Friday, December 31, 2010
Which is to say
That last post was supposed to explain why you'll find personal health info here in such abundance.
Thursday, December 30, 2010
For anyone new here
I started this blog as a way to update my friends on my health status. I didn’t want to keep sending long emails that some people might not want to read, so I post here instead. If anyone is interested they can get the latest news, or they can ignore it – it’s all up to them.
I also post so others who may have similar experiences who are searching the Internet will know that they are not alone. When I first came across stories of other people who had had Legionnaires’ Disease, it was an amazing relief to know that I was not the only one with the problems I had. You can feel very isolated when you have a critical illness and there is support in just knowing that it isn’t just you. I want to offer my experience to help others in any way that I can.
I also blog about any random thing that interests me, and lately, I’ve been ranting about political policy issues.
All of the above will continue determined by my mood and whenever I am able.
And thanks for stopping by and reading.
I also post so others who may have similar experiences who are searching the Internet will know that they are not alone. When I first came across stories of other people who had had Legionnaires’ Disease, it was an amazing relief to know that I was not the only one with the problems I had. You can feel very isolated when you have a critical illness and there is support in just knowing that it isn’t just you. I want to offer my experience to help others in any way that I can.
I also blog about any random thing that interests me, and lately, I’ve been ranting about political policy issues.
All of the above will continue determined by my mood and whenever I am able.
And thanks for stopping by and reading.
I’m slow, but I do get around to things
First up, in response to an anonymous comment: I read a variety of things, when conditions permit.
Reading is difficult. It is tiring, requires concentration that I do not often have, and I have a strange sort of dyslexic thing going on where words on the page get moved around. It’s not just a problem with the letters in individual words, I will sometimes – all too often really – pick up words in a sentence from a different line or move the words in a sentence around. That can seriously change the meaning of the text.
But over the past few years when I can read, I read all sorts of things: mysteries, thrillers, spy novels (well, I read some old John LeCarre), fantasy and science fiction.
I’ve been trying to get into some science and history but the lack of concentration really hurts with that sort of reading since comprehension is so important. I can read fiction and not care as much about retention, but what’s the point in reading non-fiction if you can’t remember anything?
I haven’t read that much, two or three in each genre, but it’s been all over the place. I guess I’m just trying to find what works.
Reading is difficult. It is tiring, requires concentration that I do not often have, and I have a strange sort of dyslexic thing going on where words on the page get moved around. It’s not just a problem with the letters in individual words, I will sometimes – all too often really – pick up words in a sentence from a different line or move the words in a sentence around. That can seriously change the meaning of the text.
But over the past few years when I can read, I read all sorts of things: mysteries, thrillers, spy novels (well, I read some old John LeCarre), fantasy and science fiction.
I’ve been trying to get into some science and history but the lack of concentration really hurts with that sort of reading since comprehension is so important. I can read fiction and not care as much about retention, but what’s the point in reading non-fiction if you can’t remember anything?
I haven’t read that much, two or three in each genre, but it’s been all over the place. I guess I’m just trying to find what works.
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Therapy
I am self-medicating. I have spent some birthday money (yes, even someone my age gets money for his birthday). I bought some books.
Friday, December 10, 2010
Where did all this come from?
Yes, I am posting like damn fool lately. No, I don’t know why.
Maybe it’s the urgency of the situation the country is in. Maybe it’s a reaction to stress that builds this time of year. Maybe it’s because I’m changing some of my medication.
I really don’t know why I am doing this. I always say that I am going to blog more but this is ridiculous. It’s not like I have some quota to fill before the end of the year or anything.
Hopefully I can keep up the content value and entertainment levels, but there are no guarantees on that.
Maybe it’s the urgency of the situation the country is in. Maybe it’s a reaction to stress that builds this time of year. Maybe it’s because I’m changing some of my medication.
I really don’t know why I am doing this. I always say that I am going to blog more but this is ridiculous. It’s not like I have some quota to fill before the end of the year or anything.
Hopefully I can keep up the content value and entertainment levels, but there are no guarantees on that.
Thursday, December 9, 2010
I really don't understand
I keep coming back because I forget to mention something.
Maybe I did say this before and have forgotten, but it is important.
Social Security is deficit neutral. By law it can not pay out more than it takes in or has on hand. If you eliminated Social Security completely it would do nothing for the deficit. Yet people talk about cutting Social Security claiming that will help to balance the budget. That is a lie. The only reasons to cut Social Security are ideological, not budgetary.
Such as the proposed payroll tax cut, which is without a doubt an attack on Social Security. There was something called the Making Work Pay tax credit in the stimulus bill. That was going to be extended, but the GOP wanted a payroll tax cut instead and the White House went right along with them. What’s the difference, you ask? Both cut taxes on the middle class, but the tax credit doesn’t hurt Social Security. Further, the payroll tax cut is framed as a temporary tax holiday, but just as letting the Bush tax cuts expire – as the law was written – was called a tax increase, you can bet that letting this temporary cut expire will be called a tax increase.
And when someone in DC screams tax hike, no one will let it happen. The 2% reduction in Social Security payments will continue, if not increase, and the cries of insolvency will become self-fulfilling prophecy.
Social Security is fully funded until 2037 and in decent shape until the end of the century. But attacks like this threaten it. And if you think you couldn’t possibly need it or were never going to get anything out of it, think again. I never thought I would be disabled. Not that it matters when it comes to helping people. I explained to someone recently that I didn’t support Social Security because I needed it. I’ve always supported it, even though I never thought that it would be around when I reached retirement age. I thought the attacks against it would be successful by then. I supported it because it was the right thing to do.
But there are people who have spent decades of their lives and hundreds of millions of dollars trying to get rid of Social Security – more than $10 million was spent this October alone. They would be happy funneling tax dollars to Wall Street to handle retirement, but they object to letting the government do it. The stock market collapsed, more than once even since I was born. So far the US government hasn’t. But it looks like these people will be successful. If someone can’t make a profit, then no one gets the help they need. After all, all government spending must be bad.
So it looks like Social Security won’t be around when I reach retirement age. It might not be around in 2 or 3 years. The deficit won’t be any smaller, but senior citizens and the disabled will suffer. I can’t see any reason for that, but there must be a good one. Why else would it be a good policy for the richest nation in the world to let senior citizens and the disabled die in poverty?
Maybe I did say this before and have forgotten, but it is important.
Social Security is deficit neutral. By law it can not pay out more than it takes in or has on hand. If you eliminated Social Security completely it would do nothing for the deficit. Yet people talk about cutting Social Security claiming that will help to balance the budget. That is a lie. The only reasons to cut Social Security are ideological, not budgetary.
Such as the proposed payroll tax cut, which is without a doubt an attack on Social Security. There was something called the Making Work Pay tax credit in the stimulus bill. That was going to be extended, but the GOP wanted a payroll tax cut instead and the White House went right along with them. What’s the difference, you ask? Both cut taxes on the middle class, but the tax credit doesn’t hurt Social Security. Further, the payroll tax cut is framed as a temporary tax holiday, but just as letting the Bush tax cuts expire – as the law was written – was called a tax increase, you can bet that letting this temporary cut expire will be called a tax increase.
And when someone in DC screams tax hike, no one will let it happen. The 2% reduction in Social Security payments will continue, if not increase, and the cries of insolvency will become self-fulfilling prophecy.
Social Security is fully funded until 2037 and in decent shape until the end of the century. But attacks like this threaten it. And if you think you couldn’t possibly need it or were never going to get anything out of it, think again. I never thought I would be disabled. Not that it matters when it comes to helping people. I explained to someone recently that I didn’t support Social Security because I needed it. I’ve always supported it, even though I never thought that it would be around when I reached retirement age. I thought the attacks against it would be successful by then. I supported it because it was the right thing to do.
But there are people who have spent decades of their lives and hundreds of millions of dollars trying to get rid of Social Security – more than $10 million was spent this October alone. They would be happy funneling tax dollars to Wall Street to handle retirement, but they object to letting the government do it. The stock market collapsed, more than once even since I was born. So far the US government hasn’t. But it looks like these people will be successful. If someone can’t make a profit, then no one gets the help they need. After all, all government spending must be bad.
So it looks like Social Security won’t be around when I reach retirement age. It might not be around in 2 or 3 years. The deficit won’t be any smaller, but senior citizens and the disabled will suffer. I can’t see any reason for that, but there must be a good one. Why else would it be a good policy for the richest nation in the world to let senior citizens and the disabled die in poverty?
A question
Not to continue this, I really am just curious. If anyone is actually reading this I was wondering if it was commonly accepted that the unemployment insurance extensions that are being talked about are in addition to existing benefits.
Is that what most people think? Why do I expect you to know? Beats me. I’ll settle for personal opinion.
I don’t know if it’s because I know people who are looking for work or because I research stuff – or both – but I did know that the extension earlier in the year and the current proposal merely reauthorize the current level of benefits. There was an earlier change to add 73 weeks to the 26 weeks previously available, but the funding is only for that. That’s why all the talk about the 99ers.
Maybe it’s the use of the word extension, which I do myself, but none of this adds any additional weeks to unemployment benefits. I don’t know if that is deliberate misdirection by some or simply the problem of using shorthand to describe things, probably the latter. I think that people may have the wrong idea about what is being talked about.
Is that what most people think? Why do I expect you to know? Beats me. I’ll settle for personal opinion.
I don’t know if it’s because I know people who are looking for work or because I research stuff – or both – but I did know that the extension earlier in the year and the current proposal merely reauthorize the current level of benefits. There was an earlier change to add 73 weeks to the 26 weeks previously available, but the funding is only for that. That’s why all the talk about the 99ers.
Maybe it’s the use of the word extension, which I do myself, but none of this adds any additional weeks to unemployment benefits. I don’t know if that is deliberate misdirection by some or simply the problem of using shorthand to describe things, probably the latter. I think that people may have the wrong idea about what is being talked about.
Late deliveries
UPS and FedEx were delivering around here at 5:00 and 6:00 last night – no gifts here, just some things we ordered on line (books and clothes). I think the only other time I saw that was when I ordered a Harry Potter book the day it came out. Maybe I just haven’t been paying attention.
Framing
I suppose I’ve been so verbose on one subject lately because it isn’t just the policy that bothers me. It does, because it is unjust. But the talk about it is just as bad. For all the talk about the economy and the deficit, the proposed plan doesn’t help either.
Cutting taxes doesn’t stimulate the economy, if it did the last ten years would have been boom times. Everything suggested just adds to the deficit, so neither argument is honest. There is some stimulative effect, but it is minor. The things that would be the most immediately helpful are extended unemployment insurance and food stamps, but they are vilified.
What helps a recessionary economy is spending, and since people don’t have the money to do that it is the responsibility of the government to do it. It worked before, it would work again. But then there’s that pesky deficit which is only allowed to explode in order to cut taxes. Oh well.
We are told repeatedly that this is the best thing for the country, and I am afraid that may be true for the middle class. I don’t see any way at this point to get anything else done so we just have to settle for the least we can get – again. I hope it’s enough.
But we are also told that this is the best way to do things, and as I said before, if this is the best they can do then we need better people in Washington.
Cutting taxes doesn’t stimulate the economy, if it did the last ten years would have been boom times. Everything suggested just adds to the deficit, so neither argument is honest. There is some stimulative effect, but it is minor. The things that would be the most immediately helpful are extended unemployment insurance and food stamps, but they are vilified.
What helps a recessionary economy is spending, and since people don’t have the money to do that it is the responsibility of the government to do it. It worked before, it would work again. But then there’s that pesky deficit which is only allowed to explode in order to cut taxes. Oh well.
We are told repeatedly that this is the best thing for the country, and I am afraid that may be true for the middle class. I don’t see any way at this point to get anything else done so we just have to settle for the least we can get – again. I hope it’s enough.
But we are also told that this is the best way to do things, and as I said before, if this is the best they can do then we need better people in Washington.
Is this all I do?
Based on the majority of recent posts, the question must surely arise: Is all I do complain about politics?
Of course not. I complain about a lot of things.
Of course not. I complain about a lot of things.
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
Still more
As the arguments continue that the proposed deal will accomplish a lot of important things, let me further describe my own position.
It is true that the country needs more stimulus, the middle class needs a tax cut and the unemployed need their benefits. Some of the other fixes in the announced deal are vital to many people in the country. I am not convinced that this is the only way to get those things done.
Since all of this is true, why wasn’t anything done sooner? Why wait until the last minute and then cry expediency when criticized? Why pretend that this is the only way to get things done?
If something is necessary it should be done without unnecessary things being added to it and it should be worth fighting for. There wasn’t even an argument for the basics in this. There is too much posturing and not enough work being done.
I know, I expect honesty and justice. What was I thinking.
It is true that the country needs more stimulus, the middle class needs a tax cut and the unemployed need their benefits. Some of the other fixes in the announced deal are vital to many people in the country. I am not convinced that this is the only way to get those things done.
Since all of this is true, why wasn’t anything done sooner? Why wait until the last minute and then cry expediency when criticized? Why pretend that this is the only way to get things done?
If something is necessary it should be done without unnecessary things being added to it and it should be worth fighting for. There wasn’t even an argument for the basics in this. There is too much posturing and not enough work being done.
I know, I expect honesty and justice. What was I thinking.
Just a reminder
Comments are moderated because of an increase in spam a while back, not for any content related issues. I do eventually get around to check on things.
Another day of remembrance
It has been thirty years since the death of John Lennon. Whatever your opinion of the man or his music, he used the platform his talent afforded him to try to make the world a better place. I am not going to lionize him, beyond the music he didn’t do anything that anyone else couldn’t do and he did have flaws. He was human. But he did do something when many others do not. Maybe what he did was because of ego, but not everyone with that kind of ego opens themselves to ridicule and harassment just to talk about world peace.
Even if there were ulterior motives, the message he delivered was important, as was his music. John Lennon was a very talented man and part of something that changed the world for the better. He gave us a great gift of music and motivated an historic moment in music history. It may be selfish to see it this way, but though we lost his influence and his talents thirty years ago, we have his legacy.
I also have a request. When we remember people like John Lennon, may we please always remember their names and forget the names of the murderers. Those who destroy should not be made famous for their evil.
Thank you John Lennon for what you gave us.
Even if there were ulterior motives, the message he delivered was important, as was his music. John Lennon was a very talented man and part of something that changed the world for the better. He gave us a great gift of music and motivated an historic moment in music history. It may be selfish to see it this way, but though we lost his influence and his talents thirty years ago, we have his legacy.
I also have a request. When we remember people like John Lennon, may we please always remember their names and forget the names of the murderers. Those who destroy should not be made famous for their evil.
Thank you John Lennon for what you gave us.
Just one more thing
I'm starting to sound like Columbo, but really, just one. Yes there are good things in the proposed deal, but it could have been better. This is not the best deal, it was the easiest. Like I said, we deserve better.
Yesterday wasn’t really a good day for a rant
Historically, of course, it was the anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor. I should have been at least as concerned for the memory of the people who died that day and the many sacrifices that followed. The war started before that Sunday and it continued for many years after. The day should always be a reminder of what war does to people and how they can give so much of themselves to help their family, friends, neighbors and even strangers when there is need.
Also, we lost a special woman yesterday when Elizabeth Edwards died. She didn’t step into the spotlight of public life for herself, and she certainly didn’t invite the scandal, but she always handled things well and with grace. She seemed like a woman of great spirit and great humor, and she devoted her energy – when there could not always have been much of it – in an effort to help other people. I trust that she is at peace, and I hope that in time her children and her family will be able to deal with the pain and the loss more easily.
Two examples, one collective and one individual, of how people can rise to the occasion and, even in the face of great adversity, show what is best and right in humanity.
Also, we lost a special woman yesterday when Elizabeth Edwards died. She didn’t step into the spotlight of public life for herself, and she certainly didn’t invite the scandal, but she always handled things well and with grace. She seemed like a woman of great spirit and great humor, and she devoted her energy – when there could not always have been much of it – in an effort to help other people. I trust that she is at peace, and I hope that in time her children and her family will be able to deal with the pain and the loss more easily.
Two examples, one collective and one individual, of how people can rise to the occasion and, even in the face of great adversity, show what is best and right in humanity.
Anger
Why am I so angry? Well, you could attribute some of it to the after effects of my illness, but I think it’s really because I am an altruist. Really. I am. I’m also a cynical son of a bitch.
When I see some people exhilarated because they could use their power to crush other people I get pissed off.
When I see others abdicate their power and responsibility for the sake of self-aggrandizement I get pissed off.
When I see someone lash out and complain when they are held to the very principles they themselves espoused I get pissed off.
Some people see the House of Representatives as a lesser chamber, but each member is supposed to be the best person to represent the constituents of their district and be one of the 438 best people in the country at that job.
Senators are supposed to be one of only two people in their state who can best represent their constituents and 1 out of the 100 best in the country at it.
It should go without saying that the President is supposed to be the single best person in the country to do the job.
What I ask is not easy. It is a damn difficult thing to stand on principle, and also damned hard just to run a country as complex and demanding as the US. But if you claim to be one of the most qualified people in the country and one of the less than 0.000004% of the adult population who even gets to do the job, then I damn well expect you to do it right. If that’s too much to ask of someone who has devoted their time, effort and money to get elected to a job that is invariably described as public service; if running as great a nation as this one can be is just too hard to do right; if you’d rather just enjoy the benefits and leave the hard work to someone else just so you can rifle the till – then just stay home.
This country deserves better.
When I see some people exhilarated because they could use their power to crush other people I get pissed off.
When I see others abdicate their power and responsibility for the sake of self-aggrandizement I get pissed off.
When I see someone lash out and complain when they are held to the very principles they themselves espoused I get pissed off.
Some people see the House of Representatives as a lesser chamber, but each member is supposed to be the best person to represent the constituents of their district and be one of the 438 best people in the country at that job.
Senators are supposed to be one of only two people in their state who can best represent their constituents and 1 out of the 100 best in the country at it.
It should go without saying that the President is supposed to be the single best person in the country to do the job.
What I ask is not easy. It is a damn difficult thing to stand on principle, and also damned hard just to run a country as complex and demanding as the US. But if you claim to be one of the most qualified people in the country and one of the less than 0.000004% of the adult population who even gets to do the job, then I damn well expect you to do it right. If that’s too much to ask of someone who has devoted their time, effort and money to get elected to a job that is invariably described as public service; if running as great a nation as this one can be is just too hard to do right; if you’d rather just enjoy the benefits and leave the hard work to someone else just so you can rifle the till – then just stay home.
This country deserves better.
A little more on the tax deal
First, it should be obvious from this deal that no one in DC cares about the deficit because all this does is add to it. Now can we stop the posing, please?
There are many reasons why I don’t like this. I will admit that initially it gives more in dollars to the middle class than to the rich. The problem is how that is done. The extended tax cuts are heavily weighted to favor the rich so the deal is one-sided, and everything else is a tax credit that will not be included in any further extension of the cuts. The numbers look like this deal favors the average American, but after 2 years it swings the other way – in 13 months for the unemployed. So on the whole, the structural changes that are most likely to become permanent are those that favor the rich. There is no equity. Congress should act to help all Americans equally.
Also, this is being framed as a compromise when it isn’t. There has been no compromise on the part of people who want to give a bailout to millionaires and billionaires and the only compromise offered on that from the other side was summarily rejected by the President for no good reason.
It is good that tax cuts for the middle class have been passed. But in the frenzy of complaints and self-congratulation the underlying problems are being obscured. I did this myself in that previous post. I complained about how this deal gives breaks to those who don’t need it. Let the accusations of class warfare begin, but that battle started a long time ago. What I neglected to point out adequately was how this deal affects policy going forward.
The deal legitimizes tax cuts as the best way to deal with the economy and it minimizes job creation and spending – even in the form of unemployment insurance and food stamps. It reinforces the canard that tax cuts for the wealthy will help the economy and employment – even though that didn’t work for the past 10 years. It also legitimizes lower tax breaks for the middle class and takes a big step towards defunding Social Security.
So in the name of compromise and what is important for the economy and the nation as a whole, every alleged principle on tax cuts and deficits was abandoned. No one fought for anything and no one thought about the American people. I suppose what bothers me the most are the naked lies. I know better than to trust politicians, but they used to have the good grace not to outright lie on national television.
Rather than something that would help the county we get political maneuvering and politicians pandering to the people who they represent* rather than serving those that elected them. Whatever the short term gains, the American people lose if this goes ahead as stated because it contains no plan to fix the problems we face. The true crisis is ignored and we get more business as usual. I don’t think anyone voted for that.
It is late, I am cranky and I am ranting. If this makes no sense let me know. I am seriously disappointed with the people in DC because we need leadership and all we get is whining from both sides.
*ETA: What I am saying is that the politicians are representing corporate and individual interests and not the interests of the electorate.
There are many reasons why I don’t like this. I will admit that initially it gives more in dollars to the middle class than to the rich. The problem is how that is done. The extended tax cuts are heavily weighted to favor the rich so the deal is one-sided, and everything else is a tax credit that will not be included in any further extension of the cuts. The numbers look like this deal favors the average American, but after 2 years it swings the other way – in 13 months for the unemployed. So on the whole, the structural changes that are most likely to become permanent are those that favor the rich. There is no equity. Congress should act to help all Americans equally.
Also, this is being framed as a compromise when it isn’t. There has been no compromise on the part of people who want to give a bailout to millionaires and billionaires and the only compromise offered on that from the other side was summarily rejected by the President for no good reason.
It is good that tax cuts for the middle class have been passed. But in the frenzy of complaints and self-congratulation the underlying problems are being obscured. I did this myself in that previous post. I complained about how this deal gives breaks to those who don’t need it. Let the accusations of class warfare begin, but that battle started a long time ago. What I neglected to point out adequately was how this deal affects policy going forward.
The deal legitimizes tax cuts as the best way to deal with the economy and it minimizes job creation and spending – even in the form of unemployment insurance and food stamps. It reinforces the canard that tax cuts for the wealthy will help the economy and employment – even though that didn’t work for the past 10 years. It also legitimizes lower tax breaks for the middle class and takes a big step towards defunding Social Security.
So in the name of compromise and what is important for the economy and the nation as a whole, every alleged principle on tax cuts and deficits was abandoned. No one fought for anything and no one thought about the American people. I suppose what bothers me the most are the naked lies. I know better than to trust politicians, but they used to have the good grace not to outright lie on national television.
Rather than something that would help the county we get political maneuvering and politicians pandering to the people who they represent* rather than serving those that elected them. Whatever the short term gains, the American people lose if this goes ahead as stated because it contains no plan to fix the problems we face. The true crisis is ignored and we get more business as usual. I don’t think anyone voted for that.
It is late, I am cranky and I am ranting. If this makes no sense let me know. I am seriously disappointed with the people in DC because we need leadership and all we get is whining from both sides.
*ETA: What I am saying is that the politicians are representing corporate and individual interests and not the interests of the electorate.
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
AGW
Even if you don't accept the science on climate change and don't believe that the world is warming; even if you don't believe that the world's demand for oil will sooner rather than later exceed production; even if you believe that the US has enough domestic oil reserves to keep going forever - if the rest of the industrialized world is moving towards alternative energy technology, why the hell wouldn't you want to be the one who is selling it to them?
Argue against the truth of climate change if you must, but don't stand in the way of progress. The US can make a ton of money, employ a heck of a lot of people and improve our trade balance if we develop the new technology first.
What is it with this country and acting against self-interest? We have political ideology acting against national prosperity and security. I can't see any reason for this except to help keep the oil companies going. Apparently even they can't see where oil is heading.
And why can't I get a gas powered generator to run the electric motor in my car? Forget the 600 pound battery. If it's good enough for a locomotive, why won't it work in my car?
The title is an acronym for Anthropogenic Global Warming. Which this post really isn't about.
Argue against the truth of climate change if you must, but don't stand in the way of progress. The US can make a ton of money, employ a heck of a lot of people and improve our trade balance if we develop the new technology first.
What is it with this country and acting against self-interest? We have political ideology acting against national prosperity and security. I can't see any reason for this except to help keep the oil companies going. Apparently even they can't see where oil is heading.
And why can't I get a gas powered generator to run the electric motor in my car? Forget the 600 pound battery. If it's good enough for a locomotive, why won't it work in my car?
The title is an acronym for Anthropogenic Global Warming. Which this post really isn't about.
Capitulation?
I waited to post anything because I was pretty angry about this, but I think something needs to be said.
Yesterday the President said the extension of the Bush tax cuts on the wealthy will expire in 2 years. Funny, 2 years ago he said he would make sure that they expired January 2011. Kind of makes you wonder.
True, the middle class gets a tax cut, but it is miniscule compared to what the wealthy get.
The richest 2% of Americans get a massive 2 year tax break, the unemployed get a half-assed promise of 13 months extension of the basic insurance (nothing for the 99ers) and Social Security gets a 13% cut in funding. This creates no jobs, puts more money in the hands of people who will not spend it than in those who will and it threatens Social Security.
Here’s where one of the lies comes into play – we need to give tax cuts to the job creators. They already get one. If you hire someone, the money is a business expense and is not taxed. If you get the money as income, then it is already being taken out of the business and even if you reduced the tax on it to zero will not result in even one job being created.
$150 billion in tax breaks for the richest 2%, $15 billion for the unemployed 10%. Hedge fund managers making $1 billion a year pay a 15% tax rate. The estate tax drops to its lowest point ever and there’s a $5 million dollar exemption. Why not tax it as income? I don’t get a $5 million dollar exemption on my income. Fair is not the word that comes to mind right now. I guess we’re supposed to be happy that the tax cuts from the stimulus get continued, as if those crumbs make up for everything else.
Sure, a 2% payroll tax cut gives people money to spend right away. So would increasing the already approved tax credit – of course, that wouldn’t attack Social Security.
Is it capitulation? I don’t think so. I think the President agrees with this in principle. If the country gets out of this debacle with a middle class I will be surprised. It can happen, but it won’t be easy. And if Social Security survives I will be amazed.
Yesterday the President said the extension of the Bush tax cuts on the wealthy will expire in 2 years. Funny, 2 years ago he said he would make sure that they expired January 2011. Kind of makes you wonder.
True, the middle class gets a tax cut, but it is miniscule compared to what the wealthy get.
The richest 2% of Americans get a massive 2 year tax break, the unemployed get a half-assed promise of 13 months extension of the basic insurance (nothing for the 99ers) and Social Security gets a 13% cut in funding. This creates no jobs, puts more money in the hands of people who will not spend it than in those who will and it threatens Social Security.
Here’s where one of the lies comes into play – we need to give tax cuts to the job creators. They already get one. If you hire someone, the money is a business expense and is not taxed. If you get the money as income, then it is already being taken out of the business and even if you reduced the tax on it to zero will not result in even one job being created.
$150 billion in tax breaks for the richest 2%, $15 billion for the unemployed 10%. Hedge fund managers making $1 billion a year pay a 15% tax rate. The estate tax drops to its lowest point ever and there’s a $5 million dollar exemption. Why not tax it as income? I don’t get a $5 million dollar exemption on my income. Fair is not the word that comes to mind right now. I guess we’re supposed to be happy that the tax cuts from the stimulus get continued, as if those crumbs make up for everything else.
Sure, a 2% payroll tax cut gives people money to spend right away. So would increasing the already approved tax credit – of course, that wouldn’t attack Social Security.
Is it capitulation? I don’t think so. I think the President agrees with this in principle. If the country gets out of this debacle with a middle class I will be surprised. It can happen, but it won’t be easy. And if Social Security survives I will be amazed.
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Was it something I said?
I started going to this great doctor a while back who is phenomenal at osteopathic manipulation therapy. Even other doctors who have known him for years don’t know how he does what he does. He did wonders for me and my wife. Because of him much of the muscle spasms and joint alignment issues I had have been helped and I can move much better. He was even working on fixing my jaw problems. He talked to you and explained things – he taught you what he was doing and why things worked.
In August he moved to Texas.
One of his students, who is also great at OMT, went into Emergency Medicine when his fellowship was over.
The newest student, who is also great, is returning to Colorado after his residency.
Another doctor who has been a great help is leaving a different practice.
Is it me? Is it my breath? Do I dress funny?
At least before he left, the first doc brought back another one of his great students who had gone to New York. So the total number isn’t going down, but this is getting to be a habit with these guys.
Oh well, as long as my wife can keep getting the treatment that she needs.
I know that it can sound a little odd, but osteopathic manipulation therapy can be great. If you find the right doctor, and of course if you have a problem that can be treated – and you might be surprised at what can be helped with OMT – I highly recommend it.
I just can’t tell you who to make an appointment with.
In August he moved to Texas.
One of his students, who is also great at OMT, went into Emergency Medicine when his fellowship was over.
The newest student, who is also great, is returning to Colorado after his residency.
Another doctor who has been a great help is leaving a different practice.
Is it me? Is it my breath? Do I dress funny?
At least before he left, the first doc brought back another one of his great students who had gone to New York. So the total number isn’t going down, but this is getting to be a habit with these guys.
Oh well, as long as my wife can keep getting the treatment that she needs.
I know that it can sound a little odd, but osteopathic manipulation therapy can be great. If you find the right doctor, and of course if you have a problem that can be treated – and you might be surprised at what can be helped with OMT – I highly recommend it.
I just can’t tell you who to make an appointment with.
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Some of what happened in November
So I was away from here for awhile. The distraction was distressing news from my cardiologist. He isn’t too concerned. Neither is my family doctor.
I, on the other hand, am very upset. At the moment it isn’t anything to worry too much about, but that hasn’t stopped me. I have managed to calm down some, but the thought is always there in the back of my head.
Just after that I got sick. Oddly enough the day before I had an appointment with my family doctor.
And then there was NaNoWriMo. I did write this month and I managed to finish. It was all kinds of fun. I’m changing my meds, my head is still fuzzy with thoughts of cardiac health and on top of that I started without a plot and few characters.
Actually, it was a lot of fun. I met the word count, had more than two characters by the end and I managed to work out a beginning, a middle full of holes and an end.
No, you can’t read it. I had the inexplicable idea to write a mystery set in a different century, so now I am setting the current draft aside and plan to do a lot of research. Then it gets rewritten.
I, on the other hand, am very upset. At the moment it isn’t anything to worry too much about, but that hasn’t stopped me. I have managed to calm down some, but the thought is always there in the back of my head.
Just after that I got sick. Oddly enough the day before I had an appointment with my family doctor.
And then there was NaNoWriMo. I did write this month and I managed to finish. It was all kinds of fun. I’m changing my meds, my head is still fuzzy with thoughts of cardiac health and on top of that I started without a plot and few characters.
Actually, it was a lot of fun. I met the word count, had more than two characters by the end and I managed to work out a beginning, a middle full of holes and an end.
No, you can’t read it. I had the inexplicable idea to write a mystery set in a different century, so now I am setting the current draft aside and plan to do a lot of research. Then it gets rewritten.
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Been out of it for a while
I had some news last week that kind of distracted me and then I got sick so I've been out of it for a while. I'll resume posting when I feel better.
I did vote, though.
I did vote, though.
Sunday, October 24, 2010
Too many plots, too few words
While looking at that last post to see if it posted, I realized that there were two errors in it.
First of all, I can type fast – it just doesn’t come out as recognizable words in any language known on this planet. If you want real words, then it gets real slow.
And the plot situation is more like there are too many and I can’t narrow things down enough to write only one. The question, for NaNo, is which will be the most fun.
First of all, I can type fast – it just doesn’t come out as recognizable words in any language known on this planet. If you want real words, then it gets real slow.
And the plot situation is more like there are too many and I can’t narrow things down enough to write only one. The question, for NaNo, is which will be the most fun.
It’s that time of year again
NaNoWriMo is soon to be upon us. In just about a week, a vast number of people are going to attempt to write a novel in one month. Just thirty days to write 50k words. In November. It’s not like there are any distractions in that month or anything.
Much to my chagrin I have not finished the novel I tried to write last year. But that will not stop me from trying again this year. A pathetically slow typing speed, mental fogginess, no energy, time consumed by doctors appointments and a total lack of plot and a dearth of characters, now those will stop me. Well, they won’t stop me from trying but success is looking iffy at the moment.
Who cares? You have to try, so I will.
Now if I only had a plot.
Much to my chagrin I have not finished the novel I tried to write last year. But that will not stop me from trying again this year. A pathetically slow typing speed, mental fogginess, no energy, time consumed by doctors appointments and a total lack of plot and a dearth of characters, now those will stop me. Well, they won’t stop me from trying but success is looking iffy at the moment.
Who cares? You have to try, so I will.
Now if I only had a plot.
Saturday, October 23, 2010
More on TV and some other things as well
You know that network TV I mentioned? Well, I’ve been watching some more of it. I guess I wasn’t missing that much not watching network TV very much.
It’s entertaining, but not very well written or plotted. Some of it is OK, some of it is dreck and some of it is fun. Sometimes all I want is fun – actually that’s what I want most of the time, all of the time if you think of good drama as fun. Anyway, I wouldn’t give most of the new stuff high grades. I wonder if TV is always like this.
As far as being reminded of old TV from the 60s and 70s, well, that just makes this stuff look worse. The shows I remember from then were great. These are less than pale imitations and they probably consider themselves improvements.
On a slightly different note, but not entirely, I miss the feeling of adventure. It’s just a sign of age and a shrinking world, but I was reminded it of it while watching an episode of Undercovers. The exotic locations are not – they’re CGI. Same thing for most of TV and movies. This will get me labeled a curmudgeon, but in my defense I must say that enjoy a good special effect, but not when it is being done just because it can be.
Filming in space is very difficult, and recreating the Galactic Empire on a full scale would be cost prohibitive so I fully accept special effects in Star Wars (though some of the CGI added to the old versions was tacky). On the other hand, the only reason you don’t film in Paris or London – or New York or Cleveland for that matter – is because it is expensive. When I watched Kelly and Scotty walking through Japan they were walking through Japan; the same for James Bond. And back then – geologic ages ago for you youngsters out there – it was exotic and new and exciting. Unless you were rich, there was no other way to see places like that except through TV and movies – movies mostly.
These days people travel more and we see it all the time in a variety of ways – not just Life magazine, and we have all sorts of Internet images to choose from. The glamour is gone.
Also, when I watch The Lord of the Rings, I know that the armies marching to the aid of Minas Tirith are not real and I can accept that. But when I see an average army created with CGI it loses its impact. The masses of people leaving Egypt in The Ten Commandments were really masses of people. Even the armies in a movie as recent as Braveheart were real people. That takes planning, direction, cinematography, coordination and movie making skill. Imagine how much less of a movie Lawrence of Arabia would be if made today using tricks instead of people and green screens instead of the desert.
Yes, I rant, but with good cause. Short cuts are not impressive – as opposed to resourcefulness. The difference being that one is done out of necessity and the other out of pecuniary stinginess, or perhaps insufficient talent. Maybe most people don’t care. Maybe most of the people doing it think it’s the right way to do it. Maybe it’s the only way it will get done so I should just shut up and watch it. Well, it may be the only way we ever see some things, but I find it distracting and I’m not likely to shut up.
I hope I haven’t ruined anything for anyone out there, but I just had to get that off of my chest.
Next up, hair color: fraud or fabulous?
It’s entertaining, but not very well written or plotted. Some of it is OK, some of it is dreck and some of it is fun. Sometimes all I want is fun – actually that’s what I want most of the time, all of the time if you think of good drama as fun. Anyway, I wouldn’t give most of the new stuff high grades. I wonder if TV is always like this.
As far as being reminded of old TV from the 60s and 70s, well, that just makes this stuff look worse. The shows I remember from then were great. These are less than pale imitations and they probably consider themselves improvements.
On a slightly different note, but not entirely, I miss the feeling of adventure. It’s just a sign of age and a shrinking world, but I was reminded it of it while watching an episode of Undercovers. The exotic locations are not – they’re CGI. Same thing for most of TV and movies. This will get me labeled a curmudgeon, but in my defense I must say that enjoy a good special effect, but not when it is being done just because it can be.
Filming in space is very difficult, and recreating the Galactic Empire on a full scale would be cost prohibitive so I fully accept special effects in Star Wars (though some of the CGI added to the old versions was tacky). On the other hand, the only reason you don’t film in Paris or London – or New York or Cleveland for that matter – is because it is expensive. When I watched Kelly and Scotty walking through Japan they were walking through Japan; the same for James Bond. And back then – geologic ages ago for you youngsters out there – it was exotic and new and exciting. Unless you were rich, there was no other way to see places like that except through TV and movies – movies mostly.
These days people travel more and we see it all the time in a variety of ways – not just Life magazine, and we have all sorts of Internet images to choose from. The glamour is gone.
Also, when I watch The Lord of the Rings, I know that the armies marching to the aid of Minas Tirith are not real and I can accept that. But when I see an average army created with CGI it loses its impact. The masses of people leaving Egypt in The Ten Commandments were really masses of people. Even the armies in a movie as recent as Braveheart were real people. That takes planning, direction, cinematography, coordination and movie making skill. Imagine how much less of a movie Lawrence of Arabia would be if made today using tricks instead of people and green screens instead of the desert.
Yes, I rant, but with good cause. Short cuts are not impressive – as opposed to resourcefulness. The difference being that one is done out of necessity and the other out of pecuniary stinginess, or perhaps insufficient talent. Maybe most people don’t care. Maybe most of the people doing it think it’s the right way to do it. Maybe it’s the only way it will get done so I should just shut up and watch it. Well, it may be the only way we ever see some things, but I find it distracting and I’m not likely to shut up.
I hope I haven’t ruined anything for anyone out there, but I just had to get that off of my chest.
Next up, hair color: fraud or fabulous?
Friday, October 22, 2010
A lengthy explanation
That last post was not meant to be all that serious, whatever the events that inspired it, but I should be clear about this.
Admitting that you have an irrational fear of people who don’t look like the terrorists who attacked us is not enough to be fired, though it should reflect poorly on your next review if you have the job Juan Williams had at NPR. A lot of people have irrational fears. A lot of people have legitimate fears. That wasn’t the point. Naming your fear on the air is not the problem.
The problem comes in when you fail to identify it as your own fear while using it to support the series of moronic fear-mongering statements made over the last few days by the people from the TV network you are on at the moment. NPR employed Juan Williams as a news analyst. That requires a certain amount of impartiality, but more importantly it requires a certain level of communication skill and an ability to dispassionately analyze the news.
Williams either misstated the fear as a good reason for O’Reilly et al to have said what they said, or it was not just his and he thought it was a valid justification. He is either not competent at making a claim or he supports fear mongering. If he did the former on NPR it is a problem with job performance, doing the latter in public demonstrates poor reasoning skills or some level of dissembling.
The fact that he said it on Fox and not on NPR is somewhat ameliorating, since NPR cannot fault him for saying it on NPR. As an NPR news analyst, that sort of comment would be wrong since it calls into question the impartiality of his analysis. The hardest part of that sort of job is keeping your personal opinions out of your commentary, but if that’s the job you sign up for you do it. But you also have to make sure you don’t do something at one employer to make the other one look bad.
NPR seems to have a strange and stringent set of rules for employees. No one who works at NPR is allowed to attend the decidedly apolitical comedy rallies to be held by Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert in DC on October 30th. I guess they’re afraid some politics may break out. That level of restriction would seem to disqualify Juan Williams as an NPR employee just for being on FOX. Apparently not, but, also apparently, he crossed some line they didn’t like.
It’s not censorship, it’s just a decision based on his bosses’ interpretation of what his statements say about his qualifications. Maybe they should have given him a chance to explain, but the explanation he gave today certainly wasn’t the sort he should have given to prove he isn’t actually a political hack at heart who says whatever he is paid to say. That being the case, he shouldn’t be on the air.
Let me sum up. Expressing yourself on the air is not necessarily a good reason to be fired, but being inane when you are supposed to be intelligent is.
Admitting that you have an irrational fear of people who don’t look like the terrorists who attacked us is not enough to be fired, though it should reflect poorly on your next review if you have the job Juan Williams had at NPR. A lot of people have irrational fears. A lot of people have legitimate fears. That wasn’t the point. Naming your fear on the air is not the problem.
The problem comes in when you fail to identify it as your own fear while using it to support the series of moronic fear-mongering statements made over the last few days by the people from the TV network you are on at the moment. NPR employed Juan Williams as a news analyst. That requires a certain amount of impartiality, but more importantly it requires a certain level of communication skill and an ability to dispassionately analyze the news.
Williams either misstated the fear as a good reason for O’Reilly et al to have said what they said, or it was not just his and he thought it was a valid justification. He is either not competent at making a claim or he supports fear mongering. If he did the former on NPR it is a problem with job performance, doing the latter in public demonstrates poor reasoning skills or some level of dissembling.
The fact that he said it on Fox and not on NPR is somewhat ameliorating, since NPR cannot fault him for saying it on NPR. As an NPR news analyst, that sort of comment would be wrong since it calls into question the impartiality of his analysis. The hardest part of that sort of job is keeping your personal opinions out of your commentary, but if that’s the job you sign up for you do it. But you also have to make sure you don’t do something at one employer to make the other one look bad.
NPR seems to have a strange and stringent set of rules for employees. No one who works at NPR is allowed to attend the decidedly apolitical comedy rallies to be held by Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert in DC on October 30th. I guess they’re afraid some politics may break out. That level of restriction would seem to disqualify Juan Williams as an NPR employee just for being on FOX. Apparently not, but, also apparently, he crossed some line they didn’t like.
It’s not censorship, it’s just a decision based on his bosses’ interpretation of what his statements say about his qualifications. Maybe they should have given him a chance to explain, but the explanation he gave today certainly wasn’t the sort he should have given to prove he isn’t actually a political hack at heart who says whatever he is paid to say. That being the case, he shouldn’t be on the air.
Let me sum up. Expressing yourself on the air is not necessarily a good reason to be fired, but being inane when you are supposed to be intelligent is.
What I meant to say was…
So, the reactions to the firing of Juan Williams from NPR have shown me several things:
Sarah Palin still doesn’t understand the Constitution or just doesn’t care (hint: this is not a First Amendment issue)
If you’re a right wing mouthpiece, and I’m sorry, but kissing O’Reilly’s ass for a living makes you just that, your firing for what you say will draw outrage from people who thought it was fine to get rid of Rick Sanchez, Helen Thomas, Phil Donohue, Ashleigh Banfield, Bill Maher, Shirley Sherrod – not to mention NPR dumping Bob Edwards because they wanted younger hosts. OK, some of those people said stupid things, but so did Williams.
A Republican congressman actually questions supporting public radio, apparently not quite grasping the meaning of the word public
Like ACORN – also not guilty of any of the phony accusations brought against it – people want to stop federal funding of NPR, which, also like ACORN, receives no federal funding. You could cut money for PBS, but that would hurt Sesame Street not NPR.
People still seem to think that NPR is liberal, which hasn’t been true in the 4 decades I’ve been listening to it and has been a dead and buried hoary old chestnut of a myth since lately they’ve tilted so far in the other direction it isn’t even funny (hint: Juan Williams has been on Fox for a decade and NPR just fired him, not to mention Cokie Roberts) If you have evidence otherwise please point it out because I don’t listen as much as I used to – it’s just not as interesting as it used to be.
Yes, I know you can have differing opinions and a station should have balance, but the balance is not there. NPR started a swing away from the center around the time of the First Gulf War – and isn’t it a shame we need that modifier on there. Back then it became all war all the time ain’t we great at killing people rah, rah, rah.
Should he have been fired for saying what he said? If it violated NPR standards then certainly. Personally, I think it was a tone deaf and poorly worded statement that may have just been an expression of personal fear – though what exactly he meant by Muslim garb being frightening is beyond me since so far the terrorists tend to wear what is known as Western clothing. That alone is an idiotic enough statement to deserve firing for someone who is supposed to be some sort of expert commentator.
I think these people spend too much time talking to each other and reinforcing their own views of the world, and they do not live in the world of the average American. Inside the Beltway, inside a TV studio or inside their own heads, it’s all a strange fantasyland and they don’t serve the public well by always looking in the mirror and never seeing the real world.
Edward R. Murrow, Walter Cronkite and Huntley and Brinkley are spinning in their graves. Heck, journalism these days would embarrass Ted Baxter.
Yes, I know you can have differing opinions and a station should have balance, but the balance is not there. NPR started a swing away from the center around the time of the First Gulf War – and isn’t it a shame we need that modifier on there. Back then it became all war all the time ain’t we great at killing people rah, rah, rah.
Should he have been fired for saying what he said? If it violated NPR standards then certainly. Personally, I think it was a tone deaf and poorly worded statement that may have just been an expression of personal fear – though what exactly he meant by Muslim garb being frightening is beyond me since so far the terrorists tend to wear what is known as Western clothing. That alone is an idiotic enough statement to deserve firing for someone who is supposed to be some sort of expert commentator.
I think these people spend too much time talking to each other and reinforcing their own views of the world, and they do not live in the world of the average American. Inside the Beltway, inside a TV studio or inside their own heads, it’s all a strange fantasyland and they don’t serve the public well by always looking in the mirror and never seeing the real world.
Edward R. Murrow, Walter Cronkite and Huntley and Brinkley are spinning in their graves. Heck, journalism these days would embarrass Ted Baxter.
(ETA: The title is meant as a reference to the so-called explanation, not what I said.)
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Fragments of another dream
The other night I walked through the halls of my old high school, now turned to dust and rubble. Probably asbestos dust if I know anything of how the place was built, and I know a few things. Anyway, it was a dream where I found myself doing something or other not attending but in that school. The place was demolished last year, replaced with a newer and presumably improved version of itself. At the time I had a chance to go to an open house and wander through my old stomping grounds as it were.
I was in the middle of a transition, or it felt like one, and I may have blogged about it. I decided that it was best to look forward, especially at this point in my life. I don’t think the dream is a reflection of any doubt about that decision and I still hold to that opinion. I sometimes regret that I’ll never be able to see the place again, but nostalgia being what it is that would happen anyway. I have the good memories. This was probably just provoked by some waking thoughts of the place translated as background to a rather innocuous and almost tedious dream – not unlike this post.
I was in the middle of a transition, or it felt like one, and I may have blogged about it. I decided that it was best to look forward, especially at this point in my life. I don’t think the dream is a reflection of any doubt about that decision and I still hold to that opinion. I sometimes regret that I’ll never be able to see the place again, but nostalgia being what it is that would happen anyway. I have the good memories. This was probably just provoked by some waking thoughts of the place translated as background to a rather innocuous and almost tedious dream – not unlike this post.
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Dreaming
The other day I had a typical night of poor sleep and disturbing dreams. In one of the periods when I was actually sleeping, I was dreaming that I was awake and tired.
Really? I mean, come on.
I do not think that this qualifies as fair. Just sayin’.
Really? I mean, come on.
I do not think that this qualifies as fair. Just sayin’.
Monday, October 11, 2010
Grammar Police
This is just a post to note that I often post in a conversational style, with little regard for run-on sentences, preposition placement and I occasionally take liberties with punctuation.
Also, in spite of the low frequency of comments – no complaint, just a statement – on this blog, there is a high percentage of spam appearing. So I have, temporarily at least, activated the comment filter so now you have to take an eye test to post.
Also, in spite of the low frequency of comments – no complaint, just a statement – on this blog, there is a high percentage of spam appearing. So I have, temporarily at least, activated the comment filter so now you have to take an eye test to post.
Dreams
If we could remember the dreams we wanted to but couldn’t, would we be disappointed?
I rarely remember my dreams, a fact for which I am very grateful as they are more often than not things that I don’t want to have even a vague memory of. But last night I had one of those remarkable dreams that you want to remember. In this case it’s because, as I was waking up, I thought that this dream would make a great novel. Of course I can’t remember a bit of it now. Like the disturbing dreams it is only the impression that remains.
I wonder, though, if I would be as happy with the whole thing if I could remember all of it. I know at the time I had the thought I could remember most of it, but maybe I was wrong.
Just a thought.
I rarely remember my dreams, a fact for which I am very grateful as they are more often than not things that I don’t want to have even a vague memory of. But last night I had one of those remarkable dreams that you want to remember. In this case it’s because, as I was waking up, I thought that this dream would make a great novel. Of course I can’t remember a bit of it now. Like the disturbing dreams it is only the impression that remains.
I wonder, though, if I would be as happy with the whole thing if I could remember all of it. I know at the time I had the thought I could remember most of it, but maybe I was wrong.
Just a thought.
Monday, October 4, 2010
Flashback
I don’t watch much network TV. I have the TV on a lot as background, but it tends to be history or politics or nature or sports or Iron Chef America or comedy. I don’t go for soap operas; I don’t need a five year story arc or even a two episode story arc – maybe I just don’t want to commit. Whatever, I’ve been catching up with some of the new shows this season, having DVRed a few things.
It’s an eclectic bunch, ranging from spy frolics to science fiction to super powered families and a new show based on an old show (Hawaii Five-O for those of you playing at home). What I am struck by is how much these shows remind me of TV from 30-some years ago. Maybe this is typical, or maybe it’s because I’ve been away from this type of show that I am surprised by it.
I am surprised that there are shows that are so episodic. OK, the pilots hint at long running subplots fraught with conspiracy and conflict. If it turns out that way I may not be so interested. I’m shallow, and complex – I want basic entertainment with good writing and strong characters.
So far I’ve watched Hawaii Five-O, UnderCovers , The Event, No Ordinary Family and Law & Order: Los Angeles. Admittedly light stuff and L&O:LA was just out of curiosity, I didn’t expect anything different there. And Hawaii Five-O is a restart using the same names, locales and opening sequence and theme. It could be just like the original and still have a recurring nemesis (anyone remember Wo Fat?). So no surprises there.
It’s the other three. TV recycles things all the time, I have seen so many reused plots lately I can’t keep track, but these shows are right out of the 60s and 70s. UnderCovers wants to be something it can not be: I Spy. Nothing can be I Spy. This show manages to be an holistic level dilution of that show though - not as cool as Kelly and Scott, not as cool as Sheldon Leonard, but fluffy fun. But No Ordinary Family could be a script directly from the 60s – and I mean script-found-in-an-old-filing-cabinet-just-blow-off-the-dust directly from the 60s, with the parents’ jobs reversed. As for The Event, well, it couldn’t possibly live up to the hype, but the only thing missing to make it a show from 1968 is the Quinn Martin Production voice over. All we need is for Roy Thinnes to show up. Now that I think of it, he should. And is it just a coincidence that one of the lead actors is named Innes? I ask you.
These shows remind me of stuff from the 70s, and I mean that in a good way. It’s a naiveté that makes for a lighter feel. Yeah, it also leads to superficiality and I need to see these shows after the pilot to see if they’re any good, but I found this similarity to old TV interesting.
Like I said, I like entertainment. I like good writing and acting, I like well-rounded characters with depth, but I don’t like angst for angst sake – it’s a poor substitute for real characterization. Also, I hate stupidity as a plot device but I hold out little hope for that disappearing any time soon.
I haven’t watched much network TV in recent years. I need a break from reality so maybe I will this season. I’ll try to ignore the plot holes and such, after all, it’s TV and is meant to numb the mind. Maybe I’ll be entertained.
Keep your irony meters turned off, I realize that this post lacks any depth.
It’s an eclectic bunch, ranging from spy frolics to science fiction to super powered families and a new show based on an old show (Hawaii Five-O for those of you playing at home). What I am struck by is how much these shows remind me of TV from 30-some years ago. Maybe this is typical, or maybe it’s because I’ve been away from this type of show that I am surprised by it.
I am surprised that there are shows that are so episodic. OK, the pilots hint at long running subplots fraught with conspiracy and conflict. If it turns out that way I may not be so interested. I’m shallow, and complex – I want basic entertainment with good writing and strong characters.
So far I’ve watched Hawaii Five-O, UnderCovers , The Event, No Ordinary Family and Law & Order: Los Angeles. Admittedly light stuff and L&O:LA was just out of curiosity, I didn’t expect anything different there. And Hawaii Five-O is a restart using the same names, locales and opening sequence and theme. It could be just like the original and still have a recurring nemesis (anyone remember Wo Fat?). So no surprises there.
It’s the other three. TV recycles things all the time, I have seen so many reused plots lately I can’t keep track, but these shows are right out of the 60s and 70s. UnderCovers wants to be something it can not be: I Spy. Nothing can be I Spy. This show manages to be an holistic level dilution of that show though - not as cool as Kelly and Scott, not as cool as Sheldon Leonard, but fluffy fun. But No Ordinary Family could be a script directly from the 60s – and I mean script-found-in-an-old-filing-cabinet-just-blow-off-the-dust directly from the 60s, with the parents’ jobs reversed. As for The Event, well, it couldn’t possibly live up to the hype, but the only thing missing to make it a show from 1968 is the Quinn Martin Production voice over. All we need is for Roy Thinnes to show up. Now that I think of it, he should. And is it just a coincidence that one of the lead actors is named Innes? I ask you.
These shows remind me of stuff from the 70s, and I mean that in a good way. It’s a naiveté that makes for a lighter feel. Yeah, it also leads to superficiality and I need to see these shows after the pilot to see if they’re any good, but I found this similarity to old TV interesting.
Like I said, I like entertainment. I like good writing and acting, I like well-rounded characters with depth, but I don’t like angst for angst sake – it’s a poor substitute for real characterization. Also, I hate stupidity as a plot device but I hold out little hope for that disappearing any time soon.
I haven’t watched much network TV in recent years. I need a break from reality so maybe I will this season. I’ll try to ignore the plot holes and such, after all, it’s TV and is meant to numb the mind. Maybe I’ll be entertained.
Keep your irony meters turned off, I realize that this post lacks any depth.
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Happy Birthday To Me
A friend of mine knows someone (else) who almost died and they started counting their birthdays from that point in their lives. By that accounting I am five years old today.
I picked today because it’s the day I came home from the hospital five years ago.
Does this mean that I should start kindergarten now?
I know it means it’s time to start something new.
I picked today because it’s the day I came home from the hospital five years ago.
Does this mean that I should start kindergarten now?
I know it means it’s time to start something new.
Thursday, July 8, 2010
About those plans
In case there might be someone out there who reads this (people have contacted me based on the topics/content) and may wonder about that line about sabotaging my own plans, I wanted to add to that. File this under sharing an experience so someone else can see that they’re not the only one going through something.
One of the problems I have is following through on things (and admitting that isn’t easy). So my plans are not always fully realized for a variety of reasons and sometimes I sabotage myself. This was not one of those times. To my credit I did get this whole thing planned out – with some snags; it was just that there were reasons why it wasn’t the thing to do. So I got the first step down. It’s a start.
If you have a problem with plans, well, I make no claims to being able to recommend treatment, I just say what I’ve been doing.
Plus I read a book.
One of the problems I have is following through on things (and admitting that isn’t easy). So my plans are not always fully realized for a variety of reasons and sometimes I sabotage myself. This was not one of those times. To my credit I did get this whole thing planned out – with some snags; it was just that there were reasons why it wasn’t the thing to do. So I got the first step down. It’s a start.
If you have a problem with plans, well, I make no claims to being able to recommend treatment, I just say what I’ve been doing.
Plus I read a book.
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Just one thing
Regarding that last post: I don't read very fast these days and I type 9.5 words per minute. So reading and writing increases will be relative.
Just sayin'.
Just sayin'.
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
I make plans
And of course they fall apart. Well, I deconstruct, disassemble and destroy them. I had plans for later in the week for something different, sort of a test of myself, but for a variety of reasons it will not come to pass. Instead I will work on some other way of expanding my horizons. It might not be as easy to do, but the other plans had flaws – nothing’s perfect, eh?
Oh well, let’s hope this falls under live and learn. I know I am being vague here – it’s to salvage some ego.
Instead of doing anything in particular, besides a week literally full of doctor appointments, I intend to kick up the reading and get down to writing.
Any suggestions on ways to beat the heat that I need to be out in, or tests of personal fortitude – or at least self-improvement – will be considered.
That is all.
Oh well, let’s hope this falls under live and learn. I know I am being vague here – it’s to salvage some ego.
Instead of doing anything in particular, besides a week literally full of doctor appointments, I intend to kick up the reading and get down to writing.
Any suggestions on ways to beat the heat that I need to be out in, or tests of personal fortitude – or at least self-improvement – will be considered.
That is all.
Monday, July 5, 2010
July 5th (such a creative title)
The holiday was yesterday, the day off is today. Yeah, it still feels like a day off. After too many years of having that behavior ingrained in my system, I still feel these days as holidays and can usually give myself a chance to do nothing and not feel guilty about it.
Of course, since guilt abounds, holidays – especially the Mondays after the real date – can invite the guilt in to play. Not so much today, fortunately, since I got some stuff done earlier in the weekend I felt like I had accomplished enough. So today I slept late and only did a few things that I would have done on any Monday off when I was working.
I have also eaten way too much, but then it is a holiday for eating, and yesterday I saw a movie. We saw Knight and Day, a spy farce with its tongue planted very firmly in its cheek. I enjoyed it.
One more movie and we will exceed our typical annual film count.
That’s all for now.
Of course, since guilt abounds, holidays – especially the Mondays after the real date – can invite the guilt in to play. Not so much today, fortunately, since I got some stuff done earlier in the weekend I felt like I had accomplished enough. So today I slept late and only did a few things that I would have done on any Monday off when I was working.
I have also eaten way too much, but then it is a holiday for eating, and yesterday I saw a movie. We saw Knight and Day, a spy farce with its tongue planted very firmly in its cheek. I enjoyed it.
One more movie and we will exceed our typical annual film count.
That’s all for now.
Sunday, July 4, 2010
IN CONGRESS. July 4, 1776.
The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America,
WHEN in the Course of human Events, it becomes necessary for one People to dissolve the Political Bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the Powers of the Earth, the separate and equal Station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God entitle them, a decent Respect to the Opinions of Mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the Separation.
WE hold the Truths to be self-evident, that all Men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness – That to secure these Rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just Powers from the Consent of the Governed, that when any Form of Government becomes destructive of these Ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its Foundation on such Principles, and organizing its Powers in such Form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient Causes; and accordingly all Experience hath shewn, that Mankind are more disposed to suffer, while Evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the Forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long Train of Abuses and Usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object, evinces a Design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their Right, it is their Duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future Security. Such has been the patient Sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the Necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The History of the present King of Great-Britain is a History of repeated Injuries and Usurpations, all having in direct Object the Establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid World.
He has refused his Assent to Laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public Good.
He has forbidden his Governors to pass Laws of immediate and pressing Importance, unless suspended in their Operation till his Assent should be obtained; and when so suspended, he has utterly neglected to attend to them.
He has refused to pass other Laws for the Accommodation of large Districts of People, unless those People would relinquish the Rights of Representation in the Legislature, a Right inestimable to them, and formidable to Tyrants only.
He has called together Legislative Bodies at Places unusual, uncomfortable, and distant from the Depository of their public Records, for the sole Purpose of fatiguing them into Compliance with his Measures.
He has dissolved Representative Houses repeatedly, for opposing with manly Firmness his Invasions on the Rights of the People.
He has refused for a long Time, after such Dissolutions, to cause others to be elected; whereby the Legislative Powers, incapable of Annihilation, have returned to the People at large for their exercise; the State remaining in the mean time exposed to all the Dangers of Invasion from without, and Convulsions within.
He has endeavoured to prevent the Population of these States; for that Purpose obstructing the Laws for Naturalization of Foreigners; refusing to pass others to encourage their Migrations hither, and raising the Conditions of new Appropriations of Lands.
He has obstructed the Administration of Justice, by refusing his assent to Laws for establishing Judiciary Powers.
He has made Judges dependent on his Will alone, for the Tenure of their Offices, and the Amount and Payment of their Salaries.
He has erected a Multitude of new Offices, and sent hither Swarms of Officers to harass our People, and eat out their Substance.
He has kept among us, in Times of Peace, Standing Armies, without the consent of our Legislatures.
He has affected to render the military independent of and superior to the Civil Power.
He has combined with others to subject us to a Jurisdiction foreign to our Constitution, and unacknowledged by our Laws; giving his Assent to their Acts of pretended Legislation:
For quartering large Bodies of Armed Troops among us:
For protecting them, by a mock Trial, from Punishment for any Murders which they should commit on the inhabitants of these States:
For cutting off our Trade with all Parts of the World:
For imposing Taxes on us without our Consent:
For depriving us, in many Cases, of the Benefits of Trial by Jury:
For transporting us beyond Seas to be tried for pretended Offences:
For abolishing the free System of English Laws in a neighbouring Province, establishing therein an arbitrary Government, and enlarging its Boundaries, so as to render it at once an Example and fit Instrument for introducing the same absolute Rule into these Colonies:
For taking away our Charters, abolishing our most valuable Laws, and altering fundamentally the Forms of our Governments:
For suspending our own Legislatures, and declaring themselves invested with Power to legislate for us in all Cases whatsoever.
He has abdicated Government here, by declaring us out of his Protection and waging War against us.
He has plundered our Seas, ravaged our Coasts, burnt our Towns, and destroyed the Lives of our People.
He is, at this Time, transporting large Armies of foreign Mercenaries to compleat the Works of Death, Desolation, and Tyranny, already begun with circumstances of Cruelty and Perfidy, scarcely paralleled in the most barbarous Ages, and totally unworthy of the Head of a civilized Nation.
He has constrained our fellow Citizens taken Captive on the high Seas to bear Arms against their Country, to become the Executioners of their Friends and Brethren, or to fall themselves by their Hands.
He has excited domestic Insurrections amongst us, and has endeavoured to bring on the Inhabitants of our Frontiers, the merciless Indian Savages, whose known Rule of Warfare, is an undistinguished Destruction, of all Ages, Sexes and Conditions.
In every stage of these Oppressions we have Petitioned for Redress in the most humble Terms: Our repeated Petitions have been answered only by repeated Injury. A Prince, whose Character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the Ruler of a free People.
Nor have we been wanting in Attentions to our British Brethren. We have warned them from Time to Time of Attempts by their Legislature to extend an unwarrantable Jurisdiction over us. We have reminded them of the Circumstances of our Emigration and Settlement here. We have appealed to their native Justice and Magnanimity, and we have conjured them by the Ties of our common Kindred to disavow these Usurpations, which, would inevitably interrupt our Connections and Correspondence. They too have been deaf to the Voice of Justice and of Consanguinity. We must, therefore, acquiesce in the Necessity, which denounces our Separation, and hold them, as we hold the rest of Mankind, Enemies in War, in Peace, Friends.
We, therefore, the Representatives of the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the World for the Rectitude of our Intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly Publish and Declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be, FREE AND INDEPENDENT STATES; that they are absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political Connection between them and the State of Great-Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as FREE AND INDEPENDENT STATES, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which INDEPENDENT STATES may of right do. And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm Reliance on the Protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor.
WHEN in the Course of human Events, it becomes necessary for one People to dissolve the Political Bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the Powers of the Earth, the separate and equal Station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God entitle them, a decent Respect to the Opinions of Mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the Separation.
WE hold the Truths to be self-evident, that all Men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness – That to secure these Rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just Powers from the Consent of the Governed, that when any Form of Government becomes destructive of these Ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its Foundation on such Principles, and organizing its Powers in such Form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient Causes; and accordingly all Experience hath shewn, that Mankind are more disposed to suffer, while Evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the Forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long Train of Abuses and Usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object, evinces a Design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their Right, it is their Duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future Security. Such has been the patient Sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the Necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The History of the present King of Great-Britain is a History of repeated Injuries and Usurpations, all having in direct Object the Establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid World.
He has refused his Assent to Laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public Good.
He has forbidden his Governors to pass Laws of immediate and pressing Importance, unless suspended in their Operation till his Assent should be obtained; and when so suspended, he has utterly neglected to attend to them.
He has refused to pass other Laws for the Accommodation of large Districts of People, unless those People would relinquish the Rights of Representation in the Legislature, a Right inestimable to them, and formidable to Tyrants only.
He has called together Legislative Bodies at Places unusual, uncomfortable, and distant from the Depository of their public Records, for the sole Purpose of fatiguing them into Compliance with his Measures.
He has dissolved Representative Houses repeatedly, for opposing with manly Firmness his Invasions on the Rights of the People.
He has refused for a long Time, after such Dissolutions, to cause others to be elected; whereby the Legislative Powers, incapable of Annihilation, have returned to the People at large for their exercise; the State remaining in the mean time exposed to all the Dangers of Invasion from without, and Convulsions within.
He has endeavoured to prevent the Population of these States; for that Purpose obstructing the Laws for Naturalization of Foreigners; refusing to pass others to encourage their Migrations hither, and raising the Conditions of new Appropriations of Lands.
He has obstructed the Administration of Justice, by refusing his assent to Laws for establishing Judiciary Powers.
He has made Judges dependent on his Will alone, for the Tenure of their Offices, and the Amount and Payment of their Salaries.
He has erected a Multitude of new Offices, and sent hither Swarms of Officers to harass our People, and eat out their Substance.
He has kept among us, in Times of Peace, Standing Armies, without the consent of our Legislatures.
He has affected to render the military independent of and superior to the Civil Power.
He has combined with others to subject us to a Jurisdiction foreign to our Constitution, and unacknowledged by our Laws; giving his Assent to their Acts of pretended Legislation:
For quartering large Bodies of Armed Troops among us:
For protecting them, by a mock Trial, from Punishment for any Murders which they should commit on the inhabitants of these States:
For cutting off our Trade with all Parts of the World:
For imposing Taxes on us without our Consent:
For depriving us, in many Cases, of the Benefits of Trial by Jury:
For transporting us beyond Seas to be tried for pretended Offences:
For abolishing the free System of English Laws in a neighbouring Province, establishing therein an arbitrary Government, and enlarging its Boundaries, so as to render it at once an Example and fit Instrument for introducing the same absolute Rule into these Colonies:
For taking away our Charters, abolishing our most valuable Laws, and altering fundamentally the Forms of our Governments:
For suspending our own Legislatures, and declaring themselves invested with Power to legislate for us in all Cases whatsoever.
He has abdicated Government here, by declaring us out of his Protection and waging War against us.
He has plundered our Seas, ravaged our Coasts, burnt our Towns, and destroyed the Lives of our People.
He is, at this Time, transporting large Armies of foreign Mercenaries to compleat the Works of Death, Desolation, and Tyranny, already begun with circumstances of Cruelty and Perfidy, scarcely paralleled in the most barbarous Ages, and totally unworthy of the Head of a civilized Nation.
He has constrained our fellow Citizens taken Captive on the high Seas to bear Arms against their Country, to become the Executioners of their Friends and Brethren, or to fall themselves by their Hands.
He has excited domestic Insurrections amongst us, and has endeavoured to bring on the Inhabitants of our Frontiers, the merciless Indian Savages, whose known Rule of Warfare, is an undistinguished Destruction, of all Ages, Sexes and Conditions.
In every stage of these Oppressions we have Petitioned for Redress in the most humble Terms: Our repeated Petitions have been answered only by repeated Injury. A Prince, whose Character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the Ruler of a free People.
Nor have we been wanting in Attentions to our British Brethren. We have warned them from Time to Time of Attempts by their Legislature to extend an unwarrantable Jurisdiction over us. We have reminded them of the Circumstances of our Emigration and Settlement here. We have appealed to their native Justice and Magnanimity, and we have conjured them by the Ties of our common Kindred to disavow these Usurpations, which, would inevitably interrupt our Connections and Correspondence. They too have been deaf to the Voice of Justice and of Consanguinity. We must, therefore, acquiesce in the Necessity, which denounces our Separation, and hold them, as we hold the rest of Mankind, Enemies in War, in Peace, Friends.
We, therefore, the Representatives of the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the World for the Rectitude of our Intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly Publish and Declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be, FREE AND INDEPENDENT STATES; that they are absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political Connection between them and the State of Great-Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as FREE AND INDEPENDENT STATES, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which INDEPENDENT STATES may of right do. And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm Reliance on the Protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor.
Saturday, July 3, 2010
Fireworks and a (relatively) calm dog
It's really nice to have a dog that doesn't cower and shiver in terror when the fireworks, or thunder, start up. Not that I didn't love our other dogs, but Sadie has no problem with the fireworks - mostly. When it gets too loud or too close if a neighbor is setting them off, she does bark at it. I think she's just warning them not to get closer.
Happy fireworks night to everyone.
Happy fireworks night to everyone.
Friday, July 2, 2010
I should have just said
It’s time to start this thing up again.
That mess I posted yesterday was a bit self-indulgent and self-pitying. I was just trying to figure out how I got to July without more to show for it. I suppose those are all valid reasons, and of course I know I am not as bad off as a lot of people, but I could have just kept all that to myself.
OK. Forward.
That mess I posted yesterday was a bit self-indulgent and self-pitying. I was just trying to figure out how I got to July without more to show for it. I suppose those are all valid reasons, and of course I know I am not as bad off as a lot of people, but I could have just kept all that to myself.
OK. Forward.
Thursday, July 1, 2010
It’s time to start this thing up again
Where the heck did June go? Oh well.
Briefly, it’s been a heck of a year, which is part of the reason I haven’t been around here. There was too much to do.
Sick from December into January
Took through March to recover to a point somewhat less well than I was in November
In the middle of that our sump pump literally burned out filling the basement with smoke and water, eliciting a call to get the thing replaced
Then we got a dog
Spent a month recovering from that but it wasn’t her fault
In the midst of that, the new sump pump went screwy – a design flaw the plumber managed to fix (I hope permanently)
But we had a flooded basement again
The basement has been wet since December and just dried out in June
I really don’t have the energy to take care of the amount of water we had, not quickly anyway, so it was a bad time for a long time.
So here I am in July – a month I have a strange relationship with.
Time to start anew. Have I said that before? Well, at least the basement is dry so now I can start a new phase – cleaning out all of the stuff that got destroyed. At least it’s a definable goal.
Onward and upward – or at least not backwards. Sideways, I’ll settle for sideways right now, with maybe a little forward.
Briefly, it’s been a heck of a year, which is part of the reason I haven’t been around here. There was too much to do.
Sick from December into January
Took through March to recover to a point somewhat less well than I was in November
In the middle of that our sump pump literally burned out filling the basement with smoke and water, eliciting a call to get the thing replaced
Then we got a dog
Spent a month recovering from that but it wasn’t her fault
In the midst of that, the new sump pump went screwy – a design flaw the plumber managed to fix (I hope permanently)
But we had a flooded basement again
The basement has been wet since December and just dried out in June
I really don’t have the energy to take care of the amount of water we had, not quickly anyway, so it was a bad time for a long time.
So here I am in July – a month I have a strange relationship with.
Time to start anew. Have I said that before? Well, at least the basement is dry so now I can start a new phase – cleaning out all of the stuff that got destroyed. At least it’s a definable goal.
Onward and upward – or at least not backwards. Sideways, I’ll settle for sideways right now, with maybe a little forward.
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
We got a new dog
Short version: we got a mini long haired dachshund named Sadie.
She’s from a rescue foster home, about 3½ years old, 8½ pounds and maybe 6 inches tall. I originally designated her a new resident of the household. She’s welcome to be a full-fledge member – she has to get used to 4 cats and I’ll leave that up to her (well, with some help). They need to get used to her, too. I am assuming that the best will happen and things are going well so far.
Of course, I have to get used to a dog in the house again, which is more of an issue than you might imagine for a variety of reasons. And I have never been around let alone had a dog as small as this. She really is a micro-mini long-haired dachshund. Of course, the only word to describe her is adorable.
For the most part she is well-behaved and very smart. A major problem is that she has been abused by possibly more than one person who bear a superficial resemblance to me. Fortunately she adores my wife and has from the first day. Once we get past the fear – and she is already learning that while I may look like the other men I don’t act like them – things will get better.
She is also territorial about my wife’s lap – which has already been claimed by one of our cats, so there are some issues there. That about sums it up: she has issues.
There’s also the fact that she has a condition apparently not uncommon in dachshunds called dry-eye. The people who had her before the rescue pretty much ignored it. Sadie needs eye drops 3 times a day and they never bothered. So she was untreated and in pain with eye infections and couldn’t see half the time – I wonder why she was a bit snappish?
Oh well, I suppose we’ll all live. At times like this I like to quote Ensign Pavel Chekov: “I’ll live, but I won’t enjoy it.” Which is just a joke because eventually everything will be just fine.
You know, I see her, but it is hard to believe that there is a dog this small in the house.
She’s from a rescue foster home, about 3½ years old, 8½ pounds and maybe 6 inches tall. I originally designated her a new resident of the household. She’s welcome to be a full-fledge member – she has to get used to 4 cats and I’ll leave that up to her (well, with some help). They need to get used to her, too. I am assuming that the best will happen and things are going well so far.
Of course, I have to get used to a dog in the house again, which is more of an issue than you might imagine for a variety of reasons. And I have never been around let alone had a dog as small as this. She really is a micro-mini long-haired dachshund. Of course, the only word to describe her is adorable.
For the most part she is well-behaved and very smart. A major problem is that she has been abused by possibly more than one person who bear a superficial resemblance to me. Fortunately she adores my wife and has from the first day. Once we get past the fear – and she is already learning that while I may look like the other men I don’t act like them – things will get better.
She is also territorial about my wife’s lap – which has already been claimed by one of our cats, so there are some issues there. That about sums it up: she has issues.
There’s also the fact that she has a condition apparently not uncommon in dachshunds called dry-eye. The people who had her before the rescue pretty much ignored it. Sadie needs eye drops 3 times a day and they never bothered. So she was untreated and in pain with eye infections and couldn’t see half the time – I wonder why she was a bit snappish?
Oh well, I suppose we’ll all live. At times like this I like to quote Ensign Pavel Chekov: “I’ll live, but I won’t enjoy it.” Which is just a joke because eventually everything will be just fine.
You know, I see her, but it is hard to believe that there is a dog this small in the house.
Friday, January 8, 2010
Mondays
I have a problem with Mondays. Even though I am not working, I am bound by the work schedules of the people that I deal with – mostly doctors, but others as well. That means that I see weekends pretty much the way that everyone else does. There is also a very strongly ingrained pattern of behavior after decades of living a typical workweek schedule.
That means that Mondays are still that first day of the week when I need to get into gear.
This first week of January has been a Monday.
Blech. At least I feel as if this cold is finally lifting.
That means that Mondays are still that first day of the week when I need to get into gear.
This first week of January has been a Monday.
Blech. At least I feel as if this cold is finally lifting.
Monday, January 4, 2010
Onward! Or, the self-motivational post, sort of.
OK, I admit that I am slacking off. That’s what happens when there’s a weekend after a holiday. Everything seems to be waiting for Monday to begin. I did a few chores, but mostly I just slept this weekend. Hence the wee hour of the morning posting.
I don’t make New Year’s Resolutions. Not for any philosophical reasons, I just never get around to it, so there’s no waiting to start in on them. I just make plans. I need to keeping working on my recovery – which means moving on to the new things I was about to get to when I got sick for most of December; I need to read; I need to write; I need to learn; I need to create.
There, that’s a sketch of a plan/resolutions for the new year onward – with additions and edits and course corrections along the way.
I wish for everyone a good start to the first week of 2010 and a good year to follow.
I don’t make New Year’s Resolutions. Not for any philosophical reasons, I just never get around to it, so there’s no waiting to start in on them. I just make plans. I need to keeping working on my recovery – which means moving on to the new things I was about to get to when I got sick for most of December; I need to read; I need to write; I need to learn; I need to create.
There, that’s a sketch of a plan/resolutions for the new year onward – with additions and edits and course corrections along the way.
I wish for everyone a good start to the first week of 2010 and a good year to follow.
Saturday, January 2, 2010
Just a post for the 2nd
OK, so the cold knocked both me and my wife down so we stayed in on the 1st. This is the cold that will not leave. Also slept most of today, so we’re starting the year off very quietly. Which is not such a bad thing. I wish I had a clear enough head to read, but this cold is leaving me exhausted and my mind is muddled.
For example, I wrote yesterday’s post and then the editor lost it. I rewrote it – obviously – but I liked the first version better because it was clearer. Why can't I write the same thing twice? Oh well.
I always want to start a new year off right, but I’m not going to kick myself around. I’ll up the pace as soon as I can.
Congratulations to everyone who is starting off on new adventures this year! Good luck to you all!
For example, I wrote yesterday’s post and then the editor lost it. I rewrote it – obviously – but I liked the first version better because it was clearer. Why can't I write the same thing twice? Oh well.
I always want to start a new year off right, but I’m not going to kick myself around. I’ll up the pace as soon as I can.
Congratulations to everyone who is starting off on new adventures this year! Good luck to you all!
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