As of today, a quarter of a century without drugs or alcohol. I am assigned my own firetruck because I am so dry I am a fire hazard.
Recently in Personal Category
I believe I have found the reason for my lack of posting; political blogging is just like my job of counseling addicts. You see, I have to spend much of my job pointing out the lies, distortions and out right denial of my clients. So, to turn around and point out the lies, distortions, and out right denial of the political spectrum is old and tiring.
For what it is worth, I am not all that up on the 'New Year' concept. Why? Well, for one thing, it is a man made concept that really does not have any organic origin. In fact, though not arbitrarily chosen, it was placed merely for the benefit of one religion establishing credibility over other existing customs. At least, that is how I see it.
Perchance I am wrong. Don't really care.
Today is no different than yesterday. The sun has risen, will travel across the sky, and set. Barring unforeseen occurrences, my lungs will continue to breath the air; my heart will continue to beat and pump blood through my veins. Most importantly, my five senses will continue to receive the energy of the moment, if my mind does not get in the way.
That, of course, is my major problem; my mind's thinking blocking the energy of the moment with forays into the hardly ever properly recalled past or the always wrong prophetic musings about the future.
Sigh.
I think I need to go meditate.
Perchance I am wrong. Don't really care.
Today is no different than yesterday. The sun has risen, will travel across the sky, and set. Barring unforeseen occurrences, my lungs will continue to breath the air; my heart will continue to beat and pump blood through my veins. Most importantly, my five senses will continue to receive the energy of the moment, if my mind does not get in the way.
That, of course, is my major problem; my mind's thinking blocking the energy of the moment with forays into the hardly ever properly recalled past or the always wrong prophetic musings about the future.
Sigh.
I think I need to go meditate.
Like any self-respecting member of the 21st Century, I belong to my family's list-serve. Today I received this email:
WHY WOMEN SHOULDN'T TAKE MEN SHOPPING
After I retired, my wife insisted that I accompany her on her trips to Target. Unfortunately, like most men, I found shopping boring and preferred to get in and get out. Equally unfortunate, my wife is like most women - she loves to browse. Yesterday my dear wife received the following letter from the local Target.
Dear Mrs. Samuel,
Over the past six months, your husband has caused quite a commotion in our store. We cannot tolerate this behavior and have been forced to ban both of you from the store. Our complaints against your husband, Mr. Samuel, are listed below and are documented by our video surveillance cameras.
1. June 15: Took 24 boxes of condoms and randomly put them in other people's carts when they weren't looking.
2. July 2: Set all the alarm clocks in Housewares to go off at 5-minute intervals.
3. July 7: He made a trail of tomato juice on the floor leading to the woman's restroom.
4. July 19: Walked up to an employee and told her in an official voice, 'Code 3 in Housewares. Get on it right away'. This caused the employee to leave her assigned station and receive a reprimand from her Supervisor that in turn resulted with a union grievance, causing management to lose time and costing the company money.
5. August 4: Went to the Service Desk and tried to put a bag of M&Ms on layaway.
6. August 14: Moved a 'CAUTION - WET FLOOR' sign to a carpeted area.
7. August 15: Set up a tent in the camping department and told the children shoppers he'd invite them in if they would bring pillows and blankets from the bedding department to which twenty children obliged.
8. August 23: When a clerk asked if they could help him he began crying and screamed, 'Why can't you people just leave me alone?' EMTs were called.
9. September 4: Looked right into the security camera and used it as a mirror while he picked his nose.
10. September 10: While handling guns in the hunting department, he asked the clerk where the antidepressants were..
11. October 3: Darted around the store suspiciously while loudly humming the 'Mission Impossible' theme.
12. October 6: In the auto department, he practiced his 'Madonna look' by using different sizes of funnels.
13. October 18: Hid in a clothing rack and when people browsed through, yelled 'PICK ME! PICK ME!'
14. October 21: When an announcement came over the loud speaker, he assumed a fetal position and screamed 'OH NO! IT'S THOSE VOICES AGAIN!'
And last, but not least:
15. October 23: Went into a fitting room, shut the door, waited awhile, then yelled very loudly, 'Hey! There's no toilet paper in here.' One of the clerks passed out.
That is right! Today is the 48th anniversary of my birth day. JFK was still alive, the Beatles were just getting famous, and Johnnie Carson was not yet hosting a show.
Sorry about the lack of posts, but I have been busy moving. Oh, and working. It has been a tiring week and a half. But, we are moved in. Now I am trying to get caught up on my emails. I have been without internet access since the 11th. Tomorrow Comcast will be stopping by the apartment to get us hooked up.
Right now I am at the Dunn Bros. Coffee on University and Osborne, just a few blocks from one of my jobs.
Anyway, just wanted to drop a quick post. More information later.
Right now I am at the Dunn Bros. Coffee on University and Osborne, just a few blocks from one of my jobs.
Anyway, just wanted to drop a quick post. More information later.
While at work, the weather sirens went off. Turns out a surprise tornado attack occurred in several locations around the metro area and a few suburbs. Just north of Hastings in Cottage Grove, about 5 miles away, there was a touch down. In South Minneapolis one touched down and spewed trees across 35W. Not just a few tree branches, but what looked like entire trees shredded and blocking all three lanes. Some roofs were also removed from houses, only to be relocated as debris on the neighboring roofs.
Since the storm was moving NNW, it put it on track to travel right over my parents' home, so I called and checked in on them. They got lots of rain, and said a tornado touched down just south of town at Branstad, about 5 miles away. Actually, it is not even 3 miles away. But, they said they were all right. Just another day in the upper Midwest.
Since the storm was moving NNW, it put it on track to travel right over my parents' home, so I called and checked in on them. They got lots of rain, and said a tornado touched down just south of town at Branstad, about 5 miles away. Actually, it is not even 3 miles away. But, they said they were all right. Just another day in the upper Midwest.
Want Bad!
This is the post where I lament the sad state of my blogging output. Well, actually, probably not. Seriously, I am just not all that gung ho about blogging of late. Even more to the point, I am in a low mood. But than, do you really blame me? I mean, I got laid off, for Christ's sake. I'm suppose to be happy go lucky?
Yeah, I know, I'm whining. Don't blame me. You're the one reading my blog.
Yeah, I know, I'm whining. Don't blame me. You're the one reading my blog.
Unlike yesterday, my day has turned out quite pleasantly. I made the 20 minute drive to Hudson WI, with no delays and arriving 20 minutes prior to my 9:15 AM pre-trial conference for the express purpose of professing my innocence.
Okay, enough snickering--you in the back row.
Anyway, I presented my proof of innocence and walked out of court at 9:20 AM. A surprisingly pleasant experience. The best part, though, was the portly, rumpled, elderly lawyer in canvas slacks held up by tan suspenders who pulled me aside and whispered loudly "we would all like to prove the Department of Motor Vehicles make clerical errors." While I was presenting my case, that same lawyer had asked if he could have copies of my letter, stating he'd just white out the name.
All in all, an auspicious start to what is going to be a very hot Minnesota summer day.
Okay, enough snickering--you in the back row.
Anyway, I presented my proof of innocence and walked out of court at 9:20 AM. A surprisingly pleasant experience. The best part, though, was the portly, rumpled, elderly lawyer in canvas slacks held up by tan suspenders who pulled me aside and whispered loudly "we would all like to prove the Department of Motor Vehicles make clerical errors." While I was presenting my case, that same lawyer had asked if he could have copies of my letter, stating he'd just white out the name.
All in all, an auspicious start to what is going to be a very hot Minnesota summer day.
First, I spent much of the morning working on my novel. That is, I have been dictating my hand written pages into text files on my computer. Thank God for Dragon Naturally Speaking 10 (64 Bit Edition). I am getting much better at speaking and adding punctuation. "Open Quote" and Close Quote" were the toughest to get down without mush mouthing them.
Second, I mowed the lawn, with a weed trimmer. The GirlFriend™, who I love dearly, sold our lawn mower earlier this spring, thinking we'd not need it due to losing the house in foreclosure. What she didn't foresee was our not having to move out until the 12th of September. To top it off, thedrum reel mower is lousy with grass 1 inch taller than it's cutting height. And since I've not mowed the lawn yet, it was...... oh say, 12 inches too long. So first I had to cut it down to size with the trimmer. I actually developed a swing that allowed me to get a really close cut that I didn't need to use the drum reel mower.
Anyway, I'm done for the day. I'm going to go to bed now. The rest of you behave, don't cause any undue commotions, and stay the hellof off my freshly mowed lawn, you damn kids.
UPDATE: Things are so much clearer in the morning, after a good night's sleep. I should have said "The GirlFriend™, who I love dearly, sold our motorized lawn mower earlier this spring, thinking we'd not need it due to losing the house in foreclosure" and then pointed out that the reel mower is not motorized.
Oh, and this is what a drum mower looks like.
Now, get the hell off my lawn.
Second, I mowed the lawn, with a weed trimmer. The GirlFriend™, who I love dearly, sold our lawn mower earlier this spring, thinking we'd not need it due to losing the house in foreclosure. What she didn't foresee was our not having to move out until the 12th of September. To top it off, the
Anyway, I'm done for the day. I'm going to go to bed now. The rest of you behave, don't cause any undue commotions, and stay the hell
UPDATE: Things are so much clearer in the morning, after a good night's sleep. I should have said "The GirlFriend™, who I love dearly, sold our motorized lawn mower earlier this spring, thinking we'd not need it due to losing the house in foreclosure" and then pointed out that the reel mower is not motorized.
Oh, and this is what a drum mower looks like.
Now, get the hell off my lawn.
My glasses broke today at work while I cleaned them. I went to the local optical stores to see if they could be temporarily soldered, but alas, they were titanium frames. I tried to super glue them, but again; foiled by the titanium frames. So, I had to schedule an eye exam, which I managed to get this afternoon at 1:00 PM! At 1:30 PM I was fitted with new contact lenses.
All I can say is:
OH. MY. FUCKING. GOD! I did not realize how bad my eyes had gotten. Granted, the old lenses were from over 7 years ago. But still. Now I can actually see without irritation. And my right eyeball no longer feels funky, like it's bigger than the left eyeball. However, my new contacts will require that I use reading glasses for up close work. Being near-sighted, and developing astigmatism, I should consider myself lucky I can see at all.
All I can say is:
OH. MY. FUCKING. GOD! I did not realize how bad my eyes had gotten. Granted, the old lenses were from over 7 years ago. But still. Now I can actually see without irritation. And my right eyeball no longer feels funky, like it's bigger than the left eyeball. However, my new contacts will require that I use reading glasses for up close work. Being near-sighted, and developing astigmatism, I should consider myself lucky I can see at all.
Welcome Dusty Rice to Eastern Blogstonia. I got to meet Dusty once. He was part of the Al Franken senate campaign. That was the day I embarrassed myself when I thought Al was referring to his movie "Stuart Saves His Family" when in fact he was referring to "When A Man Loves A Woman." I managed to wipe the egg off my face and have a good talk with Dusty and the rest of the team. Of course, he was quick to make the talk off the record. It was fine by me, because I really didn't want to write about the egg on face incident.
The one, of course, I just mentioned. Doh!
The one, of course, I just mentioned. Doh!
We've got our Sheriff's sale today, at 10:00 AM. Unless a miracle happens, we've six months to try and find new financing, or to sell the house.
Well, I've learned one important fact; I need to get my ass to bed by 9:00 or 10:00 PM, or I just don't have the energy to get up in the morning to write. This past week I've managed to get in just a half hour of writing on my novel. It's rather pathetic. But life has been hectic, what with the Holiday Season (please don't tell Bill O. I said "Holiday," he might send the rapid anti-Christmas response team after me), this damn cold, and my back acting up. Needless to say, I am letting myself get stressed out and run down. Not good.
So, yesterday, I decided to give myself a treat; I am starting the LOTR books again. I just finished "The Sword Of Shannara," a book I first read back in grade school. To be honest, I have not one memory of the story, so reading it was new. Now, though, I am stuck without a book to read. I was working on "The Sword Of Truth" series, but the next book in the series has not been at any of the book stores, and I am not in the mood to buy a used copy online. Well, that and I am short on money for the moment.
So, I'm back to Middle Earth for a time.
So, yesterday, I decided to give myself a treat; I am starting the LOTR books again. I just finished "The Sword Of Shannara," a book I first read back in grade school. To be honest, I have not one memory of the story, so reading it was new. Now, though, I am stuck without a book to read. I was working on "The Sword Of Truth" series, but the next book in the series has not been at any of the book stores, and I am not in the mood to buy a used copy online. Well, that and I am short on money for the moment.
So, I'm back to Middle Earth for a time.
I had thought of holding off for two more days and making it an even week without posting, but I just had to drop a note and let you all know I am alive. Barely, but still alive. I have been going steady at my novel, writing just about every morning. Most mornings for about 45 minutes. Over the weekend, I get in about two hours a day, give or take. And remember, I have three day weekends.
Anyway, this morning I woke up with a killer headache. Not quite a migraine, but a very painful sinus headache that is as much caused by the dry air as it is by my still lingering cold, which I've had for about two weeks now.
Seriously, two weeks is just too damn long to have a cold. The one redeeming factor is that it's fall, making the cold less of an insult than having it in the summer. There is just something inherently wrong with a summer cold. They feel worse. At least during the winter, you can make the claim of not going outside because of a cold. Not so in the summer. Supposedly, the warm weather should help get rid of your cold.
Yeah, right. Sell me a bridge.
So, right now I am struggling with calling in sick. More likely, I will be heading to work, despite feeling like crap. I'll just have to struggle.
There you go. Now you know I am alive, though not well. Life in Minnesota. No doubt Carl will come along and make some comment about the insanity of living in Minnesota. Thankfully, I have Sarah Palin to use as an example of where insanity truly arises. Honestly, Minnesota Nice surely trumps Alaskan PUMA age wrinkles any day of the year. Even if you have a cold.
Anyway, this morning I woke up with a killer headache. Not quite a migraine, but a very painful sinus headache that is as much caused by the dry air as it is by my still lingering cold, which I've had for about two weeks now.
Seriously, two weeks is just too damn long to have a cold. The one redeeming factor is that it's fall, making the cold less of an insult than having it in the summer. There is just something inherently wrong with a summer cold. They feel worse. At least during the winter, you can make the claim of not going outside because of a cold. Not so in the summer. Supposedly, the warm weather should help get rid of your cold.
Yeah, right. Sell me a bridge.
So, right now I am struggling with calling in sick. More likely, I will be heading to work, despite feeling like crap. I'll just have to struggle.
There you go. Now you know I am alive, though not well. Life in Minnesota. No doubt Carl will come along and make some comment about the insanity of living in Minnesota. Thankfully, I have Sarah Palin to use as an example of where insanity truly arises. Honestly, Minnesota Nice surely trumps Alaskan PUMA age wrinkles any day of the year. Even if you have a cold.
But how many of those with my name also have a birthday today?
Yesterday was a very unpleasant experience, with my--for lack of a more tactful expression--balls aching as if they had been kicked. You men know of what I speak; the pain that occurs after said blow, usually lasting for a few minutes, maybe an hour. Yeah, well I had it all day.
Today, however, it feels as if the antibiotic is doing its job. I am already experiencing much less discomfort compared to yesterday. My gut hardly hurts, even after having coffee and breakfast, and my balls only hurt half as bad.
If I am truly heading towards wellness (yeah, yeah, contain yourself back there in the last row, you smart ass) I might resume Tour De Rook.
Well, it seems my symptoms were not typical for prostatitis, an inflammation of the prostate. So, after many side tracks and tests, there is finally something to treat, which is good, because the pain was getting worse. Anyway, I have started on a sulfa antibiotic medication.
Damn, it sure sucks to get old.
Damn, it sure sucks to get old.
I am scheduled for an ultra-sound and an x-ray of my colon. I am not all that concerned about having the ultra-sound, but the x-ray is a bit disconcerting as it will require a barium enema. So, with that picture in your mind, I bid you farewell for the morning.
Okay, than. I went to my doctor today, now that an appendicitis has been ruled out. Not that it was pleasant. All that chalk they make you drink in a 4 hour period does indeed cause diarrhea. You see, last Thursday I had a CT scan. After all was said and done, I was given a clean bill of health, where the appendix was concerned. However, there is still considerable discomfort and bloating.
Indeed, after my primary doctor did an abdominal examination, I am now hurting throughout my abdomen, from the top of my stomach down to my testicles. This really sucks. He could feel bloating, but was unable to give me a definitive diagnosis. Instead, I have to have an ultra-sound and a colon ex-ray, requiring a barium enema. I am not looking forward to tomorrow or Thursday.
Indeed, after my primary doctor did an abdominal examination, I am now hurting throughout my abdomen, from the top of my stomach down to my testicles. This really sucks. He could feel bloating, but was unable to give me a definitive diagnosis. Instead, I have to have an ultra-sound and a colon ex-ray, requiring a barium enema. I am not looking forward to tomorrow or Thursday.
Yeah, I know. It's been all chess and bicycling of late here at the old Rant. Well, I guess I am just not all that wrapped up in politics or the news for the moment. I am getting on with my life. That's not to say I am completely closed off from the world. I still read my blogs, and get the email updates from the NYTimes and other papers.
See, I just lost the heart to bitch. It wasn't enough. I felt like I was wasting emotional energy by complaining on my blog, without really seeing any positive return. So, I am living my life, doing what I can, and basically not bitching anymore. Bitching has not done it for me.
Who knows. Next week the passion could hit me, and I am back to raising a loud stink. But, until then, I am just going to work, take time to be with my family, play chess, and ride bike.
See, I just lost the heart to bitch. It wasn't enough. I felt like I was wasting emotional energy by complaining on my blog, without really seeing any positive return. So, I am living my life, doing what I can, and basically not bitching anymore. Bitching has not done it for me.
Who knows. Next week the passion could hit me, and I am back to raising a loud stink. But, until then, I am just going to work, take time to be with my family, play chess, and ride bike.
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