So, I know that I shouldn't be reading the Letters to the Editor section of the newspaper, because I swear they just print the most inflammatory letters to get attention. But I read this one in the local paper today:

Gay marriages fraught with problems

Recent letters to the editor in favor of gay marriage conveniently ignore three significant points.

First, to redefine marriage to include same-sex unions unwittingly opens a Pandora's Box by interpreting any self-described loving relationship as worthy of marriage. Why not two men and a woman, or two men and a child?

Second, this solemn lifestyle should be seen for what it is _ a public health hazard. Homosexuals have shockingly high numbers of sexual partners. This leads to numerous diseases like gay bowel syndrome, HIV/AIDS, HPV (a collection of 70 types of viruses), hepatitis, gonorrhea and syphilis. Even so-called committed same-sex relationships are fraught with these health risks.

Third, thousands of homosexuals who desire to leave the lifestyle have done so successfully. This fact alone contradicts the myth that homosexuality is genetically predetermined.

Rather than embrace their socially and physically destructive lifestyles as normal, perhaps we should encourage gays and lesbians to get help for their sexually-compulsive behavioral choices.

Don S. Otis
Sandpoint
Sagle, ID

In case I haven't had the chance to tell you, I've already decided to move to Seattle by this time next year. I've been spending a bit of time there and have made some really good friends there. It really is another world from here. Gay is such a non-issue there. I am presently applying to take a couple tests that could put me on the hiring lists of about 20 fire departments around the greater Seattle area. If I don't have a job by this time next year, I'll start to look for other work that would allow me to move. I'll be keeping the house here in Liberty Lake, and looking for a roomate situation somewhere in Seattle. That way I'll have the house here as a vacation place. Some where to get away to.

I'm tired of the hick attitude that pervades this whole area. Spokane really tries to 'be something' but it's hayseeds are showing. It's the ultimate 'family town' in that EVERYTHING is geared towards a husband and wife with 2.5 kids. The old bumper sticker says 'Hate is not a family value', but I think Spokane still hasn't figured it out. I have often pointed out to people that there are many famous people from Spokane. FROM being the important point here. Anyone with any kind of ambition to be something more seems to flee at a young age. Some come back, but many don't.

So a year from now I'll call this town quits. A nice place to visit, but I wouldn't want to live here. I just wish I could move tomorrow. How much is that Mega Millions jackpot?

You have to love the Canadians. While our government seems to get more and more hysterical and seemingly insane, theirs has a sense of humor. How can you fear a government that puts up signs like this:

found on BoingBoing

I usually don't feel affected by things that happen at work. It's not that I repress these thing that I witness, it's just that I let them pass through me. Retaining them would only cause stress, so I just process and let go. But the other day we went on a run that turned out to be a man who died in his sleep. He'd been in the hospital that week for a possible heart attack. They had released him, and as he lived far out in the country, his grandson took him to stay at his apartment. The grandson slept on the couch, giving his grandfather his bed. He checked him in the morning and he wasn't breathing. He called 911 and we responded. It was apparent that his grandfather had passed some time during the night, there was nothing we could do. The young grandson was devastated. His aunt eventually showed up. She became hysterical and ran outside. We had to go out and coax her back into the apartment. Now, this is where people might find my views kind of strange, if they are not in the emergency medicine field. I know I can't imagine her pain, as I have yet to lose either of my parents, or any of my immediate family for that matter. But as an adult I guess I expected her to take on the adult responsibility and get control of her emotions. Her nephew was having a tough time keeping it together, and she being the adult... that's just the way I am I guess. This call didn't affect me in any way out of the normal, though I did wish that I had more words of consolation for his grandson. Later that day I was talking to my parents, back east, on the phone. I enjoy talking to them on the phone, but I'm not a usually a long phone conversation type of person. I tend towards efficiency. My dad was telling me a story that he had told me earlier in the week, but didn't realize he was repeating himself. I didn't stop him or tell him he's already told me this. I closed my eyes and sat back and just enjoyed the sound of his voice. It occurred to me that some day I wouldn't have this simple pleasure. Some things can never be gotten back once they are gone.

Guess you could say I'm getting a complete overhaul lately. First dropping 25lbs and then the new tattoo. Today I took the plunge and had my eyes lasered. I've had my tax return for a while now and finally screwed up the courage to do it. The whole procedure was very quick and while some of the sensations were uncomfortable or weird, it was pretty much painless. Not long after getting home the feeling returned to my corneas and there WAS some pain. More of a burning sensation than anything else. After about 4 hours the pain went away. Now it's just a gritty feeling in my eyes. The difference is amazing.

The image on top is how things looked yesterday (that's Dudley, who lived with Vic and I when Kevin moved onto a busy street) and on the bottom is how things look now! There's still some blurriness and a little haze at night, but that should pass. Now I'm gonna go out and buy a pair of Oakleys!