Blah Humbug pt II

I just can't muster the enthusiasm today. I think it's PMS but honestly it could just be that none of the current stories interest me all that much. But here's what's running through my head today:

* I had to get my annual gyno exam today and the questionnaire had some very strange things on it. For example, there was a line with checkboxes for number of lifetime sexual partners. They choices were Husband, Less than 5, and More than 5. No "none," not that it would have been applicable to me but presumably some teenage girls who seek gynecological treatment are still virgins. And why is the line drawn at 5? It just seemed so arbitrary. You know how as you are getting older it starts to feel like being bumped from the 18-24 demographic and into the 25-34 demographic feels like a huge life shift that you were totally unprepared for? Well, similarly, choosing between the less than 5 category and more than 5 category feels a little, I don't know, like I'm being judged. And I mean let's be honest, it's only 5. That's hardly an earth-shattering number. Meanwhile, why do they need to know this, exactly? I would understand if they wanted to know about frequency of sexual activity or number of different partners since your last exam, but "lifetime partners" is a little...nosy. It was weird. Of course they also wanted to know all sorts of other nosy details like age of first sexual activity, number of pregnancies, all methods of birth control and STD control used, whether any sexual relationships were monogamous or not, etc. The whole thing left me a little shell-shocked and my sex life isn't even all that interesting compared to some.

* Apparently I'm going to a Falcons pre-season game tomorrow. I was supposed to have other plans but I get the distinct impression those are no longer happening, at least for me. I find it hard enough to muster enthusiasm for the Falcons generally even without their recent troubles, and certainly during the preseason when it doesn't even matter it seems like a non-event. But hey, it's a people watching opportunity and a good excuse to drink. What more do you need.

* I am having a bigger and bigger problem with the calls for Sen. Larry Craig to resign. I mean we've had people stay in office not only after they have been accused but after they have been convicted of much more serious crimes than disorderly conduct. Why aren't more people bothered that the only reason people want him to resign is because they are worried that the thought he might be gay will hurt his reelection chances in conservative Idaho? Nobody can come out and say it of those who have called for his resignation, but it's all right there in their screwed up faces as they use words like "disgusting," "repulsive" and "shameful" to describe...disorderly conduct that consisted of some hand and foot movements in a public restroom stall. I mean, REALLY. Have the balls to stand up and say that you want him to resign because he might be gay and don't pussyfoot around by pretending that it's because he has defiled the office of Senator with this bogus trumped-up bullshit charge. Come on.

* I can't muster any enthusiasm to care about the whole Grady fiasco. I have a friend who works there and I know that despite the horror stories, the doctors and nurses who work there are more committed than anyone to saving as many lives as possible even against what often seem to be insurmountable odds. In addition to what everyone else says about how many counties rely on Grady to serve as their only level I trauma center in the area, we have to also consider how many residents would be deprived of the opportunity to learn cutting edge trauma medicine that they will simply not get the chance to see anywhere else in Georgia. It's just frustrating but I can't wade into all the racial and political drama. I leave that for others with more stomach for it.

* This has been a particularly juicy week at Ye Olde Law Firm, and sadly I can't blog about any of it. But there are times when gossip is fun, and then there are times when it turns ugly. And when it approaches ugly, it's downright disappointing that some people don't know where the line is anymore. That's all I can say about that.

* I watched Zodiac last night and it was really very good, but not for the faint of heart. The methodical and unvarnished way in which it portrays grisly murders was definitely shocking to even me. And actually the most upsetting part of the movie is not violent at all, it is watching a woman who is in a car with the killer and he tells her that he is going to do something shockingly horrible to her baby. It was so incredibly upsetting that I actually nearly hyperventilated. It was such a strange reaction, particularly since I do not have children, but the best evidence I can think of that the movie conveyed that complete horror perfectly. Just imagining the horrible terror of that moment for that woman hit me right in the gut.

* It's so cool to see people that I know here in the Atlanta blogosphere branch out and do great things with their talents. In particular, Shelby and Grayson have been blazing trails with video this week that leave me proud to know such talented folks. I also enjoy seeing this little faction of the local blogosphere become the sort of "troupe" that I can remember comedian friends of mine in Boston having several years ago. They urged each other on, provided fodder for one another, booked each other on shows in various clubs that they were producing, and eventually pushed each other out of the Boston nest and on to New York or LA. Now many of them have gone on to fantastic development deals, cable specials, television roles, and even a book deal for one. I'm loving the spirit of collaboration that I'm seeing, even though I haven't been as much of a participant as others. It's very positive and will only lead to bigger and better things.

* Drive By Truckers return to Atlanta and the Variety Playhouse, Jason Isbell-less, on Sept. 28th. I can't decide if I want to go or not. Also don't know if I will be able to muster up a gang this time willing to come along. If you're interested and want to try talking me into it, do so in comments or by email.