.
.
Something I have been considering is what to do in the kitchen. Now, it is fully functional, more so when clean. So, that is not really the issue. Not completely. What I have a problem with is usable counter space, hence the notion regarding installing an island, perhaps now as a temporary device and later as a stationary piece. (Should I ever get that far, survive my health issues, come up with the money, blah, blah, blah.) I really enjoy butcher blocks, for a number of reasons. So a three inch thick, or thicker, block, on a mobile island, would be a wonderful addition. Not only would it provide "counter space", it would be wonderful to have counter space I could feel secure chopping, cutting, and otherwise slicing away upon.
So, I went shopping. Internet window shopping is not new, though I have not been doing much of that in quite some time. And, that is probably why I have a few coins still in my pocket (for what they are worth, again though... beside the point). First I looked at what a pre-built island or even stand would cost. The going rate for something as small at eighteen by twenty four inches started at nearly $600 dollars. All the starting models included was the three to four inch butcher block on top of four too skinny looking legs. The price for a near island of the thicker butcher block material began at about $1600, then up to topping off my blood pressure. Hmm, nice notion. So, I decided to consider, again, a dyi project and began looking for ideas. I also looked for notions regarding cutting boards and butcher blocks. What I noted in most dyi projects and purchased butcher blocks is that none of what I saw worked with the offered specs regarding butcher blocks.
End cuts were always recommended by dyi'ers and were advertised by sellers. Check, that works. The problem is the recommended size of those end cuts, which was nearly four inches by three inches, was never used in either dyi'ers' plans nor pre-built offerings! Usually what was shown was, say one and three quarters inch by two to three inches on down to one inch by one inch looking end cut blocks. Too picky? Maybe. I also looked at lumber offerings. The only thing I saw in an hour of searching was one offering of four by four by thirty inch blocks, marked as furniture maple. I did not see hard, sugar, rock, or mountain designations and these (I think) were marketed for turning as table legs. Which, to my way of thinking, means they were probably soft maple.
If I get to town today, before heading to SLC, I may stop at a lumber store or two and ask about their stock in, say, four inch by four inch by whatever (at least four inches) pieces of hard maple. My guess, either not available or custom thus much more expensive. I would like to get prices for stock to know if a dyi project is even remotely worth the savings, or if there are any savings. It is so bad today, when everyone will sell you anything and not know what they are really selling you, not care whether it is what you actually need or want, and have a stupid punk smirk on their faces the whole time. They think it is cute to sell in an almost nihilistic manner. Look at the next stranger, after the sale. I swear, they are evil anymore. They think they took you, and probably did.
Why would a butcher block be cheaper to buy than to make? Well, let me see, some place like China where they use questionable wood (might not be hard maple, let alone hard wood), companies who are legitimate finding that millionaires to buy their overpriced goods have disappeared into the woodwork needing simple cash to get by and letting stock go for less than they paid for it as a short term hail Mary, and a few other reasons. Well, that and you almost cannot beat mass production, even counting your time sometimes. All that and the recommended cuts for butcher blocks have to be set aside because the lumber does not seem to be available.
Crazy? Me? Who are you kidding? People are living in a fantasy. They have $1,600 and up pieces of furniture that are, essentially, only for looks. I happened to glance at furniture too. Other than Amish, I saw bedroom sets for $5k, which were... veneer? Really? They are deluded. How many other things do people have, which they think will always work and well, which are frauds? For one, I think of the automobile industry. Most cars, if they are not flat cheap basic models, unless they truly have extra features which add to true utility (where it can go, what it can haul, how many it can haul) is based on a fraud of selling points by slick advertisers. You can almost simply melt most vehicles without all that much heat. Bah! Angry, not crazy. Still, I will stop at a couple of lumber stores and see what I can see.
Oh, and never buy furniture from almost any store if you are looking for anything but trailer trash furnishings. The Amish seem to sell better solid wood furnishings (mostly minus walnut, as it is much harder on hand tools). But if you want pieces that will last, I would recommend estate sales (but look the items over closely, anything made in the last half century is suspect) and the Amish. You will pay much more to the Amish than you will to JC Penney or RC Willey but your furniture will last longer than you will. If your future ends with you, ignore all I say. Though mine, currently, does. I at least pray to change that. And, so, I prepare.
Monday, March 21, 2011
Oh, I had almost forgotten the brots.
.
.
No, not steak, not by a long shot. Steak has that tender but firm texture sausage just is not able to match. The fat in sausage is usually a lot richer, or heavier, or something. Beef fat, paired with good tender powerfully beef tasting muscle is the best fat around. And yet I will never really complain about brots and some other sausages. The goods ones, like the ones I buy, are a treat of a different nature, rather than a lower order.
I have tried to cook brots a dozen different ways. The best way I have found to cook them is to boil and fry them. Tonight, I had two packages, so I tried frying first then boiling and the reverse, as much because I had the hot water left from the last batch and did not want to waste both the energy in the pan of water and use my own energy to wash and restart the cooking process. Curiosity threw it's hat in the ring as well, of course. I cannot tell a difference between the ways. Then again, when you are as hungry as I was, perhaps it is not the best time to compare nuances in food.
This gives me meat to add to beans, rice, or a mixture, or to just eat cold. Yes, hot with mustard or ground horseradish or cold as mobile food, brots are very good. Mixed with beans, rice, or several other things adds excellent variety and will fill you up quickly. The fat is mostly cooked out, being boiled then fried. What is left is just plain good meat, savory spices, and just enough fat to exclude the need for prunes. My eating of beans and rice has already done that. This just keeps blockage immunization up.
Now, to do a little bit of cleaning, put a load of laundry in the wash, grab the tire repair kit from the car so I can read the instructions and make sure my tire is good, then maybe a trip to town. When I have it going, I hate to see anything wasted. I have little time to tend to real needs, waste is trouble. This may mean a long "day", staying up to get to SLC on top of everything else, but that may just have to be suffered through. Besides, if I went to sleep now, I am pretty sure I would not wake up in time to get to the tire, which would make getting to SLC impossible anyway. What was it we said? Ah, right, hurry and wait... in the Navy. Either we had long stretches of little but the mundane, or we had moments of huge effort, lasting hours, sometimes stretching into days, where all feet were on the deck, ground, or wherever doing whatever was required, which was often more than any one man could often truly consider. Even the Captain, crew chief, chief, or whoever had to take advice and often contradictory advice, and muddle through using his balls, brains, butt, and elbow grease. Today is one of those days for me. Thankfully, no one will die if I mess up... though a bad tire can be dangerous on an 80 mph road.
Well, on to what I need to do. Though I think I am going to have one of those now cool remnant brots. Later.
.
No, not steak, not by a long shot. Steak has that tender but firm texture sausage just is not able to match. The fat in sausage is usually a lot richer, or heavier, or something. Beef fat, paired with good tender powerfully beef tasting muscle is the best fat around. And yet I will never really complain about brots and some other sausages. The goods ones, like the ones I buy, are a treat of a different nature, rather than a lower order.
I have tried to cook brots a dozen different ways. The best way I have found to cook them is to boil and fry them. Tonight, I had two packages, so I tried frying first then boiling and the reverse, as much because I had the hot water left from the last batch and did not want to waste both the energy in the pan of water and use my own energy to wash and restart the cooking process. Curiosity threw it's hat in the ring as well, of course. I cannot tell a difference between the ways. Then again, when you are as hungry as I was, perhaps it is not the best time to compare nuances in food.
This gives me meat to add to beans, rice, or a mixture, or to just eat cold. Yes, hot with mustard or ground horseradish or cold as mobile food, brots are very good. Mixed with beans, rice, or several other things adds excellent variety and will fill you up quickly. The fat is mostly cooked out, being boiled then fried. What is left is just plain good meat, savory spices, and just enough fat to exclude the need for prunes. My eating of beans and rice has already done that. This just keeps blockage immunization up.
Now, to do a little bit of cleaning, put a load of laundry in the wash, grab the tire repair kit from the car so I can read the instructions and make sure my tire is good, then maybe a trip to town. When I have it going, I hate to see anything wasted. I have little time to tend to real needs, waste is trouble. This may mean a long "day", staying up to get to SLC on top of everything else, but that may just have to be suffered through. Besides, if I went to sleep now, I am pretty sure I would not wake up in time to get to the tire, which would make getting to SLC impossible anyway. What was it we said? Ah, right, hurry and wait... in the Navy. Either we had long stretches of little but the mundane, or we had moments of huge effort, lasting hours, sometimes stretching into days, where all feet were on the deck, ground, or wherever doing whatever was required, which was often more than any one man could often truly consider. Even the Captain, crew chief, chief, or whoever had to take advice and often contradictory advice, and muddle through using his balls, brains, butt, and elbow grease. Today is one of those days for me. Thankfully, no one will die if I mess up... though a bad tire can be dangerous on an 80 mph road.
Well, on to what I need to do. Though I think I am going to have one of those now cool remnant brots. Later.
Sunday, March 20, 2011
Hungry.
.
.
With the notion of steaks on my mind, because of my intentions at the butcher shop, and being frustrated by mistaking the day thus expecting steak when it is not possible, my mind is on beef. Something I might find a work-around regarding until I can actually purchase then prepare a proper meal. Having said that, I found a post on AOS, which lead me to The Food Lab and an article regarding myths and truths of cooking steaks. Oh, my. Well, after I got over the pictures, wiped the drool from my chin, regained composer, and started thinking, I decided to read a bit.
Some of these things I have always wondered about, such as turning steaks with a fork (which I do). As well, salting. Alton Brown suggested, IIRC and I think I do, that salting steaks at least an hour ahead was the way to go. It is something I usually do, forgetting once in a while and just salting and cooking right away if I happen to forget. Well, it seems I am good there, too. One thing I have not been doing, but will do now, is flipping ever 30 seconds or so. Now, something I will continue to do is allow the steaks to get a decent sear before flipping that first time, and one each side. Let the steak get a bit of a crust. I usually let it sit about four minutes. I will probably cut that to two or fewer minutes, just letting the steak release before flipping. A bit of both seems better, considering my experience and other advice.
Oh, I cannot wait for that first steak. Even if it is raining and a bit chill, I think it is warm enough to fire the grill up and cook a handsome meal, meant for a man folk. Tuesday is the earliest possible, but knowing me, it will not happen until later in the week. See, even the things I want and love... are on hold. And it stinks. But, the steak is always worth the wait. Conservationism through procrastination, it is as good as I can do and more than I wish to do. Ha!
.
With the notion of steaks on my mind, because of my intentions at the butcher shop, and being frustrated by mistaking the day thus expecting steak when it is not possible, my mind is on beef. Something I might find a work-around regarding until I can actually purchase then prepare a proper meal. Having said that, I found a post on AOS, which lead me to The Food Lab and an article regarding myths and truths of cooking steaks. Oh, my. Well, after I got over the pictures, wiped the drool from my chin, regained composer, and started thinking, I decided to read a bit.
Some of these things I have always wondered about, such as turning steaks with a fork (which I do). As well, salting. Alton Brown suggested, IIRC and I think I do, that salting steaks at least an hour ahead was the way to go. It is something I usually do, forgetting once in a while and just salting and cooking right away if I happen to forget. Well, it seems I am good there, too. One thing I have not been doing, but will do now, is flipping ever 30 seconds or so. Now, something I will continue to do is allow the steaks to get a decent sear before flipping that first time, and one each side. Let the steak get a bit of a crust. I usually let it sit about four minutes. I will probably cut that to two or fewer minutes, just letting the steak release before flipping. A bit of both seems better, considering my experience and other advice.
Oh, I cannot wait for that first steak. Even if it is raining and a bit chill, I think it is warm enough to fire the grill up and cook a handsome meal, meant for a man folk. Tuesday is the earliest possible, but knowing me, it will not happen until later in the week. See, even the things I want and love... are on hold. And it stinks. But, the steak is always worth the wait. Conservationism through procrastination, it is as good as I can do and more than I wish to do. Ha!
I am no dunce, but...
.
.
Looking over solutions for similar problems and solutions offered online is fruitless. I found no exactly similar issues. I have heard that it is a software bug, a trojan, and all sorts of things. I swear many people out there really should not be offering advice, by the way. The ones who offered advice that seemed to fix the problems were ITs, and they were usually conversing with other ITs. The tools they used, the information they required, and the work that was done are all well above my computer knowledge paygrade. So, tomorrow the thing goes in.
As much trouble as computers are, it is a wonder that most put up with them. They actually bring carburetors to mind. And, as with those, only a few actually knew (know? are they still around much?) what they are doing with them. Take a carburetor to the wrong shop and you will very possibly end up with a paperweight. Possibly a very expensive one. With computers, there is always the possibility that a poor tech might blow every component in the machine, but that is unlikely. At least with computers, a good tech can usually fix what a bad tech did and fix the initial problem. The thing is it will cost all along the way and leave you without your computer until, well, until whenever the tech gets to it, as long as it takes to fix, and when he decides to contact you. The difference is, with a carburetor, you knew if it was junked. With a computer, they can get it to limp by and just seem fixed. You will never know if you had a great tech or a mediocre one, until it breaks again, and again, and again. Even then, it might be difficult to know.
At least the internet is functional. If I could do other things, I would probably junk my computer and go do it. Being exhausted so often leaves only sleep or computing. I would rather compute. Gaming, blogging, reviewing non-msm news sources, and researching topics I have hope to dig into or a need to know, the computer gives me legs, a library, entertainment, information, and some small connectivity with the people out there who are of interest. So, I am stuck. Bah! Failing tire and corrupted machine in the same month is going to hurt. I just hope nothing else pops up or down...
Later.
.
Looking over solutions for similar problems and solutions offered online is fruitless. I found no exactly similar issues. I have heard that it is a software bug, a trojan, and all sorts of things. I swear many people out there really should not be offering advice, by the way. The ones who offered advice that seemed to fix the problems were ITs, and they were usually conversing with other ITs. The tools they used, the information they required, and the work that was done are all well above my computer knowledge paygrade. So, tomorrow the thing goes in.
As much trouble as computers are, it is a wonder that most put up with them. They actually bring carburetors to mind. And, as with those, only a few actually knew (know? are they still around much?) what they are doing with them. Take a carburetor to the wrong shop and you will very possibly end up with a paperweight. Possibly a very expensive one. With computers, there is always the possibility that a poor tech might blow every component in the machine, but that is unlikely. At least with computers, a good tech can usually fix what a bad tech did and fix the initial problem. The thing is it will cost all along the way and leave you without your computer until, well, until whenever the tech gets to it, as long as it takes to fix, and when he decides to contact you. The difference is, with a carburetor, you knew if it was junked. With a computer, they can get it to limp by and just seem fixed. You will never know if you had a great tech or a mediocre one, until it breaks again, and again, and again. Even then, it might be difficult to know.
At least the internet is functional. If I could do other things, I would probably junk my computer and go do it. Being exhausted so often leaves only sleep or computing. I would rather compute. Gaming, blogging, reviewing non-msm news sources, and researching topics I have hope to dig into or a need to know, the computer gives me legs, a library, entertainment, information, and some small connectivity with the people out there who are of interest. So, I am stuck. Bah! Failing tire and corrupted machine in the same month is going to hurt. I just hope nothing else pops up or down...
Later.
Ah, what has happened.
.
.
The failure of my game does seem to be the computer. But a new hard drive probably did not just fail. So, what is happening in the guts of the thing, I cannot say. But, that is the problem as is. The hard drive containing the game is failing to be read. I will, on my way to SLC, have to take it in for repairs tomorrow. I will probably pick another shop this time. The last shop is fine, but a long drive and a feeling that something just is not right. So, I will drop it somewhere in Logan on my way to the big city.
I have, finally, started my 24 hour urinalysis. The jug they give is huge. I laughed when they handed it to me the first time. I was amazed at their optimism. I, somehow, ended up with two of those jugs. My laughter has turned to doubt. I may actually need both jugs. Perhaps it is the water pill, but maybe I simply underestimated how much volume a human typically voids. It took months for me to get to the point where I had a.) eaten a heavier salt diet for three days (as often I was not even eating), b.) set the thing up and had ice on hand as I was not putting the thing in my refrigerator, c.) was awake and aware enough to void first thing into the usual receptacle and THEN actually use the container. It seems such an easy thing, but when very tired all of the time, a change in basic patterns is very difficult to accomplish. Some things, other than just bill paying, are put on such a powerful automatic system, that altering behavior is a massive undertaking. How sad. Though I wonder if most people are pretty well automated, if a little more consciously able to create flexibility? Yes, probably. The eke factor of urinating in a jug is there too. It just seems wrong, somehow. That, of course, is medicine and science.
I am hoping to get more done in the house today. The dishes are all but done, beans and rice were cooked and put up. The dishes that remain are mostly from that. A few loads of laundry can be gotten to as well. But going to the butcher shop is not possible. I had gotten my days mixed, thinking today would be Saturday. As in all God-fearing respectable places and being that this is actually Sunday, the butcher shop is not open. All good. Still, it will not be until Tuesday at the earliest that I will be able to make a trip to the butcher shop. I am thinking about a run into town to get the other groceries though.
I seem to be having a tire that is going flat. The service department may have filled it, or overfilled it. The other tires were all at 40psi, 4 pounds over recommended. But the flattish tire was way down. Now, I usually check those and keep them at 36psi, so I do suspect that the tires were filled. The reason, though, that I have trouble believing they filled the one tire was that it was way down immediately. While when I fill it, it goes down over days. I need to get that in to be checked, but am not sure where to go at this point. Even at trusted places, it is best to go in knowing what the problem is beforehand. They see a noob, even so called trusted places see green. I hate to say it, but do not even trust you mother these days, not in some things.
Well, on to checking the computer and seeing if I can get that working, while I wake up. Then for a few other tasks. Good day.
.
The failure of my game does seem to be the computer. But a new hard drive probably did not just fail. So, what is happening in the guts of the thing, I cannot say. But, that is the problem as is. The hard drive containing the game is failing to be read. I will, on my way to SLC, have to take it in for repairs tomorrow. I will probably pick another shop this time. The last shop is fine, but a long drive and a feeling that something just is not right. So, I will drop it somewhere in Logan on my way to the big city.
I have, finally, started my 24 hour urinalysis. The jug they give is huge. I laughed when they handed it to me the first time. I was amazed at their optimism. I, somehow, ended up with two of those jugs. My laughter has turned to doubt. I may actually need both jugs. Perhaps it is the water pill, but maybe I simply underestimated how much volume a human typically voids. It took months for me to get to the point where I had a.) eaten a heavier salt diet for three days (as often I was not even eating), b.) set the thing up and had ice on hand as I was not putting the thing in my refrigerator, c.) was awake and aware enough to void first thing into the usual receptacle and THEN actually use the container. It seems such an easy thing, but when very tired all of the time, a change in basic patterns is very difficult to accomplish. Some things, other than just bill paying, are put on such a powerful automatic system, that altering behavior is a massive undertaking. How sad. Though I wonder if most people are pretty well automated, if a little more consciously able to create flexibility? Yes, probably. The eke factor of urinating in a jug is there too. It just seems wrong, somehow. That, of course, is medicine and science.
I am hoping to get more done in the house today. The dishes are all but done, beans and rice were cooked and put up. The dishes that remain are mostly from that. A few loads of laundry can be gotten to as well. But going to the butcher shop is not possible. I had gotten my days mixed, thinking today would be Saturday. As in all God-fearing respectable places and being that this is actually Sunday, the butcher shop is not open. All good. Still, it will not be until Tuesday at the earliest that I will be able to make a trip to the butcher shop. I am thinking about a run into town to get the other groceries though.
I seem to be having a tire that is going flat. The service department may have filled it, or overfilled it. The other tires were all at 40psi, 4 pounds over recommended. But the flattish tire was way down. Now, I usually check those and keep them at 36psi, so I do suspect that the tires were filled. The reason, though, that I have trouble believing they filled the one tire was that it was way down immediately. While when I fill it, it goes down over days. I need to get that in to be checked, but am not sure where to go at this point. Even at trusted places, it is best to go in knowing what the problem is beforehand. They see a noob, even so called trusted places see green. I hate to say it, but do not even trust you mother these days, not in some things.
Well, on to checking the computer and seeing if I can get that working, while I wake up. Then for a few other tasks. Good day.
Gold!
.
.
Gold, silver, diamonds, all somewhat portable and always of some value. Gold has been climbing, and for quite some time. The problem, as I see it? The reason gold is going up slowly is because someone is buying it. I thought Soros, or a few other billionaire types at first. Buying to get a peak, then selling to get rich. I now suspect China, OPEC, maybe Russia, or all of them. Though I suspect China specifically and more deeply. I think they thought oil at first, then gold, would buy them out from under the dollar, and allow them the crush the dollar. Now, actually, I think they are trapped. I am sure some pharaohs might have felt the same, should they have not actually been dead when entombed. Midas had to, eventually, have known that feeling if I do not remember how that story actually ended.
I would not buy into gold. If I had gold, I would truly consider selling it. The thing is, what is safe to put one's money into. What will keep it safe? The answer? Nothing static. Buy beans when they are down, sell them for gold on a slight rise, sell that when it peaks and cash out. Even if you owned a billion dollars worth of beans in a starving nation, what would people pay you with for the beans? If I were rich I would be scared. Especially when governments and very wealthy ideological actors are first trying to get your money then make it so there is no secure way in which to make more, or wealth really.
Being poorish is no great boon in that I cannot properly prepare quickly enough for an inevitable bottoming out of all and everything. This and that, sure. Those and these, okay. But all in small quantities, not sorted or stored the best, as good as I can do with condition and available income. Still, I will not lose billions, or millions, or... really anything but a rather humble income. I may be king among cripples, financially, but that is not saying all that much.
No, anything you might go into because it is on the rise is being used as a vehicle by someone far richer to corner. You will most likely be cornered. Do not borrow from the bank and do not bet against the house. If I really did have a ton of money, arms, bullets, food, and a secure place would be among the things I would be looking into. I see so many looking for a huge spread, far removed from neighbors, in rugged but tillable arable land. Really? Unless you also have a small army, one which you can control when money is worthless, I think of that as becoming a rabbit in a trap. Small, conservative, towns. Towns near good sources of water, potable water. And perhaps horses, or if rich enough solid vehicles, fuel and oil dumps, and a part depot.
I can only imagine the first time the truly rich begin being burgled by hungry mobs, asking their favorite CNN reporters why these people do not just eat Arugula. The surprised look on their faces as the thieves stand bold faced and tell the rich they owe the poor, then slaughter them as well. Of course, these same will take from any who are weak, and whatever they want while they have the power. Do not call 911. If you are weak, take the same advice I gave the rich. As is, in spite of being crippled, I am not weak. And, I took my own advice.
I am not sure how I am going to go about fitting in, here, though. I really am crippled. These people work, hard working at that. They are always doing something for pay, for their families, for themselves. I... sit. And watch. We will see, maybe I can get to doing more. The Lord knows it is in my heart if not in my body to "do". Nailing or cutting boards, building a cabinet or wielding iron or steel, washing dishes or cooking... I like doing these things. And I love to tinker, fix, break, and examine things. I am the right man in the right place with a broken body. But, I am here. That is a start.
.
Gold, silver, diamonds, all somewhat portable and always of some value. Gold has been climbing, and for quite some time. The problem, as I see it? The reason gold is going up slowly is because someone is buying it. I thought Soros, or a few other billionaire types at first. Buying to get a peak, then selling to get rich. I now suspect China, OPEC, maybe Russia, or all of them. Though I suspect China specifically and more deeply. I think they thought oil at first, then gold, would buy them out from under the dollar, and allow them the crush the dollar. Now, actually, I think they are trapped. I am sure some pharaohs might have felt the same, should they have not actually been dead when entombed. Midas had to, eventually, have known that feeling if I do not remember how that story actually ended.
I would not buy into gold. If I had gold, I would truly consider selling it. The thing is, what is safe to put one's money into. What will keep it safe? The answer? Nothing static. Buy beans when they are down, sell them for gold on a slight rise, sell that when it peaks and cash out. Even if you owned a billion dollars worth of beans in a starving nation, what would people pay you with for the beans? If I were rich I would be scared. Especially when governments and very wealthy ideological actors are first trying to get your money then make it so there is no secure way in which to make more, or wealth really.
Being poorish is no great boon in that I cannot properly prepare quickly enough for an inevitable bottoming out of all and everything. This and that, sure. Those and these, okay. But all in small quantities, not sorted or stored the best, as good as I can do with condition and available income. Still, I will not lose billions, or millions, or... really anything but a rather humble income. I may be king among cripples, financially, but that is not saying all that much.
No, anything you might go into because it is on the rise is being used as a vehicle by someone far richer to corner. You will most likely be cornered. Do not borrow from the bank and do not bet against the house. If I really did have a ton of money, arms, bullets, food, and a secure place would be among the things I would be looking into. I see so many looking for a huge spread, far removed from neighbors, in rugged but tillable arable land. Really? Unless you also have a small army, one which you can control when money is worthless, I think of that as becoming a rabbit in a trap. Small, conservative, towns. Towns near good sources of water, potable water. And perhaps horses, or if rich enough solid vehicles, fuel and oil dumps, and a part depot.
I can only imagine the first time the truly rich begin being burgled by hungry mobs, asking their favorite CNN reporters why these people do not just eat Arugula. The surprised look on their faces as the thieves stand bold faced and tell the rich they owe the poor, then slaughter them as well. Of course, these same will take from any who are weak, and whatever they want while they have the power. Do not call 911. If you are weak, take the same advice I gave the rich. As is, in spite of being crippled, I am not weak. And, I took my own advice.
I am not sure how I am going to go about fitting in, here, though. I really am crippled. These people work, hard working at that. They are always doing something for pay, for their families, for themselves. I... sit. And watch. We will see, maybe I can get to doing more. The Lord knows it is in my heart if not in my body to "do". Nailing or cutting boards, building a cabinet or wielding iron or steel, washing dishes or cooking... I like doing these things. And I love to tinker, fix, break, and examine things. I am the right man in the right place with a broken body. But, I am here. That is a start.
Computer troubles.
.
.
My internet works but my internet game and a voice communication for it do not. Actually, this happened late (or early as the case actually is) yesterday (or this morning, identifying then communicating a particular day(s) gets messy when sleep is disrupted). My computer is telling me that the drive or network connection to my game and the subprogram have failed or are not working. And, as I said, I can still get on the internet. I have a group of suspects, since it seems to be on then off again. I suspect WoW itself, the owners or operators depending on which of those would be morally blamed. I also wonder about my ISP, they hate bandwidth chewing games. And, possibly, a hacker who read my post and thought to "lend a hand". No, it probably is not the computer. I do need a new computer, for security if nothing else.
To be sure, any MS system has built in security back doors for themselves and the government, and probably any corporation with deep enough pockets to buy the keys. Which means your average bored teenager will find it eventually. But with XP, MS has pretty much decided to kick that os to the curb so are just as likely fostering hacks for it as anything else. Not that I think there is anything wrong with a company of hackers, weighing in on politics, possibly blackmailing politicians for this or that, involved with corporate spying, or hacking into people's personal lives and purposefully exposing them to vulnerabilities because they cannot afford a new system (if that is what they are doing, of course). No, no concerns there at all. Well, a newer system is what is required, in any case, for what little security is to be had.
Grumble, mumble, bitch, and moan.
Gimme a dolla!
(That was a joke... as you may note, you have no way to give me a dollar and I like it like that... I am not for sale.)
As for someone giving me a hand? It does not work. I only have so much energy, no matter what else is happening. Without my game, I will simply begin sleeping more, offering me zero chance to possibly get to anything rather than the slim chance I currently have. If it is you, knock it off. If it is not, find who did it and let me know. I will do the dirty work, and gladly. Just, have evidence. Bah!
.
My internet works but my internet game and a voice communication for it do not. Actually, this happened late (or early as the case actually is) yesterday (or this morning, identifying then communicating a particular day(s) gets messy when sleep is disrupted). My computer is telling me that the drive or network connection to my game and the subprogram have failed or are not working. And, as I said, I can still get on the internet. I have a group of suspects, since it seems to be on then off again. I suspect WoW itself, the owners or operators depending on which of those would be morally blamed. I also wonder about my ISP, they hate bandwidth chewing games. And, possibly, a hacker who read my post and thought to "lend a hand". No, it probably is not the computer. I do need a new computer, for security if nothing else.
To be sure, any MS system has built in security back doors for themselves and the government, and probably any corporation with deep enough pockets to buy the keys. Which means your average bored teenager will find it eventually. But with XP, MS has pretty much decided to kick that os to the curb so are just as likely fostering hacks for it as anything else. Not that I think there is anything wrong with a company of hackers, weighing in on politics, possibly blackmailing politicians for this or that, involved with corporate spying, or hacking into people's personal lives and purposefully exposing them to vulnerabilities because they cannot afford a new system (if that is what they are doing, of course). No, no concerns there at all. Well, a newer system is what is required, in any case, for what little security is to be had.
Grumble, mumble, bitch, and moan.
Gimme a dolla!
(That was a joke... as you may note, you have no way to give me a dollar and I like it like that... I am not for sale.)
As for someone giving me a hand? It does not work. I only have so much energy, no matter what else is happening. Without my game, I will simply begin sleeping more, offering me zero chance to possibly get to anything rather than the slim chance I currently have. If it is you, knock it off. If it is not, find who did it and let me know. I will do the dirty work, and gladly. Just, have evidence. Bah!
Saturday, March 19, 2011
Beans and rice.
.
.
And cleaning too. Not a lot, but enough cleaning to get to the bean pot. There are just a small number of dishes left to be done. Cans have been sorted, some tidying has been done, but the heavier cleaning waits, languishes. The rice is cooked and cooling, the beans are finishing their cooking. I already had a small bowl of rice, butter, salt, and pepper. Numm! I really do like brown rice.
I tried short grain, to be different, this time. I currently have short and long grain rice on hand. Honestly, I cannot tell any real difference between long, medium, and short grain rice. Even in a visual inspection, it would take an uptight lefty or farmer to tell the difference, really. I did not really compare prices per pound or look for nutritional differences, but I would guess they are pretty much all the same. From now on, I will base my purchases purely upon price (from among better producers, minus organic). One thing I will do, I will buy better rice (already am) and beans from here on out. You can buy beans very inexpensively in generic brands. And, actually, I find no stones or dirt in even these. However, what I do find in basic beans is old, green (moldy), and broken beans in generics. I, however, would not even consider organic beans. They are way to expensive and very possibly problematic. The varieties they use have not been well tested on larger population bases and there may be a reason heritage crops did not see wider use. The lore regarding why one crop is not chosen is lost to history quite often, for political, economic, and other reasons. It is always assumed to be purely economic. My guess is that is often a bad assumption.
I need to get to town tomorrow. Beans, rice, and eggs are on hand, but no meats are to be had. This is a meat house. This is a sad meat house. I need to stop at the butcher and see what they have fresh. I do not like buying their old (frozen). If it is not under the glass or a fresh hanging cut, I simply have to leave it. Butcher paper either does not do well with frozen meats or their frozen meats are a little dated. Could I be wrong? Only if butcher paper is purely to blame. But their fresh meats are absolutely fantastic. A roast of steaks, cut to my specs, a couple of whole thick chuck roasts, and some other meats must be had. As well, I need to buy 10 pounds of ground beef and 5 pounds of ground chuck, which since this is never fresh at the butcher I will buy at my usual store. No problem, I need milk as well. Meat, meat, meat meat meat. How did that vegetable get there! Ackh! Run away, run away fast! Oh, I like vegetables, they just do not seem worthy of the bother to cook, regardless of what some over-educated, under performing, medicant says. Meat! Grains and legumes... for filler and to some degree taste, along with prepping. But meat in the meantime.
Laundry tonight, and finishing the dishes and cooking and the storing of those foods. Tomorrow I need to finally do that 24-hour urinalysis. I void the first time, tomorrow, without saving it. The rest of the day I use the container (I bought ice to keep it cool in the lavatory, in one of the smaller old kitty litter pans), and then I void into their provided container first thing Monday morning. And, since I go to SLC Monday for an appointment, I can give them their due. Do not drink it all at once! It took me a day to grow that. :p Bah!hahaha
Well, on to tinkering as the beans finish. I am looking forward to a bowl of those, too. Fresh warm beans move me. Sometimes even a way that brings back my boyish giggles and makes me want to test it in a bathtub. Wee! Look mommy, bubbles! Oh well, even Doom can get lost in reverie. Oh, I am skimming the beans for the first time. A foam begins to develop as the beans are cooked. I read somewhere, in recent readings on such topics, that there was a reason to do so. I remember neither the reason nor the source, but I am trying it anyway. I might have to revisit why I do what I do? Nah.
Later, or good night.
.
And cleaning too. Not a lot, but enough cleaning to get to the bean pot. There are just a small number of dishes left to be done. Cans have been sorted, some tidying has been done, but the heavier cleaning waits, languishes. The rice is cooked and cooling, the beans are finishing their cooking. I already had a small bowl of rice, butter, salt, and pepper. Numm! I really do like brown rice.
I tried short grain, to be different, this time. I currently have short and long grain rice on hand. Honestly, I cannot tell any real difference between long, medium, and short grain rice. Even in a visual inspection, it would take an uptight lefty or farmer to tell the difference, really. I did not really compare prices per pound or look for nutritional differences, but I would guess they are pretty much all the same. From now on, I will base my purchases purely upon price (from among better producers, minus organic). One thing I will do, I will buy better rice (already am) and beans from here on out. You can buy beans very inexpensively in generic brands. And, actually, I find no stones or dirt in even these. However, what I do find in basic beans is old, green (moldy), and broken beans in generics. I, however, would not even consider organic beans. They are way to expensive and very possibly problematic. The varieties they use have not been well tested on larger population bases and there may be a reason heritage crops did not see wider use. The lore regarding why one crop is not chosen is lost to history quite often, for political, economic, and other reasons. It is always assumed to be purely economic. My guess is that is often a bad assumption.
I need to get to town tomorrow. Beans, rice, and eggs are on hand, but no meats are to be had. This is a meat house. This is a sad meat house. I need to stop at the butcher and see what they have fresh. I do not like buying their old (frozen). If it is not under the glass or a fresh hanging cut, I simply have to leave it. Butcher paper either does not do well with frozen meats or their frozen meats are a little dated. Could I be wrong? Only if butcher paper is purely to blame. But their fresh meats are absolutely fantastic. A roast of steaks, cut to my specs, a couple of whole thick chuck roasts, and some other meats must be had. As well, I need to buy 10 pounds of ground beef and 5 pounds of ground chuck, which since this is never fresh at the butcher I will buy at my usual store. No problem, I need milk as well. Meat, meat, meat meat meat. How did that vegetable get there! Ackh! Run away, run away fast! Oh, I like vegetables, they just do not seem worthy of the bother to cook, regardless of what some over-educated, under performing, medicant says. Meat! Grains and legumes... for filler and to some degree taste, along with prepping. But meat in the meantime.
Laundry tonight, and finishing the dishes and cooking and the storing of those foods. Tomorrow I need to finally do that 24-hour urinalysis. I void the first time, tomorrow, without saving it. The rest of the day I use the container (I bought ice to keep it cool in the lavatory, in one of the smaller old kitty litter pans), and then I void into their provided container first thing Monday morning. And, since I go to SLC Monday for an appointment, I can give them their due. Do not drink it all at once! It took me a day to grow that. :p Bah!hahaha
Well, on to tinkering as the beans finish. I am looking forward to a bowl of those, too. Fresh warm beans move me. Sometimes even a way that brings back my boyish giggles and makes me want to test it in a bathtub. Wee! Look mommy, bubbles! Oh well, even Doom can get lost in reverie. Oh, I am skimming the beans for the first time. A foam begins to develop as the beans are cooked. I read somewhere, in recent readings on such topics, that there was a reason to do so. I remember neither the reason nor the source, but I am trying it anyway. I might have to revisit why I do what I do? Nah.
Later, or good night.
Japan, cats, and other things.
.
.
I keep hearing about sending aid to Japan. As with Haiti, the drum rolls and the hat passes. And, thoughtlessly, I pondered that. Who would I give to and how could I trust them. No, not just trust them to use the money for charity work but to make sure they were not, say, adding strings to it. For example, offering food but requiring condoms to be handed out free; to offer shelters, but require this or that which I find more than objectionable. Then it hit me, just as it did with Haiti, Katrina, and the other disasters. Great care has to be given in how much is offered. Too much and people go on the lam. Japanese culture could not withstand this. No. So, I am considering what to give if to give at all. Not that my sentiments are not with those people, much more than the people of Haiti or Katrina. Actually, that is a part of it. Sentiment, certainly. Prayers, of course. Money? Do they really need it, will it be used correctly, what strings will be attached? Careful.
On to cats. Strange creatures, to be sure. Intelligent? Yes. If you try to change a behavior a cat does, it may simply use that behavior to garner attention. Sassy is the best at this. Sam is older and more evenly tempered. Sassy does not care if I am yelling and chasing or petting and scratching, it is all good in her book. She knows the worst I will do is put her outside for ten minutes. Changing her behavior is... probably a losing battle. I hope she matures out of it. As is, she knows how to get popo going. As I said before, hitting a cat, even in the act, is nearly meaningless to them. The younger they are the worse the chance a connection would be made, so that is out. Water seems to work, but is just as meaningless to Sassy as hitting her is. The "experts" suggest spraying her with water while she is doing something unfavorable without letting her know it is you. Have these experts ever even dealt with a cat? Oh, my, what big ears you have. What a big nose you have. What fine eyes you have, kitty. Ah, dear owner, the better to know where you are at all times. So, drop the squirt gun and come out with your paws, I mean hands, up. Bah!
A window may have opened. To the ends to getting further into cleaning, I have turned the heat in the house up a bit. I hope to finish the dishes tonight, set beans to soak, and cook another load of rice. A more steady diet has been helping. It is not enough. So, rather than 66 F, I am running 68 F, and when I think I can get to things, 70 or 72 F. I truly despise heat, and 72 is hot. But that seems to enervate me, something I need. The thing is, that like caffeine, this only works on a short term basis. Too long in higher temps and I begin to become, of course, lethargic. I only have tricks that can sometimes work. Fear, if it is real. Physical discomfort works for a bit. Hunger and thirst, though a form of discomfort, work for small bits of time. Whatever would normally make one grumpy or angry or even to some lesser extent simply emotional can help me get to things. So, when I get windows of opportunity but am not quite there... bring on the pain.
Good night, or later.
.
I keep hearing about sending aid to Japan. As with Haiti, the drum rolls and the hat passes. And, thoughtlessly, I pondered that. Who would I give to and how could I trust them. No, not just trust them to use the money for charity work but to make sure they were not, say, adding strings to it. For example, offering food but requiring condoms to be handed out free; to offer shelters, but require this or that which I find more than objectionable. Then it hit me, just as it did with Haiti, Katrina, and the other disasters. Great care has to be given in how much is offered. Too much and people go on the lam. Japanese culture could not withstand this. No. So, I am considering what to give if to give at all. Not that my sentiments are not with those people, much more than the people of Haiti or Katrina. Actually, that is a part of it. Sentiment, certainly. Prayers, of course. Money? Do they really need it, will it be used correctly, what strings will be attached? Careful.
On to cats. Strange creatures, to be sure. Intelligent? Yes. If you try to change a behavior a cat does, it may simply use that behavior to garner attention. Sassy is the best at this. Sam is older and more evenly tempered. Sassy does not care if I am yelling and chasing or petting and scratching, it is all good in her book. She knows the worst I will do is put her outside for ten minutes. Changing her behavior is... probably a losing battle. I hope she matures out of it. As is, she knows how to get popo going. As I said before, hitting a cat, even in the act, is nearly meaningless to them. The younger they are the worse the chance a connection would be made, so that is out. Water seems to work, but is just as meaningless to Sassy as hitting her is. The "experts" suggest spraying her with water while she is doing something unfavorable without letting her know it is you. Have these experts ever even dealt with a cat? Oh, my, what big ears you have. What a big nose you have. What fine eyes you have, kitty. Ah, dear owner, the better to know where you are at all times. So, drop the squirt gun and come out with your paws, I mean hands, up. Bah!
A window may have opened. To the ends to getting further into cleaning, I have turned the heat in the house up a bit. I hope to finish the dishes tonight, set beans to soak, and cook another load of rice. A more steady diet has been helping. It is not enough. So, rather than 66 F, I am running 68 F, and when I think I can get to things, 70 or 72 F. I truly despise heat, and 72 is hot. But that seems to enervate me, something I need. The thing is, that like caffeine, this only works on a short term basis. Too long in higher temps and I begin to become, of course, lethargic. I only have tricks that can sometimes work. Fear, if it is real. Physical discomfort works for a bit. Hunger and thirst, though a form of discomfort, work for small bits of time. Whatever would normally make one grumpy or angry or even to some lesser extent simply emotional can help me get to things. So, when I get windows of opportunity but am not quite there... bring on the pain.
Good night, or later.
Thursday, March 17, 2011
No, the ticker is on the fritz.
.
.
Coming and going, staying away for a few days at a time, then coming back. It is not as bad as it was but the extra beat is here to stay. I am not sure how much of a risk it is. I am pretty sure it is not good. Then again, I have lived with incredibly high blood pressure and diabetes for a rather long time. I somehow doubt if I get to dodge the coming economic bullet that easily. I just hope that if I have a heart attach or stroke, I do so here at home. A heart attack has a good chance of being relatively quick. A stroke, on the other hand, will bring days of suffering before dehydration death. Still, I actually think I prefer that to "medical treatment". No open heart surgery, no opened chest cavity, just leave it alone. I swear doctors just like to experiment anyway. Is surgery a fetish? Are procedures sexy? I do not know, but I do not trust. I have had my fill of medical "help".
Sassy has become pretty fritzy. Not sure what is up with her, but she is about a year old now. Even fixed, and before maturity, I think she is looking for a man cat. And yet she does not have quite enough push to, well, actually find one. I would not be able to keep her indoors if that were true. Sam is doing well. She just amazes me. I have learned enough of her language through action to know what she means between 40 and 60 percent of the time. The only major thing I am not sure about is when she comes over, puts her paws up on my leg, then lifts one as if waving hello. I just do not know what that means. Most other times, I get it and right away. And, usually find a break in whatever I am doing to give her what she wants. Crazy girls, but I sure love them.
Well, off to bed. Very late, my schedule is still a bit off. I fight it, but for now it is what it is. Stupid naps! That is what threw me off, a single nap that turned into a mini-sleep cycle. Then again, I am not sure I could have stayed up. Perhaps I am simply facing my old, original, illness. It is an unbeatable force. I even thought back to the days of the Navy. Often I did not want to work, not only did I, but I could. Something simply changed. Good night.
.
Coming and going, staying away for a few days at a time, then coming back. It is not as bad as it was but the extra beat is here to stay. I am not sure how much of a risk it is. I am pretty sure it is not good. Then again, I have lived with incredibly high blood pressure and diabetes for a rather long time. I somehow doubt if I get to dodge the coming economic bullet that easily. I just hope that if I have a heart attach or stroke, I do so here at home. A heart attack has a good chance of being relatively quick. A stroke, on the other hand, will bring days of suffering before dehydration death. Still, I actually think I prefer that to "medical treatment". No open heart surgery, no opened chest cavity, just leave it alone. I swear doctors just like to experiment anyway. Is surgery a fetish? Are procedures sexy? I do not know, but I do not trust. I have had my fill of medical "help".
Sassy has become pretty fritzy. Not sure what is up with her, but she is about a year old now. Even fixed, and before maturity, I think she is looking for a man cat. And yet she does not have quite enough push to, well, actually find one. I would not be able to keep her indoors if that were true. Sam is doing well. She just amazes me. I have learned enough of her language through action to know what she means between 40 and 60 percent of the time. The only major thing I am not sure about is when she comes over, puts her paws up on my leg, then lifts one as if waving hello. I just do not know what that means. Most other times, I get it and right away. And, usually find a break in whatever I am doing to give her what she wants. Crazy girls, but I sure love them.
Well, off to bed. Very late, my schedule is still a bit off. I fight it, but for now it is what it is. Stupid naps! That is what threw me off, a single nap that turned into a mini-sleep cycle. Then again, I am not sure I could have stayed up. Perhaps I am simply facing my old, original, illness. It is an unbeatable force. I even thought back to the days of the Navy. Often I did not want to work, not only did I, but I could. Something simply changed. Good night.
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
If you did not see it coming...
.
.
There should be no doubt left. What we are headed for is NOT a minor glitch in the systems, government, and wealth we have known. This is not a one year, or even ten year, slow down. If we are to survive with more than the shirts on our back and little else, and then only possibly, we are going to have to change the way we do business, how our government works, and how money is created and used. The rest of the world can go hang, they have for most of history. We are not, as our mother's might have said, just like everyone else. Or, at least, that is my hope.
As for the end of the world. This I cannot say. If I see Mexico City disappear under lava, if I see California separate and mostly sink, if I see China sink, if I see oceans turning to blood killing off millions of fish, yeah, maybe. Until that time, do not think you will get off that light or that easy. You will be alive, living in a corpse that will quickly go feral. If you do not prepare, you will kill people to eat, perhaps even eating those you killed. You will become the basest of your animal instinct. You... do not want to go there.
Preparation is overwhelming, seen as a whole and in full term. So do not look at the whole. Look at what you can do. Store enough extra food to see you through four weeks. Make sure it is food you can tolerate, make it food that is easy to prepare, some of it without the need to cook, and buy containers to put enough for a gallon a day for a month, then fill those. That is all, for now. It is about where I am, if I also have 80 pounds each of beans and rice. When you get that done and have the food on rotation, think further about it. I know, money, time, effort. I sometimes squeeze by with as little as $500 in a month for anything other than bills.
Another way to think of it is to think of food as the new currency. If money becomes meaningless, as it is fast becoming, food will be what you buy other things with as well. At least unless you have other goods or services people not only could but would want. Can you cut hair and do you have the tools? Can you tend children, the elderly, or livestock? What real services can you offer? Think about it and stock up. I, for example, can be security. I can train men for that as well. I need to boost my capacity in long arms, that is more than rusty. At least scoped shooting. I can also haul, lift, and am tall so I can do things others might have difficulty with.
Disabled as I am, I wonder about life after cataclysm. Will the world slow enough that my speed is more acceptable? Today, one has to go to work and be there all day, five days a week. But when simply getting food and wood, managing to keep one's home stapled down, and making sure the fruits of one's labor and their neighbors is secure, is what is required, perhaps my more sedate manners would be more acceptable. Working when I could, resting when I cannot, with a hungry belly or several to keep me on the move a bit more than I am at this time. Either that or I will die a hard death of starvation. I do not want to see this tested, but I think, if nothing changes in a huge way, I will see that. Even if those changes come, it will not completely avert paying a dear price for our foolishness.
Pray. Talk to your friends and family. Strengthen bonds and stock up. This is going to hurt. Every time I go to the grocery store, I realize we are in serious trouble. I know those dear prices are just the tip of the iceberg. The upward momentum of which is unstoppable. I just pray, pray strongly faithfully and hopefully, that the ship stays together long enough to get a real captain in the presidency. An actual man needs to be in place, a strong one too. He may have to fight the mob horde to save the worthwhile few, or choose the unthinkable. The socialism, or really communism, the current beast in office would absolutely choose.
Get to it, the clock is not on your side. Either you are a beast or a man. Take your pick and be prepared to be a little of each even with the best of those choices.
.
There should be no doubt left. What we are headed for is NOT a minor glitch in the systems, government, and wealth we have known. This is not a one year, or even ten year, slow down. If we are to survive with more than the shirts on our back and little else, and then only possibly, we are going to have to change the way we do business, how our government works, and how money is created and used. The rest of the world can go hang, they have for most of history. We are not, as our mother's might have said, just like everyone else. Or, at least, that is my hope.
As for the end of the world. This I cannot say. If I see Mexico City disappear under lava, if I see California separate and mostly sink, if I see China sink, if I see oceans turning to blood killing off millions of fish, yeah, maybe. Until that time, do not think you will get off that light or that easy. You will be alive, living in a corpse that will quickly go feral. If you do not prepare, you will kill people to eat, perhaps even eating those you killed. You will become the basest of your animal instinct. You... do not want to go there.
Preparation is overwhelming, seen as a whole and in full term. So do not look at the whole. Look at what you can do. Store enough extra food to see you through four weeks. Make sure it is food you can tolerate, make it food that is easy to prepare, some of it without the need to cook, and buy containers to put enough for a gallon a day for a month, then fill those. That is all, for now. It is about where I am, if I also have 80 pounds each of beans and rice. When you get that done and have the food on rotation, think further about it. I know, money, time, effort. I sometimes squeeze by with as little as $500 in a month for anything other than bills.
Another way to think of it is to think of food as the new currency. If money becomes meaningless, as it is fast becoming, food will be what you buy other things with as well. At least unless you have other goods or services people not only could but would want. Can you cut hair and do you have the tools? Can you tend children, the elderly, or livestock? What real services can you offer? Think about it and stock up. I, for example, can be security. I can train men for that as well. I need to boost my capacity in long arms, that is more than rusty. At least scoped shooting. I can also haul, lift, and am tall so I can do things others might have difficulty with.
Disabled as I am, I wonder about life after cataclysm. Will the world slow enough that my speed is more acceptable? Today, one has to go to work and be there all day, five days a week. But when simply getting food and wood, managing to keep one's home stapled down, and making sure the fruits of one's labor and their neighbors is secure, is what is required, perhaps my more sedate manners would be more acceptable. Working when I could, resting when I cannot, with a hungry belly or several to keep me on the move a bit more than I am at this time. Either that or I will die a hard death of starvation. I do not want to see this tested, but I think, if nothing changes in a huge way, I will see that. Even if those changes come, it will not completely avert paying a dear price for our foolishness.
Pray. Talk to your friends and family. Strengthen bonds and stock up. This is going to hurt. Every time I go to the grocery store, I realize we are in serious trouble. I know those dear prices are just the tip of the iceberg. The upward momentum of which is unstoppable. I just pray, pray strongly faithfully and hopefully, that the ship stays together long enough to get a real captain in the presidency. An actual man needs to be in place, a strong one too. He may have to fight the mob horde to save the worthwhile few, or choose the unthinkable. The socialism, or really communism, the current beast in office would absolutely choose.
Get to it, the clock is not on your side. Either you are a beast or a man. Take your pick and be prepared to be a little of each even with the best of those choices.
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Some thoughts on family folk I have met.
.
.
I have known, and prefer to befriend, married folk. Why I cannot say. Perhaps that is a hope, or has been one. I know I like the simple way they live and work. Oh, they present well, but I see well into the insanity of those lives. Little irritations, day in and day out. The kid that always loses his... (fill in the blank, that was me as a kid, by the way); the kid that talks back (they all take turns), the spouse that wants everything and seems to give so little (can be either, depending on perspective/moment); and on the list goes. What they often do not see is that their time is so filled that instead of living a hollow, hard working, drab, plain life, their lives are filled with other people. They have neither the time nor the allowance to be too into themselves. Yes, I may be blind on many things, but not on this. Is that grass greener? No, it is merely different. I would not, as a proverbial cow, wish to munch that grass by accident. Only by design and with some serious forethought would I end up in that pasture. Still, I think it is the one I wanted. Then again I never wanted to fight, war really. I just wanted to read, write, tinker with math, and know peace. We do not get what we want, perhaps not even what we were designed to be. Not all of us. I suppose I have hope in God's design. I hope that what I am is of some use, some joy, some comfort, to Him.
Couples seem so... simple at times. Especially those with children. Some of it is created so as to envelop the children in a safe, sane, quiet place in which to begin learning. Mothers seem to lead the charge, becoming nearly childlike at times, to be at the level of their children. Though, never mistake a woman's seeming childishness with the real thing. A good mother is one of the most mature beings out there, and does not miss a trick or a tick. I cannot help, when I see this nature, to think about what the bible says about becoming as children before entering the kingdom of heaven. Is this it or close to it? As well, I think spouses who decide to have children (odd, decide to do what is absolutely natural and what their whole lives have driven them to do?) have to, somewhere in the occurrence, develop a faith that they will be able to do something they have never done before in the face of economic, political, and many other obstacles. They are hopeful prone, yet practical enough to deal with what else comes. I have to believe, though, that the facing of that is quite thin. Without the family as a unit, the thing would not work. It seems both the sum AND the parts are somehow greater than each other. Put that in your calculator and smoke it.
I suppose this could be a piece dedicated to the (dying) family. It is not really dying, it is just dying in secularizing parts of the world. And yet, I hope that it is not an idealizing of the notion of familyhood. Idealism fails, only hard work, sacrifice, and faith can create real goods, like families. But all praise should be given to those who have chosen to not be selfish. And, no, having three or more children is not selfish or thoughtless, not in these times. Well, among certain groups anyway. Still chomping at a bit which will probably never find me anywhere near the pasture of familyhood, but so it goes.
.
I have known, and prefer to befriend, married folk. Why I cannot say. Perhaps that is a hope, or has been one. I know I like the simple way they live and work. Oh, they present well, but I see well into the insanity of those lives. Little irritations, day in and day out. The kid that always loses his... (fill in the blank, that was me as a kid, by the way); the kid that talks back (they all take turns), the spouse that wants everything and seems to give so little (can be either, depending on perspective/moment); and on the list goes. What they often do not see is that their time is so filled that instead of living a hollow, hard working, drab, plain life, their lives are filled with other people. They have neither the time nor the allowance to be too into themselves. Yes, I may be blind on many things, but not on this. Is that grass greener? No, it is merely different. I would not, as a proverbial cow, wish to munch that grass by accident. Only by design and with some serious forethought would I end up in that pasture. Still, I think it is the one I wanted. Then again I never wanted to fight, war really. I just wanted to read, write, tinker with math, and know peace. We do not get what we want, perhaps not even what we were designed to be. Not all of us. I suppose I have hope in God's design. I hope that what I am is of some use, some joy, some comfort, to Him.
Couples seem so... simple at times. Especially those with children. Some of it is created so as to envelop the children in a safe, sane, quiet place in which to begin learning. Mothers seem to lead the charge, becoming nearly childlike at times, to be at the level of their children. Though, never mistake a woman's seeming childishness with the real thing. A good mother is one of the most mature beings out there, and does not miss a trick or a tick. I cannot help, when I see this nature, to think about what the bible says about becoming as children before entering the kingdom of heaven. Is this it or close to it? As well, I think spouses who decide to have children (odd, decide to do what is absolutely natural and what their whole lives have driven them to do?) have to, somewhere in the occurrence, develop a faith that they will be able to do something they have never done before in the face of economic, political, and many other obstacles. They are hopeful prone, yet practical enough to deal with what else comes. I have to believe, though, that the facing of that is quite thin. Without the family as a unit, the thing would not work. It seems both the sum AND the parts are somehow greater than each other. Put that in your calculator and smoke it.
I suppose this could be a piece dedicated to the (dying) family. It is not really dying, it is just dying in secularizing parts of the world. And yet, I hope that it is not an idealizing of the notion of familyhood. Idealism fails, only hard work, sacrifice, and faith can create real goods, like families. But all praise should be given to those who have chosen to not be selfish. And, no, having three or more children is not selfish or thoughtless, not in these times. Well, among certain groups anyway. Still chomping at a bit which will probably never find me anywhere near the pasture of familyhood, but so it goes.
No sleep and troubled breathing.
.
.
While the heart seems to be recovering fully, the breathing problems come and go and are as bad as I have experienced. I have to consider whether the bat infestation is the problem, or even a part of the problem. In reviewing online material, I noted that bats (so the experts say) do not over stay winters in homes, preferring more constant temperatures found in caves or even leaving the state. Apparently bats or experts are off their mark. I have... many bats still here. The cats know. They are not bound to the attic either, choosing walls as well. And yes, bat guano is just as bad as rat feces. Yeah, I do have some work. I do not know if they are part of the problem, but I do know I have to get rid of them. Getting rid of bats will be a heck of a job. Though not quite as able to enter a home as say cockroaches, they can get in a half an inch diameter, down to perhaps close to a quarter inch hole. Being an old, and stone, house, I have my work cut out for me.
From what I hear of professional pest control, that really is not a good solution. Neither are their methods all that good, their expense is not practical, and they refuse guarantees unless you pay far more. I have conflicting data regarding when they have pups. I have heard spring only and spring and fall so far. I cannot do the work whenever they are pupping, as the pups cannot fly and would end up dying (and stinking, and inviting other pests to feed on them). Not to mention it would be rude. The suggestion is August, or possibly in the winter. August would be harsh, with outside temperatures reaching 100 and more in the shade here. I can only imagine what the attic would be like. Even with central air, which I do not have, that would be... a bit much. As well, I will want to try to force the V.A. to give me precautionary rabies shot(s), which will essentially make me immune to the disease for about a year, before the venture. The incidence of rabies is low here, but all it takes is one bite, perhaps even a scratch.
I am not sure when I will be going westward, though August seems like the soonest possible time. I have to count pennies, draft some mileage charts, look at gas prices, check airline ticket prices, before I know though. I might not be able to go until early fall. Ah! And people wonder why I get nothing done. There is so much that goes into every decision. Timing for this and that, money, effort, planning, assumptions, and non-related topics. Well, my mom and bats only have an affiliation in the most rude of ways. Still, she did chuckle when, after she suggested she would come back with me and fly home that I suggested she bring her best flying broom. Ha! Still, I think I will keep the bat analogy to myself, thank you. She does cook for me, you know. Socrates saw the poison coming, but he was dealing with men. With women... you just will not see it until you are under the table. That is all I am saying right there.
Yeah, and no sleep. I simply could not sleep. I do not know why. The hard breathing does not help. I guess I get to stay up and try to reset my internal clock. I hate this part of life. I want to sleep, not all the time like in bad times, but just a normal sleep pattern. I love my six to eight hours of blissful nothing. Though I wish I could wake up pain free sometime soon, and without shortness of breath.
Later.
.
While the heart seems to be recovering fully, the breathing problems come and go and are as bad as I have experienced. I have to consider whether the bat infestation is the problem, or even a part of the problem. In reviewing online material, I noted that bats (so the experts say) do not over stay winters in homes, preferring more constant temperatures found in caves or even leaving the state. Apparently bats or experts are off their mark. I have... many bats still here. The cats know. They are not bound to the attic either, choosing walls as well. And yes, bat guano is just as bad as rat feces. Yeah, I do have some work. I do not know if they are part of the problem, but I do know I have to get rid of them. Getting rid of bats will be a heck of a job. Though not quite as able to enter a home as say cockroaches, they can get in a half an inch diameter, down to perhaps close to a quarter inch hole. Being an old, and stone, house, I have my work cut out for me.
From what I hear of professional pest control, that really is not a good solution. Neither are their methods all that good, their expense is not practical, and they refuse guarantees unless you pay far more. I have conflicting data regarding when they have pups. I have heard spring only and spring and fall so far. I cannot do the work whenever they are pupping, as the pups cannot fly and would end up dying (and stinking, and inviting other pests to feed on them). Not to mention it would be rude. The suggestion is August, or possibly in the winter. August would be harsh, with outside temperatures reaching 100 and more in the shade here. I can only imagine what the attic would be like. Even with central air, which I do not have, that would be... a bit much. As well, I will want to try to force the V.A. to give me precautionary rabies shot(s), which will essentially make me immune to the disease for about a year, before the venture. The incidence of rabies is low here, but all it takes is one bite, perhaps even a scratch.
I am not sure when I will be going westward, though August seems like the soonest possible time. I have to count pennies, draft some mileage charts, look at gas prices, check airline ticket prices, before I know though. I might not be able to go until early fall. Ah! And people wonder why I get nothing done. There is so much that goes into every decision. Timing for this and that, money, effort, planning, assumptions, and non-related topics. Well, my mom and bats only have an affiliation in the most rude of ways. Still, she did chuckle when, after she suggested she would come back with me and fly home that I suggested she bring her best flying broom. Ha! Still, I think I will keep the bat analogy to myself, thank you. She does cook for me, you know. Socrates saw the poison coming, but he was dealing with men. With women... you just will not see it until you are under the table. That is all I am saying right there.
Yeah, and no sleep. I simply could not sleep. I do not know why. The hard breathing does not help. I guess I get to stay up and try to reset my internal clock. I hate this part of life. I want to sleep, not all the time like in bad times, but just a normal sleep pattern. I love my six to eight hours of blissful nothing. Though I wish I could wake up pain free sometime soon, and without shortness of breath.
Later.
Da kittehs made me do itz.
.
.
Two days without milk is enough to put all of us in my household on edge. So, after much meowling and fussing, popo got to it. Later than I would have liked, but so goes it. While in town, I decided to visit my friend. I told him I had called twice, to no answer, for our planned dinner Saturday. Which was true. He must have been out smoking, but twice in a row? Well, that is how things work. And he could have called me. He said tomorrow will be warm, and thought it might be a good time to go shooting. I could find no flaw in this logic, so tomorrow we will go shooting again. Our range, such as it is (which is just perfect by my standards), is easy to get too, not too muddy to move around in, and close. So, more shooting on the way.
I bought treats for the cats while out. Milk as well, of course. I avoid much else at Wal-Mart these days, and look over everything I buy very closely. They have become, if they were not always, more like the dime stores of my youth, selling mostly junk and seconds or thirds. Which is fine, if you know what you are looking at, know what the flaws are, and they are not a problem for what you intend for the product, and such. And of course, if you have an immediate need for a group of items and no time to dicker or it is late when the absolute need occurs, the products they sell might just be enough. I will not complain too much, just... look at what I am buying there much more carefully.
I am hoping getting out and getting some fresh air will help bring something back. Of course, the warming will help. I have already turned the heat down a goodly bit in the house. I simply do not need it heated as much with it being so much warmer. I can, often, wear just my underwear in 60'ish F temps... assuming no airflow. Not always, but often.
Oh, the cats, to include Sam, actually like their treats. Sam did not care for the last sampling I brought home, salmon flavored. Then again, I am with her with regards to salmon. Sassy... not so much. She could and probably would eat just about anything, crawling, squirming, flying, dead, or alive. She makes no bones about liking food. Well, save for the food currently in her bowl. I am not putting out other food until that is gone though. What is that about becoming your parents? Arghghghghghghahahaha!
Good night.
Monday, March 14, 2011
Ah-ha, I now know what she was hiding.
.
.
My mother, that is. She called today. Several issues, one being that the phone does not work. We are on one phone system, which I pay. Heck, she is only $10 extra, so why in the world not? Well, there is a little bit added to that because of the extended group plan, not much. Her logic is typically female though. She could not use her phone, it redirected the calls to billing. So, she calls me on other phones and leaves messages. Messages I cannot receive because my calls are, you know it, redirected to billing. Oh, I really like women. They are soooo cute sometimes. In any case, I took care of that so we could talk longer. Being that she was borrowing someone else's phone, that initial call was to let me know there was a problem and letting me know she wanted to talk when our phones were back up.
Well, after some arranging, I paid the bill in full. I have tried to use their automated pay system several times now, all comes to failure. I will get that set up through my bank, this time. I have house, car, and several other things set up that way because businesses are either absolutely incompetent at creating a system of automatic bill pay, or they pick on the weakest bill paying links to drop that and recover over-due fees, fines, reconnection fees, and whatever else they can get. Including home and auto. It is a slim game they pay, one they will end up losing hard. Then again, if a bank needs fast cash, I would guess a foreclosure is much more much more quickly than a standard payment? If not directly, money wise, through write offs and other setasides?
Anyway, I was right to be suspicious of the woman. Her main goal is to have me paint her ceiling. No problem, though I suggested she have the paint and tools ready. Drop clothes would be wise, though it does not bother me one way or the other on those. Not if I am being conscripted. I have no problem painting, but I knew she was keeping something super woman sekret. Now I know. As well, she now wants to come back out with me on my return trip. Fine, fine, though that will take a one way ticket home for her. So, I told her straight out that I am not sure where money is right now, or how much all of this will cost. Gas being an arm and a leg, airlines jacking everything up, and of course food, lodging, and all that, is not something to be sneezed at either. I will not drive 26 hours anymore. Not even 18 hours. It is foolish to be driving that impaired.
And sleeping in a vehicle made for darned midgets is not something at all comfy. If I am too broke to pay for lodging then I am too broke to go, save an emergency.
So, I need to get my place in order before I go for sure, whenever that might be. I also need to figure out how much this will cost, as best I can gauge it, look for a ticket home for her in advance (which is tricky not yet having a date for even my departure), and figure out the best way to travel with the cats. I do have two cages, at the moment, though one is sort of iffy. They are good enough to take both cats to the vet, if that were called for, but I am not sure about such a long journey. They cost about $25, so a new one might be worth the cost. I not only love my cats, I am obliged to them. Losing a cat in middle America would be a hard thing on them, and me. So, time to get cracking.
I did get the trash and recycling out. I did not do another darned thing. I wanted to, I surely did. But there is no go in my umph, or something like that. I am barely managing consciousness. Yes, it is that bad. It has been that bad for quite a while. Still, I will do what I can, when I can. Good night.
Oh, I have just learned that I will live forever. I guess God will have to take me up and then decide? Hahahaha
.
My mother, that is. She called today. Several issues, one being that the phone does not work. We are on one phone system, which I pay. Heck, she is only $10 extra, so why in the world not? Well, there is a little bit added to that because of the extended group plan, not much. Her logic is typically female though. She could not use her phone, it redirected the calls to billing. So, she calls me on other phones and leaves messages. Messages I cannot receive because my calls are, you know it, redirected to billing. Oh, I really like women. They are soooo cute sometimes. In any case, I took care of that so we could talk longer. Being that she was borrowing someone else's phone, that initial call was to let me know there was a problem and letting me know she wanted to talk when our phones were back up.
Well, after some arranging, I paid the bill in full. I have tried to use their automated pay system several times now, all comes to failure. I will get that set up through my bank, this time. I have house, car, and several other things set up that way because businesses are either absolutely incompetent at creating a system of automatic bill pay, or they pick on the weakest bill paying links to drop that and recover over-due fees, fines, reconnection fees, and whatever else they can get. Including home and auto. It is a slim game they pay, one they will end up losing hard. Then again, if a bank needs fast cash, I would guess a foreclosure is much more much more quickly than a standard payment? If not directly, money wise, through write offs and other setasides?
Anyway, I was right to be suspicious of the woman. Her main goal is to have me paint her ceiling. No problem, though I suggested she have the paint and tools ready. Drop clothes would be wise, though it does not bother me one way or the other on those. Not if I am being conscripted. I have no problem painting, but I knew she was keeping something super woman sekret. Now I know. As well, she now wants to come back out with me on my return trip. Fine, fine, though that will take a one way ticket home for her. So, I told her straight out that I am not sure where money is right now, or how much all of this will cost. Gas being an arm and a leg, airlines jacking everything up, and of course food, lodging, and all that, is not something to be sneezed at either. I will not drive 26 hours anymore. Not even 18 hours. It is foolish to be driving that impaired.
And sleeping in a vehicle made for darned midgets is not something at all comfy. If I am too broke to pay for lodging then I am too broke to go, save an emergency.
So, I need to get my place in order before I go for sure, whenever that might be. I also need to figure out how much this will cost, as best I can gauge it, look for a ticket home for her in advance (which is tricky not yet having a date for even my departure), and figure out the best way to travel with the cats. I do have two cages, at the moment, though one is sort of iffy. They are good enough to take both cats to the vet, if that were called for, but I am not sure about such a long journey. They cost about $25, so a new one might be worth the cost. I not only love my cats, I am obliged to them. Losing a cat in middle America would be a hard thing on them, and me. So, time to get cracking.
I did get the trash and recycling out. I did not do another darned thing. I wanted to, I surely did. But there is no go in my umph, or something like that. I am barely managing consciousness. Yes, it is that bad. It has been that bad for quite a while. Still, I will do what I can, when I can. Good night.
Oh, I have just learned that I will live forever. I guess God will have to take me up and then decide? Hahahaha
Some days are really harsh.
.
.
Today is one of them. My physical health matches my general capacity. Breathing is still a bit of a chore. It is like I am tense, more tense than usual. That is not the case, but it is as if my body is almost holding my breath. Like when you are in a tense situation. Only it is all the time. That comes and goes, or I notice is more or less, I am not sure which. Of course, that is just one part of it.
I cannot, as usual, get to the things I want done. Dishes languish, laundry needs to be done, I am exhausted but at least staying awake (no more naps). I might be back to a more regular schedule, with a slight tilt to being up a bit too late and thus, of course, waking late. But more, I realize there is no way I could afford a wife, though I suppose there might be a wife out there who would be negotiable in my situation otherwise. Just getting out to meet the right woman is beyond my capacity.
Yeah, it all gangs up on some days. Oh, I have always known the truth of things. Never fear. I guess I follow some paths in the hopes that opening some door in my mind will cause something else to loose which will... I do not know for sure... allow a chance at a more normal life? I am not sure. Well, that and I do not seem to be able to quit no matter how bound I find myself. I am most certain Christ would be able to not just heal me, but teach me to heal myself. That may sound silly, but I think it is true. It is not necessarily that I am my own worst enemy and that is the sum total of my problems. But the solutions to the problems I have probably very much are within me. Both my fleshly and other problems. I honestly think I have taken care of issues I have had. The sticking point is failing flesh. It probably always was the sticking point, the rest just swirled around it, was caused by some failing.
Christ has not knocked on my door, not in so many words, with the answer to everything and all. Not even with the simple solution I need to resolve my problems. He lives here, in here. Either He or I am incapable of communicating the answer. Still, I think I have the solution, just no means of seeing it implemented. Not safely, wisely. Another place and another time, perhaps I will understand.
*looks down, kicks the dirt, walks off*
Tomorrow will be better. And, truth is, if we all see our own lives in a certain light on a certain day, it is disheartening. I have been hit. Now, what to do about it. I think I will figure out, somehow, how to get the trash and recycling out and to the curb, do a load of dishes, and maybe put a load of laundry to the works. Maybe. Dang but it is hard. And I so want it.
Good night.
.
Today is one of them. My physical health matches my general capacity. Breathing is still a bit of a chore. It is like I am tense, more tense than usual. That is not the case, but it is as if my body is almost holding my breath. Like when you are in a tense situation. Only it is all the time. That comes and goes, or I notice is more or less, I am not sure which. Of course, that is just one part of it.
I cannot, as usual, get to the things I want done. Dishes languish, laundry needs to be done, I am exhausted but at least staying awake (no more naps). I might be back to a more regular schedule, with a slight tilt to being up a bit too late and thus, of course, waking late. But more, I realize there is no way I could afford a wife, though I suppose there might be a wife out there who would be negotiable in my situation otherwise. Just getting out to meet the right woman is beyond my capacity.
Yeah, it all gangs up on some days. Oh, I have always known the truth of things. Never fear. I guess I follow some paths in the hopes that opening some door in my mind will cause something else to loose which will... I do not know for sure... allow a chance at a more normal life? I am not sure. Well, that and I do not seem to be able to quit no matter how bound I find myself. I am most certain Christ would be able to not just heal me, but teach me to heal myself. That may sound silly, but I think it is true. It is not necessarily that I am my own worst enemy and that is the sum total of my problems. But the solutions to the problems I have probably very much are within me. Both my fleshly and other problems. I honestly think I have taken care of issues I have had. The sticking point is failing flesh. It probably always was the sticking point, the rest just swirled around it, was caused by some failing.
Christ has not knocked on my door, not in so many words, with the answer to everything and all. Not even with the simple solution I need to resolve my problems. He lives here, in here. Either He or I am incapable of communicating the answer. Still, I think I have the solution, just no means of seeing it implemented. Not safely, wisely. Another place and another time, perhaps I will understand.
*looks down, kicks the dirt, walks off*
Tomorrow will be better. And, truth is, if we all see our own lives in a certain light on a certain day, it is disheartening. I have been hit. Now, what to do about it. I think I will figure out, somehow, how to get the trash and recycling out and to the curb, do a load of dishes, and maybe put a load of laundry to the works. Maybe. Dang but it is hard. And I so want it.
Good night.
Sunday, March 13, 2011
Rumblings.
.
.
My heart is a bit better. Breath is still a bit short, or more tight which leads to shortness, at times. I still wake up with terrible neck and shoulder pains, that has not stopped. Headaches are occasional gifts from life, I guess, too. Ah well. I still thank God for the chance I have that is life. Suffering is an offering, to life, to Him. Not that He intended pain, only that living through it is a testament or something like that. And, I think in the grander scheme of things, any suffering we could know here we will someday realize to be nothing all that much. Scraped knees on children. Something that will happen, seem traumatic at the time, and fade into the mind or even become a point of great humor at some later than the event date.
Still, like the kid with the booboo, it would be nice to find a little comfort and relief. A little kindness in this way should not be that difficult and yet it is proving to be unattainable. I am still not sure about the heart, or breathing. I almost wonder if it could be some flu symptom, or respiratory infection of another type. Though too, it may simply be what I mainly suspect.
The dinner did not happen yesterday. I did not get cleaning up to spec, but that was not the problem. I called my friend a couple of times and got no answer. I still have not gotten to the house cleaning. Or at least it is not done. I have started a few things today. I need to do a lot more. I simply have nothing to put into the effort. I will keep... plugging away.
Have a good day. Do something in spite of how you feel for those who really cannot get to their work. Yeah, do that. Or tomorrow since today is getting late. Good night.
.
My heart is a bit better. Breath is still a bit short, or more tight which leads to shortness, at times. I still wake up with terrible neck and shoulder pains, that has not stopped. Headaches are occasional gifts from life, I guess, too. Ah well. I still thank God for the chance I have that is life. Suffering is an offering, to life, to Him. Not that He intended pain, only that living through it is a testament or something like that. And, I think in the grander scheme of things, any suffering we could know here we will someday realize to be nothing all that much. Scraped knees on children. Something that will happen, seem traumatic at the time, and fade into the mind or even become a point of great humor at some later than the event date.
Still, like the kid with the booboo, it would be nice to find a little comfort and relief. A little kindness in this way should not be that difficult and yet it is proving to be unattainable. I am still not sure about the heart, or breathing. I almost wonder if it could be some flu symptom, or respiratory infection of another type. Though too, it may simply be what I mainly suspect.
The dinner did not happen yesterday. I did not get cleaning up to spec, but that was not the problem. I called my friend a couple of times and got no answer. I still have not gotten to the house cleaning. Or at least it is not done. I have started a few things today. I need to do a lot more. I simply have nothing to put into the effort. I will keep... plugging away.
Have a good day. Do something in spite of how you feel for those who really cannot get to their work. Yeah, do that. Or tomorrow since today is getting late. Good night.
Sleep?
.
.
Sure, when I have things, real things, to be done, all I can do is sleep. But when I want to sleep it just is not happening. I probably need to sleep. Naps, then again, are probably not the best idea. Two naps in three days and my schedule is completely shot. So, with little ability to sleep and naps taking away my ability for longer sleep, I am stuck with a, once again, hyperactive heart. Such a fragile system, such a slim grip on life, the two make for a very tenuous moment. Should I live past it, I might learn something. Then again, knowing one is going to slip and fall does not really change much. Perhaps you can train to fall, but... even that is risk filled. And training only improves chances, it does not guarantee safety. Ah well.
Here it is, 8:00, and I think I am finally ready to sleep. But I am so used to sleeping in the dark I am not sure how well or if I can sleep in the day. Grumbling off to bed, a cat under one arm, a kitten under the other. Neither is all that interested in sleeping. Hmmm, maybe popo ought to close the door and have a free-rolling sleep. Yeah, that is it. Good night. *grump*
.
Sure, when I have things, real things, to be done, all I can do is sleep. But when I want to sleep it just is not happening. I probably need to sleep. Naps, then again, are probably not the best idea. Two naps in three days and my schedule is completely shot. So, with little ability to sleep and naps taking away my ability for longer sleep, I am stuck with a, once again, hyperactive heart. Such a fragile system, such a slim grip on life, the two make for a very tenuous moment. Should I live past it, I might learn something. Then again, knowing one is going to slip and fall does not really change much. Perhaps you can train to fall, but... even that is risk filled. And training only improves chances, it does not guarantee safety. Ah well.
Here it is, 8:00, and I think I am finally ready to sleep. But I am so used to sleeping in the dark I am not sure how well or if I can sleep in the day. Grumbling off to bed, a cat under one arm, a kitten under the other. Neither is all that interested in sleeping. Hmmm, maybe popo ought to close the door and have a free-rolling sleep. Yeah, that is it. Good night. *grump*
The broken window theory.
.
.
Of course, this theory is based on government spending. At least the most recent version, and from what I understand. It, of course, in this case, is bunk. Government spending, almost to a cent, is a waste. Now, waste is necessary, in smaller sips. And there are bits of spending which actually prove either worthwhile in a large sense, think museums at least within reason, and transportation such as roads, bridges, and such (again within reason and probably excluding Bus, train, and definitely excluding high speed trains).
However, what is happening in Japan, while tragic due to the loss of life and serious potential for a number of nuclear disasters, may end up having a net positive affect on that nation. Once a shining city, but only for a short time, it has economically fallen into decay, disrepair, and fiscal lunacy. There is a chance that through confrontation with serious disaster, a greater understanding of life, a perspective on wealth, and a shakeup of all that is entrenched, it will allow the people to change the government for the better. Perhaps, finally, they will throw off the chains of socialism we put on them after the war.
Why can a theory work one way and not another. I think it has to do with whether men meddle in it or not. Natural events seem to come, and men simply pick up or die. When men cause the disasters, they often already have a political and economic plan devised around it. And the plans of men are foolish and ignorant, idealistic and unscientific (in the real not academic sense of science, mind you). No, men cannot devise a means of breaking windows in such a way in which a nation may truly profit. But nature seems to have a way. Actually, survival in such cases means pushing politicians, bureaucrats and whole bureaucracies, laws, and other such to the side while figuring out how to simply survive. It lends strength to people who have been shackled and afraid. It shows them what there really is to fear. A fine or going without water? Try and fine me for surviving!
Most cases, hopefully, are not that extreme. But in many cases people will be fighting more minor incursions into their needs and wants by often petty and foolish laws, meant merely to help the peasants understand their place and create markers around what some elites think should be the boundaries of civilized life. I hope the Japanese do learn. I hope they do become strong. And I hope they realize that a socialist government is nothing but an impediment, and pushes it to the side to rise a stronger, rebuilt, forward moving nation and economy. Oh, and remove the "rights" (special set-asides for women to work, and vote). Well, good luck on those last, but if the nation rises, these things will happen.
Good night.
.
Of course, this theory is based on government spending. At least the most recent version, and from what I understand. It, of course, in this case, is bunk. Government spending, almost to a cent, is a waste. Now, waste is necessary, in smaller sips. And there are bits of spending which actually prove either worthwhile in a large sense, think museums at least within reason, and transportation such as roads, bridges, and such (again within reason and probably excluding Bus, train, and definitely excluding high speed trains).
However, what is happening in Japan, while tragic due to the loss of life and serious potential for a number of nuclear disasters, may end up having a net positive affect on that nation. Once a shining city, but only for a short time, it has economically fallen into decay, disrepair, and fiscal lunacy. There is a chance that through confrontation with serious disaster, a greater understanding of life, a perspective on wealth, and a shakeup of all that is entrenched, it will allow the people to change the government for the better. Perhaps, finally, they will throw off the chains of socialism we put on them after the war.
Why can a theory work one way and not another. I think it has to do with whether men meddle in it or not. Natural events seem to come, and men simply pick up or die. When men cause the disasters, they often already have a political and economic plan devised around it. And the plans of men are foolish and ignorant, idealistic and unscientific (in the real not academic sense of science, mind you). No, men cannot devise a means of breaking windows in such a way in which a nation may truly profit. But nature seems to have a way. Actually, survival in such cases means pushing politicians, bureaucrats and whole bureaucracies, laws, and other such to the side while figuring out how to simply survive. It lends strength to people who have been shackled and afraid. It shows them what there really is to fear. A fine or going without water? Try and fine me for surviving!
Most cases, hopefully, are not that extreme. But in many cases people will be fighting more minor incursions into their needs and wants by often petty and foolish laws, meant merely to help the peasants understand their place and create markers around what some elites think should be the boundaries of civilized life. I hope the Japanese do learn. I hope they do become strong. And I hope they realize that a socialist government is nothing but an impediment, and pushes it to the side to rise a stronger, rebuilt, forward moving nation and economy. Oh, and remove the "rights" (special set-asides for women to work, and vote). Well, good luck on those last, but if the nation rises, these things will happen.
Good night.
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