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  • Memorial Day 2021

    I deeply appreciate the sacrifices that were given by those who fought for our freedoms. I regret that I was not able to be of service to my country in whatever capacity they would have needed me. I tried but the cyst on my wrist caused them to take a pass on me. Kind of a sour grapes situation for me but I’m trying to be content in the higher plan of the path that I’m on, whatever that may be.

    While the weekend was kind of a washout for Sunday and Monday, we did get to spend Saturday being social and visiting. Started off at Phillip and Michelle’s to see the new pool and catch up. They quit smoking a couple of years ago on Chantix so I was able to thank them for the insight and share my success. Got to see David and Keli along with Ronda, Age and Hanna and Colter. It was good to catch up with everyone.

    Then we stopped by to see one of my favorite vets Tim over at his shop. Got a chance to see how TJ pulled apart his truck for cleaning and I’m going to do the same thing this fall with the Chevy.

  • Watched – Nobody

    This is probably the feel good movie of the year. A light hearted John Wick crosses RED you will. Bob Odenkirk plays Hutch Mansell, retired three letter agency guy who, despite having left the job behind, still can’t leave the life. It’s a little slow to get going but picks up steam fairly quickly. Great performance by the consummate actor Christopher Lloyd as Hutch’s dad. All told much better than any of it’s contemporaries out today and I’ll give it 4.25 out of 5. Would definitely recommend.

  • Thoughts on Chantix

    So Chantix has a list of side effects a mile long and comes with some serious warnings, and for good reason. I found myself obsessing about things that bothered me to the point where I would wake up and couldn’t get back to sleep because of mean thoughts running through my head. Not disturbing or anything, just focusing on things that make you mad. It caused some serious sleep issues, falling asleep in the day, not sleeping at night. I of course stopped the medication after about three weeks after check with my doctor. To those that follow me in taking it, I would recommend trying to get off of it after two weeks, the first week you’re smoking as it builds up in your system, the second week it’s fighting the urges for you, week three if you absolutely need it but I found it plays so much with your head you really don’t have time to think about smoking. You should be close to back to normal in about 3 days with the drug completely out of your system in 6.

  • New shelves for the garage.

    So cleaning out the garage is a painfully slow process, to the point where you don’t know where to start, but I got the new shelves in for the garage and I can at least put things away to help clear the junk. Slowly but surely it’s taking shape.

  • 2 weeks non-smoker

    Extremely excited/grateful/happy to be a non smoker!!! I was on a walk this evening and my breathing was better, there wasn’t the burning pain that I’ve had before in the muscles. I’ll need to talk to the doc as I’m still on the high blood pressure meds but I’ve been monitoring my BP closely and my diastolic is averaging under 70 so I’m hopeful I’ll be able to knock that one out. Eating better will be my next step, here’s to better health and a longer life!

  • Taxes

    So federal taxes are due tomorrow, well for the rest of the US anyways. Here in Texas we have an extra month so when H&R Block asked me for a code sent to my cell phone, I just closed the browser. Jackasses expect me to get up and walk to my cell phone? I could have got it from my watch but didn’t think about that.

    It did get me thinking though. Why is it that I have to file taxes? I’m not talking about paying taxes, you’ll never get out of that but why do I (every year) need to figure out which of the myriad of software packages to use, round up my and my spouses W4’s and band statements on interest… Doesn’t the IRS already have this?

    Evidently I’m not the only one thinking about this, here’s a group that’s thinking about the same thing. But nothing is going to change as long as the tax preparation software companies are lining the pockets of elected officials.

  • More monitors

    So in a previous post I mentioned that I’ve brought a couple of Linux workstations online. My old development box (quad core Intel i7 with 24Gb RAM and dual SSD drives) has been turned into a pretty slick Mint desktop. But I could only hook up 2 monitors, so I broke down and bought 4 new monitors and a x4 HDMI card and now I have a pretty neat Linux setup.

  • Furry people birthdays

    Rocky and Sammy turn 3 today!!! I sang them happy birthday and enjoyed their confused looks, they didn’t seem to grasp the significance. We celebrated by not opening the curtains in the bedroom and sleeping all day, I know, a bit of a wasted day but it’s what they wanted. In any case a shout out to the HP for bringing them into my life, they are truly a joy!

  • Watched – Prometheus

    Since I was a kid an curled up on the couch with dad watching Alien I’ve always loved the series, well mostly loved the series. Okay, I really liked the beginning of the series (read: first two movies) it seemed to go downhill from there. In this prequel we see a journey to find the alien ‘engineers’ in the 2090’s based on maps found in ancient earth caves throughout the world. A bit hard to swallow but okay.

    Then they get there and decide to go exploring first thing, I was a bit shocked at how easily these folks remove their helmets, but they do. A storm comes, people get separated and general carnage ensues. While it sort of may look like a setup to Aliens there seems to be something missing, it doesn’t seem to set it up correctly. And I find the Fassbender extremely annoying but maybe that’s me. I’ll give it 2.5 out of 5 because I’m feeling generous.

  • Rainy Monday

    The weather was cold and rainy today, which is honestly perfect for a Monday. So I got some work done and actually went for two walks today and made my steps. 8 days without a cigarette and I’m feeling pretty good about everything. The only hard times are first thing in the morning and after meals, still a twinge now and then but nothing I can’t handle.
    So when Shelly was here for Cinco De Mayo, we made tacos, I swear taco meat is greatness, reheats wonderfully and can be used in tacos, burritos, salads, or in the case of tonight’s entree, taco baked potatoes (yes there’s a potato under there) yum!!!