Tape recording

I have a collection of favorite music selections, and wish they could be recorded on one a single contiguous medium. I think I have solved the problem. The VCR is capable of recording, at least two hours, so I have been feeding my CDs and other music to my audio amplifier/tuner that is connected to the VCR’s audio input. The VCR is tuned to channel 1 also known as the av channel. The favorite music selections are then recorded on the VCR. One of the problems is indexing Most VCRs can do indexing. I have solved that problem. So now I have recording of my favorites and have an easy way to enjoy them. Something like the out-of-date large reel to reel tape recorders.

Celebrating

Something happened to today's blog . It did not amount to much, but I will resend it. It will only be 12 hours late.

How do you celebrate and without celebrating? For me it was having a pizza, which is something that I do about twice a year. Shakey’s pizza parlor is one of the few remaining sit down pizza places. The glide by Segway was about seven blocks each way. There I had a medium-sized pepperoni pizza and a 16-ounce beer. That was a little more pepperoni, and I needed. The beer went well with the day that was hotter than usual.

Happy Birthday

Today is Norma’s 80th Birthday and all wish her a happy one. A great celebration was planned at the village of Cambria. By bits and pieces the plans fell apart. As they fell apart, different plans were made for the remembrance of this significant birthday.
Wishing her many more!

In January of 1946, I meet Norma, who I let steel by heart, when we met, she held it tight for 48 years, and still has some attachment for 58 years, after marriage on this September date in 1946.

If you have not read the September 26. blog comment, you may wish to do so.

Visitor

Nancy, Mitsy and Matthew were in Santa Monica visiting a friend of Mitsy. After that it gave them time for a visit out the Santa Monica pier, a quick visit at Venice and a great dinner at The Enterprise Fish House. Matthew the 18-month-old son was a great. We all enjoyed each other. They left a bit after 9 p.m. or the long drive back to Hemet.

Katrina

During Katrina, New Orleans hurricane, most of the poor and under class of people voluntarily excavated. Some of the poor could not and had to stay. Later, even most of the poor were forced to leave. These evacuees were sent to new locations where one of the first thing the parents wanted was to find a place for the children to go to school. They were furnished housing, and I’m sure that some will find work. And about returning to New Orleans, I do not believe that a majority of these evacuees will be returning. The reason being that the homes they had were badly damaged by the floods, will be tore down and be replaced with new homes. That being the situation, the returning evacuees will have will have to pay higher rent and start over with finding a job. So I think that a majority will stay the where they settled during evacuation. New Orleans will have a with a higher economic class of people. Of course, these are just my ideas.

Elizabeth's trip

Elizabeth called on Saturday, letting me know that she was flying by Northwest Airlines out of Ontario to Minnesota, on September 29.
This next Thursday. She plans to stay with Anola in Rochester, Minnesota. She lets me know that she is doing fine, although she is having some troubles with arthritis in her knees. But she still plays golf. She also let me know that Nancy is doing fine, selling mobile homes. Elizabeth will do some visiting, although she will not have to do too much traveling as on the weekend, that’s the f1st or 2nd of October, they will be at Duane and June’s places for a lawn /garage potluck gathering for all of the families. They are great events. The weather in first part of an October should be good. for the get-together and visiting. She will have a great time, I’m sure.

She also wished that I was going to make the trip, but I no longer enjoy long trips so I’m going to skip this one.

Library trip

Going to the library is a once a week event. That trip consists of a stop at the Goodwill Thrift Store. While at the store I like to look over the selection of goods. If something is brought home, something old must be thrown out. The next stop is at McDonald’s on the Promenade for a cone, a coffee and people watching. A couple of hours spent at the library for browsing and some reading is always a pleasure. Dinner at the Santa Monica Medical Center cafeteria completes the afternoon.

Eating Out

I am still eating at hospital cafeterias, St. John’s medical Center and Santa Monica’s UCLA Medical Center. I believe it has been at least eight years that I have been eating out. The food must not be too bad, as my health has held up. I could not remember the last time even had a stomach upset of any kind. Each week for entrées, there are choices of beef, pork, chicken, fish, turkey and vegetarian entrées. The $3.90 dinner at Santa Monica Medical Center’s cafeteria is a bargain. It consists out a choice of meat or vegetarian entrée, choice of two vegetables, a choice of two different starches, soup or a salad, bread, desert and beverage. Always more than you can eat. The menus are prepared by a trained dietitian and I am sure that cleanliness is a high priority. Most people are turned off by hospital food. This is not hospital food. This is food prepared for hospital workers and staff. I am well-pleased and satisfied by the quality of my food. The privilege of meeting with other people is a bonus

Silence

Silence is golden when nothing new has happened. Or you foresee nothing new happening.

Shuttle bus

If for any reason anyone might wish for a bus service between San Francisco and Los Angeles (Santa Monica) or Los Angeles (Santa Monica) and San Francisco, there is a bus service called California shuttle bus. Q. How long Is the travel time? It takes about 5.6 to 7 hours. Q. Do I get a discount fare for round-trip? No, that there is a flat $45 per person each way. Contact 626-336-0098, 800-387-3319, e-mail sales@cashuttlebus.com , or www.cashuttlebus.com

Doctoring

The injection into my left eye for ARMD by Dr. Rosen went well. He thought that this time, I would have more pain related to the injection that previously due to a slight scratch on the eyeball. Sometimes I am pleased that doctors are not right, as I have the less pain than previously. Today I will be back so that Dr. Rosen can check for any infection. I will be looking forward to the slight improvement in eyesight. The improvement has been happening, but it is a slow process.

Eye Injection

I will be off in a few minutes in order to continue with my macular degeneration injections in the left eye. It is something that is done every six weeks, with small but positive results. It gives discomfort for about 11 hours. There is a slight improvement and so the right thing to.

If you have not yet checked yesterday’s blog comments, you may wish to so.

OWL study group

September 18, 2005.
Yesterday from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. I was at the study group called Owl. It is the fourth such sessions that I have attended. The the study group, is sponsored by Unitarian Universalist and the United Church of Christ.

OUR Whole Lives helps participants make informed and responsible decisions about their sexual health and behavior. It equips participants with accurate, age-appropriate information in six subject areas: human development, relationships, personal skills, sexual behavior, sexual health, and society and culture. Grounded in a holistic view of sexuality.

MRI testing

UCLA neuroscientists using a new MRI analysis technique to examine myelin sheaths that insulate the brains wiring ,report that as people age, neural connections that develop last degenerate first.
The computer-based analysis method is unique in its ability to examine specific brain structures in living people at millimeter resolutions.

Yesterday, I participated with a UCLA MRI study as stated above. It is about an hour tests in the MRI are chamber. They memory tests while you’re in the chamber and you answer by only thinking. They are checking to see what part of your brain is working and how. I hope they are onto something and are going to be able to do some good for those that are susceptible to Alzheimer’s, and those that already have Alzheimer’s.

Chocolate covered nuts

Most people love chocolate covered nuts. It is not always easy to find good chocolate covered nuts and they are not always inexpensive. I have been successful in making my own chocolate covered nuts. Although my procedure is quite simple and successful I do not always have them available when desired. If you get a desire for chocolate covered nuts, try this. Put a quantity of chocolate chips in a small dish and put a quantity of your favorite nuts in another dish. Now here is the way to enjoy the sensation of chocolate covered nuts. Take three chocolate chips and one nut and tossed them into your mouth chew and will have the sensation that you are eating good chocolate covered nuts. Try to vary the number of chips to suit your taste. Enjoy!

Check yesterday’s blog for its comment.

Volunteers like

St. John’s Medical Center had their volunteer appreciation luncheon yesterday. St. John’s Medical Center, like most hospitals have been been in a budget squeeze. The pinched budget effected the luncheon. Normally we would have had a sit-down dinner with numerous courses. The awards part of the ceremony was normal. The luncheon consisted of finger sandwiches, fruit, fancy desserts and a beverage. In order to save money the event was held in the chapel and the food was served in the nuns quarters The center has 250 volunteers. Volunteering is one of my pleasures

And ordinary Tuesday

The palest ink is better than the best memory.

I would not say that yesterday was not worth remembering. But there was not much worth writing about. Nothing new happened, that is. That is the reason why the ink is missing from the rest of this blog.

Good reads

I have just had just finished reading “Bury My Heart At Wounded Knee“, An Indian History Of The American West. A documented account of the systematic destruction of the American Indian during the second half of the 19th century. It is a book that does not give you a good feeling. Now I’m beginning to read “Collapse” by Jared Diamond, How Societies Choose To Fail Or Succeed. I am sure that this book will also give me at negative feeling.. His previous book, Guns, Germs, and Steel was such an interesting book that I am looking forward to reading it. Paul left the book here for me.

Printers

I did get a different printer. My Epson printer stopped working properly. I was never to a pleased with it. It used lots of ink. In fact, every time you turned it on all and whether you are going to print something or not it used ink to clean the heads. It finally got so bad that the cartridge would empty even if you never printed anything. This printer is not new. It is an HP OfficeJet T45. The cartridges are larger and less expensive. I do not use a printer often but would not want to do without.

Some walking

Experience for yesterday was a long walk. I have been shopping for a new printer. I went by bus to pick up a new printer but found that the second bus only ran from Monday through Friday’s and walked 16 blocks each way. If I added that and other blocks . If five blocks are considered a mile then I may have walked 8 miles. The walking was okay. It is the first time I have walked as far since the rod was put in my left leg. The left leg did show more stress than the other, but not much. It is the first time I have noticed that it is there. I did not get the printer but will keep on checking craigslist for one.

If you have not already done so you may wish to check yesterday's comments.

Alzheimer's study group

Yesterday from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. yesterday afternoon I was at UCLA’s Neourscience Center for the continuation of the memory program. That session was for blood tests, EKG and 45 minutes of an interview with a Dr. I believe, that after next week’s MRI, I will be finished with the series. It is fortunate that they have study groups like this to help people with Alzheimer’s or those that may develop the disease.

Transportation

The Center For Healthy Aging held a public forum describing The Independent Transportation Network ITNAmerica. It is a transportation system for people over 65. The best way that I can describe it is that it Is a system that fits between taxis, small public van or public wheelchair van transportation. It is not designated to replace existing transportation programs. It is considered an “arm-through-arm” and “door-through-door” service as opposed to just “curb-to-curb“. It is not funded by public money, run by a nonprofit organization, quite innovative. Somewhere in the future if could fill a need for me. If you should be interested in more information about the organization you can go to www.itnamerica.org.

Birthday and birds

Saturday the 10th is Andrew’s birthday. I had made out a birthday card addressed it put the stamp on and then laid it aside. And so, his card will be arriving late. I have trouble getting cards mailed out on time.

I have started working on a device to keep the large birds and squirrels from eating the food of the small birds and from frightening them away or molesting them. I have found that wild animals are very intelligent. I have an idea and I am sure it will work.

Normal Day

This morning I will be at the International House Of Pancakes with a friend for breakfast. Not much is planned for the day. I will do some dusting and vacuuming and straightening up and doing what little needs to be done. I am fortunate that my place is small and doesn’t need much attention.

Check yesterday's blog for its comment. if you have not read it..

Benjamin's drop-in

Benjamin stopped by on his way back from his uncle’s who live north of San Diego. He spent part of it is summer vacation with them and today he was driving home. It is, for one person, a long drive from San Diego to Grass Valley. He arrived here about noon and we went to Izzy’s Deli for lunch. That gave him a break in his travels and we had some time visiting. Benjamin has a week or so before he begins his second year at the University of California at Santa Barbara. He said, “I will be happy to be back in school.”

Labor and Labor Day

Today is Labor Day. The thoughts for today should be about organized labor and working people. While I was the chief studio engineer at KBTV in Denver, the engineers were unionized and we went through a bargaining session. Since I was in charge of the group it was my duty to support management. The negotiations went well. While Norma and I were the chief officers of Empire Electronics Inc we usually had a couple of technicians working for us. I do not remember firing anyone although some left, maybe some felt OK about leaving and some I am sure we did not feel bad about some them leaving. While at UAL it was necessary to be in the union. I was happy to be there. I think unions are a good thing, but with world competition as it is, it makes it difficult to have strong unions.

Disaster planning

The disaster in New Orleans should be a making a lot of a Southern Californians thinking about the number eight earthquakes that will happen in this area. After the 1994 earthquake Carl had made preparations for the next one. I have a plan in mind that I think will be adequate for a major earthquake. Earthquakes come without warning prior evacuation not an option. Survival for a few it what should be planned.

If you have not read yesterday’s blog. do so, you will find it interesting.

New neighbor

The three of us here at 1225 Princeton have a new neighbor. Unit C has been vacant since March 8. The management company has done some remodeling and some plumbing improvements and the unit has been vacant for a long time, even after that. The new renter, Nick Spindler, is a student at the University of California, Pasadena. It seems like a long drive to and from his university. I believe that he is a senior So far he is quiet, seems like a nice guy and sure that he will make a good neighbor.

Armchair traveling

I am traveling again my by armhair. This time it is by books-on-tape “River-Horse” by William Least Heat-Moon, Across America By Boat. He had written “Blue Highways”, one of my favorite books. It is of his journey across the United States by river, that is, all except for 75 miles. I am in for a treat. To make it doubly interesting I am following that trip in great detail with google maps.

News

With all the big and important news stories on the radio and television it is hard not to comment on the events. I will not comment. I will leave it to the professionals. I will concentrate on the personal news and close to home.

St. John’s has undergone a change in management. It is a Catholic hospital and had been run by the Sisters of Charity (nuns). That management has changed to a trustee form consisting of a president, CEO and Board of Trustees. Yesterday they had a reception for the new president and CEO, the same person, and for employee appreciation. It was held in a large open-air area and professionally catered. They had food and facilities to serve 700 people. Hospitals are a 24-hour day, seven days a week and 365 days a year operation and so it takes many people. It was good food and beautifully served, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.