Posts by Jolisa

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  • Hard News: Miracles just rate better, okay?,

    Fair enough, but I wouldn't dismiss the whole medical profession because I've had the unfortunate experience of coming across a GP of dubious competence and non-existent social skills.

    Oh, I would. Well, no, I probably wouldn't... but then again it did take me five years to get back to the dentist after the guy who started chatting about breasts while he had his hands in my mouth. Creep-o-rama.

    P'raps what's interesting (struggling to get back on topic) is that in many cases a one-off encounter is enough to tip people one way or another, and in many cases a one-off is all you get? Also: don't pick a practictioner out of the phonebook.

    Auckland, NZ • Since Nov 2006 • 1472 posts Report

  • Hard News: Miracles just rate better, okay?,

    And BenW (and others who share their stories): I completely understand your reluctance to do so, and completely applaud your generosity in doing so. We learn from each other.

    Auckland, NZ • Since Nov 2006 • 1472 posts Report

  • Hard News: Miracles just rate better, okay?,

    Interesting... I find myself nodding (empathetically and scientifically) at both Russell and Peter.

    I've heard that story from you in person, Russell, and shared your sense of utter marvel at the unexpected and instantaneous change in Jimmy. It reminds me of another story I heard from a PA reader a long time ago (who may or may not want to share here) about how an accidental injury apparently cured their child of something very similar. It makes a certain kind of sense that an unexpected bump or wriggle could well *fix* the sort of injury or strain we often acquire under similar circs. E.g. if rolling over in bed the wrong way can put my neck out, can rolling over on a massage table the right way put it back?

    "Interesting and worthy of further exploration" is a nice formulation, although a sceptic and a scientist might formulate that "further exploration" very differently, as seems to be happening in this discussion.

    And then I hear Peter and think yeah, he's right, babies do just randomly grow out of things and who knows? Maybe Jimmy was just getting over it that day and the attention and cuddle certainly didn't hurt. Plus, I share some of Peter's heebie-jeebies about the osteo-chiro industry; my one and only visit to a chiropracter (for post-birth musculo-skeletal issues) was horrible, alarming, dubious and totally unhelpful; the guy was a classic shyster and had he not been recommended by midwives I trusted, I would have run a mile as soon as look at him. I fretted about it for months afterwards and still shudder when I think about it.

    And then on the other hand, I have experienced a couple of mini-miraculous moments with basic massage therapy - not during or from the massage itself, but from the freaky woo-woo largely-hands-off moments at the end of it. One in particular sticks in my mind; what I can only describe as a radical unlocking feeling somewhere in my solar plexus, which changed the atmosphere in the room and had both me and my massage person saying "what was THAT?!" despite no external or visible effects.

    (No, you rude people, it wasn't one of those; I can tell the difference. Craig made a nice point above, though, about the -- ahem -- relaxing and therapeutic value of kind words and calm gentle touch, which should never be underestimated, viz. pet therapy in general and in particular; see also Giovanni's pizza therapy).

    Anecdotes, not very helpful, I know - I guess I just wanted to interpose a perspective that sits somewhere in the middle of the spectrum, as it were.

    Auckland, NZ • Since Nov 2006 • 1472 posts Report

  • Up Front: Outraged of Sockburn,

    I mean to say: we can hope for much more (I do) but can expect the least they can get away with.

    Auckland, NZ • Since Nov 2006 • 1472 posts Report

  • Up Front: Outraged of Sockburn,

    if the [OF] sex scenes are all Emma's making them out to be.

    They're often funny, which is also rare in TV sex land.

    Do you mean that The L Word has realistic sex scenes?

    Realistic? Oh dear no, that is not what I turn to television for. I can get that at home :-)

    To be realistic, though, prime time TV drama -- at least in the US -- is pretty tightly constrained by decency laws, so probably the best we can hope for on the non-cable channels is the occasional glimpse of two chaps in business socks, or a pair of comely gals inexplicably wearing bras, as they grip the sheets (nice call, Emma) and sigh "That was marvellous."

    Auckland, NZ • Since Nov 2006 • 1472 posts Report

  • Up Front: Outraged of Sockburn,

    and sometimes socks.

    Business socks?

    Auckland, NZ • Since Nov 2006 • 1472 posts Report

  • Up Front: Outraged of Sockburn,

    Not to mention The L Word, although I guess that falls under your umbrella of "A couple of U.S. cable-only shows and British gay-specific dramas aside..." A refreshing antidote to the usual fare, although (see Richard) not necessarily the most accurate televisual depiction of LA sapphistry and/or real estate afforded by freelance writers and modern art curators.

    Children might be watching and we wouldn’t want them to get corrupted by nipples.

    Heh. Both of my children were corrupted by nipples; exclusively till 6 months and thereafter on demand.

    Auckland, NZ • Since Nov 2006 • 1472 posts Report

  • Up Front: Get Your Hand Off It,

    Some happy news for the authors of what is currently the most challenged book in the US.

    It's a very cute picture book about penguins with possibly the most cunning title ever. On account of its infamy, it's experiencing a flurry of sales this week, hooray! I'm off to buy another one. If we keep this up, lucky baby Gemma will never have to eat gruel.

    Auckland, NZ • Since Nov 2006 • 1472 posts Report

  • Hard News: The new wave,

    Very very quickly.

    Auckland, NZ • Since Nov 2006 • 1472 posts Report

  • Hard News: The new wave,

    And it's now coming in on top of a high tide?

    That Tutukaka video is crazy. "Ohmygod, thus us massuve!" Like Ben, I'd be thinking of the headline over here and hoofing it.

    Auckland, NZ • Since Nov 2006 • 1472 posts Report

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