Early Beginnings

 It's Saturday and I am awake before 6 am. Not by choice. The Middle Son came by after work, and decided to 'steal' the Youngest for a hike up a trail. I knew sleep was not going to visit me again (until later maybe, for a nap).

So I am up and bored this morning. I've gone through most of my book sites to see if anything new out there I want to get. Next I'll probably go through my blog reads. Then other social media, though that won't take long. I am already tired of hearing the complaints about the SCOTUS decision. Though, a have read a couple good opinion pieces that put it in better light as well. I'm not going to share my opinion, for that I am sure you are happy (maybe).

No major plans for the day (read:weekend).Being summer in Arizona, trying to keep hydrated is a chore. We go through a LOT of water flavor packets. I noticed my more likable ones are getting low, so a trip to the local $.99 cent store is probably in order. Might even treat myself and bring home a 2-liter of Mtn Dew, though I probably don't need the sugar (according to my glucose meter). Not sure if I mentioned that thd Doc and I agreed to a three-month long span between appointments to let the body adjust to the prescriptions. Looking at my daily recordings, I'm still just a bit high of where he wants me for both BP and glucose readings. Though the in-office A1C test they did put me below 7 (the lab results had me at 10.9 threee months prior).

Oldest Son called me late afternoon yesterday. I was surprised to hear from him, and thought how nice it was that he was caalling to chat. Turns out he needed to check out front for a package. He and his brother have their packages shipped to the house here, rather than their apartment. This was a package that had shipping delays and so he had no idea when it was coming, until he got the text saying it was delivered. It was here. I texted him back so he knew. Might send it hoime with the brother this morning. In fact I just texted him to make sure that was okay.

I guess I should move on to whatever I am going to do next....

PeacE

Bright-Eyed and Bushy-Tailed

 Not.

I am not a morning person. I think everyone in the world, that has seen me in the mornings, knows this for a true fact. I've been called a 'grouchy, old bear' at times, and the moniker is fairly accurate, as I grumble and shuffle sleepily about the start of my day. There are a few mornings, that I actually wake up (to the alarm or whatever) where I am just.... awake. I cannot think of a morning I was ever happy and joyous to awaken. I am sure as I get older, that may change. Being alive on a daily basis alone may cause that.

So yesterday didn't go the way many of us planned. I am sure there will be many blogs and Facebook posts about how happy/sad people are of the outcome of the final confirmation of the Presidency of the United States. I know over the past few weeks, friends of mine (who just happen to share my opinion) have spoken of social unrest if this were to come to pass (and now it has). I even state the possibility of a social unrest, better called a civil war. Believe it or not, a select few of us have discussed getting our families to safety should the population of our area go into severe unrest. We have talked about what we are willing to do if things get that bad. I don't like to think about it, but better prepared than not.

Started work a bit later than usual yesterday. Also moved onto the next level of the project. Much more detail-oriented, and time consuming, but once I got through the first part, and the Team Lead said I was doing fine, then I got cruising. It feels like it has been a long time since I felt so unsure of my what I was doing. At times yesterday, I felt I was "thrown against the wall" just to see what sticks with me, and what I would do. Evidently, I passed. Though, I am saddened again thinking about the amount of work on the table for this phase, will probably run out today, and then who knows where I will be shuffled off to.

Guess I should get out of here, and see to what other things I need to do prior to starting work.

PeacE

Another Football Sunday

 I'm up somewhat early for a day that I normally sleep in. Of course, being how I went to bed at 8pm last night probably helped. That and getting a full night's (plus) of sleep. I don't know why I was so tired that early last night. I had slept in late the previous morning, and pretty much didn't do much of anything most of the day....

Like many, I am getting tired of this election crap about now. I don't know if it truly is corruption in the ballot process, counting what shouldn't be, or whatever, but the number of legal claims being filed is a bit ridiculous. I read something this morning (on the internet so you know it is true) about Homeland Security watermarking ballots to watch for ballot corruption, or some kind of thread woven ballots. Just to avoid the situation that came up this year. Of course, this article also said they can't step in to look at the ballots until a state has completely finished their count. I know when I went to bed last night, some of the states they want to look at are still counting. It's a sit and wait game, not that I think much will change.

I'll be heading up to the pub this morning. It has been a couple weeks since I met my buddy up there for football. Both our teams are playing at 11am (AZ time). I think I will probably stay for the one game and head home about 1pm. Maybe take the family out to pick up some Yoshi's?...Yogi's?.... a rice place that is pretty good... for dinner. We did pizza last night, since one son was out with friends.

Obviously, work seems to be going well. I have at least almost two weeks left on this project. Hoping to be able to get into another one right away, to just stay busy. There was a Quality Control done on me this past week, and my team leader said I was dong better than expected (considering I just started). there were only two small mistakes found - one I was getting too much info, and one was an email address I missed. So not bad out of 500 spot-checks. I was talking to my friend that recommended this place to me, and he thinks I could be a QC checker within 6 months - though I dunno. In fact, this friend also just signed up for a 30-day project with the company (he does attorney stuff though - whereas mine is basic data-breach).

I think I had mentioned about the two older sons getting an apartment together here at the Nov-Dec mark. I have that in the back of my mind in worry. I have never inquired about their finances (income, etc) so I worry about them being able to afford the place, the utilities (as needed), gas for the vehicles, food, etc. The Wife and I briefly talked about it last night as we went to pick up the pizza. We both decided to just wait it out, and see what they do. If they run into trouble, they will need to figure out how to fix it. But I am going to miss another Son out of the house.

The Wife and I talked about Christmas. I'm screwed. I have no ideas for anyone. We have gotten a few things for Doodad, and a couple for the Daughter. Nothing for anyone else. Everyone doesn't NEED anything, and some don't have room for anything else. Myself included. I have no idea what we are going to do....

And with that thought, I think I am done here this morning.

PeacE

Where NOT to Talk Politics and Religion

 Yesterday afternoon I took a trip over to my favorite pub. I was looking forward to getting some reading done on the current book I have loaded on my tablet, but that was not to be. As I finished my cigarette on the patio before entering, I received a text from one of my good friends that he was at the pub. So I walk in, and there he is! I hadn't seen this friend in a couple weeks or so, so we chatted, and another good friend called, found out we both were there, and came up. I admit, I am the cause of not being able to get any reading done. I have a rule that when I am with either of these two friends I turn the book off no matter what, so we can actually talk. So obviously, I brought my tablet there for nothing.

What prolific topics did we discuss? There were several. What actor/actress did we think had the best ability? What movies are slated to be coming out. Caught up a little of what is going on in our lives. All this talk was going on as the football game started, and got boring. That's when a political ad played during a commercial break. Oh yeah, the crap hit the fan then, as we were having a good time. My two friends seem to love to play each others devil's advocate. One is a self-employed business owner with a successful business, the other an attorney/insurance agent/financial consultant. I pretty much just sat there thinking 'Oh geez, Lord, let this end without bloodshed'. A short 20 minutes later (seemingly much, much longer) they toned it down and we agreed that they could just cancel each other's vote out, and only my vote would count. Those crazy guys!

The Daughter and Doodad made it into town last night whilst I was out. I did get to see them as I headed to bed once I got home. They left with the Wife this morning to go do who knows what... shopping, at the old house, visiting... Not sure what plans for this evening are in regards to dinner - if we are eating out, or picking up, or cooking at home. The Youngest has started back to school on a hybrid program this week. So he attends Tuesday and Friday, at home via online the other days. Today is his first day to the physical school - wonder how he did finding his classrooms....

PeacE

Earworm - and Making a Parody

This one is running through my head this morning, only the words have slightly changed. Not in a Weird Al sort of way... but just a bit more PC for me....

Hello 2am you're not my friend

I hate being up this late again

And it goes on, I just can't think of words that rhyme and fit the meter to continue. Obviously it is another one of those nights were sleep is eluding me - again. Last night was good. I went to bed around 10 or so, and slept through until 8 this morning... er, yesterday morning now. No naps today, and I was feeling tired around midnight. The Wife joined me in bed around 1 or so ( I admit I was still awake - reading a new book that just came out). I was... am... tired mentally. I finally gave up on tossing and turning. 

I think I understand how they are going to do this band camp my Son is to "sttebd" for the next couple weeks. Obviously no marching. In his letter yesterday the director mentioned he would send a link for his virtual classroom, and for students to be in a space where they can play their instruments and do some movement. Movement? Clapping heads and swaying shoulders? I dunno. Got another email today from him about instrument check-out. Obviously we don't own a quad set, so I checked out the link that was sent. For Drumline and Pit, the only options are for a drum practice pad, or a mallet practice pad. I know a drum pad is basically a piece of rubber 12" across, with the inner 6" (about) being thicker (about an 1"). It represents playing a snare drum. I am guessing that a mallet pad is a little thicker, as they strike harder than a drumstick. Shrug? I'll talk to the two Sons tomorrow (later today I mean) and we'll figure it out. Need to figure out about what type drumsticks, or mallets will be needed to can pick them up this weekend as well.

Received my mail-in ballot this week for AZ. Guess I should research the candidates and see what crap pie I think is best....

PeacE

Shall We Say Conspiracy Theory?

As Americans, we all know that the Democrats hate the Republicans, and vice-a-versa. When one party is in office, it seems all the other party does is try to make them look bad and/or oust them from the Office. For us, it's a normal way of American Life. But here is something I'm pretty sure the Democrats didn't do....

One of the larger issues going on right now is the US dealings with China. The US has set high embargoes/tax rates... China has refused to buy our exports, round and round we go. Definitely an on-going thing. Who wants this to stop? China. What's the best way to stop it? Get Trump out of office.

How do we get Trump out of office? The Dems have tried impeaching, which was a no-go. Here is just a scenario... a theory, if you will....

We are all experiencing the effects of Covid-19 whether it is by government declarations and restrictions, or worse, self or those close to us, falling ill. It truly is not a laughing matter. Let's start with some basics...

1. The time from development of symptoms to death has been between 6 and 41 days, with the most common being 14 days. - taken from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2019%E2%80%9320_coronavirus_pandemic

That's from the start of symptoms to the death of the person. So everyone is obviously going to react in different ways, based on age, health, other issues, etc. So could be as long as 31 days (or more) or less than 6 ... and this is if the symptoms are noticed. There is the timeline for the virus of being noticed, to death.

2. Health authorities in Wuhan, the capital of Hubei province, China, reported a cluster of pneumonia cases of unknown cause on 31 December 2019,^[295] and an investigation was launched in early January 2020.^[296] The cases mostly had links to the Huanan Seafood Wholesale Market and so the virus is thought to have a zoonotic origin.^[297] The virus that caused the outbreak is known as SARS-CoV-2, a newly discovered virus closely related to bat coronaviruses,^[298] pangolin coronaviruses,^[299] and SARS-CoV.^[300]

The earliest known person with symptoms was later discovered to have fallen ill on 1 December 2019, and that person did not have visible connections with the later wet market cluster.^[301][302] Of the early cluster of cases reported in December 2019, two-thirds were found to have a link with the market.^{[303][304][305]} On 13 March 2020, an unverified report from the South China Morning Post suggested that a case traced back to 17 November 2019, in a 55-year-old from Hubei province, may have been the first.^{[306][307] - taken from}  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2019%E2%80%9320_coronavirus_pandemic

So now the out break started around December 1st ... then an UNVERIFIED report that the first case may have been Nov 17th. Now we now the 6-41 day time frame... so if they were contagious, just how far did it get spread?

We are at Nov. 17th now, as they supposed first case. I know news reports in my town say it has been averaging up to 14 days for symptoms... so what was 14 days before the 17th of Nov?

3. The 2019 Military World Games, officially known as the 7th CISM Military World Games and commonly known as Wuhan 2019, was held from October 18–27, 2019 in Wuhan, Hubei, China.^[2][3] 

^{The 7th Military World Games was the first international military multi-sport event to be held in China and also it was the largest military sports event ever to be held in China, with nearly 10,000 athletes from over 100 countries competing in 27 sports.[4][5]} 

^{taken from}  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2019_Military_World_Games

Wow.... Military Games in Wuhan, China... about two weeks before the unverified first case on Nov. 17th ... which led to 31 reported cases from early to late December.

China doesn't like Trump in office. China wants Trump out of office so they can re-negotiate the trade deal and get the upper hand again.

What if.... China releases a man-made SARS-type virus unknowingly among members of the Military games?

What if ... those "infected" went home and spread it, unknowingly, to others?

What if ... China did it to their own athletes, to throw off suspicion?

Will this "World Virus Epidemic" make Trump look bad in how he handles it in the US enough to cause him a loss of office in the next election later this year?

I know. Too much time on my hands of late. But weirdly enough, it all fits in a weird way... like most conspiracy theories. This is something my buddy and I were talking about over the last week. Sometimes, the facts are just there, whether they are seen and believed or not. Make up your own mind.

PeacE

It's About Time!

I heard late last night, that Gov. Brewer FINALLY vetoed the AZ SB 1062. Need I say, that it took too long to do this? Those that favor her, said she spent the whole day yesterday, discussing this proposal with parties from both sides. Yeah, that sounds like the right thing to do. Except that this bill is just blatanly wrong! What that was is a perfect waste of time to be able to grandstand and appear as the saviour of Arizona, because you vetoed the bill (finally). Dumb bitch. Why'd I vote for her again? Oh yeah, I thought the others running were worse.

I mean, Apple (who is bringing around 2000 jobs to the Valley) already said they were not happy about this bill. The NFL was already checking options for removing the 2015 Super Bowl from here, and I heard that the MLB was voicing its displeasure as well (because there are many teams that Spring Train here). Why does it take any thought? We have had no event/spectacle/whatever that would have brought this bill into play - after all, it was based on an event that took place in New Mexico - NOT Arizona.

Yeah, I don't get it.

On another note, my youngest son turned 8 yesterday. Talk about feeling old....

PeacE

Being Sick (In The Head)

I am the first in my family to be sick this new year. A head cold has come and made residence (temporary I hope) at my sinus level, and is doing it's best to drive me mad with the constant drip I getting from my nasal passages. The only time it isn't doing that is when I am on my back, and it drains down the throat, causing me that ticklish feeling, that makes me cough. Been swallowing pills since yesterday, but nothing seems to be helping get rid of it, or mask the effects of. Or maybe it is, and I would be feeling worse if it didn't. I don't know, but this is pretty crappy.

And all that after teasing friends/family in the Mid-West about the differences in temperatures where we live. Jinxed myself, me thinks.

All the boys are back in school now. It's nice, but means the early rise in the morning to take the oldest to Zero Hour. I was getting used to the last two weeks of not having to do that.

Yesterday it seemed all the media could talk about (here in AZ anyways) was how Steven Segal has mentioned the possibility of throwing his hat in the ring for the next Governor's race here in AZ. We've had some d00zies out here: Meacham, Mofford, and a few others I won't mention. So now a supposed actor, who plays a lawman, wants to be AZ Gov. Must be friends with Arpaio. Oh wait, they are.

Sigh. Today's post should be things that don't make me feel better, even when I am sick.

PeacE

Busy Saturday Posts (yes, multiple posts)

Obviously I needed to do alot of catching up on my emails. Finally through them all - including downloads, and links to check out. Actually gettting some play time in at youtube on some stuff - as well as other places.

My StepDad just emailed this a few minutes ago, and thought since I never post anything political here, it would be a first, and I would love to hear anyone's comments about it. Here is how it read....

I ran this through Snopes and they have it rated as "Undetermined." In other words they don't know if it is true or not.
It wouldn't surprise me if this takes place. Need to watch the news around October 5th. This wouldn't be the first time a VP candidate stepped off the ticket due to "health reasons."
(name withdrawn)

---------- Forwarded Message ----------

I hope this isn't true..

Very interesting!

I don’t know if this is true….I haven’t checked it out, but it wouldn’t surprise me. Anyone else hear/read anything?

Subject: ACTION ALERT: info from DNC

hi all
let me share some info with you that i have gotten from excellent sources within the DNC:

On or about October 5th, Biden will excuse himself from the ticket, citing health problems, and he will be replaced by Hillary. This is timed to occur after the VP debate on 10/2

there have been talks all weekend about how to proceed with this info. generally, the feeling is that we should all go ahead and get it out there to as many blog sites and personal email lists as is possible. i have already seen a few short blurbs about this - the "health problem" cited in those articles was aneurysm. probably many of you have heard the same rumblings.
however, at this point, with this inside info from the DNC, it looks like this obama strategy will be a go. therefore, it seems that the best strategy is to get out in front of this obama maneuver, spell it out in detail, and thereby expose it for the grand manipulation that it is.

so, let's start mixing this one up and cut the obamites off at the pass - send this info out to as many people as you can - post about it on websites and blogs - etc etc

if you have any thoughts or questions about this, please be in touch.

lastly, i have put an excerpt from Rudy's speech at the RNC below - it seems to address this very issue!!


excerpt from R.Giuliani's speech at the 2008 RNC:
"Well, I'll tell you, if I were Joe Biden, I'd want to get that V.P. thing in writing."

------ end of fwd message-----

So what ya think?

PeacE