According to many early philosophers, there are always good things and there are bad things but in the long run they even out and life as a whole has a median of null.
Then there are those who say "hey you think this is bad? Ha! Just wait"
Then the idiots I've known who say "If your god brought you to it, s/he will bring you through it."
This week was somewhere in the above.
Last Friday, my wife of 43+ years had the opportunity to experience rotator cuff surgery. The doctor who performed the operation is a very wise and experienced man who had originally thought it may take about an hour or so. Well, friends, he found so much damage in that area, he was working for almost three hours to clean up and fix up all that needed fixing up. We were sent home with her left arm immobilized in a supportive contraption designed for someone about 2/3rds her girth. There is a myriad of velcro type fasteners to hold it together. I think it was modeled after some middle ages torture device. But she got a wonderful set of medications that helped her pass out and not be aware of the painful experience she was involved in.
My job is to make sure there is ice in the bucket for the circulator machine. I also get to massage her arms and legs as necessary (and it is always necessary). I am also to prepare the food, clean up afterwards, and do all the other stuff I normally do.
Yesterday (this falls under the second statement above), we had a quick lunch at a favorite restaurant and came home to nap. At about four in the afternoon, I thought I was in an episode of "Alien". My gut was wrenching, my bowels exploding, my stomach was threatening to regurgitate everything I had eaten in the past week. I will assume it was some sort of food poisoning. And of course, the wife was going through the same stuff. After the initial onrush of symptoms, our systems settled down a bit, but she was having a distress attack. She decided that I should sleep on the couch so I could be right next to her if she needed me. So I tried to sleep on the couch. There is no way on god's green earth that I can get comfortable enough to sleep on that couch. I passed out for an hour or two only to wake with the feeling that Hulk Hogan had just slammed my back on a very hard mat. After going through the get her comfortable routine, I just went to my bed. And slept for almost ten hours.
My grandson who lives with us has been having trouble sleeping at night. On Thursday, I took him to the doctor who gave home medication for an ear infection. He said it should also clear up the drainage problems and the stuffy nose. Because he can't sleep, his mother can't get the sleep she needs. Even though he is the happiest little guy in the house, he gets loud and miserable when he can't sleep. The daughter is also massive miserable because she has to teach 120 ungrateful little turds how to read and understand the English language. Well, not all are ungrateful, but there are a couple of sniveling little bitches who will not do the work and then report back to their moms events of such hyperbolic exaggeration that not even on her worst day on earth could they happen. But you know who the moms believe.
On the plus side, whatever channel my wife is watching is airing reruns of "Hart to Hart" all day long. These are playing as she sleeps in her new recliner, covered with ice packs. This does mean that I am unable to watch any college football, but I'm not really following anyone this early in the year. The first few game are normally BIG ENORMOUS vs itty bitty. And we all know how those turn out, don't we. But I get to catch up on the shows I missed back in the seventies and watch to see if Robert Wagner or Stephanie Powers ever get their perfect hair messed up. Of course there will be "Murder, She Wrote", "Colombo", "Diagnosis Murder", "CHiPs", "Emergency", and I'm sure many many more that we used to watch back when we were young.
Well, I hope the paint is dry on the box I am building for my other grandson. I figured to piant it before assembly to make sure I got a good coating on everything.
Until next time......
Saturday, September 19, 2015
Tuesday, September 15, 2015
Trapped
My wife just had shoulder surgery because of torn ligaments and rotator cuff problems. This means that she is medicated every six hours to help ease the pain from the procedure. It was an arthroscopic surgery, which means there are four tiny slits on her left shoulder where the surgeon entered her skin and used little instruments to either cut, trim, reattached or sew together whatever he could to repair the new damage and alleviate the old non-repairable stuff.
She is now home in her new recliner, with an electric motor, under several ice packs, trying to tolerate the pain associated with having a brace and sling attached to her torso.
An interjection here: I was going to comment on her reaction to and frustration with the discomfort. There have been tears and yelling and sobbing. Adjustments to the harness, adjustments to the pillows and padding, changing out the icepacks. Get that pill, no that one, can I have my pain pill early, okay, then when?
But then I recalled the incident of a knee flare-up on my part. Might have been gout, maybe not. The doctor wasn't totally convinced either way. But I made a fuss every time I had to sit down or stand up or get in my truck. It freakin' hurt! So I guess I am meaning to say we are all wusses when it comes to pain tolerance.
But she is still a drama queen.
Now, because she is limited in activity and ability to do certain things, like get out of her aforementioned power chair, or adjust whatever needs adjusting with her left arm and hand, I am here with her to help. This also involves food preparation, clean up, medication dispersal, laundry, grandson care, letting dogs in and out, washing her legs and feet for her comfort, watching the chick flicks she is addicted to (not all, but several), deflecting phone calls from both concerned parties and telemarketers, rubbing where it hurts and "other duties as assigned".
I am sort of trapped. I can go places, but only within a short distance and for a limited time. This time on the computer is while she is sleeping.
By the way, I tried to get this time off as Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) unpaid leave. he requirements were that you have over one year with the company and have worked at least 1250 hours in the past 12 rolling months. I have 1226 hours of paid time. I was gone almost all of December, with the lady who is now medicated n the living room, on a trip to Europe that a lot of people could only wish they could take. I may have written half a blog earlier about that. Part 2 never got published. SO. I am 24 hours of paid time short of the requirement. I have now put in that I am taking all my accrued personal time as well as my remaining vacation time. To be honest, I really had no other plans for that vacation time, other than being here when my son and his wife came to visit around Thanksgiving time. But still, after almost 26 years with the company.......
We saw the doctor yesterday and he showed us photos of what he did. I am amazed, given that his hands are almost as big as mine, that he could perform such micro surgery with such wonderful accuracy. The next step in all of this would be "Waldoes" much like the Robert Heinlein story in the book Waldo & Magic, Inc. Interesting reading, seeing as how it was imagined over 50 years ago. You need to look it up, and maybe even read the book.
Of course, no one ever reads this stupid blog anyway, so nevermind.
Oops, the wounded wife has awakened, I must go.
She is now home in her new recliner, with an electric motor, under several ice packs, trying to tolerate the pain associated with having a brace and sling attached to her torso.
An interjection here: I was going to comment on her reaction to and frustration with the discomfort. There have been tears and yelling and sobbing. Adjustments to the harness, adjustments to the pillows and padding, changing out the icepacks. Get that pill, no that one, can I have my pain pill early, okay, then when?
But then I recalled the incident of a knee flare-up on my part. Might have been gout, maybe not. The doctor wasn't totally convinced either way. But I made a fuss every time I had to sit down or stand up or get in my truck. It freakin' hurt! So I guess I am meaning to say we are all wusses when it comes to pain tolerance.
But she is still a drama queen.
Now, because she is limited in activity and ability to do certain things, like get out of her aforementioned power chair, or adjust whatever needs adjusting with her left arm and hand, I am here with her to help. This also involves food preparation, clean up, medication dispersal, laundry, grandson care, letting dogs in and out, washing her legs and feet for her comfort, watching the chick flicks she is addicted to (not all, but several), deflecting phone calls from both concerned parties and telemarketers, rubbing where it hurts and "other duties as assigned".
I am sort of trapped. I can go places, but only within a short distance and for a limited time. This time on the computer is while she is sleeping.
By the way, I tried to get this time off as Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) unpaid leave. he requirements were that you have over one year with the company and have worked at least 1250 hours in the past 12 rolling months. I have 1226 hours of paid time. I was gone almost all of December, with the lady who is now medicated n the living room, on a trip to Europe that a lot of people could only wish they could take. I may have written half a blog earlier about that. Part 2 never got published. SO. I am 24 hours of paid time short of the requirement. I have now put in that I am taking all my accrued personal time as well as my remaining vacation time. To be honest, I really had no other plans for that vacation time, other than being here when my son and his wife came to visit around Thanksgiving time. But still, after almost 26 years with the company.......
We saw the doctor yesterday and he showed us photos of what he did. I am amazed, given that his hands are almost as big as mine, that he could perform such micro surgery with such wonderful accuracy. The next step in all of this would be "Waldoes" much like the Robert Heinlein story in the book Waldo & Magic, Inc. Interesting reading, seeing as how it was imagined over 50 years ago. You need to look it up, and maybe even read the book.
Of course, no one ever reads this stupid blog anyway, so nevermind.
Oops, the wounded wife has awakened, I must go.
Sunday, August 30, 2015
How random can I get?
The reason for today's posting is that I looked at the date of my last posting and it was almost six months ago. How terribly rude of me!
I compose various schemes of thought as I drive to work, or as I return, or as I walk the dogs. All these subjects are brilliant in nature. All are forgotten or put aside once I get home.
On the subject of the upcoming in the way distant future elections: Trump seems to be leading the hate group known as the Republican party. My Facebook is crammed with all the perceived divisiveness that Obama brings, but this man just may start race wars, the likes of which will be legendary. Hillary carries a lot of baggage with her that causes a lack of faith in her motives. At least that's what the press says. They tend to avoid the same obfuscation that W brought to the party. But she is a sneaky bitch who has the audacity to believe she should be anointed Queen of Amerika. Biden is making noises about joining the fray, but his idiocy and perceived inability to lead ants to a picnic may be the only thing not getting Obama shot. Bernie Sanders is claiming to be Socialist. That alone takes him off the depth charts. He seems to be saying the things people most want to hear. And her may be the best man for the job. He was a Jewish carpenter in his youth.
In November every year, we hear the phrase "Put Christ back in Xmas". Even though the day we celebrate is one originated by the pagans of Rome to honor the gift giving of Saturn. And the pagans of northern Europe with their feast of the Yule, and worshipping trees and all that. The question I have is why can't we put the teachings of the Christ back into Christianity? I remember from my classes that He said something about all men are brothers, and he wanted all men to follow him, and all children should be allowed to approach him. Hate is not a inherited gene. It has to be taught. (I may be talking about Mr. Trump again)
My grandson is growing bigger and stronger and faster. We put locks on some of the cupboards so he won't sample the chemistry class that is under the kitchen sink, or he won't pull down cast iron pots on his toes. He is totally devoted to his mom. Rightly so, but he also will play with me on occasion. Where I work, I see several babies a day. They are usually quiet, or somber, or crying. Not this kid! At eight months, he is always smiling, curious about the colors and shapes in the tool department, and will laugh and giggle with anyone who he perceives as a friend.
The wife, on the other hand, is not so good. She decided to lift and twist a pot of dirt that weighed more than she should have been lifting. Of COURSE it was my fault for not having done it sooner! Instead of putting it down and scooping dirt out of it, she tried to turn it over while holding it and tore the tendons in her left shoulder. Surgery will be in the next couple of weeks, followed but immobilizing the joint and then physical therapy for several months after that. I have already spoken with my store manager about me doing a Family Medical Leave of Absence. He agreed that it would be a good thing.
As of tonight the gods of the lottery have not yet exerted their influence in choosing my numbers. I constantly remind them, but as yet they have decided to either ignore me or frustrate me by allowing two of those numbers to be picked each week for four or five weeks. Once in a while they screw up (Or increase the tease) and I will get three numbers. That allows me to get $3 back on my wager. Now that I am posting this, on Wednesday, the next time the drawing occurs, someone in El Paso or Brownsville will win on a Quick Pick he got instead of change for a six pack of Bud Light.
Speaking of finances, when the markets panicked over the Chinese currency devaluation, I realized everybody's portfolio was going to decline somewhat. I am invested in my company 401k, company stock, a savings account, and an annuity in fairly conservative funds. The company stock bounced back very quickly. Even though Home Depot buys a shitload of Chinese made products, we are still a financially strong company. My savings account obviously didn't change, it also doesn't earn anything anyway, being in a bank savings plan. But it is there for any emergency. My 401k, while it fell 7%, it has regained almost all of that in a week. The advisors at whoever advises us say my investments are too risky, but I felt I was balancing the risk of an aggressive stock mutual fund portfolio with the ultraconservative annuity plan. The annuity did not show much reaction to the diving of the Dow on the first day or so. Since then, however, I am off almost 10%. Part of that, I am seeing are the fees for managing my portfolio. Almost $3000! The bastards are making more money on this than I am. Now, I am ahead of my initial investment, but that was almost 8 years ago when I put most of my 401k into it. Since I did that, the 401k has earned steadily, while the annuity has stalled and fallen.
After our latest trip to Colorado, my wife once again asked when I was planning on getting a new vehicle (see lottery results above). My current vehicle is a 2000 Chevrolet AstroVan. It only has 135,000 miles on it. Yes, occasionally, things go wrong with it and it doesn't get the efficient gas mileage I would like, but I put gas and oil and tires on it and it goes and hauls whatever I need. The radio even works pretty well. However, IF I do get a new vehicle, it will be my last. Shit, I'm 67 years old and expect to live to about mid eighties. As much as I drive, I'll have less than 150,000 on any car or truck by the time I die. The big problem is that any of the vehicles I've been looking at are in the $50-65k range. (see finances above, or lottery). Most of what I have looked at are Silverados or Suburbans. Since my wife drives an Equinox, I sort of looked at them as well, but I just don't think I fit very well into those. I like climbing up into my vehicle.
Every day I go into work is one day closer to my final retirement.
I had my eye exam last Monday. Doctor said I had not changed since my eyes reset themselves four years ago. I am guessing that's a good thing. No signs of glaucoma or macular degeneration. I ordered a new pair of glasses (or plastics, as the folks there called them). I decided to not get the "transition" lens coating because they took so long to readjust, especially in colder weather. I had been getting the metal frames, but decided on a slightly softer look.
A while back, I wrote about Toyota drivers, and how they were either out to get me, or were pissing me off. Nothing has changed in that regard.
My daughter has moved from one school district to another. Last Sunday, she met with friends from the old school. She is way happier the way things are at her new school. There have been a couple of learning things and procedural issues, but for the most part, she is overjoyed to have moved. By the way, she moved from teaching 5th grade math and science to 5th grade reading. The principal at her new school used to employ her mother, her sister-in-law, and the SIL mother. Pam knows my daughter from her having been a tutor at that school before she left for Korea.
Went to Colorado again this year. I didn't have the altitude sickness problems I had last year. We even hiked a few of the trails where we went. If I feel that good next year, I will take the hike from Breckenridge to Frisco.
Had to buy a new phone. I had an unlocked Galaxy s4. After a year, it was a piece of crap. I could get text messages and internet stuff on it, but the main purpose is a TEEPHONIC COMMUNICATION DEVICE. At that task it failed horribly. Someone would call and they would get a sound like a fax machine. I would have to restart it to call them back. I took it to Samsung and the girl worked what magic she could. I took it to T-Mobile and they tried stuff. No fix, so new phone. I got the Galaxy s5, because the controls are similar and the s6 will not take a SD card for me to store my photos. (see grandson above) I got them to throw in the OtterBox defender case, and we had a deal. I found an app from Zedge that has several hundred ringtones and message tones on it. I got to play with it and decided I have to list more people so I can use more ringtones.
Air conditioner crashed yesterday. I am blessed with a nearby A/C guy who works for free. He also lets me build furniture for his wife. Together they also have provided me with two amazing grandchildren. Fortunately, he had the right part to fix the controls on the machine and somehow, I had the right gauge of wire in my garage.
Getting tired now, about time for me to crash and get some sleep. Hopefully, I'll remember some of those really interesting ideas I have while driving or walking. Later.....
I compose various schemes of thought as I drive to work, or as I return, or as I walk the dogs. All these subjects are brilliant in nature. All are forgotten or put aside once I get home.
On the subject of the upcoming in the way distant future elections: Trump seems to be leading the hate group known as the Republican party. My Facebook is crammed with all the perceived divisiveness that Obama brings, but this man just may start race wars, the likes of which will be legendary. Hillary carries a lot of baggage with her that causes a lack of faith in her motives. At least that's what the press says. They tend to avoid the same obfuscation that W brought to the party. But she is a sneaky bitch who has the audacity to believe she should be anointed Queen of Amerika. Biden is making noises about joining the fray, but his idiocy and perceived inability to lead ants to a picnic may be the only thing not getting Obama shot. Bernie Sanders is claiming to be Socialist. That alone takes him off the depth charts. He seems to be saying the things people most want to hear. And her may be the best man for the job. He was a Jewish carpenter in his youth.
In November every year, we hear the phrase "Put Christ back in Xmas". Even though the day we celebrate is one originated by the pagans of Rome to honor the gift giving of Saturn. And the pagans of northern Europe with their feast of the Yule, and worshipping trees and all that. The question I have is why can't we put the teachings of the Christ back into Christianity? I remember from my classes that He said something about all men are brothers, and he wanted all men to follow him, and all children should be allowed to approach him. Hate is not a inherited gene. It has to be taught. (I may be talking about Mr. Trump again)
My grandson is growing bigger and stronger and faster. We put locks on some of the cupboards so he won't sample the chemistry class that is under the kitchen sink, or he won't pull down cast iron pots on his toes. He is totally devoted to his mom. Rightly so, but he also will play with me on occasion. Where I work, I see several babies a day. They are usually quiet, or somber, or crying. Not this kid! At eight months, he is always smiling, curious about the colors and shapes in the tool department, and will laugh and giggle with anyone who he perceives as a friend.
The wife, on the other hand, is not so good. She decided to lift and twist a pot of dirt that weighed more than she should have been lifting. Of COURSE it was my fault for not having done it sooner! Instead of putting it down and scooping dirt out of it, she tried to turn it over while holding it and tore the tendons in her left shoulder. Surgery will be in the next couple of weeks, followed but immobilizing the joint and then physical therapy for several months after that. I have already spoken with my store manager about me doing a Family Medical Leave of Absence. He agreed that it would be a good thing.
As of tonight the gods of the lottery have not yet exerted their influence in choosing my numbers. I constantly remind them, but as yet they have decided to either ignore me or frustrate me by allowing two of those numbers to be picked each week for four or five weeks. Once in a while they screw up (Or increase the tease) and I will get three numbers. That allows me to get $3 back on my wager. Now that I am posting this, on Wednesday, the next time the drawing occurs, someone in El Paso or Brownsville will win on a Quick Pick he got instead of change for a six pack of Bud Light.
Speaking of finances, when the markets panicked over the Chinese currency devaluation, I realized everybody's portfolio was going to decline somewhat. I am invested in my company 401k, company stock, a savings account, and an annuity in fairly conservative funds. The company stock bounced back very quickly. Even though Home Depot buys a shitload of Chinese made products, we are still a financially strong company. My savings account obviously didn't change, it also doesn't earn anything anyway, being in a bank savings plan. But it is there for any emergency. My 401k, while it fell 7%, it has regained almost all of that in a week. The advisors at whoever advises us say my investments are too risky, but I felt I was balancing the risk of an aggressive stock mutual fund portfolio with the ultraconservative annuity plan. The annuity did not show much reaction to the diving of the Dow on the first day or so. Since then, however, I am off almost 10%. Part of that, I am seeing are the fees for managing my portfolio. Almost $3000! The bastards are making more money on this than I am. Now, I am ahead of my initial investment, but that was almost 8 years ago when I put most of my 401k into it. Since I did that, the 401k has earned steadily, while the annuity has stalled and fallen.
After our latest trip to Colorado, my wife once again asked when I was planning on getting a new vehicle (see lottery results above). My current vehicle is a 2000 Chevrolet AstroVan. It only has 135,000 miles on it. Yes, occasionally, things go wrong with it and it doesn't get the efficient gas mileage I would like, but I put gas and oil and tires on it and it goes and hauls whatever I need. The radio even works pretty well. However, IF I do get a new vehicle, it will be my last. Shit, I'm 67 years old and expect to live to about mid eighties. As much as I drive, I'll have less than 150,000 on any car or truck by the time I die. The big problem is that any of the vehicles I've been looking at are in the $50-65k range. (see finances above, or lottery). Most of what I have looked at are Silverados or Suburbans. Since my wife drives an Equinox, I sort of looked at them as well, but I just don't think I fit very well into those. I like climbing up into my vehicle.
Every day I go into work is one day closer to my final retirement.
I had my eye exam last Monday. Doctor said I had not changed since my eyes reset themselves four years ago. I am guessing that's a good thing. No signs of glaucoma or macular degeneration. I ordered a new pair of glasses (or plastics, as the folks there called them). I decided to not get the "transition" lens coating because they took so long to readjust, especially in colder weather. I had been getting the metal frames, but decided on a slightly softer look.
A while back, I wrote about Toyota drivers, and how they were either out to get me, or were pissing me off. Nothing has changed in that regard.
My daughter has moved from one school district to another. Last Sunday, she met with friends from the old school. She is way happier the way things are at her new school. There have been a couple of learning things and procedural issues, but for the most part, she is overjoyed to have moved. By the way, she moved from teaching 5th grade math and science to 5th grade reading. The principal at her new school used to employ her mother, her sister-in-law, and the SIL mother. Pam knows my daughter from her having been a tutor at that school before she left for Korea.
Went to Colorado again this year. I didn't have the altitude sickness problems I had last year. We even hiked a few of the trails where we went. If I feel that good next year, I will take the hike from Breckenridge to Frisco.
Had to buy a new phone. I had an unlocked Galaxy s4. After a year, it was a piece of crap. I could get text messages and internet stuff on it, but the main purpose is a TEEPHONIC COMMUNICATION DEVICE. At that task it failed horribly. Someone would call and they would get a sound like a fax machine. I would have to restart it to call them back. I took it to Samsung and the girl worked what magic she could. I took it to T-Mobile and they tried stuff. No fix, so new phone. I got the Galaxy s5, because the controls are similar and the s6 will not take a SD card for me to store my photos. (see grandson above) I got them to throw in the OtterBox defender case, and we had a deal. I found an app from Zedge that has several hundred ringtones and message tones on it. I got to play with it and decided I have to list more people so I can use more ringtones.
Air conditioner crashed yesterday. I am blessed with a nearby A/C guy who works for free. He also lets me build furniture for his wife. Together they also have provided me with two amazing grandchildren. Fortunately, he had the right part to fix the controls on the machine and somehow, I had the right gauge of wire in my garage.
Getting tired now, about time for me to crash and get some sleep. Hopefully, I'll remember some of those really interesting ideas I have while driving or walking. Later.....
Sunday, March 1, 2015
Life Will...
You may or may not have noticed that Life in all its glorious forms will not be dissuaded. If it gets the tiniest grasp, it hangs on and will not quit.
The bullshit "Christian Right" politicos, which are neither by the way, claim that life begins at conception. I claim they are so closed minded they cannot see the wrong in that statement for all the wrongness they spew.
Life began eons ago. At least on this planet. When the right set of chemicals got together, or some lightning shot this some formerly inert mass and started a biological chain of events that led up to the polluting maggots we are who are trying to destroy the only planet we have to live on, so far.
From that first mitosis. the first time cells were created to be like the other cell which a few minutes ago was just one and is now two. From the first hints of DNA and the little swirly bits we see in all the science show and occasionally in textbooks. THAT'S when Life began.
And it changed and evolved and became single celled paramecium and then plants and fish and dinosaurs and grass and trees and rats and birds and mammals and eventually, people.
Life will not be stopped. A seed blows halfway up a cliff and gets wedged into a crevice. A year or two later, we see a tree. That pesky grass that grows everywhere it wants, except where you planted it, even after a gallon of Round-Up. People who have almost nothing to eat or wear give birth on a daily basis.
I saw the shows on Discovery channel about fish who lay a hundred thousand eggs and maybe only a very small percent survive, but the species continues. The eggs that don't make it are food for others who need that nourishment to continue with their Life. There are animals living at depths of the ocean that would kill a human not protected by a bathysphere. Their methods of survival are mind boggling.
On the desert plains, in Utah, Arizona, and Nevada, there are places where humans are not allowed to tread. There are microscopic plants that live on the top layer of crust. They take tens of years to gather enough moisture and strength to reproduce, but they continue with their Life.
Mayflies live as flying beings for only a day, but reproduce so that the species can go on. Humans live as long as 110 years, but reproduce only in the middle years. Rats procreate several times a year, whales are pregnant up to 18 months.
Some flowers shoot up, flower and die in a matter of a week or two. Redwoods on the California coast germinated before the Common Era. But in both cases, and all those in between, there is a developing and scattering of seed to continue that Life they had.
Why am I thinking about this now? What caused those synapses to fire at this time? Actually I've thought about this since getting the IM from my daughter that she was pregnant. After we got her home from her overseas adventures, I did the stupid dad Q&A thing. "Weren't you on the pill?" "Yes, I was." "What about other protection?" "Oh, yeah, he dressed for the occasion." "Okay, soooo.." " After I called him, he said he thought the condom broke." "Oh"
See what I mean? Life will BE. You just can't stop it! Some say it's a miracle. I am of the opinion that whatever caused that initial electrical pulses in that primordial slop, also gave it perseverance. It will not be stopped. Parts of it will be killed off. Species may disappear because the fester that is man destroys their habitat or hunts them into extinction. But Life itself continues.
As humans, we have invented ways to prolong Life, at least in our own species. There are medicines, herbs, machines, transplants from other beings, surgical techniques, therapies, and whatever else devoted to lengthening the time we have on this planet. Most of the time it is for the benefit of the richest among us, many of those times just for vanities' sake. Sometimes, it just prolongs a suffering life, either emotional or physical or spiritual. Some of those lives are better off left to end when they are supposed to end, rather than be hooked up to tubes and cables just to give an Illusion of living. But since we feel we are the highest form of evolved beings around, we feel it is our Duty to continue to burden this planet with the consumption of its resources.
All of the other life forms live as long as they can and accept the fact they will, at some point in time, no longer be here. And that is most likely why they have not had to invent gods or other heavenly beings to share an afterlife with. Just be born, live out your life as your genetic code and environment dictate, procreate, and die.
Simple.
Life doesn't go on because of an individual. It continues starting back in the ooze straight through to day, and on until the sun goes supernova because of this simplicity. The extension of one life artificially doesn't mean a thing. But the evolution of each species as they have done over the last several million years does. One life means little. Each procreation generates a small change in the species that, over long periods of time, adapts that species to better survive until that supernova occurs.
Included here is a photo of the cause of these musings:
The bullshit "Christian Right" politicos, which are neither by the way, claim that life begins at conception. I claim they are so closed minded they cannot see the wrong in that statement for all the wrongness they spew.
Life began eons ago. At least on this planet. When the right set of chemicals got together, or some lightning shot this some formerly inert mass and started a biological chain of events that led up to the polluting maggots we are who are trying to destroy the only planet we have to live on, so far.
From that first mitosis. the first time cells were created to be like the other cell which a few minutes ago was just one and is now two. From the first hints of DNA and the little swirly bits we see in all the science show and occasionally in textbooks. THAT'S when Life began.
And it changed and evolved and became single celled paramecium and then plants and fish and dinosaurs and grass and trees and rats and birds and mammals and eventually, people.
Life will not be stopped. A seed blows halfway up a cliff and gets wedged into a crevice. A year or two later, we see a tree. That pesky grass that grows everywhere it wants, except where you planted it, even after a gallon of Round-Up. People who have almost nothing to eat or wear give birth on a daily basis.
I saw the shows on Discovery channel about fish who lay a hundred thousand eggs and maybe only a very small percent survive, but the species continues. The eggs that don't make it are food for others who need that nourishment to continue with their Life. There are animals living at depths of the ocean that would kill a human not protected by a bathysphere. Their methods of survival are mind boggling.
On the desert plains, in Utah, Arizona, and Nevada, there are places where humans are not allowed to tread. There are microscopic plants that live on the top layer of crust. They take tens of years to gather enough moisture and strength to reproduce, but they continue with their Life.
Mayflies live as flying beings for only a day, but reproduce so that the species can go on. Humans live as long as 110 years, but reproduce only in the middle years. Rats procreate several times a year, whales are pregnant up to 18 months.
Some flowers shoot up, flower and die in a matter of a week or two. Redwoods on the California coast germinated before the Common Era. But in both cases, and all those in between, there is a developing and scattering of seed to continue that Life they had.
Why am I thinking about this now? What caused those synapses to fire at this time? Actually I've thought about this since getting the IM from my daughter that she was pregnant. After we got her home from her overseas adventures, I did the stupid dad Q&A thing. "Weren't you on the pill?" "Yes, I was." "What about other protection?" "Oh, yeah, he dressed for the occasion." "Okay, soooo.." " After I called him, he said he thought the condom broke." "Oh"
See what I mean? Life will BE. You just can't stop it! Some say it's a miracle. I am of the opinion that whatever caused that initial electrical pulses in that primordial slop, also gave it perseverance. It will not be stopped. Parts of it will be killed off. Species may disappear because the fester that is man destroys their habitat or hunts them into extinction. But Life itself continues.
As humans, we have invented ways to prolong Life, at least in our own species. There are medicines, herbs, machines, transplants from other beings, surgical techniques, therapies, and whatever else devoted to lengthening the time we have on this planet. Most of the time it is for the benefit of the richest among us, many of those times just for vanities' sake. Sometimes, it just prolongs a suffering life, either emotional or physical or spiritual. Some of those lives are better off left to end when they are supposed to end, rather than be hooked up to tubes and cables just to give an Illusion of living. But since we feel we are the highest form of evolved beings around, we feel it is our Duty to continue to burden this planet with the consumption of its resources.
All of the other life forms live as long as they can and accept the fact they will, at some point in time, no longer be here. And that is most likely why they have not had to invent gods or other heavenly beings to share an afterlife with. Just be born, live out your life as your genetic code and environment dictate, procreate, and die.
Simple.
Life doesn't go on because of an individual. It continues starting back in the ooze straight through to day, and on until the sun goes supernova because of this simplicity. The extension of one life artificially doesn't mean a thing. But the evolution of each species as they have done over the last several million years does. One life means little. Each procreation generates a small change in the species that, over long periods of time, adapts that species to better survive until that supernova occurs.
Included here is a photo of the cause of these musings:
Wednesday, February 4, 2015
anonymity
Although I may still post on this blog site, I have also set up a new site based on a pseudonym so that those who feel threatened by my postings have no way to tie them back to me.
Here I will post rainbows and daffodils.
There I will vent.
Not that I have a lot to vent about.
And those of you who feel you are that reason that I am doing this: you may be. But there are many who have commented, and for their sake, I move along quietly, not wishing to ruffle the feathers of those who 1) I am related to, or 2) I have known for many years and wish to remain friends, or 3) I am surprised found my postings.
Sometimes a guy just has to vent somewhere before he eats his vitriol. It is a sanity issue.
Here I will post rainbows and daffodils.
There I will vent.
Not that I have a lot to vent about.
And those of you who feel you are that reason that I am doing this: you may be. But there are many who have commented, and for their sake, I move along quietly, not wishing to ruffle the feathers of those who 1) I am related to, or 2) I have known for many years and wish to remain friends, or 3) I am surprised found my postings.
Sometimes a guy just has to vent somewhere before he eats his vitriol. It is a sanity issue.
Thursday, January 29, 2015
Lottery? HA! about as much chance as me winning the Boston Marathon
"If I were a rich man..." Tevye, from Fiddler on the Roof.
Although my chances of winning the Texas Lottery are extremely slim to non-existent, I still play it. Why? Well, there is that small however dim chance.....Besides, it contributes to the Texas educational funding. And since the almighty STUPID legislators in Texas have counted on that to fund the schools rather than taxes, I feel obligated to pay my share.
I also know that the lottery is considered gambling for those with no math skills. The odds of winning the thing are like 175,000,00 to one. Maybe more.
But every five weeks, I put $20 into the machine along with a little slip of paper with my chosen selection of numbers for the next ten drawings, with a hope that that Lotto Gods will smile upon me. I know I am no more deserving than anyone else out there, but also no less.
The value of the Cash Value Option has been as low as 2.4 million and as much as 156 million during the time I have played. I have matched three numbers several times, each time taking home $3 to spend as frivolously as I wish.
Now, I am not a poor man by any means. I think my net worth is in the top 10% of the world's population, taking into account all the poverty in the Middle East and Africa and West Virginia. I have the comfort of a monthly Social Security check, as well as money from the part-time job I still have. I have some money in investments. Ours cars are paid off. Our house has a small equity loan against it. My wife also has a check from her retirement annuity. The bills are paid each month and we always have food on the table, or the refrigerator, or at a local restaurant. So things are basically good.
But...........IF, just IF I hit the lottery, what would I do with the newfound wealth?
First, all our remaining debts would be wiped off the books, as well as those of my children. Next, the church I attend has a few needs as well. A new organ is going to be installed, the lighting system has to be redesigned, our sound system needs overhauling, and there are plumbing issues to address.
My wife wants a house in North Carolina on Bearwallow Mountain. I would see that the house she wants is built and then tell her to go live there. I may join her, I don't know. My anchors are here in Texas. And more to come.
My grandchildren will be taken care of in the area of education with 529b plans so there will be money for their college tuition. I will also put money into plans for each of the grandchildren of my sisters and brother, if the parents, my nieces and nephews, will allow.
I would get this house remodeled, and with enough money, I may just tear it down and build a house in it's place that shows how a house SHOULD be built. I may even pay Mike Holmes and his crew to come to Texas and build it.
A new car or truck might be nice. Unfortunately, General Motors, in all its wisdom, discontinued production of the Astro van. I have found that vehicle to be the Swiss army knife of motor vehicles. It does everything I have ever needed in a transport. Of course, now that I am older, I probably don't need the capability of hauling 4x8 sheets of anything any more. But it is nice to know that I can if I have to.
Would I travel? Maybe some. I have been to Europe several times and may want to go again if I have no time constraints. I would like to sit in outdoor cafes watch people. I might like to stroll along a mountain path. I would possibly like to meet people whose lives are somewhat different than my own. Maybe even Russia. Australia would be very interesting, as I almost understand the language. China and South Asia or the Middle East? Most likely not. Africa holds zero interest except for maybe a trip through the Serengheti.
(I had placed a paragraph here about buying a particular plot of land, but after counseling, I have decided to comply and remove any reference to that land. I am now undecided as to what course I might pursue in the future.)
Investing? Nah! At 66, with the aforementioned monthly check and money in various accounts, I would have no need to invest for myself. The money would just end up going to my children. Or grandchildren. And the best thing I could do for them is teach them the value of working to earn what you get. My kids are educated. They have a sense of worth because of what they did to make their way in the world. They shouldn't need my help. I am very proud of who they have become.
There are places that do help those unable/unwilling to help themselves: The local food pantries, Church benevolent services, women's shelters, veteran helping organizations, and so on. They could always use a helping hand to extend a helping hand. Those places would be beneficiaries of annuities that could pay unto perpetuity.
And maybe I'll take the time to go see a movie. I haven't been in almost three years.
"If I were a very wealthy man..."
Although my chances of winning the Texas Lottery are extremely slim to non-existent, I still play it. Why? Well, there is that small however dim chance.....Besides, it contributes to the Texas educational funding. And since the almighty STUPID legislators in Texas have counted on that to fund the schools rather than taxes, I feel obligated to pay my share.
I also know that the lottery is considered gambling for those with no math skills. The odds of winning the thing are like 175,000,00 to one. Maybe more.
But every five weeks, I put $20 into the machine along with a little slip of paper with my chosen selection of numbers for the next ten drawings, with a hope that that Lotto Gods will smile upon me. I know I am no more deserving than anyone else out there, but also no less.
The value of the Cash Value Option has been as low as 2.4 million and as much as 156 million during the time I have played. I have matched three numbers several times, each time taking home $3 to spend as frivolously as I wish.
Now, I am not a poor man by any means. I think my net worth is in the top 10% of the world's population, taking into account all the poverty in the Middle East and Africa and West Virginia. I have the comfort of a monthly Social Security check, as well as money from the part-time job I still have. I have some money in investments. Ours cars are paid off. Our house has a small equity loan against it. My wife also has a check from her retirement annuity. The bills are paid each month and we always have food on the table, or the refrigerator, or at a local restaurant. So things are basically good.
But...........IF, just IF I hit the lottery, what would I do with the newfound wealth?
First, all our remaining debts would be wiped off the books, as well as those of my children. Next, the church I attend has a few needs as well. A new organ is going to be installed, the lighting system has to be redesigned, our sound system needs overhauling, and there are plumbing issues to address.
My wife wants a house in North Carolina on Bearwallow Mountain. I would see that the house she wants is built and then tell her to go live there. I may join her, I don't know. My anchors are here in Texas. And more to come.
My grandchildren will be taken care of in the area of education with 529b plans so there will be money for their college tuition. I will also put money into plans for each of the grandchildren of my sisters and brother, if the parents, my nieces and nephews, will allow.
I would get this house remodeled, and with enough money, I may just tear it down and build a house in it's place that shows how a house SHOULD be built. I may even pay Mike Holmes and his crew to come to Texas and build it.
A new car or truck might be nice. Unfortunately, General Motors, in all its wisdom, discontinued production of the Astro van. I have found that vehicle to be the Swiss army knife of motor vehicles. It does everything I have ever needed in a transport. Of course, now that I am older, I probably don't need the capability of hauling 4x8 sheets of anything any more. But it is nice to know that I can if I have to.
Would I travel? Maybe some. I have been to Europe several times and may want to go again if I have no time constraints. I would like to sit in outdoor cafes watch people. I might like to stroll along a mountain path. I would possibly like to meet people whose lives are somewhat different than my own. Maybe even Russia. Australia would be very interesting, as I almost understand the language. China and South Asia or the Middle East? Most likely not. Africa holds zero interest except for maybe a trip through the Serengheti.
(I had placed a paragraph here about buying a particular plot of land, but after counseling, I have decided to comply and remove any reference to that land. I am now undecided as to what course I might pursue in the future.)
Investing? Nah! At 66, with the aforementioned monthly check and money in various accounts, I would have no need to invest for myself. The money would just end up going to my children. Or grandchildren. And the best thing I could do for them is teach them the value of working to earn what you get. My kids are educated. They have a sense of worth because of what they did to make their way in the world. They shouldn't need my help. I am very proud of who they have become.
There are places that do help those unable/unwilling to help themselves: The local food pantries, Church benevolent services, women's shelters, veteran helping organizations, and so on. They could always use a helping hand to extend a helping hand. Those places would be beneficiaries of annuities that could pay unto perpetuity.
And maybe I'll take the time to go see a movie. I haven't been in almost three years.
"If I were a very wealthy man..."
Saturday, January 17, 2015
My transportation
I just paid over 600 dollars to get a part fixed on my 2000 Astro van. I realize that not everything is made to last forever and the truck IS over 15 years old. The mechanic that worked on it said the part he replaced was a high density plastic part and he replaced it with a steel and silicone thing-a-ma-bob that should last the rest of the life of the van. Yes, as i said it is 15 years old, but it only has 132000+ miles on it. The last one I had showed over 288,000 on the odometer when I sold it.
My wife is getting on me about replacing the van, but since no one makes a vehicle that can replace an Astro, I am somewhat unwilling to expend my resources to do so. The Astro has a large capacity for interior carrying stuff. You may have to physically remove the seats (no fold down technology here) to carry that couch, but it can, with a shrt bungee cord to hold down the rear window, carry a 4x8 sheet of whatever building material you might need to haul to whatever jobsite you are at. Tools and other materials are locked inside the steel and glass.
The downsides are that there is almost no front passenger legroom. The gas mileage is not up to 2015 standards. There may be too much room, so the time between cleanouts is delayed significantly. My wife has to climb up into the front seat and sometimes needs help. And when my leg is sore or my back has been overworked, I have a difficulty getting into the drivers seat. It does have the smell of a work van.
But it is Paid Off. I owe no money to any bank to use it. I still pay the taxes of registration and inspection. But those are costs with any vehicle.
My son just bought a new Chevy Silverado. Posted a picture on facebook about it. He had a 2000 Dodge 1500 pickup. He needed a back seat to install my granddaughter's car seat so she can ride with him. And if there may be another Yakabowskas grandbaby, they will need the extra room. The only reason he got the new truck was the need for the back seat. He did not have that much mileage on his truck either because he has had jobs that allowed him the use of a company vehicle.
I had looked at the Silverado a few months back while waiting for my wife's car to be serviced at the Chevy dealer. The new trucks are very well appointed and are almost as pretty inside as a nice new car. The one drawback is that the wife would also have to Climb into the front seat.
A few weeks ago, I saw the Chevy Colorado. Once again, a very pretty truck. It sits lower than the Silverado. It does all the same stuff, except the bed is a little narrower. I then saw the ad that it was named somebody's Truck of the Year. So I have been pricing that option. Telling myself it is just a game. Do I really want to spend 30+ thousand on a new truck, I ask myself. The thought of having something new and shiny and more convenient is alluring. The thought of having something useful and paid for is comforting. I don't Need a new vehicle. I keep telling myself that. But the bells and whistles of a new truck.........
My wife is getting on me about replacing the van, but since no one makes a vehicle that can replace an Astro, I am somewhat unwilling to expend my resources to do so. The Astro has a large capacity for interior carrying stuff. You may have to physically remove the seats (no fold down technology here) to carry that couch, but it can, with a shrt bungee cord to hold down the rear window, carry a 4x8 sheet of whatever building material you might need to haul to whatever jobsite you are at. Tools and other materials are locked inside the steel and glass.
The downsides are that there is almost no front passenger legroom. The gas mileage is not up to 2015 standards. There may be too much room, so the time between cleanouts is delayed significantly. My wife has to climb up into the front seat and sometimes needs help. And when my leg is sore or my back has been overworked, I have a difficulty getting into the drivers seat. It does have the smell of a work van.
But it is Paid Off. I owe no money to any bank to use it. I still pay the taxes of registration and inspection. But those are costs with any vehicle.
My son just bought a new Chevy Silverado. Posted a picture on facebook about it. He had a 2000 Dodge 1500 pickup. He needed a back seat to install my granddaughter's car seat so she can ride with him. And if there may be another Yakabowskas grandbaby, they will need the extra room. The only reason he got the new truck was the need for the back seat. He did not have that much mileage on his truck either because he has had jobs that allowed him the use of a company vehicle.
I had looked at the Silverado a few months back while waiting for my wife's car to be serviced at the Chevy dealer. The new trucks are very well appointed and are almost as pretty inside as a nice new car. The one drawback is that the wife would also have to Climb into the front seat.
A few weeks ago, I saw the Chevy Colorado. Once again, a very pretty truck. It sits lower than the Silverado. It does all the same stuff, except the bed is a little narrower. I then saw the ad that it was named somebody's Truck of the Year. So I have been pricing that option. Telling myself it is just a game. Do I really want to spend 30+ thousand on a new truck, I ask myself. The thought of having something new and shiny and more convenient is alluring. The thought of having something useful and paid for is comforting. I don't Need a new vehicle. I keep telling myself that. But the bells and whistles of a new truck.........
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