Tonsil infection. Which in turn has caused bronchitis. And the infection has spread into both eyes.
Yuck.
Prescriptions are partially covered by insurance but still cost $88.
I don't know how the low income and elderly living on fixed incomes can afford medication.
Still feel like crap.
Tuesday, May 30, 2006
Sunday, May 28, 2006
Sunday, May 28
I'm not sure if it's a head cold or something else. Saturday I was about as sick as I can ever recall. Called my MD Saturday. They have Saturday morning hours for acute visits. Didn't think they'd be open on Memorial Day Saturday, but called anyway. They're closed for the holiday and will be back Tuesday. I'll call first thing Tuesday AM and they'll be able to get me in.Did almost nothing yesterday and today. I did go have breakfast and go to the grocery store today. Actually started out feeling better but have gotten worse as the day goes on.
I kind of look and feel like this squirrel does. :-)
Saturday, May 27, 2006
Friday, May 26, 2006
Brief Update
It's Friday, Memorial Day weekend. I had planned to take today (Friday) off; possibly go somewhere. But, I've had a severe head cold since Tuesday. Since I certainly don't feel like going anywhere, I went to work instead of taking the day off. I can be miserable at work just as easy as I can be miserable at home.
Living on aspirin and orange juice all week. Still feel like crap.
Hopefully I'll be better by Sunday. That's when M & C are driving down from NoVa to spend a couple of days in Cary with ADH, MIH and EIH.
Watching Godzilla, Mothra and King Ghidorah on the Sci-Fi Channel. The late 90's version. The dubbing is perfect. Completely English accents and just slightly out of sync. It's great!
Living on aspirin and orange juice all week. Still feel like crap.
Hopefully I'll be better by Sunday. That's when M & C are driving down from NoVa to spend a couple of days in Cary with ADH, MIH and EIH.
Watching Godzilla, Mothra and King Ghidorah on the Sci-Fi Channel. The late 90's version. The dubbing is perfect. Completely English accents and just slightly out of sync. It's great!
Monday, May 22, 2006
Sunday Concert
Afternoon Concert
Intermission sponsored by CSX Railway
Sanford Literati Preparing to Leave
Sunday was a laid back day. Went to Depot Park and listened to a concert by the Lee County Community Orchestra. Volunteer group of high school and adult musicians who put on a series of concerts every year. Obviously not the North Carolina Symphony, but pretty good and a nice reflection of community involvement.
Note that they all dress in blue jeans and white shirts. The white shirts can be anything from regular button shirts to tennis shirts to tee shirts.
The program was a combination of well known selections along with a couple of pieces designed to demonstrate a classical theme. I think the conductor is a local instructor. He gave a pretty good run down of each piece and an explanation of what to listen for.
JN goades Bill into telling the conductor / teacher an orchestra joke.
Question = What's the Difference Between an Orchestra and a Bull?
Response = I don't know?
Answer = A Bull has the Horns in the Front - And the Ass in the Back.
LOL
Back Home
Watched The Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. Interesting movie. Not for everyone, and this will be the only time I watch it, but decent.
I'm out of the office all this week at North Carolina Central University. It will be long tiring days, but at least it's in Durham so I don't have to live out of a hotel room all week.
Saturday, May 20, 2006
Awesome is an Overused Word
Saturday AM, delivered the lawn mower to the local small engine repair shop. Gene works out of a shop at his house and is one of the last old time small country businesses.
If it’s gas or diesel powered, he’ll fix it. Not a shade tree mechanic – he does everything by the book and is an authorized warranty service technician for multiple small engine manufacturers such as Briggs & Stratton and Honda.
Each year, I take the mower to him for a ‘tune up’. He’ll replace the spark plug, sharpen the blade, replace the air and gas filters, change the oil, clean and adjust the carburetor and anything else the mower needs.
It’ll cost me a whopping $35 +/-.
He only works during the week, so you fill out a tag (in the box by the door), wire twist ties attach the tag to the machine, and leave it under the shelter in front of the shop. Gene will call and leave a message when it’s time to pick it up. Usually in 1 or 2 days. 3 if he has to have a part or kit delivered.
My last mower’s body housing rusted completely away with age (8 years) but it ran perfectly till the end because Gene kept it in tip top shape.
Now that I have a garage and equipment storage, the current (3 years old) mower should last me till Gene retires.
On to breakfast and to Artsplosure.
Artsplosure has really gone upscale in the past few years. Very few ‘crafts’ from the Arts and Crafts vendors. Mostly art in the hundreds and up range. Some of it way up. And, the music has gone way beyond local bands now.
JN and I were getting ready to leave when a Latin band from Miami was setting up on the main stage. We hung around to listen to a song or two before heading out.
Stayed for the whole set.
Awesome is an overused word – but JavierGarcia was Awesome!
Usually at any given performance, a couple hundred people will listen to a band for a while, and then mosey on during the set.
After just 15 or 20 minutes of Javier starting up – the main stage area was packed shoulder to shoulder with people listening and dancing.
It’s Latin. Not Salsa. I don’t know what the category is – but they were just simply awesome. The crowd (of a couple thousand or more) demanded an encore. I’ve never seen that before at Artsplosure.
These guys not only make fantastic music – they really enjoy themselves. The bass player especially enjoys playing.
Listening to them, the feeling and fun, and the crowd response reminded me of the time JCK and I saw Wilson Pickett at one of the very first Artsplosures - gosh - 20+ years ago.
I hope they make it big time.
‘Caines were down 2 – 1 second period last time I heard. Wonder if they came back and won? I didn’t receive a text message from ADH so I’m guessing they lost. Need to check.
KA-BOOM!
In the short time it took to compose this entry, the sky has gone from clear to a serious dark thunderstorm with lightening and a blowing downpour. I'm on the porch with the laptop and need to run inside. Now!
If it’s gas or diesel powered, he’ll fix it. Not a shade tree mechanic – he does everything by the book and is an authorized warranty service technician for multiple small engine manufacturers such as Briggs & Stratton and Honda.
Each year, I take the mower to him for a ‘tune up’. He’ll replace the spark plug, sharpen the blade, replace the air and gas filters, change the oil, clean and adjust the carburetor and anything else the mower needs.
It’ll cost me a whopping $35 +/-.
He only works during the week, so you fill out a tag (in the box by the door), wire twist ties attach the tag to the machine, and leave it under the shelter in front of the shop. Gene will call and leave a message when it’s time to pick it up. Usually in 1 or 2 days. 3 if he has to have a part or kit delivered.
My last mower’s body housing rusted completely away with age (8 years) but it ran perfectly till the end because Gene kept it in tip top shape.
Now that I have a garage and equipment storage, the current (3 years old) mower should last me till Gene retires.
On to breakfast and to Artsplosure.
Artsplosure has really gone upscale in the past few years. Very few ‘crafts’ from the Arts and Crafts vendors. Mostly art in the hundreds and up range. Some of it way up. And, the music has gone way beyond local bands now.
JN and I were getting ready to leave when a Latin band from Miami was setting up on the main stage. We hung around to listen to a song or two before heading out.
Stayed for the whole set.
Awesome is an overused word – but JavierGarcia was Awesome!
Usually at any given performance, a couple hundred people will listen to a band for a while, and then mosey on during the set.
After just 15 or 20 minutes of Javier starting up – the main stage area was packed shoulder to shoulder with people listening and dancing.
It’s Latin. Not Salsa. I don’t know what the category is – but they were just simply awesome. The crowd (of a couple thousand or more) demanded an encore. I’ve never seen that before at Artsplosure.
These guys not only make fantastic music – they really enjoy themselves. The bass player especially enjoys playing.
Listening to them, the feeling and fun, and the crowd response reminded me of the time JCK and I saw Wilson Pickett at one of the very first Artsplosures - gosh - 20+ years ago.
I hope they make it big time.
‘Caines were down 2 – 1 second period last time I heard. Wonder if they came back and won? I didn’t receive a text message from ADH so I’m guessing they lost. Need to check.
KA-BOOM!
In the short time it took to compose this entry, the sky has gone from clear to a serious dark thunderstorm with lightening and a blowing downpour. I'm on the porch with the laptop and need to run inside. Now!
Tuesday, May 16, 2006
Tuesday, May 16, 2006
Cable TV
Waiting for the cable guy. Appointment is set up for between 1 PM and 5 PM.
Cable TV and internet service has always been spotty. Frequently, the internet will simply go away for no apparent reason only to start back up later. Outages are typically measured in hours.
2 weekends ago, however, the internet went out. Returned the next day. Then out again for days. Back on Friday evening. Out again Saturday till Sunday afternoon. In addition, the TV signal basically went away for the lower numbered channels and the rest were very fuzzy or with snow or with overlapping signals (2 channels in 1).
Sunday, suddenly, everything cleared up. But - I'm still keeping the appointment. I'd like the problem to get diagnosed and fixed.
Of course, each time I call, they try to imply that the problem must be with my wireless modem / router. In fact, I replaced the modem / router last fall. Still having the same intermittent problems.
This time when I called, the service technician did a check on the cable signal strength and noted that it has a history of dropping strength.
Hopefully the service contractor will be sharp and able to diagnose the problem.
SiteAdvisor
Speaking of the internet, thank you to my nephew, ADH, for letting me know about Siteadvisor. I've installed it and totally appreciate the testing, screening and alerts to iffy web sites.
Addendum - 5 PM
Cable guy arrived around 3 PM. He's just finishing up. The "acceptable" signal range should be between -12 and +12. I don't know what the unit of measurement is. The higher the better. Per the technician, at the lower end - you're still going to have a lot of problems. My signal was measuring at -10.
The solution was to run a dedicated line to the modem and rerouting the other lines to the TV's eliminating splitters and such.
Already, the signal is up to around 0.
He suspects that due to the long run from the house to the connector box up the street, that there's a lot of signal loss and possibly a poor performing amplifier in the box at the street. He's changing that out now to boost the signal even further.
But - he says jus by getting up from a -10 to 0, I shouldn't have any problems.
Addendum Redux
Changed out an amplifier at the street - signal is now +1.3 dbMv.
Shouldn't have any problems. If so, call and specifically request him, as he will know that the house wiring is good to go and that he might need to look further up the line if there are further problems.
Answering Machine
Answering machine again decided to quit working today.
Sigh.
Waiting for the cable guy. Appointment is set up for between 1 PM and 5 PM.
Cable TV and internet service has always been spotty. Frequently, the internet will simply go away for no apparent reason only to start back up later. Outages are typically measured in hours.
2 weekends ago, however, the internet went out. Returned the next day. Then out again for days. Back on Friday evening. Out again Saturday till Sunday afternoon. In addition, the TV signal basically went away for the lower numbered channels and the rest were very fuzzy or with snow or with overlapping signals (2 channels in 1).
Sunday, suddenly, everything cleared up. But - I'm still keeping the appointment. I'd like the problem to get diagnosed and fixed.
Of course, each time I call, they try to imply that the problem must be with my wireless modem / router. In fact, I replaced the modem / router last fall. Still having the same intermittent problems.
This time when I called, the service technician did a check on the cable signal strength and noted that it has a history of dropping strength.
Hopefully the service contractor will be sharp and able to diagnose the problem.
SiteAdvisor
Speaking of the internet, thank you to my nephew, ADH, for letting me know about Siteadvisor. I've installed it and totally appreciate the testing, screening and alerts to iffy web sites.
Addendum - 5 PM
Cable guy arrived around 3 PM. He's just finishing up. The "acceptable" signal range should be between -12 and +12. I don't know what the unit of measurement is. The higher the better. Per the technician, at the lower end - you're still going to have a lot of problems. My signal was measuring at -10.
The solution was to run a dedicated line to the modem and rerouting the other lines to the TV's eliminating splitters and such.
Already, the signal is up to around 0.
He suspects that due to the long run from the house to the connector box up the street, that there's a lot of signal loss and possibly a poor performing amplifier in the box at the street. He's changing that out now to boost the signal even further.
But - he says jus by getting up from a -10 to 0, I shouldn't have any problems.
Addendum Redux
Changed out an amplifier at the street - signal is now +1.3 dbMv.
Shouldn't have any problems. If so, call and specifically request him, as he will know that the house wiring is good to go and that he might need to look further up the line if there are further problems.
Answering Machine
Answering machine again decided to quit working today.
Sigh.
Monday, May 15, 2006
Monday May 15, 2006
Usual weekend around the house. I did some housecleaning, laundry, the usual stuff.
Saturday I took the car in to have the grab handle above the passenger door replaced.
Met up with nephew + family Sunday morning at Crêpes and Coffee. EIH (age 4) and I shared a banana split crêpe. Along with the table, the floor and most of her clothes. :-)
EIH can now write her name in both English letters and Kanji. She goes to Japanese school on Saturdays organized by the local Japan community – just like kids do in Japan. It’s neat to listen to her switch effortlessly from Japanese to English depending on who she is talking to.
Sunday afternoon brought some strong weather around the house. Warnings were going off all around the area in the early evening. Had a lot of hail which tore up the plants on the back deck. There are reports on the news this morning that 2 tornados touched down briefly in Sanford and Moncure. Some damage but nothing bad.
Movies
Watched Munich this weekend - excellent movie. Having watched Munich and Brokeback Mountain over the past 2 weekends – how the hell did Crash (seen earlier this year) win best picture? Crash is an ok film – but just ok / average. Maybe slightly above average – but nowhere near the other 2.
Addendum
Just got a new flat screen monitor for work. Wow - what a difference! I'm 50 yo and my vision isn't what it used to be - the old CRT made my eyes tired as the day wore on. This new, much larger screen is a welcome relief.
Saturday I took the car in to have the grab handle above the passenger door replaced.
Met up with nephew + family Sunday morning at Crêpes and Coffee. EIH (age 4) and I shared a banana split crêpe. Along with the table, the floor and most of her clothes. :-)
EIH can now write her name in both English letters and Kanji. She goes to Japanese school on Saturdays organized by the local Japan community – just like kids do in Japan. It’s neat to listen to her switch effortlessly from Japanese to English depending on who she is talking to.
Sunday afternoon brought some strong weather around the house. Warnings were going off all around the area in the early evening. Had a lot of hail which tore up the plants on the back deck. There are reports on the news this morning that 2 tornados touched down briefly in Sanford and Moncure. Some damage but nothing bad.
Movies
Watched Munich this weekend - excellent movie. Having watched Munich and Brokeback Mountain over the past 2 weekends – how the hell did Crash (seen earlier this year) win best picture? Crash is an ok film – but just ok / average. Maybe slightly above average – but nowhere near the other 2.
Addendum
Just got a new flat screen monitor for work. Wow - what a difference! I'm 50 yo and my vision isn't what it used to be - the old CRT made my eyes tired as the day wore on. This new, much larger screen is a welcome relief.
Thursday, May 11, 2006
Thursday, May 11, 2006
Wednesday, we inspected Polk Correctional Institute.
Combination of Medium Custody, Close Custody, Intensive Custody, Segregation, Protective Custody and SuperMax.
Gang members, guys needing protection, and felons assigned as needing to be in serious incarceration.
Here’s a News Flash – It is NOT like you see on TV or the Movies.
The Inmates are NOT big hulking weight lifters.
Just regular guys. Mostly young. Which fits the profile of guys who seem to get into trouble
And some who seem to find a way to get into very serious trouble.
Many appear, to me, mentally disturbed or very low IQ.
But – very seriously dangerous – if out in the public.
Here’s another New Flash –
We (the inspection team) – walk among the inmate population.
Yep – we inspect the buildings, HVAC, power systems, control systems, structural, etc.
And yes – we are among the inmates.
As in – the inmates are in cells, common rooms, class rooms, visitation, dinning, lining up for lunch, classes, playing soft ball, hanging out in the yard, etc. – and we are out mingling with them. We’re not separated.
We just walk among the inmates / guys.
Me – “Excuse me, is it OK if I look at your room?”
Inmate – “Sure – no problem dude.”
I look around.
Me – “Thanks man.”
Inmate – “No prob. You seen everything? I can show you how the sink works or whatever.”
Me – “Thanks man, I got what I need. Everything works? OK?”
Inmate – “Yeah. It’s cool.”
IF – and it’s a BIG IF – a problem occurs – well – hopefully I’d be in a control pod – if not – well then – I’d be among the inmates.
Believe it or not – it’s very safe. Problems simply don't occur.
Even though a lot of these guys have (mostly) nothing to lose – they are courteous – kind – polite – and very well behaved.
I felt just fine and comfortable.
As for the
Those guys (in my opinion) have serious emotional or mental problems.
But even then – the inmates just want contact with somebody.
Anybody
But if you (me) acknowledge them and make eye contact – or a simple "How's it going?" - they were very grateful.
Make no mistake - these guys are very serious and very dangerious.
But - bottom line - they are human beings.
The guards and staff treat them with dignity and respect.
And so do I.
Monday, May 08, 2006
Monday May 8, 2006
Movies
On DVD were Man Without a Face, Narnia, and
Saw United 93 at the theater.
All 4 films are excellent. Man Without a Face gets a bit preachy towards the end – but a very good movie. Narnia also gets a little incredulous, but, that’s the way the book was written. Brokeback is very good. Certainly far better than Crash.
United 93. Not overwrought, no jingoism, not preachy – just a representation of events. A very powerful and respectful depiction. I left the theater feeling very humbled.
NC State Basketball
NC State has a new basketball coach; Sidney Lowe. I’m really excited about his taking over the program. In addition, recruiting coordinator Larry Harris who went with Sendek to
The new basketball coaching team is loaded with potential. There are unknowns since
Work
The next few weeks are going to be really busy with field work. I will be in Granville County 2 or 3 days this week. The following 2 weeks, I’ll be at NC Central University. And the week after that is tagged for any completion / leftover field work in Granville and / or NCCU.
Still looking for an Electrical Engineer to round out one of the teams.
General Assembly session starts Tuesday. There will be the typical inquiries and support work that arises during the session.
The busy season begins.
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