Hotel Tantrum

I love my job, but working in a hotel can sometimes be a pain, especially when there are little kids hockey teams staying with us. They run around screaming and playing hockey in the hallways, and when I talk to their dad's about the problem they say they'll do something but they really don't seem to care.

And then there are times when the bands stay with us that play at a club down on Huron and Highbury. Usually, they're pretty decent guys, but you do get the occasional bad nights. For example, my co-worker was working one morning when they were supposed to be checking out, and a naked girl appeared out of nowhere; naked except for her bra. She apparently was a groupie with the band and was drunk out of her mind. She didn't even know where she lived. Anyways, the police had to come and get her and take her away. The funny thing was she tried walking home naked and she didn't even know where she was.

*sigh* So it goes in the life of a hotel worker. Tonight's issue: screaming hockey kids. Grrrr.

Czesc chai

They say that variety is the spice of life, but I heartily disagree. In actuality, I say Chai is the best spice of life.....and makes really good tea!!!

This may seem like a more-than-usual random comment, but I am using this to introduce my lovey's parents: Krzystof i Basia. After six months of dating their son, I finally got pictures of them on my birthday on Tuesday with the camera that Piotr bought me. So a big HAHA to the picture evaders, because I win. =) Oh, yeah, the tea thing is relevent because I'm enjoying a glass right now and Basia makes me really good cups of tea when I'm in St. Catharines. It's hard to believe in a couple months I'll be leaving London and moving down there too. Instead of "I hate London," it will be "I remember London fondly." Nostalgia can do that to you.

Party Shots

On Saturday, my Kentucky friends, Piotr, and I went out to a club in Cincinnati called Beluga. One of my best guy friends, Tom, spins there with his friend Paul, so it was a blast. All dance music! Very European! Here are some shots:

Me and Tom (part of Colardo & Grant.....Tom is the "Grant)

One of my two best friends, Natti

Me and my lovey....<3<3<3<3<3

My brother Justin & sister-in-law, Brittany

Post-It Notes

I apologize for all the posts today, but my parent's internet wasn't working in Kentucky because of their finicky modem, so I wasn't really able to post...and of course yesterday was my birthday and mock show at CHRW, so that was busy.

Yeah, so my mock show was a blast! I love putting together a radio show! I'm not so crazy about the way my voice sounds on the radio, but I suppose its something I'm going to have to get used to.

So my show (if all goes well) will be called Bass Nation and is about dance music....typically not the most popular......more like dnb, hard house, club house, trancecore, hardcore, etc. Everyone hears trance all the time, so I like mixing it up. And anyone can volunteer at CHRW!

Carpal Tunnel.....finally an answer

For the past two weeks I've had numbness and tingling in my left and right hands....primarily in the thumb, pointer, and middle fingers. I went to the Student Health and they ran some blood tests, but I've heard nothing back from them. So when I went home to Kentucky this past weekend, my dad made an appointment with his doctor for me and she diagnosed me as having Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.

At least I have some sort of answer now. I have had intense joint pain for the past week even though the tingling has primarily gone away. I cook and type all the time, and those two activities are apparently factors in Carpal Tunnel. I also have an old previous repetitive stress injury, and the doctor said that didn't help either. So boo for pain, but half a yay for at least knowing what's wrong.

Here is some infor regarding Carpal Tunnel:

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome - Topic Overview


What is carpal tunnel syndrome?
Carpal tunnel syndrome is pain, tingling, and other problems in your hand because of pressure on the median nerve in your wrist.

The median nerve and several tendons run from your forearm to your hand through a small space in your wrist called the carpal tunnel. The median nerve controls movement and feeling in your thumb and first three fingers (not your little finger).

What causes carpal tunnel syndrome?
Pressure on the median nerve causes carpal tunnel syndrome. This pressure can come from swelling or anything that makes the carpal tunnel smaller. Things that can lead to carpal tunnel syndrome include:

Illnesses such as

• hypothyroidism,


• rheumatoid arthritis


• diabetes.
  


• Pregnancy.


• Obesity.
  


• Making the same hand movements over and over, especially if the wrist is bent. Computer work and gardening are examples of tasks that have repeated motions.
  


• Wrist injuries and bone spurs.
  Smoking, because it can reduce blood flow to the median nerve.
  

What are the symptoms?
Carpal tunnel syndrome can cause tingling, numbness, weakness, or pain in the fingers or hand. Some people may have pain in their arm between their hand and their elbow.

Symptoms most often occur in the thumb, index finger, middle finger, and half of the ring finger. If you have problems with your other fingers but your little finger is fine, this may be a sign that you have carpal tunnel syndrome. A different nerve gives feeling to the little finger.

You may first notice symptoms at night. You may be able to get relief by shaking your hand.

How is carpal tunnel syndrome diagnosed?
Your doctor will do a physical exam and ask about your health and activities. You also may have some tests.

Your doctor will ask if you have any health problems-such as arthritis, hypothyroidism, or diabetes-or if you are pregnant. He or she will ask if you recently hurt your wrist, arm, or neck. Your doctor will want to know about your daily routine and any recent activities that could have hurt your wrist.

During the exam, your doctor will check the feeling, strength, and appearance of your neck, shoulders, arms, wrists, and hands.

Your doctor may suggest tests, such as:

Blood tests to see if any health problems might be causing your symptoms.
Nerve testing to find out if the median nerve is working as it should.

How is it treated?
Mild symptoms usually can be treated with home care. The sooner you start treatment, the better your chances of stopping symptoms and preventing long-term damage to the nerve.

You can do a few things at home to help your hand and wrist feel better:

Stop activities that cause numbness and pain. Rest your wrist longer between activities.
Ice your wrist for 10 to 15 minutes 1 or 2 times an hour. Take nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to relieve pain and reduce swelling.
Wear a wrist splint at night to keep your wrist in a neutral position. This takes pressure off your median nerve. Your wrist is in a neutral position when it is straight or only slightly bent. Holding a glass of water is an example of your wrist in a neutral position.
Do exercises to keep your fingers and wrist from getting stiff. Stop if you have pain or numbness.

24

I'm not talking about the show either. I turned 24-years-old yesterday and I have to say, I had a pretty darn good day!

I was really surprised by how many people actually wished me a "Happy Birthday" and it was really nice to feel cared about so much. The only really weird birthday wish was randomly from my ex, whom I haven't talked to for six months. Some good ones were from my family in New Jersey, friends in Poland I haven't talked to for a while, and my boyfriend.

It just really felt like an actual happy birthday, and I'm glad feeling older didn't actually feel bad at all!

The Polish Birthday Song:

Michigan drivers: my rant

Every region of every country has crazy drivers, but I've come to believe that they tend to congregate in certain areas more than others. Namely, Michigan, northern Ohio, Ontario, pretty much anywhere north of Toledo. I should edit this title to include Ontario drivers too, because they're just as bad, but Michigan drivers take the cake!
Map of worst drivers in the US by ordinary citizens.....avoid the blacked out areas at all cost!!! And notice how the most of the dark spots are in the northern portion of the states.


So why do I make this judgment? Being from Cincinnati area and living in London, Ontario, I drive back and forth to visit my parents all the time. I also drive back and forth to St. Catharines to visit Piotr (*love*) all the time, so I have a lot of experience on the highway (and clocked probably about 3 months of my life driving....no joke).

My observations primarily concern excessive speeding and erratic driving. Every time I get cut off driving south on Interstate 75 or get passed by a person doing 85mph or more, 9 times out of 10 the car has a Michigan plate. The other 1 time out of 10, it's an Ontario plate. This has got so predictable I don't even say "It's a Michigan jerk" anymore. *sigh* Please enforce some stricter license regulations Michigan!!