Day 14 - Hate

[fredericks]

My current mental state, in photo form.

When it's rainy and windy our phone services go out. Coincidentally, during that type of weather I'm usually inside. That means I'm stuck in the home avoiding the elements with spotty internet service. Not cool, Life.

I was productive today. A bit. I looked up grad programs for public health. I'm looking at four or five schools in the area that offer part-time MPH degrees, but of those choices only two have reasonable prices. NYU and Columbia might have great reputations but I'm NOT looking to spend $700+ a credit if I can get into Hunter and pay $900 for a three credit course. I need to retake the GREs for every school but Columbia, so I figure to apply for the spring semester 2011. I like the idea of public health, and I'd love being able to work with the government in regards to helping shape policy or health regulations for the populace (btw, NY's proposed soft drink tax? Paterson needs to stop acting like it has anything at all to do with protecting the citizens from their own bad judgment and flat out say it's a tea/stamp tax), but I'm not sure if my interest in public health or public health nursing will lead me down this path. But I'll see. I have to start by studying for and taking the GREs.

Okay, onto the ABJECT HATE portion of my post - anyone else seen those new NuvaRing commercials? It has three women sitting around talking about the contraceptive choices and one of them brings up NuvaRing and they're all perky and young and healthy (and beautiful, with that "obviously getting some on a regular basis" glow). Which, whatever, that's the template for all ads involving products related to reproduction. But the ad that precedes the overt NuvaRing spot seems to be made by the same folks. It features ominous music and a pretty young woman looking concerned and distressed, standing outside on her porch as she confides to a friend that her equally young and pretty companion was diagnosed with cervical cancer. Shocking, that she's so perky and young and health but has cancer. If only there was something out there that she could use that might not increase her risk for cancer.

But, wait!, what does NuvaRing's website say about the matter:

Some studies have found an increase in the incidence of cancer of the cervix in women who use oral contraceptives. However, this finding may be related to factors other than the use of oral contraceptives. There is insufficient evidence to rule out the possibility that Pills may cause such cancers.

(emphasis mine)

Insufficient evidence, but let's follow the scary cancer "public service announcement" with a blatant plug for our product that hasn't been linked either way. Those. FUCKERS. Using fear to try to get people to buy your products? Yes, I know it happens all the time (aspirin commercials about folks surviving heart attacks by taking a measly 81mg of the stuff, home alarm/security product ads), but something about NuvaRing's attempt pissed me off so badly I wanted to punch the television.

I'm calm now, but...Jebus, you know?

Tomorrow is another longer, more annoying day.

Comments

[atraxia.livejournal.com]

does your company do any tuition reimbursement? also wouldn't rule out nyu/columbia just b/c of $$ - maybe there's scholarships or grants or something? i would apply and then see.

[fredericks.livejournal.com]

I'm going to apply to all the programs I can and then make my decisions based on the feedback I get. Work offers reimbursement, but no more than a set amount each year. I can get way more bang from my buck from a city school than another ivy. But one step at a time.

[alicetheowl.livejournal.com]

I don't like the Nuvaring because it's uncomfortable. Interesting to know they're also airing deceptive ads.

[orpheus78.livejournal.com]

I heard about the Soda Tax, and yeah, it's hypocritical.

California, after decades of saying that Marijuana is evil, now wants to legalize and tax it, gee, isn't the tax thing convenient right about now? *rolls eyes*

Hey, I don't care if they legalize MJ, it doesn't affect me, but the the whole we want to legalize MJ because we are liberal is B.S.

It's all about teh Benhamins. ;)

[fredericks.livejournal.com]

I want to make sure I didn't hallucinate this one-two combo of suck, so if you catch the ads on TV just let me know.

[fredericks.livejournal.com]

Hee. You typed "MJ." That made me giggle. Because I am so very mature.

I know! Just be upfront and say you wants teh monies, make everyone happy. Government politics.