Angst on a Shoestring

Where Am I?

2008-07-14T10:38:00.002-04:00

Folks, your guess is as good as mine! I've been under the weather and just not feeling pithy. Pissy, yes, not pithy though. I will return.

Apparently, Proper Grammar Was Optional for the Title...

2007-12-11T11:01:00.001-05:00

What Be Your Nerd Type? Your Result: Literature Nerd Does sitting by a nice cozy fire, with a cup of hot tea/chocolate, and a book you can read for hours even when your eyes grow red and dry and you look sort of scary sitting there with your insomniac appearance? Then you fit this category perfectly! You love the power of the written word and it's eloquence; and you may like to read/write poetry or novels. You contribute to the smart people of today's society, however you can probably be overly-critical of works. It's okay. I understand.
Drama Nerd
Social Nerd
Artistic Nerd
Anime Nerd
Gamer/Computer Nerd
Science/Math Nerd
Musician
What Be Your Nerd Type? Quizzes for MySpace

Where I've Been..

2007-11-30T10:07:00.001-05:00

Well Gentle Blog Readers, I've been a bad blogger.
I've not posted for a long time. My forever companion, MS (multiple sclerosis) took me on a terrifying journey into the world of
Optic Neuritis.

From the National MS Society:

Optic neuritis is inflammation or demyelination of the optic nerve—the nerve that transmits light and visual images from the retina to the brain. Because the nerve is located behind ("retro") the globe of the eye, the condition is also known as retrobulbar neuritis.

It has been estimated that about 55% of people with MS will have at least one episode of optic neuritis. Frequently, it is the first symptom of MS.

Acute Blurring or Loss of Vision, Usually in One Eye
Optic neuritis is generally experienced as an acute blurring, graying, or loss of vision, most often in only one eye. It is rare that both eyes are affected at the same time. There may or may not be pain in the affected eye. Loss of vision usually reaches its maximum extent within a few days, and generally improves within 4 to 12 weeks without treatment.

Recent studies suggest that a short course of methylprednisolone administered intravenously, sometimes followed by a tapered course of oral steroids may be useful in helping to reverse the inflammation and restore vision more quickly. There is, however, no definitive evidence that treatment with steroids produces a more complete recovery than that which would have happened without treatment.

It is Possible to Have Optic Neuritis Without Affecting Vision
A person may have a subclinical episode of optic neuritis. That is, there may be inflammation and/or demyelination of the optic nerve that occurs without affecting visual function so that the person is not aware of any changes. In these subclinical cases, visual evoked potential (VEP) testing is still able to demonstrate evidence of lesions—or damaged areas—along the optic pathways. It is for this reason that VEPs are often used as part of the diagnostic workup; a positive finding can provide evidence of a second demyelinating event even in the absence of visual symptoms.

Not Everyone Who Experiences Optic Neuritis Develops MS
Not everyone who has an episode of optic neuritis goes on to develop MS. Long-term follow-up from the Optic Neuritis Treatment Trial, which involved 388 people with a single episode of optic neuritis, yielded the following:

The ten-year risk of developing clinically definite MS following a single episode of optic neuritis was 38% for the entire study group; the twelve-year risk was 40%. Most of those who developed MS did so within the first five years after the initial episode of optic neuritis.
The strongest predictor of MS in the study group was the presence of brain lesions on MRI at the time of the episode of optic neuritis. Within the study group, patients with at least one brain lesion on MRI at the time of the optic neuritis episode had a 56% risk of developing MS within 10 years, while those with no brain lesions had only a 22% risk of developing MS within 10 years.
While other disease processes can cause optic neuritis, MS is the most likely cause in a young, otherwise healthy individual.

We Meet Iron Chef Morimoto!

2007-10-17T15:58:00.000-04:00

And we look like deers in headlights.

The boy and I were going to our car after dinner. And I looked over at the Library's back entrance, and I spied Morimoto catching a smoke after his lecture. I grabbed the boy and we said hello and generally acted like fanboy/fangirl. He was very cordial and asked if we wanted a picture.

To All My People, babe...

2007-09-13T09:13:00.000-04:00

Michael Palin at the FLP!

2007-09-10T15:42:00.000-04:00

It's only taken over 30 plus years, but I finally got to "meet" Michael Palin! I was lucky enough to get a front row seat as a friend of mine got there as soon as work let out. We weren't allowed to take pictures so this was the best sneak pic I could get.

Actually in a picture! With Michael Palin!! I was so nervous, it was all a blur. But we touched pinkies.

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Which Python Character Are You?

2007-09-10T12:46:00.000-04:00

You are a cardinal!
You love to try & get others into trouble, even if you have to make up lies...NO ONE expects the Spanish Inquisition!

Take this quiz!

"Bling'in" Awards

2007-07-23T16:37:00.000-04:00

I was asked to bling out some awards for the "Bling My Booktruck" contest. My years of being exposed to the Mummers and String Bands paid off!

The KnightBus Arrives!

2007-06-14T12:56:00.000-04:00

The Knightbus rolled into Philly on Wednesday, June 13th to drum up the 7th and final Harry Potter book.

And of course the Boy was properly attired.

With a Name like Snot...

2007-06-08T09:56:00.000-04:00

I can't imagine why she would be so vicious!
This was posted in our mailroom.

Quick post

2007-06-05T16:05:00.000-04:00

Finally got the cable for my little Fuji Finepix. So now I can post our pics from New York.
This is a detail of the iron work around the Dakota.

2007-05-16T13:27:00.001-04:00

Gina Friel --

[noun]:

A person with a sixth sense for detecting the presence of goblins

'How will you be defined in the dictionary?' at QuizGalaxy.com

Where Have I Been?

2007-05-16T11:12:00.000-04:00

Gentle Readers of Angst,
I've been in the midst of an MS (multiple sclerosis) exacerbation.

The diagnostic hallmark of MS is the relapse or exacerbation, which is defined as; ‘the unprovoked and unanticipated occurrence of a new symptom, or recurrence of an old symptom, lasting for a period of greater than 24 hours’.

The time and course of a relapse or exacerbation is one of the few relatively consistent and predictable aspects of the disease. Typically, a relapse will develop over a matter of days, remain constant for three to four weeks, and then slowly resolve over a period of about a month.

My new symptom was the dah dah dahhhhh - The Girdle!

Girdle Sensation (MS Hug) - A sensation of feeling a tight band (like wearing an overly tight girdle or corset) around your trunk that is experienced by some MSers, who have a lesion (old or new) on the Spinal Cord. If it prevents you from taking in a full breath, it is best to treat with a course of IV MethylPrednisolone.

- This Hug is usually the first indication of a new exacerbation, when the inflammation is primarilly centered around the Spinal Cord. Alternately, the MS Hug can also be brought on by an increase in temperature (body core or ambient); if you have a pre-existing Spinal lesion.

Sounds like fun, huh? So I'm on a course of steroids and slowly the discomfort is easing.

I am The Ego, Goo goo g' joob

2007-04-26T16:07:00.000-04:00

You Are the Ego

You take a balanced approach to your life.
You definitely aren't afraid to act out on your desires - even crazy ones.
But you usually think first. Morals drive you as much as hedonism does.
You've been able to live a life of pleasure... without living a life of excess.

Are You Id, Ego, or Superego?

Whew..

2007-04-26T16:00:00.000-04:00

You Are 20% Abnormal

You are at low risk for being a psychopath. It is unlikely that you have no soul.

You are at low risk for having a borderline personality. It is unlikely that you are a chaotic mess.

You are at low risk for having a narcissistic personality. It is unlikely that you are in love with your own reflection.

You are at medium risk for having a social phobia. It is somewhat likely that you feel most comfortable in your mom's basement.

You are at low risk for obsessive compulsive disorder. It is unlikely that you are addicted to hand sanitizer.

How Abnormal Are You?

Again..I shoulda made book on this

2007-04-26T15:44:00.001-04:00

Who Should Paint You: Gustav Klimt

Sensual and gorgeous, you would inspire an enchanting portrait..
With just enough classic appeal to be hung in any museum!

What Artist Should Paint Your Portrait?

Medieval helpdesk with English subtitles

2007-04-26T09:47:00.000-04:00

The more things change the more they stay the same.

The countdown for Harry begins!

2007-04-20T11:27:00.000-04:00

Go and preorder your copy of "Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows."

Save NetRadio..

2007-04-18T09:42:00.000-04:00

From the site:"The SaveNetRadio coalition is made up of artists, labels, listeners, and webcasters. Please contact us if you are interested in sponsoring an event, making a donation, or would like to become a leader in the fight to save Internet radio. The recent ruling by the Copyright Royalty Board to increase webcasters' royalty rates between 300 and 1200 percent over the next 5 years jeopardizes the industry and threatens to homogenize Internet radio."

Get a Clue - Redux!

2007-04-17T11:02:00.000-04:00

How Rare is Your Personality?

2007-04-17T10:58:00.000-04:00

Your Personality is Very Rare (INFP)

Your personality type is dreamy, romantic, elegant, and expressive.

Only about 5% of all people have your personality, including 6% of all women and 4% of all men
You are Introverted, Intuitive, Feeling, and Perceiving.

How Rare Is Your Personality?

I Spy - Illustration Friday

2007-03-23T15:50:00.000-04:00

A Hard Day's Night...OF THE LIVING DEAD!

2007-03-22T11:37:00.000-04:00

Can the lads save us all from being zombie chow? Will the Fab Four triumph over evil? Who will do their hair???

I'm not the least bit surprised...

2007-03-20T15:57:00.000-04:00

Which Velvet Goldmine Character Are You?

You are Jerry Devine.
Take this quiz!

Quizilla | Join | Make A Quiz | More Quizzes | Grab Code

The Doctor is in...

2007-02-27T14:51:00.000-05:00

Finally! The IconFactory® delights us again with the best Doctor Who icons I've seen. From the site: "With the third series about to start in the United Kingdom, Gedeon thought now was the perfect time to launch an all new set of Aqua Doctor Who icons for your desktop." And bonus coolness, a Cyberman desktop, in wide screen and regular.

You can get plenty of great Doctor stuff at the Beeb's site: Doctor at the Beeb.