"Warring Ideals in One Dark Body"

Roomie came home complaining of a tick bite. "Did you save the tick for identification?" I asked.

"Uh, no. Should I do that?"

"Yes. You and the tick need to go to the doctor."

"Even though Northern California is a low risk area?"

"Even though. It's likely nothing to worry about, but y'all need to be tested."

She dug through our used floss and tissues in the bathroom waste basket, and I gave her a film canister into which she put the remains.

Turns out it's a Western Black-Legged Tick, and there were still pieces of it inside (E-yew!). She gets antibiotics. In the face of my EMT Practice Exam results which indicate the need for extensive review (except for pediatrics), practical skill application is comforting.

I think ticks are little demons who've come to our dimension. I find them to be possibly the most vile things that we share the planet with. I ask God*, "Aren't republicans, leeches, centipedes, and pimp n' ho party enthusiasts enough?" God laughs at me.

Anything that can go into stasis for years and wake up when something warm comes by inspires a gut level revulsion. (This also explains some of my contempt for the DNC, but I'll park that thought just now in favor of a round of DOOM3 to satisfy the urge to hunt demons, zombies, and wankers.)



*Yeah, I'm agnostic, but I still ask.

Mom and Sis gave me a $50 gift card to Amazon. I really don't know what to get myself.  What would you get for yourself? 

Just finished my taxes. After being promoted at work, I made $2000 less than in 2008.

They really know how to motivate a person...to get the fuck out of dodge.

But I'll get a refund, and I'm gonna drown my sorrow in someBBQ tonight. This rain is starting to make me a little freakish.

Oakland critters, this is the schedule for free training in Emergency Preparedness. I'm going, because I'm a freak and need freak in the mornin', freak in the evening...I'm just drawn that way. I've also got it on good authority that this is pretty solid training no matter what your previous experience or skill levels might be.

From their website:

CORE is a free training program for individuals, neighborhood groups and community-based organizations in Oakland. The underlying premise is that a major disaster will overwhelm first responders leaving many citizens on their own for the first 72 hours or longer after the emergency.

CORE teaches self-reliance skills and helps neighborhoods establish response teams to take care of the neighborhood until professional emergency personnel arrive.

Benefits

• Develop self-confidence and peace of mind as you learn practical information and learn hands-on life-saving skills
• Build community as you develop and share your skills and resources to protect yourself, your family and home, and your neighborhood
• Create a lifeline between your family and neighbors, and the City’s emergency responders

CORE training will help you increase the safety and well-being of your family and neighborhood.

More information is available from Citizen of Oakland Respond to Emergencies which is run through the City of Oakland, Oakland Fire Department, and the Office of Emergency Services.

San Francisco people, you go to Neighborhood Emergency Response Team.

Thinka 'bout it. For real.

Stopped at Bakesale Betty for sweets for the sweet and encounter this.
Fuck.