Monday, October 27, 2008
Plenty
Not long ago I was given a prescription by my doctor. When I got home with the medicine, I looked at the instructions on the bottle. I saw the usual dosage directions – one capsule two times each day – but I also saw additional warnings and admonitions affixed to the little plastic container.
One preprinted label advised that I should not take the capsule within two hours of taking vitamins, calcium supplements, or other specific medicines.
Hmmmm. Since I take supplements of various kinds first thing in the morning and at bedtime, I decided that I would take some of the capsules to my office and try to remember to take them mid-morning. I would take the second dose when I get home from work – which should be two hours before my bedtime. This is just a 30-day regimen, so I can do this.
The next preprinted label stumped me.
After the specificity of the number of capsules per day and the two-hour space from other substances, I was puzzled to read, “Take with plenty of water.” I don’t know about you, but to me “plenty” is a pretty loosey-goosey term.
I went to my handy American Heritage Dictionary where I read the first definition of plenty: “A full or completely adequate amount or supply.”
In my experience, plenty means different things at different times. If we are talking about one of my favorite foods, plenty might be a large amount; If we are talking about some food I barely tolerate, plenty is a pretty small serving.
Plenty of water for a bath differs greatly from plenty of water for a carwash or to water the lawn.
Even for drinking, plenty of water seems nebulous to me. If you are working hard in the hot sun, plenty of water will likely be more than if you are sitting at a desk in an air-conditioned office.
So, my conclusion is that the authorities (the pharmacist? The Food and Drug Administration? The drug manufacturer?) are leaving this part of my pill taking up to me. I get to decide just how much water with the capsule is plenty.
Which made me wonder: if I am wrong and I drink too little water, will I know? What will be the signal that I didn’t swallow plenty of water with the capsule?
Will it stick in my esophagus? Will it tear up my stomach? Will I develop serious digestive discomfort of some kind? Or will I not know until years later when the damage is discovered?
Normally, I’m a good decision-maker..... willing to rely on my own good judgment.
This time, however, I find myself going back for more water -- just to make certain I get plenty.
Saturday, October 11, 2008
Farmers' Market
This morning we went to a farmers' market. I don't think the people there would necessarily call themselves farmers -- but that's really beside the point, I guess.
It was a collection of people who came to offer for sale what they had produced. Around the perimeter were mostly food stalls; in the center were mostely jewelry, ceramics, and art. At one end, you could find inflatible (what do you call them? they aren't rides or toys.........pens?) for children's play.
Many of the vegetables were organic. The beef and lamb was grassfed. The chickens were also specially raised. There were artisan breads and honey. There were tamales cooked in banana leaves. Various special teas were available, and there were specialty coffee drinks too. At each stall you could meet the person who had raised or blended or brewed it.
It was all much more personal than the grocery store. You could ask questions and get answers. And there seemed to be so much pride in what they were offering.
Often they didn't have a huge amount of their wares. When they sold out, they just stood around visiting with people.
And the shoppers were different too. Many had their dogs with them. They looked relaxed and often carried a cup or tea or coffee as they strolled along, enjoying the market.
Oh, and I forgot to mention that there was a singer with a guitar performing in an area between the fresh lavendar and the homemade dog biscuits. His genial sound floated throughout the market, adding a soundtrack to the morning.
It was an altogether delightful experience. My regular grocery store will never feel the same now. And I got great tomatoes.
It was a collection of people who came to offer for sale what they had produced. Around the perimeter were mostly food stalls; in the center were mostely jewelry, ceramics, and art. At one end, you could find inflatible (what do you call them? they aren't rides or toys.........pens?) for children's play.
Many of the vegetables were organic. The beef and lamb was grassfed. The chickens were also specially raised. There were artisan breads and honey. There were tamales cooked in banana leaves. Various special teas were available, and there were specialty coffee drinks too. At each stall you could meet the person who had raised or blended or brewed it.
It was all much more personal than the grocery store. You could ask questions and get answers. And there seemed to be so much pride in what they were offering.
Often they didn't have a huge amount of their wares. When they sold out, they just stood around visiting with people.
And the shoppers were different too. Many had their dogs with them. They looked relaxed and often carried a cup or tea or coffee as they strolled along, enjoying the market.
Oh, and I forgot to mention that there was a singer with a guitar performing in an area between the fresh lavendar and the homemade dog biscuits. His genial sound floated throughout the market, adding a soundtrack to the morning.
It was an altogether delightful experience. My regular grocery store will never feel the same now. And I got great tomatoes.
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Waiting rooms
In my experience, waiting rooms have always had a sort of sterile commonality about them. They have usually been characterized by too many chairs packed uncomfortably close and tattered magazines. I have combated these discomforts by trying to select my seat strategically and carrying my own reading material.
Doctors’ waiting rooms have pluses and minuses. Generally, they are clean and air conditioned, and the chairs are pretty comfortable. Usually there are enough chairs to allow patients to sit in every other chair so that some personal space is possible. Sometimes there is a television in the corner. Occasionally, coffee or a water fountain is available. The downside is that there are sick people all around you, often coughing on you, generally making it scary to touch any surfaces.
Waiting rooms in automotive services facilities are quite different. Often there are only a minimum number of seats, the area is sometimes un-airconditioned, and often it is dirty, as though late at night the grime from the shop creeps into the customer area. Whether I’m waiting to have tires put on the car or waiting for an oil change or whatever, I find that these kinds of waiting rooms make me pace around – partly because there aren’t enough chairs and partly because I suspect that I will end up with grease and grime on my clothes if I try to sit.
Up until today, my favorite waiting rooms were at airports. There the waiting room is not an afterthought; it’s part of the overall plan. While other waiting rooms are usually close quarters, the airport waiting areas are expansive. They are usually clean, have lots of windows, and the many seats are usually fairly comfortable. Additionally, there are plenty of nearby restrooms and shops for browsing or purchasing snacks or reading material. All in all, not a bad place to be, to my way of thinking.
Today, however, I have experienced the ultimate in waiting rooms.
A few years ago, I splurged and got an upscale car. The regular maintenance is provided by the dealership at no additional cost -- you make an appointment, they change the oil or whatever, wash the car, and you drive away. They call you by name. They (through the miracle of a good data base) know you and know your car. Very nice.
The last time I brought my car in, the waiting room was a fairly standard affair – although they did have a cappachino machine and crispy cream donuts. But the seats were close together and limited in number. At the time, they apologized and told me that they were building a new customer area. I had forgotten that when I took my car in this morning.
Once the obligatory paperwork was done, the nice man led me to the customer area. He showed me the plush leather seating and flat screen CNN news area, and then he showed me the internet kiosks available for my use. Next came the options of a peaceful seating area around a gorgeous aquarium. Next was the complimentary coffee bar with an on-duty barrista, the beautifully tiled restrooms, a shopping area, a snack bar with complimentary cold water and sodas, and a series of small office areas where I could work. Oh, and how could I forget: there was a small theater where classic movies played.
Honestly -- and I never thought I would say this -- it was a pleasure to spend time in this customer waiting area! Rather than chafe at how long the service took, I found myself sorry when it was time to leave. (I had used one of the small office areas and had accomplished more work than I would have at my office!) Clearly, this company understands the good will associated with making customers comfortable.
Of course, I reflected ruefully, the cost of my upscale car was certainly paying for all this luxury. But still, all that comfort was a nice surprise this morning and made me reflect on the many improvements that could be made to most waiting rooms in this world. It really wouldn’t be necessary to go over the top like this dealership did – just a little attention to those untended waiting rooms would certainly pay great dividends!
Doctors’ waiting rooms have pluses and minuses. Generally, they are clean and air conditioned, and the chairs are pretty comfortable. Usually there are enough chairs to allow patients to sit in every other chair so that some personal space is possible. Sometimes there is a television in the corner. Occasionally, coffee or a water fountain is available. The downside is that there are sick people all around you, often coughing on you, generally making it scary to touch any surfaces.
Waiting rooms in automotive services facilities are quite different. Often there are only a minimum number of seats, the area is sometimes un-airconditioned, and often it is dirty, as though late at night the grime from the shop creeps into the customer area. Whether I’m waiting to have tires put on the car or waiting for an oil change or whatever, I find that these kinds of waiting rooms make me pace around – partly because there aren’t enough chairs and partly because I suspect that I will end up with grease and grime on my clothes if I try to sit.
Up until today, my favorite waiting rooms were at airports. There the waiting room is not an afterthought; it’s part of the overall plan. While other waiting rooms are usually close quarters, the airport waiting areas are expansive. They are usually clean, have lots of windows, and the many seats are usually fairly comfortable. Additionally, there are plenty of nearby restrooms and shops for browsing or purchasing snacks or reading material. All in all, not a bad place to be, to my way of thinking.
Today, however, I have experienced the ultimate in waiting rooms.
A few years ago, I splurged and got an upscale car. The regular maintenance is provided by the dealership at no additional cost -- you make an appointment, they change the oil or whatever, wash the car, and you drive away. They call you by name. They (through the miracle of a good data base) know you and know your car. Very nice.
The last time I brought my car in, the waiting room was a fairly standard affair – although they did have a cappachino machine and crispy cream donuts. But the seats were close together and limited in number. At the time, they apologized and told me that they were building a new customer area. I had forgotten that when I took my car in this morning.
Once the obligatory paperwork was done, the nice man led me to the customer area. He showed me the plush leather seating and flat screen CNN news area, and then he showed me the internet kiosks available for my use. Next came the options of a peaceful seating area around a gorgeous aquarium. Next was the complimentary coffee bar with an on-duty barrista, the beautifully tiled restrooms, a shopping area, a snack bar with complimentary cold water and sodas, and a series of small office areas where I could work. Oh, and how could I forget: there was a small theater where classic movies played.
Honestly -- and I never thought I would say this -- it was a pleasure to spend time in this customer waiting area! Rather than chafe at how long the service took, I found myself sorry when it was time to leave. (I had used one of the small office areas and had accomplished more work than I would have at my office!) Clearly, this company understands the good will associated with making customers comfortable.
Of course, I reflected ruefully, the cost of my upscale car was certainly paying for all this luxury. But still, all that comfort was a nice surprise this morning and made me reflect on the many improvements that could be made to most waiting rooms in this world. It really wouldn’t be necessary to go over the top like this dealership did – just a little attention to those untended waiting rooms would certainly pay great dividends!
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