The Den

Annual vs Lifetime

2006-02-03T19:42:00.000-08:00

Annual vs Lifetime
Friday, February 03, 2006
Most of us pay taxes to live in our home/city/town/state, and all of us pay taxes to live in the USA. When I read the DM's request for $100 for a lifetime (OD's not ours) of Plus I recalled my first free efforts at writing here. My original plan was to be at OD for one year only. I am now in my fifth year. I hope to last at least four more years here so for me the $100 is a no-brainer. I believe that the option of multiple payments would help some diarists to do the plan but that option was not initially offered. I am unsure if it would be viable to permit a two or three pay installment payment for the lifetime plan. My understanding is that the need is urgent.
While it is true that complaints exist about the service itself, it is also true that 35 cents would once buy a quarter pound hamburger, so relatively speaking, $100 for lifetime service is one heck of a bargain. I can recall the time when my bar bill was over $500 a month. (My bar also served lunch and dinner) so, considering the value of what I get from this place and its benefits to me, it is priceless.
I have discovered that in life we can stretch for things that are really important to us. My opinion is that my relationships with you, my friends here at OD, are worth the stretch. I think I will take advantage of the offer. Please share your thoughts with me on this subject.
Please go here: http://opendiary.com/upgradepayment.asp for full payment information. This includes how to pay by check, mail, paypal, or credit card. Thanks for your support.

Fear

2005-11-14T11:11:00.000-08:00

Fear is a non-productive emotion, particularly if one is devoid of common sense. In most situations common sense will dictate the appropriate response; flee, argue, placate, walk, run, or behave in other productive fashion to resolve a crisis. Fear is all too human. I have felt it on many occasions and it did not add to my survival. The reason I am alive today is because I disregarded fear and reasoned my way out of the predicament. Fear will inhibit our capacity to think cogently. Fear shortens our perception of time, thus robbing us of the patience needed to fully analyze any given situation. If one is doing 90 miles per hour on an icy road, then fear should teach us to slow down. However, common sense would teach us not to go so fast in the first place. Fear might teach us not to juggle bottles of nitroglycerine, but common sense would teach us not to be around it in the first place. The worst possible results from any situation can be death of one or more individuals, second worst would be major injuries, third result would be minor injuriesÂbut what would be the results if we had just walked away? So let us look at results: Death-you are dead and/or others are dead, so there is no longer any fear at all. Major injuries-you and/or others will survive if help arrives, if not, see death. If we survive, we again have hope, so why fear? Minor injuries-again, all of this is avoidable if we avoid the object or situation causing fear. So, it is reasonable to conclude, that in almost every case, common sense is preferable to being afraid. To borrow from a famous Democrap, FDR once said "The only thing we have to fear is fear, itself." Wise words. The only thing left really deserving of fear, then, is the cunning deceit of Satan. Once again, common sense will show us the truth and the light, and Jesus has already conquered the evil one for us.

GRIEF

2005-11-12T14:58:00.000-08:00

Grief
Saturday, November 12, 2005
is defined by the Cambridge Dictionary as a feeling of sadness. Emotion is defined as "a strong feeling such as love or anger, or strong feelings in general".
I often think of friends of mine who have left me here and gone on ahead. In many cases I could feel grief according to the above definitions. However, I choose to remember the person or persons as they were in the best moments that I shared with them. In one case I remember the beauty of a particular song we enjoyed together, in another I recall the wisdom and kindness shared...in the case of my Mother, I remember all the warm hugs and kind words she always used to support me, in the case of my father, I recall the silent strength and his constant presence in my life. My friend Doug brings to mind just how good friendship can be. The first girl I ever love taught me how to smile, not with my mouth, but in my heart. My neighbor Charlie taught me the value of hard work and a loving family. My uncle Otis taught me the love of fishing as a place to be at peace with self and nature. My friend Pat taught me how no greater love has a man than he take a bullet for a fellow. My friend Lee taught me how to handle a deck of cards in a room full of Poker players. My friend Art taught me that we don't need to know how to dance, just love the music and let it move you. My friend Jerry taught me that when rock ended, bluegrass began. Sleep is for later, now we jam. These folks and many more I have known could make me sad in their passing. Instead I remember that the man I am now is the one they shared some of their time in this life with. Potato salad makes me think of Aunt Auline and her warm Georgia drawl, and coconut pie makes me think of my second Mom, Aunt Geneva.

Emotions are just that, emotions. They do not make the sun rise or the sun set. They do not put gas in the car or money in the wallet. Yes, I understand sadness, but prefer not to feel it because, in the end, we are the ones in control of our emotions. Happy or sad is a choice we make. All of the people I mentioned above are alive in my memories and in my heart. I go there often to remember and celebrate. They have not left me, they are still here. I just can't see them. What I can do is remember them. I also believe that some day in the future we will all be together again. So why be sad?

I shall not speak of their death, but as I have here, of their lives.

The Sea

2005-11-04T08:09:00.000-08:00

All my life, like my father before me, I have been a rolling stone. BTW: That may be taken as to meaning a fan of Mick and the Boys, also. I have covered a fair amount of territory during this life. I have been on several continents and in more than a few countries. My shots and passport remain current. My pendulum has swung from atheist to Christian Convert, from heavy drinker to total abstinence, and prolific appetites of all sorts to a life of Spartan utility. The one thing that has remained constant has been my love for the sea. I have traveled over it, under it, and on it. I love the virtually unknown flora and fauna to be found there. I love the boundless energy I feel just laying on a beach beside it. I love the pull and push of the currents and waves as I swim through it. I even relish the sting of the Jellies when I accidental violate their space (the dead feel no pain). I love the bathtub-spa warmth of the Bahamanian beaches, I love the frigid cold of the northern halibut beds...I love the fact that the only substance on earth similar to human blood is seawater. The cycle of the moon's pull on the tides is fascinating to observe. I appreciate the fact that all water, even that frozen in icebergs, attempts to return to the sea; as I always will.

Union Bank Magic

2005-11-03T08:06:00.000-08:00

Gotta love Union Bank.
Hours Open: 0700 to 1930 M-F and 0730 to 1400 on Saturday, ATM always open.
I have a number of sources that owe me and pay me money on the first five days of the month. This is the primary source of the money I use for my routine monthly expense. I have all of these sources set up on direct deposit. This means that during those five days money just appears in my account, as if by magic. Union Bank then puts some of the money into a savings account, deducts my Visa, phone, and utility bills from the account, and QuickBooks automatically updates itself so that my checkbook can be properly balanced. All this with no action on my part beyond setting things up. I can also use automatic payments to issue checks to those for whom a transfer is not an option, and paypal for anyone else with email that I need to pay. All of this happens without the use of one trip to town, a single stamp, or any standing in line.
As soon as Union Bank figures out how to deliver groceries when I am about to run out, I will propose marriage to it.
It may be possible to do the same thing with any bank, but Union Bank wanted my business bad enough to make me an offer I could not refuse. The came after my business and treat me well. Based on the relationship I have with them, I can call them up and they will advance me money for just about anything I want to do all in one day. So, for transactions within the USA it is the only bank I use. How does your bank treat you?

Halloween that was...

2005-11-02T20:37:00.000-08:00

I don't know what the heck I thought. I bought lots of candy and I wasn't thinking about being remote... What a deal, today I had one of the workmen take a washtub full of candy over to the foodbank. I never occurred to me that there were very few neighbors...The count stopped after 20.

Mass 3 days in a row is different for me. I made all three though. Pretty interesting to hear the homily about the Saints. Got myself home and started googling up lots of stuff on them.

Fireplace is burning merrily, green tea in the mug, good book in hand. That takes care of today, Tuesday. All souls day, 2005.

Alito

2005-11-01T09:45:00.000-08:00

Dear Judge Alito,
In the event you are elevated to the Supreme Court I want you to know how I would like for you to behave while there:

1. Our nation was founded by people who believed in, sought, and hoped to build a nation of religious freedom. That is one of the most important things for you to keep in mind. The Ten Commandments are the backbone of Law, and the backbone that supports any nation where the people govern. Any public land, building, or space be it city, state, or local, should be free to refer to and display any article or articles of religion, irrespective of the origin of that religion. Even those who support no religion should have the freedom to express that lack of religion by means of public display of their own material, as long as it does not detract from the dignity of our nation.

I do not believe that abortion should be a choice. My religion teaches that abortion is murder, plain and simple. There are people who do not believe as I do that condone abortion. I think abortion belongs under the heading of individual rights, not religious rights. I think it is a matter that should be left to the individual states, not the federal government. I also believe that it is protected under the constitution as part of the “…right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness…”. In other words, women have the undeniable right to determine what goes on with and in their own bodies. Law must not abridge this freedom.

Those states that have laws with respect to capital punishment must be permitted to carry out the will of the voters of that state.

Research into means to enhance or protect our lives must not be restricted, so long as all the parties to the research are in agreement. This does not mean that individual lives, or the lives of the unborn must be ignored, but that they have a right to be advocated for and represented in any legal action.

I am totally pro-life, but the states that enact legislation permitting the ending of a life that is a medical expedient to prevent suffering should have that suffering upheld.

The life of every human being is important. Medical care and the basics of hydration and nutrition should not be withheld from anyone without that person’s specific knowledge, consent, or predetermined written consent. Absent a written directive to confirm such instructions, life should be upheld and supported.

In closing, I would ask that you support the constitution by interpreting it only in support of its principles and in conformity with existing law. It is NOT the responsibility of any court to take action construed to be legislative on matters before it.

Finally, use old-fashioned common sense. I am sure we will not go wrong if you do.

Regards,
Bear

Sunday

2005-10-30T09:11:00.000-08:00

Clocks all adjusted...remember: Spring forward, fall back.

Fireplace burning brightly. Cast Iron Dutch Oven with beef stew simmering filling the house with the aroma of onions and celery cooking. Sumatra brewed and half a pot gone. I can't decide what I want for breakfast, ho-hum. I have finished one of three newspapers (Yes, even here I read the news). My friend the contractor has returned to his family in California until Tuesday so no work is being done today or tomorrow. The new kitchen appliances have all arrived and been installed. The countertops are all here but only 3 (out of 5) have been installed. The back-up generator has been installed and checked. Even with temperatures in the teens, the fan forced fireplace heats the whole house adequately for my needs. I imagine company would want the heater on, but they would probably want the water in the shower hot too...go figure.
A number of people are posting entries to the ChuckieB memorial. It is good to see that happening. I had more or less concluded that folks had lost interest there. I am glad to see that was an incorrect assumption.
What treasures friends are. I have heard from one that has been missing in action for several months. I am gratified to learn that things are well with this friend and that the possibility exists that we will have more pleasant conversations as in times past. Even if that is not the case, I am very glad to hear that the Hurricanes took away only goods and not life in this case.
My laundry is finished (the dryer is calling me) so I must go attend to its disposition, then bagels for breakfast it will be, and thence down to the local pool to swim my laps. This afternoon will be reserved for Mass.
That is all.

Billion

2005-10-29T09:54:00.000-07:00

"billion - adj 1: denoting a quantity consisting of one thousand million items or units in the United States [syn: a billion] 2: denoting a quantity consisting of one million million items or units in Great Britain [syn: a billion] n 1: the number that is represented as a one followed by 12 zeros; in the United Kingdom the usage followed in the United States is frequently seen [syn: one million million, 1000000000000] 2: the number that is represented as a one followed by 9 zeros [syn: one thousand million, 1000000000]"
The online definition for billion is cited above for comparative purposes...
Exxon-Mobil, a global player in the energy-fuel-chemical axis has just posted third quarter figures reflecting a profit of $9.9 BILLION dollars. This is a 75% increase.
It is also why our current gas prices approach and sometimes exceed $3 per gallon. It has nothing to do with the war in Iraq or running out of energy...it has only to do with GREED!

Get your head out of the sand, people, pay attention.

From down to up

2005-10-28T13:31:00.000-07:00

I am back in the wide open spaces once again for a few days. I am very pleased to report that within the next week all the remodeling work on my house will be complete. My articpacs have arrived and in the nick of time as the weather here has settled into the full on winter mode. I have new features to try out and things to do, so this entry will be brief, but I wish you all a wonderful weekend.

This morning when I left California, OD was not up and accessable. I had planned to write here before day's end, in case anyone came to look. However when I got here and signed on, OD was back working again, so this is a mirror of the entry there...huuuummmmmmmm

tic...tic...tic

2005-10-27T07:36:00.000-07:00

This is what I write here when I don't know what to write here.

Changes

2005-10-25T09:09:00.000-07:00

Rosa Parks, RIP

Forever Changed America 50 years ago

Condi Rice

For President

Friday

2005-10-21T19:32:00.000-07:00

And you learn that love, true love, Always has joys and sorrow, Seems ever present, Yet is never quite the same, Becoming more than love and less than love, So difficult to define. And you learn that through it all, You really can endure, That you really are strong, That you can survive, and then you do.

The Cross

2005-10-20T07:23:00.000-07:00

Exo 12:3 Speak ye unto all the congregation of Israel, saying, In the tenth day of this month they shall take to them every man a lamb, according to the house of their fathers, a lamb for an house:
Exo 12:5 Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male of the first year: ye shall take it out from the sheep, or from the goats:
Exo 12:7 And they shall take of the blood, and strike it on the two side posts and on the upper door post of the houses, wherein they shall eat it.
Exo 12:12 For I will pass through the land of Egypt this night, and will smite all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgment: I am the LORD.
Exo 12:13 And the blood shall be to you for a token upon the houses where ye are: and when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy you, when I smite the land of Egypt.

These verses mark the prefigurement of the cross upon which Jesus was crucified. Just as Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, were the founding fathers of Israel which was held in captivity in Egypt, with whom God made a covenant and Passed Over (forgave the sins that had let Israel into captivity) the first born of those protected by the blood of the lamb, so is the new covenant of the forgiveness of sins made possible through the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross.

The old covenant symbolized by Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob was superseded by the emblematic death of the three on Golgotha…Jesus and the two criminals.

The new covenant symbolized by the shedding of the blood of Jesus, the lamb of God, for the forgiveness of sins of all mankind is the origin of the cross, the sign of which we make in blessing ourselves before the alter of the Lord. (Which is a horizontal alter, crossed by the offering up of the sacrifice of bread and wine at each mass). Emblematic of the Passover (or forgiveness) thus purchased for the remission of our sins.

The blood and water flowing down from the pierced side of Jesus is emblematic of the water of our baptism granting us rebirth into the spiritual kinship with those for whom Christ died. This is called to mind upon entering the church when we dip our fingers into the water and make the sign of the cross before entering, and in the shape of the church which is usually laid out in the shape of a cross.

The doorway of a house is the means by which we enter and leave it. The doorway is vertical, and the support at its top is a horizontal element. The vertical element is pointing up to Heaven, wherein we believe God and the angels dwell. The blood on the sides and top crosspiece of the door, taken from the Passover lamb, signify the blood and birth of Jesus, sent by God as a sacrifice to take away the sins of the world.

When we take all these things together, we realize that the Old Testament predicts the New Testament, and the New Testament fulfills the Old Testament and together they unfold God’s plan for mankind and salvation. Born in sin we are passed over into eternal live by the process of spiritual growth, baptism, and the ultimate good works that we devise for the love and uplifting of ourselves and our fellow brothers and sisters.

The life of Jesus as documented in the Gospels is full of the symbolism of the awesome power of God. Jesus walked on water, healed the sick, commanded the winds and the water, brought the dead back to life, and gave his own life that you and I might live. The Bible is more than literature and a historical document, it is the witness of the thousands of people who were alive at that time and saw these things happen. Many people died rather than deny these truths so that we would all know these things, and in so knowing believe.

You may deny all of this if the vanity of self-reasoning compels you to do so, but as for me, I have faith and I believe. I ask that you at least think about these things as you read these words and before you move on to the next thing in your life. The time will be well spent.

That is all.

Confession

2005-10-19T19:38:00.000-07:00

is one aspect of religion that Catholics have down pat. I went tonight at 7:00 got in at once and promptly confessed my lust for beautiful women, my horrible temper, and my impatience with my fellow man. I accordance with the authority transmited by Jesus through the apostles, God's minister granted my absolution and I walked out of the box, did my pennace and left the church with a clear conscience, a load off my back, and a clean slate to start over. My belief and resolve makes it real, and God makes it happen. To all those of you who are non-Catholic, I have to say I am sorry you do not have this very positive benefit. A friend of mine who is a registered and practicing psychologist says he has many clients of various religions, but no Catholics. I have often wondered if that may be due to the sacrament of reconciliation.

Frank, you have a Candle burning right next to the Little Flower. God speed tomorrow.

Dear Friends,

2005-10-19T12:02:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends,

If you live on or near the Gulf coast please head inland now. Take whatever you want with you as it may not be there when you return.

If you have not stopped smoking, please do so now. I have attended enough funerals for family and friends who have died from smoking. It know it is hard to do, but the rewards are tremendous. Don’t be afraid to get help if you need it.

Exercise has been proven to prolong life. Just don’t jog or run. Swimming, low impact aerobics, walking, cycling, almost anything will help. Park as far away from the door as possible.

Fast for 24 hours at least once a month.

If you have not done so, execute a durable power of attorney for health care decisions and make sure the attorney in fact and your doc has a copy. If there is only one hospital near, make sure they have a copy also.

If you are reading this, you have a computer. Use excel or word to create a one page list of your meds and the name(s) of your doctor and druggist. Keep it in your wallet or purse.

If you have a medical condition, wear an id bracelet or necklace specifying the condition.

Keep some emergency supplies in your car. Flashlight, knife, rope, food, first aid, and so forth. You get the idea.

Make sure someone in your family is designated as home base…so that in the event of an emergency, everyone gets to call one person instead of dozens of unorganized calls to everyone. Check with home base before trying to reach others.

Keep a written diary of your medical history. Store it online if possible so that in an emergency those with internet access can get the info when needed. A blog created for this purpose will work.
Try to keep spare batteries on hand for cell, flashlight, etc.

Always keep a few gallons of water handy.

Try not to let your car fuel fall below half tank.

Due to irregularities in service, it is always advisable to download your diary and back it up. I also maintain a duplicate (mirror) and attach a url to each entry. (Have you recorded the url to go to if OD is down?)

That is all.

The Baltimore Protocol

2005-10-18T11:52:00.000-07:00

So lets talk about Baltimore

I have been watching the news feed from the Baltimore area about the stopping of traffic and the closing of two important tunnels. Having little interest in the East coast, and spending most of my life on the West coast, I am not overly concerned about events back there.

Generally speaking, however, I have to make a few salient observations; to wit, I do not care how long any tunnel or roadway is blocked if it saves a single human life. One bomb in the Baltimore tunnels could kill thousands and cripple material flow for months…this would have significant negative impact on both the lives lost, and the crimp it would put in our nation’s economy. I would much rather miss a day’s work and suffer the inconvenience of having to reroute or not. All of the inconvenience is justifiable if only one life is saved or disaster averted. Anyone thinking differently needs to reassess their position and their grip on reality. The threat of 911 is a reality that continues, do not make the mistake of discounting it.

I learned a long time ago the only enemy that you need not fear is a dead one, and the only time you cease planning defensively is when you are dead from a failed precedent plan. So as long as we have live enemies, we must maintain a state of vigilance and pay the price that said vigilance imposes.

The Moon is Full

2005-10-17T09:53:00.000-07:00

People get ready for the night …
Tonight is the full moon. People go weird today. Riots start, fights happen, marriages break up, emergency responders are flooded with emergencies, AND Wilma heads for the gulf coast.

21F outside this morning. Sumatra in the pot, blueberry muffins baking in the oven. Breakfast will be smoked salmon and blueberry muffins.

Cold weather gear all rigged and ready.

So this evening I return to SB for a few days, then over to visit my brother. Hope to return here by end of next week.

That is all!

Sunday

2005-10-16T12:40:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, much to my dismay, Arthur came to visit. He and I are old friends but I have been free of him for a while. I did not get out of the rack until after 1000 hrs…very unusual for me. I did not do laps, which gave me a poor outlook on the day.

Today is a different story; I gave my self a shot yesterday (yes, steroidal…decadron to be specific) and awaked this morning feeling like a ute again. My laps are done, and I have breakfasted on an omelet filled with crab, avocado, cilantro, chopped green onion, shrooms, and covered in non-NYC salsa. This was motivated by a conversation with a friend last night which compulsed me to make it.

This afternoon I am going exploring again and will tend the smoker, in which there is about forty pounds of salmon, given to me this morning by a friend of mine. Mass today at 1700.

Happy Sunday, sportsfans!

Plan B

2005-10-15T08:19:00.000-07:00

In remembering a class I once took in systems and methods I recall that redundancy is a component of success.

Hence: From this point forward all entries will be composed in Word, then posted both at OD and Here simultaneously. If one does not work we have the other to rely on. Additionally if written in word it is easy to store them onboard or at least on floppy. This solves the problem if we forget to download. While this may be more than the reader cares to do, at least if you save the url to webblog then you can go there and tell me how frustrated you are that you can not get into your OD site. All notes will be read. Pithy ones will get feedback.

That is all!

It looks like

2005-10-14T11:50:00.000-07:00

open diary has bit the dust. In trying to log in I keep getting a webpage having nothing to do with open diary. What a pain in the keister...reckon I need to set up a duplicate journal here. So here it is.