Silliness So what are you doing RIGHT NOW? - Page 2253

maianhvk · 05-31-2012, 10:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rumpelteazer

I had my Kindle with me to make time go faster but I didn't do much reading. First, the doctor who took my blood was interested in ereading and the lady of the Donor Cafe also had questions.

I can never read while doing that. Can't concentrate on reading. I can't even talk freely... I keep looking at the line (what do you call it? cord? wire?), especially when the blood starts to travel through it...

Anyway, for me it's always done after a few minutes so no point in bringing a device. How long did it take you?

Quote:

Originally Posted by vivaldirules

There's a minimum wait of 8 weeks for everyone until your next donation here.

Only 8 weeks? That's the shortest span I've heard of. Basically it's 12 weeks here.

Quote:

Originally Posted by SneakySnake

I thought they paid you for your blood 'donation' in the US???

I thought they paid for our blood everywhere around the world!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stitchawl

(Note: I bought the "The Life Cycle of Peruvian Earthworms," hoping for some erotic reading, but who knew earthworms were hermaphroditic?!? )

Sounds erotic indeed

You're interested in agriculture???

Wait. You didn't know they're hermaphroditic? (what a difficult word)

Latinandgreek · 05-31-2012, 10:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rumpelteazer

In the Netherlands you get a card when you can donate again. Women can give a maximum of 3 times a year and men 5 times a year. There's a date on the card and from that day you have two weeks to go give your blood.

We get a card here too, I think that it comes every 3 or 4 months. They don't pay blood donations, but they do give you something to eat afterwards.

I'm trying to get back into learning Kanji - I find Kanji the hardest part of learning Japanese. It is so nice to have a bit of time to study something that I enjoy.

morantis · 05-31-2012, 10:38 AM

Reviewing a plugin that we are writing for Wordpress.

WT Sharpe · 05-31-2012, 11:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vivaldirules

As far as I am aware that hasn't been permitted for several decades. Perhaps the early 1970's? It was stopped, as I recall, because it was an easy way for drug addict and others to make a little money which impacted, to say the least, the quality of the blood supply. Today, the most you can receive for giving is some juice and cookies.

I was under the impression that druggies still sell plasma for pusher bucks.

vivaldirules · 05-31-2012, 12:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WT Sharpe

I was under the impression that druggies still sell plasma for pusher bucks.

I searched and found this article that discusses the history of the 1978 ban imposed by Congress and enforced by the Federal Drug Administration on compensating blood donors. But elsewhere I found an article that because plasma donors have to commit lots of time to donate they are compensated. Go figure.

http://www.american.com/archive/2009...er/blood-money

Eight weeks, for me personally, seems to be plenty long enough. My iron level is never too low and I never have any problems. And I'm a (mostly) vegetarian and never eat red meat.

Rumpelteazer · 05-31-2012, 12:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vivaldirules

Eight weeks, for me personally, seems to be plenty long enough. My iron level is never too low and I never have any problems. And I'm a (mostly) vegetarian and never eat red meat.

When I was a teenager I had anaemia several times and before I started taking an iron pill once a day the first couple of days of my period were painful. Yesterday, however, I only fell slightly weird in my head (not even lightheaded) but as I said that was most likely my hayfever.

In the Netherlands you don't get any money for donating blood. Afterwards you get a drink and a sandwich or snack. After certain numbers of donations you will get small presents (pin, mug, etc). The more you donate the more expensive the gift. For me that wouldn't even be necessary.

I'm now drooling over Artbin's tray boxes, especially the upscales. They're a bit expensive, though, so I think I'll go by the fishing shop tomorrow to look at their tackle boxes with trays.

Rumpelteazer · 05-31-2012, 01:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by maianhvk

I can never read while doing that. Can't concentrate on reading. I can't even talk freely... I keep looking at the line (what do you call it? cord? wire?), especially when the blood starts to travel through it...

Anyway, for me it's always done after a few minutes so no point in bringing a device. How long did it take you?

Giving blood took about 5 minutes. However, before you have to fill in a questionaire and visit a doctor who asks more questions and takes your blood pressure and some other things. Then I had to wait for 5 minutes for a bed to free up and when it was my turn the doctor explained to me how it all worked. Afterwards I had to stay on the bed for a couple of minutes before I was allowed to go to the donor cafe for a drink and snack where you have to stay at least 15 minutes. All in all it took 45 minutes I think. I mostly took my Kindle for in the donor cafe.

vivaldirules · 05-31-2012, 02:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rumpelteazer

Giving blood took about 5 minutes. However, before you have to fill in a questionaire and visit a doctor who asks more questions and takes your blood pressure and some other things. Then I had to wait for 5 minutes for a bed to free up and when it was my turn the doctor explained to me how it all worked. Afterwards I had to stay on the bed for a couple of minutes before I was allowed to go to the donor cafe for a drink and snack where you have to stay at least 15 minutes. All in all it took 45 minutes I think. I mostly took my Kindle for in the donor cafe.

It usually takes me 30 - 35 minutes from beginning to end and I take my Sony but usually only get about 5 minutes of reading in. It's easy for me to do at lunch. My next donation (#87) is July 4 (a holiday here) so I might get a free t-shirt or coupon for ice cream in addition to the juice and cookie. It's the small pleasures, you see.

Stitchawl · 05-31-2012, 07:49 PM

When I first moved to Japan, there were Mobile Collection Units set up around major train stations all the time. When ever I went in, I was ever so politely refused... Foreign blood was not up to Japanese standards...

About 10 years later, after some court cases and a lot of negative publicity, they began accepting blood donations from foreigners, and all was well... until it was discovered that the 'foreign blood' was being discarded later on. That made for another interesting scandal.

These days we hope the local medical profession is more professional.

Stitchawl

orlok · 06-01-2012, 03:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stitchawl

When I first moved to Japan, there were Mobile Collection Units set up around major train stations all the time. When ever I went in, I was ever so politely refused... Foreign blood was not up to Japanese standards...

About 10 years later, after some court cases and a lot of negative publicity, they began accepting blood donations from foreigners, and all was well... until it was discovered that the 'foreign blood' was being discarded later on. That made for another interesting scandal.

These days we hope the local medical profession is more professional.

Stitchawl

Such an interesting culture. Sweeping stuff under the carpet and hoping no-one will notice doesn't even begin to cover it...

Rumpelteazer · 06-01-2012, 03:52 AM

All packed and ready to go, except I have to work until 2pm first. Wondering if my friends will stay at their camping all weekend, because it will be cold and on Sunday it'll rain most of the day. I expect them to come home early on Sunday and tomorrow morning I'll pack my stuff just in case they're coming home that way I can quickly cycle over and pick everything up.

Stitchawl · 06-01-2012, 07:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by orlok

Such an interesting culture. Sweeping stuff under the carpet and hoping no-one will notice doesn't even begin to cover it...

New neighbors moved in this morning. So they came around this evening to give out gifts... After all, they disturbed people by moving in... Makes sense when you think about it. The most common gift that is given in these situations is wash cloths. Or laundry detergent.

If you understand this, please let me in on it...

No matter how many years I live here, this culture still boggles my mind.

Stitchawl

Rumpelteazer · 06-01-2012, 01:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stitchawl

New neighbors moved in this morning. So they came around this evening to give out gifts... After all, they disturbed people by moving in... Makes sense when you think about it. The most common gift that is given in these situations is wash cloths. Or laundry detergent.

If you understand this, please let me in on it...

No matter how many years I live here, this culture still boggles my mind.

Stitchawl

Well, at least laundry detergent is something usefull and my wash cloths disappear as fast as socks do so for me it would be another useful gift.

I'm now at my friends' place and just did the early evening walk with Luca. She's going to the vet on Monday so no more pants for her (and hopefully she'll calm down a bit).

Now I'm trying to decide whether to play Roller Coaster Tycoon, do some sketching or if I will read tonight.

SneakySnake · 06-01-2012, 06:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stitchawl

New neighbors moved in this morning. So they came around this evening to give out gifts... After all, they disturbed people by moving in... Makes sense when you think about it. The most common gift that is given in these situations is wash cloths. Or laundry detergent.

If you understand this, please let me in on it...

No matter how many years I live here, this culture still boggles my mind.

Stitchawl

Aren't you supposed to give them sugar?

Stitchawl · 06-01-2012, 07:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SneakySnake

Aren't you supposed to give them sugar?

That would be Western style. "The Welcome Wagon" idea with salt, sugar, bread... Add some wine to those and it becomes the traditional Israeli welcome to new neighbors.

But the Japanese feel that when they move into a new place, all the coming and going unloading the truck, tying up the elevator, etc., is disrupting the 'Wa,' or harmony of the area and the people in it. So the disruptors give small gifts to the disruptees. AND... usually at the same time, the disruptees will invite the new neighbors to sit an have a cup of tea.

As Anh said, laundry detergent is a useful gift. And a common one here, along with salad oil, jars of coffee, vile tasting crackers, etc...

Stitchawl

05-31-2012, 10:38 AM	#33783
morantis Zealot Posts: 125 Karma: 769546 Join Date: May 2012 Device: none	Reviewing a plugin that we are writing for Wordpress.

05-31-2012, 07:49 PM	#33789
Stitchawl Opsimath Posts: 12,344 Karma: 187123287 Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Chiang Mai, Northern Thailand Device: Sony PRS-650, iPhone 5, Kobo Glo, Sony PRS-350, iPad, Samsung Galaxy	When I first moved to Japan, there were Mobile Collection Units set up around major train stations all the time. When ever I went in, I was ever so politely refused... Foreign blood was not up to Japanese standards... About 10 years later, after some court cases and a lot of negative publicity, they began accepting blood donations from foreigners, and all was well... until it was discovered that the 'foreign blood' was being discarded later on. That made for another interesting scandal. These days we hope the local medical profession is more professional. Stitchawl

06-01-2012, 03:52 AM	#33791
Rumpelteazer Grand Sorcerer Posts: 5,367 Karma: 27919658 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Utrecht, the Netherlands Device: Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition	All packed and ready to go, except I have to work until 2pm first. Wondering if my friends will stay at their camping all weekend, because it will be cold and on Sunday it'll rain most of the day. I expect them to come home early on Sunday and tomorrow morning I'll pack my stuff just in case they're coming home that way I can quickly cycle over and pick everything up.