So pretty much every hospital in the land has some sort of payment required for parking. This of course drives patients to try to get out of paying - parking along roadways and in drop off zones. Which in turn gives the hospital cause to prevent such actions.
RVH in Barrie has such a drop off circle at the front of the hospital. People will generally use it in the intended manner, but sometimes people will park and run in for a quick appointment. The radiation centre is right out front and there isn't even an allowance made for patients receiving radiation treatments.
Over the last 2 weeks there has been a parking attendant walking around, writing out warnings that are placed on the offending vehicles' windshields, writing down plate numbers and inquiring if there is a driver in the vehicle how long they will be. Even the drivers for the Canadian Cancer Society who have their volunteer papers in the window are inquired after.
So today as I was coming out from radiation I see a couple of people off-loading equipment from a Rogers TV truck parked in front of my drivers car. I saw the parking attendant speaking with them so as they were walking away I asked her if they were seriously going to be allowed to park there. She said that they had the permission of the "owner" of the hospital. I know, but I knew what she meant so I didn't go there. I told her that I would have to get the name of the owner so that I could park for free too.
From what I understand it is both a safety concern - keeping the area as uncongested as possible, maintaining a safe flow of traffic, and a monetary thing, not having people parking free when they could be paying for it. And really, I get it. A hospital is just another business; even though it is colder & more callous than a health care institute should be, it is what it is. Which really made me mad - people like me who are coming to the hospital everyday and paying for the privilege of care and Rogers just waltzes in and gets preferential treatment when (considering how much I pay for all of the Rogers services that I have) I know that they can afford the maximum of $15 to park.
I Facebooked it on my way home and as soon as I got home I called the hospital.
705-728-9090
Janice Skot - President/CEO
Wendy Sallow - her assistant
Joanie - answered her phone
James Sweeney - Patient Representative
Jane Caulkin - Manager of Communications
In trying to speak with Janice I spoke with Joanie who put me through to James. I left a message on his machine explaining what had happened and my deep irritation at this flagrant insult. Jane called me back within an hour, explaining that while Rogers was there to interview Janice, she certainly had not given them permission to park in the drop off zone and that The Media were very well aware of hospital policy, namely that they are to park in the Visitor Parking with the rest of the paying public. Jane said that a colleague was speaking with Rogers about the incident, reminding them of the policy and that they would also speak with the parking attendants to ensure that they understand & enforce the policy and that bandying about an executive members' name does not entitle them to undeserved privileges.
You know what I did next. Yup.
Rogers TV Barrie
Staff Information
705-737-4660 x 6933
cindy.macdonald@rci.rogers.com
Cindy MacDonald - Station Manager
I called and left her a message explaining what had happened & what I had found out from the RVH staff and asked her to call me and let me know what she was going to do to resolve this as I had found it insulting - as a patient of RVH and a customer of Rogers.
I await her reply.
Monday, February 28, 2011
Sunday, February 27, 2011
The Real Reality
I love reality shows and all of us who do wonder if they're really "real", partially scripted or if it's just real skilled editing, showing us only the most tantalizing and scandalous bits.
Blogging is kind of like that - do we put all of ourselves out there come what may, change the script and put a bit of a spin on it or just edit out the good, bad or ugly bits.
I have to admit that I've been editing. I've always had to edit my knitting content when I'm working on a project for a designer that needs to be kee on the Down Low. Professional editing.
I've shared a lot about my journey through my cancer. I've editing a bit - there is such thing as TMI on a public forum and I don't want anyone's virus software blocking me.
I've shared some things about my family but it's a fine line - they have their own lives and opinions about how much they want my friends to know so I've kept it fairly light & general. And sometimes it's just that some things are hard to say out loud or write down - doing that makes them more real somehow.
For the last few months I've been adjusting myself to a new reality. At first I couldn't even wrap my own head around it, then I started telling a few very close friends and it got easier to talk about and accept for myself. Then I got to the point where I could tell more casual friends and it didn't feel like I was talking about someone else. I finally told one of my most dear friends - we don't talk much or often but I know that she is always there like I never went away. Telling her was hard - I felt like I was admitting to a personal failure (even though in my head I know that isn't true, our hearts are traitorous things). But of course she was as true a friend as ever and her support as healing as ever. And now I feel like I've gotten to a place in my head where I can really put it out there because I've learned from my cancer that you can't get support if people don't know that you need it.
Kerwyn decided that I am no longer what he wants. Yes, he's a man being a weak man. 'Nuff said. It's hard to say how long he's felt that way; his anger says that he's never been happy but he announced it a few months ago. I know, Epic Bad Timing but it is what it is.
After 21 years it's a lot to wrap my head around and I know with my head that it's about him and his decisions and that it's not really about me. My heart is crushed and the kids are angry & really hurt.
But just like the cancer I'm trying to take it in stride and move through it. When there is nothing that you can do to change a thing you do what you can with it and I'm trying to sort through the paperwork & find a lawyer. Just like I learned more than I ever wanted to about cancer I'm learning more than I ever wanted to about family law and I haven't even hardly done anything yet!!
This is going to be an area of my life that gets not so much edited as just not included on my blog. I wanted to share the fact of it because it's impacting various areas of my life more but I just can't share the details - personally & legally it's not a good idea.
I'm seriously starting to feel like Job, but he kept the faith and made out like a bandit in the end. I'll be happy with just getting through with my sanity, kids & health intact.
Blogging is kind of like that - do we put all of ourselves out there come what may, change the script and put a bit of a spin on it or just edit out the good, bad or ugly bits.
I have to admit that I've been editing. I've always had to edit my knitting content when I'm working on a project for a designer that needs to be kee on the Down Low. Professional editing.
I've shared a lot about my journey through my cancer. I've editing a bit - there is such thing as TMI on a public forum and I don't want anyone's virus software blocking me.
I've shared some things about my family but it's a fine line - they have their own lives and opinions about how much they want my friends to know so I've kept it fairly light & general. And sometimes it's just that some things are hard to say out loud or write down - doing that makes them more real somehow.
For the last few months I've been adjusting myself to a new reality. At first I couldn't even wrap my own head around it, then I started telling a few very close friends and it got easier to talk about and accept for myself. Then I got to the point where I could tell more casual friends and it didn't feel like I was talking about someone else. I finally told one of my most dear friends - we don't talk much or often but I know that she is always there like I never went away. Telling her was hard - I felt like I was admitting to a personal failure (even though in my head I know that isn't true, our hearts are traitorous things). But of course she was as true a friend as ever and her support as healing as ever. And now I feel like I've gotten to a place in my head where I can really put it out there because I've learned from my cancer that you can't get support if people don't know that you need it.
Kerwyn decided that I am no longer what he wants. Yes, he's a man being a weak man. 'Nuff said. It's hard to say how long he's felt that way; his anger says that he's never been happy but he announced it a few months ago. I know, Epic Bad Timing but it is what it is.
After 21 years it's a lot to wrap my head around and I know with my head that it's about him and his decisions and that it's not really about me. My heart is crushed and the kids are angry & really hurt.
But just like the cancer I'm trying to take it in stride and move through it. When there is nothing that you can do to change a thing you do what you can with it and I'm trying to sort through the paperwork & find a lawyer. Just like I learned more than I ever wanted to about cancer I'm learning more than I ever wanted to about family law and I haven't even hardly done anything yet!!
This is going to be an area of my life that gets not so much edited as just not included on my blog. I wanted to share the fact of it because it's impacting various areas of my life more but I just can't share the details - personally & legally it's not a good idea.
I'm seriously starting to feel like Job, but he kept the faith and made out like a bandit in the end. I'll be happy with just getting through with my sanity, kids & health intact.
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
All About the Feet
The pink Lang socks are done. 
It took way longer than it should have but I've been a bit distracted and that's also what happens when I don't have a deadline.
I have started on a new pair of socks for Elise - I'll try to take a completely useless picture tomorrow.
Amanda turned her ankle in gym on Friday. I gave her ibuprofen, had her put it up & ice it. It was still to sore for her to really bear weight on it on Saturday so we went to the ER. 5 hours later she had plaster splint as a precautionary support. Even though the X-ray revealed nothing broken the ankle was so tender that the nice Dr. thought that she may have bruised her growth plates, which wouldn't show up on an X-ray as they are cartilage. We're going to see our family doc tomorrow to follow up and see whether it's better or what.
Really hoping for better - crutching it is hard on both of us!! LOL
I've done 15 of 33 radiation treatments. There is definitely a tan going on in that quadrant and my scars are getting itchy and feeling a bit burnt. I think that the Dr. thought that I was a little deranged - I told him that it was a good thing that I started tanning up because I was starting to think that I was in some secret double blind study and was getting the placebo rays. He actually checked something on the computer screen and said (in all seriousness) that I was definitely getting the regular radiation treatments. I laughed and said that I know that now because there's side effects; if there was no physical evidence of radiation exposure how would they know? Then I said that I was still waiting for my super power to manifest itself. Poor guy, he's young and wasn't sure what to say - he'll get used to me!!
It took way longer than it should have but I've been a bit distracted and that's also what happens when I don't have a deadline.I have started on a new pair of socks for Elise - I'll try to take a completely useless picture tomorrow.
Amanda turned her ankle in gym on Friday. I gave her ibuprofen, had her put it up & ice it. It was still to sore for her to really bear weight on it on Saturday so we went to the ER. 5 hours later she had plaster splint as a precautionary support. Even though the X-ray revealed nothing broken the ankle was so tender that the nice Dr. thought that she may have bruised her growth plates, which wouldn't show up on an X-ray as they are cartilage. We're going to see our family doc tomorrow to follow up and see whether it's better or what.
Really hoping for better - crutching it is hard on both of us!! LOLI've done 15 of 33 radiation treatments. There is definitely a tan going on in that quadrant and my scars are getting itchy and feeling a bit burnt. I think that the Dr. thought that I was a little deranged - I told him that it was a good thing that I started tanning up because I was starting to think that I was in some secret double blind study and was getting the placebo rays. He actually checked something on the computer screen and said (in all seriousness) that I was definitely getting the regular radiation treatments. I laughed and said that I know that now because there's side effects; if there was no physical evidence of radiation exposure how would they know? Then I said that I was still waiting for my super power to manifest itself. Poor guy, he's young and wasn't sure what to say - he'll get used to me!!
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Breakout Kings
After seeing a scene of this being shot in Toronto I'm excited to watch it - it sounds interesting enough to give it a few hours of my time. That and Laz Alonso is dead sexy!!!
And apparently I'm on someone's radar because I received a full digital press kit from the media company promoting the show and since I'm already looking forward to the show I don't mind sharing the links they sent promoting it.
It Takes A Con To Catch A Con……
A&E Network’s original scripted drama series, “Breakout Kings,” premieres on Sunday, March 6 at 10:00pm ET/PT. From Matt Olmstead and Nick Santora, writers/producers of the hit series “Prison Break,” comes “Breakout Kings,” a new action-packed ensemble drama following an unconventional partnership between the U.S. Marshals’ office and a group of convicts as they work to catch fugitives on the run.
After 72 hours, the odds of finding an escaped prisoner drop to less than five percent. Knowing that there are few things more dangerous than a convict on the run, and tired of outdated methods of law enforcement, veteran U.S. Marshals Charlie DuChamp (Laz Alonso; Avatar, Fast and the Furious 4: Fast & Furious) and Ray Zancanelli (Domenick Lombardozzi; “The Wire,” “Entourage”) decide to reject protocol and take an unorthodox approach to their work: using former fugitives to catch current ones.
A&E’s new original drama series “Breakout Kings,” follows Charlie and Ray as they form a special task force composed of the three most elusive convicts Ray has ever captured: Lloyd Lowery (Jimmi Simpson: “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia,” “Late Show with David Letterman”), a former child prodigy and behaviorist/psychiatric expert who excels in psychoanalysis, Shea Daniels (Malcolm Goodwin; American Gangster), an ex-gangbanger who knows how to work the system, both in prison and on the street; and Erica Reed (Serinda Swan; Tron: Legacy “Smallville”), a sexy expert tracker who learned her trade from her bounty hunter father. Charlie and Ray also employ the services of Julianne Simms (Brooke Nevin; The Comebacks, My Suicide), a civilian who acts as the “funnel” for the group – all information, tips and data go through her.
With each fugitive they apprehend, the closer the team members get to earning their own freedom. Will the “Breakout Kings” wait that long for their reward, or will they try to score by going on the run themselves?
Clip 1:Clip 2:
Official Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/BreakoutKings
Official Site: http://www.aetv.com/breakout-kings
About the Premiere Episode:
When convicted murderer August Tillman escapes from prison, veteran U.S. Marshals Charlie DuChamp and Ray Zancanelli decide to take an unorthodox approach to fugitive apprehension by forming a special task force comprised of the three most elusive fugitives they have ever captured. Convicts Lloyd Lowery, Philomena Rotchcliffer and Shea Daniels agree to assist in the case in exchange for time off their sentences. While the marshals and cons struggle to adjust to their new partnership, the team knows they must learn to work together before Tillman leaves more bodies in his wake.
Monday, February 14, 2011
Sorted
Amanda & I had a most excellent day at Julie's! It was nice to just put most everything out of my mind and just bring order to something.
Amanda did great - the Noro was all her; not just neatening, taking inventory & putting in order by colour num
ber. It's a new system that we used on the Rowan too. 
I had used the ROYGBIV system but especially with so much online & phone customers as well I can see how having the yarn in colour number order could make that easier.
I brought home the Big Book of Knitted Monsters - Amanda repeatedly expressed desires for a herd of such pets.
Rowan Cotton Classics was not in the Rowan books that Julie got in so I will anxiously await it to see what cabley goodness Julie would have me work on next!
I am half finished my new socks!
I got a lot done while I waited at the mall yesterday while Amanda and her friend shopped for some new t-shirts. It was actually very restful - people watching with my iPhone pumping beats and knitting away the time.
Look what came!!
Elise has sent yarn for all sorts of projects!! I don't even know which one to start on first!! I'll think on that while I finish my other sock.
Amanda did great - the Noro was all her; not just neatening, taking inventory & putting in order by colour num
ber. It's a new system that we used on the Rowan too. 
I had used the ROYGBIV system but especially with so much online & phone customers as well I can see how having the yarn in colour number order could make that easier.I brought home the Big Book of Knitted Monsters - Amanda repeatedly expressed desires for a herd of such pets.
Rowan Cotton Classics was not in the Rowan books that Julie got in so I will anxiously await it to see what cabley goodness Julie would have me work on next!
I am half finished my new socks!
I got a lot done while I waited at the mall yesterday while Amanda and her friend shopped for some new t-shirts. It was actually very restful - people watching with my iPhone pumping beats and knitting away the time.Look what came!!
Elise has sent yarn for all sorts of projects!! I don't even know which one to start on first!! I'll think on that while I finish my other sock.Friday, February 11, 2011
Sockin' Along
I have a whack (brace?, herd?) of socks that need mending - anywhere from preventative duplicate stitching to all out darning. I am postponing that task by starting in on a new sock.
I haven't worked with such fine Signatures for awhile so my finger needs to develop a callus again. For now it's a bit worn - nothing that a Bandaid can't fix.
I'm sure that I'll come home from Julie's tomorrow with a new project - can't wait to see what it is!!
I haven't worked with such fine Signatures for awhile so my finger needs to develop a callus again. For now it's a bit worn - nothing that a Bandaid can't fix.
I'm sure that I'll come home from Julie's tomorrow with a new project - can't wait to see what it is!!
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Getting it Done!!
Julie sent the extra ball of CE Liberty Wool & I finished Elizabeth
- awesome!!
I slipped the edge stitch for the bottom of the sweater & the outside edge of the collar; it makes for a very nicely finished edge.
I'm making excellent headway on Every Last Yard, I'm on the 2nd sleeve already. The ball that I used for the sleeves is a bit redder
than the rest of the sweater. I didn't notice until just now, but since it will be the same for both sleeves I'm not too bothered; it's the nature of hand dyed yarns. I should be able to finish it tomorrow and then block it (definitely needs a good blocking!) and delivery them both on Saturday. 
Yes -- I'll be at The Needle Emporium for the day!! I'm so excited, it's been awhile since I've actually put in a days' work at the store & I can't wait. Amanda is waiting to hear back about a babysitting job - she wants so badly to work at Julie's but doesn't want to lose a potential babysitting job. 13 is rough!!
I've done 5 of 13 radiation treatments. Yes, I'm making my own collective. So far, so good. The treatments are quick - in & out in about 10-15 mins. Check out how thick that door is!!
OMG!!! I'm a bit disappointed that I'm not showing any signs of additional special powers with the mega-radiation that I'm being shot through with. I'm using the Glaxal Base cream and hopefully will be able to stave off any burning. It's super thick, easily absorbed, non-greasy and I'm quickly becoming a big fan!
The Bachelor - all I've got to say about that is this: OMG - there is always a stalkery/crazy/possessive chick and Michelle is it this time. They make for good clips & ratings but seriously? Brad. Dude. You're not going to marry her, kick her bony Fatal Attraction ass to the curb!!!
- awesome!!
I slipped the edge stitch for the bottom of the sweater & the outside edge of the collar; it makes for a very nicely finished edge.I'm making excellent headway on Every Last Yard, I'm on the 2nd sleeve already. The ball that I used for the sleeves is a bit redder
than the rest of the sweater. I didn't notice until just now, but since it will be the same for both sleeves I'm not too bothered; it's the nature of hand dyed yarns. I should be able to finish it tomorrow and then block it (definitely needs a good blocking!) and delivery them both on Saturday. 
Yes -- I'll be at The Needle Emporium for the day!! I'm so excited, it's been awhile since I've actually put in a days' work at the store & I can't wait. Amanda is waiting to hear back about a babysitting job - she wants so badly to work at Julie's but doesn't want to lose a potential babysitting job. 13 is rough!!I've done 5 of 13 radiation treatments. Yes, I'm making my own collective. So far, so good. The treatments are quick - in & out in about 10-15 mins. Check out how thick that door is!!
OMG!!! I'm a bit disappointed that I'm not showing any signs of additional special powers with the mega-radiation that I'm being shot through with. I'm using the Glaxal Base cream and hopefully will be able to stave off any burning. It's super thick, easily absorbed, non-greasy and I'm quickly becoming a big fan!The Bachelor - all I've got to say about that is this: OMG - there is always a stalkery/crazy/possessive chick and Michelle is it this time. They make for good clips & ratings but seriously? Brad. Dude. You're not going to marry her, kick her bony Fatal Attraction ass to the curb!!!
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