Category: General

I’m Not Dead Yet!

Sorry for the silence, but life has been interesting. Yes, I am amazed (and delighted) at the election. Disappointed in some of the down-ballot races, as they can be even more important than the national, but shocked, amazed, and pleased that the level of “fortification” has been (mostly) held down so far. Boy Howdy was a message sent.

Sadly, many are putting fingers in ears and kicking their feet, not only on the left but especially on the establishment right. The selection of a new majority leader in the Senate may well be either the last gasp of the establishment Republicans or the rise of the Sith. Only time will tell and it depends on you keeping the heat on where and when it is needed.

And, yes, there was a great disturbance in the Force and a clear message was sent. For all that, there seems to be a LOT of ‘We’re sorry, the number you have dialed is…’ going on. Keep in mind the establishment does not like us, Trump, or anything to do with change. They are going to fight this tooth and nail, though given the turn-out and message, they are likely to be a bit more discrete than last time. Keep in mind, for them this is Gotterdammerung as it is the end of the credentialed elite. This is all they have known, and they are going to fight like cornered rats to keep on with it despite the vote.

Push them. Hold them accountable. Light them up. Let them complain about being bullied. We’ve tried nice, both within the camp and to other parties. Remember that kicks in the teeth were the response. Screw that. Let them build the bridges and make the steps, we need to be done and save the Republic while we can. Hate to say it, but being nice little milquetoast squishes is not the way. Save the Republic, then look at having them mend fences. Me, I’m done. Let them reach out, as our efforts have only hurt us and kept us from being effective.

No, I don’t like any of the three Senate majority leader candidates the swamp has picked. I’m down with the camp calling for JD to be both President of the Senate and Senate Majority Leader. Plenty of Constitutional and historical precedence and it would make things much easier for the administration. Again, forget being nice — be practical and effective.

Right now, I seem to be trying to come down/fight off the walking pneumonia that is going around. Been down several days now. If not better soon, will head to the doc (reluctantly) and see about antibiotics. I’m tired, I’m dragging, and the normal efforts only seem to be calling a draw. Grrrr. On the other hand, I’ve found a Korean place that may have some good ‘cure or kill’ food I like, and may even have a particular dish I’ve loved for years.

As a very broke undergraduate, I fell in love with a place called “Seoul House” in Chicago may decades ago. A delightful older Korean couple owned it and they introduced me to some wonderful food. Think almost a Korean version of “Miracle Max” and Valerie. She told me, rather gleefully one time, that they cooked “American-Korean” and not “Korean-Korean” as when they opened and did the former, “customer never come back.” The mental image of American customers fleeing into the night screaming and breathing flames has amused me ever since. Thankfully, once they got to know you, they would fix you “Korean-Korean.”

They did one dish in particular, a version of Bibem Nengmyun, that I loved. They called the beef “fire meat” and it was. Which paired wonderfully with the cold buckwheat noodles, the spicy-savory sauce, and pickled vegetables. Forget now what they called the dish, but you had almost every pairing possible (sweet-sour, spicy-refreshing, salty-sweet, etc.) in every bite. And at a price even a very broke student could afford every few months. The egg on top just made it.

Before I break down and go to the doc for antibiotics, think I’m going to go try to burn it out. And if their version of my old favorite is as good as I hear, I may get to take a trip down memory lane in the process. Not to mention having a new place to go when I want comfort food.

Yes, celebrate the victory that was the election. Don’t think that those we are trying to show the door are going to just roll over and go quietly. Expect the unexpected, expect resistance (a la what is happening at the Pentagon, EPA, and elsewhere), and expect the unexpected. Frankly, I’m amazed that Trump is still alive and will not be surprised if they try for him again, possibly more than once. Heck, I will be surprised if they don’t. Watch them to go after Elon and others, try to drive wedges, and join with the grifters right and left to try to hang on.

Press on! Make notes, deal with people and issues as needed, but press on! Just remember, cornered rats are nasty and this bunch ain’t done yet. Be prepared.

More soon, but I feel the need for speed, er, a nap to be honest. Be not afraid, but don’t get cocky kid. The fear is theirs, and a lot more masks just dropped and it is clear there are a lot more of us than of them. Press on.

More soon. “Fight, Fight, FIGHT!”

Getting hit by lightning is not fun! If you would like to help me in my recovery efforts, which include moving once we have medical issues cleared up, feel free to hit the fundraiser at A New Life on GiveSendGo, use the options in the Tip Jar in the upper right, or drop me a line to discuss other methods. There is also the Amazon Wish List in the Bard’s Jar. It is thanks to your gifts and prayers that I am still going. Thank you.

Vote

Today is the day. If you have not already done so, do your civic responsibility and make an informed vote in all races. I’m not going to tell you who to vote for, in any race, but beg you with tears in my eyes to make an informed vote in all races.

If you are looking for thoughts and such, Sarah has a good take. My own are summed up as follows: earn my vote. My matrix for evaluation starts with freedom and individual liberty, is closely followed by economics, and winds down from there. Far too many down-ballot candidates here put out nothing about their positions on issues or make any effort to get (much less earn) my vote as they are the only candidate running.

Their take is that I have to vote for them. Their mistake. No, I do not. And I don’t. Earn it, or you don’t get it.

As noted in a previous post, I voted early. I don’t like to do so (can help cheaters cheat on several levels), but I have to deal with the medical establishment today and decided not to risk it. After all, I very much do believe that if you don’t vote, you have no right to complain.

I’m also watching a lot of effort going into encouraging people not to vote. The fewer that vote, the greater the odds of certain candidates winning; and, the closer it is, the easier it is to cheat/fortify/etc. Don’t give them the chance. Even if it’s a forlorn hope or a total wipeout, pile it on! Your vote is important in more than one way. Do NOT waste it.

So, get out there, and vote. It is important.

Getting hit by lightning is not fun! If you would like to help me in my recovery efforts, which include moving once we have medical issues cleared up, feel free to hit the fundraiser at A New Life on GiveSendGo, use the options in the Tip Jar in the upper right, or drop me a line to discuss other methods. There is also the Amazon Wish List in the Bard’s Jar. It is thanks to your gifts and prayers that I am still going. Thank you.

Update 4 Nov 24

Sorry for the lack of posting, but interesting things are afoot. I’m now waiting on the last bit of testing to be approved and scheduled for the neurological consult. For those new here, I was hit by lightning three years ago, and we are doing a new round of testing (with a new neurologist) as the brain is probably as healed as it is going to get. The largest surprise so far is that the MRI does show a brain in place, and not just a big echoey collapsing ancient temple with a tired hamster and busted exercise wheel in the middle of it.

Still no word on disability, but not surprised as I really don’t expect to hear anything for a while yet. Really don’t expect good news either, but that may just be the result of the last 2.5 years of process.

I’ve had to put the guitar lessons on hiatus for right now. It’s a combination of several factors including finances, schedule, and the possibility I may have to find a new place to live here in Indy. My landlord, IMO, changed the terms of kitchen access such that it (again, IMO) almost negates use. Frankly, his terms are acceptable, but it does provide me some incentive to start looking around. It also messes with many other things, from guitar to Church. It is also not my top priority as there is medical and more that needs to come first.

I also have cancelled my gym membership. Largest reason is financial, along with not being able to get there very often right now. Until other things settle down (location, etc.) it’s something I can get by without. There are ways to improvise on some of the upper body, and I do get in a good bit of walking these days.

If you did not do early voting, go vote tomorrow! I did do early voting as I have an appointment with the ENT tomorrow and a very weird bus schedule as a result. Hoping to get answers on some vertigo issues that popped up, as well as a better understanding on how my hearing is/isn’t doing.

For the latest wishlist items, and anonymous donation, THANK YOU! No info in package, but already playing with the items and testing a few things.

Between the guitar lessons and becoming a chanter at Church, I feel the music “therapy” has done a lot for me. Of the odd gaps in my memory, not being able to read sheet music and having to relearn to sing (and stay on pitch) is a weird one. Thankfully, our music director is very patient, and (like me) sees the music as excellent therapy. Which means she sees it almost as a duty and definitely as a challenge. So, she’s pushing me in her own way, which is a good thing. Hope to be doing more with that and at Church in the days ahead.

Speaking of which, our “Old World Christmas Village & Market” is Friday 6 December from 5-9 pm and Saturday 7 December from 10-3. There are gift shops, events, food, coffee & hot chocolate (and maybe more, stay tuned), and more. I will be working in The Lamp Post, which is our coffee shop/meeting room that features a replica of the bar from the Eagle & Child Pub in Cambridge where the Inklings (C.S. Lewis, Tolkien, et al) met each week. Come by and we will tell you how that replica ended up in the Church and how it is shaping a number of things. 1516 N. Delaware, Indianapolis, Joy of All Who Sorrow Orthodox Church. Oh, word is that Santa Lucia will be making a visit again this year. Yes, I am enjoying being active in the Church and may be doing even more soon.

There was something else I was going to share, but I didn’t write it down, and so it is gone. If it is important and comes back, will add it later. For those of you hitting the tip jar or the wish list, thank you! To say things remain tight is an understatement, and your gifts and prayers continue to make a big difference. By next spring we should have answers as to where things are medically, which is going to determine my future plans. No moving out of state for now as my insurance will not transfer and is very much needed. Between that and the quality of care I’m now getting, not inclined to rock the boat.

More soon. Thank you again for your patience and your help!

Getting hit by lightning is not fun! If you would like to help me in my recovery efforts, which include moving once we have medical issues cleared up, feel free to hit the fundraiser at A New Life on GiveSendGo, use the options in the Tip Jar in the upper right, or drop me a line to discuss other methods. There is also the Amazon Wish List in the Bard’s Jar. It is thanks to your gifts and prayers that I am still going. Thank you.

Back: Thank You

I want to thank everyone who donated, hit the Wish List, and prayed. The laptop is fixed and I am back in operation. While I can post from the phone, I literally can’t see what I’m typing and while I can get a momentary glimpse if I work hard, it literally is under a second. Much easier and less messy coming in from the laptop.

My goal is to catch back up on things, and respond to previous comments now that I can do so. May take a while, but that is the plan.

No medical tests next week that I know of, but that could change. We are still working to get a day of testing scheduled, and with how things are going I more than halfway expect that I will get one of those fun ‘oh it’s on for tomorrow morning’ calls one afternoon. ENT coming up soon, both for testing that complements the neuro consult and because I’ve been having some vertigo. That got scheduled for election day, so I voted early to be safe. All I can say is that I know how I voted, but I will say I have no confidence in the system (here or anywhere). All the more reason everyone needs to get out and vote.

If anyone can hit the tip jar, please do so. Among other things I would like to pay $100 for the guitar lessons as instead of four lessons I get five when I pay ahead. Not sure yet on truly learning a new skill, as that means getting notes and chords memorized and to the point I don’t have to think about them, but I am having fun. IMO, memorizing the notes and names of the chords is not going well, but I’ve also been told I’m doing okay and not to sweat it by my instructor. It may seriously take a year (or more) to get all the info into long-term memory, but meantime I’m having fun with it and slowly getting better with my playing. Got a ways to go to truly being good, but that just takes practice (and lots of it!).

Also, just got some water purification gear from the Wish List, so Thank You to whoever sent it! It is much appreciated.

There is more to share, but want to wait until next week on some of it. May what is left of your weekend be Blessed!

More soon.

Getting hit by lightning is not fun! If you would like to help me in my recovery efforts, which include moving once we have medical issues cleared up, feel free to hit the fundraiser at A New Life on GiveSendGo, use the options in the Tip Jar in the upper right, or drop me a line to discuss other methods. There is also the Amazon Wish List in the Bard’s Jar. It is thanks to your gifts and prayers that I am still going. Thank you.

The Wolfie List

As I proceed in deeper faith, and possibly toward lay ministry, I’m going to have to start my own version of the Skippy List. If you don’t know what that is, look it up but be sure to have nothing in your mouth as you do so. Monitor/keyboard warning.

Item 1: I may no longer say’Lord, please use a clue-by-four on them.’ Or even the nicer ‘Lord, please grace them with a clue-by-four. I must say ‘Lord, please illumine them’ even if it lacks the emotional satisfaction of the first two. Sigh.

laptop in shop

system not liking my doing this from phone, but the laptop is in the shop and the new screen ordered. $320 out of the budget, so any hits to the tip jar very much appreciated!!! Upper right since I can’t get the normal cut and paste to work right now. More soon, one way or another.

Down For A Few Days?

My laptop apparently took a bump or spill that managed to damage/break the screen. I got it working (sorta, apologies for typos/issues) long enough to get this up. Can’t get it fixed until Wed as I don’t get my stipend until then. Anyone cares to hit the tip jar, much appreciated as estimate is $300 to repair.

Getting hit by lightning is not fun! If you would like to help me in my recovery efforts, which include moving once we have medical issues cleared up, feel free to hit the fundraiser at A New Life on GiveSendGo, use the options in the Tip Jar in the upper right, or drop me a line to discuss other methods. There is also the Amazon Wish List in the Bard’s Jar. It is thanks to your gifts and prayers that I am still going. Thank you.

SITREP 3 Oct 24

Yesterday saw the first part of the day given over to a phone hearing with an administrative law judge on my disability claim. Honestly, not sure how it went. Trying to get more info in from current exams and such, and we have two weeks to get more things in. The earliest I expect to hear anything is a month from now. The evening got spent with a special vespers followed by a class on the early Church fathers and the early days of the Church. Fun, interesting, and enjoying the history as well as the theological aspects.

This morning I had to be up at 0330 to get ready and catch a bus down to my regular doctor’s lab for a fasting blood draw and other delights. I actually arrived right as the lab opened, so it timed out well. Not the way I planned to spend two hours this morning (I would have preferred to sleep), but good to test the system. Stopped at the store and got a small roast for an arm and a leg that I will put in the slow cooker tomorrow. Then walked up to my favorite breakfast place in Indy for a plate of breakfast enchiladas with an over easy egg on top. Given that the route only runs every hour, was glad to only wait just under 30 minutes to catch a bus back.

Oddly tired, but a few other things to get done today if I can. Not counting on doing a lot. More soon.

Getting hit by lightning is not fun! If you would like to help me in my recovery efforts, which include moving once we have medical issues cleared up, feel free to hit the fundraiser at A New Life on GiveSendGo, use the options in the Tip Jar in the upper right, or drop me a line to discuss other methods. There is also the Amazon Wish List in the Bard’s Jar. It is thanks to your gifts and prayers that I am still going. Thank you.

Day 2 Of An Interesting Week

Met with the ortho who did my shoulders this morning. He and I both are happy with how things are going, though there is work still to do. I need to build back up muscles as I can, and keep working range of motion — even though I probably have gotten back about as much as I will get. If you push, you can keep tweaking that and getting it just a bit better.

The only problem with the reverse replacement is that you can’t really do much behind your back. The way they are designed and operate limits that a great deal. The only regret I have is that I waited until the point a regular replacement really wasn’t a good option. I miss that full range of motion. Glad for what I have, though, and no need to go back unless I develop problems.

I then used the bus to get back to the neurologist’s office for cognitive testing. There are two bus routes that go up to that hospital/medical complex, and one is a much better option time-wise. Still have to allow 2.5-3 hours for transit to be safe, but have the data and will make use of it.

When did they make cognitive testing pass/fail??? Seriously, it seemed to go well though I wasn’t as fast as the program would have liked (was computer based). Got all the right answers, eventually. No idea how it scored or went from their point of view, but got through it. Next confirmed appointment is later this month for an EEG, and they are working with insurance to approve and schedule a new MRI and a full battery of neuro-psych testing.

We are going get good data, and hope we get some answers from it. Having answers would help with planning life, from moving to other issues. I really would like to move in many ways; but, it may not be in the cards. Data and hopefully answers will help.

If anyone cares to hit the tip jar, please feel free! I thought hosting renewal was next month, but I was off on that. I got it paid even though it was an ouch. Lots of other fun joys going on too.

If you are looking at buying anything that comes from overseas or depends on parts/components from overseas, you have waited too late. The strike is going to screw this country over massively, especially given the hurricane damage and other delights. Really think striking at this time is a major blunder, but also think the timing is very deliberate. Remember it. More on that later I hope.

Really do need to do a post on emergency coms, but will say that if you can get Starlink, do it now. Also, as much as I hate to, am looking at upgrading my phone (if needed) so that I can take advantage of sat coverage for emergencies. Coms are essential, and having backups is essential. Everyone going drone crazy is missing the point that data (and coms) are the key to such operations. No data, no drones. No coms, you are truly on your own in a world of hurt. One of many lessons coming out of Appalachia.

Also remember that waiting on the government to help you in a disaster is a good and quick way to die. As for what I said yesterday about initiative and self-deploying, look to the bureaucrap in Tennessee (The Volunteer State!) demanding people stand down from helping as it would delay the official government response. I am serious, they are going to go after those who stood up and did in ways big and small. Just wait and watch.

More soon. Up early again tomorrow as I have a hearing on my disability early AM. Not sure yet what will follow, but will note that it is very unlikely I will hear a decision anytime soon. Thursday I have to get down to my GP’s lab for bloodwork for my appointment next week. Another couple of hours of bus then a nice long walk for that. Going to try to get a ride to the actual visit.

More soon. Remember, be prepared; keep your friends close; and keep your things where you can find them in the dark. Onwards!

Getting hit by lightning is not fun! If you would like to help me in my recovery efforts, which include moving once we have medical issues cleared up, feel free to hit the fundraiser at A New Life on GiveSendGo, use the options in the Tip Jar in the upper right, or drop me a line to discuss other methods. There is also the Amazon Wish List in the Bard’s Jar. It is thanks to your gifts and prayers that I am still going. Thank you.