May 26, 2005
· By Megan · Filed under activism, books
Do you get headaches? Have migraines? Have back problems? A neurological disorder? A “hidden” disease? Chronic pain?
Does anyone you love get headaches? Have migraines? Have back problems? A neurological disorder? A “hidden” disease? Chronic pain?
Are you a doctor, nurse, therapist, yoga teacher, acupuncurist, healer, physical therapist, herbalist, or health-wellness professional?
Are you human? Do you work, live, or interact with other humans?
If the answer to any of the questions above is yes, then I implore you: Read this book!
Paula Kamen hits the nail on the head (pun intended) with this biographical account of her years-long trip through the medical establishment and alternative medicine in a quest to cure herself of an unending, and unltimately incurable, chronic headache.
I could write a lot more about the book, and tell you how you’ll be a better person when you are done reading it, but I won’t. Instead, read what the experts are saying, or what the regular people think of the book.
As a semi-regular migraine sufferer (yes, I’ve had my MRI this century - have you?) I appreciated the interactions she endured with patronizing medical professionals who seem to think that medicating pain somehow equates drug abuse. Without going into details, let’s just say that my primary care doctor has similar ideas. I’d love to force her to read this book.
I cannot recommend this book highly enough. Do yourself, and all the Tired Girls (and women and boys and men), out there a favor and find it in your local library or at your local bookstore. Kamen’s headache may not have been enlightening for her, but it sure is for me!
Thanks to Rochelle for the recommendation.
May 24, 2005
· By Megan · Filed under activism, library
An astute government documents librarian at Saint Louis University noticed something recently: The series entitled “Public Papers of the President” seems to have gone into hibernation since Bush II was elected. Curious? Check out the photographic evidence.
Really, I think that this one picture is worth its weight in gold. Damns this administration beyond all belief. Some people might not have liked Bill Clinton (oh, I yearn for the Clinton era), but at least he wasn’t trying to hide anything more than a really stupid affair.
Thanks to GOVDOC-L for this.
May 21, 2005
· By Megan · Filed under friends
Last night, May 20, Sophie B. Hawkins played two shows at The Point in Bryn Mawr, PA. Amy and I were lucky enough to get tickets for the 10 p.m. show.
I first must admit that I didn’t have a clue who Sophie B. Hawkins was when I agreed to go to the show. Judging from her name, I expected a southern blues singer - remnants of my time living in Louisiana, I suppose. But as most people (other than yours truly) probably know, SBH is the person with two hits to her name, “Damn, I Wish I Was Your Lover” and “As I Lay Me Down”.
Needless to say, I was not disappointed with the concert. The Point is a great venue to see most artists, and when you go to their more expensive shows, it seems that they only sell the number of tickets as they have chairs - a real bonus!
SBH is one of those frenetic, kinetic, chameleonish performers who is awash in energy in everything she does. Her music is driving, sultry, bubble-gum, and Dead-Headish. At times, SBH channels Janis Joplin at her peak. Trust me when I say that that is a Very Good Thing.
Some observations from the show last night: Who knew that the very large black man who is her drummer provides all the falsetto back-ups? I was stunned and delighted, and at one point when I caught his eye, we both broke out in massive grins. Her keyboardist reminds me of a cross between my dear friend Dr. JPT and Anthony Michael Hall in his Sixteen Candles era. After SBH told us that all three of them had only played a few gigs together, the keyboardist’s intense concentration made a bit more sense. SBH is incredibly talented musically. Besides being a stunning vocalist, she played (with a high degree of competence) acoustic guitar, electric guitar, djembe, and keyboards. The coordinated drum “solo” which all three of them performed was a testament to the joy they take in performing together. Whatever might have happened in SBH’s career to this point, it is obvious that she and her bandmates are reveling in playing with each other.
One of my favorite parts of the show last night was the aforementioned coordinated drum “solo” - they played about 6 or 7 minutes of driving rhythms. Immediately afterwards, SBH shed her drum, and transformed into the sultriest of chanteuses, singing a song off her newest album, Wilderness.
If you get the chance to see Sophie B. Hawkins perform live, jump on it. The ticket prices are higher than I expected, but it was worth every cent. Now I’m off to buy an album or two of hers, to begin my SBH collection.
May 20, 2005
· By Megan · Filed under books, friends, house, knitting, the dog
Hi to folks from Philly Future! Frank posted about people’s weekend plans, so I thought I’d share mine with you all.
Yes, I will be knitting. I’m currently working on the Boogie Vest from Knitty for Amy (who’s birthday is next Thursday). I hope to get it mostly done this weekend. Somehow I’ll need to teach myself to crochet an edge on the whole darn thing… wish me luck!
Tonight I’m going to The Point to see Sophie B. Hawkins perform. I don’t know much about her or her music, but The Point is an amazing venue, and probably to best place to get acquainted with any singer-songwriter.
Saturday will involve fighting with the mice (again), cleaning my pit of a house, and heading to a friend’s birthday barbeque. Funny that the big mouse issue last year also happened in May. I wonder if that’s a pattern?
There will also, of course, be softball to watch, a dog to be walked, and a book to be read. All in all, it looks like it’s shaping up to be quite a nice weekend.
May 17, 2005
· By Megan · Filed under friends, knitting
So it’s been a great year birthday-present-wise. Amy (and my folks and her folks) got me a new mattress and boxspring, my best friend Nan sent me a beautiful pendant, Tammy (and John and LML) sent me a great book of places to travel, etc. etc.
The big surprise this year was a gift certificate to Elann.com from one Ms. Sparkomatic! I’ve been sitting on it for a few days, trying to decide what to get with it. Elann’s inventory right now is pretty good, but I’ve not used any of the yarns in there before. However, I’ve heard good things about the Peruvian Collection Highland Wool. Since it’s so darn inexpensive, I decided to go for it.
I am getting three colors, Celery, Cedar, and Serengeti Sand, to make Janda from Knitty.
The celery color will be the body, the cedar color will be the sleeves, and the serengeti sand will be the detailing on the sleeves.
So a big THANK YOU to Heather for the gift certificate! This is one sweater I’ve wanted to make since I began knitting a couple of years ago, and now I’ll have the yarn to do it.
