Early experiences of living in Somerville: Getting around

I've been pondering what I should post about next now that the hubby and me are reasonably settled, but I haven't come up with any really interesting, knock your socks off ideas yet. I mean, it's been two weeks and two days (as of my beginning to write this). We still don't know many people in town and I'm still working from home (cross your fingers for me), but I think we're starting to get our bearings and figure things out.

Let me tell you a little about the Boston area. When the hubby and I decided we were going to move, we announced it as: "We're moving to Boston." That isn't exactly right. We're living in the greater Boston area, but the actual city we reside in is Somerville. MIT, were the hubby is conducting his post-doc is in Cambridge, which is about a fifteen minute bike ride from our apartment. See, Boston is actually made up of many smaller cities (like Toronto, I suppose) and they all seem to have their own mayors, parking rights, etc. Our current running route takes us out of Somerville and into Medford, and if we crossed the Charles River we'd end up in Boston.

Dotted throughout these cities are different squares where there's a hub of restaurants (mainly), shops and other businesses. We live closest to Union Square, but Davis Square is straight down the road from us, and Porter (where we go for our aerials classes) is about ten minutes by bike. To make navigating the cities fun, it would seem that streets converge in these squares at odd angles and there doesn't seem to be a parallel street in the area. Well, lots of the shorter streets that only run a block are two are often parallel to the next one over, but main streets like Harvard, Mass Ave, Cambridge, etc., are more shaped the metaphoric dog's hind leg. Oh, and streets change names even when they don't change direction--I think there's at least three Hancock Streets.

I would explain how one crosses the street here, but I don't think we've figured out any rules to go by except this: if the street is clear and you're not in danger of getting run over, go for it.

Thank fully there are bike lanes everywhere, which makes biking fairly stress free, and most drivers seem courteous to cyclists. After biking in Edmonton for seven years, the Boston area is a breeze. Plus, if you're just visiting the city you can rent a HUBway bike. The bikes themselves are kind of clunky, and it's impossible to bike very fast on them, but they came in handy while we were waiting for our belongings to arrive. Over all, I think our car is going to be doing a lot of sitting in our apartment parking spot.

Which brings me to my next point, parking. We're lucky to have off-street parking at our apartment. We're even more lucky that we don't have to pay an arm and a leg for our spot. The way it seems to work in the Boston area is this: you purchase a parking pass from the city you live in (it's actually pretty cheep, like thirty dollars/year) and then you can park where ever you like in your city (as long as it's legal of course, and it's not a metered spot). Sundays you can park wherever you like. The catch is you have to find a parking spot, which isn't always so easy. Another benefit to having a Smart car--it fits into spots no one else can use.

I think I'll leave it at that for now. I ought to post some pictures, which would mean I need to take some. Maybe if I have time over the next couple of days I'll bike around with the camera and take some shots.

Ciao,

Andrea

Moved to America

The hubby and I are now legal residents of the United States of America. It's important to point out that we're legal residents both because it's true, and if it wasn't and I was blogging about it I'd be, well, stupid.

We immigrated last Monday and we were pleasantly surprised by how pain-free our experience was. It may have helped that MIT's International Scholars Office prepared all our forms for us, but all we did was show up at the Queenston-Lewiston boarder crossing, tell boarder guard we were moving, then he sent us into the customs office. The officer there filled out the remaining necessary forms, stapled our visas to our passports and twenty minutes later we were on our way. We had to give up our finger prints (not you know, literally, but they were scanned and put into some federal database), which I wasn't so fond of, but there isn't anything we can do about that, except turn around and go back to Canada.

We arrived at our new place in Somerrville (one of the many cities that makes up the greater Boston area) around 7:00 pm. Thankfully we had the good sense to pack our camping cookware as our furniture couldn't leave Edmonton until we have our official visa documents. The truck with our possession is currently somewhere in Pennsylvania and we should have everything later this week--I can't wait to have a proper bed, desk, and dining table again.

Over the last week we've been running around, trying to get as many of the necessary bits of life taken care of: restocking our groceries, getting new SIM cards and setting up Internet. We've organized car and renter's insurance, although we still need to complete registering our vehicle (for which we needed insurance first). We've also got a new place to train for aerials, at Esh Aerial Arts. We went to the studio on Tuesday to be assessed for our skill level (different places teach things at different levels), and we've been to our first open studio practice this past Sunday. I've even found an awesome place to get knitting supplies at Gather Here.

For the time being I'm working remotely for my previous/current (whatever) employer at the University of Alberta, but I am looking for local jobs. The great thing about being a librarian is that I qualify for a TN visa, if I find a library job, for anything else I'll need to apply for (and hope I get) a work permit.

That's about it for now, just quick update to say I'm still here, and I'll hopefully be back on the blogging train now that I'm not in the process of preparing for a move. Likewise I'll hopefully be back on the writing train soon too.

Ciao,

Andrea

Amid travels

The hubby and I are still in the process of moving. We've made the first leg of the trip, the longest, from Edmonton to Huntingford/KW, Ontario (just shy of 3,600 km). We're currently without a residence of our own, and will be for another week at least. Another two to three weeks before we actually settle into Boston.

In the mean time, a few pictures from Northern Ontario:

Kenora, Ontario

Thunder Bay, Ontario

Terry Fox Memorial out side of Thunder Bay, Ontario

Old Woman Bay, Ontario

Big Nickel, Dynamic Earth, Sudbury, Ontario

Ciao.

I'm worried about Canada

Can we chat for a minute?

I love being Canadian. I love our country, the history, the social programs, the people, the geography, everything, but I'm starting to worry.

Throughout much of my youth Canada was consistently ranked as one of the best countries to live in, now according to the UN, we're not even in the top 10: UN Report. Points have been made that it's not so much that the quality of life in Canada is declining, rather it's that other countries are improving faster, but doesn't that amount to the same thing? Should we be aiming to improve as fast as everyone?

But there's much more to worry about and I don't even know where to start. The environment? The inability of scientists to speak out? The Government's control over Crown corporations? The Government's tactics on handling crime? The true cost of fighter jets and fighting terror? Where do I stop?

The Government says it has an action plan against climate change (Canadian Government Climate Change Website), then why is Canada continually awarded with titles like Fossil of the Year award (Climate Network Website), attempt to close research facilities like the Experimental Lakes Area (Experimental Lakes Area Website), pull out of the Kyoto Accord (David Suzuki Organization Website), and leave individual provinces to seek their own methods of combating carbon emissions, never mind the continuation of the tar sands (there are too many links focusing on the harmful affects of the tar sands to list here, however I will link to a Nature of Things documentary on the topic: The Nature of Things).

Those are just a few of the things I'm aware off, and I'm not a news/environment buff.

And what about the Government's control (a.k.a. bullying) tactics? Government scientists aren't allow to speak about their research without permission from the Government, and even when they are granted permission, they're kept to specific talking points outlined by the Government (Muzzled Scientists (CBC); Scientists Writers of Canada Website) and even other countries have noticed: (Muzzled Scientists (BBC)). It's not just scientists that are feeling the pressure, it's librarians too Librarians Silenced (National Post). I wish it stopped there (no, I wish I didn't even have to write this post), but now there are wide-spread concerns over a section of the budget that gives the government control over, among other things, collective bargaining rights over Crown corporations. I've heard a lot of predictions that the CBC will soon become State radio, akin to what is run in Russia (Crown Corporations (The Star); Crown Corporations (CBC)).

Ugh. I'm starting to feel oppressed just writing this...and I've still got at least two more points to cover from what I mentioned above.

I'm a big fan of prevention. Preventative health care, preventative social programs, etc., just preventing negative outcomes in general. Unfortunately, that's not the tactics taken in combating crime in Canada right now. Instead it's more prisons, more penalties, and longer sentences, the Government has in it's words, gotten 'tough on crime' (Summary of Crime Measures (Huffington Post), National Union of Public and General Employees Comment CCPA concerns on cuts to prevention programs). And finally there's the true cost, of many things. How much do those new fighter jets cost? Is that with or without the maintenance and are we even going to see those fighter jets? (Cost of F-35 Fighter Jets (CBC); Cost of F-35 Fighter Jets (CTV); Cost of F-35 Fighter Jets (Globe and Mail)) What about fighting terror? (Missing anti-terrorism funds (Natl Post); Missing anti-terrorism funds (CBC).

Of course I've added new concerns to my list since I began this post, specifically regarding the Senate and in general the Government's lack of transparency and accountability. However, if I delved into those issues this post would never get finished.

You can accuse me of selection bias if you like, posting only links to sites that support my fears, and you very well might be right. However, I'm not a journalist striving for a balanced view, and I'm not acting as a researcher or even a librarian. I'm writing as a worried Canadian. And, as Canadian I apologize if I've offended you, dear reader, or if I've gotten any of the facts wrong.

I think the end point of this discussion, regardless of your opinion is that we should demand better from our country and our Government...I just wish I knew how to more effectively voice my concerns.

Ciao

Why Grimm is like BTVS, and I'm okay with that

I've fallen off the blogging wagon over the last two weeks. As most of my real-life friends, and anyone on Twitter probably knows by now, the hubby and I are moving to Boston in little more than a month and a half--so, we've been busy. I haven't had much time to write at night, instead it's been packing and planning, then planning and packing. I've got a big long ranty post three quarters complete, I just haven't had the brain power to get through the last push to complete it.

So, consider this an interlude.

Cue dancing bears, or the Canteena Band, or whatever. I'm going to talk about television. I don't do this often, the hubby and I don't even own a television, we haven't had one for several years. We're one of the many people who watch our shows online (and that's all of three), and one of those shows is Grimm (NBC in the US, CTV in Canada).

Grimm is more-or-less a procedural crime show that involves Grimm fairy tale creatures. The hubby and I both enjoyed it from the get-go last season. It has an interesting cast of characters, an intriguing premise, and the more it runs, the more of the complicated back story is revealed. And I think it's pretty much the new Buffy (admittedly without the Joss Whedonspeak) and here's how the characters match up:

Nick Burkhardt is a Grimm, (aka The Chosen One). He doesn't have any special powers like Buffy did (okay, he can see vessin for what they really are, but that's what gets him into trouble), but the safety of Portland and ostensibly the world, rests on his shoulders.

Monroe is a warewolf, or in Grim-speak a blutbad. He's got a definite bromance going on with Nick, and fills the obvious place of Oz (and also provides the occasional amusing quip), although crosses over into Giles territory as Nick's first adviser into the world of vessin.

Hank Griffin is Nick's all to human partner in the Portland homicide department. His lack of special-ness, but willingness to throw himself into the fray makes him a perfect Xander stand-in. He's the definite zeppo of the group, but we love him anyway.

Rosalee Calvert is a fuchsbau (or warefox) and runs the local vessin Spice Shop (aka Magic Box), which also conveniently contains a large collection of ancient reference books. She makes a good (also straight) Willow. Although she doesn't possess any magical powers, she's proven herself adept at mixing tinctures for any occasion.

Captain Renard is...well that would be a spoiler, but in my mind he fits the Angel persona. He's brooding and secretive, and he might be good, or not, but he's definitely got a past.

Sargent Wu is very capable member of the Portland PD, and so I'm going to liken him to Riley Flinn for his ability to run down a suspect with ease, and for being a sensible cop who follows procedures. He also gets his share of witty remarks.

Adalind Shade is a hexenbiest  (or essentially a witch) and I would map her to Amy rather than Willow (although possibly Willow when she's addicted). Again, due to plot spoilers I can't go into my reasoning behind this.

There's even a Jonathan equivalent in the Grimm world and that's Bud Wurstner the chronically nervous eisbiber (mole man). He seems to have a knack for appearing frightened and helpless, but actually turns out to be a solid trooper in the second season.

The trailer, it's bigger on the inside...(oh wait, that's another verse crossing...) is another good storage point for books and weapons, making it comparable to the library or the Magic Box.

The only character I don't have a good BTVS match for is Nick's girl friend Juliet Silverton. She might earn the label of Ana in the season to come, but I'll have to wait and see.

So there, that's how I see Grimm in the Buffyverse. It's really a fun show. I've been impressed with the writing and the underlying story that's been slowly playing out since the first season. I'm hoping it will continue to grow in the next year, and possibly move farther out of the episodic nature it's still using to structure it's continuing plot around.

Ciao

How is amenorrhea treated?

Last but not least in this series, how is amenorrhea treated? All of the sources I've consulted say more or less the same thing and that's: treat the underlying cause, and your period will come back.

That sounds pretty easy, right? Probably not. If I've learned anything, it's that the body and how it regulates itself if complex; however, I suppose in theory it sounds simply enough.

If your period stopped because you're over or under weight, achieve a healthy weight (whatever a healthy weight is).

Stopped because of olycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) (sorry, I didn't talk about this)? Treat PCOS, which has a variety of solutions such as: hormone treatment (often oral contraceptives); improve the body's sensitivity to insulin through other medications (e.g. metformin); fertility medications; or surgery.

If your thyroid isn't working properly, again, you're likely going to be put on medication to regulate the thyroid, or possibly undergo radiotherapy.

You get the point, right? This seems to be a cause and effect situation, where once you've pinned down the problem, the solution should be possible to identify.

In my case, because my blood tests came back normal (I did 2 sets, several months apart), and I have no history of health problems, the cause is vague. The first doctor I saw said it could take as much as a year for my period to return, and even the second one said that period return times varied widely between women. Further, the second doctor had suggested after several visits the next step in my treatment process would be to go back on the pill--just for a month or two to get things re-started.

Unfortunately, I have no desire to go back on the pill, ever. So I'm going to wait.

Here's a link for the National Institute of Health (UK):http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/periods-absent/Pages/Introduction.aspx

Here's a link for the National Institute of Health (US):http://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/amenorrhea/conditioninfo/Pages/treatments.aspx

Here's a link to a health clinic in the US, the Cleveland Clinic:http://my.clevelandclinic.org/disorders/amenorrhea/hic_amenorrhea.aspx

Here's another link to a health clinic in the US, the Brown University Health Clinic:http://brown.edu/Student_Services/Health_Services/Health_Education/womens_health/amenorrhea.php

Ciao,

Finding information on the Internet, Part 1

The Internet is full of information.

All you have to do is type a question into Google, (or even just start to type a question into Google and it will fill out the rest for you), and a plethora of answers will be returned to you in a matter of seconds. Then all you need to do is point and click, and viola! Right?

Right.

But how do you know that the answer you found is right?

Anyone can contribute information to the Internet. A high school student, a Walmart greeter, a post-doctoral researcher, but how do you know who's information you should trust. You might think, 'The post-doctoral researcher, of course!' But what if the information you're looking up is about employment practices at Walmart. Then, wouldn't the person working as a greeter be able to provide some valid information? Not to mention, maybe the post-doctoral researcher's specialty is in paleontology so even if they wrote about Walmart in a blog, discussion board, or on a Website, what makes their information more accurate? Is it even accurate?

As a librarian, I'm trained in finding information. As a librarian for a medical research group, my specialty is finding information related to healthcare. Normally, when I'm looking for information I'm searching for large quantities of journal articles, conference abstracts, reports, etc., that are relevant to a specific aspect of medicine, or healthcare. When I do this I have access to a large number of databases and electronic journals (the exact figure is surprisingly difficult to find), whereas the average Internet user doesn't.

Over the next couple of blog posts, I'm going to talk about finding and evaluating information on the Internet. I'm not sure how many posts this will take up, but I'll use my series on oral contraceptives and amenorrhea to help illustrate my points. Either way, I hope my faithful readers will find it helpful.

Ciao,