Thursday, January 27, 2022

A Pardon Me While I Pout Weekly Link Round-Up

 


I had intended to yak about a cheerful little topic today, but I'm definitely no longer in the mood.

For those of you wondering how Denis is doing (bless your kind hearts), the doctor has determined that whatever is happening to his back is arthritic, and he'll be going to a specialist tomorrow (Thursday). We have high hopes that they'll be able to formulate a plan of attack because Denis does not want to stay on these pain killers any longer than he has to. What gobsmacked me was how quickly this seemed to strike him... or is this something that crept up so slowly that it was undetectable? I never did think that arthritis was a quick mover.

Now... is Denis's state of health why I'm "in a mood"? No!


When I learned that Left Coast Crime was being held in Albuquerque, New Mexico, in April, I signed up, and Denis and I have been looking forward to attending ever since. There was just one problem: due to my mobility issues, I need an ADA room with a shower, and there weren't any available at the Hyatt when I made a reservation. (The Hyatt is where the convention is being held.) I've been checking, but-- regardless of the room rate-- there still aren't any available. 

Yes, I could see about staying elsewhere and shlepping back and forth and back and forth, but part of the fun of these conventions is being Right There for all the camaraderie and not worrying about drinking and driving around a strange city at night. So it looks like no ADA room, no Left Coast Crime, and that's why Denis and I aren't happy.  All I can say is that if there are people who've reserved ADA rooms who don't really need them, they should be ashamed of themselves. But then, people who would do that are the sort who feel no shame, eh? 

Regardless my mood, I hope you enjoy the links!


►Books & Other Interesting Tidbits◄
 
►Channeling My Inner Indiana Jones◄
 
►Channeling My Inner Elly Mae Clampett◄
  • This bull elk had a car tire stuck around its neck for two years before wildlife officers could finally remove it. (Bet that elk doesn't go poking its nose into dark circular objects anymore...)
  • Scientists are predicting that polar bears could vanish by the end of the century.
  • Watch this giant purpleback flying squid explore a shipwreck at the bottom of the Red Sea.
  • How the call of the common loon is used incorrectly in movies and television shows.
  • Ancient Japanese wolves may be the closest wild relative to modern dogs.
  • Tinsley, a very loyal Shiloh shepherd, helped police find her human and a passenger after a horrific car wreck on a New Hampshire highway.
  • Denver thrift store employees found a missing cat inside a donated recliner. (Sounds like the cat didn't want to be parted from its favorite napping spot.)
  • Beavers are reshaping the Arctic tundra, and here's why scientists are concerned.
  • Just when you thought you'd seen it all: watch this goldfish drive an aquarium on wheels.
 
►The Wanderer◄
 
►Fascinating Folk◄
 
►I ♥ Lists◄


That's all for this week! Don't forget to stop by next Friday when I'll be sharing a freshly selected batch of links for your surfing pleasure.

Stay safe. Stay healthy. And don't forget to curl up with a good book!

18 comments:

  1. Oh, I am sorry to hear that about LCC, Cathy! And what a great location that was for you! I don't blame you one teensy bit for feeling pouty about that one. And if you'd like, I'd be happy to write a story where someone who rented an ADA room without needing becomes the victim in a vicious murder... ;-) I do hope they find a way to help Denis; I wouldn't want to be on pain meds any more than necessary, either. Now, if anyone needs me, I'm going to go join the Olmecs for a bit.

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    1. That story sounds like a marvelous idea, Margot!

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  2. Oh, Cathy, I'm so sorry about both Denis's back troubles and also your frustration with getting the ADA room for LCC this year. Sigh. I made the decision a while back to not try to attend this year's LCC, but I'm hopeful that 2023 will be the year. You do know that the 2023 LCC is in Tucson? Just saying....might work better and I think the hotel is more spread out and not so many floors.

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    1. Thanks, Kay. Yes, I did know about 2023's LLC being in Tucson and was thinking along the same lines as you. *fingers crossed*

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  3. I'm so sorry you're going to miss out on your trip! That sucks. Obviously hotels need to have more ADA rooms.

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    1. In a way, I can understand. It's probably either feast or famine with those ADA rooms... either no one wants them or there aren't nearly enough. I've set my sights on LLC 2023 in Tucson, and the very second I learn the particulars, I'm calling that hotel! LOL

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  4. Sorry about Denis' problems and that you must miss out on your trip. Your posts on these conventions have always been fun.

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    1. Well, at least my pout is over and I've already set my sights on 2023, AND we know what's wrong with Denis's back. Things are looking up!

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  5. I'm so sorry you are going to have to miss out on your trip. I know you were looking forward to it. I hope the doctors have some better options for Denis, I wouldn't want to be on pain killers for long either.

    I found the link about loons interesting. Growing up in Minnesota, we heard them often at the lake. I never thought of their calls as scary, but I guess that's because I knew what they were.

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    1. I've never thought of loon calls as scary either, but I'm not a city mouse at heart. I've learned that city mice can scare pretty easy when it comes to noises.

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  6. I saw your additional comment that you know more about Denis's back. Here's hoping he's on the mend!

    I had to check out the book reading speed test. Even allowing for an artificial edge to my reading, knowing I'll be tested, they were right that I read more quickly than most people- and were still well under my normal annual average of books read.

    Now I'm off to see about that Mayan calendar - always one of my interests.

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    1. He's begun seeing a specialist, and I do think he's on the mend, although sometimes it's hard to tell with all the moaning and groaning one hears.

      I've always been interested in the Maya, too. :-)

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  7. That stinks. I'm so sorry you have to miss the LCC you had looked forward to. I hope Denis is soon on the mend. Back problems can sour your mood very quickly. Lots of interesting links here. Thanks for sharing them.

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    1. You're very welcome, Dorothy. I'm glad you're enjoying them.

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  8. So sorry, Cath, to learn that Denis is having such terrible back problems. My wife is going through something very similar, and from watching her suffer through it, I know what a devastating life-changer severe back problems can turn into. I hope he manages to find some relief soon.

    I've been hoping to make it to Left Coast, too, but have been slow to pull the trigger because of the Covid variants that keep popping up. I suspect that I need to make a decision very soon or I will find myself on the outside looking in. I do hope you get the room you need before time runs out. I know that I've been given that kind of room when checking in late at night and nothing else is available, but I can't imagine why anyone would dare book one ahead of time if they don't need it. That stinks.

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    1. Denis and I decided to pull out of LCC and focus on attending the one in Tucson in 2023. One very interesting thing I learned in the process of canceling was that out of all those floors and all those rooms in that hotel, less than 1% are ADA rooms, and that seems to be the norm, not the exception. Evidently if you have some sort of disability, you're supposed to suck it up and stay home.

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  9. That sounds like grounds for a lawsuit. How is that ADA-compliant to only have 1 percent disabled accessibe rooms? More than 1 percent of the population are disabled.

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    1. My thoughts exactly. But I am wondering if I was given the wrong information, and it's less than 10% of the 382 rooms in the hotel?

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