Random Musings of a Curious Mind

Email or Snail Mail?

Wed, 23 Jul 2008 19:38:22 -0700

As I've mentioned, my daughter was married at the end of May. During the weeks prior to the wedding, I received a lot of mail from her, helping me coordinate my visit. Some of it was email and some of it was snail mail.

Thinking back - because that is what I habitually do - I started to wonder which messages were more anticipated. Of course, I was excited about getting the wedding invitation. Would it have been as anticipated had it come via email?

Good question.

I've decided - for the moment:

I need Email for the instant gratification. Because I know that I can get (relatively) immediate answers, I find myself quite demanding of Email responses. So, I anticipate answsers by email for that reason - they can appear quickly.
Snail Mail, however, is so much more personal - like touching another person across the distance.

Now I have to consider that - since I love getting Snail Mail - perhaps I should start sending some.

What do you think?

Moving Trucks

Wed, 23 Jul 2008 13:56:41 -0700

A little over four years ago, when Mark was very sick, we were invited to move in with a friend in Washington state. All of us knew that the prognosis wasn't good. Our friend (and Mark) wanted to make certain that I had a place to live and wasn't alone.

In the midst of coordinating hospice care, I was also researching affordable airfare (including our cat Bear) and moving trucks. Suffice it to say, I was not overly pleased with the options I was given by the different moving companies that I contacted.

Since then, I've found that there are some terrific alternatives. Ideally, if you need to save money on a move, you've already decided to pack the majority (if not all) of your possessions. That will only save a bit with most companies. (I know from experience.)

Normally, in a move, it doesn't matter if you're moving across country or across town, everything goes into and out of the truck - immediately.

What if you could have a trailer delivered to your home - on your schedule - with three (3) days to load it up? Then, once you've packed up everything, the trailer is driven to your new home. Within the price, you get three (3) days to unload.

It certainly seems like an ideal way to deal with the hassle of moving.

Heart Attack Risk

Wed, 23 Jul 2008 09:10:12 -0700

This morning, as I was having my first cigarette and cup of coffee of the day, I found this article - When Are You Most Likely to Have a Heart Attack?. Probably should have waited until a little later in the day. As I read along, I began to feel very lucky that I make it from the bed to the living room every morning.

It's actually quite fascinating, all things considered. Due to the changes in the body during sleep, especially REM sleep, apparently the worst thing one can do is get up in the morning. Now - before anyone panics - this probably doesn't have much effect on healthy hearts. As a smoker and caffeine junkie who already had one heart attack in 1999, it's a bit unnerving.

Most people who are at risk, due to hypertension or clogged arteries, are already on medication to control their blood pressure. The trick is coordinating the dosage and time of day that the medication is taken. Explains why doctors monitor blood pressure and prescriptions so closely, doesn't it?

If you're like me - the first thing that came to mind is to just stay in bed later. Sorry! The researchers even tested that option and it doesn't help. It's getting up and active that's the problem - or could be.

Please read the article - if for no other reason than to understand why it's possible to sleep all night and wake up absolutely exhausted.

Wine of the Month

Mon, 21 Jul 2008 23:46:11 -0700

I've seen a number of wine of the month clubs. But rarely do they offer anything I'd like to drink. Not anymore!

The available options are irresistible. Get a red and a white each month or, if you're like me, opt for just reds. If you're like a friend of mine, go for only whites. These are hard-to-find, award winning wines from California's best small wineries.

There are several club options, for all budgets. And, my favorite part, no sign-up fees, no monthly dues, and no minimum obligation. You can even choose from some great gift packages.

I can't wait to give it a taste.

Hundreds of Dead Baby Penguins

Sun, 20 Jul 2008 20:35:24 -0700

What a sad story: Hundreds of baby penguins found dead in Brazil.

Experts differ in opinions as to the cause. Some blame overfishing, which is forcing the penguins further out to find food and leaving them vulnerable to stronger ocean currents. Another theory, that global warming has altered ocean currents, created more cyclones, and made the seas rougher. As most of the birds are newly out of the nest, either of these make a great deal of sense.

So many animals are at risk these days, thanks to global warming and pollution, it's so sad to see the young ones in trouble.

My Recipes

Sun, 20 Jul 2008 19:45:31 -0700

One of the worst things about cooking dinner every night is getting into a recipe rut. We find ourselves making the same things over and over again. Boring!

So, when I find a site with a bunch of new recipes, it's something I have to share with everyone. Just be warned - don't surf this site if you're hungry! The recipes are mouth-watering, believe me.

I can't wait to try Baked-Potato Eggs, Green Chile-Chicken Casserole, and Last-Minute Lasagna. And I can save my favorites, or new recipes that I'm dying to try, right online. Or, even better, print them out in whatever size I need.

If you're in a recipe-rut - or just like to try new things - you should check out this site.

Northern Rockies Wolves Safe

Sat, 19 Jul 2008 23:08:41 -0700

I was so happy to read: Judge restores protection for Rockies wolves.

As you can imagine, I was outraged when gray wolves were delisted in March, with several states planning wolf hunts for this fall. With a population of only about 2,000 in the area, the species is not nearly sufficient to withstand 'culling'. As the judge pointed out, the genetic diversity in the Rockies wolves is far from where it needs to be.

The order isn't permanent, and government attorneys may yet appeal the decision. Let us hope that it becomes and stays permanent.

Golf Equipment

Sat, 19 Jul 2008 20:51:56 -0700

Over the years, I have watched a great deal of golf. (I have also watched professional wrestling, football, hockey, curling, boxing - a whole lot of sports, to say the least.) Amazingly, golf was always one of my favorites.

Most people I know find it boring, but to me it's fascinating. How these men and women take a bag full of golf equipment and do what they do, keeps me riveted to my seat. And the great shots aren't the only ones worth watching.

It's pretty easy for me to imagine having a crappy day, just like Phil Mickelson's been having. His round 2 score was a great -2. Unfortunately, rounds 1 (+9) and 3 (+6) were brutal. And Mickelson is not alone. The winds have been torturing players for three days.

Which makes Greg Norman's +2 after the 3rd round just that much more impressive. I may have to sneak a peak or two while I'm working tomorrow.

Calendar Issues

Mon, 14 Jul 2008 23:14:46 -0700

Okay, I have about had enough!

If you've noticed, there is a calendar in the upper right corner of my blog page. I think it's great; love having it there. Except for one - glaring - problem.

When I have a post on a Friday, which causes the program to bold the date, the date drops down in the form! Aaaaargh!!!

If anyone can look at my code and tell me why this one day out of seven has decided to have dropsy, I would greatly appreciate the input.

Until then, I'll just grumble, growl, and make unkind gestures at the calendar!

Just Can't Win!

Sat, 12 Jul 2008 01:09:24 -0700

It's amazing - or depressing - however you want to look at it.

Mark and I spent four years trying to undo the damage from the lifetime that his youngest boys spent with their mother. They each had overt and hidden problems from the abuse and neglect in their past. I think we helped Frankie; Michael - who knows.

But, since Michael left, at the end of May, I have to say that my health and my attitude have improved 1000%. I laugh more; cry less. Each day is a blessing, instead of a curse.

I don't know if that makes me a bad person or if it means that the situation was so toxic for me that I had to get out to save my life and my sanity. I know that I would have ever 'let' him leave, without finishing school and developing some skills to see him through his adult life.

In all honesty, I do miss him and worry desperately about him living with his mother. If I dwell on, what I believe to be, his prospects for the future - I become terrified for him. (When asked what he wanted to do with his life, his answers were always beyond the realm of possibility - basketball star, race car driver.)

So, even though we don't have in-your-face-every-day stress anymore, we have the upset of not knowing how he's doing or what abuse he might be suffering.

Just can't win!

Greater Good Network

Sat, 12 Jul 2008 00:37:22 -0700

I have a great interest in protecting the environment, helping animals, and just trying to do the right thing. Sadly, I don't have a bank account that allows me to financially support all of the causes in which I believe.

Thanks to the Greater Good Network, and their sponsors, I don't have to be the Sultan of Brunei in order to help.

One of the easiest ways to help is by resetting the home page on your browser. Simply pick one of the websites in the network - I chose The Animal Rescue Site - and every time you visit the Internet, simply click on the "Click Here to Give" button on the main page. It doesn't cost you a dime, but the sponsors will take that 'click' and donate to the cause that you've chosen.

Every time I visit my homepage, I give .6 bowls of food to rescued animals. And I am not alone! Yesterday, July 10, 2008, 303,764 clicks contributed 182,258 bowls of food; in 2007, actions at The Animal Rescue Site funded the value of 42,724,313 bowls of food for animals in need.

I know that I couldn't, personally, contribute enough to make a drop in the bucket. But, working with The Greater Good Network, I - and you - can do wonders.

FOX Reviews Zenni Optical

Fri, 11 Jul 2008 16:36:37 -0700

If you were wondering, as I have been, whether the glasses I talked about in an earlier post are really a good deal, I have an answer.

FOX consumer review program Deal or Dud? followed one mother's experience. The video details include the ordering process, issues with the family's optometrist, and the quality of the final product.

As you'll see in the report, ZenniOptical.com did a terrific job with the information that they were given. Both prescriptions were perfect. However, due to a lack of information from the optometrist and a wiggly little boy, there were issues with one pair.

Frankly, I was quite impressed. I've already found my favorite frames. (Okay I've found several favorite frames.) Luckily, I can afford more than one now.

Now, I'm off to get my prescription information.

The Asian Elephant Art & Conservation Project

Fri, 11 Jul 2008 10:40:48 -0700

We were watching this video from YouTube earlier and, being the skeptic I am, I had to look into this. According to Snopes, this is a True Story. Although, it's not quite what it seems.

These domesticated elephants are trained to use the paintbrushes and recreate the same picture, over and over. When they want a new color, they drop the brush. Obviously, they are not able to pick up a paintbrush, so their trainers give them a new one. That is, beyond the repetitive training, the only intervention by humans in the 'painting' process.

The organization that trains these elephants and sells the artwork offers this mission statement:

The Asian Elephant Art & Conservation Project (AEACP) is a non-profit organization dedicated to saving the diminishing number of Asian elephants left on our planet through its work with domesticated elephants. The AEACP raises funds through donations and the sale of artwork created by elephants in order to fulfill its mission.

Asian Elephants are seriously threatened in the wild, with populations estimated at less than 35,000. I'm not certain that I agree with teaching an elephant to paint, but I do support any efforts to protect these beautiful animals.

Desk Rage?!

Thu, 10 Jul 2008 22:59:14 -0700

This is not as outrageous as it might seem at first blush - Desk rage spoils workplace for many Americans.

Years ago, for the very reasons listed in the article, I experienced this same problem. My home life was a wreck. I didn't have a social life or anything approaching downtime. After 13 years, I was an explosion looking for a target.

In hindsight, there were a lot of things I should have done, that I didn't; and a lot of things that I did, that I shouldn't have.

No matter what you think - vacations are NOT overrated! They are vital to the mental health of everyone!

Private Jet Charter

Thu, 10 Jul 2008 17:53:36 -0700

Obviously, my business isn't large enough, nor do I travel enough to warrant a private jet charter. But wouldn't it be incredible!?

Just imagine the convenience of catching a flight when you want and not needing to work around airline schedules. Not only that, but many of these charters include catering and a private flight crew. (So much for a $5.00 bag of peanuts!)

Of course, it's not an incredibly inexpensive way to travel, but it's not as pricey as I imagined. When a company or organization has a number of people who need to be in the same place, at a specific time, it definitely makes a lot of sense.

Personally, I think it's a wonderful idea. Who knows? Maybe I'll even get to try it, someday.