Abbreviations:
I remember when I was in school having teachers teach us the traditional abbreviation of our state, "Mich.", and then teach us the new fangled two digit "MI". They made a point that the government wanted everyone to use the two digit way now. That would likely have been in about 1980 or so.
The two digit system for state codes went into effect at the post office in 1963 and for the rest of government in 1987. The 1963 innovation accompanied the zip code institution.
Just something weird I was remembering.
Saturday, December 13, 2008
Tuesday, December 09, 2008
That Really Grinds My Gears
I felt like starting a list of things that are pet peeves for me. Don’t know why. Maybe I’m just an angry white male today….
1. People who fly around me in town at upwards of 60 mph only to slow down to 50 mph right in front of me for the next 12 miles.
12. People who make stupid lists…
I felt like starting a list of things that are pet peeves for me. Don’t know why. Maybe I’m just an angry white male today….
1. People who fly around me in town at upwards of 60 mph only to slow down to 50 mph right in front of me for the next 12 miles.
2. When there is one speck of snow on a parking lot and everyone just ignores the painted lines.
3. Business owners who think they own you just because you’ve frequented their establishment.
4. Women who fish for compliments.
5. People who take up two parallel parking spots when they could easily fit in one. Also people who park too close in the parking lot.
6. Drive through attendants who say, “Pull forward to the LAST window.” How am I supposed to know which window was the last until it’s too late?
7. Waitresses who ask if I want a refill on my iced tea. Bring it. If I don’t want it…I won’t drink it.
8. People who expect me, the customer, to know what I want and need (like model numbers and part numbers etc…). If I knew that, I wouldn’t need help at the store then would I…and you could be at home collecting unemployment.
9. Guys who let women carry heavy things without offering to help.
10. NY Giants fans who take life a little too seriously.
11. The "one upper". Guys who start every part of a conversation with, "you think that's bad..." or "you think that was big...". Always got one better than everyone else.
12. People who make stupid lists…
Monday, December 08, 2008
Thursday, December 04, 2008
Love and Marriage
When I was a kid, I observed situations where wives or husbands were unfaithful and I was shocked at how the offended spouse would sometimes just deal with things, putting it behind them, and the marriage would continue. It was easy as a kid to flippantly assert that I’d throw him or her out and find someone else.
I’m older now. Over the years I’ve grown to rely on my wife. I’ve grown to need her companionship and her respect. I need to love her and I need to be near her. Lately, I’ve observed several situations involving spouses being unfaithful, and I thought. Here are my conclusions:
1. Without my wife, I would die.
2. If, God forbid, I ever found myself as the offended spouse, I don’t know what I’d do.
3. I have appreciation for the way I’ve watched people older than me handle situations.
I wonder if I’m starting to really feel what the two becoming one is like. I feel conjoined to her…no…I am joined with her.
When I was a kid, I observed situations where wives or husbands were unfaithful and I was shocked at how the offended spouse would sometimes just deal with things, putting it behind them, and the marriage would continue. It was easy as a kid to flippantly assert that I’d throw him or her out and find someone else.I’m older now. Over the years I’ve grown to rely on my wife. I’ve grown to need her companionship and her respect. I need to love her and I need to be near her. Lately, I’ve observed several situations involving spouses being unfaithful, and I thought. Here are my conclusions:
1. Without my wife, I would die.
2. If, God forbid, I ever found myself as the offended spouse, I don’t know what I’d do.
3. I have appreciation for the way I’ve watched people older than me handle situations.
I wonder if I’m starting to really feel what the two becoming one is like. I feel conjoined to her…no…I am joined with her.
Saturday, October 04, 2008
Why John McCain Will Lose.
You cannot attack the conservative base of the Republican Party, stake out a position as a liberal, anti-Christian, pro-abortion, etc…., and repackage yourself as the Republican Candidate for President. I can remember being at huge Republican events and watching McCain be booed off stage. I remember his stands when he was the opposite of everything he now claims to be. It’s just not going to get us to work or even vote for him.
Since part of being a Democrat is the absence of principles, it is relatively easy repackage oneself and lead the party…but in the Republican party conservatives remember.
What is my prediction? Blowout!
Over the past three decades, America in some respects has moved slightly to the Right. Although conservatives have not yet won the wars on political correctness, education, and culture, Americans nevertheless are now more skeptical than they were thirty years ago of big government, high taxes, entitlements, judicial activism and secularism. In these areas, conservatives have proven most successful. The word "liberal" has become a bad word in most states, and consequently many leftists hesitate to label themselves as leftists.
In many states it now rings popular to call oneself a conservative, even if one truly resembles a liberal. As with any popular movement, dilution occurs, opportunists blow with the wind, and pretenders abound. John McCain is one of these pretenders. He is a leftist in disguise, using his popularity and charisma to masque his liberal leanings. In reality, McCain resides as far to the Left as John Kerry. Anyone who thinks otherwise deludes himself.
McCain has most feigned conservatism in his militarism. McCain, a Vietnam veteran, is hawkish and patriotic. These attributes support his political stump. As long as he can play the veteran card and remain pro-war, he can downplay all his other shortcomings. Appearing hawkish, however, does not necessarily constitute conservatism. (Recent history shows that leftists can be militaristic too: Stalin, Mao, Castro). Military force always will remain crucial in many cases, but willingness to use it does not incontrovertibly make one a conservative.
And when one gets beyond McCain's bellicism, his true liberal character crops up. Outside martial matters, McCain sides with the American Left on most key issues. The greatest irony of McCain's masquerade is that he packages himself as a principled conservative, one with character, who rises above partisan politics. In reality, however, he is as disingenuous as the Clintons and presently bends whichever the way the wind blows to bolster himself for 2008. Analyze him issue by issue.
First, regarding religion, McCain looms as no lover of Christians. Recall his comments about key religious leaders in 2000, calling them "agents of intolerance." And McCain's vitriolic vilification of Christians was not limited to a single occurrence, for he later said, "I must not and will not retract anything that I said in that speech at Virginia Beach. It was carefully crafted, it was carefully thought out." (Hardball, 3/1/00). More recently, however, McCain, positioning himself for 2008, has repackaged himself as pro-Christian, lauding key religious leaders and duping the devout. (Is this not as reptilian as Bill Clinton's waffling?)
Second, on the issue of gay marriage, in 2005 McCain opposed a federal gay-marriage ban (Los Angeles Times, 1/25/ and 3/8). Now, however, likely realizing that most Americans think otherwise, McCain says he supports a gay-marriage ban (Meet the Press, 4/2/06). Which is it? Given his penchant for progressive politics, we can only assume the former.
Then, regarding abortion, McCain most certainly is pro-choice. In the San Francisco Chronicle (8/20/99) McCain sided with the pro-abortion camp, suggesting that overturning Roe v. Wade would lead to illegal abortions. Realizing, however, that he could not inveigle the GOP nomination with such views, McCain more recently has resold himself as pro-life, even saying he would support the South Dakota ban on abortions. What are Americans to believe? He either is pro-choice or lacks any real conviction on the subject.
Furthermore, regarding campaign-finance reform, the McCain-Feingold Campaign Reform Act is perhaps one of the more left-wing acts of Congress in the past twenty years. As recently exposed by Brian C. Anderson, "The Plot to Shush Rush and O'Reilly" in City Journal, McCain-Feingold (which passed with overwhelming Democrat support) is a convenient contrivance to silence conservatives. As noted by a whole host of commentators (George Will, Jonathan Rauch, and even Justice Clarence Thomas), this act poses blatant restrictions on political speech. It especially affects AM Radio and political internet blogs -- the only two spheres of popular media where conservatives can truly compete. Critics remain divided why McCain supported a dictate so damaging to conservatives. Was it perhaps so that he could silence many on the Right whom he laconically loathes?
Last, but not least, McCain's liberal tendencies show in the immigration debate. McCain has proven to be farther Left on the immigration issue than even many Liberals. At the very basis of most conservative thought is the idea of law and order, which are essential for the continuity of society. Bypassing tradition and sanity, and slapping in the face those who have come here legally, McCain has sought to sweep aside law and order to engage in the unbecoming business of pandering to ethnicities. (Isn't this the dominion of Democrats?) McCain's radical views on immigration threaten numerous components of the wellbeing of the United States and, more generally, Western Civilization: national security, standards of living, and cultural homogeneity, to name a few. McCain has courted the cheap-labor lobby for some fast cash for 2008 and now attempts to convert the U.S. into a third-world country.
McCain's liberal laundry list goes on and on. Senator Lindsey Graham, another liberal in disguise, comments correctly that the present is a defining moment for the Republican Party, although his underlying analysis is wrong. The choice is between a party of McCain's vision, a party indistinguishable from the Democratic Party, or a party that at least maintains a modicum of conservatism. If McCain loses, hopefully he will depart for the Democratic Party (where he belongs); but if he wins, expect to see a mass exodus of conservative voters from the GOP, probably over to a third party.
You cannot attack the conservative base of the Republican Party, stake out a position as a liberal, anti-Christian, pro-abortion, etc…., and repackage yourself as the Republican Candidate for President. I can remember being at huge Republican events and watching McCain be booed off stage. I remember his stands when he was the opposite of everything he now claims to be. It’s just not going to get us to work or even vote for him.Since part of being a Democrat is the absence of principles, it is relatively easy repackage oneself and lead the party…but in the Republican party conservatives remember.
What is my prediction? Blowout!
Below is an article from May 2006 I found on www.gunowners.org
Over the past three decades, America in some respects has moved slightly to the Right. Although conservatives have not yet won the wars on political correctness, education, and culture, Americans nevertheless are now more skeptical than they were thirty years ago of big government, high taxes, entitlements, judicial activism and secularism. In these areas, conservatives have proven most successful. The word "liberal" has become a bad word in most states, and consequently many leftists hesitate to label themselves as leftists.
In many states it now rings popular to call oneself a conservative, even if one truly resembles a liberal. As with any popular movement, dilution occurs, opportunists blow with the wind, and pretenders abound. John McCain is one of these pretenders. He is a leftist in disguise, using his popularity and charisma to masque his liberal leanings. In reality, McCain resides as far to the Left as John Kerry. Anyone who thinks otherwise deludes himself.
McCain has most feigned conservatism in his militarism. McCain, a Vietnam veteran, is hawkish and patriotic. These attributes support his political stump. As long as he can play the veteran card and remain pro-war, he can downplay all his other shortcomings. Appearing hawkish, however, does not necessarily constitute conservatism. (Recent history shows that leftists can be militaristic too: Stalin, Mao, Castro). Military force always will remain crucial in many cases, but willingness to use it does not incontrovertibly make one a conservative.
And when one gets beyond McCain's bellicism, his true liberal character crops up. Outside martial matters, McCain sides with the American Left on most key issues. The greatest irony of McCain's masquerade is that he packages himself as a principled conservative, one with character, who rises above partisan politics. In reality, however, he is as disingenuous as the Clintons and presently bends whichever the way the wind blows to bolster himself for 2008. Analyze him issue by issue.
First, regarding religion, McCain looms as no lover of Christians. Recall his comments about key religious leaders in 2000, calling them "agents of intolerance." And McCain's vitriolic vilification of Christians was not limited to a single occurrence, for he later said, "I must not and will not retract anything that I said in that speech at Virginia Beach. It was carefully crafted, it was carefully thought out." (Hardball, 3/1/00). More recently, however, McCain, positioning himself for 2008, has repackaged himself as pro-Christian, lauding key religious leaders and duping the devout. (Is this not as reptilian as Bill Clinton's waffling?)
Second, on the issue of gay marriage, in 2005 McCain opposed a federal gay-marriage ban (Los Angeles Times, 1/25/ and 3/8). Now, however, likely realizing that most Americans think otherwise, McCain says he supports a gay-marriage ban (Meet the Press, 4/2/06). Which is it? Given his penchant for progressive politics, we can only assume the former.
Then, regarding abortion, McCain most certainly is pro-choice. In the San Francisco Chronicle (8/20/99) McCain sided with the pro-abortion camp, suggesting that overturning Roe v. Wade would lead to illegal abortions. Realizing, however, that he could not inveigle the GOP nomination with such views, McCain more recently has resold himself as pro-life, even saying he would support the South Dakota ban on abortions. What are Americans to believe? He either is pro-choice or lacks any real conviction on the subject.
Furthermore, regarding campaign-finance reform, the McCain-Feingold Campaign Reform Act is perhaps one of the more left-wing acts of Congress in the past twenty years. As recently exposed by Brian C. Anderson, "The Plot to Shush Rush and O'Reilly" in City Journal, McCain-Feingold (which passed with overwhelming Democrat support) is a convenient contrivance to silence conservatives. As noted by a whole host of commentators (George Will, Jonathan Rauch, and even Justice Clarence Thomas), this act poses blatant restrictions on political speech. It especially affects AM Radio and political internet blogs -- the only two spheres of popular media where conservatives can truly compete. Critics remain divided why McCain supported a dictate so damaging to conservatives. Was it perhaps so that he could silence many on the Right whom he laconically loathes?
Last, but not least, McCain's liberal tendencies show in the immigration debate. McCain has proven to be farther Left on the immigration issue than even many Liberals. At the very basis of most conservative thought is the idea of law and order, which are essential for the continuity of society. Bypassing tradition and sanity, and slapping in the face those who have come here legally, McCain has sought to sweep aside law and order to engage in the unbecoming business of pandering to ethnicities. (Isn't this the dominion of Democrats?) McCain's radical views on immigration threaten numerous components of the wellbeing of the United States and, more generally, Western Civilization: national security, standards of living, and cultural homogeneity, to name a few. McCain has courted the cheap-labor lobby for some fast cash for 2008 and now attempts to convert the U.S. into a third-world country.
McCain's liberal laundry list goes on and on. Senator Lindsey Graham, another liberal in disguise, comments correctly that the present is a defining moment for the Republican Party, although his underlying analysis is wrong. The choice is between a party of McCain's vision, a party indistinguishable from the Democratic Party, or a party that at least maintains a modicum of conservatism. If McCain loses, hopefully he will depart for the Democratic Party (where he belongs); but if he wins, expect to see a mass exodus of conservative voters from the GOP, probably over to a third party.
Thursday, October 02, 2008
Why $ I heard tonight that the greed of the financial company CEOs and the rich wall street types led to the riskier and riskier loans until everything finally collapsed…now we need to rescue these rich, fat cats from their own designs.
Well, I own stock, as do many people, and I want higher returns in order to prepare for retirement and grow my family’s wealth. I count my investments in tens of thousands…not millions, but I contributed to the “greed” of wishing for higher returns. Stock holders, retirees and families and IRA holders, want higher returns which means higher risk.
Stock holders have demanded higher returns, and CEOs who didn’t pursue those returns were threatened with the loss of their jobs. Bank A is getting 15% returns and Bank B 8%. Which stock will you buy? That’s what it comes down to…not the vague rich and powerful and greedy.
It’s about us.
Monday, August 04, 2008
Friday, July 25, 2008
Received a letter yesterday from a relative.
It was an apology for something that happened over 25 years ago. It wasn’t any kind of abusive situation, just about the way I was treated during a particular event.
My reaction was twofold.
First, the letter brought back long forgotten memories of what happened, and I was angry and sad.
Second, the letter comes at a time when my respect for some relatives is at a real low point. I’m suspicious of the true intent, and yet my inclination is to take it at face value.
The letter expresses the hope of going on from this point with a new and improved relationship.
Forgiveness doesn’t necessarily include a new and improved relationship.
It was an apology for something that happened over 25 years ago. It wasn’t any kind of abusive situation, just about the way I was treated during a particular event.
My reaction was twofold.
First, the letter brought back long forgotten memories of what happened, and I was angry and sad.
Second, the letter comes at a time when my respect for some relatives is at a real low point. I’m suspicious of the true intent, and yet my inclination is to take it at face value.
The letter expresses the hope of going on from this point with a new and improved relationship.
Forgiveness doesn’t necessarily include a new and improved relationship.
Sunday, July 06, 2008
Update
I haven’t had much time to reflect and be introspective these days, and I think that can be a good thing. Too much navel gazing can lead to depression and guilt. Troy Foster complained about me not updating enough…so here goes:
Digestive Track Issues:
You’ll find that I wrote about colon and digestive track issues starting back in February. These never really got resolved except that as I’ve lost weight the discomfort has decreased. I’m eating somewhat what I want now, but I still need to be very careful. The doctors were completely unhelpful, and I have little or no regard for the Three Rivers Health System anymore. If I have significant recurrence, I’m going to go to Kalamazoo.
Church Issues:
Our pastor had to go back to Canada because of immigration issues, and I don’t know if he’ll be back or not. We’ve heard all kinds of things from different attorneys, but in the mean time he’s on leave until Aug. 31. We have in interim pastor who is fulfilling the Sunday duties at this time. I need to step up and schedule more family visits.
Work Issues:
We’re on track this year to do two to three times as much business as ever before. The hard parts are managing growth and finances (inventory and cash flow) as well as adding personnel who reflect our commitment to service. I have certain goals for the company, and we’ll see if they can be achieved. No one dominates this market area as some have in the past, and I want to be the next. I know that sounds majestic, but as long as we simply take care of people and have “friends” rather than customers I think we can do well.
Jennifer:
Jen is off of school teaching for the summer, and she is taking 4 classes at Western Michigan University. She’s taking her last two now. This fall she’ll have a seminar and capstone and be done with her Education Administration degree. She’s currently working very part time at Piasano’s Bar and Grill down the street from our apartment. It’s about a block away and lets her meet a lot of local people.
Hope this gets everyone up to speed.
I haven’t had much time to reflect and be introspective these days, and I think that can be a good thing. Too much navel gazing can lead to depression and guilt. Troy Foster complained about me not updating enough…so here goes:
Digestive Track Issues:
You’ll find that I wrote about colon and digestive track issues starting back in February. These never really got resolved except that as I’ve lost weight the discomfort has decreased. I’m eating somewhat what I want now, but I still need to be very careful. The doctors were completely unhelpful, and I have little or no regard for the Three Rivers Health System anymore. If I have significant recurrence, I’m going to go to Kalamazoo.
Church Issues:
Our pastor had to go back to Canada because of immigration issues, and I don’t know if he’ll be back or not. We’ve heard all kinds of things from different attorneys, but in the mean time he’s on leave until Aug. 31. We have in interim pastor who is fulfilling the Sunday duties at this time. I need to step up and schedule more family visits.
Work Issues:
We’re on track this year to do two to three times as much business as ever before. The hard parts are managing growth and finances (inventory and cash flow) as well as adding personnel who reflect our commitment to service. I have certain goals for the company, and we’ll see if they can be achieved. No one dominates this market area as some have in the past, and I want to be the next. I know that sounds majestic, but as long as we simply take care of people and have “friends” rather than customers I think we can do well.
Jennifer:
Jen is off of school teaching for the summer, and she is taking 4 classes at Western Michigan University. She’s taking her last two now. This fall she’ll have a seminar and capstone and be done with her Education Administration degree. She’s currently working very part time at Piasano’s Bar and Grill down the street from our apartment. It’s about a block away and lets her meet a lot of local people.
Hope this gets everyone up to speed.
Saturday, May 10, 2008
It amazes me how much time and energy some people have.
I don’t have the time to worry about you and make sure that you don’t get something that I don’t think you deserve. I don’t have time to hold you accountable to my standards and lay awake at night plotting retribution for your shortcomings.
I don’t have time to listen to your ideas on how someone else needs to have retribution exacted for their shortcomings, and I don’t have time to go around exacting the retribution of everyone you disagree with.
I don’t have time to get upset about the details and bully people into submission to my ideas. I don’t have time to recall every project or idea from the last ten years that never really got off the ground, and I don’t have the time to work how who is to blame.
I don’t have time chase you down and ask you about every minute detail of every minute decision and make sure that you get your input. I don’t have time to worry about whether or not you give me the respect and attention that I think is due me.
I don’t have the time to go around to all the people you’ve gossiped and lied to and set the record straight.
Hatred stirs up dissension, but love covers over all wrongs. Proverbs 10:12
I don’t have the time to worry about you and make sure that you don’t get something that I don’t think you deserve. I don’t have time to hold you accountable to my standards and lay awake at night plotting retribution for your shortcomings.
I don’t have time to listen to your ideas on how someone else needs to have retribution exacted for their shortcomings, and I don’t have time to go around exacting the retribution of everyone you disagree with.
I don’t have time to get upset about the details and bully people into submission to my ideas. I don’t have time to recall every project or idea from the last ten years that never really got off the ground, and I don’t have the time to work how who is to blame.
I don’t have time chase you down and ask you about every minute detail of every minute decision and make sure that you get your input. I don’t have time to worry about whether or not you give me the respect and attention that I think is due me.
I don’t have the time to go around to all the people you’ve gossiped and lied to and set the record straight.
Hatred stirs up dissension, but love covers over all wrongs. Proverbs 10:12
Friday, May 02, 2008
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Sunday, April 20, 2008
Christian, who are you?I attended the funeral for the father of a friend this week, and it raised questions for me. What sets me apart from others as a Christian?
The bottom line answer is that Christ claims me as His very own. I am not my own, but I belong to Him.
It’s not that as a Christian I don’t sin. It’s not that I don’t do bad things or that I don’t swear, smoke, drink alcohol, or associate with certain people. I may do all of these things, and I can personally say that I do or have done each of these. It isn’t that I’ve sinned or that I continue to sin. It is that Christ has revealed Himself to me as the savior of the world and the savior of my very self.
I am a Christian, bought with a price, owned by God himself. I am a child adopted into the lineage of Abraham. I’m not adopted as a Jew, but as a chosen one of God. I don’t every fret or worry about this status.
What I struggle with is that fact that I sin. I sin daily, and I sin extravagantly. I struggle because deep inside me I don’t want to, but there is still a part that craves that rebellion. That rebellion doesn’t make me a “non-son” it humbles me and shows me that I’m nothing without God.
In eternity, we will be surprised by the scoundrels who are in heaven. We will also be surprised by the nice people who end up in perdition. I know I’m a scoundrel who needs a risen savior.
It’s not that I’m a hypocrite because I’m not perfect. Rather it’s that I need Christ because I’m not perfect. That sets Christians apart.
Picture: the Episcopal Church in Three Rivers, MI.
Friday, April 18, 2008
Saturday, April 12, 2008
Tuesday, April 08, 2008
Saturday, April 05, 2008
Our First Full Day In Atlanta
Today, we went to the MARTA station and took the train into Atlanta. We went downtown and bought our City Pass and the High Art Museum. It was misting and raining, so we found a neat neighborhood bar and played some pool until the play at the Alliance Theater’s Hertz Stage. It was a great play, and we went back to play a little pool. Afterwards we went back to canton and explored around a bit. We ended up back in the hotel at a reasonable hour.
As we came up the escalator in the MARTA station “art center” I noticed a little mouse riding the escalator. It was hilarious to watch. He rode just like everyone else.
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Saturday, March 22, 2008
ChangeWe went to Harvey House in Constantine, MI , for breakfast this morning. They have about the best breakfast around…mmmm…good. Our bill was $14.66, and I gave the waitress a $20 bill. She brought back a $5 bill and 34 cents. I was disappointed in our waitress’ lack of forethought. Do I leave the 34 cents and let the waitress pay the price of not taking care to anticipate the customer’s needs and meet them in such an easy way. She could have simply given me 5 singles instead of a five dollar bill.
In what ways could I do better at anticipating our customer’s needs and meet them easily? It is likely that I overlook things and make things more difficult for our customers. I need to remove myself from the work sometimes and think more like a customer than like a seller. How can I “give better change” to my customers?
Sunday, March 16, 2008
Disconnected
Saturday, I got out of sync and ended up at home in bed with severe pain and digestive problems again.
Since my health issues, which started in January 2008, I haven't really felt myself. I have not been able to find the right schedule and foods that agree with me, and I have been learning about my physical self anew. The struggle to find some equilibrium while experiencing the roller coaster of pain and strange discomfort has brought about a few changes in my own emotional and physio-psycho makeup.
I believe in the bi-part makeup of man consisting of a body and a soul. The more out of touch that I feel with my body, the more I feel like it isn't really a part of me. It is a strange sensation to feel as though you awoke not long ago with a new body, with a new set of problems and preferences, and have to relearn all that you know.
That disconnect also enhances the soul side of my self. I feel more and more that this body doesn't define me, and that it can die and not destroy me. I have an enhanced sense of the afterlife, I guess. I feel less dependent on physical things, including my body.
Believe me, I know this whole thing sounds strange, but it's how I'm being affected by this illness. It has caused me to evaluate what is important, what is true and what I want to spend my time and money doing. I'm not there yet, but I hope to come through this a better person.
Saturday, I got out of sync and ended up at home in bed with severe pain and digestive problems again.
Since my health issues, which started in January 2008, I haven't really felt myself. I have not been able to find the right schedule and foods that agree with me, and I have been learning about my physical self anew. The struggle to find some equilibrium while experiencing the roller coaster of pain and strange discomfort has brought about a few changes in my own emotional and physio-psycho makeup.
I believe in the bi-part makeup of man consisting of a body and a soul. The more out of touch that I feel with my body, the more I feel like it isn't really a part of me. It is a strange sensation to feel as though you awoke not long ago with a new body, with a new set of problems and preferences, and have to relearn all that you know.
That disconnect also enhances the soul side of my self. I feel more and more that this body doesn't define me, and that it can die and not destroy me. I have an enhanced sense of the afterlife, I guess. I feel less dependent on physical things, including my body.
Believe me, I know this whole thing sounds strange, but it's how I'm being affected by this illness. It has caused me to evaluate what is important, what is true and what I want to spend my time and money doing. I'm not there yet, but I hope to come through this a better person.
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
So, diverticulitis it is. I have been under incredible pain and discomfort for some time now with little or no information on what the problem was. It turns out that I have diverticulitis. Diverticuli are pouches or little folds and pockets that form in the colon (primarily the descending colon) as we age. Sometimes those folds can trap fecal matter or food or bacteria. They can become infected and swell. This creates pressure and pain as well as fever and elevated white blood cell count…other sickness symptoms as well (tired etc..).
I ended up in the emergency room last Thursday morning at about midnight, and had a CT Scan. I went to the doctor yesterday for the verdict. I was referred to a surgeon and they will call me to set a time for a colonoscopy. In the mean time, I am taking Cipro (antibiotic), Darvocet (pain killer), and Donatol (slows the digestive system).
Interestingly, this all began in January when I went to the doctor for what I thought was the flu. She said I didn’t have the flu, but she thought I had some kind of infection. She hit it on the head even though we had no way to know how serious it was.
I need to eat a high fiber diet, but no seeds, corn or other nuts which might lodge in the diverticuli.
I also gave up alcohol altogether because my liver didn’t look very good in the ct scan. I haven’t drank that much, but I don’t think it’s worth it. I have moderate to severe fatty infestation of the liver. And I take a drug on a regular basis (androgel) which is hard on the liver. I might as well not be any harder on it than I have to. I also need to lose weight, but it’s been pretty easy to not eat when eating leaves me writhing on the floor in agony.
So that’s my story today!
To everyone out there who I’ve been neglecting…I am sorry. I need to get myself together. The guys at work have had a pool going on how soon until I die. It’s funny…but not so funny.
Friday, February 22, 2008
Bold Predictions:
1. Barack Obama will be the Democrat nominee for president.
This is no great incite accept that Hillary is running desperate. Do people prefer inspiration over facts? That’s what Hillary is touting… She brings facts and Barack brings inspiration. Well, inspiration wins. We as humans always prefer to be inspired. Bill Clinton knows this, and he, above all others, knows that his wife is uninspiring.
2. Barack Obama will be the next President of the United States.
This sounds like I’m a Barack supporter or a Democrat or something. Nope. I just see the writing on the wall. Republicans are nominating an uninspiring man with questionable conservative credentials. If McCain can convince conservatives that he is true blue…well, maybe. But the rule that I learned long, long ago in politics is… Given a choice between a Democrat and a democrat one should always choose the Democrat (and most people will). McCain's one possiblility is the continued racism of the people of this country...will they vote for a black man?
1. Barack Obama will be the Democrat nominee for president.
This is no great incite accept that Hillary is running desperate. Do people prefer inspiration over facts? That’s what Hillary is touting… She brings facts and Barack brings inspiration. Well, inspiration wins. We as humans always prefer to be inspired. Bill Clinton knows this, and he, above all others, knows that his wife is uninspiring.
2. Barack Obama will be the next President of the United States.
This sounds like I’m a Barack supporter or a Democrat or something. Nope. I just see the writing on the wall. Republicans are nominating an uninspiring man with questionable conservative credentials. If McCain can convince conservatives that he is true blue…well, maybe. But the rule that I learned long, long ago in politics is… Given a choice between a Democrat and a democrat one should always choose the Democrat (and most people will). McCain's one possiblility is the continued racism of the people of this country...will they vote for a black man?
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Last Night
I finally ended up at the Three Rivers Health System Emergency Room last night about midnight. I was in terrible abdominal pain, and finally just got up and went. I let Jennifer sleep.
Had 4 holes poked in me for various things. Had 2 CT Scans. Peed in a cup. Got an IV. Got antibiotics and pain killers. Got home about 4:30 AM (waking Jen)… Took a shower and went to work!
What a wild night!
Found out that I have “Epiploic appendagitis located just ventral to a short to moderately long segment of the distal descending colon.” That’s another phrase for “pain”.
What a wild night!
Found out that I have “Epiploic appendagitis located just ventral to a short to moderately long segment of the distal descending colon.” That’s another phrase for “pain”.
The epiploic tissues are evidently those that hold organs in place...not all that sure on that. But I have an inflammation of those tissues around the colon.
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Sunday, February 03, 2008
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Darkness is not merely the absence of light.
I thought of this statement as I drove from work yesterday. It was dark…raining. The sky was overcast, and street lamps, head lights and stop lights struggled to cast their beams. The light was driven to the ground by the imposing darkness. The heavy sky made me feel like when I was a child and I hid under the quilt…the muffled world was out there...suppressed.
I thought of this statement as I drove from work yesterday. It was dark…raining. The sky was overcast, and street lamps, head lights and stop lights struggled to cast their beams. The light was driven to the ground by the imposing darkness. The heavy sky made me feel like when I was a child and I hid under the quilt…the muffled world was out there...suppressed.
Tuesday, January 01, 2008
BLUE STEEL
Some of the people at Paisano's were goofing around with us. I had been wearing a 2008 tiara, and turned it upside down. The women told me to give them a "blue steel" look which must be some modeling phrase I'm unfamiliar with. I gave it my best shot, although I don't think I'm a "blue steel" kind of guy.
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