What might be making you a tad apprehensive, but might not, as it's too soon to tell
An approaching orchestra deadline, for which I have planned ahead and will probably have enough time to complete my work. But maybe not.
I reckon you'll be done when the curtain goes up.
thanks f3. Although now it's making me wish I hadn't although I'm reasonable sure that it's a good thing I did. But I got a Doover.
I've had discussions with a company I worked for previously over the phone and via email and I think I've sent all the right "I'm really keen" and "we both know that I'm amazing at my job" and "I can start within a month" kind of vibes. The COO was going to ring last night (it's overseas) and emailed yesterday, but I haven't heard anything so I'm really hoping that it's a case of they're relaxed with the fact that they've all but hired someone and we just have to sort out the details and not that they've found someone else who can start earlier than me or other people they've been speaking to have less questions than me. If I do actually get the job, we can do Round 2 of Where is Casimendocina? (Ali and Zen will not be allowed to participate as they already know the location).
But if you do get the job, as it appears you will, you know the answers to your questions, and can move with confidence.
It just occurred to me, the questions may show them you know the ropes and can hit the ground running. :thumbsup:
Cheers Bruce.
Given that I know exactly what the work is like as I've done it before and loved it, I mainly asked them questions about the logistics of the pay side of things (transferring money home takes some setting up). I'm checking with a former student who also works for the organisation to see what she advises about whether I wait for them to contact me or contact them myself first. Aside from that, the whole thought process in between has developed into whatever happens will turn out for the best. If I don't go o/s, I can go interstate, have a temporary career change. The options are not limitless, but broad.
Monster, what's a Doover?
As to the thread subject, I have this sort of vague inkling in the back of my head that maybe I'll go back to school. I'm nowhere near decided, let alone committed, so there's nothing to be apprehensive about just yet. But I might get there.
It's what they call a do-over in Hector's class. they even have a doover stamp.
Looking good. (They hadn't called as there was a public holiday). We're now talking dates and flight times.
An approaching orchestra deadline, for which I have planned ahead and will probably have enough time to complete my work. But maybe not.
Finished this morning at 10am, first rehearsal with orchestra is tomorrow afternoon ... time management FTW!
Being back after two years, knowing noone saved my seat.
Of course we did, sit right over here... oh, throw that crap on the floor... and tell us what you've been up to. ;)
Of course we did, sit right over here... oh, throw that crap on the floor... and tell us what you've been up to. ;)
Well.
Aside from saving that humpback whale? I've been learning mandarin and improving my internet slang (IE: w00t! LOL & GTFO (all toughies for me, before))... I raised a small bitter ex-wife into a 'great' ex-wife. FWB. Note I didn't say 'large' ex-wife. No need to judge when a thesaurus is handy.
I was on TV. I was on Radio. I sat on everything.
It rained. It was a DARK AND STORMY NIGHT.
Double Rainbow.
Hence.....
You didn't run for the Senate?
You didn't run for the Senate?
Of course I did. I had the runs for the first seat. Sadly I lost the race and crapped myself.
Ah, that's probably when Willie stole Kate Middleton away.
Kate Middleton will steal my dreams tonight.
I gotta press my bunk now. Toodles!
God I hope not, fo0hzy is too close for comfort....
Radar was not clever, nor seemingly charming :)
Nirvana and Fo0hzy, sitting in a tree.......
..be careful now, 'Vana, this will be your 1,500th post, make it count! :lol:
In keeping with this thread and for post 1501 :) I entered a dog for Westminster, you can mail the entries by Nov 16th but you will not know if your dog got in until after Dec 3rd :thepain:
Is fo0hzy Radar?
RADAR??? Oh God no. I remember him. Putz. :D
Now let's don't start that...
Radar was a she.
Foiled again.
Just got called into a meeting with the upper management. The owners have appointed the Big Boss from our sister stores to a position above my boss. I know very little about this guy. He says he's going to make us more profitable. He says he's going to fix our broken processes. He says no one is getting fired. He says the guys that work in his other two (smaller) stores make more than we do. He says we're going to make more, but we're going to have to learn to do our jobs differently/better.
It's been my opinion for 5+ years that our current leader is indecisive and inconsistent. Our #2 guy should really be our #1, but #1 hired #2.
I don't mind being uncomfortable if I can improve, and make more money. I also know that if I can't tolerate this guy, I can bounce and go work pretty much anywhere with this job I've had for the last 8 years on my resume.... and that it would be closer to home.
I'm cautiously optimistic today. I hope this guy really does know what he's doing. I hope he's consistent. I don't even mind too much if he's an asshole. Just as long as he's always an asshole. I can't abide a guy that shits on you and then wants to joke around at the end of the day.
Agreed, inconsistent bosses are ulcer material. Hard to hit the target when it's moving erratically.
well, today we had a 3.5 hour meeting in which newboss identified the areas of this dealership that are performing at sub par levels. He also told us what we are going to do to fix it, and how long it was going to take. he made us commit to specific improvements in bottom line $$ improvement.
I came away with the realization that I don't know nearly as much about the car business as I could. This guy knows his shit. I hope I have the opportunity to learn some of it from him. Much of the improvement he needs out of my department depend on improvements to other departments... but I may need to get more involved in those departments to help affect them. I'm kind of stoked about it, really.
Nice to have a Captain steering the ship again.
Well that's cool! I hope it works out really well for you. If it winds up sucking, you can always go elsewhere.
I haven't seen my black kitty-cat since last night. I don't know where she is - she's NOT in the house. I hope I find her. I've had her since she was a kitten and she doesn't go outside but sometimes she escapes to the outside.
I hope she's not hurt or being held somewhere or picked up by animal control. I am very sad about this. I love her.
Two and a half weeks in and I'm worried about my new co-teacher just not getting it. She just doesn't seem to like kids, especially special ed kids. I'm leading this horse to water but she continuously turns her nose up to it.:mad2:
Ohh, Tril. Hope you find her soon. *hugs*
I found her!!! She was outside by the shed! Yay!
Congratulations on being reintroduced to the pleasures of your pussy. ;)
Griff, that's a shame. Can you lead by example or forced to bitch-slapping?
Sorry to hear that, Griff. So many people seem to get into teaching just because they think it'll be reduced hours and summers off, and so many of those seem to go into special ed because they think it'll be even easier. Give her the hardest tasks, and maybe she'll quit?
Round here they go into special ed because they can't make it in the regular classrooms and special ed teachers are in shorter supply :(
With one notable exception, in my experience (one of my children was in special ed until high school) I have to agree. The exception was, truly, an exceptional teacher. Long may he live and prosper.
@Trilby - so glad you found your kitteh! :)
Griff is exceptional at everything he tackles.
Of that I have no doubt. So, assuming Griff didn't spend several years teaching in Erie, PA, there are at least two exceptional special ed teachers in this country.
Hopefully there are more.
Thanks guys. I'm trying to lead by example but this one...
The teachers I work with have SEN (special education needs) children in their classroom with no special training. From what I can gather. Just what they had originally. Then again, I'm basing this mostly on the teacher who I worked with for a year, last year, who had no idea how much I despised bananas.
She did say, and I believe I quote accurately, "I know nothing about autism." As if it was something she would be adding to her CV.
LSAs who work with autistic children, Downs Syndrome children and children with other named needs, get to go on courses. But sometimes the teachers are obstructive when it comes to implementing teaching techniques specific to a child's needs. Mrs Banana (NOT Monster's MIL!) was very much a fan of "He needs to learn that he can't/ must/ should..." without considering how best to adapt that Tiger's mindset. It was assumed from the outset - as far as I can tell - that I was pandering to him and letting him get away with things. I was dealing with a boy who would go home and bash his head on the floor. Who would cry for hours on end with no explanation. Who could not understand why "Awesome Addition" ended after three minutes and not when he had finished (we dealt with this one via a social story and lots of conversation because I was there at that time of day).
I found I was torn between the SENDCO's (special educational/ disabled needs co-ordinator) ideal of how a child should be treated in class, and the everyday situation I faced. "Oh, Mrs O, if you're not doing anything..." was common if I was sitting with Tiger on the carpet, especially when the children had been asked to discuss things with a talk-partner. So off I'd go to the photocopier. No, it wasn't beneath me, but I'm not sure it was what the school had been allocated the budget for.
Now, luckily, the new SENDCO is the Deputy Head. I adore her. She's the reason I got into this in the first place. She's a teacher, and a bloody good one, as well as being a kind disiplinarian. She knows the time constraints. She's also been through all the files in detail and communicated to the teachers. "He'll have to learn..." has been replaced by "How can we help him with this?"
I had a minor adjustment the other day when Ms Mc walked past us reading in the corridor. It's a public place but removed from the classroom because that's too busy for an Asbie child. "No, you don't snuggle up to Mrs O, you sit up straight like a good boy" and then "Well done". I'm naughty, I let these things slide. But by telling him firmly and nicely she was also telling me and I will remember. That's one of the reasons to sit in a public space as he gets older after all. He loves to sniff, and although we never cuddle he does sometimes press his nose into my arm as reassurance.
Bin blathering on for ages. Soz.
... I'm leading this horse to water but she continuously turns her nose up to it. ...
You can lead a horse to water but you can't make it drink, not unless you give it a rap in the throat. ~ Rodney Dangerfield
Now, luckily, the new SENDCO is the Deputy Head. I adore her. She's the reason I got into this in the first place. She's a teacher, and a bloody good one, as well as being a kind disiplinarian. She knows the time constraints. She's also been through all the files in detail and communicated to the teachers. "He'll have to learn..." has been replaced by "How can we help him with this?"
This is precisely what I'm trying to show her. This is a woman who took a child's schedule (best practice btw) away from him because it was too distracting... for her I think. She doesn't understand typical children of this age group let alone my guys. I may have had a small break through with her last week when she watched as I guided an undiagnosed but obviously somewhere on the spectrum girl through a couple pieces of playground equipment that terrified her preventing her from being with a girl she's bonded with. It took maybe ten minutes of really focused support to get her jumping up and down on the bridge with her friends and accepting that others would do the same. It isn't rocket surgery, you just have to look at the world through that child's eyes.
Yes, the Temple Grandin view. The knack, you gots it. :notworthy
This is a woman who took a child's schedule (best practice btw) away from him because it was too distracting... for her I think.
OMG WTF. I haven't even seen a gen. ed. teacher be that stupid. How can you have special ed training and not understand the necessity of schedules?
Well, I have no training in that regard, but understand the need for schedules for autistic children. Actually, not just for autistic children. There are many kids for whom a schedule is a saving grace, an anchor that makes sense of the world.
Setting aside training, how has that teacher not just picked that up from general culture? Presented with pupils with special needs in her class, how has she not just done a quick google? How the fuck can anybody not know this stuff, let alone someone with special training?
She's the gen ed teacher but is a couple credits from dual certification. She actually complains about college instructors who don't know anything about real classrooms.:facepalm:
Ffs.
I've known a few people like her in adult education. People who, when faced with mildly learning disabled adults who've dropped out of schooling because of the massive barriers to learning that they faced, try to recreate a classroom atmosphere and treat them like recalcitrant children. Confirming all their initial anxieties and further entrenching barriers.
Mr Limey had a cold all last week, gradually turning into a cough but we decided not to go see the doc on Friday. All weekend the cough and breathlessness kept getting worse and worse so I decided to take him to the ER in our little cottage hospital, and they've decided to keep him for a couple of days :eek:.
Obviously there they've got the anti-biotics (giving him them IV), oxygen if required etc., but I wasn't expecting to come home without him. What's making me uneasy is that they called in the radiographer to xray him. Straight away. On a Sunday evening. :worried:
An xray means they're checking for pneumonia. Hope Mr. Limey feels better soon!
Sorry it's been a nerve-wracking day, but sounds like they're doing good things for Mr. Limey ... hope he improves quickly! Sending good vibes and positive thoughts.
prayers sent for mr. limey
trading in my paid off car of 12 years in which we've created 100s of thousands of miles of happy road trip memories for a new car with a payment
Congrats! What did you get? Did you go with the Town and Country?
grand caravan. 1pm. I are afraid.
It's exciting. Post a picture.
I are afraid.
We bought ours on Saturday morning, and since we had taken it overnight on Friday for our mechanic to check out, we had to drive to the dealer in separate cars. It was almost an hour's drive, and as I got closer and closer to the dealership, I started feeling sicker and sicker. Alone with my thoughts in this car we were planning to buy, my mind was going to dark places. Is the car a lemon? How will the negotiations go? Can we really afford this? I hate car shopping. :thepain:
But last night, I was reading through the owner's manual, and discovering all this little neat things the car does that I hadn't realized when we looked at it. Nothing major, but things like I didn't realize the clock would also display the outside temperature if you pushed the little button next to it. Things like that. So I'm starting to feel good about it.
Many thanks for the kind thoughts expressed - Mr Limey has a touch of pneumonia and will be kept in hospital for the next day or two on IV antibiotics, nebulisers and all the delights that the NHS can provide. I'm feeling better - I hope he will be, too, soon!
I'm glad they are taking care of him, Limey!
Me too! And I'm glad the new car thang is turning out OK. It's nice when you discover the good-but-hitherto-unknown-little-things in your new one, innit!
If he's spending another night in the hospital, does that mean you have the house to youself? You can crank the stereo and dance around in your underwear like Tom Cruise in Risky Business.
as I got closer and closer to the dealership, I started feeling sicker and sicker. Alone with my thoughts in this car we were planning to buy, my mind was going to dark places. Is the car a lemon? How will the negotiations go? Can we really afford this? I hate car shopping. :thepain:
This.
Plus I was driving my partner of 12 years to his slaughter.... I almost started :cry: ...but made it through and now have a shiny red tank parked in my driveway.
Jim begged me not to name him (thanks for all your help, Jim), so of course I did, even though it's not my norm. Cars that get named generally aquire that name years down the road due to some event or characteristic they are revealed to have. So feel free to guess away......
(oop, thread hijack ....like I give a fuck :D: ) Tell ya what, I'll post a pic in the new car thead and we can move the guessing game to there, should anyone feel like participating.
Glad to hear Mr. Limey's doing better! Take care of yourself as well, now! :)
If he's spending another night in the hospital, does that mean you have the house to youself? You can crank the stereo and dance around in your underwear like Tom Cruise in Risky Business.
You think I'd let my husband miss out on that?!? :D
Glad to hear Mr. Limey's doing better! Take care of yourself as well, now! :)
I will, thank you! :)
First chemo is tomorrow. I'm still healing from the second skin graft but they don't want to delay any longer, so here goes. I just get to be extra OCD about sterilizing everything.
Got my groceries stocked up, got my remedies and green tea, got my comedy CDs and panda t-shirt and grizzly bear baseball cap. I decided to let myself be just a teeny bit nervous about this - magical thinking - because I went into surgery figuring it'd be straightforward and yikes ... so if I'm a little nervous, maybe that anaphylactic reaction won't happen tomorrow ... :rolleyes:
nervous sounds reasonable, courageous.
you remember courage? action in the face of justified fear? You have it.
nah, no anaphylactic reaction- they give you IV steroids. The stuff they gave me was a deep purpley-red. Reminded me of pomegrenat seeds. What are you getting? Taxotere and ACT was what I got. In that order. it's usually the other way around.
got any ativan? ambien? I'd advise you treat yourself to one of them along with your jammies, etc. How many doses are you getting? are you getting them in the hosp. or the onco's office?
Yeah, I've got the steroids today and for the next three days ... still a chance, but much less. It's the Taxotere that's problematic. That's what I mean - it's a small chance, so a little magical thinking should take care of it, rather than being all confident like I was in September. ;)
I've got some Ativan - I'll bring it along just in case. I'm getting six cycles, TC - taxotere and cyclophosphamide. No adriamycin (the A in ACT). Our hospital has an infusion center, so it's half and half - a bit more intensive than an office but not admitted to hospital.
nervous sounds reasonable, courageous.
you remember courage? action in the face of justified fear? You have it.
Scared to death but saddling up anyway ... hoping I don't fall off the other side :rolleyes: ... [COLOR="Plum"]thank you[/COLOR]
IF you can keep us up to date with how you're doing. You might be too tired.
Sleep, ask people for favors and best wishes for tomorrow, sweetie.
Thanks. I can do this, with a little help from my friends. :)
Sending a big pile of help for the next step.
You already have the Lucky Hat :thumbup:
Sent by thought transference.
Hope your day is going well, orthodoc. Good luck.
Anxiously awaited the good news. It will be good, you'll tell us your trepidation was for naught. :D
Thanks, guys. It went well today - no anaphylaxis, hooray! Some side effects but not too bad. I'm so tired tonight - shouldn't be tired this soon, but it is what it is. Maybe letdown of stress. Thanks so much for all your good wishes, and the many kindnesses. The first is over and I'll see through the next week how things go, and that will tell the tale for the rest. So far, so good. :)
Our family motto is, "When the going gets tough, the tough get napping."
Sleep is awesome!
Our family motto is, "When the going gets tough, the tough get napping."
Sleep is awesome!
Sleep is awesome.
Plus it prevents diabetes. Kinda.
Sleep deprivation caused a 30% decline in the insulin sensitivity of fat cells of healthy, lean young adults, according to a study in the Oct. 6 issue of Annals of Internal Medicine.
Restricting sleep for 4 nights markedly impaired the phosphorylation of Akt within the adipocytes in subcutaneous fat, which is a crucial early step in the pathway that mediates most of insulin's metabolic action. "This finding identifies for the first time a molecular mechanism that may be involved in the reduction in total-body insulin sensitivity consistently observed in multiple laboratory studies of partial sleep deprivation in healthy adults," said Josiane L. Broussard, Ph.D., and her associates at the University of Chicago.
--snip--
Insufficient sleep is known to raise the risk of metabolic disturbances, particularly insulin resistance, obesity, and type 2 diabetes. But "to our knowledge, no studies to date have linked sleep restriction to alterations in molecular metabolic pathways in any peripheral human tissue." Dr. Broussard and her colleagues examined whether experimental sleep restriction would reduce insulin sensitivity in subcutaneous fat, "a peripheral tissue that is a key site of insulin action and plays a pivotal role in energy metabolism as well as in the communication of energy balance to the brain."
Six men and one woman aged 18-30 years (mean age 23.7 years) who were healthy and lean were selected from the community as study subjects. All reported routine sleep times of 7.5-8.5 hours/night. All underwent overnight polysomnography to ensure they had no sleep disorders, standard glucose tolerance testing to rule out any occult disorders of insulin metabolism, and standard laboratory tests to rule out any other problem that could affect either sleep or metabolism.
These subjects were then assessed under two experimental sleep conditions in randomized order: after 4 consecutive nights of 8.5 hours of normal sleep and after 4 consecutive nights of 4.5 hours of restricted sleep. The subjects lived as sedentary inpatients during these experiments, with strictly controlled diets that were identical under the two sleep conditions.
I'm so glad things went well for you, ortho!
I think of you every day and hope you are feeling okay and getting enough rest.
And soup! Soup is good for an upset system and it sootheth the soul-eth. :flower:
Thanks, Tril! Rest is a definite problem; haven't slept well, i.e. more than 90 min at a time with 2-hour breaks between, since Aug. I get lots of reading done, though! The anti-emetics they have now are amazing. Sitting here in the infusion center waiting to get my Neulasta shot so I'll see if I'm in the 30% who get nasty bone pain with it. Thinking positive thoughts. :)
You know - I got the nasty bone pain but my onco told me it was the Taxotere and NOT the Neulasta that did it --- !!! I wish these people would get their shit straight.
Honey, not to frighten you, but I DID have significant bone pain - a kind of gnawing continuous pain. It wasn't that the pain in and of itself was unbearable - it was - it was just that it never let up. I would soak in the hottest tub water I could so my legs would stop aching for 20 min. and I'd try to get to sleep before the hot water effects stopped. Get the percocet. I suffered unneccessairily for three days before I gave up and went to the ED for IV dilaudid which didn't even get me high but just, mercifully, relieved the pain. Don't suffer. If you are opiate naive you might be ok with vicodin or even vic 7.5 - I am highly tolerant to opiates and I needed percocets. don't suffer. it's not worth it.
The anti-emetics they have now are amazing. :)
Are you getting that amazingly expensive anti-emetic - i forget what it's called, but it's like 300.00 PER PILL? I got a voucher for that and got three free ones but didn't need them. A friend of mine with breast cancer DID get super nauseous on her regime (which was different from mine) and they did her some good. Kept her out of the hospital for IV fluids, anyway.
My taste went about two weeks after chemo. Even water tasted funny. Try lemon drops candies to help counteract that tin-like taste.
:flower:
Double checking the Taxotere info - it does cause bone pain too. Maybe there's a synergistic effect with Neulasta, who knows? At least an additive effect. I do have some pain meds in case of need. Both the nausea (as the anti-emetics wear off - they gave me stuff that lasts 48 hours) and the bone pain will show up in the next couple of days. Fun weekend coming up! I haven't had taste changes yet - if it takes 2 weeks that explains it - but have no appetite. I got two IV anti-emetics, one of which is very expensive, but only Phenergan to take home. I don't like neuroleptics for nausea, personally. I've seen enough acute dystonic & other reactions with them to like them for routine use.
I think my team, and it sounds like your team, could do better in explaining time of onset of expected/common side effects. I have the impression my onco doesn't want to 'put ideas in my head' and have me anticipate the worst. I disagree. I think that, if people know what may commonly happen, they're much less upset and anxious when it happens, and they get needed care promptly instead of trying to tough it out and ending up in hospital. And if bad things don't happen it's a bonus!
Is Scopolamine effective against nausea?
I'm sorry to even hear about the possibility of nausea for you.
:(
Scopolamine is helpful in people who get significant motion sickness/sea sickness. I don't get either, so it's not particularly helpful for me. Plus it gives you dry mouth, blurry vision - anticholinergic effects, as that's the way it works.
Thanks ... hopefully it won't be a big problem. I'm told that the way I react to this first treatment over the next three weeks (until the next one) will be my pattern for the rest. So I'm waiting and hoping for the best. :)
Hope things are going well for you!
Sent by thought transference.
Re: them not telling you about stuff so they won't "put ideas in your head" - YES!
they acted like they'd never HEARD of taxotere causing bone pain! They never HEARD of a cancer patient needing more than tylenol! After my first (male) onco told me to "man up" I fired his Syrian ass and got a female onco. She was MUCH nicer and sympathetic but still, after about four taxotere treatments when the tumor was BIGGER instead of smaller and I COULD TELL IT WAS she and the nurse were all like, "oh, no, no, it's just that different doctor's measure things differently," YEAH. RIGHT. But, see, I was so dependent upon them for meds and treatment I let them LIE TO MY FACE. Plus, they never said, by the by, you'll go right into menopause, too!
Really - whole thing pissed me off. I drank vodka straight thru my cancer and guess what? Out of my clinical sample, I"m the only one who ended up with a complete negative post surgery. HA! I think the booze dried me out and made the medicine work more effectively. BUT DON"T TRY IT YOURSELF! You'll only regret the hell out of it.
I'm a professional drinker. ;)
Not to tell you that you'd go right into menopause - that's bad. And the other stuff, really bad. I don't know what these people are thinking. I still think that giving people an outline of what to expect is crucial. My line of work isn't oncology but it involves helping people through injuries and exposures of various types. Telling someone what to expect is central, and I find people do better (no surprise - information is golden) when they understand the usual course, what's common, what's uncommon but may happen, and what's an emergency. Then, too, if things go better than anticipated (it happens), people are extremely happy because they understood the whole process.
I was given a booklet with a calendar and a couple pages listing side effects. There are columns giving an idea of when a side effect becomes an emergency, but nothing about timing and the onco didn't go over it. Maybe it's because I'm a medical person, but I have no practical experience with chemo. I can read articles but I don't know the practical details of timing and little tips that help.
And yes, I also feel constrained and dependent on this team. Overall I'm okay with them so far, but I don't really have other choices due to insurance and job requirements. I get frustrated when I read books by obviously extremely well to do people who insist that everyone should flit around the country visiting the top 5 cancer institutes before deciding on care. That's not reality.
right. fuck those ladies who did cardio along with getting their chemo. FUCK them! With their eyelashes and eyebrows intact while, strangely, they are bald on top.
my hair loss started two weeks after the first chemo and was dramatic and emotional...I lost ALL of it - eyelashes, eyebrows, arms, lets, all of it. I recommend you get a friend to help and a wig. or if you have a really good shaped head (I don't) a killer scarf will do it. try TLC magazine for cancer stuff. They've got big scarves that will do the job that a bandana won't. Your onco should have a TLC mag in the office.
I've been warned that ALL of my hair will go - all of it, as you say. I did get a referral to a guy who does wigs for medical hair loss and he's great. I've arranged for a wig to at least wear in clinic, assuming I can continue to see patients, and I did get some cotton caps and some scarves to try. I'll probably wear them more, but I thought it'd put patients off for me to show up wearing a scarf and obviously bald underneath. Who knows, I may not even need that wig if I'm too tired to work clinic.
I'm going to get my head shaved next week rather than wait for my hair to fall out. I don't think I can cope with the emotional trauma of finding it all over the place, and I definitely can't work clinic with hair just falling out. I was told it comes out over several days, in big clumps. So I'll wait until just before it should start and then be proactive. The eyebrows and eyelashes will be the worst to cope with, I know. That's going to really bum me out.
And the gym? Nope, not going to the virus palace. I'm already nervous enough walking around in public buildings and in the hospital especially, going into my neutropenic week. Going through hand sanitizer by the bottle. Probably going to wear gloves next week, and a mask. It's more to keep me from touching my face; it won't stop small droplets that are floating around in the air. But hand-to-face inoculation is by far the most frequent means of picking up germs.
virus palace. berry berry funny.
clearly your sense of humor has yet to fall out.
Please keep in touch orthodoc. We're all pulling for you.
honey, if a scarf feels good, do itl
i looked like a baked potato without hair. i got a cheap wig (150.00} and I was always very weird about it. they DID say I had a big head, though. That was part of the problem! A fat head!!
you say that like it's a bad thing. I, like most guys, *like* a lot of head.
Orhto, get some Mala beads and a saffron robe. Rock the chrome dome!
Although there is nothing wrong with a little head either.
hey don't forget the nether hairs, they're gonna fall out too, if yer gonna shave the drapes ya gotta shave the carpet
Now there's an idea, rock the chrome dome! If I were Persis Khambatta, I would. We'll see. Guess we'll also see if it's a lot or a little head. :p:
And yeah, the drapes, the carpet, it's all gonna go. The big upset is the eyebrows and eyelashes. I can pencil eyebrows in but ... they're penciled. Nothing to be done about eyelashes. I don't think I'll be posting pics on the you rfn thread for awhile. Although, you never know. If I get silly from the steroids, you never know. :rolleyes:
Still waiting for things (the unpleasant weekend is starting early) to calm down enough for me to write an online quiz on SAS programming. I have until midnight, hooray! I'd ask for an extension but have a sneaking suspicion tomorrow will NOT be better. On with the show ...
The chrome looks pretty sweet on some ladies. I feel like the scarves always look nice as well. A splash of color is always helpful for keeping the mood up. Rock on!
You could take a page from
this woman's book, and create a whole range of head-dressings. I could see a really cool lizard diorama, get some plastic or rubber creatures and glue them to your head in fighting poses, or you could get some dinosaurs and make a whole prehistoric tableau with volcanoes and such. You cold even do holiday themes: with stage make-up or face paint you could color your entire head orange, black triangles around your eyes, nose, and a jaggy black mouth. Then just attach some sort of stem to your head, et voila!
I'm just getting started. How long until your hair grows back?
:lol: I'm thinking of walking into clinic with a lizard diorama on my head. Too funny! Patients would either love it or run screaming from the room.
I loved the video. And I'm thinking ahead, looking at embracing the experience of being hairless. How much easier it'll be to get ready to go out; how much choice I'll have in color and style of scarf; no hair salon bills (okay, I bought a wig so that's sort of advance salon $, but not a year's worth). No shaving or waxing. Sort of cool. I'm willing to roll with it. Getting playful with the stage makeup is another whole dimension!
Of course, this assumes enough energy to get playful. Last night showed me just a little of the downside. Much better today. For the next 3 weeks it's new territory since everyone reacts differently. I hope for the best, 'cause it'd be great to have some fun with this. ;)
Length of time without hair? It starts growing back within 2-3 months of finishing treatment, they tell me. My hair grows slowly. I think I'm looking at a year before I'll have enough hair for a short style. Time for all the holiday seasons. :rolleyes:
A little guy with a lawnmower
:lol2: Perfect for next summer. Might need a little hammock with a cooler beside it, too, for when he's done ...
Model Railroad Figures: The possibilities are endless.
Get your scalp painted to look like a brain.
ETA With a few computer chip implants.
Endless possibilities ... NSFW, but endless. :p:
My line of work isn't oncology but it involves helping people through injuries and exposures of various types.
Oh really, then I could use your help.
I was exposing myself down at the playground the other day, and some old biddy whacked me with her umbrella. ;)
injuries AND exposures, not injuries FROM exposures.
hey orthodoc, how are you doing?
you all are hilarious. I never thought of doing a diorama thing.
I saw one woman who painted her head with really cool, psychedelic shapes and colors-that was neat. and wear really killer earrings with your scarves. Makes you look ethnic and scary at the same time. :)
did I ever tell you what Cherry told me to do after I lost all my hair? she said to go down to the drugstore where the sell shampoo, whip off my scarf/wig with shampoo bottle in hand and announce loudly, "LOOK WHAT THIS PRODUCT DID TO MY HAIR!"
I thought that would be pretty funny. :)
It's been pretty much a Dorothy Parker week (what fresh hell is this?). Every day something new and amusing.
But - last weekend was the 7th hell or lower. This weekend I've clambered up to the 3rd or so, I think. Making progress. Given the past week, losing my hair in the next few days won't even show up on the radar. 'Bald this morning? Does it hurt? Does it make me throw up? No? Easiest part of my day.'
One day at a time, hour by hour, I am moving forward through this. When you're going through hell, keep going, and all that.
And - the diorama idea is toast as far as work is concerned. :rolleyes: The hospital just put new policies on dress and behavior in place that will keep any creative self-expression well hidden. But that's what the wig was always for, anyway. I can always have fun on weekends. :)
You should let your patients sign your head, under the wig where administrators can't see.
If I didn't think someone'd rat me out, I'd do it. :lol:
Now, if I saw kids in my practice ... I could totally have fun with it. Might even get it past the administration. A Robin Williams sort of thing.
One thing I might do, if I feel up to it ... I have a friend in PA who's been growing his hair for a year and a half in order to go down to Children's Hospital in Pittsburgh and let the kids on the oncology inpatient unit shave his head - he's going to donate the hair to Locks of Love. Very cool project. Maybe I should go along, be the 'Vanna White' girl who calls the kids up and gives them a turn shaving ... and at the end, whip off MY wig and let them sign my scalp in nontoxic marker. Could be fun.
One thing about the Children's Hospital in Pittsburgh. They just built a new one, a beautiful building, but the architects made an extreme planning goof. They put beautiful big windows in the oncology ward, and the windows overlook ... a huge cemetery.
So they've replaced the clear glass with colored glass murals to block out the cemetery view. Nice.
Have you thought about a tinfoil hat?? Besides covering your head, it helps block the alien transmissions. I sleep in mine everyday
Tinfoil ... let's see, I could work up an outfit to complement that ;)
But I think it'd be crinkly to sleep on ... besides, the alien transmissions come in better at night.
Jim's got some blond braids that might be available in a few days.
Oh and when you get to hell level 2, don't forget to check out the sale on ladies unmentionables and sundries. :haha:
Hopefully I'll skip right past level 2 and on to fresh air ... just in time for the Frankenstorm. Although week 2 apparently has its own new amusements, from what I gather. :yelsick: However. Not going to borrow trouble!
Preparing for Frankenstorm is a good distraction. I'm taking tw's suggestion about freezing gallon jugs of water to use in the refrigerator as needed. Cooling may not be my first need, though - I'm in the area predicted to get heavy, wet snow. Power outage seems likely due to snow/ice on the power lines. Liquid water, light, and heat may be more to the point.
Look, orthodoc, you get to use the Cancer card a few times. I don't know exactly how many, but I know I've done it myself.
IF your power goes out you go to the hospital, take over one of their MANY unused beds (we all know they're there) and say, "I"ve got cancer, goddammit, and I need electricity! and meals! and hydration! And MEDS!"
See how that works?
Trilby has a very good advice for you right there. Do eeeet!
I'll keep it in mind ... the ironic thing is, I'm on the list of providers for emergencies in this area. I'm fairly likely to get called up for duty! I can always decline, of course (and I would, it won't help anyone if I keel over from fatigue or whatever in the middle of working) ... but there will be people who need help more than I do, honestly. If I become acutely ill I'll go in, no question, but so far, so good.
I think I mentioned my friend, a Neurosurgery LPN, who rebelled against the hospital administration by wearing "Dago" red nail polish and not wearing any underwear.
Shortly afterward she completely succumbed to burnout and changed careers.
(The story gets very interesting but I have to
I think I mentioned my friend, a Neurosurgery LPN, who rebelled against the hospital administration by wearing "Dago" red nail polish and not wearing any underwear.
Shortly afterward she completely succumbed to burnout and changed careers.
(The story gets very interesting but I have to
you have to what? go?
Anyway- this happens more often than you'd think.
Nurses, like policepeople and dentists, flip out a LOT. It's b/c they have to work with the public. Anesthesiologists flip out coz they have too much pressure on them (as a friend once said, you're not paying them to put you to sleep, you're paying them to wake you up again) and I'd imagine BMV people and the post office folks are pretty xanax'ed up just to get to work never mind to interact with the public. The public are an exasperating bunch, you know. And when you see people at their worst - like when they're sick or on bath salts or beaten senseless by their bath-salt snorting boyfriend who doesn't pay you ANY child support but you refuse to leave him because you luuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuv him - you tend to burn out.
And then you think about buying a cabin in the woods, far, far away from people.
I decided not to participate in Halloween tonight. The SOLD sign is in the front yard, I've given out regular size candy bars for 18 years, there's nobody to help me do it, the bushes by the steps haven't been weeded, the banister on the front steps is actually unsafe, and the dog shouldn't be excited right now because she goes into cardiac spasm and could die.
For some reason I still feel guilty about this.
I'd say, put all the lights out and enjoy the quiet and Pearl's company. Don't feel guilty about doing what's important for you. Be good to yourself.
I'd say, put all the lights out and enjoy the quiet and Pearl's company. Don't feel guilty about doing what's important for you. Be good to yourself.
Seriously. Do this and eat all the candy for yourself. No chocolate for Pearl.
Don't feel guilty. 'T'aint like the kids will be short on candy because of you not participating :P
Seriously though: Pearl's your priority and that's just how it should be.
I hope you and Pearl had a nice bit of quality time together in the dark.
Sent by thought transference.
you have to what? go?
Anyway- this happens more often than you'd think.
At least three times a day, more actually, if you include #1.
I had an 1 1/2 hour grueling interview at the JOC (Joint Operations Center). I'm sweating it because my medication makes me have a dry mouth and I didn't take a drink in with me. By the time the interview was over, they could barely understand me
As I posted last summer, my G-son moved out of his apartment
(next door) to work for the Oregon Dept of Fish and Wildlife.
We have been gradually moving his stuff over into his new place.
Today, we got to the last things... his potted and planted (outdoor) plants.
He's completely on his own now, living independently on his own salary.
We are a little more than a "tad" apprehensive, but we're also quite optimistic.
Maybe it's too soon to tell.
Congratulations on your g-son's independence! I would stick with the optimism. If he has a significant number of indoor and outdoor plants, he probably has the ability to organize himself enough to take care of things.
Tomorrow is chemo #3 - halfway done! This time I'll get the Neulasta shot the following day, which means a bad week following but should mean I don't have to hide out in a bubble for two weeks with nonexistent white blood cells. I'm a little apprehensive that I'm not going to get all my projects done and exams studied for, since this lost week (that starts tomorrow) immediately precedes all the due dates and exams. However - you never know. I might be able to do some work when the meds have kicked in. And I'll be alone for chemo tomorrow, which is a good thing. Trying to be more independent.
I had a laugh today after I cracked a joke in the work room at clinic ... I was sitting doing charts with three attendings, and one of them helped himself to coffee. This coffee, which is truly awful, appears daily in the work room as either encouragement or punishment, I'm not sure which. Most of us avoid it but this attending, who is extremely polite, serious, and OCD, drinks it every day. This morning he took a sip and remarked, "This coffee will make hair grow on places where your skin is smooth!". I said, "Well then, I'd better get myself some!". He stared at me in horror and turned ten shades of dark red; the other two attendings gave me a look that said, are you going to fly into hysterics now? I had to laugh at all of them (well, I felt bad for the OCD guy). Just told them I take my humor where I find it. They had a good chuckle over it then.
Awesome repartee. There's some Oscar Wilde in you screaming to be free.
I love Oscar Wilde - and Dorothy Parker. Beside them I'm pretty much an anti-wit. But I appreciate the good stuff when I hear (or see) it. :)
You can't go wrong with either of those two.
My beloved car dealership has closed its doors, so I'm sitting in a Midas muffler shop waiting for the verdict on my inspection ....
Well, what a waste of good apprehension ... I am already home. Shortly after I submitted that last post, the nice man said okay, you're done and presented me with a bill for $150. Time to make some breakfast and maybe take a mm ice nap ... I only got about 5 hours of sleep. Heck, I didnt even get a chance to pee out the nice, fresh, tasty courtesy coffee in their surprisingly spotless bathroom.
It's always good to come down on the 'not' side of the apprehension equation, once you can tell.
Enjoy your nap!
orthodoc, that is some funny!
wolf--I don't have inspections for cars out here, except for emissions inspections. I imagine they're stress inducing. Are they really sticklers for the sticker?
Yeah, they are. Everything get checked, including emissions. Tires, brakes, body rust, and all the innards. At least we only have to do it once a year instead of every six months, like we used to.
Getting an inspection here is a royal pain in the ass. The state legislates that the body shops all have to charge the same flat rate for it, and if there's any profit built into that price it is very small. So a lot of shops just refuse to do them at all, and the rest put a quota on how many per day they are willing to do. I've gone in at 8:00 AM before and been told, "Sorry, there are already three ahead of you, and that's the max for the day."
There are a few places that do nothing but inspections, but they invariably have a line six cars long.
And it gets worse as you get closer to the end of the month and everyone needs that sticker so they don't get a ticket.
Getting an inspection here is a royal pain in the ass. The state legislates that the body shops all have to charge the same flat rate for it, and if there's any profit built into that price it is very small. So a lot of shops just refuse to do them at all, and the rest put a quota on how many per day they are willing to do. I've gone in at 8:00 AM before and been told, "Sorry, there are already three ahead of you, and that's the max for the day."
There are a few places that do nothing but inspections, but they invariably have a line six cars long.
Do they give priority to cars that are getting serviced, like an oil change/lube, or something?
snip--
I've gone in at 8:00 AM before and been told, "Sorry, there are already three ahead of you, and that's the max for the day."
--snip
I posted the other day that I had a flat tire. I changed the tire and took the car and the flat to my local tire shop the following Saturday. I was there at 8:10 am, thinking "oh, smart, proactive me, I'll get my car work done and have the weekend for fun." Right. When I got there, there were three clerks working the counter and the line was three deep. The lot and the waiting room were both full. When I finally got to the service counter, I communicated my surprise at how busy it was so early. The fellow said that people started lining up at 5:45 am. For the 8:00 am opening.
They sure are a popular tire store.
For those of you who need an emissions inspection be sure not to add dry gas to your tank before hand. It will reduce your emissions to zero and the machine will think your car passed, thus saving you a potentially expensive repair bill to get your car into compliance.
Dry gas? As in, no ethanol? I can't even find that around here.
My G-son and I are repairing/improving two (extremely) small,
attic bedrooms in a (very) small house at the coast.
We're adding a toilet and washbasin and 4 new electric circuits for additional lights, plug outlets, etc.
This means we have permits and inspections to bring some things up to code.
Yesterday, we passed inspections for structural (improved stairway + WC walls),
mechanical (fan and ducts), and plumbing with flying colors. :thumb:
But the electric inspection was a bust. :sniff:
The inspector was unhappy with how short were our (already crimped) "ground"
wires are in the boxes, and is insisting on a 6-inch length outside the box.
His rationale is "THE CODE", and that future repairs would be more difficult than making the changes now.
Romex does not stretch !
So we have to go back on each outlet and switch to either re-wire the boxes,
or re-position the lines to get the length the inspector needs.
And, we just got the old (blown-in) insulation washed out of our hair and clothes.
Eventually, we will get through this, but it is frustrating to be so close but then have to re-do.
Good for you getting the inspections. I never bother with getting inspections on work I do on my own house. But it's a good idea.
My G-son and I are repairing/improving two (extremely) small,
attic bedrooms in a (very) small house at the coast.<snip>
Hooray, on Friday we passed our (rough wiring) electrical inspection !
But then the inspector dropped a couple more bombs on me.
Instead of adding the regular (inexpensive) circuit breakers to our panel,
we will have to use the newly required, AFCI breakers.
These run about $45 each, instead of usual $10-$25.
But in the real world, AFCI breakers stop the arc's that are the cause
of a lot of home fires, and are now being required in all "new construction"
Here's a
link for any home DIY's to keep up with national electrical codes...
The second bomb was that all new and replacement plug/receptacles now are required to be "tamper proof".
These have a shield built into them that prevent kids from poking something (wire paper clip, etc) into the receptacle.
I know this happens IRL because years ago my middle daughter told her youger sister to do that.
She did and was burned on several fingers !
Those Arc Fault breakers are the result of successful lobby by electrical unions according to my electrician. They have a ton of problems associated with them. Our local fire dept told me that nearly 7 out of 10 home fires are the result of mice chewing wires, that'll cause an Arc fault.
Not sure what to think.
Wait.
Lamplighter-you have a house on the coast?
Which coast and when can I come?
The specific coast. I'll go with!
Wait.
Lamplighter-you have a house on the coast?
Which coast and when can I come?
My G-son, Sam, took a job with Oregon Fish & Wildlife in Tillamook, OR, about 80 miles west of Portland.
Several coastal rivers empty into the large Tillamook Bay, and salmon and steelhead fishing there is famous.
The commercial ocean fishing and canning industry used to be bigger, but it is still important.
We helped Sam with part of the down payment and our credit score, on a 1931 doll-house (750 sq ft).
We are "improving" the place by adding a new toilet+wash basin in between two sleeping rooms in the attic.
Sam is a friendly young fellow, and he's looking forward to visitors, once the "construction work" is finished. ;)
My G-son, Sam, took a job with Oregon Fish & Wildlife in Tillamook, OR, about 80 miles west of Portland.
Several coastal rivers empty into the large Tillamook Bay, and salmon and steelhead fishing there is famous.
The commercial ocean fishing and canning industry used to be bigger, but it is still important.
We helped Sam with part of the down payment and our credit score, on a 1931 doll-house (750 sq ft).
We are "improving" the place by adding a new toilet+wash basin in between two sleeping rooms in the attic.
Sam is a friendly young fellow, and he's looking forward to visitors, once the "construction work" is finished. ;)
YAY! sounds like heaven!
Friendly, has a job, handy. Is he man enough for you and Infi? (is anyone man enough for you and Infi?)
I just broke a string on my sister's Vietnamese zither. Not looking forward to hear her complain and bitch. Accidentally did it while I was doing something for my friend. Made the situation much worse. My sister thinks my friend doesn't treat me well so she'd get especially upset. :3_eyes: Oh well, gonna have me some good coffee now. Press my mental ignore when my sister gets home later. :D
My sister did not yell. She was not happy and a bit confused how I managed to break the string. Luckily I broke the metal string and not the red one because it is replaceable. :)
This is my first day back at work. I've gotten a few hugs from my closer cow orkers. I'm apprehensive because I expect there will be some sort of meeting...but I don't know. HR sent me the FMLA paperwork, but I didn't get it until I got home. On the phone it sounded like they wanted me to come back.
I'm using the skills I learned in the cuckoo's nest. I didn't miss a meeting and took as much from the program as I could. As it stands, I can't control what might happen, only my response and my subsequent actions. I feel so much better than before I went bonkers...and I see just how bonkers I was getting before the big blowout. I needed to be where I was...I needed to get away from it to deal with it, and learn how to cope with it all.
And I know it's not JUST work. There are issues from long ago I've not really dealt with, and the recent deaths of friends (especially my very good friend who died right before my breakdown) and just, everything.
I have a psychiatrist to work with and have put my meds in his care, and will also be seeing a counselor on that team. I have a team. I feel like a guest on House.
I will also need to see a cardiologist because they did two EKGs before they ran me over to Bellevue and those didn't match the one from when I was there with my back issues. It could still be lead placement but it could also be that I had a minor heart event. They almost put me on the cardiac floor that day, but the cardiologist thought it was OK to send me over.
That's my update. Thanks again for all your thoughts and well wishes.
Infi, you sound as though you've got a handle on things now. And a whole nother team (apart from us lot here) on your side, too. Good luck x
We're all pulling for you.
Thanks for checking in. I'm glad you are focusing on figuring this all out and getting in a better place. :comfort:
I'm so glad you've got some IRL support and a "team"---it's nice, isn't it? Having those people know your story and on your side.
Hugs, girl.
I'm glad you made it home for the deluge! LOL!
Thanks for checking in, infi. I was just thinking about you this morning before I logged in -- glad to hear you've got some good support!
Slight slap in the face # 1.
Pattern, or just an oversight? We shall see. I have yet to have any discussion with "THE PERSON." I don't know if there are plans to listen to me and work with me.
But I will stay calm. I don't have to stay here. I'd like to, if things would change as they should, but I don't have to.
Welcome back
Good luck
You're clearly doing better and you're gonna do great. :)
I'm very happy for you, infi.
You da ... ahh ... woman
Good luck as you start back, IM.
So glad you got your big girl panties on and you are ready to get on with it! :)
I don't view mental health issues as not having my 'big girl panties' (an abhorrent phrase anyway) but I'm going with the benefit of the doubt and assuming that you were trying to be funny. :)
Big O' Wig says we will meet next week to discuss the issues I've brought up in the past, and see what we can do to make things better.
Thanks everyone.
Maybe my Arrested Development, Interrupted, was not only what I needed (to stay alive) but was also an eye-opener here?
Let's hope so.
Managers can be really lazy and just ignore problems hoping that they will go away. They need a kick in the ass every once in a while to remind them that the problem still exists.
slowly start building a guillotine in front of Big O' Wig's office...
I know, I know...my first impulse is to chop off heads. It's my bad French blood that makes me do it.
I have a psychiatrist to work with and have put my meds in his care, and will also be seeing a counselor on that team. I have a team. I feel like a guest on House.
.
Was it Lupus?
Glad you've found some equilibrium hon. Well done for getting the assistance you needed pretty quickly all things considered. Your survival and self-preservation instincts are still there and you can cope with this.
*hugs*
So this cow orker just came into my office to tell me she thought she was coming down with the flu and needed to go home because she felt terrible. She wanted to get my reassurances that everything was going to be alright and that we would be able to cover for her if she went home. She sat in a chair 5 feet from me for about 5 minutes to get these two thoughts out. And she broke down in tears about half a dozen times. She's always been a talker (in a bad way) and has used me as her therapist. It's all fine and good, but get your damn contagious ass out of my office. I said three times that we didn't want her staying at work and getting other people sick and that she should go home now and she didn't get the damn hint to get out of my office. I never said the words "get out" but I was screaming them in my head the entire time.
So she didn't cough or sneeze, and the door remained open. My office is small, about 8 by 10. How likely am I to get sick now?
I bet not. As long as she didn't sneeze or cough.
I don't view mental health issues as not having my 'big girl panties' (an abhorrent phrase anyway) but I'm going with the benefit of the doubt and assuming that you were trying to be funny. :)
Big O' Wig says we will meet next week to discuss the issues I've brought up in the past, and see what we can do to make things better.
Thanks everyone.
Maybe my Arrested Development, Interrupted, was not only what I needed (to stay alive) but was also an eye-opener here?
I'm confused. So you were going commando at work? And that's why you had to leave? How did they know you weren't wearing underwear? Shouldn't the dress code only cover what is visible? You could have been wearing spanx, for all they knew.
I missed a key plot point.
She was wearing a thong ;)
Imma lil late, as usual, but still glad you are doing well/better/whateverthePCfuckingtermistowishyouwell and be happy for you.
{{HUGGZZ}}
Thanks buddy.
The torture isn't over yet. The Swooper is still effing with me big time. The difference now is I just keep doing my work, smile, say yes or no in the right places, and I don't let her get to me. Whatever happens will happen but I hope it happens soon.
I am in a good place though. My breakdown seems to be just what the doctor didn't order, but it sure helped me with perspective.
I remember to breathe, I remember to walk if I feel anxiety mounting, I remember to write it down if need be, and I remember it ain't nothin' but a job, and it ain't worth my life or even my little bit of pride.
But they make the move. I won't.
Thanks buddy.
The torture isn't over yet. The Swooper is still effing with me big time. The difference now is I just keep doing my work, smile, say yes or no in the right places, and I don't let her get to me. Whatever happens will happen but I hope it happens soon.
I am in a good place though. My breakdown seems to be just what the doctor didn't order, but it sure helped me with perspective.
I remember to breathe, I remember to walk if I feel anxiety mounting, I remember to write it down if need be, and I remember it ain't nothin' but a job, and it ain't worth my life or even my little bit of pride.
But they make the move. I won't.
this sounds smart, you sound good here. I'd like to add something. about who makes the move--let them make the move if you want, you make the move if and when you want, whichever. But. I would urge you to PREPARE to make the move or have the move made by them. Being caught flat footed is an avoidable problem, and it's got the potential to be a big problem. Avoid it by being prepared, or at least minimize it. You're smart, you're on your feet now, you'll be on your feet no matter what happens.
Thanks V.
I have been preparing, in one form or another, for a very long time. Stacks of documentation from months and months, for starters.
I am prepared, emotionally, for them to make a move. I will not do it unless I have found something else: I need to think about a few monetary issues that are tightly tied up with 'who does what and when they does it.'
I also have to be very careful not to pile a giant plate of readiness that I have to lug about on my back because those giant piles are what send me over the edge. So I deal with the actual actions as they come, and I have numerous ideas, plans, and avenues of recourse should I need them.
I feel, like, 100 times more prepared to handle whatever than I did two weeks ago, that's for sure.
But it ain't always easy. :1footinfrontoftheothersmilie:
yw.
you really do sound great. that makes me happy. :)
Shit yeah, I'll have whatever Infi's having.
I don't know. Scratch that. Reverse it.
I just got another big fuck-over about my paid time off. Time I've earned. I have crafted a letter to HR and will send towards the end of the day. I walked outside because I knew there was going to be no way to absorb this latest jab and not get a little weepy (and that I have a horrible head cold which makes me weak and weepy anyway.)
The gist of my letter is about overtime I never received compensation or 'comp time' for (while everyone else in the office made money hand over fist...consider making 55g/year and getting your hourly wage of that time and a halfed...one cow orker felt it was 'sinful' but it set her up nice when she finally got forced out, and I am a pay grade lower and still PROFESSIONAL staff just like them) and about being harrassed because of my illness (which the job as it is exacerbates) and the complete disregard for my FMLA that I did to save my ass. And who the fuck does it matter to if I use earned vacation time (I have 220 hours) except to ME! It only hurts ME! And I can't ever use it because there's always too much to do then I make myself sick with worry and anxiety and end up using sick time...never ending circle. And to top it off, I reported 15 minutes late one morning (it was actually about 8 minutes after 8) when the traffic was bad and was told I can't use my PERSONAL time to cover that and I need to take it without pay.
My letter is a bit more professional than that, but it is by no means unclear in its purpose.
It's as bad as it can get. I may turn in my resignation tomorrow. I will have to give 30 days to get my vac pay paid out, and I will have to fight for unemployment (prove they made it impossible to stay) and I will lose my insurance...
Why don't they just get it over with? I'm broken, I'm trying to mend, and they keep kicking me.
I wish I wish I wish I could tell them to shove the job, but I have nothing/no one to fall back on. But I'm regressing, inside. I'm scared and hurt again and my coping mechanisms are falling far short of helping.
illegitimi non carborundum
From personal experience I can tell you that when you are living or working with crazy people who insist that they are normal, it makes you begin to believe that you are crazy.
Keep reminding your self that it's them who are crazy, not you.
I just feel completely without hope, here.
I need to sleep on it. See how it feels tomorrow. Can I PM a copy of my letter to HR to a couple of you so you can tell me what you think?
Wow. Just. Wow.
Sure. PM it to me and I'll take a look at it.
I'm no employment law expert, but I'll give you any thoughts that I have.
Just remember that if HR is the enemy, you may be giving them ammunition with any letter you might send them, so be careful.
this is the scut work of preparing. you're doing it. it's happening right now. fuck. left foot. right foot. left foot. right foot. left foot. right foot.
keep your head down and your feet moving. you're making progress.
I am in a town hall meeting the pres gives. Will send the pm when i get back. I will respond to them, in due time...not react as they want.
I just want it all to end, honestly. This is just too much: too disheartening and too destructive to me.
Update:
I sent the letter and got a rather canned response from HR, but some conversation took place because I was presented a reasonable compromise on my paid time off.
If I leave here at 5 still employed I will consider it a small victory for me, and for what I've been willing to do to get better, and to make things HERE better.
ANd it ain't been easy. I'm such an emotional and reactive person, but I've amazed myself the past few days with how well I've been able to employ the things I worked on in the bin (and I worked very hard) and I hope things only go up from here.
If not, I'm OK too because I see what I am capable of. I don't feel so damn useless and unloveable and icky.
And, as always, they can kill you but they can't eat you.
Once again, thanks to everyone who has supported me through this (sometimes you realize who really cares even when you think they don't and that some really don't even when you think they did and it's all OK either way, you know?) It was (and is) a doozy of a trip for me and I wouldn't have fared so well without caring people in my life.
Hooray for the reasonable compromise! Good job standing up for yourself.
Looks like you're hanging on OK on a rather bumpy ride, Infi! And it sounds like you've got a better handle on you and your capabilities, too. Good luck!
Sent by thought transference
Belting out the park again, Infi. Well done you :)
Hope it continues to go well for you, infi. Let's give that gal 100 bonus points for her spunk!
Thanks guys. :)
Had my first appt with my therapist (not my psychiatrist) and I like her. She focuses on outcomes and goals rather than laying (lying? I can never get that one right) on the couch having your head patted and your hand held. I think this is really going to be helpful.
It was a rough weekend (sick most of it, my tonsils had turned to pieces of quartz it seemed) but I feel really good now. Self-talking is helping. Remembering to breathe, stopping negative thoughts by talking through them (in my head...hahhahaa) and not assuming everyone is thinking I'm a big giant loser...all good things. I mean, they may or may not think I'm a big giant loser but I have no control over that, right? ;)
Therapist also wants to work with me on some career assessments! Imma be like the Grandma Moses of whatever I end up doing.
You've all been so kind. :)
Thanks guys. :)
....
You've all been so kind. :)
This all sounds soooOOOOOoooo good! Excellent.
Glad to hear a positive update, infi! I hope therapy goes well for you. :)
She focuses on outcomes and goals rather than laying (lying? I can never get that one right) on the couch having your head patted and your hand held.
[Englishteacher] Here's how I remember which is which: Lie is something you do to yourself -- think "I" as in me. Lay is something you do to "a"nother object.
I will lay the blanket down, then I will lie down on it.
[/Englishteacher]
Thanks! I use a lot of those tricks for other words that are easily mixed up but I hadn't heard that one.
You need to try this one as well. To, you know, help you through difficulties.
Mrs D, Mrs I, Mrs F, F, I
Mrs C, Mrs U, Mrs L, T, Y
No, I'm in no way you're suggesting you need spelling help. Just my phonics class did mnemonics last week and I can't get it out of my head.
Good luck will come to all whose kindness leaves you without debt.
Karma owes you one.
I before E except after C, or when sounding like A as in Neighbor and Weigh. Or when sounding like I as in Height, apparently, and also the exceptions such as Science and so forth.
Mr. Pun Mr. Chin Mr. Nell, Mr. O
Mr. Punchinello!
Sod the rules, you wanking toss-pots (watching too much Green Wing)
The AUE FAQ has an article on the i-before-e rule that attempts to show that the rule is a good and useful one, and that the objections to it may be swept aside. That article was written by an Englishman, the highly respected Mark Wainwright. This page presents an alternative view, written by an American. The 'i before e' rule is usually defined quite differently in the two communities.
Below is an excerpt, with minor editing, from an article posted to AUE Tue, 27 Feb 1996 22:42:07 GMT. It was posted in response to a posting by a Ms Tomlinson.
Links to key sections of the text
(For each link the relevant part of the text is intended to appear at the top of the screen. If you have a large screen this might not work properly.)
Begin excerpt
Extensions to the rule that have been suggested.
Examples of exceptions to the rule.
Exceptions with 'ei' pronounced as in: weigh, height, seize, surfeit, heifer, weird
Exceptions with 'ei' or 'ie' pronounced as in piece
Suggested conclusion
Excerpt, with minor editing, from the 1996 posting:
There was a robust thread on this topic about a year ago. I also participated in an extended discussion of it in the ILink WordPlay Conference a couple of years ago. Both discussions went the same way. People kept piling on more and more qualifications to the rule until it seemed as though the rule might eventually become longer than the list of words that obeyed it.
Extensions to the rule that have been suggested:
Early in both discussions I submitted a list of words that were exceptions to the rule. People then took exception to some of the words in my list, citing extensions to the rule that excluded them. Some of the extensions were:
The rule only applies to digraphs, so words like "deity" and "science" don't count.
The rule "i before e except after c" should be extended to include "except when said 'ay' as in 'neighbor' and 'weigh'".
The rule only applies to digraphs that have the /i:/ ('ee') pronunciation, as in 'piece'. (Note the conflict between this and the previous item.)
The rule doesn't apply to words that are recent imports from foreign languages, such as "gneiss", "dreidel", and "enceinte".
The rule doesn't apply to the large number of plurals of words ending in "cy" ("fallacies", "frequencies", "vacancies", ... ) because in the UK – in traditional RP – "cies" is pronounced with the "i" of "pin", even though it is pronounced with the "ee" of "feed" by most World-English speakers and by younger UK speakers.
I don't think any of these extensions are useful, with the exception of the one concerning "neighbor" and "weigh". If the rule were to be useful it would have to be useable by all World-English speakers, and it would have to be applicable to all words they were likely to use. Even the "ay" extension is not very significant, because it covers only one of the several sounds that the digraph "ei" can have.
Examples of exceptions to the rule:
Sticking for the moment to the basic rule, "i before e except after c", which is the only version I ever heard until a couple of years ago, here are some exceptions I've noted (I've added five of Ms Tomlinson's words to my old list):
beige, cleidoic, codeine, conscience, deify, deity, deign,
dreidel, eider, eight, either, feign, feint, feisty,
foreign, forfeit, freight, gleization, gneiss, greige,
greisen, heifer, heigh-ho, height, heinous, heir, heist,
leitmotiv, neigh, neighbor, neither, peignoir, prescient,
rein, science, seiche, seidel, seine, seismic, seize, sheik,
society, sovereign, surfeit, teiid, veil, vein, weight,
weir, weird
This list could obviously be extended by adding more derivatives of Latin "scire", and by adding inflected forms of some of the basic words listed. The list has "conscience", "prescient", and "science", but there are also, for example, "omniscient" and "nescient". To "eight" could be added "eighty", "eighteen", and "eighth". And the list could be greatly extended by adding the plurals of all words ending in "cy".
(Is someone going to cite a word ending in "cy" that doesn't form its plural with "cies"? I can't think of any at the moment, given that I'm excluding capitalized words from my discussion.)
With regard to the extension added by some people for "neighbor" and "weigh", and the fact that this is only a start toward covering all the sounds of "ei", I have broken down my list according to the six different sounds "ei" had in that list. In doing so I have excluded cases where the "ei" or "ie" was not a digraph. Here is the list as so reorganized:
/eI/ as in 'pate' and 'weigh':
beige, deign, dreidel, eight, feign, feint, freight,
gleization, greige, heinous, neigh, neighbor, peignoir,
rein, seiche, seine, veil, vein, weight
/AI/ as in 'bite' and 'height':
cleidoic, feisty, gneiss, greisen, heigh-ho, height,
heist, leitmotiv, seidel, seismic, eider
/i:/ as in 'peat' and 'seize':
codeine, either, neither, protein, seize, teiid
/@/ as in 'bacon' and 'surfeit':
conscience, foreign, forfeit, prescient, sovereign, surfeit
/E/ as in 'pet' and 'heifer':
heifer, heir
/I/ as in 'pit' and 'weird':
weir, weird
Exceptions with "ei" or "ie" pronounced as in "species" or "seize":
For those people who insist the rule apply only to words where the digraph has the /i:/ ("ee") sound, and excluding words ending in "cies", here is a list of words that have at least one accepted pronunciation with the /i:/ sound:
caffeine, casein, codeine, deil (Scots, devil), disseize,
either, geisha, inveigle, keister (slang, buttocks),
keister, leisure, monteith, neither, obeisance,
phenolphthalein, phthalein, protein, seize, seizin, sheik,
sheila (Australian slang for "girl", not capitalized),
specie, species, teiid
My suggested conclusion:
My last remarks in the ILink discussion were:
"Instead of trying to defend the 'rule' or 'guideline', "'i' before 'e' except after 'c'", why don't we all just agree that it is dumb and useless, and be content just to laugh at it?"
Hey, you want a punch on the chin?! ;)
(that's the way to do it)
At least three lessons a week I have to deal with exceptions to the rule. And in some weeks we hit a bump every day.
We're onto contractions now.
Why does Shall Not become Shan't and Will Not become Won't?
Because it just does. Now shuddup and drink your gin.
Aye? What's the ye say sonny?
Being extravagently optimistic putting this here.
Truth is I am 99% sure I will lose my job tomorrow.
Am telling myself it's not certain (no, just highly likely) and maybe it will be a new start because I WILL get a new job. I coasted a bit after I started volunteering last time, I don't have that luxury now - I'll take any shit offered.
Can't say I believe in luck or prayers, but if you're awake 09.30 GMT, think of me.
I can't post until the end of the day as I haven't let on to the 'rents that anything is wrong. But I expect I'll be done by 10.00.
Ow shit. Keep us posted chika. Good luck.
You are doing the things i do (started working on this in the bin) like to remind yourself to not worry about the unknown, and reminding yourself you just ever know what life may bring if anything does happen. It's been helping a lot but it ain't always easy. :)
And like Wilson Phillips sang:
Don't you know
Things will change
Things will go your way
If you hold on for one more day
And something went my way today. Proof positive! :)
Can't say I believe in luck or prayers, but if you're awake 09.30 GMT, think of me.
I can't post until the end of the day as I haven't let on to the 'rents that anything is wrong. But I expect I'll be done by 10.00.
I'm awake. I'm thinking of you from now until then. Hoping for the best.
I wasn't sacked.
But I am on Management Leave. And I will be the subject of an official investigation sometime after half term. I'm still on the staff but not working until then. Can't tell Mum. Am going to have to disappear between 09.00 and 15.20 every day. Bloody hell.
I honestly can't say any more about the situation, because I don't know how thorough these people are and I have been told officially not to discuss this. I can only tell you how I feel, which is bloody awful.
Still. Good blood test results on Wednesday.
Seb (my geeky-cute) counsellor is happy with me, and I'm under 14 stone for the first time in about 7 years.
So if I have to start all over again at least I will be doing it with good health.
And bumped into Tiger's Mum by sheer luck. So she knows, but doesn't know. She will deny any knowledge. I gave her no more info than I am giving you. She used to work in Child Protection so she knows the way these things work. I'm pleased we had a face-to-face conversation. If Tiger is distressed after school (as he was when I was off with bronchitis) she'll understand it better.
Thanks for the support. Am living on a cliff edge until at least March now.
But if I can hammer heavy drinking I can hammer the fuck out of most things thrown at me. Just don't throw any cats.
:-( Good luck, Sundae. Thinking of you.
Would it be easier to tell your mom what's going on rather than live a lie for a month?
No.
Better to live a lie for a month than have something thrown back in your face for a lifetime.
I get where you're coming from, but I know my Mum.
When I was officially signed off by multiple Doctors and sent home from school as being unfit to work, she was still negative. Her two concerns were that I was disturbing her sleep (I had to sleep in the living room, on sofa cushions every night) and that I would lose my job for being off sick. An x-ray and steroids and inhalers and antibiotics later it was decided it was acute bronchitis. THEN she was happy. THEN she moaned to her friends about how the NHS had let me down.
I honestly don't know what I'll do. Apart from stay sober and hope.
I'm so sorry to hear this Sundae.
If you have a month of having to get out of the house, can you find a temporary volunteer position somewhere? Do they have anything like that? It would give you something to do that would make you feel good about yourself, and you could make a difference somewhere.
Do they have things like food pantries there?
I understand about the apprehension about telling the 'rents. My family, when I would talk about my job troubles, seemed to skim over it...effectively saying "need to keep the job...it's just a job...don't screw up this job" or at least this is how I heard it in my head.
When I had my hiatus and I finally called my mom, on the second day, she was very supportive and was glad I was doing something to help myself. When she visited me she said I looked ten times better (face not as contorted with stress and worry?) than I had the weekend before.
You know your mom better than anyone, of course, so do what you need to do. I just hope you find the support that you need. Of course we support you, too. Take this time to explore options, like the things glatt mentioned, you never know where things might lead you.
And take care of yourself.
:comfort:
I think Glatt gave good advice. Do something. Soup kitchen, library volunteer, etc.
Ack, that's tough. Really sorry to hear. :(
Sorry to hear about your difficulties, Sundae. Don't those stupid people who employ you understand that they're putting a great employee thru all this bull for nothing? Sam's prediction: They'll be sorry and you'll have the last laugh!
You could go to the library and work on your manifesto.
Sorry to hear your news, Sundae. I hope you find something you enjoy to fill the hours.
Electricity has been out for1-1/5 hours
Hope you and other Dwellars in the northeast are doing okay, Spexx. The weather map this morning looks like the storm has moved east and is focused along the coast now.
Can other nor'east Dwellars check in? Do people have heat and power?
We didn't get the serious part of the storm here. Looks like 6-8" by the time it clears out. Power is solid.
We had a very long snow fall that was extremely fine and dusty. Only a few inches of accumulation, but very densely packed.
As I've said before we live in a protected valley, 10 miles in any direction and they got much more snow.
about 13°f and windy today. I have to go and see if the rabbit survived. The family is away this weekend and I am ostensibly taking care of Il Rabbitino. I will not bring him inside; he's a shitting pissing rabbit.
doesn't a rabbit that big have enough of a gravitational field to compress his own core and generate heat from said compression? If not, perhaps he's gassy. check for embolism.
Rabbit is still very much alive, despite the 0° temps last night.
fucker.
'Why won't you die???'
[COLOR="LemonChiffon"]Austin Powers[/COLOR]
It's as though Il Rabbitino has a lucky rabbit's footfootfoot.
It's as though Il Rabbitino has a lucky rabbit's footfootfoot.
Yes. Il Rabs is living large tonight. The others have returned and brought him inside since it is so cold outside.
In other news, it looks like my non-existent Visa account has been suspended! Oh noes!
If a non-existent account is suspended does that mean I now have one? Does it work like multiplying negative numbers, or would they cancel each other out and leave me floating in the void?
I'm tempted to open the email at the library and click on the link there...
Oh come on, you cynic. It clearly says it was "Verifed" by Visa, there at the bottom. Have a little trust!
That shit was one of the stories on 60 Minutes tonight, fucking up peoples credit ratings over charge accounts, loans and mortgages they never had.:(
Oh come on, you cynic. It clearly says it was "Verifed" by Visa, there at the bottom. Have a little trust!
Not to pick nits, but it clearly said Verifiedby Visa. :3eye:
That shit was one of the stories on 60 Minutes tonight, fucking up peoples credit ratings over charge accounts, loans and mortgages they never had.:(
In my case they'd be fucking up the credit rating I never had either.:rotflol:
Ah - sorry, Foots.
I meant to tell you about that.
There was just such a cute little cat TV on eBay and well, you will leave your card details lying around. Diz says thank you. Although he prefers the box it was shipped in...
Not to pick nits, but it clearly said Verifiedby Visa. :3eye:
No, the other bottom. The lower one.
Well, Veri
fedbyVisa, really.
Going to the cinema tomorrow. Les Mis probably, it's on at the right time. Costs less at lunchtime too, but there are only early showings at the start of the week.
Was gifted a snow day today, so haven't had to pretend.
Tomorrow afternoon I go to see Seb (counselling) so I'll lay it all out and ask for advice.
He might know someone who needs a volunteer. Probably not in his line of work, given that I am newly recovering. But it's worth asking.
Barring that I'll just knock on some doors. Anywhere that needs a pair of hands will do I guess.
Mum & I have arranged to go to Borough Market (London) on the Thursday of half term. Looking forward to it. Money for the fare is an issue - you know me, money is always an issue :) but I think I can swing it. It's a great place just to look, even if you can't buy. I'd love to go there and treat her to the famous street food, or one of the top-end eateries that do marvellous deals there. But all-in-all I think we'll just enjoy the day together. Walking, talking, sniffing, asking for free samples...!
Camera will be coming along for the ride. Brace yourselves for my usual lengthy write-up.
*thinking* ....
Can you really keep this under wraps? With your mum's community wide gossip network on the job? Would a forced exposure be worse than a controlled disclosure?
Talk to this counsellor person. Good luck.
Mum doesn't know anyone from school.
Well, Maureen who suggested I volunteered there, but that was only because it was annouced in her church that they needed volunteers. C of E, not Catholic - Mum knows no-one else from there.
Also it's being kept on the QT by the school. Suspicions about whether an LSA is capable of fulfilling her role does not reflect well on the school and would never be disclosed to parents.
Can't say anything else. I do believe I am free from blame regarding this instance. And even that is probably too much.
Also, Mum is the kind of person who doesn't necessarily place much value on honesty. We have so many elephants in our living room I'm surprised there is room to breathe. I was amazed at things that came out at Grandad's 80th. A cousin had to live with them for a few years because of spousal abuse, another spent time in prison after robbing his superior officer in WWII, Cousin T got a 15 yo pregnant (mother a prostitute, father a Chinese sailor.)
And yet I was the disgrace of the family because I got divorced. Ho-hum.
Mum was right though. She said I'd leave him and break his heart. Can't fault her there.
We're a funny old bunch.
No, the other bottom. The lower one.
Well, VerifedbyVisa, really.
OMG you're right! I didn't notice that. Now, I'm beginning to get suspicious.:eyebrow:
Can you really keep this under wraps? With your mum's community wide gossip network on the job? Would a forced exposure be worse than a controlled disclosure?
Possibly said by Sundae:
"...to the extent that I have had to recognize my incapacity to adequately fulfill the ministry entrusted to me...
for this reason, and well aware of the seriousness of this act, with full freedom I declare that I renounce the ministry of being your daughter..."
<-- crazy, but it just may work.
Suspicions about whether an LSA is capable of fulfilling her role does not reflect well on the school and would never be disclosed to parents.
Leeds Softball Academy? London Stanstead Airport?
Mum is the kind of person who doesn't necessarily place much value on honesty. We have so many elephants in our living room I'm surprised there is room to breathe. I was amazed at things that came out at Grandad's 80th. A cousin had to live with them for a few years because of spousal abuse, another spent time in prison after robbing his superior officer in WWII, Cousin T got a 15 yo pregnant (mother a prostitute, father a Chinese sailor.)
And yet I was the disgrace of the family because I got divorced.
Clearly you disgraced her because you were slacking in comparison to the rest of your family.;)
Learning Support Assistant :p:
I am very slightly less important than the Pope. But good call otherwise.
I hear there's a vacancy at the vatican, Sundae. Board and lodgings are included and wifi with your own twitter account. Exotic city, randy locals.....
there are some very wise people here if you need to really talk. I often read in awe at the sageness of their advice. meanwhile at least half term is coming so you can lie in legitimately.
[COLOR="PaleTurquoise"]*coughanoncough*[/COLOR]
So when a(NOTHER) consultant comes in...this one another 'compliance' person, would you think it odd that when you introduce yourself she says "Oh, your name is all over some of his reports."
I did a jokey "WHAAAAAAAA?" and she just smiled and nodded her head vigorously.
Whose reports? My hope is that our IntDir, who IS helping me and seems sympathetic to my unique plight, has shown that compliance on MY responsibilities has always taken a back seat to the Fiasco of the Month. No matter how I've asked for helpz.
But I'm not going to try to predict the future (the future being 11:30 today) or even worry about it. The options are clear, and I've been prepared for anything since my time in the bin. This new attitude affords a certain kind of inner peace, as opposed to the other feeling of being trapped and at the mercy of everyone.
I, for one, welcome my (getting there) calmer internal overlord.
I'll be really curious to hear how it goes. I'm glad you've got inner peace.
[YOUTUBE]dEMHtoWGLW0[/YOUTUBE]
I don't even have to listen to that to know Frank is bellowing "SERENITY NOW!"
:lol:
Thanks, that was awesome.
edit: I see it says serenity now on the vid post but I still would've known. I've been rewatching Seinfeld from 7-8 every night. It keeps me laughing.
I should have bellowed SERENITY NOW in my meeting(s)...they ran over and were back to back. All about my processes that are FUBAR. That they historically put on their own back burners every time I requested help. To the point (and this is one of my issues as outlined and goal-set in the bin) that I can't concentrate on any one issue, and when I do it seems to loom so large that I almost feel like I run away from it.
Did they hear me this time? I don't know. Is my job guaranteed beyond this week? I don't know. Have I done the best I can? Yes I have, with the exception being that after the previous administration's 4 years of being dismissed, discounted, tossed aside, ignored, and barely acknowledged, I have a really hard time approaching with issues (as if I am somehow singlehandedly the reason for all the problems of the world.) Did this create a fear of the openness in asking for assistance (or at least build on the life long fear of such) and therefore PHYSICALLY finding myself frozen, and unable to push for what I need. Well, it was a big contributor, for sure.
I have a weird social hang-up. I am outgoing and I can talk to just about anyone. But there are times, when I'm in my silence and have been pushed to talk, to interact...when that happens it makes things way worse. I cannot make the sounds come out of my mouth in any coherent form. I cannot act. And if the pushing keeps coming, it ends in complete withdrawal. If I am then still pushed, I come out fighting and gnashing and gnarling.
My stomach hurts. Yes, what happens will happen but I don't get the feeling the swooper thinks I am anything but lame. I think the IntDir thinks otherwise, and my only hope is that he stays on that and supports me.
The other hope is that one of those 'anything can happen in your life you never know what can come along' will actually happen to me. But, with my track record, I'm not counting on it. You say you don't believe in good luck or bad luck? Maybe that's true. But also nothing is evenly distributed, and it seems I used up all my 'good' when I was a teenager and I have none left to experience or offer.
Those magic happenings are for others: the ones who have magic happenings so often they think it's the norm, not the grand exception.
This new attitude affords a certain kind of inner peace, as opposed to the other feeling of being trapped and at the mercy of everyone.
I, for one, welcome my (getting there) calmer internal overlord.
Hold onto that feeling. It's a remarkably powerful thing to have.
It sounds like a typical meeting with nothing really resolved.
Gods that's one thing I dont miss about being a councillor. Meetings about meetings to discuss the findings of a meeting and set up new meetings to oversee the work that came out of the meetings, that is to say more meetings.
It's been a while since I had to engage with staff meetings, performance appraisals, back-to-work interviews etc etc. Not really since I was made redundant from the lit teaching and went swanning off to uni instead. I remember them being pointless, soul destroying, vindictive sessions. Like when they had a problem with my attendance (not my fucking fault I was ill. and you twats with your less than helpful help were stressing me out and making my stress related illness ten times worse) and had endless action plans to help me cope....fuck you, your system is broken, all your staff are either bitchy, ambitious, selfish fucks or decent people snowed down under the work of twice their number and constantly shifting and contradictory expectations.
Inf: You have your plan. You are actively engaged in getting healthy. You can deal with this, or more accurately you can take control over the impact it has on you.
Also, you are so totally due some good luck.
Thanks. I'm reminding myself to breathe, and to not overthink...
And this:
It's been a while since I had to engage with staff meetings, performance appraisals, back-to-work interviews etc etc. Not really since I was made redundant from the lit teaching and went swanning off to uni instead. I remember them being pointless, soul destroying, vindictive sessions. Like when they had a problem with my attendance (not my fucking fault I was ill. and you twats with your less than helpful help were stressing me out and making my stress related illness ten times worse) and had endless action plans to help me cope....fuck you, your system is broken, all your staff are either bitchy, ambitious, selfish fucks or decent people snowed down under the work of twice their number and constantly shifting and contradictory expectations.
You're singing my song.
Was today the day the blind carpenter picked up his hammer and saw? We shall see, I guess.
In the meantime, some good luck would sure feel good. First my dad, and now even my mom (who, let's face it, have known me my whole life!) say 'You have the worst luck" or "if you ever have good luck it's going to be a doozy" and things like that. And THEY are the first sort of people who believe you essentially control your own destiny and make your own choices. Even they have had to look back on my life and say "sheesh girl, i remember when this happened which ruined your chances of that happening" or any of the other number of troubles that seem to find me.
But, as you said Dana (and thanks) I AM actively involved in getting healthy and I know it won't happen overnight and I have hope. I'm still going to run into shit, at work or anywhere. I just can't let said shit run over ME.
There's a popular saying: "Be the hammer, not the nail".
But if you're a really good, hard nail, they can't screw with you.
As you go through life,
no two days will be alike.
When you're the anvil, bear.
When you're the hammer, strike.
I like that very much xoB. Thanks.
Bruce, I think of you as the Anvil Bear.
An anvil can be a devastating hammer too.
An anvil can be a devastating hammer too.
There are many examples in popular culture of just that. If an anvil remains at rest, it's an anvil. An anvil in motion will stay in motion until it hits someone on the noggin. And they ALWAYS hit someone on the noggin.
I like that very much xoB. Thanks.
My High School English teacher wrote that in my yearbook.
My jeans are all too big. And I hate shopping. And if I buy some smaller ones I'm bound to pile the weight back on. But the are noticeably too big :) Buying new ones might be ok......
Sam, you made the pants too long.
(anyone? Bueller?)
I dithered about that until they were uncomfortable and I had to by TWO sizes smaller. Was good. Now they're straining at the seams :( but I'm back on the swim, apple wagon, and a few days on the Sundae diet (you didn't think she's staying here without earning her keep, did you :eyebrow:) will do me a lorra lrra good, too!
Hi Cilla, my name's monster and I'm from Hell. *giggle*
I've been a Dwellar now for almost two years, and I'm concerned
because I'm beginning to understand FootFootFoot's postings.
...will do me a lorra lrra good, too!
I tried to Google that but it brought me back here. Unique R Us. :haha:
I've been a Dwellar now for almost two years, and I'm concerned
because I'm beginning to understand FootFootFoot's postings.
See? Illumination suits you.;)
I tried to Google that but it brought me back here. Unique R Us. :haha:
Sorry Bruce I misspelled it, shoulda been "
lorra lorra"
Hi Cilla, my name's monster and I'm from Hell. *giggle*
*snort*
Sorry Bruce I misspelled it, shoulda been "lorra lorra"
Ahh, two nations separated by a common language. :smack:
I'm iguana see if I can get into my local community college this summer to take some prerequisite science courses for going back to a graduate program.
Why a local community college? Partly I'm watching my weight, but also they've got a pretty good program and they are closer than SUNY Albany.
My experience with gradual school was that if you could hit the needed score on the standardized test and pass the credit check, you're in. Now if the sciences are actually a necessary part of the program you're choosing, then by all means, do it for the refresher. There's probably been some new science since you left school ... ;)
Yep, they are needed, but only about 15-18 credits worth. I reread the program and it's a stretch to call it a graduate program, more of a professional certification kind of thing.
What program are you interested in?
Brewing or yeast growing I bet,
Or there is all ways that corse on male prostitution .
I should have posted in here a fe days ago, but didn't think to. I was feeling mildly apprehensive about a paper I had to deliver today at the annual Social History Society conference.
I was supposed to present last year but did my back in and was unable to travel to Brighton for it. This year it was held at my own university (yey!).
What was making me apprehensive was that a) I hadn't actually written the paper at that point...and b) I was part of a three person panel, along with my PhD supervisor and my colleague/fellow supervisee, (no pressure!) presenting on the broad preset theme of 'Places and Spaces', which we'd then narrowed down to an exploration of place and militarised space in Georgian Britain. A theme I had blithely agreed to present on, with a vague notion of how to approach it. All of a sudden the conference was hoving into view over the horizon and I was hurriedly trying to make my work fit this theme, having submitted a proposal months ago which committed me to a particular direction.
Also, never know how many people will turn up to each panel (all running parrellel). It was possible that we'd be presenting to a crowded seminar room...or a near empty one.
Turned out good though. Enough people to make it worth presenting (8 or 9) not enough to make the seminar room feel crowded.
And I ended up pleased with paper :)
All right! It's an extra-good feeling to come up with strong work in a time crunch. Congrats!
Brewing or yeast growing I bet,
Or there is all ways that corse on male prostitution .
I've always wanted to be a yeast rancher but couldn't find a horse tiny enough.
And I ended up pleased with paper :)
See now that's bad, you put it off till the last minute and got away with it. That's a bad habit that will bite you some day when there's hundreds of people watching. :p:
Hahahahhahah yes I know. One day I will run straight into the wall :P
Two consultants coming in to help clean up a past year's issues. The meeting for them (for which I was supposed to take lead but The Sidler has and that's fine with me) starts in 7 minutes.
Then a meeting with accounting.
Then this after noon the meeting that made me so messed up last week. I don't know if dragon lady will be in attendance.
So, this day could go either way. Send me strength to stick to it, to not give them the satisfaction of quitting.
Right now I am smiling and joking and will go with the flow. Keeping an open mind as my imaginary internet friend ;) told me to, and my loins girded. And I must remember to BREATHE.
Wouldn't mind if the inevitable conclusion happened this week instead of next (the end of my cap which they let me know in no uncertain terms last week that I am completely fucking up.)
Thanks for letting me bolster myself. :)
How do you manage to get a lion into a girdle? I'd have thought there'd be a lot of scratching.
All the fashion Lions are wearing Spanx.®
Which is my way of saying: huh? ;)
The consultants are moving forward on the project. I am here to help when they run into the weird stuff. They cancelled my 11 meeting.
It's the 2:00 which is the meeting that was so awful last week that is worrying me now.
As I've said...I just want it over one way or another. If we all go forward from here and I keep my job: great. But obviously it has to change. I think it can, giving the massive amounts of information I've tried to absorb over the past few weeks. It's really just a question of whether they 'get' what I've been saying or not.
Well, that went pretty well. Huh. She was there, and it was professional and I think I presented my points very well.
One more week, we shall see.
But the best thing: after all I was worried about last night (not sleepy well, which is unusual...I"m a great sleeper) and this morning (a coupla barfings due to nerves) it's over and it didn't go badly. Didn't go badly a'tall. Even if I do only have one more week I can deal with it when I don't feel like I did last week.
Whew...
Sounds good.
Sent by thought transference
We have been lucky to have really great teachers at our elementary school so far. They always seem to treat Minifob as one of their favorites (partly due to the fact that I'm also an active and helpful classroom parent, no doubt.)
At the end of the year, each grade does a little performance program. A hundred-plus first graders, only ten speaking parts, and somehow they gave one of the largest parts to Minifob.
His teacher's insane! I mean, I get it, they see it as kind of a special nod to his social growth, and they wouldn't want to waste a part on any of the kids whose parents won't bother to show up after all. And he's definitely not going to clam up on stage, which can't be said of all kids. But he's also just as likely to turn to the audience and start explaining, "I'm not really Mr. Smith, I'm pretending to be Mr. Smith, this is called acting and when people get up on a stage to tell a story it's called a play, and we're not really lost, we're just pretending..."
Or he might pull it off without a hitch. I'm nervous.
I would enjoy the performance more if it went like that.
You have to video it... you must, you must. If it plays out like that, you'll make a million bucks on youtube, and live happily ever after. :jig:
Oh yes! Charlie and his stupid damn finger will be anonymous in comparison.
You have to video it... you must, you must. If it plays out like that, you'll make a million bucks on youtube, and live happily ever after. :jig:
America's Funniest Videos, $$$$
whatever.
you tape it and post it, *I'LL* pay to watch it! to the tip jar, of course.
At the end of the year, each grade does a little performance program. A hundred-plus first graders, only ten speaking parts, and somehow they gave one of the largest parts to Minifob.
Have they had practices yet? How's he doing?
S0me^Dwe11ars^may^remember^my^specia1^c0ffee^cup
I^just^spi11ed^sugared^c0ffee^int0^my^keyb0ard
Then^whi1e^turning^the^keyb0ard^upside^d0wn^t0^drain,
^I^kn0cked^the^cup^0ver^again^and^spi11ed^the^
rest^0f^the^c0ffee^0nt0^my^m0use^and^br0ke^the^cup
The^m0use^seems^t0^be^w0rking^again
Maybe^the^keys^0n^the^right^side^wi11^start^w0rking
again^t0mmar0w
1^:sniff:^f0r^my^10st^c0ffee
2^:sniff::sniff:^f0r^my^specia1^cup
Have they had practices yet? How's he doing?
He knows his lines when we practice at home, at least. (And he always makes me read past his last line to the end of the scene, because he has a stage direction to smile and wave, and he wants to be sure to practice that part too. :)) But the memorization's the easy part. We'll see...
Lamp I spilled coffee (just a couple of drops) onto my keyboard and at first it wouldn't stop peeing (well, they do say coffee is a diuretic!). Then it wouldn't pee at all.
I gave up and got a new one.
I've read that you can put a keyboard into the dishwasher on the top rack and it can clean them without harming them. I've never tried it though. Sounds totally wrong.
S0me^Dwe11ars^may^remember^my^specia1^c0ffee^cup
I^just^spi11ed^sugared^c0ffee^int0^my^keyb0ard
Then^whi1e^turning^the^keyb0ard^upside^d0wn^t0^drain,
^I^kn0cked^the^cup^0ver^again^and^spi11ed^the^
rest^0f^the^c0ffee^0nt0^my^m0use^and^br0ke^the^cup
The^m0use^seems^t0^be^w0rking^again
Maybe^the^keys^0n^the^right^side^wi11^start^w0rking
again^t0mmar0w
1^:sniff:^f0r^my^10st^c0ffee
2^:sniff::sniff:^f0r^my^specia1^cup
I AM sorry about ur coffee cup.
I had a great coffee cup that one of the older ladies in the farm market gave me one summer to take back to college.
I didn't find out until years later, at my last job, that it was Bybee pottery, kind of a big deal. I had carried my cup o' over to the bookstore and the lady says 'is that bybee?' and I'm all like "I don't know. What?" and we turned it over and it had this insignia on the bottom. Well, we didn't turn it over we held it up and looked underneath.
[ATTACH]43916[/ATTACH]
When they renovated the suite one of the workers knocked it off the shelf and broke it to pieces. Poor kid, he left me a note and everything. But there was nothing to be done. It was sentimental to me because of who gave it to me, but these things happen.
I've read that you can put a keyboard into the dishwasher on the top rack and it can clean them without harming them. I've never tried it though. Sounds totally wrong.
This guy did it.
Three days later, with no evidence of any remaining dampness on the keyboard, I plugged it into an Apple laptop. The Mac OS X keyboard-setup assistant automatically popped up... but then nothing happened. I pressed the "z" key as it instructed, but the computer never registered that input. Much the same thing happened on a Lenovo netbook running Windows XP: The computer realized that there was a keyboard on the other end of that USB cable but didn't detect any keystrokes.
Update: It seems I typed, or tried to type, too soon. Last night, after a day of baking in the same sunny room, the keyboard came to life when I plugged it into each of those two laptops. All of the keys appear to work properly, and the Caps Lock and Num Lock LEDs even illuminate. (Yes, the keyboard did function before; it was just too disgusting for my colleague to want to keep using, and somebody in IT decided it would be simpler to swap it out for a new unit.) So that seems to be the trick--letting the keyboard dry for what seems like enough time, then give it another day or two to air out.
It was cheaper to buy a new keyboard than a dishwasher ... :right:
I've read that you can put a keyboard into the dishwasher on the top rack and it can clean them without harming them. I've never tried it though. Sounds totally wrong.
All the crumbs that get in my keyboard would probably gum up the dishwasher.
I have washed keyboards out - I usually use the spray attachment on the sink, and warm water - NO SOAP! .. and then leave em somewhere warm - top of the fridge fer instance to dry out for a few days to a week.
I've got about a 75% success rate with them surviving the procedure.
There's a reason I won't buy a fancy ergonomic $150 keyboard.
Years of forbidding the children to have food or drink at the computer, means I'm the only one who's dumped a full coffee or a can of coke into the keyboard.
The opitical mouse seems to be working fine.
But that was a $50+ cup of coffee (including a new cup)
Of course, it will take years to attain the same patina.
With nothing to lose now, I'll try the old keyboard in the dishwasher,
and maybe we'll end up with a full-sized keyboard on the iPad
Today I have to try to finish fixing my wife's car and put it back together. She drives a 1996 Toyota Avalon and it's hovering at 280,000 miles. It began making a noise, kind of a grinding grown that was there until you hit the accelerator and revved it such a when you speed up or get out on the highway. Then it would subside but come back once the engine was at a steady rpm. It is a transverse engine and it sounded like the noise was on the passenger side where the belts are.
After listening to it while idling in the driveway I felt it might be the water pump or one of the big pulleys for the timing belt. We are way overdue for a timing belt change and since the water pump is only replaceable when the belt is removed I am doing replacing it as well which is what Toyota suggests. I suspect it is the water pump bearing making the noise as the shaft might get repositioned to not make the noise when you accelerate and water is forced harder through the impeller blades, sort of refloating the shaft to a centered position and not pushing the bearing off center.
I had to drain out all of the coolant, remove lots of stuff including the air plenum, engine mounts and brackets and today I need to break free the nut holding the big pulley on to the crankshaft. I need to insure that everything is perfectly lined up for cylinder 1 at top dead center or the timing could get off. I ordered the necessary parts, timing belt kit, water pump and several gaskets and they are all here.
So, I am uneasy because I always doubt my skills even though I did the timing belt a few years ago (supposed to be every 90,000 miles but this is only the second time) and I have successfully rebuilt a few engines in my youth. I just worry I will screw it up, something will go wrong or worse yet I will get it done and the noise will still be there meaning it is something else. And the last thing we need is for the car to just not be repairable (something worse or I fuck up), we just don't have room for a new car payment what with the kitchen redo and other things. I will have let my wife down or at least that what my Leo ego will think.
So why am I doing it? Well, having a shop do it would be $600-$800 as for them it's almost an all day job and they mark up parts. I took the car apart last week and ordered the parts, then I cut my thumb so I've waited for it to heel up mostly so I can use it. And the parts I have purchased only cost about $160 so far. I am also changing out the valve cover gaskets as they get old and brittle and let oil seep out.
Can't put it off any longer, it's like a tax return or getting in your thesis on time. :right:
Good luck Chris! You know what you are doing, and that's why you are nervous. Sometimes it's better to be ignorant about the possible problems.
As long as you get #1 at TDC, the worst that could happen is a leaky gasket or something simple that you'd have to redo, along with checking for children within earshot.
Like you said, the noise could be something else. The only other thing might be the alternator, but I'd bet on the water pump too. Besides, what you're doing needs doing anyway so all's good.
Oh, have you checked the radiator fan? Pullers, sometimes when they get worn, start to rub the fins and could slide back under acceleration. Just a thought if this doesn't solve it.
Oh, have you checked the radiator fan? Pullers, sometimes when they get worn, start to rub the fins and could slide back under acceleration. Just a thought if this doesn't solve it.
On a regular engine that might be true but for a transverse the fan units are up by the radiator in front and electrically controlled. And the noise is definitely coming from the area facing the right wheel where the belts and pulleys are, it seemed in the center area which could negate it being the alternator which is towards the front.
The issue for me is not so much my ability but working on an older car with a very dirty engine, brittle connections and other plastic parts that break or crumble.
Today I removed the spark plugs as I planned on changing them as well and it is easier to turn over the engine with them out but ran into a glitch. The spark plugs are recessed down little tubes in the center of the cylinder heads and the center rear spark plug cable came off ok but left a little rubber boot way down inside decided to stay on the spark plug making it impossible to remove the plug. So for about an hour I worked by feel (you can't see into the tube as it faces the firewall) with a large hemostat, I figured it was a long and narrow version of a needle nose and I managed to pull bits of the rubber off. Then I resorted to a dental tool with a long curved point and picked out bits of rubber for another hour until the last of it came out. Finally removed the spark plug. It is amazing how many tools I have collected and especially unusual ones like the medical and dental tools
Then it was the valve covers, the front is easy but once again the rear presents all kinds of issue as the wiring harness and an AC line are up against it. Finally got it out.
Now playing with finding TDC for #1 which is on the rear head. I also have to jam something into the ring gear via a transmission access panel to jam the crank in place to break free the crank pulley nut which is supposed to be torqued to 159 ft lbs. I did this once before but can't remember what I did. The Toyoto work book says to use a special tool to hold the pulley in place, I may go to the auto part store and see if they rent out a tool like that.
I am remembering how I swore I would never do this kind of job again. What made me forget that? :eyebrow:
On a regular engine that might be true but for a transverse the fan units are up by the radiator in front and electrically controlled.
I was speaking of an electric fan mounted to the radiator. When they get worn they can develop longitudinal movement that will make them rub under different vehicle dynamics, depending of whether it's a puller or pusher.
Your ear says right front, so that's the logical place to start. They make a boot puller tool that can save a lot of aggravation, as it hooks around the plug and pulls the boot from the far end. It keeps from chewing up a lot of rubber bits that can drop into the cylinder when the plug comes out. Like the dental equipment, it's handy for a shitload of other things also.
Thanks! I didn't quite understand what you meant.
Biggest problem I'm having now is breaking free the bolt for the crank pulley. The pulley has 2 metric threaded hole on either side of the bolt and the Toyota shop manual says to use Special Tool blabidy bla which is like a long handled wrench with a Y shaped yoke at the front and gets bolted to the pulley and then you use a breaker bar and a 22mm socket to break loose the big bolt. The Haynes manual say to jamb a pry bar into the ring gear via a removable plate on the side of the bell housing or put a socket on one of the bolts on the side of the flywheel, probably one for the torque converter. If I go that route I will need my son to help me tomorrow, it's a 2 person job.
I tried to fabricate a tool out of 1/8 aluminum flat bar stock I had in the shop, drilled two hole for the bolt and between them for the socket. It looked nifty and I tightened it up with some high strength metric engine bolts I had. Bent the bolts right off as soon as I pulled on the breaker bar so I quit. Wish I could remember how I did it last time, I must have jammed the flywheel in place.
On the upside, Toyota was able to order 3 of the plastic connectors that cracked, the ones that attach to the ignition coils and they were only $8 each.
Being able to get those connectors is a big help.
If it were a stick with a hefty flywheel, jamming with a pry bar would be easy, but the flex plate for an automatic is pretty flimsy. You have to make sure you're not bending it, so a prop between the ring gear and the ground would probably be safest.
So that whole school performance thing? Turns out that, despite asking the kids to memorize their lines, the plan was always to have copies of the script in everyone's hands. They just gave the speaking parts to the most fluent readers, duh.
So yeah, he read his part just fine. No viral YouTube fodder here.
Was using the scripts so nobody gets embarrassed forgetting their lines, or give them something to focus on so they didn't wander?
It was a fun sponge PC move. God forbid there are any cute moments when some undiagnosed Tourette's kid blurts out ASSWIPE during the nativity play.
Sorry. I'm cranky this morning.
Was using the scripts so nobody gets embarrassed forgetting their lines, or give them something to focus on so they didn't wander?
Nah, it takes a lot of embarrass a 7 year old, they don't give a damn. The scripts saved the whole production from falling apart, to be honest. Even with them, there were at least 3 or 4 times when everyone just stood there silently for up to 30 seconds, until the kid who had the next line suddenly realized what was going on. (Not
my kid of course, because we'd actually made sure he had memorized his lines. :)) The whole thing was just sort of slow and painful.
Think of it as part of the hazing ritual for the parents, Clod.
Exams starting tomorrow ... just put the final touches on my take-home (due tomorrow), then one each day from Mon-Wed. Clinics in between, unfortunately. But! No matter how it goes, Wed evening I'll be done.
You know we're calling you Dr 100%, don't you?
Oh sure, no pressure. :worried:
Just projecting from recent results, it's the best guide to future results.
Having the living room floor ripped up for the fourth time.
First time, about this time last year - fit lovely, solid wood floor in dream room
Second time - some buckling due to mystery water ingress
Third time - more buckling. Water ingress traced. Hopefully dealt with.
Fourth time - replacing solid wood floor with engineered wood (less likely to buckle if water problems recur).
And no, since you ask, this wasn't covered by insurance.
Clod - I coached Tiger extensively for the Harvest Festival and the Christmas play (although he only had two lines in that.) I was a little annoyed because he has a great memory and suffers absolutely no stage fright. Mum learned the lines with him - he was word perfect before most of the class and no tears there.
But I was... not admonished, but it was mentioned that perhaps it wasn't fair for him to get extra help regarding the performance.
WHAT?!
We were working on sound projection and intonation.
During sessions set aside for just this type of assistance. In fact we worked mostly at the beginning or the end of sessions, as a warm-up or cool down. The dinner ladies (who loved him anyway for being a handsome lad and very precise in his eating habits) used to mouth his lines along with him because we often practised in the hall as they were setting up lunch. It was a grand echoing space and great for creating a joyful noise.
I mean, honestly, it's not like it was an audition piece, or a scholarship place. Yes, he was effectively parroting the way I said the words, but it's still part of learning. Oh and he wouldn't take direction from Mum. Very stubborn. Well, no, not really of course. Just an aspie boy who assigns specific roles to the different people in his life. But Mum did not feel any jealousy, and if Mrs Olney wanted it to be said a certain way then that was the way Tiger was going to say it.
Bloody hell I miss my job.
Just an aspie boy who assigns specific roles to the different people in his life.
Oh Lord, yes. Both my kids are devilish about people, especially me and Mr. Clod, sticking to our assigned roles.
Having the living room floor ripped up for the fourth time.
First time, about this time last year - fit lovely, solid wood floor in dream room
Second time - some buckling due to mystery water ingress
Third time - more buckling. Water ingress traced. Hopefully dealt with.
Fourth time - replacing solid wood floor with engineered wood (less likely to buckle if water problems recur).
And no, since you ask, this wasn't covered by insurance.
That sux limey. Stuff like that is so irritating. firstly because it happens, and secondly because of the added expenses. I'd be spitting chips in your place.
There's plenty of wood chips here to spit!
Sent by thought transference
hahaha...I was thinking chips of teeth from grinding them together. ;)
Oh Lord, yes. Both my kids are devilish about people, especially me and Mr. Clod, sticking to our assigned roles.
What will they do when they meet a Jack of All Trades?
Having the living room floor ripped up for the fourth time.
First time, about this time last year - fit lovely, solid wood floor in dream room
Second time - some buckling due to mystery water ingress
Third time - more buckling. Water ingress traced. Hopefully dealt with.
Fourth time - replacing solid wood floor with engineered wood (less likely to buckle if water problems recur).
And no, since you ask, this wasn't covered by insurance.
Sorry Limes, I was all about missing Tiger and in consequence missed your post.
It's horrible.
You've made your house so beautiful and this little problem (
LARGE problem) just doesn't want to be resolved.
I feel your pain.
If I believed in luck, or in people getting what they deserve, this will be the very last time you will have to worry about it. And it will be beautiful.
PS - are you sure the house is not built on an ancient Native American graveyard? You know, the lost tribe that discovered Arran and then all died from hypothermia?
Having the living room floor ripped up for the fourth time.
First time, about this time last year - fit lovely, solid wood floor in dream room
Second time - some buckling due to mystery water ingress
Third time - more buckling. Water ingress traced. Hopefully dealt with.
Fourth time - replacing solid wood floor with engineered wood (less likely to buckle if water problems recur).
And no, since you ask, this wasn't covered by insurance.
Gah, that's bad, Limey. Can feel the pain. I had that A/C unit of mine going down third time since last year due to unknown problem. And every time they charged me hefty sum. Wasn't covered by insurance either.
There comes that time in life when old folks have to downsize.... We're in that process.
We are planning to put our house on the market, and there is so much to do.
Tomorrow the people are coming to refinish the living rm, dining rm and kitchen floors.
Today we are emptying out the rooms of furniture, and finding
all the lost children, $, toys, buttons, dust-puppies, dog hair, etc.
In the morning, we'll put both dogs in the car and leave for 2 nights at my daughters house.
When we get back, we meet with the real estate agents so they
can tell us how much (less) our house is worth now in this economy.
We have taken 2 pickup-truck loads of "stuff" to Goodwill,
and the trash pick up this past week was extraordinary.
I've already painted the upstairs bedrooms, bath, and hallway,
and plan to do the downstairs rooms while they are still empty
and the furniture is out on the front porch.
If my wife and I can still stand one another after all this, :boxers:
we'll be looking for our next (smaller) place to live. :lovers:
that sounds wrenching and exciting at the same time. good thread choice.
And good luck to you and Mrs LL.
Wow Lamplighter. If I remember correctly, your house is beautiful. It must be difficult to leave it.
Good luck Lamp, you've made it this far it'll be cool.
Good luck with both the selling and the buying. Moving is tough. But change can be good.
As the actress said to the bishop.
I'm dragging this morning.
Around midnight last night, after having trouble falling asleep because I was too warm, I discovered that the air conditioner was just blowing warm air on us, and that's why I had been a little warm all evening. Fuck. So I went downstairs and opened the kitchen window above the outside condenser to listen. It wasn't running. I went to the thermostat and turned off the AC, and then turned it back on. I heard a click out at the condenser as I turned it back on. The AC was trying to turn on, but wasn't able to. I turned it off again. So I went down in the basement and checked the circuit breaker. It hadn't been tripped. But I flipped the breaker off and back on anyway. But I was tired and wasn't interested in trouble shooting any more, so I opened the windows and went to bed. It was a lot cooler outside than inside anyway, so it was better.
I kept thinking about what might be wrong, and it was a while before I fell asleep.
This morning, I tried turning the AC on, and the condenser came right on. Yeah! It works, but I don't know what had been wrong with it, so that's got me a tad apprehensive.
Then I grabbed an apple to take with my lunch, and there was water in the crisper drawer, and on the floor of the fridge. Dammit! This old house. The drain line was probably plugged, and I was already late for work.
That's when my wife told me that my son had played a prank by punching a hole in the base of a can of soda, draining the soda, and filling the can with water. Apparently duct tape isn't water proof and the water leaked out of the can and inside the fridge. The little fucker. I left for work after giving him instructions to get a sponge and to mop out the fridge. At least the fridge isn't broken.
In the end, everything appears to be fine. So I shouldn't complain, but ain't nobody got time for that.
That's when my wife told me that my son had played a prank by punching a hole in the base of a can of soda, draining the soda, and filling the can with water. Apparently duct tape isn't water proof and the water leaked out of the can and inside the fridge. The little fucker. I left for work after giving him instructions to get a sponge and to mop out the fridge. At least the fridge isn't broken.
He's a little fucker, no doubt. But I have to admit, if the prank had worked, it would have been kind of funny to see a family member open up a can of soda to find only water. I'm sure cleaning up the fridge will give him time to reflect on what sort of sealant would be more waterproof, for next time. :)
And it made me realize why he was asking me last night if I ever drink soda. I mostly don't, and the only reason we had any on hand was that it was purchased for a party that was canceled because of bad weather. He's the only one drinking the soda. So he was disappointed that nobody was falling for his prank. I feel a little sorry for him.
8:49 AM
The little fucker.
9:11 AM
I feel a little sorry for him.
You didn't even have time to plot an appropriate revenge, you pussy. :lol2:
Well, if he's the only one who drinks soda, a revenge plan seems obvious. Wait a few weeks, buy some soda, make a hole in the can... :devil:
Water? beetroot juice? Cat's piss?
Beeswax will seal it nicely.
Okay, what's making me very nervous ... I'm in the middle of three intense weeks of courses, did a crazy travel one last week that just about did me in (almost didn't successfully complete the drive home ...); and now spending 9 hours/day in lectures for International Health/Tropical Diseases. I have to finish a 12-page project for last week's course and email it by tomorrow night. I have to pull together a proposal for a paper for the Int'l Health course by tomorrow night, to hand in Friday morning. And write the paper by next Friday, when I also have a 2-hour exam on the course.
I've just started tamoxifen and it's giving me nuclear hot flashes all fricking night. I got a Fitbit One and it recorded me as sleeping 5 1/2 hours last night (spent 7 1/2 hours in bed) with 17 awakenings. No wonder I'm tired.
I don't know if I'll pull this one off. So far I've done it, I've gone without enough sleep to get it done. I'll probably do that again and pull something out of my ass in time to satisfy the profs. But I'm seriously apprehensive, or stressed, or whatever. :thepain:
If you needed more sleep your body would take it upon itself to provide it. What is really fucking you up is worrying about not getting the amount of sleep you think you need. ;)
We have some blackberry vines on our property.
My wife sleeps on the window side.
Last night she had a dream where she heard a voice saying " FEED ME ! "
I did not finish weeding the front garden (north plot) before I started in on the margaritos.
I'm not actually apprehensive, on the contrary, quite relaxed, but it might prove to be a problem when I don't have the driveway cleared in time for the delivery of my recycled bricks scheduled for tomorrow.
also, I'm sneezing hard enough to alarm the dogs. I don't care about their baseless alarm, but the seemingly endless series of convulsions do make my back hurt.
We have some blackberry vines on our property.
My wife sleeps on the window side.
Last night she had a dream where she heard a voice saying " FEED ME ! "
I will address *my alarm* at the subject of this thread presently.
I am worrying to a ridiculous degree about starting my new supermarket job.
It might be because of the amount of training I have to undertake.
I've only had that level of training in two jobs; one when I was a school-leaver going to work in an office, and one when I was a waitress for a then-unfinished restaurant (I quit after two weeks.)
Tomorrow is my uniform fitting.
I will be paid.
I've already clocked up 3 hours training online, for which I will be paid.
Then I have a Welcome Meeting and Orientation and from 22 July (yes, paid) I'm technically on the payroll because there's more... OMG MUCH more.
Good news for the old bank balance (although I'm only going to work 20 hours when employed.)
Two of my training sessions are on Rotisserie.
Two things you can guarantee with me:
- Given the slightest opportunity I will wear the wrong shoes
- Given the slightest opportunity I will burn myself
They have a strict dress code.
So no dangerous shoes.
But I see ouchies coming.
Time to invest some of that paycheck in some burn gel, sounds like.
reminds me of one of murphy's laboratory laws, hot glass looks exactly like cold glass.
I'm sure the hot metal is masquerading in the same way. Be careful, but be prepared to be burned. Know where the ice is.
Other than that, HOW EXCITING!!
I have my post-chemo PET/CT scan on Thursday. It will show whether my 'hot' area from last fall has resolved with chemo, and presumably (hopefully) demonstrate that no other 'hot' areas exist. I plan to grab the radiologist and sweet-talk him/her into a quick read, so that I don't have to wait until my August 12 appointment with a new oncologist. My original one has departed for the Elysian Fields of the Cleveland Clinic.
If the scan's positive I'll ditch tamoxifen quicker than dirt, because it has destroyed my sleep for the past two months. One night of eight solid hours of sleep ... that would be my Make a Wish if I were young enough.
If it's negative I'll set my sights on the moon and stars. Maybe the moon to start. When you aren't sure of your fuel levels, it's prudent to plan for a stop at the Moon before re-plotting your course for the stars.
Or take beans along and make gas on the way. ;)
Hope you get a good read.
Thanks, Bruce (x0x0x0). The least I can do for the techs is to make gas along the way, although considering I can't seem to eat anything it's probably not an issue.
Off to my first official work meeting tonight.
Not worried about that per se. Just the dress code.
Smart/ casual.
What is this smart/ casual?
Is it office wear? Is it what you would wear on a date? Is it what you would wear for a lunch out with your family?
It's set to be the hottest day of the year so far. Smart/ casual can kiss my arse. I'm wearing cropped office-style trousers (see Thame thread for similar.)
It's not denim, they have no holes in them and you can't see the crack of my arse.
Possibly a plain, fitted t-shirt top with a little jewellery to dress it up.
Smart/ casual.
Tcha.
Packing for another trip - didn't even have time to do laundry after getting home late yesterday. :right:
I hate packing; it makes me anxious. I am the person who will end up at a medical conference with three ball gowns, a red t-shirt, and no underwear. So I overpack and still end up without necessary things.
Going to just throw lots of stuff in the cases and get out of Dodge before the Pittsburgh/weekend traffic gets too ugly. If I end up in Michigan with nothing but ball gowns and a red t-shirt I'll take pics. :p:
Have fun and take pics anyway! :)
Earlier this year a small group of attorneys left my firm. It was a loss. I liked them, and they brought business into the firm.
I just got an email that another small group of attorneys is leaving. They were all assholes, so I won't miss them. But it can't be good for the firm.
It's still a big place, but I'm not feeling so confident about its health. I'm wondering how marketable I am.
Once the second group is out the door, send a email to the first group:
"They're gone. It's OK to come back now"
...or tell the first group you may be available.
I have an all-day interview tomorrow for my old job. However, it has to morph into something very different from its current structure to have a chance of success. So my multiple interviews will consist of selling that concept to those who matter.
good luck, that kind of thing stresses me the hell out.
Thanks - the interviews went very well today. It looks like it may be possible to work out a different practice structure; everyone was enthusiastic. I hope it all works out.
The kids are about to have three days in a row out in the sun doing water activities. This is great for them and all, but pale, blonde little Minifobette burns if she stands too close to an incandescent bulb. I can slather on the sunscreen every hour like I always do, but I think what I really need to do is go buy her a giant sunhat with a string to keep her from losing it.
The kids are about to have three days in a row out in the sun doing water activities. This is great for them and all, but pale, blonde little Minifobette burns if she stands too close to an incandescent bulb. I can slather on the sunscreen every hour like I always do, but I think what I really need to do is go buy her a giant sunhat with a string to keep her from losing it.
I strongly recommend a
surf shirt (also known as a rashguard for protecting the wet skin from rash from lying on the board all day). They come in every color and pattern that swimsuits do, from solids to patterns. One nice element for your situation is that some of them come with high necks, like a turtleneck, and with long sleeves. You'll get far more protection for her (and his) torso with such a shirt than you would do with a sun hat. Plus, you can't lose it and it works equally well in the water. There are lots of designs, loose, tight, long and short sleeved. We used these in Hawaii and I loved them. Very effective.
Of course, it offers no protection for her face and ears and scalp (yes, I've had my scalp sunburned through my hair, it's very very uncomfortable) and only some protection for her neck, depending on the shirt. For that, a big hat is a good idea. Failing that, getting some of the industrial strength sunscreen is your next best bet. Back in the day, I used zinc oxide for my nose. Go on, laugh. It was not clownishly unfashionable then for the lifeguards to have white noses. And it blocked 100% of the sun, it was water-proof, *and* you could tell when it was time to reapply due to wiping, not water or sweat. But you do have the white clown makeup appearance factor. There are other invisible products I've had good success with since then, like Bullfrog. I know there are others. I liked the Bullfrog because the beeswax in the formulation really gave it staying power.
Big hat, spf 30 fabric shirt and preferably leggings (maybe a wetsuit?), and tons of sunscreen even under the shirt etc. ... it's frustrating, but pale, blond people are more prone to skin cancer from UV exposure than others. A bad burn in childhood sets you up, as you obviously know, Clod, since you're concerned about the sun/water activities.
Living where you do, this is tough. Maybe encourage her to start horseback riding (shameless plug here for the benefits of horse activities for all ages :p: ) - you have to cover up except +/- for arms, and you wear a hat ... it saved my skin back in the day when everyone slathered themselves in oil and lay in the sun.
(yes, I've had my scalp sunburned through my hair, it's very very uncomfortable)
We are very familiar with this type of burn. We already put sunscreen right on her scalp (makes her hair look ridiculous,) but it's hard to get all the nooks and crannies. I found her a big straw cowboy hat at a sporting goods store this afternoon that somehow fits her tiny head. Keeps her face and shoulders completely shaded, and it stood up to being soaked with water during today's activities, at least. Day one = burn-free. Two more to go.
Excellent. Wishing you and her all the best.
She returned to the house with pinkish cheeks, but it was gone by bedtime so I'm thinking it was just flushing from the heat. Tomorrow is the big push, 10 hours at Schlitterbahn. But she'll have her cowboy hat, which worked great on Day One, so at this point I'm more worried about how I can make sure Minifob gets his second/third sunscreen application when he is likely to be out of my hands all day.
Schlitterbahn report: Minifob has just the slightest twinge of pink under his eyes, Minifobette has no sunburn at all.
Me and Mr. Clod, on the other hand, both have mild sunburns. His covers his entire chest, shoulders, and back, and mine is just on my back--where he was the one to apply the sunscreen. Clearly there is something lacking in his technique. It's not bad though, the kind that will clear up in another day. My feet suffered far more, walking around barefoot all day on a mixture of scratchy pool bottoms and burning-hot concrete. Mr. Clod's FitBit said 18,000+ steps. It was a fun day, but too damn long.
Reminds me of a time my husband got his own back. Big white handprints outlined by a pretty good sunburn.
Glad the minifobs fared well!
Three-month follow-up and it seems there was a question on the CT scan after all. Bilateral adnexal masses, stable but persistent since the scan last October. So I get an ultrasound 'at my earliest convenience', because a history of breast cancer + bilateral masses + persistence beyond 12 weeks = high risk.
What are the odds? About 50%. But I may be in the good 50%. That's what I'll believe until they tell me otherwise.
Damn straight, there's no sense in worrying about shit that may not happen. That's like paying interest on money you didn't borrow.
Yeah, well done orthodoc, stay positive.
Not good news on the ultrasound this morning although it could be worse. Still I win a trip to the Gyne-Oncologist in Pittsburgh next Tuesday.
Pulling for a good outcome in Pittsburgh. :fingerx:
Thanks, guys - it could still be all right, so I'll keep assuming that. This weekend I'm going to visit my oldest son in Arlington and just have a good time.
I'll be thinking about you next week, ortho. Good luck with everything.
Sending you positive vibes, Ortho!
Sent by thought transference
Next summer, we're supposed to have a big glatt family reunion near Yosemite for my parent's 50th anniversary. The place we are staying was 2 miles from the flames of that big forest fire as of yesterday afternoon. And the wind is blowing the fire that direction.
It's the
John Muir House at Evergreen lodge, the bed at the end of the green arrow in the picture below. I understand the fire is 2% contained.
[ATTACH]45228[/ATTACH]
Looks like the flames are lapping at the door of our lodge.
[ATTACH]45238[/ATTACH]
Maybe a different venue for next year?
They'll have almost a year to get the insurance payout and rebuild. Bigger and better, I say.
with a wider no burn barrier
We went to Yellowstone a couple years after the burn and again 20 years later. It made for an interesting trip, so if you have a place to sleep it'll be cool.
According to their Facebook page, the manager was able to get back to the lodge today, and found that the fire fighters had saved all the buildings at the lodge. So next summer, we'll be staying in a nice lodge in the middle of an ash tray. It should be interesting.
Hope the wildfire slows down soon. I don't want all of Yosemite to be gone.
I saw in one article that they didn't have any federal aircraft fighting the fire initially because of the sequestration. It wasn't until it was huge and out of control that the Feds found funds somewhere to fight it. But now it's too late. It gonna just keep burning.
Gyne-Oncologist
I could have lived my entire life not knowing that was a thing.
Retrospectively......I was shitting bricks leading up to Hebe's driving test. But she passed, so all is well
Way to go, Hebe!
Now she can drive herself to everything.
Lil Griff is driving everywhere now. Its nice but Dads worry.
I could have lived my entire life not knowing that was a thing.
I could have, too. Priests/priestesses of the jade palace and all that, they should only have to deal with beauty, right?
Reality sucks, and these things do exist, and one will be turning me inside out on Wednesday to see if bad things are happening. Hopefully they won't be, and I'll walk away without a few more parts but with more hope for the future. It's a trade I'm willing to make. Crossing my fingers that the universe is willing to make that trade as well.
Ultrasound of liver, the 16th.
It keeps on coming, doesn't it b?
The UPK I'm supposed to integrate with is way under numbers. So I left a highly subscribed one with a terrible co-teacher for a good teacher but no kids. Normally our organization would just take the hit expecting our special ed services to absorb the funding hole but the sequestration disaster nuked our bottom line so...
UPK = Universal Pre-Kindergarden ?
The 10 year old girl next door is a latch key kid. She lives with her grandmother with whom I have spoken to only once. She & her brothers have used my phone before to call their grandmother or father, but always on the front porch. Today, she came home and the power was off at her house. I think they didn't pay the bill. Anyway she needed to use the bathroom. I let her in to use it, but I was here alone. She was here less than 5 minutes, but you know how things are now days. What would you have done??
UPK = Universal Pre-Kindergarden ?
Yeah. We added a new kid this morning but still not good.
Going on a coal-mine tour tomorrow. It's a once in a lifetime opportunity, somewhat ironically - after all, the people who work the mines get plenty of opportunity. Outsiders don't, however. I believe this is a long-wall mine. The thought of hydraulic shocks moving along as the shearer cuts into the seam, and the area behind collapsing ... makes me apprehensive. :worried:
See
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Longwall_mining.
I will try to get some pics, although I suspect only pics on the surface will be allowed.
Next time I want to bitch about my job reflecting on coal-mining would put an end to that.
Let us know how it goes! My grandfather used to talk about the coal mines all the time, but refused to ever step foot into one. Even museum ones that were deemed perfectly safe for the public to visit. The stories he told were amazing. Some crazy stuff happened in PA mines in the last century.
I had not heard the term "long wall" before.
I watched a few of the YouTube videos on long wall coal mining.
Some are nothing but commercials for the mining equipment (e.g. Caterpillar, etc.)
This one explains what it is using animations:
[YOUTUBE]NsiGV7lmNXE[/YOUTUBE]
Despite the politics of coal (Koch Brothers, global warming, etc.),
I am still amazed at the engineering.
Thanks for the introduction, Ortho...
I am apprehensive having discovered an open window in my basement.
It's too soon to tell whether or not I have a bigger problem on my hands as I haven't yet heard back from all the people who might have had access to the latch on the inside.
That's going to be a real problem come the zombie apocalypse.
Jus' sayin'
Don't you still have a teen or two at home who might have a desire to sneak out at night (or perhaps sneak their girlfriend/boyfriend in and out?) I'm just saying that even if everyone in the house says they didn't open the window, it still doesn't necessarily mean a break-in.
I do. That's why I'm not bothered yet, no answer from them, yet.
I seriously doubt a break-in, given the layout of the stuff around the window, etc. What I think probably happened is that someone opened the window, for some unknown reason, and didn't close it. I'm gonna ask in my least threatening srs-voice, the one I use for when I must have a truthful answer. I hope it works.
If the answer is no, then... then I'll need to expand my investigation, and then I'll be apprehensive. Because who the fucking fuck is opening my windows?
I'm gonna make an effort to reel in my imagination at this point.
It's funny how the memory slips away at your age. :p:
But in your mid-60's, the $ comes slipping in ... all that is needed is your SSN.
Survived the coal mine tour but was too tired yesterday to comment ...
I'm very glad I had the chance to go. It was terrifying but important to do, rather like visiting a poultry production facility if you intend to eat supermarket chicken. Since I am intimately acquainted with the victims of this industry, I owe it to them to see where and how they become victims.
The mine I toured was exemplary in their cooperation with MSHA (the Mining Safety and Health Administration), their cleanliness and safety training, and their willingness to be transparent to outsiders. This was all positive. They did a fantastic job organizing our tour; they provided a complete kit for each of us (having inquired about sizes beforehand), with boots, overalls, belt, radio, small self-contained self-rescuer, goggles, hard hat with ear muffs, and headlamp. The radio had a tracker; the location of every person underground was monitored by the dispatcher above-ground.
We spent about two hours in safety training and got to open and try out the self-rescuers so that we would really know how to use them, should there be an emergency while we were underground. We also got to open and try the bigger self-rescuer equipment (the small ones are carried on one's belt; they provide oxygen for 10 minutes or so, long enough - supposedly - to get to the caches of large self-rescuers kept underground every 1,000 yards. The large ones are good for 1-6 hours, depending on how much demand is put on them. Sitting down and breathing shallowly, they're good for 6 hours; walking vigorously to escape, it's more like 1 hour).
Once equipped, we descended via a 25-person elevator to the active part of the mine, 1,000 feet down. This isn't all that deep compared to many mines. Still - it was 1,000 feet. The mine itself has been in operation since 1956 and is 35 miles square (not square miles); there are quite a few other portals many miles away, including the original one that was built with the incline per Lamp's video. They brought the big equipment down the incline and have moved it from area to area ever since.
We exited the elevator and walked a short distance down a tunnel that was ghostly white, with square metal plates on the walls and ceiling and metal beams overhead. The miners drill and place roof and wall bolts to stabilize the tunnel walls and ceiling, and place beams every 4 feet along the passage. Metal netting covered the walls because the coal tends to crumble. Areas of the ceiling could frequently be seen to have crumbled and fallen between beams.
We got into metal 'man-trip' cars that ran on rails; they were diesel powered rather than electric. As we passed old passageways, I noticed that the metal posts holding up the unused openings had bowed significantly. Not something I was happy to notice!
We arrived at the active face and filed along its length. There were 240+ 'shields', essentially robotic supports with a long base, a vertical strut, and a shield that extended forward about 4 feet just under the ceiling. They were positioned close together; as we stepped across their bases, there were 2 long strides between each base. They held up the ceiling above our heads; looking to our left, I could see where the chamber had collapsed immediately behind the bases of the shields. The guide said that as the shearer moves ahead, the shields automatically shift forward. The ceiling behind them collapses within about 20 seconds. We asked what this does to the surface; the guide said that, in this location, nothing has happened on the surface. They are apparently creating 6-7 foot vertical spaces between shallower layers underground.
When we got to the end of the long wall face, the way was blocked by a sprayer shooting clouds of 'rock dust' over the pile of coal dust at the end. The rock dust treatment is used to make the coal dust more inert and less likely to explode.
The two big dangers in coal mines are: a) methane gas, which exists in pockets in coal seams and is highly explosive; and b) coal dust explosions. There are other less frequent hazards, but these two are the most common causes of mine disasters.
We watched the rock dust shoot out in clouds and settle over everything, including us. It is composed of 4-5% silica, lime, and other things. No one should be in that environment without a respirator.
The shearer, when it started up, was impressive. It operates like a circular saw with only a few reinforced teeth, spinning rapidly and crumbling the face of the coal seam into rubble. A long chain belt swept the rubble away to waiting cars for transport to the surface. Sprayers kept everything in the area wet, and yet coal dust still blew through the air and settled on our faces and in our noses and mouths.
There was no quick or easy way to exit the mine. Handheld cords with directional cones, described by the safety guide on the surface, were not visible. The tracks of the 'man-trip' were a better guide. The floor was wet, uneven, and slippery; sometimes gravel, sometimes mud. If we turned our headlamps off, the darkness was absolute.
The tunnels were as clean and tidy as humanly possible. The face was harvested using high-tech methods. The miners, who start at $70-80K at the age of 19 with a high school diploma and make around $100K+ once they have their 'black hat' miner card after 6 months, were all positive in attitude and proud of what they were doing.
But having seen 30 and 40 year olds who can't breathe, who are dying because their lungs are a giant mass of fibrosed scar tissue, I feel rather as though I've just visited a poultry farm. I ask, do we NEED these young men to die horrible deaths at 40, suffocating because their lungs can no longer transfer oxygen to their blood? Would any of us take a turn in the mines to ensure that the lights stayed on?
I don't know. I know that we are dependent on coal for the foreseeable future. The price is higher than the simple dollar amount we pay. On the other hand, higher wages than they could draw anywhere else allow high school graduates to support families and send their children to school.
I have my thoughts on the subject. What do others think?
... they provided a complete kit for each of us (having inquired about sizes beforehand), with boots, overalls, belt, radio, small self-contained self-rescuer, goggles, hard hat with ear muffs, and headlamp. ...
No canary? :eyebrow:
No canary. I guess we were the canaries ...
I ask, do we NEED these young men to die horrible deaths at 40, suffocating because their lungs can no longer transfer oxygen to their blood?
Not all of them do, you don't have contact with the others so that's what you see. What percent succumb to your worst case scenario and why them and not others. Was it because they weren't supplied or couldn't be bothered to use safety equipment?
It's the same question for the football players. They both voluntarily destroy their bodies for us in exchange for good pay. I didn't realize miners were paid that well. We've come a long way since the company towns would turn them into virtual indentured servants.
I wouldn't do either job, and wouldn't want my kid doing either job.
I wouldn't want that gig. You mentioned poultry production at the beginning and I might place that below coal mining, unless done in the Joel Salatin manner. A friend of mine in environmental testing went to a kosher chicken plant where everything seemed to be done well. He was super careful the whole time but the guys working there were very into the big physical handshakes. He ended up hospitalized with a campylobacter infection.
What percent succumb to your worst case scenario and why them and not others. Was it because they weren't supplied or couldn't be bothered to use safety equipment?
Black lung dropped from about 11% of miners to 3.3% in the late 1990s, but by 2009 had risen again to 9% in some areas (eastern Kentucky, southern West Virginia, western Virginia, in a geographical area now known as the 'hot spot'). After each recent disaster (Sago, Utah, Big Branch) more safety equipment and regulations have been added. MSHA is required to inspect every mine in the country, and does.
Nevertheless, the industry doesn't have a 'safety first' culture, although the supervisors at the mine I toured stressed it. Still, things could have been better. No miner is going to complain too loudly when it means losing his job. Mine owners aren't overly concerned about safety relative to production because black lung benefits are largely tax-funded at the state and federal levels. That said, the rules are crazy enough that quite a few are denied on technicalities.
It's strenuous, dangerous work. Disasters still happen not infrequently and miners die horrible deaths. Between that and black lung, it's a high price in human lives.
Thanks for the long write-up orthodox, it was really interesting
I'm a tad apprehensive because I just bought a
tenor saxophone off eBay. I know it's a bit beat up, but I hope it's playable.
I'm tired of paying $30-40 a month to rent a nice new one from the music store and I'm hoping this $200 one will work out just fine. It's for my son, and he knows it's all beat up and scratched and stuff, and he's fine with that. But it better be playable.
At least it's cheap enough that I can replace a bunch of pads and still be ahead. And it's a good model for a middle school kid like him.
New saxophones are ridiculously expensive.
I know you all have been on pins and needles waiting to see how it turned out, but the sax got here yesterday. I can't play, but my son played it and said it functions perfectly. It's 46 years old and quite scratched up and missing finish, but it sounds very good.
Perfect timing too, since we can return the rental on Saturday, which is the last day of the rental month.
This purchased sax will pay for itself in 6-7 months of no rental fees.
Cutting out a $30 monthly expense is a good thing.
:thumb:
With a well maintained musical instrument of reasonable quality originally age doesn't matter. The consumables are easily and cheaply replaced. I wish your son much musical joy!
Sent by thought transference
Probably less likely to get stolen, also.
I agree with limey, glatt. You're giving the kid a fantastic gift.
Even if he graduates and never plays again, you'll have given him the ability to understand how music is constructed, how it's created, and enjoy the nuances. Good on you. :thumb:
And will give him instant cred if he decides to play jazz.
Yep, Coolest kid in the horn section!
Ultrasound and labs tomorrow. I've been having left-sided symptoms. Probably nothing, and it's time for a follow-up anyway. I just wish someone close to me was tuned in, had taken notice somehow.
Whatever. What will be, will be. If it's too much to bear I'll just help things along.
Thanks, glatt. I'm sure everything will be fine. I just get antsy the day before, in spite of knowing that the odds are in my favor.
Eta - and, sorry about grumbling over my son's photos. I was having a pity-party. Embarrassing.
Vague, hazy, and indistinct feelings of restlessness and foreboding.
My G-son, Sam, is at the top of the eligibility list for a new job with ODFW.
He got a call this morning
- the State has declared a state-wide hiring freeze.
- but they said he would remain at the top of the list
Nothing in the news yet, but it seems strange at this time of Oregon's fiscal year.
Pray for an early thaw. :thumb:
last night I rolled over a big ass deer with my car and I tore the muffler away from the cat and then dragged along the ground for a while fucking up more shit as it rolled along.
Nice.
Talked to the ins. co. and they'll come see it tomorrow or the next day. $200 deductible.
I'm pretty sure they'll cover it.
Did you get to keep the deer?
Between whoever hit it first and me rolling over it, I didn't want it. Someone else did though. It was gone this morning.
F3 Your post of vague, hazy, and indistinct feelings of restlessness and foreboding took 13 days to manifest ...wooo scary... ;)
I thought the insurance company got to keep the deer?
I've been working with my new Mac and trying out new financial software.
This involved moving files from my old Mac to an external drive
and then onto the new Mac.
In testing the software, I've moved various files into the Trash.
Well, since a few of these files held financial and personal data,
I decided to do an (irreversible) "Secure Empty Trash" deletion.
To my terror, an Alert window came up saying it was deleting 26,828 files :eek: :eek: :eek:
That was 3 hours ago... there are still 4,000 to go :facepalm:
Hahahahaha. Ouch. Yeah, that'll take a while.
Uh oh. The boy is puking this morning.
I'm dreaming of a stomach virus Christmas...
House guest (MIL) due to arrive tomorrow and sleep in his room, and him on our floor. May need to rethink this.
Bad timing.
Around here its been running about 24 hours. Am trying Cream of Rice now.
F3
Vague, hazy, and indistinct feelings of restlessness and foreboding.
Yes, I get those constantly. They start when I get up and stop when I go to sleep. Otherwise known as 'life' in my case, I'm sorry to say.:eek:
Uh oh. The boy is puking this morning.
I'm dreaming of a stomach virus Christmas...
House guest (MIL) due to arrive tomorrow and sleep in his room, and him on our floor. May need to rethink this.
Bad timing.
Uh oh ... sorry to hear this. GI viruses survive on surfaces, so it's probably best to leave your son where he is and find other quarters for MIL. If you're fanatical about disinfecting surfaces and hand washing, you may contain it. Hand sanitizers work best for viruses.
I hope the rest of you escape it.
My hands are already getting a little dried out from all the hand washing I've done this morning. I'm going through the motions but feel like it's a lost cause. Part of me thinks we should all just deliberately infect ourselves now in the hopes it will run its course by christmas. Also, Clorox wipes are convenient, and I just fired up the humidifier to knock airborn viruses down to the floor. I still feel like it's a lost cause.
Hmm.
He's stopped puking and is happily sipping ginger ale. All perky and not happy that I'm confining him to his room. Maybe it wasn't a severe stomach virus after all. Or maybe it's that famous 4 hour stomach virus.
*raw, sanitized fingers crossed*
the eye of the storm?
Rooting for you all.
Don't give up, glatt - it IS possible to escape it. And maybe it'll be a fairly mild thing, or even a bit of food poisoning and not nearly as infectious as rotavirus or norovirus.
... or the brown eye of the storm
Hey, it seems like it was not much after all. He's had a couple slices of plain toast and a bunch of ginger ale, and is feeling a little tender but is holding everything down.
Looks like Son of Glatt was more contagious than we thought: Minifobette just puked in her sleep. Not to worry though, it mostly just got on her face, her body, her hair, her pillow, all the sheets and blankets, the nightstand, and the carpet. No biggie. :rolleyes:
Not at all, until minifob does the same. :yelsick:
Sorry, Clod ... hope the pain is short-lived.
It's the most wonderful time of the year...
The boy has a slight headache but is otherwise ok. Just needs some fluids.
Where will the cellar contagion land next?
... right here at home. Lil' Pete has my version.
I'm sorry.
I hope it stops with her.
Facebook is starting to be peppered with similar stories across the country.
And as I type this, I realize I was just rubbing my face without knowing it. It's no wonder these viruses are so successful. Did I wash my hands since I got off the Metro? Can't remember. Don't think so.
I'm sorry, griff. I hope Lil' Pete bounces back quickly.
It's difficult to train yourself not to touch your face, but it can be done (at least for defined high-risk times). Probably a good practice when in public areas.
Yeah, we should be conscious of our hands. This entered my classroom maybe 2 1/2 weeks ago. We wash hands rigorously but I messed up somewhere.
Some Alaska Airlines flights won't fly today due to their pilots' flu
We wash hands rigorously but I messed up somewhere.
Not necessarily. Some are airbourne. Short of living in a germ-free bubble, there isn't much you can do.
I read last year that a humidifier is good because the moisture in the air makes the airborn viruses get soggy and fall to the floor. Dry indoor air is the perfect environment for viruses to just float around where you can breathe them in. And it's the main reason illnesses peak in winter months.
...And it's the main reason illnesses peak in winter months.
That ... and the little mobile Petri dishes are not outside playing.
...aaaand now Minifob is puking. Took the gold in both distance as well as number of items sullied--it was nothing less than over and past the nightstand for this champ. Tomorrow at 9 am, we head out for seven hours in the car followed by three days with the in-laws. Merry Christmas everyone, you'll never guess what we brought you!
Don't do it to yourselves ... stay home. You have the best of reasons.
Road trips with sick kids suck. There's still a puke stain on our headliner from years ago that you can only see if you know where to look.
Gallon size zip lock bags are useful and double as a rough measuring device.
And I agree with Ortho. You gotta be a little crazy to get into a car with a sick kid to drive AWAY from your home.
My wife confirm what Glatt says...
She drove all the way down the west side of the Canadian Rockies
with 2 of our 3 girls spouting randomly... not fun.
My wife can confirm what Glatt says...
She drove all the way down the west side of the Canadian Rockies
with 2 of our 3 girls spouting randomly... not fun.
Yeah, stay home. Its ripping through my sisters house and we saw them on the Eve... Update Lil Griff started hurling at 2:30 this morning. Pete is the last standing.
Yeah, staying home wasn't going to happen. But he ended up puking a total of 8 times last night, so by the time we were getting in the car, there was really nothing left for him to get rid of. He dry-heaved a few times on the trip, but strategic towels were enough to handle it. We'll see how tonight goes (he managed to keep a little water down, so we let him have 2-3 bites of food at dinner.)
But the really exciting thing is now I'm feeling very crampy and nauseous. Mr. Clod, at least, says he's still feeling fine.
Now my daughter is throwing up. What is that, 6 days later or so?
Ugh.
Time to clean everything again. At least we were healthy for Christmas.
Dang, so much more frustrating when you thought you were past it. Hope she's better in time to go back to school.
How are you doing, Clodfobble?
Oh, much better. Everyone went to bed early last night, so I got to as well. Minifobette has taken a turn back for the worse, but I seem to have escaped relatively unscathed.
Did I mention it got Mrs glatt this morning? I'm the sole survivor looking nervously around me.
Supposed to have a neighbor kid sleep over tonight while his parents are on the road. I'm trying to reach the parents so they can figure out a plan B.
Still waiting on Pete... Also teh boyfriend is here recovering from his snowboarding accident, will he succumb?
Before we left my in-laws' house this morning, my sister-in-law started puking. We've still got three left in the house unaffected; I'm expecting this to get everyone before it's all over.
Ha! Could be Mr. Clod, we'll have to keep an eye on that rascal...
The in-laws will all get it. Happy New Year! :greenface
This happened to us one Christmas long ago in Canada. Everyone, but everyone in my extended family traveled to be with us for the holidays. Absolutely everyone left with gastro. It was horrible. I sympathize, clod.
Before we left my in-laws' house this morning, my sister-in-law started puking. We've still got three left in the house unaffected; I'm expecting this to get everyone before it's all over.
Oh, so that's why you refused to stay home. Misery loves company, and if you're going down, they're ALL going down. :lol2:
Heh... the motives were selfish, I agree: If we'd said we weren't coming, they just would have insisted on driving down to us instead. And then who knows how long they would have stayed. Better to just meet them on their turf and then beat a hasty retreat. Plus all the kids napped during the long car rides, which they wouldn't have done at home.
Minifobette hasn't thrown up in over three days, but she's still refusing to eat. We haven't decided yet if this is because she genuinely still feels nauseous, or because she's gotten it in her head that if she never eats again she'll never have to throw up again. She's the kind of kid who can stick to a decision like that, once she's made it.
I have numbness in the last two toes of both feet. In another few days it will reach the level of making an appointment about it.
I have numbness in the last two toes of both feet. In another few days it will reach the level of making an appointment about it.
What is that level? Are you waiting for numbness in MORE toes, or for the currently numb toes to rot and fall off?
Get thee to a doctory.
In another few days it will reach the level of making an appointment about it.
In another few days it will be New Years' Day, and no doctors will be open. Call today.
Or at the very least, go to the grocery store and pick up a little over-the-counter blood sugar test kit. It might be nothing, but I'd be worried about unchecked diabetes.
There's a level and it's like, for chest pain you give it 3 minutes, if it's a sharp pain in your groin you give it a day, if it's toe numbness you give it a week and a half if it's not getting worse.
There's a level and it's like, for chest pain you give it 3 minutes, if it's a sharp pain in your groin you give it a day, if it's toe numbness you give it a week and a half if it's not getting worse.
No. The diabetes thing. Now, please.
Sent by thought transference
yeah, no. I know what you mean about the level...but a week and a half is silly.
It'll wait until the 2nd and that is that, sorry.
Eta. For reasons I'm not going into.
During the meantime, no more typing with your feet.
Okay, I get that you can't see a doc until the 2nd, but check your own blood sugar, yeah? Takes 30 seconds. Couldn't hurt, and if you rule it out at least you'll have more information to give the doc, right?
I'm sure they will send me for a test no matter what I say I've done. They have a lab right downstairs.
I've got the test gear... and wine.;)
The doc is not at all worried about my toes. Says I have excellent circulation, and the problem is not as bad as I thought. He gave me a set of rehab exercises to do for the lower back, and says check back in in two weeks, if no improvement then there is a battery of tests that can be run.
It's the "not as bad as I thought" that feels the best.
Since turning 50 I feel like everything is bad news from here on out. "It's not a toomah!" turns into "Maybe it IS a toomah."
Before we left my in-laws' house this morning, my sister-in-law started puking. We've still got three left in the house unaffected; I'm expecting this to get everyone before it's all over.
Faaahk. Instead of spreading, it came back around and got Minifob again. Our union's "12 days without a spew" sign just got rolled back to zero. Time to go to the weekend clinic to find out if it's actually something they can treat beyond anti-nausea drugs.
*shakes dice* Come ooonnn, flu, baby needs a new set of antivirals...
I've had nasty left foot pain for the past 6-7 weeks, persisting in spite of ditching my professional shoes (leather flats) for super-cushy Nike running shoes (they look just great with my office clothes). Had an x-ray yesterday to see if it's a stress fracture, which is what it feels like. I haven't done a thing that could cause a stress fracture. I'm no athlete at the moment. My xray report says there's a lucency (clear, dark spot that shouldn't be there) on one of my metatarsals. So I get a bone scan the second week of March.
It'd be very unusual to have a met in my foot, so I'm going to go with the assumption that this is something else. I've had right hip pain over the past two months as well, though, hence the bone scan. Meh. I'm probably just having osteoporotic fractures from the stupid Arimidex. Too soon to tell.
If this pain is from mets, I'll be truly pissed. I just bought a $700 Board-review program.
I hope it's just garden variety shitty ankle syndrome. That's why I keep a spare...
Let us know how the scans go, ortho. :fingerx:
[YOUTUBE]ey4WSb-BVDQ[/YOUTUBE]
I need to be watching more of Louis CK. He rocks.
He is super funny. But. I watched a couple episodes of his regular "show", he has a show, y'know. It was not pleasant. All about how awkward things were as he tried to find a romantic connection after divorce. It was ugly and unfunny.
His show is different from his standup, yes. It's ugly, but the whole point of it is that there is beauty in ugly. One of my favorite episodes is where he is briefly hired as a sitcom writer, and gets fired because he is trying to make a show that is essentially like his actual show you are watching, and the producers would rather bring Bob Saget in deliver cheesy family one-liners instead. The episode where he carries a baby duck around Iraq made me tear up. It was ugly and beautiful.
It's a sad and beautiful world
[YOUTUBE]ZP2tqJTSfgU[/YOUTUBE]
So, last year my sister went to the doctor. She's been complaining of occasional dips in her blood pressure, dizziness, headaches, weariness or getting extremely tired, and lack of energy. So, the doctor said, let's see if something's wrong with you or it's life getting you down. A week later, my sister came back for blood results. The doctor informed her that she nothing is wrong with her. She said to take vitamins, exercise, and come back in 3 months. :eyebrow: Hahahaha.....and yeah, my sister never came back. She thought it'd be a waste of time and money.
His show is different from his standup, yes. It's ugly, but the whole point of it is that there is beauty in ugly. One of my favorite episodes is where he is briefly hired as a sitcom writer, and gets fired because he is trying to make a show that is essentially like his actual show you are watching, and the producers would rather bring Bob Saget in deliver cheesy family one-liners instead. The episode where he carries a baby duck around Iraq made me tear up. It was ugly and beautiful.
Is that the show you mentioned when we were discussing the differences between British and American comedy styles?
The two Js were over here a couple of hours ago and they were raving it. They've got the first couple of series downloaded so J is bringing it round next time they come :)
The radiologist says the foot issue is a stress fracture. Hooray! I drank a toast to stress fractures last night. Now I'm more confident about the hip pain. Guess that study program won't go to waste after all. :D
(And no thanks to stupid Arimidex. A fracture after being on it only two months? WTF.)
You know you've had a bad couple of years if you're cheering for a fractured foot :p
I know ... but think how much higher I now get to climb on the happiness scale. I can only go up from here! So I'm toasting the fracture! :p:
[YOUTUBE]ey4WSb-BVDQ[/YOUTUBE]
Hahahaha! Now I know what I have - Incurable Shitty Foot Syndrome. And from now on I will stretch it every day, and this will be a new thing I do. I'll probably skip the 10 Aleve per day, though. I like my kidneys.
Is that the show you mentioned when we were discussing the differences between British and American comedy styles?
The two Js were over here a couple of hours ago and they were raving it. They've got the first couple of series downloaded so J is bringing it round next time they come
Yes, that's the one! Let me know what you think when you see it. I want to confirm whether I know your taste like I think I do. :) (I also predict that Foot & UT would like it, Griff & Lola would hate it, and Sundae would mostly like it except for the darkest bits...)
Hey Ortho, I'm happy for you that you broke your foot. And I mean that in the nicest possible way!
He's not sorry about ur foot.
We need to capture
The fracture rapture
Comin' right atcha
Yes, that's the one! Let me know what you think when you see it. I want to confirm whether I know your taste like I think I do. :) (I also predict that Foot & UT would like it, Griff & Lola would hate it, and Sundae would mostly like it except for the darkest bits...)
Actually, I'm a Louis CK fan, he gets how uncomfortable life is.
Um, congrats on the broken foot?
Heh.
Heh heh ... sorry or not sorry, congrats or not, thank you all ... I am VERY HAPPY to have a broken foot. :D
And I walked around on it for two months, cursing it but walking on it, so I have confirmed to myself that I am not a wuss. (Sometimes, when you have a lot of pain for a long time and it gets you down, you start to wonder.)
And I enjoy Louis CK. I haven't seen his show, but I've enjoyed the audio I've listened to. He's not pretty but he's real.
Actually, I'm a Louis CK fan, he gets how uncomfortable life is.
Yabbut, the show or the standup? The show has a few clips of his standup inserted here and there, illustrating how he takes his weird-ass life and turns it into comedy, but most of the show is his weird-ass life. It's very different from his regular standup.
NSFW language
[youtube]2D-PFdCup2E[/youtube]
I find the pain in both to be revealing and strangely reassuring.
Yes, that's the one! Let me know what you think when you see it. I want to confirm whether I know your taste like I think I do. :) (I also predict that Foot & UT would like it, Griff & Lola would hate it, and Sundae would mostly like it except for the darkest bits...)
So, what "it" are you talking about? Louis CK? The shitty ankle, I found funny. The pot smoking clip, not so much.
Yeah, the "it" I meant was his character-based show, i.e. the pot smoking clip. So I'm 1 for 2 on people who I thought would hate it... in baseball, I'd be batting .500!
ME: Louis' standup is brilliant; but his show, including that clip, is just average, don't like it don't hate it.
Did you see the episode of Comedians in Cars with him in it? It's my favorite one so far, and I've seen half a dozen. I suspect he's really like his stand up persona all the time.
I should clarify further by saying that his standup is most just "brilliant" but top eleven of all time, which on my list goes like:
George Carlin
Bill Cosby
Richard Pryor
Louis CK
Bill Hicks
Joan Rivers
Jerry Seinfeld
Steve Martin
Eddie Murphy
Sam Kinison
Emo Philips
Emo Philips. I used to love him. I knew half his act word for word.
The one with the kid on the swing wanting him to push harder, and harder and harder...
So, I backed up the Buick...
My brother says hello!
. . . so hooray for speech therapy.
I used to think that the brain was the most wonderful organ in my body.
. . . Then I realized — well, look what's telling me this.
Got some new underwear!
...well, new to me
People ask me how much I weigh. I tell them, 145 pounds, naked. That is, if that scale outside the drugstore is anything to go by.
How is Steven wright not on that list?
Kathleen Madigan?
i had a dream the other night. i was asking someone about Gary Wright. whoever i was talking to said 'oh, that one-liner guy.' i was like, no, that's stephen wright. gary wright did Dream Weaver.
the next day i got into my car and the radio station had just started playing Dream Weaver. seriously. ;)
also, my older bro had emo as the entertainer for a conference. he has pics with him. i'm the envy.
my favorite emo is him talking about being alone at night in the dark. he says he starts singing (in a shaky scared voice): whenever i feel afraid, i whistle a happy tune...
then he hears a voice: thanks, i thought i'd never find you in the dark.
Steven Wright is #12 on my list, as is Eddie Izzard and Lewis Black.
I'm going to have to check out emo philips again
Stephen wright = comedy genius.
The ski lift story was always my favourite. And the one about burglars breaking into his house and replacing all his stuff with exact replicas.
And Izzard I always loved. Just what a guy.
I still use that line. As "Oh crap, someone broke into your house while you were gone and replaced everything with an exact replica!"
That or "everywhere is walking distance if you have the time." Or "you can't have everything. Where would you put it?"
Steven Wright reversed the peephole on his door. He said he could see people coming from miles away. "Who is it? Who is it going to be when you get here?"
Must've watched his stand up routine a hundred times.
Here are pages and pages of his jokes:
http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/s/steven_wright.html
Excuse me while I go laugh for an hour or so!
Last year I went fishing with Salvador Dali. He was using a dotted line. He caught every other fish.
--Steven Wright
Here's a good tagline: Is it weird in here, or is it just me?
Here's a clip of emo from my old favorite show: Dr Katz Professional Therapist
[YOUTUBE]w-Za3z1eomM[/YOUTUBE]
It's a small world but I wouldn't want to have to paint it.
Another great Steven Wright line
Oh I used to love Dr Katz!
Mildly apprehensive, as it's half a world away, but
Ebola outbreaks are back.
Ebola is so virulent, it defeats itself (virally speaking). It kills too fast for it to propagate and really get out into the larger population. That's no comfort for those who succumb, I realize, but it isn't a big epidemic risk. If it became a little less virulent, we'd be in big trouble.
Feel bad for the health care workers who are treating the fever patients before they realize it's Ebola, and wind up catching it themselves.
I'm battling a mild case of Ebola Zaire right now. Or possibly it's just the tail end of a cold.
Got some standardized test scores from the school today.
Minifobette is reading at a fourth grade level, and she can answer all sorts of comprehension questions about what she's read. But on the "listening" portion of the test, where they read an equivalent passage *out loud* and then ask similar comprehension questions, she's in the 20th percentile of Kindergarteners, effectively on a preschool level. It's like her ears don't work!
(Actually, what it's really like is the auditory processing portion of her brain doesn't work, which we pretty much already knew, but we didn't realize the discrepancy was quite so large.)
If she's a visual learner, good for her. On the other hand, has her hearing been tested? Hearing deficits in kids can escape notice for a long time. If she hasn't had a formal hearing assessment, now is the time. She may hear certain frequencies very well but still have significant loss at speech frequencies. It's also possible that she may have trouble with speech discrimination. Children should have an audiologist test their hearing, to be sure that all relevant tests are done.
After all that, she may hear wonderfully but not process instructions. Before assuming that, however, it makes sense to check whether she isn't hearing the instructions in the first place.
If she's a visual learner, good for her. On the other hand, has her hearing been tested? Hearing deficits in kids can escape notice for a long time. If she hasn't had a formal hearing assessment, now is the time. She may hear certain frequencies very well but still have significant loss at speech frequencies. It's also possible that she may have trouble with speech discrimination. Children should have an audiologist test their hearing, to be sure that all relevant tests are done.
Oh yes, she's been tested repeatedly. It's a requirement, first to enter ECI (state-run special needs program for kids under age 3,) then to enter PPCD (public special needs preschool program when they turn 3,) then to be in public school with an IEP. If anything, she's got hyperacusis across the board.
There's a strong possibility, however, that it's not an actual neurological processing problem, but rather an attention problem. She may just be getting impatient listening to the teacher talk more slowly than she'd like, and letting her mind wander. When I read chapter books to her at night, she interrupts me all the time to ask questions about words halfway down the page from where we are. She's really just using me as a lap to sit on while she reads the book herself.
Anyway, it's in the "tad apprehensive" thread because I'm not really worried about it. As long as she's given a textbook, she'll always be fine. But if she gets a teacher who conveys lots of information verbally, it could turn into a problem later on.
plus, it could be a problem when you get tired of writing notes to her for family communication.
Mother's have ways of making themselves understood... even the family pets know what Mama wants... of course the cats don't care.
I'm seriously considering relocating.
Again.
But I have nothing to live for right now, and can't afford to live here (Aylesbury) so it might save my life for a while.
Halifax, Dani suggests.
Bradford also a possibility as a (rival) supermarket has their Head Office there.
Unlikely to be able to stay with the company I work for, just because they follow the money ie the places they have branches have property prices out of my range.
Wages will be lower if I move North, but the wage to rent ratio would still be far easier to live on. Rent here is grossly inflated by being technically within commuter range of London. It's a trek - and an expensive one - but my bro does it after all. And there's been a ripple effect outwards from previous commuter towns.
I shouldn't complain - Ste & E will pay off their mortgage in the next few years so will be sitting pretty, and the inflated market is what will fund the 'rents for the rest of their life; they bought at £18k and will sell at over £170k. Good for them, they sacrificed a lot early on and have provided a haven for me for the last few years.
So.
Basically Mum & Dad will help me move financially. Not even as a loan, although I'd do everything I could to pay them back when I am settled - up front fees like bonds, moving costs, deposits, acting as a guarantor, travel costs for scouting for properties/ jobs etc.
But.
I really do need to have a job in place first.
And jobsies is hard to come by.
And I already have one I really enjoy (apart from Thursdays, and even that is getting easier, if not actually enjoyable).
And it's all going to be SO tight, time wise, because the 'rents can't bankroll me (loan me) really until their house sale goes through, but the money will literally go into their account on the day the keys are exchanged. The day Cherry is literally homeless.
Argh.
But if this is the path I choose, it's one Mum is really, really keen on.
And if she has to borrow to make it happen she will, in the full and certain knowledge that she has money coming in.
And although she brushes off my assurances that costs and rent and admin fees and all will be paid back, I really would.
Oh, just for comparison - I can rent a room in someone else's house for £400pcm in Aylesbury. I can rent a one bedroom flat in Bradford for £295.
It's going to be a big change however you slice it. Life a little further away from London, with its big prices is just as full of opportunities and challenges (and I know you know that already, Sundae). I've already said to you if I can help on anyway,then please let me know. The Limey household is rooting for you! xxx
Sent by thought transference
Thanks hon.
You and Dani are my lifelines as ever, especially in terms of emotional support and practical advice.
If I won the Lottery tomorrow (yes, my age-old refrain) I'd stay in Aylesbury. I love being near the 'rents as it happens. Even if I only had enough to live mortgage/ rent free then I'd stay in my little supermarket job quite happily, griping about Bakery and lack of communication from Managers and playing the Who Had the Stupidest Customer game (which I win because I made the game up OF COURSE).
I can cope with a provincial town.
I can live with a low salary, although you wouldn't get me turning down a pay rise...
But right here and right now I can't afford to. Not long term and keeping my sanity.
So I'm going back to the Doctors next week to explain my situation - re currently being under stress - and see if I can get them to give me an upgrade on my anxiety meds, and a couple of months for good measure, while my pre-pay card is valid.
Luckily I never told any healthcare professionals about my suicide attempt the other week, so there shouldn't be a reason for them not to allow me tablets. Not that I would try with those meds anyway, I looked them up and it's almost impossible, but GPs get funny about things like that.
I've asked at work about the way internal transfers are handled.
Our new Manager said if I told him which store I wanted to transfer to he would make enquiries for me. Might be a potential route to take. Need to look at how far out I'd have to live to make it viable re transport costs etc.
Maybe I could even talk the 'rents into helping me get a scooter. I've always dreamed of one.
Totally impractical of course, where would I put the bales of hay? ;)
Oh, Mum said she whiled away some time online this afternoon waiting for the hospital to call back (Dad's in for routine investigation and they've kept him overnight). Looking at places in Leeds, Bradford, Halifax etc for me. And the Universities and hospitals for jobs. When I say she'd happily help me relocate I do mean it. This isn't me going cap in hand and begging for money. She'd far rather I moved away (well you gotta appreciate that, right?) than scratched a bare living here and end up back in a Mental Health unit.
Luckily I never told any healthcare professionals about my suicide attempt the other week, so there shouldn't be a reason for them not to allow me tablets.
I love you, and I hope you stay with us, Cherry.
Sundae, I'm glad your parents are going to help you out. It's nice they'll be able to do that. I don't know where I'd be right now without the help of my parents years ago. They helped me because they wanted to, but also because they could. I think a lot of parents want to help their kids with a hand up when they need it; just that not all can. Bless your mom and dad.
Hang in there...this may be the start of the greatest adventure of your life!
Applied for five jobs last night. Funny how much harder it is to do online... At one point I just howled and walked away.
Went back though, temper tantrums don't equal a living wage.
Applied for one job within my present company. There is a quicker and easier way to do it, but the vacancy closed last night and I thought it better to apply as a 'civilian' than miss the opportunity entirely. I said as such in the Additional Information section; glad I made an initial approach to new new Department Manager, however casual.
Mum has offered to have Diz put in a cattery if I can't get him into foster care.
He'd hate it like poison, but he'd be alive and I'd be back as soon as I could...
Mum has offered to have Diz put in a cattery if I can't get him into foster care.
He'd hate it like poison, but he'd be alive and I'd be back as soon as I could...
EEK!!! Oh no Cherry, If I could I would keep Diz Kitty for you.
Got an interview next Tuesday (current employers)!
Wow, they move fast...
Interesting developments all round!
What's the job?
Same department as I'm in now, although that covers a multitude of roles.
Oh my! I'll be keeping my everythings crossed for you!
Sent by thought transference
That's wonderful! It would be fantastic if it worked out.
OMG - just had the hardest online assessment EVAH.
(Rival supermarket)
Multi-tasking test, apparently.
A five figure sum to mark true or false, okay all numbers under ten, but an example might be
6 - 9 + 7 + 3 - 5 = 3
Thank goodness for my recent sojourn in Key Stage One, learning number bonds alongside the children and marking Awesome Addition and the rest twice a week. I genuinely have trouble with numbers that I have fought hard to find ways around.
At the same time checking a six letter set of random letters for repetition; correct if any one letter is repeated. I found it helped to say them out loud.
At the same time as catching a descending ball in a bucket by moving the mouse left and right.
Oh yeah and each section times out.
What's that you say?
No, I'm not applying to be CEO of the company.
The vacancy under which my assessment was sent was that of Catering Assistant.
(Actually bottom of my list, because when it comes to cooking I'm nowhere near as good at multi-tasking as my ball in bucket skills may suggest).
Still it all goes on my file for the other vacancies I've applied for at that company.
And these days we all know a job is a job is a job.
If it keeps the Dizcat and I together and I can make an honest living I'll jump through any hoops I have to.
There is a special place in hell reserved for the illegitimates who devise these tests. No doubt they describe themselves as 'consultants' of some sort or another.
They are all cut from the same cloth as the pestilential individuals who gave us 'Human Resources' when we coped perfectly well with 'Personnel'.
There is little doubt that they all use, what a world weary friend calls, bolloxspeak. (Spelling varies).
If there's one small consolation in becoming ever so slightly older, it is that you can spot a fraud, spiv, crook, conman or all purpose charlatan from several light years away. A pox on all their houses.
I wouldn't put it past any of them to try to sell you a bridge in the course of your test.
Very best of luck in all your endeavours, Sundae.
PS I found the above outburst strangely cathartic.:D
Just ordered 100 junky personalized sunglasses for swim team online from a company I really can't find many reviews on (did talk to real person before decided to go ahead). $200. What if they're a bigger pile of shite than one expects for $2/pair? $2/pair is great, but $200 is a lot to throw away. They could be awesome, or it could be a total rip off and they people who agreed to go in on it with me if we decide not to use team funds for it could welch on the deal (it went on my credit card........ but they could be the most awesome fun thing about the season that the kids will remember forever. imagine th team picture...........they sunglasses are very similar to the ones that last year's coach had that they all kept stealing and wearing....
(hey.... if it's cool, we could get cellar sunglasses......)
.....with the monkey on one lens and the tripewriter on the other and arms with th web address......
... we'll wear our sunglasses at night, maybe go on a mission from god, and people will ask Who's that behind that monkey's ass?
I signed up to be a mystery shopper. Tomorrow I have my first assignment. I have to go into the store and go to three different departments, looking at three different things. I downloaded and printed off the brief and questionnaire - fuck me there's a lot of stuff to notice and remember! Like how many customers are in the department, how many staff, what are they doing, how long til they approach, what did they say etc. As well as physical descriptions of the staff member I speak to etc. And hold it all in my head til I can get somewhere private to make notes.
I am not the world's most observant person *gulp*. Gotta really try hard to be consciously aware of stuff!
Is there a way you can set up a checklist on you phone for some of it? Everyone's always fiddling with their phones, after all.
And take sneaky photos of the people, to help jog your memory?
That sounds like fun. How does it pay?
A new beginning in nine hours (or so). On to the next, and to hell with the past.
Ha! That was good fun. The checklist wasn't necessary - I managed to remember what it was I was supposed to ask / look for etc. The only difficulty is remembering in detail what i said, how they answered and so on - as wel as specifically what we looked at (full description of all products shown).
Great thing about dept stores: they have toilets :P So, after 1st dept, went into loos and quickly wrote up a few bits and bobs - number of peple in store, number of staff, physical description of staff etc.
Paywise - it's alright - £21 for this job. I was in the store for about 90 mins, and spent about 40 mins going through forms afterwards, and the phone call I'm waiting for to give my verbal report will take about 30 mins. I also spent about 20 mins in advance reading through all questions and getting clear in my head what i was doing - i suspect that will take less time on subsequent jobs. All in around 3 hours, so £7 per hour for this one.
But - as I say, I reckon it won't take as long to initial task read through and form filling on later jobs - so hopefully that will go up to £8 or £9 per hour.
It was great fun though. Felt a slight twinge of guilt when they were being so lovely. Very impressed with the staff at the cosmetics dept. I am the world's least make-uppy woman. I just have zero interest in cosmetics - I do occasinally put a bit of lippy and mascara on, but rarely, and I just buy cheap stuff because I really don't value it.
Yet: if I'd have had money in the bank yesterday, I'd have come out of that store with foundation (£28), moisturiser(£40) lipstick (£22), bronzer (£33) and a brush (£22) - and I am still thinking I might, when I eventually have cash to spend again, go back there and get the stuff, because it's awesome.
And they are awesome. I basically ended up with a free makeover - full works, went home feeling a million dollars :p
Also: tried on some drop dead gorgeous outfits :p.
I basically got paid to go play dress up and get a free makeover hahaha.
And now you can pay ur phone bill. Haha
The end. Or is it the beginning? I don't know. I'm just incredibly tired of not being. Of being. Being. Enough?
I was enough once or at least I thought I was. Then it all fell down. But then I built it again. Then it caught fire. Or was it set ablaze? Hard to remember because after that was the flood. But things dry out and others are replaced. Then all is shiny and new again. Then the earthquake. The earthquake was hard because while the others were natural the catastrophe was of my own doing. The earthquake though? That was a shock to say the least.
But I'm a builder. I'm pretty good at it really. Next is my favorite word. Or maybe it's fuck. Either way life goes on. And on. And on. On. On. On. It just doesn't stop. Because it's wrong to stop. Because everyone is counting on you to continue. Not succeed, but continue. To build. And sweep up the ashes. And build. And sweep up the rubble. But what if I don't want to sweep anymore? What if I want to lie down in the ashes? To let my head slip beneath the waves? Why can't I just pull the rubble over me?
Why?
A new beginning in nine hours (or so). On to the next, and to hell with the past.
Good luck!
Either way life goes on. And on. And on. On. On. On. It just doesn't stop.
My dad once said that "human life is very long." And I thought it was a kind of funny notion at the time, but I remember it years later. It's very true. I have come to understand it even better now, years later. I feel like I'm on my 4th lifetime now. My life doesn't suck. It's pretty damn good, all things considered, but there are times... And I find myself wondering what the point of it all is.
It's like that old John Cougar song, back when he called himself that: "oh yeah, life goes on, long after the thrill of living is gone."
But then little things come up that are maybe not quite thrilling, but fun. Go find a zip line course. That will put some pep in your step. Focus on those fun things that happen occasionally, and if they aren't happening, make them happen.
Hello Next1. Glatt has some good advice here. Do post again and let us know how things are.
It was great fun though. Felt a slight twinge of guilt when they were being so lovely. Very impressed with the staff at the cosmetics dept. I am the world's least make-uppy woman. I just have zero interest in cosmetics - I do occasinally put a bit of lippy and mascara on, but rarely, and I just buy cheap stuff because I really don't value it.
And they are awesome. I basically ended up with a free makeover - full works, went home feeling a million dollars :p
So not the Rude Sales girls? Can't link atm, from Man/Woman.
And where are the pix of the glammed-up Dana?
Not the rude sales girls no :P
Pics are on mum's ipad waiting to be emailed to me so I can post!
I got the cheek bones right.
;)
Not to harsh your mellow, Dana, but isn't mystery shopping a sort of phishing scam?
No, it's a very commonly used way for companies to assess their employee's performance on customer service issues.
I know a few people who've done it.
It's also common here, but if you see a mystery shopping job advertised, it is usually a scam to get your bank details.
Mystery shoppers are pretty common here too.
Since I shut my business down last month, I've been sleeping...a lot. Too much...like 12-16 hours a night. I try to keep a routine, but it just goes out the window. I could understand depression, except I'm not feeling depressed and I regularly take an antidepressant. The sleep I get is quality sleep, thanks in part to my CPAP machine. Everything is tip-top on that. I have diabetes, which is under control. So that leaves my thyroid at this point, I think. I dunno...going to the doctor's office in a bit.
Mystery shippers
Mystery shitters
Mystery slappers
How do get in contact with a mystery blow jobber?
How do get in contact with a mystery blow jobber?
Have you tried Gobble, er.... I mean Google?
I reserved my seat for the Board exam (October 16) today. The date is set. Now I have a specified number of days to study/agonize/panic.
It won't be easy, but then, nothing is. My spouse is struggling with his anger and retirement adjustment issues to the extent that I can't tell him about my day, nor can I mention anything about anxiety re my Boards.
However, the sun is setting and I plan to spend 10-15 minutes in the hot tub, then to bed and up at 4:00 to study. Go to work; work out afterward; study. Lather, rinse, repeat, until October 16 at 4:00 pm.
My spouse is struggling with his anger and retirement adjustment issues to the extent that I can't tell him about my day, nor can I mention anything about anxiety re my Boards.
This doesn't surprise me, probably not you either. :(
No. Somewhat disappointed but not surprised. I made my deal with the devil in 2012 when there really weren't any other options, and I wasn't cold enough to walk away after accepting a huge effort and sacrifice (of sleep, energy, and pride) on his part. He asked for a second chance and I agreed. So this is something I accept and will deal with.
I'm so used to running on chaos...I don't know what to do anymore!
I crashed hard this afternoon...I guess my body was like, "Alright...things are good...you need some hardcore sleep."
Off to see the 'rents again on Friday.
Which would usually be wonderful, but I went to see them about a month ago and it caused a big family furore. I was the catalyst, not a participant, but it made me super-wary.
It hurt me so badly I swore in my head that I would never go back to Aylesbury again, ever.
But that was an immediate knee-jerk (and jerkish) response.
Mum said if I didn't come down, she would come up here, and she is SO not allowed to at the moment - she had foot surgery after her trip up here (scheduled, not because of it!) and is still on sticks.
She wants to see me. She's worried because of the delay in my hospital admission. She's concerned enough to put her own health in danger. I cannot stand against that, even though I regularly tell her I'm fine. Trouble is, she listens to the tone and the phrasing and notes when I can't answer the phone and draws her own conclusions.
So I'm off for the Bank Holiday weekend. Well, not totally. The boy needs to be considered. It'll be a dawn start one day and a late night return another.
And I admit, although I have in no way engineered this, and in fact tried to sublimate it, I can't wait to see them again.
What might be making you a tad apprehensive, but might not, as it's too soon to tell?
This Ebola thing. I should just stop consuming the news.
Math on the front page today made a strong case for how we're already too late. This thing is out of control.
I'm with you, I've bought into the hype more than I intended. I read an article talking about how whether or not America ultimately sees a significant number of cases, Africa is a goner at this point, and South America's governments aren't in a much better position to handle it either.
I was hoping someone would come in and tell me everything is going to be ok.
We have troops in Africa building hospitals. We will have 17 hospitals completed in the next month. But by then we will actually need 170 hospitals. And that's just buildings. Who's gonna staff them?
The small companies making experimental medicines and vaccines are working around the clock, but it's a race, and the virus is spreading exponentially while they progress linearly.
By the time leaders are so scared that they are willing to do something previously unthinkable in scope, that unthinkable action still won't be enough to stop it, because it will have grown.
So that has me wondering about how I can prepare. Can it really get that bad here? I think of Katrina. But that's probably not the right model.
On the other hand, everything is fine right now. And I've got plans for the holiday weekend.
I think we're going to have a regular The Stand going on.
I think there is much they're not telling us.
But all the cool kids are getting iBola...eBola is so yesterday. (A little levity never hurts.)
I think the populace here is smarter (Jesus fucking Christ, my phone autocorrected that to "white"...) So you'd see a lot of people in face masks and gloves, and nobody leaving dead bodies in the street. So maybe preparing would mean stocking up on those. Large portions of our workforce can telecommute, so I bet anyone who could, would.
I think it would be more of a "everything grinds to a halt" scenario, rather than loss of basic necessities like in Katrina. Personally, I really wonder whether we're truly out of the ZMapp drug, or whether we're just keeping it for ourselves.
On the other hand, we've got plans for the weekend too... Although Minifob IS a little sick. ;)
you'd see a lot of people in face masks and gloves, ...So maybe preparing would mean stocking up on those.
Already have a bunch, but could probably use more. Maybe I'll take a look at our supply this weekend. Haven't checked them out in a few years.
I think we're going to have a regular The Stand going on.
Everybody just relax, get a drink, put on your Depends and HazMat suit and enjoy the ride.
The president created this disease to destroy Jesus. Unless our borders are closed now, ebola will, as the 1918 Spanish flu pandemic did, kill millions of people.
The bright side is that fewer people will be great for the labor market, the pressure on scarce goods, and maybe even reduce the progress of global warming.
The bright side is that fewer people will be great for the labor market, the pressure on scarce goods, and maybe even reduce the progress of global warming.
Fewer people is fewer consumers and less demand, so smaller job growth.
Plus, what if one of those millions of people is somebody I care about, or me?
Fewer people is fewer consumers and less demand, so smaller job growth.
Plus, what if one of those millions of people is somebody I care about, or me?
I was being somewhat tongue-in-cheek. If it's me, then I don't have to worry anymore. The key is prevention. Unfortunately our country is reactive, not proactive.
Here's an interesting video. It's about H5N1, but talks about pandemic.
http://www.ted.com/talks/laurie_garrett_on_lessons_from_the_1918_flu#t-1017244Unless our borders are closed now...
Because we are already so awesome at this, I feel confident that Texas and Arizona will be the first to fall.
Because we are already so awesome at this, I feel confident that Texas and Arizona will be the first to fall.
Luckily Ebola ground zero wasn't in Mexico, eh?;)
The UK Government has announced screening of passengers at the two main London airports, Heathrow and Gatwick, and the Eurostar rail terminal in London.
Flights from the worst affected countries tend to arrive at Paris and/or Brussels and passengers can then easily make their way to London via the Eurostar rail link.
One or two passages from a substantial article in today's Daily Telegraph are worth reproducing here.
When SARS – severe acute respiratory syndrome – appeared in Asia in 2002, we were told that it had a 25 per cent chance of killing “tens of millions”. There were calls for borders to be locked down, and new arrivals showing symptoms to be locked up. But despite a spike in sales of surgical masks, and the hurried cancellation of thousands of holidays to Hong Kong and Thailand, the disease ended up killing only 775 people worldwide.
It was a similar story in 2009 with swine flu. The chief medical officer, Sir Liam Donaldson, warned that 65,000 Britons could die, and the government duly spent more than £1.2 billion to prepare for the viral apocalypse. Yet while the disease was incredibly contagious, infecting millions worldwide, it turned out to be relatively mild. In Britain, only 457 people died – a significant number, but 25 times fewer than the 12,000 who are carried away by normal seasonal flu every year. To make matters worse, some experts later claimed that the £424 million spent on stockpiling 40 million doses of Tamiflu had essentially been wasted: its average effect, they said, was to shorten the disease’s duration from seven days to 6.3 (a finding which its manufacturer, Roche, disputed).
Ebola’s strengths are, however, outweighed by its weaknesses. If you get it, you’re in very big trouble, but the odds of that are quite small. It is not, unlike the pathogens of our worst nightmares, airborne: it is spread via infected bodily fluids, which have to enter the body via the eyes or mouth or a cut or wound. Moreover, it is quite fragile, meaning that it does not survive long outside of its host – and can be defeated by the simple act of washing one’s hands.
As a result, the “R0” figure of the current outbreak – the technical term for the number of further victims that one sufferer can be expected to infect in turn – is somewhere around 2. That makes it a much slower spreader than Sars, smallpox or the strain of Spanish flu that killed tens of millions of people in the wake of the First World War.
Daily Telegraph
It's worth noting, that the British nurse who was repatriated to the UK having been infected by Ebola in Sierra Leone, made a full recovery.
William Pooley plans return to the fight against Ebola in Sierra Leone
I think there is much they're not telling us.
The CDC is kind of serving two masters on this. They have the legitimate public health agenda followed by the sunshine and lollipops agenda to avoid a panic. Its an interesting tension. The funny thing is the gov sees no problem with creating paranoia about ISIS but has reservations about it for Ebola.
Fun question, who beheaded the most humans this year Saudi Arabia or ISIS? hint: Saudi Arabia
Wow. Good points.
Wagging the dog, like.
This is very interesting to me.
Ebola is bound to slip its leash here (has already done so) and turn up all over the continent in minor outbreaks. It's inevitable, given that there are really no constraints on travel. The more important issue is whether/when it will undergo an antigenic shift, as it passes through many more thousands of humans than it ever has before, and take on different characteristics.
It could become less virulent; it could become a nightmare, infecting millions via airborne transmission. It could fade away as SARS did.
In the meantime, carry on. Has anyone noticed that Marburg virus has resurfaced in Uganda?
Seven-hour exam tomorrow on which my career depends ... so I'm grilling a steak 5 hours before I have to get up, because I can't sleep. Hopefully will sleep after this.
You're supposed to grill for an exam!
It's done. I'd better have passed, because I never want to have to do that again. So tired I can't think straight - just crawled into bed and don't have to move again for 11 hours! Thanks for the good wishes, they're much appreciated.
It's done. I'd better have passed, because I never want to have to do that again. So tired I can't think straight - just crawled into bed and don't have to move again for 11 hours! Thanks for the good wishes, they're much appreciated.
Excellent. Good work, enjoy your rest.
It's done.
Good! I'm sure you did well.
Love you guys. :hug:
Starting today to taper off a med that has played havoc with my mind and mood for the past two years. I finally get to be rid of it! Cancer-related ... Just one more reason to be so grateful for where I am now, and for all of you.
daughter's SAT subject test results due today. She wasn't pleased with how one of them went, but it was a one-shot deal to get them taken in time so it is what it is.....
I suppose I could start a thread titled 'What are you finding difficult today?', but it seems self-serving. Many of us are finding parts of our lives difficult.
I'm finding it a challenge coming off this med, with its predictable issues of brain zaps, incredibly loud (much louder than my normal) tinnitus, sudden vertigo, sleep disturbance, and irritability. I've gradually reduced doses with predictable effects, and today was my last dose. The next week(s) may be tough. All of this for a med that was only supposed to treat tamoxifen-induced hot flashes, and didn't even do a good job of that.
I will NEVER take another medication without overwhelming evidence of need or benefit. That said, I'm taking Femara instead of anastrozole (which gave me a fracture), but I refuse to take an anti-osteoporosis injection - urged by my onco because of Femara's side effects - that could give me necrosis of the jaw. I will deal with the osteopenia/osteoporosis, and if it becomes too big an issue, I'll stop the Femara (letrozole). Honestly ... the treatment truly can be worse than the disease.
I'm just so tired.
Routine blood test from the neurologist showed relatively high blood sugar. "Probably because you had just eaten," says they. Except I hadn't. So I picked up a test kit at Target and have been monitoring myself. Currently my averages seem to be hanging out in the "pre-diabetic" range, which isn't terrible but on the other hand I don't eat a whole ton of carbs in the first place, so maybe I'm only accidentally/barely keeping it in check. Meh.
But THEN, Minifob sees what I'm doing and asks if we can test his. Sure, why not... Oh look, it's at 147 when he hasn't eaten in four hours. That ain't good at all. More important is the post-meal spike, so I let him eat his normal (pretty high-carb) snack and will test again in 2 hours.
Anyone want to reassure me that I bought a cheapo blood monitor that gives consistently inaccurate readings? Anyone?
Clod, give this page a try. It compares different meters, and has some guidelines for how accurate a meter should be.
Shouldn't you check first thing in the morning, also?
Yeah, first thing in the morning is the next thing to check... thanks for the link, it's actually very reassuring. Ours isn't listed, but the sheer number of products that are wrong more than half the time means I'm not sold on this thing.
Welcome! I got my diagnosis Tuesday!
I haven't been tested in about a year, but I'm just across the border into pre-diabetic too.
WTF?
I've considered getting a meter to get a better sense of what's going on, but those results are really discouraging.
UT, do you mean that you have just had a diagnosis of Type 2 DM? :(
And, Clod ... you have so many reasons to be tired, but making sure your blood glucose is where it should be is a major issue to address. I haven't checked out the otc blood glucose meters so can't comment, but if you've had conflicting results, I'd suggest a fasting glucose AND a Hemoglobin A1C through a certified outpatient lab (i.e. ordered by your PCP, I imagine).
And if Minifob has results that are concerning, the same routine for him would give you a better view of things. A certified lab will let you have more confidence regarding test results.
If results say: Type 2 DM, there are ways to deal with it, without resorting to endless meds.
Yes, I go back next week to get the complete details
Yes my toe numbness some months ago is figured to be diabetic neuropathy
I'm not too sad about it, and I feel prepared. I was kind of heading towards this kind of diet for some time now. And I don't have any other symptoms so there's that.
Well, two hours after eating he was down to 117. Now I'm thinking maybe I did a bad job washing his finger before testing, and he had leftover raisin sheen on it or something. Still gonna test both of us first thing in the morning... Tony, are they thinking meds for you, or are you going to try to regulate it yourself first?
Don't know yet, but they didn't say "get in here as soon as possible", they said "try and make the appointment for a Wednesday because the Pediatrist is here on Wednesdays."
In any case, I got this.
Mr Limey was diagnosed type 2 diabetic in July. Since then he has lost 16lbs (mostly through eating half the bread he used to and cutting out sweeties and, uh, sports drinks I think). All the carbohydrates in the house are now wholemeal (yay, I love 'em!) and we're both on strict portion control of those. Even I've lost one pound ( :( ). He's on metformin, but after two months of changed diet that's down to once a day, not twice.
You'll get loads of advice from everyone - find out what works/makes sense for you is what I say.
Oh, and the most entertaining thing is trying to find food (whether snack, or "fast food meal") that is low in carbs when you're out and about.
This morning, when I took the boy to the vet, we were talking while the receptionist was printing my bill/receipt up at the end, she, my vet's a she, took a piece of paper and wrote down her cell number, saying "If you have any questions, or anything, just give me a call anytime."
:eek:
I don't get numbers just given to me. Been there a dozen times, never got a number before. Usually there's some light stalking involved with my getting a number.
It's the "or anything", and "anytime", that's making me apprehensive.
But, it may be too soon to tell.
I may have mentioned that the mm hatched 4 chicken eggs with 4H this summer and now they are pretty much fully grown and it is clear we have two roosters.
Village regs do not allow roosters and require a permit for chickens. These regs are fairly new, maybe 4 years old. In comparison, there are at least a dozen families here that pre-date the revolutionary war, and twice as many that pre-date the civil war. In other words, generally speaking, tradition speaks louder than some fancy new-comer showing up and telling us how to live our lives-words. (By the current metric of residency me being here for 15 years means that I haven't actually even arrived here, much less reside here.) Despite that, I still fall under the unofficial rubric of local tradition as long as one of my neighbors doesn't drop a dime on me.
The roosters have just recently come into maturity and have started greeting the dawn with their song. I figured it wouldn't be a problem in the winter since everyone has their windows shut. The other morning at 5:45 I heard what I thought was my neighbor's dog whining. Turns out it was one of the roosters.
I'm a bit worried about one particular cranky old bastard who would be just the person to piss and moan about them. I'm hoping he hasn't bothered to read the new regs for the village.
Chicken (or cranky old bastard) and Cashews
1. Combine 1 tablespoon soy sauce, sherry, 2 teaspoons cornstarch, and chicken(or cranky old bastard) in a large bowl; toss well to coat. Combine remaining 2 tablespoons soy sauce, remaining 2 teaspoons cornstarch, broth, oyster sauce, and honey in a small bowl.
2. Heat 1 teaspoon oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken(or cranky old bastard) mixture to pan; sauté 3 minutes. Remove from pan. Heat remaining 1 teaspoon oil in pan. Add onion, celery, and bell pepper to pan; sauté 2 minutes. Add ginger and garlic; sauté 1 minute. Return chicken(or cranky old bastard) mixture to pan; sauté 1 minute. Stir in broth mixture. Bring to a boil; cook 1 minute, stirring constantly. Remove from heat. Sprinkle with green onions and cashews.
How do roosters taste?
Like chicken ...:D
Someone dropped a dime on me and I got a visit from the zoning enforcement officer. PITA
This is your house that you're secretly running a business out of, or what?
No, it's the chickens the mm raised from eggs with 4H. Two of them are roosters and roosters aren't allowed in the village. Now I have to find a home for them or surreptitiously kill them and get them in the freezer w/o the mm finding out. I'm a little overwhelmed at the moment to get all into a wintertime butcher project.
The roosters are incredibly loud and contrary to TV cartoon wisdom, the crow all the time, even 3 am. I suspect it has to do with the streetlights imitating dawn.
And on top of it the ZEO got on my case about fence setbacks for the chicken run. I pointed out it was my garden fence and the chickens were using the garden FTTB.
What a hassle. Sorry man.
Why do you have to get the roosters in the freezer? Can't you just kill them and throw them away?
What a hassle. Sorry man.
Why do you have to get the roosters in the freezer? Can't you just kill them and throw them away?
I suppose I could, it's my Scottish genes that cry out in horror at the waste.
It's a hard thing to let go of but would be a simple life improvement.
With enough Scotch you can do anything. ;)
I suppose I could, it's my Scottish genes that cry out in horror at the waste.
I understand, but sometimes you have to do a little calculation that includes time and hassle. Two roosters are what, about $15 worth of meat? And you're going to go through all that slaughtering, and plucking, and cleaning, out in the freezing cold just to save $15 worth of meat?
Kill the cocks, drive around an find a couple of hungry farm dogs. No roosters and no wasted meat.
Yes, tie them to the back bumper then...
...drive around an find a couple of hungry farm dogs.
;)
I understand, but sometimes you have to do a little calculation that includes time and hassle. Two roosters are what, about $15 worth of meat? And you're going to go through all that slaughtering, and plucking, and cleaning, out in the freezing cold just to save $15 worth of meat?
Fuck no. I'm just sharing my neuroses.
:D They're gonna go to "Rooster Camp"
:dead:
No SS has got here yet. Humm
Santa must've handed it off to Baby New Year!
What might be making me a tad apprehensive, but might not, as it's too soon to tell?
My finger.
I injured it almost a month ago. The index finger on my dominant hand doesn't move away from the middle finger with any strength at all.
I overtaxed it during a night of rope climbing with the Scouts. I spent hours belaying others, and while holding the rope tightly for hours on end, making sure they didn't fall to their deaths, I started to feel a mild burning sensation between my thumb and index finger. That finger hasn't worked right ever since. No numbness at all. All the sensations are there, it just doesn't move in one specific direction. It feels fine though. No pain.
I finally got around to seeing a doctor this morning, for a routine physical, and asked him about it. He confirmed that it was fucked up and gave me the names of some specialists.
I had switched to a very high deductible insurance plan a year ago to save money on outrageously expensive premiums, and I'm almost certain that this will not be covered by insurance until I meet that $3k deductible.
So I'm a tad apprehensive that I might need surgery followed by a long recovery with an immobilized dominant hand, and that it will cost a lot.
But it's too soon to tell.
you're contributing to an HSA though, aren't you? You can spend that money on the cost of care.
I'm apprehensive because a year long goal is coming down to the wire.
I aimed to hit $1million in gross profit across my desk for the year. I'm at $993,493 at this moment with maybe 10 more deals to go. I average $794 per deal for the year, so IF these last 10 deals are average, I'll hit it. if they are weak (which is more likely for the end of December deals) I may JUST miss it.
nothing riding on it other than bragging rights, but I'd hate to come up >< this close and miss it.
you're contributing to an HSA though, aren't you? You can spend that money on the cost of care.
Yep, but that account is only a year old and not very big. It's currently got less than $1k in it. It's been used to buy contacts and stuff like that.
But it's too soon to tell.
I hope you hit your sales target!
when I switched to an HSA, I put the max allowed into it. but not all at once.... I looked at the difference between the HSA plan and the regular plan, and put the difference in each week.
I think the regular weekly premium was $245, and the HSA was $125, so I put $120 per week into the HSA until it hit $6250. Once I had $3000 in there, I felt a lot better.
The max out of pocket is $6k...if shit gets really real... But after 2 years of the HSA, I still have over $5k in there. And I had to use the whole $3k deductible this year.
anyway. I hope your finger is not ligament damage. or if it is, that it's reparable. sorry about your finger, in other words
nothing riding on it other than bragging rights, but I'd hate to come up >< this close and miss it.
It is the policy of this company to "round up" all totals after the end of the calendar year.
Glatt, if the ligament isn't torn then rest and PT may be all you need.
Otherwise, the MRI should easily get you up to 3K.
I hope it's the former. With my shoulders, the SOP with the specialist is to give a shot of cortisone and see if that helps, then they gradually ramp up. It's weird that there is no pain. Keep us posted.
Oh and you need to update your climbing gear.
looking at the deals that have been delivered, but not booked, I think I have about 996K on the books. There are 5 deals still to deliver. 2 F&I guys. If I can get 3 of the 5...the RIGHT 3... I think I might hit it. One is a 2 car deal with a gut I've done twice before. He buys GAP and I should have some reserve. Count those for maybe $1200 each, and then I need $1800 between whatever else I can get. I may have to go back through and see if there are any deals in the system that I did, but didn't hang my number on.
Hope you make it, but glad the consequences of not making it only damage the ego and not the wallet.
@glatt.. warm and moist.
Jim, perhaps it's time to buy another vehicle, from yourself.
Jim, perhaps it's time to buy another vehicle, from yourself.
...and get the undercoating!
Last count was $996,884. If I get the 2 car NV deal, I will probably end up at 998,xxx.
That's what is in deals on our doc report. I just remembered that when a customer comes in and buys a warranty for the car they bought a year or two ago, it does not show on that report. I probably did 5 or 6 grand last year in walk ins.
Still would have liked to roll that number over on the doc. It's like an old odometer. 6 places for digits. One million looks like 000,000.
My counter part did 000,083. But he is Jewish, so he's a little better at this than I am.
But he is Jewish, so he's a little better at this than I am.
Oh, they brought in a ringer.
What is there to be better at? I mean, I get that you are good at your job, but being good at your particular job doesn't raise the sales price, since that was already negotiated by the salesman, right? Do you mean he's better at snagging and finishing out the deals from the salesmen with the higher profit margins?
Sneaks in and works on Easter and Christmas. :haha:
What is there to be better at? I mean, I get that you are good at your job, but being good at your particular job doesn't raise the sales price, since that was already negotiated by the salesman, right? Do you mean he's better at snagging and finishing out the deals from the salesmen with the higher profit margins?
I think he was making a tongue in cheek jab at the anti-semetic stereotype of Jews being good with money.
(I thought you are a comedian.):p:
Oh sure sure, I got that, but still he's talking about a genuine sense of competition, which doesn't make sense if you're just processing what's handed to you.
But now I've had more time to think about it, and I bet it's all about the undercoating and the extended warranties, right? Salesmen don't push that, the finance guys do.
ZACKLY.
I don't try very hard to sell things that people probably don't need. I'll scare you into buying GAP if you finance more than 100% of the car almost every time, and I believe in service contracts most of the time on cars..... But I have a hard time pushing key insurance.
He has no such compunctions. To him, it's about money. the end. It's ok that he's better at that one facet of the job. He's also the most likely to die by friendly fire....except for maybe one other guy that everyone hates because he's INSANE.
Good luck Jim!
Sorry bout your finger, glatt.
I got a job. full time. and learned today it starts on Wednesday. it's all come little suddenly. I've been a stay-at-home-mom for nearly 18 years -since I got my PhD.
It's not a PhD job, it's an Admin-ish job in a supermarket, but it's good $ for such a thing. it's a new store, a chain from another state, this is the first in MI. It isn't open yet. I saw a series of ads online (Craigslist) looking for general workers for the various departments and applied without my usual procrastination and with complete honesty about my background and needs using their generic form in case they had something to suit me. And apparently they did. I only wanted part-time though, but this position is full time. I don't even know about hours and vacation and shit. They employed me with no resume, no references, no drug test, no background check..... so I kinda felt that they see my worth so that has to be a good omen, right?
No idea how it's all going to pan out re school runs etc, but with one going to uni next year I needed to get a job. This just feels a bit sledgehammer-to-crack-a-nut-ish. Gonna have to get a third car with the first few paychecks :( ...or some snowshoes ;)
Awesome! I hope it turns out to be a really invigorating change.
Cool, like clod said , hoping this winds up being good for wallet and soul. :thumb:
Kewl good for you monster.
Wow! That's a big change. Congratulations. Very exciting.
That is awesome! You're going to rock it!
On second thought, having monster for a boss... week after week the staff shaves seconds off their personal best job performance... with the slowest sent to the meat department. Fair but deadly comes to mind. :haha:
On second thought, having monster for a boss... week after week the staff shaves seconds off their personal best job performance... with the slowest sent to the meat department. Fair but deadly comes to mind. :haha:
so funny.
Monster, that is really great news! And I am sure they *didn't* see all of what they're getting. I think they probably said "Huh, no red flags here, let's hire this one for the office staff, and keep on moving down the list." Any generic application you filled out is solidly in the under-promise/over-deliver zone. You know. They'll see.
Congratulations!!!!
it was the number nerd thing they liked -my job to make sure all the products scan correctly, UPCs etc are correct, and shelf labels are correct and sales labels are timely etc. not necessary my job to do all of those things personally, but I won't really be the boss of anyone, I'll just have shitty jobs for them when they're sent over (because they've been bad somewhere else ;) ). Detention Mistress if you like :D
But knowing my luck I'll arrive on Weds and it will be nothing like that..... but at least there can't possibly be any predecessor's shit to sort out.... can there? :eek:
:lol:
Right, you'll be setting precedents daily, or do it Wednesday then say just do it like we always have. :thumb:
Congrats Monster! Welcome to the workforce.
Now you'll have some new ass to kick. ;)
Was to have lunch with my granddaughter tomorrow and she put it off till Thursday. Best laid plains are WTF. But it saved me from looking for my cleanest dirty shirt and shaving in morning.:jig:
Apparently I'm going to MO next week. to train. Right near the Bud factory :D
Minifob started drum lessons today. Lord have mercy.
yay minifob. Most excellent :D
She get good and then you'll miss the beats when she's not around.:sniff:
It's so nice when they start to get good. Hearing pleasant music instead of grating noise is such a treat.
Way to go minfob:)
@ monster: only just read your news. hope it goes well; sounds like it might be a really nice change of pace.
Minifob started drum lessons today. Lord have mercy.
Just sooo funny. I bet Faye could put this news to good use. :p:
Headed to my Urologist in the next hour for a checkup and the dreaded prostate exam. :thepain:
Don't worry. It'll be fun !
Make sure he removes his watch ... :eek:
What might be making me a tad apprehensive, but might not, as it's too soon to tell?
My finger.
I injured it almost a month ago. The index finger on my dominant hand doesn't move away from the middle finger with any strength at all.
I overtaxed it during a night of rope climbing with the Scouts. I spent hours belaying others, and while holding the rope tightly for hours on end, making sure they didn't fall to their deaths, I started to feel a mild burning sensation between my thumb and index finger. That finger hasn't worked right ever since. No numbness at all. All the sensations are there, it just doesn't move in one specific direction. It feels fine though. No pain.
I finally got around to seeing a doctor this morning, for a routine physical, and asked him about it. He confirmed that it was fucked up and gave me the names of some specialists.
I had switched to a very high deductible insurance plan a year ago to save money on outrageously expensive premiums, and I'm almost certain that this will not be covered by insurance until I meet that $3k deductible.
So I'm a tad apprehensive that I might need surgery followed by a long recovery with an immobilized dominant hand, and that it will cost a lot.
But it's too soon to tell.
Saw a specialist today. She told me to rub some dirt on it Nancy. It may take 6 more months, but it will be just fine on its own. Shit just takes time to heal when you're getting older.
Yay!
Dang because I have this pain in my leg for 6 weeks. It's a 1 out of 10, it only hurts when I twist one particular way, and I can't even duplicate that. It just sometimes happens that it hurts, sometimes. Do you think this dirt application is a good remedy here?
... it only hurts when I twist one particular way, ...
Don't do that
.
.
LOUIS CK has advice for everything
[YOUTUBE]ey4WSb-BVDQ[/YOUTUBE]
Dang because I have this pain in my leg for 6 weeks. It's a 1 out of 10, it only hurts when I twist one particular way, and I can't even duplicate that. It just sometimes happens that it hurts, sometimes. Do you think this dirt application is a good remedy here?
Maybe if you apply the dirt to your head.
[SIZE="1"](humor, psychosomatic)[/SIZE]
LOUIS CK has advice for everything
[YOUTUBE]ey4WSb-BVDQ[/YOUTUBE]
:lol2:
This is true. I have to say this, more or less, to people almost every day. Maybe I should use this video.
Lamp's and sexobon's recommendations hold for most things.
Don't do that. And if you do, apply the dirt to your head.
Dang, these guys will put me out of bizness.
So, something else is making me apprehensive, but I had to laugh at the Louis CK vid.
Unfortunately I can't post it here because it may go to court. Plus, my staff have all gone middle-school drama on me and are acting, truly, like Mean Girls. What is that? I offered to buy them lunch on Friday for the weekly lunchtime staff meeting, and they all put on their coats and marched (ostentatiously) out the door and stayed away the entire lunch hour. A lunch hour, I might add, that they only enjoy because I went to bat for them and made it happen. Before I arrived, the other two docs whose feet they want to kiss didn't give a squat whether the staff ate lunch, and the staff never had a designated lunch time.
So, I have learned that lobbying for humane working conditions for one's staff earns one a cowpie in the face, lobbed by said staff.
Hm. For therapy, I have started weaving again. I took some pics today as I was working on a new project and will post them in a hobby thread, if my chemobrain recalls the way to post pics.
Back to weaving. I'm really enjoying this, wish I'd gotten back to it earlier. Maybe I'll just keep weaving and forget to go to work Monday morning.
So, I have learned that lobbying for humane working conditions for one's staff earns one a cowpie in the face, lobbed by said staff
No good deed ever goes unpunished.
Sigh. Chemobrain will not permit me to upload pics the way I used to ... :(
Oh well. Trying to learn not to give any fucks re work, and chemobrain makes itself felt at inopportune moments. If I try to work at my loom any more tonight I will undoubtedly make major errors that will require hours to repair.
Hm. For therapy, I have started weaving again.
Ah, Madame Defarge is keeping track of the traitors... :cool:
Bruce Jenner's private life has gone public. What's next ?
Sometimes the press should just leave things well enough alone.
Yeah, I hesitate to even call them the press. If Bruce decided to tell his story that's one thing but this pursuit is ugliness. Paparazzi.
You mean Bruce Jenner of the reality show Keeping Up with the Kardashians, and who is reportedly in the works for his own new reality show? The one who was just involved in a car accident that had a fatality and they say he might have been messing with his phone? That Bruce? Yeah, why should anyone peep into such a private life? ;)
Point 1 being that being part of the absolute unreal REALITY show ever rather negates any complaints about his lack of privacy. He checked that at the door.
Point 2 being that if a celebrity (and I suppose a reality show guy, and former olympic decathlon winner qualifies for that title) is in an accident involving a fatality, then damn tootin' it's going to be in the news. Right or not, those sorts of things make the news.
Or are you trying to make it about intolerance of his transgenderism? I don't see how that figures in to the recent flurry of news.
I was just thinking, remember when it was 9/12/2001 and nobody gave 1 shit about vapid culture? That feeling went on for a good 3 months. Is there some way we could get back to that attitude without a national tragedy?
I'm gonna guess no.
It's funny you mention it, back then I used to check CNN's website every morning (as I ate my usual breakfast of powdered sugar donuts and a Sprite, but that's a different story...) and I specifically remember that they took away their "Oddball News" section after Sept. 11th, and you're right, it took about 3 months before they brought it back. Then after that it took maybe another 3 years before the entire site became that kind of story.
Whoops, I guess I need to watch more tv?
I guess if the choice is vapid culture or whoring out for the next war maybe I choose the easily ignored vapid culture.
Another damned job application. I might as well shred my resume and flush the pieces.
Are you still with the A. D. But looking to move on, or are you available to the industry, as they say?
I don't know what A. D. means, but I am looking to move on from my current situation. I am clearly past my sell-by date.
I know that feeling. Good luck with the search.
I don't know what A. D. means, but I am looking to move on from my current situation. I am clearly past my sell-by date.
fuck.
I, too, am intimately familiar with that feeling, aaaaand not in the good way.
I don't have a recipe for success, but I do know you have to keep grinding away. Keep the faith man.
Good Luck! Focus forward.
I was telling the legal girl who I am assisting that it ain't an easy job market out there. Keep on trying. Focus forward, as classic said.
"Legal Girl"? A super hero?
"Legal Girl"? A super hero?
Well, she's a paralegal, so maybe she's only a superhero from the waist up? :bolt:
"Legal Girl"? A super hero?
Here, it means she's 16.
I thought that was barely legal girl?
Another damn exam ... after reading/studying for weeks, then cramming and a marathon weekend course to finalize the anxiety. If I get it, it may be my path to a reasonable retirement (assuming I live that long, haha). Just finished the exam, won't know for 4 weeks, so I guess it's time to forget about it and enjoy an evening in Orlando (?).
FFS Hebe open your goddamned email and find out. ugh
oh and my new job offers health insurance and Beest's work dictates I have to take it. that is making me aprehensive
FOCUS?!!
'you mean, BOFUS?
FOCUS?!!
'you mean, BOFUS?
:notworthy:
:D
I'm glad to see someone remembers that joke besides me.
My neighbor, Mary. Really sweet little old lady. We've been helping her out for years, shoveling her driveway and taking her garbage cans to to curb, helping to bring her groceries in if we happen to see her get back from the store. She must be 90 or so.
Her daughter in CA calls her every evening at 5PM, and yesterday, Mary didn't answer. So the daughter called my wife. Wife went over and knocked on the back door and peeked in the window and saw Mary on the floor in the living room, not moving.
So she went back into our house and called the daughter back. At this point, I got home from work. So the daughter gave us permission to enter the house (we have a key) and told us that her mom has a DNR, so if she's not breathing to just leave her alone.
I knocked on the front door, and used the key to undo the deadbolt, and pushed the door open, and Mary screamed "Who's there?" Scared the shit out of me. I was expecting to be dealing with a body.
But Mary was on the floor, and she couldn't get herself up. And when my wife and I tried to gently help her up into a nearby chair, she felt a sharp pain in her back, so we stopped. Called the daughter on the cell phone. Gave the phone to Mary, and Mary proceeded to make it sound like everything was all just fine and there was no cause for concern at all. Had the daughter completely convinced even though this entire conversation took place with Mary on the floor in a loose fetal position. Then gave the phone back to us and we told the daughter the mom was still on the floor. So we all decided it was time for 911. Mary was strongly opposed to that. She wanted us to leave her on the floor.
The paramedics were great. Nice and calming. They obviously do this all the time and know just what to say. They also had trouble moving her without causing pain, but they rolled her gently onto the stretcher placed on the floor right next to her.
She was mostly completely coherent, but had a few details that were just plain crazy. Like she said she hadn't fallen, but got down on the floor intentionally to check to see if our kids were home from school. And she thought she was on the bedroom floor, while we were in the living room. And she wanted her breakfast, even though it was 6PM.
My wife drove to the ER to meet the ambulance and be with her until some other relatives who live 2 hours away could make it to the hospital.
So it's too soon to tell, but I bet she doesn't come back. Her house isn't wheelchair accessible and she lives alone, so I don't think she can take care of herself any more. I think we're losing a good neighbor. And I'm apprehensive that the new neighbor won't be as good.
The one thing that I'm really happy about, is that we can go visit her in the hospital and future assisted living facility at our own pace, and then just go home and not have to worry about her. She has her own family, and they are the ones who get to worry. We can just do what feels right for us instead of having any sort of obligation. That's so refreshing after 3-4 years of my FIL being in this same situation and we were on the hook there.
I wish her the best.
As far as good neighbors go, I sincerely doubt you'll get any new ones better than the ones Mary has.
Yeah right on V. The glatt's are solid peeps.
Monday Lil' Griff's college went through a bullshit bomb and shooter scare. She was locked down in the dorm room of next years roomies brothers girlfriend where she landed when they went into their emergency preparedness procedure while she was walking to class. They were locked down all day. They ate up all the popcorn and spent the day on netflix and texting us. They held up well. I was good until I started talking to people then my blood pressure went for a little trip up the scale. All is well at this point. The State Police doggies did a very thorough job and the college administration continues to impress.
Glad it was a false alarm. That sucks though.
Scared the shit out of me.
:lol2:
A simultaneous "Oh shit!/Oh, thank God!" moment.
The former neighbors across the street used to call me/Popdigr occasionally to help the Mr. up when he'd fallen. He crawled out from under his truck after changing his oil one day, and his balance just never came back. We were always worried about him being hurt and not being aware of it til we'd moved him. Never happened, though. He was a tough old bastard, and I'm sure the biggest injury was to his pride.
Its not the quite the same thing as happened with the samples I received (
here), but still...
Mistaken Anthrax Shipments Still Being Located
ABC News - May 28, 2015, 3:28 PM ET - LUIS MARTINEZ
Eighteen laboratories in nine states have begun turning over samples of anthrax
to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to determine if they contained
live anthrax mistakenly provided to them by the U.S. military, the Pentagon said today.
In a precautionary move, 22 employees at a military laboratory in South Korea that
also received a shipment of the spores have been ordered to take the antibiotic Cipro because
they may have been possibly exposed to live spores during lab training conducted late last week, officials said.
The Pentagon has said that there is no threat to the general public from the inadvertent
shipping of live anthrax and that none of the personnel in South Korea have
demonstrated any signs or symptoms of exposure to anthrax.
<snip>
Starting a new job today, and my new boss seems kind of cool, hope the other co workers are too.
Questionable "sign": I had a slight "90s ad mentos moment" on the way back from the interview - my shoe got it's sole ripped off nearly completely, so I just ripped off the rest, ripped off the other one and threw them at a nearby garbage can, continuing my walk as if nothing happened on shoes that are about one thin layer of leather away from the ground. While I feel good about the resourcefulness, there is a slight semi-superstitious instinct in the back of my head saying this must mean something in Jewish symbolism.... It's like the reverse mazal tov of breaking a glass in a wedding.
My biggest client, representing 60% of my income, has just dispensed with my services. Because they were unsatisfactory, but they've not actually told me that until now.
What a good job that although it was core income, it wasn't my core activity, which I am good at :D
Time to do some pro-active marketing ... and pull in our expenditure horns a leetle bit.
So they found out you are actually work for M. Oh well, those types rarely stay in power long, so after the next purge you'll be good to go. In the mean time enjoy Summer, with bunnies and lambs and a brass band wafting on a fresh sea breeze. ;)
Sorry, limey. Hope you find something new soon!
Limey, you know that just means they can't afford you any more, right?
Limey, you know that just means they can't afford you any more, right?
Not in this case, Monster. Someone else will be doing what I did, for the same money that I'd have been paid.
Sent by thought transference
Sorry about that Limey.
They will not be doing what you did, because you'd bring so much more to the job than they will.
Glad it's not been devastating news; must still be hard to swallow though.
Damn, that sucks. Sorry limey.
One door closes and all that. You'll get some new gigs and be better off for it.
My biggest client, representing 60% of my income, has just dispensed with my services. Because they were unsatisfactory, but they've not actually told me that until now.
What a good job that although it was core income, it wasn't my core activity, which I am good at :D
Time to do some pro-active marketing ... and pull in our expenditure horns a leetle bit.
living within your means is crucial, clearly you already know that. you'll be in good shape in that regard, I'm sure.
as for having the surprise of their opinion of the "unsatisfactory" quality of your work, that's really frustrating.
Not in this case, Monster. Someone else will be doing what I did, for the same money that I'd have been paid.
Sent by thought transference
they'll regret it
After 3 days of training - working for this new place - my potential boss says he "needs to think about it" ... On Sunday morning he spoke about it like a "sure thing" where I was meant to go register and do my first paid shift today, on Monday everything was smooth sailing without a hitch, and just as I was on the way he told me not to register yet because he needs time to think about it, and he is taking his sweet sweet time to do just that... Think faster, damn it. I want this job.
Minifob has a giant knot on the back of his head from a fall on the playground this afternoon. I didn't see it happen, the counselor says his butt took most of the impact, but that seems unlikely given that his butt doesn't hurt and his head looks like Mt. Vesuvius. The bump is a good 3 inches in diameter, at least an inch tall, easily visible from far away. Ice and time didn't reduce the swelling one bit, it might even be getting bigger, so now he's at the ER with Mr. Clod.
It's probably fine. But hemorrhaging in the skull is scary as shit to me, because it's all secret and hidden and just fucking kills you in your sleep with no warning.
It's probably going to all be just fine. But good to get checked out. You didn't mention a headache or vision problems or anything like that, so it should be fine.
Just like the thread title says, it was too soon to tell. They sent him home with an ice pack, said they don't do a scan unless there are significant secondary symptoms like vomiting, dizziness, etc. But the nurse practitioner noted that I'm welcome to wake him up in the middle of the night if I want to check. Meh.
The scalp is one of the most highly vascular areas of the body. When bumped, it swells like crazy. When cut, it bleeds like crazy. That vasculature is also why you lose about 20% of your body heat through your scalp.
The RNNP probably used an ophthalmoscope to do a fundoscopic exam checking for papilledema which would be indicative of increased intracranial pressure. The RNNP may also have also used a sphygmomanometer to check his blood pressure more than once; because, widening pulse pressure (systolic number goes up while the diastolic goes down) is also indicative of increasing intracranial pressure. Had the signs and symptoms indicated it, he would probably already be on medications to reduce inflammation, pressure, and admitted for observation. You can monitor him at home for the symptoms of dizziness, vomiting, etc.
............................................................................
If you're a do it yourselfer, you can keep a drill handy in case the intracranial pressure spikes and you want to drill some bore holes to relieve it. Just be sure to disinfect the drill bits so no one gets an infection. Kids love to watch adults use power tools.
You should approach trepanation with trepidation.
I've been unemployed for almost 2 months now. I've had several interviews, but apparently, I haven't quite been able to seal the deal. Just before I lost my job (it was a one-year grant funded gig and the funding wasn't renewed), my car blew up...and we live out in the suburbs.
I'm trying to stay positive, but it's incredibly challenging at times. I try to do a variety of things besides looking for jobs, but being out in the 'burbs sans vehicle makes that a bit of a challenge. Although some days, I can take the Mrs. to work and have the car for the day.
I think the most important thing I've learned this go-round is that so much of who we are can be tied to what we do for a living...and that can be a dangerous thing. I've realized this before, but I'm trying to consciously move away from that. I am so much more than my occupation.
I'm a finalist for a couple of positions...one in St. Louis and one in Chicago. I might actually hear back on them this week. Or maybe another of the 300 gigs I've applied to. I could use some good vibes/prayers/offerings, Dwellars. TIA.
I could use some good vibes/prayers/offerings, Dwellars. TIA.
This is done.
:comfort:
The bump is a good 3 inches in diameter...
Did you measure it, or did you just compare to your freakishly large virginny?:eyebrow:
J/k, hope the Minifob comes out ok.
J/k, hope the Minifob comes out ok.
It's mostly better. Still hurts, you can still see a bruise under his (shaved with a #2 guard) hair, and his skull is still noticeably asymmetrical if you look at it from the top down, but otherwise he's fine.
That's good news. :thumb:
It's mostly better. Still hurts, you can still see a bruise under his (shaved with a #2 guard) hair, and his skull is still noticeably asymmetrical if you look at it from the top down, but otherwise he's fine.
Do you have baseline symmetry data or are you seeing what you expect to see?
Will he need a lumberjim type helmet now?
Will he need a lumberjim type helmet now?
:lol2:
Will he need a lumberjim type helmet now?
A JimHelmet?
A JimHelmet?
I am
SO pissed off I didn't think of that.
I am SO pissed off I didn't think of that.
How do you think I feel? If it had been a dog it would have bit me.
As of this afternoon I am unemployed. Got the whole 'finish your charts speedily so that we don't have to hang around too long waiting to make sure you don't smash your computer or steal the 99 cent wreath hanger you hang your coat on or otherwise sabotage this pathetic windowless closet we gave you to work in, now that we've announced we're ditching you after sucking you dry for a year' 30 second talk by the glaring VP of HR who's always in a bad mood after spending the morning in court with his ex; but he couldn't stop me from hugging the staff on my way out, and he couldn't stop them from being shocked or weeping. Then the humiliating escort out to my car as if - what? I'm turning 56. What am I going to do?
I guess I posted here because I hope something will get better but it's too soon to tell
Fucking fuckety fuck. Sorry doc. :(
Is this their attempt to make sure they don't get taken through a wringer for the privacy breaches?
I suspect that and retaliation for asking about some questionable things that occurred while I was on medical leave. Also retaliation for taking medical leave.
Wait why are we sad for this, isn't this a good thing? I thought you hated working there, your co workers treated you like shit. Now you get to have a fresh start somewhere else.
And sue the fockers, no?
Sent by thought transference
Yes, I plan to sue these people in as many ways as are available to me.
But no, traceur, this is not a good thing. These are not good people, and they took pains to make yesterday painful and humiliating. As for the bigger picture, being fired throws several wrenches in the works.
With the way they've been fucking with you, it shouldn't be a complete surprise. But you probably didn't notice the whispering because you were too goddamn busy trying to do a good job, eh. And maybe one or two personal things to think about too.
You can lay out the whole thing on the table as fair and impartially as you can, hoping your prospective future employer will accept that in lieu of a recommendation. But I fear they would freak out, lawyers, federal violations, drama, we want no parts of this. Alternatively, you could present some of the facts, making you look pretty good and them a little unreasonable(rather than the complete dicks they are), wrapped in a little chocolate to make it easier to swallow. You know, just enough to get by the recommendation thing, but not reveal the possible nuclear explosion to come.
Hmm, you could also... no, not you, no way, you're too nice... nevermind. ;)
Damn sorry Doc... Keep your head up, paste a smile on that pretty face & breathe. Somehow this will work out. It always does.
btw are you an actual orthodontist?
I wasn't sure what thread to put this in, so I chose this one.
I'm about to quit my job - today is the day. Its been a total grind full of headbutting and incredibly idiotic decisions by management which I am uncomfortable with ethically and which impaired my ability to earn a reasonable living. So, I found another oppty where I am getting a much increase base and have infinitely more potential income without the layers of stupid at the old place.
I'm sad in that I really like my immediate supervisor and I'm now leaving him in the lurch.
I'm also going to miss working with one of my best friends - the guy who recommended me for the position in the first place. I'm also nervous as hell leaving a known entity for a start-up. I'm really fucked if this doesn't work out.
Dreading making the call...
Exciting, classicman!
You go, man! Seriously.
Having just done this, part of it is the fantasizing about how it will go, huh?
I'm gonna walk right in there and tell them what idiots they are --
-- and how dumb this whole thing is and how my future isn't going to be dumb --
-- and --
-- and not burn any bridges, because why piss anyone off? You never know what night happen in the future. Blow steam off at the Cellar, that's what we're all here for.
thanks guys ....
Did it over the phone. My immediate supervisor was destroyed.
"Are you serious? Tell me you're just fucking with me. You gotta be kidding me, right?"
Literally thats what he said. When I told him tat I was done today - no two weeks notice... He asked WTF why would you do that to me. I responded with I know the way things have gone in the past - I'm done. Clean break. This is hard enough for me as it is.
We talked for about 10 minutes about accounts and why ... Told him I thought highly of him and ... Its done.
Ah man - must have been a tough call then. Well done, mate.
Good luck man. You've got to take care of yourself cuz who else will?
Zactly Griff. Like I said this is a HUGE risk for me and that makes me uncomfortable.
Gotta work myself through it.
Yabut over the phone? No pie in the face? No trash cans on fire? No film at 11? :haha:
Good move, good luck.
Thanks Bruce. The call was out of respect for him. Otherwise I would have sent an email.
I really hope this works out for you, c-man. I'm sort of halfway looking for greener pastures, just due to the fact that having two part-time jobs has been more difficult than I expected and no bennies, and Ithe occurso to me we both have been searching for those pastures for a while. Keep us posted on how it's going.
Jebus I hate posting from a fucking phone.
^lol - yup I can't do it from my phone either.
Thanks - hope you find something soon.
As for me, I'm unemployed for the next two weeks. Went to the Iggles game last night with 2 of my kids (lost my voice there somewhere) and today I'm being a lazy ass & enjoying every second too.
Corrupt files!
I wanted to back up a 32GB memory card onto an external drive, and since it was likely to take a long time, I figured I would do it in the background here at work while doing other stuff. So I brought the memory card and reader into work.
Started the copy process, and a bunch of errors started popping up that files couldn't be read, and then when I went to go look at my files on the memory card, they weren't there. This was 4 months worth of pictures. 7000+ images (I think? I don't really know.)
So I flipped the switch on the side of the card to make it read only and downloaded a free recovery program (PhotoRec) and started running it. It seems to be working, but it's naming the recovered files in naming scheme I can't figure out, and they are all jumbled up in the recovery folder. So that's making me a tad apprehensive. Trying to reorganize 7000+ pictures may be a real chore. They seem to still have a time stamp on them, so I think I can sort them chronologically, but I'm not sure yet since the program is still recovering stuff and I don't want to play with the destination folders too much.
The koolaid drinkers in the two major parties. I don't see the GOP choosing someone who can actually govern. The Dems don't get that Hillary isn't trusted so won't considered by independents. Bush and Clinton are both party establishment insider candidates who are unattractive to the over-all electorate. The other GOP candidates appear to be simply terrible people. I don't see an optimistic message coming from anybody. This country has a great strength in its diverse people but the two old parties don't mobilize that.
On the other hand, the two parties in Congress FINALLY showed that they can do their jobs by passing a two year budget. It's not the budget I would have made, but at least they came up with it together.
Corrupt files!
...
So I ... downloaded a free recovery program (PhotoRec) and started running it. It seems to be working, but it's naming the recovered files in naming scheme I can't figure out, and they are all jumbled up in the recovery folder. So that's making me a tad apprehensive. Trying to reorganize 7000+ pictures may be a real chore.
Looks like I had already copied the lion's share of the images on a couple other occasions and I was able to track those copies down from different laptops and external drives. I would up only had to deal with 132 files out of the 6,000 or so that had been recovered and renamed and all jumbled up. So I manually renamed all 132 files to their original names and now have all 6,000 images organized and copied in a few locations.
This has made clear that I need to do some image organization. Haven't done any since 2013. My system had been to create folders for each date that I took pictures and drag those pictures into those folders. But I haven't done that since mid 2013 and all the images since then are scattered all over in folders I've given random names to. I must still have a copy of everything somewhere, but can't be sure until I see it all organized.
On the other hand, the two parties in Congress FINALLY showed that they can do their jobs by passing a two year budget. It's not the budget I would have made, but at least they came up with it together.
Neither side wanted bad press before the election next year, so they just pushed it back till their man(woman) wins the White House. Then they can attack, or stonewall, in an off year.
It's mostly better. Still hurts, you can still see a bruise under his (shaved with a #2 guard) hair, and his skull is still noticeably asymmetrical if you look at it from the top down, but otherwise he's fine.
Remember when Minifob smashed the shit out of the back of his skull two months ago? Well it's no longer swollen, but when he got a haircut recently we discovered that there is now a bald spot there, though there was never any trauma to the skin. I guess it was swollen for so long the follicles died? I hope they come back, because the dang thing is a full centimeter in diameter.
NO. No centimeter.
He's an American, a red white and blue Texan no less.
Interesting, Dan has one as well. I never thought about why. There was no trauma where his is either.
NO. No centimeter. He's an American, a red white and blue Texan no less.
It is a little over a half inch.
It is a little over a half inch.
Most guys wouldn't brag about that. ;)
ouch.
Anyway its out for dinner and music with Pete's work friend and her husband tonight. I want to like humans but I prefer them in their natural environments so everyone knows what role to inhabit. Ah the holidays, so much bullshit. "Smiles everyone."
It is a little over a half inch.
Most guys wouldn't brag about that. ;)
Anyway its out for dinner
:lol2::lol2::lol2::lol2:
Actually it's under a half inch, 20% under, but that's neither here nor there.
Trump warned about these foreigners corrupting American values, starting with talkin' American.
Now I'm curious, what does the little guy eat?
Don't shake 'em after ya feed 'em.
They'll spit up on ya.
I'm making this anon...in the case of just in cases.
Mostly I need to get this out because I am so nervous I can barely keep from barfing.
I have a job interview today with a place I used to work. A bit 'less' than my old job but better I think in terms of responsibilities. I like both my jobs now but between the two my schedule is crazy and I'm so tired of being tired. And I need health insurance.
So I wonder if they're just giving me a courtesy interview. I left there on good terms so I figure it's either a courtesy interview (like trying to get a significant other to take you back after you left them) or they're happy because there will be so much less training.
I'm trying to just look at it as "I have a job(s) either way" but I'm more nervous than I've been for an interview in a long time. Every detail is making me ill. Even, IF for some reason it worked out, how to tell them here. Because I know of one person who will be pretty darn unhappy with me.
But it's my life right? No one has come forward to share my life and all the expenses and troubles therein...I have to look out for myself. Right?
Your schedule is the crazy right now. And you absolutely need to look out for yourself on this.
Good luck, anon. It absolutely is your life and you have to do what you have to do. If your current job needs you that bad, they can pay you to stay.
You have to look after yourself, anon, for sure. Good luck! X
Sent by thought transference
You're doing the right thing. No one rational would stay in a job that is worse for them simply for the sake of the employer's feelings. Like glatt said, if they really want you to stay that badly they will make a counter-offer.
Thanks.
The interview went well...I couldn't 'read' it though. I mean, I knew 3 of the five on the committee, and they're people I always liked who liked me. One my ex-boss. All grinning at me, seemed happy to see me. An IT guy wandered into HR while I was waiting to be summoned and made me get up to give him a hug. Another girl saw me pass her window and flashed me the peace sign.
But, I don't know. I was just myself in the interview. I was honest about my time in the City of Death and Smells.
It won't be professional staff, mostly processing. But the thing is, I liked the processing part the best anyway. It's like doing puzzles, to me. And honestly, I've had my fill of people. Yeah, I can counsel and advise and talk them off proverbial ledges...but perhaps it's best if I don't have to do that anymore. At least not for a while.
So, we'll see. I don't want to get my hopes up, but the big 'hook' was obviously my experience, and I can hit the ground running, and they need someone like, yesterday.
...No one rational...
Hey, we're talking about me. I've never been accused of being overly rational. :o
Ugh, really it could go either way. I feel like I'm getting my hopes up. OK, I'm probably not going to get it. So, I'm not going to get it. That's OK...I still have income and I like some parts of one job and many parts of other job. But man, I'd love a normal full-time job.
And so my cow orker, this morning, lets me in on a little secret that we're getting a raise. Which is really nice. But 2 % won't make up for only working 24 hours/week, and it won't cover the difference I'll get if I get the other job.
Today is a good day. Days in here aren't always so good when cow orker gets stressed sometimes she takes it out on me. And I end up feeling stupid about things I was never taught, or for asking too many questions because I don't want to like, screw up somebody's life or anything.
Anyway, I want to write more in another thread...so awayyyyyy I goooooo...
.... because I don't want to like, screw up somebody's life or anything.
I like you. I'm glad you care about not screwing up anyone's life. But you know that they wouldn't be in this position if they hadn't made some pretty bad choices of their own. If their life is screwed up, it's pretty much on them. But I think it's awesome that you are still doing your best for them.
Thank you.
Second interview Monday!!!!!!
I was trying to be healthy.
I bought some fruit juice instead of soda. Yes, I know it's high in natural sugars, but as calories go it is usually better than fizzy pop vitamin wise.
It spilled.
Spilled its damn self all in my bag, which happens to be a beach bag, which I use as a handbag because I can tote around a paperback and little sample sizes of necessities in case I have another rush to hospital (yes, I'm paranoid).
Being a beach bag was good because it did not immediately leak onto the bus seat/ floor.
Being a beach bag was bad because it contained the sticky fruit fluid, and everything inside swam about in it for really quite a while before I realised and rescued it.
Everything inside was awash in sticky strawberry, lime and coconut.
My flash-drive-thingy (not very good with the names of these things) has dried out. My phone and purse (wallet) were in my pocket - phew! My charger is so far not working, but I had a spare.
My little bottle of Johnson's Baby Powder had to be binned.
As did the sodden spare pair of knickers.
And a library book was ruined.
What might be okay?
Well, the librarian suggested, sotto voice, that I could replace the book via eBay rather than pay the cover price.
I might be able to get it for as little as £3 in a pristine condition, as opposed to the new price of £7.
What's £4? A big difference. Send me £4 ($5.70) and I'll take a photo of all the toilet paper and cereal I can buy with it.
Norovirus outbreak at U of M, centered around Polo Girl's Dorm cafeteria :(
...sometimes known as "winter vomiting bug" in the UK...
I think the Brits should get to name all the diseases.
Yeah - we like things to be clearly labelled.
Originally Posted by Wikipedia
...sometimes known as "winter vomiting bug" in the UK.
Yeah - we like things to be clearly labelled.
Does exactly what it says on the tinFriend's child/friend of Thor just came out of an 11+ hour surgery to remove a tumor/mass from her brain. They think they got it all, but they had to take some white matter
:cry: :fingerx:
That super sucks, for her, her parents, her friends, and everyone who knows her. It's even terrifying for those who only hear about it. I hope they were successful and wish her a full recovery. :fingerx:
What really fucking sucks is that if her parents hadn't done a Clodfobble, the medical profession were happy to write it off as either concussion repercussions or Female menstrual/migraine shennanigans...........
I've been watching the saga from afar but didn't wanted to say anything as she doesn't really know me. I really hope she recovers well.
Damn.
Our local hospital has an ad campaign about how boss they and one of the ads is a guy who took a bad fall snowboarding and had some sort of scan to be sure his [strike]insurance policy was working[/strike] back wasn't broken, and they found a tumor and saved his life.
It seems that a full body scan might be good as part of an annual physical.
An affordable full body scan, that is.
She's been talking coherently. And by chance her brother came into my store about an hour ago in one of the rare moments when I was actually out on the floor. He said it was amazing. :D one nice point in an otherwise COMPLETELY SHITTY FUCKING DAY. oh sorry, was I shouting?
You're allowed to shout here, whereas in the store not so much. ;)
OH GOOD, I'M GLAD WE'RE ALLOWED TO SHOUT HERE!
After a second completely shitty fucking day
Although not as shitty as the day monster's friends and their child likely had. So I'll return to some perspective and stop shouting now.
She should be home now! Incredible!
They found out this morning.
Wow. I missed the downs and ups, but glad to hear the positive news nonetheless. Yay.
delayed by one day more, but hoping for home today
Just a few minutes ago, I got up and walked through the house, looked at the backyard, and saw perhaps the biggest rabbit I've ever seen. It wasn't jackrabbit big, but, it was quite large. Verily, I say unto you, this was a healthy bunny.
Of course, I went for my camera, came back, and, yep, you guessed it, no wabbit. No sign of a wabbit.
I'm not sure it was ever there.:(
I'm going into town later...may as well pick up a Holy Hand Grenade of Antioch...
If he tries to take you down any rabbit holes, make sure you bring your croquet set.
Def be prepared to deal with the Queen of Hearts; keep the Holy Hand Grenade handy.
Not sure if this is cueing up properly, go to 1:25:02 if not.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pPwyLvG6gxY&t=85m02s
[YOUTUBE]pPwyLvG6gxY&t=85m02s[/YOUTUBE]
Ovarian cancer. Still have to get a blood test and see an gynecologic oncologist in Indy for final diagnosis.
I think the "too soon to tell' isn't accurate here....I probably only have a 4% chance that it isn't cancer. The tumors are big.
This has been the shittiest 2 years of my life. Everything fell apart...so I'm not really surprised by this.
So sorry to hear this. Sending thoughts and prayers.
That totally is crap. No stars!
I probably only have a 4% chance
I'm waiting that out before I say anything.
fuck cancer
Sideways. With a dead dingo's dick.
Sorry to hear about this, Pico.
Undertoad, she told me that its possible for it to be another kind of turmor that isn't cancerous, but that tumor is only ever about 4% of all tumors. I'm to be scheduled for a full hysterectomy and that's when they will be able test and stage it. For now I'm hoping for a Stage 1, where the cancer has not escaped the ovaries. Prognosis is not so scary then. So I'm hoping for the best outcome, but I am mentally preparing for the worst. I'm staying in good spirits, and still enjoying myself, and will continue to do that no matter what. If its really bad news, them I am gonna spend my money and go on a month long cruise.
Thank you everybody...you are all good souls and that is why I never left, just didn't post much, but I loved reading everything you guys wrote.
Sorry Pico, you are in my thoughts.
It's sad news, but, I also want to root for you. I would tell you that you're strong and smart and I think that gives you an advantage.
1/2 :sniff:
1/2 :cheerldr:
I'm rooting for you as well.
I am not a fan of the cancer thing. I am a fan of the Me associated with Pico. It's about fucking time for some good karma, I'm willing it your way.
I'm glad you are back to posting, Pico, but I'm sorry to hear this particular news. Here's hoping you are in the 4%.
Thank you everybody, It helps. Its surreal to be in this position, and especially as alone as I am. Its good to know that I still have a connection here.
Undertoad, that's the sweetest thing anybody has ever said to me. ALL my life I have been looking for that kind of recognition. It brings tears of gratitude to my eyes, even if it is from someone who doesn't really know me. I will remember your words.
I'm very glad! Cos it's true. :thumbsup:
I'll also say what I told Claudette and she found helpful somehow: if those tumors were on the outside of your body, you could easily just crush them under your heel.
They are dumb and weak, and so, not you!
Need positive vibes, prayers, etc. today. Job interview went well...could be working as soon as next week. *fingers crossed*
[youtube]EDQV2iXgZjQ[/youtube]
2nd interview tomorrow...
Eh hem ... I believer there is more news to share. El Sic!!!!
Oh, I put it in the "Happy" thread...got the job, going to Detroit for 10 weeks. Gonna kick ass!
Stepdaughter got fired yesterday from her job at my kids' school. Apparently there were four main issues:
1.) Her group never got anywhere on time
2.) She couldn't/wouldn't communicate what was going on with other adults
3.) She routinely drifted into inappropriate conversation topics with her kids--never sexual, but often death-related, like how the -icide in suicide can also be found in matricide, patricide, etc. Not awful, but not something all parents want her going on about with their kids. She'd been warned and continued to do it.
4.) She was yelling at the kids constantly, in a shaming and aggressive way.
The first three don't surprise me in the slightest. The last, however, was stunning to me when I first heard of it (again, there were multiple warnings, and the program director even reached out to me as a friend to find out if there was anything else going on,) but in retrospect it's obvious that she was screaming at the kids because that's how her mother treated her. We're waiting for the right moment to gently share this insight with her, when she's not still teary over getting fired.
The thing is, we knew she had no ability to project authority and would not be a good teacher in the long run. She had said before that one of the reasons she thought she would make a good middle school teacher is that she could be a great friend to all of them. We told her that's absolutely not what makes a good middle school teacher, but she insisted being a great listener was critical because, "Every teacher I ever had said to me, 'you know, if there's ever anything going on that you want to talk about, you can tell me.'" Well, no shit, honey--anyone can see you have major emotional problems, and they were only saying that to you, not to the kids with a fully-developed ego. To which she replied that she didn't act like a depressed unstable kid in school, she was more like [insert half a dozen super-obvious maladjusted attention-seeking socially-inappropriate behaviors here.]
Anyway, it's not necessarily a bad thing overall, hence the "tad apprehensive" thread, because we knew she needed to get off this teacher career path and onto something more suitable, and she also needed the experience of getting fired to convince her that the real world has real consequences. But we thought it would be more like, "Ugh, these kids are so annoying, I think I want to quit," not "You are so terrible at this we can't even let you stay on for a seventh week." The thing we thought would get her fired, oversleeping, has not yet been an issue, except that now that she's been fired from the job she really cared about, there's a distinct possibility she'll say "fuck this other job" and stop getting out of bed for it.
Meanwhile her first driving instructor passive-aggressively fired us, but now that she has all this room in her schedule we could probably find another one. Sometimes she's fine on the road, and sometimes she tries to change lanes into the car directly beside her and doesn't stop until I grab the wheel. But at least I have one fewer place to escort her to every day...
TL;DR - Stepdaughter got fired, which was inevitable, but the brutality of it may be too much for her to handle. I'm sick of cleaning up her mother's mess and I'm not anywhere near finished yet.
I get why she was fired. And I know you get why too.
But that's really shitty. She'll have issues with that for years. Well, maybe. Maybe she'll shake it off. Don't want to be too negative.
But I am genuinely sorry you are having to pick up the pieces.
When I've messed up something important to me, there isn't really anything anyone can do but love and support me. I'm smart enough to know when it's my fault, but it doesn't make it hurt less. When it really hasn't been my fault (lousy boss, clash of personalities etc) it's hurt more initially, but I've faced it down. It's when I've caused the problem - emotional issues, drink, health - which recur in dreams and I end up reliving them every time I'm upset.
If you ever need someone to go round and kick her Mum up the cunt, I'll do it.
Prison can't be worse than hospital, right?
Scratch my previous suggestion that SD consider being a nursing assistant. She apparently lacks the sound judgement needed to be a people person in the workplace.
Perhaps she needs an occupation working primarily with things rather than people, where one learns through on the job training and progresses by becoming skilled in a wider variety of things; or, on more sophisticated things rather than by supervising or taking care of others.
With her disposition, she may sooner or later find herself somewhere in logistics. The sooner the better. Companies like to train them young to add long term stability to their workforce. She could start out with something like packaging things in a factory and move up to operating machines that make the things. Could be there's an analogous situation in construction, shipping, maintenance ... etc. that she might like if she tried it.
Guard against her repeatedly applying for jobs she doesn't have the profile for. It's just as tempting to some to become a professional "terminee" as it is for others to become a professional student to get out of working for a living. I wouldn't give her more than three chances (i.e. jobs) to learn that she has to conform to doing what it takes to hold a job without getting fired. While getting fired may be devastating the first time, by the third or forth time it's old hat.
You may have to reassess your priorities and focus on first getting her independent transportation in that city. Her best bet may be working through a temp agency where she can experience a variety of places without having them as references. A single cumulative agency reference will take into account the totality of her work and obscure the places she went to that may have made her DNR (Do Not Return). She can still ask supervisors at the places that really liked her if she can use them as phone references. :)
She is not polished enough to work for a temp agency. She has mild hygiene issues and no care for her appearance. Most temp jobs are at reception, and she is scared to answer the phone.
Independent transportation is absolutely our number one goal, but it's still up in the air as to how long that's going to take. What she'd honestly be great at is programming. She could get away with her social awkwardness in that environment, and she does well when left alone with a defined non-social task. She did very well in the one low-level programming class she took, and even enjoyed it, but the problem is she relies 1000% on peer validation, and no one in her computer class ever complimented her (adult compliments don't count because adults are all idiots.) But one time this one kid thanked her effusively for tutoring him, which is the moment she became convinced that teaching was for her.
I brought up agency work because my BIL owns and runs a couple of factories in two states which are reliant on agency workers since the workload ebbs and flows too much to maintain a full complement of permanent employees. Some of the same temps have been going there for years and a few even hired for training to replace retiring employees. I suppose your city isn't exactly a manufacturing; or, transportation hub though.
Still, agency work is popular for its flexible scheduling. She might be able to find an agency that provides temp staffing in something like data entry or transcription services (where she would have her nose to a monitor all day and minimal contact with others) which would allow her to pursue additional coursework in programming or other area of interest.
Just a thought, maybe a contingency plan.
CF, does SD see a counselor of any sort?
Oh for sure. She was in therapy on and off from ages 4-10, then continuously (and on medication) from 10 until today. For the last 2.5 years she's had a separate, second counselor in Austin, because her mother insisted on sitting in on all her Houston sessions and then holding everything she said against her, so we set her up with one here that she could actually trust. We were limited by who would take Saturday appointments, though, so I wouldn't necessarily say the one in Austin is especially great, but it's been a neutral 3rd party for her to talk to, at least.
And again with the apprehensive, but might be okay... She passed her driving test!! Is she safe on the road? Not really. Is she worse than any other teenager? I don't know.
What I know is I don't have to drive her to and from work every day, and we have an umbrella policy with our insurance. So I'm happy, at least, and whoever's car she inevitably hits, well, it'll be paid for.
One of these days I'll stop being a one-topic pony, but apparently not today.
As some of y'all may already know because I posted it on FB, I recently got into a car accident and totaled my car. Fortunately, I am okay. I need a new car ASAP because I don't have a set work schedule, so my husband can't always take me to work. We're going to go look for a car tomorrow. I can only afford a used car at the moment. I hope we don't end up buying one with hidden problems. [emoji53]
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Well buying cars with obvious problems is overrated. At least the hidden problems give you surprises to look forward to.
Ha....I've been too tired to want surprises. [emoji30]
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Glad you're safe at least, Lola. Happy car-hunting!
Thanks! I put all the responsibility of choosing a car onto my hubby. Don't want to be my fault when the car breaks down. LOL...I'm very good at not placing blame when something goes wrong, so he doesn't have a problem of making all the decisions.
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Three bouts of "OhshitI'mgonnapuke!", with no results, thank goodness. Coinciding with full body sweats, and and bouts of "OhshitI'mgonnashit!", with unfortunate results.
I've been eating a few saltines while screwing around here for a few minutes, we'll see how that works out...:fingerx:
How are you feeling today, Grav?
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How are you feeling today, Grav?
Well, I'm not sure. The unpleasant actions have ceased, but, now I have a mild headache (sinuses, most likely), a little bit of a stuffy head, and I feel like I've been hit by a truck. A big one.
I thought at first that I'd picked up the flu, but, I think it's just some bug I caught. I think it's packed its bags, though, and is on it's way
away. It had me a little worried, because I just don't ever get sick.:fingerx:
Thanks for asking.:)
Are you looking for another car yet?
He lost an ear.
Fooooouuuuuuunnnnd iiiittt!Well there goes your chance to be a famous artist. ;)
I just bought a new car 2 days ago. I'll post the picture soon. I'm heading off to work now. Glad you're feeling a little better. Now those bugs arses out of town, so they can't near ya anymore.
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I might be in for a whole new experience next week: live-in medical support during a work action.
If said work action takes place it will be with only a few hours' notice, and as I am contracted to provide medical services to the involved location I will be expected to live-in for 72 hours while the legal aspects sort themselves out.
I'll take a bag to work on Monday so that, if I am unable to go home at the end of the day, I'll have necessary changes of clothes to keep me going. It seems I'll get to sleep on the gurney in the emergency room of the on-site clinic where I currently provide services.
I am a little apprehensive about violence. There has been some in recent days, against property not persons, but things are still developing. I will cross my fingers and hope there isn't anything significant.
A 30cc syringe with a 4-5 inch cardiac needle and maniacal laugh can be an effective deterrent at close quarters.
Hey, you never know when someone's going to tamponade. Best to be ready.
Good point. I was a Girl Guide (Girl Scout here in the USA) and all that.
House guests this weekend.
We agreed to three. (My brother, his wife, her daughter.) Welcomed them with open arms, even.
Then yesterday I got a whiff of the possibility that my sister wanted to come. And within an hour it was my sister flying in from NM, and my sister in law driving down from Ottawa with her two kids, my niece and nephew.
And then last night, I learned my 2nd cousin from Harrisburg was coming too.
That's 7 guests on top of the 4 who live here. Slumber party!
I just hope our house's old plumbing can handle it all.
I just hope our house's old plumbing can handle it all.
"If it's yellow let it mellow,
if it's brown flush it down."
"and eating a little fiber isn't gonna kill you"
Of course there's always "Everybody!! GTFO!!".
Eh, family's cool, I guess. If ya got cool family. I do not.
Hope e'erthang goes smoove.
Harrisburg east shore or west shore?
^ posted by me on the phone. For some reason it was logged in as anon
glatt, glatt, the diplomat
house full of family
he can handle that
No idea which part of Harrisburg. She's liberal if that tells you anything.
All there for the inauguration protests?
Nope. For the Women's March. It was a fucking awesome weekend and the plumbing held up just fine.
Nope. For the Women's March.
Same thing :neutral:
I was going to attend the march in Philly until I did a little research and found out it was a basically a pro-choice event and opposing views weren't welcomed. My sister also re: the Washington one.
Same thing :neutral:
Maybe you meant them as the same. But I thought you were talking about the protests the day of the inauguration where a bunch of criminal punks trashed my favorite Starbucks.
Glad to hear some of your peeps were doing the peaceful women's march too.
...and opposing views weren't welcomed.
Are opposing views on anything welcomed anywhere on this planet?
I don't think so, Scooter.
Glad to hear some of your peeps were doing the peaceful women's march too.
Yeh, I know a loot of people who went to Philly or DC. They all said they had a great time and that they were overwhelmingly peaceful.
The bank lost my daughter's deposit she made a week and a half ago.
She deposited two checks from summer jobs, totaling about a thousand dollars. It's her spending money and book money for her first year of college. And of course when she went off to college, she cleaned her room and threw away the receipt of the deposit they gave her.
She had gone up to the window with her bank card and asked that the money be deposited into that account. They scanned the checks, and gave her a receipt. They must have put it in somebody else's account since there is no record of it ever being in my daughter's.
Not sure how this is going to pan out.
Luckily, I have the Estate's money in the same bank before I distribute it to the heirs, so they think we are high rolling customers they should take seriously.
We know the date of the deposit and the rough amount. Also who gave her the checks. That's about it.
Save those receipts people!
My wife was unsuccessful at the bank yesterday getting it resolved. There were a couple people trying to help her, but they had almost no information to go on.
She reached out to the people who had written the checks and even got images of the processed checks from one of them. So she is heading back to the bank today to see if this additional information and images of the cleared checks will help find the money. It's somewhere.
Ugh.
What a nightmare. I hope your wife had success today.
...and even got images of the processed checks from one of them...
THAT should work! Good Luck!
She checked her account today and the money was there!
She checked her account today and the money was there!
was the apology that is clearly due anywhere in sight?
Actually, I just asked my wife, and she doesn't remember an apology specifically, but the body language and tone of voice were all very apologetic and they may have said the words. They did thank her for her patience.
Great news. A major confidence-shaker on the bank's part, though - I'd have thought they would be a little more forward with the apologies. Maybe some light grovelling.
Glad it worked out. I'd ask for the specific steps they are going to take to ensure it can never happen again. Otherwise, how could I trust them with my money. Or.. anybody. Of all the people I know. Who bank here.
Apprehensive / too early to tell:
The biopsy results from my recent colonoscopy. That there were polyps to be removed is bad enough, hearing about them and seeing the pictures.... Whatev..
We shall see, in a week to ten days.
Now you have to trade in your alcohol for green tea.
Well V ... not exactly that uncommon.
**This is the one time "Pics or it never happened" is NOT an applicable response... :/
**This is the one time "Pics or it never happened" is NOT an applicable response... :/
*snort*
To be honest, I only have the pics as evidence it did happen.
I'm told that fentanyl and versed have a synergistc effect that produces amnesia... So, thank God for the pictures.
Yeah, I had a polyp, not cancer. Up the fiber![COLOR="White"] (or up yours)[/COLOR]
Me too, I think they're fairly common and usually not a problem, but they always take them off.
If left in, they could become cancerous after about 10 years. That's why we screen every 10 years.
I didn't have any. I am polyp poor.
I wouldn't go in to a room that contained fentanyl.
For the last 13 years, I have been an in-home pet sitter. I go to other people's houses to tend to their pets when they're out of town. This morning, as I was finishing up at a client's house (cat breeder - 30 freakin' cats - OMG), it began to sleet. The sleet turned into snow by noon, and it's been snowing ever since.
I made it to my afternoon sits without any trouble, although I did see two cars in ditches, and two other cars that were parked along the road because the drivers couldn't make it up some moderate hills.
I have an overnight visit in a nearby town, and I'm nervous about heading out in a few hours to drive over there. The good news is, I have a great 4WD Silverado with new tires, so I'm probably going to be ok. The bad news is, the weather dudes say things will turn to freezing rain and ice soon, with more in the morning.
Tomorrow I have to travel all over the county yet again, to tend to a bunch of critters. Why the hell did the weather have to turn to shit on THIS particular day?
:mad:
It's simple, Glinda...
:D
Well, I made it where I needed to go last night, and again today. The roads are crap, but I've been fine. Can't say as much for other drivers - I saw at least 8 or 10 cars in ditches today. Even had to wait 20 minutes while a tow truck hauled one up out of a deep ravine.
Whee. Fun. :neutral:
Sitting in the state inspection waiting area, hoping our '96 Geo Prizm makes it. Emissions always worry me because I don't understand the test. What does that anal probe measure? Plus the steering belt squeals, and sometimes the brake light comes on, but not this morning. Brakes should be good mechanically though. I think it's a dirty sensor or something. Hope we pass...
I live in SW Washington state, and for unknown reasons, my local jurisdiction does not require smog checks on residents' vehicles. (This doesn't make any damned sense to me, but what do I know?) Of course, the DMV doesn't tell you this; they send out the notices to everyone regardless.
The first time I got the notice that I needed an emissions test, I dutifully followed directions in order to get my new tags. A few days later, I mentioned to a neighbor that I had the test done, and she asked me why. I said, "They sent a paper that said I had to."
She laughed, and told me we lived in a specially designated non-emissions-test area. I haven't fallen for that trick ever since. :rolleyes:
Of course, when it's emissions year, I can't renew online. If I try, I'm told I MUST have the test, so every few years I'm obligated to go to the licensing office in person and say "I live in ____ town, so I don't have to get the test." The person behind the counter nods knowingly, and processes my tag transaction without the emissions paperwork.
No DMV worker has been able to tell me why this is the situation. I often wonder if it's some sort of property tax related thing, as I also get free ambulance service out here (paid for through property taxes, which are exceedingly reasonable).
'Tis a mystery. :thumb:
Woo!
So, I tied to download a video from YouTube this morning.
Used the program I always use, but instead of the screen I usually get asking in which resolution I want the download, I get a screen saying 'this vid requires you to log in to download it'.
WTF?
Oh, it's prolly cause the vid is a clip from America's Got Talent. I'll try this other vid I want...But instead of the screen I usually get asking in which resolution I want the download, I get a screen saying 'this vid requires you to log in to download it'.
WTFF, man?
I tried a random video, and then a video I've downloaded before...But instead of the screen I usually get asking in which resolution I want the download, I get a screen saying 'this vid requires you to log in to download it'.
Goddammit.
I positively fucking abhor failure, in any form, first goddamn thing in the morning.
Aaaaand I'm sizzlin'.:mad2:
I just tried recording to mp3 off YouTube and got THE shittiest sound to ever come out of this computer.
I know good and goddamn well that two (2) different unrelated programs did not decide to shit the bed on the same day.
Anybody know if YouTube decided to fuck the world today or what?
This day is fucked. Might as well admit defeat. Fuck it.
YouTube has definitely been screwing around with their code--ads are sometimes making it through AdBlock, in the last few weeks.
I'm taking a crew of 12 to Boy Scouts' holy grail, Philmont, on the 28th of this month for a 10 day backpacking trip through the mountains. I've been looking forward to it for a year and a half. We have been training hard since November.
So I saw in the news last night that there's a big uncontrolled wildfire right in the middle of it. And I checked the MODIS fire data on Google Earth and see the 4 of our campsites have burned so far.
Awesome. That's just perfect.
Whoa. At least you weren't already at the campsite when the fire headed that way?
This is true. Nobody has been hurt in this fire, and the place hadn't opened yet for the summer, so there were not thousands of kids to evacuate from a hundred square miles of back country.
Crap. Is there a back up plan?
Could've been worse. Might've been a missed opportunity; but, the
"Fireman" merit badge was discontinued in 1911. No sweat.
I'm taking a crew of 12 to Boy Scouts' holy grail, Philmont, on the 28th of this month for a 10 day backpacking trip through the mountains. I've been looking forward to it for a year and a half. We have been training hard since November.
Bad news.
At this time, we have made the difficult decision to cancel all backcountry treks that were scheduled to take place in the Philmont backcountry from June 8 – July 14, 2018. We hope that back country treks may resume after July 14, 2018 with altered itineraries, assuming the back country is safe and infrastructure is restored.
Yeah. This totally bites.
I got an email yesterday just before leaving for our regular scout meeting that our trek is cancelled.
I broke the news to the boys who were at the meeting, and they were very disappointed. It's crazy. I mean, it's just a trip. But we have been training really hard for it for months.
So now I'm faced with trying to cobble something together that we can do ourselves, and there is no time to plan it properly. We would be out there for 14 days. I have planned weekend scout trips before and it takes a lot of work. Filling 14 days is really overwhelming. I'm not sure if it's possible in the limited time I have.
Yeah. This totally bites.
I got an email yesterday just before leaving for our regular scout meeting that our trek is cancelled.
I broke the news to the boys who were at the meeting, and they were very disappointed. It's crazy. I mean, it's just a trip. But we have been training really hard for it for months.
So now I'm faced with trying to cobble something together that we can do ourselves, and there is no time to plan it properly. We would be out there for 14 days. I have planned weekend scout trips before and it takes a lot of work. Filling 14 days is really overwhelming. I'm not sure if it's possible in the limited time I have.
Can you share the task with someone? Are there online forums where other group leaders share their plans and ideas?
I saw this:
https://www.scouter.com/topic/13625-philmont-alternatives/
It's an old thread, and it may be too late to schedule most of them even if they are still available, but there might be something there.
If you do find something that only takes a week, for example, you might be able to find a few nearby day trips. My troop did a tour of Alaska, which was made up of just sequential day trips.
Thanks HM. I'll dig into this.
I've been busy at work lately and haven't had time to research as much as I would like to. Other people are like "we should do something cool instead. Plan our own trip." They have no idea how much work it is to line up permits, find available sites, etc. etc. Our 12 person crew exceeds the permitted size of a back country group in some national parks.
And we're competing with literally hundreds of other crews to find slots.
A big part of me is wishing everyone just says they are dropping out, and then I will fly to Colorado with my son and take a vacation there. Get some hiking in, just the two of us, and visit the sites. Sleep on BLM land for free.
Other people are like "we should do something cool instead. Plan our own trip." They have no idea how much work it is
I utterly despise dealing with this attitude. As if having the idea was the hard part, and now someone else can just whip the details together. Even when you try to rope them in on specific responsibilities, they act like you're just making it more complicated by involving them.
It's hard to make the kids, and their parent's lawyers, happy. :rolleyes:
I've been too busy to update, but things are really working out well.
I found a High Adventure back country Boy Scout camp in Northern Montana that had an opening. It's a week long and looks really cool. It will fill the second half of our canceled trip. One of my co-leaders found another Scout camp in the Black Hills of South Dakota the week before that will fill up the first part of our trip. And we have a few days in between, which we will need to road trip between those places.
So we fly in to Denver, immediately hit the road to get to South Dakota. We visit Crazy Horse and Mount Rushmore. Maybe even the Badlands and absolutely Devils Tower. Sleep in the camp every night. Maybe get a swim or an afternoon in on the ropes course. And then take two days to drive way up to the NW corner of Montana to learn how to fly fish as we hike through back country mountains and valleys for a week.
I was super pessimistic the last two days but talking to Scouts literally all across the country has restored my faith in humans. Everyone I reached out to at camps from Utah to Virginia was super friendly and helpful. They all wanted to be part of the solution.
There were over 1,000 crews that were displaced by the fire at Philmont and we were all in a mosh pit of phone calls and emails trying to land a plan B.
I'm thrilled it worked out for us.
We may even swing by Yellowstone on our way back to the Denver airport.
Good news, glad it worked out.
That's fantastic, I'm so happy for you, that will be an amazing trip
I was talking to my wife about it a little while ago. She made a point that resonated with me. We live in a crowded city full of type A personalities. We are used to having to compete against other people all the time in order to get to do anything.
Philmont had instructed all 1,000 plus displaced crews to wait to be called in turn and have their options spelled out for them. It's been 3 days and Philmont still hasn't made it through the crews before us to give us a call. I am so used to competing against the throngs that it didn't even occur to me to wait for a call. I pounced, and slowly at that. I poked around the web for a day, sent a few emails, but didn't pick up a telephone until about 40 hours had gone by. About 6 hours after picking up the phone we had a solution.
I wonder how many crews are out there just waiting for the call from Philmont before they act?
Is this new itinerary more expensive for the crew?
Probably not.
Maybe.
It's going to be close.
If we go over, it will be the gasoline that does it. 2 minivans driving 30 hours each. Plus a couple extra meals out. And one hotel.
But the programs are about $200 less pp total.
It will be close.
We'll see.
That's reasonable for a last minute scramble, good job. :thumb:
Superb news!
Sent by magick
Let us know how much you're off by if you end up off, maybe we can cover it
Let us know how much you're off by if you end up off, maybe we can cover it
This.
You know, I'm starting to think there just might be something to this whole ingenuity and determination stuff.
We're filling in details now. We have Saturday nights on the road in Montana. Pretty much all campgrounds are full already. Don't want to risk sleeping on no reservations accepted BLM land. Nothing would be worse than to roll up and find no availale sites after driving 8 hours. So we're staying in the Billings KOA one night.
Gotta find another place the following Saturday. It's a balance finding a good place without driving too far out of the way. Things out West are so far apart.
I'm not worried. Only have a few details to finalize. And there is still some time.
Today I have to go shopping for work and buy samples of infringing items in a lawsuit. It's part of the new job I now have. Shopping is fun, and I'll get paid for it. I had never bothered to join Costco before, but the firm will pay my membership fee to pick up a couple things there. So that's a bonus too.
Costco enrages me. Nearly everything about it is Discounters Theater.
Oh, the meat is cheaper? Yeah--because it comes in packages of 1 and 1/3 pounds. No recipe calls for 1 and 1/3 pounds. The implied promise of bulk prices is you can buy ten 1-pound packages at a discount, or at least one 10-pound package you can redivide yourself, but the reality is you end up expanding each evening's one-package recipe by 30%, which means the vast majority of people will eat larger portions and/or throw it away, thus saving no money.
You have to check my receipt as I walk out, even though I just ran a gauntlet of two employees per checkout lane, and there is no other way to access the exit (making for an awkward-as-hell line-cutting process if you try to leave without buying anything, by the way)? A.) Inspecting my purchased items is actually illegal, and Fry's Electronics got slapped down in court for it many years ago, and B.) you're just trying to make people feel like Costco is some super-guarded facility that only special members get to be a part of. You are not actually comparing the receipt to the basket, you're just slowing everyone down.
Dry goods are cheaper, as they've always been, but these loss leaders are meant to trick you into buying other items like produce, which I have compared extensively with my local grocery store, and the local store is always cheaper.
And yet, I have a membership, because we go through a ton of Fiji water and it's slightly cheaper there, and because they carry this one frozen gluten-free dessert that I can't get anywhere else locally. But it still infuriates me that I have to participate in their mostly-scam.
I didn't enjoy Costco.
Good Lord, what a zoo.
And I was only buying one item. They looked at me funny, as the two customers in front of me each had two carts. And I placed a single towel on the belt. And they only take Visa, so I couldn't use my company Amex and have a bunch of paperwork to fill out and won't get reimbursed for a month.
Have you heard of this thing called "cash"?
Have you heard of this thing called "cash"?
Many employers require you use the company credit card.
We're filling in details now. We have Saturday nights on the road in Montana. Pretty much all campgrounds are full already. Don't want to risk sleeping on no reservations accepted BLM land. Nothing would be worse than to roll up and find no availale sites after driving 8 hours. So we're staying in the Billings KOA one night.
Gotta find another place the following Saturday. It's a balance finding a good place without driving too far out of the way. Things out West are so far apart.
I'm not worried. Only have a few details to finalize. And there is still some time.
Today I have to go shopping for work and buy samples of infringing items in a lawsuit. It's part of the new job I now have. Shopping is fun, and I'll get paid for it. I had never bothered to join Costco before, but the firm will pay my membership fee to pick up a couple things there. So that's a bonus too.
There is a branch of my store in Billings. Lucky's Market is into non-profit and community support. They might help with a food donation if you explain how come you got stuck there, how awesome you are, even though you aren't technically local.... (either pre-prepared --like pizza and fruit trays-- or for you to cook) LMK if you need further info/would like me to try and help.
https://www.luckysmarket.com/billings-montana/Thanks Monster!
I was a little concerned initially that the price of this trip was going to shoot through the roof as we had to come up with a Plan B, but I did a huge spreadsheet with everything on it, and it looks like we are going to break even. A year ago when we started the planning, everyone understood that we would be adding 2 rental cars and 2 hotel nights to the total for about $200 additional per person.
My spreadsheet says we know of $238 more in expenses per person, so that's actually really close. I'm a little impressed with us, pulling this together.
We're not hurting financially as a crew.
There still might be extras that we add on at the last minute, but that would have happened anyway.
Will we go to Terry's Bison Ranch when we are in Cheyenne and spend $14 per person to take a train to see Terry's bison? Who knows? Those sorts of extras will happen every once in a while.
One big expense is now going to be gasoline. I fed our itinerary into google maps, and our total road trip will be 2,494 miles! That's like driving across the country. It's mostly broken up into. A day of driving, four days off, two days of driving, 7 days off, two days of driving, hop on a plane.
Still, I figured a minivan from Enterprise will get 22 MPG. Two of them will be a total of 5,000 miles at 22 MPG is 227 gallons of gas to buy. I figured gas in Montana will be $3 a gallon when we are there. So $681 for gas, or around $60 per person.
And then take two days to drive way up to the NW corner of Montana to learn how to fly fish as we hike through back country mountains and valleys for a week.
You're going to pass right by my friend's town, Garryowen MT. I highly recommend you stop to check out his museum and visit with him for some great insights on the Battle of the Little Big Horn and the place where the first shots were fired (right there at Garryowen/Sitting Bull's camp).
While on the road in Montana, if you need a place to camp out for one night (for free), it's entirely possible my friend would accommodate you and your crew in Garryowen. If you're interested, PM me.
:thumbsup:
One big expense is now going to be gasoline. I fed our itinerary into google maps, and our total road trip will be 2,494 miles! That's like driving across the country. It's mostly broken up into. A day of driving, four days off, two days of driving, 7 days off, two days of driving, hop on a plane.
Still, I figured a minivan from Enterprise will get 22 MPG. Two of them will be a total of 5,000 miles at 22 MPG is 227 gallons of gas to buy. I figured gas in Montana will be $3 a gallon when we are there. So $681 for gas, or around $60 per person.
This might help.[Quote=glatt]One big expense is now going to be gasoline. I fed our itinerary into google maps, and our total road trip will be 2,494 miles! That's like driving across the country. It's mostly broken up into. A day of driving, four days off, two days of driving, 7 days off, two days of driving, hop on a plane.
Still, I figured a minivan from Enterprise will get 22 MPG. Two of them will be a total of 5,000 miles at 22 MPG is 227 gallons of gas to buy. I figured
gas in Montana will be $3 a gallon when we are there. So $681 for gas, or around $60 per person.
This might help too.SonofV move to New York.
This happened ten days ago, including the three day train ride.
My stress factor has floated down from 9.5 to... 7.5.
My nest is empty. I used to have a fledgling (my last fledgling), dangling by one foot from a branch, well below the nest. He dropped onto a rushing train that disappeared over the horizon, taking my purpose in life with him.
I kind of hate this thread.
But I definitely love all you guys.
#STRESS
What prompted the move? Friends? Job? Education?
The margaritas are preventing me from answering your question in the manner to which I am accustomed.
HOWEVER!
I shall return.
[/Gen George McArthur ]
Damn, when that boy moves he makes it count, don't he?
Don't worry too much, I'm betting ya done good.
:comfort:
And tell margarita hello for me. I haven't seen her in a while.
We're filling in details now.
...snip...
Things out West are so far apart.
[COLOR="Red"]I'm not worried. [/COLOR] Only have a few details to finalize. And there is still some time.
Orange things are messing up our trip.
First it was the wildfire.
Now it's the orange man here in DC.
One of the dads on the trip is a lawyer, and his biggest client just got slammed by these moronic tariffs. They have been forced to lay off something like 80% of their workforce because their only product is wire and they depend on steel imports. Virtually all their orders for wire have been canceled in the last week. Anyway, this lawyer dad has spent the past week lobbying folks on the Hill, and has to travel with a congressman to Missouri to give a tour of one of the plants the orange man shut down. This is right in the middle of our trip that he has to be babysitting a congressman. He would love to skip it but can't afford to abandon this client that is fighting for its existence.
So it turns out our van reservations were in this guys name, and with all the driving we are doing, we were really counting on having three drivers to take shifts. I think we can still pull this off with only two adults, but it's going to be much more brutal, and we may have to pay more to make new van reservations.
Fuck.
Well, shit. If it's not one thing, it's another.
Man, this is upsetting in so many ways. Is there no emergency Dad you can drag into it?
So the working plan we have now is that I rent the van. Done.
Not sure if I can add him as a driver if he isn't there in person. Maybe if I have a copy of his driver's license.
And this lawyer dad is going to fly to his important St. Louis meetings with all his backpacking gear in addition to all his lawyer shit. After the meetings he's going to the airport hotel, pack up, change into camper mode, and fly to Billings MT in the morning and meet us at the KOA when we arrive that afternoon. Or maybe we will pick him up in the Billings airport. I guess we'll be driving around with his big briefcase and suit/garment bag at the bottom of the pile under the camping equipment and backpacks.
So he will miss the first week of the trip, but that's the relaxing fewer miles driven part of the trip anyway.
That's awesome. I'm glad that he was able to figure out a way to make it work even with his lawyerin' obligations. Seems like everyone's really on board with making this happen for the kids no matter what, which makes success a lot easier.
Oh yeah. Right. This is for the kids. I keep forgetting. :blush:
Oh yeah. Right. This is for the kids. I keep forgetting. :blush:
:lol
Could he UPS his lawyer stuff to his office?
... Not sure if I can add him as a driver if he isn't there in person. Maybe if I have a copy of his driver's license. ...
If he gives you a limited power of attorney, it's the same as him being there. Make sure you charge him an attorney's fee. :D
Started to drive pologirl to Toronto this morning to catch the flight for her two month European thing starting with 6 weeks on the dig in Greece.... border easy... then we hit traffic. serious traffic. Forced off the freeway, no explanation, no diversion posted. So we followed the trucks for a couple of hours. crawling interspersed with nothing. Roads on a grid system through flat farmland -we could see lines of trucks like hedgerows.
Found a truck stop once we realized flight was not happening. Nasty accident closed main freeway in Ontario. They let us use a phone, pologirl rebooked for tomorrow (at a cost of $1000ish)
Google maps still thinks freeway is closed.... just a tad apprehensive. Dig requires arrival on a specific day, not happening. Dig director likes pologirl though and seems ok, may even send special shuttle to airport.
still apprehensive tho
I'm sorry for your apprehension, but love the image of lines of trucks like hedge rows. I've looked at maps more than once and noticed those road grids out there and wondered if you couldn't just pick a random little farm road and drive for 50 miles in a perfectly straight line.
Good luck monster. Also good imagery.
I'm back.
Thanks all for your concern and your patience. I really do appreciate you.
*****
So, SonofV made it to NY safely and is set up in an apartment and is submitting job applications at a rate of about ten a day. Well, ten *today*(yesterday, actually, when I started this reply...), so that's one datapoint. Obviously, he needs a job so he can pay the rent--right now he's just living off the generosity of others. When he gets a job, he'll be able to pay his fair share on the apartment he's applied to rent with the people he's staying with now, when the new lease takes effect. Fingers crossed!
Seattle was tough for him. He had a tumultuous adolescence / early adulthood, chronicled here in other threads. My divorce from Tink blew up his family unit, my prolonged unemployment cast an economic pall over his half-home, and his mother's illness and physical decline made him a full time caregiver. Her death was equal, copious parts tragedy and relief, two tastes that taste like shit together. My county-changing reemployment and subsequent move ejected him from his natal home and into years of couch surfing. Very tough. Not living under a bridge tough, but still pretty sucky.
He had some low skill, low reward jobs, nothing with any upward trajectory, but enough to pay for food and Xbox Gold. Absent from the lamentations above is any mention of post high school education. We tried community college (I paid, he bailed) but he wasn't into it #hammeringoncoldiron. As a loving parent, which I am, I want the best for my kid. I want him to succeed. Success doesn't have a specific shape or numeric value, I'd consider it a success if he became a functioning, autonomous, happy, resilient adult. An adult who has the creativity and grit to get back up and find a way to work it out.
This sounds lofty and all, but that's only because it takes a big sacrifice on my part. Specifically, it requires me to stand by, to hold back, while my kid suffers. Pain can be instructive. Watching my kid suffer while I know I have the ability (and the desire, definitely) to alleviate that suffering has revealed depths of restraint I didn't know I had.
That's part of the "blessing" this move represents. I really, really, can't hop on the ferry, I mean, airplane after work and buy him dinner as we chat at the laundromat because he's out of quarters. Or some shit like that. Or, show up at the ER *again* because he's faceplanted into the grab bars on the bus and broken his nose and teeth so he can have a ride home/back to his couch.
This letting go, truly emptying my nest, represents a transition as surprising as the birth of his eldest sibling. I saw both events coming, I recognize both events as normal and desirable, and I was really not prepared for the reality they represented. Reading about it didn't convey the emotional impact, the physical experience of such a change. Some of the parents reading this know what I'm talking about.
Twil and I had planned a weekend getaway awhile ago, just a Saturday night halfway around the peninsula. The plan had been made before SonofV's move was discussed let alone had a departure date. He'd agreed to watch Andy (The Reluctant Outdoor Dog) for us. Well, he was good for his promise, and Twil and I packed up the car on Saturday morning, I kissed SonofV goodbye, waking him on the couch as I did so, "Hey, we're leaving now. Loveya!"... He was groggy, hugged me back and we left. As we were in the drive through at Starbucks five minutes down the road Twil asked me what I wanted. And I didn't answer. She looked over at me. I couldn't answer. I was in the throes of a debilitating attack of separation anxiety. All I could manage was to squeak out "It feels like that's the last time I'll ever see him." Twil, compassionately suggested, "Why don't we ask him to come along?". Fast forward, I called him (woke him up again) and asked him if he'd like to join us on a little road trip. He said sure so we went back and he hopped in the car (he was already packed, he basically lives out of a suitcase). And the dog was just fine spending the weekend outside with food and water and shelter and fair weather.
The trip was nice, not extraordinary by travel standards. But we all had a good time. Twil's genius and insight and love for me and for him saved me. It certainly saved the weekend, I was completely unsuitable company before he joined us. And it gave me a little rehearsal for the actual separation on Monday, which went pretty smoothly. And now we're back to the opening paragraph.
Since then, he's settled in nicely. He's staying with friends of his brother who lives in the next little town down the road. I expect his brother can tell him stuff he can't hear from me, despite the fact ElderSon and I are saying the exact same things. Also totally normal. I'm fine now. I'm functional, though recounting the experience has made me cry again. He's got more work ahead of him, work that is hard and has real consequences. The stakes are pretty high. And he's going to fail. I know it. I welcome it. Just as I welcome the image of him getting back up, and trying again.
i am humbled by all parental tales told in earnest
Bummer, monster. Hope she gets there. :(
Letting go of offspring stuff can be really tough. We are at a similar time brother. They need to succeed or fail on their own terms but knowing that does not make letting go any easier.
It's an exciting time for him.
Bummer, monster. Hope she gets there. :(
The plane departed. I have no reason to believe she wasn't on it, although the sucky wifi at Pearson meant we weren't able to communicate after security. I'm back home now, thanks
I simply canNOT tell you how glad?happy? I am that I don't have offspring.
It might be the thing for which I'm most thankful.
The young ladies are flying to Europe and the Mrs. is in Texas. Weird. I guess I'll binge watch soccer and the Expanse.
come on, internal recruiter at new job possibility
you know you want me, just get them to talk to me. I'll handle the rest
Want me to give them a recommendation?
No wait, you want this job right? Nevermind :lol:
come on, internal recruiter at new job possibility
you know you want me, just get them to talk to me. I'll handle the rest
Rooting for you!
Attaboy!
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
~ phone interview confirmed ~
I want to be a technical writer. I've never done it professionally, so I have to make a case for myself. I'ma can and would tell the persons i have write good before
~ phone interview confirmed ~
I want to be a technical writer. I've never done it professionally, so I have to make a case for myself. I'ma can and would tell the persons i have write good before
Rootin’ fer ya, kid!
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Good luck UT. You would be good at that, I believe.
Aced the phone interview, my prospective manager and I connected really well
In-person interview to be scheduled
~ it's happening!! ~
Ortho!!
Where the hell ya been?
Hey, guys! I’ve been hiding out in Pennsyltucky working long days butting my head against a brick wall. I should have stayed in touch. Just been tired and overwhelmed. I need to catch up on things here.
Mother in law was just a victim of a phishing scam.
Gave out bank account info.
These guys are good at what they do. The details are not clear, but there were multiple people who got her to give them access to her computer so they could fix it, and then bank routing information to pay for the service.
So we got her to take battery out of the laptop and understand that it's now the enemy. And she will go to little local bank when it opens to freeze the account. And she's going to give us all her various passwords so we can change everything from here. She is trying to remember all the information she gave them. I don't think she does much financial stuff on there.
What am I missing?
Dammit.
Listen to Reply All podcast episodes
102 and
103 to understand where all this shit is coming from. The Reply All gents explain it in a true-life, marvelously dramatic way.
I suspect tomorrow when the bank opens the money will be long gone. :(
Maybe--banks are very aware of this sort of thing, and most have started limiting the amounts you can move quickly. It's a pain in the ass when you legitimately need to do something like buy a house or close an account, but as long as you realize your mistake and jump on it quickly, you can often get in ahead of the scammers. The real problem is when folks don't realize until weeks or months later what they've done. (Or when they get tricked into physically pulling the money out themselves--my stepgrandfather got suckered by a scheme that involved him buying iTunes giftcards and then reading the numbers to the guy over the phone.)
Could be, but we don't know when this happened, "just" could be hours or days. Scammers are probably smart enough to make numerous transactions below the bank's radar. Hopefully not.
My post was within an hour or so of her giving away the keys to the castle. All happened after hours.
We will see what they got soon enough.
She received an email receipt from them for a $300 transaction shortly after my post.
I actually hope they get the $300 just to drive the lesson home with her. I'm worried it will be the whole account balance, which she didn't know. At least a few thousand. Maybe over 10k? She has multiple accounts and only gave them the one.
My wife is debating driving the 4 hours down there this weekend.
MIL is still confused. Every once in a while she lets it slip that she was talking to Amazon and Cisco. She doesn't fully understand that it was all bad guys the whole time.
Is that laptop trash now? Or is there some reliable way to get all Spyware off it? Can't some spyware hide?
There may not be spyware, possibly they just told her something was wrong and they would fix it by giving them remote access... and paying for it of course.
You can also put a fraud alert on her three major credit reports. Makes any new loans, etc. really hard for the next year, but will stop anyone from opening things in her name and stealing her identity along with her money.
And close all her bank accounts then send the cash to me for safe keeping. :apimp:
Is that laptop trash now? Or is there some reliable way to get all Spyware off it? Can't some spyware hide?
If you entirely reset it, like reinstall the OS, it should be fine;
My concern wouldn't even be with trojan horses, but with things like browser home page and bookmarks that have been added/altered. If you run an anti-virus full scan, it would find trojans, but it would be harder to figure out that the hackers have, say, switched out random URLs on the bookmarks bar.
In-person interview to be scheduled
~ it's happening!! ~
Is it? Hello? No word for four days...
*sigh* i'll just assume the deciders are on vacation this week
So the word from MIL is that she got to the bank before they did. The bank was extremely helpful. They closed her account and opened a new one for her. The manager at the bank called her pension and social security while she was there and arranged to have the direct deposits made into the new account. All her money is safe.
Her phone has been ringing off the hook from unknown numbers today, but she isn't answering.
She is going to take her laptop to her computer guy and pay him to erase everything off the hard drive and reinstall the system. She will lose some pictures but doesn't care.
She is incredibly lucky.
She had answered the phone last night because the caller ID said it was Amazon, and this was after she made an Amazon return.
She gets it now. They have her name and phone number and old credit card and bank info. They don't have her SS#
Wonderful! Would she be willing to change her phone number, so she's less likely to forget all this ever happened and fall for the same guys again in six months?
Which can happen if she only remembers all the attention she got out of it and that it didn't end up costing much.
Wonderful! Would she be willing to change her phone number, so she's less likely to forget all this ever happened and fall for the same guys again in six months?
If cellphone, you could change ringtone for all non-saved-contacts to the Jaws theme.....
It's a no.
I don't even know why I get excited about these things any more
Sorry man.
You get excited because it's what you want, and this is how you get it. It's not just gonna walk over to you and sit in your lap. You're on your way to "Yes". It's not "no", it's "not yet". Hm?
They're morons anyway.
*************************************************
I just got a pop up from AVG offering to scan all my passwords to see if they've been compromised.
:eyebrow:
It's a no.
I don't even know why I get excited about these things any more
You're tunneling out of the prison you're in, just one scoop of dirt after another until you suddenly break out. Sunshine, fresh air, rainbows and shit.
But only if you keep digging. ;)
It's a no.
I don't even know why I get excited about these things any more
Bah!
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This time I got the job. Yay hooray!
I'll be managing critical network infrastructure for Fortune 100 companies, for a blue chip British company known worldwide.
If all goes well, my career is now nursed all the way back to health from where it suffered a massive cardiac arrest in 2008. If all goes well. I am not taking anything in life for granted any more.
That's outstanding! Well done!
WONDERFUL! Couldn’t happen to a nicer guy! [emoji471]
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Thanks all! I expect all our resident Brits are familiar with the company and may even have gripes about it. It is a British company involved in the Telecom business. :wink:
Hooray! I am very pleased at this news.
Thanks all! I expect all our resident Brits are familiar with the company and may even have gripes about it. It is a British company involved in the Telecom business. :wink:
Ah.
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Congratulations, UT!
Please can you help to get something done about the branch resting on the phone cable from the pole to my house? ;)
Well, it had to be worth a try.:D
well done! tenacity at its finest
Belated congrats, UT! Sorry I didn't see this sooner. I hope all is going well.
A new long thread is under construction.
Completed first pass through pics 175 resized pics, collated with narrative text
You do know IrfanView will batch resize, yes? With scripts to sharpen etc and rename in sequence.
I use IrfanView at work, and I also use it at home. I'm familiar with the batch resize capability.
This task was done with Picasa, same result.
Today I updated servers that manage networking services in a major part of Her Maj's government.
:eek:
Today I updated servers that manage networking services in a major part of Her Maj's government.
:eek:
Double :eek:
Are they located within the UK?
Will understand if you aren't at liberty to say.
Mwahaha... Feel the power!
They are in the UK, but my division handles one particular part of the network infrastructure for many customers around the world.
I feel like I can tell you about it, but I have to be coy for the search engines. You would know this well-loved Nat'l Service by their three letter acronym, where the middle letter stands for Health.
:eek:
In my previous job, I was systematically prevented from working with the bigger names because the founder micromanaged everything. I think the most important company I worked with was Union Pacific Railroad. I helped them with their faxing.
I hope I'm not bragging here... I lucked into an interesting gig is what happened!
Dude, what? It's not bragging. It's awesome!
Nope, not bragging, just telling like it is. :thumb:
Today I updated servers that manage networking services in a major part of Her Maj's government.
:eek:
How cool is this? Pretty damn cool.
It's a braggable point.
Also:
How cool is this? Pretty damn cool.
This.
Just remember it's day, month, year over there. ;)
Good to know the Service is in safe hands!
[emoji41]
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Nowt wrong with a bit of well deserved bragging to the people who are cheering you on.
Good show mate, I feel confident you have this.
Facebook, Google, and Linkedin tried recruiting me this cycle, but they all want people to move to Silicon Valley and I have no interest.
That would be bragging, except I know the game. It's not actually flattering. They have run out of people who voluntarily want to live in Silicon Valley, because it's entirely insane. Now they are going after anyone with a few correct keywords on their resume.
I have some of those keywords, but it doesn't mean I actually qualify for the positions they have. In local interviews, when people have bit on my keywords, they are always disappointed that I haven't done anything with their desired technology in quite some time. I never get any of the keywords jobs. My approach was to interest the recruiters in my keywords and then do a search to find jobs they are also offering which are not so cushy. "No I can't be your Perl programmer, I haven't done it in 20 years. But I can be your technical writer."
And then they wouldn't even hire me to be their technical writer. But at least it got me some decent bites.
My radio plays through the night as a noise mask. This morning I woke up and there was a Beatles song playing. Then, they played another Beatles song. And then another, and another, and another. Five Beatles songs in a row.
I got up and checked the interwebz thinking, maybe, one of the remaining Beatles had died. I guess not.
And now I'm up.
Late Friday afternoon I was trusted to change the address (the A record) for the domain name of the largest potato chip brand in the USA.
~ it temporarily broke their website ~
Late Friday afternoon I was trusted to change the address (the A record) for the domain name of the largest potato chip brand in the USA.
~ it temporarily broke their website ~
Did you get Layd, though?
No, but the website was fucked.
TIHAW, try the train.
Made a verbal offer to buy a house today (that’s the way it works in Scotland.. all very informal.). Prolly won’t get an answer till Monday now. [emoji55]
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Is it on the island, or are you ridding yourself of ferry rides for good?
Is it on the island, or are you ridding yourself of ferry rides for good?
Different ferry ride ...
https://www.fiuran.co.uk/oban/properties/12-easdale-island-argyll-pa34-4tb/
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Is this a second home?
It’ll be where we live. We’ll rent out our current home.
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Wow cool, a car free island away from all the riff-raff.
WOW
A remarkable location, hope you get it!
(Would you paint the kitchen?)
There's the ferry ride <- note, link leads to a 3D picture, you can drag it with your mouse and look around.
(I have not been on a ferry for quite a long time, but I am assured that
you must not PAY the ferryman, until he gets you to the other side. Apparently you are not even to fix a price, which seems strange to me.)
Beautiful, limey! Fingers crossed for you guys.
Wow, is right! Think of the acoustics in the main room. :thumb:
I guess we'll have to come help you move. :D
Big change! Both are nice houses. In the new place you'll be in a more traditional neighborhood. How do you feel about leaving the Arran community? I bet you won't miss that ferry.
Is there a place on the mainland for your car and Fanny, or is that extra?
Thanks guys!
@UT - you pay the ferryman on the return journey back to what passes for the mainland. It is, in fact, another Island called Seil which is reached from the mainland by the Bridge over the Atlantic (I kid you not:
http://youtu.be/mY-WYQ_1NPM)
@Glatt - a strong sense of community on Arran is what I miss, it has eroded quite abruptly and pretty recently. There is more about the community on Easdale here:
http://www.easdale.org/easdale/profile.htm
@ fargon - there is a place for the car and Fanny just across the water. In the longer term we will probably look to swapping them for a campervan.
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Now, the most important question: how's the internet connection?
Internet and cellphone connectivity are both good enough. Better than many parts of Arran.
And UT, I like the kitchen the way it is [emoji846]
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It's fair, it's very bright though! :) Kinda contrasty to the natural settings surrounding it; the blue sea, green island, slate hill. Maybe that's why they chose it.
I even like the very unfashionable coloured bathroom suite. Partly because it will have put people off buying as they will have thought they have to change it [emoji1]
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... they'll let us know by Wednesday ...
We can never know about the days to come
But we think about them anyway
And I wonder if I'm really with you now
Or just chasin' after some finer day
Anticipation, anticipation
Is makin' me late
Is keepin' me waitin'
:D
I woke up this morning after a very odd and somewhat disturbing dream.
Now, first of all, I don't dream much. Or, if I do dream, I almost never remember them. Secondly, as much as I miss my folks, I don't recall having any dreams about them since they passed away. I've certainly never dreamed about my niece.
So here's what happened:
In my dream, I had just crawled into bed for the night. My niece comes into the room, walks over to a chair in which a huge teddy bear is sitting (I have no huge teddy bears) and hugs it, then leaves.
Next, my mother enters and says something to me, but it's all garbled and I don't understand what she's saying. She leaves and then my father enters. Says he's looking for something (don't recall what it was) and I suggest it might be in his computer. He says, "Yes, I have to go to the office to check that." He leaves the room, goes outside, gets in a car and drives away. End of dream.
I woke up this morning with an uneasy feeling about that dream. Called my brother and sis-in-law this evening; they told me that my niece was diagnosed with vulvar cancer, yesterday.
:eek3: :sniff:
Oh, man, I'm so sorry to hear that.
Thanks, guys. She's young, very fit, and I expect she'll get through this without too much drama. But, still.
Hopefully, she's got her grandma's cancer-fighting genes. In her mid-30s (same age as my niece), my mom beat thyroid cancer. In her 50s, she beat breast cancer. In her 60s, she beat breast cancer again. And throughout her life, she had multiple skin melanomas, all of which she beat. Cancer took several whacks at my mother, but she kicked its ass to the curb every time. She lived to be 91, and cancer isn't what took her. I hope K can do the same.
My buddy went to the doctors about 6 years ago and he said you have cancer, third stage, nothing I can do, try hospice. So he tried two other doctors and they turned him away also.
His ace in the hole was he has a niece who teaches at Harvard Medical School. She sent him to a doctor doing research in the Philly area. That doctor made him sign eleventeen forms absolving the doctor and practice of any and all liability, then tried several things he’d been working on with varying degrees of success.
They did remove all the lymph nodes from one side of his body last year. He looks like shit but he seems to be hanging in there, going to work most every day.
There will never be “A cure for Cancer” because it’s a blanket term for a bunch of different diseases with different causes/effects. Besides, the guy/gal who says they’ve found a cure for cancer would be immediately lynched by vigilante doctors for drying up the research money putting thousands out of work. Oh, and Jenny McCarthy would say it’s dangerous.
Don’t give up, never give up, there’s always hope and medical progress every day.
My buddy went to the doctors about 6 years ago and he said you have cancer, third stage, nothing I can do, try hospice. So he tried two other doctors and they turned him away also.
His ace in the hole was he has a niece who teaches at Harvard Medical School. She sent him to a doctor doing research in the Philly area. That doctor made him sign eleventeen forms absolving the doctor and practice of any and all liability, then tried several things he’d been working on with varying degrees of success.
They did remove all the lymph nodes from one side of his body last year. He looks like shit but he seems to be hanging in there, going to work most every day.
There will never be “A cure for Cancer” because it’s a blanket term for a bunch of different diseases with different causes/effects. Besides, the guy/gal who says they’ve found a cure for cancer would be immediately lynched by vigilante doctors for drying up the research money putting thousands out of work. Oh, and Jenny McCarthy would say it’s dangerous.
Don’t give up, never give up, there’s always hope and medical progress every day.
Yes. Yes. Yes. ^^^All of that.^^^
I have hope for medical marijuana research, too. Now that it's possible for doctors and researchers to do
actual testing and experimentation, I think we're going to find all kinds of beneficial results from the lowly weed, up to and including effective treatments (preventative/palliative/possible cures?) for various types of cancer, pain relief, and psychological issues.
Feds Call For Even More Marijuana Research After Hosting Cannabis WorkshopGlinda, I'm sorry to hear about the unsettling news from your niece. It sounds like she's got a lot of variables on her side, good for her. The dream does sound weird, even to a dedicated humanist like me. Obviously I have no explanations and I've had similar experiences, "Oh hey, cousin who I haven't talked to in decades, I woke last night with your name on my lips!" "Yes, I dreamt of you too!". Straight up weird.
Glinda, I'm sorry to hear about the unsettling news from your niece. It sounds like she's got a lot of variables on her side, good for her. The dream does sound weird, even to a dedicated humanist like me. Obviously I have no explanations and I've had similar experiences, "Oh hey, cousin who I haven't talked to in decades, I woke last night with your name on my lips!" "Yes, I dreamt of you too!". Straight up weird.
Yeah. I'm a pragmatist and not what anyone would call a spiritual person, but this dream thing is just out there.
Both my mother and her (only sibling) sister had occasional psychic (?) things happen in their lives - premonitions, sudden feelings of an emergency that panned out, and whatnot. I never have . . . until now?
I have to say, if mom and dad are keeping an eye on the family and are able to get some sort of message to me in times of need, I'm heartened and happy. I miss them terribly and I'm comforted by the idea that they're watching over me/us.
Who's to say? Maybe it's all a coincidence, but I find that pretty hard to believe, given the circumstances.
:neutral:
I have to say, if mom and dad are keeping an eye on the family and are able to get some sort of message to me in times of need, I'm heartened and happy.
It's interesting to me how many people attribute this sort of phenomenon to dead people intervening, rather than there being some sort of psychic connection between them and the actual living person. Maybe it's less scary to see oneself as an innocent bystander to the phenomenon, rather than an active but unknowing participant. To me, if we're deciding between the two, it makes much more sense for a signal to exist between living brains than a dead soul using decidedly living-person methods--observing events, then communicating a message based on a free will desire for change--to influence a reality they're no longer a part of. Not saying either one is completely impossible, it just seems like one is a much more logical extension than the other. But that's just me.
Thinking is the best way to travel but if you wake up, or just rouse to semi-consciousness, you don't know how/where/why you are there.
Ten-years-ago-me says, our brains are designed to find patterns, but sometimes there are just patterns with no meaning. There was always a probability that a dream about a family member would happen, and then news be delivered about that same family member at about the same time. We just don't take notice of these sorts of coincidences until they happen. We can kind of dismiss the dream.
Today-me says, your value in your parents means that they *are* always "watching down on you" -- as they continue to exist and operate on you in your unconscious mind. Their impact on your life continues, and so they are affecting reality in the present time, even though they are not physically there. Since the metaphorical meaning is real, the dream is real. We dismiss it at our peril.
It's interesting to me how many people attribute this sort of phenomenon to dead people intervening, rather than there being some sort of psychic connection between them and the actual living person. Maybe it's less scary to see oneself as an innocent bystander to the phenomenon, rather than an active but unknowing participant. To me, if we're deciding between the two, it makes much more sense for a signal to exist between living brains than a dead soul using decidedly living-person methods--observing events, then communicating a message based on a free will desire for change--to influence a reality they're no longer a part of. Not saying either one is completely impossible, it just seems like one is a much more logical extension than the other. But that's just me.
I get your point, but the truth is, throughout my life my niece and I never spent any time together (except during the 1.5 years when I traveled to SoCal a few days per month to take care of my folks, and even then it was only a few minutes here or there). We've never called or emailed or texted. She's an international flight attendant and my brother and his wife take care of her son when she's on the job - I've spent FAR more time with her son than with her; she and I were never "close," literally or figuratively.
Oh, we get along just fine, but there's no deep bond that might be considered "a psychic connection."
At least, I can't feature it. :confused:
Since she's kin you know, but neither really friend nor foe, she can't play any role in the story your head produces. The timing could be entirely coincidental, you didn't catch what Mom was about, and Dad looking for something in your room that was probably on his computer at work doesn't make much sense.
What I want to know is why you deny having a big teddy bear?
That's nothing to be ashamed of.
Maybe you don't, maybe you just desire a big bear. Rowr.
Today-me says, your value in your parents means that they *are* always "watching down on you" -- as they continue to exist and operate on you in your unconscious mind. Their impact on your life continues, and so they are affecting reality in the present time, even though they are not physically there. Since the metaphorical meaning is real, the dream is real. We dismiss it at our peril.
Yes. People--families, friends, exist as an interconnected web. Everyone has a sphere of connectedness where their personal patterns influence the patterns that comprise the people around them, and vice versa. The pattern convergence is
palpable for deeper, closer connections.
When you remove one person's personal pattern from the web of connectedness,
everything about them that was reflected in their connections with others remains completely intact, and it never goes away.
How much of what a person "is" is this? In one way of thinking, it's
most of what they are.
Since she's kin you know, but neither really friend nor foe, she can't play any role in the story your head produces. The timing could be entirely coincidental, you didn't catch what Mom was about, and Dad looking for something in your room that was probably on his computer at work doesn't make much sense.
What I want to know is why you deny having a big teddy bear?
That's nothing to be ashamed of.
Maybe you don't, maybe you just desire a big bear. Rowr.
:p:
Well, I've thought a lot about that.
One of the few things my mom was absolutely serious about in her declining years was that she wanted to be buried with an old teddy bear she bought in an antique store decades earlier. She said it reminded her of one she had when she was a little girl. I was happy to honor that wish, even though the bear was almost too big for the coffin. (If only she'd cared that much about her damned four karat diamond ring . . . we never did find
that. :neutral:)
The bear in my dream didn't look anything like the bear I buried her with, but . . .
*
cue Twilight Zone
theme*
When you remove one person's personal pattern from the web of connectedness, everything about them that was reflected in their connections with others remains completely intact, and it never goes away.
This is where God really is, then; not some "sky daddy" version of a human who commands respect and punishes bad behavior, as with a stick, but... is God, maybe, partly, our incomplete sense of understanding of interconnected humanity and what consciousness has wrought and will bring about in the future?
~ something like that ~
* yeah, nice *
And maybe this God is comprised of the patterns that we let influence us the most. Whereas nature-worship or ancestor-worship would have one made more sense, what would today's God be?
As we accelerate towards Kurzweil's singularity, technology, and it's oversized impact on our lives, is changing on such an ever-shortening scale, that we've hardly had time to determine what the main influences in society are, before they've changed altogether.
And if we live in a world of false symbols, such as 1981's
Simulacra and Simulation suggests, maybe this is why "simulation theory" is starting to take on a religious-like quality.
Flint, you and UT are giving me way too much to think about, and I thank you both.
As it turns out, I've always believed there was some sort of fundamental interconnectedness of all things (and here I thought my weird little "religion" was too out there for polite company. Shoulda known better with this bunch!).
I need to think on this some more. Thanks for giving me some leads to pursue. :)
Sorry for veering off into the weird technology stuff.
We're a social, cooperative species--this is how we survive (not claws, teeth, or muscles). We're made to be interconnected. It's who we are.
Y'all sound like a bunch of dirty hippie Buddhists, but I think you've got the neurological basis of it.
I get your point, but the truth is, throughout my life my niece and I never spent any time together (except during the 1.5 years when I traveled to SoCal a few days per month to take care of my folks, and even then it was only a few minutes here or there). We've never called or emailed or texted. She's an international flight attendant and my brother and his wife take care of her son when she's on the job - I've spent FAR more time with her son than with her; she and I were never "close," literally or figuratively.
Oh, we get along just fine, but there's no deep bond that might be considered "a psychic connection."
Sure, but like, what if the stress and pain your brother and his wife were feeling (starting the minute they found out) put, for want of a better phrase, bad vibes out that you picked up on? I guess what I'm saying is that the "message," if it were one, didn't accomplish anything by getting to you a day or two sooner than it would have if you'd had to wait for the news without calling to ask about it. It's not like the dream allowed you to intervene and prevent anything. As a passive receptor, however, I'd believe it's possible for us to be tuned in to the combined emotional state of the people we love (or hate, for that matter.)
Their impact on your life continues, and so they are affecting reality in the present time, even though they are not physically there.
One of the 20th Century's greatest poets, Neil Peart-- "the drummer" of progressive trio Rush, calls it "Afterimage" ...
Suddenly —
You were gone
From all the lives
You left your mark upon
I remember —
How we talked and drank
Into the misty dawn
— I hear the voices
We ran by the water
On the wet summer lawn
— I see the foot prints
I remember —
— I feel the way you would
— I feel the way you would
Tried to believe
But you know it’s no good
This is something
That just can’t be understood
I remember —
The shouts of joy
Skiing fast through the woods
— I hear the echoes
I learned your love for life
I feel the way that you would
— I feel your presence
I remember —
I feel the way you would
This just can’t be understood…
[YOUTUBE]C2sq4duvQpA[/YOUTUBE]
"I feel the way you would"
So, I'm scheduled to leave Portland OR for (JFK, and then) the Dominican Republic, leaving late tomorrow night. I just got an email message from Expedia (through which I booked my flight), saying that ALL my flights - going and returning - had been cancelled. Crap weather is currently forecasted for NY and cancellations over the next few days wouldn't be surprising, but . . . .
I called Jet Blue and they said everything is still on schedule, no cancellations either direction as yet, and no impossible weather issues are anticipated.
Fuckin' Expedia. I should've known better. :censored: It won't kill me to leave a day later if that's necessary, but goddammit, I have a LONNGGG overdue vacation to start and I don't need this bullshit!!!
:flipbird: :angry: :banghead:
Bummer, just tell me when I have to be at JFK. ;)
Bummer, just tell me when I have to be at JFK. ;)
Flight has repair issues and due to delay they need to find a new pilot. No idea if they'll find one. WTF. Waiting for a ride back home. Next flight out on Wed. Shit. Shit. Shit.
I think it's evil entities colluding to keep us apart. :(
At least she ain't stuck on the tarmac in Newfoundland...
At least she ain't stuck on the tarmac in Newfoundland...
Yeah, I had visions of
that, too. :rolleyes:
We'll try it again Wednesday night. Until then, I do believe I shall fire up a big ol' bowl o' green and consider that the universe possibly knows better than I do.
I think it's evil entities colluding to keep us apart. :(
You know, I do have a four-hour layover at JFK on the way home . . . assuming the world doesn't implode before then. :rolleyes:
Just checked on the flight I was supposed to be on last night. It is, at this very minute, finally boarding.
Guess I made the right call to pull the plug last night. Hopefully, there won't be any issues like this come Wednesday night. :)
Geez, you could have stayed here until Wednesday and saved all that traveling. :cool:
Just got to the airport. Flight is delayed. Great.
You must have pissed off the travel gods.
No shite! Still sitting here waiting to board.
Just look 'em in the eye and say, "Do you know who I am? I have friends in high places.
Then show 'em this picture, they'll be quaking in their boots.
Just look 'em in the eye and say, "Do you know who I am? I have friends in high places.
Then show 'em this picture, they'll be quaking in their boots.
HAA!
Unfortunately, ol' Ronnie's got a bit of an altitude problem, these days. :D
So, I'm here. It's glorious. Wakin' and bakin' to the Stones. Grocery shopping soon, then the beach.
Hooray!
Grocery shopping whilst high...What could go wrong?:corn:
I'm glad ya got there:), I just hope ya don't have trouble getting home.
I could hang out here a bit longer if
absolutely necessary. ;)
Yesterday, my niece-in-law had to work, so Craig and I did the grocery shopping, had lunch at a funky little sandwich shop where the ladies of the evening fuel up before starting their rounds, then stopped by the beach to dip my foot in the Atlantic.
The handsome young man in the pic with me is Diego, my nephew's horse, er . . . dog. Diego gets a LOT of looks wherever we go - I guess there aren't many American Bulldogs around here and the locals all point and stare but keep a
very respectful distance. They obviously think he'll eat them, but he's the most mellow dude on the beach. He's papered/purebred; my nephew and his wife have bred him a few times (to their female AB, who died a few months ago - poisoned - just after she had her latest litter :( ). Diego does dad duty, along with my nephew.
Not sure what's on the schedule is for this evening, but this afternoon we're going to wash all these stinky dogs. That should be pretty entertaining. :D
You and Diego belong with the beautiful people. :thumb:
Yah doggos and humans, looking good!
good to have a face to go with your name, Glinda. Now you're real. Welcome to my reality!
And she's keeping
much better company these days.
Are you cursed with unconsciously editing everything you see in print?
Your hair is lovely. :thumb2:
Are you cursed with unconsciously editing everything you see in print?
Oh, yes. It follows me wherever I go. I work hard to turn it off when out in the world, but I find it nearly impossible to ignore "professional" advertising. People are easily forgiven; corporations aren't. ;)
Your hair is lovely. :thumb2:
Thank you! I added the purple a few Halloweens ago and got so many compliments, I decided it would be my new normal.
My cell phone finally processed a pic of Catherine, my niece-in-law. She's not only beautiful, she's a lovely, sweet, positive, kind, generous human (just don't piss her off; she
will cut you). :D
She looks and radiates happy. :thumb:
It also looks like you may gain a pound or two while you're there.
You mean the pic above? Catherine whipped up a cheese, onion, salami, and homemade aioli sammie (toasted under the broiler) for snacks yesterday afternoon. Yumm.
RFN? We just fired up the bong. :bong: :D
RFN? We just fired up the bong. :bong: :D
Is it legal there?
You and Diego belong with the beautiful people. :thumb:
Whaddaya babbling about?:eyebrow:
They
ARE the beautiful ppl!!
Is it legal there?
Well . . . not exactly. :rolleyes: It's a lot more expensive than I would have thought, though - $20/gram for the good stuff, if you can get it.
Fortunately, my nephew has quite a wide collection of friends. Hell, everywhere we go - LITERALLY everywhere we go, people stop him and want to chat or drink a beer together.
We walked down Sosua beach looking for a place to eat dinner at sunset this evening and along the way we met five or six people who wanted to say hello. A store owner/friend of his gave me a deal on some tourist t-shirts. On the drive home through town, two different people stopped us
in the road to chat a bit. It's like old home week around here, every day. :cool:
A summer cold is a different animal,
He wants to share your summer fun but you don't want him to.
So, yeah. Some cootified fuck on flight one or flight two shared his/her germs with me, and a few days later I'm one sick puppy. Never fails. Why me, Jebus!??
Bad, scratchy throat yesterday; lung funk today. After wandering around Cabarete beach this afternoon, and enjoying lunch by the ocean, we came home and I slept for four fucking hours with the fan on "hurricane." Wheee.
Bought some expectorant and Nyquill. I shall sleep the sleep of the dead tonight and hopefully will rise a bit less wiped out in the morning. :greenface
By the way, during our travels this afternoon, we ran across another three or four people my nephew knows. Literally . . . driving past a construction site, two guys came out to the road to visit. Someone having lunch at the restaurant was one of Catherine's good friends. What the hell!? Who is this guy? James Bond?
the local dealer?
I'm certain it's possible, but my understanding is that the basic cold cooties take roughly 36 - 48 hours to start fucking you up, and the bud didn't show up until day two. Either way, I'm indulging in OTC cures, lots of fresh tropical fruits and juices, and engaging in some moderate self-medication. :rolleyes: :joint:
Sorry to hear that you are sick. Summer colds suck.
I'm certain it's possible, but my understanding is that the basic cold cooties take roughly 36 - 48 hours to start fucking you up, and the bud didn't show up until day two. Either way, I'm indulging in OTC cures, lots of fresh tropical fruits and juices, and engaging in some moderate self-medication. :rolleyes: :joint:
I meant your nephew ;) Maybe that's why everyone knows him and goes out of their way to keep on good terms. Maybe the person you are buying from id lower down the chain/s decoy.... :p sorry about your cold though. Air travel sucks that way. My MIL is always sick a couple of days after arrival
I meant your nephew ;) Maybe that's why everyone knows him and goes out of their way to keep on good terms. Maybe the person you are buying from id lower down the chain/s decoy.... :p sorry about your cold though. Air travel sucks that way. My MIL is always sick a couple of days after arrival
Oh, gotcha. I doubt he's "the man." He and his wife barely scrape by, and they typically smoke junk weed. I'm the one that asked for and paid for the good stuff, and my nephew had to go through some hoops to get it. Plus, there are no phone calls or random visits at the house, day or night.
I think it's more likely that Craig and Catherine are just lovely, genuine people. It doesn't hurt that they've got a massive, gorgeous dog and are in the process of trying to sell the puppies. Word gets around, you know? ;)
Plus they've been accompanied by this hot babe lately.:yesnod:
Plus they've been accompanied by this hot babe lately.:yesnod:
There's that.:D
Aw, shucks. :blush:
Lazy day today. I helped Craig clean the kitchen and living room, did laundry, napped, smoked. Still feeling crappy, but better than yesterday.
The Hungarian family came by this afternoon to take Pepe home with them. The wife is going to
completely spoil that puppy!
Here's a snap of Craig's bastard rooster, Constantine. He used to have two girlfriends, but apparently he killed them in a fit of roosterish assholery. Now he wanders the yard with no one to keep him company. The other day that SOB came after me. Fuckin' roosters. :mad:
Thanks for sharing a pic of your nephew's cock.
:drummer:
You better hope that image link doesn't break, Glinda.
Well the text will still be there to give her a plausible defense. :haha:
HA!! Craig's quite proud of his cock. Lovely plumage. :cool:
There's some banananana stuff going on in the backyard . . .
Stupid YouTube tags not working . . . please go
here.
Yes dear...
[YOUTUBE]6Tou8-Cz8is[/YOUTUBE]
Sorry G.... unlike every other forum, the youtube tags here only take the bit after the "v=".
Thank you, Bruce!
Today I learned . . . .
Sorry G.... unlike every other forum, the youtube tags here only take the bit after the "v=".
:D
Heh. (Sorry for the crap quality.)
Typical street in Sosua
Lot of motorcycles, I take it?
"receive 10% of your food order".
So if you want a hamburger, order 10. :haha:
Lot of motorcycles, I take it?
Yep. Scooters and motos.
Everywhere. And they're all traveling in every direction at once. Driving a vehicle here is like being a great white cruising a narrow, twisted river, surrounded by thousands of swarming pilot fish. :eek: It definitely takes some getting used to.
"receive 10% of your food order".
So if you want a hamburger, order 10. :haha:
That is correct, sir. Great deal, eh? :rolleyes:
I confess, the awesome change in meaning didn't occur to me until I'd had plenty of time to mentally correct the broken mechanics of spelling and hyphenage ( <-- that is now a word, sez me). The upside-down discount offer was just the icing on the cake.
And now, once again, especially for those in the back:
[SIZE="4"]
People: Words (and punctuation)
mean things! Mind yer shit!![/SIZE]
Then again, if you are bursting and got to let it out with vigor, might be better if people can't understand what you're spewing. :lol:
Then again, if you are bursting and got to let it out with vigor, might be better if people can't understand what you're spewing. :lol:
Indeed. :D
[YOUTUBE]Elhyo-_fR0E[/YOUTUBE]
Unfortunately, the transcription doesn't clarify things at all:
"Look, having nuclear—my uncle was a great professor and scientist and engineer, Dr. John Trump at MIT; good genes, very good genes, OK, very smart, the Wharton School of Finance, very good, very smart—you know, if you’re a conservative Republican, if I were a liberal, if, like, OK, if I ran as a liberal Democrat, they would say I'm one of the smartest people anywhere in the world—it’s true!—but when you're a conservative Republican they try—oh, do they do a number—that’s why I always start off: Went to Wharton, was a good student, went there, went there, did this, built a fortune—you know I have to give my like credentials all the time, because we’re a little disadvantaged—but you look at the nuclear deal, the thing that really bothers me—it would have been so easy, and it’s not as important as these lives are (nuclear is powerful; my uncle explained that to me many, many years ago, the power and that was 35 years ago; he would explain the power of what's going to happen and he was right—who would have thought?), but when you look at what's going on with the four prisoners—now it used to be three, now it’s four—but when it was three and even now, I would have said it's all in the messenger; fellas, and it is fellas because, you know, they don't, they haven’t figured that the women are smarter right now than the men, so, you know, it’s gonna take them about another 150 years—but the Persians are great negotiators, the Iranians are great negotiators, so, and they, they just killed, they just killed us."
:greenface
He's taking a page from the Cassius Clay playbook.
If you can''t dazzle 'em with brilliance, baffle 'em with bullshit? :D
Landed in Portland late last night. Luggage did not. Yay.
Airline told me it would be delivered to my house "tomorrow." Given that they didn't know where on the planet it was at 1:30 a.m., I find it hard to believe they're gonna get it to my front door this afternoon.
:eyebrow:
You may be naked but you're home safe. :thumb:
Seems like getting there and back was an ordeal.
You may be naked but you're home safe. :thumb:
Yabbut, this happened last night . . .
Brrrrr!
A shock to the system. Welcome Home!!!
So...Is it good to be back?:o
Seems like getting there and back was an ordeal.
No shit! Travel is such an effed-up thing these days. I dunno, maybe I'm just cursed. :(
BTW, the nice people at JetBlue tell me that I
may have my luggage back on Friday.
So...Is it good to be back?:o
Yes it is, even with the sub-freezing weather and no clean undies.
The good news is, I've got plenty of food, cigs, weed, and booze, so I don't have to leave the house for at least two days (snow should be gone by then).
:cool:
Customer: "When will my car be done?"
Mechanic: "It'll be done Friday."
Customer, walking away: "Okay."
Mechanic, under his breath: "Not this Friday. Some Friday. Sometime."
I’ve got too much to do before final departure on Saturday but have been felled by an asthma attack but have been given the good drugs that, when they kick in, make you feel superhuman by the kind doc.
Will they kick in in time :unsure:
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
I dunno, maybe I'm just cursed. :(
I don't know if you're cursed but I'll bet anyone holding you up is. ;)
Will they kick in in time :unsure:
Carefully crafted concrete split second plans are just suggestions.
...and no clean undies.
What better excuse to run around the house nekkid?:jig:
Ya know the difference between naked and nekkid, don't ya?
Naked = ya ain't got no clothes on;
Nekkid = ya ain't got no clothes on and yer up to something.;)
I received a gift from China that had this really small warranty card, with fuzzy printing and even fuzzier grammar, attached.
After reading it eleventy-nine times I think it says give us your email so we can spam the hell out of you.
Then if you have a problem with this item just buy another one and we'll give you some sort of coupon for something or other.
You've got to appreciate the irony of sending a tiny, hard-to-read card with the purchase of a magnifier...
"If you can read this, your complaint is invalid"
"If you can't read this, it's not our problem"
… lifetime warranty (except for human damage) …
Blame it on the dog.
Late Friday afternoon I was trusted to change the address (the A record) for the domain name of the largest potato chip brand in the USA.
This week I created the DNS records for a new domain name that combines a top snack food brand and a top Marvel character.
~ maybe not "a" top maybe "the" top ~
One reason this sounds more impressive than it is: around the group, people refer to screw-ups in these highly visible processes as "resume-generating events"... :eek: So it still fits in this thread, some apprehension is still part of my days.
The gig is kind of 99% boredom, 1% terror. A lot of jobs are like that. Piloting, I'm told, is like that.
Skydiving, it's all fun and games until you get to the ground. :haha:
Skydiving: It's not a race. The guy that gets to the ground first does not always win.
My enthusiasm for this stage of the project is flagging. Perhaps some breakfast will help.
The rain has been incessant today and it's still raining now.
It's just after 2300 and the wind is starting to howl.
The conifer in the bank of the stream at the bottom of the garden is no doubt swaying back and forth.
It's about 50' tall and doesn't seem to be very deep rooted.
Equally worrying is the row of Ash and Sycamore trees on the opposite bank.
They must be about 70' tall and they're fully in leaf so susceptible to damage in high winds.
If any of these were to fall they wouldn't reach the house but clearing up the resultant mess would be a real pain in the fundament.
Still, there's nothing I can do about it...
Goodnight all.
Shelter in place.
Good luck to you and your trees.
Shelter in place.
Good luck to you and your trees.
Thanks!
I've just shone a torch down the back garden and nothing has fallen over...
... yet.:eek:
How's it looking this morning, Carruthers?
Sent by magick
How's it looking this morning, Carruthers?
Sent by magick
It's still there as are the Ash and Sycamores t'other side of the stream.
The trouble is it also has a large covering of ivy which doesn't help matters and the last few yards of the garden, where it grows, slope steeply.
It leans towards the slope and the light as well.
What will be, will be, I suppose!
Yeah, there is no stopping gravity,.. but if we could...
Yeah, there is no stopping gravity,.. but if we could...
Playtex and Maidenform would be bankrupt.
As we all know, gravity begins at home. ;)
These aren't the best of photos but they at least outline the situation.
As you can see, the conifer leans slightly to the left but it also leans towards the camera.
That's a yew at bottom left which is less of a worry.
[ATTACH]68059[/ATTACH]
I clambered down the bank in an attempt to illustrate the problem from the ground up, as it were, but it wasn't easy.
I couldn't get any further away from the tree due to a fence behind me and the ground on the other side is mostly covered by ivy which is very wet at the minute and I didn't want to slide down into the stream.
[ATTACH]68058[/ATTACH]
This is why I worry!
That English Ivy is the devil.
It's considered a noxious weed around here. I've ripped out miles of vines. It kills trees from above and below, strangling the roots and crushing the canopy.
Kill it on sight.
That English Ivy is the devil.
It's considered a noxious weed around here. I've ripped out miles of vines. It kills trees from above and below, strangling the roots and crushing the canopy.
Kill it on sight.
There's a crab apple tree out on the road which has been almost completely smothered by ivy.
Only a few branches ever see the light of day and they are only apparent when there's blossom.
The ivy is so dense around the trunk that you can't actually touch it.
I know, I've tried!
It's fun to saw that yew has a yaw. (sorry)
That yew told me to say "Fuck all yaw."
I have both 2018 tax returns in envelopes to take to the post office tomorrow. I think they're right :/
After getting over the emotional planet-sized roadblock of doing the taxes by myself ....this was always me and beest against the world (especially the last few years as we did them during chemo) ......and I just couldn't hand it over to someone else because I promised him we'd be OK and I could so it and this was part of it.....
I then had to address the incredible complexities introduces by the various incomes related to his death and my actions with those.....
And then the stupid Federal tax form is all changed so I couldn't follow our ritual of 20 years of working from the last year's......
but I think I'm good to go..... right up to the wire.... :D :cry: it might be OK...
Often a job that's done imperfectly is better than a job not done. Essentially the story of my life.
This is true of the IRS in my experience
Thanks. The fuckers are mailed. fingers crossed any bad things I might have done accidentally were not criminal or expensive.... I just followed directions to the best of my ability but it really is a total crapshoot. I realized as I was inking the final version last night, there were two forms that didn't get mentioned anywhere, so I researched some more and found out what schedule I needed and did all that malarkey....and it did reduce my liability further, except that I was aalready maxed out on that avenue. Oh well. Every form I was sent is mentioned somewhere so..... (there were about 30)
Attamonster!
Sent by magick
Wish I had known you were struggling. That's what Amanda does for a living. I think she does a good amount of Michigan too. If you get a notice from the IRS , let me know.
Thanks, I didn't want help. Except from beest :/
Grief has the weirdest ways of making itself known and this was one of my unwelcome grief guests
Grief has the weirdest ways of making itself known...
Girl, you done said a mouthful.
Wish I had known you were struggling. That's what Amanda does for a living. I think she does a good amount of Michigan too. If you get a notice from the IRS , let me know.
The struggle was mostly emotional. math and following instructions, I got. I think. but thanks. And i will :) Hopefully I won't need to. It was the Federal that took some time. Michigan basically just takes the figure off the Federal form and wants to know your school district number
Whatever it is, I'm trying to be there for you.
People die. Purple live. The dead have the easier path. The survivors have to keep waking up every day and get on with life. Anything I can do to share your load, just ask.
[SIZE="7"][COLOR="DarkOrchid"]█[/COLOR][/SIZE]?
I think my last purple shirt went in the trash a while ago. I'll tidy my beard in support.
Whatever it is, I'm trying to be there for you.
People die. Purple live. The dead have the easier path. The survivors have to keep waking up every day and get on with life. Anything I can do to share your load, just ask.
<3
I will, thanks
Anything I can do to share your load, just ask.
I'm about to drop a load. Wanna share that?
I'm trying to get the level below my eyes...
:p:
I think you're talking shit
Tell him what he's won, Johnny!
:lol2:
You wanna talk shit? Here is my current problem.......
Thunderboy goes to U of M Dearborn. It's technically a different University from The main Ann Arbor Campus. (And U of m Flint) but students may join U of M teams on any campus and use the facilities etc. We live in Ann Arbor so it has been very easy for TB to join the Men's Water Polo Team which practices here in Ann Arbor.
But.... Canham Natatorium has has a cryptosporidium outbreak. So the team is "quarantined" and may not travel to the tournament in indiana this weekend unless they pass a poop test. He went yesterday morning, they said they needed him to come back in the afternoon to see a doc to get the requisition. he got stuck in traffic and missed it by a few minutes, they sent him to the 24 hour lab. they found a requisition in the system, did the test, the results are ready but no-one will give them to him. he has to return to the requisitioning body .... which just says U of M labs on the order. The people on the phone told him to go back to the 24 hour lab who told him to call the people on the phone...... There is no time to start over :(
Even if he didn't see a doc, someone authorized the requisition. Call Michigan Medicine Laboratories (MLabs) @ 800.862.7284 and have them pull up the requisition to give you the doctor's name and phone number. The results should've been sent to the doctor's office. Call that office for the results and have them faxed to whoever needs it.
It's worth a try.
Even if he didn't see a doc, someone authorized the requisition. Call Michigan Medicine Laboratories (MLabs) @ 800.862.7284 and have them pull up the requisition to give you the doctor's name and phone number. The results should've been sent to the doctor's office. Call that office for the results and have them faxed to whoever needs it.
It's worth a try.
thanks, he did -MLabs were who told him he could get the result from the 24 hour lab ...who gave him the MLabs number...... they gabe him the non-freephone number too
I have his GP trying to help now. So lucky she had a baby the same time who ended up in the same class at the same schools so is now a friend too.... she's going to get her hoard of nurses on the case first thing in the morning. Prob is, they mostly work with the other Non U M hospital, but any port in a storm, right?
What do we think the collective noun for nurses should be? hoard seems rude.... A "Caring" might be accurate but pukey.... A Swab? yes, I kinda like that. A Swab of Nurses
staphylonurses
(staphylo = cluster)
A hosiery of nurses
Know how to tell which is the head nurse?
She's the one with dirty knees.
"Hark a herd of nurse" Hawkeye Pierce
well, we got the result, he's clear, but they're not going anyway. Indiana doesn't want them
They might've got stuck in traffic and missed their start time anyway.
Thanks. The fuckers are mailed. fingers crossed any bad things I might have done accidentally were not criminal or expensive.... I just followed directions to the best of my ability but it really is a total crapshoot. I realized as I was inking the final version last night, there were two forms that didn't get mentioned anywhere, so I researched some more and found out what schedule I needed and did all that malarkey....and it did reduce my liability further, except that I was aalready maxed out on that avenue. Oh well. Every form I was sent is mentioned somewhere so..... (there were about 30)
....and one (the smaller) refund is in the bank...maybe I didn't fuck up....
...maybe I didn't fuck up....
Don't jinx it!
lol. I have a feeling the Feds are not liking their return....
President Trump pardoned the Thanksgiving turkey.
It's rumored that the Rear Admiral (2 stars) commanding the Navy SEALs wants to board the turkey before Thanksgiving; because, he wants it kicked off the turkey farm and stripped of its feathers even though it was already planned for the turkey to go into retirement. Despite the Presidential pardon, the Rear Admiral wants the turkey on the table.
The Secretary of Agriculture, who oversees poultry, is believed to have tried make a deal with the President which would allow the Thanksgiving turkey to be boarded; but, taken off the table and retired with all of its feathers while the alternate Thanksgiving turkey took its place. The Agriculture Secretary did not; however, apprise the Admiral (4 stars) who is Acting Commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration which oversees sea food and who had no comment regarding SEALs. The Agriculture Secretary is expected to be fired this weekend.
That one it didn't write itself or just roll off the tongue, you had to work for one.
Thanks.
Just a tempest in a stewpot, nothing to see here.
lol. I have a feeling the Feds are not liking their return....
w00t! The Fed return is in! I did it! I did it!
I also learned -as the boys did their FAFSAs this weekend- that I put my ss wrong on the state return -I transposed two digits. Didn't seem to bother them, though.... they still gave me my money back :/ this is what happens when you do it manually without a second pair of eyes. get your mind out of the gutter. yes, you.
Sometimes Jeremy Corbyn looks almost like he's alive. It's kinda creepy.
Sitting in the waiting area at the gas station. My 24 year old car is next in line for safety inspection and emissions test.
Yes! They came with my car and I jumped in a drove away instead of updating you all.
And then I fixed my dome light that hadn't worked for a year or so on the door setting. I spent like 2 hours cleaning contacts and checking continuity and voltage and couldn't figure out why it wasn't working. Finally a Google search told me that I needed to fix a loose rivet, so that's when I noticed a loose rivet was actually the problem. An awkward maneuver consisting of a center punch in a vise and holding the dome light over the punch while holding a nail set with the same hand and whacking it with a hammer with the other hand fixed it perfectly. Replaced the old dim bulb with a bright LED and it's better than new.
Yes! They came with my car and I jumped in a drove away instead of updating you all.
Heh, get away quick before they change their mind.
Fixing shit is very gratifying
That's why we have "FIFY."
Breaking shit that desperately deserves it can be very satisfying also.
Hoping Polo Girl's long-planned Spring Break trip might actually work out. She's the biggest Harry potter Freak and doing a masters degree in Florida. So visiting the Wizarding World was immediately on her plans once accepted. And now COVID. Many parks in Orlando have closed. She drove down today. universal says it's closing on Monday. Hoping beyond all hope she gets her visit in on Sunday. She's too knackered from driving to do it tomorrow. Please stay open per your aannouncement, Universal
It needs to be this year. Next Spring she wanted to do Starwars, But... highly unlikely her required dig in Rome is going to go ahead this summer, so she might have to be fulfilling that course requirement next spring
Could be a lot less crowded on Sunday.
Wish I was young again so I could be invincible again
Could be a lot less crowded on Sunday.
That's what I thought. Might be awesome..... and the employees still need to get paid. You don't go to a theme park to be social, just don't huddle up in line, use hand sani, don't touch your face, it'll be fine. fine. Then stay away from old people.
The biggest thing in her favor is she's young and healthy, so even if exposed to it she'll have flu symptoms for a week or two then be immune.
Not sure about the immunity, don't think there's sufficient evidence yet...but yes, I'm not shitting bricks about this venture. I think she should do it. She is young but wise, it will be fine. She just needs to stay away from her more aged profs when she gets back
Your right I just read the immunity is a no go. :(
perfect
[ATTACH]70033[/ATTACH]
Is that Hogwarts regulation dress, I was expecting jeans, should have known better.:smack:
My child does not wear jeans. Never has. She has one pair of jeggings she wheels out if there's a requirement for a team pic or motorcycle training course....
They had a fab time, no lines, perfect weather front row on all the rides, I'm so happy :D
That's great, better than a visit in normal times.
Being a parent is the hardest work I've ever loved.
Also the hardest work I've ever done.
I got a letter in the snail-mail today that was a little bit thick as if it had some padding in it. It was a government mailing from the village I live in. I wasn't expecting anything and wondered what it could be. It was a half dozen surgical masks wrapped in a half sheet of paper with a message encouraging either using them; or, if not needed, giving them to someone who could.
Better than a kick in the face with a golf shoe.:/
Something I've mentioned elsewhere, the paperwork for my new job (hopefully). Forms are my kryptonite. I read the instructions as carefully as I can and I usually overthink the expected answer, get wrapped around the axle, strain myself until I finally give up and just enter the answer they wanted in the first place. Or at least my best effort.
Wish me luck.
If the Covid don't get us the paperwork will. good luck
As of yet nobody's successfully memed up the Corvid COVID.
Two more weeks of school. Gotta figure out what the hell we're doing for the month of June.
I could make you some huge word searches with a few of the words not actually in there?
I heard the Michigan legislature is nonessential anyway.
Switching my phone with out the aid of a safety net*
*young adult offspring
Switching my phone with out the aid of a safety net*
*young adult offspring
How'd it go?
Switching my phone with out the aid of a safety net*
*young adult offspring
My wife did this last month. It was much more difficult than I expected it to be, but she did it.
Highlight of the whole experience was the rooster crowing in the background of one of her many calls with the carrier, and the guy acting a little flustered every time it crowed.
Keryx just did that and it was easy.
How'd it go?
It's still in progress -well my service is switched but... the rest of it is ongoing
but I am using it right now. I hate all of the ring tones, alarms etc and it keeps displaying screenfuls of info about itself at inappropriate times like when the alarm was going off so I can't read them before I need to dismiss them. I feel old and useless because I don't like change in this way. Also, this was another of the things best always took care of because he liked it and I hated it :(
Monster The Cat was headed for the tall and uncut last time she was seen.
Just after the fireworks started.
And she is!
She tucked right into the Capt D's leftovers this morning...
Dis kitteh do not like noise. She's MIA all day when Popdigr mows the yard.
Excellent, now quiet down!
Polo Girl is coming to visit! Originally I thought it was Tuesday, but then a week or so ago I checked my calendar and it was showing up on Thursday. OK. I just went to check my email for flight number/time -turns out it is Tuesday after all. I apparently have the flight correctly in my calendar at the right time on Tues, and then the multi-day event incorrectly starting Thursday. Fortunately, I was unusually ahead of myself with cleaning her room (because procrastinating taxes) so I have over half of it steam vacced and dry and the other half planned for this evening, but it's a little tighter than I had thought.... :D Still, I'm still way ahead of where I usually would be so there's that... (no taxes done, tho.... i've kind of glanced at them and filled in two lines...)
Turns out she thought it was Wednesday til she checked earlier.... :eek: :lol:
I found this humerus
But can you tell your laugh from your elbow? ;)
She made it! Just in case Florida wasn't Covidious enough, her layover was in Dallas. Nobody tell Big Gretch ;)
Polo Girl is coming to visit! Originally I thought it was Tuesday, but then a week or so ago I checked my calendar and it was showing up on Thursday. OK. I just went to check my email for flight number/time -turns out it is Tuesday after all. I apparently have the flight correctly in my calendar at the right time on Tues, and then the multi-day event incorrectly starting Thursday. Fortunately, I was unusually ahead of myself with cleaning her room (because procrastinating taxes) so I have over half of it steam vacced and dry and the other half planned for this evening, but it's a little tighter than I had thought.... :D Still, I'm still way ahead of where I usually would be so there's that... (no taxes done, tho.... i've kind of glanced at them and filled in two lines...)
Turns out she thought it was Wednesday til she checked earlier.... :eek: :lol:
We’re packing up after a week with the young people... Mama’s gonna need some comfort.
She's having a nice time socially distantly catching up with her friends in the back yard. It s going to be hard when she leaves knowing where she's going back to, but her college semester starts mid August. It is all online, but she wants to be in her own place with her own things and her significant other
She's having a nice time socially distantly catching up with her friends in the back yard. It s going to be hard when she leaves knowing where she's going back to, but her college semester starts mid August. It is all online, but she wants to be in her own place with her own things and her significant other
Who the f*ck knew that the University of Phoenix was so far ahead of their time?
I wish her the best. :)
Who the f*ck knew that the University of Phoenix was so far ahead of their time?)
Was Trump University just by mail? :eek:
Hmm... maybe he knows more about mail fraud than we thought.
Silly bunny, he know all there is to know about every type of fraud.:smack:
At least two things are making me a tad apprehensive:
Ten days, no Gravdigr.
Can't find missing cellarites category.
he'll be fine. He has a Monster. (Uppercase M)
I was very apprehensive that working the election (which is a paid position but I did not do it for that) would completely fuck up my unemployment insurance -not just for that week but onward....
...but it seems that it maybe didn't. I just filed for the last two weeks, and my payment was reduced for the first (which included election day) but was regular for the second.
I guess time will tell for sure...
Put my little Cherry Bomb (m'car) is the carspital Thursday. I've got a laundry list of things that need to be addressed, and decided to take care of a couple of them. The brakes are completely wonky. The rears are jerky when ya first start the car, and they lock up the first coupla times ya use them, then they're fine, well, they're ok. I'm not sure if the fronts work at all.
Also, most of the time, on a cold start it wants to idle at like 2000 rpm. It's an old throttle body fuel injection, and no telling what's wrong there, I know fuckall about that.
Between not-so-easy-to-find-parts and labor, I'm expecting to spend right around a thousand bucks.
And haven't even started on the front end. It needs a bumper cover, the actual steel bumper behind it, brackets for same, the hood latch mount, a headlight bucket, two headlights, two parking lights, air dam. The ragtop has a hole that needs to be re-repaired, too. The weather-stripping is also pretty sad in spots.
I may not live long enough to get this car right.
You are not obligated to get it right, just good enough to make it safe and you're comfortable with it.
Heh, but I want it right...
The car doctor $till ha$ it, btw. Not $o much a$ a phone call.:thepain:
you will.
Ima try. Thanks for the encouragement.:)
I fergot about the windows. Only the driver's window behaves like it oughta.
And I
need to investigate a better fix for that top...
I said I would top out my investment in this car at $2500. That included the purchase price (I got $200 in the car, not counting what Uncle Donald gave me back in the spring:D).
A $1000 repair bill will put me perilously close to that number.
Ima try. Thanks for the encouragement.:)
I fergot about the windows. Only the driver's window behaves like it oughta.
And I need to investigate a better fix for that top...
I said I would top out my investment in this car at $2500. That included the purchase price (I got $200 in the car, not counting what Uncle Donald gave me back in the spring:D).
A $1000 repair bill will put me perilously close to that number.
well then if it looks like heading over, pick and choose the most important bits, and save the rest for later or leave them be forever. If you got it perfect immediately, you'd be bored AF after all. Just do enough to make you happy
What would you bitch about if you didn't leave something?
Heh, oh, I'd find something, I'm a people after all.:lol2:
Well, I spent the $2500 but for another couple hundred I can make it perfect.
Uh, now that I have $3500 in it I have to keep it because I can't get my money out of it.
Something breaks... well the rest of the car is perfect, I can't get my money out, so I guess I gotta get it fixed.
It's a little tired but it works just fine... gets new girlfriend... Paint it!... Upholster it!... New top!... Whitewalls and custom rims!... A gross of air fresheners!
Yeah, I've had a couple that did that to me. Not really planning that with this one, but, I wasn't planning that with the others, either.:D
Still nothing from the car doctor. Going out there tomorrow, that'll be a week. Probably waiting on some part or another.
Having discontinued parts custom made out of unobtanium. :haha:
I know the little rubber bumper on the fuel door is still available for it from GM.
It's $0.64.
Saw that last night at
GM Parts Direct.
Sure, things that are used across the various models and in many case brands, will have enough demand for someone to make them. Things that are unique to a model get tougher.
Chevy only made my truck 4 years, 24,000 total, and stopped in 2006. So many of the body and interior parts are extremely hard to find.
Several guys have said they had good luck with Cleveland Power & Performance which used to be Cleveland pick-a-part. Evidently they take cars they are "recycling" apart, and are aware of what's hard to get so save those parts.
They may have your bumper covers.
Probably waiting on some part or another.
part being ...concerned owner getting more concerned.... you have to catch these things at the crucial moment for best effect...
good luck
Today I replaced the switch on my 25 year old sliding miter saw for the second time. The Bosch website says it's not available (obsolete) as do all the online replacement parts companies. I found it from a switch manufacturer and inadvertently paid 2nd day priority mail postage. Just as well bc I needed it yesterday.
The last time I replaced it was about 5 or 6 years ago and I forgot what I had done vis-a-vis the wiring. I looked at the diagram (a photo, actually) of the correct wiring and second guessed myself. I followed the color of the spade terminal in the photo rather than the direction the wires were coming from. Saw ran then made a low humming/growling noise like a motor trying to start. I ran to unplug it as it emitted some fragrant smoke from the vent.
Not an expert but I'll definitely take "Not Good" for $500, Alex.
Wired it the correct way and the saw ran without any more smoke but still a lingering aroma.
I thought the saw had a brake when I bought it, and when I replaced the switch the first time (with an OEM part) it no longer had a brake. I wondered if I had done something wrong or if it didn't actually ever have a brake. Still no brake. I checked the brushes and there is a lot of meat left on them and they look fine.
Main worry is: did the smoking do some real damage that will caus ethe saw to shit the bed when I need it most?
You may have taken a couple months or years off it's life but it'll probably suffer a lot more abuse from you before that, maybe some from your heirs too. ;)
You may have taken a couple months or years off it's life but it'll probably suffer a lot more abuse from you before that, maybe some from your heirs too. ;)
Good to know. I am reassured. Now, I will go abuse things. :D
In the middle of hay hauling last week, I discovered that the brake light switch on my 1960 GMC 3/4 ton was sticking.
We managed to free it up with some WD-40, but I don't know for how long, so I looked it up online without much hope of finding one.
Several places have them in stock, with the cheapest one being about $5!
That is not what is bothering me today though.
This is and it is probably not what we need about now:
https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap200917.htmlWasn't there recently some research paper published that definitively linked some sort of solar activity with earthquakes here on earth?
C'mon Foots, a research paper? That's science and science is for losers.
Real men listen to politicians, they always have your best interest at heart.
Plus they get the best information, just look how many have been insider trading successfully.
Luna fire has me concerned. The wind is blowing it in the general direction of my son.
I'm not worried for his safety. They know about the fire. But if it burns down the backcountry where he is building campsites, he will lose his job and face uncertainty.
Windy.com is a far superior resource than the local news for tracking this.
Luna fire has me concerned. The wind is blowing it in the general direction of my son.
I'm not worried for his safety. They know about the fire. But if it burns down the backcountry where he is building campsites, he will lose his job and face uncertainty.
Windy.com is a far superior resource than the local news for tracking this.
https://earth.nullschool.net/
is as hypnotic as windy.com
I hope your boy is ok.
I zoomed in to an area between new zealand and the falkland islands (56.46° S, 137.40° W) and watched a swirling storm until I suddenly got nauseous. Not for early morning, I guess.
if you clicky on the word "earth" in the lower left hand corner, a menu with a plentitude of controls is displayed. I couldn't find "vomit control" but there may be a combination of secondary controls that suppress the gut/atmosphere sympathetic resonance.
