Wednesday, October 21, 2009

The fed-up-with-it-all FLU season

This flu season may just kill me.

Not because I get the flu, no... because of the debacle that is flu shots. There is a short supply—-everywhere. I work in the Employee Health department of the hospital and get to share in the joy of answering everyone's questions about the flu shots: do you have the flu shot... what about H1N1... when will you get more... can I get it... why can't I get it... BUT... what if I get it elsewhere... should I wear a mask... do you have the flu shot? do you have the flu shot? do you have the flu shot? ARRRRRRGHGHGHGHHHH!!!!

Mr. Employee, when I tell you that you can’t have the shot, it’s not that I don’t like you or that I’m lying to you, it’s because a) you are not a direct healthcare provider, b) you are too old/don’t qualify for the nasal mist (which is all we have right now), or c) we’re out of the injectible, which you have asked specifically for. Yes, please go call whatever higher power you feel will do any good—-we don’t have what you are looking for. I'm very sorry.

Don’t be rude.
Don’t yell at us.
Don’t storm out.
Don’t have your mom call (I'm not kidding.)

Simply shrug your shoulders, thank me for answering your question (and please do not ask if you can call here everyday for an update), and kindly walk away. Please watch your email for the MASS communication that will inevitably go out when more of the flu vaccine becomes available for our employees. (sigh)


All the pestering and dumb questions... believe me when I tell you that I really, truly DO love my job. It's just the people that are hard to deal with sometimes. Ha!

Friday, October 2, 2009

Happy 2nd Anniversary to US!!

Two years, already!? Wow!! September 29, 2007 was one of the best days of my life so far... and each new day with John gets better and better.

This year we continued our tradition of going out for sushi on the night of our anniversary. This year we went to Sushi Den, one of the best sushi places in Denver; and I had not been to it before. The best sushi I ever had was in Kauai on our honeymoon, and John compared the quality of that to Sushi Den (at Sushi Basho prices--a small sushi place in downtown Littleton; good for the price!!) Anyway, he wasn't kidding, this was G-O-O-O-O-O-D. Mmm, mmm, MMM!! The server was awesome and brought us ice cream afterwards with a candle to wish on for our anniversary. Very sweet, and did I mention YUMMY?!

After dinner we continued the trend of spending our anniversary night in the same suite we spent our wedding night in at the Hilton Garden Inn in Highlands Ranch. The guy at the check-in desk was very sweet and said, "Well, I wasn't here last year when you two came, but I've heard about you... Happy Anniversary Mr. and Mrs. Stone." So cute!!

This year John surprised me with chocolate covered strawberries. And the hotel threw in champagne, too! John doesn't like champagne, so we brought it home to be used at a different occassion (anyone celebrating anything??)

The day after our anniversary we both take off work and spend the day together. That way, we can sleep in and enjoy a relaxing day. Usually we take advantage of the free breakfast at the hotel, but this year we went to NoNo's Cafe. We got there just in time to get breakfast--close call! My sister used to work at this restaurant and it's always fun to see the owners (her old bosses). They both came out to say "Hi" and are so sweet (both from New Orleans, still have their suthun' accents.)

After breakfast we headed West in hopes of getting a glimpse of the fall colors that Colorado does so well. Turns out it was a bit early for this, as we saw mostly green and yellows; there was very little orange or red. However, when we got into Evergreen and saw this, the drive was worth it:



The skies were beautiful, it was a very mild day; perfect weather to spend together.

We figured out that we were really close to the casinos, and while neither of us are gamblers, our old neighbors and good friends both work for a casino. "Let's surprise them!!" We found our way there and eventually met up with them. They both walked us around and showed off their place (he is Director of Compliance (kind of a big deal) and she is in charge of the wait staff, gift shop, and recently the new hotel opening.) It was fun to see them in their element and so proud of where they work. I lost a few bucks on a slot machine (not as much fun as they look), and John took a turn at a poker table... I think he prefers the video poker we play at restaurants with fake money. I'm just sayin'!!

We left the casino in time to make it home, change into our Rockies gear and make an evening game at Coors Field to watch our boys win. :) All in all, it was a GREAT day, fun anniversary, and good start to the third year.