Do You Think My Cats Are Spoiled?

I bought a rack of ribs to cook today.  I cooked them slow, all afternoon. An hour or so after they started cooking, Sake started telling me she wanted something. Consistently.  So, when I was eating dinner, after having fed the cats, she checked out my plate.  She wanted some ribs!.  So, I pulled some pork for her. She ate about half of it.  She had already eaten some chicken. 

Haiku is my cold girl.  She was not happy this afternoon, because I did not bump the temperature up. When it is cold, Haiku likes to sleep on my chair at the computer.  Sometimes she will sit on my chest. Sometimes, I move her, sometimes, I do not.  Tonight, I moved her to the folding chair, which has a pillow on the seat, and I put the heating pad on the pillow, and turned it on low. That seemed to satisfy her. 

Taki likes to join us.  She sits at my feet. I have the space heater going, for me, and the cats like it, too.

Wintry Weather

I do not think it ever got above freezing today.  I waited until right after noon to run errands, driving very slowly, taking my time. It is interesting how the street conditions were.  My street, and several of the residential streets in my neighborhood looked fairly clear.  Some of the more well travelled major streets were still snow covered.  I am not sure what that is about.  As I think about it, maybe the major streets were more traveled yesterday, and the snow could have been packed into ice, as it was not even close to freezing.  When people started going out on the residential streets today, the snow melted with the traffic as it was not packed into ice.  Maybe. Maybe not.

I timed it right. By the time I got home, the temperature had peaked and the temperature was dropping.

I would normally have gone to the Lady Raider Basketball game, especially because it is senior night, the last regularly scheduled home game of the year. But, I did not want to be out and about driving tonight.

In fact, it was a double header today, with the men's team playing this afternoon.  It was senior night for them, too.  If the weather had been nice, I probably would have gone to both games.  The men's team won.  Let's hope the women's team does too. 

So, the weather has affected my plans.  I am okay staying home, and being safe.

Feel Good Movies

I watched the movie  Radio http://www.sonypictures.com/movies/radio/ today.  I recently did a training of new officers at work, and the training had to do with developmentally disabled people and how to interact with them.  The subject of savants came up, so I used the example of Rainman http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0095953/.  The class kidded me about not having seen other movies that they referenced. So, I took down the list, and agreed I would let them know what I thought.

To get to see the movies, I signed onto Netflix http://dvd.netflix.com/MemberHome. I had been a Netflix customer in the past, but would receive DVDs and let them sit for weeks before I watched them and returned them. It seemed a waste, so I discontinued my membership. It was interesting to me, that after all this time, when I went back to Netflix, my information was saved.  My experience in the past that when I quit a website, and then return, I have to sign on as a new customer.  I was impressed.

I do not have a smart TV, or a tablet, Ipad or smart phone.  I guess I could stream videos to my computer, but my router is old, so no matter how fast my Interet is, and Suddenlink recently increased its speeds, my modem and router will limit speeds.  I will eventually upgrade this equipment, but I refuse to be forced to upgrade while the equipment is still functional, if I do not have to upgrade.  The last time Suddenlink increased their speeds, they forced everyone to get new modems.  This time, they did the upgrade in such a way that we are not forced to get new modems.

So, anyway, the timing was good.  I had a snow day, and did not have to work. The DVD arrived today, thanks the United States Postal Service https://www.usps.com who really did come through in spite of the snow storm.

So, I watched the movie. And cried through most of it. Not because I was sad, but because my heart was touched and it was feel good tears that I cried. This movie was a fictionalized version of a real story. I like movies like that. It was a really good movie. I suspect most of you who read my blog have already seen this movie.  If you have not, I would highly recommend it.

Why Does This Work?

When I have  never been opened glass jar, with a steel lid, sometimes I have difficulty opening it.  So, I turn the jar upside down, and bang the lid onto the counter, twice.  Usually, I can then open the lid.  Why does this work?

Tortilla Chips

Haiku likes tortilla chips.  She seems to especially like the very thin, well salted ones.   She likes to lick the salt.  She will bite into a chip if I hold it for her. When she bites into the chip, it generally crumbles.  She does not eat the flakes.  She likes to bite the chip.  Once the chip is gone, and there are only flakes in my hand, she might lick at them. But more often then not, she ignores them.  I am not sure what it is about biting the chips that she likes, but that is what she likes. And she knows her own mind.

My most favorite computer icon

My most favorite computer icon is the "undo" button.  You know, the left facing arrow at the top of the message or document. I have become especially fond of it with this computer.  Although I technically realize this computer is not really new, having had it since July, it is my newest computer. 

And it does some weird things. I guess the keyboard is super sensitive, but sometimes, the objects on the screen change size for no apparent reason, getting really small, or really big. And, sometimes things disappear while I am typing, again for  no apparent reason.  When this happens, I am so glad to have the "undo" button available.  It really helps.


 

Snow Day!

I am officially employed by Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center http://ttuhsc.edu/. This year, we have had several days of late openings or early closings due to winter weather. Tech has an alert system that delivers this information to your phone, or email.  So, when I woke up this morning, planning to take my time to go to work, I checked my phone and found a surprise.  Instead of a late start, I learned that TTUHSC was closed in Lubbock.  It makes sense.  We have officially had 5.4 inches of snow In the last 24 hours. It began last night: driving home from work at 5 PM, the streets were clear, with very limited areas of black ice.

Most of the snow has moved on, but we still have a chance for a light wintry mix overnight and through the weekend. So, I have no plans to go anywhere today.  I am hoping things clear up enough over the weekend so I can safely drive to the store to do my regular weekly shopping.  My biggest need will be canned cat food.   But, no one will starve.  I have plenty of other food in the house for the cats, if need be.

But for now, the temperature remains below freezing, and the snow cover persists.  Because schools, the county, the universities, and many other places have closed, the traffic is light.  Because traffic is light, driving is not clearing the streets. There have been several weather related accidents.

I am using my snow day for various projects. I generally do not like daytime TV, but I will watch some. But mostly, I will do other things.

I Am Too Comfortable

The reason I got into social work was because I wanted to make a difference.  Along the way, I got side tracked because I realized I needed to have a job that afforded me a living. So, my mission was side tracked.

I am thrilled to be working in a prison because I think that if I want to serve an under served population, there is probably no more under served population than prisoners. Especially in Texas.

Recently, I saw an opportunity to learn about working with homeless people.  Another under served population.  I put that on the back burner, but have decided that I really need to learn more about working with that population, and have signed up to do so. 

I do want to make a difference.

Everybody gets a mention tonight.

So I have written about Sake and Haiku tonight.  I cannot neglect Taki.  She is not doing much tonight but occasionally sitting at my feet, as she likes to do.  Then she scampers off, and silently comes back. I don't know what is in her brain, but she frequently sits, staring, as if she is waiting for something to move, so she can pounce.  I wonder if she has visual hallucinations, because she does pounce, for no reason I can see.  It is a game she likes.

I know my cats play. Well, Haiku and Taki do, and Sake has started playing some recently. She used to play a lot, but since she has not felt well, she has not played much.  The reasons I know my cats play include that I see them play, and their toys are moved around almost every day. I also hear them scampering around in the middle of the night.

Most recently, a plastic purple ball and a cloth fish have been in the large bathroom.  I moved them out last weekend when I cleaned, and a couple of days later, they were back in the big bathroom. Their location in the bathroom moves almost everyday, too.  I figure there is a cat reason for these items to be in the big bathroom, so they will stay there until I clean this weekend.

So, anyway, Taki is scampering around tonight, and not just sitting at my feet. 

The other day, Taki scampered into the garage.  I was trying to get her to go back into the house. She would hide under the car, come out, circle around the front driver side tire, and hide under the car again. She did this several times.  I decided if she wanted to play that game, I would play it with her.  We did that for several minutes, and then she decided to go back into the house. I guess that was a fun game for her.

Haiku is Nothing if Not Persistent

I am sitting at the desk tonight, working on the computer.  Every time I move, to get a drink, use the bathroom, get a Kleenex, Haiku gets on my chair. She is just sitting on the tray next to the chair, waiting for her chance. She has been doing this all night, even before I turned on the heating pad, although she really likes the heating pad.

I am offering Haiku the opportunity to sit on me.  She stretches from my shoulder to my lap, but only sits on me for a brief period of time. I hate that she is unhappy about me being on my chair, but sometimes, things are what they are.  I have been thinking about getting a new chair with a better lumbar support built in.  Maybe that will help us, as she can have a chair, and I can have a chair. As it is now, I have a metal folding chair out for her, but she does not like it.  Previously, I had a nylon folding chair out, and she did not like that either.  That chair broke, and went away. 

Haiku likes my chair when I have been sitting in it and it is warmed, but she also likes it when it has not been recently used.  Although it does not have a really good lumbar support, it is a good chair.

Weather Change

It was a beautiful day today, with the temperature at 81°.  The wind was brisk, and there was some light dust.  We are having a cold front move in, however, with the predicted highs tomorrow in the 50s.

I can feel the weather change. Today was an easy day at work, I did not have to do a lot of walking, so my hip/back pain was minimal.  I did go to the pool tonight, and I got some relief from exercising in the water, as I usually do.

In the last hour, my back and joints have "stove up."  I am convinced that it is not the temperature change that effects me, because the temperature outside right now is 59°, and the house is warm enough that the furnace has not come on tonight. I am convinced it is the change in barometric pressure that effects my joints.  When you think about it, this makes sense, because the change in pressure can effect the fluid in my joints, much as it would if I were deep sea diving.

So, I have the heating pad out.  Which helps some, but not a lot, because it cannot counter act the change in pressure.

Sake

I hate to write something, because every time I do, I have to eat my words, but I am going to risk it.  Since her last injection, Sake has done very well.  She does not eat large amounts of food at one time, but she is eating.  And not just the ground food.  She eats canned food, and occasional treats or dry food.

And, she is more social with the other cats.  She also eats with them, including when I am feeding treats.  So she is not feeling as vulnerable.  She also is asking for attention not just when I am at the table where her food is. 

It has been 4 weeks since her last injection.  I think I will call the vet next week and just ask if she should go in anyway, or if I should wait until she becomes more symptomatic again.  I am very encouraged about how she is doing.

CPR

I first learned CPR http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cardiopulmonary_resuscitation when I was in the 7th grade.  My Girl Scout troop http://www.girlscouts.org/ was working on a first aid badge, and CPR was part of the training.

Well, throughout high school and college, I did not keep up my certification, but my first social work job with Catholic Family Service, Inc. Diocese of Amarillo (new name: Catholic Charities of the Texas Panhandle http://www.cctxp.org/) required me to know CPR.  I remember going through an all day training.

Since then, I have renewed my CPR because my employers required it, and offered it as employee training. The quality of training has varied, and I have had varying confidence in my ability to manage a crisis situation, until I was in a class at the Texas Department of Health.  I cannot remember the instructor's name, but he was very insistent that we know the procedures well.

The procedures and protocols have changed, almost every 2 years, when I take renewal course at work.  But, the basic procedure is the same. And, CPR can save lives.

Following Through

I guess I learned early in life the importance of dependability, following through, reliability, keeping my word.

I try to live my life acting in congruence with those character traits.  Sometimes, outside influences prevent me from being consistent with these traits.  But I really do try to do what I can to follow through.

I have some friends, colleagues and co-workers who seem to have difficulty with these character traits.  I am not sure why that is, but usually I see a combination of characteristics: poor planning, inability to set appropriate boundaries, poor time management, disrespect of others while they protest they respect others, and selfishness (although the person involved would strongly protest that character trait, while they selfishly try to be all things to all people.)

This is a particularly frustrating situation for me.  I am professional with my patients, and I am professional with my colleagues and co-workers, to the best of my ability, although I know sometimes I make mistakes and am lacking. Being adequate at your job does not excuse you from being disrespectful with your colleagues or co-workers. Trying to do and be all things to all people is not an excuse for not doing all things for all people.

Some people thrive on the adrenaline of meeting deadlines, and doing things at the last minute.  They are good at pulling things off at the last minute, without regard for how that influences or affect others around them who are awaiting their "piece" so someone can build on it.

I think not following through is disrespectful, and is a character statement for the person who does not follow through.

People I Know

I think sometimes, that there is something wrong with the way I relate to people.  I have a faith-based outlook on life.  But I do not believe in proselytizing, or as people in Texas describe it "witnessing."  I am not a preacher. I am not a minister. I am a faith-based person, and I hope that the way I live my life is all the testimony I need to present regarding my faith.

But, I know all of these "Christians" who have narrow minded, judgmental, unforgiving, unaccepting, exclusive attitudes.  Are those judgmental adjectives, yes. But I am not saying I dislike or disrespect these people.  I am just saying I do not see "Christian charity" in their points of view.

The contradiction is wasted on people with this mindset.  I love my friends with this mindset, but do not like their mindset. 

Pope Francis said, of homosexuals "Who am I to judge" http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-23489702.  I think those words carry over into so many other parts of our lives.

Also, Pope Francis has talked about not giving endorsements, but understanding http://www.patheos.com/blogs/catholicnews/2015/02/not-endorsement-but-understanding-pope-francis-and-married-priests/.  I think this is a good description of the approach I take with my patients at the psychiatric prison.  I do not endorse or condone their criminal behavior, but I do support and try to understand their needs as human beings in distress.

The Texas Tenors

So, I do not watch the talent shows, or the awards shows, and do not keep up with the latest in new talent.  Consequently, I have not heard much about the Texas Tenors http://thetexastenors.com/ until recently.  And, what I have heard is that they are doing a show with the Lubbock Symphony Orchestra http://www.lubbocksymphony.org/.  So, I stumbled upon their show on KTTZ (PBS) http://kttz.org/tv/kttzdt tonight.  I had not thought about going to the concert, but right now, I am thinking that I really do want to go to the concert.  At the very least, I will get their CDs. 

They are so talented!  It is amazing!

HVAC Filter

I try to remember to replace the filter for my heater and air conditioner on a regular basis.  Most recently, I purchased a filter that was suppose to be good for 90 days.  I set a reminder on my computer, and replaced the filter this weekend.

The filter was totally covered with a layer of thick, gray cat hair.  Sake cat hair.  Well, 90 days is too long.  I set a reminder for 60 days, but as I was thinking about it as I wrote this blog, I decided I needed to check it at 30 days, and if it was okay, I could extend the check cycle. 

One of my co-workers has an HVAC license.  He says the most important way to do preventative care of our HVAC system is to change the filter.  I believe it.  I do change the filter regularly, and trying a filter that was suppose to be good for 90 days was an experiment for me (although I am not always 100% diligent at changing the filter on time.)

Thunder Snow

I am a weather junkie.  I like The Weather Channel http://www.weather.com/.  I liked it more before it went to canned programming.  I liked it when it broadcast weather 24 hours a day: local, national, and international.  But that is expensive, and I understand the bottom line is important in television broadcasting. 

Years ago, I remember meteorologist, Jim Cantore http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jim_Cantore, being very excited about thundersnow http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thundersnow http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=thunder+snow&FORM=VIRE4#view=detail&mid=AC74E4C857863C78B3ABAC74E4C857863C78B3AB.  He has some roots in New England, which is neat.

I understand his excitement about thundersnow.  I remember thundersnow when I was in my early teens, and discussing with my mother how rare it is.

Today, once again, he was on the air when there was thundersnow https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_QdSRqLDFZI.  That is neat.

Dust Jackets

I love books.  I love to read. It occurred to me tonight, that I like to start off with the blurb on the dust cover.  I do not like surprises, and reading the blurb on the dust cover (or the back of paperback) gives me an idea of what I am heading into.  I can read a book if there is not blurb, but I like to start off with the blurb.

If You Have To Preach To Show Your Faith, You Are Not Living It

This concept has come up a couple of times lately:  If you have to preach your faith to show it, then you are not living it.  It started with a patient at work who recognized he was irritating his cell mates with his preaching.  He understood what I said about living his faith instead of preaching it, but he was driven to preaching.

And, it came up with a co-worker, who goes about telling us how very Christian she is, but who gossips, does not do an honest day's work, and makes rude and judgmental remarks about others. Another co-worker and I discussed it:  we can be kindly towards her but shut down the inappropriate comments.

It made me think about my life.  I do not do much by way of testimony regarding my faith.  I hope my actions at work and as a citizen are a demonstration of my faith.  But, I would not give myself really high marks.  I think a I can do better.

Say Something Positive

I don't Twitter much.  In fact, I have Tweeted a couple of times recently, and although I signed onto Twitter in 2009, originally, I have sent 6 tweets, 2 recently.  Tonight I tweeted that my New Years Resolution was "I Choose Peace."  I added #saysomethingpositive. I am tired of hearing all the hating that is going on. 

On Facebook, I am seeing Random Acts of Kindness as a topic.  Follow it.  Do Random Acts of Kindness.  Say Something Positive.  Don't be a hater. 

Vinyl

I have a turntable that can play 331/3 RPM vinyl albums. It can also play 45s and 78s.  As my parents aged, they "purged" a lot of their things, and that included their records.  My siblings were offered their choices, but I ended up with everything else.  One of my sisters did not get the Peter and Gordon albums she would have liked, so I sent those to her.  But I have the rest.

The turntable I have is connected to a recorder, and I have recorded some to CD.  But, this is a slow process, and I have not been very diligent about doing it.

I was at Barnes and Noble http://www.barnesandnoble.com/ tonight, and I noticed a display:  They were selling vinyl albums, including some remastered albums (Beatles, Rolling Stones.)  They were also selling Crosley http://www.rockinrecordplayers.com/ turntables. My turntable is a more elaborate one than they were selling, and it is a Crosley.

I am told that vinyl has a richer, more mellow sound than digital.  I guess I am tone deaf, because I cannot tell.  And all of the records I own are scratchy, and the scratchy transfers when I record to CD.

Yeah! Lady Raiders

The Lady Raiders won their basketball game against Iowa State University, at the United Supermarkets Arena, tonight http://www.texastech.com/sports/w-baskbl/text-w-baskbl-body.html.  I am including a link to the official website, but it is full of junk, advertising, and totally non-relevant information.   I spent just a few minutes looking for a "contact us" link so I could express my opinion, and I did not find such a link.

Well, the Lady Raiders played Iowa State University tonight, and thankfully, the game ended before the Lady Raiders gave the game away.  Sorry, Lady Raiders, you do not deserve the kudos for the win.  You do deserve the kudos for not losing the game. There is a difference. 

I had struggled for several days regarding my schedule tonight.  I had multiple things I wanted to do, including going to the game.  But my obligations to Catholic Charities, and the South Plains Branch of NASW took precedence.  By the time those obligations were finished, I had not fed the cats, and my obligation to be sure to feed my ailing cat takes precedence over so much more.

I listened to the game on the radio.  I am glad the Lady Raiders won. But frankly, I think they did not win.  I think that the opposing team did not have enough time to beat them, and the Lady Raiders avoided a loss.  Lady Raiders, get with it. You really need to put some energy, hustle and dynamite in your game.

On Star

I have maintained my On Star https://www.onstar.com/us/en/home.html subscription since I purchased the Saturn Vue in 2008-2009.  (Signed the deal 12-31-2008, took deliver Jan something 2009).  The first year of On Star was free.  The first hands free minutes were free. I love the idea of having someone monitoring me in case I have an accident.  I appreciate the monthly diagnostic reports, and especially appreciate the on demand diagnostic reports. I have subscribed to my insurance using On Star to monitor my driving habits to a large benefit in rate reduction. Generally the hands free calling minutes are more than I want to pay for, but last week, I received an email about a promotion that was really affordable, and the minutes are good for a year.  I never know when I might want those minutes, and the price was right. I subscribed. I do not pay for the additional GPS service, just the basic service, including vehicle diagnostics, oil life, etc.

 Anyway, for the next 12 months, I have On Star hands free calling minutes, or until I use them up.

Television and entertainment

I am watching Antiques Roadshow http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/roadshow/index.html as I frequently do on Monday night. The first show was from Austin, Texas. February is Black History month, and on the second show, they have been highlighting Afro-American artifacts, antiques and memorabilia.  I really enjoy the history, and sometimes, trivia that this show presents.  It is really interesting.

Contented

Haiku is my easy going cat.  I had her for years before I ever heard or saw her object to something.  She usually gets upset when the bed is torn apart, while I am washing and drying linens.  Today, she did not seem too distressed. And, when I brought the laundry basket to the bedroom, put it on the bed, and started sorting laundry, she promptly hopped into the basket and went to sleep.  That is okay.  I do not mind doing laundry late, and on one occasion when she did this, I left the laundry till the next day, and just slept on the sofa,

A Beautiful Day

It was a beautiful day in Lubbock, although a little windy.  I accomplished several chores this morning and spent the afternoon doing housework, some yard work, and relaxing outside.

It is supposed to be nice tomorrow, so maybe I can get a few more outside chores accomplished. It is just nice not to have snow, ice and bitter wind.

The Full Moon

According to The Farmer's Almanac, the full moon this month was February 3 http://farmersalmanac.com/full-moon-dates-and-times/.  Well, I could not say, but last night, and tonight, I saw the full moon rising to the east, over my neighbor's house, from the comfort of my computer room. This morning, when I drove to work, the full moon was still hanging in the western sky, although the sun had risen to the east.  I love that phenomenon.  I do not know why, but I think it is the neatest thing that we can see the moon in the west and the sun in the east.  Wow!

Oh, so Sad

Last night, as I was watching TV and working on the computer, the power went out, oh so briefly.  Enough so, that I had to reset the wireless network in my home, but the clocks did not need to be reset.

I did not think much of it.

But at the 10 PM news, I learned that a private plane, piloted by Dr. Rice, http://kfyo.com/family-and-colleagues-of-dr-kenneth-rice/ had hit the KCBD Channel 11 http://www.kcbd.com/ tower as it headed toward the nearby field. KCBD was basically knocked off the air, but moved to the LISD TV studio http://old.lubbockisd.org/LISDTV/ and aired a special news show about what had happened.

This morning, we got the NBC feed from Amarillo http://www.myhighplains.com/home.  Tonight, we had local news at 6 PM, and were told we would get the national NBC programming through Suddenlink cable http://home.suddenlink.net/. Tonight, after the local news, again broadcast from the LISD TV studio, we got the news from the NBC affiliate for Big Spring, Midland and Odessa http://www.newswest9.com/.  I watched this for a while. It was interesting to listen to the local news from some perspective, other than Lubbock. And, it was interesting to me that the local news was broadcast at 6:30 PM, whereas in Lubbock, the local NBC news is done by 6:30 PM. We really need to open ourselves more to what is happening around the state as well as around the world, and know there are other perspectives and ways of doing things out there.

I did not know Dr. Rice. But from what I am hearing in the news, and from comments of friends, he was quite a man.  He will be missed in the Lubbock medical community for sure.

Lubbock Christian University Basketball - Thank you Paul Hise

Some time ago, on a Thursday night, I was casting about on the television, looking for something to watch.  I stumbled upon the Lubbock Christian University (LCU) http://www.lcu.edu/ women's basketball game. So, I watched it.  And, lo and behold, after the women's game, came the men's game. 

LCU is in the Heartland Conference.  They have had really good softball teams in the past http://www.kcbd.com/story/8362082/lcu-softball-wins-national-championship. LCU is overshadowed by Texas Tech athletics. I was excited to be able to watch the basketball games on TV.  So excited, I searched and found the contact for their athletic director, Paul Hise, and sent him a thank you email.  He responded and told me to watch for more games as the season progressed. I did.

Tonight, when I checked my email, Mr. Hise had sent me a notice that the games were on TV.  Wow! that is amazing. What service.  I appreciate Mr. Hise. Of course, I sent him a thank you.

Go Chaps!

It Was A Beautiful Evening

I worked late tonight, and had some errands to run after work, so I was late getting home.  But as I drove home, I saw a wonderful full moon to the east. 

And, when I got home, I realized the evening weather was very balmy.  I did some chores, inside and out, and appreciated how balmy the weather was.  But, as the sun set, the chill bit into the air. 

Oh well, this is a harbinger of what is to come.

Boiling Chicken

Some time ago, I cannot even remember when in 2013, when Sake became ill with stomatitis, I started boiling chicken, freezing it in serving sizes, so I would have chicken available for her every day. She would often, but not always eat it, but that was a staple food she would eat, even when she was not eating well.  There are some canned foods she may or may not eat. She may or may not eat chicken liver, which I also cooked, put in small containers, and froze, to have some available every day.

Cooking liver, packaging and freezing it did not seem to be a problem or chore.  But, when I first started cooking, packaging and freezing chicken, it seemed to be a real chore. But now, it is not.  It is not that it takes that much less time.  It is just that I am that more organized about how I do this:  I cook the chicken, often, while I am doing other things.  I let it cool while I am doing other things  I am prepared with enough heavy duty aluminum foil pieces to wrap the chicken.  I have the tools to cut and slice the chicken into pieces to wrap and freeze. 

I am glad I can do this to have food available for Sake to eat.  If she will

Weather Caution: I Don't Get It

So, I have previously written about the massive shutdown by governments, schools and businesses based on the prediction of a massive storm that hit the Northeast.  The massive part of the storm missed New York City, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey.  Government and business officials were criticized for the shut downs.

Another storm was predicted for over the weekend and into Monday.  I think the airlines rescheduled flights, but I did not hear about the massive shut downs of the previous storm.  And, the winter punch was heavy. There were deaths, accidents, lots of problems with storm clean up and people being stuck on the roads.

So, here is my question. Which was the better response? I know for me the radical response that required people to hunker down and shelter in, and be safe, no matter the cost to government and industry, was worth much more than the response that allowed personal freedom that resulted in multiple deaths, problems with clean up, and other issues regarding the storm.

Sorry, the older I get, the more I vote for safety first..

Socially Responsible Commercials

So, a group of us were talking at work about the Superbowl commercials http://www.nfl.com/superbowl/46/commercials#video=09000d5d826a052a .  Hands down, the Budweiser commercial about the lost puppy was the best.  Then we talked about the socially responsible commercials, what someone referred to as the "daddy commercials."  The comments included that they were depressing, weird, and downers.  One person said do you suppose they were taking off on the NFL problems regarding domestic violence.  My comment was definitely yes.

And, I sat there wondering what I had missed, because I was so pleased to see corporations using a platform like that to get out a socially responsible message.  It was not until later that I realized that I had not really missed anything.  I was just looking at the commercials very differently than they were.

I think my co-workers were looking to the commercials for their entertainment value.  And I was delighted to see the message that the commercials brought, with no thought to the entertainment value. I do not always see television as an entertainment vehicle.  I enjoy entertainment on television, but I like the information, education, and current events that television brings.   Just a different point of view.

But, I thought it was sad.  We are human service professionals, mental health professionals, and hopefully promoters of social responsibility.  I guess I am naïve, but I am pleased to see the social responsibility message where I do.  I think the sports venue can be, and is, an important venue for teaching social responsibility.  It just does not surprise me that commercials for sport would take up the message.  For me it is a natural.  I guess I would have that my co-workers would applaud socially responsible commercials, too.

Superbowl Commercials

So, the National Football League Superbowl Game http://www.nfl.com/superbowl/49 is history, and the New England Patriots won.  It was a competitive game.  Either team could have one.

For many years, my primary interest in the Superbowl  has been the commercials. This year, I was also interested in the results of the game.

But this year, the commercials http://www.nfl.com/superbowl/46/commercials#video=09000d5d826a052a really interested me.  The NFL has had a black eye regarding their social responsibility, especially regarding domestic violence.  So,  it is understandable that the NFL commercials were socially responsible regarding domestic violence.  But lo and behold, many of the other advertisements also projected messages of social responsibility. Wow, what a wonderful forum for the message.  How many people will this reach?  I hope a few will be persuaded.  More importantly, I hope those businesses that did socially responsible advertisements will continue to put their money where their mouth is.

Superbowl 49

Very often, I do not watch the National Football League    Superbowl http://www.nfl.com/superbowl/49, except to find out which team wins. I used to watch for the commercials, but since those are available online, I do not even watch for that reason.  But this year, I did watch the game.  I was invested in hopes of a win by the New England Patriots http://www.patriots.com/.  That win came true.  Yeah Patriots!

Winter Weather Alert

Earlier this week, a gigantic winter weather storm was predicted for the northeast, expect to drop as much as 2-3 feet of snow on the entire northeast, including New York City, Philadelphia, Connecticut, Massachusetts and Maine.

As a result, the governments of the respective agencies in those parts of the world shut the communities down.  New York City, the State of Connecticut, Boston.  Roads were closed.  Driving was banned. Airlines closed.  Everything was shut down. 

Well, New York City, Philadelphia, and Connecticut did not take the hit that Massachusetts and Maine took, and there was a lot of criticism about closures.  I know it cost a lot of money to close everything down.  But my perspective is weather forecasting is not perfect, and the authorities did they best they could with what information they had.  And, had the forecast called for a mega-storm, and the authorities took no action, and snow clogged up everything, and lives were lost, that would have been worse. 

As it was there was snow, just not the large amounts expected.  And the comment was that with everything closed, it was easier to clean up than it would have been.

Safety first.