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stoney321
We've had a bunch of crazy storms skirt where I live, and my dog is terrified of storms. She's also 80+ pounds. And got the poopy-dookies on the carpet in the middle of the night. THANK YOU SO MUCH, SALLY DERG. I have all of this glorious tile downstairs, but no, she had to go upstairs and leave treats in front of the kids' doors. Awesome. I think you can figure out what I'm doing today. (hint: shampooing the carpet.)Here are some links/food for thought.
I went back to school in '03 and became a Master Gardener, which involved loads of science, which is what I went to college for, incidentally. There was a series of classes on IPM, integrated Pest Management, which goes into the science of why certain 'cides work on certain things. The way you kill pests is (mostly) by attacking how the pest eats. (Exception: soft bodied critters like slugs, snails, caterpillars, worms.) Why? Because of exoskeletons. You can't get poison on a hard shell and expect it to do anything, because nature and evolution is v v smart.
So. You take something like an organophosphate (Sevin, Malathion, Dursban, NERVE GAS) and spray your crops with it. Something like a grasshopper eats the leaves, but chokes and dies. Yay! It chokes because the organophosphate attacks its nervous system, shutting everything down, specifically by making the synapses no longer fire. It's a neurotoxin. Neuro = brain cell, toxin = duh. Synapses are the spaces between your brain cells, and that's where the "lightning bolt" of information transmits to the next cell, on and on, and then you clench your hand into a fist and punch a door. Or pet a cat. Whatever, I'm not here to judge you. :)
Now, cut to ADHD. I know it's not common for people to take their kids in for proper diagnosis, meaning, not just a pediatrician who asks if your kid fidgets a lot, and if so, take these pills. We did a neurological exam with my son, and the biology of his brain is thus: the frontal lobe (at the time of diagnosis, which was 8) was 1/3 smaller than his peers. The synapses didn't fire properly, but erratically, sending weird messages to the rest of his brain/body. And the frontal lobe is where logic, organization, and impulse control are located. Guess what the hallmarks of ADHD are? It's a biological developmental issue. I'm sure there are some examples of other factors, but that's the general issue.
Now, fast forward to this study. And we find that a chemical that's EVERYWHERE (I mean, who doesn't live where they spray for mosquitoes with Malathion? And if it exists, I want to go to there.) isn't broken down by the time we consume it, which is what has been explained, which is why pesticides are SERIOUSLY CONTROLLED for food production with a schedule of when they can and cannot spray, because it's all about when it breaks down. That way, by the time you eat it, you can feel confident that you aren't going to wolf down some poison. Except for how that turns out to not be true at all. They aren't breaking down. They're getting absorbed into specific foods and STAYING THERE. So washing isn't helping your strawberries, peaches, or raspberries. And guess what my son's favorite fruits are?
I'm not saying that the main cause of my son's ASD issues are because of fruit. I'm just saying that it's not helping. (My son's issues are because genetically there is ASD in my family and in his bio-father's family. Hey-o, double whammy.) But the pesticide thing isn't helping. I'm glad that I raise my own fruit (mostly) now, but man, this explains the huge spike in kids with ADHD, huh? Multiple studies are finding the same thing to be true, btw. And logically, scientifically, it makes sense. Neurotoxins that screw up the regular firing of your brain, and a disorder that is essentially a screwed up firing of synapses in the brain.
Incidentally, they're also coming to the conclusion that this same compound may be responsible for the huge spike in Alzheimers. Which also makes sense, given that Alzheimers is a degeneration of neurotransmitters (which is where memory is stored, the spaces between) leading to the death of the brain cell. Their brains atrophy. :(
Anyway, food for thought. (Note: I am of the mindset - currently - that this is exacerbating underlying genetic propensity, not necessarily is the root cause. Again, I'm in the camp that genetics lays a foundation, environment may act as a trigger.)
Other things, I found The Date That Brought The Date To The Date's tv show online, and it's subtitled. It's not, um, the best show around but yes, his Korean is beautiful. It's just... weird that he's on a show, right? And apparently he's the Ross of the show. Well, if Ross started out as an American Buddhist monk. WHAT.
For those who don't want to read the story (pah to you, I say) you can listen to my sorrowful tale here. :) (mp4, 2.5mb)
Also, dress and accessories were purchased with ease, which is great because I actually do not like shopping when I need something. Finding something randomly? Awesome. Looking for something specific? UGH. Shockingly, it wasn't at Nordstroms, which made me sad, because they are the BEST place for dresses. And shoes. I'll post pics of the wedding after the fact. Meanwhile, I need to finish cleaning the house, stocking the fridge/pantry, and getting things ready for my awesome sister to come up and stay with the kids. They are very excited to hang with their cool aunt. But surprise! She's going to beat them and make them shave her foot calluses, in your face, kids! I'll teach you to appreciate me.
The next time I post it'll be when LOST has come to an end (endless sobbing.) I LOVE THAT SHOW AND WILL HEAR NOTHING NEGATIVE ABOUT IT. I have NO character hate, so save that crap for your own space, mm'kay? Oh, Desmond, I want to rub you on me like a fine perfume. *cry*
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Date: 2010-05-20 02:41 pm (UTC)Finding something randomly? Awesome. Looking for something specific? UGH.
Ugh, don't remind me. I have to look for something to wear in October. In Tuscany. To a wedding. That can travel in my carryon. That will magically fit whatever size I am then, of which I have no clue. Ugh.
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Date: 2010-05-20 02:45 pm (UTC)DILLARDS. I love Dillards. And Nordstroms. They have actual helpful people that work there and can find things for anyone, of this I am convinced. Seriously, regardless of body shape, they'll have it, or know how to get it.
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Date: 2010-05-20 03:43 pm (UTC)Nordstroms and Macy's are both decent here for finding dresses, but my wrinkle-free requirement means I'll probably buy something less formal at REI or another outdoorswear place. :P
Ergh. Body shape. I am in deep denial about the fact that dressmakers hate me. La la la la I'll be able to find something that fits over my boobs. *denies*
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Date: 2010-05-20 04:03 pm (UTC)And I'm packing a satin dress for this wedding, and I'm rolling it up in tissue, then letting it hang when I shower. It's worked in the past. (Rolling and the tissue paper really work, HONEST.)
And my sister found a BEAUTIFUL wedding dress this fall and she's very bustasticular. THEY EXIST. (Also: look for wrap dresses. That's the easiest way to accommodate womanly bewbs.)
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Date: 2010-05-20 02:43 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-05-20 02:46 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-05-20 02:58 pm (UTC)That's how I feel about it, too. Especially since ADHD and autism seem to strike so much more in boys than girls; that can't just be pesticides.
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Date: 2010-05-20 03:04 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-05-20 03:01 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-05-20 03:04 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-05-20 03:13 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-05-20 03:30 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-05-20 03:27 pm (UTC)How can this be? How did my life get so stupidly busy???? I can hardly keep up with ANY shows.
As for the pesticides study. *takes a big soapboxy breath*
Well - they should do a study on Delaware. My mother, her brother, her two best friends all died of brain tumors. Just last month my cousin's son had a benign brain tumor removed. Hello Du Pont? What are you putting in the water/soil/air over there?
Also a study should be done in Colorado - I am not sure but the MS rates might be super high here. Hello Rocky Flats - former plutonium trigger head building plant. Please stay out of our groundwater!
//end rant//
*goes to eat breakfast in order to prevent more ranting in stoney's journal*
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Date: 2010-05-20 03:32 pm (UTC)OH HEY. HOW ABOUT HOUSTON. Every adult - EVERY SINGLE ADULT - that grew up where my husband did (NASA) has had cancer. Some have multiple cancers. WTF.
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Date: 2010-05-20 03:38 pm (UTC)Did you read this?
http://www.amazon.com/Bright-sided-Relentless-Promotion-Positive-Undermined/dp/0805087494/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1274369774&sr=8-1
She posits that if perhaps we figured out what was causing all these insane amounts of cancers in people rather than just reframing the cancer experience into something positive - perhaps we could, you know, CURE IT!!!!
Actually it's about much much more. I am a very positive attitude type person and this book gave me lots of great things to think about. I can't recommend it enough.
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Date: 2010-05-21 03:44 am (UTC)If I get past that point in the argument, then people want to argue about how the government would totally warn them and be responsible for their health. Because the US government's done an absolutely stellar job of it so far. And if I cite history, I'm told I'm being reactionary and overly sensitive, things are different now, OR (my favorite) that I'm outright LYING.
Just a touchy subject for me.
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Date: 2010-05-21 03:39 am (UTC)One of my aunts has already had thyroid cancer and my grandma has had tumors (luckily benign) removed, but STILL.
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Date: 2010-05-21 04:57 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-05-20 03:54 pm (UTC)Yikes. It disturbs me whenever I read about studies like this for more than just the obvious reasons. I feel for people on a fixed budget who are being told that they should more fruits and vegetables and less processed foods, which is already impacting their wallet. And on top of that, they're being told that pesticides are bad and they should be eating organic, which costs more. Choosing good health appears to be pretty expensive.
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Date: 2010-05-20 04:01 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-05-20 04:08 pm (UTC)And it's a common disease--estimates of how many people in America alone have it range from around three million (http://www.epilepsyfoundation.org/about/statistics.cfm) to more than four million (http://www.neurologychannel.com/seizures/index.shtml), with about 200,000 people being diagnosed each year.
Certainly epilepsy has many causes; a person who suffers a head injury could easily end up having epilepsy. The causes don't have to be genetic or mysterious. Just the same, your description of what pesticides do plus three to four million people in one country that have related conditions does make me wonder if, in some cases, the pesticides are having an unintended effect.
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Date: 2010-05-20 05:00 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-05-20 06:57 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-05-20 04:17 pm (UTC)I'm with you on the genetic cause exacerbated by environment front.
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Date: 2010-05-20 04:19 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-05-20 04:28 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-05-20 04:49 pm (UTC)*no wonder i get swarmed every summer night*
And yeah - it seems like the genetic causes of so many illnesses are being magnified two and three-fold by all the crap we put in and on our food so it's no wonder that kids have all these 'issues' that they never seemed to have before, or didn't have as badly.
I guess we'll either clean up our act or evolve to deal with it. Skeery stuff.
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Date: 2010-05-20 05:01 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-05-20 05:07 pm (UTC)I just stay *in* in mosquito season. I hate the heat, anyway, and i'm allergic, so my bites always get huge and welted and linger for *weeks*. I have scars from when i was a kid. Never fun!
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Date: 2010-05-20 04:56 pm (UTC)I wonder if it's linked not only to ADHD but to depression and bipolar as well? Neurotransmitters, after all.
So, the tradeoff is, either the locusts eat the harvest and Pa has to sell the horses for oxen, or we all get a case of the crazy?
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Date: 2010-05-20 05:02 pm (UTC)And yeah - that seems like the trade off. BOOOOOO.
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Date: 2010-05-20 09:32 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-05-20 11:46 pm (UTC)LOST IS NOT EVEN OVER YET AND I ALREADY MISS IT
SOBBITY AND WOE
AFAIK they have not sprayed for skeeters in NYC since the 70s, barring the west nile thing in 2007. I would not suggest you move here, however, as in order to have a garden even slightly as awesome as yours is now, you would need a minimum of 15 million dollars for a lovely west village townhouse. HOWEVER. WE COULD BE NEIGHBORS. It is up to you whether this is a bug or a feature.
I am always hesitant to put a lot of stock in placing the sole blame for childhood ailments/disorders/&c on environmental causes, but, as you say, it is really not unreasonable to look towards environmental factors triggering underlying genetic issues.
TBH I have a lot of issues on placing blame for illnesses on environmental/dietary/whatevs factors over simple genetics. My mom has a new random thing to blame for her cancer every single time we speak, and it is driving me fucking insane. I understand her need to have a reason for what's happening to her, but jesus fucking christ, it is not because she took a teaspoon of sugar in her coffee every day for 40 years. And she refuses to listen to reason re: how replacing the tiny amount of added sugar in her diet with vast amounts of chemical sweeteners is, in general, a stupid idea. GRAAARRHGHGH.
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Date: 2010-05-21 12:12 am (UTC)I REALLY frown on the whole "who's to blame for this difference in my child!?" bidness. Like, oh, the vaccine caused autism brouhaha, and surprise! Not true. (Note: I have a sister with severe autism, no words, she's in her early 20s.) And I'm right there with you on "maybe it's just the genetic version of the short story, The Lottery." IT SUCKS.
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Date: 2010-05-20 11:47 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-05-21 04:04 am (UTC)I would love-- LOVE-- to go, say, strawberry-picking or raspberry-picking again, like I did when I was a kid, but there's no place near me that does it. The closest we come to that where I live is at Halloween, when some salespeople buy a bunch of pumpkins, lay them across a yard in rows, and invite people to "pick their own pumpkins." WAT.
ALSO
Date: 2010-05-21 04:17 am (UTC)My mother and I were both misdiagnosed with iron-deficient anemia for all of my life, until within the past 3 years my mom and I went to a blood specialist and got properly diagnosed with alpha thallassemia trait. Surprise! My mother had to have a hysterectomy last year, because her previous gynecologist attributed her extreme back pain and fatigue to depression. NO, IT'S FIBROIDS, YOU STUPID MALPRACTICING CUNT. My mom's uterus was the size of a baby. I have pictures.
My sister, who didn't have a period until she was 15 and because she got on birth control, who had always had excess hair, dark patches of skin, and put on weight easily, was diagnosed within the past 3 years with polycystic ovarian syndrome and excessive testosterone. Doctors had been telling her to "just diet and excercise" for years. The recently "discovered" PMDD (like the Yaz commercials) is something that's manageable, but indicates a woman's brain being hypersensitive to her own hormones, which-- wait for it-- my mother and I both have. It's not like normal PMS, either, it is like being bipolar and highly aggressive two weeks out of every four, and it sucks. That's why women who don't have PMDD shouldn't take Yaz, because the chemicals that reverse my crazy will make you crazy. My mom's on antidepressants for it (she still has her ovaries, and thus, the self-poisoning hormones).
My mom was pregnant with me for months before her then-doctor acknowledged that it wasn't a hysterical pregnancy. I can go on and on.
There's just a lot of different health issues people carry around in their DNA that they aren't aware of and should be. And because our culture really emphasizes putting everything in the hands of your personal doctor-- who may not be all they're cracked up to be-- patients don't take ownership of themselves, their medical history, and their right to be tested for any- and everything they could want to be tested for. Not to hate on doctors, but your doctor's license plate says MD, not GOD.
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Date: 2010-05-21 04:57 am (UTC)Hah, me too. Though, no, I love poking fun at because it is admittedly BATSHIT INSANE, but I do it out of love!
I still find it super, super weird that your old 'date' is on a TV show now :\
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Date: 2010-05-21 02:44 pm (UTC)I'm so glad you found your dress and accessories. You definitely wanna make a big impression when you show up fashionably late for the wedding...
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Date: 2010-05-21 03:24 pm (UTC)It's funny that I'm reading your post this morning after a shopping expedition to a couple of places in order to buy free-range, responsibly raised meat. I watched "Food, Inc." about a week ago and was sickened enough to vow that we will try to eat meat from sustainable farms, raised without antibiotics, etc. It's hard to get that kind of meat in a regular grocery store. Fortunately there are a couple of farms near our house that sell their stuff. It just means making a bit more extra effort to go there instead of the all-in-one-trip grocery store.
Anyway, on a brighter topic, hurray that you found a nice dress! (I love Nordstrom's too -- they make the painful process of shopping a bit more tolerable.)
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Date: 2010-05-21 04:40 pm (UTC)SMOOOOOOOOOCH!
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Date: 2010-05-21 09:55 pm (UTC)