I'm Talking 'Bout a Blog That Works Now
Sorry for the down days last week when blogger.com was down, under repair, but hopefully fixed today. Stu, the blogger of House Calls is at your service, ready to blog on most any topic, from church website follies, all the way to Afghanistan where the U.S. Federal Government is paying out hundreds of millions of dollars to help curb the heroin industry, only to discover that opium production was up from 4100 metric tons in '05, to 6100 metric tons in 2006! Read about it here, via Stu the Guy RN, or Registered Nurse for short. That's what I'M talkin about!

To Howl A Ween, or not Howl A Ween, T'is The Question
Check out this interesting survey of how folks feel about celebrating the U.S. Holiday, Halloween, or Night of the Dems, for short. I'll be working at the ER tonight, and hope I don't see any candy O.D. patients, at least not over the age of 21. Did I tell you about the other night a guy actually was transported in after he cut off...well, maybe that's one story that'll get censored, even though it's true. And I'm not making it up either.

Curry Helps Alzheimer Patients
A new study found that curry, the spice not the editor of ninetyandnine.net, can actually reduce symptoms of Alzheimer's Disease. Curry the spice is used widepread in India, and the results are that they cannot remember whether the Taliban is good, or bad. But since they possess nuclear weapons technology, it jest don't matter. So the next time you think about putting a dash of curry on your food, think about the Taliban in Afghanistan and a mushroom cloud over your head. That's what curry has done for one country.

St. Louis, Missouri Named Most Dangerous City in the U.S.
That's right, the city of the Arch and the Mississippi River has been named the most dangerous city to live in. Hopefully, it didn't hinder participation in the 2006 I.Q. Forum hosted by ninetyandnine.net. However, this headline, which is not something I made up, is much more tasteful than the one about the guy tatooing his dead niece's name onto the forehead of the killer he met in jail. Still, I may think twice about visiting a city ranked NUMBER 1 on the list of America's MOST DANGEROUS CITIES.

The I.Q. Forum In St Louis
For all of us who missed out on the ninetyandnine.net I.Q. Forum, here is the link.

WE'RE BLOGGIN' AGAIN!
Well whoop-de-doo we're blogging again. Sorry for the outage, but blogger.com has had some major probs but apparently ironed them all out. Now where were we? I composed a short poem this morning, first thing, but was unable to share it with y'all. It sort of composed itself in my head...

The Body

The body
Lying there
In repose
That birthed five children
Is Mother

The body
Not dead
Yet not quite alive either
As the spirit is still present
In her

The body
Is a house
Not a home
Since we rent it for years
Until it falls apart
For need of repair

The body
Betrays the spirit
And grows weaker
While the heart grows stronger
Over time

The body
Lying in repose,
It’s state in wait
For that last exchange of air
And transaction of promise
With God.

Are We There YET?

Testing...A...B...C...

Testing...1..2..3

We Interrupt This Program To Bring You A Special Announcement
There have been technical difficulties with blogger.com this week and I have been unable to post. So if any of you out there in blogland are holed up your home or apartment eating chicken noodle soup until we pull out of Iraq...you can come out now.

Abortion banned in Nicaragua
The legislature in Nicarauga passed a bill to ban all abortions including the so-called "exceptions." You can read it here in the NY Times. The bill was passed and is up for signing with only a week to go before presidential elections. Since 1973, America has sanctioned abortions as legal ever since Roe V. Wade was decided in a Supreme Court ruling. I think the issue is a bit more important than the gay marriage fiasco, but abortions seems to be getting little voice this election-go-round.

A Life In Sunset
This week I'm driving to S.C. to say goodbye to my mother. This may well be her final week. I'll be going alone, will visit with her and the new husband, staying at the Hospice House starting this week. The previous link is for a Hospice House in another state, but the principle is the same. I discovered what terminal cancer meant when my aunt died a few years ago. And that's what's happening to Mom now. The blog week may not be strong this week.

After Ten Hours of Sleep...
Okay, I'm back, after ten hours, taking my wife to the Med-Stop for an injection to knock her out of a migraine-X-four-days. It worked. Thanks for the prayers, if some were offered. We came home around 4p and watched Memoirs of a Geisha. The trailer is much steamier than the actual flick, and the cinematography is incredible. Then we crashed, cold weather brewing up outside. Think I'll build a fire in the fireplace this week.

I read the TOP TEN things to know about college stuff this morning at ninetyandnine.net. Right on the money. I agree that college isn't all about learning so much as it is about becoming disciplined. I agree with Miss Jackson on each of her ten points. I remembered that I wrote a very short book on college success, but never published it or submitted it for publishing it. But I would love to pull it back out and compare it to what I read in her article.

Good Morning A La Stu!
All is well in our fair country, it is fall weather, no hurricanes, and nearly Novenmber. I'm going to update the beach trip, and the marriage trip, whichever comes first. SO hang tight, and I promise to blog after I get some much needed sleep. Oh, and did I mention open marriage co-worker of mine? What a trip. Not to mention the various special patients I've seen over the past four days in the ER, or emergency room for short. See ya soon.

Back To Work and Lack Of Sleep (LOS) for Stu
Pulled my first 12 last night and it was rough! After sleeping with the door open listening to the gentle roar of the ocean surf for the past 5 nights, I miss sleep and beach. I'm not sure how good this night shift really is compared to days. It's rough, and fur s'I kin tell none of y'all are pulling this crazy shift. I need some support here! Maybe tonight (Friday) will get a little better...

Great Texas Talent In Contest
Please vote today for a great duo here. At least vote and hear some new sounds and songs as this radio station hosts a contest for new talent. Beyond the Noise sounds like they've got contract written all over them. Praise God for talent...may you go far BTN!!!

It's Not Too Late!
Sign up, drive up, or show up at ninetyandnine.net's IQ Forum held this Friday-Saturday in St. Louis. Missouri, that is. Go to ninetyandnine.net for details. Talk about opportunity to be heard. Don't miss it.

Okay...Stu's Back From Florida
Sorry to all of you out there in Blogland, but now I'm back. The weather was great except for 3 windy/rainy days, and there was much seafood to cook and eat. Why October? Because that's when the crowds are practically nil. At least I was doing something constructive and not sending off lame video resumes. Like shucking oysters.

The Beach...Florida...Come On Down!
Pleae bear with me this week as I get some sand 'tween my toes, shrimp 'tween m'teeth, and sunshine all over. Have a great and bless-ed weekend!

More Gravity Free Living

Night Shift Blues
Okay, so I'm off tonight, but why can't I get to bed? I'm heading to Florida for a wedding Saturday afternoon at 4PM. Driving tomorrow as soon as I wake up, to the wedding, then Saturday night to the Florida panhandle for a few days at the beach with some close brothers and sisters of mine. Watched Frequency tonight, for the second time, and it is an awesome story.
(Note: photo is not the blogger)

Stu To Appear On Letterman Show
Here's a preview of my guest appearance with David Letterman on Late Night. Letterman, an admitted House Calls fan, called me up and said, "Let's do it." Oh, wait a minute, that's not the shot of me after all, I got it mixed up with the other guest that night. And btw, George looks much older in person.

Google Earth For Your Home
...And a great way to help junior pass 7th grade Geography. I'm sure most folks have heard of Google Earth (free edition), but here it is. Pay a few bucks a year and the experience intensifies and updates. Let me know if your house is visible, and I'll show you who has a swimming pool (or not) in their backyard.

Anyone for spray-on panty hose?
I had heard of this product a couple years ago, but was wondering why it's not catching on in Church circles. Ladies, sound off now and comment on this invention that is all the rave in Japan. But this brings up other questions: Will thugs spray this on their face right before robbing a bank? Can onions be sprayed with it for preservative? Can it be used to buff-shine shoes? Stu wants to know whether or not spray -on hose is a good product or not, since I won't be testing the product myself now, nor in the near future.

Resource on Media For Christian Folk
If you never visited FOTF's Plugged In, then today is your day. For the latest reviews, warnings and heads-ups on media from podcasts to DVDs, look here.

Car Surfer Visits ER
Had a car surfer visit the ER last night,
who didn't appear hurt, but my question
on car surfing is: why?

President of the United States of America Visits Macon,Georgia,10/10/06

No, I'm not making this up, President George W. Bush actually flew in on Air Force One and gave a speech in Macon, hometown of this y'here blogger, Stu. I missed the speech, unfortunately, but saw a small group of protesters on the street corner downtown when I drove to work last night around 6:30PM. No mace or nightsticks were used to subdue them, but they looked like happy protesters.

One More Reason...
For me not to worry about losing my job. Ladies and gentlemen, I present: job security made easy. For and ER RN, that is.

Stu Up For Action (sort of)
Well, I promise not to torture you, fair reader, with any more allusions to my nocturnal habits of sleeping in the daytime. I feel the same way this bear looks, awake, but chilling on a rock. I wonder what percent of our American population performs this same ritual of working nights and sleeping days? Oh well, for now, I've got to scat and get ready for work at the ER. Making a difference one emergency at a time, which may involve putting patients to sleep (temporarily). Lucky them.

Stu Signing Off For A Few Winks, But First, A Word From Our Sponsor...
Yes, Stu works at night, sleeps by day, and here is a digital shot of him only moments before embarking on another restful nap. All he needs now is a little "Do Not Disturb" sign from the hotel.

Coffee, TV, Porn, and Sin—But Not Necessarily In That Order.
There is an article you should read this week, and it is here, which may get you thinking differently about what exactly constitutes and causes sin. It's a good thought, and an interesting piece available only at ninetyandnine.net (no age I.D. validation necessary to visit). So grab that second cup o' java and read it today. I'm just glad he didn't mention ice tea.

New Bird Named After Editor
An amazing new discovery by ornithologists will be named kentdcurryius birdius since the top shock of hair on the bird very much resembles the upper locks of ninetyandnine.net editor Kent d Curry. "It's amazing really," replied Camile Gomez, top scientist and bird watcher that was in the Andes "just checking out fowl," when along tweeters this little fellow and she thought,"Hey, I've seen that hair before!" The National Society of Scientists Who Watch Birds are planning a dedication ceremony sometime this fall to celebrate the new species.

Many Returning to 2.5 Children or Less...

...While Some Like Large Families
Check this news item at yahoo about how some folks crave a large family, and travel across economic and educational lines. TV, the anonymous New Englander, has quite a large family, but also incredible kids, unlike myself and the ones I grew up with, who would start tearing stuff up the moment a parent's back was turned.

A Sad Day For Mother Earth
North Korea gets closer to utilizing nukes as military might as evidenced by underground testing. I predict that the U.S. will take action in less than six months. My prediction isn't important, but the fact that a lunatic has nuclear power in his hands is shocking. If you don't believe it, then watch a film on Hiroshima or Nagasaki and you'll see that this subject should not even be in the news today.

The Answer: Maybe his girlfriend tossed it over the bridge?

WARNING!!!

THE POSTS YOU ARE ABOUT TO READ COULD CAUSE A LIFE CHANGE, OR POSSIBLY A CRAVING FOR CINNAMON TOAST CRUNCH.

No Porn On Sunday, Please.
...or any other day for that matter. I've heard stories this week from a highschool teacher who related some stories of widespread porn among her students, including pictures of themselves being circulated. I don't think we really have a clue how big an issue internet porn is. But here's a place, no-porn.com, that seems to have some good ideas. Porn and pre-marital sex may be much bigger than we ever thought drug use was. Time to pray folks through this addiction like we would an alcohol or drug addiction. Deliverance is nigh. Call on Jesus. On Sunday. Or any day.

I Feel,
I Feel Like
Praisin' Him
Oh Sunday, time to jump up,
I wish skyhigh, like this guy,
Where the Spirit of the Lord is,
There is liberty!
Ah! Liberty!

The Tale of the Little Princess
Once upon a time there was a little princess, who lived with her mother. Her big sister had moved out but came to visit her often. One day, the sister said to the little princess, "Hey, lets go to the Widespread Panic concert and drink some liquor." Well, the next thing you know an ambulance was taking the little princess with red lights and siren to the emergency room. The little princess had drank too much liquor. The little princess was swinging her arms and kicking the nurses and doctors with her feet. But finally she settled down after the nice people restrained her and infused fluids back into her body. The Queen was somewhat angry at the big sister, but glad that little princess was still alive. The exiled King was none too happy either. But early the next morning, before the sun had come up, the little princess was set free by the happy nurse and she was driven back to the castle where the queen dwelled. And she lived happily ever after...that is, until the next concert rolled into town.

Great View, Low Electric Bill
I'm thinking of buying a house, and this one seems perfect for that rustic, getaway feel when you want to do a little bird hunting and have a little barbeque. I have some other places in mind, so scroll down and have a look.

I like this house better, for $1 you can't beat it!
Man, I'm fixing to bid on this house instead for only 1 buck! I don't really like Florida much, but for the price, you can't beat it! From now on, I'm going to buy all my houses on ebay, and I reccommend you do the same! Sunshine Parkway...here I come!

Stu's Slaughter House Bid
I was on ebay just now, looking to buy something, when I chanced upon a slaughter house for sale that comes complete with a three bedroom house! It also comes with a hot tub, and is ready for a Mom-n-Pop type family to take overthe business. For a mere 300 grand, I'm thinking about it. Made my decision already, although the hot tub is mighty tempting. But if any of you brothers out there are looking to entice the girl of your dreams into marrying you, casually mention that just today you were thinking about making an offer on a little cottage in Idaho, a romantic getaway, and see if she bites the hook. Might want to make sure she's into the fitness scene, since slaughter house work tends to require some heavy lifting.

Burnin' Down The House
Don't know why it hit me...I always loved pulling up on back of a firetruck seeing a house in this condition. It meant work to be done, but also incredible fun pulling lines, skeeting water, the light that fades to total blackness after fire's out, and the joy of a job well done. A house like this one feels good, 'cause you know that it's gone, no sense in worrying about rescue or saving property...it is a fireman's fire, we perform the final act in this house with wild abandon, reckless will, and tons of water. Does anyone see an analogy here? Or am I sleep deprived? Notice the tree in the foreground...it'll be dead in a year if not the night. Do I miss firefighting?

Nah.

Auto Invented That Gets 150 Miles-Per-Gallon!
Actually, the mystery car doesn't even use gasoline, and it can also travel 100MPH with optional tow-rope®. Look below to feast your eyes on the car that will end U.S. dependence on foreign oil! Bring your troops home today! GO out and purchase this amazing vehicle! Your mileage may vary. Prohibited in some areas (I-20, I-95, and Bridgeton, MO).



*Prices do not include spare tire, extension cord, or dental repair fees.

U2 to Add Amish Rhythm Guitarist
There are rumors that U2 will tour this year with the help of Amish guitarist Floyd Rentgoensen, who plays a mean riff and will back up The Edge during keyboard work. Of course, I started the rumor, but at least you heard it here first!

Fireman to Nurse Transition
When I was a fireman I spake as a fireman,
I pulled off blunt lines of hose to inject water inside of burning houses and cars,
But now I'm a nurse and I insert tiny lines, little plastic catheters that go intra-venous,
In other words inside the veins of humans.
Instead of inserting water to cool down fires,
I spray volatile synthetic mixtures and potions to calm the fire inside of people.
Like fire fighting, where water can both put out fire and do major damage
As 150 gallons-per-minute torments furniture and sheetrock,
Running high powered drugs can convert lethal heart rhythms, but can also stop a heart,
pull fluid off of lungs or brain, subdue nausea, or calm agitation from mental episodes where I need the patient to be still.
Given wrong, they kill.
Given right, they heal.
I'm still running lines...reducing my flow-per-minute from gallons to micrograms.
I'm still putting out fires, but the ones now are burning inside human beings.
I got my pump,
I got my lines,
I got my safety gear on.
I'm a nurse now.

Stu's job security for ER nurses...

...job security

...job security

Stu's Headin' Back To EC, or, Emergency Center
I'm doing back to back shifts, with a nap of 6 hours in between of course. Sorry no blogging going on this morning. Last night I had both seclusion rooms for mental health patients. Fun, but no incidents, thank the Lord. The Lord is good, and when you live with life and death every day at work, you see His presence in folks' lives in a new way. Life is real, and death is real. Sounds corny to read it here, so I'll explain it better after I've had my supper. The little wife is whipping up some supper as we speak. Adios amigos! Til the AM...

Tunes on your 'Puter
I didn't now if any of you out there in blogland listen to funky tunes like I'm doing right now. Got me an account at live365 (free) and don't have to pay XM or Sirius fees, with minimal adverts. So sign up, crank up, and cruise over to ninetyandnine.net for some advantageous articles about life, love, and lore.

TEN THINGS STU HAS NEVER DONE
1. Gone Bungee jumping.
2. Read a Harry Potter book.
3. Enlisted in the military.
4. Swung from a chandolier.
5. Eaten a pickled pig's foot.
6. Worn a purple suit to church.
7. Been inside the White House.
8. Been to Kent Curry's house.
9. Shot a deer with nary bullet nar arrow.
10. Spent the night in jail.

Harry Potter BANNED?!
In Georgia, the largest state east of the Mississippi River, a school board will meet today to decide the fate of Harry Potter books on the library shelves of Gwinnett County schools. The mother, Laura Mallory, a parent and former overseas missionary, objects to Harry Potter books in schools and will present her argument in Atlanta's twin towers government building across from the state capitol. She lists “evil themes, witchcraft, demonic activity, murder, evil blood sacrifice, spells and teaching children all of this” as the basis of her objection.

I, personally, have never read a Harry Potter book, nor watched any of the films. I did discover that Harry Potter can be rearranged to spell "Try Hero Part." Kent Curry, editor of ninetyandnine.net has a unique view point, coming from both a Christian and intellectual background and can be found here. Find out why he does not find reading Harry potter books especially dangerous.

Life Can Be A Jigsaw Puzzle Sometimes
There's a great article, and I rate as one of the best ever on ninetyandnine.net, and you can read it here, about jigsaw puzzles. Also, rehash some great highlights from T.V., the guy who likes to drive long distances, and the green towel story on A Month In The Life, also at 90&9.net. Notice I didn't mention one time the Amish incident and...whooooooooOOOOOOOOOOOOPS!