A non-HAL update

[hummingwolf]

So I decided not to take the new medication this morning. Considering that my digestive system is now more willing to digest food, there's only a minimal headache, the block of ice in my head is thawing, and I don't feel like my eyelids are being held open by unnatural forces, then I'd say I either made the right decision or the timing is an amazing coincidence. Right then, back to the search for something to help me without "side effects," that being the doctors' name for effects that people not living in your body think should be easily ignored or dealt with via other medications. I refuse to take something long-term if there are side effects involved, though I'm quite willing to swallow something with bonus effects. Calcium-channel blockers have the best bonus effects for me; and fortunately, the cheapest and naturallest one (magnesium) is also available without prescription.

Today also had a phone conversation with the lawyer dealing with my attempt to get Social Security income. After a longish discussion with lots of advice on how to deal with the process, talk of how to pay the court costs for the next stage of appeal, and some more information about various things, he gave me this last instruction: "Don't forget to vote against Bush!" Bush supporters in the audience may wonder how this guy could dare to say such a thing to his client; but among folks who work with clients like me, there's a general feeling that Bush and his policies are an unmitigated disaster. It probably helps that this area is overwhelmingly Democratic anyway. It's theoretically possible that some lawyer or social worker in Texas is telling clients to vote against Kerry, but I'm having trouble imagining why they would.

And after the phone call, the mail arrived with my voter information card. Yay! Since it looks like I will be here on election day after all, I can get to the polling place easily--can get there by crawling if I have to. Here's hoping that I will magically arrive when there aren't interminable lines.

This year will be a new experience for me: I've never voted for a Democrat for president before. It's true--all my previous presidential votes have been for Libertarians or (eek) Republicans. (I didn't register here in time to vote in the 2000 election, so don't blame me for the current officeholders.) Some Democrats have gotten my vote for local offices, though, and Clinton might have gotten my vote once if he hadn't been quite so slimy.

There's been no progress on finding a place to live. I'm rather tempted not to make any more phone calls till next week since everyone's got the election on the brain anyway. Aside from the lawyerly conversation, today's main activities have been grocery shopping, walking, partially cleaning out a refrigerator, and typing. The rest of this week features appointments each day, so here's hoping that I continue to feel better.

Comments

[rialian.livejournal.com]

===It may seem a bit partisan....but the current version of "Conservative Republican" have a bit of a history in believing that the poor are that way due to their moral failings. If you are poor, there is something wrong with you in the eyes of God.

===(keeping an eye out for things, by the by...but it does seem that things are in stasis until after the election.)

[hummingwolf.livejournal.com]

Oh, I know why he gave that last instruction, and I heartily agreed with the advice. He's not the only person who has said something along those lines to me. There are decent, intelligent Republicans around--I just don't think any of them are running for office this time.

(and thank you.)

[unwilly.livejournal.com]

Bush hasn't done anything to the medical system or social service systems, that would be affecting you. Bush has acutally co-opted most of the Big Medicine Ideas that the Dems used to push, which is actually pissing off his conservative supporters.

Kerry's pie in the sky plan will have some interesting effects, but only if he brings them back up in Congress after Bush gets elected.

[nalidoll.livejournal.com]

social worker in Texas is telling clients..

!?!?

social workers in Texas are talking to their clients?!?

i was pretty sure that they were punching buttons from behind a curtain, making the animatronic puppets who actually sit at the desk sing, dance, and deny you any sort of compassion what-so-ever.

i've met exactly.. oh.. *one* exception, and i think he was really a social-working-changeling who snuck into the office just long enough to get me approved for my SSI benefits before disappearing once again into the wilds.

[zoopownsyou.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the update, CB.

And it was probably smart to stop those meds.

Big hug!

[windsparrow.livejournal.com]

Nothing useful to say, but...

((((((((((((HW)))))))))))))

[hummingwolf.livejournal.com]

Most of the programs which were set up to help make sure that folks like me don't end up homeless are seriously underfunded. Pretty much everyone involved tells me that money was there during the Clinton years which simply is not available now.

[hummingwolf.livejournal.com]

::huggles back::

[hummingwolf.livejournal.com]

Well, in theory, there are supposed to be social workers in Texas. In theory, some of those might speak to clients directly. Never having gone farther than about 5 miles into Texas myself, I am really in no position to ascertain the facts...

[hummingwolf.livejournal.com]

::hugs::