Progress Can Be Scary

I am a new member of Kaiser Permanente.  Half of you just recoiled in horror.  The other half clearly don’t live in California or have actually been Kaiser patients and realize that it’s a pretty great program.

Yes, my doctor works for my insurance company.  There, deal with it.  She’s still bright, empathetic, and responsive.

Here’s why I bring it up today: we e-mail.  A lot.  In fact, I had to check with her to see if I was abusing the emailing system.  I’m just not used to being able to email my doctor.  She said no, she loves it, carry on.   We’ve been dealing with a medical issue I have, and email has been a big help.

Until I noticed that now I can critique her spelling, grammar, and punctuation.

Why?  Why must I do this?  She’s my doctor!  Does it matter that she said could “bearly” get away from the office the other day?

Well, yeah, my grammar-minded friends all agree.  It does.  Because if she gets that wrong, what else is she getting wrong?  But don’t we all have areas we excel in over others?  You might want me to proofread your email to your boss, but please don’t expect me to know the periodic table of the elements.  (That’s what it’s called, right?)

So, because I’m entering into a new relationship with my doctor, I’m willing to look the other way on this one.  Until she misspells some type of surgery she thinks I should have.  That might be going too far.

A Republican I Can Support

I haven’t wowed you with my political prowess in a while, have I?  And when I say wow you, I mean read other people’s columns, quote from them, and urge you to read them too.

Today in The Daily Beast, Peter Beinert points out a few uncomfortable truths for Republicans.  My favorite?  “Reagan raised taxes to pay for government-run health care.”  Now that’s a Republican I can support.

Conference Fatigue

Today is day six of my incarceration in Las Vegas. I get released tomorrow.

I’ve been here for a class and a conference. For the most part, both have been engaging and rewarding. But seven days in Vegas is ridiculous.

I’m phoning this in from a seminar (people just think I’m tweeting the conference) so I’ll be brief. If you present at a conference, please, get someone to proofread your slides. Pay for it, if you must. I’ll do it for a very small fee. Just please do it, or you’ll look like an idiot.

While I’m thinking of it, please don’t kill me with slides. They should support your presentation skills, not replace them.

Vander out.

Embarfassment, Indeed

For a few minutes today, Yahoo! had a major typo on its Front Page.

Woops! We know how to spell embarrassed now!

If it was a ploy to get me to watch the video, it worked.  I watched it to make sure there wasn’t some play on words that led to the gaffe.  Aside from my least favorite American Idol judge having a slight lisp as a child, there was nothing to lead to this misspelling.  And by the time I finished watching, Yahoo! had caught its mistake and fixed it.

Let’s tell the truth, folks: it was a little fun to see them screw up.  Sorry, Yahoo friends.  I do love you, but a woman scorned….

Happy Happy, Joy Joy

These ALL came in the mail today. What a lucky girl I am!

True Love

In the early morning, while I rushed around looking for my train pass, Film Chris slumbered peacefully.  I hated to wake him to ask for his help, but was glad I did when in his half-awake state he correctly used the word “bifurcated.”

*Swoon.*

It’s The Second Most Wonderful Time of The Year

I much prefer the time of year when we are handed new words.  But this gift from Lake Superior State University is pretty good too.

This year’s list is a mixed bag.  I’d never heard of “shovel-ready,” and I use “friended/unfriended,” though I try to use it just when discussing Face Book actions.  I fully support banning “chillaxin,’” “sexting,” and “teachable moment.”

Take a look at the list and let me know if you think any of these should have saved, or if you would add any to the list.  What words or phrases popped up this year and shouldn’t have?

Happy New Year

It’s the obligatory New Year’s post.  Looking back at the year that was and looking forward to the year that will be.

We made a lot of new friends…

Baby Amelia

We traveled the world, starting with Hawaii….

Chris conquers Molokai

And made it  to Australia, where we saw very dear friends (also new this year!)

Our new Aussie Friends

And we revisited England…

Our Favorite Pub This Year, the Hobgoblin

We had an unexpected trip to Michigan, where we met another addition this year!…

Meeting our newest niece: Charlotte!

…and our final trip of 2009, to spend a beautiful week with family in Florida…

With my dad and sister Molly

Making Even More New Friends

Spending Christmas with nephew Zack and niece Rachel

And even without all of the trips, the year brought new friends and some big changes.  I started a new job, we moved to a new apartment, and we visited friends who moved a little farther away…

My new friend, Olliver

Rachel and Henry

We said good-bye to Gramma Lecia and the dear Dick Ferguson.

And through it all, our trusty partner kept us laughing:

Obi Loves Board Games!

And I met DOOCE!  (Who inspired this year in review.)

Me and Heather Armstrong, Y'all!

Tonight, we’ll toast to 2009 and wish it well (and for some of us, we’ll wish it good riddance.)  And I’ll be thrilled to start the next year, kissing this man:

Wishing you a Happy New Year: Vander and Film Chris

What Santa Gave Me

Besides a week with family, two weeks of vacation, and a host of goodies under the tree, Santa gave me a big surprise.

My ten-year old niece and twelve-year old nephew each said how they love reading and were looking for good books.

I started a mental list last night, and today made a stop at the bookstore.

For her: Ballet Shoes, by Noel Streatfeild; Otherwise Known As Sheila The Great, by Judy Blume; and The Sisterhood Of The Traveling Pants, by Anna Brashares. For him: The Outsiders, by SE Hinton; Ender’s Game, by Orson Scott Card; and Night, by Elie Wiesel.

I could have bought ten more.

What were your favorites as a young adult reader?

Spelling, On a Projector

The vendor is typing notes that appear on the wall via projector.

He types “custermer.”  The group exchanges looks, trying to decide who tells him.

And when my boss does, I find one more reason to love her.