Definition of Loser

From the Oxford American Dictionary:

los•er |'loōzər|
noun

• a person or thing that loses or has lost something, esp. a game or contest.
• a person who accepts defeat with good or bad grace, as specified : we won fair and square—they should concede that and be good losers.
• a person or thing that is put at a disadvantage by a particular situation or course of action : children are the losers when politicians keep fiddling around with education.
• informal a person who fails frequently or is generally unsuccessful in life : a ragtag community of rejects and losers.
• informal a person who watches a Star Trek episode at approximately 9 o'clock on a Friday night, esp. when said episode was recorded on his or her Tivo.
• Bridge a card that is expected to be part of a losing trick.

Slices of the Timeline:16:9 Is Bigger Than 4:3

"Hey, TonyN," you say, "give me a glimpse into the glamorous life of a television editor!"

"This is the third episode in a row of [insert name of a moderately popular true-crime series on a network aimed at women] that has breast enhancement surgery significantly in the plot." Sigh. "Now, please, turn off your TV. Thank you."

("No, I won't tell you when they are going to air!")

Childhood Delicacy

I have no culinary skills. I can attempt to follow a recipe, sure, but I have little understanding of how the ingredients are reacting together. Therefore, I have no ability to improvise.

I recently discovered a relic from my childhood. In my desk drawer along with assorted photos, letters and cards, I found a well-worn recipe card. It was my grandmother's recipe for Russian Coffee Cake. The cake, a brown sugary delicacy, I adored as a child.

Yesterday, I attempted to recreate it. Surprisingly, I came close, but it was not quite right. I think I know why. My grandmother, I suppose like most good cooks, tended to augment her recipes. People who understand things and do not simply follow directions. They are capable of improvising and creating new things out of the old. I can relate in my profession but not in cooking. In the kitchen I just try to follow the directions…and hope.

Related tangent:
My cousin, Trish, bakes the best approximation of Grandma's beloved Christmas sugar cookies. Many in the family have the recipe, but most do not know of Grandma's improvisation. I discovered the secret by accident one day not too long before she died: more cream of tartar.

Temptation

Sitting in the clinic today, I'm staring out a glass wall and down into the cafeteria. Inviting smells of coffee roll through the air from the coffee shop also nearby. I can't concentrate on my book. I'm glancing at the clock over and over. Fifteen hours have passed without a drop to drink or a morsel of food. Soon the test (and therefore my fast) will be complete.

I look up at a lady crossing the lobby. She returns an unpleasant look. "Don't look at me like that," she seems to be thinking, seeing the alluring gaze on my face. Oh, I'm looking. That vivacious, curvy sandwich, that hot cup of coffee in your hands. Yeah, I can't stop the stare.

Staring into the Darkness

The state of Tennessee has a huge sales tax rate (but no income tax). Occasionally, there is a sales tax holiday when the sales tax is waved on certain items (pdf). The timing of these weekends coincides with the beginning school. The theory is that people can get a break when buy school supplies (I'll let you draw you own conclusions about this one…).

I underestimated the throng of people that would be entinced to shop by the tax holiday. <shudder> I just need to buy some deodorant. It was horrible out there…

Dexter or Sinister?

I am not a doctor's office professional. I was never a sickly child and have—so far—been fortunate enough to dodge any serious accidents.

Lately, though, I've found myself going to the doctor more than ever. So, I've gotten pretty quick-on-the-draw with the battery of questions:
"Are you currently taking any medications?" No.
"To your knowledge, are you allergic to any medications?" No.

I just saw a specialist (neurologist) and I knew there would be some new tools and paraphernalia I had never seen before. (I was especially amused by a weird tuning-fork-like thingy that vibrates: "Tell me when you feel the vibration go away.") But, I was taken aback by one of the standard questions: "Are you right-handed or left-handed?"

Hmmm. It makes perfect sense that a neurologist would ask that question—perfect sense. Yet, I would never have predicted it. I have never thought of the question of hand preference in a serious manner:
•The old punchline: "Only left-handed people are in their right mind!"
•Learning a new word as a young kid: Eating with my off-hand at a family dinner, my uncle says, "Are you ambidextrous?" "What does that mean?" "Equally clumsy in both hands."

"To your knowledge, are you allergic to any medications?" No.
"Are you right-handed or left-handed?" Right.