Congrats on the creation of your new club. Sounds like it was quite a task to create WISE, which strikes me as odd. My experience has always been that chartering a new club is generally pretty easy. Most campuses want to encourage the creation of student clubs (so long as they are politically correct). Of course, this is Whitworth. I’m wondering…did you have to submit a one page Summary of your religious beliefs along with your Charter to the Student gov? I just love the One Page Summary.

I’m also curious about the acronym WISE: Women in Society Everywhere. Now, don’t get me wrong. I like the WISE acronym. It’s catchy. It’s simple, for we/us (Nina…which is it? Is it, WE men, or US men) men. And, best of all, who wouldn’t want to be associated with the WISE club. But, I’m wondering how this club received its name. Any details?

Frankly, I could see myself attempting to infiltrate the weekly/monthly meetings of the WISE club. Ben, I hope you will attempt to leverage whatever power you have to ensure that men have access to club meetings. I can’t imagine there being very many clubs that would peak my interest more than one whose charter has provisions to exclude men from their activities. I can also see this club presenting a really great forum for debate…which probably doesn’t happen much in say, the Chess club. So, again, another reason for scholarly men everywhere to come and join WISE. Hmmmm, perhaps I can seek an honorary membership.

Ok, onward. So, I really don’t have much original thought for tonight. I’m happy to report that my new MAC is back online, for those who were concerned. I’ve survived my first couple of weeks at work, and I’m already eagerly looking forward to the Thanksgiving break. In the midst of the craziness, Lisa has been a truly amazing force in my life as of late. This has created some major internal issues, requiring the likes of Dr. Ruth or perhaps Dr. Phil. I’ve been so used to existing on my own terms that factoring in someone else has jarred my harmonic geophysical equilibrium, which I think is a very good thing. More on my equilibrium later, however.

Speaking of equilibrium, where is TI? Come forth TI? I beckon you, commeth!

km

Ok. My recent experience with the medical profession did not go well. First of all, I was recommended by a friend of a friend to a certain group, which will remain nameless, and I trusted that recommendation. The first time I called, they told me to call back the next week because their computers were down and they had no way of knowing who was coming in. Fine, I called the next week. The computers were still down and I bluffed my way in, saying it was urgent. They warned me I would have to wait a bit and I was fine with that. I went in, talked with the doctor, and basically scheduled a medical ultrasound for the next week. I went in and did the ultrasound and scheduled another appointment with the same doctor to have the pictures explained to me.

Now, this next part takes place only two days ago, and I am still livid regarding my treatment. The second appointment was scheduled at 15:20, and I arrived at 15:10. 16:10 rolled around and I still waited. During this first hour, I was asked to possibly reschedule my appointment because my chart was misplaced. They also said that their computers were down and I needed to start a new chart. I told them that I was a brand new patient as of last week and my file couldn’t be far away. The nurse came back to ask me where I got the ultrasound done, and I supplied the answer, getting slightly irritated at this negligence. Based on my feelings about their competency, I decided not to go back to them ever again after that day, and asked for my file, when they found it, to be sent to me, including the pictures of the ultrasound. I had to sign a release form so I could authorize the records to be sent to myself, which I chuckled at the entire time I was filling it out. As well, they said they didn’t have actual copies of my ultrasound, so I would have to call the company that took the pictures and contract a copy from them directly.

Finally, I got called in and I walked to the doctor’s office. The nurse stopped me and asked for a urine sample. Now, the first time I went in, two days ago, I gave them one, so I felt that this was rather redundant. As well, the procedure was to start in one cup and end in another, not always an easy thing to do. I refused and steamrolled the nurse with some rude comments about unnecessary time wasted already and I just wanted to see my pictures. She successfully got me into an examination room, though, and proceeded to ask me questions in an equally rude tone. I realized my mistake of taking my frustration out on her and apologized, but she would have none of it. I waited for the doctor to come in, and when he did, he wanted to examine me again. I balked, since he had the pictures, and finally relented. After the examination, he proceeded to read me the radiologists report and then tell me the names of several surgeons and walked me out to inner reception. He told the nurse that I needed a copy of the ultrasound and would she make a call. He left and she called the company. By this time it was 16:50 on Thursday and she was told that no one could help me because everyone had gone home. I made it even more complex by asking for a digital copy rather than the traditional x-ray. See, the doctor couldn’t show me a copy of the actual ultrasound because he looked at it off a proprietary program and never held the x-ray in person. This was fine, since I figured it was already in digital form and it could be sent to me electronically. Alas, the company, Inland Imaging , said they couldn’t sent me a copy. I said I would call back on Friday and speak to someone in charge.

The next day, Friday, I called and talked with Jacqleen at the corporate office. I explained my request and she replied that she would find out and call me back. One hour later, while I was in class, she left a message that basically stated they didn’t have the capability to give me a digital copy of the ultrasound, that service was only for doctors, not patients!

Ok. So, they can digitally copy an x-ray for an MD, but not for me? What the hell is that about? Have we forgotten that these pictures are OF me, and that I own the copyright since I am the original material? Besides the legal implications, what about the moron who said, “we don’t have the capability” and told Jacqleen to call me back with that information? Of course they have the technology, the radiologist I talked with on the phone said the digital process was done in-house. As well, all the new technology they have bought touts digital reproduction rather than the traditional x-ray film .

Today is Saturday, for 25 minutes, and I will be calling back on Monday to speak to someone who can give me what I want, a digital copy of a picture of my body that is already available to any MD with a computer and an internet connection.

Well, after much work throughout the semester, I’m happy to announce that W.I.S.E. (Women in Society Everywhere) is now an official club of Whitworth College that has been chartered as of last night.

You might also be amused to know that all the questions asked in regard to club meetings and goals centered around men.

Yes, the student government was concerned about how the club would be advertising to men and how we would make them feel more comfortable. WE ARE A FEMINIST CLUB. But yes, we gave them a bullshit answer and did not point out to them that in our constitution (which they passed), we have made provisions to exclude men from whatever we want.

So we’re a little devious.. so what?

Poor Ben had to sit and watch me rip into a young man in class the other day because Jon said that people that walk into offices don’t want to see “butch” secretaries sitting behind the desk to greet them. This young man is a mutual friend of Ben’s and mine and so I just asked him, “Why not?” in a stern tone of voice and watched him stutter.

Ben got a few looks from other students, but his pride shown through bright as the sun…

Upon further reflection I believe that the scallops I ate were bad. Now, I certainly believe that I was doing humanity a service by destroying these wicked scallops, I just didn’t count on the consequences. So, thank me humanity, and be careful with your seafood.

Ok. I got scallops from the local health store several days ago. Last night, I felt the need to cook them and took them out of the package. Now, they were half frozen when I bought them and consequently were a little soupy. The reader should be perking her eyebrows up at this point since scallops shouldn’t be swimming in their own juices for any extended amount of time, as I learned after the fact. I threw them in a pan and browned them. They were ok, but not the great treat I remembered. When Katie came over, she remarked at the smell and backed away from me since I was the source, or so she thought. Unfortunately, in the process of cooking them, I tainted EVERYTHING in my apartment with a fish smell. I’m talking EVERYTHING, and I mean EVERYTHING, including the clothes I was wearing and the walls and EVERY PIECE OF FUCKING CLOTHING I OWN!

I spent a significant amount of time today in wiping down walls and choosing which articles of clothing to air out and which to wash again. Katie helped me determine the lack of smell in the apartment because she’s a wonderful and my nose has a permanent fish smell embedded in it, like some annoying reporter in Iraq. See, it works because reporters smell.

Check the Personal Pictures section for the corresponding picts.

-Ben

Readers be warned, as I write this entry, I do so after 2 days of excruciatingly long licensing exams and other mishaps. Well, only one mishap really, but I’m sure the friendly readers of this blog will allow me to overstate my woes for the time being. I’m also drinking wine, by the “box.” This is what I’ve been reduced to this evening. The story goes like this…

Finally, after months of dutiful studying, the CPA exam commenced this past week. I would like to briefly describe the scene at the Pomona Fairplex, where the exam is held in 3 buildings, each the size of a football field. When you enter your assigned compound [building], the only thing you’re allowed to bring into the building is your ID and an entrance coupon. If you need tissue because you have a cold and your nose is running, too bad. Women, no purses or bags of any kind. I wasn’t sure if I was being ushered into an exam room or a concentraion camp. Who knows, maybe the Patriot Act II includes a little known extra section calling for the extermination of pesky CPAs who dare question how we can cut taxes and fund a full fledged guerilla war in Iraq. Anyway, I was relieved when they shut the doors and the giant industrial AC system sput out O2 as opposed to CO2.

So, aside from the fact that on day 2 the exam was interrupted by the sounds of paramedics arriving to handle a girl who apparently passed out in another building, all went relatively well. I should have passed 2 parts just fine, and the third part is up in the air. What does that mean for you all…just that next year at some point I’m going to bore you all again with my experience on the ALL NEW computerized CPA exam. The fun continues…

Now, here’s where the story gets real sad. So, 3 weeks ago, I receive my brand new, sexy, Powerbook G4. Call it a present to myself for all my hard work. After coveting Ralph’s 17in powerbook, I finally took the dive. And what a DIVE it has been. After 3 weeks, I figure out that Mac has the equivalent of the dreaded Windows BLUE screen of DEATH. Only, like all things Mac, the name is much sexier for this dreaded operating system failure–it’s called a KERNEL PANIC. And oh did my powerbook panic..reboot after reboot. So, what did I do…i called ben. What else.

Ben [benny?], came to my initial rescue with a response akin only to the blistering speed reactions of those sexy LA Baywatch Lifeguards. Of course, when he recommended a complete erase and install after I had spent days ripping my mp3′s to the notebook, I was not excited to perform the lobotomy on my machine…at least not after talking to Apple Tech Support. Naturally, as Ben predicted, the Apple tech’s recommended the same solution (the apple tech’s were pleasant, i should report). So, a complete re-install I performed. And…what happens upon reboot after re-install? Yes…yes…my friends, more Unix nervous breakdowns. So, today, another (more frustrating) call to tech support. John, my tech support guru, recognized my agitation and used a successful technique to calm me down. After it was clear I was ready to strap a lb or two of C4 to my chest and pay a visit to Steve Jobs, John told me, “Kristian, I want you to know that you are the best listener I’ve had all day.” And boom…just like that, I couldn’t assault John anymore with my quick tongue. I wonder if that technique is taught in “Tech Support 101…calming a pissed off, hot blooded Italian user.”

Conclusion? After an array of tests, John tells me. “Kristian, I think it’s a hardware problem.” So, next week, my notebook returns to it’s womb for much needed repairs. I pray it comes back after a steady regimen of Prozac. Lord knows I’m nervous enough with all the stuff doing down these days, I don’t need my notebook to panic for me.

Despite this tragic event during such a trying week, the presence of new pictures on the Benny website brought a smile to my face tonight. I should hope Ben will make available the “censored” pictures on the underground webpage shortly. As if that wasn’t exciting enough, I checked the BLOG and there were new entries by other than the dynamic three-some. Now, I can’t say I’m going to be reading Title IX anytime soon. I’ve read enough Title”s” studying for the law portion of the exam, however, I do love the fact that Katie has introduced some fodder for conversation besides our ususal updates and periodic bitchings. I have a feeling TI is going to be sounding off on this topic shortly. As for me, I recently archived my copy of the Norton’s Anthology of Literature by Women, to the attic. I decided to keep my copy of Woolf’s, “A Room of one’s Own,” on the bookshelf, if only to remind me of the pain that was my Women’s Lit class at PCC.

goodnight.

EU

Nothing really to say, just knew that Benny would be on my case before long if I didn’t say anything.

I do want to tell everybody to do research on Title IX, especially you, Nina. I think you’ll find it very interesting. Just keep in mind that Bush quietly tried to get rid of it in the last couple of years and Hilary Clinton (and many others) kept it going. Yet another reason to like Hilary and hate George. Say it with me “like Hilary, hate George”..

This might just be my latest cause.

Anyway, one article I read had a woman stating that high school and college sports (specifically football) allow men to rise in the professional world as judges, etc. while it only subjects women to something that might cause them injury and tempt them to take hormone changing stimulants. The woman who wrote the article is Phyllis Schlafly and the article is called “Bush Administration Caves into the Feminists on Title IX”… you can find a copy of the article at: http://www.eagleforum.org/column/2003/july03/03-07-23.shtml

I don’t think that this woman likes women very much.. hope the article makes you angry too.. happy reading.

So Ben,
this is my first BLOG!
The pics are great.

Refering back to our conversation on the phone about your suspision whether or not we are always living life based on faith. If the chair analogy dosn’t convice, what about a plane flight?

tibert

There are new pictures posted of my trip with Katie to Portland. Enjoy.