Weight and Truth

 Friday has arrived.  This is the last of 6 consecutive days off.  Tomorrow, I go back to work for 3 days.  Over the next couple of weeks, I'm being scheduled 3 days on, and 4 days off.  That's fine with me.  Business is slow, or at least it has been.  Prior to the pandemic, this time of year we would have been busy.  Warm weather translated to higher sales.  Trendy people thought about 'curb appeal,' mostly because HGTV told them this was important.  I've never fallen into that trap.  I don't need my house to look stunningly perfect.  

My trip to the VA went fine.  My bloodwork is in good shape.  I had a substitute doctor; my regular guy was at a funeral.  So instead of chit-chatting, I was shown graphs and told 'this is very good,' several times.  Normally, they give me a print-off.  That didn't happen, so I'll print them off later this morning.

Biggie's bloodwork, like mine, was fine.  They've approved his Carprofen for another 6 months.  His Vet wants him to have bloodwork again in November.  Oh, and they want him to 'fast' before it's drawn.  That will be difficult.

Oh, and I went to the movies last night to see The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent, and I thoroughly enjoyed it.  Like so many other people, I am not a big Nick Cage fan, so there was trepidation.  Let's be honest, Cage's filmography is filled with titles that continually make you wonder just what the hell was he thinking.  That same thinking also applies to his personal life, but that's a different subject. 

Anyway, the idea of a self-obsessed actor playing a fictional (?) version of himself is... intriguing.  Most of us can only take so much of Nick Cage.  To be perfectly honest, the film succeeds not because of Cage, but because of Pablo Pascal, his co-star.  Javi's entrance flips the movie onto its head, and rather than a film about a fictional Nick Cage and his ego, it spins into a new direction.  Suddenly, it becomes a film about 2 cinephiles writing a movie about their friendship.  The chemistry between Cage and Pascal is very good, their comedic timing is almost impeccable as they play off each other.  They are very, very funny.

Finally, I don't know about you, but I think another really funny thing going on right now is the feud between Marjorie (I hate Catholics) Taylor something or other, and Bill Donohue (sp) is pretty damn hysterical.  He's a self-righteous loser who is in charge of the ultra-conservative Catholic League (sp), and he's pissed because she said Catholics were being run by Satan.  Of course, Billy boy is terribly upset.  He believed Evangelicals saw Catholics as equals.  Wrong.  While Evangelicals will encourage Catholics to vote Republican, they want nothing to do with them.  Your average protestant sees the catholic as a heretic.  Your average evangelical sees them as being damned to Hell.  This is a truth Billy boy will never understand.

Not Lost at All

 Well, I slept in again this morning and I didn't stay up late.  Over 7 hours of sleep which is rare for me.  I did go for a ride yesterday, so I'm going to use that as an excuse.  I did wake up to another fresh loaf of Italian bread.  One loaf lasts me about a week.

I am going to make an appointment to have my back checked out, not that it bothers me that much, but it's been about 6 years since I last saw my specialist.  And, as with all medical things, I'm going to transition to the VA.  Medicare covers some of the expense, and the VA covers just about everything else.  For example, when I had my hernia surgery my total out of pocket was $50.  That's way less expensive then the $2500 other people on Medicare have to pay.

And they're now calling for boosters shots to help with the fight against Covid.  Don't worry, I'm basically already in line.  The Delta variant is a lot like the chicken pox, if you're not vaccinated, you're going to be infected sooner or later, for most, infection will happen sooner. This doesn't bother me.  To be honest, I'm rather anticipating the infection of certain anti-vaxxers suspecting this is the only way to actually shut them up.

And wasn't that a shit show from Kabul yesterday?  This is what it reminded me of:

Everybody started pointing fingers.  Everybody started jumping to conclusions.  We were going to be leaving all those thousands of people behind to be slaughtered by the Taliban.  However, this morning the picture has changed.  Normal evacuation flights have resumed.  We are flying those who have helped us to safety.  In fact, I understand little Stevie Miller is throwing a hissy fit because the Biden Administration is going to be bring 22,000 to 30,000 Afghan immigrants to our shores.  We know how much Stevie hates brown skinned immigrants.  I'll bet he threw what my grandmother would have called a conniption when the census numbers began rolling out.  

Balance

I accomplished much yesterday.  Hey, I even got my lawn mowed!  During a drizzle!  Took an 11.83 mile ride in Bavaria - that was ok, the first half was downhill which does nothing for strengthening legs or burning calories. 

 Worked on the aquarium.  I cut back the plants.  They're growing like pizazz!  If I'm not careful, they will fill up the tank.  Here's what it looks like now.  The angelfish are over 4 inches from top to bottom.

I sent an email to the VA yesterday morning in which I politely detailed my disappointment with their performance.  Around 1100 I received a phone call from a scheduler to make an appointment.  At this point, my shoulder doesn't feel that bad, so I declined.  However, she did give me her extension so if ever "this sort of breakdown in communications" happens again, I can reach out to her.  I'm wondering if this breakdown is rather common.

Damn, I have a mosquito bite on my left elbow and it itches like hell.  

Oh, and I don't know if any of you saw, but China says they are now our equals.  If this is true, you can blame the Republicans. In case you haven't noticed, the only thing they've been concerned about for years has been to push their social conservativism into every American home.  Science is important.  Covid comes along and they turned away from science.  They have been more concerned with putting the 10 Commandments back into classrooms, then they have of scientific advancement.  Now we are in a struggle to keep from falling behind.

Also, sanctions against Russia were announced this morning.  I suspect they're not happy.  Uncle Joe's not going to kiss Putin's ass like Loser #45.  He knows a dictator when he sees one.

And finally... legislation has been introduced in both the House and Senate to increase the number of judges on the Supreme Court to 13.  It'll may never happen.  But what it does do is send a clear and concise message to the court.   If you try and change a largely, centrist country conservative to satisfy your on personal beliefs, we will change you.  There must be balance.

Charting the Way

 Well, a good Saturday morning to you all.  This is my version of Friday.  I have four (4) days off beginning around 7(PM) this evening.  To celebrate, I've already begun separating my laundry.  

I didn't receive a response from the VA yesterday, so I'll call them again this morning.  While the process is frustrating at times, I must admit applying pressure to force them into activity is not unsatisfying.  Perhaps this is a result of my years in customer service, knowing which pins and needles work for customers to get what they want provides me with an advantage.  Truly, I do believe we should all enjoy injecting responsibility into those who fail to understand their irresponsible actions can have an effect on many, many people.  I will jab them a little more in an hour or so with another voice mail; they're closed on weekends.

We've begun selling a new hardwood product:  Malibu Wide Planks.  It's very grainy with a matte finish.  I wouldn't put it in my house because I have dogs.  The graininess, you know?  There are so many little pores waiting to trap dirt.  Kids have the same problem, except kids don't run through shit... well, sometimes they do.

As I leave work this evening, I'll see if they've gotten any of the veggie plants in I'm looking for.  Scores of lawn tractors and gas grills are waiting to be sold, a beefsteak tomato plant?  Nope.  No pepper plants, either.  And I thought this year I might do eggplant as well.  Of course, there is the possibility I may a bit over anxious to put things in the ground.  Perhaps I should demonstrate a little restraint and follow this chart.

And of course, to the slight consternation of Social Conservatives, Biden announced the formation of a committee to study the effects of expanding the Supreme Court yesterday.  Consternation... I like that word.  I do wonder if this is a serious endeavor on the part of the administration, or just a way to apply pressure on those conservative justices the Republicans tried to shove down America's throat.  I do like the idea of term limits.  That would be a way of eliminating the choke put on the country by a minority group, of course, it would take time.  I mean, I wouldn't be opposed to adding three more seats to the bench.  Given the opportunity, the Cracker Jack Crazies will ruin this country.  Look at the damage they die with Loser #45.

No fixing stupid

 Crap, I get to go back to work for 4 days... and the weather is supposed to be beautiful.  Today they're predicting a high of around 76 (F), which is around the perfect temperature.  In 5 days, however, when I have a mini-vacation, the temps are supposed to drop back into the 60's.  Ah, well, nighttime temps are still going to stay above freezing.  Let's hope they get the veggies in soon at the store.

I've begun the process of getting someone to see my shoulder... not the easiest thing during a pandemic.  With the VA there's no simple way to do things.  Firstly, I need to arrange for a consultation and it is that (hopefully) face to face which will be used to schedule an appointment with orthopedics.

I made oriental meatballs yesterday with lots of ginger and garlic.  They will be my lunch today and tomorrow.  I always use real garlic, rather then the salt of the powder.  If you're like me, you know that you can't use every clove in a head of garlic.  There are little ones left over, too small to chop or mince.  So, here's a bit of Dave's advice on what to do with those little cloves.  Take a pokey thing (tool) and make a hole in the ground.  Shove in the clove and cover.  And wait.  Once you see it sprouting, you know it's busily making other cloves.

And yesterday I shared a picture of my peach blossoms.  Today it's the nectarine tree.  There are lots of blossoms.  Last year the squirrels got them all.  Let's hope that doesn't happen this year.

I saw where little Stevie Miller, Loser #45's favorite racist has formed a group to fight against the ACLU when they take a case to court.  He's another loser.  This man's going to die a bitter, old man in an ever shrinking community of biased, hateful white men.  Good.

Oh, and there was an amusing article in the Washington Post yesterday regarding the 2 groups who are refusing to get vaccinated.  Not surprisingly, they are the Republicans and the White Evangelicals.  Did you see what I just did?  I named one specific group, not two.  Yes sir, I am talking about one group whos buffooneries amazing.  Obviously they don't understand the virus will take advantage of their unprotected state.  Unable to infect those who have had their shot (s), and since natural immunity is only good for 6 - 8 months, Covid will continue to circulate among them, making them sick over and over again.  Oh, well, you just can fix stupid.

The Quickie

 Just some fast words this morning... well, the words themselves aren't fast, I'm just putting them here in what might be record time.

I received a test yesterday from the VA asking if I wanted to sign up for a Covid vaccine.  I texted my response 'yes' a few seconds later.  That initiated a game of Text Tag, me against the machine.  I receive a texted time and date, I'd reply, and instead of a Congrats, I get another date and time texted to me.  The Congrats came about 40 minutes into this game.  I will be getting my first Covid vaccine shot this morning at 0930.  I work, of course, but was told Go Get The Shot!  I don't know which one I'm getting, but at this point I don't really care.

And what about Lou Dobbs getting his ass fired from Fox News?  What I saw was a statement that he will not be back on the air...  Son of a bitch.  And only one day after Fox got sued.  I wonder if Maria B's going to sing some little ditty on air about how Trump is a lying sack of shit from Hell, or if she's getting the ax too.  And Jeanne P's in the same sinking boat.  And you can't help but wonder how many other Dominion has on the target.  Perhaps a couple of Trump's kids.  Ouch.

Bankrupt? Again?

 I do believe today is Wednesday.  I have not quite hit my hump day... that happens tomorrow.  I am looking forward to my approaching 3 day weekend.  Balancing that, however, is the fact that after that 3 days, I'm scheduled to work 6 days.  Bah.

I'm scheduled for an eye appointment for Monday.  I'm going to cancel.  Yeah, I know I pissed and moaned about the VA cancelling my previous 2 appointments, there is a 'however'... however.  You see, my Mom went to The Leading Edge eye clinic.  Twice I took her to appointments.  Neither time was I impressed.  My Mom liked the doctors, mostly I think because they catered to her.  They also convinced her to set herself up for the monthly purchase of an eye care supplement, something she was told would help with her Macular Degeneration... except my Mom didn't really have the serious Macular Degeneration which steals your sight.  She had old age.  Instead of just telling her this was part of the eye's aging process, they wanted her to spend some of her fixed income on a supplement.

AstraZeneca has put their vaccine program on hold... someone got sick.  Woah.  This is not what the Idiot Jerk in the White House wants to hear.  Nope, not at all.  Not that he really cares is people get sick from a vaccine rushed to market so he can improve his sinking chances of re-election.  He is desperately trying to keep America from firing his blighted ass.  Not that he has ever demonstrated any concern for human life.

And that lie of his about using his own money to fund his campaign?  Only the brain dead of his base will believe that.  He will do what he's always done when he finds himself in a money losing situation... cut his losses.  Six bankruptcies, remember?  He's a failed businessman.  He will borrow as much as he can from his Russian friends.  The only one he is loyal to is himself so at some point he will weigh the cost.  As always, he will save his own ass at the expense of others.  His maybe the first campaign in the history of American politics to file for bankruptcy.

Blue on Top

Well, the first thing I had to do this morning was eliminate some Illuminati comments because some dumb shit doesn't realize I moderate my comments because of people like him... her...  It always feels good to clean house.

My appointment with the VA to go over the results of my bloodwork is being cancelled.  My new doctor only wants to do phone visit. I received this email from her assistant:  she will be canceling your appointment due to world wide VA COVID health standards during this time. Maybe in a few months, she added.  I'm not upset.  The results will be posted for me to see in about a week.  I have my results for the past 2 years and they've been spot on, if there's any variation I'll call the VA in Lebanon. 

In case you didn't see it, Biden called the Idiot Jerk in the White House a racist.  The only ones who don't believe Biden are the White Republicans.  They don't care.  Remember, in their minds, everybody else is wrong.

And I find it interesting that more and more Red states are making the use of masks mandatory.  I'm sure his base must be freaking out.  Red governors, like DeSantis in Florida and Kemp in Georgia have no idea how quickly their careers are going to come to an end.  

Federal agents are now being sent to more cities.  This should come as no surprise to anybody as the Idiot Jerk in the White house makes another desperate attempt to improve his approval rating.  This will backfire because of the Wall of Moms.  He is tanking in the polls, big time, partially because he is, as Biden said, a racist, but mostly because of his handling of the pandemic.  He is an unsuccessful businessman who's been making bad decisions most of his life, and many, many others have paid the price.  That's what's happening now.  Like the failed magician, he's trying to pull a little flawed slight of hand and divert attention elsewhere... and he's failing.  The body counts are going up in Trumpland.  

I find the blue on top rather symbolic.

Using Nazi Tactics

Oh, my, it's Thursday.  They're forecasting hot and humid (upper 80's F) and possibly more thunderstorms.  We had one late yesterday morning while I was at work, but last evening they all skirted around Enola.  There was thunder in all compass directions but never any overhead.

The VA gave me an excuse and an offer.  The excuse: last summer 2 Optometrists quit at the Cumberland Valley facility and they chose not to replace them thinking patients would move to Civilian Providers.  The offer: to start the paperwork letting me move to a Civilian Provider while allowing me to keep my VA pricing benefit.  I said:  Start the Paperwork.  This is evidently what they wanted to happen, however they failed in their promulgation of this information to Veterans.  My PCP hasn't changed, just the eye work.

A Big Thanks!! to my Readers for giving my books Good Reviews.  I haven't figured out how to shoot off fireworks around photos yet on the new version of Blogger so words will have to do for now.

I have the Central Air on because the humidity is already wretchedly high.

Last evening I spent some time with Nick Baker learning about the forests of Scotland.

The setting for Dun Adair is important.  At first I thought of locating the castle in the Upland Oakwoods.  I found something about the Pedunculate Oak intriguing.  In the end, I chose the Wet Woodlands since they surround Lochs.  Now my characters will be moving beneath Alder, Downy Birch, and Willow trees, and... of course, in the Wet Woodlands there is... fog.

By now everybody's read, or heard what Mad Dog Mattis has to say about the Idiot Jerk in the White House.  That shrieking sound you might be hearing is every molecule of air rushing out of Republican lungs at a high rate of speed.  I liked the bit where he said this president is using Nazi tactics to divide America.  Can you hear those Republican screams?  They're growing louder daily.  Wisely, Mattis did not specifically call him a Nazi.  That would be an instant failure since no one can be as bad as Hitler.  He did, however, use the term Nazi Tactics.  This administration has just lurched into a death spiral.  The stampede will begin shortly.  

He fingers... she speaks

So, yesterday I drove down to the Lebanon VA Hospital to speak to my surgeon.  Interestingly, he told me that my hernia was old, that I'd had it for some time, and that my going to the gym regularly, strength training, and extensive bits of cardio had exacerbated the problem.  What ever... it's getting fixed on November 14, which is 6 days after my birthday.  What I have to look forward to is 2 days of discomfort, 12 days of Rest and Relaxation, and then 2 more weeks before I'm fit enough to start hitting the gym again.  I cannot wait.
After my consultation, I stopped in to take a pee and saw large poster of an attractive man holding an ax posted above the urinal.  What caught my eye was the headline:  Don't fear the finger.

Now, even though this was meant to be taken seriously, I had to laugh, in fact, I'm still laughing.  In fact, I suspect there are a lot of men out there, both gay and straight, who will be laughing with me.

Oh, and evidently Rex Tillerson may, or may not have, called the Idiot Jerk in the White House a moron.  An article in the Washington Post pretty much indicates that because this is making headlines, it's a pretty good indicator that he is in a death spiral.  We all know that the Idiot Jerk is cursed with an horrendous ego problem, and he must find the idea that one of his cabinet members my possibly have called him a moron must be shattering.  As I said to Rozzie, maybe we should start a pool, wagering which rat will jump ship next.
And here's a bit more of Assassins Creed, Origins.  Cleopatra speaks.  Gaming is not what you think it is.

Don't you wish you could ski down a pyramid like that?

Fasting?

Well, I'm going to have blood drawn to day at work.  Yeah, it's one of those evils that comes with my job, especially if I want that old discount on my insurance.  This means they want me to fast... for 9 hours... and drink plenty of water.....  Right.  I began going to the VA for my health care about a month ago.  They're very good.  They're cheap.  The only reason I didn't dump my work insurance is because I have a specialist or two I feel comfortable with and didn't want to change.  Dr Wabnick, from the VA, is working to get my cholesterol down, and my blood pressure.  This is how it goes.

Anyway, I'm not fasting.  I ate breakfast.  Also coffee with whole milk.  As I said, the only reason I'm going through with this is for the discount, which will knock over $600 off of my insurance payments this year.  And, of course, when they ask me if I've been fasting I'll lie.  I'll say "yeah, stick me with your little needle."  The things we do to save a buck.

Cholesterol Hell

So, yesterday I was off work and at 0720 I was at the VA clinic in Camp Hill to have blood work done... and the results are in already.  They just called.  My total cholesterol is at 240.  That's at the tip of being considered bad.  I've always been borderline, mainly because I don't eat low fat.  Or, if I do, I only eat low fat rarely.  This means I drink whole milk, which has a lot of flavor, not 2% which has 98% less flavor.  There are people out there who will say that it tastes the same.  They are wrong.
Four years ago I could eat a gallon of ice cream a week without much of a problem - I have good genes.  What changed?  Well, I did get older, no stopping that, but more importantly, my scheduled changed.  I stepped out of the HR position and moved to the sales floor.  Where as back then I rode bicycle, lifted weights, and all sorts of good exercise stuff, now I do so rarely.  Back then my schedule was fixed, almost every weekend off.  Now is fully flex - on the scheduled which was just published, Monday I'm in at 0900, Tuesday I'm there at 0500, Wednesday I'm in at 0900, Thursday I'm in at 0500, and Saturday I close the store.  And the following week it's going to be different.  Try getting an exercise routine going with a schedule like that.

I'd originally set February as the date I was going to step out of management... I think I start the talks on Monday.  Of course, till everything is said and done, March might actually be the month I step down.   I can't wait.