Artificial Insemination

Let me begin by saying that this particular posting and future postings are not related to the religious debate of whether or not this should be morally acceptable nor is it a posting related to my own "AI"! Instead, I will discussing it from a "second/third person" perspective.

One of my best friend's has been wanting a baby for years. This has been her goal. This morning, after months and months of preparation and research, she will undergo the insemination process. I am very happy that she is allowing me to follow this step by step.

I must say this whole process has been quite fascinating to watch over the last several months. I was familiar with AI but not to this level of detail. She must have scanned at least 100 profiles looking for the "right" donor. When I say "right" I mean, at least 5'10" tall, over 190 pounds, athletic and the right educational level. Each profile also offered an essay - a little perspective or restrospective from each of the men, tons of medical history on them, their parents, grandparents, siblings, etc. It almost seemed like they went as far back as their 3rd cousin removed! Phew! I remarked to her at one point while we were reviewing the profiles "does this seem to be a little Dr. Frankenstein-ish to you?" Looking at pictures and trying to choose which one will be the best match with her own physical traits and features is a bit wild and "lab-like" as well. All highly detailed profiles into lives of men that she will never meet in order to conceive. Their "donation" is frozen in a test tube in the lab waiting for her arrival this morning.

Apparently the actual "AI" takes less than 20 minutes. A brief minute or two to inseminate and then a resting period before she can leave to ensure that the sperm are swimming towards their target.
She is a healthy woman so my prediction is that conception will be on the first attempt. Many women often have to try two or three times to become pregnant. This, of course, comes at a great cost to them each time they are inseminated.

It has been an educational process for me and if fate would have it.........nine months from today could be celebration time for my friend!

Gay Marriage

I listened to a report today that talked about how countries around the world are about to add landmark legislation to their bylaws regarding gay marriage. The temperament for gay marriage seems to be more accepting in countries that are considered to be dominated by the Catholic faith - Germany, France, Italy and Ireland. Go figure.

In the United States, as you all know, studies show that most Americans are resistant to gay marriage.

Ok.......now let's take this one step further.

No gay marriage in the United States but..........

Abortion is accepted and legal.
Divorce is ok.
Better for a child to live in an orphanage than with a gay couple.

How's that for a fine upstanding moral attitude?

Keep one committment in 2006 - vote in November.

Ho hum

~Good tidings to one and all!~

Yes yes.......I have a been a bit laxed in my postings of late. You know though.....it is Summer. I have been out and about doing those summer fun things.......volleyball games on Friday night, summer parties......yada yada yada. My girlfriend and I are planning a nice 4th of July getaway at some far away hilltop somewhere. I have never been there but it sounds restful. We debated the whole camping thing for awhile. You know......sleeping in a tent instead of the Hilton? Yeah well.......we decided on a nice little cabin. I have never been camping and I just could not think of a worst time to go camping - in the middle of summer. Yikes! Who wants to sleep in that hot weather with mosquitos? Anywho.......I should have lots of enlightening moments that I can share with you when I return. ha!

So have you caught the new television show "Treasure Hunters"? Yes......me and "TC" watched the first episode last night and we are hooked. Greedy little vixens we are.......clamoring to win the treasure by playing along with the online game. I must say it has been quite fun. I don't know if any of you remember the PC game "Myst"? The online version of "Treasure Hunters" reminds me a lot of that game. It appears that the next episode of the television show won't be on for another week so if you have a chance to catch the rerun of the opening epidsode and play along online - you too will be amused. Ok....maybe not as much as me but maybe slightly.

Before I go this evening, I would be remiss if I didn't talk about Miss Mary Cheney's book. I have heard it has only sold 6500 copies. Simon and Schuster will be hard pressed to see any of the million dollar advance they gave "old Mare" to write the damn thing. Well....it's like I said......she so desparately wants to be a part of the family but she is looking like a two-headed monster instead.............a Republican monster at that.

So that is all I know for now...........and that is probably a good thing at this point! More on my camping misadventures later!

Ta Ta!