Our Body- Amazingly surprising stuff!!

 I am down with Acute Bronchitis and undergoing intense treatment with Antibiotics and interventions. So many tests, scans, etc. over the past 96 hours. My doctor is good, I trust her a lot! That also helps! 

The surprising thing was this landed on me without any symptoms of cough, cold, fever, running nose, soar throat, sputum etc. Yes, I was away on personal travel to Cochin, for 2 days (Sat-Sun to note and be alert to symptoms) away from Bangalore, even then there was no indication that it was coming!! But when it hit everything happened within 8 hrs (11pm to 7am Monday) leading me to rush to my family physician (Internal Medicine) who surprised me further saying 8 hrs is a lot of time for things to go downhill even for these issues!! Shows how vulnerable we are.!!! (My guess was that getting drenched indirectly in Bombay rains might have been the reason, besides travel to a few locations every week with routine habits disturbed!) 

The second surprise that awaited me was that the X-ray showed a bulk of mucus pushing and causing strain some nerves in the bronchial region leading to the left shoulder, which caused(ing) excruciating, unbearable pain that made me cry out uncontrollably with Lalitha watching me helplessly. (No pain killer, spray relieved it! It was like hitting with a sledgehammer with every intake of breath causing it). The only positive thing in my crying was the first time it brought out some mucus to blow away,  through nasal passage ahhahahhah!.... 

The doctor indicated unless the mucus dissolves away, no help in sight!! (I am doing a little better, since, but can't turn and sleep on my left side!)... Mucus weighing milligrams on the nerve that runs 10s of feet causing pain that has no solutions, shows another classic feature of the body that is vulnerable.!!

We are very very vulnerable! Do we even realize it? I wonder??? I am beginning to feel better. Hopefully, my follow-up visit Friday or so, will help to close the thing.

I am taking off all week. OH, yes ever since medication, I am sleeping 18-19 hrs a day, may be making up for all the lost sleep! First time in 48 hrs thoughts other than disease, or illness have come into my brain shows how much the brain hijacks things- a Third surprise!.. I slept peacefully today from 9am to 1pm and 2pm to 6pm dreamless, thoughtless!..! I expect the night to be better! 

Karthik.

Nebulizer that is giving me company now!! hhhahaha! (Adding to bp monitor, glucometer, Thermometer in the kit!!)

Richman North of Richmond!

 This song is taking America by storm..! Sad state to be in for the great nation.....! 45 Million views (155,000 comments) in 2 weeks. Megyn discussed this song 2 weeks back when it had 2 Million views! RICHMAN NORTH OF RICHMOND. 

4 more years of Joe Biden, You can forget Shower heads, Gasoline cars, and Gas Stove, Air conditioners to use.... Already plans are in place to ban them...  Legislation is in the draft stage for 2 bottles of beer consumption a week to tackle Climate change and global warming..! Thank god there are people like Elon Musk, Vivek Ramaswamy, and republican controlled congress(men) who are there to call climate change and global warming Bluff and hopefully become the power be to stop this madness !!! 

Wonder where this will all end up, Come November 2024. Remember, where America leads the world follows, with no option but to!! (China, others are pony toys, BRICS is a joke !! Look How much American sanctions /muzzling are hurting China!)..... 

Take care.

Karthik. 

27th Aug 23.

Lyrics:-

I've been sellin' my soul, workin' all day
Overtime hours for bullshit pay
So I can sit out here and waste my life away
Drag back home and drown my troubles away

[Pre-Chorus]
It's a damn shame what the world's gotten to
For people like me and people like you
Wish I could just wake up and it not be true
But it is, oh, it is
[Chorus]
Livin' in the new world
With an old soul
These rich men north of Richmond
Lord knows they all just wanna have total control
Wanna know what you think, wanna know what you do
And they don't think you know, but I know that you do
'Cause your dollar ain't shit and it's taxed to no end
'Cause of rich men north of Richmond

[Verse 2]
I wish politicians would look out for miners
And not just minors on an island somewhere
Lord, we got folks in the street, ain't got nothin' to eat
And the obese milkin' welfare
Well, God, if you're five-foot-three and you're three-hundred pounds
Taxes ought not to pay for your bags of Fudge Rounds
Young men are puttin' themselves six feet in the ground
'Cause all this damn country does is keep on kickin' them down

[Pre-Chorus]
Lord, it's a damn shame what the world's gotten to
For people like me and people like you
Wish I could just wake up and it not be true
But it is, oh, it is

Remembering Laura Branigan:

 Today 26th August marks the 19th death Anniversary of Laura Branigan. She will always be missed!!! 

A Voice That Captivated: Laura Branigan's voice was a force of nature that could convey a range of emotions with unparalleled intensity. From her energetic and upbeat songs to the soulful ballads that showcased her vocal prowess, her voice resonated deeply with listeners, leaving an everlasting impression.

Her discography is adorned with hits that became anthems of the '80s and continue to enchant listeners of all ages. Songs like "Gloria," "Self Control," and "Solitaire" are not just catchy tunes, but snapshots of a vibrant era in music history. These tracks have a timeless quality that keeps them relevant even decades later.

Karthik

26th August 2023.

2 Must Listen to Megyn Kelly Podcasts. (Sexual Health- Men and Women)!!!

 As usual, Megyn is at her Brilliant best!! She goes where no one dares!!  As she says in Tagline, Honest, thoughtful, provocative conversation. (No BS, NO Agenda, No Fear! is how she ends her podcast)....! 

Keep aside 4 hrs.... to listen,  It is worth it....! The best part was questions from the other spouse on the issues of significant other!!! 

The Megyn slot for me is 6 to 630 am Tuesday to Saturday. (I listen at 3X, so 90 min is = 30 Min!)...! 

Take care.! 

Karthik.

Podcast 1 Last week:- Megyn Kelly brings listeners and viewers a deep dive on men's sexual health, with Dr. Mohit Khera, a professor of urology and expert on the issue. They discuss how men don't focus on their sexual health in the same way women do, the causes of erectile dysfunction (ED), ways men can prevent EDs, the decline of testosterone levels and sperm count worldwide, the causes of male infertility, discuss whether there is a cure for erectile dysfunction, what stem cell therapy is, how “shockwave therapy" works, the differences between Viagra and Cialis, other more substantial treatments of ED, the connection between testosterone and libido, how antidepressants can affect libido, the different ways to take testosterone, the reality of Peyronie's disease that men suffer from silently, testicular cancer risk factors, what parents should think about for their young boys, the balance with porn, new drugs that help increase women's libido, and more.

LINK. 

LINK TODAY

Podcast 2: Today: Megyn Kelly brings listeners and viewers a deep dive on women's sexual health, with Dr. Mary Jane Minkin, OBGYN and clinical professor at Yale School of Medicine, and expert on the issue. They discuss women's libido issues, the difference between desire and arousal, how medical conditions could affect sexual drive, how relationships could affect a woman's libido, why women don't talk about their sexual health enough, the medical options to increase women's libido, how testosterone works for women, how various medications could decrease libido in women and men, the effect of antidepressants on women’s sexual desire, how age affects libido, how the birth control pill can affect women's libido, causes of pain during sex, challenges related to orgasm, HPV vaccine, sexual health after vaginal births, the benefits of kegel exercises and "pelvic floor physical therapy," when to know when you are in menopause and notable treatments for symptoms, the “erratic period” and how to regulate it, and more.

Taking Exam after 20 years!!

 Today after 22 years, I took an exam. (Last one was in 2001 for my MBA entrance which I completed in 2003 in HR). Today is for the Insurance Advisor as approved by the Government of India under the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India institution which is the governing body for all Insurance activities in India. 

I took the exam for Life and Non-Life insurance advisory aspects. This will give me a chance to advise folks on the need for insurance. (I was motivated a lot by DAN PINK's BOOK- TO SELL IS HUMAN). 

I was able to complete the Online exam (50 questions of Multiple choice) in half of 1 hr duration. I secured 74%. Oh yes, the last 30 min before entering the exam hall at 330pm, was the same as a 20-year-old with a bit of nervousness and walking to the washroom one last time !!! hahahhah!!! (The intensity to do well triggers the Bladder, I guess!!!)

I look forward to stepping on this path come 2024 as a diversified career opportunity. 

Coincidentally, today 14th August 1985, was the day I passed out my Master's degree. The telegram came from my Professor that I passed and requested me to come and collect my mark sheets!. Also, the fun fact is I never got an official Master's Degree from University as I had a job in the next few weeks and landed in Bombay as an Environmental Operating chemist, to set up labs and move on, and no one cared about my master's degree those days. My subject knowledge and provisional certificate which came by post was good enough for companies. (Unthinkable now!)....

Regards

Karthik.

REST IN PEACE (EAGLES) RANDY MEISNER

 One of the Eagles' Founders Dead!! (26th July) He was 77. I missed his death due to business travel on the 26-28th of last month. (Heavy rains in Bombay kept me away from any news too!)...Meisner left the group in 1977 due to irrevocable differences with the group's Glenn Frey and Don Henley! He was a soft guy, never wanting fame but Eagles monstrous success never allowed him to keep the low light!! His wife's accidental gunshot death in 2016 took him to extremely poor health!

Meisner's memorable song is "TAKE IT TO THE LIMIT!! Give a listen!! Soul-stirring Ballard!!! 

Regards

Karthik.

The Eagles are sad to report that founding member, bassist, and vocalist, Randy Meisner, passed away last night (July 26) in Los Angeles at age 77, due to complications from Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary disease (COPD).

As the original bass player for the pioneering country-rock group, Poco, Randy was at the forefront of the musical revolution that began in Los Angeles, in the late 1960s. 

In 1971, Randy, along with Glenn Frey, Don Henley, and Bernie Leadon, formed the Eagles and contributed to the band's albums, Eagles, Desperado, On The Border, One of These Nights, and Hotel California. He was inducted with the Eagles into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1998.

“Randy was an integral part of the Eagles and instrumental in the early success of the band. His vocal range was astonishing, as is evident on his signature ballad, ‘Take It to the Limit,’” said the Eagles.

Prior to Poco, he was bassist and vocalist with Rick Nelson’s Stone Canyon Band.

Randy was born on March 8, 1946, in Scottsbluff, Nebraska.

++++++++

In 2018, with 38 million copies sold, “The Eagles: Their Greatest Hits” (1976) surpassed Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” to become the best-selling album of all time, according to the Recording Industry Association of America. At that point, “Hotel California” (1976), with sales of 26 million, was third on the list.

Father's 6th Annual Rituals.

Tomorrow, 9th August 2023 marks the 6th Annual ritual (Devasam)as per Hindu Calendar, for my departed father, Dr TM. BALASUBRAMANIYAM. (CECRI, Karaikudi). Time flies fast.. Father passed away on 15th August 2017, after a brief fight with Kidney Cancer. He was aged 80. I plan to follow all the rituals I do every year. Shall keep you updated on this post in a few days. 

Regards

Karthik

Update 12th Aug. Father's rituals done as per tradition. We also arranged to garland his picture at Gayathri Niwas Karaikudi. (The house he built in 1971 and named after my sister Gayathri).