LEAVE IT TO PEEVER

-Bumper sticker of the week: It’s been so long since I had sex I can’t remember who gets tied up?

-Quotes of the week: “Nature is by and large to be found out-of-doors, a location where, it cannot be argued, there are never enough comfortable chairs.” Fran Lebowitz

“What is the purpose of the giant sequoia tree? The purpose of the giant sequoia tree is to provide shade for the tiny titmouse.” Edward Abbey

-When you dream, dream big: Sitting around daydreaming, I figure it’s always good to go big. If you’re going to waste time dreaming about winning the lotto, for instance, why not pick the mega-millions rather than the little lotto, or daily lotto? What am I going to do with $333 million? That gives you something to think about.

-Seminary Street woes: I’m not overly impressed with how North Seminary Street has developed.

It’s like living on the Dan Ryan Expressway, which I wouldn’t recommend. With three lanes, it’s turned into the Daytona Speedway. The middle lane is for going fifty, or passing slower cars. The temporary ban on parking is now permanent. I don’t recall having any hearings. I suppose the city didn’t want to bother listening to the bitching. Governing is always easier that way. The taxpayers on Seminary Street gave way to Wal-Mart and all the cheap Chinese goods they sell us, raising a good bit of sales tax revenue and property tax. Our measly little homes stand pale by comparison. Oh well, what as a poor person to do?

-I’ve heard a lot of doctors bellyaching about the proposed changes in health-care being made by the Obama administration. Most of the arguments are nonsense and the rest are just plain stupid. If they spoke anywhere near the truth, they would just simply say, “Hey, I deserve to make a whole lot more money than the government is going to pay me under a universal health-care plan.” While that would be laughable, at least it would be closer to the truth. Many of the doctors I listen to are more interested and concerned about what they don’t have, with little thought or appreciation for what they do have. I would like to think that the health-care profession, doctors in particular, would be supportive of everyone having equal access to the system, but I don’t see that happening. They seem to be for the most part protecting their territory and pocketbook. I see that as shameful.

P.S. If you are a doctor who is supportive of equal access, I applaud you. You are seriously in the minority in your profession. Like 90-10% or so in the minority. You deserve recognition.

-McCain and his fellow Republican Senators need to find new careers. He cries out against universal health-care, saying it should not be made available to every citizen. Yet he has been on the public dole for his health insurance all his life. I still contend Congress should get the same deal they agree to give us. Nothing more, nothing less. Then watch what happens.

-The art of counseling:

* Normal means never having to say, “I shot him.”

* At the heart of all listening lurks the payment.

* Helping others is a noble profession. Of course, so is emptying septic tanks.

* Seeing has nothing to do with understanding.

* It is far better to live in silence than it is to live in spoken nonsense.

* Money cannot buy you happiness. Nor, for that matter, can antidepressants.

* When taking a look at yourself, be prepared to throw up.

* If someone comes up to you saying they want to tell you the truth, run.