I didn't follow the NFL combine that rigorously but I like these little recaps of how expectations were exceeded or fell below. I'm always amazed by the physical capabilities of these athletes only to be further surprised that sometimes these capabilities aren't enough. Needless to say, after that thrilling 3OT win over Georgia in the Outback Bowl, I'm pleased that Michigan State's QB, Kirk Cousins, emerged positively.
Anybody else curious to see how this all plays out in the draft?
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Call me Rock God
Last summer, I went to a walk-in clinic with some issues I thought were related to bronchitis. I hardly remember what the diagnosis for that was back then, but I do remember one the other things the doctor said to me. She asked me if I was on any medications. I said no. She paused, looked at me, and said, that's pretty good not to be on any medications at your age. I remember the reflexive words that came out of my mouth (which surprised me) was, but I'm only in my 40s. She said, a lot of people your age regularly take medications and she was a bit more pointed about type 2 diabetes.
I remember being somewhat shocked and then fairly adamant that her conception had to be way off base. Ridiculous. For some reason, I could accept that my friends could take meds for mental health, like depression, in their 20s but I couldn't wrap my head around needing meds for physical health a mere 20 years later. I mean isn't that why older folks like Wilford Brimley are cast when it comes to health commercials and meds? I mean, if you want my age bracket's attention, try getting George Clooney or Sofia Vergara to push oatmeal instead.
A couple months later, I found a primary care physician and had a physical. It was a big surprise to me when the doctor said that I had high cholesterol and will probably have to go on a prescription to keep it down, like Lipitor. Ugh. The doctor at the walk-in clinic jinxed me.
Here is how she explained cholesterol to me: one is generally given a number for "cholesterol" and ideally it should be less than 200 (mine was 237). That number is a sum of high-density lipoproteins (HDL, aka "good" cholesterol) and low-density lipoproteins (LDL, aka "bad" cholesterol), though this second number is sometimes broken down with a number for very-low-density lipoproteins (VLDL) as well. Ideally, the HDL number is greater than 50 and the LDL number is less than 100. Mine were 66 and 171, respectively. Though the doctor liked my HDL number, my LDL number at 171 was considered high.
The doctor said she would retest in 4 months and in the meantime I could try a low-cholesterol diet. She advised avoiding fast food, heavy meats, and greasy food. I was a little discouraged given that, as a pescatarian, I don't eat those foods, but I'd do my best to cut out foods that did have cholesterol.
I did some research online to see what I was eating that I should avoid and what foods were supposed to help lower cholesterol. In general, one was supposed to avoid saturated fats (usually found in animal products like meat and dairy) and trans-fats (usually found in packaged foods like cookies). The foods I ate without much rein that had cholesterol were whole eggs, butter, 2% milk, and shrimp. I would estimate that even with the foods I ate, I was still fairly under the recommended daily cap of 200 mg of cholesterol. But I still switched to Egg Beaters, Smart Balance and olive oil, nonfat milk and almond milk, and stopped eating shrimp. Yeesh, it was hard to give up eggs--I ate them every day as a delicious, cheap, and easy source of protein for me. And well Egg Beaters? They're not exactly the same as scrambled eggs--so man, I do miss eggs. In terms of foods that would help lower cholesterol, I turned to oatmeal (I guess Wilford Brimley was talking to me after all), Omega-3 supplements, and walnuts when I remembered.
But I also learned while visiting my mom, that regardless of how I ate, I may just be genetically disposed to it. So I got next to the fact that if my cholesterol wasn't affected by my big adjustment in diet, paying for (and taking) Lipitor was cheaper and better than costs of stroke and heart issues both to the wallet, my body, and my family. But I still wanted to try my best at controlling it with diet. And with few exceptions (pretty sure that lobster roll at Super Bowl and brunch at Maharlika were so worth it), I stuck with it.
So I did a fasting lab test last week and this morning I went to the doctor to find out the results. And luckily, for now, my changes in diet paid off. I had lowered my LDL to 133.
She acknowledged that the number was still over the desired 100 but she said my elevated number of HDL helped balance it out and most importantly she said we could hold off on a prescription, for now. She was somewhat impressed and asked me what changes I made and I told her the adjustments I made. She also recommended two herbal supplements (Red Yeast Rice and Chia Seeds) that had positive results in lower cholesterol. I'll definitely look into them as it's likely to be cheaper than getting a prescription every month. But she closed our conversation with a somewhat sobering stat that the reason over 80% of folks need prescriptions to control cholesterol is hereditary and not diet. And also, whether I should I do something about the varicose veins on my legs. Let's table that till next time, Dr. Debbie Downer!
This all said, I recognize that when I go for my formal physical again next fall, my cholesterol numbers go up again despite my dietary efforts. And I should be okay with that. But I'll still keep trying, and until then, inyaface, Cholesterol!
I remember being somewhat shocked and then fairly adamant that her conception had to be way off base. Ridiculous. For some reason, I could accept that my friends could take meds for mental health, like depression, in their 20s but I couldn't wrap my head around needing meds for physical health a mere 20 years later. I mean isn't that why older folks like Wilford Brimley are cast when it comes to health commercials and meds? I mean, if you want my age bracket's attention, try getting George Clooney or Sofia Vergara to push oatmeal instead.
A couple months later, I found a primary care physician and had a physical. It was a big surprise to me when the doctor said that I had high cholesterol and will probably have to go on a prescription to keep it down, like Lipitor. Ugh. The doctor at the walk-in clinic jinxed me.
Here is how she explained cholesterol to me: one is generally given a number for "cholesterol" and ideally it should be less than 200 (mine was 237). That number is a sum of high-density lipoproteins (HDL, aka "good" cholesterol) and low-density lipoproteins (LDL, aka "bad" cholesterol), though this second number is sometimes broken down with a number for very-low-density lipoproteins (VLDL) as well. Ideally, the HDL number is greater than 50 and the LDL number is less than 100. Mine were 66 and 171, respectively. Though the doctor liked my HDL number, my LDL number at 171 was considered high.
The doctor said she would retest in 4 months and in the meantime I could try a low-cholesterol diet. She advised avoiding fast food, heavy meats, and greasy food. I was a little discouraged given that, as a pescatarian, I don't eat those foods, but I'd do my best to cut out foods that did have cholesterol.
I did some research online to see what I was eating that I should avoid and what foods were supposed to help lower cholesterol. In general, one was supposed to avoid saturated fats (usually found in animal products like meat and dairy) and trans-fats (usually found in packaged foods like cookies). The foods I ate without much rein that had cholesterol were whole eggs, butter, 2% milk, and shrimp. I would estimate that even with the foods I ate, I was still fairly under the recommended daily cap of 200 mg of cholesterol. But I still switched to Egg Beaters, Smart Balance and olive oil, nonfat milk and almond milk, and stopped eating shrimp. Yeesh, it was hard to give up eggs--I ate them every day as a delicious, cheap, and easy source of protein for me. And well Egg Beaters? They're not exactly the same as scrambled eggs--so man, I do miss eggs. In terms of foods that would help lower cholesterol, I turned to oatmeal (I guess Wilford Brimley was talking to me after all), Omega-3 supplements, and walnuts when I remembered.
But I also learned while visiting my mom, that regardless of how I ate, I may just be genetically disposed to it. So I got next to the fact that if my cholesterol wasn't affected by my big adjustment in diet, paying for (and taking) Lipitor was cheaper and better than costs of stroke and heart issues both to the wallet, my body, and my family. But I still wanted to try my best at controlling it with diet. And with few exceptions (pretty sure that lobster roll at Super Bowl and brunch at Maharlika were so worth it), I stuck with it.
So I did a fasting lab test last week and this morning I went to the doctor to find out the results. And luckily, for now, my changes in diet paid off. I had lowered my LDL to 133.
She acknowledged that the number was still over the desired 100 but she said my elevated number of HDL helped balance it out and most importantly she said we could hold off on a prescription, for now. She was somewhat impressed and asked me what changes I made and I told her the adjustments I made. She also recommended two herbal supplements (Red Yeast Rice and Chia Seeds) that had positive results in lower cholesterol. I'll definitely look into them as it's likely to be cheaper than getting a prescription every month. But she closed our conversation with a somewhat sobering stat that the reason over 80% of folks need prescriptions to control cholesterol is hereditary and not diet. And also, whether I should I do something about the varicose veins on my legs. Let's table that till next time, Dr. Debbie Downer!
This all said, I recognize that when I go for my formal physical again next fall, my cholesterol numbers go up again despite my dietary efforts. And I should be okay with that. But I'll still keep trying, and until then, inyaface, Cholesterol!
Monday, February 27, 2012
The Oscars happened
and I was so unprepared for it. This is hands down one of my worst Oscar-nominated movie viewing seasons ever. I saw only 4 of the 9 nominated films and I have to say for two of them I felt they were overrated ("The Artist") or WTH?! ("Tree of Life"). Not my best Oscar season. I will say that after watching the show, I really want to see "Hugo" and "Albert Nobbs".
I also have to say that after spending nearly a decade on the West Coast--it came back to me how much the East Coast is screwed when it comes to live events. I passed out somewhere around Best Director and woke up to Natalie Portman, awkwardly revering this year's Best Actor nominations. Maybe it would help if the Oscars were a bit more entertaining and could wrangle up decent commercials like the Super Bowl.
Anybody else watch or have a good movie recommendations?
I also have to say that after spending nearly a decade on the West Coast--it came back to me how much the East Coast is screwed when it comes to live events. I passed out somewhere around Best Director and woke up to Natalie Portman, awkwardly revering this year's Best Actor nominations. Maybe it would help if the Oscars were a bit more entertaining and could wrangle up decent commercials like the Super Bowl.
Anybody else watch or have a good movie recommendations?
Sunday, February 26, 2012
For those about to rock
I lucked out and got to spend some time with my friend up in Charlotte to catch an 80s cover band (Blue Monday) last night. AC/DC, Bon Jovi, Pat Benatar, and Journey songs? Yes, please. Add a dance floor and some friendly people down with gettin' down and I am so there.
I also got to meet my friend's friend who was so nice, smart, and is also originally from the Northeast:
Capped off with my first visit to the Waffle House afterward and hitting Costco AND Trader Joe's on the way back it was a very awesome time in NC!
I also got to meet my friend's friend who was so nice, smart, and is also originally from the Northeast:
Capped off with my first visit to the Waffle House afterward and hitting Costco AND Trader Joe's on the way back it was a very awesome time in NC!
Saturday, February 18, 2012
Happy Birthday Paul
For Paul's birthday, it was fairly low-key and simple. He got a couple of things from his Amazon wishlist as well as a sweet surprise of See's chocolates from his mom. I baked some donuts and the girl made a great graphic card:
Later Professor X hosted a small cookout at his house complete with campfire--I provided the gingered bourbon cocktails:
It ended up raining but the fire hung in there and so did we. It was a great time. Wouldn't mind sipping cocktails in front of a fire again sometime!
Later Professor X hosted a small cookout at his house complete with campfire--I provided the gingered bourbon cocktails:
It ended up raining but the fire hung in there and so did we. It was a great time. Wouldn't mind sipping cocktails in front of a fire again sometime!
Thursday, February 16, 2012
Are there no women working at PETA?
PETA, an organization that claims to be for the "ethical treatment of animals", has shown a much higher interest in objectifying women lately. Whether you agree with their claimed mission or not, it's hard to avoid that their ads have been losing their focus on animal treatment and more towards entertaining straight men.
Sure, they have their "I'd rather go naked than wear fur" print campaigns. These are fairly innocuous ads featuring lovely young models or actresses in coy or arty nude poses. These started in the 90s and have been pretty decent publicity for both PETA and the young models/actresses featured. Whether these ads actually change minds of those who would wear fur in the first place is arguable. More recently in the 21st century they added males, like dreamboat Steve-O from Jackass, and an "Ink not Mink" campaign featuring tattooed males like Tommy Lee. Straight women said, uh...thanks? I guess it's still cool I don't wear fur? Here, I started to suspect that female employees had been vacating the PETA building for a while.
Than last year, PETA claimed to have made Super Bowl ads that were "too hot" and censored for airing. These were basically videos of young women in bikinis and high heels seemingly pleasuring themselves with vegetables. Is PETA run by the same guys who make those "Girls Gone Wild" videos? Because these "ads" certainly captured the same back-room, exploitative feel of them. But here's my real gripe--these ads are purportedly convincing one to go vegan. You think a guy is giving up meat because of these videos? The best result PETA got with these was getting some men to eat burgers and pizza with one hand.
And then this year, timed for Valentine's Day apparently, PETA released an ad/video that is also putatively promoting veganism. It features a young woman miserably running a grocery errand with this voiceover:
"This is Jessica and she suffers from BWVAKTBOOM: Boyfriend Went Vegan And Knocked The Bottom Out Of Me. A painful condition when Boyfriends go Vegan and suddenly can bring it like a tantric pornstar. For Jessica it’s too late."
Did I mention the she is running this errand in her bra and underwear and boyfriend jacket? Well no, because if you watch the video, there are plenty of shots of it, including one where she is climbing stairs and the sun shines between her pants-less legs. Did I have to remind you that this ad is for veganism? Oh, right...
Again it's ridiculous that this is going to convince anyone to become or go vegan. It'd almost get recommended as a comedic sketch, but the woman looks so miserable from her "painful condition" and she's in a flippin' neck brace! So frankly, it's kind of UNfunny.
Seriously, to me, PETA has become PETW--Pr!cks for the Exploitative Treatment of Women (under the guise of a higher-minded mission). This non-fur-wearing woman is annoyed, irritated, and definitely not interested.
Sure, they have their "I'd rather go naked than wear fur" print campaigns. These are fairly innocuous ads featuring lovely young models or actresses in coy or arty nude poses. These started in the 90s and have been pretty decent publicity for both PETA and the young models/actresses featured. Whether these ads actually change minds of those who would wear fur in the first place is arguable. More recently in the 21st century they added males, like dreamboat Steve-O from Jackass, and an "Ink not Mink" campaign featuring tattooed males like Tommy Lee. Straight women said, uh...thanks? I guess it's still cool I don't wear fur? Here, I started to suspect that female employees had been vacating the PETA building for a while.
Than last year, PETA claimed to have made Super Bowl ads that were "too hot" and censored for airing. These were basically videos of young women in bikinis and high heels seemingly pleasuring themselves with vegetables. Is PETA run by the same guys who make those "Girls Gone Wild" videos? Because these "ads" certainly captured the same back-room, exploitative feel of them. But here's my real gripe--these ads are purportedly convincing one to go vegan. You think a guy is giving up meat because of these videos? The best result PETA got with these was getting some men to eat burgers and pizza with one hand.
And then this year, timed for Valentine's Day apparently, PETA released an ad/video that is also putatively promoting veganism. It features a young woman miserably running a grocery errand with this voiceover:
"This is Jessica and she suffers from BWVAKTBOOM: Boyfriend Went Vegan And Knocked The Bottom Out Of Me. A painful condition when Boyfriends go Vegan and suddenly can bring it like a tantric pornstar. For Jessica it’s too late."
Did I mention the she is running this errand in her bra and underwear and boyfriend jacket? Well no, because if you watch the video, there are plenty of shots of it, including one where she is climbing stairs and the sun shines between her pants-less legs. Did I have to remind you that this ad is for veganism? Oh, right...
Again it's ridiculous that this is going to convince anyone to become or go vegan. It'd almost get recommended as a comedic sketch, but the woman looks so miserable from her "painful condition" and she's in a flippin' neck brace! So frankly, it's kind of UNfunny.
Seriously, to me, PETA has become PETW--Pr!cks for the Exploitative Treatment of Women (under the guise of a higher-minded mission). This non-fur-wearing woman is annoyed, irritated, and definitely not interested.
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Hope it was a Sweet Valentine's Day
This sweet monkey came from a nice girl in Velina's class.
Kind of want to hit the post-Valentine's Day sales now...
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)