tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1922457730389752192024-02-02T00:42:50.841-05:00DragonwatchDWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10855431129767288706noreply@blogger.comBlogger575125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-192245773038975219.post-86423333238623879902013-04-27T21:50:00.000-05:002013-04-27T21:50:00.117-05:00Crazy…….<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We got on the subject of crazy today. Who is, who we think might be crazy, those that are certifiable and then just general crazy.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Beautiful women always have a great big box of crazy, that they use as occasion demands. If they don’t get their way for instance, they get out the crazy. They sometimes don’t even know themselves, what they want, but they know that isn’t it. Don’t make me get out my crazy on you.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">This leads to discussions like, “you should know what I want”, or “that’s not the right (enter size, shape, color, shade as appropriate), even though you are certain it never came up in the first place.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Then there are priorities like stopping the bull dog from eating a neighbor or friend, but don’t hurt the dog, just tell the person to get their limb out of the dogs mouth. It has to be their fault right?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">There’s always the “porn star in training” outfit that is worn in an unfortunate place, and then she gets ticked off because guys stare. Ok, I can see things that you wouldn’t show your mother at home, and you expect me to not stare. Fine, I’ll start carrying bags for my head so I won’t look.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I had a girlfriend tell me “Look the girls in the swimwear store are in bikinis!”. I hadn’t noticed, but when being told to “look”, I did and was berated for following instructions.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Then as we all know at the wrong time in the hormonal cycle, nothing is right, nothing fits, tears or screaming are flickering just behind the eyes. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Run for your life!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The crazy we deal with at work is sort of general, do this, don’t do that, work at a fevered pace but don’t hurry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Make friends with the alligators that you are up to your butt in, while draining the swamp, but don’t hurry and don’t make a mistake.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Another kind of crazy is the control freak who needs to impose his will, who bypasses you casually, then criticizes you for not being able to meet the job requirements.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We were talking about removing the plug and draining the crazy tank, but are now afraid to start, what if the threads on the plug gall, and we don’t have a tap to restore the threads, then we will have crazy leaking out and no way to stop it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">How crazy is that?</span></div>
DWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10855431129767288706noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-192245773038975219.post-44824539409847984262013-04-21T21:18:00.002-05:002013-04-21T21:18:30.749-05:00What will they have an app for next?<span style="font-family: Calibri;">
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<span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Color me flabbergasted!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">I knew smartphones were, well, smart, but they can control a satellite? James Bond would be envious.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Antares also carried three <a href="http://www.space.com/18685-nasa-phonesat-smartphone-satellites.html"><span style="color: #336699; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">coffee cup-size Phonesat satellites</span></a> — called Alexander, Graham and Bell — into orbit as part of a space technology experiment for NASA's Ames Research Center in California. The tiny 4-inch-wide satellites use commercial smartphones as their main computers. Another small satellite the size of a bread box, called Dove-1, also rode into orbit as part of a commercial agreement for the California-based company Cosmogia. Dove-1 is reportedly an Earth-observation and remote sensing satellite, according to a NOAA remote sensing license document. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">I think back to the days when portable phones were bricks, bags and<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>barely able to be installed under the seat of a truck. Not only are they small enough to lose, now they have the computing power that exceeds my desk to of a few years ago.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">What’s next? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
</span>DWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10855431129767288706noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-192245773038975219.post-21358170325570044222013-04-21T19:14:00.000-05:002013-04-21T19:14:23.452-05:00<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">In the beginning of this blog I wrote a lot about the people who can change the world, and choose to do so badly. Our political leaders in particular deserve some watching. I have let slip my commenting, not so my watching. One thing that frustrates me is the fact that the current administration was reelected. That alone shows that many of the people in this country only want something for nothing. I understand that everyone votes their pocket book. Some want to keep their taxes down, others want a handout and don’t care about taxes, because they don’t pay anyway.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I am offended by the administrations rampant vacationing, in the face of fiscal austerity. The quotes of “cut the spending and make it hurt”, tend to get my dander up. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The changing of accounting practices to return less of my Social Security taxes also provides considerable irritation. That’s not an “entitlement”, that’s a debt that the government owes me, because they took my money, and the deal was I would get it back when I could no longer earn a living. The fund has been robbed so easily and so often, that it’s now business as usual. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">No other nation I have heard of will award retirement benefits to a non-citizen, we do, and we award them to people who didn’t stay long enough to pay in a significant percentage of what they will receive.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">This is the first POTUS that bows to foreign leaders.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As arrogant as he is, he should bow to no one.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is the first POTUS in living memory that doesn’t support Israel. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He uses I, Me, Mine, to the extent unheard of in recent years.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">From the beginning I have held the opinion that the socialist in chief really intends to destroy our way of life. He was raised and educated by 60s radicals, who preached the violent overthrow of government, and those people don’t easily tolerate anyone who disagrees with them.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">In the beginning I liked the idea of a “post turtle”, a turtle sitting on a post doesn’t know how he got there or what he’s supposed to do now that he is there. This guy isn’t one of those, he knows exactly who put him where he is, and they have told him what to do.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you consider the debt and the attempt to raise taxes, both activities that have been responsible for killing off jobs, it becomes obvious that the collapse of the economy is the goal.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">If our economy goes down the tubes, civil unrest, riots, protests of huge proportion don’t take a lot of imagination. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Martial law will follow close, with the setting aside of the Constitution, until the emergency has passed, or so they will say. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Then it’s in the fan, we will have a president for life, or some system that will guarantee the same thing.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Historically, Democracy is always followed by a dictatorship.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I really feel that after all his hard work to destroy our way of life, he won’t give it up easily.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
DWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10855431129767288706noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-192245773038975219.post-31026127740287447262013-04-21T19:06:00.003-05:002013-04-21T19:09:03.313-05:00Johnathon Aiken<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">New grandbaby today! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Number seven. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When will these children stop procreating?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I love them all, but there are so many.</span></div>
DWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10855431129767288706noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-192245773038975219.post-26191386804831510762013-04-06T18:44:00.000-05:002013-04-06T18:44:37.230-05:00Catching up… The Harleys,<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFDKLHL5g3TPBVKbrmsFNHma_UtpOWPgny9cdk22p7wekgCbRLDXFoGxw7h1TXiWUd7ZxBjdTbPphJGMUYQan8IDHaYEPWfEG3chlj3EAzdA5CkxNKYV1uqkgX8ix98FZJ9ocY9ZvAYEI/s1600/P1010064.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFDKLHL5g3TPBVKbrmsFNHma_UtpOWPgny9cdk22p7wekgCbRLDXFoGxw7h1TXiWUd7ZxBjdTbPphJGMUYQan8IDHaYEPWfEG3chlj3EAzdA5CkxNKYV1uqkgX8ix98FZJ9ocY9ZvAYEI/s320/P1010064.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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The strange part of this is, I don’t really like Harley’s,
which doesn't really add up with owning three of them. After all it’s not like
I planned it, or anything.</div>
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I've come and gone
from riding all my life.</div>
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Our first “motor bike”
was a bicycle with the pedals removed, a ball bat driven in the bearing
opening, and a gasoline washing machine motor bolted to the bat. The rubber
drive bushing drove the rear tire by friction. Top end was about 35 mph. That feeling of going fast, the adrenaline, the rush, well I was hooked.</div>
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The
word kamikaze comes to mind. </div>
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I’m nothing like as crazy as some folks are today but, I’m
crazy enough. Riding on I 95 in South Florida will do for proof.</div>
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In 2008 I bought a Kawasaki 900 Vulcan Classic, a laid back
touring bike. It gets about 52 mpg, and below 70 mph is fine, much above that
and your eyes can’t focus due to vibration. My son in law brought me in contact
with the Red Knights. The rest is public record if not history.</div>
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Most riding clubs spread the word about this, that, or the
other fund raising ride. Some of the brothers got together to join DAV in a
memorial ride to benefit Wounded Warrior, if I remember correctly. At any rate
I participated in an escorted ride from a local town, south into the next state
and back home. Several stops were required due to it being in the scorching hot
summer time.</div>
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One of the stops was at a Harley shop. We all strolled
around looking at all the chrome and shiny paint. I was looking at price tags
as well. 24 k for an ultra glide, 20k for a classic, 18k for a soft tail, 12k
for a sportster. Crazy.</div>
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As I walked, shaking my head about the prices, back to my
bike, I saw a red gold bike and picked up the price tag. I looked, rubbed my
eyes, looked again and called a sales dude over to make sure someone hadn't</div>
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made a mistake. He assured me that it was correct, I asked him what the bottom
line, no financing, price out the door was? When he told me, I said “I’ll be
back”. <br />
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That afternoon I bought my first Harley.</div>
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I brought it home the next day, delayed by bad weather, and
my son in law, allowed that it was indeed a beautiful bike, but was I still
going to buy his Sportster as we had discussed? </div>
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Forgot that, I did. </div>
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Considering the purpose of buying the Sportster was to
provide revenue for him to buy a minivan to haul my granddaughters around, I
felt kind of compelled to follow through.</div>
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Now I owned two Harleys.</div>
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The third was bought with “found money”. When my mother
died, after medical bills, she was effectively broke. At sometime or other she
had bought an annuity, and then if I know her, forgot to tell anyone or decided
it wasn't their business. So, some months later I get a letter, and after a
subsequent claim, a fairly hefty check.</div>
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Log on to the interwebs and find a very nice bike for just
the right price. </div>
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I still don’t like the way Harleys sit, all of mine have
been lowered, quiet exhaust, low and tinted windshields. If you can get them
low enough, they can be comfortable to sit on to ride. If you don’t lower them,
in my opinion, it feels like you are sitting on the back of a chair, very high.
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The current plan, and all plans can be changed, is to sell
the Kaw, use the money to make the Sportster into a chopper, and trade the
baggers in for a newer Harley bagger.</div>
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Somewhere in there are a couple of long road trips and that
feeling that somewhere along the way it was worth it. </div>
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Watch for me on the road.</div>
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DWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10855431129767288706noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-192245773038975219.post-64691723985883415652013-03-27T22:35:00.000-05:002013-03-27T22:35:53.615-05:00Catching up...as promised.About a year and a half ago I got a call from my niece She told me "Grannie has fallen and is in the neurological ICU."<br />
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A punch in the head would have left me less addled. I gathered my son and did a speed trip to the hospital four hours away. It did not end well for her.<br />
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She was as we would say, Bull Headed. She refused live in help, of any sort, since my dad died fifteen years ago. She just didn't want anyone under foot. As long as I can remember she has been falling asleep in the chair in front of the TV. I guess that night was no different.What time she fell is anyone's guess. At about three o'clock the 911 center got a call from her, that she had fallen and needed help.<br />
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No Kidding.<br />
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When she fell, the left side of her face got the floor first. Her nose was broken and some pretty hideous bruising was visible. The medical staff, I really don't know how to describe the folks that opened her up, her dignity was not their issue, but she didn't resemble anyone I knew when I saw her. They didn't even set her broken nose. They shaved her head and sawed a hole in her skull. The real problem was the subdural hemotoma. They opened her up and stopped the bleed, but the damage was done.<br />
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As a side note, they stopped all medications and her high bp went back to normal. Seems that $1500 a month that she paid for meds, might not have been all she hoped for.<br />
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Odd, wouldn't you say?<br />
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Some days later she awakened. She chatted with the family that was there, had a cup of coffee, read in one of her "bodice ripper" novels, and then went quiet, then unresponsive and then stopped breathing. Part of the clot had moved and an ischemic stroke ensued.<br />
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In the interest of truthfulness, I didn't get along with my mother. She never wanted children, and told us so, in pretty vile terms. Somethings a child really shouldn't hear. There are other things, but I'll not speak ill of the dead. She has passed and all her ability to harm us has passed with her.<br />
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Side notes on the family, I have consigned them to the isle of broken toys.<br />
My sister has adopted Wicca as her belief, and that pagan religion is worse for it. She accused her daughter of murdering my mother for drugs. That's just stupid.<br />
My niece has manipulated, lied and cheated to the point that neither my son or myself will ever have anything to do with any of them. I'm sure they will not miss me, nor am I likely to miss them.<br />
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The funeral was a tragic comedy aided by the "family" gathered about.<br />
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Respect for the recently departed never crossed the mind of the majority of the attendees.<br />
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They will have to answer for their behavior, may the good Lord have mercy, if he judges them, I hope they don't get what they have earned.DWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10855431129767288706noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-192245773038975219.post-52371658396521414222013-03-27T13:53:00.001-05:002013-03-27T13:53:28.318-05:00Smarter than a sixth grader? Probably not.I've spent the afternoon trying to get the security system up and running.<br />
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Not going all that well, actually.<br />
<br />
Spent some quality time and about forty calls to tech support getting all kinds of info from the CONSOLE sitting in my office.<br />
<br />
Frustration is trying to program numerous functions, delays, names and sounds with a total of three buttons.<br />
<br />
Good luck with that. I was semi successful. Need help with the last sensor. Waiting for TLOML to get home for a second attempt.DWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10855431129767288706noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-192245773038975219.post-78509067338391765542013-03-25T15:25:00.003-05:002013-03-28T07:54:35.998-05:00Long hard summer...<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
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<o:p><span style="color: blue; font-family: inherit;"> Below are the compiled entries to Face book while dealing with my latest cancer. They were written up until I only had energy to stay alive and not much to spare beyond that.</span></o:p></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: inherit;">I heard it said the other day "it's not real until it's on facebook". Well here it is, I have cancer in my throat. A tumor that will have me at the Dr.'s office more than I care to. Going this morning for my first meeting with the radio-oncologist (death ray). Medical oncologist (poisoner) next week. 6_8 weeks of less than quality summertime break. There has been no talk of mortality rates, but a certainty of life changing treatments. Gods will be done.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #333333; font-family: inherit; font-size: 10pt;">Just so ya'll
know, went to the hospital for a biopsy of a tumor in my throat, all went well
, results next week. It will be tough for a while, more to follow.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I try
not to use buzz words and trite phrases, but sometimes they just fit. Emotional
roller coaster would be one of those. After an exam that exposed a tumor in my
throat (down), MRI to confirm tumor(wait a week for results, down) and a biopsy that
confirmed squamous cell cancer (wait a week for results, kind of up, could be
worse), wait a days for PET scan to see if I have one or more infestations, (</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 13.5pt;">try that one on for
size and keep a chipper outlook, down) it came back clear (Thank you God, up),
visit with the poisoner (medical oncologist) who tells me the week after my
last radiation treatment will be the worst of my life(down, not too
encouraging). Visit the dentist who recommends removing all my lower teeth now,
because after the treatments healing from surgery will just not happen(down).
Add in a weight loss program that involves me being too sick to keep food down,
or my throat too sore to swallow, for weeks. Well... this will certainly be an
interesting summer. The financial outlook is a real kick in the whatever. If
you have had a worse month, and I know someone surely has, you have my sympathy
and prayers.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #333333; font-family: inherit; font-size: 10pt;">Going this
morning for surgery to remove six (yes, only six!) teeth prior to radiation
treatments. The visit yesterday to the oral surgeon provided a much needed
relief from the gloom and doom predicted by the other shamans involved in this
dissection. Things may not be as devastating as previously related by poisoners
and death-ray wielding practitioners.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #333333; font-family: inherit; font-size: 10pt;">Home
conscious, I think. The inside of my mouth feels and tastes like the entire
Arabian camel corp spent the night in side and everyone got up and took a piss
before they left. I have a new nickname with the nurses in the Dentist’s
office, I was unconscious, and feel vaguely uncomfortable that I may have made
a bit of a goose of myself. Nothing new there.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I am
starting on a program that is going to be a little unpleasant for my wife and
myself. I am going to be treated to some fairly brutal medical treatments that
will leave me rather sick and tired, as well as some discomfort. I am a lot
like an animal in the respect that when in pain, I will either try to hurt
someone or go to sleep. I plan on sleeping a lot. Pursuant to that, I would
suggest that</span><span style="color: #333333; line-height: 13.5pt;"> anyone who feels the need to advise either of
us as to “what we should do” or “if it was me I would have to/I just couldn’t
do” something, save all of us some trouble, and keep it to yourself. This may
come as a surprise, but, we talk to each other. We are full grown, and we have
this to deal with, not some third party.</span><span style="color: #333333; line-height: 13.5pt;"> </span><span style="color: #333333; line-height: 13.5pt;">We are both cancer survivors.</span><span style="color: #333333; line-height: 13.5pt;"> </span><span style="color: #333333; line-height: 13.5pt;">Ginny is getting flack because I am insisting she continue her
studies. Why she has consented to do this is no one’s business, but considering
this is directed towards do nothing busy bodies, I will explain. If she does
not follow through now, it will cause the loss of tens of thousands of dollars
spent on tuition and books, at best it may result in a delay of a year or more
in her graduation.</span><span style="color: #333333; line-height: 13.5pt;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">
To watch me sleep for an extra two days a week.</span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
Oh! Please!<br />
This is what I asked her to do, don’t let me become a stumbling block to
reaching her dream, don’t make me the anchor that drags her down. If you have
another opinion that you just have to share for “our own good”, bring it, if
you have the guts, which I doubt. You’ve been warned. I’ll be off the leash and
on the grounds.<br />
Who knows, we may make the national news.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #333333; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #333333; font-family: inherit; font-size: 10pt;">First run on
Chemo, VERY boring! Multiple bags of meds and saline flushes in the lines, two
hours for the Cisplatin, and hour of blood draws and lab work. Total of 5 1/2
hours. Radiation therapy, an hour including the wait. Mondays are a big scratch
on the schedule now. Currently no ill effects, don't expect that to last. Met a
really nice young lady who has been fighting it off for 2 1/2 years, hope I'm
as tough as her, probably not.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #333333; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">The treatment
centers weigh me every day to ensure I don't lose too much weight, not to worry
the wife is on the job, I've GAINED 33 lbs since June! When this is over we are
going healthy!</span><b><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #333333; font-family: inherit; font-size: 10pt;">Just back
from the shamans hut, one of them almost got a lesson in being timely if not
prompt, I was walking out of the exam room as he opened the door. I told him I
only had a moment because I was almost late for my next appointment. I started
the day off with no nausea or soreness. That sounds like the tumor is reducing
and the side effects of the chemo could be mild, notice I said could be, not
predicting, just hoping. The soreness and lesions in my mouth from radiation
burns could start next week, however with the trial program, that may be
reduced. Time will tell. Crystallized Ginger, good for sickness and if you have
a nasty metallic taste in your mouth or throat it will clean it right away.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #333333; font-family: inherit; font-size: 10pt;">If anyone has
failed to notice I'm of Irish lineage. I sometimes think of it as a part of my
makeup that I enjoy a nip or two or.... moving right along, of some dark
liquor. Except that right now with chemo in my system turning my taste buds to
the dark side, I can't even drink a lite beer with lime, too nasty for words. I
don't expect this to last forever, at least I hope not. Of all the things to
lose, wouldn't that be a trip, why couldn't it be something like.... Brussel
Sprouts OR Brockley ?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #333333; font-family: inherit;">Just found out my employer has stopped my pay,
without telling me, because I'm sick. I guess they figured I would notice when
it didn't show up in my account. FMLA paperwork came yesterday to my old
address. Timing is everything.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Some
people might not have picked up on the idea that I have cancer again. Unrelated
to the previous instance. I have posted about it some and have talked to
various and sundry about the situation. I have thought about this and decided
to be open, conversational, and plain about what I'm going through. I am trying
to avoid being whiny, though I may get there later. Cancer is something that
touches</span><span style="color: #333333; line-height: 13.5pt;"> </span><span style="color: #333333; line-height: 13.5pt;">ALL of us one way or
another, virtually every day. With all that in mind I feel it should be a part
of our conversation, not pushed into a dark corner and avoided because it's
"just too depressing", avoidance will not make it go away, and
support is what sufferers need. This is a personal opinion and if it causes you
stress, forgive me. One of the things I have learned of late is, if your type
of cancer isn't shared by a media figure, finding information or support is
very difficult. I want to be the guy folks talk to and get info and support.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #333333; font-family: inherit;">Continuing the conversation... It's easy to
understand how people lose weight in therapy, nothing has any taste and it
hurts to swallow. No motivation to eat. Hunger may drive it, but that's a little
late in the game. If I get hungry then I feel a little sickish. So I try to
avoid that point. This morning the bride fixed me pancakes with lots of butter
and real 100% maple syrup from Firefalls, NY. I know that's what it was,
because that's what it looked like. Blindfold me and I'd be guessing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Continuing
the conversation... I had a very good conversation this afternoon with another
survivor, she had a case of lymphoma treated by chemo. The loss of taste,
fatigue and some of the other more visible side effects were part of her life
for a while. She has completely recovered and is cancer free. The picture in my
mind is something like a rock climber. You are hanging on to little things, bi</span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">ts that keep you from falling, and as you look
around you see another little place a little higher or a little more secure
that will let you progress. Actual testimony from people who have been there is
great. The other interesting thing that came out this afternoon was from my
bride, also a survivor, the idea that people don't talk to sufferers because
they don't want to upset them. People, they are already upset, people think
they are "broken" or fragile. Get over it. We are a bunch of tough
old birds, that just put their mind and will to what they have to do and go for
it. I see them five days a week, and a more positive group would be hard to
find! They have a problem, but help is there, and they are looking through to
the other side. Some folks might get all weepy and snively, but I'm going to
guess they are that way when they are well.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Long
day in the shamans hut, four sticks to get poisoned, the death ray was down for
calibration (something I encourage for obvious reasons), everyone was slow
starting. All told seven hours before I got home. This weekend I had a really
severe sore throat, that is now a mild sore throat, from radiation treatments.
I am not understanding why it got better. Tomorrow I expect to wake with the
bad pa</span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">rt again, we'll see.
Tomorrow will be 34% complete. As of this moment I am thanking the good Lord in
heaven, that he is keeping the bad juju away for now. I am continuing to be
amazed by the upbeat attitude of the folks who are sitting in a room hooked up
to multiple IV pumps, smiling and joking, sharing stories and snacks, not to
mention being just regular folks. A small unpleasant surprise, the number of
people I know who are in for treatment or follow up, I hate that for them.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #333333; font-family: inherit; font-size: 10pt;">A quick trip
to the death ray today, less than twenty minutes in the building, it also
included a quick read of my treatment plan to see the areas and dose levels. I
am getting a goodly area covered that includes some containing lymph nodes,
"just in case". That's cool because I really don't want to do this
again. Yesterday at the poisoners, I initially sat down beside a dude who was
asleep, I had to get up and move. I have never heard the like of noises coming
out of that guy. Moans, groans, wet sounds reminiscent of agonal breaths, I am
so glad he moved around some, I was afraid he was dying. I have actually heard
a a few folks pass over that were much quieter than him. Most disturbing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #333333; font-family: inherit; font-size: 10pt;">Seems as if
I'm going to get a "new look", beard is coming out quite easily. I
wish all of you could have seen the look on my face when I tugged on the bottom
and a fair collection came out in my hand. It'll grow back,,,eventually, but
only 3000rem and its falling out. 3 weeks of seven complete.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #333333; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Very poor day
yesterday, six sticks for a working IV, I almost came unglued at a nurse who,
to her credit and good sense, took the advice to "back off". Note to
world: I really don't care what you can't do, I can't work with that. Tell me
what you can do and we are on the way to success.</span><span style="color: #333333;"><br />
<span style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">Feeling some better today, though I'm sure the
angels at the death ray office will fix that. I am using more pain and anti
nausea meds, which helped me sleep 11.5 hrs last night. I'll spare everyone the
scatological details, however the radiation effects to the interior tissues of
my mouth are becoming pronounced. Ick x yuck. I'm almost down to living off
nutritional shakes, and they're not too pleasant either.</span></span><b><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 3.75pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Day 22 of 35. Changed over to pain patches for 24hr coverage,
much better. Found out I have Thrush inflammation in my throat, treatment under
way. Going to produce a trifold thing for the next folks at the death ray shop.
There were a lot of things I learned the hard way that could save some pain.
And will suggest some things to the poisoners for the same reason. Folks if you
have never been there, you can't possibly know what it's like. Keeping a
coherent thought, much less a positive mental attitude is a major battle. I
could be quite graphic and get defriended by both of you, but I'll spare you,
and me. I mentioned the bride helped me pack on 22lbs of pudge prior to the
start of this dance, well that's gone. I haven't had solid food in three weeks,
suckometer needle swings wildly, and just so you know I have had so much
"Boost" if anyone offers me chocolate milk after this is over, I'm
probably going to punch them in the head. Oh by the way those skin tag things,
I found that as a side effect of the treatment, they just turn to granules and
brush right away. 5000R will do that for you, not recommending that.</span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: inherit; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 3.75pt;">
<span style="color: blue; font-family: inherit;">The break in posting came when I could no longer drink water or swallow much of anything. A Boost shake would take me an hour, anything else was out of the question. I lived on a thousand calories a day and lost 42 lbs in six weeks. The lack of energy kept me cold, I would ask my bride to cuddle with me to try to get warm. Some of the worse days were due to dehydration, that resulted in lowered blood pressure and up to eight sticks to get a working IV line.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 3.75pt;">
<span style="color: blue; font-family: inherit;">I had days where everything revolved around trying to get food down. Get up early and try to not be sick, take an anti nausea pill and wait forty minets, take a pain pill, wait forty minets, try to eat. Throw up one or more pills and start over. Be so violently ill your lips constantly peel from your stomach acids. My red cell count was so low I couldn't walk anywhere, I would get tired and have to sit. The love of my life wanted me to use the electric cart at the grocery, but I am too hard headed. </span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: inherit;">All else being equal I am over the hard part, I get regular checkups and live all I can. I figure that cancer will one day kill me, it's just a matter of time, no matter how tough, smart or careful you are the odds catch up. </span></div>
DWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10855431129767288706noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-192245773038975219.post-88818769662024149282012-07-09T22:50:00.001-05:002013-03-28T07:49:25.665-05:00It's been too long....I am amazed at the time that has passed since I have posted anything. Life has been a whirlwind on many levels.<br />
<br />
My mother died.<br />
I worked nine months with out a real break.<br />
We bought a new house.<br />
I bought three Harleys (?)<br />
We have a new grand baby.<br />
I have cancer again.<br />
There will be posts on all those things.DWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10855431129767288706noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-192245773038975219.post-40331699425978981802011-07-06T07:27:00.002-05:002011-07-06T07:37:52.072-05:00Bad Day At the BeachThe retired FDNY firefighter who generally leads the charge for anything 9/11 related, who is also a Red Knight member, lost everything to a fire in his home 7/5/11. All the boys and girls are lining up for the heavy lifting. <div><br /></div><div>His wife and five kids are pretty much homeless, but cared for, and sheltered.<br /><div><br /></div><div>One who gives so much up front deserves to get some of it back.</div></div>DWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10855431129767288706noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-192245773038975219.post-59073284491584143882011-07-05T22:37:00.002-05:002011-07-05T22:41:07.149-05:00Busy, Busy, BusySharpening the knives,<div>Test the alarm system,</div><div>Clean and load the guns,</div><div><br /></div><div>Nothing serious here, but there was a murder a block away, with no motive and no suspect.</div><div><br /></div><div>Awkward, that is.</div>DWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10855431129767288706noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-192245773038975219.post-20342624681749679902011-07-04T12:48:00.003-05:002011-07-04T13:09:44.586-05:00Something bigger than myself....<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMUIx4gUynof3Ke25yuxjkG3juKWZbGeiYtapuPqugVmsSCglMGc7M6ecDFvUgQkFn_T-oJhY3yJySQyFnUKv4jORvOLVkJgbH2JhN8hkgB35M5UyFDdBCoAnG_H0-IZ106HGL54Q5O7A/s1600/2011-07-03+13.35.39.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMUIx4gUynof3Ke25yuxjkG3juKWZbGeiYtapuPqugVmsSCglMGc7M6ecDFvUgQkFn_T-oJhY3yJySQyFnUKv4jORvOLVkJgbH2JhN8hkgB35M5UyFDdBCoAnG_H0-IZ106HGL54Q5O7A/s400/2011-07-03+13.35.39.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625556296222385266" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>/<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQKc4508YGb9pPcPasvW3rHH1bA9sw-4rIVkF_nNLLWELmgzFhK8C1_Z_ndBfLS-qTw4cxqdVcx9qmSOndlcey83aeAUkWzPpYv0dNcQ3HjNl5kOv3wbkOCkMAIHOjG2HUr9qXv6NgoVc/s1600/2011-07-03+11.10.21.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQKc4508YGb9pPcPasvW3rHH1bA9sw-4rIVkF_nNLLWELmgzFhK8C1_Z_ndBfLS-qTw4cxqdVcx9qmSOndlcey83aeAUkWzPpYv0dNcQ3HjNl5kOv3wbkOCkMAIHOjG2HUr9qXv6NgoVc/s400/2011-07-03+11.10.21.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625556274435400370" /></a>Yesterday I took a little ride of about 360 miles to escort the National 9/11 Flag to the oldest Fourth of July Celebration in the country. Seventeen of us rode to Raleigh to meet the flag and escort it to the Celebration. We were joined by about four hundred friends I have never met and returned to our area in one long line. We had Police escort the entire trip and various fire departments along the way saluted the flag as it passed. A great trip, with great company. Including Iron Mutt, coolest dude on the trip. <div><br /></div><div>I wanted to tell TLOML how many bikes came, I looked in the mirror, and the headlights were out of sight, on the Interstate. A fellow Red Knight stood up on the bike (on the road) and couldn't see the end of the line.</div><div><br /></div><div>I consider it interesting that the "dirty old bikers" that so many look down on, were the very ones who love this country enough to endure the ride. 95F for eleven hours. I almost collected a heat related injury at 70mph, that for the record, would be a bad thing.</div><div><br /></div><div>I had so much fun that this morning when I got up, I felt like I had spent the night face down in prison with my cell open.</div>DWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10855431129767288706noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-192245773038975219.post-9526593234287359682011-07-04T12:36:00.003-05:002011-07-04T12:41:14.837-05:00Orators and suchI have been told that in the time of our country's founders, the man who needed notes to speak from, sort of like a dead tree teleprompter, or who didn't know the passion to speak from his heart about his subject,<div><br /></div><div>was deemed a liar or mentally defective.</div><div><br /></div><div>Just sayin'.</div>DWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10855431129767288706noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-192245773038975219.post-46505679906582945952011-07-03T04:50:00.003-05:002011-07-04T12:42:25.959-05:00Democratic DragonsIf you have ever read dragon lore, you know that they are: old, powerful, greedy, conniving, treacherous, and generally a pain in the rear.<div><br /></div><div>Does that sound like some politicians in the news?</div><div><br /></div><div>At first glance the Congressional Minority might look like they are trying to help those less fortunate than themselves, don't be fooled. The congress critters are buying votes with our money. They are falling into the trap of allowing the indigent voting themselves unlimited benefits. Historically this has been the end of Democratic government.</div><div><br /></div><div>I know this argument has been made before, but in your household, when do you stop borrowing? Would you borrow the money to party the weekend away, and then borrow to make the payment, and then borrow to refinance the loans, and so on.</div><div><br /></div><div>That's exactly what the US government is doing.</div><div><br /></div><div>Note to Congress: You can't borrow your way out of debt....ever!</div><div><br /></div><div>Giving people those things to people that they should provide for them selves is a disincentive to productivity. I have friends who have a house hold income above 150k, who are waiting for Obama Care for insurance. The "he" of the pair looked at me with a long face, with a voice like he was talking to a child, and asked "Don't you want everyone to have insurance?". My reply was, "Sure, if they pay for it!".</div><div><br /></div><div>All my life I have known people who wouldn't work tasting pies. They would rather pay for a party than a dental appointment or checkup. Self described victims of some system that hates a poor man. I have lived and worked around people who would rather by a beer, and party all night, rather than care for their children. The children, by the by, are produced accidentally and required to do the house work.</div><div><br /></div><div>The "victim class" have a sense of entitlement partially because they are bone deep lazy and also because they are taught the life style by the liberal government.</div><div><br /></div><div>The worst thing the government can do is feed the "hungry man", because he will sit down at the food source and wait for the next meal. He will not feed himself, because it's easier to let some one else do it for him. I'm not condemning the hungry, I'd do the same, most likely. Giving someone something, however, makes it less likely they will search for other opportunity. </div><div><br /></div><div>The Democrats sing the song "if you have more then you should pay more", how is that logical? That's class warfare, this country was founded on the premise that there are no classes. If you want more, do more. Since the beginning of humanity the most productive have had the best lives, providing the incentive to the rest of the culture to work harder or smarter, to secure those blessings for their loved ones. Unfortunately there have also been the "I want that and you should give it to me" crowd.</div><div><br /></div><div>The point?</div><div><br /></div><div>The political elite are mortgaging our children's future to secure their future. They have no need of good financial policy, they, for the most part are already rich. Rising interest rates will make them richer. We on the lower end of that scale will get poorer. They are the lenders, the rich who can invest for a return, we are the borrowers who have to borrow to have a place to live and a way to get to work.</div><div><br /></div><div>There is enough empirical evidence to guide the decisions in this country. There is enough history to prove what will happen. We are no smarter than the leaders of old, quite the opposite, there is none so blind as he who will not see. Witness Jordan, Syria, Egypt, and Iranian upheavals.</div><div><br /></div><div>There is an end, and we are rushing toward it like a train wreck.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>DWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10855431129767288706noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-192245773038975219.post-48244821153375295382011-07-01T10:04:00.004-05:002011-07-01T10:23:17.990-05:00Dude!!!! What are you thinkin"<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14px; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-style: initial; border-color: initial;"><img src="http://hercules.rr.com/images/providerlogos/623/Xx21.jpg" alt="AP" class="inline" style="border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; display: inline; " /></span></span><h1 class="color1Med strong" style="margin-top: 10px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 3px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font-size: 24px; font-weight: bold; font-style: normal; color: rgb(122, 184, 0); ">4 suspects dead in police shooting in Miami area</h1><p class="fontsize10px" style="color: rgb(77, 79, 83); margin-top: 10px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font-size: 10px; ">Published - Jul 01 2011 07:06AM EST</p><div id="articleBody" class="fontsize12px" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font-size: 12px; "><p style="color: rgb(77, 79, 83); margin-top: 10px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; ">MIAMI — Authorities in Miami-Dade County say police shot and killed four suspects during a confrontation after they got out of their vehicles wearing ski masks and carrying guns.</p><p style="color: rgb(77, 79, 83); margin-top: 10px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; ">Miami-Dade Police spokesman Alvaro Zabaleta says the robbery bureau was investigating Thursday evening in the southwestern section of the county when they learned of suspicious activity.</p><p style="color: rgb(77, 79, 83); margin-top: 10px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; ">Several suspects were identified and due to their criminal history, Zabaleta says the department's special response team was called in.</p><p style="color: rgb(77, 79, 83); margin-top: 10px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; ">According to Zabaleta, the suspects arrived in the area wearing ski masks and carrying guns. A confrontation occurred as the men got out of their vehicles. Shots were fired and four suspects were killed.</p><p style="color: rgb(77, 79, 83); margin-top: 10px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; ">Zabaleta says none of the police officers were injured.</p><p style="color: rgb(77, 79, 83); margin-top: 10px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; ">No other details were immediately available.</p><p style="color: rgb(77, 79, 83); margin-top: 10px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 10px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" >Who needs details? Idiots confront cops with guns wearing masks.</span></p><p style="margin-top: 10px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" > Idiots get shot lots. </span></p><p style="margin-top: 10px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span">Cops reload, take pictures, get garbage off streets</span><span class="Apple-style-span">.</span></span></p></div></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14px; " ><span class="Apple-style-span">Normally, I don't carry a gun, though after my time in Florida City last fall, I do now. Scary place, don't leave anything in your car, don't fill up at a stop and rob(the name fits) after dark, don't go to Walmart unless you are of Cuban decent</span><span class="Apple-style-span">. </span><span class="Apple-style-span">I know of one guy stopped for driving the speed limit, then advised to drive like everyone else (speeding) or get shot for being a gang banger, or pulled by every cop in Dade county for suspicious behavior. </span><span class="Apple-style-span"> </span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14px; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14px; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></span></div>DWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10855431129767288706noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-192245773038975219.post-81351230834559090922011-06-30T10:24:00.005-05:002011-06-30T10:33:01.292-05:00From a while back,,,<p class="MsoNormal">I filled my truck the other day and set a personal record of three hundred and seventy five dollars ($375) with three quarters of a tank left in the back tank. Thank the good Lord I only drive that monster when some one else is paying for the fuel.<span class="Apple-style-span" >(Old truck, I now travel in a motor home that gets 7mpg)</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> A</o:p>s you can easily imagine I am more than slightly tired of that.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>There fore, as whining with out a proposed solution is &itching, my proposal!</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>Barter; raise the price of food and technology to oil producing countries. Make a barrel of oil currency or more firmly tie it to the markets. The royalty that is getting rich from oil while their subjects are living in mud huts needs to hear the growl of their peoples stomachs. When the growl gets to the throats and the volume is sufficient to shake them awake. Things might get a little better.<span class="Apple-style-span" > <span class="Apple-style-span">(Libya, Jordan, Syria, Iran, Saudi, are you listening?)</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Another proposal needing a close look is ACTUALLY becoming self sufficient, rather than just talking about it. A recent study, (through a crystal ball perhaps, I have no idea how this was done) says we have more undeveloped oil reserves than the rest of the world put together!!!!! Let’s stimulate the economy by building refineries, and perfecting technology to recover this oil without destroying the environment. </p><p class="MsoNormal">We are the supposed greatest nation in the world, </p><p class="MsoNormal">time to prove it again.</p><p class="MsoNormal"> If we can put a man on the moon and build the Interstate System (technology and engineering), surely a profit producing national project isn’t beyond us.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" >This may be a repost, I didn't look back, but in light of recent events, it looks like I was right.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" >Whoda thunk it.</span></p>DWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10855431129767288706noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-192245773038975219.post-78332237968091799492011-06-30T09:48:00.003-05:002011-06-30T10:00:16.433-05:00Trying to live....and getting by .....so far.<div><br /></div><div>When people ask me "how are you today?" </div><div><br /></div><div>I generally answer, "I woke up this morning." </div><div><br /></div><div>The nice folks are generally confused by this response, or answer "that's a good thing". They are correct, it is good, in fact, it's a requirement. I tell them that as long as you don't open your eyes to bright lights and concerned faces in the ER, it's a good day. </div><div><br /></div><div>Everything else is gravy.</div><div><br /></div><div>All of us will come to that day when we don't wake up, and that is the natural end of a long life.</div><div><br /></div><div>Yes, there comes an end. </div><div><br /></div><div>Be sure it doesn't get there before you have told your family that you love them, and you affairs are in order so as not to be a burden. Move on as an honorable person, and leave as good a memory as you can.</div>DWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10855431129767288706noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-192245773038975219.post-8349876788159066602011-06-30T09:10:00.003-05:002011-06-30T09:30:49.714-05:00Presidential DragonHere we go fans, is the POTUS ready to tell us all to "shut up and drink the cool aide" ? <div><br /></div><div>It seems that way. </div><div><br /></div><div>Daily we hear of errors in names, birth days (his daughters), statements about the economy that are later reversed because he is confused. Sounds like he doesn't care enough anymore.</div><div><br /></div><div>Big surprise, right.</div><div><br /></div><div>Not really, he didn't care to start with. He cares about himself more than anyone else, followed by his family. The family part is NOT a criticism, that is as it should be. He uses the words: I, me, my, more than anyone in office should. I had hoped to see the POTUS be someone who cares more about the country and the Constitution than himself.</div><div><br /></div><div>Not happening.</div><div><br /></div><div>HE doesn't do it all himself, he didn't kill bin Laden, the SEAL's did. HE actually does very little, his team does the heavy lifting, he just takes the credit. </div><div><br /></div><div>Remember when I said I thought he was actively trying to destroy this country? Look at all the change, dollar lousing reserve status, government spending up (not just because of war), telling congress that he can engage in war on his own.</div><div><br /></div><div>We, as a nation will be climbing out of this hole longer than I will live.</div><div><br /></div><div>I find myself fondly remembering Jimmy Carter, we survived four years with out a President while he held office, we could have done better with out this twit.</div>DWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10855431129767288706noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-192245773038975219.post-31746789639031058702011-06-30T09:03:00.003-05:002011-06-30T09:08:32.134-05:00The long road a windingI have noticed a few things lately; most of the folks on my blog list have quit posting, my motivation to do more posting has waned, the political arena is full of the "usual suspects" who are depressingly predictable.<div><br /></div><div>All that being true, I don't have to stumble, I only have to step over the obstacle and go on.</div><div>DW</div>DWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10855431129767288706noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-192245773038975219.post-53707896027331566032011-05-11T19:31:00.004-05:002011-05-15T08:49:46.821-05:00New Grill... mount<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhueDTb1lD4Tyii56sgMObMzP7qVFGyhp7Q1IwIp0LAruN7fS8IrcMiirJwhwQ3w-b-bTmtEPLWP55v3EmmPBWVSz61fxltU2QWq-DWmgaSUzxR2vVtvKxBnJGdMIFAXBvfTPUDO8RA75U/s1600/100_0017.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRXrPiehSu50Za65boEJ7vyFGoNSbpgXCG6yMultGHyspOSAN-NiHjamJmnmdAxEDCiwVeq1meE3snj1Gp4i4P_GncwnAkc5JwzYg-jdffnCWH5329hBQ8_nIC_rUAK55HDpl6fDTuQyM/s1600/51MG3Bg5C2L._SS400_.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRXrPiehSu50Za65boEJ7vyFGoNSbpgXCG6yMultGHyspOSAN-NiHjamJmnmdAxEDCiwVeq1meE3snj1Gp4i4P_GncwnAkc5JwzYg-jdffnCWH5329hBQ8_nIC_rUAK55HDpl6fDTuQyM/s400/51MG3Bg5C2L._SS400_.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605620435988269026" /></a>We went to the local building supply the other day and saw a tailgating grill as above. The only thing I didn't like was the price, $300!<div><br /></div><div>I immediately went to conniving mode and started running the idea through my mind. I took advantage of the first opportunity to visit a local muffler shop (run by friends) and get a little pipe work done. </div><div><br /></div><div>We, the entire family, are beach engineers. We carry a load of things with us to make the ocean side more comfortable, tents, large coolers, grills and enough food for a small army. All this takes space and it's nice to have it outside and easily available rather than in the bed of a truck or back of a jeep. The answer to the problem is a cargo carrier, that can be used for other things as well. Like fishing, for example. The thing about fishing is the rod, long spindly thing that is easily broken and terribly awkward. The solution is a rod rack or rod holders. </div><div><br /></div><div>My cargo carrier has long been modified to carry fishing rods.</div><div><br /></div><div>Now, it has additional duties. I took a little trip down to the pipe bender boys and in short order had a tube bent to a right angle with a piece of tubing welded to the long side perpendicular to the tube. A short piece from the scrap bin that would insert into the welded tube would be the base for the grill. A short drive to Harbor Freight for two PTO pins and a trip to a fab shop for a 1/8 inch steel plate was all I needed to finish the job.</div><div><br /></div><div>I slid the tube over the top of an existing rod holder and drilled a hole for a pin to hold it in a storage position, rotate it and drill it for a cooking position. Weld the plate to the mounting tube and repeat. Place the grill, one that I already had on the plate and drill the feet to bolt it down, and you have this.</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhueDTb1lD4Tyii56sgMObMzP7qVFGyhp7Q1IwIp0LAruN7fS8IrcMiirJwhwQ3w-b-bTmtEPLWP55v3EmmPBWVSz61fxltU2QWq-DWmgaSUzxR2vVtvKxBnJGdMIFAXBvfTPUDO8RA75U/s400/100_0017.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5606937294948417762" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 348px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div><br /></div><div>It has had a field test that worked out well, and is about to get another. Cost, a little over $36.</div><div><br /></div><div>Does it look as cool as the other? Only if you look into your wallet first, then it looks better.</div><div><br /></div><div>The next question is.... what next?</div>DWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10855431129767288706noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-192245773038975219.post-6542179455378715372011-05-10T07:28:00.003-05:002011-05-10T07:41:01.636-05:00DAV RideOne of the things I missed this last job was riding the bike. I didn't have a good way to haul it (working on that), so it didn't go along. Eight weeks with no scoot, sucks!<div><br /></div><div>Howsomever, I am riding a lot more and have located the Facebook site that allows me to find out who is riding where.</div><div><br /></div><div>Saturday the local DAV was having a fund raiser, a poker run from a local bike shop to a local dealership, via the scenic route.</div><div><br /></div><div>TLOML didn't care to ride so I asked the youngest to ride, as a healing for a difficult time. She agreed and after getting her up early, for a Saturday, we went for breakfast and then signed up for the day.</div><div><br /></div><div>The total was about 116 miles with an eclectic group of folks that only have one thing in common, motorcycles.</div><div><br /></div><div>I didn't win anything, at least I don't think so, we didn't hang around to see. We were tired, sunburned, and ready to go home, so I gave my tickets to someone who would donate anything I won back to the fundraiser and called it a day.</div><div><br /></div><div>Now it's time to check on the next one</div>DWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10855431129767288706noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-192245773038975219.post-21520761752840286442011-05-08T07:30:00.004-05:002011-05-08T11:43:34.675-05:00Warranty?????I went to the village torture chamber, uh, excuse me.... Dentist for an overhaul the other day. You know, the usual, fill the cavities, clean the roots, and replace the crown that disintegrated when I chewed a french fry.<div><br /></div><div>Yep, bit down on a semi crispy potato stick and developed a mouth full of eggshells. I took the gross mass out of my mouth and tossed it out the window. No problem, after all, I'm not going to save it for several weeks and a four hundred mile trip for show and tell when having it repaired.</div><div><br /></div><div>Wrong! That would be exactly what the warranty on the crown requires! </div><div><br /></div><div>Notably, I had never even considered that there was a warranty on one of these things, or that it is only good for five years, not to mention that it has to be inspected every six months. Now lets toss in the idea that the insurance company doesn't want to cover it unless it is over five years old. The highly trained medical professional that I pay for all this, failed to mention any of the above.</div><div><br /></div><div>Must have been a busy day.</div><div><br /></div><div>This device will cost $982. </div><div><br /></div><div>I've driven cars that cost less, and they lasted longer. Interesting to me is the crown adjacent to the expensive hole in my head has lasted for thirty years with no problems.</div><div><br /></div><div>Let's see, I have no input to the choice of suppliers, no information regarding the warranty, no idea that this isn't a permanent fix, and no idea that the "lab" has had quality control issues. </div><div><br /></div><div>However I am financially responsible.</div><div><br /></div><div>As expected no one will assume responsibility for the failed component, by default it comes to me.</div><div><br /></div><div>Imagine that!</div><div><br /></div><div>The remaining pleasure was the "deep cleaning". Deep is a relative term, African gold mines are deep, some oil wells are deep. </div><div><br /></div><div>Digging in my gums with sharp metallic objects is deep when I walk into the room. </div><div><br /></div><div>Six or so syringes of numbing later,a very nice young lady spent an hour scratching under my toenails from inside my mouth. I thought I was going to have to clean blood out of my boots.</div><div><br /></div><div>The cavities, I hardly noticed, a little drilling a little probing and four hands in my mouth at the same time, no problem there.</div><div><br /></div><div>At the end of the morning, a bill for $1600 and a small bag of floss and toothpaste.</div><div><br /></div><div>Don't you just love our health care system?</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>DWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10855431129767288706noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-192245773038975219.post-60851259801947981532011-05-03T06:38:00.003-05:002011-05-03T07:18:11.157-05:00New titleI am now a full time employee, salaried and sitting at home, for a short while.<div><br /></div><div>I just finished a stint at a plant in the south, testing their primary containment. I had eleven techs working with me, and supposedly for me. </div><div><br /></div><div>Supposedly, because the little dears seldom accept the authority of any human living or dead. </div><div><br /></div><div>It's a good thing they don't let me carry a club, or frustration might have led me to make a mistake. Not really, but I can dream, can't I?</div><div><br /></div><div>We were testing the leakage from primary containment at design pressure in Loss of Coolant Accident conditions. The testing itself is pretty simple, put air in a pipe and see if it stays, if not, it's a maintenance problem. </div><div><br /></div><div>The complexity comes with the accuracy required. We are testing in Standard Cubic Centimeters per Minute, and the Leak Rate Monitors are very expensive and accurate. The effects of temperature and changes in pressure will drive you to distraction. You can actually warm the plastic test line with your hand and change the leak rate. The leak rate tech needs to be able to understand the changes and decide when the leak rate is stable enough to take data.</div><div><br /></div><div>All my problems were due to the personnel who were on the job. Slippery individuals that they are, some want to wander around when they should be available, that would be with out communicating with me. Not to mention, I had a few who were actively trying to undermine me as supervisor. Don't forget the one who didn't show up, or the one who showed up to get a badge, and get paid mobilization money, per-diem, and hours for getting a badge, just to "drag up" and go to the next job. We were staffed at sixteen techs, and ended with twelve. </div><div><br /></div><div>The name of the game is roll with the punches, and we pulled it off. After several painful, for me, conversations with the little lambs, we got settled in, did the job, and left a good memory behind us.</div><div><br /></div><div>Now I have to see if I can build a team and find us some more work.</div>DWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10855431129767288706noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-192245773038975219.post-48096742179367430782011-05-03T06:21:00.002-05:002011-05-03T06:37:52.148-05:00Bin Laden dead?Ok,,,,<div>Seal team six, one of the most storied and best trained spec ops groups in the world, who have been refining the "smash and grab" for forty years, have strolled into a compound and whacked the highest value target around.</div><div><br /></div><div>The body is respectfully buried at sea, so there can be no shrine, and coincidentally no body.</div><div><br /></div><div>Very convenient, don't you think?</div><div><br /></div><div>It might have been better to grab the bad guy and wring him dry then bury him at sea, the end result would be the same, except Al quida could be disassembled from the top down.</div><div><br /></div><div>If I can think of that scenario, I'm sure the pros can too.</div><div><br /></div><div>Sorta' makes you think doesn't it?</div>DWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10855431129767288706noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-192245773038975219.post-20298306363149689712010-09-01T14:36:00.003-05:002010-09-01T14:41:51.767-05:00High Crimes and Misdemeanors<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; "><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; line-height: 21px; font-size: 14px; text-align: justify; ">Pinal County Sheriff Paul Babeu, whose county lies at the center of major drug and alien smuggling routes to Phoenix and cities east and west, attests to the violence. He said his deputies are outmanned and outgunned by drug traffickers in the rough-hewn desert stretches of his own county.</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; line-height: 21px; font-size: 14px; text-align: justify; ">"Mexican drug cartels literally do control parts of Arizona," he said. "They literally have scouts on the high points in the mountains and in the hills and they literally control movement. They have radios, they have optics, they have night-vision goggles as good as anything law enforcement has.</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; line-height: 21px; font-size: 14px; text-align: justify; ">"This is going on here in Arizona," he said. "This is 70 to 80 miles from the border - 30 miles from the fifth-largest city in the United States."</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; line-height: 21px; font-size: 14px; text-align: justify; ">He said he asked the Obama administration for 3,000 National Guard soldiers to patrol the border, but what he got were 15 signs.</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; line-height: 21px; font-size: 14px; text-align: justify; ">Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer condemned what she called the federal government's "continued failure to secure our international border," saying the lack of security has resulted in important natural recreational areas in her state being declared too dangerous to visit.</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; line-height: 21px; font-size: 14px; text-align: justify; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#3333FF;">At this point the President of the United States has committed the crime of malfeasance. A deliberate failure to perform his duty to this nation. He is subject to impeachment and removal from office for failing to perform duties assigned by the Constitution.</span></p></span>DWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10855431129767288706noreply@blogger.com2