Bubbles in my IV

A Korean friend mentioned to me that there is a viral sickness going around this country that is worse than normal. The Korean newscasters have been talking about it for a few weeks. He only mentioned this because I have the bug. The Korean Krudd.
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The Krudd got bad enough that I finally went to the clinic. While there, I listed my symptoms on a sick call slip. It was a long list, but at the end I added receding hairline. When the nurse was going over my symptoms, there was no laugh. No chuckle. She looked at me in all seriousness and inquired about my hairline. I had to explain it was a joke, so the humor was lost.
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On to my "Brush with Death". I lay on the hospital bed with an IV in me. The Private First Class that was attending me and managing the IV set the drip at a fairly slow rate. I watched it drain slowly into my arm, referencing the clock on the wall quite often. I had a date with Gina. I was going to watch the kids, while she flew solo at the theater. Urgency overcame protocol, and I set the drip to a faster rate. Not much faster, though. Near the end of the first bag of Saline, the doctor came in and increased drip rate a little more. The bag emptied, and I stopped the fluid from draining as I watched the last of it course through the drip part of the tube, and into the long tube to my arm. When the PFC came to replace my IV, she didn't seem to care about the air in the IV line. This somewhat allayed my fears spawned by Hollywood. I have never researched the validity of someone dying from air bubbles injected into the bloodstream. I did, however, see it in a movie. I think.
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She replaced the IV and walked away, paying no great attention to the air in the line. I wouldn't be concerned by small amounts of air in the line, but I saw a section as long as the No. 2 pencils I used in grade school. The pocket of air coursed slowly toward my arm, and I watched the PFC walk out of the room. I figured that if there was truth to the matter, I was in a pretty good place to have any problems. I had a mental projection of my body- not a High Def 3D display, but something like the guy in the Operation game. I tried to think of what organ might let the air out of my system, or which organ would fail. This is all I had time to think as I watched the air enter my arm, and I wondered if I had made a mistake.
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Beat
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Beat
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My heart was still good, and I had no odd pains. Then I thought, what about my brain? I didn't have time for any great concern to build, though. I could hear the squeeking, popping sound of air bubbles passing through a tight space behind my right ear. Yes, my right and not my left. After the bubbles stopped making sound, I tried to see if my brain had been harmed. What was I going to do? Well, I felt the same. I feel just a sick as I did, but no worse in the brain. Of course I haven't tried my hand a higher math or philosophy, so I may yet be impaired.
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I researched the issue of air in the blood vessels, well after the fact. Small amounts are OK. Large amounts (someone said 5 cc) can cause an embolism. The replies to questions on the subject are many and varied, though. So, I don't even know if that little research I did was accurate. I do know two things... I had about 8 inches of air in my IV and introduced into my blood stream. I also heard squeeking sounds shortly thereafter.
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Having lived through my near Hollywood death, I sped up the IV drip once again. This time, I opened the valve all the way. I wasn't sure what a full bore IV drip would do to me... but there is nothing like a good experiment, eh?

Scottich Sponge Bread

Recently, I started a search for a specific recipe. It is a good, but uncommon recipe for bread called "Scottish Sponge Bread". My wife made it many times before I left Hawaii, and she forgot the recipe when she came to Korea three months later.
I suggested that she look online. Her reply was like a light switch turning on in my brain. She said, "Alpha said that I couldn't find it online." First, some background. I love Alpha. She is my wife's brother's wife. She is an only child raised liberally in California. Her upbringing was drastically different than that of mine, and of Gina. We don't always see eye to eye on little things like religion and politics. Hmm. I don't think there is much religiously or politically we agree on. This is ok, though. Family is family, and I try to accept others as they are. However, I did feel challenged when she mentioned that I could not do something. Very challenged.
I spent a little time on Google, and even used another search engine, in an exhaustive search using as many key word combinations as I could. I found a few websites all referencing a book, "Laurel's Kitchen Bread Book." No website had the actual recipe, but when I posted on someone's blog, she replied and happily gave it to me. Thank you, Maria.
Maria sent me the recipe, and I had my victory. What could be better than a personal victory to a challenge? Achieving that victory prior to my wife speaking with her brother again. To add a final touch, I also purchased the book online.

Completion of a sort

I haven't blogged in a while for a few reasons. They all stem from my lazy gene, so I won't list them.

Tonight I finished my RL progression. I am now able to fly with Pilots-in-Command (PCs) in my unit that are not Instructor Pilots (IPs). I have truly enjoyed the regular flying that progression provides. I have honed many of my skills, and identified many of the areas that need work. So, work is going well. I do have a worry, though. I was told that my name was mentioned in reference to the upcoming PC board. I do aspire to become a PC, and I want it quite badly, but... I don't feel ready for it right now. I want to study a bit more first. I realize that I am far more experienced and capable than many of the other PIs (Pilots- just pilots). This realization has come from flying in a position that I was able to observe them from. The nervousness, lack of knowledge, and difficulty controlling the helicopter are evident. I didn't see my experience, because everyone in Hawaii had progressed to the same or a higher level of experience together. Interesting... but enough pilot talk.

I have a friend, whom I will call Justin, who introduced me to hypnosis and the idea of using it in my life somehow. We have talked about hypnosis a few times. Yesterday, he came over to my house and brought some digital audio of hypnosis inductions. I now have them on this computer. I have d0ne little with them, due mainly to lack of time. When Justin was here, however, he suggested we watch a part of one of the files that had video explaining some concepts. In the video, the hypnotist slowly inducts two women into a hypnotic state. As she spoke, I became more focused on her, and I attributed this focus to my interest in what she was doing. Justin said something about not listneining too intently, and as I turned to look at him, I felt myself coming out of a slight trance-like state. His timing was impeccable. I still have much research to do on the subject, but am quite interested.

Forced Football

Today I watched my company football team play a game.  They wore orange jerseys and reminded me of the Cincinnati Bengals.  Our company had just returned from the field, and a quirk of regulations did not allow us to go home but would allow us to all attend the game.  We won.  I spent most of my time standing on the bleachers and either heckling the other team, or rating the cartoon shows most of us had seen as kids.  

The weather was cool.  I liked it.  I had to flex my abdominal, chest and arm muscles to keep my body from shivering.  The cool air was refreshing.  The football atmosphere was fun, and brought back many memories.  

Earlier today I saw several news stories from the BBC, CNN, and FOX about our american presidential candidates.  I wish a candidate represented all that I feel is important or needs to be accomplished.  My aunt Irene once wrote down her political ideals, and had no problem promoting them.  I think I need to do the same thing.  I believe doing so will help me understand myself a bit better, and make clear to my loved ones what is important to me politically. 

Lastly, I am watching Manchester United win against Blackburn.  Nice.  The crowds at British football (soccer) games are amazing.  Always loud.  Even in the rain.  Man Untd is one of three teams I like: Manchester United, Chelsea, and Arsenal.  

Squandering Time at Humphreys

I have been at Humphreys for a few days, and have done relatively little.  I have was introduced to most of the unit on Friday, and the last I saw them was after final formation.  I could have gone to a going away party for one of the crew chiefs, but I am extremely low on cash.  Earlier I could have gone to a football game for my unit, I feel not going was a mistake.  I ended up watching a movie: The Mummy, Curse of uh... Some Guy.  

I didn't sleep well, and the alarm in the hotel room next to mine went off at 0400.  I called the front desk at about 0450.  Then, my watch alarm went off.  Then...  Yeah, long morning.  I watched football, then went to a movie in the evening.  My highlight was calling Gina.  I love hearing her voice.  And the worse it gets here, the sweeter she sounds.

Today is another day of little activity.  I did go shopping yesterday.  I got a couple loaves of bread, some sandwich stuff, some canned meals, and tuna fish.  I have enough to eat well for the remainder of the month.  I also had to keep in mind that I am living in a hotel room.  I can't yet make a stew or chili that will feed me for a week.  I am limited, but still eating well.  All on $27 for 10 days.

At least today I sought out the internet (the hotels wifi hasn't been working).  Couldn't get in touch with Gina though.  

Plane flight to Korea

I won't say much, because I don't want to remember much from this day.  I boarded a plane early on Monday, and got off the second one on Tuesday night.  I read most of a book: A Year of Living Biblically.  I crashed when I got here in Korea.  

Sunday, busy Sunday

Busy.  Today was a day filled with visits and driving.  First, my mom's house, then Grandma and Grandpa H, then Cheston's, and finally visiting with Jason.  Notable things happened at each stop.  I'll just highlight a few.  

Mom's house is actually Buster's house.  When Daniel found out where we were going, he clarified by saying, "We're going to Buster's house?"  He was so funny with that dog.  He'd sit down next to it, and say, "You're such a good boy!  You are a good dog.  Good boy!"  He reminds me of Rebecca with Izzy-Barbara (our last dog.)

We went to Gma and Gpa H's, where Grandpa graciously gave my kids a tour of the garden.  I have always loved his garden.  He patiently answered questions, and even helped Rhianna and Rebecca pick ripe zucchini, and each of the kids got to pick some rhubarb.  They loved it.  We also spent quite a long time posing for photos.  I prefer candid photos with everyone in them, but Grandma knew what she wanted, and we all adjusted.  She knows a few things... like backlighting is bad, and how to get an angry 4 year old to smile.  I thought the whole posing adventure was fun, though Daniel didn't like it when I pulled his hair.  (Sometimes my 4 year old self gets control of the reigns.)

I loved seeing Cheston.  He's the only friend I have remained in contact with for the last few years.  Our kids all split up and played along gender lines.  Eventually, the boys started to attack and tease the girls.  I think that's unavoidable.  

At Jason's we pulled up to see my brother straddling Jayden on the front lawn.  He didn't want to go home and had lost control of himself, so Jason restrained him.  After a few words, I picked him up and started running with him.  He'd try to stop every so often, but I would position his body so that he would fall if he stopped and we'd keep running.  He didn't like it.  In fact, I wouldn't like it either.  After about 300 feet, he stopped and I was able to talk to him.  He have me a big hug, arms and legs, and we walked back to Jason's like that.  I talked to him about helicopters to calm him down.  Near the end, I said, "I have to run in the army, so if you need to run some more, I will run with you."  I then returned to the helicopters and promised to send a book.  I will be looking for one this weekend.  He held that body hug the whole way back.  He was very apologetic, and wanted everyone to know that was very sorry.  

In my opinion, when that kid finds whatever it is he likes to do, sports, science, construction... he'll excel at it.

Lastly I stayed up till 0100 packing and loading the New Testament read by Johnny Cash into my iTunes.