The Bachelorette returns...

Vintage NKOTB pillowcase :)

Due to my lack of a television (not because I'm some uber-hipster, but because I'd have nowhere to put it), I don't have cable. This means that I'm one day behind the blogosphere in terms of commenting on The Bachelorette. I know. I know. I've failed my strange niche of reality television/theology/recycling-loving crowd, all two of you. My apologies.

The first episode of this new season was the first time I was able to really start seeing pathology right off the bat, to trust my gut, to allow myself to say "something's not right with that guy". Of course, this is all hyperbole, since I'm not on the freakin' show, but nevertheless, I'm learning to trust myself. Creepy comes in all shapes and sizes. Sometimes, it can be really attractive on the outside, but it shouldn't take long to reveal itself. It's shallow and self-centered, needlessly self-deprecating and hyper-focused on flaws. Creepy people make you feel "icky".

My love of pop occasionally feels shameful ;)

I felt "icky" several times this evening, as I ate my favorite homemade vegan mac-n-cheese. Shirtless dude took too long to find a shirt. Dancing dude had zero ability to laugh at himself, and stared a little bit too intently - ack! But then...Bikram guy had the potential to be too intense, but was successfully able to be chill in stressful situations. And this guy looked like he was holding back tears as the final roses were being handed out and he was roseless - perhaps overly emotive, but able to be real in a strangely stressful situation.

The whole thing is a cluster-fuck of emotional absurdity, yes. But it's also an opportunity to do some self-reflection. While watching the Bachelorette meet her men, I'm wondering if I would be pretty enough for a group of men, or if they'd think I was weird and crazy, and if I'll ever be running through an orchard, holding hands with the person I love, who simultaneously loves me, and wondering at the beauty of sheer existence.

So many things to think about. What a great summer show - I'll keep you posted ;)

Scope of practice

Vintage 1980s Kermit the Frog Washcloth Puppet :)

This week, I was at the doctor's office (a non-diabetes doctor) and was the unfortunate recipient of some hard core ignorance, and from a place that it has no business being. Knowing the difference between Type I and Type II Diabetes should be a no-brainer for health care professionals. And if you don't, then don't make any statements that suggest you do. It bugs me when my regular diabetes nurse practitioner (who I see every three months) won't talk to me about anything except diabetes, but now I'm understanding a little bit more. She is recognizing the scope of her practice and refusing to speculate on issues she isn't competent in.

You have a job, so do your job. Don't try to tell people about their fertility if you aren't a fertility specialist. Don't talk about schizophrenia if you don't have an advanced degree in mental health. Don't give financial advice if you aren't an economist or an accountant.

Be exactly who you are, and don't be who you aren't. And don't apologize for not being everything to everyone. You're human. That's how it's supposed to be. There's nothing wrong with not knowing. There's nothing wrong with saying "I don't know", for being unaware, or ignorant. But what's not okay, is lying about it.

Universal health care is for commies.

 

Megan: "I would like to refill a prescription."

Pharmacy: "Oh, that seems like a normal request. Let us take care of that for you."

Insurance Company: "We do not believe that this person requires this prescription."

Pharmacy: "Oh, okay...Hey, Megan, the insurance company won't cover the prescription you've been receiving for the past ten years. They need more information about the status of your need for this prescription."

Megan: "It's for test strips, you know, for my chronic diabetes. I get them all the freakin' time."

Pharmacy: "We'll have to get back to you. In the meantime, try not to die."