Vague Wisdom

Last Friday I had to go to Stanford for the drug trial. Which made it an early morning for me (6 AM). We got there on time. The visit entails several tests each time, but the tests aren't always the same each time. I was told there would be a blood test. Which is never my favorite, although I'm a lot better about getting my blood drawn now than I was two years ago. I didn't realize there would be several blood tests. They use these to monitor how my body metabolizes the drug. I usually need a baseline draw. Then I take my medication and they take blood again after an hour. Then another an hour later. A fourth a couple hours after that and then another two hours after that. Unfortunately I missed the baseline because the woman facilitating the test forgot I needed one and gave me my meds before the first blood draw. Bad news is they don't get some of the data they would like. The good news is I only had to get stuck four times rather than five. They also gave me an EKG which isn't a big deal, but I missed my scheduled check because of the pandemic.

The Stanford visit went pretty well. I did run into some trouble reentering the hospital. I had gone up to begin my tests with no difficulty that morning. In the middle of my tests, we went outside to enjoy the weather for awhile. On my return the guards said I needed to wear a particular mask that they handed me. Normally, this wouldn't be an issue, but the guards addressed all their comments and questions to Carol even though I was the one not complying. I had a mask on that I had been allowed to use when I first arrived at the hospital, but these guards were more insistent I used the mask they had given me. Look, I know they were doing their jobs and I'm sure some people give them trouble. My issue was they were not addressing their concerns to me. This is a sore spot for me. So after they had explained themselves to Carol. I said if you have a problem with me. Talk to me. He never really acknowledged my request. I called our test facilitator and she talked to them. Eventually I put on the mask they wanted. Which was difficult because I drive my wheelchair with my mouth and the mask quickly moves up my face as I am driving and eventually covers my eyes. So I drove upstairs having to stop every 5 feet or so to have someone pull the mask down so I could see.

I don't know if anyone is watching Fear the Walking Dead, but I really loved this week's episode and it hardly had anything to do with zombies.

I'm terrified of the election, so I signed up for a reading of A Midsummer Nights Dream. I'm reading Theseus and now I'm struggling with performance anxiety. I'm not completely sure what is better. Well, I hope the next time you read this blog I will be happy with my performance and relieved by the results of our election.*Fingers crossed*

And hey, let's be really Zen about this race. I know we may want to know the results as soon as possible, but let's not feed into President Cheeto's "strategy". We know there's always a couple races (and in fact most races) that don't get resolved until days after November 3 and that is completely normal. It's more important to count everyone's vote than how quickly we count.

Because my wheelchair ran out of juice a couple weeks ago, I don't feel like I can trust it. So I've been sticking to home more often than not. My new wheelchair is sitting at Wheelchairs of Berkeley waiting for the part that holds the joystick up to my mouth. I've been waiting for 2 1/2 or 3 weeks for that part so I can actually use my new wheelchair. I've called 3 times trying to get an ETA for the parts with zero information so far. First they were going to call me with an estimated time, but didn't. I called them to let them know they hadn't given me a time and ask them when they would. They said they would call me back and didn't. Called them again, they said they didn't know but if I called them in an hour they would let me know. Called in an hour, they said they didn't know but would call me back. *Sigh*

DragonDictate is working periodically. I'm way behind on a zine I want to write and I'm close to giving up on.

I have completely and utterly screwed up my email and in the process of fixing it I have a feeling I have unintentionally lost lots of needed information. Which is beginning to make me feel like I have lost whatever technological knowledge or ability I had. I'm just feeling stupid around it all right now.

In an effort to be positive. I did have a lovely dinner last night with loracs

Went to BART's Accessibility Advisory Committee (I think that's what they call it) yesterday to comment on their new train car which isn't as accessible as they would like. Found out the car wasn't on the agenda, but I was able to "scope out" the power dynamics of the committee. Now I'm considering getting on it. Did have a lovely time at the Oakland Museum looking at these amazing Native American baskets.

My butt is killing me. I am not a happy boy.

Next Monday is the 20th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
*sigh*.

I just recieved an ( email today. )

And it had two attachments: ( The apology. ) and ( The Memo. )

*happy dance*