Who I Am?

The other day I was sitting and thinking and wondering, "Does anyone really know me?" I suppose any one could ask that question, but sometimes I really feel like a cypher in the snow (that's the title of a church video I once saw). Any way, they say everyone has a story to tell, and that everyone has a voice, but sometimes... more like most of the time... I feel like no one is listening to what I have to say. I have feelings, and opinions, but when I try to express them they seem to get lost in the shuffle of someone else's feelings and opinions. For now, I will share a few, and if I remember, as they come to me, I will share them here.

Pepsi... I think Pepsi tastes better than Coke. People keep trying to tell me they're the same, but to me, they're NOT!!! I don't like Coke, and I don't want to drink it. If I'm in a restaurant that serves Coke, I will find something else to drink, and it's okay.

Water... I drink it, but I don't like it. I've never liked it. As a kid I refused to drink it... It tasted like the pipes it came out of. As an adult I realized it's kind of a necessity, but I still don't like it. I insist on buying bottled water (in gallons) and refill my sports bottles as needed. Trust me, I can still taste the difference!

President Obama... We (as Americans) had a choice a couple of years ago, to vote for a president. The candidates were Barrack Obama or John McCain. I do NOT like John McCain. He's been a senator for the state of Arizona for as long as I can remember, and I don't think he's done anything in that time to convince me to vote for him as president. So, when it came time to vote, I voted for Obama. He may not have as much experience as some would like. He may not be the religion that some would like. And, most of all, he may not be the same ethnicity as some would like, which frankly, I believe is IGNORANT. But, I truly believe he is doing his best. Most of the crap that is happening these days is literally out of his control, compliments of the other whackos in Washington, who are trying to promote their own personal agendas. This makes me NUTS!!! We didn't vote them in so they can be a part of a popularity contest. We voted them in to get the job done. Keep what's best for the American public as the primary concern!

Insurance... OMGosh! If I go to the doctor and he says I need a certain medicine or a specific test done, where does the insurance get off telling me, "NO?" When several doctors write a note, explaining that a procedure needs to be done for my well-being, and not as a cosmetic procedure, then the insurance company (which is paid for by ME) should allow that to happen. Right now, I have a prescription for Singulair (which is used to help breathing), but my insurance will NOT pay for it. Why??? I have NO clue! GGRRRRR!

Cable TV... It is just plain too expensive! I watch about 5 stations on my TV, but you can't get just those 5 stations; you have to pay for a bundle of stations, that you don't watch. Since the cable company has to pay for the right to those other stations, they make people like me pay for all those stations I don't watch. If it weren't for Big Brother and Survivor, I swear I'd turn the TV off... Not sure how Jesse would take this!

Talents... I don't have any. Seriously, I can't think of one. Other people have so many; things that just come naturally to them, and I feel like I have to try so hard at everything. This is so frustrating, and maybe even why I feel like I'm a cypher... No one would miss me, cuz there's nothing that makes me stand out.

Knee surgery

For several months my knee was very sore. Looking at it hindsight, it may have been becuz I fell one day at school (I slipped on something in the lunch room, and landed on my left knee). Any way, it eventually got to the point that I decided to go to urgent care (that was April 23). Although they took an x-ray, they told me it was inconclusive, and suggested I go to my pain doctor for an MRI. Of course, the pain doctor couldn't save me a step and let me get the MRI before the appointment, so I went in for them to tell me I "need an MRI." Didn't I tell them that?!? So they set me up for the MRI, and then I went back in to the pain doctor. He said I would need to see an orthopedist. It was now June! I go to see the orthopedist, who looks at the MRI and says he's not sure what's going on, probably a tear in the meniscus (cartiledge), but it could also be arthritis, so he said, "Let's try a cortisone shot. If that doesn't work an arthroscopy would be the next option." Well, the shot didn't help and it's now July! So, when I went in for the follow-up we made the arrangements for surgery, on July 21st. There was a tear in the meniscus, plus arthritis. He (Dr. Sirounian) repaired the tear and did something to create scar tissue that should help create a buffer between the bones. I've been on crutches for a week...













This is what it looks like a week later.