Saturday, December 22, 2012

Approaching the holidays

I head out tomorrow (technically 12:15 am on Monday) to go back east to see family and perhaps a few friends. I am glad I am going. Time goes by too quickly.

I had a temp job for 4 days this week. Something way below my abilities, but I kinda like doing that because they are always so impressed.  Good for the ego. And they like me so muck they're bringing me back after the holidays. It's not a high hourly wage, but it's better than minimum wage, and it's money coming in!

I also have an interview coming up in the new year (2nd full week). It's actually something interesting, which is exciting, so I may be able to say how excited I am and really mean it, despite the fact that it is indeed a little below my abilities. But you know what, I maybe think my abilities are greater than they are. Who knows.

I did a show this past week. I prepared snippets from my tapes from Zimbabwe, and put music after then. Also played a few mixed tapes of music from Africa. I must say, a four hour show is so long.  I can handle three...I get tired at 4. I did give my DJ email address once or twice and said if anyone has comments they could write in, and one person said he liked it. So nice!

And of course, the tragedy last Friday. What I think is interesting and kind of good is that one photo of a horribly distraught woman no longer appears on the website. I know for sure it was the sister of the young teacher hailed as a hero - she looked so much like her. I don't have much hope that things will change with respect to such killings, but it's still good to take steps.

On that somber note, I wish you and yours happy holidays. Apologies for being late if you are Jewish. Wish Billy good times, as I'm going to experiment and only give him his two servings a day, and not leave dry food.  Maybe. I'm such a wuss.

Friday, December 14, 2012

Kerplop

So, what would you do if you were lying in a sauna, happily sweating, and you hear a thud and look out the sauna window to see a woman on the floor?

Yes, get up and ask if she's ok. But her head is kinda blocking the door and you only have one arm because the other is keeping the towel in place on your body.

So, you forcibly open the door pushing her body across the floor.

OK, well maybe not. There was enough space to get out.

She was conscious. Very dizzy. I didn't want her to sit up but she did. Asked her some of the right questions: her name, on any medications, had anything to drink / eat this morning, how long were you working out, etc. She only had tea and water for breakfast and worked out for an hour, without drinking anything. DUH. She had been in the disability bathroom and felt like she was going to pass out, and the door was locked, so she got up and opened the door.

An employee from the gym came in and asked what was up. I told her to get water and an ice pack. She picked up the woman's glasses from across the floor, and handed them to her. The woman refused an ambulance and asked her to call her husband. And when the employee was out, the woman said she had to use the bathroom still. So I thought, ok, she has to pee. I helped her to the toilet (no way was she walking without assistance!!!). But no, she had to dump. Oh well. When she got out she couldn't remember what happened.  !

In any event, a quicker overview. The female employee had to be told what to do - like help her walk, sit with her, get her some juice, etc. The manager refused to give it because didn't want to give her food. I went out and said she needed juice or something like gatorade. The manager of the gym said he couldn't go into the women's area to help because it was the women's area. When I get him in there, he puts on his 'first responder' alter ego and does a few simple tests/questions. He also says he can't call an ambulance because she refused it.

Rather than continue a bad overview of what happened because it would take all day and I have to go to the gym, here are some rants and lessons:
- How passive can you get as employees??? Can you not take control??
- If you are a true first responder, you will not be stopped by the simple matter of it being in a women's room.
- As a gym, you do not NOT call an ambulance because the person says he/she doesn't want one. You call it and let the person refuse it directly. If you do not call the ambulance you are taking responsibility for the person.
- If a person has passed out and fallen onto a tile floor, you must assume that there might be a head/neck injury so you should not let the person move.  (glasses flying away were an indicator)
- Most people will automatically refuse an ambulance - even people with arterial bleeding will!

 Let me just say I did not do everything right. I learned a few things by calling my friend who is a volunteer firefighter after the fact to rant. Always room for improvement.

Friday, December 7, 2012

I've wondered

If you go to work out, and you forgot to bring underwear for after you shower, is it better to wear your underwear inside out or go without?

I can't decide. Either way, you're getting stuff on your pants.

Yeah, the things that occupy my mind.

Just heard I did not get yet another job. I think they were concerned that I was overqualified. Which I was but not by too too much.

Yeah well, it sucks. But I'm going to have a good weekend anyway. Maybe I'll even have a date.

I've done a number of radio shows in the past week. Three to be exact, at various times of day.  One was a jazz show, and I know nothing about jazz. And it was fun to learn! And staff members have been listening, and I've gotten a few compliments. So that's nice. No it doesn't pay, and yes, I should also be quilting, but I'll get into it.