Think before you ink?

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It turns out that, as the economy tanks, and people grow up, they learn that what was cool is no longer so profitable.  Have you seen some of the ink on some guys and even gals today?  If they are thinking working for the circus or being a permanent member of the occupy movement is the way to go, I suppose it could make sense.  Think long and hard before you ink up, you might just end up paying for it forever or at least twice.  Think.  Hard.

People are thinking to make their children bully-proof.  No, I love the notion.  I do.  It just isn't possible.  The pecking order in schools is maintained through child-to-child interaction.  And that interaction boils down to who is the biggest, strongest, or by other measures who can command.  Not only can teachers not be everywhere, or know everything, they make it their rule not to even try.  Some of them do attempt to maintain discipline within their view, though that is not an absolute especially if the bully is favored by the teacher.  As well, teaching a child self defense is fine.  But there are extreme limits to self defense.  Self defense, as well, requires a means of getting out.  Children can't quit school or even change schools.  A child who is taught well enough to defend himself to be inured to bullying will likely become the next bully.  That is how that works.  Children aren't mature enough to handle power.  If you want your children not to have to deal with might-makes-right power structures then homeschool.  Otherwise understand that your child will be party to that power structure.

Ah, here is something I would like to begin adding to my blog!  Things to do at home, ways to cut costs, and little techniques that save time,  money, or both.  Today will be regarding house cleaning.  Yeah, not my strong point, true.  But something I like to keep in mind for those rare occasions where I can get my butt in gear.  I will be looking for tool tips, reloading and general gun care ideas, home repair, and such.  For today, here are five ideas for household upkeep.

Home mortgages at the best rates ever!  Well, but few can take advantage.  I wouldn't even necessarily advise anyone to buy a home.  I did, but I didn't do it based on economics.  I did it for a freedom, and adventure.  I had my own reasons for doing so, not in line with much of the typical reasons for purchasing a home.  I do not know how much I have lost in the purchase, I don't know if I will ever recoup that in my lifetime, I do know that this is what I want.  Although, in some fairness, renting this home would be more expensive than buying.  There is that.  And I doubt if I could have found a place to rent like this in a more reasoned area like where I live.  Rent in even the smaller local the cities for anything like my home would actually cost double what I am paying, plus with neighbors I would have to worry about.

I keep getting offers, cost free to me, to halve my payments using some sort of ARM or other.  I have also been seeing articles about how companies are absolutely messing people over with these programs.  I honestly don't know about these offers.  I can't seem to dig into them deeply enough.  Oh, sure, cutting my payments in half would be nice, but not if I sold my low interest rate for a potentially higher, much higher rate, in ten years or something.  It's a dangerous world and neither banks nor the government are on your side.  So far, if a deal looks too good?  It is.  I don't take one step beyond that unless I know everything, have actual consumer advocates who know what they are doing supporting the notion, and all my research says "yes".  Thieves and liars, cross my heart, I hope you die.

I had a tough time waking this morning.  Rather than just turn off the last alarm I reset it for 9:00.  I just had a feeling that it was worth giving that a shot, and it worked.  Some days I know that no matter how many times I reset it won't work.  Some days I don't know and keep failing.  Today was good.  I won't say I jumped out of bed right at 9:00, but... I finally made it out of bed thereabouts.  I am moving slow, I am weak, but I have plans.  My friend called.  He wanted to know if he woke me.  I think he and my mother both sort of hope they do!  Bah!  Nope, not this time.  Then he wondered if I would be to town today.  Of course, mostly.  I told him I was working on it.  I have been using my timer, segmenting half hour bits of time in order to wake up, gain focus, pay attention?  Something.  I have, since starting the use of the timer, let almost two cycles go by.  Today it looks like I will need three timed segments to get going, maybe four.  But the timer does keep me in the game.  At 12:30, or 13:00, I will go in for a shower and such.  When I am dressed and heading out I will give my friend a call, letting him know to be ready.

I do realize my medicine can initially cause problems.  When I first went back on them I could not stay awake for long.  I became more functional though.  I was aware that I was sleeping a great deal but could maintain some food, my small needs and wants that are required at this point, and I was able to stay on the medication.  I did improve to being able to maintain a day schedule after a week or so of medication.  After doubling the troubling medication I am still able to maintain the day schedule I worked to create.  However I am able to do almost no work.  It is both a concentration and energy issue.  I knew there would be consequences.  And there are.  I have no idea how long it will take for me to become even a bit more functional again.  Though I suspect that has something to do with how long it takes my blood pressure to come down, which I haven't seen.  So...  Still, I am aware and awake, on a day schedule, on my medication, and heading into more function.  It's just a matter of time.  I sure hope the bp starts coming down though.  It has been exceedingly high lately.

Hmm, well, on to a bit more waking up.  Have a great day.