bookofjoe

BehindTheMedspeak: Your constipation is my normal

After two unpleasant days-long failed colonoscopy preps last year I realized what the problem was/is: the gastroenterologist's questionnaire I filled out asked if I had constipation and I answered "No."

Only after I pondered for a few days about what could possibly have gone so wrong — since I'd done everything according to the detailed preparation instructions I'd been given — did the penny drop.

                                     TMI ALERT

I poop about once every two weeks: it was around once a week after I started daily antidepressant medication in 1991 and now with my triad of lithium/Paxil/buproprion and being a geezer it's slowed down even more.

But to me that's not constipation — it's normal.

Words mean different things to different people.

I told the gastroenterologist it would be better if the questionnaire asked "How often do you have a bowel movement?"

He agreed.

David Rumsey Map Collection — 'Browse 125,216 maps and images'

Cartography enthusiast David Rumsey

has put his entire collection of maps online,

from 16th to 21st century, terrestrial, maritime and celestial.

Fair warning....

bookofjoe's Favorite Thing: RJ's Licorice

It's batch made in Australia, though enquiries are to be directed to their New Zealand office; I buy it from Amazon (U.S.).

About five years ago I got a licorice jones and had my Crack Research Team©®™ drill down and order myriad licorice varieties from around the world.

After an enjoyable month or so trying them all out, RJ's emerged victorious, head and shoulders above the rest.

Five 7 oz foil-lined resealable bags cost $29.99.

Note to those who, like me, grew up in the U.S. thinking Good & Plenty and Twizzlers are licorice: RJ's resembles those about as much as chalk resembles cheese.

Question for my Australia and New Zealand readers: how much does RJ's cost there?

Note to gimlet-eyed readers objecting to my opening sentence above:

It's batch made in Australia

when any fool can plainly see the bag (above and below) says 

 

BATCH MADE IN NEW ZEALAND

That photo accompanies the product listing on Amazon's website.

My Crack Photography Team©™® — all of whom are now required to wear the Official boj Thong©™®*— took shots of my bag of licorice, which you can view below.

       

       

nuf sed

*