Email Weirdness

So, when I got on my computer this afternoon, I could not download my email.  It appeared to be a server problem, but my Internet connection was working just fine.  So, I went to the Suddenlink home page http://home.suddenlink.net/ and tried to get into my emails on the website.  I have two active accounts and neither one would load emails. That was weird.  So, I decided to do some other things and get back to the email problem when I was prepared to call Suddenlink and be tied up on the phone for a while.

Well, when I tried later one, everything worked the way it was supposed to work. That was good!

My aching bones

I was doing okay today, until late afternoon, after I had left work and was at home.  I was sitting at the computer, but not for long, and when I got up, I was really hurting.  The hurting has continued tonight, in spite of an analgesic patch on my back and acetaminophen as per my provider.

I know what it is.  We had a front blow in earlier today, and another tonight, making the air even colder and wetter (but not real wet).  It is not just my back, by my whole body hurts, my joints ache.  I have the space heater on next to my desk, but I am not feeling especially warm.

I used to ache like this when I lived in New England.  For years after moving to West Texas, this did not happen.  I hope I am not complaining. It just is what it is.  I can keep moving, which is the best thing for me.

A Small Thing

So, yesterday at work, I sought the help of my co-workers to distribute a set of word puzzles to my patients for the Thanksgiving holiday.  It is a small thing, but if you have little, you appreciate everything. As I was leaving from my ward today, I got "thumbs up" for the puzzles.  We never know what a small gesture might mean.

Technology Gone Awry

So, I was trying to add a new contact to my phone, and for some reason, it just would not happen. I tried multiple times over the weekend to add this contact, and it just would not happen.  So, today, after I left work, I went to Sprint https://www.sprint.com/ to get some help. I told the service representative I thought it might be operator error, but when he could not add the contact, he passed me off to another technician, who realized he could not add my contact, or any contact to my phone.  So, they had to "flash" my phone. That takes a couple of hours.  When I returned for my phone, more than 2 hours later, they still had not resolved the problem.  So, I waited (I don't wait well, but I was prepared,  I had book.) The technician came out and told me he did not know what happened but I had to erase every contact for this person that was basically hidden on my phone. He did this for me, and then told me I needed to get on the computer, on ICloud https://www.icloud.com/, and erase any remaining contacts for this person. He even gave me the phone number to contact Apple IPhone direct.

I went home and did this. I had to talk to an Apple representative to help me because I was not sure what I was doing. But, there were no apparent vestiges of the contact on ICloud, and I was able to load the contact on my phone.  The most amazing thing about this interaction was that the person I spoke to spoke English without an accent (the call was with someone in California) and we had to disconnect for me to do the functions on my phone that needed to be done, and this person called me back when she said she would!  Faith in American business can be restored by this level of customer service.  Apple https://appleid.apple.com/  and Sprint https://www.sprint.com get an A Plus!

A Very Nice Appreciation

This year, but not every year, I am a season ticket holder for the Texas Tech Lady Raider basketball team http://www.texastech.com/index.aspx?path=wbball.  Recently, the team had a home game against the New Mexico Lobos http://golobos.com/index.aspx?path=wbball, which is a very good team.  After the game, season ticket holders were invited to attend a meet and greet, and have a Fuddruckers hamburger meal http://www.fuddruckers.com/.  Each table at the event had a player or coach assigned.  I sat at Zuri Sander's http://sports.yahoo.com/ncaaw/players/45994/ table. Ms. Sanders was a most gracious, gregarious giving and open ambassador of her team and her sport. It was a very pleasant experience, and I am grateful to Texas Tech Lady Raider basketball for sponsoring the event. It was really fine. We even were able to talk to and thank Coach Whitaker https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Candace_Whitaker for the event!  Thanks Coach

Strange Happenings

I have been through several alarm clocks recently, because I have not found one that I really, really like. I have one now that I can sort of live with, but we have issues.  Most recently, on Sunday morning, I woke up and the clock said 6:24 AM but I knew it was lighter outside than it should be at 6:24 AM.  Well, sure enough, it was 7:24 AM.  What I do not understand is how I could have changed the time, and not know it.  It requires holding down two buttons at one time to change the hour.  When I hit snooze, or, on a Sunday morning, shut the alarm off, the motions are not even close to what it would take to change the hour on the clock.  Hitting snooze is a one handed operation, touching the top of the clock. Shutting the alarm off involves moving a lever on the side of the phone. Changing the hour involves using a button on the back of the phone.  So, how did this happen? I do not know.  But it did!

Blogging

I have not blogged since November 14, 2016.  My brain has been very busy lately, and although I have had a lot of somethings to say, I have not been able to focus enough to write things out. I am not sure how well I am going to do tonight but I will try.

When I signed onto my blog tonight, I was surprised by the look of my blog.  There are some changes in how it looks, a few changes in the format, but it basically works the same. Which is all that I really care about.

Weather Change

We are anticipating a weather change near the end of the weekhttps://weather.com/weather/tenday/l/USTX0808:1:US.  Right now, it has been very warm during the day (80s) and cooler at night (40s).  The weather change will mean cooler days.  I started aching this afternoon.  Sometimes I ache if I sit in the same position for too long, but I did not sit very long this afternoon before I started aching.  I noticed it in my back first, but now my hips and even my hands ache.  I am wondering if the weather change will happen sooner than later.  Well, we shall see.

Veteran's Day Parade

There was a Veteran's Day Parade in Lubbock for the first time this year http://www.kcbd.com/story/33680030/veterans-day-events.  It was sponsored by Los Hermanos Familia http://lubbockonline.com/filed-online/2016-11-12/los-hermanos-familia-hosts-veterans-day-parade-honor-all-who-served.  I went.  It was a very small parade, but the participants and spectators had their hearts in honoring Veterans.  That was nice. 

Veteran's Day 2016

The Silent Wings Museum https://www.mylubbock.us/departmental-websites/departments/silent-wings-museum/home had a full day of Veteran's Day activities.  I had to work, so I was not able to attend the day time activities.  I did attend the evening event:  It was a performance of Finessence  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC09FKuJGtpXjCp1n6AgnSMw. This is a small band, that does swing era and big band era music, along with many other wonderful songs. I had heard them before at the Silent Wings Museum, and it was standing room only.  I went early.  The set up was not chairs in a row, as it was before, but it was set up like a 40's or 50's style nightclub, with a dance floor, a band pit, and dinner tables.  I almost did not stay, but I did.  I met some really nice people.  I really enjoyed the band's performance.  It was a good night.  I am glad I went and glad I stayed. 

Election Results

I was so distressed by the results of the Presidential election on 11/8/16, I went to bed early.  I could see that my preferred candidate, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, was not going to win.  I was not as flabbergasted as I thought I might be.  I was very distressed.

So, today, when I thought about it, I decided I had to put my best foot forward, and do what was right.  Both Secretary of State and President Obama acknowledged that our heritage and hallmark as a nation is orderly transition of power.  And that will occur with the results of this election of Donald Trump as President of the United States of America.

Speaker of the House Paul Ryan described it well when he said that Donald Trump heard something in the voices of our citizens and resonated with those voices.  And it is true, if there are voices that are disaffected in this country, by the rights granted in the Constitution of the United States of America, they should be heard.

My role, as a citizen, is to be ever vigilant.  If there is any erosion of civil rights, if there is any deviation from the rule of law, if there is any abandonment of due process, if there is decreases of freedom, if there is any persecution of any group or individuals my job is to protest to the full extent of the law, and perhaps, beyond the full extent of the law.

This means I will need to make the necessary sacrifices if these thing occur.

A colleague told me that his thought to put a silver lining on this election result is that the House of Representatives and Senate are controlled by the Republicans, and a Democratic President would not be able to be very effective.  He is right. What remains to be seen, is how effective President-elect Trump will be, and what direction he will take our country. 

My Day Off

Today was the first of my two days off.  I had hoped to finish the Catholic Charities board meeting minutes, get the car inspected and oil changed, do some shopping.  Well, what did I know.  It took me most of the day to do the minutes for Catholic Charities.  I do not mind spending the time, I just want to do a good job.

So, I have tomorrow to finalize the minutes, and get the car attended to.  I did do some shopping today.

A Wonderfully Busy Day

So, I was able to sleep in some, but got up and did chores around the house.  Then, I watched the first half of the Texas Tech Vs. Texas football game http://www.texastech.com/news/2016/11/5/football-texas-tech-falls-to-texas-45-37.aspx.  At halftime, I got into my vehicle and drove to Amarillo, listening to the game along the way, to attend a wedding reception for a colleague.  I was honored to be invited.  When I arrived in Amarillo, I was early, so I found a spot in a park to stop and watch the Tech football game on my smartphone.  Have I mentioned that I did not think I needed a smart phone, but I really do enjoy the access it offers.

The wedding reception was very nice and met very many nice people. My colleague was so sweet to tell me how much it meant to her that I attended, and I am so pleased for the good fortune in her life. 

As I drove to Amarillo, there were sprinkles along the way.  During the reception, at a park gazebo, there was a short shower, but it was mostly misty. On my way home there were periods of mist, rain, heavy rain, wet roads and dry roads. The weather forecast tonight expects more of the same.

All in all, a good day.

Days Off

I asked for November 7 and 8 off from work, then promptly forgot that was planned and approved, until a co-worker, who agreed to cover for me, reminded me.  I am planning to take these days off from work. When I asked for the days off, my plan was to look for some knitting patterns, for a hat and mittens, to share with a colleague.  And, I wanted to watch the election news on the 8th, although the results will come in very late.

Since then, as always when I take time off to do nothing, I have stacked my days. I plan to get my vehicle inspected, prior to renewing the registration of the Vue. I plan to reconcile my business accounts: checking and credit card, and verify I have paid my bills.  I still need to finish the minutes for the Board of Directors of Catholic Charities, Diocese of Lubbock.  I had thought I would get them done before now, but there has so much going on during the evenings, especially with the World Series, that I have not worked on the minutes as diligently as I could have. 

I am grateful for having the time to be able to take off. I have been very stressed at work, and need some time for myself, and to get away from the negative environment at work.  I like my job, but it has become increasingly stressful, and I will admit, I have missed somethings that  need to be done because I am so overwhelmed.  My supervisor seems to understand how that can occur.  I am grateful. 

Texas Tech Men's Basketball

In my mailbox the other day, I received an invitation to attend the Texas Tech Men's Basketball exhibition game on November 4, 2016 against Missouri Western State University http://texastech.com/news/2016/11/3/mens-basketball-faces-off-with-missouri-western-state-in-lone-exhibition-tilt.aspx.  I was also supposed to get a voucher for two more tickets.  I went to the game tonight, and received my free ticket. I forgot about the voucher, and did not get it.  I think I need to complain to someone. But I am not sure to whom I should complain.  I can call the ticket office Monday morning.

I went to the game. It was okay.  Tech blew out the opponent, but that was expected, I think.

Red Raider Basketball

The regular reader knows that I like basketball, and follow and attend the Lady Raider basketball games http://texastech.com/index.aspx?path=wbball. I also attend the occasional men's game http://www.texastech.com/index.aspx?path=mbball  .  Sometimes, our administrator at work gets us complimentary tickets (over the holidays, in the student section) to the men's games, and sometimes there will be a "double header" during which the price of admission to one game gets you admission to both games. 

I had an email in my inbox yesterday offering me a free ticket to the November 4, 2016 men's exhibition game.  I signed up.  Why not?  It sounds like a good time to me.  Thank you, Texas Tech.

World Series, Game 7

This has been a great World Series http://mlb.mlb.com/home.  There are lots of reasons to cheer for either team to win.  I think, this year, Major League Baseball has won with this World Series!  I am going to publish this before the last game is final.  Ultimately, I just really like the history of this series, and the fact the games have generally been close and well played.  Yeah Baseball!

Lady Raider Basketball

At a community meeting tonight, I met two Lady Raider Basketball http://www.texastech.com/index.aspx?path=wbball players:  Japreece Dean and Brittany Brewer.  I told Japreece Dean that I had seen her play, and I had my season tickets, and Sunday was my birthday, and that a win would be a great birthday present.  That was fun.  There were several other people from the team at the meeting.  I do not do small talk well, so I just wished the players luck and left.

Community Engagement Task Force

I went to the Community Engagement Task Force https://www.ci.lubbock.tx.us/city-government/community-engagement-task-force community meeting tonight.  This is the 3rd such community meeting.   I missed the second, I did not know about it until it was too late to go.  The two meetings I have attended have been very informative and interesting.  I am glad I have attended.  I have seen social workers at each meeting, the Catholic Charities director at the first meeting. and some Lady Raider Basketball players at the meeting tonight. I need to remember to send out an announcement about the next meeting.  It is tentatively set for November 29, 2016, location unknown.

This is a good community activity.