I am so blessed. My co-workers are so caring and supportive, it is amazing. Some months ago, one of the psychologists started talking to me about my back problems, the pain, and the relief I get under certain circumstances. He has talked to me about the circumstances of his wife and daughter, who also have intractable pain. He often takes me aside, gives me hope, suggestions, and ideas about treatment, then apologizes for taking up my time. I knew he had a private practice outside of our work environment. I found out today that his private practice is focused on pain management, although he takes on other clients. This man is giving me his professional guidance in a very casual way, apologizing for taking up my time! Wow, what a blessing and gift it is to know this man!
Monday, June 29, 2015
Being Unfriended
I have recently been unfriended by 3 people on Facebook. I can guess who and I can guess why. I am not surprised. I have accepted posts from very many people who have political and "Christian" view points that are very conservative and small minded, even very hateful, very different from mine. I did not want to unfriend these people, because my hope was that by exposure to more open-minded, openly loving posts, they would learn to see that their conservatism was hateful, demeaning and despicable. I am sorry that these same people have not learned that love is open, enveloping, encompassing, and unconditional. My love for these people is unconditional, as I accept them even though I detest their politics and their conservative, hateful, narrow-minded "Christianity." They are not Christians. They are imposters wrapped up in Biblical quotes and "holier than thou" postings. They do not mean to be imposters, they just have not learned love, acceptance, or unconditional love.
I have mixed feelings. I am so grateful that these people have unfriended me, since our outlooks are so disparate. I am so sad that these people have unfriended me, because maybe they could have learned something about love and acceptance that they do not yet know.
I have mixed feelings. I am so grateful that these people have unfriended me, since our outlooks are so disparate. I am so sad that these people have unfriended me, because maybe they could have learned something about love and acceptance that they do not yet know.
Sunday, June 28, 2015
Texas Attorney General and the Supreme Court Ruling on Same Sex Marriage
I was waiting for something like this: The Texas Attorney General, Ken Paxton has said the county clerks can refuse to issue a marriage license for same sex couples, and judges and justices of the peace can refuse to marry same sex couples http://www.chron.com/news/politics/texas/article/Texas-AG-tells-clerks-judges-to-flout-Supreme-6354467.php. I am not surprised that AG Paxton took the chicken shit (pardon my language) route of saying clerks may be fined or sued, and there are attorneys willing to provide legal services for them, on a pro-bono basis, if need be. Chicken shit, because he did not even have the guts to say "And the Texas Attorney General's office will provide you with legal representation."
Paxton also used the lame excuse that there are others, deputies and clergy, who can perform same sex marriages. So, he knows the Supreme Court ruling is binding, he is just looking for a way to thumb his nose at the decision (and be disrespectful to the United States Supreme Court.) However, I think he is just showing his stupidity and small-mindedness.
To my way of thinking, the Travis County Clerk, Dana Debeauvoir, has a better understanding of the Untied States Constitution. And she certainly has a better understanding of her role as county clerk than AG Paxton.
Paxton also used the lame excuse that there are others, deputies and clergy, who can perform same sex marriages. So, he knows the Supreme Court ruling is binding, he is just looking for a way to thumb his nose at the decision (and be disrespectful to the United States Supreme Court.) However, I think he is just showing his stupidity and small-mindedness.
To my way of thinking, the Travis County Clerk, Dana Debeauvoir, has a better understanding of the Untied States Constitution. And she certainly has a better understanding of her role as county clerk than AG Paxton.
Rainbow Pride
So, I was a little slow to click to this, but I realized that Facebook had a way for people to celebrate Rainbow Pride https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rainbow_flag_(LGBT_movement), in honor of the Supreme Court's decision to make same sex marriage recognized as legal, nationwide http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/supreme-courts-landmark-ruling-legalizes-gay-marriage-nationwide/ar-AAcaBM5?ocid=ansnewsap11. I finally figured out how to do this! Sorry I am so slow!
I have had discussions with folks I know that this is against their religion. Sadly, these are very Christian, kind people. Some are even health care or mental health care professionals who have a professional obligation to be ethically and culturally competent in matters such as this. So, they tell me they can treat these people as they always have, with love, and respect. But they cannot accept their right to be protected in marriage and the civil rights that marriage implies: benefits, recognitions, legal parenthood, insurance coverage, for example. I am sorry, I do not believe they can treat homosexuals or other culturally affected people with the dignity and respect they deserve, because by denying their right to be protected civilly, you are disrespecting them, even if you think you are not..
I had this discussion with a colleague today. I am not good at thinking on my feet, but thinking about it now, how can "loving these people" include excluding them from the protections of civil rights, excluding them from equality of protection in employment, equality of protection of benefits like Social Security and Health Insurance, preventing one of a gay couple from being able to adopt a child. It cannot. I am sorry. We cannot love homosexual people unless we give them equal standing as human beings.
I understand that many religions feel that they cannot accept homosexuals because of "Biblical Teachings." Pardon me, we hide behind "Biblical Teachings" that have nothing to do with real teachings from Christ like "love one another," "treat others as you would want to be treated." "ask for forgiveness and you will be forgiven."
If you cannot accept homosexuals as they are, with all that implies, then you cannot love them and accept them, no matter how much you protest otherwise.
This is not a gray decision. This is a black and white decision. You either love and accept people who are gay, or you withhold your love and acceptance. Because, really love is acceptance, and unconditional.
I have had discussions with folks I know that this is against their religion. Sadly, these are very Christian, kind people. Some are even health care or mental health care professionals who have a professional obligation to be ethically and culturally competent in matters such as this. So, they tell me they can treat these people as they always have, with love, and respect. But they cannot accept their right to be protected in marriage and the civil rights that marriage implies: benefits, recognitions, legal parenthood, insurance coverage, for example. I am sorry, I do not believe they can treat homosexuals or other culturally affected people with the dignity and respect they deserve, because by denying their right to be protected civilly, you are disrespecting them, even if you think you are not..
I had this discussion with a colleague today. I am not good at thinking on my feet, but thinking about it now, how can "loving these people" include excluding them from the protections of civil rights, excluding them from equality of protection in employment, equality of protection of benefits like Social Security and Health Insurance, preventing one of a gay couple from being able to adopt a child. It cannot. I am sorry. We cannot love homosexual people unless we give them equal standing as human beings.
I understand that many religions feel that they cannot accept homosexuals because of "Biblical Teachings." Pardon me, we hide behind "Biblical Teachings" that have nothing to do with real teachings from Christ like "love one another," "treat others as you would want to be treated." "ask for forgiveness and you will be forgiven."
If you cannot accept homosexuals as they are, with all that implies, then you cannot love them and accept them, no matter how much you protest otherwise.
This is not a gray decision. This is a black and white decision. You either love and accept people who are gay, or you withhold your love and acceptance. Because, really love is acceptance, and unconditional.
Thursday, June 25, 2015
Candlelight Ceremony
I went to the Candlelight Vigil for Victims of the South Carolina Church Shooting
The organizers told me they started planning Tuesday. The crowd was small: I thought it would be very large. I am sorry more people did not turn out. I cry easily at situations like this, and when I spoke, I was sometimes near tears.
The wind was stout, so the candles did not stay lit. It was not dark, anyway.
It was a brief ceremony, with a variety of tones: education, anger, and reconciliation. I think it is time in my life to somehow get more involved in community development and improvement in equality in Lubbock. I am not sure how. But I am sure God will lead me on the way.
Eyeglasses, Part Two
I heard from Vision Mart https://www.eyemartexpress.com/stores/view/id/9 today. The tech who sold me glasses called, and explained that they received the lens, but had a problem with the frames. She asked me to call her. I did. She explained that the frames broke while the lens were being installed. They could order new frames, but it would take 3 weeks. I could go in and choose another frame, and they would have to re-do the lens, and that would take up to 2 weeks, but probably not. I told her I would go in and select new frames. But I got to thinking about it. I really liked those other frames, and I have my prescription sunglasses, so I can wait the extra time. The sales rep will not be there tomorrow, she said, so I think I will just call her back Saturday and tell her to get the frames, if they still have the lens.
Tuesday, June 23, 2015
Going Hollywood, or Going Dark
Well, I kept my eye exam appointment with Texas Tech Eye Consultants http://texastechphysicians.com/ on June 19, 2015, and was delighted. The office staff, the clinical staff, and the optometrist were great. For the first time in I do not know how long, Dr. Crossnoe told me that she was able to correct my vision to 20/20. Most of the previous optometrists I saw told me something like "This is the best we can do." I settled. I wonder. Maybe I should not have settled.
Dr. Crossnoe could not identify a nerve problem that the optometrist I last saw told me about. I really think that prior optometrist was angry with me because I could not perform correctly for his "field of vision" exam. He all but called me a liar because I could not do the exam. I think he invented this nerve problem so he could use a new machine he had. I really felt like I was being manipulated. I am so glad I cancelled the follow up exam. By the way, when I called in to do so, I was told I could not do so. Who says?
The exam at the Texas Tech Eye Consultants was straight forward. Everything was explained in transparent language. No nerve problems were identified. I was tested for glaucoma. My eyes were dilated to check for retinal problems. That I have cataracts was noted, and that the cataracts should not be obstructing my vision was noted.
So, my eye exam was on a Friday, and Saturday morning, I went to Vision Mart https://www.eyemartexpress.com/stores/view/id/9 to get glasses. The tech who assisted me was great, she was willing to explore all of the options and their various costs. I opted for HD lens, and two pair of glasses, one with polarized sunglasses lens, and one with clear lens. I was not surprised that I would have to wait from 6 to 14 business days to get my glasses. My eye glass prescription has never been completed the same day. So, wow, I was amazed that a few hours later, I received a text that one of my 2 pair of eye glasses was ready.
I was so excited. I retrieved the eyeglasses, and was amazed to learn that the sunglasses were ready! And, they were great! Wow! So, I wore them out, and wore them as much as I could. I went to an outdoor play that night, and finally had to change back to the clear/transitions lens in the old pair of glasses so I could see outside in the dark, and drive home in the dark.
But, my vision with the new sunglasses is so much better than the old pair of glasses, I do everything I can to wear the sunglasses, even turning on lights in my house and office!
So, when I went to work Monday, people were asking me if I "went Hollywood" or was "going dark?" I was not sure what "going dark" meant, but I think it means being angry, anti- authority, and in general anti-establishment.
So, I explained my situation Many of my colleagues could relate to being in limbo until they were able to get their new pair of glasses. A few of my co-workers understood the HD and polarization of UV rays my sunglasses offered.
I do not care if my co-workers think I "went Hollywood." Come on, if they do not know me by now, they will never know me. I am wearing this sunglasses as a survival tool. Pure and simple.
Dr. Crossnoe could not identify a nerve problem that the optometrist I last saw told me about. I really think that prior optometrist was angry with me because I could not perform correctly for his "field of vision" exam. He all but called me a liar because I could not do the exam. I think he invented this nerve problem so he could use a new machine he had. I really felt like I was being manipulated. I am so glad I cancelled the follow up exam. By the way, when I called in to do so, I was told I could not do so. Who says?
The exam at the Texas Tech Eye Consultants was straight forward. Everything was explained in transparent language. No nerve problems were identified. I was tested for glaucoma. My eyes were dilated to check for retinal problems. That I have cataracts was noted, and that the cataracts should not be obstructing my vision was noted.
So, my eye exam was on a Friday, and Saturday morning, I went to Vision Mart https://www.eyemartexpress.com/stores/view/id/9 to get glasses. The tech who assisted me was great, she was willing to explore all of the options and their various costs. I opted for HD lens, and two pair of glasses, one with polarized sunglasses lens, and one with clear lens. I was not surprised that I would have to wait from 6 to 14 business days to get my glasses. My eye glass prescription has never been completed the same day. So, wow, I was amazed that a few hours later, I received a text that one of my 2 pair of eye glasses was ready.
I was so excited. I retrieved the eyeglasses, and was amazed to learn that the sunglasses were ready! And, they were great! Wow! So, I wore them out, and wore them as much as I could. I went to an outdoor play that night, and finally had to change back to the clear/transitions lens in the old pair of glasses so I could see outside in the dark, and drive home in the dark.
But, my vision with the new sunglasses is so much better than the old pair of glasses, I do everything I can to wear the sunglasses, even turning on lights in my house and office!
So, when I went to work Monday, people were asking me if I "went Hollywood" or was "going dark?" I was not sure what "going dark" meant, but I think it means being angry, anti- authority, and in general anti-establishment.
So, I explained my situation Many of my colleagues could relate to being in limbo until they were able to get their new pair of glasses. A few of my co-workers understood the HD and polarization of UV rays my sunglasses offered.
I do not care if my co-workers think I "went Hollywood." Come on, if they do not know me by now, they will never know me. I am wearing this sunglasses as a survival tool. Pure and simple.
Monday, June 22, 2015
The Confederate Flag Controversy
The shooting of 9 black people at Emanuel AME Church https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charleston_church_shooting last week has awoken a controversy about the Confederate Flag "Stars and Bars" flying at the Capitol in South Carolina. The history of the flag and its use at the state capitol in South Carolina is well documented by NPR http://www.npr.org/sections/itsallpolitics/2015/06/22/416548613/the-complicated-political-history-of-the-confederate-flag. Gov. Nikki Haley has changed her mind about removing the flag from the Capitol http://www.salon.com/2014/10/15/nikki_haley_its_ok_to_have_the
_confederate_flag_at_the_statehouse_because_not_a_single_ceo_has_complained/.
The symbolism of the flag is conflicting: some see it as a symbol of history, heritage, ancestry and pride. Many see it a symbol of hatred, racism, segregation, and discrimination. I saw a post on Facebook by someone who said he saw the flag as a symbol of bikers, country and western music, and rebellion. This may be his take on the flag, but for many more people it is a hurtful symbol associated with such things as the Ku Klux Klan https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ku_Klux_Klan, white supremacy https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_supremacy, and Jim Crow laws https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jim_Crow_laws.
I heard, loud and clear when Norman Brannon http://www.scstatehouse.gov/member.php?code=0184659069, a representative of South Carolina, from a very conservative part of the state, say he would sponsor a bill to have the Confederate Flag removed from the state Capitol. He said he did not do his job: http://www.cnn.com/2015/06/21/politics/south-carolina-confederate-flag-debate/.
Wal-Mart has announced it will removed Confederate Flag products http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-06-23/wal-mart-to-remove-confederate-flag-products-in-wake-of-shooting.
Living in the South, loving people who have pride in their Southern Heritage, I understand the feelings of identity to the heritage. But the flag is a lie, and only became widely celebrated as a symbol against the Civil Rights movement in the 1960s. Its symbolism has been glorified, but the symbolism of hatred it portrays has been ignored or glossed over.
It is history. On a private basis, we cannot ban the Confederate Flag. And if there are people out there who do believe it speaks of pride and glory, they can tout the flag. But I do not have to agree with that. And governments in the United States do not need to support that.
I choose Peace. I choose the symbols of Peace.
_confederate_flag_at_the_statehouse_because_not_a_single_ceo_has_complained/.
The symbolism of the flag is conflicting: some see it as a symbol of history, heritage, ancestry and pride. Many see it a symbol of hatred, racism, segregation, and discrimination. I saw a post on Facebook by someone who said he saw the flag as a symbol of bikers, country and western music, and rebellion. This may be his take on the flag, but for many more people it is a hurtful symbol associated with such things as the Ku Klux Klan https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ku_Klux_Klan, white supremacy https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_supremacy, and Jim Crow laws https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jim_Crow_laws.
I heard, loud and clear when Norman Brannon http://www.scstatehouse.gov/member.php?code=0184659069, a representative of South Carolina, from a very conservative part of the state, say he would sponsor a bill to have the Confederate Flag removed from the state Capitol. He said he did not do his job: http://www.cnn.com/2015/06/21/politics/south-carolina-confederate-flag-debate/.
Wal-Mart has announced it will removed Confederate Flag products http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-06-23/wal-mart-to-remove-confederate-flag-products-in-wake-of-shooting.
Living in the South, loving people who have pride in their Southern Heritage, I understand the feelings of identity to the heritage. But the flag is a lie, and only became widely celebrated as a symbol against the Civil Rights movement in the 1960s. Its symbolism has been glorified, but the symbolism of hatred it portrays has been ignored or glossed over.
It is history. On a private basis, we cannot ban the Confederate Flag. And if there are people out there who do believe it speaks of pride and glory, they can tout the flag. But I do not have to agree with that. And governments in the United States do not need to support that.
I choose Peace. I choose the symbols of Peace.
Sunday, June 21, 2015
Shrek, The Musical
I just got back from watching Shrek, the Musical at the Lubbock Moonlight Musicals http://www.lubbockmoonlightmusicals.org/. The woman who walked out ahead of me said they have been attending for the entire 10 years, and this was the best musical yet. I seconded the sentiment. I have not been to all of the plays, but I have been to at least one every year, including some of my most favorite musicals (I have a lot of most favorite musicals.)
Before I saw the play, I did not know what the story was. I never saw Shrek, the Movie. I know this was billed as a family play, and it was, but I suspect a lot of the word play was lost on the little kids. The couple sitting next to me "got it," but a lot of the other adults around me did not react if they "got it." How sad. There was so much "lesson" about differences in people in this play. Maybe this is a must see and discuss the lessons kind of play on one level. On another level, it was pure entertainment.
Thank you, Moonlight Musicals.
Before I saw the play, I did not know what the story was. I never saw Shrek, the Movie. I know this was billed as a family play, and it was, but I suspect a lot of the word play was lost on the little kids. The couple sitting next to me "got it," but a lot of the other adults around me did not react if they "got it." How sad. There was so much "lesson" about differences in people in this play. Maybe this is a must see and discuss the lessons kind of play on one level. On another level, it was pure entertainment.
Thank you, Moonlight Musicals.
Friday, June 19, 2015
I Choose Peace June 19, 2015
This is what I posted on my Facebook tonight. This is from the speech that Martin Luther King, Jr. gave after the murder of 4 black girls at a church in Birmingham, Alabama, September 15, 1963 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/16th_Street_Baptist_Church_bombing.
**************************************************************************************
I am moved to tears to see the faith and hope of the members of Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, SC, the families of the victims, and the people of this country who have joined in prayer and support. I have no new words to share, but share I must. It is my hope that by adding my voice, I am counted as one who has the courage to say love, and hope and faith shall be our way, and we will conquer hate. I choose peace.
And, this is what President Obama quoted in his speech http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-politics/wp/2015/06/18/full-text-obamas-remarks-on-fatal-shooting-in-charleston-s-c/ about the shooting in Charleston, SC.
Dr. King's words are timeless. It is so sad we have to revert back to them, so many times.
**************************************************************************************
I am moved to tears to see the faith and hope of the members of Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, SC, the families of the victims, and the people of this country who have joined in prayer and support. I have no new words to share, but share I must. It is my hope that by adding my voice, I am counted as one who has the courage to say love, and hope and faith shall be our way, and we will conquer hate. I choose peace.
And, this is what President Obama quoted in his speech http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-politics/wp/2015/06/18/full-text-obamas-remarks-on-fatal-shooting-in-charleston-s-c/ about the shooting in Charleston, SC.
Dr. King's words are timeless. It is so sad we have to revert back to them, so many times.
Woman in Gold
Before it was released, I said I wanted to see the movie Woman in Gold http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2404425/. I even put aside an afternoon on my vacation to see it. That was the day severe thunderstorms moved into Lubbock, and Lubbock flooded, including in the area of the movie theater where this movie was playing, and I stayed home to stay out of the hail, without realizing the flooding would be more of a problem.
Was it last week, or the week before, that someone told me I need to get to the theater to see the movie or else it will be gone? But I kept procrastinating. Last night, I went to see the Drum Corps International season premier at the same movie theater where Woman in Gold is still playing. I had planned to go to the pool tonight, but decided to opt for going to see the movie instead. I am not sure, but I think Friday is the day they change movies in Lubbock. And, there were some storms in the area. I do not know if they closed the pool or not, but I opted for the movie. The forecast was the storms would not be severe, and if there was hail, it would be below the quarter-sized hail that causes problems. The clouds were ominous but I believed the weather forecasters.
My past movie going history is that I usually attend movies on the weekends. I was amazed last night at how few cars were in the parking lot. There were even fewer in the parking lot tonight, so movie going must be a weekend activity.
Well, I think I made the right choice. I was the only person in the theater until about 5 minutes before the movie started. A couple came in. About 10 minutes or so after the start of the movie, 2 women came in. I was sitting in the first row, middle of the row, going up from the entry ramp. These women came in, sat right next to me, and took out the food they smuggled into the theater.
We shared laughter and comments during the movie, and sat through the credits. The woman sitting next to me thanked me for being a good sport. I was not impressed: Not only did the two women talk a lot during the movie (about the movie and not about the movie), the woman next to me took out her cell phone several times, and clicked calls off. If she was not going to take calls, why didn't she silence her phone or shut it off? Or was she waiting for some specific call?. I told them I thought it was a great movie, and the other woman told me this was the second time she came to see it.
This is a movie I will watch again, if it is shown on TV.
I became a Helen Mirren fan when she did the Prime Suspect series http://www.helenmirren.com/biog.html as Jane Tennison, aired on PBS in this country. I also appreciated her in The Queen. There are several other of her movies I want to see, including The Hundred Foot Journey. I believe she has another play or series coming out on PBS in which she is Queen Elizabeth II, called The Audience https://www.telecharge.com/ScheduleAndPricing.aspx?ProductId=10486.
Well, the upshot is I enjoyed the movie, and if you did not see it, I recommend you do in the future.
Was it last week, or the week before, that someone told me I need to get to the theater to see the movie or else it will be gone? But I kept procrastinating. Last night, I went to see the Drum Corps International season premier at the same movie theater where Woman in Gold is still playing. I had planned to go to the pool tonight, but decided to opt for going to see the movie instead. I am not sure, but I think Friday is the day they change movies in Lubbock. And, there were some storms in the area. I do not know if they closed the pool or not, but I opted for the movie. The forecast was the storms would not be severe, and if there was hail, it would be below the quarter-sized hail that causes problems. The clouds were ominous but I believed the weather forecasters.
My past movie going history is that I usually attend movies on the weekends. I was amazed last night at how few cars were in the parking lot. There were even fewer in the parking lot tonight, so movie going must be a weekend activity.
Well, I think I made the right choice. I was the only person in the theater until about 5 minutes before the movie started. A couple came in. About 10 minutes or so after the start of the movie, 2 women came in. I was sitting in the first row, middle of the row, going up from the entry ramp. These women came in, sat right next to me, and took out the food they smuggled into the theater.
We shared laughter and comments during the movie, and sat through the credits. The woman sitting next to me thanked me for being a good sport. I was not impressed: Not only did the two women talk a lot during the movie (about the movie and not about the movie), the woman next to me took out her cell phone several times, and clicked calls off. If she was not going to take calls, why didn't she silence her phone or shut it off? Or was she waiting for some specific call?. I told them I thought it was a great movie, and the other woman told me this was the second time she came to see it.
This is a movie I will watch again, if it is shown on TV.
I became a Helen Mirren fan when she did the Prime Suspect series http://www.helenmirren.com/biog.html as Jane Tennison, aired on PBS in this country. I also appreciated her in The Queen. There are several other of her movies I want to see, including The Hundred Foot Journey. I believe she has another play or series coming out on PBS in which she is Queen Elizabeth II, called The Audience https://www.telecharge.com/ScheduleAndPricing.aspx?ProductId=10486.
Well, the upshot is I enjoyed the movie, and if you did not see it, I recommend you do in the future.
Wednesday, June 17, 2015
Drum Corps International 2015
I went to the satellite cast of Drum Corps International http://www.dci.org/ premier at a local movie theater. I thought it was a three hour broadcast, but it was a little under 2.5 hours. It was good. There were six bands performing, and while we were waiting for the scores, they showed the performance of last year's championship winner, the Blue Devils of Concord, Ca.
I enjoyed the performance tonight. There will be another broadcast in August, the start of the finals. If you are a real fan, you can join DCI and watch their webcasts. I am not that much of a fan, I think. But I will probably go to the next broadcast.
Who won tonight? The Cavaliers. I agree with that decision. Theirs was the best performance of the night.
I enjoyed the performance tonight. There will be another broadcast in August, the start of the finals. If you are a real fan, you can join DCI and watch their webcasts. I am not that much of a fan, I think. But I will probably go to the next broadcast.
Who won tonight? The Cavaliers. I agree with that decision. Theirs was the best performance of the night.
Tuesday, June 16, 2015
Pork for Sake
So, I have a little bit of the last center cut pork ribs in the refrigerator, to feed to Sake. The last couple of times I have ground up the meat, she has sniffed and passed on the meat. Tonight, she ate a little. A very little.
In the mean time, United Supermarkets http://www.unitedtexas.com/ had a sale on center cut pork chops for a $1 a pound. The packages were large: 7- 11 pounds. I purchased a package last night, and am slow baking them, stacked in a roaster, tonight. Sake has expressed some interest in eating tonight, but of course, the meat has to finish cooking and then, cool off. Sake has eaten a little here and there the last few days, including tonight before I even started cooking the pork. But she has become more animated since I was cooking the pork.
My plan is to cook the pork tonight, and wrap some of it for freezing, so we only have some of it fresh to serve. Sake is very discerning about how fresh the meat is.
I will do what I can to offer Sake fresh cooked food.
In the mean time, United Supermarkets http://www.unitedtexas.com/ had a sale on center cut pork chops for a $1 a pound. The packages were large: 7- 11 pounds. I purchased a package last night, and am slow baking them, stacked in a roaster, tonight. Sake has expressed some interest in eating tonight, but of course, the meat has to finish cooking and then, cool off. Sake has eaten a little here and there the last few days, including tonight before I even started cooking the pork. But she has become more animated since I was cooking the pork.
My plan is to cook the pork tonight, and wrap some of it for freezing, so we only have some of it fresh to serve. Sake is very discerning about how fresh the meat is.
I will do what I can to offer Sake fresh cooked food.
Monday, June 15, 2015
National Hockey League Championship
I changed the channel to watch the local NBC affiliate, KCBD, Channel 11 http://www.kcbd.com/weather. Well, I got to see the celebration of the National Hockey League champion, the Chicago Black Hawks http://www.nhl.com/. Of all the sports, hockey is one I do not spend much time watching. But, I like celebrations, and I watched this one. It was okay.
Congratulations, Chicago Black Hawks!
Congratulations, Chicago Black Hawks!
Sunday, June 14, 2015
Rain Again
The rain moved in again tonight. It was moving in while I was at the Westwinds Brass Band Concert http://westwindsbrassband.org/index.php. I saw the lightning coming in. I watched the radar track the storm on my smart phone. I did not stay until the end of the concert. I am leery about lightning, and wanted to get inside. I probably could have stayed for the end of the concert.
The conductor, Phil Anthony, announced that they would shorten the concert.
But the rains have started, and there is some lightning and thunder. But the center of the storm is not near. Last night, the rains came and I had 1 and 2/3 inches of rain in the rain gauge.
The weather forecasters are predicting a similar pattern for a few more days, but by the end of the week, it should clear. Good. I want the rain. But we need a break, too.
The conductor, Phil Anthony, announced that they would shorten the concert.
But the rains have started, and there is some lightning and thunder. But the center of the storm is not near. Last night, the rains came and I had 1 and 2/3 inches of rain in the rain gauge.
The weather forecasters are predicting a similar pattern for a few more days, but by the end of the week, it should clear. Good. I want the rain. But we need a break, too.
Saturday, June 13, 2015
My Eyeglasses
More than any other mechanism, falling asleep while reading is the most effective way for me to get a good night's sleep. I have had sleep problems all of my life, so I should know. As a pre-teen, our family doctor refused to prescribe "sleeping pills" at my mother's request, and, to her chagrin he just told her to let me stay up late enough until I was ready to go to sleep. He did tell her and me that if my school grades suffered, or I had other problems, we would revisit this plan. There was never any reason to revisit this plan.
So, I often fall asleep reading, and the problem with this is that it affects my eye glasses. My current pair of eye glasses were obtained in December of 2013. Several months into my possession of these eye glasses, I fell asleep reading, and bent an ear piece. I think I could have returned to the provider, to get the eyeglasses adjusted, but I never did.
I have had some vision problems recently, and knew it was time to get another vision exam. I have been putting that off. For several reasons. The last optometrist I saw for a vision exam was not one I trusted. I had seen him once before, and did not like him, but forgot that, so when I went to him again in 2013, I was reminded that I did not like him, his staff or his practice. I had seen another provider before seeing him and I knew I was developing cataracts. When I saw this other optometrist, he told me I had the beginning of cataracts, which I knew, and he told me I had nerve problems with my left eye.
Because of the nerve problem to my left eye, he had me come back to do another test. I called my primary care provider, and was given an authorization for this other test. I went to the optometrist for this test, and then discovered he was not authorized by my insurance for this other test. His office told me they did not know this, and were trying to get authorized for this test. As far as I can tell, this authorization never occurred.
When I was scheduled for a follow up exam, and the insurance issue had not been resolved, I called to cancel the follow up exam. I was told I could not cancel the follow up exam. I told the person on the phone that I could cancel the follow up exam, and why. A few days later, someone from this optometrist's office called me and told me why they had not resolved the insurance issue from the previous exam, and why it was okay to keep the follow up exam. Which I did not do. I have never received notification from my insurance that this follow up exam was ever covered by this provider.
So, recently, I wanted to change providers, because I wanted to establish myself with someone who has my eye health history regarding my cataracts, specifically an ophthalmologist. I have decided on the Texas Tech Eye Consultants https://www.ttuhsc.edu/som/ophthalmology/clinics/southwest.aspx. They told me that if I just wanted a vision exam, they would set me up with an optometrist This is okay with me, because if I have cataracts, or other eye health issues, the medical records will be at the clinic, and an ophthalmologist will have that information.
So, I have an appointment pending. Hopefully, this will help.
So, I often fall asleep reading, and the problem with this is that it affects my eye glasses. My current pair of eye glasses were obtained in December of 2013. Several months into my possession of these eye glasses, I fell asleep reading, and bent an ear piece. I think I could have returned to the provider, to get the eyeglasses adjusted, but I never did.
I have had some vision problems recently, and knew it was time to get another vision exam. I have been putting that off. For several reasons. The last optometrist I saw for a vision exam was not one I trusted. I had seen him once before, and did not like him, but forgot that, so when I went to him again in 2013, I was reminded that I did not like him, his staff or his practice. I had seen another provider before seeing him and I knew I was developing cataracts. When I saw this other optometrist, he told me I had the beginning of cataracts, which I knew, and he told me I had nerve problems with my left eye.
Because of the nerve problem to my left eye, he had me come back to do another test. I called my primary care provider, and was given an authorization for this other test. I went to the optometrist for this test, and then discovered he was not authorized by my insurance for this other test. His office told me they did not know this, and were trying to get authorized for this test. As far as I can tell, this authorization never occurred.
When I was scheduled for a follow up exam, and the insurance issue had not been resolved, I called to cancel the follow up exam. I was told I could not cancel the follow up exam. I told the person on the phone that I could cancel the follow up exam, and why. A few days later, someone from this optometrist's office called me and told me why they had not resolved the insurance issue from the previous exam, and why it was okay to keep the follow up exam. Which I did not do. I have never received notification from my insurance that this follow up exam was ever covered by this provider.
So, recently, I wanted to change providers, because I wanted to establish myself with someone who has my eye health history regarding my cataracts, specifically an ophthalmologist. I have decided on the Texas Tech Eye Consultants https://www.ttuhsc.edu/som/ophthalmology/clinics/southwest.aspx. They told me that if I just wanted a vision exam, they would set me up with an optometrist This is okay with me, because if I have cataracts, or other eye health issues, the medical records will be at the clinic, and an ophthalmologist will have that information.
So, I have an appointment pending. Hopefully, this will help.
The Storms Are Moving In
The National Weather Service http://www.srh.noaa.gov/lub/ has alerted us to severe storms moving into our area. The skies are greying, and darkening. It is like night is coming in sooner than later.
We do not know what the storms will bring. It is my hope that we get rains, which may mean localized flooding, and although damaging winds are predicted, I hope they do not materialize.
We can always use rain, localized flooding or not.
We do not know what the storms will bring. It is my hope that we get rains, which may mean localized flooding, and although damaging winds are predicted, I hope they do not materialize.
We can always use rain, localized flooding or not.
I Basically Took the Day Off
I did not plan this. I went to the grocery store yesterday. I had planned to get up, clean house, go to the Lifestyle Center, and do yard work this afternoon. I slept well on the recliner last night, but did not feel especially rested this morning, and I was hungry all day, until mid-afternoon, which was weird.
Anyway, this morning, after I fed the cats, I picked up the book I was reading: The Chimney Sweeper Comes to Dust by Alan Bradley http://alanbradleyauthor.com/. And, I read all day. As I was snacking mid-afternoon, I spilled a bottle of soda pop onto a throw covering a dining room chair, so I took a quick break, put all the throws in the washing machine (past due) and cleaned the cat carrier. Then, returned to reading and finished the book.
By the time I finished the book, it was past time to clean the bathrooms, kitchen, and vacuum the computer room, as I have a cat pan in there, and I like to clean up the stray kitty litter.
I did all of this with only one rest break! Wow! Usually I have to take three or four rest breaks, whether I do the cleaning before or after I go to the pool.
There was about 1/4 inch of rain in the rain gauge from last night's storm. It was dry enough this afternoon to weed eat and mow, but it did not happen. And the Yankees are playing the Orioles http://mlb.mlb.com/home on FOX tonight, so no yard work tonight! We are supposed to get some more rain tonight. Hopefully, it will be dry enough to mow and weed eat tomorrow. I plan to do more laundry, go to an NASW planning meeting, and to the West Winds Brass Band http://westwindsbrassband.org/index.php concert tomorrow night.
Anyway, this morning, after I fed the cats, I picked up the book I was reading: The Chimney Sweeper Comes to Dust by Alan Bradley http://alanbradleyauthor.com/. And, I read all day. As I was snacking mid-afternoon, I spilled a bottle of soda pop onto a throw covering a dining room chair, so I took a quick break, put all the throws in the washing machine (past due) and cleaned the cat carrier. Then, returned to reading and finished the book.
By the time I finished the book, it was past time to clean the bathrooms, kitchen, and vacuum the computer room, as I have a cat pan in there, and I like to clean up the stray kitty litter.
I did all of this with only one rest break! Wow! Usually I have to take three or four rest breaks, whether I do the cleaning before or after I go to the pool.
There was about 1/4 inch of rain in the rain gauge from last night's storm. It was dry enough this afternoon to weed eat and mow, but it did not happen. And the Yankees are playing the Orioles http://mlb.mlb.com/home on FOX tonight, so no yard work tonight! We are supposed to get some more rain tonight. Hopefully, it will be dry enough to mow and weed eat tomorrow. I plan to do more laundry, go to an NASW planning meeting, and to the West Winds Brass Band http://westwindsbrassband.org/index.php concert tomorrow night.
Thursday, June 11, 2015
Sometimes I Need Something, Sometimes, I am Just Being Friendly
Taki and Haiku like to sit with me in the computer room.
Haiku is just "there" lots of time. She likes me to pet her, she likes to play "drop," a game in which I put a pen or emery board on the TV tray next to my chair, and she knocks it off. Some times, I catch the item. Sometimes I have to retrieve the item from the floor, and put it on the tray again. Sometimes Haiku will sit on me, I hold her onto my chest, and I can computer while she is there. Rarely, she will sit across my neck on my shoulders.
Taki usually stays on the floor. Sometimes, she just sits or lays on the floor. Sometimes, she plays with my feet. When she really wants something, she grabs at my knees with her claws, to get my attention. Rarely, she wants to be held. But if she is held, she does not want to be held for long, and then she disappears! Only to come back. And not to be held again!.
Haiku is just "there" lots of time. She likes me to pet her, she likes to play "drop," a game in which I put a pen or emery board on the TV tray next to my chair, and she knocks it off. Some times, I catch the item. Sometimes I have to retrieve the item from the floor, and put it on the tray again. Sometimes Haiku will sit on me, I hold her onto my chest, and I can computer while she is there. Rarely, she will sit across my neck on my shoulders.
Taki usually stays on the floor. Sometimes, she just sits or lays on the floor. Sometimes, she plays with my feet. When she really wants something, she grabs at my knees with her claws, to get my attention. Rarely, she wants to be held. But if she is held, she does not want to be held for long, and then she disappears! Only to come back. And not to be held again!.
Tuesday, June 9, 2015
Review of Unbroken
Review of Unbroken, A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption http://laurahillenbrandbooks.com/.
I almost never do reviews.
Wow, this is an amazing book. I saw the movie, so I knew the basic story, but there are so many details in the book that could not be included in the movie, understandably. This is an amazing story. And it reads like a "page turner" every page leading the reader to the next page. The author's talent in telling this story enhanced it to beyond imagination.
I read "Seabiscuit" by Ms. Hillenbrand, and it was a marvelous book. This was better. I am looking forward to Ms. Hillenbrand's next book.
I almost never do reviews.
Wow, this is an amazing book. I saw the movie, so I knew the basic story, but there are so many details in the book that could not be included in the movie, understandably. This is an amazing story. And it reads like a "page turner" every page leading the reader to the next page. The author's talent in telling this story enhanced it to beyond imagination.
I read "Seabiscuit" by Ms. Hillenbrand, and it was a marvelous book. This was better. I am looking forward to Ms. Hillenbrand's next book.
The Way it Works; This is the Way it is Supposed to Work
I did too much last night. After work, I fed the cats, took out trash, did chores and housework, went to the pool and did a PT routine, came home, did more housework while I started dinner, and had a late dinner, then worked on the computer for a while, transferring information from my old computer to my new computer. The files do not transfer directly, so I have to embed the information in an email and send it to the new computer. I will not have to re-type everything, my other option, although I will have to transfer it to word file formats and re-format everything.
I must have stayed up later than I realized. I could not get up this morning, so I called in. I was feeling like crap! Even the cats knew I did not feel well, and did not wake me up, asking for breakfast! Amazing! But, I forced myself to get up and go in, if nothing else, to prepare the materials for the early morning group I am doing on Wednesday. I was not concerned, my boss is supportive, I have plenty of leave, and most importantly, I get my work done. I got to work about 9:30. Had I rushed, I could have gotten there at 9 AM, but I could not force myself to rush. I had forgotten about a treatment team meeting at 9 AM, but it was cancelled for reasons not related to my absence!
I was on one of my wards late this afternoon for a session with a patient. My plan was to review his treatment plan, which usually takes less than 10 minutes. I would then return to my office, do the paperwork involved, and leave about 5 PM. And claim sick leave due to my late arrival.
The patient's plan was to discuss his therapy materials. He had been a patient years ago, when we had groups and counseling and he was disappointed he did not have access to the same this time. When we first met, I told him I was not a counselor, but I was available to talk to him about his issues and family. This was only our second meeting, and he was going to talk about the therapy materials he had worked on. Very soon, he decided he needed to talk about the family situation that lead him to seek help from psychiatric services most recently.
So, the session extended longer than I had anticipated, but that was okay. When that session ended, I was told another offender was having a crisis and wanted to speak to me.
This person is a long term patient who has used external coping mechanisms: work, school, day room time, to help him. He has resisted learning and using internal coping mechanisms: relaxation skills, meditation, changing his thinking, changing his perspectives and expectations, working on his self-talk, self-image.
We had a very intense session. Much of it revolved around his intense emotions, his intense reactions, and his inability to handle these with the coping mechanisms he uses. He ended up asking for some written information on relaxation exercises. He changed from very, very angry, to mollified but not happy or content. But not at risk of acting out on his anger. And not at risk of being so disgusted that he will be non-compliant with his medication. This is why I go to work!
This session ended close to 5:45 PM. By the time I documented these sessions, it was about 6:40 PM. If I had showed up at or about 8 AM as I normally do, I would have put in a 10 and a half hour day, or more. I would have still done it. If I have a personal commitment after work, I will not necessarily stay late to take care of patients. But I did not have a plan for after work, and in fact, my plan was to go home and chill at 5 PM, and use leave.
But more importantly, if I had arrived at work at 8 AM, starting a patient session shortly before 5 PM would have been very difficult for me. For years, I have known that I cannot start difficult patient sessions in the late afternoon, because I am drained emotionally and physically, and it does not usually go well. But it was not that late into my work day. It helped that this is a patient with whom I have a good rapport. The session was productive, and felt like I helped this patient.
So, I was supposed to go to work late this morning. Years ago, I used to sometimes say I should listen to my internal messages, because when I did not, something went awry. One of my early supervisors used to tell me to listen to those messages, even if it meant calling in late to work, leaving work early, calling in sick for a day, rescheduling my day to start late and work late, or whatever. I did not accept her lead, and until I got to my current job, did not have the flexibility to do so in my other jobs (except to call in sick for the day.) The longer I work at this job, the more comfortable I feel about doing just that: Flexing my day based on Karma.
This is the way it works; this is the way it is supposed to work.
I must have stayed up later than I realized. I could not get up this morning, so I called in. I was feeling like crap! Even the cats knew I did not feel well, and did not wake me up, asking for breakfast! Amazing! But, I forced myself to get up and go in, if nothing else, to prepare the materials for the early morning group I am doing on Wednesday. I was not concerned, my boss is supportive, I have plenty of leave, and most importantly, I get my work done. I got to work about 9:30. Had I rushed, I could have gotten there at 9 AM, but I could not force myself to rush. I had forgotten about a treatment team meeting at 9 AM, but it was cancelled for reasons not related to my absence!
I was on one of my wards late this afternoon for a session with a patient. My plan was to review his treatment plan, which usually takes less than 10 minutes. I would then return to my office, do the paperwork involved, and leave about 5 PM. And claim sick leave due to my late arrival.
The patient's plan was to discuss his therapy materials. He had been a patient years ago, when we had groups and counseling and he was disappointed he did not have access to the same this time. When we first met, I told him I was not a counselor, but I was available to talk to him about his issues and family. This was only our second meeting, and he was going to talk about the therapy materials he had worked on. Very soon, he decided he needed to talk about the family situation that lead him to seek help from psychiatric services most recently.
So, the session extended longer than I had anticipated, but that was okay. When that session ended, I was told another offender was having a crisis and wanted to speak to me.
This person is a long term patient who has used external coping mechanisms: work, school, day room time, to help him. He has resisted learning and using internal coping mechanisms: relaxation skills, meditation, changing his thinking, changing his perspectives and expectations, working on his self-talk, self-image.
We had a very intense session. Much of it revolved around his intense emotions, his intense reactions, and his inability to handle these with the coping mechanisms he uses. He ended up asking for some written information on relaxation exercises. He changed from very, very angry, to mollified but not happy or content. But not at risk of acting out on his anger. And not at risk of being so disgusted that he will be non-compliant with his medication. This is why I go to work!
This session ended close to 5:45 PM. By the time I documented these sessions, it was about 6:40 PM. If I had showed up at or about 8 AM as I normally do, I would have put in a 10 and a half hour day, or more. I would have still done it. If I have a personal commitment after work, I will not necessarily stay late to take care of patients. But I did not have a plan for after work, and in fact, my plan was to go home and chill at 5 PM, and use leave.
But more importantly, if I had arrived at work at 8 AM, starting a patient session shortly before 5 PM would have been very difficult for me. For years, I have known that I cannot start difficult patient sessions in the late afternoon, because I am drained emotionally and physically, and it does not usually go well. But it was not that late into my work day. It helped that this is a patient with whom I have a good rapport. The session was productive, and felt like I helped this patient.
So, I was supposed to go to work late this morning. Years ago, I used to sometimes say I should listen to my internal messages, because when I did not, something went awry. One of my early supervisors used to tell me to listen to those messages, even if it meant calling in late to work, leaving work early, calling in sick for a day, rescheduling my day to start late and work late, or whatever. I did not accept her lead, and until I got to my current job, did not have the flexibility to do so in my other jobs (except to call in sick for the day.) The longer I work at this job, the more comfortable I feel about doing just that: Flexing my day based on Karma.
This is the way it works; this is the way it is supposed to work.
Unbroken
I saw the movie, Unbroken http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1809398/ so I knew some of what to expect from the book Unbroken, A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption http://laurahillenbrandbooks.com/. Or so I thought. And, I was right about the basic story. But this book was so much more, I am reeling, I am amazed. I do not generally find biographies and non-fiction to be "page turners" but even though I knew the bottom line outcomes, I found myself wanting to continue on to the next piece, the next segment, the next story.
Louie Zamperini was an amazing man. And, it takes an amazing author to tell his story. Thank you to Mr. Zamperini, now deceased, for participating in the telling of this story. And thank you to Ms. Hillenbrand for her marvelous writing!
Louie Zamperini was an amazing man. And, it takes an amazing author to tell his story. Thank you to Mr. Zamperini, now deceased, for participating in the telling of this story. And thank you to Ms. Hillenbrand for her marvelous writing!
Monday, June 8, 2015
I Think I Did Too Much This Past Weekend
It started on Friday. I had my time in at work, and was able to go home early. I went to the Lifestyle Center early, went home and fed the cats, and went to the store for my weekly shopping.
That helped with Saturday, because I could get up and start on housework, which I did. Since I had a "head start," I decided this was the weekend I would get the much needed extra cleaning done, which meant, specifically, vacuuming the entire house. Well I started with housework Saturday morning, and discovered that I had some unexpected errands to run. So, after I went to the Lifestyle Center, I ran these errands. I had finished all of the housework on my plan before running errands, except the vacuuming. The vacuuming was physically taxing for me, and took much longer that it would have if I was feeling well.
I have to think it was because of the physical exertion, but it was not a good night, and I took aspirin, and used the tens device to help relieve the pressure, but about 2:30 AM, woke up in discomfort. After tossing and turning for an hour, I got up and moved to the sofa. Eventually, I was alert enough so I could start reading.
I took a brief nap early Sunday AM, but got up and fed cats, moved laundry, and started yard work. On Saturday, I thought if I felt well enough, I could mow the front yard. Since that did not happen, the plan was then changed on Sunday, to edge and mow in the front, mow the back, and weed eat the alley. Well, forget that.
I was hurting so bad, that I started with the much needed edging of the front yard, then mowing, then cleaning up the cast offs on the driveway, side of the road, and side walk from those two activities. I spent a lot of time resting while I was doing these chores.
I had planned to go to the Lifestyle Center to swim, but I ran out of time. I took a shower, finished laundry, fed the cats, and went to the Catholic Charities fundraiser Night To Remember http://cclubbock.org/. I was not sure how long I could last there, but I used an analgesic patch http://www.icyhot.com/patch/1/ on my back, and had some very rapid relief which told me that some of the pain was muscular, not nerve pain.
All this while, when I was taking breaks, I was reading Unbroken, A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption by Linda Hillenbrand. This is the story of Louie Zamperini, and the inhumane treatment he survived as a prisoner of war in Japan during World War II. But it is a story of much more. It is a story of how he turned his life of disrepute around, and became an honored Olympic athlete. And, how he turned his life around, after World War II and became a motivator for people who were struggling with the struggles of self-worth and faith with which he struggled.
I have not finished the book. But I will say this, maybe another day, I would not have pushed myself to do the yard work I did. Compared to Zamperini, my experience was a walk in the park. A little back ache. What am I complaining about?
The point being, we do not know how really bad we have it until we communicate with people who have it worse.
That helped with Saturday, because I could get up and start on housework, which I did. Since I had a "head start," I decided this was the weekend I would get the much needed extra cleaning done, which meant, specifically, vacuuming the entire house. Well I started with housework Saturday morning, and discovered that I had some unexpected errands to run. So, after I went to the Lifestyle Center, I ran these errands. I had finished all of the housework on my plan before running errands, except the vacuuming. The vacuuming was physically taxing for me, and took much longer that it would have if I was feeling well.
I have to think it was because of the physical exertion, but it was not a good night, and I took aspirin, and used the tens device to help relieve the pressure, but about 2:30 AM, woke up in discomfort. After tossing and turning for an hour, I got up and moved to the sofa. Eventually, I was alert enough so I could start reading.
I took a brief nap early Sunday AM, but got up and fed cats, moved laundry, and started yard work. On Saturday, I thought if I felt well enough, I could mow the front yard. Since that did not happen, the plan was then changed on Sunday, to edge and mow in the front, mow the back, and weed eat the alley. Well, forget that.
I was hurting so bad, that I started with the much needed edging of the front yard, then mowing, then cleaning up the cast offs on the driveway, side of the road, and side walk from those two activities. I spent a lot of time resting while I was doing these chores.
I had planned to go to the Lifestyle Center to swim, but I ran out of time. I took a shower, finished laundry, fed the cats, and went to the Catholic Charities fundraiser Night To Remember http://cclubbock.org/. I was not sure how long I could last there, but I used an analgesic patch http://www.icyhot.com/patch/1/ on my back, and had some very rapid relief which told me that some of the pain was muscular, not nerve pain.
All this while, when I was taking breaks, I was reading Unbroken, A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption by Linda Hillenbrand. This is the story of Louie Zamperini, and the inhumane treatment he survived as a prisoner of war in Japan during World War II. But it is a story of much more. It is a story of how he turned his life of disrepute around, and became an honored Olympic athlete. And, how he turned his life around, after World War II and became a motivator for people who were struggling with the struggles of self-worth and faith with which he struggled.
I have not finished the book. But I will say this, maybe another day, I would not have pushed myself to do the yard work I did. Compared to Zamperini, my experience was a walk in the park. A little back ache. What am I complaining about?
The point being, we do not know how really bad we have it until we communicate with people who have it worse.
Sunday, June 7, 2015
Catholic Charities, Diocese of Lubbock, Night to Remember
Tonight was the major fundraiser for Catholic Charities, Diocese of Lubbock, (http://cclubbock.org/ {I hesitate to cite the website because it is so drastically out of date.}) Night to Remember. It is like a giant cocktail party with silent and live auctions. I believe it was a very successful night. It was fun.
I never went to this activity when I was employed at Catholic Family Service. But, now that I am on the board, this is the third time I attended. (The first year I was on the board, I was out of town for that date.) I had a pleasant evening. Usually I see a lot of people that I know, "old timers" from Catholic Family Service. Less so tonight, although there were some people I knew from yesteryear and from my current involvement with the agency.
It was a nice night. I think some serious fundraising occurred.
I never went to this activity when I was employed at Catholic Family Service. But, now that I am on the board, this is the third time I attended. (The first year I was on the board, I was out of town for that date.) I had a pleasant evening. Usually I see a lot of people that I know, "old timers" from Catholic Family Service. Less so tonight, although there were some people I knew from yesteryear and from my current involvement with the agency.
It was a nice night. I think some serious fundraising occurred.
Saturday, June 6, 2015
West Winds Brass Band Concerts
One of my favorite summer activities is to attend the West Wind Brass Band http://westwindsbrassband.org/index.php concerts on Sunday nights in June and July, at Wagner Park. The first of the season is tomorrow night, but I will miss it because the Catholic Charities, Diocese of Lubbock http://cclubbock.org/index.html Night to Remember fundraiser is tomorrow night. I regret the conflict, but I will enjoy going to the other concerts. And, I will enjoy the Night to Remember.
FIFA Women's World Cup
This year, the FIFA Women's World Cup http://www.fifa.com/womensworldcup/teams/index.html is being staged in Canada, and today was opening day. I watched a large part of the first game, between Canada and China, and when I switched to the Yankee vs. Angels http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com/index.jsp?c_id=nyy&tcid=mm_mlb_sitelist baseball game, the game was tied 0-0. Canada won! I will watch some of the games this year, since I enjoyed the FIFA Men's World Cup http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/matches/round=255959/match=300186501/ last year.
Drum Corps International, 2015
The Drum Corps International https://petitions.whitehouse.gov/petition/award-yogi-berra-presidential-medal-freedom-his-military-service-and-civil-rights-and-educational-activism opening night is being broadcast live in theaters across the country on June 17, 2015. Last year, I went to the broadcast, aired by Fathom Events, http://www.fathomevents.com/event/one-night-for-one-drop, but it was not live. This year, it is live. I am really excited about being able to attend this event. It will probably be long, and I may take the morning off from work, the next day.
My Vacuum Cleaner Works Too Well!
I was vacuuming earlier today, when all of a sudden, the pitch of the motor changed, and I checked, and had no suction. I checked to see if I had disconnected the hose, but I had not. But, there was suction at the machine, so the problem had to be the hose. The hose is a pleated vinyl or plastic, and is translucent. It was hard to see the problem looking through the hose, but looking into it, I could see the clog. It turned out to be a wash cloth that the vacuum cleaner sucked out from under the desk!
Evidently, as it travelled up the hose toward the machine, the cloth became more and more compacted. The hose actually tapers slightly as it nears the machine. I tried to push it out, from the wide end, and the narrow end, to no avail. So, I put a nail in the end of a broomstick handle (no broom), and picked at the cloth, loosened it up, and got the cloth out. This process took about a half hour. I was very frustrated at first, but all worked well, including that the vacuum worked well after the hose clog was cleared!
Evidently, as it travelled up the hose toward the machine, the cloth became more and more compacted. The hose actually tapers slightly as it nears the machine. I tried to push it out, from the wide end, and the narrow end, to no avail. So, I put a nail in the end of a broomstick handle (no broom), and picked at the cloth, loosened it up, and got the cloth out. This process took about a half hour. I was very frustrated at first, but all worked well, including that the vacuum worked well after the hose clog was cleared!
Honoring Yogi Berra
Yogi Berra was a great Yankee catcher, but he did more. He served in World War II, including participating on D-Day. He was involved in civil rights activities, and in educational activities. So, there is a petition on his museum website to sign, to have him be a Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient. They need 100,000 signatures by Monday, June 8, 2015, and when I signed a few minutes ago, they were at over 53,000. The link is https://petitions.whitehouse.gov/petition/award-yogi-berra-presidential-medal-freedom-his-military-service-and-civil-rights-and-educational-activism. I was watching the national broadcast of the Yankee vs. Angels game, and this was announced during the game. When I tried to get on the website right after the announcement, I could not. That tells me a lot of people also signed on. I was just checking, and they have over 55,000 signatures now. I have to believe there will be enough signatures by Monday.
This is not about honoring a great Yankee player. This is about honoring an iconic American.
This is not about honoring a great Yankee player. This is about honoring an iconic American.
Friday, June 5, 2015
I Am Not Being Radicalized
I keep hearing on the news how people are being "radicalized" through social media. I am on Facebook. I have a Twitter account. I am not being approached to be "radicalized."
Okay, I admit that I rarely use my Twitter account.
And, I do not post much on Facebook, and I am selective about who I "friend." But, I am not being "radicalized," or even approached about being "radicalized."
This tells me that the people who are being "radicalized" are out there, seeking information about other cultures or somehow are seeking out the sites that will invite them to be "radicalized." I am not sure social media is to blame. I think that the lack of a moral compass for people in our society is to blame. I think that people who are feeling disenfranchised, disaffected, and passed over by society are at risk of being "radicalized," social media or not.
Maybe it is immigrants who come to this country with the intention of committing terroristic acts. Maybe it is people who have been deep seeded into terrorist cells who have been radicalized. Maybe it is residents, born and bred in this country, who have been radicalized. These people are difficult to track and follow. Maybe it is other members of society who have been radicalized for other reasons.
But, for whatever reason, being "radicalized" has less to do with social media and more to do with the mental mind set of the individual. The problem with social media is that people are not being approached one at a time, but by mass media.
Personally, without the benefit of statistics and social studies, I think the number of people who are being "radicalized" on Facebook is minuscule in comparison to the healthy social media interaction that is occurring.
The problem is that radicalization terrorizes the American public, as it should.
Okay, I admit that I rarely use my Twitter account.
And, I do not post much on Facebook, and I am selective about who I "friend." But, I am not being "radicalized," or even approached about being "radicalized."
This tells me that the people who are being "radicalized" are out there, seeking information about other cultures or somehow are seeking out the sites that will invite them to be "radicalized." I am not sure social media is to blame. I think that the lack of a moral compass for people in our society is to blame. I think that people who are feeling disenfranchised, disaffected, and passed over by society are at risk of being "radicalized," social media or not.
Maybe it is immigrants who come to this country with the intention of committing terroristic acts. Maybe it is people who have been deep seeded into terrorist cells who have been radicalized. Maybe it is residents, born and bred in this country, who have been radicalized. These people are difficult to track and follow. Maybe it is other members of society who have been radicalized for other reasons.
But, for whatever reason, being "radicalized" has less to do with social media and more to do with the mental mind set of the individual. The problem with social media is that people are not being approached one at a time, but by mass media.
Personally, without the benefit of statistics and social studies, I think the number of people who are being "radicalized" on Facebook is minuscule in comparison to the healthy social media interaction that is occurring.
The problem is that radicalization terrorizes the American public, as it should.
Wednesday, June 3, 2015
I Have Been Very Busy Tonight
I have had a very busy night. I did go to the Lifestyle Center to do my water physical therapy. And, when I got home, Sake wanted to be in the yard, so I did supervise her out in the back yard for about an hour. Then, I had an NASW mailing to work on. No deadline tonight, but I wanted to get as much done as I could, and I finalized it. But it took quite some time.
Sometimes, I do not realize how much time I spend on the computer, and tonight was one such night. But, I am ready for bed, and hopefully, will have a restful night, and appreciate that tomorrow is another day.
Sometimes, I do not realize how much time I spend on the computer, and tonight was one such night. But, I am ready for bed, and hopefully, will have a restful night, and appreciate that tomorrow is another day.
Monday, June 1, 2015
Return to Work
I returned to work today, after a week off. My coworkers took good care of me while I was out. But immediately upon checking my mail box, the birthday card I had set out before I went on vacation was sitting there, mostly unsigned. Coincidentally, the birthday celebrant will be off work until Wednesday, so that gave us some time to get more signatures, and a coworker volunteered to help.
I had little waiting for me, considering. A pile of requests to discuss therapy materials. And many treatment team plans to finalize. I knocked back the biggest number of those today, and will, hopefully, finalize the rest tomorrow. These have a "soft deadline" so while I want to finalize them as soon as possible, I have some lee way. I also need to set up the June list of treatment team plans needed.
There were some other things I needed to tend to. But nothing overwhelming. But by 1600, I was pretty well wiped out. It was a long day. It was not a stressful day.
The hardest parts of my returning to work was leaving the house in the morning, and feeling that I had not done everything I needed to do to leave the house secure, the windows closed, with cat food put out, and the air conditioner set. Hmmm. I got it right the first time, although I was unsettled.
I was too tired to do too much tonight. Sake and I spent some time in the yard. I read, Had dinner. Read the mail, but was too tired to reconcile my credit card bill or print up envelopes for the NASW mailing. Partly the reason I was too tired was that I was content to read, and eager to finish Invisible City by Julia Dahl. Tomorrow, I can do some of these other tasks.
I had little waiting for me, considering. A pile of requests to discuss therapy materials. And many treatment team plans to finalize. I knocked back the biggest number of those today, and will, hopefully, finalize the rest tomorrow. These have a "soft deadline" so while I want to finalize them as soon as possible, I have some lee way. I also need to set up the June list of treatment team plans needed.
There were some other things I needed to tend to. But nothing overwhelming. But by 1600, I was pretty well wiped out. It was a long day. It was not a stressful day.
The hardest parts of my returning to work was leaving the house in the morning, and feeling that I had not done everything I needed to do to leave the house secure, the windows closed, with cat food put out, and the air conditioner set. Hmmm. I got it right the first time, although I was unsettled.
I was too tired to do too much tonight. Sake and I spent some time in the yard. I read, Had dinner. Read the mail, but was too tired to reconcile my credit card bill or print up envelopes for the NASW mailing. Partly the reason I was too tired was that I was content to read, and eager to finish Invisible City by Julia Dahl. Tomorrow, I can do some of these other tasks.
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