a croc of scorpio

yesterday morning i started unpacking following my summer holiday in Canada and Malaysia. Kim got me a pair of Crocs which i had packed in a plastic bag. i took the bag out of the suitcase and put it on the floor.

This morning i took the pair of Crocs out of the bag and proceeded to put them on. First right then left, hey what’s that? There was something, felt like a bunched up plastic bag in the shoe. After two attempts i took off the Croc and shook out a still very much alive scorpion!

It’s life ended soon after that (i’m not a Buddhist).

the importance of orientation

i hadn’t seen a live scorpion since we’d lived in Temburong, Brunei 15 years ago and found them crawling about our house fairly frequently. i was reminded of my first CUSO orientation back in January 1979 when we were told it was a good idea to shake out shoes before putting them on as a regular practice. i also recalled when one of my teacher trainee students in Nigeria was stung by a scorpion while i was on duty; i had to take him to the hospital and he never stopped moaning and gnashing his teeth in utter pain and misery.

the importance of remembering what you learn at orientation

i knew that i was supposed to shake out my shoes but i didn’t, i was lucky this time. Next time? i’ll just have to remember to shake out my shoes.

Now i’m wondering if this scorpion came with me from Malaysia or if it was an Omani scorpion.  He didn’t have any travel documents so i guess i’ll never know.

Are you sexually active?

then you’ll want to have a gander at Derek Bowers’s Portfolio.  Interesting public education campaign aimed at exposing the link between STIs/STDs and alcohol.

Is there a doctor in the house?

i’ve been watching the Yanks go from wierd to crazy while their Health Care debate rages on.  Can’t believe that the Senate Health Committee, including several prominent Democrats, voted down the Public Option in their recent motion.  What i want to know is how much did the Health Insurance wonks pay the Senators to effectively kill the public option?

the video i’ve posted is a true story; my sister is alive today because the Canadian health care system provided her with first class oncological treatment for peanuts for the past decade.  She’s had timely interventions when needed and been able to continue leading a full and productive life.

The American health care system is sick… i do not begrudge the fees i had to pay for health insurance as a Murdoch student.  If i get sick when i visit Oz i know it won’t cost me an arm and a leg…