Flying Rainbow People Blog

Ides of March, April, and the Twitter newness

2009-04-05T14:39:00.002-04:00

Wow, it's been too long since I have updated my blog!

What's new.... I joined Twitter and Linkedin recently. They're both great tools for social networking, and in some ways superior to Facebook.

On the health side of things, I got 15 minutes shaved off of my dialysis time, and I expect another 15 minutes to come off in April. My blood is so clean that I don't have to be there as long. Yay! On the negative side, hemodialysis still makes it really difficult to travel. But I do have an appointment in May at St. Mike's in Toronto for another transplant related appointment. This will be my first at St. Mike's since moving to Barrie from Ottawa.

Everything else is generally status-quo. Still looking for a new job, all these 6 - 7 months later. :(

iPods, the economy, and me

2009-02-05T16:46:00.003-05:00

I finally got my grubby hands on an iPod touch. I admit, I really, really wanted an iPhone, but I couldn't afford the outrageous rates that Rogers was charging for a data plan. It's like highway robbery, except for them it's legal.

But yeah, I got my iPod and I take it with me to dialysis. It's a real life saver when there's nothing to do. Sure we have TV, but unfortunately for me, there isn't always something good on, especially when I have to go in for 8 am.

I'm still waiting on St. Mike's to hurry up with my transplant workup. They're taking forever. The nurse at the dialysis unit tried to reassure me since it's a 6 - 8 year wait for a transplant, and the wait time goes back to the date I returned to dialysis. But if I wanted a living donor transplant, if it could even be remotely possible, as it stands now I couldn't even get that because St. Mike's is dragging their feet.

I'm still looking for a new job too. What really sucks is because of my dialysis schedule, it's really difficult to find something. The goods jobs are no where in or around Simcoe County, which means I have to move to Toronto. But I have to give some notice to move there. It's a classic catch 22 scenario.

At least at the end of the month I get to attend the Green Party contention. What drama that will be.

Year of the Ox

2009-01-09T01:09:00.004-05:00

Sorry I haven't posted in a few months. Post-election got to be a busy time. Not much going on now post-Christmas. I'm looking for a new job. That along with dialysis keeps me occupied for the time being. Plus Green Party stuff.

Running an Electoral District Association isn't a small task. Here in Barrie we have our AGM coming up on Wednesday. Having a new constitution proposed, along with having to give 30 days notice, and so forth takes a lot of time. It all got done, and it got done on time, thankfully.

I have no new years resolutions for 2009. I think I like it that way, for now at least.

Life, the universe, and everything

2008-10-18T10:58:00.003-04:00

I apologize to everyone for taking so long to update my blog. It has been an incredibly busy few weeks with the recent federal election. So I guess I'll start with that.

I managed a very successful campaign for local Green Party candidate Erich Jacoby-Hawkins. He got 11.1% which qualifies us for a 60% refund of our campaign expenses. As well, his actual number of votes increased significantly. The bonus for me during this campaign was that I made a few new friends, and considering how new I am to Barrie, a few new friends would be very welcome.

I finally got laid off. While normally you would expect someone in this situation to be depressed, sad, etc I am none of those things. First the campaign kept me far too busy to think about it, but even then, I am excited for the opportunities I might be able to pursue. That is if and when I get the energy to keep up. I must admit the campaign had me quite tired by the end. Good thing real jobs aren't like that most of the time!!

Elizabeth May & the debates

2008-09-10T13:26:00.003-04:00

I just posted on the Barrie Greens website, an editorial by former Prime Minister Joe Clark that calls for Elizabeth May's inclusion in the televised leader's debates.

From my point of view Stephen Harper, Jack Layton, and Gilles Duceppe are all having a big hissey fit. It's like they are 2 years old, and are crying because they don't want to share.

My message to them is this... GROW UP!!

Canada has its first Green MP!!

2008-08-30T17:47:00.002-04:00

Greens woo independent MP; May now in leaders' debates?
Full story.

MP Blair Wilson joins the Green party as federal electon looms
August 30, 2008

Bruce Campion-Smith
Ottawa Bureau Chief

OTTAWA – Green Party Leader Elizabeth May has wooed Independent MP Blair Wilson to her party, making him the first-ever Green politician in the Commons and dramatically boosting May’s chances of a spot in the televised leaders’ debates in a possible fall election.

A beaming May called it an historic day as she pinned a Green Party button on the lapel of Wilson’s suit jacket at an Ottawa news conference this morning.

“This is the first time anyone with the House of Commons Parliamentary seal is also wearing a Green Party button, but not the last,” May said as she announced the stunning news.

Wilson, the MP for West Vancouver—Sunshine Coast—Sea to Sky Country, resigned from the Liberal Party under a cloud almost a year ago after questions were raised about his personal finances. He has sat as an independent MP since the fall of 2007.

While a spot in the debates isn’t guaranteed, May said the broadcast media consortium that sets the ground rules for the French and English debates has no choice but to ensure she is included now that the party has an MP.

“We believe that under all the criteria that have been put forward . . . that we now have made thoroughly the case that I must be included,” May said.

CTV news coverage

Reading is wonderful

2008-08-25T01:33:00.003-04:00

So I've just finished reading Tanya Huff's Blood Books and her Smoke series. I have to say, the books were amazing. She manages to pack a lot of info into them. The smoke series I was really impressed. Book 2 titled Smoke and Mirrors was truly a horror book, true to the genre.

I still like that the books are in Canada. I think that's fantastic.

My only complaint would be that there's no epilogue, or finishing chapter where it's sorta explain what happens after -- like the consequences of actions, and so forth. It sort of drops off after the creature-of-the-book is dealt with.

I highly recommend these books.

Blooooooood

2008-08-19T18:10:00.004-04:00

So I have taken up the hobby of reading again. Two of my three evenings at dialysis (which is slow as usual,) I find nothing good on TV. I recently started watching Blood Ties on the Space channel. The series is based on the Victoria Nelson (or Blood Books) series by Tanya Huff.

In one word, the series is simply -- FANTASTIC!!!

The books have ex-cop, now P.I. Vicki Nelson teamed up with vampire Henry Fitzroy, the bastard son of King Henry VIII. The books and TV series are both set in Toronto. So we get a quality vampire story, with Canadian setting.

The books keep you entertained for hours.

The old, the new, and the white dress.

2008-07-15T12:17:00.004-04:00

So I'm settling into Barrie, and it's unique way of life. Barrie seems to be a fairly Conservative town, with many Church-going folks. They have some well attended churches here in Barrie.

Dialysis is as dialysis was. No real change there. The nurses are generally nice, but they were nice in Ottawa too.

I got drafted to be the new CEO of the Barrie Federal Green Party Association. It means more fun, unpaid volunteering. :-)

I do miss Ottawa though, and living on my own. I'm still not planning to live here very long. Of course I plan that, plans always change.

I completely re-designed my website. Gave it a brighter look. I hope everyone will like it. Even the blog has a new template, to go with the brightened up feel. I feel more cheery already.

Stop the insanity!!

2008-06-26T18:50:00.002-04:00

So anytime someone suggests that you read your own medical records... back away slowly, and notify the nearest confectionery shop that your acquaintance has not had nearly enough sugar in their system.

Reading your own medical records can have side effects such as confusion, itchiness, long periods of "hmmmmm", chin stroking, and so forth.

I asked the Liaison Nurse here at the hospital cor copies of everything that was sent to the new dialysis unit in Barrie. The main reason for this is because things can get lost in transit, but after yesterday, trust easily comes into play as well. Of course I then proceeded to read each and every document submitted. Yeah.... it was eye-opening. Nothing "wrong" or "bad" in the documents, just eye-opening. Now if only it came with a side of french fries and a nice, cold, delicious milkshake.

Yeah, it was interesting to read, and now I'm done. I think I'll leave it that way now... with another almost 3 hours still on dialysis.

Joy.

It's a matter of trust

2008-06-25T10:17:00.004-04:00

So as I've mentioned to everyone and their dog in person, I'm preparing to move to Barrie on the weekend. It'll be a nice change of pace. Barrie is a small quaint town, where everything is no more than a 20 minute drive. This is a nice comparison to Ottawa where everything can be a lengthy drive, depending where you have to go.

So as part of my move, I of course, have to make new hemodialysis arrangements. There is a little dialysis unit of 12 chairs in Barrie. Quite nice. Currently in Ottawa, I have dialysis on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday evenings. In Barrie I will have dialysis on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday evenings. Tidies up nicely in a neat little package, doesn't it? The issue is, that the Barrie dialysis unit, for some strange reason, wasn't going to start me until next Wednesday... yes, a week from today, despite the fact I'm moving on Sunday. That would have meant a huge leap without dialysis, which could be fatal.

I got a phone call half an hour ago, that told me the Resource Nurse in Barrie is on holidays until Friday, and we won't know what the dialysis arrangements are until then, because apparently she didn't have the foresight to tell anyone else in the unit. Yes, this is the immediate Friday before I move. It's happened before where I have gotten to Barrie, and I've had to call them once in Barrie, to find out what my visiting dialysis arrangements were.

They've had 2 months notice that I'd be moving there. This does not build confidence or trust in their dialysis unit with me. Let's hope my trust in them, seeing as I have no choice, isn't fatal.

Things I recommend

2008-05-26T22:06:00.003-04:00

So people sometimes as me for recommendations for things, so I figure I would list some of those here...

So it's no secret, that for webhosting, I use draknet. I've used them for years, they are super-reliable, and one of the bests hosts I've ever used.

For books and movies I generally use either amazon.ca or Futureshop. Both are generally high-quality retailers.

It may surprise a few people, but for telephone service I recommend Primus, but I don't recommend them for their DSL service. For that I recommend the National Capital Freenet. For cell phone service, I use Virgin Mobile. I like that they don't have any hidden fees.

Oh, and if you need a good Massage Therapist, go and see Matt at the Merivale Chiropractic Clinic.

In other news, dialysis is going ok I suppose. My Saturday's seem to be booked now through the end of June. I'm hoping the tiredness will go away. It comes and goes, but it means naps sometimes because I just get too tired. I really hope things change for the better son. I don't like being tired.

the newness of the day

2008-05-22T18:28:00.004-04:00

So I've decided to do an entirely new design for my website. I'm slowly working on it, I hope for it to be up to coincide with my move to Barrie. Oh yeah, I'm moving to Barrie. It'll be better to be closer to family for those times when I really don't feel well, and so forth. I'm starting to really look forward to it.

As a consequence of moving, I'm starting to put some time aside to see people. I may only get to talk via e-mail or phone after I move, so I hope that by seeing them in person, it'll help create some lasting memories. :-)

Dialysis is as dialysis does. No real news on this or the transplant front. But it looks like the dialysis unit in Barrie will have room for me. I've signed all the relevant consents.

Next week is International Tai Chi Awareness Day. There's a banquet at the Museum of Civilization, a parade, demo's on Parliament Hill, and so forth. This is the first time it's being held in Ottawa. Normally it's held in Toronto. The Ottawa branch of the Taoist Tai Chi Society is celebrating its 30th Anniversary.

Coming in June is the Annual General Meeting of the Green Party of Ontario. It'll be an interesting weekend to say the least.

High School Never Ends

2008-05-09T12:23:00.002-04:00

4 Years you think for sure
That's all you've got to endure
All the Total Dicks
All the Stuck-up Chicks
So superficial, so immature

Then When you graduate,
Ya take a look around and you say "Hey Wait!"
This is the same as where I just came from,
I thought it was over, Aw that's just great.

The Whole Damned World is just as obsessed
With who‘s the best dressed and who's having sex
Who‘s got the money. Who gets the Honeys,
Who‘s kinda cute and who‘s just a mess

And you still don't have the right look
And you don't have the right friends
Nothing changes but the faces, the names, and the trends

-High School Never Ends, Bowling For Soup

So lately I have been catching up. Either by e-mail with various people, or via Facebook I've been hearing about people I knew around 10 years ago when I was in High School. I had to laugh, because this morning, this song popped into my head, reminding me perhaps High School had never ended, LOL!!

Being involved in politics this song rings pretty true. It's amazing how things don't change. People still gossip. Still care about their cars. We have all these boring entertainment TV shows that I never watch. It's really all just very silly.

Ah well, back to listening to MP3's.

Employee fired over free Timbit getting job back

2008-05-08T11:47:00.002-04:00

This story about a Timmie's employee who was fired for giving a free timbit to a toddler upset me so much, that it's now here on my blog.

COME ON Tim Hortons!!! Get a life! Perhaps I'll have to start buying my donuts at the Gorcery Store, or Country Style. Yeesh.

The Day in May went striaght to Fay

2008-05-04T23:01:00.003-04:00

Helllllllllllo everybody!!

I come to you live from my living room. It's small, quaint, and cozy. So what is happening in the life of the Peter?

I've been suffering migraines since the end of December, which I'm almost certain that I've mentioned. Then I got a bad cold for 3 - 4 weeks, followed by a severe outbreak of extremely bad acne, that to many looked like a rash, some sort of reaction. The acne is slowly starting to get better. The dermatologist has me on Doxycycline. I see him again in a few weeks.

I'm still off work on short term disability, which I suppose is my saving grace. For those who don't read or watch the national news, the company I work for (they will remain nameless) is laying off the entire site here in Ottawa. It's likely I'll be laid off after I'm off of my short term disability.

But I'm still dealing with high blood pressure, and other assorted health issues. So I've decided to move to Barrie. At least for the immediate future. My parents are there, and my sister is in Toronto, with other family close by. It was the hardest decision I've ever had to make, but I think the move will help me recuperate, and having family around when the need is there, is something that I require right now.

I signed some of the paperwork required to transfer my dialysis to their centre on Thursday. I must say, the nurses there seem really nice. I hope I can stay on evenings.

I really hope my blood pressure comes down. With how extremely high it has been, it's not good for me.

Otherwise things are pretty quiet. I need to find some low impact activity that I can do, to get out and not feel so bored.

Picking at my zits

2008-03-30T08:54:00.004-04:00

My acne seems to have really flared up lately. The nurses think I might be having an allergic reaction to a new medication. I'm going to have to talk with the Doctor about it on Tuesday. Some of them are pretty big, almost the size of a nickel. I've started washing my face 3 times a day in hopes that might help reduce some of them.

Dialysis I suppose is going ok. I'm not too sure what expectations I should have for it besides wanting to actually be on by my designated time. Last night wasn't the greatest though. They spent 20 minutes trying to get air out of the circuit.

I still continue to be frustrated by The Ottawa Hospital's lack of emergency preparedness. About 3 weeks ago we had that big snow storm, and despite the advice to stay off the roads, I still had to go in for dialysis. They don't have a back up plan.

This week promises to be better, and more positive. :-)

time for a post

2008-03-05T01:29:00.002-05:00

Once again, due to public demand, I present an updated blog post.

In Tai Chi today we did the entire set. It was cool, actually despite the fact I have yet to learn the 2 snakes, but I faked it pretty well I think. It was fun. Very... wonderful. Hard to put into words.

Dialysis is. I'm tired all the time, with headaches. No results yet. Evening dialysis is going better, I like the doctor's so far, but yeah. Still tired. Still headachy.

Working hard to improve my health

2008-02-02T10:52:00.000-05:00

So besides Tai Chi, I am trying to actively improve my health.

I have booked a MedsCheck review. On Monday I'm going to go over every last medication with my pharmacist. I've also decided to give massage therapy a try. I hope it may improve these darned headaches.

We'll see how this goes. I'm hoping that these two things that I can actively do myself may help my overall health.

the month that was

2008-02-01T18:42:00.000-05:00

So we're a month into 2008 now. What's been going on with me?

Well I started Tai Chi this past January, and have been at it for 3 - 4 weeks now. It's been going really well. Our instructor, Francine, describes it as meditation in movement. I was just reflecting on how it's one of the few places where you don't think about the outside world while there.

I'm going back on short term disability at work. I've been having migraine-like headaches since the end of December, and the doctor hasn't started investigating it yet. They're interfering not only with work, but every day life.

On the dialysis front I have moved to the evenings. I didn't like one of the doctor's covering the afternoon. My only options were to switch times or dialysis centres. I hope these headaches go away soon.

The way of Tai Chi

2008-01-08T12:36:00.000-05:00

Today I had my first Tai Chi class. It was a lot of fun. Low impact exercise. I felt good after it, and not sore. A little warm in my back, it was nice. We learned some of the first movements.

Most of the folks there were older than I, but it was quite enjoyable.

Happy New Year!

2008-01-02T17:33:00.000-05:00

Happy New Year!

A few weeks ago, The Voice Magazine (a student newspaper at Athabasca University) ran a really good profile on me. I was excited to see it in print.

Dialysis is going. I crashed at the end of my treatment on Saturday. I felt it for 2 days after. It's not fun. Crashing means your blood pressure drops and a few other things I don't quite understand. I remained conscious. I'm also dealing with almost daily mild migraines, probably related to a medication I'm taking.

My holiday was good otherwise. Relaxing, nice to get away from the general stress.

Have a great day.

the Christmas update

2007-12-24T01:08:00.000-05:00

The Christmas Update, brought to you by me, motivated by my friend Ann who wanted an update.

So it's December 24th already. I write this wonderful blog post from the beautiful city of Barrie, Ontario where I am visiting my parents for the holidays.

So what is new with me? I read my friend Diane's wonderful holiday e-newsletter. It gives you that warm, connected feeling inside... ok, not really. But it's good to know what she is up to.

Work has been, as my sister would put it, workalicious. I'm still working 3 days a week, although for about 2 - 3 weeks at the end of Nov - Dec I wasn't feeling so great. I was suffering from fevers and chills. No idea what the source of them was.

The job hunt also continues. I'm working with the March of Dimes and the Ontario Disability Support Program to try to find a new job, but that process is still very slow. I'm considering finding a new agency or Employment Specialist, as the speed of this isn't to my liking.

I'm going to try to start taking Tai Chi in the new year. I'm hoping it will bring me some energy, instead of always being tired, and perhaps some improved health.

The dialysis people here in Barrie are really nice, but no news on that front. I was considering a move to be closer to my family, but we'll have to see where that goes in the new year.

I have no resolutions for the new year. I have this wicked headache today. I hope it goes away.

Be well.

End of year health update

2007-11-26T15:36:00.000-05:00

Hi everyone,

So not a lot has happened with my health in the last 6 months. From the looks of things, a living donor transplant will not be happening anytime soon. I've been told of all the nice, loving people that called Haesung, none are a match. So for the immediate future, I will remain on dialysis. For those who have been asking, it is a 4 year wait in Ottawa for a cadaver transplant for my blood type. It's a 10 year wait in the GTA. The Ontario Gift of Life Network uses regional lists.

For a bit of good news, in the US a principal is donating a kidney to a student. Full story.

In even better news, the Green Party of Ontario pulled off their best election ever, and beat out the NDP in 18 ridings. However, that has meant a significant debt to the party. If you were thinking of getting me something for the holidays, I ask that you become a member or donate to the GPO. That would really make me smile. (This is directed at my Canadian friends.) Membership website

I returned to work at the beginning of October part time. I am working 3 times a week, alternating with Dialysis. I am working with the Ontario Disability Supports Program - Employment Supports as well to find a new job that better meets my needs. If you can think of a good employer and/or position either in Ottawa, Barrie or the GTA, please don't hesitate to let me know.

Thank you for being so supportive,

Peter

the Nightmare

2007-10-28T09:31:00.000-04:00

I had an absolutely horrible nightmare last night. I almost never get nightmares, but this one was a Nightmare, with a capital N.

In it I had finished my dialysis, but for some reason or another, I had been forgotten about. When I finally did see a nurse, they simply refused to take me off. I think on Tuesday I'm going to ask them to show me how to take myself off should the need ever arise.

A few days ago I got a call from Judy, the liaison nurse at the dialysis unit. No one is being worked up for a living donor transplant. According to Haesung, the living donor coordinator, no one was compatible.

So if I want a transplant, it's a 4 year wait. :-(