%%USERNAME%%    %%ACCWORDS%% %%ONOFF%% |
 Being Retired now, I thought that it was time for a new name to this Blog |
|
Talk about perks, my career had one of the best I can think of! I traveled in the course of business, delivering classes for my employer. I was a Senior Training Specialist for Motorola Solutions, and taught classes on a wide variety of subjects centered around 2-way radio communications. I knew that when the time arrived that I would retire, and I have. I've always said that if you can't stand the heat in the kitchen, get out! I can't handle the heat anymore. I was qualified to deliver approximately 32 different classes, but about half of those were 'Legacy' classes, and were not in demand anymore. My students were technicians, those who maintained, programmed, calibrated, and repaired large 2-way radio systems. Some of these systems are statewide, and use TCP-IP networking to allow sites to communicate with others. Some are small, traditional type radio sites. The size doesn't matter, in each case the systems must be kept operational at all times, since many of them are Public Safety Systems. So I traveled, sometimes frequently, 3-4 weeks in a row.... where have I been? Some of the places I've been (I can't list them all here, the list would be too long) are pretty interesting. 1. Hawaii - Four times, Oahu, Maui (twice), and the Big Island 2. BangkokThailand, twice 3. Frankfurt Germany, twice 4. Algiers, Algeria 5. Melbourne Australia 6. Bismarck North Dakota, Summer & Winter 7. Los Angeles, Too many times to count 8. Washington DC, Too many times to count 9. Seattle three or four times 10. Texas, all over the state 11. Florida, all over the state 12. New Mexico, HOME! Several times  Best Cultural And Regional Honorable Mention |
| Reading, Reading, Reading This will be a short entry today. It's the size of entry I'd love to stick to. It is so good to read an actual book again! As I might have mentioned in the Newsfeed, I've started reading The Mote In God's Eye, Larry Niven & Jerry Pournelle.. I thought I remembered reading, but a couple of things tell me my mind is remembering wrong. First, it was published in 1974, the year I reported to my first Submarine. Being new onboard, about the only reading I had time for would have been reading what was necessary to qualify (earn my dolphins or on Watchstations). Second, I've read a few chapters, and nothing, absolutely nothing is familiar so far. If that changes, I'll be sure to let you know. I'm pretty excited about reading The Mote In God's Eye because almost all of my reading today is done online. My intention is to read more, I have quite a few books here to read, I know I want to read The Complete Works Of O' Henry, and my older copy of The Adventures Of Tom Sawyer. Also, after seeing in the Newsfeed that Lilli - Coffee Elf ☕ 🎄  had awarded "No More Ghosts"  an awardicon, I knew I had to read it too. It's S🤦♂️  's Anniversary month, if you feel you should read it, send him an Anniversary Review! I don't think the "Anniversary Reviews" is counting those reviews yet, but man it's always nice to receive one! I was so impressed with the story that I too sent it an Awardicon. I don't send Awardicons very often, but this story really deserved one. |
Ionizer Air Filters/Cleaners I have a bad habit of playing games on my tablet. Why is it bad? Because I've lost the ability to write meaningful stories and poems. I'm beginning to structure my day bay better to devote an hour to reading at least one chapter in book. Right now I just started The Mote In God's Eye, by Larry Niven & Jerry Pournelle. It was published in 1974, I read it while on an FBM Patrol once. The sad thing is, I remember very little of it, which tells me I read it pretty fast. I know it's been 51 years since being published, but I feel I should remember more of it. In playing games on my tablet though, I see a lot of ads. One of the most recent ones is about an Ionic Air Purifier by Lab Charge. The big claim is that you can smell the freshness in the air. I don't know about that, but I'll let that go. Y'see, Nuclear Submarines have used this same technology since the beginning of time. Well, since the late 50's to early 60's let's say. It was called an Electrostatics Precipitator and it was my division's responsibility to clean them. The Precipitator contained had 2 sections, an Ionizer, and a Collector, or Collector Plates. The ionizer operated at 16,000 Volts! The Collector operated at about 8000 Volts. The Precipitator sat in a vent duct so air would flow over it. As the air flowed past the thin wires of the ionizer, it would give particles a negative static charge (smoke, dust, and fumes (hydraulic oil, Amine, etc) from the air stream). This is how the Ionic Air Purifier by Lab Charge (and other manufacturers operate) that you can buy works. But here's the difference. In a Submarine, the air then flows across a Collector plate that is Positively Charged. The ions created by the Ionizer at attracted to those positive plates, purifying and cleaning the air. (It was a HUGE Pain In The 'You Know What' to clean too!). The 'new' Ionic Air Purifiers do not have any type of Collector. If you pay attention to the ad on the tablet, or read the company's literature about it, it will tell you that "Ionizing the air causes the particles to become too heavy to float, and they fall to the floor" (or any horizontal surface). So yes, you are purifying the air in your house, and in the process, you are creating dust. Oh yeah, if that dust gets disturbed in some way, it can become airborne, and may end up being ionized again! This doesn't sound like a solution to me. It removes dust, dirt, and odors from the air, and creates dust in your house. I'm sorry, my house has enough dust in it already....  |
Things I Avoid This entry is inspired by today's "Question of the Day!" . My answer to today's question is "Anything to do with The Kardashians". We all do it, there are things or subjects we avoid. Consciously or unconsciously, we avoid them (or it). I didn't watch it for a couple of reasons, chief among them that it's 'Reality TV' at its worst. I did a little readding about the family, and knew I wanted nothing to do with them, even if I had been offered A LOT of money to associate with them. Well, okay. We all can be bought, we have our price, but mine would be pretty high. That's not going to happen though, I'm lucky there.I have a general disdain for Reality TV though. Why? Because it's not live, it's recorded. If that's the case, then it can't be reality since it was most likely edited. One of my daughters would watch Reality TV (Real World or Road Rules) when it first appeared, telling me it was better than the shows currently available. I asked her if the show was live, or was it a recorded version. When she replied that it was a recorded version, I just said "Bingo! What do you think other TV shows are?" I will confess that I do enjoy watching the Ancient Aliens series on the History Channel. Yes it's a form of Reality TV, but it's not quite Reality TV, it's more like a sensational style of TV. It does make me laugh at times. The hosts seem to really believe the stuff they spout. My youngest brother and I had a connection through that show, maybe that's why I like it so much. Things I try to avoid: 1. I've already mentioned my adversity to Reality TV, 'nuff said. 2. There are some music groups I prefer not to listen to, except for a rare song at times. If you think about my music video posts in "Smile! (Groan?) You Know You Love These!" , you won't fine Led Zeppelin, Elton John, The Rolling Stones featured very often. Don't get me wrong though. They are all talented musicians, they have more talent in their pinky finger than I have in my body. For the most part, their music doesn't sit well with me for some odd reason.3. Confrontations with People. I am not one who 'enjoys' a good argument (Does anyone really enjoy arguing?), I avoid one if possible. If someone insults me or makes a point in an argument, my mind takes a bit of time to develop a counterpoint. If might be 30 minutes later that I think of what to say! I would not be a valued member of a Debate team either for that reason. I'll say what I need to say, then tell them I'm going to argue with theem about it either. I tell them why of course, by saying "I'm not one who can go back and forth on any subject, so let's not argue." They are free to give me their thoughts of course, but I won't respond further. I'm just not good at comebacks. As a famous character said in a movie once, "A man's got to know his limitations." That's of the many I'm cursedblessed with. Jim Dorrell |
Seeing My Oncologist I saw my Oncologist yesterday, he said I'm doing well. As I've said before, I was so blessed and lucky that this was found so early. The Cancerous White Blood cells were only 40-50%. Of the 17 signs that may cause you to suspect you could have Multiple Myeloma, I had ONE. Plus, I didn't even know I had that, the Sinus Infection that wouldn't go away. It took an MRI of my skull (they couldn't find a brain there. ) to reveal the Sinus Infection. I had no signs of one, believe it or not. A Doctor would tap my cheekbones in several locations and ask if it hurt. Nope, other than them tapping a bit hard on my cheeks. I've seen my blood work results and I know they monitor specific values. Things like CBC (for anemia/blood counts), Calcium (often high), Creatinine/Kidney Function, Albumin (often low), and specific myeloma protein tests: SPEP/IFE (M-protein), Quantitative Immunoglobulins, and Serum Free Light Chains, plus markers like LDH and Beta-2 Microglobulin to track the disease. Those levels are affected by that Revlimid, the results are skewed a lot! An easy example is that Revlimid causes pre-diabetes. In my most recent blood work, my Glucose was relatively high (I won't say how high). As a result, my Primary Care doctor wants me on Metformin, but I've resisted taking that so far. Revlimid can also cause Kidney problems, but so far mine continue to work overtime! Plus, there are a myriad list of other issues. Minor things, you know. (I kid about this, as you might be able to tell, because these are Major issues). The most severe side effects are Risk to Unborn Babies:, Blood Clots: The medication significantly increases the risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT, blood clots in the arms or legs) and pulmonary embolism (PE, blood clots in the lungs), as well as heart attacks and stroke, Low Blood Cell Counts (Hematologic Toxicity) Revlimid commonly causes severely low levels of white blood cells (neutropenia) and platelets (thrombocytopenia). I have not experienced this side effect, though my white blood cell count typically runs either low, or below the limit. Other Serious Side Effects: Increased Risk of New Cancers, Serious liver issues, Severe Skin and Allergic Reactions, Tumor Lysis Syndrome (TLS) Common, Milder Side Effects: Fatigue/weakness (this is why I retired!), Diarrhea, constipation, nausea, or stomach pain, Cough, fever, or cold-like symptoms, Rash and itching, Muscle cramps and joint or back pain, Insomnia (difficulty sleeping), Shortness of breath, Headache, and Swelling of the hands or lower legs. I have to say that I have not suffered a lot while taking Revlimid. It's those Common, Milder Side effects that I've suffered from though. Not the serious ones. I'm often asked what I'm grateful for and I always respond with "My Health!" Since I have this 'Cancer', they are surprised at my answer. I give that answer because I know how much worse things could be. |
Tariff's, Tariff's, Alcohol Tariff's? Why am I not surprised about this news? And why am I not surprised we've heard nothing in American news about this? What am I talking about? The decision by about all Canadian Provinces to no longer sell alcohol brewed or distilled in America. Back when the Tariff war was going on (it still is, that will never end most likely), Canada pulled all alcohol from American Breweries, Distilleries, and Wineries from its shelves. The article begins by saying, "Canadian provinces have a strange problem: What to do with millions of dollars worth of American alcohol, pulled from the shelves in anger over US tariffs and now gathering dust in stock rooms?" They are serious too, we're talking over $100 million, that's a lot of profit to get rid of, just because it's from America. That's a bit on the crazy side if you ask me, but there is a silver lining to this cloud. From the article: At least two provinces say the booze will go to a good cause, promising to sell remaining inventory and donate proceeds to charity. One province is offloading it to restaurants and bars instead of selling it to the public. Others have not said what they plan to do with the shelved liquor. That includes Ontario, which has an eye-popping C$80m ($57.7m; £43.3m) worth of US booze stockpiled, some of which will soon expire. What? Liquor expires? Gee, I bet the closet of liquor I have at home here expired long ago. I'm glad that the money is being donated to charity or given to food banks though. Why can't they do this all the time instead of only when they are mad at America? Oh well, I know little about this, and am surprised to learn that liquor expires. To me, that's like the old joke about Poison. Poison has an expiration date on it. So if/when it expires, is it more poisonous? Or now non-poisonous? |
A Not So Pleasant Surprise Yesterday I thought I'd lie down to nap. As usual, I lay there for maybe 30 minutes. When I checked my phone later, I found that my bank's Fraud & Protection group had called me SIX times! Oh Lordy. I immediately called them and learned that my bank card had been compromised once again. It all started when I filled my van at a Quik-n-EZ. When I inserted my card at the first pump, the display said, "Chip Card Cannot Be Read. Pay Inside". I was on the outside line, far from the cashier, instead of walking there, I moved the van to a different pump. This one operated just fine. And that's when things started. The next charge, or attempted charge, was for $74, at the same location. They also tried to sign me up for an account on some website. My bank declined both of those charges. Lucky me. I ended up visiting the bank and getting a new card. Except now I need to make sure that the 3-4 'auto-pays' have the correct card listed. I know the auto-pay thing is so convenient, but there are times where I wish I paid everything with cash. It's so much safer! Once you have an internet presence, you give up your privacy, and as far as money goes, you are not safe! Thank God my bank is pretty diligent about their Fraud detection. |
| Playing Santa For An Afternoon Yesterday I was finally able to play Santa a little bit. In the past, I was so wrapped up with work that doing something like this never crossed my mind. I was determined to change my ways. I don't want any of my children, grandchildren, nor anyone else, to think of me as Mr. Scrooge. It all started when our local library had a book sale. Fit all you can in a provided paper bag and pay them $5. I found quite a few children's books too. Then I thought about Nancy Drew/Hardy Boys Mysteries, those were gone early on though. Heck, I even wrapped presents, and made sure I had presents for my children, now adults. Despite the cold (it was in the 20's during the day), I drove to Decatur, about 40 miles away. I visited my daughter Brittany first. She is struggling to make ends meet right now, I think she always will. That's just her nature it seems. I hate to say it, but I didn't want to stay at her house too long. Not because I didn't want to see her or the children, but because with the health issues I have, I don't need to give them any kind of sickness, nor do I need to catch something from them. At least Brittany understands my reasoning. Next I visited my daughter Jami. I was able to spend more time with her because she has no children, nor does she want children. At each house, the cats came to me without being called. Did I smell of catnip? I drove home in the dark, and was glad I had driven down when it was light out. I knew what the roads were like, I'd seen that there appeared to be no ice, and no black ice either, since I didn't see any reflections as I drove. It had been a good day though. The kind of day I needed this time of year. I arrived home tired & hungry. However, Kathy had fixed us Chicken & Noodles over Mashed Potatoes for dinner. Yummmmm. |
View Portfolio
Visit Notebook
Send Gift Points
Awards
Badges
Send Email
Community Newsfeed
Puzzle Hub
General Discussion
Sponsored Items
Book of Trinkets
Static Items
Books
Groups
Interactive Stories
Audio
Campfire Creatives
Community Notes
Crossword Puzzles
Documents
Folders
Images
In & Outs
Madlibs
Photo Albums
Polls
Product Reviews
Quizzes
Survey Forms
Web Pages
Word Searches
