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- January 4, 2017
- Charles Manson Moved from Corcoran to Bakersfield Hospital
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Charlie Manson, notorious for both a string of grisly murders and escaping the death penality has been transported from Corcoran State Prison to an emergency department of a Bakersfield hospital due to stomach trouble.
He is said to be seriously ill and of course HIPPA prevents us from getting the facts.
Perhaps this sadistic murderer will finally get his.
The Crowes, Hinmans, Tates, and LaBiancas, families of those victims he murdered without mercy in LA so long ago have surely waited long enough for him to stop poisoning the air of the Earth by continuing to breathe it.
Die Charlie Die.
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- January 3, 2017
- Chocolate Covered Cherry Day
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Today is Chocolate Covered Cherry Day, a day to take note of one of my favorite childhood treats ...
the chocolate covered cherry cordial.
A cordial is a type of candy which consists of a fruit filling within a chocolate shell.
My personal idea of the perfect chocolate covered cherry is one with an intact pitted stemless fruit suspended in a clear liquid which spills over the tongue when bitten.
My dear late grandma Ida use to keep these around at holidays and I think therein lay the origin of my deep abiding love for them.
Happy Chocolate Covered Cherry Day !
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- January 2, 2017
- Holiday Winding Down
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I have the day off from work today.
I suppose it's for those who partook too much of New Years Eve festivities to recover prior to getting back into the workaday grind ...
We had a wonderful dinner at Mom's yesterday.
Bryan brought his family down from Portsmouth to visit.
He, his bride Kati, and their three girls Izabella, Dannilyn, and Kadence came over for the traditional New Years Day dishes of greens and black eyed peas, and ham ... we had salsbury steak and peach cobbler that we passed off as "pie".
I belted out a stanza from a number in the Family Guy episode Road to Multiverse called "It's a wonderful day for pie".
There were a few sweets handed out in the form of lollipops, candy canes, and Ghiradelli chocolate ...
You know, the whole G rated family type goings on in my never ending effort to be socially aware and culturally relevant.
I was glad I came and got to meet and be with everyone again!
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- January 1, 2017
- Happy New Year !
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- December 31, 2016
- New Years Resolutions
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So as the year winds down my thoughts turn to improving next year. As for resolutions — I don't have many ... a lot of years I haven't had any.
This year I'm planning on getting my dead butt out on the street and getting some exercise.
Toward that end I begin hormone replacement therapy January 23.
It seems that borderline low flowing through this much carcass simply isn't providing adequate umph resulting in fatigue and complicating my raging bald fatness.
Anyway, aside from that I've included attempting to swear less, trying to eat less junk food, and pursuing some semblence of serenity in my life for a change.
That should pretty much do it for me.
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- December 30, 2016
- ID issues and Fort Jackson
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The Congressional REAL ID Act of 2005 of May 11, 2005 modifies federal law regarding security, authentication, and issuance procedures standards for the state driver's licenses and identification (ID) cards, as well as various immigration issues pertaining to acts if terrorism.
South Carolina is having to contend with state issued identification like drivers licenses and identification cards which do not comply with the parameters set into place by the Real ID Act, including:
• new federal standards for state-issued driver licenses and non-driver ID cards
• new visa limits for temporary workers, nurses, and Australian citizens
• border security reporting and some pilot project funding
• utilizing a "delivery bond" for aliens who have been released pending hearings
• updates and improvements of the law regarding asylum and deportation of aliens involved in terrorist activity
• waiving legislated interference in the construction of physical barriers at borders
We have a legislative matter whereby SC drivers licenses will no longer be accepted at military bases and airports because they are not conformant to the Real ID criteria. I am hoping that those who can get moving and deal with this prior to it becoming problematic for the citizens.
My last encounter at Fort Jackson was a disaster ... hilarious in retrospect, but a disaster nontheless. My folks had called me on the cell regarding car trouble at the commissary and that they were stranded. I arrived at the gate, oblivious to the facts that:
1. I had no drivers license in my possession 2. I had no proof of insurance 3. I was not wearing a seat belt 4. My registration had expired
In other words ... I was TOTALLY illicit driving down the road without a care in the world. UNTIL I hit the main gate at Fort Jackson, that is.
Anyway, the gate people jumped into action. They went over each of my discrepancies with a stern admonition that these would require immediate resolution. Then they went to a computer and verifified that indeed I did have a valid drivers license as correlated to the addresss on my (defunct) copy of what should have been a current proof of insurance. They also verified my proof of insurance along with the policy numbers and dates of coverage. They had my expired registration and corrected me for not wearing a seat belt.
I rather sheepishly explained my dilemma and why I was there. Then, as if the irresponsibility gods were acting on my behalf, they let me go through after I signed a paper acknowledging the incident and what required immediate correction ... which happened the next day, which was a Monday.
This encounter was nothing short of miraculous in my book, having been told about the increased security for quite a while up front. I have since made attempts to keep tabs on the expiration dates of insurance policies, licenses, registrations and so forth. I remain somewhat slack on the seatbelt front.
In my rather lame defense, I do view it as a ridiculous incursion into the civil liberties of humanity and I'd like to stick an ungreased seat belt up the butts of each and every one involved in it's passage through the South Carolina legislature — which doesn't take care of necessary business worth a crap but always has seen fit to pass unnecessary fluff like this loser.
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- December 29, 2016
- Still Pursuing Bigfoot
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The topic of cryptids never ceases to intrigue me. The thought of creatures so evasive as to elude the people pursuing them for so long that all we can come up with are hoax evidence by dirtbags claiming to be "hunters" speaks volumes for that level at which humans sometimes operate.
Bigfoot, that large, hairy, simian appearing creature resembling the Asian yeti but supposedly found in northwestern America has been pursued vigorously lately in the upper pennsula of Michigan ... which by the way claims to have always been a "hotspot for sightings".
Some of the documentary programs I've been streaming lately are very compelling. People up close and personal with the bigfoot speaking of the size, the habitats, the interactions, and the smells.
A lot of the youtube stuff I've seen is really poor farce as well but the few things I've seen which "appear" credible are astounding and at once scary.
I keep wondering why the evidence keeps being stated in terms of death and maiming when a live specimen would be much more satisfying for me personally.
However, if the truth were to be known I am one to allow the creature to continue to baffle the hunters if indeed it is extant. The thought of killing a bigfoot for the satisfaction of the curious masses is simply an insufferable incursion into something I would otherwise view as wonderful.
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- December 28, 2016
- Marijuana Legalization and Me
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I have read with interest the continuing saga of the legalization of marijuana as it pertains to both medical and recreational status in various states of the nation.
In general, SC is more prohibitive than many of the other states. In addition, the federal question of legality supersedes the state laws and even in the presence of state legality it remains illegal at the federal level. It's status is Schedule I controlled substance.
This brings us to viability in the marketplace. There are a number of companies at which I was employed where requirements included drug testing at various intervals.
I used to submit to random drug testing. Now I submitted to an initial test for employment and subsequently may be tested "for cause".
There is a faulty notion among some of the people here that legal marijuana correlates directly to the workplace as well. This could not be farther from the truth.
Just because the state may legalize marijuana if a company forbids it's use then you remain subject to termination for failed drug tests.
The state cannot impose intervention on a company which finds the drug affects the performance of employees and if the company says it's contrary to policy with termination consequences you are better off not pushing your luck.
Knowing the half life is tantamount to the understanding of residual effects of any drug. Even in the presence of varying elimination mechanism efficiencies you're looking at a month or so for a chronic user becoming able to "pass" a drug test for cannabinoids as being common. Even then the fat storage and subsequent release of the drug will cause minute fluctuations.
It has been my profound sorrow to witness friends lose gainful employment because they declined to cease the consumption of marijuana. Some of these individuals lost coveted positions with tech firms rare to their area and excellent pay and benefit packages — all for a toke on demand.
As for me, that day I realized drug testing was in my future I put down the weed. I stopped the pills. I stopped smoking tobacco a number of years prior to that period BUT I was bound and determine that my highly addictive personality would not cost me my employment over some hard headed notion such as "I'm just going to smoke my pot" which was told to me by a person who did continue and now works a biker bar instead of a technology firm.
The moral to the story is your priorities set your station in life and what you do tomorrow depends largely upon what you do today.
Try not to be stupid regarding altered consciousness. I was initially but set it all aside before it became too late. The practicalities of earning a living and existing in a viable state require competence in those activities which constitute your life.
The stupor of a never ending half life hangover is not conducive to competence at work ... or anywhere else, either.
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- December 27, 2016
- Christmas Reflections
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This year we all were able to get together at Moms ... a few of us were missing; but a few of us usually missing made it. She got to see more people than I did.
Santa was really good to me. I got a lot of stuff I didn't really deserve.
Of course, I didn't get my own Terminator (the Cameron model) like I wanted — but perhaps next year.
It was a time to take note of those we lost and those we might have lost had serendipitous providence not interceded.
Unfortunately, the time was a bit problematic for my sister and the stress was evident at a time when she should not have had a care in the world.
Regardless, we should attempt to maintain that attitude of grateful appreciation for all that we have over the ensuing time until Christmas rolls around next year.
So as 2017 rapidly approaches the season remains in my heart. It wasn't as happy as last year but dealing with "what is" will always be an issue in life.
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- December 26, 2016
- George Michael Passes on Christmas Day
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Georgios Kyriacos Panayiotou
aka George Michael
June 25, 1963 - December 25, 2016
singer, songwriter, record producer
multiple areas of post disco pop musicThere are many performers I have taken with a grain of salt over the years. George Michael was one of them.
It seems that the "Wham" years were marginal with their teeny bopper irrelevance and mainstream bubble gum appeal.
My personal interest with George Michael as a performance artist typically involved his collaborations with others such as Deon Estus where I felt that the innovation flowed and his work was less superficially commercial and more attuned to those older persons such as myself.
Regardless, he held his music and his art in those fashions he saw fit and I can't knock a man for being who he is. His life is marked by a creative slant that few others can match with his lyrics and guitar and all the emotional strings he struck in others as the result of his music.
Like so many I am surprised to survive him. When I go thinking that piles of fundage availability equate to the ability to overcome the pitfalls of living I remain hopelessly naive in my orientation to what I would do with money viz a viz what others do who have it.
Rest in peace.
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- December 26, 2016
- The Second Day of Christmas (Twelvetide)
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We are now in the Twelve Days of Christmas, also known as Twelvetide. This is a Christian celebratory season marking the nativity.
The First Day of Christmas was yesterday, Christmas Day. The remaining successive days in Twelvetide continue through January 1.
Today is also St Stephen's Day aka the Feast of Saint Stephen. This day commemorates Stephen, the first Christian martyr who was stoned to death in Jerusalem, then part of the Roman Empire in Judea for alleged blasphemy of Mosaic law by the Sanhedrin who rejected Christ and his followers.
It is said that the Pharisee Saul of Tarsus (prior to becoming St Paul the Apostle) held the cloaks of those who put Stephen to death for his pious and indomitable spiritual beliefs. He related this in the Acts of the Apostles in the New Testament of the Holy Bible.
The historical information includes his having the countenance of an angel as he passed from the earthly dimension to the presence of the Almighty.
The circumstances of his death included the presence of the Throne of God with Christ at His right hand. It would seem that Christianity's protomartyr was well received into the bosom of the objects of his worship while alive.
The story of the unearthing of his relics centuries later was equally astounding as related by those adherents to Christ who found them. Saint Stephen was no ordinary Christian in the eyes of the one true God.
Acts of the Apostles 6: 5 And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch: 6: 8 And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people. 6: 9 Then there arose certain of the synagogue, which is called the synagogue of the Libertines, and Cyrenians, and Alexandrians, and of them of Cilicia and of Asia, disputing with Stephen. 7:59 And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. 8: 2 And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over him. 11:19 Now they which were scattered abroad upon the persecution that arose about Stephen travelled as far as Phenice, and Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to none but unto the Jews only. 22:20 And when the blood of thy martyr Stephen was shed, I also was standing by, and consenting unto his death, and kept the raiment of them that slew him.
Holy Bible King James Version
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- December 25, 2016
- Merry Christmas !
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As a child, my mama and daddy always saw to it that Christmas was the most wonderful time of the year. Every year — for years on end — I always got whatever was my heart's desire for Christmas.
Later, after my daddy passed my mom gave me the most wonderful stepfather imaginable. He pretty much turned Christmas into a 365 day a year event for me and advised me regarding life and career and I have been truly blessed.
Though I now have only memories of my daddy and stepfather they both remain in my heart as parts of me which I'll never let go.
I hope everyone has the opportunity to know that unconditional love available only from those special people who love you enough to take you as their own ... your folks.
Merry Christmas to you and yours.
Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas
Have yourself a merry little Christmas
Let your heart be light
From now on, our troubles will be out of sight
Have yourself a merry little Christmas
Make the Yuletide gay
From now on, our troubles will be miles away
Here we are as in olden days
Happy golden days of yore
Faithful friends who are dear to us
Gather near to us once more
Through the years we all will be together
If the fates allow
So hang a shining star upon the highest bough
And have yourself a merry little Christmas now
1943 by Hugh Martin and Ralph Blane
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- December 24, 2016
- Christmas Eve
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Another Christmas Eve is upon me. This year I'm left quite sad over the loss of my stepfather, who will be gone for a year next month. Though I'm trying to get through it all with as festive an attitude as possible I fear this simply is not to be for 2016.
I remain grateful for those blessings I have received and I understand the nature of the circle of life and how we all eventually pass — but somehow it's little comfort at a time meant for good cheer when all I can do is abide.
Regardless, I do hope that you and yours celebrate the merriest Christmas this holiday season. I'll just be a litte preoccupied this year. It happens.
The Christmas Song
Chestnuts roasting on an open fire
Jack Frost nipping at your nose
Yuletide carols being sung by a choir
And folks dressed up like Eskimos
Everybody knows a turkey and some
Mistletoe help to make the season bright
Tiny tots with their eyes all aglow
Will find it hard to sleep tonight
They know that Santa’s on his way
He's loaded lots of toys and goodies
On his sleigh
And every mother's
Child is gonna spy to see if
Reindeer really know how to fly
And so, I'm offering this
Simple phrase to kids from
One to ninety-two
Although it's been said many times
Many ways
Merry Christmas to you
1945 by Robert Wells and Mel Torme - Comments (0)
- December 23, 2016
- Fred II
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I'd like to introduce Fred II. This Fred is a gift from my mom and replaces the old one, which I used to death.
It is a Roomba 660, the model number having been derived from the bottom chassis ... But I note that the 660s in most of the illustrations show an olive body instead of the black one typical of the 650 model.
At any rate, the fundamental difference between the 650 and 660 models is the accessories with which each model comes, the 660 having more.
I have done exhaustive testing and this model navigates the carpet and hard floors effortlessly without the periodic "jump" of my old 500 series model which this replaces.
It's truly a blessing to an old white guy who isn't at home cleaning house. I kick it off and in 45 minutes it does a much better job than the 550 did in 3 hours.
Regardless, Fred I was a valued member of the household even if I did yell at him from time to time. Fred II has the same stature and esteem here at the crib.
Thanks Mom !
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