Hello Everyone – I went to the podiatrist last week and I know a whole lot more about myself now. As odd as this seems, this visit to the podiatrist was fun. Interestingly enough there are a few things “wrong” with me and my “feets”.
- I have this thing called a nueroma that they found in my x-rays. It’s when a nerve gets inflammed and grows (benignly) because it is stuck between two of the toe bones.
- My left leg is INDEED one inch shorter than my right leg (which could be why I have back pain).
- I have almost completely flat feet
The good thing is that getting orthotics will probably help all of these problems. Who knew that a simple visit to the doctor could teach me so much.

I also have an official reason for being so clumsy (woo hoo!).
p.s. this is not a real x-ray of my foot, it’s just an illustration.

Well here are the first pictures from Mr. Turtle’s first visit to the Vet. I’ve been wanting to post these for a very long time, but I only was able to buy a replacement card reader last weekend, so – HERE IT IS. Mr Turtle (and he IS a Mr.) in all his glory (well you can’t see any of his legs, head or arms but you get the picture).

Something I hadn’t noticed was that Mr.T has a “male” symbol on his underbelly there. Take a look, it starts in the upper right part, and curves toward the center to make the downward pointing arrow. After Dr. Ringler’s excitement, I just had to take a picture to show everyone. I want to buy a little scale so I can see how much he is growing. He has a ring of newly grown shell, so I’m assuming that he’s growing well.

I thought about making a chickenwire fence for him that I can keep in the trunk of my car so that if we want to bring him to the park or put him in the grass, he can have an area to play in, but we don’t have to worry about loosing him. I hope to have my own yard soon so I can build him a permanent play area out there. Any suggestions?

I haven’t written much lately because I don’t know how to talk about what’s going on, so I just think. But today there are protestors outside St. Patrick’s and they are growing in number every minute. They plan to stage a “die-in”. I guess this means that they are going to lie down in the middle of midtown streets and pretend to be dead. I’m sure they will accomplish making traffic stand still. I knew this when I came out of the train this morning, but as I was walking down the street I saw these three girls with a roll of caution tape “sneakily” running it across 47th street between two cars. Supposedly this piece of plastic tape would make some deep point. The girls (who looked about 17) were giggling with darting eyes like they were playing some practical joke. Like fox news says “We report, you decide”.

I have nothing against anti-war protestors. But selfishly I am frustrated that any portion of the “safety-net” of helicopters and police that are supposed to be concentrating on anti-terrorism now have to deal with a bunch of kids who want to ditch school to screw with authority. OK that was a generalization, but I’m just trying to get on with work (and not try to let worrying about the war or Terrorists, or the threat of nuclear and biological weapons, or Osama Bin Laden, stop me). “What are we fighting for” anyway? I’d just like to be clear on that somehow. I’m not sure if anyone is.

As for those helicopters, they are constantly circling this area (which is exactly where all the protestors are) and it’s quite unnerving. I’m sure the news is hovering over us as well. I have a particular distaste for Fox News in particular. Everyday on the way to work I see the gigantic outdoor news-ticker that reminds me that NYC is the most mentioned target in intercepted “intelligence” communications. Their anchors also have this sense that they are smart, and actually have something to contribute. They are sensationalists and they ask completely inappropriate and insulting questions. I can’t go any further on this because then I’ll start to get mad and I’ll rant all day.

I have two brothers. One is in his early 20’s and the other is 17. I can easily picture both of them being one of the people who are confronted face to face with this war. In the sand, carrying guns or flying stealthy bombers. I want this to end just like everyone else.

Hello turtle lovers. I took Buddy to the vet to get a check up and to make sure that I was taking good care of him. It was an all around wonderful experience. Jeff really is the Dog Whisperer. There was this terrified pit bull who kept trying it’s hardest to crawl underneath Jeff’s legs. He had this face on like “please help me”. It was so cute. So back to Mr. Turtle… It’s been confirmed! Mr. Turtle is a Mister. and oddly enough (much the the vet’s excitement) he has a male symbol on his underside. We were so happy that he was healthy and happy that we went out and bought him a brand new home. A MUCH bigger aquarium and some new aquatic plants to nibble on. He LOVES it. I took pictures of him as well as all the snow that has been happening, but I have no way to upload them at this time. I can’t wait to show you his underbelly (that sounds way more pervertish than I meant it to).