Viral Vicissitudes

Decisions and their trees...Deming down.   “ HOW were you thinking…?!” Bi-directional: Whether you're more of a 'top-down' thinker (ironically, starts with placing the "root" of the problem at the top, of the tree😔)  or like to come at this perplexing problem 'side-ways'  - which came to be associated with fishing, with William E. Deming, who headed west to go to the far east with his lures😕 - one needs a system, especially if you are pressured by time or other precious resources ("STAT!") , for ruling in, out, based on the data you have at hand, to at least manage, if not solve (i.e., get down to the "root" in the first case, "causative" factors, in the latter example) -- two systems that have together become associated with, sort of got gobbled up 🐟by “algorithms” that have in turn become absorbed by all the AI discussions. Speaking of all-absorbing... EMR: A term of engagement that, at least in its early stages, had the...

Spelling "Beez" - A critical re-view   A few choice words - about their word choices and the ones who choose them. These, from the "mouths of babes" At least, based on my experience in child development and those that have been shared in the privacy of "confidential" conversations. That I, myself, have confidence in, as to what they'd really  like to say, all the ones that were also swirling around, in their still developing minds. The ones of the four-letter variety, that the rest of their age level peers are mastering in...versus less impressive ones as "éclaircissement"... "To my folks" -  the ones that actively supported me ("After you practice the piano, following your track practice, get your homework, household chores taken care of... then  and only  then, are you allowed to dive into Meriam and Webster...")..."I'm going to share my winnings with you...tonight will be on my  D-I-M-E, which means I can order...

  Bar code: Tears for Cheers Knew Norm? The one that, along with others that "Where everybody knows your name" that still managed to stand out, especially while taking his seat, in the apparently appointed bar stool. Who, while casually conversing and sipping with Cliff, we came to hang on, to find out the one word he might utter, which itself, became a 'cliff hanger' of sorts. The one word that he uttered that brought us to "Cheers" that frequently left us in tears, given the side stich from busting a gut, that he rehearsed off stage in order to get the part of "Mr. Peterson"... Bye George! If you're a so-called "regular" then you knew, the writers of "Cheers" who apparently had not met the "Norm!" that we came to know and love, was not even a minor, let alone, major character. And even when George Wendt auditioned for the pilot episode, as Diane Chambers (I only mention her last name for newbies, non-regulars) fi...

  Mandatory, Reporting rules Should be, mandatory  - If we, health professionals, have to follow strict rules, whenever we suspect harm has come, in not whether, (taken out of our hands) but how… Should not They -  The ones that were more professionally trained as part of how they make a living…at least follow what’s called the bare minimum of standards that we are held to… 1. Stick to the story , spare the gory…details…leave something to the imagination... 2. Second verse , don’t make things worse …(we know it as “first, do no harm”) - refrain from asking “So, I suppose you must feel dreadful” If they’re filled with dread, don’t worry, you won’t have to wait long, for it to spill out… 3. If You can't add value , PLEASE don’t add insult to injury…Prime time example from this morning's Prime time news hour- “The driver apparently drove deliberately into the crowd to cause great bodily harm…a horrifying event, a crisis of great magnitude -- but, not to worry, as there was n...

  Post-Mortem post it notes on Commence-meant speakers (X3) P.S. To three leaders who went to institutions of future leaders, inviting them to go back, take a course on Public Speaking as well as what in the military is called Basic Training, given that they, in my humble opinion, fell short in the mission…statements. All three that I viewed “posthumously” also lacked the intellectual rigor that the academies represent while the audience, when briefly spanned, sure seemed to be suffering…from rigor mortis. Military Appointments - They should think twice next year as to who they appoint to give a rousing😔speech, to the graduating seniors - “The leaders of tomorrow”. They earned a better send-off. As in dis-appointing.

Serves US, rite?  Enlisting yours   Takes so little time and effort To pause for a cause Enough time to reflect On behalf of those who made US free Making the ultimate sacrifice in the process A 24-note salute Known, since 1862, as TAPS Bringing comrades to ATTENTION While the rest of US, stay at ease... "Thank You" just doesn't seem to serve, sufficiently

  Post Commence-meant toast: What happens when a five star general gives POTUS a 3 star review? a. "back, on the firing line" (as in it just takes one call, for Pete's sake…Hedspeth, that is)  b. "rapid redeploy-meant" (as in quick come-backs, of which I am among the "best, brightest, always ready for a good fight") c. "call in, the calvary" (as in what it would take to replace me) d. “UN of the above.”..(time again to put on my red rally hat)

What did "Commence" meant? Going east, to meet West Point grads. "A Major, step forward..." Regardless of what you concentrated on, you're all winners ("that's what I heard...) "Minors, a step back..." As I deliver not only a commencement address, but yet another presidential pardon, for your minor offenses…a HUGE tradition here ("isn't that why we raised all the funds to get this speaker to commit, to US...sit still, listen, it will be worth it...")  "And what about those caissons..." They're a beautiful thing, just beautiful, they're winners...keep 'em rolling!" (will do, and this is why...after so many stanzas, we finally get to why..."now we won't get home tonight...🎜" given who we invited to address US) Prepping for tomorrow: As in staying on (this) post: "Ease-meants” ...

"Out, in the back 40"   Summation nation: That is, a summary statement of the cumulative effects of playing, all the way up to the national level, staying in the game🏈, longer than what's considered ad-visable ("I didn't do it for the ads, but the love of the game"). And the ex-claim..."Oh, my aching back!" which is frequently associated with reaching the tender age of 40-ish. Whereas for a veteran of the NFL tends to be accelerated, as if they had been inside of one..."the center point of block chains...an extension of putting charged particles at high speeds, in a closed environment..."😠😡😢! Trying to push, pull back, against the basic laws of physics... SUPER-Colliders: What you get, as in currently seen around the league, in the form of "bigger, stronger...faster..." Something's got to give, right?  A look (at my) back: Not only at the many parts of the human body not made for this, but what, in the critical review of...

  Pain, Management - Modern Medicine, mollified "A HUGE pain, in my ...!" We're talking case managers, their compatriots.... “ How can they... call themselves add-ministrators, when all they do is subtract?!” (and reduce morale) “ There ought to be a law... that could get their license revoked!" “ Oh, wait (over there, in the overpacked area designated for such a purpose) -- they are the exception, to the rule..." “ Operating... without a license" (Hospitals, that is)  Practice, Management - where management finally have to practice the same Hippo-critic and obtain a license to do so…(bill pending, that could fine them offending) " Now  we're talking shared stakeholders"

  Flag, football followers - a soft-headed approach to numbskulls What's a foot:  following a temporary flagging (as in fledgling) level of interest reflected in the ratings, which in turn has been met with an offensive surge that is in no small part due to another off-the-field engagement— namely, fans, dueling.  Side-lined:  despite (the New Found Largesse) being flagged for (with)holding information — regarding the cumulative effects of concussions (now known around the league and in contact sports in general as Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy)  that took them from the field of play to a court, of law, where the offense and defense arrived at a land-mark settlement which, since 2015, has paid out over 1.2 billion to 1,600 players (no signing bonus here). Undaunted: the owners jaunted, over and above, not only the entire defense but a whole ocean, to find some new...revenue. As well as a new group of recruits....complete with not one, but two flags butt, at l...

Prophies and trophies - Modern Medicine Men-ish Lady with the lamp: the one they came to call out for, and came to be called "Florence Nightingale" -- the one, "one pro-lific person" I wrote to you about here, in celebration of International Nurses Day, one set aside for celebrating, among other things..."sanitary measures" such as hand washing prior to surgery (and after, given all the muss, fuss, that goes on, in there). So much for a male dominated profession. These league of women have been calling us out (“cleanliness is next to Godliness" and all that) on daily rituals..."an ounce of prevention..." that add value...and even, based on recent studies in "virology" even have an additive effect, on disease, at least its control...  Layer up: As in add a layer of defense, simply by being cautious, by crossing at what are marked as "cross walks" -- with distinct chirping for the vision impaired, which seems to be a growin...

Blood, assays, and their panel-lists XY, XX, and Why... we order these so-called tests (that you can't study for but can cram, as in store up lots of this stuff, for later use)...to see deep into you, at least more than skin deep... From your PCP... to BMP, CBC...CMP -- from the most "Basic" to "Comprehensive" exam...(sounds like grade, on into grad school) and, if it comes out OK, no need to send yours to the CDC...😟. All about YOU... as in 74 bio-markers...from what's going on 'up there' above the cerebral spinal fluid, (or what's known as the "blood brain barrier", a kind of natural moat above the neck), working our way down to the action in the PTTS area -- "Partial Thromboplastin Time (sounds more like a section in a concert band but it's clot! As in the time it takes for your blood to "coagulate" versus bleed out...And all the way down to your BUNS 😒 -- where a "normal BUN" ranges from 6 to 20 millig...

Lying, in wait - More modern med... Pro-nation - prone to be false +/- Lying prostrate -  has its own hazards, if you stay in one position too long, face down (including "urinary urgency"😓, whereas you could be tempted, especially if you are of the XY variety that, despite the "Why" chromosome, may still be prone to miss the early signs... Problematic prostate -  if left unchecked, could have much more devastating effects. In this case, the diagnostic specialists tell us, it’s always good to deliberately accept what’s called a false positive - as in “over diagnosis” rather than missing something when it’s present, even masquerading as a busy bladder. Check it out XY's, as in PSA, a simple blood test, part of... What you have stored up, next in this MM series: Blood assays and their panelists  

Modern Medicine and its Practitioners -    Blood Cells Doctor without boarders... Mustn't be hoarders... Need a wider waiting room… Too many patients, holding on zoom… With a paucity, in primary care... Change providers, if you dare... First came virtual, as on zoom... Now comes AI, met my doom… Who needs second opinions any more... This is basically what's in store... Modern medicine is what it's called... With RFK, referrals stalled... Just make do, with what you got  With this cabinet, I’ll take a shot… Touch my Medicare...  They wouldn't dare... Now my bills got me seeing red... Selling blood, my daily bled... (all of this to gain your attention - please consider investing, in your local blood bank)   

Triumphs, trade-offs! Trumps Tariffs, in briefs  Outer, innerwear. Butt where...? I can finally  buy China... made by US Idled assembly lines... sit idling, waiting for workers, willing to work Textiles littering the isles ..."back, in a while..."... Unused…counter parts… sinking, to new lows... Shaping up... due to number of sanctions being lifted...might need some golden arches... Where Fantasy and Gilligan...meet and greet- “ deplane, deplane!" the favorite part, why we tuned in each week, just to hear it...plus the smooth-as-silk delivery (talking textiles again) of Ricardo Montalban: “Welcome to our island Mr. President - care to strike a deal…?” Taking the world, by storm... "A 3-hour tour...a 3-hour tour..."🎵 ( Now  we're talking fast food!😛)   

  Near, Far League Going to great lengths... to break down (or hurdle, if called for) barriers... Tackling a growing problem... calling out plays in multiple tongues, while wearing a mouth guard... Owners and groaners... the former. leaving behind, the latter loyal base, for 'greener' climes...   Where errant throws... happen to even the Brady bunch ...   Never, ever pass... on a free lunch...   A new revenue stream... never far away, as close as the next room..."Fans Dueling" Only pausing to huddle... after jumping what's known as a big puddle (actually "pond" but less rhyming value)  For a most lavish reception... known to an American futbol watcher as a "Hail Mary..." Closer to home... ”Looks like we’re heading to Iowa…” As in a field of dreams that knows no bounds… The expanding NFL  - Newly Found Largesse  Catching it?

“Walkie Talkie” - the name of the game… No matter the age, the rules are the same… Walk and talk  At the same time…together!  A scene we saw that put us in awe…  Two tweens, with nothing in between… No phones in sight, to our delight - “How odd…OMG!” Which earned me a frown, as I looked down… To fact check such a condition, and my likewise position Being on the phone, leaving my partner alone… “Am I asking too much, that just for five minutes…” Got me thinking… THAT is the question of our day… “Are we asking too much…of our phones?” 🙄🥴🫵

Nursing US all, back to health - “Yo, Flo!” Vegas style It all makes sense now...  First gotta' recognize the symptoms  Administer Rx against the wishes…of the administration  Flo said no…butt wait, there's mo... Yep, I bet you missed it, double or nothing... Not only in wishing Florence Nightingale a Happy 205th!!!!! but all those who followed in her nocturnal footsteps, while the rest of us sleep at night - International Nurses Day… Fun Flo facts... But what about the Flo-charts that paved the way for more advanced “data visualization” - her life as a statistician - and don’t forget her forging a way forward for women in the work force - her social reformer side -  which included getting the harsh prostitution laws abolished… Next time you see the lights of Vegas maybe NOW you’ll also think of the “Lady with the Lamp” - who rarely, based on what she accomplished in any given night, let alone the light of day…slept a wink, I think… Matriarch in the dark - Thanks to ...

Proud control and Hall-marks of achievement - that time of year, once again ... It’s in the cards…both those few left in the stores and, more often, the online one-liners… “A proud moment…”  Accompanying handwritten commentary to provide what’s still called a contextual framework…as in social, cultural, and environmental factors, that may have played a part… “You’ve managed to forge friendships, establish a trust fund, and crossed over the cultural divide to establish new ties for your family…” As in learning to cross the street, at the corner, come back when you are called. What’s sometimes referred to as hitting the age level milestones, and in turn (forget about waiting for yours, a lesson in courtesy which comes along later) earning the credits to graduate…from preschool😆! Yep, we are increasingly lowering the age, a child qualifies as a sage… "I’m not saying"…that praise is poor. Just that you might want to, instead of a heaping helping, give it to them in bits and piec...

Commercials and their air-liners Missing the boat - here's my vote... One liners - given the emphasis on minimalism, and no weighting... 🔺- ever since having been exposed to the most basics of the basic sciences, "Delta" came, to signify a change, in a variable...such as "air quality" (why didn't they use that un-liner?)  Pan, I am - A take-off, from the Suess line, which risks a suit, which can be the only reason for the over-sight... Friendlies -  only need one word based on BBC to describe such an en-counter between two teams, so I guess it's more a title for yet another merger between two liners, which might make them "United" but if, after the ticket prices gradually, eventually go sky high, could get them ticketed, as a Monopoly (“don’t pass go”)... Paper back lighter 🎵 The perfect name for a kiosk conveniently, (coincidentally?) located near the baggage weigh in, that offers you a simple trade-in of your hard backs, just to shed those ...

May-or-all Mom, elections.    It's that time again... to cast your votes for the greatest moms. A most pleasant, simplest of reminders that, instead of worrying about national, even inter-nation poly-ticks, best to focus on who gets stuff done, closer to home. The ones that, despite all the 'false promises' -- "If you buy me a dog I'll pick up after it..." is the one we find picking off all the tics, fleas, and picking up every wear the rest of us leave off... Happy Mother's Day to the all-deserving, from all of us over-served. 💖

Collage of Cardinals - Puzzling. "Cardinal colors" - is what one, puzzler person, might encounter when trying to assemble, that is a combination of "primary colors" and "cardinal directions"...all 133 of them that went into seclusion (out of  possible 252, just to make it easy for you) -- the ones that were "age eligible" to vote and still, ambulatory...  "Vestitures in the vestibule" - yet another See of Red, you might find, hanging around, the man cave, I mean... "Paper pencil, papal" - as in votives and eventual outcome, after so many torn to shreds, spurned, burned...might require investigative minds, such as those speculating what Robert-cum-Leo the Lion hearted might bring in terms of political leanings, given his voting record... now  we're talking primary colors...  "Street clothed" - just as easily spelled "closed" to accommodate the Mass, of humanity assembled, waiting for....you to do so, in ...

All bets, are a bit off - post pontificate press post   The smoke has cleared... while a few hangers on, still linger in the square, of St. Peter. Which just yesterday was yet another mass, of humanity and humility... The windows have re-opened... the ones here to let in some fresh air, while the ones in Vegas, to take in some additional wagers... Frat frenzy... advantage Augustine, the order from which he came. If you bet Jesuit, it would be a close second, given their emphasis on teaching and mission... One of a kind... if you're a card player the only time you might do so is if you had an ace, to play. The wild card here was to bet on someone who hailed from the US of A. And even if you had bet that he, himself, would play an ace from up his sleeve, when you wagered on the content on his very first pontiff pontificate, you'd be half right, in that he did not call out to U.S. but used the language of them (quite fluently, based on the applause meter) -- but half off the mark,...

Where Peter finally paid Paul, a papal visit Program quality - or quality of the program, which outlines their qualities, which seems to give those media types an edge up. Otherwise called a "media guide" rarely referred to as the source for their superior ability to call up their names and numbers...   Namely -  the ones that call out to each other, "Peter", "Pedro", "Petrus" in various tongues, as they circle around...St. Peter Square. The "Person in the first position..." the ones paying a visit...include one from Ghana, Hungary, and Nigeria -- "brothers" to each other, in any language, whereas we, outside the circle (or square, depending) can just call them all generically "Cardinals"... Meet me in St. Louis  - a place more common to the game callers, which congers up the likes of..."Walter, Grover, and who else, but Lou-u-u-u!" Whereas for the outsiders...lined up around the Brock, or block, depending....

  COC comes of age...Age old frat houses...Wrinkles in time. While their monthly stipend is not enough to make them worldly wealthy, not to worry as they have masses and many flocks looking after their nest egg… Overhead...as in well, above St. Peter's Square, where thousands have flocked for the news feed, complete with craning necks...all about pecking order... Convex or Conclave? As in the form of one of the oldest fraternities on campus. Where ageism is a thing...of the past. Where even if parts are shaped like the exterior, of a circle, once they enter the Conclave, it's more like Hotel California...even if you sign yourself out, you can't completely leave. Why it's complete with a circular driveway, I imagine... "Going to need a bigger...vestibule, given all those vestitures they are given to layer up… Should come of no surprise…who wants to see someone that age in a Speedo, let alone what is traditionally the base layer? Which, by this time in life, is prett...

 Accentuating circumstances - because, after all, "Life" is punctuated.  You heard him, rite? Sometimes it's a matter of the sender, as in language barrier, or simply an accent... other thymes, it's whatever rhymes… and finally, could even be in the server, or even, to make things worse, the processor...  - No more Barbie queues - spread like wild fires! - Trading, delegations, before stating that going from Secretary of state - “trading up” to the UN (a post they wanted to see UN-done )  - Take no offense - but in order to defend ourselves we’re going on the offensive…on multiple fronts... - Leave it a land developer, as in leave it on “vacancies” and they will, for a finder’s fee, go out and find you occupants — as in all the razzmatazz about Alcatraz…after being found “uninhabitable” - this offshore location, location, location, from the actual Hotel California- which has become a bit overrun, with what else, but a bunch of "overruns"😠-- a developer'...

 "No dejes de creer" 🎵 !! A parade May have been re-routed…in South (west) Detroit…🎶 (cones naranja) Been quite a Journey - Their "Don't Stop Believin' " is not only a big hit, as in a game stopper (sung during stoppages of play in our "Big House")  But we, here, all over the Metro area, continue to also root and support the cause, of our enriched heritage… "Feliz Cinco de Mayo!" to one and all. 

A Tariffying  state, of affairs  - An Under-whelming send-off "Let the Exercises Commence" Always was a strange message, as very few present were standing ("please be seated") ...let alone "in awe" after the forgettable commencement message was so-called "delivered". This, despite having an "honorary doctorate" bestowed upon the speaker prior to being the "special delivery, don't shoot me, I'm only the messenger, standout alum". Yep, that's a heaping helping of honors, after listing all the individual's achievements, prior to them even stepping up, to the podium (or lectern depending...). A preview what's likely to come out of their mouth, regarding the state of affairs, current economic/climate conditions "or lack thereof" that the commencing collective are about to step into. Preceded or inevitably followed by a b-r-i-e-f reminder where they came from. All summed up nicely, in whatever one word ...

Ground, under attack, by metal finders Rare Earth, un earthed Common Enemy  - “We’ll exploit its resources together…” (I heard it early and often...US/Ukraine vs...)  Scratching, the surface - "Look how much unused metal we found, lying around...I think they used to call it shrapnel...leftover ordnance...duds" Look no further -  than "313" - also known as Detroit area code..."Motown!"  Vinyl veneration -  "A huge comeback" - not just of the "Motor City" but also of what used to simply be called "record players", in which you could stack up all your favorite hits...risking a scratch or two, skip a beat, if you didn't change the needle often enough... Earth movers and shakers - Falling between the cracks, as in "slipping seamlessly" between "classic rock" and "R & B" (with only a hint of heavy metal) "Rare Earth" changed its name from "Sunliners" in an attempt to get clo...

Pretty, as if a Picture - the Great Frame-up. Still life, causing all the stir… "Cute couple" Closed caption contagion -  As in an onslaught of how to best frame their postured picture... "Billy boy, and even younger friend" -  captioned as "constant companion"😉 "Coach-a-Bill-ity" - as in intra-mural sports, of sorts... "If looks could kill, Bill"  - probably both, on some sort of pill... "Cry me a river" - as in better not cross the Jordan, Hudson...😠 "Vegas odds (couples)" - the over/under...barely covered...😟  "Would've, could've, should've" -  hood've (where's my hoody when I need a cover up?) "There's Hope, for me yet" -  at least I think it was her name, given my advanced age… A winning combination, at any age... "Papa Razzi and his assistant, coach"  Relationship Add-vice: They say that one true measure of a couple's familiarity, is the ability to co...

For crying out loud, "For Pete's (for)sake!" When Pete, can't be discrete,  “I told you’d I’d be transparent” When Penta-gone,   “Didn't I foretell you in my hearings I’d get this place into shape, that you wouldn’t recognize it…” When you want opt out,  Beyond “don’t ask don’t tell” if you want to be the one and only not in his group text…crying out loud might be the only way, to get this one to listen.  If you 👍 this...we think you'll come back for..."Cry me a river...where the Rivers Jordan, Hudson meet”