Pete’s Musings

Terry DiMonte leaves CHOM FM, ROB KEMP from Mix96 takes over!To me, this is probably the biggest news to hit Montreal for a very long time. As a kid, the first person I listened to on the radio was Terry. As a teen, I grew up listening to Terry. When I went to college in Montreal, I listened every morning! And when I went away to the US to work on my career and got homesick for Montreal … I listened to Terry on the internet! It’s weird to say this … Terry really made me feel at home wherever I was. I can think of no greater tribute to the guy than to say that. Terry is forever in Montreal’s heart and soul, and will be missed by all. Read More »

Our livers are the multi-tasking workhorses of our bodies. It processes virtually everything you eat, drink, breathe in or rub on your skin and that’s just some of its over 500 different functions vital to life. Every day, your liver helps your body by providing it with energy, fighting off infections and toxins, helping clot the blood, regulating hormones and much, much more. When it becomes damaged, infected, and inflamed (hepatitis = liver inflammation) our bodies can no longer perform these vital functions to the same degree. Also, there are many innocent ways in which the liver can become inflamed: viral infection form ingesting contaminated water or food, cancer, genetic or congenital disorders, etc. So if someone tells you they have hepatitis, please do not assume they are a drunkard, drug user, sex addict, or just eat too much … and even if that turns out to be the case, display some compassion as we all participate in these activities to varying degrees!

American Liver Foundation
Canadian Liver Foundation
British Liver Trust
Australian Liver Foundation

Please spread the word if you have that capability. thanks!

Lost another kitty yesterday. Little Chester was hit by a car Read More »

oh man, it’s been a long difficult road to get here. About 2 years. 3 different courses of treatments (over 8000 pills … just for the liver!). And lots of little blips and headaches. but my doctor told me to day that for the first time … all my liver enzymes are normal! That means that we’ve finally been able to find the right mix of medications to stop this disease from attacking my liver. Normal amounts of the enzymes that are produced when liver cells die. Read More »

I really haven’t been updating this very much. Everything is going OK I guess. I had a small flare up of liver problems a few months ago, but that has cleared up now and have actually been able to lower my medication a bit. Back is still in pretty bad shape in terms of flexibility, but the pain is a lot more manageable. Read More »

This is a great article from Scientific American (July 2002) that focuses on refuting all those silly ‘Intelligent Design’ and Creationist arguements. Read the whole article here. The last page of the article attacks the methodology used by ID and creationist proponents as well.

“Opponents of evolution want to make a place for creationism by tearing down real science, but their arguments don’t hold up.”

Anti-science points that just don’t stand up:
1. Evolution is only a theory. It is not a fact or a scientific law. Wrong. (distinguishes between theories (like Darwin’s theory) and facts (like evolution does occur!). Read More »

My mom sent me this the other day, I’m not sure what it is … but it’s supposed to change (grow) over the next 35 days. Something for you people to look at because I’m too lazy to post. Read More »

I’ve been in the hospital (St-Jean-sur-Richelieu) now for a little over a month. That’s a really long time. Back in Nov 2005 when my liver was on the verge of failing, I was in the hospital for less than a month. I guess that puts things in perspective a bit, this is a serious injury. It’s hard to accept being in the hospital … just waiting for a place to open up in the rehab centre. But there’s not much I can do about it, I’m still lacking the ability to do a few vital things … climbing stairs and bending down low being the most significant. I have to be able to get in and out of the house/car in order to be home. Hopefully, I’ll be able to do those things soon. I’ve already tackled my first flight of stairs here with my physiotherapist. Read More »