:Shennanigans:

ready or not...

Wed, 8 Oct 08 16:09:00 UT

Tomorrow is the *big* day. As big as the days get right now, anyhow.

Tomorrow, R and I go to court for the restitution hearing being held against the crazy lady that committed the DUI/hit & run last month. It isn't like you can get blood from a turnip, so I doubt it will amount to anything. Perhaps a judgment against her for our out of pocket expenses and what-not, but, in all seriousness, she has no wages to attach and garnish, owns no property, and has no financial assets of value, so we will have a piece of paper. Big deal.

It is not like most of our expenses were not covered by our own insurance anyhow. Our deductibles are low, so we did not sustain alot of damage there either.

We are attending because, most important, we were subpoenaed to be there and out of principle. She committed a crime. She should pay for the costs resulting from her conduct.

Her crime was more than mere stupidity - driving under the influence of psych meds and alcohol is never a good idea - but when you hit someone of R's profession, it is beyond stupidity...you begin to enter the realm of moronic. If she had remained at the location and exchanged information, it would likely have been nothing at all, but at most a DUI. R might have called police to assist because of the strong nasty alcohol on her breath, but he may not have if she agreed to walk or give her passenger (assuming he was sober) the keys and allowed him to drive.

In the Realm of Morons, however, the drunk driver leaves after realizing who s/he hit. *rolls eyes*

It would only have been a misdemeanor too, if I had not hit my head and been injured.

So, off we go to the Land of Wishing Our Judgment Was Worth the Cost of the Paper it is Printed Upon. Oh well.

At least she was *smart* enough to plead guilty.

Arrivederci!

I do not think this country has become what our forefathers had in mind.

just another Tuesday?

Tue, 7 Oct 08 13:15:00 UT

Nope, I am not sick. I am sick to my stomach, however.

Another debate. Another round of bullsh** and information spun to fit the candidate's platform. Another attempt by each candidate to set himself apart from each other and from the current administration. Another event for the media to cut, widdle, and mince into sound-bites, to be used in the next few weeks against each candidate.

The debate will not solve the economic woes the world is facing. The debate is not going to provide us with the fix-all solution to this nation's problems. The debate cannot even remotely allow the candidates to address, in depth, their plans and priorities.

There is simply not enough time for the debate to cover the issues, let alone each candidate's plans for solutions.

Will I watch? Yes. Do I think I will learn a scintilla of information? No.

This makes me sick to my stomach.

No, this is not just another Tuesday. It is a Tuesday that has seen the market fall further, a Tuesday beholden to a debate, and a Tuesday where less work is being done in Washington because of these two facts.

F*** you very much Washington, we Americans appreciate it.

----------------

As for other stuff, well, the family issues linger, work is work, and, frankly, I am looking forward to going home tonight to a nice glass of DiSaronno.

R had a 4am shift today for reasons I cannot specify here. Thus, we will groan together during the deba(cle), eating delivered take-out Chinese food, and enjoying one another's company before The End of the World comes as the markets sink lower and lower with each passing day and no help in sight.

----------------

Oh, and for those of you who were not able to catch Federal Chairman Bernanke's speech today, the market fell another 150 points during his speech alone.

*Bend over and take that one, America!*

Arrivederci!

I do not think this country has become what our forefathers had in mind.

do I have to?

Sun, 5 Oct 08 12:13:00 UT

I wish I could sleep all day. I have no energy and feel kinda blah. I know I pushed myself a bit too close to the edge, and perhaps over the edge, working to get all the household chores done yesterday.

I accomplished all but a few things, and those, although itching at me to be done, are not significant enough to warrant being done today. Dishes, laundry, vaccuuming, and dusting are done, but for one more bedroom and the office which remain un-vaccuumed and un-dusted. Oh well.

R and I are supposed to meet up with my parents today, but I am seriously considering asking for a rain-check.

My doctor visits went fairly well this week. I met with my gen prac and received a referral back to Neurology for nerve testing, to Cardiology for follow up (which I do not think I need), to Dermatology for remaining issues with the spider bite I received a few months past, and was put back on a steroid inhaler for awhile. All in all, not bad.

I am not happy about the being back on the inhaler, but it is par for the course, and has been most of my life. I can deal.

The most serious problem was with my blood pressure - it was extraordinarily high. I typically run very low, so my doc was concerned (and not so happy) to see it that high. I am doing my best with daily yoga to help keep it low, but the past two weeks' stress has been more difficult to overcome than usual everyday stressors.

All the Cardiologist is going to do is tell me it is too high and suggest a regimen of stress-relieving activities and/or blood pressure meds that I will not take. Nope. This is temporary, and the last thing my body needs is to be on another drug. No thanks.

I wanted to get the first part of my story written for Friendly Fiction, but I am getting a headache. It will have to wait. Perhaps tonight...

Arrivederci!

I do not think this country has become what our forefathers had in mind.

Book meme from Kenny

Sun, 5 Oct 08 11:23:00 UT

Snagged from Kenny:

How to play:

1: Copy this list.
2: Highlight the ones you have read (or at least remember reading).

1. Scary Stories (Series) - not the entire series by Alvin Schwartz
2. Daddyâs Roommate by Michael Willhoite
3. I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou
4. The Chocolate War by Robert Cormier
5. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain
6. Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck
7. Harry Potter (Series) by J.K. Rowling
8. Forever by Judy Blume
9. Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson
10. Alice (Series) by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor
11. Heather Has Two Mommies by Leslea Newman
12. My Brother Sam is Dead by James Lincoln Collier and Christopher Collier
13. The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger
14. The Giver by Lois Lowry
15. Itâs Perfectly Normal by Robie Harris
16. Goosebumps (Series) by R.L. Stine
17. A Day No Pigs Would Die by Robert Newton Peck
18. The Color Purple by Alice Walker
19. Sex by Madonna
20. Earthâs Children (Series) by Jean M. Auel
21. The Great Gilly Hopkins by Katherine Paterson
22. A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine LâEngle
23. Go Ask Alice by Anonymous
24. Fallen Angels by Walter Dean Myers
25. In the Night Kitchen by Maurice Sendak
26. The Stupids (Series) by Harry Allard
27. The Witches by Roald Dahl
28. The New Joy of Gay Sex by Charles Silverstein
29. Anastasia Krupnik (Series) by Lois Lowry
30. The Goats by Brock Cole
31. Kaffir Boy by Mark Mathabane
32. Blubber by Judy Blume
33. Killing Mr. Griffin by Lois Duncan
34. Halloween ABC by Eve Merriam
35. We All Fall Down by Robert Cormier
36. Final Exit by Derek Humphry
37. The Handmaidâs Tale by Margaret Atwood
38. Julie of the Wolves by Jean Craighead George
39. The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison
40. Whatâs Happening to my Body? Book for Girls: A Growing-Up Guide for Parents & Daughters by Lynda Madaras
41. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
42. Beloved by Toni Morrison
43. The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton
44. The Pigman by Paul Zindel
45. Bumps in the Night by Harry Allard
46. Deenie by Judy Blume
47. Flowers for Algernon by Daniel KeyesM
48. Annie on my Mind by Nancy Garden
49. The Boy Who Lost His Face by Louis Sachar
50. Cross Your Fingers, Spit in Your Hat by Alvin Schwartz
51. A Light in the Attic by Shel Silverstein
52. Brave New World by Aldous Huxley
53. Sleeping Beauty Trilogy by A.N. Roquelaure (Anne Rice)
54. Asking About Sex and Growing Up by Joanna Cole
55. Cujo by Stephen King
56. James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl
57. The Anarchist Cookbook by William Powell
58. Boys and Sex by Wardell Pomeroy
59. Ordinary People by Judith Guest
60. American Psycho by Bret Easton Ellis
61. Whatâs Happening to my Body? Book for Boys: A Growing-Up Guide for Parents & Sons by Lynda Madaras
62. Are You There, God? Itâs Me, Margaret by Judy Blume
63. Crazy Lady by Jane Conly
64. Athletic Shorts by Chris Crutcher
65. Fade by Robert Cormier
66. Guess What? by Mem Fox
67. The House of Spirits by Isabel Allende
68. The Face on the Milk Carton by Caroline Cooney
69. Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut
70. Lord of the Flies by William Golding
71. Native Son by Richard Wright
72. Women on Top: How Real Life Has Changed Womenâs Fantasies by Nancy Friday
73. Curses, Hexes and Spells by Daniel Cohen
74. Jack by A.M. Homes
75. Bless Me, Ultima by Rudolfo A. Anaya
76. Where Did I Come From? by Peter Mayle
77. Carrie by Stephen King
78. Tiger Eyes by Judy Blume
79. On My Honor by Marion Dane Bauer
80. Arizona Kid by Ron Koertge
81. Family Secrets by Norma Klein
82. Mommy Laid An Egg by Babette Cole
83. The Dead Zone by Stephen King
84. The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain
85. Song of Solomon by Toni Morrison
86. Always Running by Luis Rodriguez
87. Private Parts by Howard Stern
88. Whereâs Waldo? by Martin Hanford
89. Summer of My German Soldier by Bette Greene
90. Little Black Sambo by Helen Bannerman
91. Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett
92. Running Loose by Chris Crutcher
93. Sex Education by Jenny Davis
94. The Drowning of Stephen Jones by Bette Greene
95. Girls and Sex by Wardell Pomeroy
96. How to Eat Fried Worms by Thomas Rockwell
97. View from the Cherry Tree by Willo Davis Roberts
98. The Headless Cupid by Zilpha Keatley Snyder
99. The Terrorist by Caroline Cooney
100. Jump Ship to Freedom by James Lincoln Collier and Christopher Collier

Nope, I do not enjoy reading, can't you tell? Hehe.

I do not think this country has become what our forefathers had in mind.

JamTart for President!

Wed, 1 Oct 08 03:42:00 UT

JamTart for President!!!

All terms and conditions apply. This person may only receive a vote IF he actually makes it onto the ballot or your state allows write-in candidates. Otherwise voting for JamTart constitutes throwing a vote away as he has no running mate and very little, if any, publicity. Voting for JamTart may be invalid in your jurisdiction; please check all governing ordinances, rules, laws, and by-laws which govern and apply in the area in which you are (un)registered to vote. LoL.

I do not think this country has become what our forefathers had in mind.

on the one hand...

Wed, 1 Oct 08 02:26:00 UT

Just an entry to 1) switch to October - YAY for Halloween, and 2) let you all know I am trying to keep up, if not everyday (unlikely), at least a few times a week.

I was debating about decorating my journal for Halloween, but have decided to stick with my current decor. I love getting into the Halloween spirit, but this year there is another event hanging in the air...the election. So, no, Halloween has to take a backseat this year. *sigh* It is only one year of many, but still...

Not alot going on that I am willing to post publicly, so here is your notice that there is a private entry following this one.

As for an update on the election issue - well, since California is going to vote by the Electoral College for Obama, I have only to decide where I want my vote to land for the popular vote. I prefer "None of the Above", but have been raised with a feeling of duty when it comes to voting; thus, I need to vote for someone. I have created a lengthy spreadsheet for myself containing alot of information regarding lobbyists, important issues (where R and I stand and where each candidate and VP stands), Senate records, and foreign debts/needs/wants. So far, no one has more 'ticky-marks' than any other. In fact, surprisingly, there are some alternative party candidates pulling their weight.

I cannot wait for this to be OVER. I am at a point where I do not care who wins, so long as it is OVER. I wish I had a candidate to be enthused about, and hope against hope that it may occur in 2012, because it is not happenning this year. *fingers crossed*

I do not think this country has become what our forefathers had in mind.

my brain is mush

Sat, 27 Sep 08 12:53:00 UT

I really do feel like a turtle today. So much to do, and so little energy with which to do it.

Yesterday was a fourteen hour day. My brain turned to mush and began to leak out of my ears. Seriously. When I finally made it home, I perused a couple journal entries on the Crackberry, realized I had fallen asleep twice while doing so, turned it off and fell asleep in my clothes.

I did not wake up until this morning. Not even when R came home.

Regardless of the good night's sleep, I find myself drained today too. Thank goodness it is the weekend.

Even so, there are things that must be done - laundry, dishes, writing, a few errands, and a couple remaining tasks for work. I will trudge through them.

I also have a facial and massage scheduled for today at a local feng shui (sp?) spa. It has been planned for quite awhile, and I contemplated cancelling because of 'fun money' budget changes, but R told me to keep the appointment since he called last week and already paid for it out of his own funds as a surprise. What a sweetie!

Tomorrow, R and I have plans with T and J for a bbq. J had his birthday last weekend, but they were out of town. Thus, we will celebrate belatedly, tomorrow.

We picked up a bottle of their favorite champagne when it went on sale at BevMo during the "Buy one, Get one for 10 cents" sale. I love those sales. I love the 5 cent and 1 cent sales more, but I am not going to complain about a $37 bottle of champagne for 10 cents (or, two bottles at $18.55 each). We now have a second bottle to take with us for the holidays at the parentals' house. They love it too!

I suppose I had better get a move on the rest of the list - so far, I have begun laundry (two loads down, three more to go), written and posted my Friendly Fiction for yesterday and today, updated here, emptied the dishwasher, and completed one of two tasks for work. Not a bad start, but it has taken me until now (1pm) to do it all - and I began around 8am.

Yep, turtle-like speed today...

I do not think this country has become what our forefathers had in mind.

an update, of sorts

Thu, 25 Sep 08 17:53:00 UT

Everyone knows how much emotional roller coasters can wear a person down and out; that is about where I am right now.

I will bounce back - I just need time to reflect, contemplate, and fully discuss things with R. No rash choices or actions will be taken. Steps have begun onto certain roads, but we still remain at the fork.

Work is going well. A few more hiccups, but I suppose that is to be expected with any project where multiple agencies, people, and government entities are involved. Par for the course.

I have surprised myself and been able to write for four days in a row on Friendly Fiction. I was not certain I would be able to find the inclination, let alone the time.

I have said it in other places, but I want to shout, "THANK YOU!" to Reenie for some amazing conversation, cool down time, and the opportunity to vent frustrations so I could sleep last night. It was an awesome thing for someone to do.

Not much else happening right at present; a few loads of laundry tonight and grocery shopping. One load is done, as is the shopping. Two more loads and then I am sitting back to wrap up a few more chapters of my book.

I think Netta wrote it best, and not too long ago...

*thud!*

Arrivederci!

I do not think this country has become what our forefathers had in mind.

beginnings, continuings, and endings

Wed, 24 Sep 08 09:10:00 UT

The beginnings...

I have begun to write some Day2Day fiction over at Friendly Fiction. It is a challenge for me to dust off a musty hobby. I have taken RT's approach and am attempting a daily story, without thinking about the direction of that story between writing times. As he commented with his first attempt at this manner of writing, my own story has taken a direction and life of its own already. Please visit and join in yourselves! Any type of writing is good for the gander - poetry, stories, riddles...whatever you feel like writing.

The continuings...

Work. Work. Work. I have never minded the admin part of my job, but I am finding it quite ridiculous when people promise to do something by a certain date, and do not. It slows down the non-admin work I need to accomplish, in addition to adding more admin billables. Gee, thanks.

The endings...

R's family has the turmoil brewing. I prefer to get into this stuff privately, so there is a following entry. What I will say here is, "*GAG*!" Yep, not much more can wrap it up so succinctly.

I wish I had more to add, and I probably do, but my brain is warped and slightly melting from the stress of the turmoil.

Arrivederci!

I do not think this country has become what our forefathers had in mind.

and now, presenting...

Sat, 20 Sep 08 22:03:00 UT

I debated and debated, and I finally decided...

I have finally added links to my page for all of you that I read daily, and for those of you I read only as often as you add entries. These should make life easier on my already cracking up Crackberry. Fewer bookmarks to store, less memory used to slow it down. Gah.

Have I mentioned I cannot wait until the release of the new Bold? If not, let me tell you now...I CANNOT WAIT!

I do not think this country has become what our forefathers had in mind.

I did it! I did it!

Sat, 20 Sep 08 21:43:00 UT

I really DID do it! I posted on Netta's WordWebbing for Flash Fiction Friday!!!

Woo-Hoo!!!

I beat ya RT! Nyah-nyah-nyah-nyah-nyah!

I do not think this country has become what our forefathers had in mind.

exciting times

Sat, 20 Sep 08 19:15:00 UT

I realize I have been derelict in my duties about providing more follow ups for R's gramma-I apologize. She is back home (two weeks this past Monday), initially with home care. She has been doing amazing! The time during her hospital stay and the following week, my m/i/l was here and visited gramma daily, cleaned her house and got everything arranged (home care, bill payments, food, etc) so gramma would have an easier time when she was home. The next week, Uncle L and Aunt C (and trust me, has she become a *C* in my book, despite all she did for gramma - more on that in a private entry) stayed with gramma for a few days, and then had her at their home for a few days, making sure she was not alone, became used to her new routine, diet, and medication schedule. Once she was back home, I was visiting daily to check in on her, keep her company (whoo-boy, did we kick some Scrabble a**!), and fix some diabetic friendly Italian dishes. The biggest bummer for gramma has been the dietary change (and feeling dependent) because she LOVES Italian food. Well, I showed her there is life with Italian after diabetes - all sorts of pasta substitutes and alternatives. Boy was she happy to not eat chicken or turkey for another meal! Her friend and Uncle L were around for one meal and they both also enjoyed the meal, so I felt pretty darn good.

I am a fairly proficient cook; I ordinarily do not enjoy it. I know how to cook for *the masses*, but not so much for a few people. Alot of the meals I am best at cooking are not freezer friendly, so when I get a chance to cook for a group who will help demolish leftovers the next day or so, I take it!

I have not had alot to report about myself medically, but the onslaught of my six month post-op appointments began, and has now ended. I had two MRIs, a CTScan, and a slew of doctor appointments. There are good and bad results, but mostly good.

It was discovered why I continue to have balance and vertigo problems. . . When the surgery was performed, the surgeon went in with the intent to sever the balance nerve on the right side of my head (the side with the tumor), while making every attempt to leave the entirety of the facial nerve and hearing nerve intact. When, during surgery, the decision was made to leave a small portion of the brain tumor, the decision was based upon the tumor having grown around those two nerves; the two nerves having entwined themselves around one another. Come to find that some portion of the balance nerve was wrapped into that quagmire. Thus, without the entire nerve being severed, I have the balance and vertigo issues.

There is nothing surgically which can be done because of the high risk involved to me physically and to the nerves which successfully escaped damage during the last surgery. I have some computer programs to work with which are designed to teach me how to gain the upperhand on these issues when they occur, and to learn to live with the disability. It has been tricky, but I see alot of progress even in the last week. I hope to become advanced enough that some of the day to day things, which remain impacted to a high degree, become easier to handle.

The good news is that I have 65.7% of my pre-op hearing. Not pre-tumor, mind you, but pre-op. Okay, well, I had 70% of my natural hearing at pre-op, and I have tested as par-normal hearing (meaning, if you have 100% of your natural hearing, I had 130%), so I essentially have just a hair under 60% of an average person's hearing. Heh, that is better than some people who never had a brain tumor! *go me, go me, go me*

The surgeon and my doctor are writing an article about me because of the extraordinary success with my case. They stated that they have spoken to other doctors and surgeons who deal with my type of tumor and that not one of them believes the results until they are shown the tests and documents (I gave them permission). My tumor was so large that even my doctor and surgeon, though they told me I had a 15-20% chance, did not think they could achieve the result. Even prior to surgery, I was told if I was the doctor's sister, he would have advised me differently than the path I chose to pursue. What are statistics, other than numbers skewed to show what some person wanted the numbers to (dis)prove, right?

The docs are working on some sort of dissertation for the New England Journal of Medicine and for a magazine published for The House Ear Institute & Clinic. I have been promised that my name will be an alias and no face photos will be included; they will use surgical photos and information about me, but nothing which would otherwise identify me. Not that my ex would be caught dead reading either of these publications, but I have done too much to be nicely tucked away from him and do not want something so obscure to be the reason he finds me. *sigh* It is sad, really. Eh, I have become quite used to it, however.

Unfortunately, on our way home from one of my appointments (two Fridays ago), R and I were involved in an accident. We were rear ended by a driver who had earlier been playing some sort of whacked out game of chicken when street lanes were merging. She almost took out the entire side of R's car!

When she hit us further up the road, I saw her coming and told R she was going to hit - she was going to fast to stop in time. I turned to look in the side view mirror on my (passenger) side, thinking she may try to swing around us, but knowing there were parked cars in that lane ahead of us, and she hit. My head hit the seat-back, but R put his foot on the gas to absorb as much impact as possible, but we had a car in front of us, so there was only so much he could move.

R got out of the car, went back to hers to get license and insurance info, but she yelled a few choice words at him and took off. R called his work peeps who had the helicopter (oh joy) and three units catch up to us as we followed her through LA and into Glendale. She pulled into a dingy nasty alley and was trying to park, but instead hit a parked car and drove up onto a curb. R blocked her in until police arrived. She REEKED of alcohol. Folks, it was NOON, for all that is holy! Her passenger got out of her car and took off after throwing something into a van parked next to where we were stopped. He was skuzzy; go figure-so was she.

She was DUI, under the influence of a combination of psych meds and alcohol, driving on a suspended license, and her passenger was wanted for two or three robberies in the area. Geesh - what a winner!

Needless to say, she was arrested and the police went in search of her passenger, who they had been searching for all morning. Do not know if he was ever located. We have an October court date on which we appear for the prosecution re: the driver.

What to say about our trip through TX and Georgia... Seriously, everyone knows not to travel down to the south during hurricane season, do they not? Well, after living in NC, I sure know, but there was naught I could do about the timing of our trip. R's gramma had her art gallery/art academy grand opening and it was important for us to be there-Ike and all. Ike interfered with phone and internet connections, and flight arrangements. Oh well., home now.

The notion of 9/11 travel was weird, at best, and nothing happened. Met the pilot at the airline counter, but I am not sure if the banter was supposed to make me feel *better* or more nauseated. He and the counter steward were joking that THIS plane he could keep in the air, unlike *that one* in Bermuda...Yeah, ha ha ha. I am not the best flyer in the world, despite how much flying I have had to do post 9/11. I was not good before 9/11 either, but I did not have to fly as much as after that date.

Anyhow, just weird. Hard to put a particular reason on the weirdness. Nevertheless, all is well that ends well.

Flying did wreak havoc on my head. R and I learned that I need to delay flying for an undetermined period of time. The pressure during take off caused pain and balance problems, so I felt nauseas most of the flight. The pain was so bad that a few tears made their way onto R's shirt. Ugh, and the turbulence. The flights home were less than pleasant. I am very happy to be on the ground again and home.

Right before we left, we had a loss on R's side of the family. It was completely unexpected and so sudden that it threw everyone for quite a loop. She passed away in her sleep and was found in the morning when her husband went it to wake her up. We missed his cousin's funeral as it occurred the day we left.

We made it a point to visit with his gramma and cousin's husband and children once we were back home. It was nice to see everyone and talk about family. I never was able to meet her, a total regret.

Upon returning home, R and I sadly discovered that a favorite place of ours, La Fondue, has closed its doors. Jen and Rob introduced me to this place sometime near seven years ago. I told Lisa to let Jen know since she would not know unless she comes back to visit and wants to eat there; I recall it being one of her favorite places. *sniffle* R and I have made it one of those places we go for our date nights; the nights we schedule in once a month, no matter what life throws at us. So. Sad.

There are other fondue restaurants, but this one had either the best staff, or the best to make fun of-depending on who your server was for the night. Also, as Jen so aptly named it, La Fondue had *THE BEST* birthday song EVER, 'Souls of the Children". Seriously, it was on an old 45 and sounded so eerie and creepy, that it really sounded like young haunting souls from beyond. La Fondue also had the best fondue dip. It will be missed.

On the brighter side, R and I befriended the owners daughter awhile back, so we have been in touch with her. She sent us the birthday album. How cool is that?!? She also gave us some recommendations for fondue in the area...meaning in Southern California. Additionally, she provided us the recipe for their salad dressing (as well as a HUGE jar of it), the recipe for their fondue, including where to buy the best cheeses for it, and the vintner of the white wine they served as the 'House Wine' on the menu, which I loved (and a few stores which carry it in stock). Seriously, she is an amazing and funny person, and we will miss visiting with her at the restaurant. She does, however, live fairly nearby, so we all plan to remain in touch with one another.

As for today, well, I woke up feeling kinda bleh. I have no energy and my tummy was topsy turvy earlier; better now, but still fairly lethargic. Not sure why. I do not feel like I am getting ill or anything; perhaps I overdid it a bit this week. I plan to take it easy this weekend and let it pass. Eh, whatever.

There is a private entry following this entry.

Arrivederci!

I do not think this country has become what our forefathers had in mind.

oh, I lament this September...it only means November draws nearer

Thu, 4 Sep 08 20:42:00 UT

Anyone can hire a good speechwriter, but Holy Lord, did Palin up the ante! First, she wrote her own speech, rhetoric and all; second, her delivery was as impressive as anyone from the Beltway. I. Am. Impressed.

I liked her digs to the media and to the false presentation set up at the DNC. Sure, all conventions have some level of pageantry, but, I have to say, the DNC's ostentatiousness was sickening.

I am happy that she introduced herself, her family, and her background; she did not avoid the spotlight that has been cast on those around her and in her family.

I am happy she did not draw any equivalents between running a state and foreign affairs. There is just no similarity.

I enjoyed hearing her speak up about what she HAS accomplished in her offices, whether those offices be PTA, Mayor, or Governor. There are those with the opinion that she has done nothing but offer ALL lies about her accomplishments; I beg to differ. She cleaned house following years, DECADES, of corruption. She reduced the spending, in ways she had personal control, AND in ways that it took constituent and voter participation. I would also like to point out that Obama has also *glorified* and excaggerated HIS accomplishments - that, it seems, is, and has always been, part of running for office.

I wanted to hear her say the truth-that not every issue can be resolved quickly or easily, and that not every issue will be *resolved* exactly as McCain and she would like, or even in their favor at all; she said it.

I know people are upset about her willingness to drill in Alaska. I would rather create nature preserves, while utilizing what areas America can-I do not want to remain beholden to foreign governments and entities for our oil and energy. Furthermore, she said what many people fail to give McCain and her credit for-they, just like the Dems, want to bring about greater installation and use of alternative energies. This is NOT a purely Dem notion/goal; both parties realize the necessity for a different path to energy and the environment it impacts.

I was proud to hear Palin speak on behalf of the party and herself against bigger government and more bureaucracy. We NEED competition, not the government trying to run things beyond its capabilities, with increases in taxes. If I pay more for ANYTHING, I would rather pay more for competitive services, not for government salaries for people who, I loathe to say 'stereotypically', but find it necessary, stereotypically will not work more than hard enough to run a 'status quo' and not more than hard enough to not lose their job.

I still find myself, regardless of the unexpected good impression I have had to McCain and Palin and the RNC in general, in my personal, and very strong, quandry-she is and will always be a woman. She will and always will not have served in our armed forces herself, yet may find herself in the position of Commander in Chief of those forces. If put in the office of VP, she will continuously be >this close< to the Presidency and that role of running the military. My struggle is over my conviction, that based on the forgoing, if I were to EVER vote for a woman to be President or VP to a man whose health is questionable, it is not a woman with these circumstances. If I EVER find myself voting for a woman to be President or VP to a person of questionable health, I require military service.

No, stop now, because I am not being hypocritical-I also require this background for any MAN I will ever cast my vote for when it comes to the offices of President or VP. I grew up an army brat and all I hold dear is all I have been afforded because of our military-the life I have, the freedoms I possess, and the things I can write, such as this entry, is because of the dedication, time, love, respect, and lives given for this country by those willing to fight for those things most people take for granted.

I freely admit, G-Dub is not what I wanted, but neither was Gore. G-Dub had, at the *very* least, his experience in the military, in addition to the Republican notions of bureaucracy and government (less IS more). Nope, his experience was not what I wanted, and it was not 'experience', as those who serve on the lines (such as Gore). Not even close. I thought it was better than nothing, and I thought it was better than what Gore offered by and through his platform of government healthcare and increased bureaucracy.. Was I right? I don't know. Gore could have, perhaps, done better, or, perhaps, done worse, even if done in different ways. Regardless, he WOULD have delivered speeches better than G-Dub. A trained monkey would have delivered better speeches. Hindsight is 20/20, but, here, it is speculative at best.

This time, I am delving deeper beneath the rhetoric and well written speeches than ever before. All in all, I am not amused by, what I see as, this comedic outlandish election. Still, I have a decision to make, and Mrs. Palin just made it a little easier for me to breathe; a little easier to come to terms with the fact that times are changing and candidates are going to have less (if any) military experience than in times past and that my convictions may have to be altered, and a little easier for me to even consider the Republican ticket with her on it.

Happy? No. Happier? Yes.

Arrivederci!

Ghost Orchid - are they not simply lovely?

Obama? McCain? Are you f***ing kidding me???

Fri, 29 Aug 08 11:23:00 UT
I have politely remained silent on the political front; sat back and read entries by people on either side. Today, I say, "NO MORE!"

Neither candidate is what the country needs. Neither candidate has anything more than rhetoric and a good speech writer. You may ask yourself, as I ask myself, "How in the He** did these two men end up as the candidates?!?" Well, when the choices are, in each party, left to selection of the best of the worst, this is what results. Yes, I voted, so, yes, I have the right to bitch about this nonsense. If you do not like it, I suggest you stop reading *now*.

McCain, whether he selects a pro-choice candidate or not, will always be a pro-life politician. Will this ever have an impact? That depends on the judicial vacancies that may occur during the next four years, if any. As President, and in THAT capacity, he has no control over the issue. It is just another dividing line between the parties. The same is true for Obama, just in the opposite (pro-life).

Healthcare? Oh please; as if the President can really fix the problem. Sure, the costs can be capped, but at the expense of availability. On the other side, a national healthcare system will erode the level of care, in addition to availability, as competition is the fundamental factor in providing and receiving ANY service, and in the level of that service. Sure, there may be a system of bureaucratic oversight, but that only creates more bureaucracy than actual results.

Economy? Both state that they want economic growth. Both will face the lobbyists, the Congress, and other roadblocks that they fail to account for in their "mission statements". May it be achieved? Possibly. Will it be achieved under either person? It is a fifty-fifty chance, either way. I would love to see it happen, do not get me wrong; but the chances of it happening within a four year term of any President is slim to none; after all, the first year is getting to know the job, the next is actually doing what *can* be done, and the next two are aimed at re-election.

Let's face it, during any given term, the President spends more time and money visiting places damaged by Mother Nature and focusing on rendering assistance to other foreign locations, that he FORGETS that his first and ultimate responsibility is NOT to the media, or to shake the hand of someone displaced by a hurricane, but TO THE COUNTRY. If a single Person ever ran for President and vowed not to take a single trip ANYWHERE, foreign or domestic, for anything other than to achieve a political goal, and I do not mean fundraising for the next campaign or creating goodwill by and through the media, but actually vowed to stay put and work at the White House, I would vote for that person in an instant, regardless of party affiliation. I do not need to see the President shaking hands with the public, despite their *appreciation* at the President taking VALUABLE time to come and see first-hand, damage which can be seen on the television. Money has never been less well spent.

The war. Oh puh-leez, like any candidate has a real solution. Sure, America can give a date certain, pull out, and leave the mid-east to its own devices. Sure, we can stay, and see more soldiers killed, more money spent. No matter how anyone sees this issue, there is no *win* column.

Faith should not even play a part in the election, but it rears its ugly head every four years. This country was founded on the right to exercise any religion, openly and freely. Neither candidate has said that this freedom should be restricted or taken away, so it should not matter what their own political idealogy is or is not. Yes, it does have an impact in that religious philosophy influences how and why choices will be made by a person. The fundamental tenants, however, are essentially the same - treat others how a person wants to be treated and with respect, and accept others' beliefs, whether it is seen as right or wrong. the President wants to practice as a Buddhist? I do not care. The person can think I am going to He** because I practice my own, different, belief; that is the person's perogative; so long as I am left alone to believe what I believe.

Oil dependence. Oh lordie. Those that support drilling domestically, do so ONLY so long as it is not in their backyard, or so long as it does not impact nature. Yeah, good luck with that. Alternative energy has a similar problem - lots of support, but no one wants the necessary tools/stations in their town. There are too many people who will support anything, so long as it does not affect their daily routine, the appearnace of their town, etc. People want to go green? Then they have to allow the extra recycling barrels to be on their curbside for pick up, and to take up the extra space in their yard or home. People want wind power? Then there MUST be sites for the windmills to generate that power. People want solar power? Then they must be willing to pay the higher cost for installation/building.

Immigration? Are you serious? This country would be nowhere without immigrants. Sure there needs to be a functional system in place for citizenship - heck, if anyone could come across any border, north, south, east, or west, and live here with the benefits, but not pay the costs...oh wait, that is practically where we are with the current system. Closing the borders is not the answer, but neither is allowing people to remain who have not followed the proper protocol. Illegal immigration is just that - illegal.

I could go on and on about the myriad of issues presented right now, but suffice to say that neither party has all the answers. Neither party can fix *all* the issues in its favor. And, no matter what either candidate says, there is no *real* way to know how they will act as President, with all the impediments to that office.

Alas, I have to make a decision about which way to vote, but it is not going to be based on the glorious speeches, the political rhetoric, the evasive answers to media questions, or even on the ethnicity/religion of either person. The decision is going to be made very logically - who is in control of the big businesses which will be most impacted, how much money does each have at its disposal, which lobbyists are the most influential at present, which Congress persons are up for re-election and when, which person has the more solid connections abroad, to which foreign government are we most indebted to, most in need of collaboration, and, in those countries, which candidate is more apt to have connections, influence, and respect - and in light of all this information, who has the best chance of success on the most issues.

No one ever said the choice would be easy. If the choice is not easy, then why would the process to make it be easy?

Agree or disagree, that point is moot. The question is really whether your decision will be based on logical, non-biased information, decided based upon affiliation with a specific party, or based on the media's slant (and lack of FULL information) of each candidate for each issue. The choice is yours. Just make one. Just vote.

Arrivederci!

Ghost Orchid - are they not simply lovely?

update on gramma

Tue, 26 Aug 08 11:35:00 UT
R's gramma is out of ICU now and into a regular hospital room. The doc is still concerned over the fluid that keeps building up in her lungs, but they are happy that they have not filled to a point certain.

R and I visited gramma for a bit of time yesterday, but since she was still in ICU, time was limited. Gramma looked 300% better than before her surgery! She was in good spirits - smiling and joking with us. She still becomes very tired easily, but that is to be expected - heck, they cut her almost in half! The doc expects she will remain in the hospital for a full week from now, but she is itching to get out sooner. We shall see who prevails... *giggles*

I did take some personal time this weekend. Whew! I met up with T for a a girly afternoon of massages and salt scrubs. It felt so nice to have the huge a** knot in my neck give way; it has been there since my surgery, and I was not allowed to go to a massage therapist or chiropractor until recently. Wow, I can turn my head again! Wonders never cease. Heh.

The release of the knot in my neck also alleviated alot of the pain I was having in my head and shoulders when I wake up; the headaches are still appearing, but probably with only one third as much aggression.

T and I also visited a newly opened restaurant down the street from the massage place, which, by the way, if you are EVER in/near Culver City, is the most amazing massage boutique (The Massage Garage). Mmmmm, the restaurant is DEFINITELY one T and I will take our hubbies back to visit! We had a coconut fried calamari, a baked macaroni and cheese, and a summer salad to die for! They have a wonderful and extensive wine list as well, but after a massage, there is nothing better than LOTS of water.

I laid low on Sunday. I woke up with a major rash on my face and had no idea why. I found a facialist/dermatologist place that took a look for me, only to discover I was bit by a spider behind my ear. I could not feel it because it is on the side of my surgery and in a place which has not regained its feeling sensation. After THREE injections of Benadryl and a dermabrasion, the scaly rash went partially away. The remainder was gone by yesterday afternoon. YAY!

Well, work is beckoning me to it, so off I go...

Arrivederci!

Ghost Orchid - are they not simply lovely?