25 September, 2009

Bottoms Up!

No, that's not a reference to anything having to do with someone's buttocks.
Yesterday I went to the doctor to see if he could prescribe something new for my terrible acid reflux. He replied by prescribing me to go to the hospital today to have what he so ominously called a "Barium Swallow"
Well, I went to my appointment this morning and, after waiting an hour for the doctor, I became more informed as to what was needing to happen. I was asked to lay down on the table and the doctor scanned my chest with a large x-ray machine. The coolest part was seeing inside of my own body and seeing my organs pulsating and my spine moving as he asked me to turn on my side an whatnot. the nasty party was the barium. Apparently it acts like a dye so they can see what is going on inside of me. The doctor had me drink it, sip it, gulp it, etc, while he watched onscreen. It was pretty neat to see it enter my stomach and slide down my throat, but it sure didn't taste very great. imagine chalk and elmer's glue with a sickly sweet (almost like cherry) taste and very thick and gritty texture. I just get to wait for the results now... Also, I was late to work and still have to make up for yesterday's hours (My wife and I both got food poisoning and spent pretty much the whole day in bed.)
But all-in-all it was an interesting experience. I got to watch Friends in the waiting room too. That was fun...

02 September, 2009

Red Tape Replaces Red Hair

I understand the reasons for bureaucracy and their rules. I really do.
But, yesterday was possibly one of the most annoying days of my life. School has been going well and I am really enjoying my classes. The only problem now is how to pay for it. Here's the story: In January, I began filling out a form for financial aid for 09-10. I was, at the time, single. I then realized I was filling out the wrong year and in March I finished my 08-09 form as a married student.. Summer semester was thus paid for. When I went to file my 09-10 form I refilled it out and submitted it as being married. Well, when I went in to speak with the adviser, he didn't like that. I was informed I would have to go back and refill it out as being single even though I currently am married. *insert roll of the eyes here*
So, I did that. Yesterday I went back in to ask about the award. I was given another two forms to fill out and I did as they asked. I even brought my tax return! Well, when I turned in the last of the forms, I was notified I had done it all wrong. "You need to fill out this one, and bring in your parent's tax return as well."
At this point I began to be frustrated. I was already late for work and now I had to go get my parents' return, copy it, and take it back in. (I even went behind my wife's back to the rival copy center from the one where she works.) Well, everything was finally submitted on time and correctly. I hope.
Now I have to wait a month for it to come through which means I had to pay tuition anyway. *sigh* Apparently the bureaucrats would rather me be single and a liar, than married. Well, there's the rant. Take it for what it's worth.