SOHC 16: Mitt on MA's program

Mr. President, What's the Rush? (USA Today op-ed by Mitt Romney)

Sounds like he's setting up to be our standard bearer, no?

:)

Love me some Troy

Troy Polamalu (Steelers' Safety) talks family, God, and football (And hockey!)

SOHC 15: End of Life Care

Charles Krauthammer, during Special Report: (emphases mine)

Byron talked about Obama's answer about the 100-year-old woman who... had the pacemaker, and he said, well, perhaps she should have had a painkiller.

Well, that not only is chilling, it is a revelation of abysmal ignorance on the part of the president. You don't treat an arrhythmia with a painkiller.

This is a guy who wants to run one-sixth of our economy in health care, and he doesn't know the most elementary things about it.

But on the larger issue here having to deal with end-of-life care, I looked at the language [in the House bill]. There is no requirement that you be counseled, because it would be inherently coercive. If you're dying and a government official shows up and says I want to discuss options including your death, that obviously is going to be kind of a coercion.

But the idea that it is important to do it [end-of-life counseling] years in advance is nonsense. We heard Senator Grassley say this stuff ought to be decided when you're 50 and not when you're 80. What doctor, when he has an 80-year-old with pneumonia, will look at a document signed 30 years earlier and say he [the patient] decided he didn't want to have extra treatment, so I'll pull the plug?

The idea of advanced directives (as it is called in the [medical] lingo) or living wills are determinative, is absolutely false. It almost never applies. It only [applies] if you are in a coma or demented, and even in those cases, it's the wishes of the family which almost always override everything in writing.

Me in Threes

Three names I go by:
1. Em
2. Emmers
3. Emmy

Three Jobs I have had in my life:
1. Old Navy
2. Swim Club concessions
3. Congressional Intern

Three Places I have lived:
1. Pickerington, OH
2. Reynoldsburg, OH
3. Bexley, OH

Three Favorite drinks:
1. Diet Coke
2. PEach iced tea
3. coffee

Three Favorite hobbies:
1. acting
2. reading
3. writing

Three Pet Peeves:
1. Smoking
2. whiners
3. bad drivers

Three TV Shows that I watch:
1. Bones
2. Pushing Daisies (until it died. Wah!)
3. Glee

Three places I have been:
1. Houston
2. OBX
3. Chicago

People that text me regularly:
1. Mom
2. Bub
3. Tiffany

Three of my favorite foods:
1. carbonara
2. pizza
3. burgers

Three friends I think will respond
1. Abby
2. um...I got nothin'.

Three Things I am looking forward to
1. Christmas
2. Fall/winter musical auditions
3. Christmas :)

(Note on the musical auditions: they are--Wizard of Oz with Columbus Children's Theater; Jekyll and Hyde (AGAIN!) with Emerald City Players, and THe Music Man with Pleasure Guild (directed by one of my J&H castmates)

FEeling dry?

Spiritually, anyway? Check out this article by Jen (and my thoughts, pre-linkage).

The Simple Woman's Daybook--July 27, 2009

For July 27, 2009:

(Geez, where did the month go?!)

Outside my window...
Another very pretty summer day here. Warmer--in the 80s.

I am thinking...
That I"m glad I went and got errands done even though I just wanted to come home.

I am thankful for...
Life.

From the kitchen...
an egg recipe from Julia later this week....nothing big tonight.

To live the liturgy:

Rosary, bible reading

I am wearing...

Gap jeans, Banana Republic t-shirt.

I am creating...
my memoir. It is going so well! I'm sort of freaked by how well it is going.

I am going to breathe deeply ...
And enjoy new things.

Bringing beauty to my home ...
Weekly Home Blessing Hour

I am going...

To listen to another Sacraments lecture tonight; write; read some of my new books

I am reading...

Abigail and John; Emma

I am hoping...
for another date (?)

I am hearing...
an iPod mix CD

One of my favorite things...
learning about new things.

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week:
Classes in general--gearing up for my Sacraments midterm

Gym in general

Sat.: All Day parish council retreat.

A picture thought I am Sharing:

The rainbow we saw in Tiff's back yard that night of my t/x party. :)

SOHC 14: Infant mortality

When talking about the need to reform our health care system, people almost always bring up infant mortality rates in the U.S. But do we think about why the infant mortality rate may be higher here?

The main reason for the high rate is preterm delivery, and there was a 10 percent increase in such births from 2000 to 2006, according to recent figures from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (In 2007, according to preliminary data just published by the C.D.C. , that rate declined by 1 percent, mainly among late preterm infants.)

The article this is pulled from can be found here. (From The New York Times)

This is so true

Coming back from vacation.

(And I love the candles she has.)

How much do I love these guys?

Yet another reason to love Pittsburgh--CF fundraising! Woot!

Health care stuff

Read this

And the check out the 'health care' and 'CF' links on the sidebar, for more.

Seven Quick Takes Friday--Vol. VIII

I.

A full-proof method for getting the sink really clean: put in dish soap, fill with water, let soak for 20 hours. Sink will be amazingly shiny with no work from you.

II.

In the "things I am loving" catagory: Peach iced tea. My cousin, Di, whose adorable daughter is seen here, turned me on to the mix. She uses one from Kroger, but I use Target's Market Pantry. It is sooo good. I think I'm drinking 2 quarts every five days. And it's sugar free, so better for me that soda.

III.

Things that are also better than soda: Going to the gym. On Thursday I went for the first time since coming back from vacation (I know, I know, how very slackerly) but I didn't GAIN any weight, and actually managed to lose two pounds! I am thanking the hot weather, Baby Suze (carrying a babe around is great for the upper arms), and the copious amounts of water, gatorade and iced tea that I drank over vacation. And our constant out and about trips, so there was no time to snack.

Gym is going very well--did almost 2 miles on the treadmill hill program today. I signed up for the Dash for Donation 5K in August, so I better get up to three miles before then. The chances of that look good.

IV.

Summer reading update No.4: Finished Spindle's End. It sort of dragged in the middle but the end almost made me cry! Once Rosie discovers who she is, the story picks up very quickly. Also finished The House At Sugar Beach, by Helene Cooper, about her family's life in Liberia before her mother and two of her sisters fled to the U.S. to escape the mounting violence. Again, almost cried at the end. (Not sure why.) Very well written. Still reading Abigail and John, and am about to start Beyond the Miracle Worker, about Anne Sullivan Macy, Helen Keller's teacher. I've always been interested in both their stories. I found this book at Brazos, but I haven't seen it anywhere else. Another good book about her is Miss Spitfire, which, while written for the YA crew, is great for anyone interested in Anne's life.

V.

Have not seen the new Harry Potter yet--am going tonight w/ Tiff and her boyfriend. Shoudl be good, will post thoughts sometime this weekend. I really loved this book so I am a bit disappointed about the things I have been hearing! But I shall take them with a grain of salt (or, in Tiff and I's case, many grains of salt) until I see it myself in about two hours.

VI.

Speaking of boyfriends--date with boy again tomorrow. Planning on going to the Jazz and Rib Fest, which means I will wear black to disguise any inevitable BBQ spills. (Yes, they will happen. Trust me.) Weather looking iffy so we'll see what happens in regards to timing.

VII.

Is it just me, or did July go fast? Maybe it's because I took a week off, but man. It seems like it was just the Fourth, and we are barreling into August.

Have a good weekend, y'all.

Giggles

How much do I love this kiddo? A lot.

Because I can...

(And it's Monday)

A facebook note:

1. Who was your FIRST prom date?
Never had one. Sigh.

2. Do you still talk to your FIRST love?
Rarely.

3. What was your 1st alcoholic drink?
Does communion wine count?

4. Who was your FIRST kiss?
Real one--James. Real, but onstage: Dominic.

5. What was your FIRST job?
baby-sitting. FIrst job w/ taxes--the concession stand at the Swim Club

6. What was your FIRST car?
1995 Honda Civic EX 4 door

7. Who was the FIRST person to text you today?
Ha! no one has yet.

8. Who is the FIRST person you thought of this morning?
That shall remain unsaid. :)

9. Who was your FIRST grade teacher?
Mrs. Lewis

10. Where was your FIRST apartment or place of your own?
The one I'm in right now.

11. your FIRST ride on an airplane?
When I was about a year old, to Maryland.

12. Who was your FIRST best friend & do you still talk?
Anne Neighbor, and yes.

13. Where was your FIRST sleep over?
Probably Anne's.

14. Who was the FIRST person you talked to today?
Christine @ work

15. Whose wedding were you in the FIRST time?
My Aunt Patty's. Flower girl.

16. What was the FIRST thing you did this morning?
Hit the snooze button.

17. What was the FIRST concert you ever went to?
Probably Sesame Street Live! when I was five.

18. FIRST tattoo?
Um...none.

19. First piercing?
My ears, when I was about eight.

20. First foreign country you've been to?

Haven't done it yet.

21. FIRST movie you remember seeing?
The Great Mouse Detective

22. When was your FIRST detention?
In fifth grade, for handing in a homework slip late. (Yes, it was THAT dumb).

23. What was the first state/province you lived in?
Only lived in OH, baby.

24. Who was your FIRST roommate?
Brooke....something?

25. What was your FIRST "bad" word?
I used to think "Ass" in "What Child Is This?" was a bad word.

26. What was your FIRST broken bone?
my right humerus, second grade. Gloves and wet monkey bars do not mix

27. When did you lose your FIRST tooth?

Disney World! At breakfast!

28. If you had one wish, what would it be?
To become a world famous actress.

29. What is something you would learn if you had the time?
The violin, and Russian

30. Who do you think will be the next person to post this?
No idea. But it's fun!

The Simple Woman's Daybook--July 20, 2009

For July 20, 2009:

Outside my window...
Blue sky with a few clouds, in the high seventies. Gorgeous, windows-down weather.

I am thinking...
That I am going to be productive today. Yes.

I am thankful for...
A wonderful vacation.

From the kitchen...
Julia Child's garlic soup.

To live the liturgy:

Magnificat, rosary, Sacraments class

I am wearing...

Black Ann Taylor shirtdress; pearls

I am creating...
my memoir. It is going so well! I'm sort of freaked by how well it is going.

I am going to breathe deeply ...
And enjoy summer!

Bringing beauty to my home ...
Weekly Home Blessing Hour

I am going...

To listen to another Sacraments lecture tonight; write; read some of my new books

I am reading...

A Man On The Moon; Abigail and John: Portrait of a Marriage; Spindle's End

I am hoping...
For a good week before vacation!

I am hearing...
an iPod mix CD

One of my favorite things...
traveling to new places, especially beaches

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week:
Classes in general--gearing up for my Sacraments midterm

T: Pushing Daisies Season 2! Yay!

Th: Dance class @ BalletMet downtown

A picture thought I am

sharing:

Tiff and I with the cake she made me for my four year anniversary party on Saturday. It was wonderful! (The cake and the party)

Me and the QC

Quinn Cummings (whose HYSTERICAL book you can buy at her blog, http://qcreport.blogspot.com) answered my question! Here it is:

Emily
Emily asks:

Do you prefer dogs or cats? Does Daughter prefer dogs or cats? How old is Lulabelle? When did you get your first pet? Oh, and can I ask about tea? What is your favorite brand? Favorite flavor?

In my mind I'm completely 50/50 on the whole cat/dog thing, but the reality is that I prefer cats, even though they eventually make my lungs offer up the special noise. My reason for liking cats slightly better isn't even slightly emotionally healthy, but I think it's because cats make you work a little harder. Our dog loves me for simply having the incredibly good judgement to be me; I suspect the cat likes us well enough, but doesn't get messy about it. If we fell down and were knocked unconscious, she would eat us. She'd wait a couple of days, but she'd do it. I always liked the people who weren't too enamored of me. Daughter is, far and away, a cat person, but that's more about the hope that each new cat will allow her to put American Girl clothes on them.

We think Lu is about six. I remember when she was found as a mere slip of a kitten living under someone's car. They had her for a year during which time I think their second child was born, who is now six. Or maybe he was born before then. Probably. Maybe. She's middle-aged, much to her chagrin.

I was born into a house which already had a dog and a cat. The dog was half coyote and half German Shepherd, which should have led to all sorts of "The dingo ate my baby!" moments. In fact, the Shepherd part of her brain took over and Ginger decided I was her charge from the first day I came home; if I squeaked, she'd run and bark at the nurse to get to work. The cat was an orphan who was probably born the same day I was, and was brought into the house when we were a week old. The way my mother describes it, first she'd feed me my formula, then Pooh the kitten would get her formula and then Ginger the dog would get whatever was left over. Perhaps not the ideal, but each lived well into her teens and I'm still here.

Tea? Oh, it's green tea. It's any green tea I can lay sweaty palms on, unless it's white tea. I wish I was fancy enough to have favorites, but all I know is that once I got over my suspicion that green tea is just repurposed lawn clippings, I grew to love it in an unwholesome way and now cannot be without it. Don't like the overly cute kinds, though; jasmine is a fine additional flavor, "Wild Tropical Berry" is not.

Her book is HYSTERICAL (did I say that?). I mean, laugh-out-loud, I cannot read this in public, high-sterical. I have read it three times, in rapid succession. My father, who turned me on to her blog after watching The Goodbye Girl (in which she plays the daughter), is now reading it. I want it back. Promptly.

Summer reading Vol. III

Updated Summer Reading:

• Mansfield Park: Really, the more I read this, the more I love it.
• The Killer Angels, Michael Sharra: My mom took us to Gettysburg one year for Spring Break. Lots of tombstones and battlefields. I was bored. But after reading this book, I want to go back. The basis for the film Gettysburg, the book tells the story of the bloodiest battle in American history from the perspective of different soldiers, on both sides. A fantastic, totally absorbing read.
• Mediterranean Summer: a re-read. I bought this last year at Duck's Cottage, but it is a perfect travel book. I am going to try some of the recipes included at the back of the book before summer is out.
• Rose Daughter, by Robin McKinley: A re-telling of both Beauty and the Beast, and her first novel, Beauty. I first read Beauty when I was about 14, during a beach vacation, and it became an instant favorite. Rose Daughter tells the story in a slightly more mature way, but is no less captivating.

Houston pics

If you want to see all my pics, in all their glory, go to my photo website. Lots of cute baby pics and butterflies. And a few dinosaurs.

NASA

This is part of a huge blackboard wall that talks about how humans could survive on the moon. This part says that the elements for a burger, fries and a soft drink are found on the moon!

The moon rock!! This one is over 3 million years old.

The crew of Apollo 11

Suze and I with R2D2--the Space Center was having a George Lucas exhibit.

And this story about the 40th anniversary from the Dispatch.

I'm baaaack!

Back from Houston, where I had a great time with Di and her family. The Baby is adorable! More pics up as I get them uploaded (and, of course, trip recap)

Vacay day!

All right folks--I am headed off to the wild wild west of Texas. Cannot wait to see Di, Matt, and the Adorable Baby Suze.

Flight leaves around 11. Blogging will be non-existent or very, very light (and only if I can steal the PC from Matt, who is a twitter-holic like me).

Four years--"how rare and precious we all are"

So, today is my four year anniversary. Wow.

In the last year, I've re-entered the musical theater universe, had my first theatrical review (for Parade--see sidebar), been to the Outer Banks, met new cousins, made new friends, learned a lot, read a lot. It's been a good year.

So, since it's been four years, I feel qualified to give y'all a little advice.

It's really not new advice, but I think we should all hear it again from time to time.

Really enjoy your life. Every single day of it. Even when you have to go to work and deal with intractable issues, and you'd much rather be drinking a mai tai on Maui. You are alive. You get another day to be with the people you love and to experience a life that goes way, way too fast.

Sure we all have bad days. But don't make it a habit, OK? Do the things you love. Set goals and met them. Do things you think are just way out there. You love to draw, but you're terrible? So what? Do it anyway. Take classes and get better. Sing in the shower. Swing on swing sets. Do the things that make you happy.

Pray. Go to church. Get in touch with God, if you're not. I don't care where you go, but go. "The Lord has done great things for us/ we are filled with joy." If your eyes are open to a gorgeous rose, a pretty sunset, the happy face of a baby, life is a lot better. Trust me. Beauty is everywhere. We just have to be looking for it.

Wear colors that make you happy. Eat chocolate, or whatever you really, really like, every once in awhile. Bake some bread. Travel! Go places you want to go, even if it's just somewhere in your state that you've never seen.

Spend time with your family. In the end, they're the only ones that are sort of guaranteed to be sticking around.

Read Jane. Yes, it will make you happy (and I had to put that in.).

Celebrate every single birthday you have. This is very important. Getting older is not a bad thing. It's a great thing. Look at all you have done! I have this CHristmas memories book I got a few years ago. In it, it has places for parties, presents, decorations, etc., for each year. But it also has a page of "What happened this year". I write down everything--big national events, things like who got married and who was born, shows I was in, great movies I saw....and it helps me remember all the great times I have. Keeping a journal is another great way to do this.

Spend time with your friends. Remember that no one on their deathbed said, "Wow, I wish I would've worked more!" Smile. Say "Good morning" to your co-workers. Say thank you to waiters at restaurants. Hold the door open for others. Splash through a fountain barefoot.

Really, though, just enjoy the ride. It's over way too soon.

Seven Quick Takes Friday--Vol. VII

I.

It's been a pretty slow blogging week, but I have been busy reading, packing and going to the gym. The gym is getting better--I actually enjoy going. How weird is that?

II.

My four year anniversary is tomorrow. For links to the other anniversaries, see sidebar. I will, of course, have more on this tomorrow.

III.

At the actual time of my call (around 9:00 pm EST), I may not actually be here (as in, my apartment, near Widget the MacBook). I may still be on my first date with a new guy.

IV.

Do men ever realize how much work the first date entails? Right now I am filling up my bathtub in order to have very clean hair, very clean and smooth skin, and a facial-ed face. I probably will not paint my nails, but I will file and buff them so they at least look presentable, and not the normal wreck they are. And that's just the prelims! Then there's clothes--what the heck do I wear?--, jewelry (if any), and then make-up application, which must be perfect. Then you have the perfume question--perfume? Eau de toilette? Bath and Body Works body splash? It's 90 degrees here. Probably thinking body splash.

V.

We're going to dinner. So then there's the "what do I drink? Will Diet Coke make me look like a kid? Do I order wine? What if he orders wine? Who pays for the meal?"

VI.

Arranged marriages are looking pretty good right now. Not scary arranged marriages, but arranged marriages like in Sleeping Beauty.

VII.

So that's my night. Preparing for a date, the date, and then the post-date.

Have a good weekend, y'all.

Today's very funny Pearls

OK you have to click on it to get the whole thing, because my browser hates me...

BXVI

His new encyclical over here.

More thoughts to be posted later. After I've, you know, read the thing.

The Simple Woman's Daybook--July 6, 2009

For July 6, 2009:

Outside my window...
Blue sky with a few clouds, in the low eighties. A very nice day.

I am thinking...
That I had a good gym workout today!

I am thankful for...
My family and my body (that it does what I want it to do, anyway)

From the kitchen...
I made shortbread last night. Yum.

To live the liturgy:

Magnificat, rosary

I am wearing...

Green Life is Good Creamy tee with a daisy applique; jeans

I am creating...
Added more chapters to L&A yesterday; will continue today

I am going to breathe deeply ...
And enjoy summer!

Bringing beauty to my home ...
Cleaning

I am going...

To listen to another Sacraments lecture tonight

I am reading...

Master and Commander; Mansfield Park; Mrs. Dalloway

I am hoping...
For a good week before vacation!

I am hearing...
an iPod mix CD

One of my favorite things...
my movie collection

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week:
Classes in general--gearing up for my Sacraments midterm

W: Gym class w/ Mel

Sat: 4 year anniversary! Dentist/SAI Swim 'n Swell/Dinner w/ family

A picture thought I am sharing:

A photography from Luciano Photography that is over my bedroom desk. Inspiration to get to Paris. :)

hey, hey!

We've gotten more than 20,000 hits!

Thanks, y'all!

A religious perspective

On Independence Day, over at CPG.

Read It. Know It. Love It.

From last year--the DOI.

Seven Quick Takes Friday--Vol. VI

I.

I hope a lot of you had a chance to read this entry. I'm pretty proud of it and glad that Hollywood has put a story about this family onscreen. Seeing it is a much more visceral experience than reading about it.

I've read a few articles about the movie, and then the comments following, online. And I've seen a few people ask why books and movies like this are even written, then degrading the emotions of people who read them to people who view pornography--they want some sort of emotional hit. I don't know what people's psychological reasonings are for reading these books, but I'm glad they do. My family, and all the other families whose lives are just like this, need people to understand. We're not looking for pity--that's an easy emotion--but for empathy, for people to understand.

Case in point--I love birthdays. A lot of people I know don't--they don't like being reminded that they're getting older. But I love it. Each birthday is another victory for me. It's another year I got to do things, to enjoy life. I love knowing that I'm racking up more experiences and having more time here. Maybe my blog, and movies and books like My Sister's Keeper, can help people understand how precious life is.

II.

Wow, that was a long quick take. So some shorter things to follow, like: what books I've been reading. An updated list: Robert Louis Stevenson's South Seas Tales; Richard Paul Evans' The Last Promise (love, love, love his books), and, of course, Jane. Mansfield Park being started today. I'm a bit behind in the re-read this year. Oh, and Mrs. Dalloway.

III.

New favorite TV show--Bones. If you follow me on facebook or twitter, you know this. But really, fantastic show. And interesting to me, from a theological perspective. One of the main characters, Agent Booth, is very, very Catholic. His partner, Dr. "Bones" Brennan, is not. In fact, she's an atheist. But there is definite chemistry between them. I'm planning something on Booth to have up at CPG at some point--hopefully later this weekend. He's really a fascinating study.

IV.

Speaking of theology--nearing time for my Sacraments mid-term, and my first assignment is due in Biblical Studies. We're just about to start Genesis in the latter.

V.

Next week is my four year anniversary! Can you believe it? To celebrate, I'm going to visit my cousin, Di, her husband, and her baby girl in Houston. Never been, but I hear it is hot, hot, and more hot. Thank God for air conditioning! We're thinking about visiting NASA, Galveston, and a host of bookstores. :)

VI.

It's Independence Day weekend--do you know your Declaration? Brush up on it here.

VII.

And a happy, happy Independence Day to all of you. Let's go out and celebrate "Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness," eh? If you're in the mood for some patriotic movies, I suggest John Adams and The Patriot for some good viewing, especially John Adams. Phenomenal, and faster than reading the book. (I read the book. I liked it. But whew, it's long!)

Health care, etc.

First, a "Duh" link: certain drugs can cause hearing loss!

Yeah, could've found this out by talking to my ENT. Sheesh.

And two SOHC links:

Congratulations, it's a ...cross-border incident! [Mark Steyn]

Somewhere in America Alone, I cite an example of the logical reductio of socialized health care: "the ten-month wait for the maternity ward". I've been adding to the file ever since. Here's the latest entry, from Hamilton, Ontario:

Hamilton's neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) was full when Ava Isabella Stinson was born 14 weeks premature at St. Joseph's Hospital Thursday at 12:24 p.m.

A provincewide search for an open NICU bed came up empty, leaving no choice but to send the two-pound, four-ounce preemie to Buffalo that evening.

Well, it would be unreasonable to expect Hamilton, a city of half-a-million people just down the road from Canada's largest city (Greater Toronto Area, five-and-a-half million) in the most densely populated part of Canada's most populous province (Ontario, 13 million people) to be able to offer the same level of neonatal care as Buffalo, a post-industrial ruin in steep population decline for half-a-century.

But wait! The fun and games are only just beginning. When a decrepit and incompetent Canadian health bureaucracy meets a boneheaded and inhuman American border "security" bureaucracy, you'll be getting a birth experience you'll treasure forever:

Her parents, Natalie Paquette and Richard Stinson, couldn't follow their baby because as of June 1, a passport is required to cross the border into the United States. They're having to approve medical procedures over the phone and are terrified something will happen to their baby before they get there.

Once Buffalo enjoys the benefits of Hamilton-level health care, I wonder where Ontario will be shipping the preemies to. Costa Rica?

And two:

e my post below on the Hamilton (Ontario) newborn currently in a Buffalo (New York) hospital, a reader from Pennsburg, Pa writes:

ROFLMAO!!
You guys are hysterical....bitching about Hamilton and Buffalo.
I've got a friend who's a cop near Pittsburgh. He hasn't seen a doctor in 30 years. The last physical he got was from me when I was in nursing school.

How's THAT for health care? I bet your ass you don't put THAT in your little NRO rag.

Hmm. I'd be interested to know which police department he works for. Presumably not Pittsburgh, where the Fraternal Order of Police was founded. But even small municipal departments offer health benefits such that, if an officer goes three decades without seeing a doctor, it's his choice.

Meanwhile, just to keep you ROFLYAO a bit longer, here's a story from one of Quebec's most prestigious hospitals:

A woman admitted to Montreal's Royal Victoria Hospital for an induced birth was forced into a do-it-yourself delivery last month, with only her non-medically trained common-law partner to assist...

At about 5 a.m. on May 13, medical help failed to appear even after Karine Lachapelle's water broke.

Despite attempts to summon help by partner Mark Schouls, who was pushing a nurse-alert button with increasing frequency as Lachapelle's contractions became more intense, the two delivered their new son, Kristophe, entirely on their own.

Lachapelle pushed the child out past his shoulders and face down, allowing Schouls to get a grip and pull the newborn the rest of the way out, he recounted.

There were no complications, and Kristophe was crying loudly within seconds...

Nobody on hospital staff will face disciplinary action, Kalina said.

"Both nurses were hard at work" in the pre-natal waiting area where Lachapelle had been placed. She was sharing a room with two other women with at-risk pregnancies.

"Both" nurses? Don't worry, that's for the Maternity wing, not the entire hospital.