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SpectrumMar07.qxd 4/26/2007 4:50 PM Page 36 S (continued from page 9) doctor instructed me to take a stress test to evaluate my heart functions. Guess what? I started stressing about my stress test and it was two weeks away. In fact, it was all I could talk about, and my family, friends and co-workers were getting annoyed at my stress level. Is this what it is like to grow older? 36 So the big day came, and when I arrived at the clinic — I had called twice, okay three times, the prior week to ask questions about the test — the nurse was familiar with my name. I was told I needed to take some more blood tests, meaning I had to get blood drawn — stress. I went into what I call the “bloodsucking area” of the clinic and the process started. Of course, once I was seated and strapped in, the vampire missed the first vein on my right arm — that has never happened before — so she had to get it from the other arm. That went fine and once it was completed, I was led to the treadmill area with bandages on both arms — that has got to affect the results of the stress test, right? They said no. First, one of the two women administering the test asked why I was there. Well, I have started a new exercise program, am overweight, have high cholesterol, have a family history of heart disease, am stressed, should I go on? She got the picture. First they took my blood pressure and were concerned it was too high — try the large cuff and see if it makes a difference. It did, and then they explained the test procedures, stripped me of my shirt — god, I hope they’re not looking — strapped all these wires and suction things to my body, and we were good to go. I started walking at a slow pace and they took my blood pressure after each level I completed. I felt good. Actually, I was thinking if we stayed at this pace I could get a short workout and not have to go to the gym later. Then, as I completed each level and moved on to the next, I had to start running, until it was too much — I mean, I was running in high mode. She asked if I could go on (whether I was able to complete the test). I was like, hell no, gals, I am not a sprint runner, good lord! I am done. Then they instructed me to immediately step off the treadmill — no problem — and lie down on the table so they could take an EKG. I was sweating all over the place, with two bandages on my arms and my excess waist skin hanging everywhere, my heart pumping as if I had just run a marathon, and they started to put this scope thing around the outside of my heart. I just wanted to go home and write as I listened to what I interpreted as my heart muscles pumping extremely fast and hard — and it actually felt good. After the test had been completed, a quiet fell over the room, as if they were looking at the results and saying, “Poor guy is going to die,” or something. Of course they could not tell me any of the results, even after I said that I am not the type of person who can wait for anything, let alone results of tests that could determine my future. Then one of them said that if there was any problem someone would call me tonight or tomorrow, after the cardiologist looks at the results — STRESS! Needless to say, I kept my cell phone with me at all times and even heard it ring when it hadn’t. Thankfully, I have call waiting, because if I did not I would not have talked to anyone. I so hoped they would not call; if they had, I would probably have had a heart attack on the spot. I even called the clinic to make sure they had my correct number, but I heard nothing. Until my doctor’s nurse called two weeks later to tell me he wanted to schedule an appointment to go over the tests. What does that mean? Is there minor damage that the test showed? Or did they not notice something major? To make matters worse, he could not see me until the end of March — can I wait that long? I can, and I will not talk to anyone about it. Regardless, the whole experience was a WAKE-UP CALL for me. So I am on a mission now. I need to concentrate on myself and do as much for myself as I do for others. At least, that is what people tell me. Lose some weight, step up the exercise even more and make this a life-changing experience, as it would have been had there been a problem. I now have peace of mind, knowing that I have a healthy heart, and that was worth any stress I went through. Maybe it will be so for you too? * * * * * I recently ventured into San Carlos and was pulled over in my Jeep — didn’t they know I had just had a stress test? — by what I found out was one of the city’s traffic officers. I wondered why I had been pulled over. I wasn’t speeding, I waited for the light to turn green and, once it did, the red lights were flashing in my rearview mirror. I found out that my license plate light was burned out. Are you kidding me? So to make a long story short, I fixed the light, had the ticket signed off by one of our finest and proceeded to traffic court to turn it in and pay a $10 processing fee. Once I got there, of course there was a line, but I had made time for it, so I did not mind. Looking around, I was greeted by an active business owner in our community as well as by an elected official. Yes, they really do have to follow the laws and procedures just like we do. Why is it that when you talk with anyone in traffic court, they consistently inform everyone of how it was not their fault? As if there is a conspiracy to give them a ticket. I mean, it’s not a stress test! Get over it, see the judge, pay the fine and move on with your life, people. Don’t bother me when I’ve got so much on my mind — I could be dying and not even know until I see my doctor. It’s all about perspective, wouldn’t you say? I think it was the first time I actually did not mind paying and waiting in that wretched line. * * * * * To say that the new parking meters in the downtown area are causing confusion and frustration is a total understatement. In fact, it is downright detouring many from visiting our community and providing some much-needed sales-tax dollars, let alone spending money at a business or two. The system itself is very easy and convenient to use, but you would not know that by the long lines and comments heard from users every day since they have been installed and activated. City staff will tell us to hang on, that this is just customers getting used to the new system, and that all will be fine once they learn how to use the meters. Maybe so, but after people realize that the parking tickets have increased from $25 to $35, that not all lots are designated the same hourly pricing, and that it is almost impossible to park during the day in any of the parking structures that can be validated by a business, things will change. Unfortunately, I fear the change will be that visitors will reject the parking system and go elsewhere. Will this ever end? * * * * * Thankfully, I did not have to pay for parking when I was visiting the clinic for my stress test. As I was saying… WWW.SPECTRUMMAGAZINE.NET
SpectrumMar07.qxd 4/26/2007 4:50 PM Page 37 (continued from page 7) World Premier Tour Dan Hicks & the Hot Licks — A Salute to the Folk Years plus Joe Craven Saturday, April 7, 8 p.m. $25 adv./$27 door The Folk Years refers to that period in the early ’60s (and late ’50s) when something called the “folk craze” or “folk boom” was happening. Everyone was picking up the guitar or banjo and learning folk songs or listening to them at parties and coffee houses. Dan Hicks & the Hot Licks’ salute to the Folk Years will include selections from the artists that became nationally famous and made this music the phenomenon that it was. Sponsored by Gelb Music Redwood City Blues Jam Wednesday, April 11, 7 p.m. Free admission! Join Rene Solis for an evening of quality blues music from the area’s best musicians, where audience blues musicians are invited to jam on stage. The music is real, the mood collegial and the doors open to the community to enjoy this uniquely American music. The Jam meets on the second, third and fourth Wednesday of each month, 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. Bring your friends! Mythbusters Party! Hookslide Thursday, April 12, 8 p.m. $12 adv./$14 door Join the Bay Area vocal group Hookslide with a party to celebrate their appearance on Discovery’s “Mythbusters.” Tune in to the Discovery Channel on April 11 at 9 p.m. for Hookslide’s national TV debut and discover if they confirm or bust the myth that you can put out a fire with the human voice. Then come out to see them live and up close on April 12 and find out for yourself! This is going to be one hot show! Dance! Mumbo Gumbo plus Point Of Order Friday, April 13, 8 p.m. $16 adv./$18 door As the name Mumbo Gumbo implies, there’s original New Orleans second line and rhythm and blues involved. But also, there is driving rockabilly, James Brown–inspired funk, edgy blues rock, Afro-Cuban trance singalongs and conga line–inspiring rhumbas. The group’s increasing stature is rooted in two distinctive traditions that are as old as the rock era itself: the journeyman roadwork ethic that produced the Beatles and the freeform dance party lifestyle that produced the Grateful Dead. Aja Vu Plays the Music of Steely Dan plus the Duotones Saturday, April 14, 8 p.m. $12 adv./$14 door San Francisco–based Aja Vu won last year’s KFOX Last Band Standing competition on the Bay Area’s No. 1–rated Greg Kihn Show. Aja Vu performs the music of Steely Dan, from “Hey Nineteen” and “Reelin’ in the Years” to “Rikki Don’t Lose That Number.” You can buy a thrill when you hear the tight, chunky horns, vocals and solos note for note and phrase for phrase, backed up by an unparalleled rhythm section! Sponsored by Bobby G’s Pizzeria Redwood City Blues Jam Wednesday, April 18, 7 p.m. Free admission! Join Mark Hummel for an evening of quality blues music from the area’s best musicians, where audience blues musicians are invited to jam on stage. The music is real, the mood collegial and the doors open to the community to enjoy this uniquely American music. The Jam meets on the second, third and fourth Wednesday of each month, 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. Bring your friends! Ledward Kaapana & Mike Kaawa Thursday, April 19, 8 p.m. $18 adv./$20 door Led Kaapana is nearing his 40th year as a professional musician. His mastery of stringed instruments, particularly slack key guitar, and extraordinary baritone and leo ki`eki`e (falsetto) voice have made him a musical legend. Chet Atkins and Bob Dylan have both stated that the 2006 Grammy Award winner is simply the best musician alive in Hawaii. Kaapana has recorded with Ricky Skaggs, Alison Krause, Jim Messina, Bonnie Raitt, Taj Mahal and George Winston. Kinky Rock ’n’ Reggae Party Indubious, The Get Down, DJ Logical plus Special Guest TBA Friday, April 20, 8 p.m. $12 adv./$14 door What happens when you throw Primus in a blender, add a little Medeski Martin and Wood, toss in some Sublime with just a hint of the Beatles? The result is Indubious, a Bay Area genre-bending power trio, pumping a positive message and wielding impressive instrumental skill. Their new approach to reggae, funk and acid jazz is already attracting fans in the San Francisco area and finds them playing to sold-out venues across the bay. Dance! The Sun Kings — A Musically Remarkable Tribute to the Beatles Saturday, April 21, 8 p.m. $15 adv./$17 door Ever wonder what the Beatles might have sounded like had they reunited? For five years the Bay Area’s own Sun Kings have been thrilling packed clubs around Northern California with their musical tribute to the Beatles. Their attention to detail is uncanny and their energy reminiscent of the joy and excite- ment felt at a real Beatles concert. Every member of the Sun Kings has been a huge Beatles fan since childhood. Sponsored by Gelb Music Redwood City Blues Jam Wednesday, April 25, 7 p.m. Free admission! Join Kenny “Blue” Ray for an evening of quality blues music from the area’s best musicians, where audience blues musicians are invited to jam on stage. The music is real, the mood collegial and the doors open to the community to enjoy this uniquely American music. The Jam meets on the second, third and fourth S Wednesday of each month, 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. Bring your friends! Visit our Web site at www.spectrum magazine.net for the latest on The Spectrum and a complete archive of our past issues! 37 WWW.SPECTRUMMAGAZINE.NET
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