Real Life Scarecrow: What Comes Next...

     When I left you last I was searching for a new Neurosurgeon. And as it happened, in my hometown of Panama City, Florida...neurosurgery was becoming a big business. There was the twins and at least 2 other NSG's at my local hospital alone. People came from states away to see them and I had them in my backyard. So I chose Dr. DeSilva. He would save my life a few times after some VP shunt complications that became a regular occurrence as I approached my 30's. 

     Before I move on with my new Neurosurgeon saga(which I may save for a Part 3 because this is a pretty long, rough story) let's cut to my first real hospital experience with a suction tube or whatever they call it. The stomach pump. If it has a fancy medical name, put it in the comments. I can't remember the exact date, but there was one terrible day that ended with me having this tube shoved down my nose. From what I remember, I was recovering from a previous revision...and eating like normal, finally. But unbeknown to me, my body wasn't digesting anything. It was just building up in my stomach. And one day, me and my dad were at home together, and I spent the whole day in and out of the bathroom, puking. So, I did what I always did. I texted my ICU/ER nurse squad that I'd become friends with over the years and asked their opinions in a group text. "Get your butt to the hospital" was the basic consensus. Me, my dad, and my butt went to the ER. 

    Let me stress: A suction tube is the worst experience you can have as an awake human being in a hospital setting, especially when it's done improperly. Over the years, I got stuck with nurses who were "learning" when I was having my worst days. If you've spent any time in the hospital, you know what I'm talking about. You want the best of the best and for whatever they have to do to be painless and smooth as possible. Because you are already either in pain or throwing up things you ate in middle school. 

     So, Nurse Awful At Her Job, comes in with all the equipment and lube needed to cram this tube down my nose. My dad is sitting in the corner chair when she comes in. Spoiler Alert: When it's actually happening, he bolts out of the room like he's on fire! So, Nurse Awful tries to comfort me beforehand by giving me a pep talk. "I'm going to go as fast as I can. You'll want to throw up and fight it. Don't." I was fully pepped. She lubes up the tube and starts shoving. Now the quick process she spoke of went out the window. Every few seconds, she would put a little section in my nose, then STOP...and pet my head and say, "Relax." After about a minute of this, I violently start gagging, then puking. She's still going slow and petting me. I remember wanting to wrap the tube around her neck and pet her head while she blacks out. But I don't. I just keep puking while she takes at least 15 minutes to finish. It was by far the worst thing I'd ever experienced. I don't recommend putting it on your bucket list. 

      So, once that's over and my dad feels safe coming back in the room, they admit me into the Neuro ICU. Now, when I say the tube was done improperly, I mean that it was not sitting in the right spot in my stomach, so I was constantly in discomfort. After hours of threatening to rip it out myself, my new NSG, Desilva comes in and tells my favorite nurse to pull it out. We laugh to this day about it, because I was yelling at her to take it out or I'd punch her and she's telling me it's only coming out if I'm nice. So after some negotiations and a fake smile on my part, she takes it out. 

     From that day on I vowed to never let anyone shove one of those in me again. One horrific experience was enough for me. And DeSilva being the one to authorize its removal, endeared him to me for a time. But there would come a day where he too would become my enemy. 

    Find out why in PART 3 of my neverending tale of shunted madness!

Real Life Scarecrow Pt. 1: The Early Years

     I turned 34 at the end of 2018. But that was never a certainty. I mean, it's not really a certainty for anyone. But I have always had an expiration date that I didn't exactly stick to. I am the expired milk of humans. Limping along, just hoping to make it to breakfast. Breakfast has sausage and egg muffins.
      What am I even talking about? Right...so I'm disabled. If you saw me, you'd say, "What's wrong with you?" Because unless we see it, we don't believe it. Well, let me take you back. ***Dates and times aren't exact because I have a horrible memory and many situations blend together. So bear with me!*** 
      I was born in 1984. Premature. And according to my mother, "a real quiet baby." A dream right? Well, to some yes. But that was a sign of a much larger issue that wouldn't be addressed for many years. About 8 or 9 years later, actually. Remember the dates issue? This is where it starts. And my first major surgery to fix a very unusual, unique problem.
     But first, bloody noses. That was the first real sign as a child something was wrong. I would wake up in a pool of my own blood, soaking my pillow. White pillow cases stained dark red. And horrible headaches that lasted for hours. "On a scale of 1 to 10...10 being the worst. What would you rate your pain?" Well as my favorite comedian would say, "Four stars!" I always pick 8. If you're an ER nurse...it's always an 8 because I can't bring myself to say higher. I want to. But I won't. Just give me the drugs and lets not play this game lady!
    So, the bloody noses led us all over the southern part of the country. We saw every pediatrician and psychiatrist...or psychologist. Which one tries to convince an 8-year-old they are inventing headaches and life-endangering nosebleeds...THAT ONE. Or the one that told my mother we were just looking to "score drugs." THAT ONE.
     You caught me Doc. I'm the 8-year-old White Boy Rick. Slinging pain pills all over the playground to kids that want to perfect their hopscotch game, but need that competitive edge. That's what you took years of extra schooling for? I either imagined it or I am a drug seeker? Take all the money! You earned it. 
     So after a good while of that, my local pediatrician, suggested I see a twin brother Neurosurgeon team in Panama City, Florida...the Stringers. Two of the most amazing human beings to ever put on a white lab coat...Spoiler Alert...they kept me from dying. They see that I'm not faking my symptoms, scan my head and discover I have Hydrocephalus. While I was being investigated for drugs and imaginary friends, I was slowly building up spinal fluid in my head. That's a huge "uh oh" in the brain world. Your brain needs room to do its thing. And it can't breath when its got all this extra pressure from fluid that just won't leave. So once they knew what the problem was, they knew how to fix it. Drill into my head and put in a shunt. In simple terms, a shunt is a tube that drains fluid from the head into your stomach or an extra space in the body cavity that can take it and get rid of it naturally.
     I got to chill in a hospital room and play Super Nintendo during my recovery. And I got some sweet baseball cards. My prized possession was a Don Mattingly. And while my body and head healed up, I was homeschooled, sort of. I went to my Middle School for some classes that year and some I did from home. I believe it was my 6th-grade year. Then shortly after, I started having some discomfort with the shunt and the tubing in my stomach. Little known fact: If you shove a tube into someone who has a brain issue that stunts their growth, relieving the problem and not putting enough tubing in the stomach is a "no-no". Now, it wasn't NBA level heights I was reaching here, but it was more inches than they anticipated. I topped out at a whopping 5'3. So surgery to add tubing was done and I was perfect. I don't remember any real need for surgery anymore after that. Maybe a corrective eye surgery for double vision, that wouldn't take because the fluid buildup behind my eyes would tear the work they did. So I just learned to live with it.
    As I reached my 20s, the catheter tip in my stomach decided it wanted to play. So it started causing problems. And thus began a love-hate relationship with surgery that lasts to this day. They would cut me open, I'd be fine for a while. Then the tubing would freak out and clog up, like a frat house toilet. Too much?
    Anyways. My stomach and abs...I miss my abs...started to reject the tubing. And the scar tissue buildup was so extensive and solid, they were doing surgeries just to remove scar tissue. And cutting into me to remove scar tissue, creates SCAR TISSUE. So it was an uphill battle. But now we were in the 2000s. Recovery time was reduced. Hospitals are discharging you the next day or even the day of surgery. Either to keep you from getting sick or reducing costs they pay that your insurance won't cover. And even the surgery is becoming less invasive. Ah....the advancement of medicine. But now I'm in my late 20's and I've just had a huge yelling match with one of the twins. Remember the Neurosurgeons? Not sure which twin. But I'm yelling that they would just rather I die than have to cut me open. He's yelling about stats and complications. It's a real Lifetime movie moment in there. It erupts into a parting of the ways. Now, I have to do something I've never done: Find my own Neurosurgeon as an adult.
     Just an FYI...the whole Scarecrow thing is...because he wanted a brain. I wanted a brain that worked. Now you know. 
     Part 2 COMING SOON!

Microtransactions Aren't Evil

     With the release of the online beta for Red Dead Redemption 2, the topic of micro-transactions popped up again. Why? Because gamers don't understand that companies want to make as much money as they can. And they don't understand another simple solution to the micro-transaction "problem": Just don't buy the extra content. PROBLEM SOLVED!

     No one forced you to buy the game. And no one's forcing you to buy in-game content. You can simply play the game and just suffer without the extra content, you feel you "need" in order to play the game. There is the solo game that doesn't require any additional money, AT ALL! Rockstar Games isn't out to get ya. You just need to learn self-control. Or just don't buy the game at all if you feel the temptation is just too strong.

    The micro-transaction trend with games and apps is unearthing an underlying problem that people aren't even addressing. Personal responsibility. YOU are the only person to blame if you buy in-game content outside of the initial game purchase. YOU and only YOU. You can choose to not buy it. It really is that simple. If this stings, then maybe you should do some personal reflection. Because I'm not wrong. There is no "Micro-transactions Are Your Fault...Change My Mind" booth setup. These are the facts. So just let the information sink in.

Audible recommendation #1: The NYPD RED series (#1-4)

     So, let me say I could recommend a couple hundred audio books that would have you just staring off into space in wonder for hours. This series is just fun and fast paced with a great narrator who keeps your attention. I have yet to listen to book 4, as it might be very new. But the other 3 were good in their own ways. Zach Jordan, Detective Zach Jordan is partnered up with his old, but still in love with her, love interest, Kylie MacDonald. Through each case they navigate their strained relationship while being shot at, put in the middle of political games, and hunt down sadistic killers! 

     NYPD RED is for someone who wants to listen to a great book but when its over, life goes on. My mind numbing recommendations come later.

    The Ambien is kicking in. Enjoy your new found book series, YOU'RE WELCOME!" :)

      Gotta Go...Chaz OUT!

Season 2 The Flash finale!

     Okay, let me start by saying ***Spoiler Alert*** Don't read this if you watch The Flash and haven't seen the finale! Seriously, go watch it then come back.

     ***Waits a few hours*** We good? Okay, so the finale! If you've seen the cartoon movie "Flashpoint Paradox", you know the consequences of Barry going back and saving his mother, and in turn completely erasing the last two seasons is no good. But is it all bad? To me, in my opinion, no. Obviously, the characters can't be used, like Batman, Superman, Wonderwoman, etc. But the general idea behind the consequences of his actions could totally fuel an entire season. We spent an entire season watching Barry and his crew chase the reverse Flash for an entire half season, then chase Zoom, which was basically the same idea done twice. So dont tell me this completely new idea can't work haters! 

     That being said, what will the third season bring. Some Flash/Arrow alternate timeline. Oliver's(Arrow) dad lives, while Oliver dies, so his father becomes a version of Arrow, for a limited time of course, so as not to upset the balance of that show on its own. *I reached out to Stephen Amell aka Arrow/Oliver Queen, but haven't heard back. If I do, I will have a follow up blog/interview to go with this. 

     There are so many characters in the CW's arsenal that could help catapult season 3 forward to match up somewhat with Flashpoint Paradox's plotline. And the season will obviously end with Barry realizing he has to let his mother die so everything can return to normal and make the 1st two seasons relevant again. No harm, no foul. Air date for season 3 TBD. So bear with me. When I know, you'll know.

     And just as a side note, my blog may start leaning toward tv shows, movies I watched, Audible books Ive listened to and recommend. I may crank out a few tonight since I dont work tomorrow. But let me know what you think. What should my next blog be about, even if its not entertainment based.

     Well, Gotta go....Chaz OUT!

I Hate Everything...Mostly! Vol.1

     Happy Friday all! For my second blog/rant of the new year, Im pretty much just going to be all over the place in this one! For people that know me, you know Im loud and obnoxious in everyday conversation. And I dont just step over the line of personal opinion, I double dutch that fool and leave a boot print on its face. So, now that Ive painted a pretty good mental picture of who I am as a person, lets do this.

     Internet Trolls! Hi, its everyone else. We hate you. Now, Ive done my bit of internet bashing of celebrities and topics that people take way too seriously just to stir the pot. But a real troll just jumps into a subject with their stupid opinion that is way off in left field but just want people to know they are there if anyone needs to know how they feel about Obama or #BlackLivesMatter. I get it. But when I jab at something, its just that, a playful jab to annoy the people taking a Nancy Grace video seriously. "What about the babies?!" Then I see a troll just stroll in and start picking apart my Facebook page, which is super creepy. That is a troll standard. "I don't have an opinion based on anything solid, let me talk about how the dude is wearing a suit in his photo. I'm super clever. Where'd you get that suit...the suit store?" Yeah, actually I did. And its tailored. I win.
     Look, trolls. You can have opinions. But please do some research so when we debate a topic, its not just you putting up Hillary Clinton meme's or that picture of MJ eating popcorn, "Im just here for the comments." CONTRIBUTE SOMETHING! Or just stay silent, drink your Juicy Juice and ask your mom where your blanky is so you can go night night. Back to your bridge with you!

     Public breastfeeding! I could go on all day about how much this bothers me. More than it should really. But its just one of those things that gets under my skin and lives there til I die. But here are my reasons I find it annoying. Its 20 something moms who have no sense of decency. Don't say, "How else am I supposed to feed my baby?" or "Breasts are a natural thing...blah blah blah." Its 2016! Nudity has been, ironically, super sexualized. So an exposed breast in an Olive Garden is going to make some folks uncomfortable. I was a baby once. NEVER BREASTFED and I survived. I understand that some, SOME, babies will only take nourishment that way and some dont. But they invented bottles for a reason. "What? Am I supposed to prepare a bottle everytime I want to go out in public just because it makes you uncomfortable?" Um, yeah. You had a kid, not me. I dont want to see that. Im no prude, but I do like my meal or social event without a weird fetish happening in my eye line. Or do the cover thing. And I know mothers are looking at this yelling at the screen. "You want me to take my baby...a tiny person...into a bathroom, like a homeless person and feed them in there?" Its a bathroom. Im not saying dunk the kid's head in the toilet and mop the floor with him/her. But being in the bathroom, if you dont want to cover up, is just being courteous to everyone around you. Because, you had the baby, not all of us. We dont want to be apart of your feeding ritual. Thank you and bottles are available in stores now!

     Men today! Fellas, look at yourself right now. If you have lotion on your hands and skinny jeans are on you or in a drawer, pay attention. Hi, I'm your new life coach. Stop doing chick stuff. Man up! Most of my clothes have oil, grease, dirt, grass, etc. stains on them. Because at the drop of a hat, I can be out at a nice gathering, all fancy and boom! Something breaks, say a pipe in a friends house or a car starts making a noise. I'm not afraid to get dirty. And I also know how to fix things. If I hand you a wrench or a hammer, I expect any man in the room to be able to assist me in my on the spot project. I don't know what a millenial is, but I want to throw blunt objects at one and see what happens. *Millenials will be a future topic of discussion!* But guys, don't let me down. Cast off ye skinny jeans and strap on a toolbelt! Its time to get to work!

     Okay, I think I've stirred the pot enough with this one. Talk amongst y'selves! Chaz OUT!

***And I will be going back and editing my blogs to include pics and little funny blurbs/quotes to add to the quality of my blogs, but for now its just the facts ma'am!***

   
   

My take on "Making A Murderer"

Let me start by saying, I have no evidence to support anything Im saying, nor am I a lawyer or anyone of any importance in this case. But I have an opinion and I will share it with you. Fact: Steven Avery was falsely imprisoned for a sexual assault committed by another man, who was later convicted of that crime, setting Avery free. And for a time Avery lived a normal life with his then girlfriend Jodi Stachowski. The documentary is edited in a way that makes Avery out to be an angel, so that when he is later arrested for suspicion of murder, you and me as the viewer are left like, "Whaaaaaaat? No Way! Nuh Uh!" But the documentary leaves out alot of details about his past and little instances that make the possibility that he could committ murder a little bit more believable. The documentary was made and sent out through Netflix, so the only feed back you can get is from armchair lawyers and detectives.

 Oh, and if you haven't watched it yet...SPOILERS...SERIOUSLY SPOILERS!!! But a little background on me. Im a great person to watch whodunit mysteries with or a Dateline mystery with, because I can usually peg the killer and the reason after the first couple commercial roll through. This case, purely from the documentary, left me saying, "He's innocent. The police set him up."

 But after seeing some later interviews and the interview tonight with the same gf I've already mentioned may shed some more light on his professed "innocence" or guilt. There are many early stories of Averys behavior with people and small animals that would sway a jury to believe he has the capability to commit a murder. Then you look at the crime scene and there are things that dont make sense and may never make sense. Like the police saying he's a mastermind of murder, although leaving evidence scattered all over the junkyard would suggest otherwise. And also where the initial attack occured in the bedroom. Blood should have been everywhere. On the walls, the carpet, soaked in the sheets and mattress. And if it was cleaned up there would be evidence to suggest that someone had in fact cleaned the area to cover up that blood had ever been there.

Then there is a Sheriffs Dept. hell bent on putting Avery behind bars because of the big money lawsuit he's got against them that he eventually settles to afford a lawyer. And the magic key that isnt in the Avery trailer one day, but it is when the Sheriffs Dept goes in the next time. Or the odd conversation over the missing photographers car and license plate. Almost as if the officer is standing, looking at the license plate when he's talking to the dispatcher.

There is so much wrong with this case and we will never know. But one thing that is certain, Avery is involved, whether he killed her himself or helped dispose of her body. And law enforcement muddied the waters of the case by planting evidence to ensure Avery got convicted. I believe that is grounds for a mistrial of some sort. But if Avery is a monster and murdered that woman in cold blood, do the ends justify the means? Food for thought. Have a good night all. Chaz OUT!!!