this. I know what’s it like to not have one during that kind of predicament, and it’s hell. I would have linked to the DMN story, but it’s behind a paywall. I understand the paywall concept, but I think this is one of those things they should open up to the public like they do some of their other articles.
  • Today at my kids’ school is a chance for them to ditch their uniforms in favor of dressing up like their favorite literature or historical character. I’d love to see a student push the envelope and cross dress and see what the administration does about it.
  • My favorite blogger, a lawyer out of Wise County, posted this nugget, “When an officer asks you “where you are headed?” feel free to decline to answer. It really has nothing to do with any traffic stop and, regardless, you don’t have to do anything other than hand over your DL and insurance.” My problem is, I don’t know how to gracefully decline answering the question without sounding like I’m being an arse.
  • I wish my ex could be as kind as Tom Brady’s. Mine actually said she hopes I get arrested and put in jail.
    • “Listen, I have always cheered for him, and I would continue forever. If there’s one person I want to be the happiest in the world, it’s him, believe me,” she said. “I want him to achieve and to conquer. I want all his dreams to come true. That’s what I want, really, from the bottom of my heart.”
  • That reminds me of the time I snuck out of my house in the seventh grade and drove around town with some friends who were old enough to drive. It was probably two in the morning and a cop pulled us over even though we weren’t doing anything wrong. When the cop asked my name, I so wanted to say, “I plead the Fifth.” I still wonder if that’s an acceptable answer and what would have happened if that’s all I said.
  • John B, eat your heart out. I’ve always admired how you keep a spreadsheet of books you’ve read and movies you’ve seen. And if you want to see more of her list, here you go.

  • I keep running across tweets which tell you how to use AI for your own benefit. I think I’m going to start sharing some of these that I come across.
  • I wish there was a WordPress keyboard shortcut to increase an indent. I’ve found Shift and Tab will decrease an indent, but can’t find the converse of it.

 

 

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Bag of Randomness for Wednesday, March 22, 2023

  • I received that photo above in a text message yesterday which said, “Scottie Pippen at Pastafina in MW yesterday!” I guess that beats the time Dick Motta came to town for an athletic banquet and Shawn Bradley being spotted at the True Value.
  • I have silverware or metal cutlery, but for some reason, my kids prefer to use plastic spoons and forks.
  • Very few people will remember shopping at Poston’s Dry Goods in Mineral Wells. I’m one of them. The store, I found out, is now a hub for all things Mineral Wells.
  • Next year will be my 30-year high school reunion. I’d like to go and spend a day and a half checking out what all has changed. But, I may skip the reunion because I’m embarrassed about my divorce. Hopefully I’ll have a different perspective of things by next year.
  • I had 54 tabs opened on my phone, but I’ve now managed to get to something in the teens.
  • I think it’s pretty neat how my doctor notes are available online the day following my visit. It gives me a chance to look up vague terminology and works as a pleasant reminder of a few things I may have overlooked. Below is a section of the notes my neurosurgeon wrote. The only thing I question is this part, ” I believe he is a reasonable candidate.” Medically or procedurally speaking, other than “reasonable”, what are other categories or options, good, bad, strong, weak? I couldn’t find a “reasonable” answer after five-minutes of research.
    • I had a long conversation in the office today with the patient regarding the recent lumbar spine MRI scan findings. We looked at the MRI scan together and discussed the significance of the findings. We discussed the natural history of lumbar spinal stenosis with neurologic symptoms as well as treatment options. Both conservative and surgical options were discussed as well as the pros and cons of each. I outlined the use of medical therapy including anti-inflamatory medications, physical therapy, pain management including injections, alternative modalities, and finally surgical intrervention. Surgery to treat this condition would consist of a lumbar L3-4 laminectomy with medial facetectomy and foraminotomies and decompression of the nerve roots at the involved site. Since he has a prior L4-5 stabilization arthrodesis and would be at risk of instability, I would perform a concomitant posterior lateral arthrodesis utilizing his own bone. I went over this surgery as well as risks and recovery. Risks such as infection, poor wound healing, anesthetic risks, permanent pain, numbness, weakness, and unforeseen catastrophic injury were all discussed. The patient is markedly symptomatic despite extensive conservative treatment including physical therapy, chiropractic treatment, management with epidural steroid injections, and medicines. He would like to move forward with surgical intervention. Under the circumstances I believe he is a reasonable candidate. The patient has a good understanding and concurs with this plan.
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Bag of Randomness for Tuesday, March 21, 2023

  • I think I’m going to commit to making more mental health posts. When I was at my lowest, with thoughts of ending my life, instead of my wife standing by my side or even asking anyone for help, all she did was run away, from me and from her problems. I never felt more alone. The abandonment was more than I could bear. A lot of you start your day off with this little blog and maybe some of you need a little encouragement to get through a rough spot. I’m going to provide what I wish I had. And, don’t be afraid to call a crisis helpline. Sure, my ex and her family used it against me in court to keep our kids away from me, but most of you will never experience backstabbing like that. If you need some help, dial 988.
    • 988 is the easy-to-remember number that reaches what is commonly referred to as the Lifeline—a network of more than 200 state and local call centers funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services through the Substance Abuse Administration and administered by Vibrant Emotional Health.
  • Interesting Reddit thread – What is a mental health tip that everybody should hear? Here are a handful of the top replies:
    • The thing you’re upset about is probably not the thing you’re upset by. You can handle a lot–when you reach your limit, there’s probably a big pile of upsetting things that got you there. The one you’re thinking about is just the one on top. The one you should be trying to fix is the biggest one, and it’s usually closer to the bottom of the pile than the top.
    • A tiny bit of progress is better than none at all. Healing and coping isn’t an all-or-nothing situation. If you’re too depressed to take a shower, but you can manage to brush your teeth, great! You don’t have to do the full program for it to be a success. Maybe tomorrow you’ll shower instead, or you’ll just freshen up at the sink. You can’t manage to do a full 45 min yoga flow, but you can do the 10 min of light stretching? Great! Any physical activity is better than none. Etc.
    • you should curate your “viewing diet”. what you spend your time watching online affects your mental health. you should avoid media you know is actively harming you
    • You aren’t responsible for others’ happiness. Always be there for your loved ones and support them however you can, but you can do everything right and still not be able to help/fix someone. If someone is drowning, throw them all the life preservers you can find, but don’t swim out and join them or you’ll soon find yourself drowning right alongside them.
  • ‘Dad jokes’ could be helping kids grow into healthy adults, experts say
    • Hye-Knudsen wrote that when dads embarrass their kids with corny jokes, it teaches them how to overcome awkward moments when they grow up.
  • New Mexico Game and Fish is now hiring ‘professional bear huggers’
    • Interested applicants “must have ability to hike in strenuous conditions, have the courage to crawl into a bear den, and have the trust in your coworkers to keep you safe during the process,” wrote the department.
  • Many in the tech industry aren’t happy with the way Google handled their layoffs.
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