So I just finished my first 5 radiation treatments this week. Daily treatments. I am beat. 15 more to go. Things are looking good. Radiation oncologist is pleased with my progress so far. I still get winded going up or down stairs, so the elevator at work it is. One day that thing is going to break down. With my luck I'll be on it. 😂
When I was younger, image was EVERYTHING. I HAD the hair, the body, the car. I was the GUY.
(At least I thought I was.)
I was definitely a good looking Twink.
Having the wrong items in your basket or cart at the store could DESTROY that image.
Today. I'm definitely not that guy. I DON'T FUCKING CARE ANYMORE.
I didn't realize how much "image" doesn't matter to me until I thought about my last shopping trip for my dad.
I had the LARGEST package of Depends they sell (like the 40 pack), the LARGEST package of Ensure they sell (I think it was a 20 pack), a half gallon of milk, and a GIANT package of Charmin Ultra-Soft toilet paper.
And I didn't care who saw me. I didn't even put them in bags at the self checkout.
I, honestly, don't fucking care anymore. No shame feels better than worrying about stupid shit that doesn't fucking matter.
Today I walked around at the grocery with another of the same giant packs of Depends under my arm because I didn't get a cart when I walked in.
And I got an online coupon for $2.50 off because I used my phone and scanned the barcode on the Depends before heading to checkout.
Image isn't everything. And, honestly, shopping for things that make others uncomfortable and NOT giving a fuck about the "look" or "image," well today, I think that makes you look HOT. 🔥
Your thoughts?
Here we go again!
Mezostatic prostate cancer that has spread to the spine sounds absolutely fucking terrible.
And it is.
I'm sorry I haven't been here. I haven't abandoned FU. I, LITERALLY, haven't had time for FU, OR ANY OTHER FRIEND GROUP.
My life has just evolved to be around doctor's appointments, going to work, more doctor's appointments, and taking care of Dad's daily tasks and needs on my days off.
I'm here now to say that, dad is still undergoing treatment, BUT EVERY Doctor is saying things are looking good!
We are STILL shouting from the mountain tops: "FUCK CANCER." And I'm here to say that we are, at least, at the moment, just maybe, able to say we are "just the tip" into "FUCKING CANCER."
AND... I know my family is lucky. Dad has Medicare. 1 month of just ONE of his cancer drugs is, at retail, $15,000USD.
Dad's out of pocket, per YEAR, for prescriptions on Medicare is $2100USD.
Dad can make some changes and afford to pay out $2100USD, so that he isn't on the hook for paying $180,000 for the year. Just for ONE drug to treat his cancer.
Just ONE drug.
He is on THREE cancer drugs. ALL of them insanely and stupidly expensive.
Without Medicare I can only guess the drug costs would be close to $900,000USD A YEAR.
Besides the drug costs though,
Dad is feeling better. He no longer has a catheter. He IS getting better.
THIS IS WHAT OUR HEALTHCARE SYSTEM IS SUPPOSED TO DO.
(Sorry if I seem mad or upset. It's just because I am.)
My family isn't in insane medical debt because my father has REALLY good supplemental retirement health insurance that no employer offers anymore.
Meda-GAP. NOT part C. That's all I'm going to say.
FedEx is flying the MD-11 for cargo shipments (obviously) again.
It started with baby steps. Flight occurs, then DIRECTLY to the aircraft maintenance hanger for inspection.
Today they are back in, somewhat, general rotation.
While I can't confirm or deny ANYTHING that follows, it is my solid belief that:
The NTSB recommended a replacement of the MD-11 motor mounts if any sign of stress or wear was detected in the mounts. The replacement mount is MUCH stronger and designed to hold better from additional information from the DC-10 incident and further information developed through the years of MD-11 service.
FedEx flight mechanics observed "unusual" wear and tear and sent that info "up the chain."
The mechanics raised a big enough issue that every MD-11 IN THE FEDEX FLEET had the motor mounts replaced with the newer (heavy duty, NTSB recommended) mounts.
The UPS flight out of Louisville KY DID NOT HAVE the upgraded motor mounts.
FedEx grounded all MD-11s after this incident, but continued routine maintenance on all the planes.
Last week, any time an MD-11 landed it was parked at a gate next to a maintenance hanger. They were giving ALL OF THEM an extra one over.
Today. They are back to routine service.
(Or so I've heard...)
The Ezo Momonga is an adorable flying squirrel species unique to Hokkaido, a large island in northern Japan.
Edit: changed location to Hokkaido. Sorry. My bad.
Two dudes talking in fast food joint:
Dude 1: you hear about those people getting sick on that boat? Could be trouble again, man
Dude 2: Nah, what boat?
Dude 1: Big ocean liner, bunch a people died
Dude 2: yeah, died from what?
Dude 1: Honda virus.
Dude 2: Honda virus? Never heard of it. Gonna google it…(pulls out phone starts typing). Ok all Im seeing is like you know CRVs and shit.
Dude 1: That’s what Im talking about. CRV. That’s serious. That’s what killed Magic Johnson.
Dude 2: Really? thought only gay guys got CRV. Huh.
Nzou is one of the quiet stars of our Rhino & Elephant Conservation Programme at Imire in Zimbabwe. The oldest elephant at the conservancy, Nzou is around 50 years old, and has been at the reserve since she was two years old.
They say that elephants never forget, but this unique lady seems to have forgotten she is an elephant, and now identifies as one of the reserve’s buffalo. Or is it the buffalo that think they are elephants?
The imaginatively named, Nzou (the Shona word for ‘elephant’) was brought to Imire in the 1970s, when she was found orphaned in the lowveld of Zimbabwe. She was put with the largest herd animal, the buffalo, and has identified with them ever since. They understand her rumbles, and she in turn seems to understand them. Let’s take a closer look at one of the most amazing animal relationships we’ve ever seen!
The relationship that Nzou has with the buffalo is not an easy one. Buffalos have a patriarchal social structure, and over the 40+ years that Nzou has been in charge, she has killed 14 young male buffalo who challenged her leadership.
After several attempts over the years to encourage her to become part of the elephant herd, conservancy managers decided that her rightful place should be back with the buffalo. And there she has remained ever since. Nzou has never lost her elephant’s instinct for loyalty. One of her handlers was one day charged by one of the young male buffalo and badly gored. Nzou stood over him as he waited for help to arrive, guarding him against further attacks from the buffalo.
Nzou no longer communicates with the other elephants at Imire, perhaps she has forgotten how and no longer understands what they are saying. She is happy with her unusual herd, and as long as they don’t step out of line, she is happy and content to be their matriarch, and the matriarch of all Imire.
From Conservation Travel Africa. Edited for length. Images no AI. Analysis with Truth AI.