The climax of February 3, an amazing day of liberation was my learning that Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced that Canada will impose Canadian 155 billion (US 106 billion) in tariffs on American products in response to US trade restrictions. Few moments later realized that it was my one month anniversary of my introduction into the Anandani family – the family that has changed my life, in such a good way. You shall hear about that later.
First to discuss my liberation. I was freed of my neck pain, freed from one of the most toxic relationships I have ever had (and that is saying something) and freed of a large portion of my American identity, my USA passport. Handily I have a Canadian passport.
First the Neck
Faithful readers will recall that Shamir took me to Loh Guan Lye Hospital Emergency Room. It was an eventful day wherein Shamir was mistaken for my son, hordes of people welcomed my return, had a hissy fit upon which I was surrounded by people proclaiming my nicety.
The MD gave me a collar, some pain medication and transdermal patches. Then scheduled a MRI and follow up visit. The medication, so long in arriving, causing the hissy fit cost 44. The day before Mohin (DaddyO) purchased and gave me the same medication. It cost him 9 Yeah, me foreigner, me being used.Under ordinary conditions I would have had the MRI at that time as it was MD recommended and I was desperate. But it was Chinese New Year’s – everything was put off. Later that evening at the Kashmir Restaurant I met one of Shamir’s cousins. He had terrible pain, Western medicine did nothing to alleviate the pain. He went to a Chinese Doctor who alleviated his pain.
He: I can give you the name of the clinic.
Me: No thank you. I trust only traditional Western medicine.
But then pondered the possibility. Shamir sent me the name of the clinic, web site etc. Called them but they were closed for Chinese New Year’s but would open on February 3rd.
Fortunately another Anandani ‘gift’ enabled me to get to the clinic. A friend of the family, Din became my personal driver. He is so reliable, knows everything about Penang. He gave me a ride for a haircut and yesterday took me to the clinic with a stop at Chinese bone specialist. His diagnosis was more thorough, more easily understood than the specialist at the hospital. He also looked at my left knee giving me a special oil to be used daily. He charged 40 RM, treatment prices were posted.
Then we drove off to the clinic. checking in early. Din and I had lunch at a nearby 7/11. I was able to purchase halal beer, my favorite. It was sheer bliss. Got registered, then to experience one of the strangest treatments of mu life (and that is saying something.). I have no idea what was happening but an hour later the neck pain was gone. Thankfully Din stayed with me. First my whole body was stretched on an interesting contraption, then the focus was on my neck. As I was on my stomach I had not idea what was happening.. The doctor explained it was magnetic, whatever it was there was a lot of banging. he treatment stopped, medicine applied and then more banging. The idea behind all of this was to relax the tense muscles which was causing the pain. It worked!!! Typically I texted Shamir.
Me: I am cured!! Second place cured me. I sent him a picture of me in front of the window with its sign.
Me: The sign without me. Can you believe it??? The sign if my theme in life.: “We are always happy. “ Those walls contain a cure for me left knee as well.
He: That’s good.
Me: All my defective body parts will be fixed. I am going to be younger than you.
He: Do they have a solution to ur love life?
Me: I do not have a problem with my love life, stupid. I told someone where to go. So love life problem solved I am free!
He: (big heart) Yahoo!!!
I sent him a photo of the bill which describes the procedure
Me: So that is what he did to me. it took an hour. Machines He said it was magnetic Who cares what it was and is?
I am writing from breakfast. A slight amount of pain today but minimal. The doctor gave me a rub on medicine and gave me an exercise which enhances my mobility. If pain persists or worsens I go back for another treatment. The bill told me then treatment consisted of tuinalogy/bonesetting/acupuncture/ acupuncture /cupping. I was charged RM 130.00. The relief oil (which I cannot find at this moment) RM 19.00.
Therefore, freed of the tyranny of Western medicine with its costly tests, and surgical procedures. Goodness knows how much the MRI would have cost. That hospital loves my credit cards and US dollars.
One need a blend of both it seems. My cataract surgery was successful as was my experience with Dr. Kenny the neurologist. However, Dr. Janet misdiagnosed me with eczema when it was scabies AND prescribed expensive and unnecessary medicine.
My Love Life
Not going into the details of that except to say that this is approximately the fourth time time I broke off the relationship with this particular young man. Closed the door but then was stupid enough to open it again and again. This time there is a lock on my heart and I threw away the key. Hahaha. Again I owe a debt of gratitude to the Anandani family. (Not) Praiseworthy is the opposite of my ‘brother’ Shamir. What is my role in the family? Decided that I was SHA
Me: So I am Shamir’s Honorary Aunt.
He: Those are the first initials of my name.
Me: Of course. We will add Merry Imaginative but what starts with R? Rare? Repulsive?
He: Rare.
Me: Okay.
Again a debt of gratitude to the Anandani family. They all treat me with care, respect and response, assisting my in all areas of my life. Giving, not taking. Assisting me in all areas of my life. When one is treated with disrespect, inconsistency and causal carelessness one begins to think that is what you deserve. Thinking if I try harder I will get what I am seeking. This failing on my part has been a consistent pattern, haunting my life. When care, respect and consistent attention finally came my way I realized I was worthy of such interaction. The depriving people were themselves deprived and incapable. It had nothing to do with me.
2024 was not a good year for me in the men department. I intend to do better in 2025 and the rest of my life. Inshallah
That is enough of me for awhile. Now onto something more interesting.
My alma mater, the University of Alberta regularly sends an informative blog, U of A Headlines. Fact based, research driven information arrives informing alumni of new frontiers in science, technology, successful colleagues and new projects. The following contribution was a book review. Dogged by Deception: “ In his latest bestseller, misinformation fighter Timothy Caulfield examines the current “infodemic” of junk science.” This is how it begins.
On paper, Dr. Olivia Doll was a science superstar. With a degree from the Subiaco College of Veterinary Science, she sat on the editorial board of seven medical journals, had a strong publication record and was considered an expert in “the benefits of abdominal massage for medium-sized canines.” Doll’s glowing CV included a stint at the “Shenton Park Institute for Canine Refuge Studies” and expertise in the role of “domestic canines in promoting optimal mental health in aging males.” The reason Caulfield calls out Olivia Doll is that she’s actually a Staffordshire terrier. “Ollie’s” bio and CV were created by her owner, a public health researcher at Curtin University in Australia. Mike Daube’s intention was to expose the shoddy vetting practices of predatory scientific journals.
Doll is just one example University of Alberta health law expert Timothy Caulfield uses in his latest non-fiction blockbuster, The Certainty Illusion, to examine the current “infodemic” of junk science and misinformation. Released in early January, the book quickly climbed The Globe and Mail’s Canadian non-fiction bestseller list to No. 1, and just behind Cher’s memoir on the international non-fiction list at No. 8. Caulfield says the book’s popularity is a sign that people are hungry to understand and resist the current flood of misinformation and disinformation in the world, especially on social media..
Caulfield points to the massive problem facing us today.
“We’ve never had so much information. We’ve never had so many diverse researchers doing interesting work. It really should be a magical time. “Despite that, we are in what I think is a knowledge crisis — a tangle of lies, distortions and rage-filled rants,” Caulfield says, much of it fuelled by social media algorithms that thrive on divisive sensationalism.“This has created a massive paradox: we have more access to more knowledge than ever before and, at the same time, less and less certainty about the issues that matter to us.”
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The cure to such misinformation is the cultivation of what Caulfield calls science literacy.
‘In The Certainty Illusion and on his website #ScienceUpFirst, Caulfield offers advice on how to find accurate information, starting with the cultivation of science literacy.
“First of all, don’t be cynical. Know there is good evidence out there. Try to understand how science is done and how evidence is accumulated.“Ask yourself, what kind of evidence is this — an opinion, an anecdote? Is it a small study or a larger body of evidence? That’s one of the simplest things you can do.”Also be on the alert for emotional triggers. Social media algorithms are designed to manipulate grievances, fears, hopes and biases, ensuring the most outrageous messaging gets the most robust circulation, says Caulfield.“Studies show that if you can disconnect from that, you are less likely to fall for and spread misinformation, and more likely to value accuracy.” The research also shows that around 75 per cent of items on social media are shared without actually clicking through and reading the content.“Basically, people are just reading the headline, reacting and sending it on. Feelings are definitely winning out over facts,” he says.
In reality, science is messy, frequently contested and always evolving. Consensus takes time, only after constantly testing and retesting results.To check your own openness to new ideas and information, Caulfield suggests making a list of the things you’ve changed your mind about, however slightly, or positions you’ve modified.“You should be willing to change your mind,” he says. “This is not flip-flopping or something to be ashamed of.”Academics call it intellectual humility, and it goes a long way in the pursuit of truth, says Caulfield, adding that two recent studies found that those who nurture it are less likely to fall for either political or health misinformation. If you can never admit you’re wrong about anything, he says, consider this: research has also found a strong correlation between the psychological trait of narcissism and a belief in conspiracy theories and misinformation.”
Somehow I did what Caulfield suggests . I was able to change my mind, used my intellectual humility to explore alternative medicine to find relief from pain, inexpensively and efficiently. The cure for my neck pain was found. If only finding a solution for my love life existed. I actually may have found a cure – more about that later.
