I went to the doctor the very next day, to see what kind of words he had to say...

Christie finally talked me into going to the doctor. The last time I visited the doctor was in October...1998. I only went that time because I needed to take a physical for the new job I was going to be working at.

I don't know why I hate the doctor's office so much. Maybe it's the clinic we used to go to in Sumpter (the summit of professional medical care) with the Cartoon character sheets that separated the waiting room from the doctors office. That large lady that always used to prick my finger still gives me nightmares to this day. Also, I never like being in public places without my pants on, which is why I never try on pants at the store.

So powerful are Christie's powers of suggestion that I called the doctor's office yesterday & made an appointment today for Friday. When I had to call & cancel the appointment they said they had an opening for 11:30 this morning. This was at 10:30 this morning, probably a good thing as I only had one hour to fear being in that room without my clothes on & one hour to wonder what all kinds of strange places I was going to be touched by people I've never met.

I walked into the office & a nurse told me to get on a scale. I asked if I should take my shoes & my jacket off, she replied, "if you want". Part of me was glad that I didn't have to take my pants off, the other part was upset that I worried all this time for nothing. She was unimpressed with the fact that I was able to guess my weight within a pound after not weighing myself for months. She also took my blood pressure, 100 over 78, which I guess is good, but I don't know why & my pulse which was also good.

After that, I waited in the office for the doctor to come in & do his thing, which wasn't much. I told him about a lump on my leg & he gave me the medical term for what it was, & why I shouldn't worry about it. I also told him about how I wake up just about every night & can't keep my legs still. He told me I may have a mild case of Restless Leg Syndrome, but as long as it doesn't bug me too much to not worry about it. Here I sit, leg shaking away.

Eight years without seeing a doctor, I was expecting a little bit more. I paid my copay & out the door I went, the whole thing lasted about 25 minutes. I feel so used. I'll see him in about eight years or so. Over to you, Phil.

Ignorance

Strange to know nothing, never to be sure
Of what is true or right or real,
But forced to qualify or so I feel,
Or Well, it does seem so:
Someone must know.

Strange to be ignorant of the way things work:
Their skill at finding what they need,
Their sense of shape, & punctual spread of seed,
and willingness to change;
Yes, it is strange,

Even to wear such knowledge-for our flesh
Surrounds us with its own decisions-
And yet spend all our life on imprecisions,
That when we start to die
Have no idea why.

Philip Larkin, The Whitsun Weddings
February 1964

Five Favorite Songs of the Day

Yankee Bayonet (I Will Be Home Then)-the Decemberists, the Crane Wife

A Night in Tunisia-Art Blakey & the Jazz Messengers

Tell Ol' Bill-Bob Dylan, Take Two

Workingman's Blues-Bob Dylan, San Diego 2006

they worry & they hurry & they fuss & they fret, they waste their nights & days, them I will forget, you I will remember always...

Upon This Tidal Wave of Young Blood-Clap Your Hands Say Yeah

Child star! Child star! Child star! Child star! Child star!

This is the feel good song of 2006!

Stay healthy & feel good in 2007, friends...

andrew