The Nurse

I’ve kept you guys waiting, but I can finally provide an update about my doctor’s appointment.

I met with a neurologist this afternoon, who basically confirmed what I had been suspecting – I’m fine. Well, probably.

In case you haven’t been following, I’ve been having this recurring eye issue. At certain points my right eye doesn’t seem to focus on light correctly and at different occasions people have told me that that pupil looked significantly smaller than the other.

I told my doctor that I don’t really get a lot of headaches and that the issues didn’t occur after I ate or drank anything in particular. I told him that I wasn’t pregnant and that there was no history of this sort of thing in my family.

My doctor recommended that I take two Advil every time my eyes go wonky and asked that I schedule an MRI, schedule some other 2-hour test and that I see an eye doctor. I guess he was just trying to cover his bases, but I really don’t feel like going to 42 doctor’s appointments, only to discover I need reading glasses. Don’t get me wrong, I’d rather need reading glasses than brain surgery, but come on.

Other than that – Addam and I have been hard at work on our big move. Everything’s packed and ready to go. We’re picking up a truck tomorrow morning, and Addam’s moving everything while I’m at work. I don’t know how it will be physically possible for one person to move our entire apartment, but if I know Addam he’ll try his damnedest. Anything to save $20 on a truck rental…

While everything else is going relatively well, I do have some very, very bad news.

Today The White Stripes announced that they are disbanding and will no longer be making or performing music as a duo. In an official statement the group said:

“The White Stripes would like to announce that today, February 2nd, 2011, their band has officially ended and will make no further new recordings or perform live.

The reason is not due to artistic differences or lack of wanting to continue, nor any health issues as both Meg and Jack are feeling fine and in good health. It is for a myriad of reasons, but mostly to preserve what is beautiful and special about the band and have it stay that way.

Meg and Jack want to thank every one of their fans and admirers for the incredible support they have given throughout the 13 plus years of the White Stripes’ intense and incredible career.

Third Man Records will continue to put out unreleased live and studio recordings from The White Stripes in their Vault Subscription record club, as well as through regular channels.

Both Meg and Jack hope this decision isn’t met with sorrow by their fans but that it is seen as a positive move done out of respect for the art and music that the band has created. It is also done with the utmost respect to those fans who’ve shared in those creations, with their feelings considered greatly.

With that in mind the band have this to say:

‘The White Stripes do not belong to Meg and Jack anymore. The White Stripes belong to you now and you can do with it whatever you want. The beauty of art and music is that it can last forever if people want it to. Thank you for sharing this experience. Your involvement will never be lost on us and we are truly grateful.”

Anyone who knows me, even in passing, knows that this is a momentous and sad occasion for me. I love The White Stripes. They were, and will remain, my favorite band. Only now I’ll never have the opportunity to see them live.

I’ll admit, that while upsetting, the news was not terribly surprising. The group hasn’t performed much since 2007, and their last appearance was on Conan in 2009. Meg has acute anxiety issues and has never been 100 percent comfortable on stage. Still, this year Jack was beginning to talk like he and Meg were planning to start another album, and they did release a few Christmas songs over the holidays.

While it kills me that there will not be another album to look forward to, song to memorize or verse to pine over, I’m thankful for what I was given. The music does belong to me, as it belongs to everyone who loved and will continue to love them. The White Stripes touched hearts and will continue to inspire those that came before and after them. “The beauty of art and music is that it can last forever if people want it to.” I want it to, Jack. And it will. It has to.