Up too early, but will put it to good use

Woke up at 4am with headache. Not a biggie to deal with. Just got up, took some ibuprofen and went back to bed. Or at least tried to. Keito and Loki decided that I had slept enough.

So, fed the two fur-boys, and started getting a few more things ready for trip to Broome tomorrow. Will be doing some laundry, as I have to make sure the clothing I pack are the ones I can still comfortably wear. Still a bit tender and bruised around the navel.

On a totally different track, Ziggy (our Bengal) has this love of plastic. She likes chewing on certain types of plastic bags/envelopes. Found out it's because some of them are made with animal fats to be biodegradable. But we can't have her gnawing on plastic all the time. We have also found out she like bubble wrap. She will pad on it, and seems to like the popping noises it makes when her claws pierce it. She also likes sleeping in it.

Observe:

Cozy.



The Zen Faceplant of Relaxation

Why not just say so at the outset? Why be coy?

LiveJournal Status

We can now publicly disclose that we have been experiencing a large-scale DDoS attack the last two days, which has been the reason for the site issues most users have been experiencing. The traffic load has been immense, at many times our normal load level, and the attack is still on-going. We are in constant contact with our providers to mitigate the attack as best as possible. We again apologize for the disruption to LiveJournal usage, and are working to get everything back to normal as soon as we can. Thank you!

Status Updated: 2:29 pm GMT (Wednesday, July 27)

Yanno, I might have called it the "Fuq Up Fairy", but most of us figured this out already.

Thank goodness for 3G Mobile Broadband

For some odd reason, I can't connect to LJ via IINET, but I can using my mobile broadband. True, it's not as fast as adsl, but it gets the job done.

EDIT: a few have told me (one on Twitter) that the only way they can get to LJ is via their 3G mobile broadband. I think I will surf on over to IINET to see if there is a fault somewhere.

Only in America...

Yeah, I over did it a bit

And would do so again!

The "Animal and Wildlife Photography" workshop and practical application of it was great. I didn't take as many photos as usual, as I tended to get the shot I wanted with two or three attempts at most. Yes, a few photos took a few more tries, but some were just one takes.

Here are some of the 'winning shots' aka keepers

I kind of slipped into 'car coma' on the way home, then kicked off my shoes, crawled onto the bed and lost three hours of time. Surprisingly enough, I went to bed later and still slept through the night, and even now feel as if I could use a nap! Right side of abdomen is sore. So is bruised area around the navel.

Yeah, I over did it.. but I'll get over it!

Points to Ponder

U.S.A. Homeless go without eating.
U.S.A. Elderly go without needed medicines.
U.S.A. Mentally ill go without treatment.
U.S.A. Troops go without proper equipment.
U.S.A. Veterans go without benefits they were promised.

Yet we spend billions for tax cuts for the rich before helping our own people.

That was time well spent

Went to a "Animal and Wildlife Photography" workshop. It was not only fun, but very informative. Bob, as usual, taught with humor and had no problem answering questions. Examples shown, and how to's were very good.

Will be putting what we learned to use tomorrow at Caversham Wildlife Park. :)

What a load of bullshit!

Listening to Boehner's reasons why voting against debt limit raise. His 'reasons' didn't stop him or the GOP voting for GW Bush's debt ceiling raises!
Taxes for the wealthy have been at an all time low. Why is he lying about taxes for the wealthy being so onerous? 

The presidents 'demand for more money' was to get rid of tax loopholes that allow the wealthiest to avoid paying their fair share of taxes. Again, no one LIKES paying taxes, but the majority of Americans are sick of corporations, and the extemely wealthy dodge paying their fair share of taxes, leaving the revenue burden on the middle class.

Two week, post op check up

All is good. Pathology came back on the gall bladder. No abnormalities, no abnormal cells, no malignancies, just one fewking gall stone caught in the necks. Oh what fun! :p

Healing up nicely, no signs of infection. Mr W said give me another week or so, and I will pretty much be completely healed up. Yay, go me! Now I have to go explain to Loki that he has to wait a few more days before climbing aboard. :)

Dear Telstra Mobile

How the hell can I tell ahead of time what data traffic is 'ineligible' on my plan? I have 4 gigs of traffic allowed, but it seems most of my f*cking data traffic I get billed separately under the guise of 'ineligible', pretty much doubling my phone bill.

I will be asking them about this.. very soon.

I don't think I should have done that

I was sick of the messy floor, the sofa covered with "Ziggy shredded paper towels", pet hair... so I tidied it up. Making a clean spot was a mistake. So, I vacuumed the rug and used upholstery brush on the sofa.

Now, the right side of my abdomen is sore... but at least the room is cleaner now.

There is much amusement

In the die hard rabid republicans that keep up the hoary harridan screeching that all the current ills are due to incompetence of President Obama. Talk about wearing rose colored Per-Spectacles.

Ray, you were right, short of 'deprogramming' they can't be intelligently spoken to. And this is coming from a moderate, although lately by their standards, Reagan was a liberal.

But it has nothing to do with Mr. Obama being the president

Here's how many Republicans Senators voted to raise the debt ceiling each time it came up for a vote since 1997.

1997: 55
2002: 31
2003: 50
2004: 50
2006: 51
2007: 26
2008: 34
2008: 33

Then Obama was elected.

2009: 2
2009: 1
2010: 0

Yeah, Republicans were for raising the debt ceiling, until Prez O was, then they are against it. Just more of the same of "If Obama endorses it, we republicans are against it even if we were for it even weeks earlier!" Examples:

Financial disclosure

Cap and trade

Immigration

Deficit spending

Bipartisan deficit-reduction commission

Individual insurance mandate

Medicare spending curbs

But wait! There's more.

Again, why aren't more people questioning the motives of the GOP? Why aren't they being asked, no demanding to know, why they are holding the US citizens hostages for their own political gain? Why are they deliberately trying to tip the US economy into a depression?

Because he stayed out so late last night...

He was rather tired and muddle headed when he got back. He started his usual routine to get ready for bed.

Jammies

Brush Teeth

But he was so tired, he wasn't paying attention to what he used as a dentifrice. Palmolive antibacterial soap is good for hands... not so good for oral hygiene.

Yes, Wing loaded up his toothbrush with hand soap, and proceeded to wash his own mouth out with soap. Now I'm waiting for him to start blowing bubbles out of his ass.

Oh the pain of laughing...ow ow ow ow. HAHAHAHAHAHA.. ow ow ow ow. Sometimes it's worth the pain.

With just a bit of experimenting

Xmarks was bought by LastPass! and then extension in FireFox was updated to v4.01. Since then, I have had a problem when opening a new window, that the address bar just didn't work, bookmarks didn't work. Luckily I had Xmarks on my laptop, and it was the previous version of it, 3.90.10. Copied it over and problem vanished. Then, just for giggles, I replaced v3 with v4 again, and problem reappeared immediately. So, put v3 back and all is well again.

I'm betting their tech/help will still say it's something I'm doing wrong.

Company, coffee, and safe journey

Dropped by Japester and Dormant Dragon's for a Final (in Perth) get together. Coffee, and friends. It's sad and happy at the same time, the definition of ambivalence. I am happy for them for the move, as it will be great for them, but sad because the opportunities to get together on a moments notice, or with almost no pre-planning.

Wing made me bring and use my walking stick, as I have been slouching over to the right, favoring one side. It kind of hurts to stand up straight, but I need to do so.

Alan has that nasty cold I had a while ago. It's a nasty bug, but at least we have all the medications for it.

Oh, but GOP says it has nothing to do with Mr Obama as president.

"Nixon raised the debt ceiling 9 times for a total increase of 36%.
Ford raised the debt ceiling 5 times for a total increase of 41%.
Reagan raised the debt ceiling 18 times for a total increase of 199%.
George H.W. Bush raised the debt ceiling 9 times for a total increase of 48%.
George W. Bush raised the debt ceiling 7 times for a total increase of 90%.
That was Ok. They were white republicans". ~Tiki Sparks


This pretty much sums it up. So far, everything President Obama as been for, the GOP and TeaTards dig their heels in and say NO! even if it was something they were all in favor of doing just months prior.

I want to know why more people aren't demanding to know why Boehner, Cantor, all flavors of the GOP are willing to bankrupt or destroy the US for their own party political gain? Why does triggering the worst depression in world history not make all the GOP/TeaHadist supporters say WTF?

Went for a micro-pillage

Just to pick up a few things. Got lot of different kinds of beans to make minestrone. Picked up some fresh vegetables for stir-fry tonight. Cat food, and a few other bits and pieces. Was out and about with Wing for about an hour, and now I am exhausted.

One of the hardest thing to do was finding something to wear that didn't pull on incision areas and dressings, other than jammies.

I am just so easily amused

Ziggy was going nuts on the sofa, scrabbling around in a pile of papers, killing what's left of her roll of paper towels.

I went PFFFFT! and not only did she levitate (at least a foot and a half up), self inflated, and took off like a shot.

It's worth the owie around surgical area from the laughter.

This is a bit odd

I thought I would be feeling less uncomfortable as the days go by.

The day after the surgery, my right shoulder, my right clavicle area and around my right collar bone hurt. I didn't think much of it. Noticed a few bruises a few days after I was home, but no biggie. But today my right hip, along the same 'line' started to hurt like hell. Very well could have been sore from the outset but not bad enough to really take notice. I'm beginning to think that when I was transferred from surgery table to ward table, I landed on the railing.

Alan is a bit concerned about something else. The surgeon, as well as the admitting doctor 'lectured' me on my diet. They look at me and presume that I am stuffing my face with donuts, cake, pie, fast food, when nothing could be further from the truth. Hells bells, I have a written report from a nutritionist that my GP sent me to that my diet is "Near Perfect" and there is nothing left for me to cut out for weight loss. Let's put it this way, since I have been back home, I haven't changed what I eat with the exception of cutting my lowfat yogurt out (dairy after gall bladder surgery isn't very good), and I haven't had a single instance of the 'side effect' of fatty diet after gall bladder surgery. That alone is very telling of the healthiness of my dietary practices.

But because of the rather trite and snarky comments from the doctors, I have cut back even more on my caloric intake. Alan reminded me, in very strong terms, that the last time I did that I ended up fainting in Tai Chi class.

Doctor Who Marathon aka day 6 post op

Finished Series 3, now watching "Voyage of the Damned" episode.

Was moving around a bit better today, until Loki decided to jump up on me for a cuddle. Was rather... uncomfortable. He didn't know any better, just wanted his usual snuggle/cuddle.

Checked email this morning, and had a pleasant surprise; sold a matted print of one of my photographs. Definitely put a smile on my dial.

Time to tuck my slightly, yet legally, drugged self to bed. Niters all!

Sleep to heal, I guess

Feels like I am sleeping my life away. Boring, yes, but other than maybe counting ceiling tiles, or how many acoustic holes said ceiling tiles, what else is there for me to do.

I have been enjoying Doctor Who marathon, when I don't sleep through them.

Un-son, Robin dropped by, and brushed aside my apologies for not going to the play. He knew I had really wanted to see him perform on stage. He told me a bit of goodish news, a consolation prize. Someone would be videoing the play, and I will be able to see it. True, not the same as live performance, but at least I will see CANDIDE.

Sleep to heal, I guess

Feels like I am sleeping my life away. Boring, yes, but other than maybe counting ceiling tiles, or how many acoustic holes said ceiling tiles, what else is there for me to do.

I have been enjoying Doctor Who marathon, when I don't sleep through them.

Un-son, Robin dropped by, and brushed aside my apologies for not going to the play. He knew I had really wanted to see him perform on stage. He told me a bit of goodish news, a consolation prize. Someone would be videoing the play, and I will be able to see it. True, not the same as live performance, but at least I will see CANDIDE.

Former first lady Betty Ford dies at the age of 93

(CNN) -- Betty Ford, the widow of late President Gerald Ford and a co-founder of an eponymous addiction center in California, has died at the age of 93, according to the director of the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library and Museum.

Ford died Friday evening with family at her bedside, according to a family member

93 is a good long run. RIP, Mrs Ford, RIP.

As much as I appreciate the relief from pain

Really don't like how muddle headed I feel from the medication. I can understand the need especially after Loki jumped up onto my abdomen.

I'm not able to go

My Un-Son Robin auditioned and got the lead male role in "Candide". I've been listening to him rehearse and was looking forward to going. I bought front row tickets for Saturday, July 9th.

I can't go, and the tickets are already paid for. If anyone local to me is interested (and will give me a run down of how well it went) in seeing the play, please let me know. Not asking for money, just not letting the tickets go to waste.

July 9th 8pm at Hackett Hall, Draper St, Floreat.

My thank

to all my well wishers. Sorry for not responding individually, but just knackered. When I start feeling a bit more human, I will answer each one, but right now, I'm just too ragged.

Strong pain meds kicking in, so I shall bid everyone adieu!

Baby steps

Took a solo shower (no nurse hovering around asking me if I need help) Still feel like crap, but at least the smell of hospital and antiseptic is gone.

Feeling a bit queasy, but told that's expected. Mylanta keeps me from auditioning for the part Mount Vesuvius.

Needed the 'big guns' pain meds to get to sleep last night. The kind that if get addicted and you're rich, white and wealthy you go to rehab for, but if you are just the average person, you go to jail. Mine is by prescription, and I use regular Panadol during the day. Doesn't work all that great, but at least I maintain some mobility.

Who would have thunk a shower could be so exhausting. Nap time, I think... I think? Strike that. Nap time, I know.

Home.. sweetish home

Monday night 6:30 pm I started having a stomach ache. I did all the usual tummy ache cures, to no avail. It quickly escalated into KILLMENOW pain. When I started having trouble breathing, I got out the phone and called Meegan. Daggles answered the phone, and when he asked I how I was going, I told him not good, I needed to get to the ER.

By the time he and Meegan arrived, I was banging my head against the wall, writhing in pain.

Got to the ER, I fell out of the car onto my hands and knees and crawled into a wheelchair. Triage took one look at me, trundled me back into the curtained rooms, and asked me just one question: are you allergic to any medications. I gasped out no. They then proceeded to inject me with morphine. 10 grains, no effect. 20 grains, no effect, 30 grains and I became a bit more 'aware' of the world around me. Then a different pain med was added, and blessed relief. Was stoned off my gourd, but able to function and answer questions.

Head of ER called in ultra sound tech, and while I was waiting, I got xrayed. Xrays were clear. Ultrasound showed a gall stone, one fewking gall stone blocked the neck of the gall bladder.

Some more pain management, while they were looking for a opening in the surgical schedule. One was found for 9Am Tuesday morning (this worked fine for me as I had been in the ER overnight being prepped)

I was scheduled for immediate surgery.

I woke up with the KILLMENOW pain gone. It was replaced by "I think I just did 200 sit ups too many". After meeting certain criteria, I was allowed to go home this afternoon. Wow, gall bladder removal is a 'day surgery'. Thank goodness for Laproscopic sugery!

I'm sore, hiccups aren't fun right now, and coughing I could live with out, but overall I'm a helluva lot better than I was on Monday. My thanks to all, and you know who I am referring to.

4th of July Celebration in Kardinya, W.A.

Since it's not a legal holiday in the land of roos and wallabies, we attended WA's Only USA Independence Day Fair today.

It was a lot of fun, and it seems the rain held off. Music was great (kudos to the Australia Army band). There were some fewking gorgeous cars there.

How about a "Herd of Mustangs"?





I wore my "Made in the USA" President Obama shirt. I got hundreds of compliments and kudos, and about 10 people glaring at me. Guess they voted for McSame and Caribou Barbie.



Costume Characters didn't just wave from sidelines, they interacted with the crowd. Dancing to "McArthur Park" being played by the Australian Army Band. (No, I still have no idea what McArthur Park means, but it was instrumental, no vocals.)



This gal was just having a great time! She loved my shirt!



A Patriotic and EXCESSIVELY CUTE pup!




Got lots more photos, front views of most of the Mustangs. Some were meh (Sorry, but modern Mustangs look just like every other production car, or look like they belong in a Dr Suess book) Also, got photos of the band, the bagpiper and the large USA sheet cake. Chocolate..yum.

Improvement, it has come!

Woke up this morning, still coughing, but nothing like it's been the past week. I think i am finally over the worst of whatever this is. Wing called BUDGET and requested that they don't drown the inside of the car with air freshener (I swear, last week, it smelled as if a Chanel #5 bomb went off inside the car) as 'my wife is asthmatic and she became very ill. They apologized and the car doesn't smell like a bordello during a heatwave this time.

RAC called me, and it seems the firm, yet polite, feedback about their penalizing us for the jerk who caused the accident doing a runner worked.

Feedback as follows:

My husband, Wing, was in an accident. The vehicle (designated #1 for this) behind him was rear-ended by another car (designated #2) , which sent the vehicle #1 into the back of my husbands car, causing it to spin and slam into traffic, causing a lot of damaged. The driver of vehicle #2 illegally fled the scene.

The police know it was a hit and run, and you know it was a hit and run.

You know the accident wasn't Wing's fault, or the guy behind him, but you are seeing fit to penalize us because the person that did cause it decided to flee the scene. Because driver #2 fled the scene , we have to not only pay the excess, we will lose our no claim bonus. The police told us it could take MONTHS, and chances are they will never find out who the hit and run driver of vehicle #2 was. That's the nature of a Hit and Run. It's not called a "Hit, run, oh I better come back and give you my details".

So much for your advertising about how great you are at helping your customers.

While I understand that you need to recover costs from the at fault party, it seems very unfair that we should be penalized for this accident when you know we were not at fault. It would be much better if we could retain our no claim bonus protection as this does not, prima facie, incur any costs for RAC


I got a phone call, and 'Christine' .. to sum it up, we have to pay the $350 non deductible, but we don't lose our no claim bonus. And should the police ever catch the jackass who started the pile up, RAC will get that money from him, and then refund what we paid to us.

Oh, the car wasn't totaled, but it's going to take 3 to 4 weeks for it to be fixed. Oh well.