Stayin' Alive...literally!

Disco tune "Stayin' Alive" could save your life

U.S. doctors have found the Bee Gees 1977 disco anthem "Stayin' Alive" (Lawd Jesus, I love this song!) provides an ideal beat to follow while performing chest compressions as part of CPR on a heart attack victim. (So, in order to save someone’s life I just have to visualize John Travolta’s ass swinging back and forth to the soothing sounds of Barry Gibb’s falsetto? Cool.)

The American Heart Association calls for chest compressions to be given at a rate of 100 per minute in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). "Stayin' Alive" almost perfectly matches that, with 103 beats per minute. (I always knew this song was bitchin’! But this is awesome!)

CPR is a lifesaving technique involving chest compressions alone or with mouth-to-mouth rescue breathing. (So, I use the Bee Gees for chest compressions, I got that. But who, oh who do I model the mouth-to-mouth after?) It is used in emergencies such as cardiac arrest in which a person's breathing or heartbeat has stopped.

CPR can triple survival rates, but some people are reluctant to do it in part because they are unsure about the proper rhythm for chest compressions. (And the answer is the Bee Gees? Does this theory only apply to ‘Stayin’ Alive or their entire discography? Because ‘Jive Talkin’ might be a life saver too. Or you might just get your ass kicked.) But research has shown many people do chest compressions too slowly during CPR.

In a small study headed by Dr. David Matlock of the University of Illinois College of Medicine at Peoria, listening to "Stayin' Alive" helped 15 doctors and medical students to perform chest compressions on dummies at the proper speed. (Was this a remedial medical school? It’s kind of frightening that the doctors and medical students couldn’t keep count during CPR without the help of three Aussies wearing jeans so tight they sing like girls).

Five weeks after practicing with the music playing, they were asked to perform CPR again on dummies (like mice and their cheese) by keeping the song in their minds, and again they kept up a good pace. (Think any of them sang along? ‘Well you can tell by the way I use my walk, I’m a woman’s man, no time for talk’).

"The theme 'Stayin' Alive' is very appropriate for the situation, (no pun right Dr. Feelgood?)" Matlock said in a telephone interview on Thursday. "Everybody's heard it at some point in their life. People know the song and can keep it in their head." (And herein lies the problem. You get that song stuck in your head for daaaayyyyssss. You'll be minding your own bidness, picking out a sammich at Subway and you'll find yourself humming, "Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah Stayin' Alive, Stayin' Alive. You just sang along, didn't you?)

The findings will be presented this month at a meeting of the American College of Emergency Physicians in Chicago. (I wonder if Barry Gibb will give the keynote?)

(Writing by Will Dunham; Editing by David Storey)

Okay, a gold star to the person who can tell me in which Star Wars movie the Wookie sings the chorus from ‘Stayin’ Alive’.

History

Sixty-seven years ago today the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor. I've been to the USS Arizona memorial. The wall that lists all of the names of the lives that were lost that day was too large to fit in the view finder of my camera. There were that many. It was one of the most sobering, humbling expierences of my life.

Take a moment today to remember all of those who served in WWII and all of the conflicts throughout the world. Thank a veteran for the freedom you enjoy every day. They put their life on the line for it.

Personally, I'd like to thank:

My great-grandfather, Auto Duel for serving in the Air Force during WWII
My father, Roger Duel for serving in the Marines during Vietnam
My uncle, Larry Duel for serving in the Marines during Vietnam
My daughter's grandfather, Tom Brown for serving in the Air Force during Korea
My daughter's father for serving in the Army during the Gulf War
My "baby" cousin Ryan Duel, currently serving in the Army in Iraq
My daughter's godfather, Hardy Houston for serving in the Navy during the Gulf War and the Iraq War
My friend John Rascon for serving in the Marines
My friend Leigh Zimmerman for serving in the Navy
My friends Steve & Degan Outridge for serving in the Navy
My grandfather Pete Davila for serving in the Army during Korea
My friend Luiz Cruz for serving in the Army

For each soldier who has served this country. I thank you with all my heart and pray each day for your safe and swift return home.

Goooooo CATS!

We moved to Tucson, AZ when I was 9 years old. As I grew up, my love and devotion the University of Arizona grew as well. While I didn't attend the U of A, I am a Wildcat through and through and I bleed red and blue. And, as my love for the "U" grew, so did my disdain for the ASU Sun Devils....ahem...I mean "Scum" Devils.

The U of A and ASU rivlary is the thing legends are made of (read: UGA and the Gators). Their football teams meet each year in what is commonly referred to as "The Duel in the Desert". This year it was held at the U of A. I'm a firm believer in the "start 'em young, raise 'em right" method of child rearing, so I bought tickets and took my daughter to see our Cats play. My friend Nicole came along. She'll be graduating in May from ASU.

After a two hour drive from Phoenix, and a stop at Eegee's (y'all from Tucson know what I mean!), we were at Wildcat Stadium cheering on our beloved Wildcats. It was a great game! There was a little guy behind us that must have been 5. He would chant, "U - of- A! U - of - A!" and knew all the words to 'Bear Down Arizona'. He was fabulous!

The second half was so exciting! We had a effing fantastic interception and punt return that resulted in two more touchdowns. Which lead our Cats to a 31 - 10 victory over ASU. Or should I say, AS-Who?

To my team and my fellow fans - Goooooooo CATS!

http://www.arizonaathletics.com/sports/m-footbl/recaps/120608aab.html

Jimminy Crickets!

It's been over two years since I grossed out Paula Deen (and the nation) with my fried butter creation. I still get hits on my blog from people searching for the (not so) tasty treats. It's like they've taken on a life of their own. So much so, someone decided to make a t-shirt about them.

Paula, I'm bringing my baby girl back to Savannah in March and I would love to cook something for you that actually tastes like...food. Because, girl I tear it up in the kitchen. Especially Mexican food. And I promise, I'll wear the shirt. ;-)

Where I Be At

So, I haven't posted much lately. And not because I haven't had things on my mind or the desire to share those things. But, life threw me a curve and I had to deal with it before it took me over.

To start, I worked at a land developement company. It doesn't take a mental giant to realize that with the state of the economy, specifically the housing market, that land developers are not doing well. The company I worked for was no exception. They started laying people off in February. And my turn came in September.

I was devestated. I received a generous severance package, but that didn't asuage my fears of how I was going to provide for my daughter. But I didn't have the luxury of throwing myself a pity party. I needed a j-o-b. Which, I finally found and am finally being paid what I'm worth.

Part of my severance package was two months of health coverage. So I made every docotor's appointment I could think of. Including a mammogram (which wasn't that bad and came back negative ~ YAY me!) and an appointment with a dermotologist. I had a bump on the side of my face I thought was just a colorless mole. But it's me. I'm not that lucky. My dermo handed it to me like it was a lolipop. Skin Cancer.

I'm happy to say that I saw a wonderful doctor and am now cancer free. YAY me!

So, the past few months, while rough have been filled with friends and family who love me and have helped and supported me along the way. For this I am humbled and truly thankful.

I have a ton of ideas I've been saving and will be posting (hopefully) daily if not weekly.

I hope this post finds you well and loved. Thanks for reading! :-)

Things You'll Only Hear at Thanksgiving

Compliments of my best friend, Susie...

1. Talk about a huge breast!

2. Tying the legs together keeps the inside moist.

3. It's Cool Whip time!

4. If I don't undo my pants, I'll burst!

5. Whew, that's one terrific spread!

6. I'm in the mood for dark meat.

7. Are you ready for seconds yet?

8. It's a little dry, do you still want to eat it?

9. Just wait your turn, you'll get some.

10. Don't play with your meat.

11. Just spread the legs open and stuff it in.

12. Do you think you'll be able to handle all these people at once?

13. I didn't expect everyone to come at once!

14. You still have a little bit on your chin.

15. How long will it take after you stick it in?

16. You'll know it's ready when it pops up.

17. Wow, I didn't think I could handle all of that!

18. That's the biggest one I've ever seen!

19. How long do I beat it before it's ready?

Happy Thanksgiving!

Crap.

http://www.georgiadogs.com/SportSelect.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=8800&KEY=&SPID=3571&SPSID=40673

this seriously sucked ass.