Super Bowl Musings + Road Trip Recollection

Super Bowl Musings

I don't have a pony in this show, but I did watch the last quarter of the Patriots AFC championship. Tom Brady & crew operated as if the game was theirs to win, & they won it. Their opponents played "not to lose." They lost. Philadelphia's fans pummeled Vikings fans in a needlessly boorish manner. Talk about sore winners. I hope they lose to New England. I hope N.E. comes from behind & scores the winning points as time expires. *
* I guess that I do have a pony in this show.

From the Minneapolis Star Tribune (1/29):  "Brett Favre is doing a megabuck autograph session . . . from 11:00-12:30 SAT. Some of the most expensive VIP packages are already sold out, but a standard autographed photo will run you $219.99."  COMMENT:  Send me $2.19, & I will send you a standard autographed photo of . . . ME! That's right. The Cornhusker State Blogger is thinking that someday his autograph may command the same atmospheric proceeds as Brett Favre's, assuming that I win a Pulitzer Prize.

From the St. Paul Pioneer Press (1/28): "There have been some 5,800 media credentials representing 25 countries issued for the Super Bowl in Minneapolis."  COMMENT:  I've been away from home for awhile so haven't been checking the mail. The first thing I'll do when I get home today is check to see whether my credentials have arrived.

Ditto:  "For Super Bowl SUN, both Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport & Holman Field are sold out for reservations for private jets to land."  COMMENT:  Just wait until Scott Frost makes an appearance in Norfolk, NE, & see how quickly the Norfolk International Airport sells out its reservations for private jets & crop dusters to land.

Ditto:  "The Super Bowl comes once a year. Eat that way. 15 new concessions available only for the big game. [Here are the foods I will be looking for, if my press credentials arrive in time.]

• "Espresso ala Mode:  French vanilla ice cream, chocolate shavings, mini marshmallows & espresso sauce in a bubble waffle . . . 
• "2-minute Drill Dog:  Vienna dog topped with bacon, buffalo ketchup, blue cheese, diced celery & ranch . . . 
• "Braised Short Rib Sandwich:  Tender, juicy beef, topped w/a swipe of roasted garlic & cheddar sauce, smoked tomatoes & crisp, pickled red onions . . . 
• "Walleye Chowder:  Upscale fish soup w/bits of our state fish, potatoes & the state starch--wild rice . . . 
• "Kramarczuk's Wild Rice Bratwurst:  Juicy sausage gets nutty flavor from wild rice. Sweet caramelized onions & lingonberry chutney toppings are a nice touch."

Road Trip Recollection

My last day at the Mayo Clinic's Executive Health Program was not without some drama. Actually, my entire experience in Rochester had more than its share of drama, but I digress. Here are the highlights from TUE 1/30.

• My mtg w/a member of the diabetes treatment center was very informative & reinforced that I need to get past my slump & get serious about this stuff.
• Nephrologist doesn't like the sound of my cough & sends me for another blood draw & chest x-ray.
• Nephrologist & physician who manages my program (PWMMP) don't like the look of the chest x-ray & send me for a CT scan.
• When I meet w/PWMMP for my last appt before starting my trek back home, he shows me my the chest x-ray. Results from CT scan aren't available yet, but shadows on x-ray are cause for concern.
• As I'm leaving Rochester, PWMMP calls to tell me that the consensus is that I do have either a case of mild pneumonia or a respiratory infection. Since (1) it would take a pulmonologist to definitely diagnose condition, (2) he & the nephrologist think the best course of action is to treat me for pneumonia, so . . . 
• . . . There will be an antibiotic used for pneumonia waiting for me at Hy-Vee when I get home today.
• He recommends a follow-up with a Mayo pulmonologist in 2 weeks, since CT indicates that a respiratory infection may date back to before my influenza diagnosis on FRI 1/19.
• I just want to get home & try to get someone to prescribe a potent cough medicine which will help me sleep through the night. Which reminds me . . . 
• PWMMP tells me that it wouldn't be unlikely for my symptoms of fatigue & coughing to last last 4-6 weeks, maybe longer.