Lucky

KyTop, thanks for sharing these events. They are very sad to hear. What I gather is that the pain docs cut him off, yet he was by then addicted. That is something the pain docs need to explain, I can't. They will argue that with chronic pain, and by that I assume they mean pain that will last a lifetime, then addiction is not a problem because there will be a constant source for the drugs. But therein lies the rub. Who wants to be on a drug they are addicted to, and have to have? I think it is the pain itself that makes the decision for you. If you can live with it, fine, do so. If you can't, then you have to make the choice for the drugs and then hope for the best. I wish your daughter a happy resolution, if one can be found.

I couldn't resist saying "it hurts" on a thread about pain.

Buster is finding that fame is not always fun: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2011/02/21/SPVM1HR089.DTL (BTW- I selected the "stay logged in for two weeks" option, but that doesn't mean I am here. )

Well said, TY. I tend to side with the pain docs, but then you read about this 39 year old dying. But I don't have enough facts on him...maybe it was intentional, maybe other drugs were in the mix. But if it was just because of prescribed dosages, then I worry!

I plan to read that book, so don't lose it. Must be chock full of exciting adventures.

Only 11 views? That hurts!

I took this picture of lookin in San Francisco. At least he told me he was lookin:

As cities, states, and the federal government face deepening deficits, the temptation to cut services for the poor seems to be gaining traction. In talking about spending cuts, a former US president can be remembered this President's Day for his words on the topic: "This does not mean sacrificing essential services, nor do we need to destroy the system of benefits which flow to the poor, the elderly, the sick and the handicapped." Ronald Reagan, a then candidate for the office.

Get enough tattoos and you can be a coverboy:

Okay, TY, I am curious on this one. Did you not originally post the article itself? Or is my memory as bad as I think it is? If you did post it, what caused this change?

Cooper,laughter is the best medicine, or so they say. I, for one, never tire of a good ventriloquist, especially one with a different approach. So, thanks for the laughs!

With the death last week of the 39 year old producer of the Narnia Chronicles from a reported Oxycontin overdose, those who advocate against pain doctors have been given more ammunition. Doctors specializing in chronic pain have become controversial for their willingness to prescribe larger doses of pain medicine than family doctors are usually comfortable with, thus leaving the patient in a dilemma. Listen to the family doc and suffer the pain, or take the risk that the pain doc might give you too much medicine. Family docs argue the risk of addiction, dependency, and overdose. Pain docs claim that with a constant flow of drugs, there will be no withdrawal issues so addiction or dependence is not a problem. Why have people suffer needlessly? We've seen an advance in the use of morphine for terminal patients, something family doctors resisted until recent years. What the ultimate answer is, I don't know. Right now I lean towards the pain docs, but I am not a 39 year old film producer... UPDATE: In an odd coincidence, shortly after I posted this I noticed an article on the topic in today's San Francisco Chronicle's website, sfgate.com. Still in my edit period, so read on: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2011/02/19/MNVL1HLHKN.DTL&tsp=1

I saw him perform in an off-Broadway show where he played a homophobic nephew sent to live with his gay uncle. A very talented actor.

Aces, how were you able to get such good shots back then?

One of the more known Idol contestants, Chris Medina, who cares for his critically injured girlfriend, is reportedly off the show in next Thursday's finals: http://www.nypost.com/p/entertainment/tv/caring_kid_off_idol_iUkefCFfUadA7iGUe9TWEN

Dang that Death of A Salesman is a downer. This production has been called more severe than others, and it sure is. But in the beginning of the play we were told that Willy is 60, which seems too young for him to be losing his faculties, and the actor playing him saw 60 some time ago. Later we are told that he is 63. Anyone know why the discrepancy? The show was very well-acted and worth the drive. On the way back, I saw the freeway sign "Other Desert Cities" which happens to be the name of a sold-out play at Lincoln Center! That was probably as close to seeing the play I will get.

Grady Sizemore is recovering from knee surgery and is on schedule to be able to play this season. Here's a report from spring training: Grady on His Knee

Brown has told local prosecutors that he does not wish an investigation to be opened into his allegations of sexual abuse. The charges are of activity 40 years old, and Brown states that he did not write about them "to settle any scores." Prosecutors accepted his decision.

The recent rains have one upside: the mountains are snow-covered even at the lower elevations. But today I drive to San Diego to see Death of A Salesman. A long way to go for theater. We just closed a production of The Producers at the local theater, which was reported to be the best production ever at the theater. Now the local high school kids are putting on Phantom of the Opera. Hopefully they found a group of non-drug users for the cast. (The paper today has stories on drugs in the local high schools following a big raid at Palm Desert High). It's been my experience that there is a lot of talent in high schools, especially singers. Just look at all of the teens on this season of American Idol. So, I hope they can pull it off. It's only been 6 months since the production was allowed to high schools, so Palm Springs must have jumped right on it. For the price, I think I might give it a go: The Palm Springs High School Performing Arts Program will be among the first high school groups to perform Andrew Lloyd Webber's “The Phantom of the Opera.” The musical was first offered to high schools in September 2010 by R&H Theatricals, which licenses the show. The performance will be held March 4-5 and 11-12 at 7 p.m. and on March 6 at 2 p.m. in the high school auditorium, 2401 East Baristo Road. Tickets cost $8, $10 or $20. The program is also looking for sponsors to help underwrite the production, which includes a cast and crew of more than 80 and a full orchestra from the school music department. Information: (760) 778-0419 (Press release taken from mydesert.com)

Gnews? Are you a person or a news service? Welcome to the boards- we need to be well-informed.

Count me as one of the guys who think baseball cannot come soon enough. I plan to subscribe (again) to MLB's Extra innings, which gives me 80 games a week. True enough that I mostly watch Yankee games, but it does give me the ability to switch channels when a a particularly hot player is on. Hopefully Grady Sizemore will be back this season.

Did you find that 2BR apartment you were interested in?

My favorite Warbler is the one on the left. Close, Marc?

Good work, Oliver. Historically we held the Weekend on President's Day Weekend, which is now. But we are having cold, rainy weather. Even if the rain stops as expected on Sunday, the high temp will only be 61 degrees, with a low of 41. I'm not going out in the pool this weekend!