Back to gaming.

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Oh?  You didn't realize.  I had stopped gaming some time ago, months ago.  Basically when I fell the last time I simply didn't have enough going to even play Play Station 3 games.  And, since then, rising or falling as the case may have been, I had too many things on my plate.  In the end, I haven't yet gotten my tasks done.  And, I still simply can't get to those things.  I decided to begin playing some of the games I had beaten, to get what are called trophies in the games.  I am hoping gaming will... bring some passion, or stir something. 

I have completed all the trophies for two games in the last week.  If nothing else, the seeming impossible is less seemingly so these days.  I was surprised how easy some of them were, give or take.  Sure, some of the more difficult ones took many tries.  One trophy took at least an hour, possibly onto two hours, not counting time I had tried to earn it in the past.  Just sticking too it got it done.  I honestly wasn't sure I was going to get that one.  Some games, however, have trophies I won't win.  Heavy Rain, for example, has trophies I find morally reprehensible, so I won't work at them.  Yeah, it's just a game.  But I play like I live.  I really do.  Or, how I would live if I could f*cking walk!  Yeah, yeah, a bit grumbly lately, being down for so long recently. 

Medicines are being taken, I am eating a bit more, but I have only been able to get out of the house a few times in the last month.  Pretty much my trips were utilitarian.  I have seen my friend about once, and made the KoC meeting, but on both of those occasions I also did shopping that was vital.  I am physically weak.  Or, I should say, physically unable to work.  I am still strong.  I just can't seem to use it.  My mind is, for the most part, mush, too.  It is physical, my body isn't healing at all as it should.  A scratch from last month is still on my arm.  It is scabbed over, and not infected, but it simply won't heal.  In my prime times, I heal at twice the speed I have seen others heal.  But when the body isn't up to snuff, I simply don't heal now. 

More time?  Warmer weather?  I'm still pushing to do... anything... Gaming is at least something.  There is a sense of success.  And it doesn't take too much physical energy.  But I keep looking at my bathroom, and the pit.  I want to get to those!  I like working, I truly do.  But I have so much to catch up on just in my home that it will be a while, once I do get a chance, before I can get to real work.  Hmm, something odd.  The other day I woke during my sleep cycle to use the restroom.  Not flushing as long as it takes to actually flush, you have to hold the handle for about 3 seconds or a bit more, and my urine stayed in the bowl.  When I woke next, and went to use the toilet, I noticed that my urine, combined with '2000 Flushes' bowl cleaner, had turned the toilet water... pink?  How absolutely weird.  I really wonder what I am passing?  I have no idea what could make that dark blue turn to pink.  Just... weird.

Bah, I'm still good.  Just a little frustrated.  I did order fats for my food storage.  I am increasing my larder in other ways.  Bit by bit, I really am getting ahead this and that way.  Now if I could just get my feet back under me, get caught up, then out to do some home improvements.  It'll happen, probably.

Good day.

Oh? Phone calls?

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Still in a haze.  Life just is not smoothing out.  The medicine is being taken like clockwork, for the most part.  I just can't seem to break some... wall, or get over some obstacle.  I'm frozen, physically.  Oh, little things happen, but for the most part I am blocked off.  My mind and body are not cooperating well.  At least I am not failing, as if life is on some sort of auto-pilot.  The food coming in helps a bunch, though too.  I have to admit I am a lucky man in many ways.

My friend called, twice in the last two days.  My phone was set to silent though and I just noticed it.  But it is, at 12:10 (pm), bedtime.  When I wake, if it isn't too late, I will call him and try to arrange something.  My mind just isn't working well enough to make plans as I get ready for sleep.  And it might take a few days to figure out how to further shift my sleep cycle in order to get out of my home and be to town at a reasonable hour for shooting, shopping, or whatever.  Gah but these times are trying.

Hmm, I need to wash clothes in order to get out too.  Yeah, slipping.  But living, and enjoying what of a life I have!  I am thankful, humble as my life is, to not be in constant pain, to be able to do a few things I enjoy, to have the companionship of my pets, to have a few friends here and there, and to have family who loves me even while not always liking me.  Life isn't bad, it is just that my "go, go, go" mentality doesn't fit the body I have.  I had hoped to be all used up, or at least still buff.  Instead I am more like a pet.  Well, some people love me anyway.  I'm not good for much, but that isn't always the point.  Some people's kids...  *grins*

A few items of prepper interest.

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D.C. and myself have been discussing fats.  Oils in this case, that store well.  I tried to respond with a bit of information at a link regarding the conversation at his place but that didn't work.  So I am replying here, but I'll fill you in a bit.

You see, most oils, to include lard, have a relatively short shelf life.  A year seems to be the average, though some fats go rancid quicker.  His idea was that coconut oil would work, if processed into oil, it is shelf stable for about a year and a half.  However, unprocessed (or unrefined as one faq refers to it) coconut oil has a much longer storage life.  Of course, unrefined coconut oil is pretty pricey.  And, once opened, I would think it would begin going rancid?  I can't be sure but that would be my belief.  So, buying it in smaller lots would be even more expensive.  Now, there is a suggestion, that one purchase the less expensive (and non-organic) versions.  But going down to that notch leaves one with oil that only lasts, again, about a year and a half.  Still, it would be good to have fats.

The other notion was that producing ones own lard, and canning it at home, would add significantly to both the quality and shelf life of the lard (or tallow if using beef fat).  And, of course, there are many other reasons to get into canning.  Further, since my ability to get to things is rather limited, buying an item that could do a lot of work at once, getting it all done quickly, might be the way for me to go.  I would definitely like to can meats, some vegetables, and a few other things.  To that end, there is this behemoth.  The one problem with a canner this size is that my mother, or probably any woman, could not use it without assistance.  The pot, by itself, weighs 33 pounds.  The pot could, in theory, hold 10 gallons.  At 8 pounds per gallon roughly, that is another 80 pounds.  Okay, but you won't fill it up all the way with water, mostly.  True, but what you are canning weighs more than water per volume (or it would float, mostly).  So, completely full and being reasonable, the thing could easily weigh 80 to100 pounds, and easily up to 150 perhaps.  Even for me, and considering that it would be hot, that is... quite a load.  Or... is my math going greatly astray somehow?  And the base is 19 inches, quite a trick on almost any stove, my flattop could do it, using two burners, maybe, somehow?  Oh, wait, I think the weight exceeds what a glass flattop stove suggests.  Hmm, which would mean some sort of burner.  Which means outdoors.  Hmm...  When I think of moving the thing, I get weird pictures of Grasshopper (from Kung Fu, an old tv series) getting branded with the snake and tiger or something, by carrying a red hot cast iron brazier with his forearms.   My eyes may be bigger than my ability.

Well, just wanted to comment here, and think some things over, while putting out some information for others who consider prepping.  While I live in an agricultural area, I do believe meats and even fats, will become... scarce.  While raising one's own pigs sounds good, have you... ever done that?  If you think other animals are good at escaping, you haven't dealt with pigs.  Few animals are quite so good at that.  And, there are other problems with pigs.  They are quite dangerous.  But, remember too, you have to butcher what you raise.  Have you... ever butchered an animal?  I've done a deer, a smallish one.  I did a poor job, but I did get most of the meat and I did strip the little fat there was.  Unfortunately, venison fat is not edible.  It is considered waste and more, contamination.  Anyway...  Yeah, having some fats on hand would be good, until life mellows and local production and distribution of things like lard begin.  That would take some time.

The whole notion of prepping is great.  Really all you are doing is buying time until some kind of local marketing kicks in, or the main markets return.  There is no way you can honestly prep enough to be ready for a permanent retreat unto yourself.  I have some doubts about grains that are stored for even ten years, regardless of what the brochure says.  Same goes for many things.  Seeds?  A few bad years could wipe out an entire region and the remaining seeds could simply become nonviable.  No, buying time.  That is all that the best prep will do.  It is merely a matter of how much time is bought versus how much time can be bought.  Solo, with food stores, I would guess only two years (max) can be bought.  Beyond that, some form of self sufficiency has to begin.  Animal husbandry, trading, planting, wood production, and everything else.  And how much of that is reasonable to have and not share?  But living out in the forest, alone, would merely be a draw for the less than scrupulous.  A largish team, 20 to 30, out in the forest, assuming all can and do arrive?  Okay, but... who has that?  I like my situation, I like what I am doing, and within what I have and can spend, it is the best option.

Think about it though, no cell phones, no cars planes or trains, no radio (or reason to have one), no computer, television, or refrigerator or freezer, no electricity, no running (or hot) water?  Could it happen?  In local events, it happens somewhere in the world almost every day.  Katrina to Haiti to wherever.  Globally?  All it would take is one of thousands of things, some man-made like war or economic ruin, some natural such as a solar burst with a reversed polarity or a major but not life ending meteor or even large shifts in the crust of the earth.  Those are just easy, off the top of the head, things.  There are more than a thousand ways life could be moved through scorched earth back to primitive times.  Thankfully, as I have suggested, barring such being enforced by a draconian global government, most failures would be (relatively) short lived.  With the knowledge, and memory, of some forms of tech, the good life, and freedom, some people would find a way back to, at least, the 1950's, and within a decade or two.  Life is too hard otherwise.  Actually, before mechanization, slavery of one sort or another was... pretty much required.  Think of this, hamburger was fine dining in Rome, back in her heyday.  What it took to grind beef, considered a lesser meat today, is insane when done by hand on any scale, when added to the fact that there was no refrigeration.  Bread, hamburger, even fresh milk, luxuries.  We have it better than most kings.  Of course, that means we wouldn't care to roll in the muck, we wouldn't allow ourselves to be slaves, and we would work toward a future, a real one, again.  I do like living in America.  The rest of the world can roll in muck, as it seems to want to do.  But here?  No, it is good here (in ways that may be being lost?).  I'd love to share it with the rest of the world, but they don't seem interested.  They like the idea of being rich, they just can't stomach what it takes.  The loss of local control by local elders (meaning they stay rich and make sure no one else gets richer), the hard work, not killing each other constantly, you know... the little things that allow business to function.  Freedom is an opportunity, and a risk.  I like risk.  And opportunity.

Blathering.  Good night.

Does God cause or even allow...

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Does God cause or allow people to die from natural disasters?  A question I saw on another blog.  An interesting question, one every Christian has to come to ask at some point.  Not all will find their way around to an answer.  Some will seek it but not find one that fits, others will simply not look, and some will simply find the wrong answer.  While it is easy to separate those who seek but do not find an answer from those who do not seek it, splitting those who found the wrong answer from those who found the right answer is a whole other ball of wax.

One answer might be that God not only allows these things, but directly causes them to happen.  Another possibility is that God allows these things simply by not stopping them.  Some believe that God does not constrain Satan, who does cause these events.  There are other possibilities.  I haven't actually looked at what Catholic dogma, the Magisterium, or general teachings and traditions might say on this particular subject yet.  If it is a minor topic of the things I would like to know regarding Catholicism specifically, because I have worked this out on my own to satisfaction.  I am curious, it just isn't a higher priority question.  My answer is that neither God, save extremely indirectly, nor Statan at all, cause natural disasters.  Satan, literally, has no power.  He only has influence.  God created the world, I believe that absolutely.  He also created the laws of physics (not the ones you learn in high school or college, those attempt to model what of world mechanics is visible, it can't and shouldn't claim to be 'the truth').  For example, God created the earth, separated water from land, and either directly or indirectly created wind, cloud formation, and many other phenomena which end up producing storms, which turn into what we call tornadoes, hurricanes, and the rest.  The same goes for volcanoes, earthquakes, and the rest.  Once He created, I am satisfied that He ended His direct involvement with the workings of terrestrial physics, save when He directly causes actions (such as the Great Flood).  But then, He tells us what He did and why.  Some will say I am incorrect.  But that is my absolute final answer, at this point.

To be honest, it is suggested that if we had faith the size of a grain of sand we could move mountains.  How much less faith would be needed to stop a tornado?  Or simply make it's effects irrelevant?   I suggest that, when we are perfected, and New Earth is established, that the laws of physics will not be altered.  It is just that they will no longer be of a concern to us.  Yes, that is my grain of faith.  Of course, there is the question, if faith of only the size of a grain of sand was needed, why can we not move mountains, turn or even ignore tornadoes or hurricanes or earth quakes, now?  And it is a fair question.  I certainly have great faith.  A gift, I am told, if a treasured one.  I truly will (never tested mind you) give my mortal coil before giving my faith.  I will not bow to Caesar in order to spare my mortal frame.  And, yet, that is not enough?  No, it isn't.  Sin, would be my guess, keeps us from the connection with God that would allow us to employ that faith in the way Christ spoke of it.  While Christ says some, He doesn't always say all.  Look, sometimes, for what is not written as well as what is written.  Though too, I am only guessing.  And while Christ did die for our personal real sins, until we die, we aren't finished with sin.  God can be seemingly tricky, but He really isn't.  Understand, when discussing with a child why a pet dies, trying to explain the physiology and reality behind it, the parts you actually do understand anyway.  There are limits based on the child and their need.  Comfort is better than an autopsy report.  God... sees us in much the same light, I do believe.  Sometimes we couldn't understand even if told the simple truth of all things.  Sometimes actual physics simply is not what is needed.  And, I do believe it is simple.  Clumsily fantastically humblingly beautifully simple, which makes our reach for complexity almost silly.  

Oh, just... thinking.  Have a good day.

Minor successes.

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I did make a meeting recently.  While it seems as if it should be easy, it depends on my sleep cycles and how much flex I have with that.  And, to a degree, how well I am simply doing.  Sometimes I can twist my arm if an event is a few hours out of my cycle.  This time I woke with three hours to get ready.  Some days that is not enough time.  Everything I do is rather complicated.  Any one who has dealt with autism probably would understand a bit more.  Things, often, have to be just right.  Rather than have a tantrum, however, the activity just can't go forward.  At least with this one I know, every month, when it will happen.  I also receive an email and a phone call (auto-call) the day before or on the day.  And still it can be missed.  Ah, but twice in a row?  All good.

When out to the meeting the other night I went grocery shopping, afterward.  Milk, salami, and cheese, as well as a couple of additional good snack items... two brands of hummus so as to perhaps find one I prefer, some whole(r) wheat rolls for the hummus, and grapes.  Just a little extra.  And while it is a small thing, I have been making coffee, grinding my own, and keeping up on that little chore.  Personally I like coffee better than Splenda diet soda.  Sometimes I add powder Splenda, sometimes sugar, sometimes I add nothing!  Well, always a bit of milk.  I just can't seem to get going on much else though, at all.  

As well, I finally figured out my bathrooms.  I kept cleaning them to no effect.  I tried bleach, ammonia, and vinegar based cleaners, I tried various home remedy ideas.  I cleaned with the toilet brush.  I even broke down and scrubbed them by hand.  With each method I tried each solution with time between so as to not create chlorine gas, all to no avail.  I was starting to just think there was something wrong with me!  Nope.  Lime Away, I believe it is called, took every bit of gunk and grime away.  I had tried that on other things before to no avail, it seems just the right thing at just the right moment is the trick.  My problem is my moments of function are so far apart that what could have been a weeks affair became a six month struggle with a toilet!  Heh!  I merely wiped it with the brush after letting that stuff soak in for about an half hour.  You have no idea how much having a clean toilet lifts the spirits.  It was simply looking spooky.  And, despite the toilet being hidden, it is a required use item.  So, every day, throughout the day, I was faced with... FAIL!  No more...  I even tried it on the out-of-commision toilet, to similar effects, if it was no where nearly as bad for some odd reason?  If I ever get that water heater in and the water back on, I will be in excellent shape.  While the tub is fine, and the shower actually looks good, I may try that product on the shower when I get water back to it.  Just to see.  I know I have and continue to occasionally scrub the shower, but there is little bits that I can't get off.  Gunk too small for most to see, and I have scrubbed those areas many times.  But, no...  I still see it, and hate it.

And the toilet plunger I got?  Still works like a charm.  Plus, the cabinet it comes in is truly fantastic, hiding all the gunk, easy to use, and it opens and closes without needing to touch anything but the plunger handle.  Yes, little successes.  I take what I can get.

My home is a mess.  Laundry is piled up.  The kitchen doesn't contain, but has become, a science experiment.  I have lost my ability to keep up, on most things, at all.  I am not sure what is wrong.  Since beginning medicine again, while I can think more clearly, and more often, I am still tied to the bed or inactivity, improvement is not coming around as quickly as I had hoped.  Last time, though, it took two to three months, if too I had really bad edema.  I had hoped to be getting back to Church, at least more regularly, by now.  I have made the attempt several times, but even with the timer I simply lose... focus... and become too late.  Even showering earlier and being dressed, time has simply escaped me.  No, I don't know how.  I can only explain what happens.  It probably has something to do with the brain and oxygen, blood flow, and such.  It is better than what it was before I started but it is so very far from... where it could be, should be.  

The weather has been staying cooler though too.  That seriously may be a part of it.  Well, and I may honestly expect too much at times, for myself in any condition, let alone in the condition I am in.  I have always been told that I have extreme expectations.  And, at times, I have fulfilled that.  I definitely aim high.  I still think my aim is right, it is just my body that is wrong.  But I can't be sure.  The only way to know is to have a body and mind that work.  Hey, buddy, can you spare a functioning heart.  Uhrm, with the caveat that I can install it without no seems nor needlework.  :p

Ah, I'll keeping plugging away.  *plug*

*plug*

*plug*

Later.  Or... good night?

You really aren't special?

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Yes and no.  You are special to those who love you.  Why?  Because... shut up.  You are special in what you do.  If you are really good at something, that makes you better than other people at what you do.  Some people absolutely amaze me.  A few people truly impress in a few areas of specialty.  Soft sciences merely get a chuckle, but a serious mathematician, solid engineers, materials property guys, programmers, and even top linguists whether they be true masters of many tongues or a top English writer grab my attention.  And I must be honest, women who run families and homes amaze me.  Some like athletes, but having been... well above average in some of that, and realizing to become more competitive would have required drugs, that is no longer... seen as all that worthy.  But too, no matter how good someone is, we are replaceable.  Not in the heart.  No one can replace a loved one.  But in the flesh.  There is nothing we do that someone else can't do, and possibly (probably) much better. 

No, here and most people I know?  It is known that there is no special status.  I would say most people I know well realize this.  Catholics, Mormons, and most other folk with whom there is some association generally tend toward the humble.  Oh, well, there are times.  And this ogre certainly has moments of pride.  But it is generally known that we fail the mark.  None of us, for example, can walk on water, move mountains, or go a day without sin.  And, for most, that honestly is the goal.  It is difficult to hold too much pride in such circumstances.  It would be no different than believing you are bulletproof on a battlefield.  Sometimes, to reach the objectives, you have to forget the bullets for a bit.  But if you don't have the notion of what bullets do, and their physical characteristics in mind, you will be lost.  So it is with sin, and life.

Ouch, wouch, and three other words like those.

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No, no pain.  No grump.  Nothing terribly wrong.  It is merely that nothing is right.  Imagine driving at night and having your headlights dim to a third their standard brightness, the interior lights go off altogether, while needing to get somewhere in a timely manner.  At least the drive isn't through a pass with steep cliffs.  So, life moves ahead at a snail's pace.  What needs to be done is food, a bit o' caffeine, and feeding cats.  All else is mostly beyond reach.  Well, there may be something that can be done tomorrow evening.  Barring that?  Oh, a shower was taken.  Heavenly!

Medicine continues.  The medicine dispenser was reloaded on time, without missing a beat, this time, for the first time since restarting medicine.  Blood pressure has not been checked in the last three or four (or more?) days?  Why push it, it doesn't come down quickly, until it drops precipitously.  It is frustrating to watch for that.  As the world warms up though, and with medicine back in the gullet, life has a chance of picking up again.  One of the things that will be created, should that happen, and before fall sets in, is that a daylamp station will be developed.  That might hold the winter collapse at bay, or at least make it less devastating, or at least delay the onset.  But that can't be created in the middle of the winter outage.  Nothing gets done when that sets in.

Plots go on.  The plan to make it back continues.  Oh, feeble perhaps, but that is what is available.  Some creatures where simply not given the option of quitting.  Some creatures just can't seem to die.  Then again, there were times, in real life, when life was on the brink.  All it would have taken was a simple pause, a little release of effort, and the thing would have been done.  Surrender wasn't ever an option then, and it has become no more of an option since.  It may appear that surrender has been rendered.  If you believe that you believe incorrectly.  Moving at the speed of turtle, or even being pulled in the opposite direction intended, the direction will not change.  Onward and upward!

On a serious note...

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h/t Doug Ross @ Journal

Odds and Ends

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Some say polo shirts are a sign of fashion faux pas.  And, while in some circles, that might certainly be true.  If cost/price (there is a difference you know) is a factor, then there are polos that might just fit haute couture.  No, the notion of the author regarding haute couture notwithstanding, few could say that much of the hubbub regarding fashion is induced by the expense. If your humble host should ever deign to go high class, this is as close as he could get. A man can dream!

Now that an ear wax spoon has been purchased, and use is an ongoing thing, the notion to store the ear wax for some future use was considered, if mostly in jest.  Still, the notion was put out that such a thing might go forward.  With the collecting device at hand, all that would be needed is a storage device.  A mint tin would be just perfect.  To at least giving the notion some reasonable nod, since that was all but promised, what had to happen before a tin was obtained is to find out of what ear wax is composed so as to find some use for it.  To that end, here is the general composition of ear wax. Now, no further study has occurred in order to either find a general use for ear wax in conglomerate or find particular uses for the more useful composite parts, nor a means of separating the composite parts should they be the better for some particular or even general use. Oh, a silly notion to be sure, but an entertaining pursuit. In time, it is hoped that further research may find a number of options for both conglomerate and part use and the separation processes for ear wax components. A mint tin... to be sure... is under considerations at this point. HUSH!

In finality for the informative aspect of this post, an article that may enhance my ability to conscientiously purchase a solar array system, should the money ever by saved for such a system.  It seems that solar systems, panels at the very least, produce chemicals that are anywhere from 12k to 23k times more causative of global warming than CO2 is supposed to be in their construction!  Oh, while since Gore has had (after being shamed) a huge solar system installed on at least one of his (23 times normal energy usage) mansions, the hope of filling Gore's CO2 (etc. now) footprint is far from possible, that with the little shoes available, it might be said when time is done that at least some bit of that was done within personal capacity, there will be pleasure here.

Now for a personal update. Sleep has gone completely haywire again. Long sleep times and long wake times are vying to put the day schedule that had been obtained onto the junkpile. Going to bed at 5:00 this morning, waking at 18:00 this afternoon, staying up for 18-22 hours at a time, life has become a bit difficult to manage again. The suspicion is that blood pressure may be moving again, hopefully downward. What has been seen in the past is that blood pressure will not actually move for some time, a day, three days, a week, while life becomes a bit odd.  Blood pressure might even go up a little bit in that time frame.  Then it will suddenly drop. But before that drop, life becomes a little hairy, itchy, rough. That is not to say, definitively, that this is the case. It is only a relatively respectable possibility considering that medication is being taken diligently, and this is the exact pattern as it happened in the past. One can hope. Once blood pressure stabilizes, life can get a little to a great deal better. Again, there is hope. As can be imagined, very little is happening on the homefront. A bit of cooking, keeping up on coffee since (for a number of reasons) regular easier to administer caffeine doses have not been obtained has been happening, and the girls are being fed. Other than that, life is pretty much on hold until that next shift in blood pressure, and then some stability returns. But... There is hope, and a real faith, that life will be improving soon. Either that or death is approaching. Heh! All good.

...

Creation versus abiogenesis and perhaps evolution.

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It seems slightly less than half of Americans believe in the creation of life by God.  While that number seems a bit low, considering the war on religion through education and the length of time since Christ among other factors, one could easily be surprised there is any belief at all in Christ Himself let alone in anything written before His time.  Actually, for those who believe Christ will come again, one of the features of His coming will be that few believers remain.  In any case, it often proves humorous when the faithful of religion, self admittedly basing their notions openly and honestly on faith in written and traditional beliefs, bests scientific consensus.  In this case, a video explains why abiogenesis (life from non-life as a random act) is not only unlikely, it is scientifically not possible.  This has been known, if not that there was literally scientific backing, for quite some time.  Literally, life cannot come from non-living matter in a "natural" way.  Oh, you don't believe? That is fine, but take a look at this. This blog is more filled with doubts than not.  And doubt should be a close companion, perhaps a good friend.  And no, this material is not beyond some general understanding.

Not just one, but two Operation Overlords?

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True enough.  The second Operation Overlord was not near the scale of the first, did not involve ships, and wasn't an American operation in the main.  During the Vietnam war, Operation Overlord (named after the WWII action) and also known as the Battle of Long Khanh, began today in 1971.  Some attempt to suggest the battle was not as successful have been asserted, you really have to watch these revisionist asshole authors.  Given the scale, and what was done, it seems that per man, the battle was every bit as successful and to the same ends.  Sure, they didn't kill every enemy, but like the original operation, they drove them out.  A superior entrenched enemy force was crushed and driven away.  Our Australian allies gave them hell!  Good going, boys.  Cheers!  And thanks.

In other news, it seems American heads are getting bigger.  Not just the externals, or perception of such either, but the internal size, the brain area, is enlarging. Now, on a purely empirical basis, there is room for debate. It isn't just women, but in this case it happens to be a woman. Wasn't there a song about looking for love in all the wrong places?  Though here is one about a guy who just can't quite figure out when it's nap time and when it's time to worksteal.  Just saying.  Although there might be some evidence that the notion commonly equated with having a big head is also taking place. Does having a larger brain cause insanity in some? Just asking questions, don't think you are being pointed out, probably. *dubious glance* Though I suspect the author may be trying to point? If you want to see if you are one of the bigger brained people, there is an app for that.

A man decided, in order to understand his clients better, that gaining weight and then training himself back down sounded like a good plan.  No, no, his point seems quite valid.  More "self-help gurus" ought to try the shoes on that they are going to offer advice regarding.  Some, of course, can't such as physical therapists, some shouldn't explicitly just for the experience such as drug councilors (all good if they happen to make it through an addiction then go on to help though), but the effort should be made within reason.  It just seemed that this man deserves an A for excellence.  This experience should help him guide others.  Further, he must know that most people have no idea what being in shape is, having never been so, now.  And, truly, how difficult the path is even so. 

While the notion is interesting, the difficulty here is having a body that doesn't comply, sometimes it can't.  No amount of pushing can get the specified results, and pushing can cause an utter collapse lasting days or weeks.  The trick, if there is one, is knowing how to do just a little bit, just enough.  Going way over the limits one day can be quite different from over exerting on another day as if my body was two very different people, there are no definitive clues as to which day is which.  There are too many things simply not working up to par in this body at any given time.  However, everything like this that can be read is being read.  There is hope that, somehow, something will allow greater function, greater access, improved health.  The cycle of fitness just happens to be a very complicated catch-22.

Saving interesting articles, and trying to have more than I can use in a day, or even several days, is allowing for more of a news and information production.  Attempting to find news and history and ideas that aren't presented elsewhere seems the way of the future.  To these eyes, the blog is looking better.  It might be serving some small purpose, and yet there is plenty of room for chuckles, finger pointing (ohm-ver!), and such.  Life is good.

Still awake, and rather aware.  The goal is to make it to early evening, at least 21:00, then retiring with a resounding 'zzz'.  :)  Tomorrow?  Tomorrow the hope is to finally hit the kitchen like a hurricane, do some digging, and begin laundry again.  And then there is an afternoon event to attend.  It is informal and will not require driving, as that will be provided.   That is the plan.  Oh!  Taco salad yesterday, barbequed pulled pork sandwiches tonight, life is good!  The kitchen must be cleaned and reset, thoroughly, before food production can begin again here.  And no easy foods have been purchased yet, so some serious impetus is placed on getting the kitchen functioning again.  Man but food is good.  And hunger just plain hurts.  There is no pain tonight!

Later.

Walker does his duty.

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One has to enjoy when the success of another spells one's own name! What a wonderful thing. And it wasn't just in Wisconsin. Two California cities demolished the public-sector unions, one city eked the defeat through by 68-32, the other did only slightly better at 71-29, against unions. California? Oh, I'm definitely smelling Doom. It's a personal issue, perhaps... Oh, I mean for unions. Both smell, one of them can shower.

What is funnier than when people get what they do? It seems the media has been voiding on the truth and "peasants" since at least Duranty, who sold his the truth and his soul for buggery and Stalin and won the Pulitzer for that. It seems fate, or perhaps even God, has decided to turn the tables. Ah but what a refreshing sight it would have been to see people getting what they so often give.

It seems someone in the old home state found the old Sunday rider. Ah well. Still, it made for good steaks. Haven't you ever heard the old saying, 'I'll cut off what I want to eat and ride the rest home'? Well, yeah, it could've happened.

This next article may have been presented before. And, while Google is not used, most of the search engines have a similar format, some of them offer pages where they discuss their various power search methods. Here is an example of Google methods, for people who still use AOL too?  Power-search methods for Google. This is just being shown to get the thinkers to think about how to let the machines do the work. Of course so much data is being blocked, censored in truth, that finding some data (for example on the Holocaust, Communist genocide, and such) that it is best to know that search engine owners are kowtowing to dictators these days. I am sure it is done on the premises of keeping "bad pictures" away from kids. Just understand, you have been declared a child. Still, this might allow you to do a bit of digging and come up with some of the various truths out there.  The ones still "allowed".

Waiting on the final count for Walker made for a late night.  Then sleep would not come.  Finally, at 10:00 this morning, bed called.  The neighbor boy came calling at about 13:30 to begin mowing.  He may have knocked a couple of times before, but that is when the knocking was definitively heard and rewarded.  Doom reared it's ugly head, again!  So, I am up.  Perhaps tonight sleep will be better.  With so little sleep it is unlikely much will happen today.  But that so little sleep is not a problem, the hope for better things hangs in the air just a little more seriously.  Tomorrow?  Friday?  Work will happen yet this week.  And some good work.

Have a great day!

June 6th, 1944. Operation Overlord.

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In the news.

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It seems excessive exercise can be as bad for you as a drug(of the worst kind). While the article discusses a specific set of problems it ignores others, which is fine. It does a decent job of what it does do. With weight lifting, taken to excess, structural can damage occur, many types of it. Keeping up means tearing things, keeping up beyond reason means things get broken. And when weight becomes very high, a minor mistake can be career ending. Further, when exercising to the limit, even for a few months at a time, illness becomes a much more serious concern. I do believe the ability to fight off infections and the like can nearly be disabled by excessive exercise, without and even sometimes with proper nutrition. There is some suspicion here about high school athletics and what is wrong with the heart.  The staging of an eventual failure began by being run too hot, too long, in bad weather.  Oh, by all means, exercise if you can, have the time, and will power. Just remember balance and limits.  And, to that end, here is an article about the upper end of run-times.

The next article brought some small laughter around here. It is not that the story is believed, or disbelieved. Visitations to the big city are rare, further time there is kept to a minimum. It is, for the most part, considered social enemy territory. And while SLC is one of the better cities seen by these well traveled eyes, the dark places still exist as with any city. And those dark places can jump out of their shadows at any time. Short, specific, planned out visits, work the best all around. As such, the veracity of the article has not been personally established. But, if the story is true... all the better. Polos are what are worn by the local ogre as a majority issue item. If SLC is a polo city, it might be even better, as far as cities go, than what was first believed. Polos, innit? Ha! Oh, another thing to note? The people of this state, in general, seem to be a rather humble lot. Don't believe all they say when they decry themselves or their own. Still, polos are just fine in any case. As well, if you see what passes for fashionable quite often, you will know why polos are fine, even should the story be true. *cough, king's clothes, cough*

***In the middle of the witching hours.

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In dark hours come thoughts that match.  And yet there is always hope.

Men can be brave, some men foolishly, some men because they have already surrendered their lives.  If they have surrendered it to the King, death will never have them.  Where there seems only fantasy, a bit of looking can lead to some truths.

What has given new blood to old bones is knowing with certainty that Another has fought an even tougher fight than any will ever know.  And He fights it for the many every day through another sort of men.  Though it may not seem it, read the words.  Even before double checking the words, and before becoming what would save, the meaning of this song was clear.  It was a thorn in the side until finally bowing.  Long before bowing, though, the truth was known.  It was simply... not preferred.

I can only imagine this singer, a one time favorite, had need of such a man and realized what he asked and what he received.  His gratitude is noted in the only means he had to offer thanks.  He was a tiger.  He too could not change his stripes.  But he could see his way to wisdom, and a knee.

The next is mere fantasy but it... holds some truths as well. 

Bedtime.  Pleasant dreams.

No better, but...

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A shower has been taken.  Grooming and dressing has taken place.  Shaving?  Eat... rhymes with tea.  What was done is what could be done.  Before travel, rest must occur.  Blood pressure was checked, 171/111.  Far from perfect it is much better than four days ago.  A drop of 40/31 is the goal, if that may never be possible.  The medicines that might do that are as dreadful, and worse, than the disease.  It does look like a trip to town will happen.  It is murder to get everything done to do that.  I can only imagine that the trip itself is going to be a bit taxing.  So be it.  This is merely being written as an update.  Good news, even if a struggle to create, is worth sharing.  Or, at least noting.  The internet is a room where you never know if anyone else is there with you, innit?

Do I like jalapenos?  As a friend loves to say...  "Do I!".  Never mind.  Later.

To town?

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So little is going on in this news cycle.  Well, sure, there is all the cannibalism, and the Romney surge and Zero/Democrat fall and party betrayal.  And of course there is the ongoing saga of the Speedway Bomber et. al.  Well, and Europe is fast approaching the end of a fabricated reality show called the E.U. and You, which might as well have been created and hosted by Goebbels or Lenin.  You know the NAZIs who were executed for trying to create this same thing in Europe, if by *tanks not banks, are rolling in their graves, laughing at their brazen kindred running the E.U., cheering them on.  Hell, they are even still trying to say it is just a monetary union (ignore the supranational rulings by "commissions" and "judges" elected and appointed, apparently, by Nemo).  No?  And that is one story of many.  Oh, and of course, Japan is hitting 28 year stock lows.  Yada yada, none of it is striking.  There is more surprise in that much of this is even considered news, in the sense that news pertains to something... unexpected, novel, or different.  Hammer, nail, wood, done!?  Something.  When the Speedway Bomber et. al. are arrested, then convicted, of domestic terrorism, that will be news.  With Holder in office, I have some doubts justice will be done in that case until he is thrown out (and hopefully exiled).  The rest of it is exceptionally "unexpected".
*h/t to Vox terminology

Well, there was something out there the other day that seemed interesting.  Flirting, it seems, is worthy of an article.  Of course, I don't think the author has a clue.  Well, okay, there are some things almost correct.  The biggest mistake is choosing sex as the objective.  Though from there it doesn't get much better.  Suggesting that men respect sluts?  I am not sure where the author was 'learned', my guess is somewhere between comic books and the edited tall tales alphas tell.  Even when sex is seemingly the objective, it never is.  Oh, for some very small(?) group of men, and padawan learners, sure.  For most, sex was just something that came with the package, if not a bad thing, at all, in the least bit, usually.  The advice given to men, by men, is on par with advice remembered from the third grade in a secular school.  This author should know, he was already handing it out, having lassoed and ridden at least three girls by then.  Yeah, shut it.  It's just the way it was.

So, what does flirting mean?  What is flirting?  Flirting is a form of safe sexual exploration.  Flirting is a collusion of sexual interest expressed non-verbally.  The article indicates that the goal of flirting is to inculcate sexual desire.  That seems patently false.  Without an initial spark of mutual interest no flirting will take place!  Most of the time, flirting is merely a sign of approval, a mutual sign. Mostly, flirting is just a little bit o' fun, an ego booster, or such.  It is only really useful with a woman who might be becoming your woman, or who has become your woman, to check a few things.  Though sometimes it can be used, in the right setting, to get Nancy out of the pack.  She may be letting you know, in the only way that is acceptable, that she is ready to be cut from the heard.  From there, the thing goes to another stage if flirting should still be a part of the future too.  And while it doesn't occur every time possible, the door is always open to it.  And it usually does occur.  Woot!  One might even call it a romantic form of counting coup. 

Monday is it?  The last four days have been pretty foggy.  Something about something, and like a child that has been awake too long, gotten too little food and water, grumpiness of existence seems to be a common thread.  Several things are needed, however, and there may be a way to squeeze just enough from the batteries to get robocopdoom to the stores.  Milk, easier to administer caffeine, some foods to include cat food, and perhaps... more food!  Ah, and the first month of the patch, or at least three weeks worth of 21mg. Next month I will buy one more three week supply, of 14mg, which should do it. Advice for quitting tobacco is out there. On that list only 1, 2, 9, and 10 are possible ones for me.  Though number 10 led to extreme health issues.  Doing things socially just doesn't work. And quitting chewing is not being done for any perceived health or dental benefits. Simply put, there is serious doubt if health benefits outweigh the costs. That might be different for smokers, but not for gobbers. Quitting has more to do with getting rid of a minor but potent addiction. Caffeine would be on the list save it isn't as serious of an addiction, withdrawals consist of a few days of headaches, then... done. Beside that, the benefits of caffeine are extreme. Perhaps if blood pressure can ever be brought in line, a review of how life goes without caffeine might go forward.

Even with all else, it seems life might be improving, just a bit. It almost seems like something might be forming, like a front to the West on a hot day. It won't be here for a bit, but the sense that things are coming back into play exists. Tomorrow? The day after that? Friday? Next week sometime? A slight headache haunts the day. A bit more aspirin might tend that. Even with that and a stiff neck, life still seems to be improving. A good omen one could think. Headaches often bring poor prognostications for the future, so a sense of well being through minor aches and pains seems to hold great promise.

My friend just called.  It seems he is in the market for a fan.  It is too hot to go shooting today, though, so that's good.  He wondered if a trip to town was in the offing.  Being that it is hot, this evening seemed to be a better time, so that is the plan.  Now with more reasons than before, a trip to town after 18:00, maybe even an hour later, is the idea.  Hmm, is a shower and grooming possible before then?  Yeah, it is that bad... for the moment.  But as noted, there is a sense that something good is happening, too.  Time will tell about any of it.

Have a good day.

Rough.

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Sleep is not happening well.  Waking is becoming difficult.  Staying awake is harsh.  Medicine can do this, so can illness, though a dropping blood pressure can too.  If you have ever been in shock, you might know what a quickly dropping blood pressure can do to you.  What is happening is slower, so there is not fainting.  It might even be guessed that the blood pressure is both dropping and rising as the medicine waxes and wanes.  The regimen will continue, the blood pressure was far too high to not do something drastic.  Attempts at keeping things going will continue.  No trip to town tonight, it simply wasn't possible.  Thankfully food was delivered.  It was much needed.  To bed? 

Good night.

Frustration.

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Sleep came late.  It was difficult to finally crawl into bed.  Sleep did come swiftly though.  Waking this morning was just as difficult as getting to bed.  Whether it was 10:00 or 11:00 is lost to memory fog.  Very little, if anything, will go forward today.  It seems that the medicine or physical changes the medicine is producing are taking their toll again.  Still, with blood pressure having dropped 50 systolic and 64 diastolic in a week there should be some understanding that capacity would be diminished.  While those number still need to come down, say, 40 systolic and another 20 diastolic, stable function may not happen until the fall in blood pressure stabilizes.  It is frustrating waiting for that to happen. 

Sassy seems a bit off her feed.  She does eat some, and seems to beg for more, but will eat little when it is offered.  She is the big wet cat food eater.  So dry food just isn't that appealing to her if she will eat some of it.  Lately that has been almost all she is eating, but more at her normal dry food levels.  The wet cat food is the same brand of food she has been eating almost since she arrived.  The packs come with three different flavors, and the packs themselves vary in flavor and texture.  It isn't for lack of variety.  She isn't starving, she just isn't eating like she did.  Then again, she isn't a kitten anymore.  As temperatures rise, perhaps she is less inclined to eat as much?  But why the mewling?

The thought of getting to work is a cocnstant.  And while some work will be done, actual harder work, such as digging, sees to complete exhaustion in minutes.  It is difficult to keep goals in mind when nothing serious is able to go forward.  Time is being lost in fog, along with intent and will.  Even visiting my friend sees to utter exhaustion.  The shower, grooming, and dressing pretty much takes all the energy available and that only trickles back enough to get out just a bit.  The notion, for today, if something can be done, is to get to the store sometime this evening.  Just a bit of shopping, some easy foods, milk, a few containers, cat food, and a few other odds and ends.  Tonight, tomorrow... sometime soon, the store.  Frustration.