You are currently browsing the monthly archive for June 2007.
Nothing very interesting has happened in the past week or so. I’ve been working a lot, trying to rake in as much money as possible for next semester. That has sorta worn me out, but I’ve got the next two days off. My girlfriend is leaving for Germany on Monday, and I am really not too sure as to how I will handle that. Seeing her every day and then all of a sudden not seeing her at all, and possibly not hearing from her all too much, could be an interesting thing. Especially in the summer. But hey, it’s not like we haven’t gone that long without seeing each other before… College has a habit of doing that to people. Ah… teenage hearts… how naive.
On the D-front, well… there’s a whole lotta nada. Went low a few times at work (easily corrected since I’m surrounded by pastries and other sugary goodness), had a few rebound highs (easily corrected since I’m attached to a pump), and had a few perfect days (no correction needed for that). All is well, still on the line about the Symlin, but I think I may wait a little bit to see if my A1c is stable after the summer, and then make a decision. Right now, the weight loss is the only factor I’m truly interested in, and as I said before: All I need to do to lose that weight is get off my ass.
A side note that most people will not understand, but a certain few will get a laugh out of: Plastic decks. They melt. Really quickly. Don’t have a fire on the deck. Things go wrong and you end up with your deck melting.
I’m an avid gamer. Mainly PC games, but I dabble in “oldschool” xbox games as well. There are quite a few games coming out for the PC in the near future that I am actually fairly excited about. I’m not going to convert this post into a game pre-view, but the world of gaming is going in a very cool direction. There was a game that came out back in 1998 by Blizzard Entertainment called Starcraft. This is the same company that released the Diablo line of games (Diablo and Diablo II), as well as the Warcraft series (including the massively multiplayer online roleplaying game World of Warcraft). According to Blizzard, the story will continue in a sequel, creatively titled Starcraft II.
The thing I like about the look of Starcraft II, however, is not the fact that the graphics are improved over its predecessor, but the fact that it is the same style of play. There will still be a ton of units on-screen, and there will still be epic, multi-front battles between the three classic races. I think I saw somewhere that the release date is fall 2008, so the game is quite a ways away. That sort of saddens me, because after I watched the cinematic teaser on the S2 website, I was really excited to play the game. And it’s a long ways off. So, in order to curb my anticipation for the new game, I found my CDs to the old game and loaded that onto my PC and started picking my way through each of the three campaigns. I don’t ever recall actually finishing the game (I most likely did, but still).
That’s all I’ve got to ramble about right now, sorry to all of you non-gamers. Another aside, I am also addicted to Everquest 2, lovingly called “Evercrack” among friends. I just thought I’d let y’all know that you’re reading the words of an addict. :-D
Until next time (which might be quite a while),
_Tom.
Well they say that no news is often good news. In my case, this is true. I have not had any bad lows, or any nasty highs, or anything interesting happen to me at all really. My CDE never called me, so I didn’t have to tell her that I decided that Symlin really isn’t for me. I don’t need any more lows, and I feel that my sugar is more under control now than I have ever had it. All I need to do in order to lose the weight is get off of my lazy ass and do something. I think I might take up cycling/spinning, mainly because I enjoy riding bikes, yet have developed a freakish phobia of the ones that actually move. That’s a long story though, and can basically be summed up by this: I was in a nasty biking accident which almost resulted in me being a eunuch and haven’t been able to ride a legitimate bike ever since then (almost 8 years ago). Who knows how it will all work out, I don’t really feel that paying $100 for a summer pass to the gym is worth the 20 pounds I want to lose, so I’m not sure if it will work out or not.
In other news, I’ve been working a whole heck of a lot, so I should be good to go for next semester, financially at least. Even though I don’t really do anything strenuous at work, damn am I wiped out when I finally get home after those 8- and 10-hour shifts. Whoo.
As always, no news is good news. Which could actually mean that all news is bad. But in this case, it means that silence means everything is hunky dory.
_Tom.
I just got home from my endo appointment, and the numbers are in.
My bloodpressure was good (I think it was 180/70?) and my pulse was okay (82). All of my kidney, liver, urine, and whatever other tests I got came back within normal ranges.
My A1c… :drumroll please: 6.0. Yessssssssssssss!
I’m not quite sure as to how my A1c is that, but hell. Who am I to complain? My endo talked to me about getting in on a study, and I of course said “Sure, I’ll try it out for you.”
The study is one focused on the effects of Symlin on Type 1’s. I’m not exactly sure what goes on in this study, as the coordinator (my CDE) was out for the day, but I’ll be getting a call tomorrow or the next day with more information. From what I’ve read, it’s not too bad, and comes with the side-effect of weight loss (something I desperately need, because my mental status in regards to my weight has not been good as of late). My endo made it seem like if I didn’t like the Symlin I could simply drop it, and I would be done with it, but the study contract states that if I stop the Symlin, I’m asked to remain in the study for the 6-month duration. I’m not quite sure if I like that aspect. The drug is not yet in pen form, so I would be going old school with a syringe and vial. That’s not really that big of a deal for me, as I am perfectly fine with needles (as long as I am in control of them). I’m just nervous as to the common side-effect of nausea and the chance of “feeling like crud for a few days”, as my endo put it.
So what I’d like to ask all of you, my knowledgeable readers, friends and role models is this: What should I do? What do you all know about this drug called “Symlin”? Would you participate in the study? I’m definitely going to get all of the specifics and such from my CDE when she calls me tomorrow.
ALSO: I got the go-ahead on a Dexcom from my endo, but they weren’t sure how to write the prescription, and neither was I. So I’m going to look that up before I get the phonecall tomorrow and ask my CDE to write it out and mail it to me, or if she could just go through the channels of getting one mailed to me. Surprisingly, this very moodyMonday has turned into quite a good day. :-)
Thanks everybody,
_Tom.
I found a sweet little social networking site earlier today (before Scott posted about it) called Tu Diabetes. I found it while I was looking around in the Flickr group (Diabetes Made Visible). I’ve put a banner in my side-panel to take you there if you wish.
In Scott’s words, “it’s like Myspace on insulin”. It’s a pretty cool way to keep in touch with other diabetics through a social forum, much like Diabetes Daily and the Insulin Pump Forums. Everyone should check it out, and maybe even create an account and start participating. :-)
A number of us bloggers are already members, but the more the merrier! Anyways, it looks like a promising site to keep us all in touch, or even to simply kill time. Who knows?
_Tom.
Sorry for doing a Meme, but I couldn’t help it.
Okay, let the meme begin.
1. When you looked at yourself in the mirror today, what was the first thing you thought?
Ah jeeze. I look rough… Work is gonna suck.
2. How much cash do you have on you?
Cash… on me? $29.00.
3. What’s a word that rhymes with DOOR?
Sore. What my back is right now.
4. Favorite planet?
Pluto. Oh wait… You said planet? Mars.
5. Who is the first person on your missed call list on your cell phone?
My boss, asking me to come in for a phantom shift today.
6. What is your favorite ring tone on your phone?
“The Theft” by Atreyu, though my phone is a screw and doesn’t always recognize that it exists in memory.
7. What shirt are you wearing?
Green, burgundy, and creme striped polo.
8. Do you label yourself?
Sometimes… diabetic, geek, nerd, dork, awesome…
9. Name the brand of the shoes you’re currently wearing:
Feet.
10. Bright or Dark Room?
Dark room. Makes the back of my eyelids darker.
11. Why is there always a missing question?
To see who pays enough attention to catch the error and bring everyone who did not notice up to speed on their ignorance.
12. What does your watch look like?
It is a Timex Expedition, brown leather band, silver hardware.
13. What were you doing at midnight last night?
Waiting for my caffeine buzz to wear off so I could go to sleep for a few hours.
14. What did your last text message you received on your cell phone say?
“Ha ha its cool. yea, id like to hang, ill be over in a little bit? is that good?” Grammar and punctuation skills – not my girlfriend’s strongest attributes.
15. Where is your nearest 7-11?
No clue. It has changed from 7-11 to a Sheetz to a Blimpies to something else.
16. What’s a word that you say a lot?
“Ah”.
17. Who told you he/she loved you last?
My girlfriend.
18. Last furry thing you touched?
My cat, in an attempt to keep his sorry butt inside
for the night. He thinks he knows how to fight, but
every night gets his butt handed to him by the
neighbor’s 60 pound behemoth, Catzilla.
19. How many drugs have you done in the last three days?
Two. Exedrin and Insulin.
20. How many rolls of film do you need developed?
I have one roll, but I’ve got a few digitals to sort through on my computer.
21. Favorite age you have been so far?
16, pre-D. Although 18 is not all that bad.
22. Your worst enemy?
Stupid people, and people who take things completely out of context.
23. What is your current desktop picture?
An abstract something that I drew.
24. What was the last thing you said to someone?
“Have fun at your sister’s house, love you baby.”
25. If you had to choose between a million bucks or to be able to fly, what would it be?
A million bucks, I’m with the others. Flying isn’t really my thing.
26. Do you like someone?
Sure. Although I’m certainly not a ‘people person’, I like plenty of people.
27. The last song you listened to?
“Make Your Bed” by Dropout Year
28. What time of day were you born?
I actually have no clue. I think it was mid-morning, but I could be completely wrong on that.
29. What’s your favorite number?
I’m a fan of the number 4. Also the number 9. But not 49.
30. Where did you live in 1987?
Uh. Well I believe by the end of 1987 I was “living” in my mother’s womb with my sister… I’m not sure how premature I was, so there is a slight chance that I narrowly missed the 1987 window.
31. Are you jealous of anyone?
Lots of people. I can be a very green person sometimes.
32. Is anyone jealous of you?
I’m not sure. Maybe.
33. Where were you when 9/11 happened?
I was sitting in 8th grade science class when it happened, and was in German I when we heard on the radio that it actually happened. Then I was on my sofa for the rest of the day trying to figure out what exactly was going on.
34. What do you do when vending machines steal your money?
Look around to make sure no one is present, yell a little, hit it a little, maybe try to squeeze my hand up into the machine… then I accept my defeat and get grumpy.
35. Do you consider yourself kind?
I surely try to be a kind person, but it doesn’t always work out that way.
36. If you had to get a tattoo, where would it be?
I’m getting one on my left wrist, and maybe one on my leg (the thigh-ish region).
37. If you could be fluent in any other language, what would it be?
German, I’ve gotten quite rusty, even though I’m still taking German courses.
38. Would you move for the person you loved?
Yes, I would.
39. Are you touchy-feely?
Depending on the mood and how much food and sleep I’ve gotten.
40. What’s your life motto?
“Everything happens for a reason.”
41. Name three things you have on you at all times:
1. Pump, Meter, Medical ID
2. Cell
3. A Ring (Either a ring I stole from my father [didn't fit him anymore] or the one Ellen gave to me)
42. What’s your favorite town/city?
I enjoy Philadelphia a whole lot.
43. What was the last thing you paid for with cash?
Gas. Oy.
44. When was the last time you wrote a letter to someone
on paper and mailed it?
Woooow…. Years ago, probably back when stamps were 33cents (1999).
45. Can you change the oil on a car?
Yup yup.
46. Your first love: what is the last thing you heard about him/her?
She has gained weight, and is dating a guy 3 years younger (in high school that is a big deal!)
47. How far back do you know your ancestry?
I’ve got nothin. My grandparents are as far back as I know, and I don’t even know them.
48. The last time you dressed fancy, what did you wear and why did you dress fancy?
We had “Suit Days” in the band at Villanova, so I wore a black suit with a burgundy shirt and nice shoes and the whole deal, to go to classes.
49. Does anything hurt on your body right now?
My finger because I burned it on the milk frothing wand at work this morning.
50. Have you ever been burned by love?
Just by myself doing stupid things.
51. Do you have a crush on any bloggers?
Eh… not so much, sorry y’all.
52. Where would you like to live?
I’m liking where I am at the moment. The combination between Philadelphia and Smalltown USA is a pretty good one. :-)
I’ve been messing around with the visual aspects of my blog lately, and have been looking at it both in Firefox and Internet Explorer. I just loaded it up in Firefox on one of the computers at work, and it looks slightly different from my home computer.
The list of categories in the sidepanel, for instance. The bullets show up as question marks on the work computer, but on the home computers they show up as intended (an L-shaped symbol). If any of you see this, or, more importantly, know how to fix it, please let me know! Also, if anyone has any ideas on how I can spice up the look and feel of the blog, feel free to send me an e-mail or leave a comment.
Thanks everyone,
_Tom.
This may just be a personal thing, but I thought I’d ask you all just to check it out. When I check my sugars, there are numbers that constantly pop up. When I’m pretty average, it is either 83 or 111. When I’m on the low side, it is 69, 46, or 37. When I’m high… well… let’s not go there. This might just be that certain numbers are sticking in my head more than others, but I just wanted to throw it out there.
I got blood drawn yesterday for my A1c (finally!), and shortly afterwards checked out my meter’s averages. The 30 day average is 110! Crazy! I am seriously praying to all of the Saints and Gods I know of in hopes that this A1c is an acceptable number. ::crosses fingers… and toes… and eyes::
I’ve also noticed, not so recently, that there is such a ritual involved with diabetes. If I break the ritual, chances are that the site I just put in will fail, and it’ll be a gusher. Or my sugar will go crazy because I just had something different for breakfast. It’s actually sort of cool to think about, because Diabetes requires organization, meticulousness, and patience. Pretty crazy.
I’m going down to Villanova to start setting up my apartment tomorrow. Supposedly my room “needs a lot of work”, so it could be interesting. Mom and I are going to get some measurements, draw some diagrams, and head off to IKEA. Gonna be a good day, if the two of us can survive each other for that long. I may end up marooned at ‘Nova with no way home. :-\
With that in mind, sleep calls.
_Tom.
I have been meaning to write a post for a day or so now, and I haven’t been able to think of anything worth writing. I’ve been sitting here at work, well not sitting, per se, more like running around like a madman getting people who are holier than I, obviously, there coffee.
The one thing that irks me beyond all getout are people who think they are the shit. “I drive a shiny new <insert an expensive car manufacturer>, bow to me.” Yea, well you can take that car key and shove it right up there where your head is. Wake up, the car you drive does not matter in the least. The personal status you hold isn’t going to get you very far once you pass on from this world. Sometimes working at a coffeehouse has negatives. Like rich, obnoxious people. Most of the time, however, it’s pretty nice.
Lately, I’ve been thinking about getting a tattoo. Nothing too big, nothing too stereotypical, but it means something to me. The design I have is a simple cross, an Eye of Horus/Ra, and the Kanji symbols for “knowledge” and “power”. It’s quite a simple tattoo, but as I said, it all means something to me. I’m also thinking of getting the Kanji symbol for “little sister” on my left wrist. The placement is so specific due to the fact that I want it to be in a plainly visible spot, yet obscured by my watch band (for interviews and the like). Once again, a very simple tattoo, yet so full of meaning. My “little” sister, who is, in reality, my older sister (I think… it’s quite an odd situation, for no one really knows the true answer to who is older) has done a lot for me (including saving my life a couple times, even if she did not know it at the time).
As you can tell, I have thought a lot about getting these tattoos done. My only concern is that I will not heal as well as “normal people” do. I’ll have to ask my endo to see what his view on it all is, so I will have to wait a bit before I get it all done. We’ll see.
So today is June 1. Today is the day the lease for my apartment (called “The Appendix” by the band) starts. I’m excited. Living with another guy for the duration of school, and a third is living there over the summer. I will only reside there for some weekends throughout summer, to paint and move stuff in and whatnot. Should be a good time. I’m pumped for next year. I really miss the people from Villanova. It’s a whole different story from my friends here. I just can’t describe how it is different.
I’ve been thinking a lot about faith and religion a lot lately. Not so much the question of what faith, or what religion I am, but more of a question of where my faith lies or how I view religion in my life. I don’t really want to get into it in this post, but I will probably delve into that subject in my next post, when I will have more time to organize my thoughts — ie when I’m not at work.
Just wanted to get some thoughts up on the screen, maybe I’ll flesh out some of the ideas I’ve written down and actually say something with more meaning than I have in this post.
Thanks for reading,
_Tom.
