When I wear the compression bands, or the neoprene bands on my right, my left knee hurts. BUT if I wear the hinged knee brace on my right knee, the left knee doesn't hurt.
I think it's because I actually shift weight evenly between both legs, instead of leaning to the left most of the time.
I got an overdue notice from Telstra, which I thought at first was a spoof email, until I checked the routing and IP address. It was legit.
So, then I was wondering WTF because I checked our bank, and I had paid the bill. Two months worth, as I missed the previous month because I forgot. Alan was in the hospital, and it completely slipped my mind.
Next step, I called Telstra, waiting only about 2 minutes if that on hold. I explained that I was looking at my bank statement and it clearly showed I did pay the full amount. She asked if we had another telstra account. Yes, Wing 's phone.
Yup, I had paid MY phone bill amount on his phone bill.
Easy peasy fix. She confirmed his details, saw that I did make the payment on the wrong bill, and transferred the payment to my phone account.
Spoke to the vet about all our cats demanding an extra feed as the weather is getting colder. And what to do regarding Keito. Seeing as he is on glargine (single daily dose, slow release insulin) and scheduled feeding, what do we do when he really wants more to eat because of the change of seasons.
Great news is this: as long as it's high quality protein, he can have more. So, we stocked up on small cans of store brand tuna in spring water, which the vet said was good to supplement his feeding as the weather gets colder. It's things with sugars/grains/carbs in it that has to be avoided.
His BGL is always high first thing in the morning because he needs insulin shot after his first feed. What we want are good fructosamine levels. (Glucose attaches to hemoglobin)
Keitos' is in the 'good control' level, just missing the Excellent Control. (Insert happy applause here.) Will aim for excellent control over time, but very pleased with results, as he is a 14 year old moggie. He is happy, in good health, other than the diabetes, so we aren't aiming for 'perfect' numbers of a 4 year old cat.
No need to recheck for six months unless we have a problem.
I have been using Open Live Writer since Microsoft decided to not update logins and the program itself. I typically use it as a blogging tool for WordPress and Blogger (mirror Blogs)
From one day to another, the version I was using kept having errors when trying to post to blogger. So, I checked for update, there was one, so I dutifully downloaded and installed it. Problem is that the new version doesn't load the blog template correctly. I have tried deleting and re-downloading the blog template, but nope, it keeps coming up with the one on the left, with gray text instead of how it's supposed to be on the right.
I have submitted this info to them today. Here’s hoping!
Zoner Photo Studio went subscription only in their last version. I asked them if they would ever have a non-subscription version and they said no. I told them (paraphrasing) "So long, and thanks for all the fish!" because I had gotten, tested and endorsed their product as being a Non-Subscription alternative to Photoshop.
However, they insist on emailing me about subscription sales. I keep saying "Please only contact me if you opt to have a Single User Standalone License."
I know, I know, you think mass mailing list. But the only way I can see if they WILL have single user standalone is if I am on the mailing list.
You would think with them offering subscriptions for 85% off all the fewking time, that to me shows their rental model ain't all it's cracked up to be, they would offer a standalone version for people who got their software because it WASN'T subscription!
Yeah yeah, I know Adobe is called "industry standard", but when I get equal if not better results using something other than Adobe Products, which is less expensive, has more tools, and isn't subscription, I say their standards must have a low bar.
Corel PaintShop Pro and AfterShot pro cost less combined than buying Lightroom. Let that sink in for a moment. Does the same if not better than Adobe products, but costs less.
Raw edits in AfterShotPro 3, Final edits (viveza, define) in PaintshopPro X9. Even created my 'signature' brush in PSPX9.
The "Car Accident" Scammers are back! Here's the phone number they called me twice from: 02 8006 9329
Yes, I had a play with them, so they called me twice.
I asked "Is this about the accident with our Green Kia wagon?"
She said she only had details that I had been in a car accident, that wasn't my fault.
"Well, if you can't tell me my name and the make and model of my car, I'm not giving you any personal information!".
She said she would have her 'supervisor' call me back.
He called, claimed his name was "Jordan". Same song and dance. Same reply, from me, and when he said he could call me back tomorrow with the information.. meh.
"Guy, bored now, so I'm not going to play anymore. I haven't had a car accident in over 25 years, and I know this is a scam, and am going to broadcast this number far and wide."
In hopes to get some colorful sunset shots, but the storm clouds rolled. So, Lemons, lemonade.
Canon 5D4, Sigma 12-24
Natasha: well, this is awesome. No Avenger except Tony is eligible for health insurance.
Pepper: what are you talking about?? What happened??
Bruce: we all have preexisting conditions. For instance, I have hypertension.
Clint: I'm deaf.
Bucky: mental illness.
Wanda: *simply raises hand to agree with Bucky*
Sam: PTSD.
Steve: asthma, allergies, colorblindness...
Natasha: we'll be here all day, Rogers.
Pepper: he doesn't have those anymore!
Steve: but I did. They're pre-existing.
Natasha: I've broken every bone in my body at least once.
Peggy: I've been shot, and I'm 98. Technically I should be on Medicare.
Tony: guys, I'm a recovering alcoholic. They're not going to cover me either.
*pause*
Natasha: OK, so Pepper is the only one of us who can get health insurance. We're the AVENGERS, and we can't get health insurance.
Pepper: Um, I have that Extremis thing.
*pause*
Natasha: OK, so JARVIS is the only one of us who can get health insurance.
Peggy: Would Ultron count as a preexisting condition? He was sort of a virus.
*pause*
Natasha: ....damn it.
I got a new pair of hiking boots yesterday, because the old pair always bruised my toes and just hurt like hell to wear.
After wearing them for over 6 hours yesterday, I wasn't getting cramps in left calf, and my lower back wasn't as achey. I'm hoping that the fit and shock absorbency will help with right knee. Not expecting it to 'cure' the knee, still need replacement, but combined with the snynovial injection, to ease the pain and make walking a bit less of a limping affair.
And to all the well meaning people: Although I do appreciate that you care, please, no more armchair medical advice.
No, I don't need orthodics in my shoes. My left heel is sore because it hits the ground harder than the right foot does because of my back issue.
My back issue is because of a disc that calcified and collapsed. Did have back surgery 9 yrs ago, but I have lingering issues with it (read above).
No, the brace/compression bands aren't too small or too tight. Yes, I have discussed the puffy right foot with GP, knee surgeon and a physiotherapist. It's caused by the leg having restricted movement.
One of the cats scratching posts is losing it's rope again, so I got out the rough rope, and went to get the staple gun. When I went to pick up the staple gun, which I had put on the bottom shelf, away from any cleaners or liquid, it was stuck. Why? Because someone put in a bottle of floor cleaner, without making sure it was tightly capped, and the whole thing poured INTO the staple gun. *insert some bad words here* I managed to get the pusher unit out, and looked down the magazine. There was a huge clot of soap clotted staples stuck in it, just under the driver, and the pivoting base staple gun was stuck. Filled up sink with scalding hot water, and placed the staple gun in there. Twiddled thumbs for about 20 minutes (aka putting away the aborted Scratch Post Repair items) Got a flashlight, and a long, thin metal spike. Managed to get the base open, and saw just how clotted and rusty the staples were. Very very VERY carefully using the spike, I pried the staples apart and took them out a few at a time. Ran more scalding water over the unit. Coming from the front, i pushed until I could feel the stuck staples give. I managed to get the rest of them out.
Inspected the staplegun. It will need to be soaked for a while to unclot the rest of the gummed upcleaning solution. I have my silocone spray to give it a good lubrication when it's been cleaned.
I was cleaning and refilling the hummingbird feeders. I turned not quite right, right knee didn’t like it and I stumbled. When I reached out to get my balance, I dropped the feeder and it shattered. *sigh*
Have cleaned up all the glass, cleaned and refilled the remaining ones. The bright side is it was one of the smaller feeders, not the one of the large ones. Have ordered a new one from Amazon.
Ripped out the dead catnip plants from the pot they were in. Fed the two lime trees and the orange tree with specialized plant food for citrus. Mixed up batch of regular plant food for all the other potted plants.
Pruned back the chili plants in the front yard, as it seems to be flagging a bit. Will see if it perks up after the feed and prune. If not, I'll take one of the chilies out of the freezer, thaw and germinate some of the seeds.
I did this without using knee support, but my left calf started cramping. It's those damned shoes! The nano I took them off and walked bare footed in the house, the cramping stopped.
Wing and I went for a bit of a long walk today. It was good and it was to test something.
Although I can wear the compression knee bandage if I am going for short walks, or around the house and yard. Longer walks, I will be needing the hinged knee brace. It's good to know this now, before we head to Sydney! Would be a disaster to get there and not be able to walk long distance .
So, pack or wear the hinged brace, pack the three compression knee bandages.
And we have been discussing what gear to bring. One camera body, 5D4. Lenses: 24-70, 70-300 and the 12-24. Should have all bases covered that way. Also, bring SD cards, as I found out they will have cameras set up for the studio/photo sessions, and the ones set up only take SD cards. I will bring CF cards for when we do our own photowalks in Sydney.
Waxing Gibbous in a blue sky - 5D4, 100-400mkII, 1.4xmkIII extender
The on suite cistern wasn't filling fast enough. So, being my fussbudgety self, I took apart the cistern valve assembly.. again. I checked the large silicon gasket and made sure it was flush (no pun intended) on the intake. Then I checked the gasket that fit onto the pressure lever. I took off my glasses so I could get a close look, and there was no discerning marks, so lined it up and placed it on top of the large gasket.
I then took the collar and made sure the threads lined up, and starting to twist it back on. That's when I noticed that a small lip on the intake wasn't tucked under it. I unscrewed it, and carefully lined it up, and I noticed it tightened down further than it had done previously. Reattached the anchor collar, put the ballcock back on, and turned the water back on full, prepared to shut it off should I get the fountain effect again.
No fountain, just pouring out from under the screw on collar, as it should be, and no longer leaking from the pressure lever.
Damn, I'm good!
I managed to find two more dual stabilizers FUTURO knee supports. This particular type I just could not find in any of the local, or slightly distant, pharmacies. So, I took to eBay.
I'll still need to use the "Cyborg" knee brace, especially if or when I've overdone something, and my knee is feeling wobbly. The lighter compression support for day to day living. And with three of them, old one, and two new ones, wearing a clean one every day will stop the itchiness from using same one over and over.
Regular laundering is a good thing, but problematic when it takes 2 days for the thing to dry out. I can't hang them outside because of wattles being in bloom. Do NOT need contact dermatitis on the back of my knee. With three, I will always have at least one clean and dry.
When Wing got home, we headed to Bunnings and picked up a 1981-2000 Coroma cistern valve gasket set. Don't get me wrong, my rigging worked perfectly, but it probably wouldn't have lasted as long as a proper set of gaskets/washers.
Dismantled the cistern valve, removed all the old rubber gaskets/washers, replaced them with new silicone ones, reassembled the valve, once again, forgetting to put the anchor collar on.
Turned the water on, and I had fountain! In my hurry to get the job done, I forgot Number 1 rule when replacing gaskets/washers: turn the water on slowly to allow the water pressure to properly seat the gaskets. *sheepish grin*
It's all working. But boy is my back stiff and sore from staying slouched over the cistern.
The cistern of our on suite toilet kept running.
I typed in "Caroma Cistern Valve" in YouTube search bar, and watched.
I then, armed with grips, pliers and scissors (yes, scissors. Reason will become apparent) and took apart the cistern valve (removed float, arm, adjustedment screw, level, anchor collar). Lo and behold, the gasket on the threaded pipe was disintergrated, and the rubber washer on the valve stop was no longer 'springy' enough to lift the floatation arm to the shut off point.
Hmm, I didn't have any washers or gaskets handy, so this is where the scissors come in. I got a rubber band, the same thickness as what was left of the original gasket on the threaded pipe. Bevel cut, so the cut ends would rest against each other. Then I got waterproof bandaging tape, and cut about a 1cm piece. Folded it in half, so the sticky sides faced each other. Then cut it to the size of the rubber washer on the valve stop.
Reassembled valve. Replaced floatation arm. Turned the water on. Waited until the water got to the level line and adjusted the screw until the water stopped filling. And it stopped filling without continuously running. Then I noticed I forgot the anchor collar. I will put it back only if I see there is a problem without it. On a nifty aside, I probably saved the household $300 in parts and labor getting a plumber in here to do it.
