Saturday, January 24, 2009
I Love Jesus But I Drink A Little
I may have to start watching Ellen if these phone calls to 88 year old Gladys in Austin are going to become a regular fixture.
Hat tip to Andrew Sullivan for posting this (and my dad for telling me about it)
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
President Barack Obama
MSNBC has a really cool feature available on their web site. You can view the entire video of the ceremony (or past ones), view the transcript and jump to specific passages of them by highlighting the text you want to hear (then clip and embed them on your blog). You can search Kennedy's speech for "Ask not what your country can do for you...." and get just that section of his speech.
These were my favorite sections of Obama's speech today.
These were my favorite sections of Obama's speech today.
Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy
Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy
Count it down!
Then I went for a run with the other dog and just walked. And I started thinking about a lot of things, I was able to -- I can't remember what it was. Oh, the inaugural speech, started thinking through that .President Bush, before the first inaugural address, January 20, 2001
(from my page a day countdown calendar -- Thanks Taffy)
Now I'm just piling on, but I loved Letterman's "Great Moments in Presidential Speeches" -
Monday, January 19, 2009
Slowly getting back to normal
This past week I've done a few things that are helping to make life more "normal." For the past nine months I have spent most of my time when I am at home in the same spot on the couch. It has been a bit difficult to differentiate for what purpose I am on the couch. Consequently I have found it difficult to stay on a normal schedule and be productive. Granted, I've had to adjust my perception of what being productive entails. That doesn't change the fact that my "command center," as I started to think of it, was starting to become a hinderance. It was set up so that I could do just about everything from the couch - eat, sleep, work on the computer, watch TV, talk on the phone etc. It was perfect for when I was not able to move easily or without a lot of pain. That time has now passed and it was long overdue that I get back to normal.
There were some things that I needed to take care of first and I have finally done them. When Danielle moved out I let her take the mattress because she couldn't afford a bed. I kept the bed because the bedroom set was my grandfather's. So even though I could have physically moved back to the bedroom a little while ago, I had no mattress on my bed. Thursday I went to Sam's Club and got one. So I've been sleeping in bed for the last 4 nights. The other big change that I still needed to make was to move my computer back to the desk, which I did today.
It got very hard for me to tell whether I was on the couch because it was bed time, time to do work, or time to relax and watch a movie/show. It all became a blur. But now sleeping, working (or using the computer), and relaxing are again separated, each with their designated place.
I'm getting out for my PT appointments twice a week, going in to the church for meetings once or twice on week days and Sundays are my busiest day. I've also been out with friends a few times and am running errands with my parents or with my sister. Its amazing how little things like these (and the changes around the house) can do so much to make me feel human again and not like a patient.
The next big steps will be to lose the crutches and start driving again. I'm not quite there yet, but neither of those things are far off.
There were some things that I needed to take care of first and I have finally done them. When Danielle moved out I let her take the mattress because she couldn't afford a bed. I kept the bed because the bedroom set was my grandfather's. So even though I could have physically moved back to the bedroom a little while ago, I had no mattress on my bed. Thursday I went to Sam's Club and got one. So I've been sleeping in bed for the last 4 nights. The other big change that I still needed to make was to move my computer back to the desk, which I did today.
It got very hard for me to tell whether I was on the couch because it was bed time, time to do work, or time to relax and watch a movie/show. It all became a blur. But now sleeping, working (or using the computer), and relaxing are again separated, each with their designated place.
I'm getting out for my PT appointments twice a week, going in to the church for meetings once or twice on week days and Sundays are my busiest day. I've also been out with friends a few times and am running errands with my parents or with my sister. Its amazing how little things like these (and the changes around the house) can do so much to make me feel human again and not like a patient.
The next big steps will be to lose the crutches and start driving again. I'm not quite there yet, but neither of those things are far off.
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Everyone Welcome
I just read the "My Turn" column in the latest issue of Newsweek. If you get Newsweek make sure that you read it and if not you can read it here.
Its written by the minister of the Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist church in Knoxville that was attacked by a lone gunman during Sunday morning worship last July. Two people were killed and six injured.
There were children performing in a play or a choir when the man walked in, pulled a gun from a guitar case and started shooting. I remember thinking at the time when I read the story on-line that church should be a place for everyone, children especially, to feel safe and cared for. I'm sure it affected everyone that was there, but kids being impressionable and not having as many church experiences I remember thinking that these poor kids were going to associate some pretty scary memories with being in a sanctuary, being in worship and being at church. Needless to say the people in that congregation had much to be angry about.
The column explains how they chose not to give in to their anger and sought a better way.
Its written by the minister of the Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist church in Knoxville that was attacked by a lone gunman during Sunday morning worship last July. Two people were killed and six injured.
There were children performing in a play or a choir when the man walked in, pulled a gun from a guitar case and started shooting. I remember thinking at the time when I read the story on-line that church should be a place for everyone, children especially, to feel safe and cared for. I'm sure it affected everyone that was there, but kids being impressionable and not having as many church experiences I remember thinking that these poor kids were going to associate some pretty scary memories with being in a sanctuary, being in worship and being at church. Needless to say the people in that congregation had much to be angry about.
The column explains how they chose not to give in to their anger and sought a better way.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Na Na Na Na, Na Na Na Na, He-ey Goodbye
I'm sort of "live blogging" Bush's farewell speech. Really I'm just jotting down thoughts as he speaks --
Was it just me or was the throat clearing and uncomfortable pause when he mentioned daily briefings of threats an indication of guilt at not reacting to the PDB (President's Daily Brief) entitled Bin Laden Determined to Strike within US?
The faces that this man makes while speaking is something that I'll never get used to. He says everything as if he's child looking for approval. I pronounced that word right, didn't I? Smirk Smirk
There can be no compromise between good and evil? Killing innocents is always wrong and liberating people is always right??? What about the fact that you have been killing innocent people in your quest to liberate them?
He's actually going to bring up Katrina again...amazing.
Keith Olberman just said that it sounded like an acceptance speech to an award that he thinks that he's won. Chris Matthews response - yes in the sense that everyone gets trophies now-a-days.
I'm glad that was short. I don't know how much I could have taken.
Was it just me or was the throat clearing and uncomfortable pause when he mentioned daily briefings of threats an indication of guilt at not reacting to the PDB (President's Daily Brief) entitled Bin Laden Determined to Strike within US?
The faces that this man makes while speaking is something that I'll never get used to. He says everything as if he's child looking for approval. I pronounced that word right, didn't I? Smirk Smirk
There can be no compromise between good and evil? Killing innocents is always wrong and liberating people is always right??? What about the fact that you have been killing innocent people in your quest to liberate them?
He's actually going to bring up Katrina again...amazing.
Keith Olberman just said that it sounded like an acceptance speech to an award that he thinks that he's won. Chris Matthews response - yes in the sense that everyone gets trophies now-a-days.
I'm glad that was short. I don't know how much I could have taken.
President Bush is finished playing cowboy
Cenk Uygur (from the Young Turks) has a rather interesting, and slightly angry post at Daily Kos about how W used his ranch and his cowboy persona for PR (or more accurately BS) purposes. Now that his political career is over the ranch is history and he is moving into a very exclusive (until recently whites-only) neighborhood.
The highlights -
The highlights -
- He bought the ranch in Crawford in 1999 right before his campaign for president.
- The ranch has no livestock or crops (lots of brush though). It was a prop.
- The press was complicit in this propaganda. (damn liberal media)
- He grew up in New England as a prep school boy of privilege.
- His grandfather was a US Senator and his dad was President.
- He was probably one of the most privileged people in America and he was sold to us as a simple rancher.
Time to tune in and see what he's got to say in his farewell address.
My New Cane Arrived Today
Ain't she purty? The flames will make me appear much faster than I'm actually moving. This was a Christmas gift from my parents.
But my dad didn't want to just give me a card with a note saying "Pick out a cane you like and we'll buy it for you." That would have been far too easy and not nearly as much fun as what he did.
I did get a "coupon" for the purchase of a real cane in a Christmas card too, but the cane pictured at left was wrapped and leaning against the wall behind the Christmas tree.
Dad fabricated it in the shop and wrapped it so that I could open it. He also sanded it really well in case my nieces wanted to play with it, but they were pretty occupied with the gifts they got (go figure). It is not strong enough to use as an actual cane, but it is in my umbrella stand with my others and makes for a nice reaching stick when the dog looses a ball behind the desk or something along those lines.
I've never watched the show, but apparently the cane with the flames on it is sometimes used by the lead character on the show House. The web site where I order the cane, Fashionable Canes and Walking Sticks markets it as an exact replica of the cane used by Dr. Gregory House. Although from the pictures his is a "tourist" or shepherd's crook style top and I much prefer the "derby" handle.
I'm able to use it, but my leg is not quite used to that much weight yet so I'm still using the crutches most of the time. I use both whenever I leave home and for any prolonged time I'm going to spend standing and walking. I use one crutch around the house and at the office when I've been there. Having a hand free makes such a huge difference in my independence.
The physical therapist was glad to hear that I can move to full weight bearing and has added several new exercises to my routine to achieve that goal. She said she is shooting for February 1st to have me off of the crutches. That gives me a little more than two weeks to build up the strength and get my leg used to having weight on it again. I'm not making huge improvements in my range of motion, but we did get it to 60 degrees last night.
Obamicon.Me
Monday, January 12, 2009
Really??
I had to borrow from SNL's Seth Myers for the title to this post.
Really? Defiant to the end. That's how the President chose to handle his last press conference today. Rubbing salt in the wounds of New Orleans. Taking little to no blame for anything. Disappointments, not mistakes. And don't forget - "BE AFRAID! People want to kill us!" Really?
Josh Marshall hits the nail on the head with his title Still Bush After All These Years
Oh how we will miss him and how I'm looking forward to Keith Olberman and John Stewart critiquing this presser.
UPDATE 1/14 - Had to wait a day for The Daily Show to do their piece, but well worth the wait..
Stewart really lights into Bush at about 4:25 with the bit about "disappointments"
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Follow up with Dr. Brumback Today
I saw Dr. Brumback, the orthopaedic traumatologist, today for a follow up and x-ray. This was the first appointment with him since the week of Thanksgiving, so six weeks. Thankfully there was no sign of infection (8 weeks off of antibiotics) and he said that the bone was healed. He was pleased with the x-ray. He cleared me to progress to full weight bearing and even to drive. He said that there was no specific time table for making that progression and that it was up to me based on my comfort to go to one crutch, a cane or nothing at all. I've already tested out one crutch around the house a little bit.
As for my range of motion he was back to Mr. Worst Case Scenario. He really doesn't think that I'm going to get much more bend than I am right now (that's not new actually) . He even suggested that I didn't have to do any physical therapy if I didn't want to. He did however think it made sense when the Worker's Comp Case Nurse and I both said that I would continue. They can help me transition to full weight bearing, are my best hope for proving him wrong by getting more bend and have equipment that I don't have at home to strengthen my leg. He agreed that it was a good idea and said that he would write them a new prescription if they needed one at PT.
He and my Nurse Case Manger spent a bit of time discussing my future and when he anticipated determining that I had reached MMI (Maximum Medical Improvement). He talked about the strange (and somewhat frustrating) timeline imposed by the insurance companies on cases like mine. He said it used to really bother him, but now he just accepts that's how it is. He commiserated with my state of limbo though. He estimated that it would be two to three months before he would make that determination. So even though he thinks I should probably start thinking about and looking into work that doesn't require me to climb ladders and scaffolding we haven't reached that point in the process for the workman's compensation time line. I've got some ideas on that, but I'll save that for another post.
My next appointment with him is in two months.
As for my range of motion he was back to Mr. Worst Case Scenario. He really doesn't think that I'm going to get much more bend than I am right now (that's not new actually) . He even suggested that I didn't have to do any physical therapy if I didn't want to. He did however think it made sense when the Worker's Comp Case Nurse and I both said that I would continue. They can help me transition to full weight bearing, are my best hope for proving him wrong by getting more bend and have equipment that I don't have at home to strengthen my leg. He agreed that it was a good idea and said that he would write them a new prescription if they needed one at PT.
He and my Nurse Case Manger spent a bit of time discussing my future and when he anticipated determining that I had reached MMI (Maximum Medical Improvement). He talked about the strange (and somewhat frustrating) timeline imposed by the insurance companies on cases like mine. He said it used to really bother him, but now he just accepts that's how it is. He commiserated with my state of limbo though. He estimated that it would be two to three months before he would make that determination. So even though he thinks I should probably start thinking about and looking into work that doesn't require me to climb ladders and scaffolding we haven't reached that point in the process for the workman's compensation time line. I've got some ideas on that, but I'll save that for another post.
My next appointment with him is in two months.
Westy
One of the photos that I scanned Sunday night is of my sister and her family the day that Allison, her youngest, was baptized at our church. It wasn’t until I viewed the picture on my computer screen that I happened to notice who else was in the picture.
Sadly Harold "Westy" West died on Sunday night. He was 89 years old. He and his wife Eleanor would have celebrated their 63rd wedding anniversary this month. He was a ham radio operator who handled the sound system at our church for many years.
Its pretty typical and quite fitting to have captured Westy in the background after worship checking things out and making sure that he knew if anything needed to be addressed before next Sunday’s service. Is the sound system off? Have all the wireless mics been accounted for? Did we need batteries? Did any of the equipment need to be taken home to be fixed?
When I first started in the facility position Westy pulled me aside, had me follow him up to the balcony and showed me the sound board where he controlled the levels on the microphones during the service. I don’t think many people knew that he was back there turning up the volume when someone soft-spoken was liturgist or did Time with Children for “Missy” (as he liked to call Miss Good) and turning them off when the choir sang. He treated it as if it was quite a secret. I was quite honored that he shared that with me. Every once in a while I would sneak a peak up to the balcony to see if he was up there doing his thing during the service and I always enjoyed watching him go through his routine after the service.
He will be missed. Prayers for Eleanor and the rest of the West family.
Sadly Harold "Westy" West died on Sunday night. He was 89 years old. He and his wife Eleanor would have celebrated their 63rd wedding anniversary this month. He was a ham radio operator who handled the sound system at our church for many years.
Its pretty typical and quite fitting to have captured Westy in the background after worship checking things out and making sure that he knew if anything needed to be addressed before next Sunday’s service. Is the sound system off? Have all the wireless mics been accounted for? Did we need batteries? Did any of the equipment need to be taken home to be fixed?
When I first started in the facility position Westy pulled me aside, had me follow him up to the balcony and showed me the sound board where he controlled the levels on the microphones during the service. I don’t think many people knew that he was back there turning up the volume when someone soft-spoken was liturgist or did Time with Children for “Missy” (as he liked to call Miss Good) and turning them off when the choir sang. He treated it as if it was quite a secret. I was quite honored that he shared that with me. Every once in a while I would sneak a peak up to the balcony to see if he was up there doing his thing during the service and I always enjoyed watching him go through his routine after the service.
He will be missed. Prayers for Eleanor and the rest of the West family.
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Epiphany
Epiphany, the Twelfth Day of Christmas, or Little Christmas is a feast day for all Christians. In the Western churches it commemorates the visit of the Magi and in the Eastern churches it commemorates Jesus' baptism. Whatever you happen to call January 6th, may you have a good one.
At First Presbyterian Annapolis we celebrate with a "come as you are" pageant during worship on the first Sunday of the New Year. Half the congregation gets gold coloured halos to wear to be angels and the other half gets a strip of cloth to tie around their heads for their role as shepherds. My friend and colleague, Miss Good reads the story of the wise men's visit and several youth pantomime the action as King Herod, the wise men, and one pesky camel. A family with an infant is asked to portray Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus. It is quite a site and one of the more humorous services of the year.
The four Sundays of Advent, the Christmas Eve service, and the Epiphany service really help me to keep focused on the true meaning of Christmas, to offset the commercial side of things and to remember that Christmas is not just a one day event.
In my house Epiphany also signifies that it is time to take down the decorations and put the tree away. I could happily keep the tree up all year, so for me Epiphany serves as a nice bookend to the Christmas season so I know when it is time to pack everything away until next year.
In the words of one of my favorite writers, Thich Nhat Hahn, who is both a Buddhist monk and a Christian
At First Presbyterian Annapolis we celebrate with a "come as you are" pageant during worship on the first Sunday of the New Year. Half the congregation gets gold coloured halos to wear to be angels and the other half gets a strip of cloth to tie around their heads for their role as shepherds. My friend and colleague, Miss Good reads the story of the wise men's visit and several youth pantomime the action as King Herod, the wise men, and one pesky camel. A family with an infant is asked to portray Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus. It is quite a site and one of the more humorous services of the year.
The four Sundays of Advent, the Christmas Eve service, and the Epiphany service really help me to keep focused on the true meaning of Christmas, to offset the commercial side of things and to remember that Christmas is not just a one day event.
In my house Epiphany also signifies that it is time to take down the decorations and put the tree away. I could happily keep the tree up all year, so for me Epiphany serves as a nice bookend to the Christmas season so I know when it is time to pack everything away until next year.
In the words of one of my favorite writers, Thich Nhat Hahn, who is both a Buddhist monk and a Christian
Redemption and resurrection are neither words nor objects of belief. They are our daily practice. And we practice in such a way that Buddha is born every moment of our daily life, that Jesus Christ is born every moment of our daily life–not only on Christmas day, because every day is Christmas day, every minute is a Christmas minute. The child within us is waiting each minute for us to be born again and again.May the child within you be born today and every day. Merry Christmas.
Monday, January 5, 2009
A busy week and my new scanner
I've had quite a busy week. Spent all day Wednesday at work preparing for Friday's ski trip, yesterday's confirmation class orientation brunch and last night's youth fellowship.
The ski trip went well and everyone had lots of fun. We took a charter bus from Annapolis to Ski Liberty, just outside Gettysburg, PA. We left at 7:30am and returned by 10PM. Most importantly we returned with the same people and broken bones that we left with. Needless to say I did not ski or snowboard this year. I did however have a great day and fulfilled a key role - the "Lodge Mom." In years past we have always recruited someone to come along, not ski and stay in the ski lodge. They stay with every one's bags, serve as a point of contact for the ski resort should anything happen involving someone in our group and serve as a touch point and message relayer for those on the slopes. In the three years that I have gone on this trip (as an adult leader) this was the first year that I really got to spend time with everyone. Staying in one place has its advantages.
When I wasn't at church or doing preparation work for the various events of the weekend I was having fun playing with my favorite Christmas present. I got a 3 in 1 Printer/Scanner/Copier. I didn't get a digital camera until Christmas 2004, so I have tons of pictures that are not on the computer. In less than a week I've scanned over 450 pictures. It is loads of fun and a little bit addictive. Here's just a few that I added to an album on Facebook.
The ski trip went well and everyone had lots of fun. We took a charter bus from Annapolis to Ski Liberty, just outside Gettysburg, PA. We left at 7:30am and returned by 10PM. Most importantly we returned with the same people and broken bones that we left with. Needless to say I did not ski or snowboard this year. I did however have a great day and fulfilled a key role - the "Lodge Mom." In years past we have always recruited someone to come along, not ski and stay in the ski lodge. They stay with every one's bags, serve as a point of contact for the ski resort should anything happen involving someone in our group and serve as a touch point and message relayer for those on the slopes. In the three years that I have gone on this trip (as an adult leader) this was the first year that I really got to spend time with everyone. Staying in one place has its advantages.
When I wasn't at church or doing preparation work for the various events of the weekend I was having fun playing with my favorite Christmas present. I got a 3 in 1 Printer/Scanner/Copier. I didn't get a digital camera until Christmas 2004, so I have tons of pictures that are not on the computer. In less than a week I've scanned over 450 pictures. It is loads of fun and a little bit addictive. Here's just a few that I added to an album on Facebook.
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