Impressive

I have been teaching myself to juggle some, but man this guy is good!

http://s158645047.onlinehome.us/video_5290_10558.html?sid=5290&aid=10558

(Make sure your speakers are on)

Meow

I don't think I have a picture up of our kitty, Stella, so here you go.


She doesn't really realize how hard it is to type while she is sitting on my lap at the computer play-biting my hand.

With Love

"How wonderful it is to have something so precious, that makes saying goodbye so hard." - Unknown

Stevie Wonder Makes People Look Foolish

So we watched American Idol because they are singing Stevie Wonder, and he is on the show. So these poor people are trying to sing Stevie, and only the finest in the world can do this.

The first guy sang "Do I Do". Atleast he knew the song, but vocals were weak. The next chick sang "Blame It On the Sun". First, she didn't even really know Stevie Wonder, and she destroyed the song. You almost feel sorry for them having to sing Stevie, he can make you look foolish. The next guy was a huge Stevie fan, and he sang "Knocks Me Off My Feet". He did alright. He had a lot of respect for what he was asked to do. Another guy sang "Superstition". He didn't have a clue. Another chick sang "Lately", and forgot some words. Please. Taylor did a good job with "Living for the City". Why didn't someone sing "Sir Duke"?????

Ok, thats enough. Have a good week everyone. Go listen to some Stevie Wonder.

I Will Be Getting Alittle Dumber Tomorrow

Thanks right folks, tomorrow morning I am having my wisdom teeth taken out. It shouldn't be that bad. They have all come in, none are impacted, and when I was in 5th grade, I had 4 baby teeth pulled at once.

Europe

Who has been to Italy? Austria? Switzerland? Let me know, we are wanting to go this year and are starting to plan.

An Interesting Few Days

This is where my mother-in-law works. Another link, and pic I stole that Eric found.


Oh, and by the way, this is where my father-in-law works. Just tons of great news this weekend!

Shabbat

So our church has just started something called a Shabbat. It is taking place during Lent, but not really related. There are a lot of details to this, but it is basically a rest period. We the church are being challenged to do four things...

Focus on Rest
1 - Give up all church activities (basically, meetings at church) except for Sunday morning worship.
2 - Give up one non-church activity.
Focus on Relationship with God
3 - Use the Daily Shabbat devotional provided by the church during our quiet time (created by reducing activities).
4 - Learn and practice one new spiritual habit.

We aren't really supposed to get caught up in the rules, they are just guidelines. This Sunday will be the first service during Shabbat, so we will see what happens. I know for us, since we don't have kids, we aren't nearly as busy as some of the parents at our church. But, once being a kid that got ran around, I can appreciate what its like. I hope this time does create rest and relationships.

In other news, my father-in-law Mike works for Dana. If you follow financial and business news, you may know that Dana isn't doing very well right now. Keep the Fetchos in your prayers as we see what the future holds.

Maybe You Can Hire...the A-Team

In 1972, a crack commando unit was sent to prison by a military court for a crime they didn't commit. These men promptly escaped a maximum security stockade to the Los Angeles underground. Today, still wanted by the government, they survive as soldiers of fortune. If you have a problem, if no one else can help, and if you can find them, maybe you can hire...the A-Team.

Wolfgang's Vault

I just heard about this on Bob and Tom late last week. For you classic rock fans out there, get ready for Vault Radio! I have been listening, and its cool. Take a listen! Here are some details...

About Vault Radio

Bill Graham and his concert promotion company, Bill Graham Presents, produced more than 35,000 concerts all over the world. His first venue, the legendary Fillmore Auditorium, was home to many of rock's greatest performers - Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, The Doors, The Grateful Dead, Jefferson Airplane, Otis Redding, Marvin Gaye, Led Zeppelin, Eric Clapton, Bob Dylan, Prince - and the list goes on and on.

Graham taped thousands of live performances and stored the tapes in the basement of the BGP headquarters. These tapes and the concerts they captured lay dormant until the Bill Graham archive was acquired by Wolfgang's Vault (Bill Graham's given first name was Wolfgang) in 2003.

Vault Radio is now playing selected tracks from these concerts in an FM-quality, 128K digital radio stream. Songs will be added to and removed from the radio show on a regular basis. We will be broadcasting unaltered live performance music from many of the greatest bands of the last 40 years. The music you hear on Vault Radio has not been sweetened or polished. You'll be listening to what the band played that night - nothing more, nothing less.

Smoking Ban in Greenwood, IN

On the news tonight, it was reported that Greenwood is voting tonight on a smoking ban. I know these have been instituted in many other cities, but here is my problem. I know many people have made the statement, "You don't have to go there". I agree with this. But the thing that really gets me upset is this. When we ban all the places that people can smoke, that means we are forcing them all to smoke in one major spot. If you are at work and can't smoke outside, where do you do it? In your car after work. If you are at dinner and can't smoke, where do you do it? In your car after dinner.

So what is my point??? I don't think you can sit there and tell me you haven't noticed how many people throw cigarette butts out of their car windows. And if you haven't noticed, just watch for it. You probably won't even have to try hard. I feel it is a problem that has run out of control. Its everywhere! Even officers are doing it! What kind of example does that set? Yes citizens, its ok to throw cigarette butts out of your car, because I am doing it.

I don't know who I need to tell this to, but this is a start. Smokers, I believe you should be allowed to smoke in bars and areas of restaurants. But please, do us all a favor, please don't throw your butts on OUR streets and roads.

Agree, disagree? Link to this post, get people to think about this!

The Worst Day - Finale

Ok, so from the PR doctor, I drove back to the hotel. Still very sick, very tired, very hungry, just wanting to feel better. I was now thinking that I would feel better soon, but I was wrong. Luckily, there are Walgreens in PR, and one very near the hotel. I walk over there as soon as I get back from the doc. Although I can't read the prescription card, I figure they can. After a brief talk with the pharmacist (who doesn't speak very much english), I find out that I have to wait 2 hours. Just another reason to love the health benefits we have here. (Note, today, I had to wait about 15 minutes for meds). So, I decide to wander back to the hotel and I say to myself, in 2 hours, I will FINALLY start to feel better.

On my way back, I decide to get some juice from the grocery store since I am out. This is pretty much my favorite place to buy juice and fruit and other little snacks while I am on the island. Its close and easy. This time, no go. My corporate card was declined. What???? Can that happen??? I just pay with my personal card and move along, I want the juice pretty bad.

On my way to the hotel, I call the corp card 800 number. He explains that since I am over the $1500 limit, I can only use the card at certain "ok" locations related to business travel. I say "Isn't food an ok location?" He says "No, grocery stores are not approved by your company." Great! I am (at this time) supposed to be here another week! I am guessing, since I normally stay at the Embassy, and they charge your card when your stay is complete, that this is why this has never happened. But, I guess the Holiday Inn is different. Just another reason to stay at the Embassy.

So, I wait out the two hours. I tried to nap, but I am not a napper. Between some History channel and trying to nap, its now almost 5. Time to head to Walgreens. Finally, relief is close. When I get there, they inform me that they are out of the Brand name of one of my required meds. I say "So what, then just give me the generic!" Luckily, they hurry this preparation along since it has already been two hours. I hand them my RX card. I wait. She comes back and says "Sorry, your card is not working." Ug. What else. They call the company and they claim that I am not covered. I can't do the wait I experienced justice. It was horrible. I felt so terrible. After 40 minutes, I said "Forget it, I am in too much pain, I will pay out of pocket." Wow. Zithromax, 3 pills, $80. In all, I paid $180. (Luckily, we have since figured this out, and tomorrow we are going to Walgreens to resubmit the expense).

Well, I buy some water too, and just get back to the hotel. I say finally, relief is in sight. I take my meds and relax alittle in the room. After a few hours, something is happening. Although my head is clearing, my throat is beginning to hurt. Its kinda weird. By time I go to bed, I can't really swallow water, and when I do, its extremely painful. I don't even feel like trying to attempt food because of the pain. So no food since breakfast, and I am exhausted. Time to attempt some sleep, but due to the pain, its not working.

Finally, after a few 30-60 minute sleeping sessions, its Saturday morning.

Unfortunately, this kept up all weekend. I called to talk to my doctor's nurse on Saturday, she said let the meds work alittle more and call the doc Monday morning. I spent all day Saturday in bed, sweating, trying to sleep, trying to drink water, hopeing the pain goes away. I take a couple steamy showers, drink some tea, nothing. By Sunday morning, the room STINKS from sweat, the sheets are all wet from sweat, I have had some grapes and a banana, and I still can't swallow. Its time to go home.

Luckily, my boss is cool. He tells me to get home. And even though the northeast is a mess, I get a flight through Philly for Monday afternoon. I start taking Tylenol for pain, and it helps me sleep some Sunday night, thank goodness.

I am now back home, I saw my doctor this morning, and I am on more anti-biotics WITH pain killers! Ug. Diagnosis. . . upper respitory infection. Ears, throat, head. I am very fortunate that the flight home with pressure fluxes didn't hurt more than it did.

Well, take care everyone. We should all feel very fortunate to have such great health options here in the states who can see us quickly, care for us personally, and do what it takes to make their fellow man feel better. I am also grateful that I have a wife who supported me, even when I couldn't talk back on the phone from the throat pain, and a God who gave me strength through his Spirit.

The Worst Day - Part 2

So, I am now heading to the doctor. I am not 100% sure where this is. No roads or streets really have signs, only highways. The plazas are all kinda run down, and I am heading to Iturregui Plaza. All I know is that it is near a big mall (on the left), then on my right should be a funeral home, and then is the plaza. As always, the roads are jammed pack full of people, everyone in a HUGE hurry to get no where. I was amazed that I found it on the first try. After I was buzzed in, I walk into the very full waiting room; it is now 11:30.

The place is tiny, and full of people. No one is in the little room where the receptionist should be, so I take a seat and start waiting. After a few minutes, a woman appears at the window; I approach her and she starts talking in spanish (as most people do to me even though I am white). I smile and say "No espanol, do you speak english"? She looks at me and says "A little". Oh crap. This is all I can thing right now. Luckily, a woman in the waiting room stands up and says "Can I help"? Ah, I am saved! I tell this woman that I am in Puerto Rico for work from the states, and that I work at Lilly, and that they send people here who are sick. She translates to the receptionist, and the translator speaks back to me "Put your name on the sheet". Thats it. No long forms, insurance, no nothing. Ok, let the waiting begin. Oh, I am also informed that the doctor DOES speak english. If I had gotten the response back that he didn't, I was outta there and hopeless.

There are a lot of people in the room, but I am optimistic (mostly because I am sick and I must remain optimistic). And, if I were a better writer I could create suspense and entertainment by writing out my agony of the wait, but I am too tired and not creative enough.

I waited 2 and a half hours.

It is now 2. I haven't eaten since breakfast, and haven't had any water since 11. Luckily my runny nose hasn't been much of a problem during this wait as I had no more tissues on me. Now right before I am called in, the receptionist hands me a notepad and a pen and says in broken english "Name, address, phone number".

When I head back to the doctor, he warmly greets me and tells me I am welcome in his office (of course, its broken english). He asks me the standard health questions, to which I respond. He says "So you were a healthy boy before Monday". I say "Yes Sir". He asks me what hurts and I reply. We quickly move into his checkup room. He has me take off my shirt and check all the stuff doctors check. He says "Put on clothes, how you say?" I reply "You are correct, put on your clothes". We go back to his office and he says he is giving me 3 prescriptions. Cough medicine (which I really don't have one), clarinex (for my head/sinuses), and Zithromax (anti-biotic, which is all I really wanted). I say thank you very much, he says my pleasure, and please come back if you don't feel better by Tuesday.

I then return to the receptionist and she says "Insurance". Well, I don't figure my card works here, but I hand it to her anyway. She stares at it for about 30 seconds, then shrugs her shoulders and hands it back to me. I say ok. She says "Twenty" and I hand her a credit card. Again, she stares and me and says something in spanish. I stare at her because I do not understand. She says something in spanish again, I continue to stare at her. My guess is she doesn't take credit cards. Luckily, a couple other people waiting say cash. I, unfortunately, do not have cash. I have no reason for cash on this trip. Again, the people waiting tell me "Go to the Walgreens down the road and get cash". I say ok. If I were a less moral man, they would never have seen me again, but I am grateful for the doctor, so I go for cash.

As I pull out of the lot, I see the Walgreens. I go to the ATM and figure "I will get $40 while I am here". Good thinking Chris. I return to the doctor and hand the receptionist a $20. She looks at me and says "No, $40". Now, I recall my team leader here and the lilly doctor saying it will be $20, and I could have sworn she said $20 the first time. Although I am sure she just stole $20 from me, I give her the $40 because I don't know how to argue with a woman who doesn't speak english, and I really wanna get my prescription filled.

Ok, enough for now, I have worn myself out again. Don't worry, more to come.

Oh, and by the way, my throat has been swollen since Friday afternoon. Which means I can barely swallow water. The only foods I have attempted are grapes and a banana. Thats all I have had since Friday morning, and its now Sunday morning. Also, all I have done is lay in bed and sweat, so my sheets and room smell horrible right now.

The Worst Day - Part 1

February 10th, 2006

So I have been working in Puerto Rico all week, and I have been pretty sick. But, I have been working through it, drinking lots of water, getting rest, and taking Tylenol Cold and Sinus (usually does the trick for me). As of Friday, instead of getting better, I was getting worse. So Jaime, the team leader down here, told me to go to the infirmiry. He tells me how to get there, and I head over. I wait at the guard shack for PR02 for about 20 minutes before I am escorted to the doctor. When I get to the doctor, they proceed to tell me that they cannot squeeze me until later next week, and that I should go to a non-Lilly doctor. After I beg and plead that they squeeze me in because I don't know where anything is here, I don't know how health benefits work here, and I am very sick. They still say no without hesitation. I then call HR Direct to find out how this all works. They say that I can go to a doctor and turn it in as out of network emergency, so I proceed to get the car, get directions (kinda), and head out. This so far has taken all morning; its 11. To be continued.

Tired, will type more later.

A couple things

First of all, I am back in Puerto Rico. This time, I am in my room during the Superbowl, and am missing Valentine's Day with my wife (who I miss very much). Oh, its grand here. At least I know that I helped make some more insulin.

Next, I am sad to say that Bender has made a decision. I am sorry that he never got a chance to shine, because he would have. Hopefully the Pacers' appeal to the league regarding cap relief goes well.

Third, as I sit and write this, the infamous Superbowl commercials came on the TV in my PR hotel room. THEY CHANGED THEM ALL!!!!!!!!!!!!!! BOOOOOOOOOOOOO! I don't even get to see the cool commercials :( They are all in spanish and obviously NOT the originals.

I am out.

Stupid MTV

This morning as I showered, I heard some Pink Floyd on the radio. It reminded me how much I hate MTV. Here is why...

While watching Live 8 last year on MTV, it was awesome to watch as Pink Floyd (with Roger Waters) performed together for the first time in 25 years. Now, I am not old enough to say I remember this whole time, but I do understand it. And it was incredible! There was an energy there. Then, while playing Comfortably Numb, MTV does what. . . they start talking, over Pink Floyd, with the camera on the MTV idiots! Seriously! MTV, you have ruined what a lot of people think of music!

Thanks a lot MTV!

Here we go again

Looks like on a 2 day notice, again, I am traveling to Puerto Rico for work. This time, the work will not be interesting, but I will be traveling with a co-worker, so that will help. Nothing like 2 weeks in the land of sunshine, and I won't see the sun for 2 weeks!

On a lighter note, I received this picture as an attachment on a forwarded email. This picture perfectly describes our kitty, Stella. She is orange tiger stripe and loves to drink from the faucet.

Fun with Favicons!

So I played around, and created a favicon for our web site. Check it out. You may have to save the page as a favorite before you see it. (BTW, a favicon is the little icon that shows up next to the URL of a web site in your browser). Also, I finally figured out a design I like for the site, so I have begun implementation. I still have some work left to do, but getting close. Its up now as of last night.

http://www.chrisandkacey.com/

Let me know what you think.

New Toy

So we have been thinking about buying a TV for a few months now (since mine died). I had written off buying one until after the Superbowl due to price cuts then, but when the 50" Sony SXRD went on super 25% off sale, it was time.

Time to rearrange the living room.

Just listen to me, I know what I am talking about

Music
To me, music is important. I don't think I could make it through a day of work without my iPod anymore. Luckily, my wife is also into music; we share a lot of the same tastes in music (which helps with CD purchases), but not always. Here are a couple recommendations that you may feel are old, outdated, boring, slow, whatever. These are two artists I started listening to in high school. Both are extremely talented musicians/groups who are still to this day making music after decades.

--Stevie Wonder--
Some Favorite Song Titles: I Wish, These Three Words, Overjoyed, Ribbon in the Sky, Knocks Me Off My Feet, You and I, Superstition, Blame It On the Sun, I Believe, Sir Duke, Living for the City, For Once In My Life, That Girl

--Chicago--
Some Favorite Song Titles: Lets see, the entire first album (under the name Chicago Transit Authority), the entire second album (you have to listen straight through), the fifth album (one of my favorite first records, which I still have), Alive Again, Old Days, Free, and a lot of the ninth album (Greatest Hits 1)

I have many, many, many more favorite songs of many genres. If you would like to discuss music, or view my library, let me know.

Driving
I really, really don't understand what the deal is with running stop signs. It is becoming so prevalent that I now assume most people will do it. In my observations I can even watch cars and a lot of times tell who will do it. And what's worse, are the stop signs at work (we have many). They might as well not even be there because they give a false sense of security to me, the pedestrian, that a car might actually stop there. I just get sick of feeling that people feel that their life is so much more significant than everyone else's that they must rush ahead of others to save precious seconds causing frustration and worry to those abiding by the laws.

And don't even get me started on those people with 'Kids First' license plates, speeding through school zones... but I digress.

I am revamping the new site as I never really liked the way it started. I just got something going originally. I am close to a layout I like and soon, I can leave it alone for a while.