Lewies Blog

For the past two months, I have noticed the presence of the force. It was small at first. Little things would appear on store shelves. Cereals would start offering a free light sabre spoon in one of 3 colors. Pop tarts offered a chance to win if you heard Darth Vader breathing. Then there was the overwealming surge of special eddition dark chocolate varieties in M&Ms and candy bars.

I’m seeing kids walking through wal-mart with the Darth Vader masks, and everything starwars is on sale. A whole display of starwars lego ships are in the middle of the clothing section. I am hearing that the online game and the stand alone games are doing pretty well too. I haven’t seen this much merchandising and well received reception since the New Kids on the Block were famouse. And this is before the movie is in the theatres.

My guess is that they are going to sell more in merchandice then the previouse movies before the first showing. Everyone wants in on it. This is the ultimate final movie before the original begins. There is a lot building up with the anticipation upon us.

I don’t know if I should be upset with all of this advertising. I really want to see this movie, but I can only take so much. Or can I?

Tags: Starwars, Movie, Wal-Mart, Darth Vader, Advertise, New Kids on the Block, Lego, Pop Tarts, Candy, Chocolate, Mask

Do you have a secret that you need to get off of your mind? I try to be open with mine so they don’t build up any stress or emotional problems. I stumbled upon this website of secrets tonight:

Most secrets on the site are very artistic, but everyone is invited to anonymously mail a post card of there secrets. It must be a secret that is true and that you have not shared with anyone else.

Create your own 4-inch by 6-inch postcards out of any mailable material. But please only put one secret on a card. If you want to share two or more secrets, use multiple postcards.

Please put your complete secret and image on one side of the postcard.

What a cool thing to do.

Tags: Secret, Art, Website, Postcard, Mail, Stress, Emotion

Ever since I got my prescription, I have been giggling inside along with the feeling of torment. I have a few dozen of these things and the instructions are not helpful.

Usual dosage: One suppository in the rectum morning and night for two weeks, in non specific proctitis. In more severe cases, one suppository three times daily; or two suppositories twice daily. In factitial proctitis, recommended therapy is six to eight weeks or less, according to response.

Well that explains everything. It is more like they are explaining how often I should take the medicine - not how to.

Do I just stick it up there? Do I need some kind of applicator? How deep do I push it? What can I expect? How long should I wait before making my next bowel movement? I found some useful information about suppositories in the UK.

1. Go to the toilet and empty your bowels if necessary.
2. Wash your hands.
3. Remove any foil or plastic wrapping from the suppository.
4. Either squat or lie on your side with one leg bent and the other straight.
5. Gently but firmly push the suppository into the rectum, pointed end first. If necessary moisten the end of the suppository with a little water. Push it in far enough so that it doesn’t slip out.
6. Close your legs and sit or lie still for a few minutes.
7. Wash your hands again.
8. Try not to empty your bowels for at least an hour, unless the suppository is a laxative.

In other news, the Debrox earwax removal aid is working better then the murine ear drops. I am literally seeing the results.

Tags: Ear Wax, Ear, Wax, Anus, Rectum Suppository, Doctor, Sick, Prescription, Health, Advice, Dosage, Lower Intestine

I was playing World of WarCraft tonight. My goal was to get to level 17 and then join my guildmates to go through The Wailing Caverns. After I got up to level 17, I switched to my browser and searched for the walk-through. I found it and began printing it out.

I switched back to the game and my moniter went black. My keyboard wouldn’t respond and I couldn’t ALT+TAB back to the browser. I was about to reset my computer, but my printer started printing so I let it finish its job.

I turned the power off and did a cold boot. Nothing would happen. I had power, but my monitor wouldn’t come on and none of the lights in my keyboard would light up when I pressed the num-lock, scroll-lock, or caps-lock keys. I turned off the computer and pulled out all the cords except my monitor, keyboard, and power supply. Still it wouldn’t do anything when I turned it on.

I disassembled the computer and took a can of air to clean out all the dust. Put it back together and still got the same results. I sat there with nothing to do. No ideas. I was disconnected from my reality …

I realized I had 3 computers running in the other room that I could use as a spare. I picked the Dell Dimension as it was the newest addition and may actually have a chance of running WarCraft on it.

So here I am. Installing software. Configuring programs. Mostly just waiting for WarCraft to install from its 4 CD’s. I still have the patches to look forward to after installation.

The main problem I am having is that I don’t know how I’m going to be able to program anything. Microsoft Visual Studio.Net 2005 was on the other machine. I have all of the CD’s, but my MSDN subscription has expired and I need it to get my license key. As soon as the subscription expires, you pretty much lose access to the web-based license key manager that they have. I wish that I had printed my keys. I need to look into buying another subscription off of eBay again.

Tags: WarCraft, World, Computer, Guild, Game, Troubleshoot, Crash, Dust, Reality, Dell, Installation, Configuration, Patch, Microsoft, Visual Studio.Net, MSDN, Programming, License, Subscription, eBay

I got off work early today to go in for a doctors’ appointment. I walk into the door and I hear some shouting downstairs. My sister in-law appears at the steps followed by my wife and a BB gun. A third house-mate comes up the steps behind them. This is odd that everyone is so alarmed. I told Angel last night that I was coming home early.

Late last night, I finally was able to get hearing back in my right ear after applying the Murine Ear Drops. I was thinking of calling off the appointment but decided against it. My ears don’t “feel” clean exactly and since this is the second time this has happened in the past 30 days, I wanted to get an opinion on the matter. Plus, I had another thing that I wanted to consult with him about.

I brought some food and my sister jumped on my back for only getting pepperoni pizza. This is my response (in my head)

• I bought the pizza for me
• You didn’t make any requests for pizza and/or flavors
• Beggars can’t be choosers
• Buy your own food
• Get a job

I said nothing. I have no back-bone in this reality.

I must admit that she did defend me when Angel asked where I was getting all of this money all of a sudden. Miranda informed her that I had paid off my credit cards.

I change clothes and grab a snack before I run off. Angel is already outside and asks me to help her start the lawn mower. Every time she cuts grass I feel guilty about it. I wanted to stay and take over or do something, but I had to keep with my appointment.

I arrive at the doctors’ office 5 minutes early and wait 25 minutes until he is able to see me. He checked out both of my ears. My right ear is partially blocked. My left ear is fully blocked. He tells me to go and get Debrox at the store.

That was simple enough and quick. I informed him I had another problem that was of a more personal matter. He then closed the door and listened. Here are the symptoms I have been having for the past two months

• Pain during bowel movements (known as the brown thunder from down under)
• Bright red blood streak on stool sometimes
• Usually blood during wiping
• Irritation/Stinging Discomfort
• Pain on the tip of the penis throughout the day
• Uncomfortable to sit anywhere

He has the opinion that it may be hemorrhoids and proceeds to tell me to drop my clothes and bend over. So I’m bearing down and hoping to god that this is over quickly. The pain from my symptoms almost nullifies his rectal intrusion.

The results were not good. He didn’t see any irritation or soreness. He recommended that I should take a stool softener such as Colace. He also prescribed some suppositories and told me to get a basin for water. In addition, he prescribed me 60 Motrin @ 800 MG. At the front desk, they handed me a card for a doctor who specialized in Gastroenterology to have a closer look.

I feel like I’m falling apart. The two girls are on there cycles, so I can’t get any sympathy from them. I’m walking on egg shells trying not to set them off.

I went over to Wal-Mart and dropped off my scripts. I found the Debrox rite next to the Murine Ear Drops. I notice the little banner “#1 Doctor & Pharmacist Recommended Brand”. It gave me a comforting thought that this was going to work until I noticed similar claims on all of the other ear wax removal aids. For kicks, I took a box of the Murine Ear Drops and compared the ingredients. They both had the same active ingredient - “Carbamide Peroxide 6.5%”. My heart sank. I continued on and looked at the inactive ingredients and felt better that they were not the same.

Murine: alcohol, anhydrous glycerin, citric acid, polysorbate 20, sodium citrate, tartaric acid
Debrox: citric acid, flavor, glycerin, propylene glycol, sodium lauroyl sarcosinate, sodium stannate, water

I proceeded to find the COLACE that he recommended. I found that it was $16. The equate brand was setting rite next to it with a price tag of $4. It had the banner “Compare to COLACE active ingredient”. I didn’t bother comparing. I figured that since it was setting rite next to it and asked me to compare, then it was probably for the same symptoms. The doctor did add a note “… or any stool softener”. This must be just as good.

As I walked around the store, I called Angel asking if there was anything I could pick up for her. She asked for $20. This put me in a tight spot because I had already withdrawn $20 on my Wal-Mart card earlier for the doctor co-pay and funds were getting very limited on it.

As time went on, I realized that I could use the other credit card to buy what she wanted. I called Angel again and asked if there was anything in the store that I could get that the $20 would cover. Nope. My heart sank. I went around the store looking for things that would help ease any anger with me that she would have over the $20. I picked up some plastic cups and crystal light drink mixes. I even found a car air freshener that had some pretty wild faeries that look like the kind of art that she is into.

After 30 minutes had passed, I got my scripts and paid for them along with everything else with my regular credit card. I then went over to SAMs’ club to pick up paper plates and paper bowls. I went to pay with my Wal-Mart credit card and sure enough, the $20 option was not available.

I came home and Angel was done with the lawn. We spent a considerable amount of time trying to get the trimmer to start up, but were unsuccessful. I tried priming that thing quite a few times and tried starting it up in different modes. Still, nothing would work. The spark plug was snug, the gas was mixed with some oil, and the throttle was held rite. I couldn’t figure that thing out.

Angel went in the house and I soon gave up and brought in the supplies. I showed angel the faerie fresheners. She gave me that look that made me feel like an idiot because I was a guy and didn’t know her pain. Sure, I was aware she didn’t have a car, but sometimes she likes to hang stuff up that is to her taste. Apparently, I wasn’t even close with this one.

Tags: Work, Sick, Ear Wax, Suppository, Bowel, Pain, Credit, Shopping, Prescription, Wal-Mart, Doctor, Diagnoses, Pharmacist, Ear, Rectum, BB Gun, Hemorrhoids, Sams Club, Blood, Bleeding, Gastroenterology, Angel, Cycle, Debrox, Murine, Ear Drops, Stool, Softener, Pizza, Heart, Lawn, Lawn Mower, Spark Plug, Oil, Throttle, Supplies, Faerie, Faeries, Money, Wax

Just as I was walking into work, my manager called to see if I was comming in. She updated me on the happenings. As soon as I hung up, I knocked on her office door but realized that she was at home.

Work was ok today. A few things went on over the weekend that I had to help everyone out with. Other then that, I had a quiet day working on a few things.

My right ear is still blocked with wax for a week now, so I scheduled an appointment with my doctor. The soonest that I could be scheduled was tomarrow afternoon. I’m thinking that he will prescribe something stronger to break up the wax then your basic Murine Ear Drops with Carbamide Peroxide.

I went for a walk around the pond and enjoyed the nice weather that we had outside today. I took a picture of the pond for my moblog. I saw a couple ducks, but they didn’t want to pose for me and got nervouse when I approached. I backed away and continued walking. I saw a turtle basking in the tall grass with his head held up high. He retreated into his shell as I walked past him on the path.

It was such a great day that I decided that maybe I would go on a little GeoCaching hunt after work. I got out my GPS gadget and started searching. The mesquitoes and gnats were unpleasent to deal with. The GPS device had a very weak signal with all the tree cover. I got just as far as a co-worker and I had gotten before when I gave up. I took a shot of a magical pathway on my way back to the car.

I picked up some cat food and gerbil bedding on my way home. I also filled out an application for one of those new PetSmart cards. I nuked a couple card board pizzas and talked to mom on the phone and wished her a happy belated mothers day. We talked for a while and then I got into my World of WarCraft game.

Brugabub got a few of the guild members together for ragefire tonight. I spent 20 minutes in the undercity looking for a quest to share with the rest of the party. I am still unfamilliar with the city itself so I got to see a few new sights.

Ragefire was great. Being a priest, I spent most of the time healing everyone. I came very close to dyeing once, but was able to heal myself in the nick of time. Someone else in the party died and I couldn’t find his corpse. The second time he died, I was able to resurect him.

Since we had some very high-level characters in the party, I didn’t get much experience. I was able to get enough to level up tonight. After our quests items were gathered, I was able to get 50% experience towards my next level just by completing the quests from rage fire.

Three of us had a quest item to find a book. We had killed everything in sight and didn’t come accross it. We had to run out of the level, disband the group, and then get back together before the level would reset itself. We practically killed everything on that level twice just to get this book.

Tags: Work, Phone, Weekend, Ear, Wax, Ear Wax, Sick, Pond, Walk, park, Picture, Moblog, Ducks, Turtle, GeoCache, GPS, Gadgets, Co-Worker, Cat, Food, Shopping, Application, Card, Dinner, Mom, Mothers Day, In-Law, Mother In-Law, Game, WarCraft, WoW, Quest, Guild, Gerbil, Pets

Mom (my mother in-law), has been comming over to my house every weekend. When I pick her up each weekend, she brings my nephew and niece with her. I usually try and sleep through a lot of what ever it is that goes on and rarely get anything done.

This week I have been sick with allergies and lots of sinus pressure. I got the impression from Angel that mom would be upset if she couldn’t come over this weekend. Mom talked to me on the phone and assured me that she would be ok.

It isn’t that I don’t want her here. It’s just that I would like to have a weekend every now and then to myself. The weekend is the only time that I get to destress from work. As I sit here typing, I realize that my body is actually at peace and rested well. I can go to work tomarrow and start the week stress free. This means a lot to me and will probably leave me more optimistic at solving the daily problems that I run into. Less stress gives me the ability to multitask with a clear head.

So mom stayed at home with the kids and didn’t even get a phone call from me. By time I realized it, it was a little too late. I hope Angel got a chance to talk with her. I haven’t really been able to talk much with mom at all this past week due to being sick.

Here is the final thing that makes me feel bad about it. Growing up, I was taught that drugs are bad. Pretty much any drug. I have been going through hell with sinus pressure for the past week until Friday night. Why Friday? I purchased some Advil Allergy Sinus medicine. This cleared my system up by time I woke up Saturday. I was still sick, but the aweful pain was gone.

Why am I so paranoid about legal drugs? I always have this feeling that if I don’t have the exact symptoms that the medicine is for, then it will have ill effects on me. I can remember my dad telling me that Pepto-Bismol will make my stomach turn to cement. Then there is the whole asprin allergy. Every medicine pretty much instructs you not to take it if you are allergic to asprin - which I am.

So here I was on Saturday feeling better, and I didn’t lift the phone up to tell mom that I was feeling better. I was afraid that she would want to come over afterall. How self-centered is that? Well, now that I’ve let everyone know about my guilt trip, I think I’ll go have a bowl of ice cream and enjoy the final hours of my stress-free weekend.

Tags: Mothers Day, Gift, Cruel, Guilt, Ice Cream, Mother, In-Law, Stress, Work, Weekend, Sick, Advil, Sinus, Paranoid, Drugs, Pain, Phone, Thorughts, Nephew, Niece

I just cracked up laughing when I saw this one from Accordion Guy

I wasn’t even aware that there was such a thing as Panda Flavor. Do people normally eat pandas that much that the prefer the flavor? I had thought that they were an endangered species. I wonder if it is natural flavoring or artificial. Do you think PETA is aware of this?

Tags: Panda, Free-Range, Organic, Flavor, Funny, PETA, Endangered, Species, Eat, Food, Yummy

I didn’t know if I would be able to do it, but I got the whole month of September 2004 tagged. Not only that, but now each post is XHTML compliant and has a title. It is important that the posts have a title, or else they wouldn’t show up on the archives page.

In all, I assigned 2,436 tags for the entire month. I couldn’t have done it as quickly without the Technorati Tagger, and the Technorati Tagger Too. I also have another program that is underwraps that is helping me see what posts do not have tags while I am tagging my site.

Now I just have to catch up with the eight remaining months to be tagged. After that, I can start working on a way to integrate the tags into a navigation service.

Tags: XHTML, Tagging, Tags, Technorati, Blogware, September, 2004, Compliance, Archive, Navigation, Month, Program, Blog, Tag

NOBODY!

Near the end of last month I had announced a contest - Lewies Ultimate Challenge. It was a two part contest. Each winner would receive a one year flickr pro account.

The first part was to gather 10 questions about me with multiple choice answers that are interesting, unique, and can be found on my blog. Apparently, this was a little too complex. I didn’t receive any submissions, but a few people (Aurorealis, Tammy, and my brother Krozy) were interested.

Well, I think I’m going to work on part 2 of the Ultimate challenge and award the top 2 people with the flickr accounts. Now I just need to come up with some questions …

Tags: Contest, Winners, Win, Challenge, Utlimate Challenge, Aurorealis, Tammy, Krozy, Lucas, Brother, Flickr, Pro