Belize it!

Did you miss me? I'm in Belize, and I think I might stay. San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, Belize. Gorgeous, with turquoise oceans and lots of beach. I snorkeled with nurse sharks, manta rays, moray eels, barracudas, sea turtles, and lots of pretty fishes. I have eaten a ton of marine life, and it's all deliciously fresh. The rum punch is to die for, and parasailing made me feel like all of my cares in the world could just eff-off, I was so content. We took a tour of Mayan ruins at Lamanai, and they were stunning, not to mention the wildlife. Tons of howler monkeys, which have earned their name rightfully by sounding like someone is strangling a lion into a microphone. I saw a baby crocodile, a bird called alternately the jesus christ bird and the feminist bird, and a tree chicken (big iguana). If I die today, I will die happy. If you're lucky, I'll write more about my trip, but if not, at least you know why I haven't been such a computer slave. Now, off to drink more rum punch...

The Miracle of Implanon

Birth control had become a major pain in the a** for me because last May I had an aura migraine (which was a lot like a stroke and landed me in the ER). Migraines, even just one ever, increase the risk of stroke for women on birth control pills by enough percentage points that no self-respecting doctor will prescribe the mainstream, estrogen-containing ones to me any more. When I went in for my annual in July, and the NP told me that I could never take Yasmin or anything like it ever again, I wanted to kick her in the shins.

The next simplest thing was to take progestin-only pills, or POPs. These are the old fashioned kind of pills, from the 70s. You have to take them at a very specific time of day or else it's time for some Plan B. That whole "take it the next morning if you forgot one" thing doesn't work. That sucked, but what sucked more was that I had my period almost continuously from September through November. So I went back to the NP that I wanted to kick, because as it turns out she really is a great lady. I was about to get an IUD, which ran me the risk of perforation AND debilitating cramps for months on end. Period all the time, or cramps all the time? Gee, I don't know, they both sound SO fun. Depo is not an option because it causes serious calcium deficiency and that's just no good. Modern America, and a woman can't get some decent contraception.

But then, the miracle occurred. NP Gloria, my new best friend, showed me this magical thing called Implanon, which is an implantable birth control (it goes in your arm, much like Norplant, but without all the scary problems). It's new in this country, but has been available in Europe for 10 years (we're only a little slow on the uptake here). And it works for three years, and I don't have to do a thing after it's in. Sign me up, I tell NP Gloria. The only catch: check to make sure my insurance covers it, because it's $658. No problem.

But then, the meanies at Anthem Blue Cross tell me that Implanon is not a generic drug, it's not a brand name drug, it's this *other* category called non-formulary. So I cooked it in my basement, I ask the guy? No, it's just non-formulary [which, by it's very construction, means "without a formula." I swear, insurance is so f***ed in this country] he tells me. I try to reason with him that Implanon is a trade name, it is, in fact, a brand name drug. But there's no reasoning with insurance drones. I almost cry, because I don't have $658 kicking around.

Saved again: Mom says she'll pay (she's utterly and totally paranoid that I'm going to have about 6 babies RIGHT NOW). Nevermind that I assure her I won't, she is worried. Gloria orders up the implant, and I go to the health center to be the first CU student to subject myself to this new thing. It's a little scary, and I could have problems, but I'm willing to be a guinea pig.

Well, I got the implant. And I LOVE it. Absolutely LOVE it. I don't have to take a pill every day, it's more effective than sterilization, I can have sex whenever I want, and I haven't had my period for TWO weeks. Which, unfortunately, is miraculous. With a little luck, I'll start having it only a few times a year. (My mom did say to use back up protection when I'm ovulating, just in case. And I told her it's more effective than sterilization. I told you she was paranoid.)

To ice the cake, they are giving me the implant for free, because I was willing to submit as the first person to have it done by NP Gloria and at the health center, and because my insurance is butt-headed. Three years of miraculous, fabulous, baby-free life, for free. Hence, the miracle of Implanon.

P.S. if you want to know more, here is the website for the product.

CU Law Student Passed Away

Some sad news-- A third year CU law student passed away the night before last. Here is the text of a brief article from the Daily Camera:

"Authorities are investigating the death of a third-year University of Colorado law school student who died in an apartment Monday evening.

Counselors were available at the university Tuesday for those affected by the death of Jennifer Lee Shelton, whose family lives in Parker.

Foul play is not suspected in the woman's death, said Boulder police spokeswoman Julie Brooks. Neither drugs nor alcohol are thought to have played a role in the student's death, she said.

Dayna Matthew -- the law school's associate dean for academic affairs -- said the school is doing its best to keep students informed with up-to-date information."

I didn't know her, but it's awfully tragic.

I'm having this party, if you're a friend, you're invited

"Free" Trade

Free trade zones have always been scary to me. Sure, they sound good. People think that they encourage global trade and grease the wheels of commerce. Perhaps, but there are too many negative consequences that people either overlook or are woefully unaware of. "Free" in free trade means unregulated, which means you don't know what the hell you're getting when it comes from or through a free trade zone. These zones are the antithesis to FAIR trade, which is something that I personally spend time championing and educating people about (it helps that my mom has a store stocked with lots of fair trade goodies, and that she is VERY opposed to "made in China"). Fair trade, for those of you who are unaware, means that the person/people making the goods are paid a living wage in their country of residence, and that they are treated fairly and ethically. Slave labor and child labor are huge problems in the world (this country is not excepted, by the way), and people need to be made aware (though I'm not sure I can do anything about the rampant apathy that people feel toward the children who weave their rugs - small fingers!).

Anyway, here is a New York Times article about free trade zones that raises yet another concern, related to counterfeit drugs. I know a number of people who order their drugs from Canadian pharmacies, and it's scary that the drugs they need to survive could be counterfeit, thanks to the black hole of free trade zones. It's such a shame that our country has not figured out how to serve its citizens so that we don't have to take such risks, but I know that the reason my friends use Canadian pharmacies is that they might otherwise have to choose whether or not to take their drugs at all, because they are so expensive here. I'm a relatively healthy 25-year old, I exercise, I eat well, I sleep enough, but still the drugs I take my mom pays for, because otherwise I would be making the choice- drugs or food? And she knows that, and sucks it up for me. What a country!

Puppy Mills, my kitty

Popular in the media, here is an article about the rich and famous getting their dogs, via an expensive Bel-Air retailer, from puppy mills. I hope this raises awareness, because I am surprised to know many people who know nothing about puppy mills and the deplorable conditions therein. EVERYONE should get their puppies and kitties from their local humane society, or at the very least from a local, knowledgeable, hobby breeder (who knows about inbreeding and health, but who doesn't breed 100s of puppies or kitties that then need homes. I have the world's greatest kitty, her name is Lucy, we got her when she was 6 from the Humane Society of Boulder Valley. I didn't even like cats before Lucy, and now I think she's the greatest pet ever. Also, we got an older cat, and that means we didn't have to go through all the training. That was reason enough not to get a kitten. So, that's my plug for shelter pets.

Wondering where I've been?

Probably not, but since I'm ego-centric, I'll tell you (besides, you're the one reading my page). It's exam time at the ol' law school, which means I use the internet to escape having to do productive things for considerably less time each day. Especially since my closed book Agency exam is on Friday. Here's a preview:

When is there an agency relationship?

¶ US v. General Electric Co.

² Price fixing/anti-trust claim

³ Mfg is prohibited from dictating prices at which product is sold by distributors

² GE says distributors are agents and so are selling on behalf of GE: there’s an identity of interest between the principal and the agent

² By finding that GE was selling through agents, not independent distributors, the court found that there was no price fixing/dictating going on

² In GE, the product is being sold for GE’s benefit, not distributors benefit.

³ Commission (= paid agency)

« Can’t sell for a higher price than they are paying (contrast MAI). Principal fixed the price and agent just got the commission

² Arguments against agency

³ Salesman has to pay for storage and transportation, which argues against agency

« These actions are consistent with acting on one’s own behalf

³ Distributors were selling competing products

« Agency is a fiduciary relationship, and selling competing products and taking risk runs counter to this

o Fiduciary relationship arises when one party places trust and confidence in another, and as a result the law places certain obligations on the fiduciary

§ Discharge duties with care and be loyal to the beneficiary

§ Agent is a fiduciary

o Back to GE, the agent is not loyal in selling competing products

Wasn't that fun? I thought so.

I should be shot for doing this a third time...

We can all use a little humor in the day, right?

moar funny pictures

This one reminds me of GIR, and you are awesome if you know who GIR is:

moar funny pictures


moar funny pictures

An open letter

If you ever decide that you are ready to move on and come back around, I am here and waiting. I still want you in my life, I still love you, and I can't give that up no matter how hard I try. You know how to find me.

Best,
PAL

Absinthe, part II

A while back, I posted an article about the comeback of absinthe in the United States. Here is a follow-up article about a distiller in the US who is making absinthe, and about the expected unfolding of the re-emergence of the wormwood-infused drink. Most of the absinthe I've experienced sounds like the stuff smuggled from the Czech in a mouthwash bottle referrred to in the article, and I'm looking forward to drinking absinthe that isn't colored neon green and set on fire.

Friends at Work

The New York Times has an article about having friends at work. The revelationary message is that is it a good thing, because such relationships reduce stress and foster productivity. Call me naive, but this is news? Support networks of people who understand where you're coming from help? No way. Seriously, who are we in this country? Bosses try to discourage friendships because they are viewed as bad, but that backfires because people who are stressed and depressed are actually less productive. Really?

Asperger's

As a psychology major and psychology graduate student in a past life, I retain a great fascination with all things psych-related, particularly in the field of abnormal psychology. Asperger's, and it's parent diagnosis of autism, have been making great strides in their public awareness, helped out by the media. Here is an article about a gorgeous contestant on "America's Top Model" who is an "Aspie," and I am posting it to help this awareness campaign, and also because I love reading stories like this. If you don't know much about Asperger's, the article gives some background, and also mentions a book by Augusten Burroughs brother John Robison about growing up with the disorder that I would recommend (though I must admit, it's still on order from Amazon, so I haven't read it).

Crested Butte NY Times Mention

The New York Times said the following about Crested Butte in a travel article:

"A Victorian-era oldie but goldie, Crested Butte (800-810-7669; www.skicb.com), far from the Aspen glitz in Colorado's outback southwest of Denver, is redefining itself as a family resort. The centerpiece of its $200 million renovation is the new Lodge at Mountaineer Square, a large condominium complex steps from the ski lift. The resort's moldy gothic building has been torn down and will be replaced by a 92-room luxury studio and retail complex called the Cimarron. And a former Club Med has been turned into a slopeside luxury hotel with spa."

I'm posting this only because I'm obsessed with my hometown, and love to see it mentioned! Also, the Gothic building was worse than moldy, and needed to go, so maybe those who associate such places with CB will take notice.

The Daily Coyote

The Daily Coyote is a tremendously terrific website about a woman in Wyoming raising an orphaned coyote. His name is Charlie, and he is ADORABLE, and the story is so heartwarming it will make your day, or days (since she puts up new photos every day).