3 Boxes of BS

well maybe not in the Army but definitely in the clutches of the “hurry up and wait” crowd.

Hopefully the routine will go a little smoother next time we have to but this morning it was a little long getting in to see the doc before the chemo session starts.

For those who may not know, the folks who treat cancer patients are a paranoid lot. Before each session (and in between sessions), blood work is done, the doctor reviews the results and then, approves the chemo session.

I’m okay with that, they are very good about monitoring changes in the blood cells to make sure she can tolerate the chemo, not drop too low in white cells (fighting infections), etc.

Started the morning at 9:00 a.m. with a prayer from one of our ministers, then the blood work, then the doctor review. Got into the chemotherapy room after 11:00 and the started the pre-meds (nausea), I went to lunch and to drop off some prescriptions.

I’m back and watching her doze in the chair. It’s going to be a couple of hours more before we are done.

May or may not be back. Thanks for the thoughts, prayers, encouragement and support; all of it is greatly appreciated.

Update — she was done about 3:30 and we made it home not long ago. Got her settled in for a nap and she’s doing well.

As a couple of really caring people have pointed out privately I haven’t provided an update on my lovely Bride lately.

Mostly that is because not much has been happening with She Who Lets Me Make Her Coffee Every Morning (SWLMMHCEM) except for a slow but steady recovery.

After the last procedure in July, she decided (after talking to me and her doctors) to take the month of August off so she can build her strength back.

Tomorrow is the end of that time off; her first Chemo session starts at 9.

We’ve visited the facility a while back and learned much about the process, the drugs used and what to expect.

The major issue with the chemo session? Boredom. The after effects we don’t know about yet but the drugs are slowly infused and have to be given one at a time. Between lab work, doctor eval, and the infusion; SWLMMHCEM looks to be at the facility for half the day or more.

We’ve set her up with an MP3 player, her lap top is charged and ready, and she has a book or two for non-digital entertainment.

Her mom and I will attend the first chemo session tomorrow, so look for updates as the day goes by.

In the mean time, please keep Weer’d Beard’s Missus in your thoughts as she undergoes surgery for her epilepsy. Check for updates here – so far it appears she’s out of surgery and Weer’d is waiting to talk to the Doc.

Finally made it to the range after waiting way too long.

Just to refresh everyone’s memory, I picked this up (click to enlarge) two weeks ago. {Just two weeks? Seems like much longer}

The temperature finally dropped below “Broil” so I was able to get in some recoil therapy on Saturday.

Wasn’t sure what to expect, even after dry fire practice but I certainly enjoyed shooting this gun.

Didn’t do too bad I think.

That’s a 12 inch target at 7 yards.

Since I hadn’t owned anything in 9 mm, I didn’t have much ammunition on hand.

This is my 4th set.

I’m learning the difference in triggers, recoil, grip, etc by shooting the Sig first then shooting my Mil-Pro. Can’t wait to have a little more time, energy and ammunition to shoot them side by side.

While it looks like I’m jerking the trigger or tightening my fingers but I can cover the 30 rounds with my hand.

Instead of Jerseys for the kids

The system was introduced Tuesday. When at the school, students will wear a jersey that has a small radio frequency tag. The tag will send signals to sensors that help track children’s whereabouts, attendance and even whether they’ve eaten or not.

How about they just run them through a line and give them one of these.

I’m starting to rethink my political affiliations; I can really see joining the “Party Of NO”, of course, I would have to put a sentence enhancer in front of NO

I can not wrap my mind around the way some people think. I try. I really do.

Seek First to Understand, then Be Understood.

For a very long time, I’ve used this as a guiding principle and I usually have success. Even if it takes a while.

But I’m failing miserably with the mentality displayed by so many Far Left Nanny Staters.

For example, (emphasis mine below)

3.5 million people without homes; 18.9 million homes without residents.

While an array of legal and logistical obstacles present themselves, the math is staggering. It’s time to sort out the regulations and rates that would facilitate the solution: turning empty houses into homes for those in need…..

I’m not advocating giving houses away — such a move would create a host of political and fiscal problems — but government should be working toward a solution to match up the empty homes with those who need a roof to live under.

A homeless population equivalent to the size of Los Angeles is unacceptable, and with over five times as many empty houses, we have not only a moral obligation but also an economic imperative to come up with a creative way to fix this travesty.

I have some questions that might just illuminate how bad of an idea this is.

1. Ever hear of the concept of private property Bub?

It’s not about taking a residence from someone who can’t pay his or her bills and giving it to another person who can’t make payments either, it’s about using resources we have in excess.

The problem with your idea Bub, is “we” don’t have the resources in excess. Someone actually owns that property, someone has their money tied up in it. Just because it isn’t being used at this moment does not mean you or anyone but the owner can arbitrarily decide how it gets used.

2. Ever hear of the Constitution Bub?

It limits just exactly what the government can do and I’ve read that document — no where is there power to allowed to do what you want.

3. Ever think about the cycle you mentioned Bub?

the market will follow the same cycle: demand, saturation and then glut.

Taking houses out of that cycle will keep prices artificially high — meaning fewer people will be able to afford housing. Isn’t that a little self defeating?

4. Ever hear of Reality Bub?

Without someone to take care of it, a property will decline steeply. But with someone living in the house…actually taking care of them…well, that’s a far better situation.

Most people (again the caveat is most people, there are a few this doesn’t apply to) aren’t homeless because of one bad decision, one careless mistake.

Most people are homeless because they continue(d) to make bad decisions over and over again.

Giving a house to someone /unable/unwilling to make good decisions doesn’t guarantee they will ‘take care’ of the house. Far from it.

Look around that the public housing that is currently available, look around at the shelters, look around where the homeless people stay.

Do you see those areas getting better or worse?

5. Ever think that most “homeless people don’t need or can’t afford a home to take care of, Bub?

One researcher who examined a sample of homeless persons over a 2-year period found:

• Most, or about 80 percent, exit from homelessness within 2 or 3 weeks. They often have more personal, social, and economic resources to draw from than people who are homeless for longer periods of time.
• About 10 percent are homeless for up to 2 months, with housing availability and affordability adding to the time they are homeless.
• Another 10 percent are homeless on a chronic, protracted basis, for as long as 7 or 8 months in a 2-year period. Disabilities associated with mental illnesses and substance use are common. On any given night, this group of homeless persons can account for up to 50 percent of those seeking emergency shelter.

90% of homelessness resolved within 2 months.

How is ‘giving them’  a house going to help?

Never mind the fact that, out of the long term homeless, many have mental illness or substance abuse issues that make them ‘less the ideal home owner candidates’ shall we say?

6. Ever stop and think there is absolutely nothing stopping you from doing this right now Bub?

Not a single solitary thing but your desire to spend other people’s money on your ideas .

Honestly, I think I’m going to start calling the Far Left the “Other People’s Money Party”.

Let’s examine the concept here in a different light — Skippy gets together with some of his like minded friends and pools their money. Skippy and friends goes to the people who own the vacant houses and offers them a good price. Skippy and friends invite homeless people to live in those houses.

Homeless situation resolved without the government getting involved, without property being seized, without the laws and Constitution being violated.

But that isn’t what Skippy wants now is it?

From Richard Warnick at One Utah

Yes, like everyone in the middle class I have more than I need. Also, like everyone in the middle class under 65 I’m working without a net– I could lose those surplus assets almost overnight. For example, when Bush crashed the economy the assessed valuation of “my” house (that the bank owns) went down 40 percent!…

I pay Comcast about $100 a month for cable TV and Internet (which is outrageous).

To Sobeale discussing the flooding in Pakistan

I’m a little shocked and surprised that despite the growing humanitarian crisis in Pakistan, the disaster there hasn’t dominated our news cycle in the same way crises in other nations have. Where are the telethons and Twibbons and nightly stories of daring rescues and calls for massive aid to the flood-ravaged country. (emphasis mine – Bob)

Who responded to my comment with this:

Pretty weak, Bob S. Hypocrisy? Don’t think so. I’m a blogger writing about how it’s interesting that no one seems to give a damn about Pakistan and you call me a hypocrite for not organizing a telethon?

Right-o

Yes, I do Sobeale, I really do think it is hypocritical of you to complain about there not being enough in the news when you aren’t doing things to put the crisis in the news.

Yes, I think it is hypocritical of Richard to want to tax the ‘rich’ to provide a safety net he is unwilling to sacrifice a little to provide for himself.

Yes, I think it is hypocritical of Skippy to want to take other people’s money or property when he’s doesn’t seem to be willing to spend his own money.

So, if you think there is a problem; do you have a responsibility to act on it before you recommend spending other people’s money without their consent?

Please join the discussion.

First up — It’s hot, it’s been hot.

22 out of the last 23 days have been over 100 degrees; the day that didn’t make it was 99. It’s officially hot enough for everyone; now can we get some cooling around here?

Yesterday was not a lot of fun in the evening (the hottest part of the day) when I got to try my hand at being a considerate car thief.

One of the younger household members locked her keys in her car. Unfortunately I wasn’t able to break into the car without breaking windows, so we ended up calling a tow company to do it. I’ll write up a full blog post on how to break into a car later.

Second — it’s hot, really hot and they are starting school.

I’m middle aged, I recognize it. I don’t try to hide this fact, I don’t try to idealize my past but I really think the previous generations had a little more intelligence then the current crop of administrators are showing.

It’s expected to reach 106 degrees today, the hottest day of the year! And today is the first day of school for most districts in the area.

Can anyone tell me it makes since to start school at the middle/end of August????

Seriously folks, starting school after Labor Day was a good thing for many reasons — not the least of which was the weather.

I understand multiculturalism, I understand inclusiveness — but I also think we are getting carried away with celebrating holidays — especially in the school system.

October is the only full month in the school year without a holiday. And it’s not just the recognized holidays, most months have either ‘early dismissal’ or a student holiday due to ‘staff development’.

Teachers have a rough job, I know that but let’s put the school year back to where it made sense — starting after Labor Day and ending at the end of May, eh?

No Recoil Therapy for me this weekend — Did I mention it’s been hot?

By the time I was up and going Saturday, I decided discretion was the better part of valor. Since I could see the discrete temperature marking on the thermometer under the indicator was already 95 degrees or more, I wimped out.

I don’t mention it often because I see it as just a part of life, but sometimes my asthma does effect what I want to do, this was one of them. I don’t do well in the heat, especially when it climbs into the triple digit figures, so I didn’t heat the range this weekend.

I hope to get out this next weekend.

Thanks for stopping by and reading my ramblings. I don’t say that often enough but I really do appreciate people taking time out of their day to visit.

But somehow, it’s managed to be a Monday and Friday the 13th on the same day.

I’m not normally superstitious but the last 12 hours have me wondering.

Last night on the way to the Board of Director’s meeting for the club, I stop to get a soda and snack at a Stop-N-Rob.

The Jimmy wouldn’t start when I came out.

(Probably just the alternator, maybe the battery. Tx Father In Law was on his way to the Board meeting so he was able to pick me up and take me home. Also Brother in law — an awesome guy and great mechanic is going to take a look at it today.)

After the meeting, the crowd at home was hungry so I sent my debit card with one of them to buy fast food.

This morning, on the way to drop off my Bride — the Air Conditioning in the Blazer stopped working.

(Probably just the relay, a part that I bought earlier this week and didn’t get installed.)

While dropping off my Bride this morning, I discovered that I didn’t pick up my phone — which doubles as my PDA.

(Everything is backed up on my work computer so I won’t miss any appointments, it’s just a hassle)

Once I got to work, I started thinking about the amount of cash in my wallet –almost none — and realized that I never got back my debit card from last night.

(I’m not worried about her spending any of the money, just not being able to buy a cold drink on the way home — supposed to be 104 today).

All in all, it’s not the best way I’ve started a weekend.

Update — Just realized that I left my rescue inhaler at home also — Asthma and 104 degrees don’t play well with each other.

(Again, properly planning — or learning from mistakes, I’m not going to admit to which — means that I have a spare inhaler at work.)

But –this is probably one of the worst days I’ve had recently…….not bragging folks (well maybe a little) but when this is the one of the bad days — life is pretty good.

Please understand I’m whining only a little bit. I’m really saying how thankful that the problems I have in life are small and easily solved.