Two Specials on H1N1 (Swine Flu) Thursday Oct. 8

The Doctors are in. If you want to be more informed from doctors on H1N1, then turn your T.V. on Thursday Oct. 8th!

CDC's Dr. Richard Besser will be on ABC "Good Morning America" at 7:00 A.M. (EST), (channel 13 locally), and will answer questions concerning H1N1. Richard Besser, MD, served as Acting Director for the CDC and currently serves as director of the Coordinating Office for Terrorism Preparedness and Emergency Response (COTPER) at the CDC. He joined ABC News in September as a senior medical editor and correspondent.

That same evening at 9:00 P.M. (EST) on WXXI (channel 21 locally) is "Second Opinion: H1N1 Special Edition. an hour-long special. "This special edition features a panel of national experts along with a studio audience that had the chance to ask questions about H1N1 and seasonal flu. The panel also answered viewer questions supplied by other PBS stations." "Hosted by Dr. Peter Salgo of New York Presbyterian Hospital, Second Opinion: H1N1 Special Edition will offer clear, accurate and timely information on H1N1 symptoms, treatment, vaccines, public health policy and available resources."

photo credit here & here

Don't Vote PSA (31 seconds)

Please register to vote. Time is almost up. Make your voice heard!

Grey's Anatomy: Doctors Erica Hahn & Callie Torres Lesbian Kiss

They showed Grey's Anatomy season final again. My favorite scene was the kiss between Doctor Erica Hahn (Brooke Smith), and Dr. Callie Torres (Sara Ramirez.) I'm predictable, ha? I think Torres is hot! The You Tube video has clips of the lesbian, (or bisexual) storyline leading up to the kiss as well as the kiss, (actually kisses).

If this post looks familiar it's a partial repeat. I just had to show it again since they did. ;)

So what is your prediction concerning Torres, and Hahn? This storyline is juicy so more should come of it. Hahn seemed to be talking about Cristina Yang a lot, so maybe some complication with Yang. What do you think will happen?


"Grey's Anatomy - Lesbian Storyline" (3:46 minutes)


"Callie & Erica - I Kissed a Girl" (2:09) (Word free, brighter version)

Hillary said it best!

Some of my fellow democrats just can't understand how I can be enthusiastic about Sarah Palin, but still for Senator Obama. I've been trying to articulate it, but Hillary said it best....

"Hillary Clinton said in an interview this morning that it was possible to be enthusiastic about Sarah Palin's historic candidacy without supporting the Republican ticket.

"People are missing the boat here," Clinton said on ABC's Good Morning America. "I don’t think that it’s inconsistent for a lot people to say, ‘Well hey, that’s exciting, what an exciting pick,’ and still say, ‘But that’s not the ticket for me and my family.'"

BINGO! Thanks Hillary!


Source: Politico - Hillary says women can separate admiration and endorsement

photo credit

SNL: Tina Fey as Sarah Palin (Video)

On Saturday Night Live first skit - Tina Fey as Sarah Palin & Amy Poehler as Hillary Clinton address the nation. It's a riot! It was the only great skit. Usually SNL Season Premiers are great, this one was disappointing. Senator Obama canceled because of hurricane Ike, also disappointing. This video priceless!

SNL - Palin / Hillary Open

Barack Obama to Appear On SNL Tomorrow

Barack Obama will make an appearance on "Saturday Night Live." It will be the senators second appearance. The Seasons Premiere will be this Saturday Sept. 13. SNL will be hosted by Olympian Michael Phelps. Alum Tina Fey may play Gov. Palin.

This ought to be a good one folks. Usually the Seasons Premiere is especially good. I hope that Fey plays Palin, she is a shoe in. Obama who has been virtually pushed off the radar by Palin needs to make a come back. Will this be it?


The photo is of Obama's first appearance on SNL in November where he played himself in a Halloween Party skit.

THE Woman Speaks & Speaks & Speaks!

For those who were under the impression that Gov. Sarah Palin was to scared, timid, or air headed to speak...well think again! Palin is no Barbie Doll! Charles Gibson of ABC will conduct THREE separate interviews with the Republican vice presidential candidate.

The 3 interviews will form the basis of a special prime-time edition of "20/20" Friday.

Gibson's interviews with Palin will be spread around other ABC news programs.

"World News" Thursday, (& Friday?) will have excerpts of the talks.

"Nightline" and "Good Morning America." also.

"The prime-time special, at 10 p.m. EDT, will also include a bio of Palin by ABC's Kate Snow and a round-table discussion on the presidential race moderated by George Stephanopoulos.

The Alaska Republican has proven to be a ratings-grabber during her short time on the national political scene. Her speech to the GOP national convention last week was seen by more than 40 million people, according to Nielsen Media Research.

A Fox News Channel documentary, "Governor Palin: An American Woman" last Saturday was the highest-rated prime-time documentary in the network's history, with 2.7 million viewers."

CNN is also planning a Palin special this weekend.

"The first interview with the Republican ticket of John McCain and Sarah Palin went to People Magazine, which on (Aug 29) published its interview just hours after the surprise announcement was made."

I know that's a lot of information, and T.V. programing to get straight. That is why I highlighted it. Today I went out, and bought a new VHS tape for my combo VCR/DVD. Now comes the task of programing it. Shot! I should have picked up a People Magazine while I was at the store. Hm, I wounder if people will now start complaining that she's giving to many interviews?

Added Later - She is also on Entertainment Tonight Thursday & Friday.

Source-
Associated Press: ABC plans prime-time Palin special

ABC News: People Magazine Snags McCain/Palin First Interview

Photo Credit

Lovely Sarah (The Barracuda) Palin + 1st Interview

Oh my God, check out this YouTube video! (about 4 minutes) tee hee

By the way. This in from A.P. news - "Charles Gibson's producer says no issue is off the table for Sarah Palin's first TV interview as a vice presidential candidate, which ABC is hoping it can air in part on Thursday. Gibson will travel to Alaska and will probably speak to Palin at least twice" I heard on ABC T.V. that it might also be on Friday's news, and more on Nightline. Oh, this should to be good! I'll be recording it.

Also from A.P. - "McCain leads Obama in 2 polls, race even in 3 more."

Enjoy the Video! ;o)



Relax folks! I'm still voting for Sen. Obama. However, that doesn't mean that I can't enjoy the heck out of another women making political history, and putting more cracks in that glass ceiling. Since half of our population are women I believe that half of our doctors, lawyers, CEO's, and politicians should be women. I just hope that this particular woman doesn't break the glass ceiling. I'm an issues person, and agree more with Obama. I have to admit that I'm also excited that we have a real race now.

Obama, McCain, Palin, Biden - What's the Truth?

I've been reading a few blogs recently that are noticeably slanted in their opinions concerning candidate/s during this election. They are full of propaganda that they have heard, accepted, and are just passing on. Remember that in elections and in war there is propaganda, spin, half truths, exaggerations, sometimes outright lies. Yes in BOTH parties, as well as BOTH sides of a war.

So during conventions, and political coverage with all the speeches, remember that even your guy (or gal) will probably say things that are propaganda. Also we are hearing some bashing by the media of the new V.P. pick Sarah Palin. Some of which is slanted, and some even sounds gender prejudice. So before you get on the bandwagon remember to do your homework, check the facts at FactCheck.org. Fact Check is a "nonpartisan, nonprofit, "consumer advocate" for voters that aims to reduce the level of deception and confusion in U.S. politics."

I want to stress that before entering into war a government uses propaganda trying to get the people on their side. It is more difficult for a government to wage war if the people aren't with them. "Naturally the common people don't want war: Neither in Russia, nor in England, nor for that matter in Germany. That is understood. But, after all, it is the leaders of the country who determine the policy and it is always a simple matter to drag the people along, whether it is a democracy, or a fascist dictatorship, or a parliament, or a communist dictatorship. ... Voice or no voice, the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is tell them they are being attacked, and denounce the peacemakers for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger. It works the same in any country." — General Herman Goering, President of German Reichstag and Nazi Party, Commander of Luftwaffe during World War II, April 18, 1946."

Of course propaganda can be used during a war by both sides. This is a WWII propaganda poster made by the allies to warn U.S. workers. "Allied propaganda typically portrayed the Japa­nese as nearsighted, bucktoothed caricatures or as monkeys, alternating between a subject of ridicule and an object of fear."


I found a good website that has a section about war time propaganda and the Media, it's call Global Issues.

So folks remember that propaganda abounds during election time and war time. Propaganda will be on both sides and it is upon our shoulders to discern correctly.

Good website to use..

Fact Checks

On The Issues

PolitiFact

Fact Checker Washington Post

Vote Gopher

Snopes

Global Issues Good for War Time

Related Posts -
Politics - Just the facts ma'am! ...What's the Truth?

Quiz - Who do you prefer? - McCain or Obama


Update: I added more factcheckers later.

Photo credit and here

Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi married!

Congratulations ladies! May your love and marriage last forever!

(Newser) – "Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi married in an intimate ceremony at their Los Angeles home last night. Nineteen guests watched the couple exchange handwritten vows, including DeGeneres’s mom Betty and de Rossi’s mother Margaret Rogers. The couple wore Zac Posen—DeGeneres in a white chiffon shirt, white waistcoat, and trousers, and de Rossi in a backless, cream-and-pink halter-neck dress.

DeGeneres, 50, and de Rossi, 35, have been dating since 2004, and DeGeneres announced wedding plans on her show in May after California struck down a ban on gay marriage. "We are very, very excited," DeGeneres said earlier. Onlookers described the couple as “ecstatic.” To see photos, head to the Daily Mail.
sources~ People, Daily Mail (UK)"

Hot looking newlyweds!

Rochester's soccer star Abby Wambach breaks leg

Pittsford native and U.S. soccer star Abby Wambach is scheduled to have surgery at 2 p.m. today to repair two fractures in her left leg, suffered Wednesday night during a game in San Diego, according to her brother, Matt Wambach.

Abby’s mother, Judy, flew out from Rochester early this morning to be with her daughter, who now will miss next month’s Olympic Games in China. Doctors expect to insert a titanium rod into her leg during today's surgery...

Click here for full story.

Ms. Wambach is a good roll model. I hope that she recovers quickly. My thoughts are with her.

Abby Wambach's Official Website

Severe Thunderstorms with Hail, Spells Disaster for Upstate NY

HAIL NO! On June 16th the Upstate New York, (NY), area got pounded by rain, and hail during a severe thunderstorms with winds sometimes exceeding 60 mph. The hail ranged in size from pennies to golf balls. It looked like it had snowed in some areas. It was the worst hail storm in years. The state agriculture commissioner will survey hail damage suffered by upstate orchards.

Agriculture officials say apple, peach, strawberry and cherry crops from the Niagara Frontier east to the Hudson Valley suffered extensive damage. Some growers reported losing as much as 75 percent of their crops in the storm, which also damaged corn and other vegetable crops.

Officials in Wayne County, on Lake Ontario just east of Rochester, have called on Gov. David Paterson to declare the county a disaster area.

The storms knocked out power to nearly 10,000 RG&E customers in Gates and Rochester.

It was a strange start to Wegmans LPGA week as hail fell during a weather delay at Locust Hill Country Club.

As for my area, we had a thunderstorms on and off all day, but no hail. Frankly, I was a bit disappointed.


This post was based on readings from...

Newsday.com

Buffalo News

WHEC-TV 10

And another WHEC-TV 10 article

View slide show here

Wordless Wednesday - Bush in EU Germany

Pres. Bush is touring Europe. He is now in Germany.

Remember George do this...

Not this... (it's 6 seconds long)

Added later: The women is German Chancellor Angela Merkel

Severe Thunderstorm Slam Rochester Area Now

Several severe thunderstorm are hitting the Rochester NY, Monroe county area. We had 60 MPH winds in Geneva for example. Some areas had Tornado watches, large hail, trees down. One woman on the news said, "My tress just fell like matchsticks." Thousands in the area lost power. Syracuse got hit badly too with 30,000? losing power. The worst is over for Rochester, but not some surrounding areas.

Basically now west of Rochester looks good except for East Lockport. But another round of storms are due to hit East and South of Rochester including Wayne, Ontario, Yates, and Penn Yam counties. Dansville, Wayland, and Naples are being hit now. The storm could include large hail, strong winds, downed trees, and loss of power.

The good news is that it cooled off the area. We went from 86 degrees to 72 in no time. Finally relief after several days of 90ish degree weather. It's odd to turn off the A/C after it has been on non stop for days.


Get the latest including a slid show at 13WHAM

For more about the first storm - Democrat & Chronicle
"The first storm swept through the area midmorning. That fast-moving storm included about 10 minutes of heavy rain, whipping winds, frequent lightening and small penny-sized hail. Winds were recorded in excess of 60 mph. At peak, about 8,100 properties in the region were in the dark." Several schools were closed....

Heat Wave and Fairport Canal Days Festival

One of my favorite festivals is Fairport Canal Days. It's one of our largest festivals in the Rochester, NY area. It's from June 6-8. It has over 300 artisan booths, 40 traditional & ethnic food vendors. It has lots of entertainment including fireworks. I enjoy the Boat cruise along the Erie Canal.

Unfortunately, I don't think I will be attending this year. It will be to darn hot! It will be near 90 degrees for the next 5 days with pop-up thunder showers over the weekend. Holy Crap! I really hate to miss the festival this year. :o(

Grey's Anatomy: Lesbian Kiss, and Suicide

Grey's Anatomy - Lesbian Storyline


Did you see the Grey's Anatomy season final? If you didn't, don't worry, I won't revel a great deal here. Just my favorite, and lest favorite scenes.

My favorite scene was the kiss between Erica Hahn, and Callie Torres. (I'm predictable, ha?) I think Torres is hot!

My least favorite scene was between Meredith, and her shrink. Meredith had a revelation, and realized that when her mother cut her wrist it was to get attention. After all she was a "excellent surgical nurse", and would have cut her -----, if she meant it. (or similar words). I hate that scene for several reasons.

1) If someone tries to commit suicide they are not in a rational state of mind, and they might try to kill themselves by any means. It might not be the most logic means. It should be seen as a serious attempt, and not just an attention getter.

2) They mention a more effective way to commit suicide then cutting wrists. I hate that! I don't want to mention it. Oh, I knew it before, but someone not so familiar with anatomy and who saw the program might not have considered it. It might have given someone who is suicidal a deadly idea. You've heard of copy cat murders? Well, I'm sure that there are copy cat suicides. Well, at least Meredith didn't point to the area.

Did you know that the suicide rate in the U.S. is twice as large as the homicide rate? (There are an estimated 8-25 attempted suicides to one completion.) It is hidden, a stigma is still attached. I mean, when is the last time you read the obits, and saw that someone committed suicide? It's all swept under the rug.

Senator Edward (Ted) Kennedy Has a Brain Tumor

It was just announced on TV, and has only hit a few Internet papers, but Sen. Ted Kennedy has a cancerous brain tumor. Please pray for him, and his family. As you may know, the 76 year old is the last of the four famous Kennedy bothers, and is an icon. His most famous brother was John Kennedy, a former president who was assassinated in 1963. The Kennedy family has been plagued by tragic deaths. He has been an outspoken, highly reverie, Democrat Senator for almost 50 years. He also ran for president in 1980.

BOSTON (AP) — Doctors say Sen. Edward Kennedy has a brain tumor.
by Glen Johnson

"A cancerous brain tumor caused the seizure Sen. Edward M. Kennedy suffered over the weekend, doctors said Tuesday in a grim diagnosis for one of American politics' most enduring figures.

Doctors for the Massachusetts Democrat say tests conducted after Kennedy suffered a seizure this weekend show a tumor in his left parietal lobe. Preliminary results from a biopsy of the brain identified the cause of the seizure as a malignant glioma.

His treatment will be decided after more tests but the usual course includes combinations of radiation and chemotherapy..."

Other Articles:

Factbox: Sen. Edward Kennedy

CNN- Doctors: Ted Kennedy has brain tumor

Broken Toys

The older I get the more I see us as broken toys. God's broken toys. I guess this post might seem more cynical tonight, because it's not a good night for me.

I never use to notice the imperfections as much. Maybe when we are younger we don't have as many, or I was just naive and couldn't see them. Or maybe with time we acquired more. But we all seem to have chinks in our armor, addictions, hooks, faults. A Buddhist nun Pema Chödrön calls it Shenpa.

We all have things to overcome. Mental problems like anxiety, depression, paranoia. Addictions to sex, drugs, alcohol, food, anger. Knee jerk reactions like pulling back from others because we have experienced passed hurts/disappointments, and are afraid of a replay. I've become an expert at that. The list of addictions, and acquired problems goes on, and on.

The statistics are bleak, (addictions at least). The majority don't overcome. I'm not happy with that. I spoke to someone about therapy. I am finally telling some people how bad my last episode of depression was. I called a mental health center. Usually it takes months to get into see someone. When I told her about my last episode of depression, she said that she would put a rush on it. I heard back within 48 hours. I guess I really do need therapy.

I usually am not angry. But lately I've been angry that I have depression, and it's not going away on it's own. I'm angry because I am beginning to realize that it has screwed up my life more then I thought. Invaded many aspects of my life. I'm also scared. I'm scared that I might not get better.

So what do we say about these chinks in our armor? We could say a lot. Tonight I see it as making us more human. Our similar imperfections draws us together. Maybe that's what a big chunk of being on this third rock from the sun is about. Relating to each other. Learning from one another, supporting, caring, sharing. Just relating. If we were perfect maybe we wouldn't interact so much. Maybe life is not so much about the outcome of being healed of additions, and solving problems, as it is about the interactions. Touching each others lifes. The journey. But don't get me wrong, I want this depression to disappear. I sure hope this isn't as good as it gets. Maybe I should call Tom Cruise, and ask him to wave his Scientology wand over me and cure me? Hm, I wounder if Dr. Deb might have his number? Life's a box of chocolates. You never know what you're gonna get.

YouTube - The Beatles - With a little help from my friends


Related Posts - Therapy and Me

Are You Gay OR Straight? (Part 1)

ETC - Electroconvulsive Therapy or Shock Treatments

Therapy - What Works?

It's Summer In Rochester New York (NY)

My favorite season is spring. Those wonderful crisp days. Sweater weather. Flowers gently budding. That fresh aroma in the air. The temperature should be in the 50's. Well, it looks like we will bypass all that. Our high today was 86 degrees. The high for the next 7 days will generally be in the low to mid 70s with very little rain.

Am I disappointed? A bit, but I am so very glad that we are finally over with all those crazy snow storms. It was a hard winter. I have just put away my snow shovels. I am looking forward to the wonderful Rochester festivals! I just love them! Starting with the popular, beautiful Lilac Festival May 9-18. Take a look at the upcoming festivals & events for Rochester & Upstate N.Y. Of course it wouldn't be summer unless I visited Canandaigua NY, and the breathtaking Canandaigua Lake.

Wordless Wednesday (well almost)

Clinton vs. Obama debate in Philadelphia Wednesday on ABC 8:00 EST