I had a “duh” moment, and after a chat with Sheta found myself promoted into a formal title at Rending the Veil. My suggestion had been “Assistant in Charge of Stuff” - all I wanted was a psychological seed to help me be better at promoting what I consider to be a very well-done site and valuable resource for energy workers (or as termed there, “magicians”). Her version is “Assistant Managing Editor” - which means I am in charge of stuff. :)
I've contributed a few articles, a series on Nontheistic Energy Work, which have received appreciative reviews; but I find that writing such things is not my strong point. So I am happy to have another capacity in which to be helpful; and Sheta, now Editor-in-Chief in title as well as actuality, is not only an easy, open person to work for and with, but a real professional with a wealth of wisdom and fascinating experiences and perspectives.
We are working on RTV logo products to be featured with the next issue August first; we also will be presenting a new feature, an almanac, with art by Sheta and dates compiled by yours truly. And of course, another short story by C.A. Broz, continuing the Quasiverse tales, as well as articles from those authors of magic theory and practice that have helped establish RTV as the quality publication it is.
Sunday, July 20, 2008
Eclectic Vibez does it again!
Last Sunday saw another fun afternoon of drumming, hooping, and socializing, courtesy of Eclectic Vibez. Though there wasn't as large a turn-out as last month, great vibes were had by all.
You don't want to miss the next one - check out their website or MySpace page for more info, and come join the fun!
You don't want to miss the next one - check out their website or MySpace page for more info, and come join the fun!
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Today's Stupidity Index
Today's Stupidity Index is
HIGH
with a 95% chance of idiocy.
HIGH
with a 95% chance of idiocy.
What this means:
- Avoid unnecessary driving, as other drivers will be on the phone, eating lunch, and otherwise not paying attention to the one-ton projectile they have aimed at you.
- Also, do not expect road construction to be announced with any sort of signs or other warning materials, since that would only enable you to use an alternate route.
Saturday, July 12, 2008
About Freaking Time
It's a small step, but a step in the right direction:
Finally, before the Feds are forced to take action, the pharmaceutical industry agreed to regulate itself regarding gifts from its sales reps to physicians.
Also, some physicians had the same idea, pledging to refuse all logo-emblazoned giveaways including pens and tissue boxes, in an effort to reduce the perception (rightly acquired) that the pharmaceutical companies have an unhealthy influence on American healthcare practices.
Walk into almost any doctor's office, and chances are you'll see clocks, mousepads, tissue boxes, pens, notepads, and a plethora of other "giveaways" scattered about, each with the logo of a manufacturer or the latest drug they're pushing. Some doctors insist these items have no effect on their prescribing habits, but my own experience quietly calls "bullshiat" on that.
Ganked article
Finally, before the Feds are forced to take action, the pharmaceutical industry agreed to regulate itself regarding gifts from its sales reps to physicians.
Also, some physicians had the same idea, pledging to refuse all logo-emblazoned giveaways including pens and tissue boxes, in an effort to reduce the perception (rightly acquired) that the pharmaceutical companies have an unhealthy influence on American healthcare practices.
Walk into almost any doctor's office, and chances are you'll see clocks, mousepads, tissue boxes, pens, notepads, and a plethora of other "giveaways" scattered about, each with the logo of a manufacturer or the latest drug they're pushing. Some doctors insist these items have no effect on their prescribing habits, but my own experience quietly calls "bullshiat" on that.
Ganked article
Friday, July 11, 2008
New Post at Blog of the Weird
Hitchcock Would Be Proud
Blackbird singing "you'll be dead tonight..."
Man goes biking. Bird goes striking. Man falls down, breaks his crown, and police go fumbling after.
Wait, what?
Read more
Blackbird singing "you'll be dead tonight..."
Man goes biking. Bird goes striking. Man falls down, breaks his crown, and police go fumbling after.
Wait, what?
Read more
Sunday, July 6, 2008
Drum Circle
I don't go in for a lot of frivolous socializing, but when I do brave the big stupid world for face-to-face interaction, it's nice to be meeting up with a fun group of great people.
Eclectic Vibez are some of those people worth getting out to meet (even when they pick a forest preserve hidden behind a fkg strip mall).
Their next Drum Circle is next Sunday, the 13th of July. More info can be acquired through their MySpace page if you're in the Joliet/Chicago area and are interested in attending.
cross-posted at my LJ, my MySpace blog, my Orkut profile, and my Yahoo! 360 thingy; pretty much everywhere I thought of off-hand.
Eclectic Vibez are some of those people worth getting out to meet (even when they pick a forest preserve hidden behind a fkg strip mall).
Their next Drum Circle is next Sunday, the 13th of July. More info can be acquired through their MySpace page if you're in the Joliet/Chicago area and are interested in attending.
cross-posted at my LJ, my MySpace blog, my Orkut profile, and my Yahoo! 360 thingy; pretty much everywhere I thought of off-hand.
Saturday, July 5, 2008
And Freedom For All: Including Possums!
Last night had a bonfire in the yard ... the big dog, Kitty, spent the night hiding from fireworks in the house, but as always the smaller dog, Buddy, stayed nearby.
His genetic memory of bird-dogging is sometimes quite present - despite Big Al's certainty, dogs certainly can look up, and he often goes a bit berzerk trying to get me to hunt something he has spotted in a tree or on a roof.
Last night, however, he was whimpering and wurfling ("wurfle" being a distinct sound he makes when he has something important, albeit whiny, to say) insistently by the gate no matter how many times I tried to calm him down. Finally I went to show him there was nothing there for him to be wurlfng about - and to my surprise there was a young opossum in the little mulberry tree, looking down at me with some clear dismay.
I put Buddy in the house for a bit to give the possum time to bug out, but when we checked again it was still there, higher up, with nowhere to go. So I went around to the neighbor's yard and had the kids push on the tree so I could reach a branch and pull the upper part down, and got hold of the possum's tail.
Years ago I got to take care of a baby possum for a couple of weeks after its mother had been accidentally killed on the farm where I rode horses. After that I saved an adult that our dog had cornered; I know that they'd rather play dead in most cases than bite or struggle. But this one, after the initial shock of being gently extracted from the branches, curled up along itself to press its small nose against my fingers, as if it was trying to decide if the fall would be worth the freedom after a good chomp.
Rather than just carrying it possum-style, I cradled its back with my other hand and carried it to the front yard where there was enough light for the kids to get a good look, and put it down in the plantains to regain its equilibrium. When it didn't run off right away, the kids started clamoring about keeping it for a pet; I firmly (but not without some wistfulness) told them wild animals are not to be kept as pets, because no matter how well one can meet their physical needs, they will suffer psychologically from being kept from their freedom.
I had forgotten how soft and fuzzy possum fur is; I petted it between the ears and down the back until it had decided we weren't going to eat it and it was ready to amble off. I told the kids it was a marsupial, and we talked about pouched mammals and other oddball critters. They wanted to pet it too, but I had to say no: I never for a moment believed it would bite me, but if it did I knew I could live with the consequences (including rabies shots), but if they had gotten nipped I would never forgive myself.
When it left it made a bee-line (or possum-line) for the closest garbage can. It was young, a little thin, and quite possibly of the brood that had been tormenting the neighbor by taking up residence in his garage. And now I wonder: will it stay far away now, having been treed by a dog, hauled out of that tree, and gawked at; or will it return, possibly with friends, to show off that it had this amazing (by possum standards) experience and ambled off unscathed to tell the tale?
Whichever the case, I do hope our little fuzzy visitor does well for itself, and that my kids will remember that freedom is just a word unless it is an Idea shared equally to all blameless creatures, great and small.
His genetic memory of bird-dogging is sometimes quite present - despite Big Al's certainty, dogs certainly can look up, and he often goes a bit berzerk trying to get me to hunt something he has spotted in a tree or on a roof.
Last night, however, he was whimpering and wurfling ("wurfle" being a distinct sound he makes when he has something important, albeit whiny, to say) insistently by the gate no matter how many times I tried to calm him down. Finally I went to show him there was nothing there for him to be wurlfng about - and to my surprise there was a young opossum in the little mulberry tree, looking down at me with some clear dismay.
I put Buddy in the house for a bit to give the possum time to bug out, but when we checked again it was still there, higher up, with nowhere to go. So I went around to the neighbor's yard and had the kids push on the tree so I could reach a branch and pull the upper part down, and got hold of the possum's tail.
Years ago I got to take care of a baby possum for a couple of weeks after its mother had been accidentally killed on the farm where I rode horses. After that I saved an adult that our dog had cornered; I know that they'd rather play dead in most cases than bite or struggle. But this one, after the initial shock of being gently extracted from the branches, curled up along itself to press its small nose against my fingers, as if it was trying to decide if the fall would be worth the freedom after a good chomp.
Rather than just carrying it possum-style, I cradled its back with my other hand and carried it to the front yard where there was enough light for the kids to get a good look, and put it down in the plantains to regain its equilibrium. When it didn't run off right away, the kids started clamoring about keeping it for a pet; I firmly (but not without some wistfulness) told them wild animals are not to be kept as pets, because no matter how well one can meet their physical needs, they will suffer psychologically from being kept from their freedom.
I had forgotten how soft and fuzzy possum fur is; I petted it between the ears and down the back until it had decided we weren't going to eat it and it was ready to amble off. I told the kids it was a marsupial, and we talked about pouched mammals and other oddball critters. They wanted to pet it too, but I had to say no: I never for a moment believed it would bite me, but if it did I knew I could live with the consequences (including rabies shots), but if they had gotten nipped I would never forgive myself.
When it left it made a bee-line (or possum-line) for the closest garbage can. It was young, a little thin, and quite possibly of the brood that had been tormenting the neighbor by taking up residence in his garage. And now I wonder: will it stay far away now, having been treed by a dog, hauled out of that tree, and gawked at; or will it return, possibly with friends, to show off that it had this amazing (by possum standards) experience and ambled off unscathed to tell the tale?
Whichever the case, I do hope our little fuzzy visitor does well for itself, and that my kids will remember that freedom is just a word unless it is an Idea shared equally to all blameless creatures, great and small.
Friday, July 4, 2008
Wild Ink'd!
Got my first tattoo yesterday afternoon:
2 more pix:
The labyrinth has special symbolic meanings for me, as well as being a practical choice for permanent body art: I now can "walk" it with my fingertip whenever I need a moment to reflect, calm down, or refocus.
The simplicity was also a good choice, being my first tattoo and one of the first done by the artist. (I am far happier with the result than he is, but he's a perfectionist and I just wanted my labyrinth, dammit. :) )
2 more pix:
The labyrinth has special symbolic meanings for me, as well as being a practical choice for permanent body art: I now can "walk" it with my fingertip whenever I need a moment to reflect, calm down, or refocus.
The simplicity was also a good choice, being my first tattoo and one of the first done by the artist. (I am far happier with the result than he is, but he's a perfectionist and I just wanted my labyrinth, dammit. :) )
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AP via Yahoo! News
New pharma ethics rules eliminate gifts and meals
By MARLEY SEAMAN, AP Business Writer Fri Jul 11, 5:28 AM ET
NEW YORK - Drug company sales representatives will have to stop doling out coffee mugs and pens that push their products when they visit doctor's offices. But they can still sneak in the occasional free lunch.
Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America announced Thursday that it has revised its conduct code for interacting with health care professionals. The updated guidelines ban the knicknacks bearing company and product logos.
Sales representatives are prohibited from providing restaurant meals and entertainment or recreation. But they can still provide the occasional, modest meal in a healthcare professional's office "in conjunction with informational presentations," according to a statement from PhRMA.
The updated code also emphasizes that drug companies should separate any funding they provide for continuing medical education from their sales and marketing departments. It notes that the funding should support education "on a full range of treatment options and not to promote a particular medicine."
PhRMA said meetings between sales representatives and doctors should be focused on informing health care professionals about products, sharing scientific and educational information and supporting research and education.
The new rules take effect Jan. 1.
The association represents pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies and is made up of executives from companies in the industry. Its CEO, Billy Tauzin, said he hopes the code additions will create "more credible" standards for doctor-sales rep interactions.
"I don't think you'll find a physician who will acknowledge that the gift of a pen or a cup with a company's name on it influences their prescribing patterns," he said. "But there are people who believe that, and as long as that's a perception out there we felt we ought to end that.
Tauzin said his association got conflicting reactions from doctors about whether to eliminate the free lunches, but he noted doctors are free to stop the meals themselves.
The trade association said in January that it was considering revisions to its 2002 code. Its executives said then that they've seen a backlash over sales and marketing practices.
Critics of these sales practices have included the nonprofit organization No Free Lunch, which is run by a New York-based internist. It urges medical school students to pledge that they'll shun free gifts or meals from the drug industry.
No Free Lunch also promotes a pen amnesty program on its Web site, where it offers to replace with "no questions asked" drug company pens that doctors receive. It states that the pens will be "donated to a worthwhile cause."
Sen. Herbert Kohl, D-Wisc., said in a statement that he was "encouraged by the industry's attempt to clean up its act." Kohl co-sponsored the Physician Payments Sunshine Act to create a national registry for payments doctors take from companies.
Dr. Brian Hurley, president of the American Medical Student Association, said the new rules are an improvement but they don't go far enough. He said gifts given to doctors as educational materials or occasional meals are still gifts. "Aggressive" marketing practices have made drug companies a lot of money, he said, and they have little incentive to stop those tactics.
"Educational gifts or educational programming that pharma's member companies put together are marketing in disguise," he said.
Members of PhRMA are required to state their intention to comply with the code, and Johnson & Johnson, Merck & Co., Amgen Inc., Eli Lilly & Co. AstraZeneca PLC and EMD Serono were among the companies that did so Thursday.
AstraZeneca said its U.S. representatives will not give doctors items including pens, pads of paper, hand soap and tissues as part of sales visits. The company said its sales representatives will still be able to offer educational items like teaching models if they "are not of substantial value."
AstraZeneca said it will still support medical events for health care professionals through grants to independent providers, and the British company says it will not give any guidance about the content or faculty of those events and will provide no direct support for meals.
Lilly said in a separate statement that it will comply with or exceed the new guidelines. It said the revised code will help ensure "the information exchange with healthcare providers continues to be appropriate and ethical."