A friend my age who works in public health recently told me the story of his colonoscopy to get me comfortable with the idea of submitting to all the bullshit that the medical geniuses have determined, in their wisdom, that people like us have to endure. My response, quoting bits of his email, is below -- for posterity & stuff.

I was just trying to take out the trash this morning. I have to do it in the morning, because I do NOT want to meet the white-striped neighbors in the process, and that's a whole lot more likely at dusk or during the evening. So now I have NEW neighbors to worry about.

No sure where Mama was.

So the paperwork seems to be resolved. I had the right collection of documents sufficiently well completed to handle what was needed. Or anyway I'm not aware of any glaring deficiencies, so the day caudle declared an editorial success. Not sure how much that gains me, overall.

So the paperwork seems to be resolved. I had the right collection of documents sufficiently well completed to handle what was needed. Or anyway I'm not aware of any glaring deficiencies, so the day could be declared an editorial success. Not sure how much that gains me, overall.

It was a harrowing couple hours of silent dissatisfaction -- almost exactly like . . .

People: They are Just. Shoes.