Not too sure about . . . .

. . . . this wedding ceremony, albeit, it would is one to "remember always."http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4-94JhLEiN0 Got this via email, don't want to step on toes of anyone who specializes in youtube sites :) but had to share. I suppose, if this ceremony sets the stage for a very entertaining marriage, it's okay. But even then, I have to wonder. Day to day life is real, this five minutes. I asked two guys at work about it, telling them my opinion, "It kinda takes away the seriousness of the occasion." They both said, almost in unison, "You can't take marriage too seriously." Both have ex-wives, one several. Seriously. (I actually think it would be great, IF the bride entered differently and the atmosphere turned solemn.) Do we take life too seriously?

What? It's all gone?

Newsflash: Government scrambles to avoid Cash for Clunkers Program suspension ~ Shortly after launching, the $1 billion Cash for Clunkers program may be almost spent out. Oh no! Administration weighs next step. This much seems certain about the Cash for Clunkers program: Consumers are happy to take government rebates to buy new cars. Of course they are; it's always good to get something for nothing from our government. (I can't recall the last time I got anything free from our government.) I'm glad that some of my tax money, that I had to pay extra every year since I retired, is going to such good use! I certainly wouldn't want a person on welfare driving their clunker cars on our roads, parking next to me in Walmart or using more gas than they should, hence spewing more emissions into the atmosphere. Confusion reigned Friday morning and the fate of the $1 billion trade-in program with concerns that it may have already burned through its funds less than a week. "It was unclear how much longer car buyers would be able to trade in clunkers after reports surfaced on Thursday night that the program would be suspended. On Friday, the Obama administration said it was working with Congress to try to get more money and that Clunkers deal certificates would be honored through the weekend." Personally, I am so relieved this administration is working so diligently on a matter of such high importance to us all. How would some folks drive themselves to the free doctor visits, or the store with their food stamps, using nothing but an Resident Alien Registration Card, God only knows where they learned to drive and if they can afford insurance, let alone obtain a valid driver's license. (I find so many guys out here just like this, it's pathetic!) But I'm not bothered by it all, not a bit....do I sound sincere? In quoting one we all knew and loved, "Don't get me started!!" Too late... We get to keep driving our '03 4Runner and '00 F150. (at least they are paid for)

NATIONAL Cheesecake Day

July 30th. Any slice, half price. (unless you're seated, not waited on and finally get the manager's attention via cell phone, whence their embarrassment results in free cheesecake for y'all) Too bad we went here tonight for dinner, just can't imagine going two nights in a row. Although, we didn't get dessert, so....cheesecake isn't my favorite dessert, but I can sacrifice at 1/2 price...

My Insurance claim examiners

I found this picture of the employees on the web site of the insurance carrier in charge of my heart medication...scary...the search was prompted when I tried to refill a prescription and hit a snag. For the first time since being "approved" I had to wait while the pharmacist called the number on my card. He waited and waited, only to be told they will receive a faxed approval within 48 hours. That's so nice. So efficient. This was after trying to refill (as I'd done without problems the last six months) my meds approved since my heart stent. I thought the refills were "forever" or when my heart stops, whichever comes first. I'm covered under NRS 617.457 that covers all firemen and cops, listing heart and lung problems as occupational diseases associated with these two lines of work. I don't think of it as a "disease." I was surprisingly calm. After all, it's only cholesterol stuff, not like any life saving medication. The pharmacist gave me two pills to hold me over. Today, after some research that included three phone calls, I reached my claims examiner. Initially, I heard: "Please listen carefully as our menu options have changed (like I'd remember them anyway). If you know your party's extension, you may enter it any time. If this is a life-threatening emergency, hang up and dial 911!! (slap my forehead; if I had a need for cops, firemen or an ambulance, why the heck would I be calling this 800 number?) "To hear this menu in Spanish, press 3. For an alphabetical listing of company directory, press 4." I pressed 4. "Using the key pad on your phone, spell the first and last name of the person you want." I pressed 54727333. (Lisa Reed) "We're sorry, there is no match for your request. Please re-enter." I lost count of the zero's I pushed next and reached the operator. I told her my problem and complained slightly about their inept answering system. I was transferred without as much as a "have a nice day." I heard the phone ring, ring, ring, ring, and ring. "Hello. You've reached Lisa Reed, I'm out of the office or on the other line assisting, blah, blah, blah ..." It was one of those, sugary, over-enthusiastic voices that only magnifies your frustration. I left a message. Not too terse, but the facts none the less, and asked them what their rationale is..... we'll see what happens.
1 hour later UPDATE: Call from Rx, refill denied. Another call to Lisa Reed. (I knew the extension # this time) She denied it due to different Dr name on script. She did it automatically, even though she told me she knew my Doctor, didn't question it, has my cell number, etc, etc. You know, "Deny first, we can always correct it later." Call to Rx..."same script has been approved since April, same Dr." (it was really phys assistant, I need to get the real Dr to write script). Maybe I'll check my blood pressure on that little machine in the corner when I go to Von's next :)

I'll do it later. . .

Gone fishin'

There's fishin' and then there's fishing with your grandsons. Thanks to Andrea and Steve for the ambition, motivation and help to go in 100 deg temp. Using state of the art, Zebco, Spongebob Square Pants fishing poles grandma bought at our local Walmart. . . . It ain't what it used to be but I wouldn't have wanted to miss the opportunity. Memories of my own grandpa spending more time untangling my line than actual fishing came to mind, albeit I was older than the 2 1/2 and 4 1/2 years olds I was with. Maybe we'll try it again when they have more coordination, patience and understanding of how it all works.

my Take on things ~Thurzdayz thotz

Take, another often over-used word; seize, grab, grasp, clutch, snatch, steal, capture on film...etc... we can take a back seat or just take a seat. We can take a bath, take a pill, take account of, take advantage of, take after, take a hike, take away or take out. We take aim at, take part in, take a powder, take care, take charge, take our limit, take exception to, take five (or ten), take for a ride, take heart, take hold, take issue, take it on the chin, take kindly too, take no prisoners, take notice of and take our time. Also, we can take the cake, take the floor, take the plunge, take to, take to court, take to the cleaners or take turns. We can take a job, take a game piece, take a trick, be taken unawares and be taken for granted. We can take the witness stand, take stairs two at a time, take the trouble with, take an interest in, take the blame for and take first place. We can take shelter, take heart in, take too long, take a picture, take a bribe (not me) take a call or take a cut in pay (I hope not any of us) or take a hit. Take it from me, take my advice, take it easy or take a break. We can take on water, take after, take offense at, take an exam, take to the field, take two from four, take first things first, take things wrong and be taken from earth. Don't take life too seriously, things too hard, or take a fall. Take out your spouse. Take it easy this weekend.

MOD CONS - Modern Conveniences

With the 40th anniversary of our landing on the moon, I read that most Americans alive today have grown up not knowing anything different, assuming it was just another historical event. Not exactly so. In 1969, We showed the rest of the world we are the best and we beat the Russians in the cold-war space race. (Michael would have had to name his 'walk' something else.) It made me think and do very little research, as in Wikipedia. The median age in America is now 35.3 yrs old. It was 32.9 just a few years ago. That means that half of the American people are now younger than 35.3 years. This younger group doesn't know of a life before certain items existed and are now taken for granted: microwaves, garbage disposals, clothes dryers, remote control, cable and color TV, ipods, ATM's, automatic garage door openers, dishwashers, air conditioning - standard equipment in homes and vehicles, smoke-free airplane rides, McDonalds, Internet, spray paint, smoke detectors, drinks in aluminum cans, disposable diapers, house hold computers and cell phones. Rap was something one did on a front door to announce your presence, before the electric door-bell; all just a sampling of what comes to mind. I know I've omitted several. (So many, that MOD CONS was created by some unknown, frustrated, writer to define it all.)

Of course, this is all relevant with age. I recall my grandma telling me about having to pull the curtains across the windows to keep the Indians (oops, Native Americans) from looking into their homes at night. Travelers navigated by dead-reckoning and stars. No Tom-Tom or Garmin.


I put together model cars and airplanes using a glue that now is kept under lock and key and can only be purchased by an adult. I watched black and white TV, having to get up, walk across the room, and change the channel by turning a little knob that clicked while turning. If the picture was bad, you'd adjust the rabbit ears or slap the side of the set with your palm. I rode in the back of a pickup truck on many occasions. Our swamp cooler was all we knew and were glad for it. We shared a phone line with neighbors, counting the rings knowing the call was for us. We didn't get calls telling us our factory warranty was about to expire. Everyone spoke English. We asked, "Whatcha doin'?" instead of "Whass up?" Global warming and terrorism weren't daily words then. I could go on and on, but I'd bore you with trivial garbage - garbage used to be burned nightly, (what ozone damaging, green-house effect?) now it's a "land fill" with bulldozers and recycling.
Makes me wonder what our grandsons' lives will have for modern conveniences. I hope they have nothing to do with hiding from enemies or fighting off weird diseases.
Thank you Neil Armstrong and NASA.

Tour de France For dummies(IncludesMe)

For three weeks, Saturday July 4th to Sunday July 26th 2009, the 96th Tour de France bike race will be made up of 21 stages, will cover a total distance of 3,500 kilometres (2300 miles) and eight million seconds. Only seconds seperate the first five riders of "The Tour." Unless you've been stranded at with no television or you have no interest in watching the Tour de Fance, you've undoubtedly seen some of it. I on the other hand, really enjoy watching it daily, wishing I could have done this somehow in my younger years. I actually get chills watching the finishes, the last few hundreds of yards, the pain and determination on the riders' faces, their strategy, their ability to pull from within themselves to either hold onto a lead or pass the leader with only seconds to spare; the never give up attitude. Yet I have limited knowledge with a plethora of questions: team and individual strategy, winning jersey colors, how does one guy who's 37 yr old manage to be ahead of so many riders much younger than him? What kind of gear ratios do they have? What do they drink as they ride? Water, flat Coca Cola, Gatorade? All have been known to be used. I can relate, on a smaller scale, of what it feels like to get up a long hill...like when I want to look up ahead and see how far I have to ride yet and not wanting to know, just concentrating on keeping my pedalling rhythm. Nothing like these pros, though! A Vegas rider posted a great explanation of the Tour on vegasbiking.com . (See complete explanation here if interested.) That said, here's a very brief synopsis of biking/Tour info.


Although it may look to you as just a mangled bunch of cyclists, there's a good reason they ride so close. Drafting; following closely cuts wind resistance and the ride is easier, saving energy. They all take turns at this, as those in front are pullers. (Keep in mind the different countries and the different languages spoken within that pack, called the pelathon, not to be confused with the break-away pack.) From personal experience, (not in the Tour, naturally) it's scary to ride within inches of another skinny tire, looking down at that hard, rough pavement below knowing another skinny tire is inches from your rear tire. Other interesting facts:
It’s not always advantageous for a team member to win the the stage.
It’s not always useful for the leading teams to finish first.
The riders with the best chance to win the Tour usually do not ride first in groups.
The riders who do the hardest work almost never win the Tour.
Rivals cooperate with each other to gain advantage over other rivals.
Not all riders ride to win any prizes in the Tour.
Injuries occur. The bone most frequently broke is the collar bone, next, arms and wrists. Knee and elbow damage is almost a sure bet in a spill. Since international bike racing had started in 1929, 27 riders have lost their lives do to a crash or later from complications resulting from these injuries. *The last time I rode 45 mph, was down hill in Little Cotton Wood Canyon above SLC. And that was almost disastrous when I left the pavement and into the gravel. I talked to myself, "Just keep it straight, Ron" and concentrated on holding the front wheel straight cutting across a curve and came out just inches from the guard rail. Below was a steep, boulder and tree lined embankment. As I came back onto the pavement I realized I had a flat rear tire. But, I hadn't crashed or gone over the guard rail, or both. Tour guys ride 45 mph and more...


Without boring you with details, suffice it to say, each team is made up of riders with specific assignments. Just as not all football players are the same, not all riders are the same. Not every rider enters the race expecting to win anything at all! Rider Characteristics and Specialties are varied and identified as: Sprinters, Climbers, Balanced Riders and Domestiques: Every team has domestiques. They are the team workhorses. These are the riders you see going back to get food and liquids to bring up to the team leaders.
Here’s something to think about: A rider can win the entire Tour de France, having never won a single stage. So as you watch, if nothing else, enjoy the scenery of European countries you have to spend lots a money to visit if you actually went in person. FYI, pro-cyclists' pay isn't all that great, ranging from $32,000 to $50,000 annual - minimum. You-know-who, no doubt makes much more.

This JUST in! News flash!

I rarely read newspaper editorial opinions, after all, they're just "opinions" and you what they say about opinions. . . . but one caught my eye this morning , my good eye - which is getting better - thanks for all the good wishes. From the Deseret News: "Could it be that the proverbial fountain of youth has been right under our noses all along?" The key to longevity and better health, according to researchers at the Wisconsin National Primate Research Center, is a low-calorie diet. (well, duh. Imagine that!) According to this editorial opinion, that's what two decades of study of 76 rhesus monkeys indicates. Such diets may slow aging in people, too. Slow aging in people? Now it has my attention! But why monkeys, why not real people and make it more believable?
Half of the monkeys in the study were placed on reduced-calorie diets, while the other half continued their normal diets. In brief: After 20 years of study, the monkeys on the restricted diets had fewer deaths and other medical problems associated with old age, to include less brain tissue shrinkage. (I can't help but flash to the Seinfeld show with George, swimming pools, cold water and shrinkage, but I've been around the Mrs. long enuff that it rubbed off ) Another bonus: The monkeys on normal diets looked visibly older than their dieting peers. (Gee, ad in smoking, drinking and drugs and I bet they'd gotten real scary looking ones!) I say anything to disguise our true ages is worthwhile - if I want the Denny's Senior discount I can always show them my driver's license. As it is, I look in the mirror and wonder why I feel younger than I look. The study went on to blah blah blah and question if monkeys have stress and blah blah blah. Something to contemplate when over-filling my paper plate with those yummy funeral potatoes, ambrosia salad, cinnamon rolls, chocolate-on-chocolate cake or tuna casserole! Gives Comfort food a new meaning to me. (at least Dairy Queen has milk in it!)

"And that's the way it is, Saturday, July 18, 2009." in memory of Walter Cronkite

http://www.BanTVCommercials.com/Iwish

I wish there was a web site like this we could all go to and vote out commercials that we are subjected to way too often. I get the feeling these ad-execs don't think much of our IQ's. I don't know what's worse: a packet of cash with two objects that are suppose to be eye balls,

the irate, vocabulary-spitting, raging & ranting, Roll-over minute mom,

or this self pitying caveman, (to include his nerd bowling buddies).

But, the little lizard is almost entertaining.... almost too entertaining, as seen by the cat below.

I know my past record of folks I've blogged about... (RIP Billy Mays and Michael Jackson - sorry 'bout that) one can only hope these ridiculous commercials disappear, somehow. Good kitty.

Give us all Super Bowl quality ads, you know, the ones we actually laugh at and are entertaining.

(did you click on the web site at the top of this blog?... See, there is a demand of it!)

Thurzdayz thotz

What's UP? Waaasssup? This two-letter word that perhaps has more meanings than any other two-letter word. 'UP.' It's easy to understand ... sort of...
UP, meaning toward the sky or at the top of the list, but when we awaken in the morning, why do we wake UP ? At a meeting, why does a topic come UP ? Why do we speak UP and why are the officers UP for election and why is it UP to the secretary to write UP a report? We call UP our friends. And we use it to brighten UP a room, polish UP the silver; we warm UP the leftovers and clean UP the kitchen. We lock UP the house and some guys fix UP the old car. At other times the little word has real special meaning. People stir UP trouble, line UP for tickets, work UP an appetite, and think UP excuses. To be dressed is one thing, but to be dressed UP is special. And a drain must be opened UP because it is stopped UP. We open UP a store in the morning but we close it UP at night. When it threatens to rain, we say it is clouding UP. When the sun comes out we say it is clearing UP, when it rains, it wets the earth and often messes things UP. When it doesn't rain for awhile, things dry UP. One could go on and on, but I'll wrap it UP, for now my time is UP, so. . . is time to shut UP? If it were UP to me, and it is, is my time is UP? I hope not, as time is UP also applies to "passing on" which is a whole different ball game, but without a ball...... sounds like we're all living in Whoville. And then there's throw-UP or UP chuck (sorry, I know you were thinking it) not to be confused with Seven/UP.

'Buick'doesn't rhyme with 'Quick'? What's UP with this?? this end up/I'm all shook UP/I'm fed UP. Put UP with it!! etc-etc

Here's lookin' at you..

A subconjunctival hemorrhage, say that three times, fast. I can hardly say it once, but it's what I have. Nope, no explanation for it's cause. No high blood pressure, didn't lift anything heavier than Sandler (threw him over my shoulder and carried him up stairs with him laughing and kicking as I got home last night)The Internet Doctor says; seek medical advice if pain accompanies it. I did because it did. Still does, albeit more like how it feels when you've poked a finger in your eye. I've had them before without even knowing it until some one asks, "Ewwww, what happened to your eye?" If Carol can blog about wrong shoes & her lips and Alli can blog about her eyes, so can I.

(I came to work today; had to check on return email using my "covert account" as I received two bids for work from unlicensed pool service/handymen I found on craigslist. Surpriiiiiiissssssssseeee!)

Tour de France

Not sure I should blog about this (given the history of my past blogs of Michael Jackson and Billy Mays) so I won't mention any names. But, you-know-who is doing well so far. Also, not sure of the significance of the two, what appears to be, "hairy" wheels, on this Tour logo I found, but I can relate to the band aid...albeit, minor scrapes. I remember my downhill mountain biking at Park City, Utah. I had better luck at my next experience doing cross country in Brian Head.

I enjoy watching the Tour, never grow tired of it, and marvel at these riders' abilities, skills, strengths, endurance, attitude, teamwork and seemingly fearless hard-charging spirit.

Bing! light bulb just came on ... hairy wheels; manly sport :)

Makes me wonder how a women-only-tour would be; they certainly look better in tight shorts than men do. Maybe the announcers would concentrate more on their 'outfits' and some of the scenery. I know I won't travel to these countries, so this is also my chance to see parts of them. Now when I ride, I ride was if I were a 25 yr pro cyclist....... in my mind, anyway.

Let's hope this works

$250 deductible, $49.95 plus tax for "The Club" and no truck for six days. As I write this, the thought occurred to me the entire job of replacing the ignition switch on the steering column and a piece of door weather stripping (that was torn during the entry) probably didn't all add up to $250. But then, there's the towing bill that I know wouldn't be cheap. Oh well.
I still hate thieves. $65,000 reward for information leading to the prosecution & conviction of those responsible for the attempt theft of my old truck....

Marriage is Healthy

In Saturday's Deseret News: Marriage: the anti-Alzheimer's? "Does you spouse sometimes drive you crazy? Think again: A study published in a recent British medical journal finds that people who lived with their partner during middle age had much lower odds of developing dementia or Alzheimer's disease." This story covers data and stats I won't bore you with (I can't direct you to the Deseret News web site, 'cause I get "no results" when I enter this into their search section -even entering it word for word as on the article title. But I know those more savvy with web searches can find it.) By comparison, people who were single at midlife were 1.5 times more likely to develop dementia and 1.8 times more likely to develop Alzheimer's. Those who were widowed were 3.3 times more likely to get dementia and 2.5 times more likely to have Alzheimer's. Education and intellectual leisure activities (mental stimulation) also has a protective effect against cognitive decline. I'll keep trying to work crosswords :) **Makes me wonder - those evil-doers who killed their partner and successfully skirted the legal system - are they more likely to get dementia or Alzheimer's? I hope so!!

July 4th and BBQ Ribs!!

As we associate July 4th with fireworks and bbq - hot dogs, hamburgers, etc, just thought I'd put a plug in for a place in St George that Carol and I found, and, to wish you all a happy fourth! Whatever you eat, enjoy your freedom to do so. I've read 1776 by David McCullough, it's amazing how we got the freedoms we now take for granted. A really good read, if you're looking for one. Non fiction can hold your interest, really.

Located on Sunset Blvd on the way to Santa Clara. They have great cat fish, too!

This was fresh out of the smoker - right on site - and served with sauce (if you feel the need) and has great smokey taste and falls off the bone. Carol has never really liked bbq ribs - until she had these. (Thanks to Carol and her cell phone camera knowledge.)

A portion of what you get, or you can get a whole rack - and share with two others! Now, go grill those hot-dogs :-)

Thurzdays Thotz (early)

This quick video is a lesson for all of us....not to buy Mercury, but to take care of what we drive.

http://growingbolder.com/media/technology/vehicles/romancing-the-road-259598.html

Happy Motoring everybody!!