Wyldnwoody44

I haven't been following, did Crosby deserve the conn Smythe?

Damn, there's the season

I see what you did there.... Little Joe needs to score there

My first game I've watched in about 2 rounds, and San Jose looks bad

Thanks!! I'll probably go back, they don't have good follow up at all, ill make sure to pack a few things that I didn't next time.

We were right by the Napo river for a good chunk of the trip... The issue was that it got high and low very quickly based in the rain, and many times was not safe due to the current. Also if you accidentally swallowed some, then get the GI meds ready. We had access to a very low pressure ice cold shower once or twice during the brigade, I took advantage but it was a quick in/out

As for their level, it was tough to Guage, I was using translators most of the time, there were some random questions about medicine in the US, but in general, what I found (outside of the capital) the interest was pretty low. Some of the schools I visited along the way, they did not teach any English. A lot of people are on the shy side there, especially in the Amazon Basin area. As for the water, there is plenty of water around, however it is not safe, it's especially bad for us whose systems are very naive to it, but every person I touched got treated for parasites due to the water, many had worms in their stool, boiling it certainly would help, but many of these people do not have the desire/means to start a fire, especially since it's the rainforest and everything is damp to begin with,plus out of the blue it'll go from sunny to torrential downpour multiple times a day. What did I miss the most... Hmm, well I stayed in a Jungle Hut, no electricity, minimal running water that I couldn't use, and a toilet that had to be flushed with a bucket. The huts were full of bugs and even on a day where it was cooler the small rooms were still at what felt like 90 degrees all day and night. I think a fan (a mini one I forgot to pack) was sorely missed and in general just some climate control. Not having a phone or electricity was different, but not necessarily the worst thing in the world. I also found that not having a shower was tough, especially on long days where I was pouring sweat, by the end of the brigade my clothes were soaked and they wouldn't dry because of the humidity, I ended up donating 80% of my stuff at the end.

Well I will speak to most of the Amazon region, as Compared to the patients near the actual quake. These patients in particular live a very humble lifestyle, living in jungle huts at best, they have no drinking water and get parasites, all are very arthritic from using a machete in the fields all day and many drink local cheecha, which is a very strong fermented drink. All suffer from a lot of pain, however chronic disease is at a much lower level than here in the U.S. I honestly feel that the stress level is about 90% lower than what we face, the culture is just different, hitchhiking around the country is expected and accepted, they don't need to compare jobs/vehicles/wives, etc, many are just happy to have us come down and give them medicine that could be near laughable in our hospitals. I felt even as someone who obviously was an outsider, that the culture there was not just to their own, but that courtesy was extended to us, they don't have a big race problem, the older tribes that speak kichwa had good rapport with the newer tribes that spoke Spanish and they helped with interpretation without hesitation. I guess a last observation is that I took the go fund me I set up and broke it all into 5's and 10's and when I handed it out to those that needed it, they were so overwhelmed with happiness, I mean it's not a ton, but I feel like here in many parts of the US a 5$ tip gets laughed at. With all that said, it's a very tough lifestyle and very difficult climate, many have not been exposed to what we have access to, which plays a major role, but I found that even in some of the bigger cities that there was quite a distinct separation from us. I know I kind of rambled here, but I hope that gives some insight.

Thanks PA, much appreciated, I think I am going to try and go yearly to a country in need, and If there is a natural disaster then it will only make the work more meaningful

So I'll just bring this back up, and keep it to the proper thread, anyone have any questions about my recent trip, ill be happy to answer

I'm sad I don't have cable and am missing this, and all games really. So I rely on SS and (gulp) ESPN

Soooo, big 3rd coming up here, can SJ do it?

Luckily the spiders down there don't like to move much, they wait for prey..... So I just pushed it out of my head and hoped my face wasn't the prey

Well, it was quite an experience, ill say that I am definitely glad to be back home, I spent many nights sleeping in a hammock with a tarantula the size of my face just hanging out on the ceiling above me. Those people down there have literally nothing, and I believe they are happier than us, they don't have any of the stressors we deal with it appears. Maybe I'll bring this convo back to the natural disasters thread... To stay on topic.... Go sharks

This thread is jacked up no doubt, but every single "holiday" is basically just seen as a long weekend and a chance to drink (I'm generalizing of course.) I call a spade a spade. I honor those that died before me and those that died along side of me, and I think it's a shame, but to pretend that doesn't happen is to be naive. I'm not trying to debate anyone, and I agree that veterans day and Memorial day overlap in some cases, but they Really should be separate. Memorial day is a national holiday, and in many cases the "start of summer festivities" veterans day is a day where everyone works,including veterans.

Idk about the FO thing, but I do know that the sharks need to win 1 or both at home or they are going bye bye. Did not expect the finals to be so one sided (coming from me, who hasn't watched any of the games)

This thread got really crazy.. As a veteran who has lost several close friends and family members, I believe that memorial day is important, but to think that only a day in may is required is simplifying it, those close have a memorial day every day. Humanity is always going to be humanity, by that I mean, any chance to have a party/parade will be exploited to an extent because as a society that is our human nature. I think veterans day is in place to celebrate all veterans, alive or passed away, including those currency serving. I am with many that believe memorial day should focus on those that are gone or those few old timers that will be gone soon and are the last of a generation we will never see again.

Hey!!!! It says im #2 behind the Stats machine.... And we both have the kings winning it. Lol

Thanks gentlemen, ill be heading out in a bit, if you don't hear from me in approx 2 weeks, I've either been killed.... Or I found a native and I'm currently married living in a Hut making bronze babies. Thanks for all the support!

I have yet to catch a minute of the conference finals to this point, but looking at ESPN, it's SJ really in the verge of 2 consecutive shutouts of the blues?!?

Another earthquake hit Ecuador today, 6.7 magnitude, killed 700 and injured about 20k. In the same area as last month's quake.... I am leaving Saturday morning to offer medical services, wish me luck as I'm sure I'll be enduring aftershocks.

I did enough cruising in the Navy, I will take a catamaran or something else, but not interested in a large cruise. As for scotch, it's OK

Inky and I are on the same page

I'm at universal studios and have been since Wednesday, it's a balmy 91 here and I don't want to come back home...luckily I'll be back for 3 days and then on to South America, so hopefully when I am fully back we will be over winter!!!

I still think that injury should not be a determining factor in discipline..... (if at all, only to extend a suspension).... If a hit looks dirty, is dirty, late, to the head and it is apparent that the defender didn't put himself in a position where this is a Grey area, then, the league needs to start throwing the book.... Hell minimum 10 games (not adjusted for playoffs) and then escalate from there!