Buffalo at the Pueblo

Across from the Sandia Casino is the Sandia Pueblo and the Bien Mur Indian Market Center.

At:  www.sandiapueblo.nsn.us/bien-mur-indian-market

A special attraction is the 107-acre Buffalo preserve established by the Pueblo of Sandia to promote the resurgence of the American Bison. They were all but exterminated during the mass slaughter of the eighteen hundreds. Thanks to efforts such as this Buffalo preserve, the buffalo are now thriving in herds across the West…

When I visited the donkeys and horses, they were very friendly. The buffalo? Not so much.

They don’t seem to recognize humans at all, not once acknowledging our presence. (I wasn’t the only one taking photos.)

And they don’t seem to mind eating while surrounded by their waste. (Yuck.)

They didn’t make any noise or have any interest in anything but the sparse grass they were munching on.

What a life, right? 🙂

(Photos taken 2/27/2016.)

Internet down

I’m at a public WiFi right now, trying to find out why my internet connection isn’t working. Getting help from Century Link is not something you want to do when you’re in a lot of pain — or even if you’re not. Dolores from Century Link says there’s an outage that could last for 24 hours (probably more), and when I asked for more information, she disconnected me. So, I don’t know when I’ll be back… Fuck, fuck, fuck.

#makedonalddrumpf again

Donald Trump’s ancestral name is…

wait for it…

Drumpf. 😀

I know this is a serious subject, because I can’t even imagine what it would be like to have Mr. Drumpf as our president. But, even though it hurts, I have to thank John Oliver for making me laugh… and laugh… and laugh. And thanks to the U.K. for producing such a special and talented person.

The opioid war causes kidney damage

https://www.kidney.org/atoz/content/painmeds_analgesics

Heavy or long-term use of some of these medicines, such as ibuprofen, naproxen, and higher dose aspirin, can cause chronic kidney disease known as chronic interstitial nephritis. The warning labels on over-the-counter analgesics tell you not to use these medicines for more than 10 days for pain and more than three days for fever. If you have pain and/or fever for a longer time, you should see your doctor. The doctor can check for possible medical problems and advise you about what medications you should take…

As I’ve mentioned before, I take a lot of aspirin (although I’m not sure it helps). My generic bottle of aspirin says:  1 or 2 tablets every 4 hours, or 3 tablets every 6 hours, not to exceed 12 tablets in 24 hours.

No, I don’t exceed the recommended dosage, but the label doesn’t say anything about not taking it for more than 10 days. But, since I’ve been taking aspirin just about every day for the last 4 years (after stopping prescription drugs), I’m wondering if my back pain is a sign of kidney problems.

However, if I were to see a doctor, what would be his or her advice to manage my pain? Certainly not any kind of prescription painkiller, right?

I can predict that the opioid war is going to cause a lot of kidney damage, because as far as I know, opioids don’t cause kidney damage. The only warning appears to be for those suffering from renal failure:

http://www.palliativedrugs.com/download/08_06_Prescribing%

20Opioids%20in%20Renal%20Patients[1][1].pdf

Great care is required when prescribing opioids to patients with impaired renal function. Many opioids (and/or their active/toxic metabolites) are renally excreted e.g. morphine. Accumulation occurs in renal failure potentially leading to extreme opioid sensitivity…

Which is worse, the potential for addiction with opioids or the higher potential for kidney damage with over-the-counter drugs? I sure hope the medical industry is ready for a butt-load of patients with kidney damage.

Hey, doctors, how the fuck am I supposed to manage my constant pain without doing even more damage? Oh, I see, ya’ll don’t care, right? Because drug war. (Doctors suck.)

Not Your Fault

To every person who has suffered from the crime of rape, I can’t say this enough:

It’s Not Your Fault

https://painkills2.wordpress.com/?s=defy+gravity%21

Please go to YouTube to see Lady Gaga’s performance at the 2016 Oscars, as every time I post a video for this, it’s censored.

Pain refugees in Indiana

Posted at http://www.pharmaciststeve.com on 1/26/2016:

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind (Feb. 26, 2016)–Three central Indiana pain clinics were searched by federal and local agencies Friday morning. Sources tell FOX59 the Pain Management Centers of Indiana are being investigated for the alleged overprescribing of pain medications possibly linked to overdose deaths. The investigation is spearheaded by the Drug Enforcement Administration along with local agencies in Marion, Miami and Monroe counties. The prosecutors from all three counties are assisting along with The Indiana Attorney General. Records and files were removed in evidence boxes from the clinics. They operate in locations in Peru, In, Bloomington, In and the south side of Indianapolis. The main physician’s home was also searched in addition to the three practices…

Under comments:

boilerrph87, on February 26, 2016 at 10:57 pm said:

Apparently Mr Watson must have a pharmacy degree too because he seems to know so much more about medications than I as a pharmacist

“It is the duty of DEA, the Attorney General and the prosecuting attorneys to investigate such complaints. Whether or not they are substantiated by the evidence being gathered and reviewed may not be determined for several weeks,” said Bruce Embry, prosecuting attorney for Miami County…..

READ: UNTIL we prove you innocent, your reputation and life is toast socially, professionally and financially and even then it is still toast afterwards because you will NEVER recover from this. They have also destroyed your legitimate chronic pain patients and they are now pain refugees because no doctor will take them on within 100 miles and see them as legitimate…

http://www.indypain.com/corporate-news/long-term-disability/

Effective as of January 14, 2016, the Center for Pain Management will no longer complete any new forms or paperwork in support of Long Term Disability.

At the Center for Pain Management, our goal is to restore patients to the highest possible level of functioning. In almost all cases, being on Long Term Disability is not consistent with that goal. Therefore, effective immediately, our medical practice has discontinued support of Long Term Disability and will no longer complete any new forms or paperwork associated with Long Term Disability coverage…

Posted at http://www.mpp.org:

The Indiana General Assembly is now in session, and it appears lawmakers are going to make the same mistake as last year by not passing Sen. Karen Tallian’s comprehensive medial marijuana bill…  Indiana has some of the most draconian marijuana penalties in the country. Possession of even a single joint is punishable by up to a year of incarceration and a fine of up to $5,000…

https://www.facebook.com/Legalize-Medical-Marijuana-for-Indiana-200102390026181/

More than 10,000 apply at new Cheesecake Factory

Posted at koat.com on 2/19/2016:

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. —More than 10,000 people applied to work at the new Cheesecake Factory location opening next week at Coronado Center, and 290 people made the final cut…  Rowe said it’s not unusual to get thousands of applications for a new location, but said this might be a new record…

Hunting for apartments on Tramway

Back in 2014, I visited the Sandia Peak Tramway, which sits behind the largest building in the area, the Sandia Casino.

https://painkills2.wordpress.com/2015/03/14/24-hour-gambling-in-new-mexico-oh-boy/

There’s a restaurant next to the Tramway, which I’ve eaten at twice. Not the greatest food (or service), but the chile con queso was pretty good.

I didn’t take a ride on the tram, since it costs $20 for about a 20 minute ride.

Tramway Boulevard runs parallel to the Sandia Mountains, and this is where I went apartment hunting yesterday. And where I found this artwork:

There’s a bike/jogging path that runs alongside Tramway Boulevard, and although the road itself isn’t very busy, there are always people taking advantage of the path.

I saw some other interesting art in the area, but my pain levels are pretty high, so this is the only one I stopped to take photos of. In addition to my usually high pain levels, I’ve done something to my back, probably from all the packing and carting junk to the trash. There’s some numbness in my right leg that makes me worry that it won’t always support me, but so far, so good (pretty much). But… it’s that kind of sharp pain that makes you lose your breath… and makes you wonder if the next breath will come.

Small Claims Court for tenant disputes

http://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/tenant-defenses-evictions-new-mexico.html

Before a tenant can be evicted, a landlord must provide the tenant with a notice that details the reasons for the eviction and gives the tenant an opportunity to either pay rent or fix a lease violation.

http://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/new-mexico-state-laws-prohibiting-landlord-retaliation.html

It is illegal for a landlord to retaliate against a tenant in New Mexico who has exercised a legal right, including:  complaining to the landlord about unsafe or illegal living conditions

http://research.lawyers.com/new-mexico/nm-filing-a-small-claims-suit.html

In New Mexico, the fees vary from court to court, but you can expect to pay between $60 and $90 to file the lawsuit.

https://www.metrocourt.state.nm.us/xnet/main.jsp?folder=services&file=selfhelp

The Bernalillo County Metropolitan Self Help Center 505-841-9817 (formerly the Pro Se Division) helps people who wish to represent themselves in small claims cases and landlord/tenant disputes.

Click to access SH104.pdf

Discovery is a process that allows a party in a lawsuit to gather any type of information from any source, such as, other parties, persons, witnesses, or companies that can then be used to support or defend a party.

Go ahead, screw me over

Thu, Feb 25, 2016 8:39 pm
Re: Letter dated 2/25/2016
From: painkills2@aol.com
To: vistasmanager@crhmi.com, vmanager@corerealtyholdings.com
Cc: customercare@crhmi.com, egoodman@crhmi.com, dmorehead@crhmi.com, dougmorehead@crhmi.com, info@corerealtyholdings.com

Dear Ms. Buchman:

I am in receipt of your letter dated 2/25/2016, regarding my request for an extension of the Notice to Vacate. Funny, even at this late date, you have refused to cite the reason for serving me with this notice. I guess it would be hard to state for the record that you have no adequate reason for throwing a disabled, paying tenant out onto the street.

And now you’re demanding that I pay a doctor to complete a Reasonable Accommodation Request Form in order for you to consider an extension. Let me remind you (from my email of 2/14/2016):

“Even though my long term disability benefits were recently terminated (because I couldn’t afford to see a doctor), and my Social Security Disability benefits did not increase this year, I had no choice but to accept Ms. Buchman’s renewal terms (because of the cost to move).”

You know that I am unable to satisfy this request, which is undoubtedly why you made it. Unless you’re offering to pay for me to see a doctor to fill out your 3-page form? Because even Unum (my former long-term disability insurance carrier) refused to do that. And we all know why — because it saves them money. But this isn’t a question of money, is it Ms. Buchman?

I spent 25 years being addicted to the medical industry for pain management, and breaking those chains almost took my life. And now you (and Unum) want to push me back into this quagmire of expensive and useless doctor visits? I can’t tell you how much I want to describe, in full detail, what you can do with your form.

I also can’t tell you how painful and long the process is for receiving disability benefits. And yet, Social Security’s decision isn’t good enough for you? You require more proof that I’m disabled?

Do you remember, Ms. Buchman, when we used to be friends? When I brought you and your staff Crispy Creme donuts and home-baked goods? I’ve tried to make this relationship work, but it’s not my fault that you refuse to do your job. (And I have the photos to prove it.)

I had a dream that I was living in another apartment while I took you, CRHMI, and CUBS to court. (And considering the amount of additional pain and agony that you’ve made me suffer, I’m thinking about suing you personally, too.) It was an awesome dream, and I have to wonder if it’s a portent of things to come. Wouldn’t that be just freaking fantastic?

Go ahead, Ms. Buchman, screw me over. I can’t wait to take pictures of the police removing a poor, disabled white woman from your premises.

Johnna Stahl

F*ck you, Windows

Each and every day, there’s a new Windows update. And each and every day, the update fucks with my computer. Specifically, with my photos, which means I can’t practice art therapy whenever I need to.

I’m not sure I can explain what happens, but the updates frequently require me to move photos around into other files so that I can access them. It’s like the updates mess with the integrity of my files. And when there’s an update waiting (which is, like, all the time), the copies I make of photos end up at the bottom of the file, instead of right next to the photo I made a copy of.

It’s gone beyond irritating, and if Windows thinks I’m going to update to the new version without having fixed this problem, they can fuck off.

Okay, this rant hasn’t made me feel any better, but it’s been a long time coming…

https://painkills2.wordpress.com/2015/04/14/people-who-say-fck-a-lot-are-hotter-and-healthier/

In one British study, researchers found that we swear to cope with situations that make us feel strong emotions, and that a good string of expletives can actually help us endure pain…

Thinking of you, Daniel Haslam

http://www.cnn.com/2016/02/24/health/medical-marijuana-legal-australia-irpt/index.html?eref=rss_health

(CNN) The Australian Parliament passed a measure Wednesday legalizing medical marijuana…

The decision came exactly a year after 25-year-old Daniel Haslam lost his life to terminal bowel cancer. Haslam used medical marijuana to ease his pain and nausea before he died last February.

His mother, Lucy, started a medical cannabis advocacy group called United in Compassion and petitioned for the government to make it legal.

Australian Sen. Richard Di Natale brought up Haslam’s story before Parliament on Wednesday. “It is incredibly fitting that today we are passing this bill which is one step towards making medicinal cannabis accessible to people like Dan,” Di Natale said.

“Thank you to Lucy for everything you have done. Please know that your family’s grief, pain and suffering has not been in vain and this is a legacy that Dan will leave here in Parliament.”

http://in.reuters.com/article/us-canada-marijuana-medical-idINKCN0VX2FH

A federal court judge in Vancouver on Wednesday ruled that medical marijuana patients have the Constitutional right to grow their own cannabis, striking down a ban introduced by Canada’s previous Conservative government…

Favorite Blog Post

It’s hard to believe that I’ve made almost 6,500 posts on my blog. (I know, I know, I post too much.)

So, it’s hard to pick my favorite blog post, but this one stands out in my mind:

https://painkills2.wordpress.com/?s=%22the+color+guard%22

Do you have a favorite blog post that you’d like to share? Please do so in the comments, and I promise to read every one. 🙂

First Sign of Spring

Dancing to Saturday Night Fever

Starfish

(Photos taken yesterday.)

From March and April of last year:

https://painkills2.wordpress.com/2015/03/04/first-sign-of-spring-at-the-grocery-store/

Thanks for viewing. 🙂

How Making Eviction Easier Became a Hot New Industry

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-02-23/how-making-eviction-easier-became-a-hot-new-industry

In November, Bay Management Group tried to evict Dinickyo Brown over $336 in unpaid rent. Brown, who pays $650 a month for a two-bedroom apartment in Northeast Baltimore, fought back, arguing the charges arose after she complained of mold. The landlord dropped the case, only to file a fresh eviction action—this time for $290.

“They drag you back and forth to rent court, and even if you win, it goes onto your record,” says Brown, who explains that mold triggers her epilepsy. “If you try to rent other properties or buy a home, they look at your records and say: You’ve been to rent court.”

The story, as Brown tells it, may become the new normal. In Baltimore, landlords initiated 150,000 eviction proceedings last year, according to one estimate. In 2014, landlords nationwide started 3.4 million evictions. That kind of volume has created a fertile market for companies that offer to assist with such cases. Click Notices Inc., an Annapolis, Md.-based startup, is one of them, and it’s the one that filed both actions against Brown…

“I think you have to ask, when you make it so easy to file, are you creating a system where it’s very easy to get people into court and bully them?” says Zafar Shah, an attorney at Public Justice Center, a civil legal aid organization based in Baltimore…

Click Notices encourages its clients to start eviction proceedings as early as possible because removing problem tenants opens up apartments for people who need affordable housing and are willing to pay on time.

It could have unexpected benefits for cities starved for apartments that renters can afford, he explains. “How do you build more affordable housing? You could start by making the sector more efficient,” says Sigler. “Capital won’t flow into the sector when 40 percent of tenants won’t pay on time.”

Won’t pay on time? Willing to pay on time? Do you think the corporate world might consider that rents are too damn high?