86400 Seconds

This equates to 1440 minutes.  These measure compose the length of time in a day.  While we all know that there is not enough time in the day, or our lives there is no way (that I have heard of but if someone wants to share) on how to make more time in the day.  Now, I as many people have wanted to or other people have wanted to clone myself.  That is until they figured out they couldn't afford me as it was.  Personally, I would hate to think of two me (and some of you) running lose in the world, despite the benefits.

Since there is no way that I know of, still waiting to learn, to make more time about the only thing we can do as everyone knows it make better use of the time we have.  IMHO one of the easiest things we can do is to quit trying to force our will or desires to make things happen!  For the longest time, I did not realize this and tried to force everything into the way that I wanted it when I wanted it.  Now this is not to mean that a person should just sit back and do nothing, waiting on things to happen.  You have to make you desires known, clearly and distinctly.

The success of the world, or as the world defines it, is not truly success but an even bigger illusion.  Success is an internal thing, how and what you judge it to be.  Do not waste your life chasing pursuits and dreams for someone else that will only serve to leave you open, wondering and wanting in the end.  Do not give in to the dreams of others but follow your own.

Mystical

Life has been good to me, in many ways I have lived a full life that most people can only imagine.  On more than one occasion I have been called mysterious.  Of course I am, I am a Scorpio, aren't we supposed to be mystical creatures?  It is safe to say that I have never followed the norm.  Often taking the path less traveled, and on occasion blazing a path where no one has been.

At times, I view it as a curse and other times it is a blessing.  One of the things that I have always been curious about is the mysteries of life and how to live life.  For this reason, I have exposed myself to practically every common religion known and some probably not so common.  At times, I have given thoughts to converting to a few because they most closely align with my thoughts and beliefs.  Through it all and over the years, I never accepted one religion as my own and have many times been 'accused' of practicing "Kevinology."  Now I must admit in my egotistical ways, I kind of like the sound of that but it is not what I am about, more so as time goes on.

Rather it be because people know me, or come to know me, I get in a lot of 'religion' based conversations or have a lot of questions asked of me.  While I am no expert on this topic by any means I feel that I can hold my own.  Also, through the questions and conversations I learn a lot sometimes.

Through all my experiences, it seems that most (all?) religions speak of the same basic thing.  To 'get' to the Creator, (God, Alllah, Buddha, etc), whatever name you are comfortable with.  The 'means' for getting 'home' are largely the same as well regardless of the preferred religion.  Live a good life.  Though the meaning of that may differ from one religion to the other.  Essentially the message is the same from religion to religion, love, peace, tranquility, compassion and charity.  Live your life good so that in the end you meet you 'maker.'  Sister Theresa, once said something along the lines of, we are all striving to reach the same mountain top, we are just taking different paths.  I pray and hope that you find your path.

Increasingly it seems that I encounter those who have questions.  Some of these people seem to be questioning different dogmas, laws and rules.  The greatest wealth I have to offer is let your faith be your religion, not you faith your religion.  What do you believe?  The mount (goal) is basically the same in the end, live your life right, remember and practice the Golden Rue.  This is so simple but can be made so complicated, Love as you want to be Loved, do not attempt to take advantage of others, be diligent, be conscious of the things you do and the affect they have on others, now and in the future.

Computer Technology

The world of computers, hardware and software can be baffling especially if you aren't a 'techie geek.'  I have been in IT (and everything it has morphed from) since 1979.  Sometimes I feel like the mechanic in the neighborhood and have probably been asked many of the same questions time and again.  There are so many parts, so many questions most people don't know where to start or the tools that are available to them.  Hopefully I can help out some here and provide some answers to your burning questions.  If I am not answering your question, send it to me and I'll do my best to answer it.

Time Passes

She sits lounging peacefully in her chair,
Lost in the memories of her little boy,
When he came home so small, so little hair,
She smiles with the thought of his first toy.
\Once so small, now past her shoulder,
The years have gone by so quick,
Now so big he feels he could move a boulder,
Still sometimes she feels he needs a good kick.
\As time passes fears turn to tears,
As experience she feared he has come to know,
Down her face slides a single tear from her continuing fears,
For her concern continues and her love will always grow.
\Always she fought to teach him right from wrong,
To provide the love and care that were his needs,
His time to move on would come before long,
To learn, to grow, to continue sowing his seeds.

A new section?

It seems that more and more people have and interest in these topics along with the word green.  Now the color green was never one of my favorite colors but the new meaning of the word is right up my alley.  Maybe I'll start a "Green Section" but for now this section of the blog is for natural and holistic remedies.  This is something that has meant something to me for the past several years and the more I 'live' it the happier I am with the outcome.  Even if you do not subscribe to natural and organic, you can improve your health just reading and understanding the labels of the food that you buy! 

It is important to take charge of your health (even more important to me these days) and be aware of what you and others say is okay with your body.  There is a lot of danger lurking 'out there' and tons of 'people' telling you how safe and good it is for you.  To that I laugh and seek to share what I know and find for you to digest for your personal use and to share with others as you see fit!  As always any information you find here is for information and education only.  It is not an endorsement (unless I state otherwise) and it is not be taken as professional advice.  Always consult the professionals before you ingest something or change your lifestyle.  In other words, I won't be and can't be responsible if you hurt yourself after reading anything on the 'site.'

Okay, I realize  I need to change my eating habits, as we all do, but at this point I am ready to break out for a meal.  What I wouldn’t do for my own kitchen!  Each passing day though confirms in my mind that this place is akin to life on the aircraft carrier!  The age group has changed a little, as have the sounds you hear down the halls at night but you put a group of people in a confined space and they lose all judgment about how to act and treat other people!  It is my good fortune to be ‘tucked’ in a room at the end of the hall where it is relatively quiet.

Today was kind of novel for me, out of the blue a social worker showed up to meet with me.  While I new I needed an assessment, I didn’t know when or how.  Well today was the when and here was the how.  One of the questions I was asked is what I need to which I replied a JOB!  Within a matter of minutes after I the social worker left, she was calling me back with information for a JOB.  Of course I am trying not to be excited until the ‘ink dries on the paper” but it hard not to be! 

One of the hardest things about this type of illness, or probably any catastrophic illness, compounded by the ‘seclusion’ a place like this is at some point the patient will probably undergo some type of depression.  Whew did I a couple of months back.  I must have thought of everything imaginable to ‘no longer be a burden or uncertain.’  Today though, there seems to be a glimmer of hope and I can’t imagine ever going through that ‘phase again.’

Be sure to remember every day is a blessing!

Catch More Flies

This has been an experience, some good and some bad.  During the short span of time, I have had the occasion to meet a number of people from a number of different backgrounds.  All of them have imparted knowledge and wisdom to me in some way.  The majority it seem, no matter their background or past all have one basic desire - for people to be nicer and more respectful - both to themselves and them. 

The world has changed and continues to change - for in fact change is the only constant there is and we can be ascertain it will take place.  The change that occurs though is in all of us and we control how the change forms.  It is a collective change though each one of us individually can help to shape it, control its outcome. 

Listening to different people in different places and different situations I notice that many people do not know, or choose not to be kind and respectful to others.  Often times they are not kind or respectful to themselves either for whatever reason(s).  They should be for we are all the same, each and every one of us.

Often times I wonder if they even teach some of the sayings that I learned in school like - The Golden Rule ‘do unto others as you would have them do to you,’ ‘share and share alike,’ for example.  These seem to be such simple words, simple sayings but so powerful.  The old adage, ‘you can catch more flies with honey than you can with vinegar,’ is as true today as the day the saying was first uttered.

Most everyone has probably observed this in their lives and in some instances acted upon it.  There are times when people turn to vinegar because it seems the only way to get their point across or gets someone’s attention.  Try using a softer, kinder tone of voice.

As the saying goes, ‘Practice Random Acts of Kindness.’

B-I-N-G-O

It is day four in the facility, I haven’t written about it in the last couple of days while getting settled in to the routine.  What I have figured out thus far in order to survive the monotony of it all is to liken to life on an aircraft carrier, similar to the one I once served on.  The space is limited, you are ‘confined’, the people are the same day in and day out, and it is the same shit just a different day.  Want to change places?

The last four days have been largely spent in my room.  The first day I was here, I had dinner in the dining room but since that time (the first meal), I have been dining in my room.  The thing that I learned at that meal, is the same thing I have learned is the same all over, conversation is limited, for a lot of reasons.

The meals, both food and company wise are nothing like what I have experienced in the past and make me appreciate the ‘old days’ all that much more!  Conversation over a great meal with great company is irreplaceable.  Fewer people should dine alone, and when dining in a group enjoy the conversation! And the meal.

Thus far, the biggest  social activity I have seen is the ‘daily’ and ‘nightly’ Bingo games.  Hey, now I have nothing against Bingo, but the biggest prizes were 12 packs of soda and packs of candy, two of things I have sworn off and that are taboo to me.

Where it not for my laptop and an Internet connection, I would have less hair than I do for I am sure I would pull it all out from boredom!  As it is, it provides a great source of entertainment and a valuable resource.  Thank goodness for a good music and video collection, wireless head phones, a laptop and the Internet!

In the last day or two, I found out I will be seeing the doctor later this week which I am extremely anxious for!  I am excited to hear his assessment and the game plan.  This should be interesting!  More about that later I am sure.  It is important to me to get a long range ‘game plan’ into place here.  The last thing I want is to end up like some of the residents that have been here for years!

Hey but they are having a banana split ‘social’ later this afternoon.  Again, it is taboo to me! 

Day One - Part Two

My stress level is pretty high right now, there is so much going on and so much change.  The change is not the same of any I have known before and which most people do not go through at such things at this age, if ever.  It is now 9:19 pm and sleep seems hours away and I wonder how to fill my time.  No TV, no Internet and the external hard drive with my movies on it in the closet on the other side of the room.  Not that it is a big deal but I am trying to be considerate of my new ‘room mate.’  After all no need to piss him off the first day that I am here!

My ‘angel,’ Sharon, came back up tonight to bring me ‘my’ chair, ottoman and laptop table.  A configuration I have spent so much time at over the years as I worked on so many projects along the way.  It is almost the perfect setup for working on the computer.  My ideal situation would be to modify a dentist chair but at this time I am so glad that I do not have one to haul around.

Back to Sharon, I really do not say enough about her as she has done so much and helped me out immensely during this time, since my stroke.  Without her, I for sure would be on the streets or worse.  Hopefully she realizes how stressed I am right now with so much going on and will forgive me my short temper.  This is all so new and so many things to learn and experience.

Earlier while Sharon and I set on the patio visiting (and smoking of course),  the head nurse came around to visit with me.  It was not a social visit though, more so it was to continue the assessment and make sure the transition to the ’new’ home is a success.  Again, I am left to wonder about the inefficiencies in human kind.  Again, I am answering the same questions I must have been asked and answered at least a dozen times over the last six months.  Isn’t there some why to at least standardize the questions?

  The temperature has ‘fallen’ to 78.7 (Fahrenheit) in my room!  Another 10 degrees and I would be extremely happy,  If I didn’t have to get dressed and put my shoes on to go outside and smoke I would be happy!  Not really, one of my intents is to quit smoking in the next few weeks and this is definitely a deterrent along with all that much more reason to quit.  Be sure to include me in your thoughts and prayers to quit, along with sending your words of encouragement for me to quit and why I should.

Another assessment, this time to notate identifying marks on my body.  Wow, how many times I have answered those questions over the course of my lifetime starting with the Navy all too many years ago.  Along with the several tattoos that I have, I once contemplated getting an odometer tattooed on my arm.  That was until I had a dream that the number started clicking by uncontrollably adding to the miles on my body!  That notion for a tattoo didn’t last very long.

Well it is just past ten o’clock now and it seems that most folks here head to their rooms and ‘quiet’ down early.   Walking down the halls you can hear the blaring TV’s and radios intermixed with the moans and screams of seeming agony from some resident’s.  For the most part though it is quiet.  A trip to the patio, yes again, found it empty and I am wondering if the patio will be my nigh time sanctuary, me and my laptop!

I am gone now for the evening, I think, it could be that I return later, you just never know.  It has dropped 4/10’s of a degree to 78.3.

Day One

Here it is, the first day at my new ‘home.’  Wow is my first impression.  The only thing I can compare it to is my experience in the Navy the only big difference is that there are two people to room instead of many. No privacy and no room would be the two things I would use to sum it up!  Laughingly, I think about all the clothes and stuff, I once had, and the amount of things that I still have.  There is no way that it will all fit!

The first day is spent essentially getting settled in and ‘signing your life away’ while completing all the necessary applications and forms.  Since I am moving from one state (Missouri) to another (Kansas) there are more applications to submit.  It seems funny to me that states can ‘standardize’ standardize driver’s licenses and nearly all other ‘official’ documents to track you but they cannot make health records or laws standard from one to the other.

Other things that were different, between the ship and this room, the TEMPERATURE, for one.  It was 81+ when I first got in here.  Being a hot blooded creature, that is way beyond my comfort zone!  Thankfully, I thought to bring a fan, the temp is now some where around 79 degrees.  I wonder how I will ever sleep tonight with it being that warm.  Of course, being ‘in public’ I will have to sleep with clothes on only to add to the temperature.

The other thing that is really a bummer is no Internet access, so I am typing this in my word processor and will have to cut and paste it into my blog later.  Hopefully, so I am told I should be able to get access to the Internet tomorrow.  I certainly, hope so, tomorrow is Friday and I cannot imagine going all weekend without access!  Of course when I was in the Navy, Internet access was not a concern since it was not a big deal then.  It is my understanding that they have it on ships these days.  Man, that would be plush!

Dinner time!  Sweet that the staff comes and announces dinner time and asks if you want to eat in your room.  This evening, I chose not to eat in my room since it is my first meal at the facility.  My whole time here (about three hours at this point - woohoo!), I have yet to see anyone close to my age other than the staff!  So I make my way to the dining area and not knowing the layout or how things work, I grab a seat.  It is at this time, I get to meet y second residence (more about the first soon).

So I get meet sweet Lilly, a women that has to be older than my grandmother.  Now not that I have a thing against people older than me, I can converser and be nice to anyone!  The ‘problem’ came as a result of conversation, or the lack of.  The conversation consisted of my helping her scoot closer to the table and giving her my butter!

Now on the way back to my room after dinner, one of the dietary aides snags me and drags me into rehab right across from my room.  Nope get your mind out of the gutter, it was nothing like that, merely a visit to get my weight.  Undoubtedly room to take off a few pounds!  Of course, that should be much easier after the meal I just had.  Being fully clothed and having just ate of course I was heavier than I thought!

Now I had learned that I was going to be assigned to this room.  It seems that they had been ‘waiting’ to assign someone to this room to room with the current occupant.  It seems from what I heard have been told (and experienced thus far) the gentleman is something of a ‘recluse.“  One the staff thought I might be well ‘matched’ with.  Come on now, I ask you do I seem like a recluse?  Of course there are some advantages I suppose, but time will tell I am sure.

Well, I just got to meet the ‘night time’ activity manager, a nice enough lady. She was coming by to introduce herself and invite me to play bingo, at which I could win twelve packs of soda (I don’t drink it) and win candy (don’t eat it).  Okay time for me to take a break and go outside to partake of my sanity, errr I mean nasty habit.  I am going to smoke!  More later.

Everything in Moderartion

One of my favorite quotes is 'Everything in moderation, even excessiveness'  Many are the times I have repeated that quote and even tried to live it to a large degree in my life.  At times it seems that I have been more prone to live excessively in some regards but as I mature, it seems that I adhere more and more.

One of the reasons that I like and try to live by this quote is because almost on a daily basis you can hear how 'this and that' are bad for you and should be avoided.  The list is expansive and seemingly ever changing; coffee, tea, eggs, mother's breast milk, alcohol, and on and on.  If you wait long enough the story will change and soon you should be imbibing whatever, just in moderation.  Once, I 'failed' an insurance interview because I did not drink alcohol.  This was after being told so many times I needed to give up alcohol, no one had ever said keep it to moderation.

 It is my firm belief that all things were put on this earth for a purpose.  The choice to abuse or mutilate, control is our own.   If such choices are made, they should be made without causing harm.  The proliferation of companies along with the pursuit of the 'dollar' (profit) seem to make people lose their heads and care not whether they harm others or the planet.

Be prudent, do your due diligence before making a decision that could hurt yourself, hurt others or damage 'our home.'  Remember, according to the American Indian, your decisions not only affect you but also the next seven generations.

Another Chapter in my Life

In the next couple of days, a new chapter will begin in my life and I really don't what to expect from it but more change.  This isn't change that I necessarily mastered, or even wanted for a number of reasons.  The change was inevitable but even in the knowledge of that it did not make me want to accept it anymore.    It is my belief that all things happen for a reason in the time they are meant to happen.  With that in mind and knowing that this next chapter is about to begin, I am no longer fighting it but am actually welcoming of it.

It is yet to be seen what all is going to happen but it is inevitably going to happen.  On Thursday, I will be moving to a health care center as a place to live.  More than just a place to live, there will be medical staff as well.  Not that i cannot take care of myself, more I am looking to them to help me recover all that much more fully.  The presence of the medical staff should assist with this and also my research.

Not knowing what to expect, I am trying to be open minded about it all.

The Superioity Complex

Some people refer to this as the 'God Complex' but that is a term I refuse to use.


If only I had as much time with doctors as I spend waiting on them I would be happier!  Countless hours must be spent by myself and others waiting to see doctors for our 'appointments.'   The average wait time from the time you enter the door until you see the doctor is over 21 minutes, with some times up to an hour.  (Some one is seeing different doctors than me if they can be in in 20 minutes or so). The time to see a doctor in the Emergency room can be much worse! Times to wait for an appointment can be from a week to a year depending on the local and geographic location.

The same can be said when waiting to see a doctor in the hospital, or even worse, because you never know when they will show up.  Is our time not as important as theirs?  Might we not have other appointments to tend to?  Decisions to be made based on their words of wisdom?  Still we are at the mercy of the doctor as we sit waiting to see them.

Then once you actually see the doctor it seems that they are in a hurry to get to the next person (which of course they are because they are running late all ready!).  When in the hospital the average 'visit time' is around 1 minute 45 seconds if the doctor is standing and just over a minute if they sit down according to one study.  According to the study, patients understood better when the doctor sat down about 95% as opposed to 61% when the doctor remained standing.

Once you see a doctor in their office, the average time you get to spend with them is about fifteen minutes.  How is it possible that they can hear, discuss, diagnose and cure (or prescribe) in that amount of time?  This seems absolutely absurd when in many instances a situation can be unique to the individual, not to mention everyone is different and the subscription (of treatment or medicine) doesn't work the same for everybody the same.

Technology (medicine) are constantly changing and the doctor may not be up on the latest treatments, if he ever saw the problem, or it may be a rare disease or condition.  Continuing education (CE) is almost always a requirement for licensed professionals but even that won't keep them up to date with everything.  Also, where they get their CE can be a concern.  These days a number of pharmaceutical companies provide CE.  Always a chance of prejudice when anything is free!

A patient would do well to educate themselves as much as to be able to talk to the doctor.  At least communicate to the doctor as best you can your condition and symptoms.   Don't waste valuable time chit-chatting (you are paying for the appointment).  Educate yourself as well as you can before going to the doctor so it isn't just their word and you can make more educated decisions.

Remember the doctor is not necessarily an authority on you condition and they are definitely not a superior being.

Not Mine but worth the time; thanks Ronda for sharing

 

The article below is completely neutral, ...not anti- republican or democrat. Charlie Reese, a retired reporter for the Orlando Sentinal has hit the nail directly on the head, defining clearly who it is that in the final analysis must assume responsibility for the judgements made that impact each one of us every day. It's a short but good read.  Worth the time.  Worth remembering! 545 vs. 300,000,000 EVERY  CITIZEN NEEDS TO READ THIS AND THINK ABOUT WHAT THIS JOURNALIST HAS SCRIPTED IN THIS MESSAGE.  READ IT  AND THEN REALLY THINK ABOUT  OUR CURRENT POLITICAL DEBACLE. Charley  Reese has been a journalist for 49 years. 545  PEOPLE--By Charlie Reese Politicians are the only people in the world who create problems and then campaign against them.. Have you ever  wondered, if both the Democrats and the Republicans are against deficits, WHY do we have deficits? Have you ever wondered, if  all the politicians are against inflation and high taxes, WHY do we have inflation and high taxes? You and I don't propose a federal budget.  The president does. You and I don't have the  Constitutional authority to vote on appropriations. The House of  Representatives does. You and I don't write the tax code, Congress  does. You and I don't set fiscal policy, Congress does. You  and I don't control monetary policy, the Federal Reserve  Bank does. One hundred senators, 435 congressmen, one  president, and nine Supreme Court justices equates to 545 human  beings out of the 300 million are directly, legally, morally,  and individually responsible for the domestic problems that plague  this country. I excluded the members of the Federal Reserve  Board because that problem was created by the  Congress.   In 1913, Congress delegated its Constitutional duty  to provide a sound currency to a federally chartered, but private, central  bank. I excluded all the special interests and lobbyists for a  sound reason. They have no legal authority.  They have no  ability to coerce a senator, a congressman, or a president to do one  cotton-picking thing.   I don't care if they offer a politician $1 million dollars in cash.  The  politician has the power to accept or reject it. No matter what  the lobbyist promises, it is the legislator's responsibility to determine how he votes. Those 545 human beings spend much of their energy convincing you that what they did is not their fault.    They cooperate in this common con regardless of party. What  separates a politician from a normal human being is an  excessive amount of gall.   No normal  human being would have the gall of a  Speaker, who stood up and criticized the President for creating  deficits.....   The president can only propose a budget.    He cannot force the Congress to accept it. The Constitution, which is the supreme law of the  land, gives sole responsibility to the House of  Representatives for originating and approving appropriations and taxes.   Who is the speaker of the House? Nancy Pelosi.  She is  the leader of the majority party.  She and  fellow House members, not the president, can approve any budget they want.  If the president vetoes it, they can pass it over his veto if  they agree  to. It seems inconceivable to me that a nation of 300 million can not replace 545 people who stand convicted -- by present facts -- of  incompetence and irresponsibility.   I can't think of a  single domestic problem  that is not traceable directly to those 545 people.  When you fully  grasp the plain truth that 545 people exercise the power of the federal  government, then it must follow that what exists is what they want to  exist. If the tax code is unfair, it's because they want it  unfair. If the budget is in the red, it's because they want it in  the red .. If the Army & Marines are in   IRAQ   ,  it's because they want them in IRAQ If they do not  receive social security but are on an elite retirement plan not available  to the people, it's because they want it that way. There are no  insoluble government problems. Do not let these 545 people shift  the blame to bureaucrats, whom they hire and whose jobs they can  abolish; to lobbyists, whose gifts and advice they can reject; to  regulators, to whom they give the power to regulate and from whom they can  take this power.   Above all, do not let them con you into the belief that there exists disembodied mystical forces like "the economy," "inflation," or "politics" that prevent them from doing  what they take an oath to do. Those 545 people, and they  alone, are responsible. They, and they alone, have the  power.. They, and they alone, should be held accountable by the  people who are their bosses. Provided the voters have the  gumption to manage their own employees... We should vote all of  them out of office and clean up their mess! Charlie Reese is a former columnist of the Orlando Sentinel Newspaper. What you do with this article now that you have  read it......... Is up to you. This poetry might be funny if it weren't so darned true. Be sure to read all the way to the end: Tax his land, Tax his bed, Tax the table, At which he's fed. Tax his tractor, Tax his mule, Teach him taxes Are the rule. Tax his work, Tax his pay, He works for peanuts Anyway! Tax his cow, Tax his goat, Tax his pants, Tax his coat. Tax his ties, Tax his shirt, Tax his work, Tax his dirt. Tax his tobacco, Tax his drink, Tax him if he Tries to think. Tax his cigars, Tax his beers, If he cries Tax his tears. Tax his car, Tax his gas, Find other ways To tax his ass. Tax all he has Then let him know That you won't be done Till he has no dough. When he screams and hollers; Then tax him some more, Tax him till He's good and sore. Then tax his coffin, Tax his grave, Tax the sod in Which he's laid... Put these words Upon his tomb, Taxes drove me to my doom...' When he's gone, Do not relax, Its time to apply The inheritance tax... Plus ALL of these Accounts Receivable Tax Building Permit Tax CDL license Tax Cigarette Tax Corporate Income Tax Dog License Tax Excise Taxes Federal Income Tax Federal Unemployment Tax (FUTA) Fishing License Tax Food License Tax Fuel Permit Tax Gasoline Tax (currently 44.75 cents per gallon) Gross Receipts Tax Hunting License Tax Inheritance Tax Inventory Tax IRS Interest Charges IRS Penalties (tax on top of tax) Liquor Tax Luxury Taxes Marriage License Tax Medicare Tax Personal Property Tax Property Tax Real Estate Tax Service Charge Tax Social Security Tax Road Usage Tax Recreational Vehicle Tax Sales Tax School Tax State Income Tax State Unemployment Tax (SUTA) Telephone Federal Excise Tax Telephone Federal Universal Service FeeTax Telephone Federal, State and Local Surcharge Taxes Telephone Minimum Usage Surcharge Tax Telephone Recurring and Nonrecurring Charges Tax Telephone   State  and Local Tax Telephone Usage Charge Tax Utility Taxes Vehicle License Registration Tax Vehicle Sales Tax Watercraft Registration Tax Well Permit Tax Workers Compensation Tax STILL THINK THIS IS FUNNY? Not one of these taxes existed 100 years ago, & our nation was the most prosperous in the world.  We had absolutely no national debt, had the largest middle class in the world, and Mom stayed home to raise the kids. What in the hell happened? Can you spell 'politicians?' I hope this goes around THE  USA  at least 100 times!!!  YOU can help it get there!!! GO AHEAD - - - BE AN AMERICAN!!! PS:  If you do the right thing and pass this on - which is entirely up to you - please do the right thing and highlite and delete any addresses you receive with it.

 

 

A busy Week; Good things to come?

This has been a busy week to say the least on all fronts!  A lot of time has been spent doing research and communicating with different people learning about strokes.  While some things are the same from person to person, most things seem to be specific to the individual.  Of course being the curious type I seek all the knowledge and information that I can get on the subject.  Also in some cases carrying out experiments on myself to see if different things work or not.  I am bound and determined to recover from this as much as possible, or kill myself in the process.  Anyone who knows me, knows that I don't like taking all the drugs.  Often times I am learning that some of them have specific affects that I am trying to recover from!


earlier today I visited a facility in Kansas. to see about taking up residence.  (It seems from what I have learned so far maybe Kansas takes care of people better, or at least those in my condition.)  Tomorrow I will begin making calls and preparations to relocate to the facility.  First I have to go a 'Level II' medical evaluation.  The staff seems to think that will be no problem based on a couple of my 'conditions.'  We'll see, I do not tend to get excited about anything until the ink is on the paper!

Two immediate positives, perhaps I can resolve some of my issues (like the spells I have) and I will have a more permanent 'home.'  Nursing homes are definitely changing the way they look and operate!  More on all of that when (if) I become a resident.  I will say that they seem to be a lot less regimented in a lot of ways.

Earlier today I received a call from the SSA Disability office in Springfield regarding my Disability case.  It seems tat my GP did not correctly state the status of my vision problem, or at least his report did not jive  with what the Disability Office found consistent in cases similar to mine (amazing that they might be on my side in this!).  Also, I found out the neurologist  is not forwarding records from my last visit!  More phone calls to go on my list of things 'to do' tomorrow.    The one thing I did learn is that they are ready to make a ruling on my case as soon as the records!  Wish me luck@

To 'arm' myself with information and data in preparation of my eye exam next week, I found an eye test on the internet.  Of course it is driven to get you go to them (and spend your money) for rehabilitation.  It was an informative test though and initial results show me to have less than a 40% field of vision!  

Knee Jerk Reactions

How many times in the past have you came to a decision without really thinking about or considering the long term affects (or consequences) before putting it into place?  This is something we all, or almost all guilty of I am sure, both individuals and groups.  I am sure you have seen many examples made by others, and possibly make knee jerk decisions that backfired.  This is not to say that knee-jerk reactions always backfire or that they don't have a place in life but they should be the exception and not the rule!

These days it is almost a way of life, as individuals and companies seek out ways to reduce costs and increase profits (stay out of the red and in the black).  One prime example that comes to mind immediately is the Health Care Reform.

"Whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it is time to pause and reflect." - Mark Twain

The manner of how Health Care Reform was pushed through the legislature is just one example of what is wrong with it but that particular part of it spans far wider than the intent of this post.  More so the long range effects of Health Care Reform should have been thought about before being pushed upon us and accepted by us (the population).   There was and still is undoubtedly a need for Health Care Reform!  A large part of the problem is that the majority of people recognized the need for change, they by and large welcomed the change(s).  The  problem is that though the change was welcome to few people took the time to educate themselves before acceptintg it and further fewer took any action to make it 'right.'

The vast majority of people all ready realized the need for change in Health Care and those that 'pushed' the reform though.  They are the ones who stand to profit the most from the reform (or so they think). The majority of people saw the change and accepted it, but did not look at the much larger and far reaching affects.

All ready many people feel that Health Care is not what it should be in this country.  Health care professionals and organizations all ready show their attitudes to treat the symptoms of the condition, not cure it.  (I can attest to this from personal experience!).  How can you expect adequate health care when your health care professional is seeing 70 to 80 patients a day?

These are a few of my predictions as a result of the Health Care Reform:

1.  Increased reliance and strain on Public Assistance.
2. Decrease in the level (quality) of Health Care.
3. Decrease in the number of Health Care professionals.
4. More bankruptcies of more medical related companies.

 I am curious to hear from others on this so be sure to leave comments below.

Another example is the conversations going on and in about the post office and going to a five day delivery schedule, cutting out Saturday delivery.  First off such  a change requires a change to the constitution which requires a Congressional vote.   Secondly, this has been discussed and debated for years and keeps coning up because of fiscal reasons primarily.  When considering this, first you must ask yourself "how important is getting your mail on Saturday."  Then you need to at the big picture and see how this is really going to affect things.

This will only affect the carrier's, Post Office will remain open and all related support functions.  What will happen to Saturday overnight deliveries?  How much money will the Post Office actually save?  Research and investigation of the backlog of mail over the weekend will need to be looked at.   All read the Post Office 'suffers on Monday from the Sunday 'backlog' that occurs with no Sunday delivery.  Will there be a need for increased overtime?  Being as there is the propensity to use 'non-carriers' to perform carrier tasks on Saturday.  Might this result in more grievances (Postal employees are union) resulting in additional revenue being spent?  This is just a couple of points that need to be looked at and there are more but it is late.

I do have a couple suggestions on how revenue might be increased without reducing customer service; why not explore offering more customer service at a reduced cost from private industry and create more jobs?

In our personal lives, 'knee jerk decisions' come in a variety of areas; drinking on a work night lending to increased absenteeism, on a school night affecting a myriad of things.  Or sex outside the marriage and the many number affects it has on all parties involved including the community and public aid.  Extra-marital sex and the impact it has? 

The list is almost endless!  I am only scratching the surface here but hopefully it will cause some one to stop and think.  Remember, charity starts at home - what better way than to start thinking smarter and making better decisions!

Healthy Eating

• Save 5 grams from your diet by removing the skin before you cook it.
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