I talked to someone on the telephone yesterday at length about how can we possibly account for the tragedy and evil in the world. Where is the meaning in our lives? Is there something beyond random chance at work?
As humans, we have a rich heritage of mythology, which has persisted through the ages and across diverse cultures. What are the lessons that we, as individuals and as the human race, can learn from this wisdom passed down in story form, and from the breadth of our history?
The person I was talking to has started on the process of discovering and asking their own questions quite recently. I could identify very strongly with their dismay in realising that the more they thought about "things" all it did was reveal more questions, rather than resulting in answers.
I find this talk by Jordan Peterson very helpful.
>> Jordan Peterson: The Nature of Evil
He is a Professor of Psychology at the University of Toronto (formerly a professor at Harvard). He has obviously been thinking about these issues for much longer, and much more in depth, than I have.
I highly recommended watching this presentation. It is well worth taking the time to watch and think about some of the ideas he presents.
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Plastic Bag Fiasco.
A large supermarket chain here in NZ decided to impose a 5c charge on plastic shopping bags. The charge lasted only 4 weeks in the Wellington area before it was down-graded to a "voluntary" charge due to customer complaints. Hmmph!!
Patheti
c!!!! Cheap-arsed, narrow-minded, short-sighted, environment-buggering, complaining idiots!. Such a small, simple, tiny change and yet event this is too much to for some neanderthals apparently. Grrrrr. What makes it even more annoying is that the 5c charge actually works extremely well. Over the last 5 years there has been a 22% reduction in plastic bag use here in NZ. Compare this with the dramatic drop caused by the 5c charge".
Patheti
c!!!! Cheap-arsed, narrow-minded, short-sighted, environment-buggering, complaining idiots!. Such a small, simple, tiny change and yet event this is too much to for some neanderthals apparently. Grrrrr. What makes it even more annoying is that the 5c charge actually works extremely well. Over the last 5 years there has been a 22% reduction in plastic bag use here in NZ. Compare this with the dramatic drop caused by the 5c charge".Reducing plastic shopping bags is such a tiny change that it barely rates a mention in the environmental debate. But you would think that it might be an introductory area in which change was not that difficult to effect and perhaps might get people thinking more about the damage we are causing to our environment and the looming issue of climate change. But no, apparently even this is too much to ask.
"In the short time the compulsory scheme had been in place, participating supermarkets had reduced bag use by 50 per cent, or 40 million bags" Foodstuffs Wellington managing director Tony McNeil.
Reported in the New Zealand Herald.
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Success.
Someone asked me today, "What do you do?"
This must be one of the most commonly asked questions between new acquaintances.
(No, I didn't draw it, wish I did. The artist is Bill Burg)
I am sure that sometimes the question is asked with genuine interest. But how often is it asked so that we can put each other into recognizable stereotypes.
Don't know about you, but I feel like there is more to me than my job. So next time I am in that "Nice to meet you" phase of a conversation I am going to try not to perpetuate this annoying habit we seem to have collectively developed, and talk about something else instead.
:)
This must be one of the most commonly asked questions between new acquaintances.
(No, I didn't draw it, wish I did. The artist is Bill Burg)I am sure that sometimes the question is asked with genuine interest. But how often is it asked so that we can put each other into recognizable stereotypes.
Don't know about you, but I feel like there is more to me than my job. So next time I am in that "Nice to meet you" phase of a conversation I am going to try not to perpetuate this annoying habit we seem to have collectively developed, and talk about something else instead.
:)
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Perpetual Perks
Here in NZ we are in the middle of our own mini-mini-mini parliamentary members' allowances scandal. While there are no shocks of UK proportion (there are not many moats in NZ that require cleaning I guess), there has been enough to keep the media happy for a few days.
The most interesting thing I heard from the radio show talk fest was the ongoing cost of ex-prime ministers to the Australian tax payers. (Kiwis do love to reference Australia when discussing their internal affairs). I had no idea that ex-prime ministers where eligible for such big bucks for the rest of their lives and was quite surprised to hear the figures, but apparently this information is available through Freedom of Information. The Herald Sun ran the article this week.
"Australia's five living former prime ministers submitted expenses tallying almost $3 million last year, the figures show."
The costs relate to running the offices of these fellows. Obviously they can't be expected to work from home like many other private individuals do, or fund the expenses of their offices themselves I suppose!
Yes I know that in the overall picture of the Australian tax-payers' budget this is a minuscule amount. But it seems to me that this is an extravagant, if not unwarranted, perk for those who have formerly been PM. Even if I could stretch my mind to think that our ex-prime ministers deserve some kind of pension, surely it should be a little more modest. Say, half the salary of the current prime minister at most. After all, I am working from the assumption that these men went into politics for the love not the money. Even if some may suspect that love to be of power rather than their country.
What do you think? Should receive ongoing financial support once they no longer work for the country? If so, what would be a reasonable sum to be available to them and should it be a life-long entitlement?
Well, given this ongoing cost, I don't think too many tax-paying Aussies will be wishing John Howard a long life - if they ever were!
The most interesting thing I heard from the radio show talk fest was the ongoing cost of ex-prime ministers to the Australian tax payers. (Kiwis do love to reference Australia when discussing their internal affairs). I had no idea that ex-prime ministers where eligible for such big bucks for the rest of their lives and was quite surprised to hear the figures, but apparently this information is available through Freedom of Information. The Herald Sun ran the article this week.
The costs relate to running the offices of these fellows. Obviously they can't be expected to work from home like many other private individuals do, or fund the expenses of their offices themselves I suppose!
Yes I know that in the overall picture of the Australian tax-payers' budget this is a minuscule amount. But it seems to me that this is an extravagant, if not unwarranted, perk for those who have formerly been PM. Even if I could stretch my mind to think that our ex-prime ministers deserve some kind of pension, surely it should be a little more modest. Say, half the salary of the current prime minister at most. After all, I am working from the assumption that these men went into politics for the love not the money. Even if some may suspect that love to be of power rather than their country.
What do you think? Should receive ongoing financial support once they no longer work for the country? If so, what would be a reasonable sum to be available to them and should it be a life-long entitlement?
Well, given this ongoing cost, I don't think too many tax-paying Aussies will be wishing John Howard a long life - if they ever were!
Friday, July 24, 2009
A Win! (I suppose you could call this a boast).
It's been a busy week at work:
Swine flu, a big Measles outbreak, a patient with a bee sting in the mouth (the first time I have had to give adrenaline to a patient, and never mind the patients vital stats, I am sure mine own where off the chart while we waited for the ambulance to arrive), and of course the usual stream of patients who burst into tears and need much more than the time allotted to their appointment.
But, among the busyness I did have one very satisfying moment. A regular came in to see me, affectionately known as my "f***ing, f***ing, f***ing" patient (and that's just on the way down the corridor to my consulting room). He is a young guy but has had some adverse circumstances and is waiting for major orthopaedic surgery. But this week when he came in he looked fitter, healthier and happier than I had ever seen him before.
I asked him what made him think of taking up aqua jogging. He looked at me a bit confused and said "You did. You told me I should."
O yeah, so I did. And yes I felt a little sheepish about not remembering giving him this advice.
But then I am frequently telling so many of my patients about the benefits of exercise. And I do try to give a few suggestions of exercise that would be appropriate for them. Most of the time I know my advice falls on deaf ears and I feel like a broken down record repeating the same message.
So it was such a buzz to hear that, against all odds, this tough, blue-collar, kiwi bloke had followed my advice to take up aqua jogging and that it had made a big difference in his life.
Now that's enough to keep me feeling positive about my job for at least another 6 months.
By the way, he didn't swear or complain once through the whole consultation, and that in it's self is practically a miracle.
:)
Swine flu, a big Measles outbreak, a patient with a bee sting in the mouth (the first time I have had to give adrenaline to a patient, and never mind the patients vital stats, I am sure mine own where off the chart while we waited for the ambulance to arrive), and of course the usual stream of patients who burst into tears and need much more than the time allotted to their appointment.
But, among the busyness I did have one very satisfying moment. A regular came in to see me, affectionately known as my "f***ing, f***ing, f***ing" patient (and that's just on the way down the corridor to my consulting room). He is a young guy but has had some adverse circumstances and is waiting for major orthopaedic surgery. But this week when he came in he looked fitter, healthier and happier than I had ever seen him before.
I asked him how things had been going. He animatedly told me that he was doing really well and that he had been aqua jogging at least 5 times per week for over a month and that he was loving it! 
He raved about how good he was feeling and the changes that he was already noticing including losing 4kg, noticing his muscles "popping" out, and his double chin shrinking. He was just as enthusiastic about the social aspects, having met a lot of fellow aqua joggers. "It's just like Shortland St, everyone gets to know ya and says hi. They are giving me stick and saying they are going to put glue and Vaseline on my crutches when I go in after the surgery". He was clearly loving it!
He raved about how good he was feeling and the changes that he was already noticing including losing 4kg, noticing his muscles "popping" out, and his double chin shrinking. He was just as enthusiastic about the social aspects, having met a lot of fellow aqua joggers. "It's just like Shortland St, everyone gets to know ya and says hi. They are giving me stick and saying they are going to put glue and Vaseline on my crutches when I go in after the surgery". He was clearly loving it!
I asked him what made him think of taking up aqua jogging. He looked at me a bit confused and said "You did. You told me I should."
O yeah, so I did. And yes I felt a little sheepish about not remembering giving him this advice.
But then I am frequently telling so many of my patients about the benefits of exercise. And I do try to give a few suggestions of exercise that would be appropriate for them. Most of the time I know my advice falls on deaf ears and I feel like a broken down record repeating the same message.
So it was such a buzz to hear that, against all odds, this tough, blue-collar, kiwi bloke had followed my advice to take up aqua jogging and that it had made a big difference in his life.
Now that's enough to keep me feeling positive about my job for at least another 6 months.
By the way, he didn't swear or complain once through the whole consultation, and that in it's self is practically a miracle.
:)
Monday, June 1, 2009
The Run!
Yesterday I ran a half marathon. The weather forecast was so bad that I nearly chickened out. But I am so glad that I didn't!
It was a freezing morning. As we lined up in the starting shoot it actually started to hail. "Eye of the Tiger" was playing quite loudly over the speakers. But then it started to rain, and the music changed down in tempo to "Chariots of Fire".
Now hail is exciting. Do you remember running outside to play in it as a child? Hail bounces off you leaving you unscathed, especially as most us were wearing sufficient clothing to avoid the little red stings it will leave on bare flesh (I was very glad to be wearing my trusty running visor). The crowd reacted to the hail with an almost frenzied excitement. Perfect strangers turned to each other and shared nervous grins and said "We must be mad!". The crowd bobbed up and down to the music, bouncily jogging on the spot to keep warm.
But rain is not exciting. It does not bounce cheerily off you. It seeps into your clothing, dribbles into your ears and makes your gloves useless at keeping your fingers warm. The mood of the crowd dampened and the bouncing changed to shuffling. Fortunately some perceptive organizer changed to music back to "Eye of the Tiger" just before the starting time but that elated feeling was gone - at least for me.
The first 17 minute where dreadful. I was cold, my breathing labored and my fingers numb. I felt disproportionately cross at having to dodge the cheeky walkers who had started too far forward in the line up. It all seemed too much. Impossible. I felt a bit disorientated and had no idea how far we had run.
Then suddenly, I kid you not, the drizzle stopped, the sun emerged, glorious in its winter yellow, and ahead I noticed the 3km mark as if highlighted by a sun ray! As we whizzed past it, at just a few seconds over 18 minutes, I finally realized "I can do this"! I felt 10kg lighter, my breathing settled and I started to look around and notice the other runners padding along with me.
I was pleasantly surprised to find that my friend and I fell into a nice and easy 10kmph pace together. We had never jogged together, and I had expected her to be way ahead.
I said "No matter what time we do this in, we will have done better than all the people who slept in this morning". She heartily agreed. As did another runner who fell into step with us for a short while and was our 3rd musketeer for a few hundred meters. And we started to feel like we were not mad. In fact, surely we were the sane ones and those missing out on this exhilarating run where the crazy ones.
5km: the drink station was manned by the Kaiapoi Neighborhood watch crew. So I go to say hi and be cheered on by a few familiar faces.
10km: we pulled out our energy gels (fortunately brought along - considering the 10km drink station was out of Leppin!)
12km: ipod on, not too loud, so that I could still hear the occasional remarks from my friend and reply appropriately. (She had her headphones in already so I was not breaking any running-mates-codes).
A few songs of Gavin Degraw, and a bit of Britney helped me keep to good form for a while, but soon after the 15km mark I started to feel heavy, some hip-pain and quite tired. A quick switch to Greydon Square, and ahh, that feels better. A beat I can run to and words I can think to. The next 4km slid past without me hardly noticing.
19km: a quick sip at the drink station, I turned up the volume on the ipod and spurted ahead.
I finished feeling strong and very, very pleased with myself. Friends cheering from the sidelines gave an extra boost.
Yes I still had some unburnt energy which would be unthinkable to a more competitive runner. But really for me, an enjoyable run with a friend (and avoiding too much post race stiffness) is much more important than shaving a few minutes of my personal best.
It was a freezing morning. As we lined up in the starting shoot it actually started to hail. "Eye of the Tiger" was playing quite loudly over the speakers. But then it started to rain, and the music changed down in tempo to "Chariots of Fire".Now hail is exciting. Do you remember running outside to play in it as a child? Hail bounces off you leaving you unscathed, especially as most us were wearing sufficient clothing to avoid the little red stings it will leave on bare flesh (I was very glad to be wearing my trusty running visor). The crowd reacted to the hail with an almost frenzied excitement. Perfect strangers turned to each other and shared nervous grins and said "We must be mad!". The crowd bobbed up and down to the music, bouncily jogging on the spot to keep warm.
But rain is not exciting. It does not bounce cheerily off you. It seeps into your clothing, dribbles into your ears and makes your gloves useless at keeping your fingers warm. The mood of the crowd dampened and the bouncing changed to shuffling. Fortunately some perceptive organizer changed to music back to "Eye of the Tiger" just before the starting time but that elated feeling was gone - at least for me.
The first 17 minute where dreadful. I was cold, my breathing labored and my fingers numb. I felt disproportionately cross at having to dodge the cheeky walkers who had started too far forward in the line up. It all seemed too much. Impossible. I felt a bit disorientated and had no idea how far we had run.
Then suddenly, I kid you not, the drizzle stopped, the sun emerged, glorious in its winter yellow, and ahead I noticed the 3km mark as if highlighted by a sun ray! As we whizzed past it, at just a few seconds over 18 minutes, I finally realized "I can do this"! I felt 10kg lighter, my breathing settled and I started to look around and notice the other runners padding along with me.
I was pleasantly surprised to find that my friend and I fell into a nice and easy 10kmph pace together. We had never jogged together, and I had expected her to be way ahead.
I said "No matter what time we do this in, we will have done better than all the people who slept in this morning". She heartily agreed. As did another runner who fell into step with us for a short while and was our 3rd musketeer for a few hundred meters. And we started to feel like we were not mad. In fact, surely we were the sane ones and those missing out on this exhilarating run where the crazy ones.
5km: the drink station was manned by the Kaiapoi Neighborhood watch crew. So I go to say hi and be cheered on by a few familiar faces.
10km: we pulled out our energy gels (fortunately brought along - considering the 10km drink station was out of Leppin!)
12km: ipod on, not too loud, so that I could still hear the occasional remarks from my friend and reply appropriately. (She had her headphones in already so I was not breaking any running-mates-codes).
A few songs of Gavin Degraw, and a bit of Britney helped me keep to good form for a while, but soon after the 15km mark I started to feel heavy, some hip-pain and quite tired. A quick switch to Greydon Square, and ahh, that feels better. A beat I can run to and words I can think to. The next 4km slid past without me hardly noticing.
19km: a quick sip at the drink station, I turned up the volume on the ipod and spurted ahead.
I finished feeling strong and very, very pleased with myself. Friends cheering from the sidelines gave an extra boost.
Yes I still had some unburnt energy which would be unthinkable to a more competitive runner. But really for me, an enjoyable run with a friend (and avoiding too much post race stiffness) is much more important than shaving a few minutes of my personal best.
Sunday, May 17, 2009
Hooray for Ghent!
Have you heard about this? The Belgian town of Ghent encouraging it's citizens to go meat free for one day per week.I want to move to Ghent! Not only because it is showing some leadership on this very important issue but also because it is gorgeous! Good work on the part of the city council - great for the environment and lots of free publicity!
Here is a link to a good article on my favorite news story this week if you want to read more. I have been a bit irritated by some of the news stories getting side tracked and focusing on an "animal lovers" approach to vegetarianism an ignoring the crucial point that this is a serious environmental issue.
I love this:
"You could say, 'Better a vegetarian in a four-wheel drive than a meat-eater in a hybrid car,' but nothing beats a vegetarian on a bicycle," the website said.
Saturday, May 9, 2009
Power Politics
I have just finished reading "Power Politics" by Arundhati Roy.It is a a collection of her excellent political essays and is definitely worth reading. She is obviously very passionate about advocating for the disadvantaged and taken-advantaged-of masses, not just of India but of the world. I have included links to some of the essays in case you want to read the whole thing - they are not too long and are easy reading.
"Power Politics: The Reincarnation of Rumpelstiltskin" is a thought provoking critique of the insatiable beast of globalization.
"The Algebra of Infinite Injustice" is a biting but fair attack on the foreign policy of that other insatiable beast, the USA. While Roy clearly puts the blame on the rich and powerful puppet masters, she does not completely exonerate the "average American" and drops a few of her poetic bombs their way. My favorite example:
"Here's the rub: America is at war against people it doesn't know (because they don't appear much on TV)."
To make sure you get her point, she prefaces it perfectly with a very telling quote from a newscaster on Fox News, September 17th 2001:
"Good and Evil rarely manifest themselves as clearly as they did last Tuesday. People who we don't know, massacred people who we do. And they did so with contemptuous glee." Apparently the newscaster then broke down and cried.
And in "War is Peace"*, referring to the government rhetoric/spin doled out via the mainstream media as medication she has this to say:
"Regular medication ensures that mainland America continues to remain the enigma it has always been -- a curiously insular people, administered by a pathologically meddlesome, promiscuous government."
While I would love to fully enjoy a virtuous and contemptuous snicker at the expense of these "curiously insular people", I am also acutely aware that I too am curiously insular and that just occasionally reading about injustice is not the same as opposing it.
* Interestingly "War is Peace" apparently had a different, and delightfully more provocative title originally: "Brutality Smeared in Peanut Butter. Why America Must Stop the War Now."
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Dinner from our Garden
Home grown veggies are the best! You can take my word for it.
Our tomato plants just keep on producing, despite our garden care bordering on neglect for he last 2 months. Our initial enthusiasm may have waned but it seems that the efforts we put in at the beginning were enough to establish a lot of the veggies and they have just kept on growing. (Well, when I say the efforts "we" put in, I must admit it was mostly my husband who got things going.)
Here are some pics of our lovely tomatoes and a meal that I prepared from them:
Neapolitan sauce - with tomatoes, onion, basil and parsley from our garden. (Garlic from the fruit and veg shop but we will grow our own next time).
The final result: just added some broccoli from our garden, and some red kidney beans and pasta that I bought at Bin Inn. Delicious!
Our broccoli crop has been fantastic and we have had some lovely meals with it including Broccoli and Blue Cheese Soup. Yum! My husband recently planted some more broccoli so we will be having many more delicious soups through winter.
Next from the garden: Pumpkin soup. I will try and remember to take some pics of the process.
Our tomato plants just keep on producing, despite our garden care bordering on neglect for he last 2 months. Our initial enthusiasm may have waned but it seems that the efforts we put in at the beginning were enough to establish a lot of the veggies and they have just kept on growing. (Well, when I say the efforts "we" put in, I must admit it was mostly my husband who got things going.)
Here are some pics of our lovely tomatoes and a meal that I prepared from them:
Neapolitan sauce - with tomatoes, onion, basil and parsley from our garden. (Garlic from the fruit and veg shop but we will grow our own next time).
The final result: just added some broccoli from our garden, and some red kidney beans and pasta that I bought at Bin Inn. Delicious!
Our broccoli crop has been fantastic and we have had some lovely meals with it including Broccoli and Blue Cheese Soup. Yum! My husband recently planted some more broccoli so we will be having many more delicious soups through winter.
Next from the garden: Pumpkin soup. I will try and remember to take some pics of the process.
Monday, April 27, 2009
Please cover your mouth when you cough!
Swine flu, swine flu, swine flu! On every radio station, in every news paper, all over the net, and apparently all over the TV news (though at least I managed to miss that).
Two things are really bothering me about all this and have me all steamed up for a rant.
1. Why does the ho-hum, mega-profit-making Tamiflu get so much air time. While the amazing, highly effective, population protecting, basic health messages get so little mention, if any, on most reports.
Surely the most important message for our benevolent media to carry is: "Cover your mouth when you cough, wash your hands, and stay home if you are sick". And pity for you if you happen to actually contract the flu, and your only source of information was our media. You would think that Tamiflu is your only hope and would know nothing of the benefits of bed rest, fluids and paracetamol to reduce your fever.
2. The other thing making me cross and raising my skeptical hackles is that while people panic the pharmaceutical companies are making even bigger profits? Interestingly Tamiflu (by Roche, Switzerland) is the only brand name I have heard mentioned in NZ. I have not come across the name Relenza (by Biota, Australia, but under the GSK umbrella) even once in the mainstream media here. Roche's massive advertising/promotional budget is obviously paying off!
But there is still some good sense out there and this site made me chuckle! The well respected medical giant, the Mayo Clinic, advocates chicken soup as a remedy, and says it can really help by breaking up congestion. I love it! Though I don't think GSK and Roche need to worry about this simple advice effecting their profit from the current "crisis" too much. I wonder what the vegetarian equivalent is for chicken soup. My husband makes a to-die-for cream of mushroom soup, but somehow I don't think the cream content will allow it to pass as a health remedy.
Well, at least GSK and Roche are happy.
Oh, and please don't cough into your hand and then touch the door nob to my office, or anything else for that matter! If you are unsure of the correct cough etiquette please check this link.
Two things are really bothering me about all this and have me all steamed up for a rant.
1. Why does the ho-hum, mega-profit-making Tamiflu get so much air time. While the amazing, highly effective, population protecting, basic health messages get so little mention, if any, on most reports.
Surely the most important message for our benevolent media to carry is: "Cover your mouth when you cough, wash your hands, and stay home if you are sick". And pity for you if you happen to actually contract the flu, and your only source of information was our media. You would think that Tamiflu is your only hope and would know nothing of the benefits of bed rest, fluids and paracetamol to reduce your fever.
2. The other thing making me cross and raising my skeptical hackles is that while people panic the pharmaceutical companies are making even bigger profits? Interestingly Tamiflu (by Roche, Switzerland) is the only brand name I have heard mentioned in NZ. I have not come across the name Relenza (by Biota, Australia, but under the GSK umbrella) even once in the mainstream media here. Roche's massive advertising/promotional budget is obviously paying off!
But there is still some good sense out there and this site made me chuckle! The well respected medical giant, the Mayo Clinic, advocates chicken soup as a remedy, and says it can really help by breaking up congestion. I love it! Though I don't think GSK and Roche need to worry about this simple advice effecting their profit from the current "crisis" too much. I wonder what the vegetarian equivalent is for chicken soup. My husband makes a to-die-for cream of mushroom soup, but somehow I don't think the cream content will allow it to pass as a health remedy.
Well, at least GSK and Roche are happy.
Oh, and please don't cough into your hand and then touch the door nob to my office, or anything else for that matter! If you are unsure of the correct cough etiquette please check this link.
Friday, April 17, 2009
The Story of Stuff
Have you seen this? If not you can download it here.
It's beauty lies in being a simple, succinct, introductory overview to a wide range of linked topics.
I think it would be a great idea to show it to all school students. Unfortunately one teacher who had this idea was soon having to defend herself to the school board. But hopefully not all school boards would be quite so narrow minded in their response.
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Rantings against the "War on Drugs"
Prohibition is one of my pet peeves. While driving home today (after running the 12km City to Surf) I listened to a radio program about prohibition. And as usual the topic got me feeling very cross!
While I certainly don't want to advocate for easy access to "hard" drugs, I do
believe that a society that has legal access to alcohol and tobacco and yet criminalizes cannabis users is grossly hypocritical. We have decided that turning 18 years old makes one an adult with respect to alcohol, tobacco, voting and armed service, and you can get a license to drive a lethal weapon even younger than this. To me it seems enormously sensible to add recreational use of drugs to this list - particularly ones that, going by the vast evidence, are less detrimental to health than tobacco, and less detrimental socially than alcohol.
Instead of pouring insane amounts of money into enforcing irrational laws our governments could focus on education, harm minimization, health services, addictions counseling and research.
If your loved one (son, daughter, partner) was suffering negative consequences due to their drug use would you want them dealt with by the justice system with the possibility of a criminal record, gaol time, stigma and job loss, or dealt with by health professionals and educators that could help them get back on track?
Prohibition does not work - that's a fact. The "War on drugs" is grounded in ignorance, racism, and political grandstanding.
While I certainly don't want to advocate for easy access to "hard" drugs, I do
believe that a society that has legal access to alcohol and tobacco and yet criminalizes cannabis users is grossly hypocritical. We have decided that turning 18 years old makes one an adult with respect to alcohol, tobacco, voting and armed service, and you can get a license to drive a lethal weapon even younger than this. To me it seems enormously sensible to add recreational use of drugs to this list - particularly ones that, going by the vast evidence, are less detrimental to health than tobacco, and less detrimental socially than alcohol.Instead of pouring insane amounts of money into enforcing irrational laws our governments could focus on education, harm minimization, health services, addictions counseling and research.
If your loved one (son, daughter, partner) was suffering negative consequences due to their drug use would you want them dealt with by the justice system with the possibility of a criminal record, gaol time, stigma and job loss, or dealt with by health professionals and educators that could help them get back on track?
We need some credible people, including politicians, law enforcers and health professionals, to push against our prohibition laws. I say "credible" because I think that we particularly need people who do not have a vested interest due to personal use to take up the cause. Of course I am not saying that recreational drug users are any less "credible" because of their use, but unfortunately anyone with any position or power who takes up this cause will be heavily scrutinized by our vulture-like main stream media.
Fortunately there does seem to be an increasing voice against prohibition in main stream media. The radio program I listened to this morning referenced a recent article in the The Economist. The subtitle of the article is: "Prohibition has failed; legalisation is the least bad solution". Hopefully we will see more reporting like this.
It seems to me that the one of the main obstructions to law reform is that the people who have a responsibility to govern our country are more concerned about risking political suicide than advocating for what may be best for our society. But, considering that climate change finally made into onto the political agenda (perhaps 30 years too late!), perhaps prohibition law reform will eventually become politically attractive too.
Fortunately there does seem to be an increasing voice against prohibition in main stream media. The radio program I listened to this morning referenced a recent article in the The Economist. The subtitle of the article is: "Prohibition has failed; legalisation is the least bad solution". Hopefully we will see more reporting like this.
It seems to me that the one of the main obstructions to law reform is that the people who have a responsibility to govern our country are more concerned about risking political suicide than advocating for what may be best for our society. But, considering that climate change finally made into onto the political agenda (perhaps 30 years too late!), perhaps prohibition law reform will eventually become politically attractive too.
Sunday, March 22, 2009
New Shoes and 14Ks
This morning I ran 14kms with friends. Well, when I say ran "with", I mean more like "near" as I am the slowest of the bunch (yes call me tortoise). My pace is not great at the moment. Partly due to a lot of laziness in 2008 as far as running is concerned. And partly due to an over eager dog that knocked me off my feet 3 weeks ago resulting in an ankle injury that has limited my running. But I am happy to say the ankle is not 95% better, and just fine for running!
I was helped along this morning by:
:: seeing my friends red shirt up ahead pushing me to keep up my pace.
:: singing songs to myself (in my head of course, not enough breath to sing out loud). Note to self: take ipod even on group runs in case you are not with the pack and need a little help keeping motivated.
:: and thirdly by new shoes.
That's right. New shoes. So much for my "buy no clothes or shoes" year. But I decided not to apply the limit to running shoes. My chances of finding appropriate running shoes in a second hand charity shop are basically zero. And although I don't technically *need* new shoes. I do *need* them if I want to run longer distances without injury.
It seems Oxfam has recognised this problem and has a campaign to show sports brands that consumers do want ethically produced shoes. Click here for more info.
Mail us your receipts
Each time you buy sports shoes or sportswear, mail us a copy of the receipt with a note saying that you wish you could buy clothes and shoes made under decent conditions. We'll use this evidence of consumer concern to pressure the brands to respect workers' rights by delivering these receipts to sports brands.
So now to mail that receipt and enjoy the shoes.
:)
PS. My husband reading over my shoulder has kindly pointed out to me that perhaps I could find my running shoe second hand on line if I was really that concerned about the issue.
I was helped along this morning by:
:: seeing my friends red shirt up ahead pushing me to keep up my pace.
:: singing songs to myself (in my head of course, not enough breath to sing out loud). Note to self: take ipod even on group runs in case you are not with the pack and need a little help keeping motivated.
:: and thirdly by new shoes.
That's right. New shoes. So much for my "buy no clothes or shoes" year. But I decided not to apply the limit to running shoes. My chances of finding appropriate running shoes in a second hand charity shop are basically zero. And although I don't technically *need* new shoes. I do *need* them if I want to run longer distances without injury.
It seems Oxfam has recognised this problem and has a campaign to show sports brands that consumers do want ethically produced shoes. Click here for more info.
Mail us your receipts
Each time you buy sports shoes or sportswear, mail us a copy of the receipt with a note saying that you wish you could buy clothes and shoes made under decent conditions. We'll use this evidence of consumer concern to pressure the brands to respect workers' rights by delivering these receipts to sports brands.
So now to mail that receipt and enjoy the shoes.
:)
PS. My husband reading over my shoulder has kindly pointed out to me that perhaps I could find my running shoe second hand on line if I was really that concerned about the issue.
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Ethics and the Environment
I am doing two "Community Education" courses at Canterbury Uni at the moment. They are both 5 week series of talks with no assessment, so no stress really. So far I am finding them both very interesting and thought provoking. Only thing is that, as with so many other areas of life, the more you learn the more questions there seem to be, and the less answers to feel sure of.
The first one is called "Ethics and the Environment". Click here if you want more info.
There is so much doom and gloom when we start to think about the future of the ecology that sustains us, and hard to find hope. Certainly I whole heartedly agree with the Reduce, Reuse, Recycle mantra and am aiming to keep improving in this area. But are the doomsayers right? Is it really too late for our current societies? And are all our "green" efforts pointless.
The idea of "Climate Refugees" and the proposition that we shift our focus to creating safe havens for those who will need them, is gaining momentum. I suspect that James Lovelock and Co are at least partly right (hopefully not totally correct) and that this may be necessary. However I hope that these theories do not distract us from still doing our best to preserve and protect what we can. Or, perhaps even worse, engender so much hopelessness that the ostrich-like "eat, drink and be merry" lifestyle seems the only option to the majority.
The first one is called "Ethics and the Environment". Click here if you want more info.
There is so much doom and gloom when we start to think about the future of the ecology that sustains us, and hard to find hope. Certainly I whole heartedly agree with the Reduce, Reuse, Recycle mantra and am aiming to keep improving in this area. But are the doomsayers right? Is it really too late for our current societies? And are all our "green" efforts pointless.
The idea of "Climate Refugees" and the proposition that we shift our focus to creating safe havens for those who will need them, is gaining momentum. I suspect that James Lovelock and Co are at least partly right (hopefully not totally correct) and that this may be necessary. However I hope that these theories do not distract us from still doing our best to preserve and protect what we can. Or, perhaps even worse, engender so much hopelessness that the ostrich-like "eat, drink and be merry" lifestyle seems the only option to the majority.
Saturday, March 7, 2009
A Solitary Monarch Butterfly
We planted a few swan plants in our garden with the hope that we might attract some monarch butterflies. Well, we certainly got our wish! We were so excited when we noticed the little holes appearing in the leaves and the cute little caterpillars who were making them.
We had a bit of a stressful time trying to locate more swan plants. We managed to buy a few little and very overpriced plants. But each time we found a new plant the growing caterpillars would gobble through all the leaves by the next morning. There seemed to be a bit of a swan plant shortage in Christchurch and ours were not the only caterpillars feeling hungry. In desperation the poor things started to leave the swan plants and go in search of new food sources.
With a bit of internet searching we found that the large caterpillars can survive quite well on slices of pumpkin and cucumber. So we transferred some of them to a box with slices of their new food stuff. Unfortunately smaller caterpillars can eat this food, but not develop enough to form their chrysalis.
The diet high in pumpkin resulted in lots of very cute orange caterpillar poop!
Only 2 caterpillars managed to make a chrysalis. One unfortunately was devoured by ants, perhaps because he formed his chrysalis on the box. But the other sensible fellow formed his chrysalis up on the adjacent wall.And finally the butterfly emerged. It sat there for at least 36 hours drying it's wings. I didn't get to see it fly away but I am sure it looked beautiful.
More than 20 caterpillars, many swan plants, 2 chrysalides and finally one lovely monarch butterfly.
The efficiency of nature??
PS. No March challenge. I couldn't think of one. (Well at least not one that I want to commit to).
Unfortunately it soon became apparent that we had far too many hungry caterpillars for the few swan plants we had bought. Here are some photos of the poor things trying to nibble at the bare stems.
We had a bit of a stressful time trying to locate more swan plants. We managed to buy a few little and very overpriced plants. But each time we found a new plant the growing caterpillars would gobble through all the leaves by the next morning. There seemed to be a bit of a swan plant shortage in Christchurch and ours were not the only caterpillars feeling hungry. In desperation the poor things started to leave the swan plants and go in search of new food sources.
With a bit of internet searching we found that the large caterpillars can survive quite well on slices of pumpkin and cucumber. So we transferred some of them to a box with slices of their new food stuff. Unfortunately smaller caterpillars can eat this food, but not develop enough to form their chrysalis.
The diet high in pumpkin resulted in lots of very cute orange caterpillar poop!
Only 2 caterpillars managed to make a chrysalis. One unfortunately was devoured by ants, perhaps because he formed his chrysalis on the box. But the other sensible fellow formed his chrysalis up on the adjacent wall.And finally the butterfly emerged. It sat there for at least 36 hours drying it's wings. I didn't get to see it fly away but I am sure it looked beautiful.More than 20 caterpillars, many swan plants, 2 chrysalides and finally one lovely monarch butterfly.
The efficiency of nature??
PS. No March challenge. I couldn't think of one. (Well at least not one that I want to commit to).
Thursday, February 26, 2009
In search of understanding.
I have been involved in a few interesting and unexpected discussions recently.
I have been affected by 2 in particular.
:: One with a person who was previously only a "work mate" but I was pleased to find was more of a "kindred spirit" (to steal a term from Anne of Green Gables) than I had imagined.
:: And one that I am still processing.
Reminds me again that listening is often better than talking. I wish that I was better at listening, understanding, internalising and processing on the spot. I also wish I was less prone to assuming, in tense/difficult situations, that I might have anything helpful to say. In some situations I wonder if there is anything at all to be said that can be helpful.
I know that it is important to be open in order to build relationships, but retrospectively feeling that you have shared too much of yourself is an unpleasant experience that I don't wish to repeat too often (if ever).
Nice to know that there are kindred spirits out there. We all need to feel understood sometimes.
I have been affected by 2 in particular.
:: One with a person who was previously only a "work mate" but I was pleased to find was more of a "kindred spirit" (to steal a term from Anne of Green Gables) than I had imagined.
:: And one that I am still processing.
Reminds me again that listening is often better than talking. I wish that I was better at listening, understanding, internalising and processing on the spot. I also wish I was less prone to assuming, in tense/difficult situations, that I might have anything helpful to say. In some situations I wonder if there is anything at all to be said that can be helpful.
I know that it is important to be open in order to build relationships, but retrospectively feeling that you have shared too much of yourself is an unpleasant experience that I don't wish to repeat too often (if ever).
Nice to know that there are kindred spirits out there. We all need to feel understood sometimes.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Gyms are Scary
I went to a gym today, thanks to a freebie from the local big-business physio. 6 weeks and 6 sessions with a "results based trainer". Sounds scary hey?
I have been starting to feel fitter thanks to continuing to run 3 times per week this month. But I still find the obsessive, super-fit professionals and gym-a-holics pretty intimidating. Fortunately 9:30am on a Wednesday is a pretty quiet time at the gym, so I plan on making the most of my day off and using the gym when it is almost empty.
I was seen by 3 separate people today (was that really necessary?). And so answered some of the same questions 4 times over - including the written questionnaire I had to fill in first. But no actual workout today, due to some mis-communication. I went home feeling a tad disappointed about that. Now I will just have to stay nervous about my first work out with a trainer for a bit longer.
I have been starting to feel fitter thanks to continuing to run 3 times per week this month. But I still find the obsessive, super-fit professionals and gym-a-holics pretty intimidating. Fortunately 9:30am on a Wednesday is a pretty quiet time at the gym, so I plan on making the most of my day off and using the gym when it is almost empty.
I was seen by 3 separate people today (was that really necessary?). And so answered some of the same questions 4 times over - including the written questionnaire I had to fill in first. But no actual workout today, due to some mis-communication. I went home feeling a tad disappointed about that. Now I will just have to stay nervous about my first work out with a trainer for a bit longer.
Monday, February 2, 2009
February: Consumer Detox
My challenge to myself for this month is one that I have been thinking of for a while.
I want to stop buying random brands of clothes and shoes. Often after purchasing new clothes, especially if it was a "great bargain", I feel a momentary stab of guilt if I pause to think that by my consuming I am buying into global inequality. The "made in China" labels etc are a great reminder of this problem.
So for this month, and for the rest of this year, I will only buy clothes and shoes that I can verify are ethically produced. The only exception is buying second hand from shops where the proceeds go to charity.
It is not really going to be that big a deal when I consider that I could exist quite comfortably without buying any new clothes/shoes for a long time.
Also, there are now a number of companies that produce sweat-shop free products. And so my job of finding them should not be too hard.
I will post links as I find them.
I want to stop buying random brands of clothes and shoes. Often after purchasing new clothes, especially if it was a "great bargain", I feel a momentary stab of guilt if I pause to think that by my consuming I am buying into global inequality. The "made in China" labels etc are a great reminder of this problem.
So for this month, and for the rest of this year, I will only buy clothes and shoes that I can verify are ethically produced. The only exception is buying second hand from shops where the proceeds go to charity.
It is not really going to be that big a deal when I consider that I could exist quite comfortably without buying any new clothes/shoes for a long time.
Also, there are now a number of companies that produce sweat-shop free products. And so my job of finding them should not be too hard.
I will post links as I find them.
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Exercise Round Up
17/31
This months challenge to myself has been a good success I think.
- I have exercised much more.
- I have read about the benefits of exercise.
- I have discussed exercise with patients more frequently and have more information on hand for them.
My research was made very easy by the a new module appearing on the GP learning website. (This is an on-line resource for continuing medical education for GP's enrolled with the Australian College of GP's). The new module is entitled "Implementing Lifestyle Change" and there are a number of units about exercise and lots of links to great articles about the benefits of exercise and information on what is effective for encourage people to exercise more.
There are many benefits of physical activity. If you want to know more here are a couple of links to some good review articles:
http://www.mja.com.au/public/issues/183_10_211105/bru10410_fm.html
Bruckner PD Brown WJ, "Is exercise good for you?" Medical Journal of Australia 2005; 183: 538-541
http://www.cmaj.ca/cgi/content/full/174/6/801
Warburton DER; Nicol CW; Bredin SSD, "Health benefits of physical activity: the evidence." Canadian Medical Association. Journal; Mar 14, 2006; 174, 6
I think this quote from the above article just about sums it up for those who want the short version:
"We confirm that there is irrefutable evidence of the effectiveness of regular physical activity in the primary and secondary prevention of several chronic diseases (e.g., cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer, hypertension, obesity, depression and osteoporosis) and premature death."
Yes, I would like to avoid that long list of diseases, especially premature death!
It is important to note that in order to gain the health benefits of exercise it is recommended that you get at least 30 minutes of moderate physical activity on most days of the week. Hmm, for me that means that my plan to keep exercising 3 days per week for the rest of the year may not be enough to gain the maximum benefit. The good news is though that my daily dose of exercise need only be "moderate" and for 30 minutes - ie I don't need to run 10km everyday to benefit.
The other thing that I found interesting is that people who engage in home based exercise programs are more likely to succeed (ie stick with it) long term than those who enroll in programs outside the home. So gardening, strenuous housework and walking the dog are probably better activities to plan for than joining a gym.
Well, time to go sweep and mop the kitchen floor I think. And I am sure I can find some other housework to make it up to 30 minutes for today. :)
This months challenge to myself has been a good success I think.
- I have exercised much more.
- I have read about the benefits of exercise.
- I have discussed exercise with patients more frequently and have more information on hand for them.
My research was made very easy by the a new module appearing on the GP learning website. (This is an on-line resource for continuing medical education for GP's enrolled with the Australian College of GP's). The new module is entitled "Implementing Lifestyle Change" and there are a number of units about exercise and lots of links to great articles about the benefits of exercise and information on what is effective for encourage people to exercise more.
There are many benefits of physical activity. If you want to know more here are a couple of links to some good review articles:
http://www.mja.com.au/public/issues/183_10_211105/bru10410_fm.html
Bruckner PD Brown WJ, "Is exercise good for you?" Medical Journal of Australia 2005; 183: 538-541
http://www.cmaj.ca/cgi/content/full/174/6/801
Warburton DER; Nicol CW; Bredin SSD, "Health benefits of physical activity: the evidence." Canadian Medical Association. Journal; Mar 14, 2006; 174, 6
I think this quote from the above article just about sums it up for those who want the short version:
"We confirm that there is irrefutable evidence of the effectiveness of regular physical activity in the primary and secondary prevention of several chronic diseases (e.g., cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer, hypertension, obesity, depression and osteoporosis) and premature death."
Yes, I would like to avoid that long list of diseases, especially premature death!
It is important to note that in order to gain the health benefits of exercise it is recommended that you get at least 30 minutes of moderate physical activity on most days of the week. Hmm, for me that means that my plan to keep exercising 3 days per week for the rest of the year may not be enough to gain the maximum benefit. The good news is though that my daily dose of exercise need only be "moderate" and for 30 minutes - ie I don't need to run 10km everyday to benefit.
The other thing that I found interesting is that people who engage in home based exercise programs are more likely to succeed (ie stick with it) long term than those who enroll in programs outside the home. So gardening, strenuous housework and walking the dog are probably better activities to plan for than joining a gym.
Well, time to go sweep and mop the kitchen floor I think. And I am sure I can find some other housework to make it up to 30 minutes for today. :)
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Amnesty subscription not nearly enough.
12/21
But it seems rather inane in light of the all the suffering in our world.
I exercise to counteract the negative affects of my sedentary, over-fed, western lifestyle of luxury and leisure.
And others in the world have neither food, clothing or shelter. In particular today I am thinking of those who lack shelter from the machines of war.
What to do? Where to start?
It is overwhelming.
But it seems rather inane in light of the all the suffering in our world.
I exercise to counteract the negative affects of my sedentary, over-fed, western lifestyle of luxury and leisure.
And others in the world have neither food, clothing or shelter. In particular today I am thinking of those who lack shelter from the machines of war.
What to do? Where to start?
It is overwhelming.
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Castle Hill Clamber.
8/14 - doing well so far.
Tonight my legs are aching. Today's exercise was walking up hills and climbing/clambering over boulders at Castle Hill. Time for some stretches I think!
Tonight my legs are aching. Today's exercise was walking up hills and climbing/clambering over boulders at Castle Hill. Time for some stretches I think!
.
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Exercise Update
6/11 so far.
I am already feeling a little fitter and find that it takes less of an effort to motivate myself to exercise. By that I mean that when it is an exercise day, I just go ahead and exercise. I am not going through the internal debate, with its oh-so-plausible excuses, about whether or not to exercise. I also don't "forget" to exercise as I am pre-planning when to exercise and what exercise I will do.
I am determined to keep this up and make sure that regular exercise becomes a life long habit for me.
Here is a link to the good old Mayo Clinic web site for a very simple article entitled:
"Exercise: 7 benefits of regular physical activity". The benefits include a sparkier sex-life!
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/exercise/HQ01676
It is not referenced but seems like it might be a good patient handout to have on hand.
In NZ we have access to the "Green Prescription" program. Although I am embarrassed to say that I have only referred patients to the program occasionally.
http://www.sparc.org.nz/getting-active/green-prescription/overview
A study published in the BMJ about the Green Prescription program concluded that:
"Counselling patients in general practice on exercise is effective in increasing physical activity and improving quality of life over 12 months."
http://www.bmj.com/cgi/content/abstract/326/7393/793
Needless to say I will be thinking about this a lot more this week at work. I am going to try and get at least 5 patients, who could really benefit from a Green Prescription, to accept a referral to this program this month.
Unfortunately I have not had much time yet this month to research exercise. Between work, entertaining an 11 year old nephew, reading and of course exercise, I am feeling (as usual) that I could do with an extra hour or two each day.
The other areas that I want to look into soon include:
- the evidence behind the benefits of regular exercise
- how much exercise is needed to attain these benefits
- the specific benefits of different types of exercise.
Well, I am about to get off my butt and go exercise. I respectfully suggest that you do the same, if you have not done so already today.
:)
I am already feeling a little fitter and find that it takes less of an effort to motivate myself to exercise. By that I mean that when it is an exercise day, I just go ahead and exercise. I am not going through the internal debate, with its oh-so-plausible excuses, about whether or not to exercise. I also don't "forget" to exercise as I am pre-planning when to exercise and what exercise I will do.
I am determined to keep this up and make sure that regular exercise becomes a life long habit for me.
Here is a link to the good old Mayo Clinic web site for a very simple article entitled:
"Exercise: 7 benefits of regular physical activity". The benefits include a sparkier sex-life!
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/exercise/HQ01676
It is not referenced but seems like it might be a good patient handout to have on hand.
In NZ we have access to the "Green Prescription" program. Although I am embarrassed to say that I have only referred patients to the program occasionally.
http://www.sparc.org.nz/getting-active/green-prescription/overview
A study published in the BMJ about the Green Prescription program concluded that:
"Counselling patients in general practice on exercise is effective in increasing physical activity and improving quality of life over 12 months."
http://www.bmj.com/cgi/content/abstract/326/7393/793
Needless to say I will be thinking about this a lot more this week at work. I am going to try and get at least 5 patients, who could really benefit from a Green Prescription, to accept a referral to this program this month.
Unfortunately I have not had much time yet this month to research exercise. Between work, entertaining an 11 year old nephew, reading and of course exercise, I am feeling (as usual) that I could do with an extra hour or two each day.
The other areas that I want to look into soon include:
- the evidence behind the benefits of regular exercise
- how much exercise is needed to attain these benefits
- the specific benefits of different types of exercise.
Well, I am about to get off my butt and go exercise. I respectfully suggest that you do the same, if you have not done so already today.
:)
Friday, January 2, 2009
January 2009: Regular Exercise
Happy New Year!
In my job as a GP I frequently encourage patients to exercise regularly. And although I am sure I am giving them good advice I feel like such a hypocrite as I have been very sporadic with exercise for most of my adult life. So I have decided this year that I want to make it a habit to exercise at least 3 timers per week. I am not going to call this a "New Years Resolution" - because New Years Resolutions seem rather prone to being broken!
To give myself a kick start my challenge for this month is to exercise at least 4 times per week, for at least 20 minutes. Hopefully if I can exercise at least 4 times per week for the month of January it will help me be motivated enough to keep up with exercising regularly from now on.
I want to examine some of the evidence for the benefits of exercise. I think this will help to keep me motivated. I also want to collate it into a simple handout with some tips that I can give to patients. Actually, I guess that a number of pamphlets like this already exists that will make my job a little easier.
Well off to hop on the treadmill. Believe it or not it is a little too warm for me to run comfortably outside today. Yes, I have certainly acclimatised to the local weather. Who would have thought that after growing up in Perth I would ever call 25 degrees hot!
PS - I finished my second book in my December read-a-thon challenge. I only read half as many as I had aimed to, but twice as many as David had predicted. :)
In my job as a GP I frequently encourage patients to exercise regularly. And although I am sure I am giving them good advice I feel like such a hypocrite as I have been very sporadic with exercise for most of my adult life. So I have decided this year that I want to make it a habit to exercise at least 3 timers per week. I am not going to call this a "New Years Resolution" - because New Years Resolutions seem rather prone to being broken!
To give myself a kick start my challenge for this month is to exercise at least 4 times per week, for at least 20 minutes. Hopefully if I can exercise at least 4 times per week for the month of January it will help me be motivated enough to keep up with exercising regularly from now on.
I want to examine some of the evidence for the benefits of exercise. I think this will help to keep me motivated. I also want to collate it into a simple handout with some tips that I can give to patients. Actually, I guess that a number of pamphlets like this already exists that will make my job a little easier.
Well off to hop on the treadmill. Believe it or not it is a little too warm for me to run comfortably outside today. Yes, I have certainly acclimatised to the local weather. Who would have thought that after growing up in Perth I would ever call 25 degrees hot!
PS - I finished my second book in my December read-a-thon challenge. I only read half as many as I had aimed to, but twice as many as David had predicted. :)
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