I choose the Road Less Travelled. Now Where The Hell Am I?

The weather is by contrast to lately very nice. It is about 5 out or for our American friends 40 degrees F. However for it to be that warm this early it is extremely overcast. It has been either raining or threatening to rain long enough I have passed through the migraine due to weather stage and as that takes about 5 days in total you get the idea. The dog gets walked his poop gets picked up I get a morning hot beverage, cider is popular right now and try to either read or watch TV.

I have been using a kindle I just got much more than I expected. It holds about 4 to 16 thousand books. ( I have over 70,000 in electronic form ) my reason for picking it over the other choices is it reads pdf files which include pictures or diagrams. Imagine trying to read say Grey's Anatomy without diagrams. To my surprise I use the laptop I picked up for Xmas to myself less than I expected however in defense Canadian winters suck ( no apology for that one they really do. The Eskimo's have over 100 words for snow and my Dad says he bets all of them are swear words ). I got it mainly as I hope to begin pushing the limits of my illness. Trying at least to travel. I have a week long visit to my Dad's set up for April. While there I have to overhaul his computers. It may require me to write a few programs to automatically handle maintenance functions.

Back to the topic. Looking back it seems in my life when there came a fork in life's path I usually choose the less traveled one. When people were war protesting I joined Cadets. The result was I got a lot of military training which stood me in good stead over the years. When jobs were plentiful I choose one that had bad working conditions but good security, benefits, pension plan etc. Result though I had basically no social life I was able to retire at 51. A good thing considering my illness. Had I not got this perhaps a different one would have come along.

However I do now or perhaps am at the stage in life where I look around and ask myself where there Hell am I and where do I want to go from here. Followed of course by OK what is the best path to get from here to there.

I pretty much always went to school during my working years. New technology required me to go to school to keep up. When I was advanced enough I found I took courses out of pure interest. I was 42 before I realized I had an ear for languages. Now thanks to technology I don't need to physically travel to study them. ( or a variety of other things which I have yet to choose ).

Some things I have done and don't want to do again. Some others I really enjoyed and would like to be able to take up again. Camping and Mountain Climbing for example.

As the Bard said " There are more things under heaven and earth Horatio than are dreamed of in your philosophy " or for Star Trek fans the Vulcan motto IDIC Infinite Diversity in Infinite Combinations.

Now to figure out where I am and where I would like to go from here. Suggestions for my "Bucket List" are welcome. Tracey lives near one item. Walk Hadrian's Wall. At age 12 my maternal Grandfather walked from Dundee to Glasgow in two days to find work. He found it possibly because doing that impressed his would be employers. Aside from the war he spent the rest of his work life in that field. The newspaper field though I understand in many different branches of the business. Even when he lived here in Canada it was working for what was at the time the counties largest paper and it remains out most respected paper.

Maybe I should learn cooking over something other than an open fire so I don't end up killing myself with self induced food poisoning.

btw Rocky's last blog entry shows up wrong on the side of the page it looks like the last one here. Happens because I accidentally posted my entry on his site. His is of course very different him being a much wiser creature. After all I don't think Dog is God spelt backwards is entirely coincidence.

I May be Losing what Little Mind I have Left

I really overslept yesterday. First I had a completely sleepless night the night before not getting to sleep till after 9AM ( I think it is a side effect of years on the night and afternoon shifts. Where I worked you didn't rotate but were on one steady so out of 29 years 22 were not day shift ) it hits once in a while and I have sleeping pills for those occasions. This time they didn't work.

Then I woke briefly at 5PM the dog woke me and I took him out, the local coffee shop was out so I had a hot chocolate then lay in front of the tv closed my eyes and next thing I know it is 8AM. So I took the dog out again got a Coffee and then wrote the blog for him. His is Warp Drive Canine Mind Unleashed and you should read it as this is a special one. However when I came to the computer this morning there was something odd. I had planned on downloading a few programs and was not able to yet last I was at the computer. When I sat down a few minutes ago they were all downloaded just waiting to moved to their new permanent locations. I have no history of sleepwalking but absolutely no memory of waking and doing so. Also it is not a real simple process. I checked the fridge as I almost used it as the bathroom when I woke groggy a couple days ago. ( I didn't came awake enough to realize what I was doing ). I did get myself a perrier water but I recall that I briefly woke up parched when it was pitch black out.

Anyway I hope you enjoy Rocky's Blog today.

Keeping on Track day Two

As most of you know I believe that while we may not have a choice about growing older ( I'm not sure about that completely ) but we can choose not to grow up. ( Millions of males agree with me just look at how we behave ) However, I also believe if we stop seeking after knowledge and trying to better ourselves we do start to age.

Tracey commented on her niece who is fluent in several languages, very impressive. I know one of the people who read this from Toronto and emails me rather than commenting to the world ( in many cases a good choice, ) is fluent in most of those languages. AS the writer lives in Toronto I should mention for readers who do live there while I lived there the board of Education offered courses at Central Technical School ( an excellent trades oriented school normally ) in 14 languages not common in High School. It is where I took my first Japanese course ( second year I and 4 other adults mistook a line in the course description and assumed intermediate meant difficulty level not second year of a 3 year course. There were only enough students registered for it to run it if no one dropped out. As none of the five of us needed to pass it having all graduated high school years earlier ( I think all five of us had at least one college diploma as well, one was a Doctor of Chinese Medicine ) we stayed and the teacher worked very hard to teach two years at once. Even in the Army I have never seen so dedicated an instructor. Also in the Colonade ( not sure how it is spelt ) on Bloor street on the second floor the Japan Foundation has an office and a Library free to the public ( or next to free ) run by the government of Japan which also puts on art exhibits etc and has a lending library. There are also two cultural center buildings ( quite large size of a typical mall ) where you can study anything Japanese from Origami to Karate to Sword fighting with the steel swords to Flower arranging or tea ceremony. If you are interested in something Japanese which they are not teaching at the time they will find a teacher and start to teach it even for just a few people. There is also a smaller version in Hamilton at 25 Hempstead Rd on the mountain ( I took language lessons there and took part in my first tea ceremony ).

The coffee is starting to kick in and a very mild headache on the rare side is fading an asprin should take care of the rest shortly. I am a little slow waking today. I do often get to bed late and as a result sleep late. An unfortunate effect of 21 years working either night or afternoon shift. In my near mindless ( or male you can decide ) state this morning I found myself having opened the fridge about to take a pee when I realized this was not the toilet. I have only done that a couple times in my life and never soiled the fridge. For some reason I wake with a bit of a jolt at that time.

Getting Back to Abnormal

Today has been my first day of feeling like myself since my brother's passing.

It has also been the first day of the year to hit 50 degrees F which may have a bit to do with it though it has been very windy.

Last night I went to sleep with a DVD with 45 hours of mp3 Japanese lessons on starting at the beginning. I think I feel asleep just into the second of the half hour lessons. I slept about 10 hours and when I woke it was at a level I had trouble following. So my plan ( if you read my resolutions you will know I am planning catching my Japanese back up to where it was and then advancing it ) is to again start at lesson one and increase by one lesson every second night. I also plan on doing a lesson of a level of Rosetta stone each day as well. I did all parts of the first lesson today and it was not easy. I scored a 97 but it was not a give away by any means. I may move on then review I haven't decided the best way to use it yet. The audio lessons are not terribly hard. Japanese has fewer sounds than English so with only two that are not in English it is not a hard language to learn to speak or understand. Writing it is another story, I am probably at a 6th grade speech level but only a 2nd or 3rd grade reading level. A nice side effect is the Chinese Kanji I can figure out the meanings of. No idea how to pronounce them but reading them is a bit like figuring the markings on pyramid walls. you know what the symbol means sort of and from the string of symbols you can get the meaning. One of the first I got to recognize was if a Chinese restaurant was licensed to serve booze. Not that I'm a drinker but the symbol sticks. I can also tell men's and ladies restrooms in oriental languages.

Also my bad cold is gone and I am back to working out. I may even go with twice the workouts I had planned. Two cardio workouts a day plus rotating body parts with weights. My one spare bedroom is a computer room, the other a gym and the treadmill in the living room is where I can run and watch TV at the same time.

From my time in the Forces I know the human body ( and even mine I rarely claim to be human. ) can handle and it is far more than most people would believe. Noticeable results should be at roughly the six week mark.

Wish me luck, guts, and determination.

1st Resolutions Revisit

Today is my Dad's 83rd Birthday so if your reading Happy Birthday Dad and I will be visiting as soon as I can make the needed practical arrangements. Transportation, Pet & House sitting etc. I am trying to do it in a way in which everyone comes out a winner or in which everyone benefits. So Far it looks very promising that it should happen before months end. As you know right at the moment we have just had one of the largest snowfalls in years. I will let you know all the details as soon as I have them.

Also kudo's to Jessica my Step-Daughter in whom I am very proud she just finished her second week back at college.

Resolutions. In the diet weight Blood Pressure, Sugar Levels, and Heart Rate all is going at least up to the resolutions for them. My treadmill got ate into by pretty bad hell blisters which have forced me to use it barefoot of late. I will use fabric bandages on the heels till the heels and new shoes are broken in as soon as the blisters are completely gone. ( the fabric bandages are less costly than mole skin and also I am forced to always have them on hand. Those who know me well know that I have the best stocked first kit around. I'm not going to change that.

Books Read, A Book of Mantras ( was an Xmas gift ), H Rider Haggard's novel "She", it is one I had read before kept recommending it to someone and wound up reading it again myself.One called Nature's Medicines, and I have been looking over some old texts and notebooks on electronics in preparation for getting back into it as a hobby. I'm thinking of taking up fishing again. I used to make all my own tackle etc with the exception of Rods and reels and made enough not only for myself but also for the eight other guys I fished with on a pretty regular basis. There was one lure I designed and had each of the other guys I went on an annual fishing trip with the legion ( branch other than my own ) that there were 25 or us and I gave each of them 4 on the annual trip to try out. The next year they all claimed the ones I had made them had done wonders and wanted more. I used up all the parts I had with me for the guys and also gave them all I had in my own box. I'm digressing here but only to note that I am thinking of adding making my own tackle to the current list.

I have started on the book of rules for myself and will post it here once it becomes enough of a list to warrant doing so. I am also carrying a book with a list of all my dvd's on me whenever I go out as I often see a bargain and pick it up only to find when I go to put it into the bookcase ( alphabetically ) that I have got it already. When I do so I give the extra one to someone I am pretty sure will enjoy it. It makes me happy to do it especially if the person in question has a limited amount of spending income.

Not bad overall as this is my first update which is only just over two weeks since I started them and I had and still plan on posting the updates every six weeks or so.

One more I am adding is I will be blogging more often. I am thinking of splitting my blogging by subject. I already sometimes write trying to see my Dog's point of view in "Warp Drive Canine Mind UnLeashed" My next article will likely be there as I am for the last few days thinking how much more Like Ladies & Gentlemen we would be if we more often behaved with what the more noble attributes of these noble beasts show without hesitation. My challenge will be in wording as some take umbrage at being compared to dogs even when it is to their most noble attributes.

Nightmares

Last night was a long sleep but nothing but Nightmares

Guess I am still not adjusting well to my brother's passing. Some of them of things happened when I was 9. 57 year old events coming back as nightmares. Don't know how many times I woke each time from a nightmare. None recent events most around twenty to thirty years ago but some like a few from childhood even older. Makes me wonder if we ever forget the things that bother us. They seem so much easier to remember than the good things.

Resolutions Sid Style

Resolutions & Things to Do 2011

1. Do 1 hour minimum cardio per day ( treadmill)

2. Do ½ hour minimum a day of resistance (gym)

3. Stock freezer, fridge, pantry

4. Eat better and track meals

5. Monitor Heart Rate, Blood Pressure, Pulse, Sugar, Weight also exercise level & amount.

6.Walk Rocky more

7. Study a minimum of 2 hours a day can be concurrent with another activity such as listening to tapes or watching Video.

8. Clean up organize & keep it that way.

9.Get Ethernet cable

10. Do anxiety & depression workbook

11. Dress better

12. Contact Family more

13. Sort, box, label and store stuff

14. Set Clocks start wearing a watch again

15. Mail Lily’s gift

16. Get TJ’s address and mail chess set

17. Visit Dad

18. Make flash cards for Japanese

19. Go through drawers organizing packing & labelling or discarding Donate discards Sally Anne or mental health

20. Use bike more weather permitting

21. Do will or make arrangements

22. Visit Jess & kids in summer if possible.

23. Look into getting license back

24. Start processes

25. Passport

26. Write a level of the Japanese Test

27. Do 1/3 hour non Japanese language work twice per week.

28. Improve credit rating.

29. Increase savings

30. Learn to sign

31. Do some small electronics projects

32. Read at least 1 book a week, keep a record of books read\

33. Work on a personal rule book

34. Loose at least 1 pound a week


The way I handle New Years Resolutions is this. I think about and write them down starting New Years Day. I have some rules the most important is they must be possible. I commence them the day AFTER my birthday. Being mid January that is not much of a problem. Reason for day after is it allows some form of celebration or surprise.

They are subject to modification, they are reviewed once a month and at that time new ones can be added completed ones removed from the list, ones that are partly on course or going faster than expected will be adjusted to reflect that.

Subsets can be added. For example #33 Write a personal rule book. Will once done have an a) which will be read the rules each day till memorized once memorized recite them aloud at least once each day. This is not talking to myself but developing a personal Mantra. Beats Ohm.

As people who read this generally know me. Perhaps not in person but in essence suggestions are welcome for the next update which will likely be the day before Groundhog day Feb 1st.

So far so good. My 1st day on the treadmill forced me to lay off it for a day. I had brand new sneakers so they were not broke in. Blisters resulted on the bottom of my feet and my heel. I lanced the ones on the bottom of my feet but had to give the heel a day to heal a bit. I am now going to be using a bandaid ( fabric ones ) to protect that spot even after the shoes are broken in. I know that spot gets rubbed the wrong way if anything does. Band-aid as it is cheaper then moleskin and equally effective. Perhaps more.

Also thank you for all the condolences on my Brother passing. I am finally adjusting to the fact.

George Arthur Brechin 18 Oct 1956 - 14 Dec 2010

It's almost impossible to write what is basically an obit for a younger brother you looked up to.

As some of you know while I try not to look down on anyone, I make a real effort to look at everyone as my equal. However there are some people I always looked up to. George was one of those people. Call them my personal heroes. Different people for different things. My Grandfather was my overall hero. My Dad for his ability to treat everyone fairly and never loose his self control. With George though he had terrific Academic skills it was his sense of Justice I always looked up to. One thing he would not tolerate was a bully. Mind you his method of dealing with a bully was normally to bully the bully so badly the bully would never dare bully again. If it was a physical bully though George was usually smaller he would use that to embarass the bully because though George never swung first ( and George would always make sure there were witness to that ) when the swinging stopped the bully would be unable to stand. For mental bullies George would trade insults till the other was in tears. I saw him do that with Grown men.

There were lots of things I admired about George but as I first said most was his sense of Justice.

His academics and problem solving abilities were great. If you have something electronic in your body controling something you probably owe what the device does to George as he was the one solved the problem of Electronic devices interfacing with human nerves. That was around 1981. He was the first Technologist to be published in a Medical Journal. He was published a few more times before he became effectively disabled. For the past 20 years or so he lived in near constant pain.

I truly miss him and the only consolation I have is that he no longer has to deal with the pain.

I have lost not only a brother but one my heroes.

The following will show a bit more about the type of man he was. I suggest you double click on the pictures so you can read the whole articles they are too small in the Blog photos.

Sorry I'm taking So Long

I didn't mean the title to sound like I was causing a line up for the Loo.

I find I still can't think about my brother without having my thoughts do what my Grandmother used to describe as. " He jumped on his horse and rode off in all directions ". When she used it normally she meant someone could not make sense as how can you go in more than one direction at once.

However I find when I do think each thought triggers another normally not related to the first at all.

I still have trouble sleeping, too much or to little. My illness is still acting up but it is cold so I don't really mind staying in. I do have to go out for the dog and food. I have a headache today but rain is expected so I don't know which is the why. As it is written on the side of the blog under the picture my birthday is coming shortly. I got myself something slightly extravagant. The complete Rosetta Stone Japanese course. Have not installed it yet ( and won't while a headache is pounding ) typing is one thing following instructions another. My Japanese is not really bad I probably speak like a sixth grader and read like a 3rd grader. My goal is to become impossible to tell on a phone from a native with high school.

Unlike French I have to be around it a day or two before I can speak it well ( think it is a case of ear adjusting but half my teachers spoke Quebec French and half Parisian French so that may have a bit to do with it. )

Once I am feeling normal for me I will get out something on George and his life.

George

As some of you know my younger brother George Arthur Brechin passed away 15 December. I have been a bit of a total wreck since and will as soon as I feel I can handle it without breaking down write what I hope will be a suitable memorial for him. I hope it is very soon. Some of you think I have unusual talents. They are nothing when held next to his sorry to put this up on Christmas but this is the first time I have well enough to write even this very short. Explanation. All I have written since I began blogging could not possibly tell of the admiration and love had for him.

My apologies for the wait.

Sid

Thank God we can Heat Our Homes

Just back from walking the Dog and getting a hot drink, Normally I have to wait for the drink to cool down before I drink it at least 5 to 10 minutes. I actually had to put it in the microwave to warm it up a bit today even though the candy store I get it at is only 100 yards or so away.

Makes me glad to warm up the apartment or house when I had one only involves moving a lever on the thermostat. I can recall when at my Grandparents cottage needing to cut down trees and split wood. Lighting was done with kerosene lamps. I'm not stone age old only feel it at times. However something people who scream about greenhouse gasses should remember is technology doesn't get everywhere at the same time. Canada is one of the worlds wealthier countries and we still have vast areas without electricity. Comes with also being one of the worlds largest countries, next to Russia the largest. If Americans want to know where they fall it is 5th in area.

China having had a huge population for longer than anyone else, has had problems building new buildings with central heating or the means to supply central heating. Having friends who moved there ( they first went to perform at China's version of Disneyland then teach them bagpipes. I'm not sure if teaching the Chinese to play bagpipes is Cultural Exchange or Crimes against Humanity ). On their visits back here the twins ( both learned to play in the same Regiment I served in ) commented that the biggest difference is the attitudes of the sexes towards each other. Here they feel as if being male makes them automatically villains, while there male or female you are judged on you merits and behaviour.

Anyway it is cold here today -6 and windy. That is -6 C so still above 0 F for our American friends. 0 C is the temp water freezes at and 100 C where it boils at. 0 F is the temp salt water freezes at and 100 was meant to be body temp. As measuring was a less accurate when that scale came to first be used and people vary a bit in their temperatures it missed by a bit with 98.6 being average body temp. A bit of trivia which unless you are in a trivia contest or on jeopardy is probably of no use to you. Of course if someone mentions the cold and you wish them to think you spend all your time memorizing the encyclopedia it may be worth a mention.

In the meantime, I shall endeavor to remain indoors enjoying the benefits of living in a country and a part of it which has lots of both natural gas and electricity.

Changed my Mind

So I changed my mind. Actually I made a different choice mind is still where the heck minds are. Being male normally in the gutter. Being older the blood router is not any longer permanently locked in divert blood away brain to part which has no brain but outranks it.

Think I will be inside all day. My illness is acting up. No reason for it I know of. Perhaps I had bad dreams as I woke anxious. I took some meds hope they work the meds are tricky you don't want them to work too well or you end up drowsy and listless and don't feel like going out anyway. Not that there is any great reason to go out. It is around the freezing point. Slightly windy typical Canada near winter weather.

Will watch some tv hope anxiety goes down ( comedies seem a good idea ) if not another pill. The dog has been walked a friend had borrowed $20 a couple weeks ago and dropped by to return it. Took the dog out while here. I do need to made sure he gets out a couple more times. I always manage but there is a difference between out long enough to pee etc and long enough for at least a quick stroll.

Yesterday he only got quick pee walks as it was raining so hard I am sure building Arks crossed some folks minds.

Do I know any Noah jokes. On the Ark all the animals were in pairs except the worms they were in the Apples.

Actually if you read it only the unclean anmimals were in pairs there were I think it was 7 of each of the others.

One thing from the bible I can't get my head around.King Solomon was supposed to be the wisest man who ever lived. He is also supposed to have 500 wives. If he was so wise wouldn't he realize that meant 500 sets of inlaws. Really is there anyone else who thinks that many sets of In Laws is Dumber than anything Jim Carey did in Dumb and Dumber?

Last Post

Recently I have had a few problems. All came as a result of helping people.

The aim of my writing the books I have been writing was to help people in general however recently I have found every time I have tried to help anyone it has come back to hurt me. Sometimes badly.

So I have decided to not help from now on. When someone comes to me for first aid ( which was happened last night, I took them to the hospital by cab paying for it myself ) they waited till called then when in triage for only 6 minutes ran out of the hospital. I Tried to show them what they could expect if they did not get the broken finger treated my turning the baby finger slightly. I was threatened with the police in fact I have a form of death threat on my phone message.

In future I will tell anyone call for an ambulance, the call is free from any pay phone. If you can find one now that they are all but gone due to cell phones.

So I am going to stop helping in any form including writing. Also at the time she owed me $110 dollars. I just told her to forget the money, It will be worth it not to go through the aggravation with my panic disorder I can't risk it.

This is the 3rd incident of some kind ( different people ) where I have done someone a favor and it has become a problem. So no more help, no more favors. I don't care they are out of food and the food bank is low and their children are going hungry. Feeding them is up to them not me. In fact in that kind of case I think a call to the Children's aid would be the best thing. I also will no longer lend anyone a few dollars to take them to payday. I have done this often in the past and do tend to get paid back when they get the money and with thanks. However in future I will say why not and mention names.

My generation was taught to take care of ourselves. Though there is nothing wrong with charity I now agree it begins at home. My parents who didn't quite end up old enough to serve in the war live through it and learned to do what you could for yourself and otherwise work together. Their parents served through the war or suffered rationing scrap drives absence of loved ones for 5 years ( for my American friends this is not meant as any kind of derogatory thing but the other Allied countries went to war when Germany invaded Poland 1 Sep 1939. You entered only when attacked 7 Dec 1941. Rosevelt tried to help the allies has far as he could but the country's policy was one of isolationism. Far from what it is today. Rosevelt did what he could first helping supply weapons and food to the Allies stuck in Brittian at the time then even guarding convoy's. However he could not stop some war profiteers from also supplying the Nazi's until was was formally declared ). If any one cares they did it by sending the materials to Africa from where it was then sent to Germany and Italy.

I am still willing to serve as a witness to a crime if I see one and call emergency services if I see an accident or fire etc. However no more coming to peoples rescue or risking myself or even possesions or cash. In my old age I may need them and that will get here in time. I am seeing my Mother get I hate to see it but feeble and though I don't get the chance to see him my father has onset of Parkinson's. I hope to see him as soon as I can but these events of the last few days have put of the trip I planned to take to visit him ( for me travel is dangerous ). Because My dog is blind I can't kennel him however an older lady I know who knows me and the dog offered to watch him if and when I can go.

I am trying to get hold of my doctor so I have enough meds if I try the trip but he often works for Doctors without borders and is sometimes gone 3 weeks out of the month. I keep leaving messages.

Sleep Deprivation Headache

I live above a store across the store from a bar, Brits read Pub without the nice manners ( yes I know Canadians are polite but a polite drunk is still noisy and still drunk ). With Halloween being on Sunday this year it was way above normal noisy Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Also as this is what is sometimes called a one horse town only I have never seen a horse here so make it a no horse town, there is nothing to do normally. The result was after the bar closed the patrons remained in the area being noisy till dawn. Not rowdy or anything but enough that sleep was out of the question.

Normally on a normal weekend just Saturday usually sometimes Friday as well but rarely I compensate by watching a DVD with surround sound till the bar closes at 2.

Now I hope all realize I am just making a commentary not a complaint. This town needs every job it can get and most of the bars have closed in the past few years. In fact I think the only other one ( aside from the Legion which has very restricted hours ) the other is also a pretty nice restaurant. I often go to on Friday as that is their Prime Rib special day and I love prime rib.

So for certain types of behaviour, like dancing listening to a band this is the only choice. I am glad there is something, and they use local bands often. Don't have too but it is nice for local musicians.

Moving is not a good idea ( if I move it will be to a city ) as with my Agoraphobia though I have good days most days I have only about a two block safe zone ( meaning I am very unlikely to have a panic attack ) and this is by far the nicest place downtown and also about dead center. The hardware stores are way out of my safe zone so males can take pity and women may laugh.

However when I worked I did 22 of my 29 years at the TTC on either a solid night shift or a solid afternoon shift. So my body has been used to sleeping during the day most of my life. I won't complain about the Army because the Infantry's definition of happiness is getting enough sleep. ( and for some reason Infant ry does not mean Baby Army )

Anyway, normal things are waking me at normal times so I am having great trouble sleeping. This morning I didn't get to sleep till 6 AM and my cell woke me with a text at 10. ( tonight It goes off for the night ). Result for the 1st time in a few years a sleep deprivation headache. Coffee Tylenol and I may go for one of those long lasting energy drinks that are mostly vitamin B.

So here is hoping all of you even if you have newborns are getting a good nights sleep. For myself hoping tonight is to sleep perhaps all night.

So anyone emailing this evening please excuse me if I don't get back till tomorrow hopefully late.

Army Slang and Insults

Odette was not familiar with Acronyms, Odette since you have not been here long enough to pick them all up don't worry you will. But if you hear one and want to know what it means email me and I will tell you. Mind you Canada and the US are not exactly the same for them.

I know I use a fair bit of army slang. I generally ( nothing to do with Generals ) try to avoid it here. However I realize it may slip out so I will mentions some of my favorites.

A Commando ( US calls them special forces, ) Slang term: Rough and Tough and hard to Diaper.

Very, very dangerous. Slang term: Killed more men than an Army Cook.

Motto of the Commandos ( not slang real motto ): Death from Above

Motto of the Army Cooks corps ( joke motto ): Death from Within

The Army usually during the various times of Basic, Each promotion includes training courses that include versions of Basic meant to be harder and also suit the new job. Go up the infantry ladder and it can get vicious. One thing while you are doing things like trying to not let go of a rope from exhaustion, or keep moving on a 5 mile run with a 10 pound rifle and 40 to 60 pound pack are insults. It's not mean they serve a purpose. At first to make you madder to carry on. Later to get you used to ignoring insults not letting things get to you if for example a protester spits on you ( something I never understood, don't the realize those guns are not for show they are loaded and with live ammo ). Since I was often the one yelled at ( but remember the good ones yelled at others I will do them in first person.

Brechin, it's a case of Mind over Matter, I don't Mind you don't Matter.

Brechin, No One is totally useless. You can always serve as a horrible example.

My favorite which was not part of training just a comment. A Major was making a comment about an Officer Cadet who was a friend of mine and some other Lieutenants standing having a drink in the mess. ( Officers club in the States ). He said " That man has no class " Mike another Lieutenant piped up " Are you Kidding Ron's got more class than anyone I know. It's all Low but it's still Class "

Which goes to show the wisecracks and insults can go either direction up the chain of command.

First up the chain one I heard I was on Rifle coach course as a 16 year old Cadet. 3rd week of a 6 week course. We were all gathered in the common room for a chewing out. Sgt says " I have been getting calls and letters from some of your Mothers. They are complaining you guys are not calling or writing home. I'm 33 years old and still write my Mother every week."

Voice from the back of the Room ( won't name him but he did go on to win the Pan Am gold medal for large bore rifle ) " Does she ever write back? "

With that remark the Sgt lost control of the room. Whole team was confined to barracks for two days but was worth it. I have a story I am telling 40 years later.

Truth in Acronyms

Today we use a ton of Acronyms.

Not a new thing I think while serving it was possible to have a two hour conversation with another soldier and never us a single real word. Everything in acronyms. You got to know when you were out of control when every paragraph ended with over and every conversation with out. Also the word yes became replaced with Roger. That no end tended to bug my brother Roger btw.

However when I say truth in Acronyms I a referring to take a common expression and make it sound more masculine or politically correct or whatever in order to sell something.

What pops to mind is a drug. Specifically any drug to treat what they created the term ED for. All my life we had a term for ED that applied that they chose not to make an acronym and the only reason I can think of is ED seems less funny than CGIU. Now I have never heard anyone say CGIU. They have always said the term in full. However since it has been around at least a lot longer than me why get cute and invent the term erectile dysfunction, when for ages CGIU was used.

in a useless aside how many knew that the mostly male medical community were greatly divided about weather PMS even existed until it was successfully used as a temporary insanity defence in an English murder case.

Comfort

At the moment the photo function is offline which is not bad because I couldn't find an appropriate picture anyway.

Right now I and most folks I know in town are having something don't think it is technically a cold or flu but something. I suspect it is some kind of respiratory illness because first the smokers seemed to come down with it first and worst. Second it seems to give everyone a slight cough. Like the kind you fake when you are trying to hint to someone they are about to do something stupid ( which never seems to work anyway they still do whatever you were trying to warn them not to ) The effect this is having on me is my sleep patterns are terrible either I can't sleep at all or I spend over 18 hours sleeping unable to wake up. The part I find hardest is it seems to making thinking difficult. I am putting off serious writing till this passes as I am forgetting things. I had to make 5 trips to the store to get toilet paper. I would get there and forget why I went. However as to the article title at the Sally Anne I saw a chair I really like and need to replace my computer room chair so I bought it. A friend helped me get it home and in the morning I will give it a good cleaning. I do have an upholstery cleaner. I use an easy chair lazy boy recliner type at the moment. Can get away with that as I have a huge screen and wireless keyboard. This is really a living room type chair I bought and big but is so comfortable my only fear is I am likely to fall asleep in front of the computer.

There is no harm in spoiling oneself.

The Pen is Mighter Than the Sword but it's No Match for a Gun

For anyone wondering yes I have been doing some work on my books. I am finding the hardest part that I am writing for a target readership whom I have not wrote for in the past.

On top of that I have not been sleeping well for the past several days due to nightmares. Which explains being up at 5AM my sleeping patterns are way off.

So over the next little while certain of you will be getting chunks of the serious book to look over for me and those who agreed to do this thank you very much. The reason you will be getting chunks rather than the whole thing is some chapters are only applicable in some parts of the world. For example Tracey doesn't need to know about Polar bears. I almost typed beers instead of Bears and I am sure she knows they are cold and that is all she will practically need to know about them. ( we actually have such a thing here and in the states and the can changes colour if the beer is cold enough. This is not a joke ask your yankee readers. )

The only person I expect will read all the chapters is Matt who is ex US Navy but part of that is out of interest on his part and part out of a church duty that overlaps. My brother George will likely read it all and make suggestions but he was there for much of my polishing the skills and if anything is even better at it than I am. He can also get more technical yet has more of a talent for putting it in common words than I do so I definitely want him to look it over. He is the type of guy who if he feel in a hole with a Polar Bear after the screaming stopped George would climb out burp, wearing a new white fur outfit, with a supply of meat to last a couple weeks and fuel made from the fat. He would have also known not to eat the one part of only two fur bearing animals which is poison to humans.

Oddly while writing memoirs and stories the computer is great. For the survival aide memoir I am finding old fashioned paper and ink or pencil more practical who would have guessed. Especially since I have been using Word Processors since they had a name and before that could use a manual typewriter. Odd some things we learn about ourselves.

Your Password is Secret

I don't know how many of you recall when computers and before the net was as public ( hard to believe it started as a weapon of sorts. Not the weapon itself but how we were supposed to communicate to stop a war after everything that could be destroyed was. The only survivors would be eaten corn, old episodes of M*A*S*H, peoples memory of the most embarrassing thing you ever did. Sorry to inform you but when you get met by your favorite friend or relative at the end of that long bright tunnel on leaving this mortal coil. The first words you hear will not be "Welcome to Heaven" they are more likely to be " Remember that time you......"

Anyway I was thinking about the early days of computer mania and this new thing the net. People were shocked I was able to guess most of their passwords on the first guess. If you had one of those early 300 baud modems you may have even done this.

I would guess your password is and I would write down the word secret. Most would be shocked how did I know that. Now that you are a sophisticated member of the cyber community you may laugh at this. Books of the time made a point of saying. YOUR PASSWORD IS SECRET. Do not tell anyone your password and the readers would happily type in secret as their password.

Nice Day but Not in in a sense

It has finally turned nice out. What we often call Indian summer. I even got a Thanksgiving card in the mail today. Thank You. For our American friends who think Thanksgiving is next month just remember it is basically a harvest celebration being further north our harvest is of necessity earlier.

As to the not in part I am in the process of defragging my largest drive the 1.5 T drive which takes close to 24 hours. I can do some in fact most things at that time but prefer not to save accidentally writing to that drive. At that time. My mail and internet programs are on one of my 1 T drives and I have already done all the rest. Mainly while sleeping. Isn't multi-tasking great when sleeping is one of those tasks.

Attention Mothers

The Army had a version of Multi-Tasking they called concurrent activity. It meant as a platoon getting more than one job done at the same time. For example a Patrol being done while others did dishes or laundry. So next time ask if they want to play Army and they have a choice of volunteer to wash or dry.

I Hate the Rain

Might sound a bit wimpy but I hate the rain.

Wasn't always like this a misadventure mountain climbing at 20 had me stuck literally overnight on the side of a cliff face as it rained most of the night. Once the rain stopped falling my partner and I were able to get to the top of the face very quickly. Climbing wet limestone is like climbing wet soap. Winds dry the rock very fast but that was only half the problem. Climbing up is perhaps a tenth as hard as climbing down. Especially in the dark, today battery technology I imagine climbers in similar situations would have headlights that would last till dawn. In 1974 no such luck.

Top of the face, not the top of the mountain our goal had been to climb a face that according to the record books had not been done before. The storm came from behind the mountain. Mountains create mini weather effects on their own. We didn't have fore warning. So we ended doing an unclimbed route about half in the dark. Perhaps 2,000 feet of rock face or 200 stories if you compare it to buildings. That wasn't the worst we were still soaked to the skin and with night though not terribly high maybe 8,000 feet maybe another 500 the mountain was 9,386 total. However night still meant temperature dropping below zero. We moved north as we knew there was a trail to a cirque and if we hit the cirque we could slid down it to the trail. We didn't make it that far. Two miles in the dark would have been a fair feat anyway. On the way we hit a treed area. Our combined survival training mine military his as a Swiss climber let us build a fire and remain awake. I can not recall ever being so tired.

Night that high up is short. With the sunrise our clothing quickly dried. We rappelled down the mountain and hitched a ride back to base. Just in time to take out classes both of us has scheduled to teach that day.

For years after that I did not know why rain made me very uncomfortable. One day about 15 years later I was telling the story of that climb to a friend of my wife's who happened to be Swiss. Suddenly I stopped. Though I had told the story many times this was the first time I made the mental connection. That day had been the start of my mild amaphobia. No need to look it up. It means "fear of rain".

The Tooth the Whole Tooth and Nothing But the Tooth

As you may have guessed I have a dental appointment in about a half hour. Also since I am not one of those people who have dentist's and shrink's for their dog's. Dogs do a big part to serve as effective shrinks on their own. The look at you like they are listening. Cause you to repeat your last statement only without adding your mother to the statement. btw I put this on my own post today and did not get it mixed up with Rocky's.

I don't think it got as cold as forecast but a warning from someone we were in for frost did have me put the hear on so I many just not have noticed. It is cool here today. Being Canadian I should define our version of cold. Cold means the temp is low cars won't start. Really cold means the snowmobiles won't start either so you can't dress in a suit NASA could use for a Mars landing and enjoy your day off because everything is closed.

Not sure if the above cartoon is apt as I can't recall if this is my extraction on some other evil dental procedure. Every notice if they want to give you the impression someone is about to tortured in the movies they show dental tools.

Have a good day all and may your Teeth keep ALL their parts

Whose Afraid of the Wicked Witch

Daddy said yesterday like we were going to get taken to some place called Oz. I didn't know where Oz was but Daddy has a movie from a time called 1939 and the Movie is Called the Wizard of Oz.

Don't know why everyone was scared of the Witch. Toto must have been a really wimpy dog. The Witch couldn't handle water. I would have seen how much she liked a leg full of dog pee.

Ruff Said!

Feeling Every Second of my Years

It's not quite 9AM and it is one of those days I feel every second of being in my 57th year. Which is an old fashioned way of saying my next birthday is my 57 but I've finished 56 whole years and feel at least that old.

I feel as if I have just had the above medical procedure and am having all side effects of taking some modern miracle drug designed to very effectively cure disposable income and have been abducted and subjected to unthinkable acts by assorted kinds of space aliens.

I'm sure all of you know what I mean. I really have nothing wrong with me but nothing feels right.

I live across from a tavern and last night they had a band. Okay it's Friday night goes with the territory and when they do get a loud band I tend to watch DVD movies with surround sound on so the Movie drowns out the bar. I did really enjoy the one I choose to watch for the first time last night. I had bought it earlier in the week and to be honest am surprised I hadn't seen it months ago as it came out last year. Jackie Chan in "The Spy Next Door" a spoof of both high tech spy movies and babysitting flicks. I enjoyed it very much and found my amused at myself knowing exactly which James Bond theme they were using in the score at any given moment. On top of that I picked up on some tv spy themes from the 60's and 70's. So though I was not up terribly late movie and bar both were done about 2. My allergies are not bothering me. The pets woke me about 7 for some reason. Maybe they heard something outside I'm limited to human hearing. The sky looks like there is a trip to Oz scheduled for later on today. I have not had my coffee yet. ( it is sitting in front of me as I type and the dog has been walked ). I just feel blah. I think I have one of those energy drinks in the fridge and if I don't feel more like something which at least has the ability to walk upright may drink it in an hour or so.

Looking out the window of the computer room it really does like that trip to Oz is a possibility. I hope not. This weekend is the county fair in the next town over and a number of friends who belong to the same mental health support group I do are going to be manning a booth there the aim of which is this coming week is mental health week and they are part of a nationwide maybe bigger effort to reduce the stigma people associate with mental illnesses. Makes sense a mental illness is not like a tattoo, you don't choice to get one as well as when and where. ( though at time I have thought of getting one with the oriental symbols for "Stupid White Man" Though I only know how to say it in Japanese the meaning is the same in several languages. ) Also I am the only member of this particular group who is also a card carrying member of Mensa so I sort of feel I should be there even if only to prove that having a genius IQ does not make you crazy but it can't prevent it either.

The short version of this whole thing is I have a premonition it is going to be " One of those Days. "

Head Cold

Good thing I had almost no e-mail today. The expected well due butt kicking from Tracey as expected thank you. There are various forms of encouragement and one of the most effective comes only from mother's, Wives, Regimental Sergent Majors and Ladies of Scots Ancestry. Tracey belongs to the last group but at times she can be as motivating as members of the Third.

I slept in first. Then got a call from my housekeeper asking if I had any medicines for head colds. I do get allergies almost constantly but rarely a cough, possibly as I have never been a smoker. In fact tobacco starts my eyes watering as badly as pollen or the cat sleeping on my chest. Unlike the latter two I can normally avoid tobacco. It isn't the smoke which apparently triggers allergies but tiny particles of unburnt tobacco carried by the smoke. At least according to the Doctor who first Dx'd me as allergic. I unfortunately can't tolerate the shots to reduce your allergies. Perhaps six hours after one I will have a terrible migraine which can last for days. So instead I rely on simple anti-histamines. It's not so bad. First they are pills not shots and the main side effect drowsiness you soon get immune too. I gave what I had for cough to Tina as I said I rarely get coughs and these were from my last cough which must have been during the winter ( summer for Kirst I'm on the other side of the equator ) and all were getting close to their expiry dates. However it is going around as they say and there is lots of vacant space in my head so I have one of the symptoms. Excessive sleeping. Two coffee's one more than normal. ( I would have had more but I slept till after the coffee shop closed when I tried to watch some television in the early afternoon and woke after dark.

Took the dog for a pee walk did get a coffee from one of those places that plans to stay open right through the second coming.

Ever notice that nowadays the lists of side effects on any kinds of pills is longer than the dictionaries we used our last year of school. And side effects the 3 stooges could not have come up with as well. Ringing noses, Runny Ears, Watery Navels, Dry Itchy mouth, Premature you know what and green and red stuff popping out the end on top. Erections lasting under six seconds or over six hours. I think our wives are used to the first but they say you should call your doctor if it lasts over six hours. I figure they came up with that number, because the people at market research calculated it would take you five hours and fifty-nine minutes to call and brag about it to all your other friends first. Worst thing is that's not on a box of cold pills but the side effects for a tube of M&M's or a pack of breath mints. Actual medications probably warn against abduction by space aliens ( as opposed to the kind from neighbouring nations ). I also have come to the conclusion that the space alien sudden interest in probing is our own fault. Things used to be plain run of the mill bright lights and autopsy while still living. Then we started to broadcast of various government sessions convincing them beyond any possible doubt that there is no intelligent life on this planet. Try watching a government broadcast and in less than five minutes you likely will have reached the same conclusions the aliens did. Why keep up the probing and why there. Maybe like here if they don't use up this years budget next years will be cut and after watching our world leaders on television they figure if they are find any thinking that's the place to look because it's where our officials normally keep their heads.

Sorry for the Delay

I realize I have not posted either as myself or Rocky since my Step Dad's death and Step Grand Son's birth came back to back.

Aside from a week with the computer down due to damage from a power out ( a shattered disk drive plate of all things )I have had no good excuse or extenuating circumstance. I have had a great deal of a few friends both physically near and cyber universe friends to start writing seriously. I very much appreciate all the encourage the enthusiasm and would appreciate suggestions for what to write my none blog serious works on. Those of you who read the blog articles know the type of things I either enjoy writing about or have a skill in so your suggestions will all be appreciated. I am Tracey will have some colourful metaphors which when translated back to black and white boil down to it's about time.

So I am back. I am healthier than I have been in a long time and a side note which I did forward to Kirst. My friend Rick now often billed as the world's fasted one legged man ( For anyone who thinks he is just raw courage he is also at least as smart as I am ) he will be running representing Canada in Kirsts City of Christchurch New Zealand. To prove I am still an idiot I can't recall when. I hope they have the chance to meet as both are fascinating people and both are excellent role models for others. I really have they chance to meet each other. I told Kirst to tell him she's a friend of Sid's and he will know exactly who she means. If that is not me being guilty of the sin of Pride or Vanity I don't know what is.

Death in The Family

My Stepfather George Winston Campbell passed away last night at I think age 69. He was a good man and hard worker and treated my Mother very well.

At the present time I don't know what to say being at a rare loss for words. It's also difficult to cry though tears.

The photo is at Their wedding he is sitting front right next to my Mom. The reason he is sitting is he broke his leg very shortly before the wedding and didn't wish to postpone the wedding till the leg had healed.

Bad Personal Medical News

Just returned from the Doctor to find that after a round of tests I may be borderline diabetic. I need to go for more tests at the end of July. I'm hoping I can drop some weight and improve the outlook that way however it will be difficult as one of the major side effects of one of the medications for my Panic Disorder with Agoraphobia is weight gain. I have managed to lose about 10 pounds since I went for the tolerance test about a month ago. I suspected something was wrong since after drinking the high sugar content drink the give you to test with I felt sick for the rest of the day.

I have a treadmill now need the will power to use it. I also have a super home gym so the exercise part of improving my lifestyle is at my finger tips. Now I just have to motivate myself. I've done it in the past now I just need to find that in myself once more.

In other news the dog got his summer haircut yesterday and I swear he is now half the size he was. I forgot to take before photos but will take some after shots and put them on his blog probably by tomorrow. For a dog who is over 13 he is in darn good shape aside from his blindness.

Movies

Have been watching a lot of movies in as outside it is warm enough to make you consider jumping in the microwave oven to cool off.

Which got me to wondering. What are other peoples favorite movies. I have come up with categories

Historical

Ballroom Dance film

Fantasy

Epic

Deliberately Dumb

Accidentally so Stupid it becomes funny

Movies with twists you don't see coming.

Movies you don't want to watch before bed because they ensure nightmares.

Sorry for the Delay

It has been a long time since I posted.

A fair bit has happened. One my own illness got bad again, bad enough there were days I could not walk the dog. Best I could do was before sunup and after sundown take him out just long enough to do his business and clean up after him. The friend I had taking care of that when I was sick could no longer do it. People often say rumors are only rumors, however for those in delicate situations rumors can result in very strong consequences. In her case she has to avoid them because she has limited access to visit her child. Rumors can be enough to reduce or even eliminate that access. She had been working for me walking the dog when I was unable to plus she worked as my cleaning lady. Because of someone starting rumors she has had to give up both jobs. She walked the dog as a favor for me unpaid and it was a boon to me on my worst days. The working as my cleaning lady provided her with a modest disposable income she has had to give up. I admit $10 an hour was not a huge amount but it did allow some items she would have had to do without otherwise. We remain on good terms but I myself do feel bad she now must do without that small amount of non necessities her working for me allowed her.

I do now have a new and excellent housekeeper I was introduced to via a friend of my step-daughters who does an excellent job. I must admit I am slightly in awe of the networking that exists as a result of my daughter's circle of friends and her personal recommendation to her friends that I am a person her friends can go to for guidance when they need it who is non-judgemental. Maybe the fact that in the past I was the person soldiers came to has stood me in good stead. Or perhaps it is my past as a Cadet Instructor, Scout leader or priest or a combination of all. Reduced overall I would like to thank my daughter in that even though she has returned to New Brunswick she keeps in touch with her friends up here and has done her best to see that those friends make sure her step-father is ok.

Other things which have added stress to me in the last month or 5 weeks are as follows, my fathers Parkinson's"s has increased and my own illness makes visiting him almost out of the question. There is a possibility of a way for me to visit him but it is awkward difficult and will depend on a great deal of luck. The town I live in has no bus routes in or out. None at all. Cab fare to where I could catch a bus is roughly $100 each way. Add my illness to that and things do not look good. However this town has an airport a leftover from training pilots for the Allies in WWII and my Dad's town has one as it is in the middle of nowhere and as a result has an emergency international airport ( ie even the Concorde could land there ) as a result of location. That perhaps I can find a private pilot willing to take me to the airport roughly a $20 cab ride from his place. It would have been no problem when we had the Chinese flying school here as the airport near his home was the other end of their training missions but following last years flooding their school had to relocate to London ( Ont Tracey not UK ).

Back to family burdens my step dad was since my last posting found to have both lung and brain cancer. The Brain cancer was just operated on and he is ok but has lost his driving license as a result of the surgery. My Brother is also moving out of the area which will leave me with no relatives within roughly an hours drive. My Mom and step dad will be forced to move as they are ten miles out of town and unable to afford cabs for everyday expenses.

My mother, father and youngest brother have all needed cataract operations on both eyes within the last six weeks. Something I view as strong co-incidence. Though I have had to wear glasses since my fight with meningitis at 16 I have no sign of cataracts. On the down side I just had my annual medical exam and had to go back for a diabetes test. I have never needed to get one before and even if it comes back positive diet and exercise should take of it. beyond that it is a controllable illness under most conditions. Trying to maintain a positive outlook. I managed to get myself into a position where money wise I am ok for the rest of a normal lifespan. Getting sick when I was about to retire was not in my plans and has certainly affected my hopes and dreams was not in my plans but preparation has in the long run turned out wise. Two years that could not have been foreseen I still try to put behind me..Barriers remain, friends have been lost over rumors, some major choices over where I will live will present in the next year. Right now things are not easy. For the next year when choices present they will not be easy. Then again I never did well when things were easy.