gimme gimme more

today i gave blood. being O- i feel a strong urge to do my part. i'm well enough, i've got blood, i can make more. why not?

there are a few differences between giving blood in canada and ireland.

in canada i'm one of the people who can't give blood because i've spent too much time in the uk/ireland so they don't want any part of me. in ireland, if you've visited canada or the u.s. within the last 8 weeks you can't give blood.

the last time i gave blood in canada, they did an iron test by putting a drop of blood into a solution and judge your iron levels based on it floating or sinking. today they had a HB machine. it's probably moved on to that in canada as well, but it's been ages since i was able to give blood there.

also different, were the snack items offered after making a donation. as the nurse was finishing up and getting ready to take me to the snack room she was like: would you like a tea, coffee, mineral, or beer? i thought i heard her wrong... but she did say beer. aside from the facts that i don't drink beer and i was driving, i was really tempted to go for it, just so to have done it. but i really didn't think that giving blood and then driving after a beer was in my, or anyone else's best interest.

so with my orange soda, i sat down and ate a bag of chips/crisps and then had a mini crunchie bar and took a mini moro bar with me. i wouldn't have minded some veg, but i think offering packaged items are easier for them.