Free Time, Forced Civility, and Oil Usage Restrictions

We are trying to figure out what to do with our time now that the boy is finished school. I really shouldn't say we, it was the wife that spent so much time making sure he stayed on task, but hey, I live here too! I have marked certain milestones, like retirement, with changes in my appearance. Grew my hair, cut my hair. Grew a beard, shaved my beard. Grew...you get it. Well I'm running out of things to change, it's hot, it's humid, seemed like an easy choice.



Graduation was great, the boy was absolutely glowing, right along with us. The school has it down to a science, 577 kids, they'd better. One thing bothered me, well lots of things bothered me, but this one was acute. They made an announcement to please hold all clapping, all cheering, and all outbursts until the end of the ceremony as a courtesy to those listening for their childs name. It didn't happen! When I take over the world this will be a thing of the past. Your name is called and there is an outburst, you come into school with a parent on Monday to get yours. I'd like to force a little civility on people, even if they don't want it.

This spill in the Gulf is horrible. How can it be that something like this doesn't have an answer? We make the coal people have a plan for when things go wrong, they don't work, but we make them have one. BP had a plan to save walruses, tons of those in the Gulf. Did the USA restrict things like travel, fuel consumption during WW2, pretty sure they did? Stop all non essential air travel, tonight! Give us coupons for gasoline, use your coupons and you either stay home, or you trade with someone else for theirs. These aren't big problems, just ones that need serious answers.

We All Do Dumb Things, and Kids Are A Lot Of Work

The Caps lost tonight, too many men on the ice, the goalie started off, then went back! Thought the coach's head was going to explode. Glad I don't have a coach to yell at me when I do stupid things, I tend to do them quite frequently. For instance, threw a light bulb into a fire one time, wanted to see if it would melt. Laying there watching, the thought came to me, light bulbs, they are filled with something, what was it? POP! Oh yeah, gas. Hot embers, little pieces of glass, not my finest hour, but also not my worst! Don't yell coach, at least it wasn't a light bulb.

Had the blues today, worried about the boy and school. Maryland has that damn HSA test, you have to pass the test to graduate. The entire school year means absolutely nothing. Pass everything, all 4 years, fail the test, don't graduate. The boy isn't a test taker, but does so we in the other parts he does fine, but the HSA is always there. He didn't pass them, so he had the option to do projects. You can should see these projects! I'd like to give them to the teachers to see if they could do them. This wasn't in the manual, but we will keep him, because after this, school, there won't be anything for us to worry about, right?

The Girl Aced Midterms, I Went Bird Feeder Shopping, and Oral Prednisone and DDAVP Naval Spray

The girl had a great week, got "A"s on all her midterms. The one literature class, a comparison of the different types of Shakespearean plays was magnificent. They had to choose 3 quotes from 2 different plays, explain and interpret them. I read the entire test, a 7 page essay covering the subjects and characters, was able say, oh, OK a few times. She's wicked smart, finally on the right path in school, and I love her very much! A "B" would have gotten she's an OK kid.

I was out in the world today, it was awesome! I drove, stopped and got an iced tea, waved at someone I didn't even know. Ended up down a my friend Joe's parent's house, wanted to check out their bird feeders. Every time I've been there birds have been everywhere. His mother told me it was all about the feeder, the food and the placement. She was sitting with her back to the window, telling me hers were squirrel proof, squirrels were not able to get the feed. Didn't have the heart to tell her there were 2 squirrels going to town, eating the feed! I told Joe, if my backyard doesn't look like a Hitchcock movie by 9 am, your mother owes me $32.50!

Find out tomorrow what my prednisone dose is going to be, looks like the neuro is going to go along for it. I'm feeling pretty good, really good actually would like it to continue. Also want to find out about the use of DDAVP Nasal Spray, something to help with my frequent urination. I had tried Flomax, but my prostates fine thank you! I'll let you know.

Grasmick's Joke, Another Snowy Day, and Flomax vs. DDAVP

I am in full blown Poppa bear mode, protecting his cub. This damn high school assessment test is one of the biggest farces I have seen in years. The students can pass all of their academic classes, but if they don't pass the HSA, they can't graduate. We have a child that has difficulties taking tests, so we find ourselves at odds with the school board. We are looking into other options from the bridge plans that can be completed in place of passing the test. This is like cruel and unusual punishment for kids that are have a tough time. Got the father involved, he still has mojo with the school board.

Snowing to beat the band here, the girls morning class already canceled, got an email from Bob, the literary professor. What happened to the days of schlepping down to the school, only to find out the teacher blew it off. No word on the boy's school yet, they are always one of the last districts to make the call. The boy needs to introduce himself to Mr shovel tomorrow, not the wife. I just hope they can shovel quietly, I'll be sleeping in the morning.

Started Flomax last night, I think the name says it all? That must have been a fun meeting, coming up with that name. I'm the opposite of the tv ad, mine is a going problem, not a growing problem. The doctor made sure of that, she lost 2 rings and a rather bulky bracelet, but got them back the next morning! Worried about all the warnings with flomax, don't want a new problem because I was tired of going to the bathroom nonstop. I may ask about DDAVP tablets, shuts you kidneys down for the night, letting you get a good nights sleep. We shall see, and we'll see fast.

Spinal Success, Girl Set At University of Baltimore, and Backyard Safari Continues

I can dance and sing, hop and skip, the injection was a success! Now I don't know if it will last, but it's fun for right, ride it while it lasts. I was able to bend over and wash my legs in the shower today, without whimpering like a little wuss. I think I can go every two weeks for two more shots, and I will. In and out of the chair is no longer a pay per view event. Going outside tomorrow to look around, feel the sun on my face instead of the back of my neck.

The girl and her mother went down to the university of Baltimore, met with the academic adviser, registered for all the classes, took a tour, saw where to park, where the light rail stop was, and a good place to eat. She was positively giddy, this is so right for her, we are looking forward to what she does. She went from Political Science, to being an English major, now she's happy, and that's what life is all about, making the girl happy.

Caught 2 of the cat pride, first 2 nights, 3 Siamese cats left. They will go look at the cage, smell the cat food, but won't enter. I'm thinking of adding mood music, candles, anything I can do to get them in. What was the Disney film with the sneaky Siamese cats in it? These things scare me, always looking at me, always talking about me, they must go. I'm thinking of digging a Burmese tiger trap i the back yard, the wife thinks that a wee bit much, but then they are talking about her!

Another Spinal Injection, Weak Legs, and Perry Hall Alumni Bull Roast

Had another injection today, this one was F/U vs. R L5/S1 OMNI #2. I guess the one I had last week was F/U vs. R L5/S1 OMNI #1? What in the hell is that? The wife works there and doesn't know what it is. What I do know is I can have these shots, in grougs of three, every 3 months, and if it works, I'll be back in April. Want to find out about about having the disc removed, and artificial one put in. The doc is worried about mobility if I'm unable to rehab because of the of the MS, good point. Hello, who cares, just make it stop hurting.

Be cause my back has hurt so badly all week, I haven't worn the stimulator, no need. When you can only take baby steps, shuffling with a cane, not need to worry about foot drop. Foot drop, shit man, I couldn't get that foot off the ground to drop it! So pain is mostly gone, for now, and now I feel how wobbly my legs are. Haven't done anything for a week, unlike the cross county training I partake in most days. How can I sit around all week, maybe go to the store with the wife, and in a week, my legs are out of shape, look good, but are out of shape.

9 days to the Perry Hall Alumni Association bull roast, looking forward to it. I was always big for age, most times played sports a few age groups up. I often have people as me if I'm attending reunions for years I didn't graduate. One of my favorites is when they tell I'm wrong, that I did graduate with the. I played with a few guys that graduate before I ever got to high school! Can't wait to see where everyone is. I bet none of the retired when they were 35!

U of Baltimore Bound, Back Doctor Again, and Family In Town

The girl starts back to school on Monday! Sorry, the cork from the champagne hit me in the head. She chose to switch schools, and then dragged her feet a bit in the process. She's making the switch from McDaniel College, to the University of Baltimore. I'm excited because no loans are involved, she's excited to get out of the house, away from me! She took a semester off, got her act together, recharged the batteries, ready to finish strong.

Back doctor tomorrow, asking for a refund. I feel fine, as long as I don't try to stand, sit, or move. Oh yeah, laughing, sneezing, and coughing are out too. Don't know what to expect tomorrow, may get a shot, may not, have to wait and see. This is getting old, my back's been so bad, I haven't been able to properly bitch about my MS!

The sister and neice are in town, I think,the niece has double hip surgery tomorrow morning at University hospital downtown. Don't know all the particulars, just know the niece is scared, and even at 27, she still wants her mother there. I'm almost 50 and there are still things only the mother can make right, so I know how she feels. Last I heard they were staying at the brothers house,right here in Perry Hall. I choked down my pride Christmas eve, not happening again.

Multiple Sclerosis, Raindrop Therapy, End of Junior Year, and HSA Lawsuit

I'm getting ready to sue the State of Maryland school board over the HSA testing they are forcing down our throats. HSA stands for high school assessment, and they have let it ruin our public schools. They teach the children to the test, instead of testing them for what they have learned. I for one plan to sue the school board if my child passes all of his classes, but fails to pass the HSA and is forced to do any special project, or take any special class to graduate. I hope that any parent of high school seniors will join me to put an end to this practice of long term testing as a way for schools to get funding, it doesn't work!

I had a restful day today, nothing on my calendar. I sat out back and watched the grass grow, the birds chase each other, and the squirrels play tag. It wad gorgeous today in Perry Hall, so much so, it kept me from getting anything done. I was very relaxed after my first raindrop session, I was thinking about that while I sat outside. I think it is probably too soon to give an opinion one way or the other, but I sure was content today. I have my second session on Friday, I'm looking forward to it.

The girl is finished her junior year of college on Friday, it seems like time is flying by. It seems like just last week she was calling us asking to come home because she was so homesick. She's not homesick anymore, in fact she doesn't need us at all anymore! Well,not unless her car breaks down, or she is sick, or if she has wrongs that need righted. We will take what we get, she's been smarter than me since she was 15, she thought she was since she was 12, so I will take being needed for any reason I can get.