These purported buyers for stuff off of CL have all bailed. The desktop is still mostly busted, inasmuch as it won't connect to the internet. The model trains from eight years ago have all been repatriated, the Phaeton shrine is all in a box and waiting to be sold back out on eBay.
It's only 1800, and Guy and J1 are heading over for a while. I have cornbread in the oven, and chicken breasts go into the oven right after. John II and his friend Mike have just returned from the gym, and are fooling around in the living room.
The sheets are in the dryer, and are going on the bed in a moment. Chuck's headed home from B'ham.
a tad later
Guy and J1 have just departed. J1 fixed the desktop-ish. I need to go out there and get it going.
Big day in church tomorrow; I need to get my mind in the right place for it. John II is starting to attend church with me in the morning.
DJHJD
Saturday, January 06, 2007
Whatever happened to Joel?
Receive/Departure Code RA Receive Date Nov 3 2006
Inmate Type JC Unit LYCHNER
FBI No. XXXXXX State ID No. XXX Texas Dept. of Corrections No.XXXX
Offense(s)
Min. Date Mar 19 2007 Max. DateJan 1 0001
Sentence Begin Date Jul 23 2006
Offense County HARRIS
Offense Cause XXXXX Max. Term (ccyymmddd)00000800
Offense POSS CS COC <1G
Offense Date Nov 16 2005
Penal Code 481115
Offense Sentence Date Oct 31 2006
Inmate Type JC Unit LYCHNER
FBI No. XXXXXX State ID No. XXX Texas Dept. of Corrections No.XXXX
Offense(s)
Min. Date Mar 19 2007 Max. DateJan 1 0001
Sentence Begin Date Jul 23 2006
Offense County HARRIS
Offense Cause XXXXX Max. Term (ccyymmddd)00000800
Offense POSS CS COC <1G
Offense Date Nov 16 2005
Penal Code 481115
Offense Sentence Date Oct 31 2006
Thursday, January 04, 2007
Rainy Thursday
Seems that we've been having this a lot.
The rain woke me at 0330; it was hammering against the bedroom windows just next to my head. I drifted in and out with it for an hour or so, and then ninety minutes later, the clock alarm went off with the 5:59 KUHF news summary before NPR's 0600 news.
When I wandered into the kitchen a few minutes later, the mutts were in the laundry room. Somehow, the back door wasn't fully shut, it was standing open, and the mutts decided that shelter was better than none.
Nine months and they FINALLY decide to come inside. Of course, the floor was a mess. I'll not wager how much of it was rainwater and how much was .. something other. However, it's all mopped up, the laundry room smells like wet mutt, and off we go.
Off to the chiropractor!
The rain woke me at 0330; it was hammering against the bedroom windows just next to my head. I drifted in and out with it for an hour or so, and then ninety minutes later, the clock alarm went off with the 5:59 KUHF news summary before NPR's 0600 news.
When I wandered into the kitchen a few minutes later, the mutts were in the laundry room. Somehow, the back door wasn't fully shut, it was standing open, and the mutts decided that shelter was better than none.
Nine months and they FINALLY decide to come inside. Of course, the floor was a mess. I'll not wager how much of it was rainwater and how much was .. something other. However, it's all mopped up, the laundry room smells like wet mutt, and off we go.
Off to the chiropractor!
Wednesday, January 03, 2007
Move me baby
My Wish for You in 2007
May peace break into your house and may thieves come to steal your debts. May the pockets of your jeans become a magnet of $200 bills. May love stick to your face like Vaseline and may laughter assault your lips! May your clothes smell of success like smoking tires and may happiness slap you across the face and may your tears be that of joy. May the problems you had forget your home address! In simple words ............ May 2007 be the best year of your life!!!
I have just found the COOLEST desk toy.
I've been working since I got home at 1500. I'm just wiped. Time to go to bed so I can get up and do it all again. I have five different appointments tomorrow. Yurg.
May peace break into your house and may thieves come to steal your debts. May the pockets of your jeans become a magnet of $200 bills. May love stick to your face like Vaseline and may laughter assault your lips! May your clothes smell of success like smoking tires and may happiness slap you across the face and may your tears be that of joy. May the problems you had forget your home address! In simple words ............ May 2007 be the best year of your life!!!
I have just found the COOLEST desk toy.
I've been working since I got home at 1500. I'm just wiped. Time to go to bed so I can get up and do it all again. I have five different appointments tomorrow. Yurg.
LORDY, LORDY, HE DID NOT SPECIFY. As if you didn’t have enough reasons to hope or pray there is not a major attack on the United States this year, Pat Robertson offers another: He says God told him there will be one, late in 2007. Unfortunately, though able to specify the time of year, God did not reveal to the good Reverend the nature of the attack. “I’m not necessarily saying it’s going to be nuclear,” Robertson told his “700 Club” audience last night. So, not necessarily, but it just might be nukes.
Robertson’s prediction comes the same week we learned that a quarter of Americans believe Christ will return to the earth at some point in 2007. Suddenly, just three days into 2007, I find myself already longing for 2008 so Robertson and the millenialists can be proved wrong … again.
Robertson’s prediction comes the same week we learned that a quarter of Americans believe Christ will return to the earth at some point in 2007. Suddenly, just three days into 2007, I find myself already longing for 2008 so Robertson and the millenialists can be proved wrong … again.
LORDY, LORDY, HE DID NOT SPECIFY. As if you didn’t have enough reasons to hope or pray there is not a major attack on the United States this year, Pat Robertson offers another: He says God told him there will be one, late in 2007. Unfortunately, though able to specify the time of year, God did not reveal to the good Reverend the nature of the attack. “I’m not necessarily saying it’s going to be nuclear,” Robertson told his “700 Club” audience last night. So, not necessarily, but it just might be nukes.
Robertson’s prediction comes the same week we learned that a quarter of Americans believe Christ will return to the earth at some point in 2007. Suddenly, just three days into 2007, I find myself already longing for 2008 so Robertson and the millenialists can be proved wrong … again.
Robertson’s prediction comes the same week we learned that a quarter of Americans believe Christ will return to the earth at some point in 2007. Suddenly, just three days into 2007, I find myself already longing for 2008 so Robertson and the millenialists can be proved wrong … again.
Tuesday, January 02, 2007
Sometimes, decisions are good ones
So, the bank/owner of the house has orally suggested that they've made their bottom line offer, and no other discussion is available.
Uh, okay. Have fun owning that beast until halfway through the next presidential term.
I feel like I have THREE do-overs going on at the same time. First, I got called back to work with John. Second, I get to buy back this house I used to live in and live in it without step-entanglements or misunderstandings. Third, when I used to live in that house, I had a ... RED PONTIAC. What a riot.
I've spent most of tonight listing stuff for sale on Craigslist. Better to sell it than move it. Already getting some interest; coming up next, model cars, sheet music, book music, model trains, the Phaeton collection .. all coming to an eBay auction near you.
Uh, okay. Have fun owning that beast until halfway through the next presidential term.
I feel like I have THREE do-overs going on at the same time. First, I got called back to work with John. Second, I get to buy back this house I used to live in and live in it without step-entanglements or misunderstandings. Third, when I used to live in that house, I had a ... RED PONTIAC. What a riot.
I've spent most of tonight listing stuff for sale on Craigslist. Better to sell it than move it. Already getting some interest; coming up next, model cars, sheet music, book music, model trains, the Phaeton collection .. all coming to an eBay auction near you.
Tuesday that feels like Monday
Weight Watchers has two new things; free registration this week and a
monthly pass for forty bucks - which is a BIG discount and includes
unlimited meetings and free online access. I'm going to go join ASAP.
The holiday diet disaster has affected my waistline negatively. I
also haven't really been exercising - I just am not a self-starter
when it comes to that, yet.
I'm looking at all of this crap in this house - all the barware - where did it all
come from? I hardly use any of it. I'm also thinking - how are we
all three of us going to fit into this townhouse? We'll have to move
the metal desk/computer stand to the church and what of the "free"
exercise equipment? I'm planning on selling the stainless
refrigerator and the mostly dead electric dryer on Craigslist. Heh
heh.
We took my mutts and Tyson out on leash into the front sidewalk
yesterday for a formal meeting/greeting. Barney was reasonably well
behaved, but Tyson is very jittery around both of them. Tyson tried
to lick Jackie's butt out - her tooshie was soaking wet by the time we
decided nothing further was going to develop.
No mail today, no government offices open to speak of, no nothing due to the funeral of Gerald Ford. Was it like this for R. Reagan? I don't recall.
Mentally, I'm already moved into the new place. I am focusing on the logistics of packing all this crap up and labeling it, then efficiently moving it to the new place. Another unpacking party lurks!
Fascinating article about oil here.
Today is the national day of mourning for Gerald Ford, who hailed from Grand Rapids - which was my birthplace. When I was a tot, he was first elected to the US House of Representatives. My aunt was married to the GM of Berger Chevrolet there, and they (the Ford camp) asked whether they could use my aunt's 1957 T-bird in a parade. My aunt dragged me and my sister along, and her husband cautioned: "Better not let those kids be exposed." My aunt says all along she knew we were little queers.
Turns out, that's not how it was with Jerry:
Here's to ya, Jerry.
monthly pass for forty bucks - which is a BIG discount and includes
unlimited meetings and free online access. I'm going to go join ASAP.
The holiday diet disaster has affected my waistline negatively. I
also haven't really been exercising - I just am not a self-starter
when it comes to that, yet.
I'm looking at all of this crap in this house - all the barware - where did it all
come from? I hardly use any of it. I'm also thinking - how are we
all three of us going to fit into this townhouse? We'll have to move
the metal desk/computer stand to the church and what of the "free"
exercise equipment? I'm planning on selling the stainless
refrigerator and the mostly dead electric dryer on Craigslist. Heh
heh.
We took my mutts and Tyson out on leash into the front sidewalk
yesterday for a formal meeting/greeting. Barney was reasonably well
behaved, but Tyson is very jittery around both of them. Tyson tried
to lick Jackie's butt out - her tooshie was soaking wet by the time we
decided nothing further was going to develop.
No mail today, no government offices open to speak of, no nothing due to the funeral of Gerald Ford. Was it like this for R. Reagan? I don't recall.
Mentally, I'm already moved into the new place. I am focusing on the logistics of packing all this crap up and labeling it, then efficiently moving it to the new place. Another unpacking party lurks!
Fascinating article about oil here.
Today is the national day of mourning for Gerald Ford, who hailed from Grand Rapids - which was my birthplace. When I was a tot, he was first elected to the US House of Representatives. My aunt was married to the GM of Berger Chevrolet there, and they (the Ford camp) asked whether they could use my aunt's 1957 T-bird in a parade. My aunt dragged me and my sister along, and her husband cautioned: "Better not let those kids be exposed." My aunt says all along she knew we were little queers.
Turns out, that's not how it was with Jerry:
Former President Gerald Ford believes the federal government should treat gay couples the same as married couples, including providing equal Social Security and tax benefits. Ford's views, expressed in an exclusive telephone interview, make him the highest-ranking Republican ever to endorse equal treatment for gay couples.
"I think they ought to be treated equally. Period," Ford declared. Asked specifically whether gay couples should get the same Social Security, tax and other federal benefits as married couples, he replied, "I don't see why they shouldn't. I think that's a proper goal."
Here's to ya, Jerry.
Monday, January 01, 2007
This is fun
Jan. 2, 2007, 12:36AM
Just FYI: Bad bosses can do more than annoy
By BRENT KALLESTAD
Associated Press
TALLAHASSEE, FLA.— For most people, it's back to work today after a holiday weekend with family and friends. And for many, a new study shows, it will be under a bad boss.
Nearly two of five bosses don't keep their word and more than a fourth bad-mouth those they supervise to co-workers, the Florida State University study shows.
Those all-too-common poor managers create plenty of problems for companies as well, leading to poor morale, lower production and higher turnover.
"They say that employees don't leave their job or company, they leave their boss," said Wayne Hochwarter, an associate professor of management in the College of Business at Florida State, who joined with two doctoral students to survey more than 700 people about how their bosses treat them.
"No abuse should be taken lightly, especially in situations where it becomes a criminal act," said Hochwarter.
Employees stuck in an abusive relationship experienced more exhaustion, job tension, nervousness, depressed moods and mistrust, the researchers found. They found that a good working environment is often more important to employees than pay, and that it's no coincidence that poor morale leads to lower production.
"They were less likely to take on additional tasks, such as working longer or on weekends, and were generally less satisfied with their job," the study found. "Also, employees were more likely to leave if involved in an abusive relationship than if dissatisfied with pay."
The results of the study are scheduled for publication in the Fall 2007 issue of The Leadership Quarterly, a journal read by consultants and managers.
The findings include:
• 37 percent of workers said their supervisor failed to give credit when due.
• 31 percent said their supervisor gave them the "silent treatment" in the past year.
• 23 percent said their supervisor blamed others to cover up mistakes.
Workers in bad situations should stay optimistic, Hochwarter said, because the supervisor will eventually move on. "You want the next boss to know what you can do for the company."
Workers should know where to turn if they feel threatened or discriminated against, he said, whether it is the company's grievance committee or finding formal outside representation.
Hochwarter also recommended how to counteract an abusive supervisor.
"The first is to stay visible at work," he said. "Hiding can be detrimental to your career, especially when it keeps others in the company from noticing your talent and contributions."
As I recall, I developed diabetes (which does NOT run in my family on either side) after having to take anti-anxiety medications to compensate for TWO bosses in a row; PJ whose management style was to shout down instructions over the cell phone while driving through McDonald's, never to commit anything to email, to deny any crazy scheme that didn't pan out as having come from her, and who took all the credit for anything good that happened. This followed immediately by another, who managed by Instant Messenger, who manipulated the business expenses of four offices to reflect that mine had no income (and therefore, I had no profit sharing,) who refused to show me any financial performance once my office became inarguably profitable, who dumped a 17 year old untrained bimbo in my lap as a paid employee (charged against my profit sharing of course,) just because she had great tits, and then tried to have me jailed after reading hereabouts what I really thought. Ah, then, from that I went into an employment/principal engagement wherein my then best friend lied to my face about their company and its prospects.
Thank God my life has moved on. Craziness. It took them this long to figure out that stress in the workplace causes health damage?
I had a conversation on NYE with Bram about psychosomatic causes of illness and he wasn't having much of it. I think I'll send this to him.
Just FYI: Bad bosses can do more than annoy
By BRENT KALLESTAD
Associated Press
TALLAHASSEE, FLA.— For most people, it's back to work today after a holiday weekend with family and friends. And for many, a new study shows, it will be under a bad boss.
Nearly two of five bosses don't keep their word and more than a fourth bad-mouth those they supervise to co-workers, the Florida State University study shows.
Those all-too-common poor managers create plenty of problems for companies as well, leading to poor morale, lower production and higher turnover.
"They say that employees don't leave their job or company, they leave their boss," said Wayne Hochwarter, an associate professor of management in the College of Business at Florida State, who joined with two doctoral students to survey more than 700 people about how their bosses treat them.
"No abuse should be taken lightly, especially in situations where it becomes a criminal act," said Hochwarter.
Employees stuck in an abusive relationship experienced more exhaustion, job tension, nervousness, depressed moods and mistrust, the researchers found. They found that a good working environment is often more important to employees than pay, and that it's no coincidence that poor morale leads to lower production.
"They were less likely to take on additional tasks, such as working longer or on weekends, and were generally less satisfied with their job," the study found. "Also, employees were more likely to leave if involved in an abusive relationship than if dissatisfied with pay."
The results of the study are scheduled for publication in the Fall 2007 issue of The Leadership Quarterly, a journal read by consultants and managers.
The findings include:
• 37 percent of workers said their supervisor failed to give credit when due.
• 31 percent said their supervisor gave them the "silent treatment" in the past year.
• 23 percent said their supervisor blamed others to cover up mistakes.
Workers in bad situations should stay optimistic, Hochwarter said, because the supervisor will eventually move on. "You want the next boss to know what you can do for the company."
Workers should know where to turn if they feel threatened or discriminated against, he said, whether it is the company's grievance committee or finding formal outside representation.
Hochwarter also recommended how to counteract an abusive supervisor.
"The first is to stay visible at work," he said. "Hiding can be detrimental to your career, especially when it keeps others in the company from noticing your talent and contributions."
As I recall, I developed diabetes (which does NOT run in my family on either side) after having to take anti-anxiety medications to compensate for TWO bosses in a row; PJ whose management style was to shout down instructions over the cell phone while driving through McDonald's, never to commit anything to email, to deny any crazy scheme that didn't pan out as having come from her, and who took all the credit for anything good that happened. This followed immediately by another, who managed by Instant Messenger, who manipulated the business expenses of four offices to reflect that mine had no income (and therefore, I had no profit sharing,) who refused to show me any financial performance once my office became inarguably profitable, who dumped a 17 year old untrained bimbo in my lap as a paid employee (charged against my profit sharing of course,) just because she had great tits, and then tried to have me jailed after reading hereabouts what I really thought. Ah, then, from that I went into an employment/principal engagement wherein my then best friend lied to my face about their company and its prospects.
Thank God my life has moved on. Craziness. It took them this long to figure out that stress in the workplace causes health damage?
I had a conversation on NYE with Bram about psychosomatic causes of illness and he wasn't having much of it. I think I'll send this to him.
Sunday, December 31, 2006
The Daffodil Principle
"What we do for ourselves dies with us. What we do for others in this world was and is immortal.
The Daffodil Principle.....
Several times my daughter had telephoned to say, "Mother, you must come to see the daffodils before they are over." I wanted to go, but it was a two-hour drive from Laguna to Lake Arrowhead . "I will come next Tuesday", I promised a little reluctantly on her third call.
Next Tuesday dawned cold and rainy. Still, I had promised, and reluctantly I drove there. When I finally walked into Carolyn's house I was welcomed by the joyful sounds of happy children. I delightedly hugged and greeted my grandchildren.
"Forget the daffodils, Carolyn! The road is invisible in these clouds and fog, and there is nothing in the world except you and these children that I want to see badly enough to drive another inch!"
My daughter smiled calmly and said, "We drive in this all the time, Mother."
"Well, you won't get me back on the road until it clears, and then I'm heading for home!" I assured her.
"I was hoping you'd take me over to the garage to pick up my car."
"How far will we have to drive?"
"Oh...just a few blocks," Carolyn said. "But I'll drive. I'm used to this."
After several minutes, I had to ask, "Where are we going? This isn't the way to the garage!"
"We're going to my garage the long way," Carolyn smiled, "by way of the daffodils."
"Carolyn," I said sternly, "please turn around."
"It's all right, Mother, I promise. You will never forgive yourself if you miss this experience."
After about twenty minutes, we turned onto a small gravel road and I saw a small church. On the far side of the church, I saw a hand lettered sign with an arrow that read, " Daffodil Garden ."
We got out of the car, each took a child's hand, and I followed Carolyn down the path. Then, as we turned a corner, I looked up and gasped.
Before me lay the most glorious sight. It looked as though someone had taken a great vat of gold and poured it over the mountain peak and its surrounding slopes. The flowers were planted in majestic, swirling patterns, great ribbons and swaths of deep orange, creamy white, lemon yellow, salmon pink, and saffron and butter yellow. Each different-colored variety was planted in large groups so that it swirled and flowed like its own river with its own unique hue. There were five acres of flowers.
"Who did this?" I asked Carolyn.
"Just one woman," Carolyn answered. "She lives on the property. That's her home." Carolyn pointed to a well kept A-frame house, small and modestly sitting in the midst of all that glory. We walked up to the house. On the patio, we saw a poster. "Answers to the Questions I Know You Are Asking" was the headline.
The first answer was a simple one. "50,000 bulbs," it read.
The second answer was, "One at a time, by one woman. Two hands, two feet, and one brain."
The third answer was, "Began in 1958."
For me, that moment was a life-changing experience. I thought of this woman whom I had never met, who, more than forty years before, had begun, one bulb at a time, to bring her vision of beauty and joy to an obscure mountaintop.
Planting one bulb at a time, year after year, this unknown woman had forever changed the world in which she lived . One day at a time, she had created something of extraordinary magnificence, beauty, and inspiration. The principle her daffodil garden taught is one of the greatest principles of celebration.
That is, learning to move toward our goals and desires one step at a time--often just one baby-step at time--and learning to love the doing, learning to use the accumulation of time When we multiply tiny pieces of time with small increments of daily effort, we too will find we can accomplish magnificent things. We can change the world.
"It makes me sad in a way," I admitted to Carolyn. "What might I have accomplished if I had thought of a wonderful goal thirty-five or forty years ago and had worked away at it 'one bulb at a time' through all those years? Just think what I might have been able to achieve!"
My daughter summed up the message of the day in her usual direct way. "Start tomorrow," she said.
She was right. It's so pointless to think of t he lost hours of yesterdays. The way to make learning a lesson of celebration instead of a cause for regret is to only ask, "How can I put this to use today?"
Use the Daffodil Principle.
Stop waiting...
Until your car or home is paid off;
Until you get a new car or home;
Until your kids leave the house;
Until you go back to school;
Until you finish school;
Until you clean the house;
Until you organize the garage;
Until you clean off your desk;
Until you lose 10 lbs;
Until you gain 10 lbs;
Until you get married;
Until you get a divorce;
Until you have kids;
Until the kids go to school;
Until you retire;
Until summer;
Until spring;
Until winter;
Until fall;
Until you die...
There is no better time than right now to be happy.
Happiness is a journey, not a destination.
So work like you don't need money
Love like you've never been hurt, and
Dance like no one's watching .
The Daffodil Principle.....
Several times my daughter had telephoned to say, "Mother, you must come to see the daffodils before they are over." I wanted to go, but it was a two-hour drive from Laguna to Lake Arrowhead . "I will come next Tuesday", I promised a little reluctantly on her third call.
Next Tuesday dawned cold and rainy. Still, I had promised, and reluctantly I drove there. When I finally walked into Carolyn's house I was welcomed by the joyful sounds of happy children. I delightedly hugged and greeted my grandchildren.
"Forget the daffodils, Carolyn! The road is invisible in these clouds and fog, and there is nothing in the world except you and these children that I want to see badly enough to drive another inch!"
My daughter smiled calmly and said, "We drive in this all the time, Mother."
"Well, you won't get me back on the road until it clears, and then I'm heading for home!" I assured her.
"I was hoping you'd take me over to the garage to pick up my car."
"How far will we have to drive?"
"Oh...just a few blocks," Carolyn said. "But I'll drive. I'm used to this."
After several minutes, I had to ask, "Where are we going? This isn't the way to the garage!"
"We're going to my garage the long way," Carolyn smiled, "by way of the daffodils."
"Carolyn," I said sternly, "please turn around."
"It's all right, Mother, I promise. You will never forgive yourself if you miss this experience."
After about twenty minutes, we turned onto a small gravel road and I saw a small church. On the far side of the church, I saw a hand lettered sign with an arrow that read, " Daffodil Garden ."
We got out of the car, each took a child's hand, and I followed Carolyn down the path. Then, as we turned a corner, I looked up and gasped.
Before me lay the most glorious sight. It looked as though someone had taken a great vat of gold and poured it over the mountain peak and its surrounding slopes. The flowers were planted in majestic, swirling patterns, great ribbons and swaths of deep orange, creamy white, lemon yellow, salmon pink, and saffron and butter yellow. Each different-colored variety was planted in large groups so that it swirled and flowed like its own river with its own unique hue. There were five acres of flowers.
"Who did this?" I asked Carolyn.
"Just one woman," Carolyn answered. "She lives on the property. That's her home." Carolyn pointed to a well kept A-frame house, small and modestly sitting in the midst of all that glory. We walked up to the house. On the patio, we saw a poster. "Answers to the Questions I Know You Are Asking" was the headline.
The first answer was a simple one. "50,000 bulbs," it read.
The second answer was, "One at a time, by one woman. Two hands, two feet, and one brain."
The third answer was, "Began in 1958."
For me, that moment was a life-changing experience. I thought of this woman whom I had never met, who, more than forty years before, had begun, one bulb at a time, to bring her vision of beauty and joy to an obscure mountaintop.
Planting one bulb at a time, year after year, this unknown woman had forever changed the world in which she lived . One day at a time, she had created something of extraordinary magnificence, beauty, and inspiration. The principle her daffodil garden taught is one of the greatest principles of celebration.
That is, learning to move toward our goals and desires one step at a time--often just one baby-step at time--and learning to love the doing, learning to use the accumulation of time When we multiply tiny pieces of time with small increments of daily effort, we too will find we can accomplish magnificent things. We can change the world.
"It makes me sad in a way," I admitted to Carolyn. "What might I have accomplished if I had thought of a wonderful goal thirty-five or forty years ago and had worked away at it 'one bulb at a time' through all those years? Just think what I might have been able to achieve!"
My daughter summed up the message of the day in her usual direct way. "Start tomorrow," she said.
She was right. It's so pointless to think of t he lost hours of yesterdays. The way to make learning a lesson of celebration instead of a cause for regret is to only ask, "How can I put this to use today?"
Use the Daffodil Principle.
Stop waiting...
Until your car or home is paid off;
Until you get a new car or home;
Until your kids leave the house;
Until you go back to school;
Until you finish school;
Until you clean the house;
Until you organize the garage;
Until you clean off your desk;
Until you lose 10 lbs;
Until you gain 10 lbs;
Until you get married;
Until you get a divorce;
Until you have kids;
Until the kids go to school;
Until you retire;
Until summer;
Until spring;
Until winter;
Until fall;
Until you die...
There is no better time than right now to be happy.
Happiness is a journey, not a destination.
So work like you don't need money
Love like you've never been hurt, and
Dance like no one's watching .
Saturday, December 30, 2006
What will your dream boyfriend be like?
Your dream boyfriend will be a surfer. He'll be tanned, toned and laid back. This outdoorsy type is free spirited and lets it all hang out. His passion for surfing keeps him in perfect shape for you!
Quiz by JustGuys.net - Find Hot Guys. Take the quiz
What type of gay guy are you?
You are the committed type! You like to have one boy and you don't want to share him. You don't need anyone else but him. You're into being with him every night and no one else.
Quiz by JustGuys.net - Find Hot Guys. Take the quiz
Saturday
Here I am, sitting in a pile of unboxed Christmas crap, thinking about Psy-K and what comes next in several regards. I have to prepare for tomorrow's burning bowl and goal setting service. Tomorrow, I must clean up and prepare for the arrival of a few friends to hang out for Amateur night.
The last party in the Warwickshire house.
I've already organized things at the new place in my mind, what to paint, what colors in some cases, drapes, blinds, all sorts of things. My cars in the garage, the plants on the patio and a bunch MORE plants for the patio. How to pack and move. The whole shooting match.
Now, I'm looking forward to having this house behind me. It's been a struggle from the beginning. I've had excellent results OUT of the struggle, but I'm glad it's going into the past.
It's late, I need to walk Tyson, and then put myself into bed. Big Jeremy says he's coming over in the morning and going to church with me, but should I hold my breath? I dunno.
The last party in the Warwickshire house.
I've already organized things at the new place in my mind, what to paint, what colors in some cases, drapes, blinds, all sorts of things. My cars in the garage, the plants on the patio and a bunch MORE plants for the patio. How to pack and move. The whole shooting match.
Now, I'm looking forward to having this house behind me. It's been a struggle from the beginning. I've had excellent results OUT of the struggle, but I'm glad it's going into the past.
It's late, I need to walk Tyson, and then put myself into bed. Big Jeremy says he's coming over in the morning and going to church with me, but should I hold my breath? I dunno.
Thursday, December 28, 2006
A 7/4 year coming on my 3 life path
Tonight, I had a consultation with Cassandra, which was FABULOUS. She told me that I have a 3 life path, and that I have a 7/4 year coming on. Nose to the grind stone, organization (for me that would be organization to the extreme,) creativity expressed, lots of travel. We talked about different things in front of me, and she said that a change in environment would be the right thing. We talked about the choices in front of me, and she was most favorable about the townhouse I lived in all those years back.
I felt the same way about it to begin with.
So, I've decided to make my choice in that direction. I've already started visualizing what goes where. I'm going to put in Pella double paned windows, a higher efficiency air conditioner, new insulation in the attic, and a tankless water heater. The goal is to reduce the cost of living there to as close to just the annual taxes as possible.
And, this townhouse is something I can lock up behind me, set the alarm and leave for four days, or a week, or two weeks. No yard to maintain.
This is a property I could pay off within a couple of years.
And, sink the rest of the money I earn next year into travel, cash investments and development.
More to say about all of this later. I must to bed; leaving the house before 5:45 tomorrow morning.
I felt the same way about it to begin with.
So, I've decided to make my choice in that direction. I've already started visualizing what goes where. I'm going to put in Pella double paned windows, a higher efficiency air conditioner, new insulation in the attic, and a tankless water heater. The goal is to reduce the cost of living there to as close to just the annual taxes as possible.
And, this townhouse is something I can lock up behind me, set the alarm and leave for four days, or a week, or two weeks. No yard to maintain.
This is a property I could pay off within a couple of years.
And, sink the rest of the money I earn next year into travel, cash investments and development.
More to say about all of this later. I must to bed; leaving the house before 5:45 tomorrow morning.
Flu Stories: Bird Flu Deaths in 2006 Exceed Prior 3 Years Combined
Cross posted from Daily Kos
If you don't write about a problem, does it go away? Whether it's global warming, Afghanistan or H5N1 the answer is no. The headline is from Bloomberg:
Bird flu killed three members of a family in Egypt, pushing the number of fatalities worldwide this year to 79, more than reported in the previous three years combined...
"In the second half of 2006, there was a steep decline in the number of case reports, although similar declines occurred in 2004 and 2005, but were then followed by resurgences," the influenza team at the European Centre for Disease Surveillance and Control in Stockholm wrote in a Dec. 21 report in Eurosurveillance Weekly
Females are over-represented among H5N1 patients aged 10-29 years, possibly because it is usually young people and women who look after domestic poultry, the influenza team said.
``Human-to-human transmission, as indicated by cluster size, is still extremely inefficient, as it was a decade ago when the first human-to-human transmission took place in Hong Kong..."
The total number of infected is 261 worldwide, with the virus killing 157 as of today (a case fatality rate of 60%. In comparison, the devastating Spanish Flu of 1918 had a 2.5% CFR). So what's the big deal about a few hundred overseas cases? As John Oxford put it while reviewing Michael Greger's book on the topic:
However, the book fails to confront the question I am asked daily: "Why are you so worried about 151 deaths from H5N1?" Well, go back to 1916, to Etaples in northern France, where a form of flu causing heliotrope cyanosis (a characteristic lavender coloration of the face) with a case fatality of 60% was beginning to spread. There were 145 cases. At some point in the next two years it mutated to become more infectious and 30 times less virulent. Then it killed 50 million people. Doesn't this ring a nasty bell?
So are we doomed? Of course not. H5N1 may never become the pandemic strain (or it may), but some other influenza A inevitably will (pandemics happens about three times every century), with varying effects - just like category 5 hurricanes). The point of keeping up with the news is to remain aware, so that policy decisions that stray into the political realm become more understandable. And policy will be made.
For example, this is a previous diary on policy decisions being considered:
Okay, so it's Science Friday, but what's that got to do with politics? Well, if your local school board has to consider the ramifications of closing the schools for 8-12 weeks, shouldn't you be involved in the process? I'd think as a parent or as an employer you'd want to be.
Expect a policy announcement in January from the Feds on the topic of NPIs and community mitigation. Stay educated so you're in a position to be part of the process at the local level, where it counts. And recognoze that this isn't just an issue for specialty sites like Flu Wiki. This is an issue for all of us.
Why would folks want to close the schools? Because St. Louis did in 1918, and Philadelphia didn't. See slide from .pdf presentation by Ben Schwartz (HHS):
In fact, school closings are at the top of the pack of non-pharmaceutical interventions to discuss. So while old and tired comments about Rumsfeld and Tamiflu are still made, the discussion has moved beyond that.
Policy is coming down the pike. it will involve you and your community. The schools may be used to teach parents and kids about potential school closures and how to do modest preps and planning to function during that time frame, which could last weeks. None of that is accidental, and none of it is in a vacuum. So, the reason to stay abreast of the news is to understand that preparation needs to be done in advance of a pandemic, and not during. Like hurricane, blizzard and other disaster prep, it is insurance for that which we hope never happens, but sometimes does.
You can always learn more here. And knowledge is power, not hype.
Wednesday, December 27, 2006
Home again, home again
I came home to license plates! WHOO HOOO!
I de-CarMaxed Scarlett, and attached the license plates. Pasted that screwball Texas registration sticker to the windshield. The car looks a jillion times better without the advertising all over it.
And, it's still dirty. And needs floor mats. Which I'll order next week. This morning, I found a bunch of change stuck down near the driver seat track. So, I'll go mining for treasure later today.
I'm taking Christmas down tomorrow, and working a half day. I don't expect that there's much I can get done.
I de-CarMaxed Scarlett, and attached the license plates. Pasted that screwball Texas registration sticker to the windshield. The car looks a jillion times better without the advertising all over it.
And, it's still dirty. And needs floor mats. Which I'll order next week. This morning, I found a bunch of change stuck down near the driver seat track. So, I'll go mining for treasure later today.
I'm taking Christmas down tomorrow, and working a half day. I don't expect that there's much I can get done.
Tuesday, December 26, 2006
Christmas report
So, we went to Aunt Roxanne's for the day about 0930.. Corned beef, eggs, crescent rolls, etc. the 14 of them were all bellowing endlessly. They talk about nothing, and all chime in with repetitions and commentary. No one listens to anything anyone says, so a statement is repeated six times as each aunt catches on.
Then, we opened presents. That was fun, except that everyone continued to bellow over everyone else. My cousin JJ is the worst - she has to dominate everything.
Did I mention that these people are crazy?
Everyone sort of settled out, and we had some quiet time - say 75db or so. A friend of the family's stopped in, he's 91 and gets around well.
So, he's walking into the living room, trips on a game box (Scrabble) that someone thought would be well placed there instead of on the kitchen counter where it was.) down he goes like a Weeble. Hits his head on the corner of a heavy glass coffee table.
Thus, I'm at a local hospital ER with the 91 year old.
This seems to be my year for ER
Then, we opened presents. That was fun, except that everyone continued to bellow over everyone else. My cousin JJ is the worst - she has to dominate everything.
Did I mention that these people are crazy?
Everyone sort of settled out, and we had some quiet time - say 75db or so. A friend of the family's stopped in, he's 91 and gets around well.
So, he's walking into the living room, trips on a game box (Scrabble) that someone thought would be well placed there instead of on the kitchen counter where it was.) down he goes like a Weeble. Hits his head on the corner of a heavy glass coffee table.
Thus, I'm at a local hospital ER with the 91 year old.
This seems to be my year for ER
Saturday, December 23, 2006
Packed and packing
Listening to the rain, and watching "The Aviator." The new HD video cables made a huge difference in the picture quality, especially when the light has dimmed down.
Mark was in town for Christmas. He and I exchanged some emails; which advanced today to telephone calls and text messages, but his family schedule and my work schedule didn't mesh enough that we could meet up. He's going back home after next week.
Everything's all packed and ready for tomorrow. Tomorrow morning, John II is going to church with me, then taking me to the airport directly after church is over.
Three days in the family. Yowie. I'm packed up with gifts, but need wrapping paper. And gift cards.
The Merlin card is working and ready for use. The Treo is cleaned up and loaded with pictures and music. Headphones are packed; all three sets thereof. Computer games. Book to read. Journal to journal in. Bag's packing all rationalized finally.
Everything old is new again - shower door edition: after nine months here, I only yesterday got the shower door's hard water stains cleaned off. I tried everything, including some acid wash that PROMISED to clean hard water stains. Nothing made a dent.
Then, in my endless research about the Phaeton, I discovered an article that discussed the surfactant that's in car wash solution, which builds up on windshields and makes everything all smeary. They suggested using Bon Ami or Bar Keeper's Friend. I bought some for Scarlett's windshield (which was a slimy mess,) and it worked GREAT. Then, I brought it inside the house, and started using it on the stainless steel pans. AMAZING. The two quart saucepan that Joseph burned out back eight years ago cleaned RIGHT out. The stainless frying pan - clean as a whistle. I went to town on the pans. Cleaned the baking sheet, right out to the corners.
Finally, yesterday afternoon late, I used it to clean the inside of the shower door. It's clean as a WHISTLE. Holy cow!
Bar Keeper's friend. Get a case.
I need to go get the headphone attachment for the Treo out of the desk upstairs. And some AA batteries. And remember to pack the charger for the Treo and its headset.
Mark was in town for Christmas. He and I exchanged some emails; which advanced today to telephone calls and text messages, but his family schedule and my work schedule didn't mesh enough that we could meet up. He's going back home after next week.
Everything's all packed and ready for tomorrow. Tomorrow morning, John II is going to church with me, then taking me to the airport directly after church is over.
Three days in the family. Yowie. I'm packed up with gifts, but need wrapping paper. And gift cards.
The Merlin card is working and ready for use. The Treo is cleaned up and loaded with pictures and music. Headphones are packed; all three sets thereof. Computer games. Book to read. Journal to journal in. Bag's packing all rationalized finally.
Everything old is new again - shower door edition: after nine months here, I only yesterday got the shower door's hard water stains cleaned off. I tried everything, including some acid wash that PROMISED to clean hard water stains. Nothing made a dent.
Then, in my endless research about the Phaeton, I discovered an article that discussed the surfactant that's in car wash solution, which builds up on windshields and makes everything all smeary. They suggested using Bon Ami or Bar Keeper's Friend. I bought some for Scarlett's windshield (which was a slimy mess,) and it worked GREAT. Then, I brought it inside the house, and started using it on the stainless steel pans. AMAZING. The two quart saucepan that Joseph burned out back eight years ago cleaned RIGHT out. The stainless frying pan - clean as a whistle. I went to town on the pans. Cleaned the baking sheet, right out to the corners.
Finally, yesterday afternoon late, I used it to clean the inside of the shower door. It's clean as a WHISTLE. Holy cow!
Bar Keeper's friend. Get a case.
I need to go get the headphone attachment for the Treo out of the desk upstairs. And some AA batteries. And remember to pack the charger for the Treo and its headset.
a big, important piece
Many years ago, when I hadn't been driving a car for very long, my grandfather explained to me how to keep the car between the white lines on the road - how to drive confidently and smoothly: you focus down the road - the further the better. You are focusing on where you're going, and not where you are. Since you're focusing on where you're going instead of where you are, your efforts become more smooth and relaxed. You aren't making micro-corrections all of the time to adjust what may seem like obstructions and off course movements.
I took his advice, and my driving (most of the time) is quite smooth and workable. I've not had any sort of auto incident in years; since 1988.
Yesterday, John II and I were talking about drivers, and I re-told that story. Then, last night, I talked to Susan about the whole sales contract thing, and realizing that I love this house, and that there is a benefit in having the consciousness that things will work out just fine, and that this place isn't the be-all and end-all; there are other opportunities.
This morning, as I was meditating, it hit me - just as with driving a car, focusing on the apparent obstacles and miscues that are right here makes for unsmooth, unconfident choices and experience. Focusing further down the path brings more confidence, more opportunity, and more smoothness.
Implemented immediately.
I took his advice, and my driving (most of the time) is quite smooth and workable. I've not had any sort of auto incident in years; since 1988.
Yesterday, John II and I were talking about drivers, and I re-told that story. Then, last night, I talked to Susan about the whole sales contract thing, and realizing that I love this house, and that there is a benefit in having the consciousness that things will work out just fine, and that this place isn't the be-all and end-all; there are other opportunities.
This morning, as I was meditating, it hit me - just as with driving a car, focusing on the apparent obstacles and miscues that are right here makes for unsmooth, unconfident choices and experience. Focusing further down the path brings more confidence, more opportunity, and more smoothness.
Implemented immediately.
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