PERSONAL NEWS #149
From August 5th through 29th I was on “short term medical leave” from work. This was due to a possible TB strain germ in my system. The NYC Dept of Health and my lung specialist had me on quarantine at home. This possible germ was detected from a test around end of July, but since then other tests [NY Methodist Hospital] have ALL come back negative. To appease these individuals at the NYC Dept of Health [who come across like US border Custom officials, Homeland Security & the Spanish Inquisition], I’m adhering to the quarantine rules. I’ve been taking care of things around the apartment; plus making phone calls, reading, painting, crocheting, watching the Olympics, taking several meds, Internet, watching movies, cleaning house, feed birds, organizing and trying to keep “cabin fever” at bay. [Many thanks to those who called me in hospital and when I was at home. Greatly appreciate it.] I’ll be so darn happy when these quarantine/restrictions are lifted and I can resume my normal every day activities. One of which is going back to work, and you may find this hard to believe, but I actually miss being at work and interacting with co-workers.

On Wednesday, August 6th, I participated in a NYDoP board member conference call regarding prep work for upcoming Inwood Weekend Retreat in October.

On Thursday, August 14th, I participated with other NYDoP CCR committee members on conference call to discuss developments over past 3 weeks [ie: DoP Resolution 627].

Tuesday, August 19th, I had an appointment with my lung specialist to see how my health was progressing since earlier in the month. All vitals were normal, as they have been since end of July, plus my lungs sound clear. They did more tests to see if the meds are working and hope that TB testing comes back negative. Later that day I had a phone call with NYC Health Dept and they questioned me for 30 minutes. Felt like the friggin Spanish Inquisition. I’ll be so happy when all of this is over, cause its abit annoying and frustrating.

On the morning of August 25th & 26th, at 10am, I had a visit from the NYC Dept of Health representative who “observed” my apartment, watched while I took my meds, wore a surgical mask, filled out a few forms and basically lectured me on TB. In the afternoon I had an appointment to see my lung specialist, who said all was clear. Life returns to normal. Whoa! The evening of the 26th I jumped on a conference call with NYDoP CCR committee. It was very productive and great chatting with others on NYC DoP resolution 627.

Morning of August 27th I had an appointment with a new doctor [Park Slope] who’s specialty is “infectious diseases”. After speaking with my lung specialist, he prescribed new meds for me to take when the others ran out. Good visit and I learned abit more about MAI. Later that afternoon I had an appointment with my chiropractor, and the pharmacy called to say my new meds would ready afternoon of Sept 1st.

August 28th through September 1st I visited my family in upstate NY for the long Labor Day holiday weekend. Weather was pretty decent most of the time. Checked out two farmers markets, tag sales, bead shop, helped out around the yard, ride my bike, plus shopping in Greenwich and Saratoga. Mom and I watched several movies on cable TV; one of which was “Diary of a Mad Black Woman”, plus the X-Men trilogy. My cousin Robert visited his father, along with his wife Lil and daughter Farah, and we exchanged our recent medical issues. Felt great to be out and about … not cooped up inside. Yippee!

LATEST NEWS FROM THE MUSIC WORLD

The Police: Certifiable – Exclusive Recordings from the Police Reunion Tour
PR Newswire
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/080904/lath021.html?.v=101

Pearl Jam’s Jeff Ament Preps Solo Debut
Jonathan Cohen, Billboard.com
http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003845450

Jeff Ament's Debut Solo Album "Tone" - Pre-Sale Starts Today!
Jeff Ament's debut solo project, "Tone," is set to be released on September 16th via TenClub.net and at select U.S. independent music stores. We'd like to give you a chance to pre-order your limited edition copy starting today. "Tone" features ten original tracks by Jeff culled from more than fifty-plus "works in progress." Penned over the last eight years, the final collection offers a look into Ament's world of early life in Montana and how it has shaped his music. Much like Jeff's own life story, "Tone" tells the tale of a group of characters from a small town in Montana and their slow integration into life in the big city. The album emerged from his desire to take care of "unfinished business;" taking the original works and paring them down to a batch of like-minded and introspective songs. Featuring a little help from drummer Richard Stuverud (The Fastbacks, War Babies, Three Fish) and King's X frontman Dug Pinnick, "Tone" is raw and touches on many musical influences; a searing collection of tracks that trace back to Jeff's early music roots. In his own words "Tone" is Jeff "unchecked, left to his own devices, playing instruments he is not comfortable with, singing, pushing and painting himself into corners.”

[Duchess Note: I am so friggin excited about these CD's and DVDs coming out soon from musicians that I love and admire. WooHoo!]

THE LATEST NEWS ON THE POLITICAL SCENE

Cynthia McKinney Green Party Music Video “Run (historical moment)” – McKinney Not Obama
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gx1NPlQjkqo

An Alternative to Both Democrats & Republicans
The Daily Green
http://www.thedailygreen.com/environmental-news/community-news/green-party-88081601

McKinney/Clemente Ticket Also Makes History
Michigan Citizen
http://www.michigancitizen.com/print_this_story.asp?smenu=1&sdetail=6404

Democratic National Convention Outlines Policy of Wider War
Bill Van Auken, WSWS.org
http://www.wsws.org/articles/2008/aug2008/denc-a29.shtml

Obama’s Denver Speech: Populist Demagogy in the Service of Militarism
Patrick Martin, WSWS.org
http://www.wsws.org/articles/2008/aug2008/obam-a30.shtml

The Democrats Endorse the “Global War on Terrorism” – Obama “goes after” Osama
Michael Chossudovsky, Global Research
http://www.globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=va&aid=9995

Obama, McCain Weak Choices in 2008
The DM Online
http://www.thedmonline.com/1.617603

QUOTE OF THE DAY … “There is only one party in the United States, the Property Party ... and it has two right wings: Republican and Democrat. Republicans are a bit stupider, more rigid, more doctrinaire in their laissez-faire capitalism than the Democrats, who are cuter, prettier, a bit more corrupt – until recently... and more willing than the Republicans to make small adjustments when the poor, the Black, the anti-imperialists get out of hand. But, essentially, there is no difference between the two parties.” Gore Vidal in 1977

The Evil of the Lesser Evil
Prisoner of Starvation Blog
http://prisonerofstarvation.blogspot.com/

Economy May Stall Push for Healthcare
USA Today
http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2008-08-27-healthcare-stall_N.htm

Sarah Palin – All You Need to Know
She knows nothing about Foreign Policy - YOU know more about Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan, North Korea, Russia and Pakistan than she does!!
She thinks Alaska should succeed from the “union”
She was FOR the Bridge to No Where until she was against it
She campaigned for indicted Senator Ted Stevens
She knows nothing the American Credit Crisis, Free Trade, Immigration, Economics, Foreign Policy, National Security, Education, Health Care, Iraq, Iran, Russia, Pakistan, Afghanistan, North Korea or China.
She is under investigation for abuse of power (she had her brother in law State Trooper Wooten fired during a custody battle with her sister)
She was a sportscaster, a city councilwoman and mayor of a town with less than 10,000 people before she was elected Governor almost by default
She now claims “13 years of Elected Experience”
She claims to have MORE experience than Barack Obama and Joe Biden
She has served less than 2 years as Governor
She did not campaign with John McCain
She did not know John McCain
She hunts from airplanes
She is a radical Christian Right Winger who obviously does believe in choice “Bristol CHOSE to have her baby”
She thinks the Pledge of Allegiance was written by the Founding Fathers Francis Bellamy (1855 - 1931), a Baptist minister, wrote the original Pledge in August 1892. He was a Christian Socialist
She brought the issue of ABORTION into the Wasilla’s “Mayor” race (a non partisan job that pays $68K/year)
Her mother in law won’t vote for her.
She doesn’t know what the Vice President “does all day”
She has a son who won’t take a photo with her, a 17 year old daughter who is pregnant
She stayed in Texas determined to “give a speech” at the Governors Conference AFTER her water broke prematurely with a high risk pregnancy
She is married to a guy who had a DUI
She doesn’t believe Global Warming is real
She doesn’t believe in Evolution
She would be a heartbeat away from being the Commander in Chief of the most awesome military and nuclear arsenal on the planet

[Duchess Note: Many thanks to Linda, Carol, Judith and Doreen for their contributions in terrific articles to this blog.]