You get what you need

You can't always get what you want.

But if you try sometimes, you just might find,

You get what you need.

-Rolling Stones

Sometimes Mick does have a point. I am reminded of the time I went into Herrell's for ice cream. I like banana ice cream and it is one of the few places where the offer it free of nuts and chocolate chips. When I went in I got a stoned red headed boy who seemed to not understand anything I said. I asked for a cake cone and he kept on telling me the cone had nothing to do with the scoop size. Or I said banana and he replied, "cookies and cream." After paying and walking out of the store, I licked my ice cream only to discover I was given malted vanilla instead of banana. Ordinarily, I would have marched back in and demanded a new cone, but earlier that day I had a craving for Ovaltine and the malted vanilla was far more satisfying than the banana would have been.

On Monday, I had my annual physical. It is strange that I put this activity off for so long. I'll be the first to admit that I am a hypochondriac, who despite being crazy does get sick a lot. You would assume that combination would send me rushing to the the doctor's all the time. Luckily, I am a student with no real access to adequate health care. In the nightmare prototypical HMO called University Health Services, I have finally found a doctor with whom I feel comfortable. My doctor is a mild mannered overweight woman. She talks in a soft peppy voice as she asks me is there anyone beating me, what was my last sexual encounter, and if I had fasted for the night to take an accurate cholesterol test. I like her because at 8 am in the morning, she takes her time to do a thorough physical. She pokes and prods, does all kinds of labs, and is willing to answer all of my questions.

This year I was bold, and asked for a prescription for some Ambien. My insomnia has been a chronic problem. My high school and college roommates can attest to my late nights. In the past two years it has gotten out of control. I can only catch an hour of sleep here an hour there. And although Ambien is not a great solution as it increases my sleep to about 2 hours, it has been the best one so far. My soft talking doctor gave me a funny look and told me she did not feel like Ambien was for me. She instead prescribed me Temazapam (a benzo for you druggies out there). Of course, I was a little worried since this is what they use to tranquilize crazy people, but then again I am a little crazy so.....

Last night, I tried half of my new pill. This morning, I slept through my alarm. Although I still feel a little hungover, I think these pills are just what the doctor ordered ... literally.