Adam Thomas, RPH

Well, I’m going back to my Iowa roots.  I know, I know.  I’m NOT a true Iowan.  I only went to college there. So, I will fondly refer to these roots as temporarily transplanted ones.  At the risk of being modest, I sowed my share of roots, baby. They be planted. The state/College of Pharmacy may refute this fact. Still, I sowed. I’ve even referenced these amazing years both in my Fictional Memoir and this blog – Ode to the Airliner.

HawkScripts is a bi-annual publication from the University of Iowa College of Pharmacy.   I like receiving every issue.  I feel connected.  A few years back, I lobbied for an article to be written about My Life … hoping to generate sales.  Well, that never happened. Hell, I never even got a response.  Come to think about – why would anyone respond to such an inquiry?

Fortunately, I don’t hold a grudge.  How could I? I loved everything that was Iowa – especially the friendships I forged during my college years.  Better yet, HawkScripts keeps me up on the College and, more importantly, the students and alumni.

The format is relatively simple and completely reader friendly.  Remember, these are pharmacists. Journalistic finesse was never the goal.  Regardless, it serves its intended purpose adequately.

Letter from the Dean

Feature articles –

• research/new innovations / pipeline medications, etc – I rarely read these articles however appropriate they may be. I should.  I’s just don’t.  But, I should.   
• the new facilities AND annual financial updates – the new digs are sweet – the usual plug for alumni to donate
• Profiles – Educator accomplishments and staff accolades –  Much of the faculty from my day are retired. Now, some of my classmates ARE the faculty.  Crazy, eh!?

Class Notes / Student News

• what current students are doing – because they are all that. Be them as they may, the Class of 1989 was way cooler.

Alumni information

• Homecoming is huge. In every issue. The Winter edition recaps the previous Homecoming.  The Summer pages detail events for the upcoming festivities.
• what wonderful things everyone but myself has accomplished. Always fun to read. (sarcasm intended). I did write a book, though. Yeah, … .

Future Hawkeyes –

• hopefully none of my classmates are included in this section. Why would you want to be unless it’s a grandparent announcement.

There is one last section I should mention. Considering it’s the reason for this post, I’m thinking that would be a good idea.

In Memoriam 

Two of my classmates passed away recently.  I was sad when I read the entries. After graduation, I had little, if any, contact with either person. Still, it’s surreal.  Sometimes, hearing something such as this about an acquaintance is quite unsettling because you hadn’t had contact with them.  There wasn’t a process to go along with the news.  It’s a reality.  And, reality really does suck.

Enough of this serious shit. That’s why I shower and keep my blog Random, baby. Besides, ‘N’ really is for Nonsense.

Enjoy summer! It’s going fast.

Well, I guess I’m going to share some unsolicited information about myself.  Considering I do this on a regular basis and have been doing so for the last, what, 5 years, I’m probs good, eh?  Trust me,it’s nothing spicy. Never is.  And, anyone who reads this probably does the same thing.

When I am in the shower,  I think a lot.  For those that know me, just the idea of me thinking is quite frightening.  It IS better than the alternative. Right? Anyway. Shower thinking is really productive, though.  It’s the only time of day when you are truly alone.  Usually.  Hell, the fucking house could be falling apart, kids yelling, wife …  being a wife.  And, all you have to say are those simple words – “I’m in the shower.” Granted, it’s often proceeded or followed with a few ‘adjectives’.  The fact remains –  you are momentarily absolved of all responsibility.

Fortunately, it takes me a very short time to decompress.  A locked door is a wonderful thing.

That’s when the thinking starts.  It used to be I would mentally process either what happened or what needed to happen in the coming days – to do list, meal planning, crises that needed to be addressed. The normal stuff.  Then I realized I did that when the door was open. Hell, I can meal plan while the house is falling apart.  Multi-tasking at its finest, baby.  More often than not, the fallout from familial crises can often positively influence meal planning.

Yeah, … .

Still, I transitioned effortlessly.  After marriage, three kids, and rare amounts of ‘office time’, I am now quite selective with what I choose to think about in the shower.  My brain is programmed accordingly.

Recently though, every idea I’ve had in the shower hasn’t been the best. (insert: heavy sigh) Yeah, kinda’ sucks. The anticipated results that I am certain to be foolproof often end up making a fool out of me.

Theoretically, the process of thinking in the shower is fundamental – you are in the shower. A thought comes to mind. And, it’s not just a thought.  It’s one of those ‘why the hell didn’t I think of that sooner‘ thoughts.  You on fire with only positive results. NOTHING can go wrong.

Then, you unlock the damn door.

Fuuuck!

On the positive side, I only shower once a day.  Thankfully. Consequently, I think my brain is transitioning once again. It’s all good, though. Instead of thinking, I’ll probably just wash my hair more often. Remember, ‘the rules of hair care are simple and finite.’

I’ve never had a ‘perm’, but my ‘curls’ are still in tact.  Unfortunately, it’s everything else that’s not!

Truthfully, this has little to do with the Berenstains’ ‘A’ Book. Though ants pretty much marched through that entire story.  What this has to do with is the ants that were marching in MY house. Yeah, the weather has been very dry and very hot.  I guess the neighborhood ants needed a drink.  So do I, baby.

Thankfully, the issue  was contained in, like, a day.  We get sprayed every Spring for wasps and spiders AND ants.  When I called to inquire about this latest infestation, the representative stated what I already knew – it’s a known problem. In this case, the only available resource is Terra traps. Works for me!

the a(n)ttraction

1. Water

The kitchen sink may also provide ants with needed water. Try to keep the area around the kitchen sink free of standing water.

2. Food

• Ants are particularly attracted to the scent of sugar and grease.
• Use soap or vinegar with water to clean away food. If you only clean with water, you may not entirely eliminate the food scents that attract ants.
• You may also want to keep ants out of dry-good containers, like flour, by putting a bay leaf in the containers.
• Never leave food in the garbage can for longer than a day. When food sits out for days, it will often emit a strong odor. Also, keep your outside trash cans away from the entrances of your home.

3. Shelter

One of the best ways to prevent an ant infestation is to stop ants from initially entering your home through small cracks or holes in the walls. After you have eliminated food and water sources for ants, make sure the ants can’t easily enter your home.

an ant trail

• The scent that the ants leave behind is called pheromone. The ants walk in a line because they follow the scent left behind by the leader.  Fun deodorant commercial idea, eh? That would turn into a real … cluster.
• Ants walk into each other rather frequently, communicating by touch and by smell  – best done by putting their antennae together. So physical contact is a natural part of their daily life. The introverted ant starves quickly.  Stomping on random ants IS a good thing. They suffer less.
• The experience of death is not a sense of loss – it is simply oleic acid. As soon as the living ants smell the oleic acid smell, they spring into action, carrying the tiny decaying intruder out of their midst and dumping it into the pile. Of other dead ants.  Gross! Hopefully that ‘pile’ isn’t on my counter top.
• Lastly, without the queen to lay eggs, no other new member are added to the colony. Since all the workers are sterile, the ants do not survive for long without the queen.  Bitch!

That’s why angry ants advanced across an apple, an acorn, an apricot, an ax, an angleworm, an alligator, Aunt Alice’s airplane, Avenue A, apes’ apartments, and all Arizona. 

Though I must disagree with ole  Jan and Stan Berenstains’ closing sentence –

Ants are amazing.

Annoying would be way more suitable.

Traverse City is considered a ‘foodie’ destination. Well, on a smaller, yet comparable scale to larger metropolises.  So, it only makes sense that keeping up with the Big City Jones is constantly on task. Especially, when the newest food trends are involved.  In this postal case, it’s not necessarily a trend, but a  truck.  A Food Truck.

The concept of the food truck is kinda cool. This is summer in Traverse City. Countless festivals and events scheduled throughout the season and well into Fall draw both locals and tourists. Correction: tourists.  Locals hate those damn festivals.  And, don’t even get me started on the fucking tourists.  Regardless of my hate, the ability to stroll around the town and sit outside eating from this newest trend would be rather fun.

From push cart to food truck

1691 – New Amsterdam (now known as New York City) begins regulating street vendors selling food from push carts.

1866 – The Chuck wagon is invented by Charles Goodnight to feed cattlemen and wagon trains traversing the old West.

1894 – Sausage vendors sell their wares outside the student dorms at major eastern universities (Yale, Harvard, Princeton, and Cornell), and their carts became known as “dog wagons”.

1936 – Oscar Mayer rolls out the first portable hot dog cart The Weiner Mobile.

1974 – Raul Martinez converted an old ice cream truck into the nation’s first taco truck and parked it outside of an East Los Angeles bar

1980’s – Grease trucks begin parking on Rutgers University in New Brunswick, NJ selling “Fat Sandwiches” to college students.

July 2006 – Wikipedia adds “food truck” to their list of entries

January 2010 – Southern California Mobile Food Vendors Association (SoCalMFVA) is created, becoming the first organization created to protect the rights of gourmet food truck owners.

August 2010 – The Great Food Truck Race marks the first television program centered on the mobile food industry.

February 2012 – Food Trucks serves NFL Superbowl Fans in Indianapolis.

June 2014 – The National Food Truck Association is formed creating the first national association of food truck associations.

The truck stops here

Here in Traverse there is one main designated area where the trucks can actually stop. Permanently.  I reviewed some of the ordinances and by-laws restricting food truck operations.  The pdf was long – too long for my attention span.  Besides, it was written in that lawyer talk. I can’t understand that shit. I managed to pull off a pretty realistic courtroom ‘drama’ in My …  Fictionalized Memoir, but that proverbial ‘truck’ ran out of gas.

Little Fleet

http://www.thelittlefleet.com/food-trucks/

Honestly, I don’t get out much.  Some weeks I work three closing shifts and the weekend.  Going anywhere is an effort – especially when there are people involved.  So,  It’s best for everyone if I stay home.  But I must say, if I had one of those cushy office jobs downtown AND I didn’t work retail, I would probably be a lunchtime Food Truck regular. Maybe.

What the Truck?

It’s a good thing these twins aren’t vegan, eh?

My store has had a few staffing changes – the pharmacy manager quit.  Retail sucks.  As does the people that made her life miserable.  She found a better opportunity elsewhere.  Good for her.  As the new staff is settling in, introductions are made and  … personal information is shared.  Unfortunately, some of this  ‘personal information’ shared is too personal and should NOT be shared. With anyone.  Even the words, “tell me about yourself” don’t warrant certain Intel.

Unlike most work environments, the pharmacy is confined in not only square footage but personal boundaries. As a result, I am constantly aware and quite protective of my ‘space’.  In other words, “take a step back. Bitch.”  Considering the nature of this post, “shut the fuck up” shortly follows.

how to share my postal point

I wasn’t quite sure how to present what I wanted to convey.  Too many random opportunities to ramble incessantly existed.  To streamline, I decided a question/thought – answer format would be appropriate. So, here goes – hope it works.

definition –

to share –

1. to talk about one’s thoughts, feelings, or experiences with others
2.  to grant or give a share in 
3.  to tell (thoughts, feelings, experiences, etc.) to others —both often used with with

usually sharing is consensual

1. not asked for or requested

evolution of the unsolicited share

Close proximity with co-workers allows barriers to be broken faster. In the pharmacy, I think it happens even faster than most settings.  Then casual, yet caustic zingers about customers are often mistaken as permission to continue conversing, opening the unsolicited information flood gates.

the hypocrisy of My Life

At work, I AM a closed book.  I talk very little about my personal life.  I save that for my fictional alter ego. Besides, it’s none of anyone’s damn business.

idle conversation or awkward silence?

offenders and their recipients in MY interpreted order, of course –

worse thing ever shared with me

I was once asked my thoughts on women taking Viagra.  Oh, this is the same female technician that asked if I shaved. Regularly.

worse thing I’ve ever shared

worse thing I’ve heard a co-worker share with another co-worker

three frightening words: Prince Albert piercing

Best way to end a conversation (and this post)

Disclosing something like that would definitely be sufficient.  As far as this post is concerned, I’ll take my own advice and shut the fuck up!

Around the New Year, I posted about Champagne.  Well, that and Sparkling Wine.  Traverse City is a long way from Champagne, France.  Be geography as it is, I decided to stay with the fizz for one more entry and talk sparkling soda.  It is summer – finally. What better time to enjoy a refreshing beverage?

During my college days, I had my stint of the branded soda/pop varieties.  However, as I aged I opted for water. And, still do.  Though recently, I discovered these new aged soda shit things and they are totally fun.

Fortunately, Traverse City has their own soft drink brewery –  Northwoods Soda and Syrup Company. To provide a balanced post, I chose to highlight two other companies that brew more of the sparkling/carbonated fruit drink variety.  Even though they aren’t local, they are equally deserving of recognition.

Izze

Two best friends Todd Woloson and Greg Stroh were hanging out in blue-sky Boulder, Colorado, having a drink and talking about life and stuff. They wanted to make a drink that didn’t just taste good, but did good for the world. They both loved the sophisticated, all-natural sodas common in Europe and decided it was time to bring that sparkling drink to America. They named their special new drink after a very special person, Todd’s daughter.

• Izze was my first.  (pause)  Venture into ‘sparkling soda’, that is.
• Blackberry and Grapefruit are my favorites.  Pomegranate has a slightly bitter aftertaste. Definitely down for trying Apple, though no desire for Clementine anything.
• 70% juice  which is quite nice
• Very bright, colorful packaging
• owned by Pepsi, but I won’t hold THAT against them.

Bundaberg 

This website is way fun to peruse.

Jake the bald butcher at my favorite meat market here in Traverse started carrying Bundaberg Brews recently.  It was an impulse buy on my part.  One I am totally thankful I indulged.  Yes, this product has less fruit content and way more sugar.  But, it is surprisingly balanced.  The packaging is also cool.  Did I mention the website is fun?

• it’s Australian – very Down for that Under
• their specialty is Ginger Beer – apparently the sub-tropical soils of Queensland on Australia’s east-coast are perfect for growing ginger and sugarcane.  Who knew? 
• even though it’s called beer it is non-alcoholic.  Be open-minded, okay?
• they have a building shaped like a half-barrel complete with a tasting room and gift shop.
• that website I referenced is called Brewniverse – an Infinite Cosmos of Brewed Content   indexing Mixology/Brewed Food/Upcycling  with everything from recipes that use the brews (Blood Orange Sweet and Sour Pork and Ginger Beer cake) to creative ideas that reuse both the rip caps and signature glass bottles.

https://www.bundaberg.com/

Northwoods Soda

In 1988, some dude moved to Grand Traverse County, wanting to start his own soft drink company. So, he did.  By the end of the first year, he acquired 2 distributors a restaurant chain, and a few loyal customers.  To this day it remains the only local soft drink company.

• pretty simple story – pretty simple, yet successful product
• the signature flavors are ginger and root beer – both are actually too sweet for me
• my favorite is the Lake Effect Pomegranate Lemonade – very smooth and refreshing

Well, that’s it for now.  There’s more, of course, but my fizz is running out.  I wouldn’t want my post to go … flat.

First, let me apologize. I never intended to have two posts about crossing roadways back to back. Bill 6 went into law July 2017.  But, I didn’t hear about it until early December -too late to post about walking.  Besides, I had to wait for summer.  I blame them Brady bitches – couldn’t get that damn song out of my head.  This post is more recent, of course.  And, the the most Random of Nonsense. What’s a blogger to do?

I dream of a world where chickens can cross the road without having their motives questioned.

My favorite bakery here in Traverse calls their dining area ‘the Roost’.  Consequently, it is decorated accordingly.  A plaque with the picture of a chicken and the above verse caught my attention.  I laughed. Hard. It’s really funny – especially if said with a hint of dramatic flare.

Recently, my Mom was having a bad day.  In an attempt to lighten our conversation and, more importantly her mood, I shared my newfound chicken chatter.  We laughed. Hard.  Those ‘motivational’ words served their purpose well.  So well in fact, I decided to blog it forward.

Don’t worry.  I am not going to provide countless examples pertaining to said chicken and its intentions. Hell, I think those jokes are really kinda stupid. Moreover, I tackled the actual ‘crossing’ issue in the last post.

date of the first attempt –

1847 – Monthly New York magazine Knickerbocker is the first to publish the classic, “why did the chicken cross the road? To get to the other side.”

That’s all I’s got.  I wanted to include more, but even the ever trusted Wikipedia (sarcastic tone implied) had little information.  Here’s what probably happened. Farmers eventually heard the joke. After that, no chicken or its motives were safe from comedic ridicule.

theories attempting to explain what happened – 

Marie Curie: Good question. And one that is much less hazardous to one’s health.

Albert Einstein: The chicken did not cross the road. The road passed beneath the chicken.

Stephen Hawking: Chicken fluctuations will inevitably create a scenario where a chicken ends up on the other side of the yellow line, in which case there is a nonzero probability that it will escape to the other side.

Isaac Newton: Chickens at rest tend to stay at rest. Chickens in motion tend to cross roads.

Carl Sagan: There are billions and billions of such chickens, crossing roads just like this one, all across the universe.

What the peck?

• Personally, I think all chickens should be … Free Range.  Moreover, if they want to cross the damn road – go for it.  Motives are often highly over-rated.
• Chickens are simple, yet seemingly responsible creatures. I’m certain they would never get distracted from the task at … claw.
• Sir Isaac Newton died in 1727.  Chickens weren’t ‘outed’ until 1847.  Hmm… .
• Lastly, my chicken posting stops here. I may included a recipe down the line.  But that’s it.  Please know I would never attempt to address that age old chicken-egg controversy.  Though reading Einstein’s thoughts may be interesting.

Speaking of eggs, my breakfast is ready.  So, I will close this post in a similar fashion as the epilogue to My Life.

Order up!

Police in Honolulu … will begin writing tickets for people who get distracted by their cellphones while walking in a crosswalk. Honolulu is the first major city in the country to pass such a law, citing a high rate of pedestrians being hit in crosswalks.

Mayor Kirk Caldwell signed Bill 6, also known as the Distracted Walking Law, in July 2017. At the time, he said that Honolulu held “the unfortunate distinction of being a major city with more pedestrians being hit in crosswalks, particularly our seniors, than almost any other city in the county.”

• Under the new law, the only legal reason for a pedestrian to use a cellphone while crossing a street or highway would be to call 911 to report an emergency.
•  not limited to cellphones – a downward glance at a screen of any kind will cost you — a phone, a tablet, a video game.
• Minimum fines for breaking the new law start at $15; for repeat offenders, the penalty ranges from $75 to $99. Higher rates — up to $100 for a first offense, $200 for a second, and $500 for a third — had been considered earlier this year.
• pedestrian deaths have increased by 11%
• when pedestrians use a cellphone, “this distraction can cause them to trip, cross roads unsafely or walk into motionless objects such as street signs, doors or walls.”

https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2017/10/25/559980080/honolulus-distracted-walking-law-takes-effect-targeting-phone-users

So much to comment on, so little blog space, eh?

Personally, I think the legislation is a step in the right direction. (pun intended) Everyone has their own agenda today. Unfortunately, nothing on anyone’s agenda has to do with common sense or courtesy whatsoever.

As if Hawaii thought they had issues – here in Northern Michigan we have stupid idiots that ride their bikes and attempt to text.  On the shoulder of a busy four lane street. First of all, these people should not attempt to multi task.  Ever.  Second, there are very good reasons  grown man are riding their bikes. This IS Northern Michigan.

Ugh!

My opening comment about having so much to comment on was wrong.  Well, kinda.  There is.  But, my rambling would be unreadable gibberish with lots of foul language.  So, I’ll just stop.  Maybe I’ll go for a walk outside now.  I won’t be … fined.  Remember, I don’t have a cell phone.  Besides, the summertime is calling my name. 

I just hope those Brady bitches look both ways before entering the crosswalk.

Back in May 2017, I posted about 7 things I hated because of others.  Number 5 on that list was pet prescriptions.  Well, a year later nothing is different. Not that I would’ve thunk otherwise, mind you.  In fact, that damn list just got longer. Oddly enough, my ‘hate’ regarding this particular issue has changed. Sadly, the amount of pet prescriptions has increased dramatically. Yes, some of these pets have documented issues and need to be treated appropriately.  However, this is not always the case.

http://www.drugtopics.com/editors-choice-drtp/prescriptions-pets-are-rise

Fido is so over playing ‘fetch’

Today when I dispense a vet prescription, I actually feel sorry for the dumb dog. Please know – I realize that dogs are not dumb by any means. It’s just a catch phrase – like “Damn kids!” Actually, it’s the situation that’s dumb.  What the hell did Fido ever do to warrant medication? Truthfully, fetch gets boring.  Fast. Catching a Frisbee isn’t easy, either.  Especially with your mouth. And, maybe Trixie, the neighborhood poodle, was wagging her tail that certain way. I’m thinking Fido would much rather ‘style’ it up with that bitch than catch a fucking frisbee.

Rex does’t like parties

Thirty some years ago, I was young and beautifully bronzed from reckless summer days of life guarding.  Without sunscreen. Gasp.  Yeah, baby! Jack, the pool manager, used to have an annual bash for the employees. It was usually themed and quite fun.  Unfortunately, his dog Rex didn’t like to party. To address this issue, Jack contacted his vet for some ‘doggie downers’ as they were so affectionately referenced.

Fast forward to present day. I am now old, wrinkled, and blogging about my concern for said doggie downers.  Back then, I had no idea what Jack slipped Rex.  Today, I know way too much than I care to about what owners are giving their pets.

Prozac, Paxil, Trazodone, Gabapentin have all been used for anxiety and stress related events in every dogs life.  (Note – underlying sarcastic tone) I understand that thunderstorms, fireworks, and summer parties, can elicit  anxious behavior, but, grooming?

Last, but definitely not least, there’s the go to anti-anxiety favorite for pets and owners alike – Xanax.  Because, you know, even Rover attends … summer weddings.

https://www.nbc.com/saturday-night-live/video/new-xanax/n37070

Patches is in pain

Pain medication can also be prescribed for acute and chronic inflammatory conditions.  Luckily, diagnostic tools can assess the presence of these symptoms. Unlike the ‘assumption’ that Fido is depressed because of his aversion to having things thrown at him.  Meloxicam and Piroxicam are non-steroidal alternatives to reduce swelling. Tramadol has become the new staple for pain ever since Norco changed narcotic classes in light of that whole opioid crisis. Unfortunately for Fluffy, her owner likes Tramadol a bit too much.  It’s pretty pathetic when a vet calls to establish dispensing parameters. Owner-resistant packaging may be the necessary deterrent to mandate.  Kids can open child-resistant closures easier than most adults.  So, I’m thinkin’ Fido would be quite entertained watching his owner attempt that ‘trick’.

Woof. Woof!

P.S. – I still hate mustaches.

Believe it or not, I AM an optimist.  (Pause) I wanted that statement to settle in before I continued. Granted, my postal ramblings are often peppered with negative comments.   But, can you blame me?  Look around.  It ain’t pretty out there.  And, I work retail pharmacy.  The only ‘positive’ is a new mandate to encourage dispensing a naltrexone emergency kit to a narcotic abuser.  So when there are signs of respiratory depression from an ‘accidental’ opioid overdose, their ass will be saved. (sarcasm intended)

Oh, and that anger issue I kinda have … . Trust me, my bark is much worse than my bite.  Though sometimes that unapproachable asshole aura I have acquired keeps the riff-raff at bay. It’s … nice. Riff-raff totally sucks.

I rise above it all and, more often than not, view the glass as half full. By the way, I hate that damn glass.  It’s so fucking stupid. One simple catch phrase cannot determine your state of mind. Alas, I move forward beyond the emptiness of my opening rant and present the reason for this tantrum.  Of temper .. ature?

As I have stated before, I’m a The Weather Channel slug.  The Local on the 8’s totally rock for my weather needs. Though I must admit, my slugness stops there. I do the 8’s and … I’m great. (pun intended) A few weeks back, I tuned in a bit early and caught an advertisement clip released from Weather Underground – a weekday scheduled program. A few meteorologists present the weather and related phenomenon in a relaxed atmosphere. Dr. Greg Postel, a frequent guest/regular, is quite the climate dude. Recently, he addressed the ever controversial debate between partly sunny AND partly cloudy.

Spoiler alert: there is NO difference.  Both terms refer to the same ‘measurable’ amount of cloud cover.

Indulging in the cliche, Dr. Postel went, well, postal during his ‘Temperature Tantrum‘. He equated the scenario to that fucking glass.  “It’s all about the … outlook,” he finally said, kicking back with a cocktail that was filled appropriately.

The presentation was rather humorous, but I have a problem with the reasoning. Imagine that, eh? Hear me out though.  Semantically, partly sunny seems like the more positive verbiage.  In reality, partly cloudy eludes to more sun than clouds. Yet, it’s the more negatively viewed scenario. Hmm… .

I know, I know.  It’s the weather. And, these are meteorologists. One of the only professions where you can be wrong the majority of the time and no one really cares.  Me, I will remain the unsuspecting optimist in the negative hypocrisy that is my relentless Tropical Storm – retail pharmacy.  My recent horrorscope indicated a career change was in my immediate forecast.  Hopefully my clouds will finally dissipate and I will be … mostly sunny.

NOTE: this video was only available on TWC Facebook page.  You may have to log in to view – I apologize.