Drugs RSVP

I checked my RSVP list George … You know the one that tells me what Topics I need to avoid in order not to be cosidered a social deviant … 

RSVP? … You know George … Religion, Sex, Politics …
V? Not sure about that one.

Anyway what I discovered is that nowhere do I find drugs on the RSVP list.
Drugs George … we can talk about drugs.
That’s what keeps the world together. 
How do I know? 
Well I suppose I must confess to my ignorance George.  It is really not something I know for sure.

I do not really know very much of anything for sure.  What I do is just poke around and eventually find a bit of information here and a bit of information there … Oh and from what I hear on the news … And why would I not believe what I hear?

So for the drugs I went to Duke University.
Nary a sign of drugs there.

Found a drug-related something called environmental monitoring in Toronto

And auditing … Even something here called Pharmaceutical Auditing … And what you can learn if you want to take a course 
Quote:”
regulatory requirements and quality standards as well as the ability to carry out in-depth audits of quality systems in the pharmaceutical industry.

four main components of the quality system: management controls, design controls, production and process controls, and corrective and preventive actions …”
And
“… how to plan, execute, report and close-down complicated and advance pharmaceutical, biopharmaceutical and supplier audits.”

Why would someone want to close-down an audit George … Am I wrong in thinking that an audit is something that keeps the world operating the way the world is supposed to operate?

Yes I am aware that a company usually gets a warning before auditors come in … That way they can clean up their act and keep everybody happy and nobody is the wiser … Isn’t that the way it works George?

But you know what … There really is a lot more to drugs than I ever realized … Something called “Pharmaceutical Regulatory Affairs
Hmmmmm … What do you think George?

Something along the lines of 
“rules and regulations affecting pharmaceutical, biological, natural health products and medical devices.”

Some real important sounding stuff too
“international food and drug laws, regulations and guidelines … regulatory submissions and requirements … intellectual properties … pharmaceutical drug development 

Non-clinical studies … regulatory filings … human clinical trials …

Hnnnn wonder what this is: “global submission in the CTD format”

Ah hhhh here it is George
marketing applications for drugs and biologics, known as the Common Technical Document (CTD) … finalized by the International Conference on Harmonization (ICH) in 2003.  Today the CTD format is highly recommended for marketing applications in the United States, and is mandatory in other regions, including Canada, Japan, and Europe.”

Wonder what that ICH means … No George not itch … Nothing to do with being itchy … Well … Unless you have an allergy I suppose …
Then again I suppose there are companies that might be itching to get a new product out as soon as possible … You know what they say George “time is money”
No George I don’t think it has anything to do with running a business from prison. … Then again …

hmmmm good place to go to get letters after your name … Sounds real professional … Well like in all these new careers
CMW – certified medical writing
DM – document management

Wuuuuuu
Check this mouthful George
GRAC – global regulatory affairs compliance

Yep … Sure are one pile of new careers George … At least they might be careers …

FDA, CBER, IND, NDA, BLA, ANDA, ABLA …. No George … No idea what they mean … Sure sounds important though … Guess you need to be an insider to understand the arcane language.

Guess that’s enough drugs for today.

Advertisement

The Golden Award

Porridge
Well George … Does everything have a day?
Even porridge?

Seems so … October 10 th 
http://www.worldporridgeday.com/
I must remember that for next year George

I might  even have a chance to win a golden spurtle award … To tell the truth George I had not previously heard of the golden spurtle either.

Sounds even better than the golden toilet-brush award I won a few years ago.  Spoiled me.  Ever since … Well I am not nearly so excited about cleaning toilets anymore.

Spurtle-operator … Sounds almost impressive … What if I were to spread the word that I have recently become a spurtle operator? And if I were to win the spurtle award? Would I receive cards of congratulations do you suppose … Things like “so excited  for you … You must be so proud of your attainement … You see how things get better if you learn to keep your mouth shut … Didn’t I tell you things would pick up if you tried to be a bit more positive?”

Something like that … Do you suppose George? Or would it be the usual polite blank stare of utter boredom.  Would comments on this new occupation be ignored outright because nobody really honestly gives a tinker’s darn what you are doing these days.

That is … Unless it is a professional international fund-raiser where you get to wear the same t-shirt as everyone else and everybody has so much fun walking or running together to raise money to send to the charity of the day.
I say professional because such charity-events are very professional and well-planned even though they may take advantage of an army of unpaid volunteers. But guess what George? Somewhere in the charitable organizations there are often people being paid large salaries. Then there are the free trips.  These days George it is the professional charities that bring in the real money, especially if you can score a couple of lucrative board positions.

You want me to name them, give you particulars about which charities … You want documented proof? Not a report George! You don’t expect a report! Without paying me? Surely you do not expect me to work for nothing?  Hmmm no George … No board either … sorry George … Not available … I’ll be too busy operating my new spurtle promotion enterprise.

Black Friday

Is it really true George?
 … What they say about Black Friday … For instance … Everything I do from now until … Until when George? … That is the part I don’t get …
Anyway it seems that the results of my labours … My endeavours … My hard work … It is mine! All mine! I needn’t pay any taxes from now until whenever. Is that it?

Well George, I really don’t understand the whole concept.

Thick? No George. I simply don’t see how it can possibly make any difference to me. Here I am an elder artist and writer … One whose art and writings have no monetary value … Well if they did then I’d be making a living … Wouldn’t I George?  … As I was saying …

Can we get back to this George? I am busy at the moment … Trying to determine how I am going to spend my salary this month … Well I think you call it salary … Although to tell the truth George I am not sure … Is under $150 a week enough to consider a salary. Well George what I am talking about is my Elder Security check George.  

Well … Not exactly … No George I don’t know what it is called officially these days … Used to be called the Old Age Pension … Or am I getting that wrong … Well yes George I am happy to receive the check every month.  It is an affirmation that I did my time and now am able to lay back and enjoy the fruits of my labours.

Labour? Do you think George that being a housewife is not labour? 

Well yes … Labour of love … That too … 

I’m thinking about a vacuum this month George.  Well no not that one … It would take months of pension checks to pay for George. Yes George … I agree with you that I should be supporting by local business community by buying the more expensive vacuum cleaner from the local small business owner.  But look at it from the perspective of my not having any money to spend on anything else for the next several months.  

And don’t forget George! Christmas is less than a month away.  Well it is after all the short period of time that holds small local business together.  If they can make enough money  at Christmas then they are able to pay the banks the interest due on the money they have to borrow in order to stay in business for the rest of the years. 

The whole thing is a mystery to me too George.  I guess it is something best left to Economists and Accountants … Oh yes Bankers too … And yes George … Insurance Agents.

So you see George although I don’t really get this Black Friday thing and cannot really tender intelligent comments on the pros and cons of the financial world … There is one thing you must know for sure George.
I  am happy to report that I receive money  from the Canadian Government.  Yes George … Every month.

That little check might seem insignificant to you but it is mine and a lot more than I received during the years of being a stay-at-home mom when the family allowance didn’t cover the cost of … Well George let’s not talk about that right now.

Let’s just say I am appreciative. Yes … The check … That lovely little 500 $ plus a few dollars and a few cents  … Every month George … 

Yes … That lovely little greyish-brownish envelope … Is that what is meant  by a plain brown envelope George … With the  return address Matane Quebec, G4W 4N5

I love my little check from the Government of Canada. 

And the Sign Said

What George?
What word? Hearing is not quite what it once was as you know.

Quit? Is that it? What kind of an attitude is that George? You know I will not give up … Not as long as … Well never mind … 

You too George? And I considered you such a perfectly loyal magpie … Are magpies known for loyalty George? So why are you not going to share … Tell me what you saw back there?

You are very quiet George. Cat get your tongue?

So are you going to share or do I have to beat it out of you! What did the sign say?

Talk don’t fight? That’s it? Nothing more profound than that?

Oh! I see … Errrrr rather I understand … Well sort of …
You think we need better commmunication  do you George? And how do you propose we tackle that one?

OK … Well you can’t say I have not tried.

Well George … Again this morning I was booted out of a site … Accused of vile deeds … I am innocent George …

Doesn’t matter where … False accusations  … I did no wrong … Doing my Elder Duty is what I was trying to do George … Trying to post this notice that might help people in NYC

Click to access communication_board.pdf

You know George … This communication idea might be bigger than you think.

Yes of course I realize that you are a thinking entity. I’ve been told I have the same flaw. 

Yes George. Let’s talk.

Internationional Day of the Child

Today is International Childrens Day … So … Does anyone know?
November is a special day dedicated by the UN to remind us about the 
UN Declaration on the Rights of the Child and the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. 

http://www.unicef.ca/en/take-action/article/celebrate-national-child-day-2012

Thinking about being a kid … Getting a vaccination … Ouch … 
Is it something parents still do … Get kids vaccinated? 

George … Does anyone ever ask questions about vaccinations?

You know … Questions … Like … Where do vaccinations come from?
Who authorizes … Who pays … Who gets paid … Who does research … Who conducts trials … Who participates … Who wins … Who loses … Who invests … Who oversees … Who condones … Who condemns … Who verifies … Who reports? 

Kenya? What about Kenya?

Canada Standard Sizes

Canada Standard Sizes
I am not insinuating anything George.  It really has nothing to do with me if so many people wear the same shoe size.  
The way things are going George, one of these days there won’t be a factory on this planet producing a sensible pair of good-quality shoes. So we won’t really need to worry anymore about shoe sizes.  Will we George?

Elder Pride


See you May 2015 in Gloucester County, New Brunswick, Canada

Meanwhile

 


 

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826); American Declaration of Independence, 1776”

Where did I find this George? Good question. (Look down below at the bottom of the page for *1) I’d like to explain — I was on this particular page because I had asked a question on another page. The question was about Elder Law. I had never before come across this particular expression and was wondering what it was.  As usual, not only did I not get a straight answer —- err no that is wrong George — the answer was quite straight — immediately under the little box saying “Ask A Canadian Lawyer Now” —- there it was plain as day: “Sorry the term Elder law is misspelled or the definition does not exist …” well yes there was more George … Basically telling me to look for it myself I guess.

So just to check the spelling and verify that I had it right — well George what I did then was I went back to the previous page where I had found the expression (*2 look below)

yep — there it was … Plain as day … Ah but then my eye was caught … Yes George … What I was saying was that I was distracted … A yellow box over on the far right of the page … And I read the contents of the box

Another quote George “The law … is a mistress only to be wooed with sustained and lonely passion; only to be won by straining all the faculties by which man is likest to a god. Those who, having begun the pursuit, turn away uncharmed, do so either because they have not been vouchsafed the sight of her divine figure, or because they have not the heart for so great a struggle.
Oliver Wendell Holmes, 1934”

Don’t be confused into thinking that this is about sex George … I believe it is more like a metaphor. Nice thought though isn’t it. Ah were I only younger George … Were I a man … And were I to have the financial resources … You know George … I might be tempted … As it is … Well that is another story George.

Back to the alligator swamp for me George — I still need to find out what exactly is meant by “Elder law” … Well yes George … I guess I do consider myself an Elder … For me at least … I try to follow my own best advice …  So I guess that makes me an Elder.

As for Elder law — well I did find an Elder law lawyer website (*3) so I guess there must be something called Elder law — which, by the way is a good thing — it is scary enough growing old nowadays George — all the stories you hear about old folks being forced out of their homes and into something called “special care homes” — sure George some people might like to spend their final days in a hotel atmosphere taking happy pills  — but where is the pool and sauna — and a cafeteria is not exactly my idea of fine dining — as for someone feeding me off a tray in the privacy of my room — that takes a lot of patience George.
As for Elders being told to ” eat up all the numm-numms” — well George I think I would not really like that —

Another thing is the signs George — tiny little printing — do you realize George that it is perfectly normal for Elders to have less accute sight in later years.  And ask yourself George can the Elder actually read the particular language on the sign?

Less acute eyesight can also affect colour choice — a brown sock and a blue sock might not look like a perfectly matched pair when your eyesight is perfect George … But no it is not necessarily a sign of senility — it is a more likely a sign of fading eyesight.

And if the dear old soul stops wearing makeup and a certain brand or style of clothing? That is not a legitimate sign of senility.

Talking about signs of senility — don’t be too quick to judge that one —
Changes in personaliy — well of course there are going to be changes in personality — as there will be changes in anything — Change can be very good — sometimes what the soul needs most is change.

As for Elders saying something peculiar … Well George … When the hearing starts to go and what you ask them is not what they hear — what can you expect but a somehat inappropriate answer to a perfectly straightforward question.

And if they look at you in a strange manner … Well maybe it is simply that they cannot make out what you are saying because your mumbling sounds more like obscenity than speech.

Have a little respect George. If you are speaking to an Elder — well you don’t have to yell but don’t mumble — speak distinctly and clearly.

About that Elder law — well I really am curious George.

hmmm look here: “… legal, social and health needs of older persons and their families. …” talks about what Elder law is about (*4)

Here is another one (5.)
And something here on an Elder Law Clinic (*6.)

I guess that is all good — wonder about New Brunswick — hmmm suppose that’s another story huh George?

Elder Pride? What do I mean by Elder Pride? Being an Elder and Proud of it!

References
*1.http://www.duhaime.org/LegalDictionary/E/Elder%20law.aspx Ask A Canadian Lawyer
*2.http://www.duhaime.org/LloydDuhaime.aspx Law as Mistress
*3.http://www.elderlawcanada.ca/english/index.html
*4.http://www.elderlawcanada.ca/english/what.html
*5.http://bcceas.ca/?s=Elder+law
*6.http://bcceas.ca/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/elder_law_clinic_needs_assessment.pdf

Snow White Clean

Yes George … You told me … But I was only trying …
But … But … But … Yes George … I’ll try harder … You did warn me …

Ok what about music … I was thinking about  turning some of my poems into songs … Oh too much politics you say?
Nature … Oh … Birds and bees fall under that sex category? … I see.

What can I talk about? 
No sex … No religion … No politics … 
Not much left is there George?
Wait! 
I do have this very old book … Dusty … Torn … Musty 
A gift from my dearly departed long-gone favourite person … My Grandma

The date:1923 

Surely George … Nothing written in 1923 could possible be unrepeatable today … Could it? Hmmm … Here on page 4 is a blurb for a Proctor and Gamble product … Ivory Soap … Imagine George
Here goes:

“Can good soap ruin a delicate silk blouse or a chiffon negligee”

Hmmmmm … What do you think George? On I go

“or even a woolen sweater – in one washing?
Yes, of course it can! Good soap may not be good enough!

How, then,  can you tell — before you run the risk — whether or not any particular soap is good enough — whether it will ruin your really precious garments?  Of course, a white soap is needed.”

That’s not offensive is it George?
“Here is a simple test that will prove soap safe or unsafe as easily as you tell night from day:

Would you be willing to use that soap. On your face?”

Like it George? You don’t suppose it would offend anybody? But boring is good too.  Boring is hardly likely to offend many people — for one thing if it is boring enough or tedious enough or long- winded enough — well George who would bother reading it?

Ah now I get it — brilliant George … The acceptable blog must be so boring that nobody will read it so nobody will know what it is about. That way everybody will say they love it … Or hate it … Depending upon the writer … because they will be too embarrassed to admit that they didn’t even read it. Ok … more George?

“Think of Ivory Flakes in this way.
At once you are sure, for Ivory Flakes is just Ivory Soap in flake form — the very same Ivory Soap that millions of women during two generations have found mild and gentle for the skin.
What a relief it always is when a woman first realizes that with Ivory Flakes she need no longer fear for the safety of her most precious garments!

A teaspoon or so of these delicate, petal-thin flakes; instant suds; a few moments of dipping and squeezing — and the gentle cleansing soap has done its work — safely, yet thoroughly.”

Isn’t that lovely George?  So inpirational … True art!

“Ivory Flakes is economical enough even for the family washing, but it has that unique margin of safety which distinguishes its use for the washbowl laundering of exceedingly precious garments.

May we send you a small package of Ivory Flakes with our compliments and a useful booklet of washing and ironing suggestions?  You will find the proper address in the upper right-hand corner.”

Sure enough George — there it is — the adress: Section 15 AF, Dept of Home Economics, The Proctor and Gamble Co., Cincinnati, Ohio.

What do you say George … Suppose the free sample is still availabe?
…  Nearly 90 years later … There is no expiry date that I see … There is a copyright notice … I imagine it would have expired by now however.  Where did I hear that copyright expires after 50 years?

November 14, 2012 Wednesday
Author:M.S.O.