oh.  my.  God.  and i thought finding someone’s Lee Press-On Nail in my pasta salad (see "Chicago-Style Fly In My Soup") was traumatic.  some poor lady found an actual finger in her bowl of chili!  here’s my favorite quote:  a Santa Clara health official stated that the vic "had some kind of emotional reaction [duh, you think?] and vomited." at least i was only reduced to tears.  (see article below)

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J was kind enough to send this e-Bay link for an "Official Chicago Winter Parking Space Placeholder" mentioned in Chicago Living Tip #33.  the bidding is over now, but here’s a preview of one of the many that were offered:

contrary to what your human may think, you do not need to do anything:  "Hopper, you need to keep your butt down when you pee so it doesn’t go all over the place."

wrong, human.  i don’t need to do anything.

i feel bad for not having posted more regularly, but i’ve become thoroughly addicted to Neopets. it’s a virtual pet site where you can have up to 4 pets, play with them, feed them, take them to the different worlds of Neopia, or have them fight against other Neopets in the Battledome. by playing the computer games on their site you earn Neopoints, which is Neopia’s currency. you’ll need plenty to be able to do all kinds of fun things with your pet.

VeqRiin is my Korbat, and she’s in training for the Battledome. we haven’t been very successful, sad to say.

Larasitad is a Kacheek. every day he stands in line at the Faerieland Employment Agency hoping to get a job to help pay VeqRiin’s tuition at the Mystery Island Training School. it’s almost like real life: i study martial arts; Brian works and pays the tuition. honestly, i didn’t consciously assign VeqRiin’s and Larasitad’s roles.

i’ll tell you one thing: my Neopets are much better behaved than my real pets! to get your own Neopet click the button. there’s also a button in the sidebar and a banner at the bottom of this page. my username is neobloggo. if you sign up, look me up and send me a Neomail!

Images: (c) 2004 Neopets, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Used With Permission

i made it to the chiro on Monday with Brian. according to the doctor, i have what he calls “flabby butt syndrome,” which means that my butt muscles aren’t developed to where they should be because when i walk, my strides are too short. so he gave me some exercises to do every other day. i did them for the first time last night, and let me tell you, i was nearly in tears because of the pain. it was excruciating.

in fact, when i woke up yesterday morning, my back was killing me so there was no way i was going to go to martial arts. that depresses me more because i want to go, but i can’t.

i saw the pdoc today. he said that pain plays a big factor in terms of contributing to people’s depression. so like, who wouldn’t be depressed if they were in this much pain? that makes me feel a little better, sort of. anyhow, beginning tomorrow i’m taking an increased dose of Wellbutrin.

the pdoc also encouraged me to go to PHP if i can. Brian is going to check with his insurance, etc. and the hospital to make sure everything is in place. the doctor said that i need to get out of the house for a few hours at a time instead of just an hour or so here and there. he hopes to have me back working in the fall. that thought scares me. i mean, what work would i do? the idea of teaching seems so foreign right now.

i finally remembered to call my therapist today to reschedule an appointment. haven’t heard back yet, though. Friday i’m back at the chiro’s and at the pdoc in two weeks. Monday i have a follow-up appointment with the ENT. this is why i try to blow off going to doctors for as long as i can–it seems like i’m always at one healthcare provider or another.

i’ll end with good news: since my last pdoc appointment i’ve lost 7 lbs.!!! yay!!!!!