I just open the door. I am not a risk taker in any way -- I just have relatively little instinct for self preservation.

Oh good. Ciprodex is actually better than Cortisporin for a couple of reasons -- most significantly because of better safety profile in event of a perforated eardrum; also more convenient dosing schedule. It just happens to cost a whole lot more because it is brand-name only, so some insurances don't cover it.

Did you get a copy of the manufacturer's copay assistance card for some savings? Note that some insurances are not compatible with copay assistance cards, most significantly Medicare and Medicaid. https://www.ciprodex.com/patients/ciprodex-otic-e...

Uh, did I just say Polysporin-HC earlier? Sorry, I meant Cortisporin (Neomycin-Polymyxin B-Hydrocortisone).

This is the version with hydrocortisone? Also, if your ear canals are swollen to the point where they are shit closed, you'll need ear wicks put in.

I had a professor who did some clinical and epidemiological work on asbestos.

He used to tell this story about one part of his research, how they quantified the asbestos fiber load in a deceased patient. During the autopsy, they'd remove the lungs and cremate them. Afterwards they'd sift through the ashes and recover a perfectly intact little pile of asbestos fibers, from some guy who might have worked in a shipyard or such, several decades ago.

If you ever feel one coming on, a 50/50 combo of vinegar and rubbing alcohol works great. A couple drops in each ear after you swim really helps.

And much cheaper than the commercially prepared "Swimmer's Eardrops". But would not recommend using until after the current infection is resolved and ear canals are healed up, as the mix will probably be too irritating right now.

Also, with regards to antibiotic/corticosteroid combination eardrops, Polysporin-HC is usually much cheaper than Ciprodex.

What's your favorite way to cook bacon?

Cut into cubes and braised, of course. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_braised_pork_be...

Not that good. The experience may have taught them that humans are edible and make easy prey. If they decide to keep on hunting humans, they could end up as habitual man-eaters, at which point they will have to be put down.

I once moved into an apartment room with a bunch of black candle wax stains on the carpet, all in one corner (where I assume some kind of altar was).

No problem though, a roll of paper towels and an iron set on Medium heat took care of the problem nicely.

Try a weighted blanket. Completely different experience from any other type of blanket.