It’s amazing what folks will spend on stuff like that. One may be able to afford tickets to a match or two (not sure what the cheap seats are going for), but surge pricing on lodging, transportation around town (our light rail has about tripled their ridership with the games in town), parking, meals, etc that will break the budget.
Yay!
I lied about my age in order to make my first blood donation, and donated a number of times until men who had sex with men–mind you, NOT people with HIV or a viral hepatitis–were banned for life from donating. I then stopped donating and responded to any invitation that I’d begin again when this policy was rectified. Sadly, it was in force for 32 years, from 1983 to 2015. By that time I had a cancer diagnosis and the instruction only to have venipuncture for any reason as sparingly as possible for the rest of my life.
I am all for screening of bloodborne pathogens. Both my family members with Hepatitis C acquired it from blood transfusions before HCV was known to exist. (Shamefully, even after HCV was identified, the US blood supply wasn’t screened for it for two years.) I’m all for temporary restrictions for newly discovered pathogens or those with a high false negative rate on testing. I am not for blanket bans based on identity rather than the presence of a pathogen, a pathogen that’s difficult to test for, or the assumption that the person’s self-reported behavior is misrepresented.
I’m an organ donor.
ETA:
In other medical news,
It is official! No more Abiraterone! No more Orgorvyx! I need to wean my system of the Prednisone gradually over the next three weeks.
Oh, yeah! I was on tamoxifen (a selective estrogen reuptake modulator) for 10 years and it sucked and I’m happy every day I take my morning pills and it’s not in the container. Similarly, last month I was cleared to stop taking melatonin, another hormonal/endocrine agent, at the oncology dose (the 20 mg tablets are often marked “not for sleep regulation,” and indeed, all kit did in that regatd was to dysregulate my sleep for a decade. It’s now looking like it increases cardiac risk.
A darker side of both endogenous and exogenous melatonin has been emerging in recent years with investigations of circadian rhythms and metabolism, specifically examining glucose tolerance, insulin release and sensitivity, weight gain, and the timing of food intake.9,10 … An evening meal will result in higher glucose and insulin levels compared with the identical meal eaten early in the day. Over time these elevated evening glucose and insulin levels increase the risk for obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus. The timing of food intake in relation to our evening melatonin rise appears to be an important factor.
https://www.psychiatrictimes.com/view/melatonin-dark-side-hormone
While I was cleaning out the box o’ meds and supplements, I trashed glucosamine because
–so also probably hormone/endocrine/blood metabolically-problematic. [Wanders off to eat some celery.]
I’m almost embarrassed to post our current weather, with so many suffering in the heat. Currently 64Ferrets up from 57F when I got up, forecast high of 70F. Looks like this very comfortable state of affairs sticks around for the next 10 days or so. I’ll savor it while it lasts!
To answer the question posed in the OP, my blood is no good, owing to the course of allergy shots I was given years ago. I’m an organ donor, though.
Cat Glove, what wonderful news, to hear your husband is almost out the other side! I am so happy for you both. 
flipper, that’s an amazing number of blood donations! Kudos to you.
taters, in your shoes, I’d probably drag my feet just enough to complete the work on the guest bathroom juuuusssst in time for your kids’ arrival. Then it would be easy to urge a delay until after their visit. One thing I always appreciated about my husband was he was good at whatever task he tackled, and he always finished it. I hope you can finagle a delay.
Very exciting change there, Mollie! 
I am sorry about your sister’s cat.
hippie, I’m very sorry to learn of your neighbor. I’d caution against doing anything more than keeping a very close eye on him, though. In one multiple homicide case I worked on, the neighbors learned a similar thing about the defendant in his first suburban neighborhood. They drummed him out, only to have the guy move to a very secluded spot outside the view of others, where he was able to kidnap 2 women, torture and kill them. And that’s enough about that horrible situation. Glad your solutions for koritza are working!
Nellie, I hope all is well with Max’s person. And a lovely story about your former student. Not a surprise, though, that you exerted a good influence there! I do also remember you sharing the story about your student who died. What a dreadful outcome, except for the donation of his heart.
52, I admire you for being a bone marrow donor. My understanding is that it is quite painful to make that sort of donation.
metal mouse, glad you are enjoying the soccer!
Oopsie, what a shit situation re HusbandBFF. I wish him, WifeBFF and you all the best as he navigates his way through this morass, and I will hope for a positive outcome.
JtC, what a ridiculous situation with your efforts at blood donation in AZ! Idiots are everywhere, I guess. I’m sorry you were made to suffer that. I wish you continued healing, with your pain lessening more each day.
I will definitely check these out. I think Ollie has had a few, but his intensity at destroying all toys with a squeaker is scary. After looking at some of their offerings, I know he destroyed at least 3 of those doughnut thingies.
FCM, the yardwork looks fantastic. Nicely done! Enjoy the time with the Grands today!
Knots, that’s… a lot of hardware! It’s good to be alive in the bionic age, eh? I’m down a gallbladder and a parathyroid gland, but that’s it. Everything else is standard issue.
I love bun sightings! Mine is pretty small. I’ve seen it a couple more times, always at dawn or dusk. Makes me glad for my dandelions. Good luck with the painting and color choices!
Yaayy for no root canal, wet one!! Your makeshift ice wrap for Ariel’s leg is clever, too!
What terrific news! 
Wow, Lily, you’re making me very glad I take so few supplements! 
I’m sorry you’ve been made to take things that have adverse side effects. I guess we take what our doctors tell us to, though, when we’re fighting disease or illness. I hate that you’ve been through so much. 
I’m taking advantage of these cool days to do outdoor work. There is always much to accomplish. I’m working my way through cleaning rain gutters and today also started changing out the water in my spa. I won’t use it much as the summer heats up.
I am sick of chicken for dinner, so probably a quick sammich or salad instead. Otherwise, a quiet day here. I’ll take it.
Afternoon all. Treaded off 1,000 calories while watching the World Cup game and then did 600 yards backstroking in the pool, first time I’ve done that in a number of months so it was slow moving the water out of the way. Have placed calories back on the torso with a couple cheese dogs that will hold me until later this evening. Another game starts in 30 minutes so will be lounging about watching that. 98F outside and the heat index is 114F, so staying inside is my plan for the balance of the day.
FCM, don’t overdo, that’s a lot of work there and it’s hot outside (showing 90F in Waldorf, MD).
Wet one, that’s a rather ingenious ice wrap, I’ll have to remember that little trick for the soccer games (and if I don’t need them for injuries, the kids get a treat…)
Cat Glove, sounds a bit like the “Safe Haven” training I have to do on-line each year for youth soccer. And no dental insurance I presume, so happy I kept that from my Government years…and I have my June points ready to go for the July fill-up.
Hippie, Hooray!
Cookie, happy eating!
red, I’ll be visiting Cedar Point Amusement Park in July, already have a 3-day pass (for $135) and they offered a ‘free food’ deal…for $29.00 a day, which I declined but makes me wonder what the prices really will be like there…
lily, you make me glad I only have to take a cholesterol and thyroid pill, one a day each, but my time will come when the pills (and costs) increase..
Bright Tree, that’s some nice weather, I’ll see that again…in October… Enjoy,
And nearly time for France and Sweden to kick off (and kick each other), so take care and I’ll be back in a bit.
Oh, meant also to address this:
That was in fact my expectation, so imagine my dismay when it only turned up on the phone and not the computer! I receive everything else just fine on the computer at that email address, but not this. I even remember one (one only) instance where I somehow finagled a photo transfer to the computer using this email address, but I have obviously made some settings change somewhere that now prevents this. Efforts to effect an exchange continue.
Thank you, metal mouse, I do appreciate how lucky I am at the moment. Our insufferable (to me, anyway) temperatures show up in mid-July through September, usually. I always gnaw my claws until our first good soaking rain.
I think a nice Caprese salad with a bit of ciabatta bread will be dinner tonight. And a glass of wine. Yes!
The ones that have survived the longest have been shaped like the raccoon in this picture. The smaller ones don’t last as long, but at least, there’s not as much cleanup on the destroyed toys.
Most groceries were bought (light week, but couldn’t get everything at FoodTown or Aldi alone, so I’ll hit Aldi tomorrow). Got the appointment for the infectious disease doctor for next Tuesday. Now for chillage.
I need to thank you for bringing it up. The entire debacle took ten years, many blood tests and two doctors because untreated Hep C is Not A Good Thing. It was a shame that it happened, I am an easy stick, O- blood type, I stay well hydrated and I would always bring a friend.
But now I am in a different state with a different for-profit blood network. Once I’m done with this stoopid sling, I will go and see if I can start donating again. A pint of blood is just over a pound, easy weight loss that comes with cookies!
I’m seriously happy for you!
Oh, I agree. Blood transfusions should be safe and I’m not mad that they threw my blood away, I’m mad that they didn’t bother to look at the results from other labs and refused to tell my doctors the specific test that was disqualifying me.
I highly suspect it was a data entry error. My RL name is very common, there are three of us in my small town and 245 in Charleston, WV. Someone pulled up my records by mistake and once I was branded, I was unclean forever. It was just easier that way.
See, this is kinda embarrassing to me as well. Yeah, it was 94 today but that isn’t really that bad as long as you stay out of the sun. Of course, I’m used to Arizona summers when everyone scurries from air conditioned car to air conditioned office and back home to the AC.
Thank you. The pain isn’t as bad as the fear of pain. Ya know how it is when you have pulled a muscle and are still OK but you can tell that you need to be careful lest the pain arrives? That’s where I am. Plus I really hate my sling. It has a pool noodle supporting my arm and straps around my waist as well.
I need ice, typing makes the small muscles in my forearm start aching. Who’da thunk all that shit would be so connected?
thank you all
I will look for the raccoon! Thanks for taking the time to share the information. And the photo – sooo keyooote!!!
I do know what you mean. Fear of pain is no fun, either! You do sound a titch less grouchy, though. 
That’s a good and most welcome sign!
Howdy Y’all! Laundry got completed and we had a couple of hours of quality cee-mint pond time. I think we shall have to forego that for a couple of days, however, as both of us got a little too much sunshine. We’re not burned, but well, one can tell when one has had slightly too much and should stay out of it for a day or two. Sup got fixed and et and fartfest has since ensued. OYKW is upon the bed watchin’ whatever crime show. I think I shall see whatup on teh intartoobz for a bit.
Hippie here’s hopin’ the doc takes you off the drugs. I see that it is now official! HUZZAH! I am especially glad you can wean yourself from Satan’s on steroid.
Lucky here’s hopin’ you get a diagnosis so at least you know what you’re up against.
Rocker a weekend inside out of the heat and away from all the crazy of Independence Day sounds like a good idea to me.
Molly glad you had a good talk with your sis. The both of you are still sibs and I am sure both of you will find a way forward together. If I were the bettin’ sort, I would wager the Dope name change will just be a nothin’ burger. I would also wager you will gain all kinds of support from the Doper community. There might be a few jerks, but they will soon be put to rights. Sorry you couldn’t get an appointment at the wig shop. Oh well, another reason for your sister to make another visit.
Taters I agree about bold and dramatic colors. I could possibly see an accent wall in one room, but tend toward more neutral colors. All the rooms in da cave are painted in a light gray, except in the livin’ room, dinin’ room, and kitchen. There’s a chair rail in all those rooms, so the top half is light gray and the bottom half is a medium(ish) gray. We like it. I did go into a slight panic when I saw the medium(ish) gray first coat because it reminded me of duct tape. However, the second coat made it look like it was supposed to look. We are also fortunate in that we have a couple of guys who are good at stuff and do good work. We could get cheaper guys but definitely not better!
Nuts maybe all jobs should have a thirty minute recess or maybe library time. Maybe even get to go sit in a dark room for half an hour and watch a film. Oh, and nap time!
WetOne yay for no root canal! I like the ghetto ice wrap idea! I use ice in baggies which I can then refreeze.
Cat_Glove I am familiar with “Protecting God’s Children.” The Episcopal version borrowed heavily from it. The original was called “Safe Guarding God’s Children” and has evolved to became “Safe Churches, Safe Communities.”
Doggio may his noodly appendage touch you with his redeeming marinara sauce.
Cookie I may have to make a peachy cobbler soon. Haven’t made one in a while and I am surprised that I have not gotten sad puppy dawg eyes about that.
red your mention of “cheap seats” reminds me of a story from my mispent youth. I have probably told it before, but I am now a RDOS geezer and have earned the right to repeat myself, so y’all deal with it. Ye Olde Home Towne is about sixty-five miles SW of Etlanner on I-85. In my mispent youth the Braves played at the old Etlanner/Fulton County stadium which sat on the edge of the southside of downtown. Thus, we could be there in just over an hour via I-85. The Braves were terrible durin’ the 70s and the stadium would be almost empty for home games. Seriously, if three thousand people showed up it was a crowd! Anywho, the “cheat seats” were three dollars way back then and some friends and I would on occasion go to a home game durin’ the week as we could do that and still be back home before midnight and still deal with skool/irk the next day. The crowds were so bad usually we’d get waved down to better seats so the teevee cameras could take “crowd shots” to make the stadium look fuller. Those were fun times. Plus they had cheap beer on weeknights. Here endeth da bear’s trip down memory lane.
BrightTree a Caprese sallit sounds good. I don’t get it often because OYKW can’t stand it for some reason. Weird. I will on occasion make it just for me cause it’s so nummy!
< gasp > I think you married an alien! Better check for a third eye. Seriously, I can see how it wouldn’t be to everyone’s taste. I’m glad you treat yourself to one now and then.
Whelp, at least two of our smoke detectors are working, by which I mean that I stepped away from the stove and burned one of my dinner’s components. It tasted okay, though, so I went ahead with the plan. I am now eating tofu boiled in chicken broth with slightly burnt garlic (which I grew) and mushrooms on a bed of kale and shredded carrot. I also didn’t slice up my hand with the new julienning tool, which should probably only be used with a cut-resistant glove. I will eat the rest of the tofu tomorrow, because my lovely wife is away.
Whether or not my insurance approves the Invisalign braces, I’m trying to get into some habits by adding things before I subtract others. Thus, I have purchased and am using a Waterpik pretty consistently and attempting to floss as well, though we hates it, Precious, we hates it. Also adding back a Joel Fuhrman Eat for Life base menu of G-BOMBS (greens, beans, mushrooms, onions (=alliums), berries, seeds), which I accomplished today, though I also had bran flakes, a cookie, okay, two cookies, and part of a Ritter marzipan bar, plus olive oil and chicken stock. And cheese. Anyway, the Waterpik is very efficient on tofu between the teeth, so this will do.
I will attempt to set up the little treadmill in the next few days. Our promised rain keeps soaking y’all to the east. 30% chance tonight, now no more predicted in my little microclimate. Highs have been in the 60 ferrets, and should rise to 70s toward the weekend.
< wakes up from nap >
< cat appears on bed >
< cat immediately sneezes in face >
GAAAAAHHHHHHHH!!!
So I’m up and having a Manhattan(alcohol sterilizes!), chicken, rice, and the leftover peas n’ peppers. Kicked up with liquid smoke and dried jalapenos.
It has become self aware, and is messing with you.
Well in this case, it is my circus, but I’m the monkey, not the ringmaster.
Wonder why cats do that? My first did.
It was 90 today. The bus’s were air conditioned though.
The same toy has different disguises. He has a Santa and two bears that are pretty much the same toy. Right now, he’s snacking on popcorn.
I got some Dave’s Ghost Pepper Sauce in the mail today.
This is a delicious addition to most any food, but especially sauces, meat, and ethnic foods. It is also a great industrial cleaner and grease remover.
It says to use ‘one drop at a time’. Having not read the label, I put three drops onto a piece of Thai BBQ chicken. That was plenty. I think I’ll try a few drops on my bacon/egg/cheese/Carb Balance breakfast burrito tomorrow.
In other news, I got up around 05:00 as usual. At 05:35, I took a walk. Only one and a third miles, and it took me over 34 minutes; but I haven’t walked in a while because my knee hurts. I’m going to try to get back into the habit.
You don’t have to, but it’s strongly recommended.
Today’s ferret count peaked at 79. Nobody wanted to do any cooking tonight, so Lady SCAdian and I each had two avocadoes. Side dishes were a salad for her and a bowl of berries (black-, blue-, rasp- and straw-) for me.
Back down to 72 now (predicted low 70), but tomorrow starts the three days of extreme heat warning.
That’s what I had. Too hot for something cooked. My car said it was 97 when I was leaving work. But more than one glass of wine for me.
Ms Peach is being a little fucker and keeps pushing her ball under the couch, then whining when she can’t get to it.
Remember to say, ‘Rabbit, rabbit!’ in the morning!
I was thinking about Caprese salad today, as I was at Trader Joe’s and they have live basil plants. It’s getting to be the season. Of course, I had that chicken. But I did have wine.
