Wound Care All Finishe, Orioles Giveaway

     I went for my last check up for the wound on my rear end today, everything went well, it looks like I'm finished! I had a very attractive young nurse, blond and well-built, who was under the impression that she was going to look at a wound on my leg. Imagine her surprise what I told her that it was on my rear end! I'm sure it made her day. After four weeks of bed rest my worry now is that I won't be able to recover from the lack of activity. It doesn't take long when you're as weak as I have become to have staying in bed become an issue. I suppose this means back to therapy and doing my best to get my body back in shape, sounds easier said than done, right?


   The wife and I have plans to go to the Baltimore orioles game in a couple of weeks, it's a giveaway night for a really nice Orioles blanket. Do you know how on said giveaway nights there are usually stipulations to it, anything sponsored by alcohol you need to be over 21, some things are geared towards children, this one is a senior giveaway, anyone over 55! 55? It's bad enough all the other thing is I have to deal with, now they're making me a senior at 55! I guess I don't mind, they are giving away a free blanket. I guess that's so when I sit outside and it's below 80° I can cover my legs!

Power Of Positive Thinking, Go O's

What a beautiful day here in Baltimore!  A/C off, windows open, me and the dog are wrestling, life is good.  The boy got off of work early, brought me home a soda, if I knew kids were this useful I'd of had more!  The girl starts back to skating tomorrow,she is elated about that, and can use it.  The guy she was pretty serious about broke up with her and said he needed to concentrate on his children, oh yeah, I have a few children, forgot to mention that!  Still trying to figure out a way to make his life miserable, but for today it's sunshine and lollipops, hope everyone else is enjoying this beautiful day.

What's happening to my Orioles, they are folding like a...what folds easily and at a time you don't want it to?  Whatever it is, that's what they're doing!  Everything seems to be going wrong, from pitching to hitting.  They are still on pace to the least amount of errors in a season, but I'm afraid they are running out of time and games.  Not giving up yet, there's still time, they just have to stop giving away games.  Best part about baseball is it gives me 162 days with something to do!

Still Wahls/Paleo Diet, Go Orioles

3 months, about 10 days into my Wahls/paleo diet, have dropped 75 lbs, have about the same amount to go.  The rate of fall is starting to slow, sure it will go slower from here on, but it's worth it.  Had started to give in, was giving up on things, decided it wasn't time yet.  Completely off of the Baclofen now, good news-bad news effect.  Having the leg cramps every 30 seconds or so, last for 10-15 seconds, but my right hand is the most use in years, tough choice.

O-R-I-O-L-E-S!  We are making a run baby, yes final week and we are still playing!   The boy, like many Baltimore folk are fair weather fans, loving them now, hating them the last 15.  I on the other hand have been loyal, even through the worst of times, and man, have we had our share of those.  So to the O's, good luck, and thanks for 162 days of something to do!

Pedro Strops Hat, Grass Fed Meats and Free Range Chicken

OK, I'm watching the O's, watched them when they couldn't buy a win, true fan.  Somebody has to make Pedro Strop wear his hat straight!  What's the deal with?  Is it an individual thing, or is his head crooked?  If it's a birth defect, I apologize.  If it's not, somebody fix it.  What if he wants to wear it backwards tomorrow?  I hate rules, but if I have to follow them, I expect everyone to do the same.  If need be, I can send MLB the definition of uniform.

The wife got me some grass fed beef and pork this week, both from Clark's Elioak Farm.  My plan is to eat as much of my protein as I can this way.  We are due to go back up to Rousedale Farm for more free range chicken and naturally grown veggies.  I'm no expert, not a scientist either, but it seems to me the less chemicals we put into our bodies the better.  Also, if I'm going to eat this way, avoid certain things, shouldn't I avoid animals that are eating things they shouldn't have?

Who Cares What Luke Scott Thinks About Obama, Maybe He Should Be Working On Hitting A Curve Ball Instead

I'm confused about something, actually many things, but for today this. Why would I give a hoot in hell what Luke Scott thinks about the president of the United State? Because he can hit a curve ball...wait, he can't hit a curve ball, OK, a fast ball, that makes him a political analyst? It's all over the news, local and national, Luke doesn't think Obama was born in the United States. Why would any credible journalist ask him that question, he knows about as much about that as he does about having a period! We took our eye off the ball, Luke regurgitated Ted Nugent and it's line one news. Hey, I've got an idea, have the guy doing the interview ask the sports guy if instead of hunting everyday, shouldn't Luke be working on hitting that curve?

Baseball Only For Those That Can Afford Cable

Time for baseball playoffs again, seems the Orioles just missed making it yet another year. I'm giving the family my weekly rant about getting rid of cable when I noticed, the playoffs are on TBS! If I get rid of cable, no playoffs, and further more, no more Orioles next year. So baseball, America's game, the nation past time, is only available to people who either can afford, or choose to have cable? Whaaaa? That just ain't right, actually a little embarrassing when you think of al the people that fall into the category of not being able to afford it.

Swimming Pool Closed For Another Year, Cell Phone Tragedy, and Somebody Needs To Kick AJ Burnett's Ass

Always a bitter sweet day when we cover the pool, and that day was today. It's amazing that in Maryland you can set your watch by Labor Day being the target for closing it up. The wife was swimming just the other day, Labor Day hit and bottom feel out of the temperature readings. It's nice having it, but I am always ready to shut it down when the time comes and can't imagine living in a place that doesn't have 4 seasons.

I was vacuuming the other day and knelt down on my cell phone. Needless to say I am in need of a new phone! I bout a go phone, plugged my sim card in and was ready to go, except the buttons are so small I can't use it. The boy has a phone here someplace, but if it's in his room it's gone the way of the Donner party, consumed! He didn't get that from me, at his age I was meticulous with my room, everything went on the floor. He has stuff on all levels, somebody should make him do something about that so he can find his old phone.

The Orioles lost a heart breaker yesterday to the Yankees in the bottom of the 9th inning. It was a well played game all the way to the end, but we buckled and gave up a walk off homerun. The one Yankee pitcher thinks it's great fun to run out on the field and smear shaving cream all over the face of the hero whilst he gives an interview. Somebody on the Yankees team desperately needs to kick this guys ass! How about they charge him with assault and battery, they have it on film. Nah, I like the kick his ass solution, ya know they want to.

Car Pains, Beautiful Day, and Swank Diet Take 2

I quit, no more long car rides for me, I am hurtin for certain. You know it's bad when you are 2 hours into an 8 hour ride and you have already had it. My legs are trashed! I was not looking forward to the ride home from MA, the ride up was bad enough. Good news is I did it, was able to see both sides of the family, just don't know if I can do it again.

Beautiful day here in Nottingham, picture perfect summer day. The wife is out lounging in the pool, the kids are at work, and I'm listening to the Stones on the radio, all is good in that part of my world. The Orioles are playing baseball, not just showing up. The squirrels are getting fat off of peanuts and sunflowers, and the hummingbirds are drinking up our homemade nectar. The wife is going to a cookout with her parents and I'm pretty sure I'll be taking a nap, all's good.

Thinking about starting up the old Swank diet, try to kill 2 birds with one stone. I still could stand to drop some tonnage, and maybe a low fat regimen will make the ms go away. That was funny, make it go away. No red meat for a year, that's the tough part. I'm sure I can get used to it, especially if I see a benefit, I just worry I won't. No dark meat turkey or chicken, the best part, and tons of fish. I'll just keep hoping something works, and keep my fingers crossed.

Inexpensive Wheelchair Carrier, MS and Boredom, and Go O's

I was a little apprehensive about buying a carrier for my wheelchair, not that I didn't need one, but rather that I wouldn't be able to use it. We are new to this part of the MS game, so we still drive "regular" vehicles. We didn't want to rush into anything, like buying a new Hummer all tricked out with accessibility devices, so we opted for one that fit on the back of my truck. I am still able to load and unload it by myself, so it has more than paid for itself, $249.99, while we decide which direction to go. A lot cheaper than the Hummer!

I've been in I a pretty good rut these past, oh I'd say 5 years. I need to do something to spice things up a bit. My main problem is I'm bored past tears, I've exhausted the things, resources, ideas I can come up with. The computer has been wonderful, a life savor really, but I'm beginning to get bored with even that. I've been home now for going on 13 years, and I wonder what there is for me in the next 13? I'm pretty confident the physical health part will continue to decline, but what about the rest? I have to admit, I don't need shades to look into the future.

On a brighter note, How 'bout dem O's, Hon? I can't believe I just said that, I hate that, but they are kickin ass and takin names. Is it possible that a new manager could make that much of a difference? Nah. They are grown millionaires, it's ridiculous to think a new boss has motivated them win when the other 2 guys couldn't even get them to show up. Looks like only 1 thing could keep us out of the world serious, the fact they are in last place 150 games outta 1st!

Multiple Sclerossis and Retirement, and Go Orioles

Today is day 4875 of my captivity. Seems hard to believe I retired that long ago. Actually I didn't retire for 3 months after 12/06/96, but that was the day I asked the question that made me retire. I was a deputy sheriff, asked my chief deputy, a dear friend, who was obligated to send me to the county doctor. The question was happened when I no longer felt I was able to retain my weapon, what happened? That was 9 am, I was cleaning my locker out by by noon! Seems like yesterday, but a life time away as well.

On a happier note, looks like the Orioles are going to suck again! OK, that's not happy, but I fear true. I want a team like the boy used to set up in the one video game, then ask me to play. He had every Cy Young pitcher, no batter with an average under 900! I want all this, but I want it with all young guys, not guys making more money than some countries have, don't want the best team money can buy. So, with that said, go O's!

Change in Medication, No More Shots, and Poor Mark McGuire

Hey everyone, thought I'd give it another go, the break was nice, but I found I missed it! Lot's of changes since the beginning of November. I'm off all medication used for the treatment of MS. The neuros have decided the Rebif wasn't doing anything, so why fuss with the shots anymore. They suggested I may want to look into Tysabri, but it looks pretty much the same as the shots, not for me anymore. The neuro said we are to the point, until something new come out, of doing all we can to make me comfortable.

I got the same report from the back doctor, not too much more to be done, short of surgery. they did another of the spinal injections, but aren't too hopeful of much result. The back dude spoke rather candidly, which was nice, but also somewhat gloomy. Because of the types of surgery they do, and the rehab requirements, I'm not a good candidate, so that may not be on the horizon. He did however give me the largest bottle of pain medicine I've ever seen!

If I have to watch one more pro athlete cry on TV I may lose it? Poor Mark McGuire, He wishes he could go back, but he's sorry... sniffle... but he doesn't think the drugs helped him hit more homeruns. Bite me Mark, they did, get over it! A friend of mine said you didn't see Pete Rose cry, and he's right. Man up Mark, you got paid, be happy with that!

Go Ravens, Puttin on the feed

Ravens game tomorrow, father in law, brother in law coming to watch. I'm making Limburger and rolled anchovies as one hors devours, open to other more bland dishes, like anyone would want that. We are finished with the Orioles, this by the way is the longest streak of the year they didn't lose a game!

I'm going to count how many dances, how many choreographed belly bumps they do before I switch to just hockey and curling. It will be good to see the whole town wearing their purple and black, dogs spray painted too. It should be a hoot, wish my parents lived here, but they abandoned me as a wee lad of 35, moving many hours away, so I will just hold pictures of the all day. Have a wonderful Sunday, regardless of your plans, or you company.

English Only For The LPGA

Can you make someone speak English, especially if they aren't, you know, English? The LPGA announced today that it's English or get the Hell out! I find that very interesting. I don't know how they are going to get away with it, but it should be fun to watch. The women have until next year to pass an English test, so they aren't rushing them or anything. We make everyone speak English in this country, right? Hey, wait a minute, no we don't!

What do I care if the chick that wins a LPGA tournament can speak English or not? It makes no difference to me one way or the other. Is it because the sponsor's don't like the gals not speaking English in the interviews after the match? The LPGA denies that, but what else can it be? It doesn't matter in baseball. Nobody seems to care they have guys in the NBA you can't understand. Who decided to make the female golfers the example of Americanism?

The guy that put on my parents front steps spoke nothing but Italian. We have friends who's father doesn't speak enough English to give an interview. We went to a Mexican restaurant the other day and I'm pretty sure only one person there spoke English. Even closer to home, the people behind us only speak Polish. The place I buy German sausage from speak only German, except for the cash register girl, she speaks English. The guy that used to be the head of Baltimore County schools got sent home the first day of school when he was a kid because he didn't speak English.

Who cares if any of them speak English, I don't care! I think the important thing here is how we handle the other parts of English, the written parts. As long as the guy putting the front steps on did his job, I don't care what language he speaks. Same goes for the sausage people, our neighbor, and our friends parents. They can speak pig Latin for all I care. Same goes for all the sports people. Speak Spanish, Korean, anything you want. Just know that we speak English. We don't need to have things in Spanish too. We didn't do it for the Italians, Polish, Germans or anyone else, and I don't know why we are doing it now.

Baseball Catchers Have Gotten Lazy

I'm sitting here watching the baseball game, go O's! I've seen this a bunch lately, have you? Twice tonight the pitcher bounced the ball, and the catcher blocked the ball, nice play. Once it trickled off to the left about 5 feet, and the other one went about 4 feet to the right. Both times Hernandez stayed down on his haunches and held his hand up for a new ball. Does he think his butler is coming to get the ball? When did the catchers start not bothering to get the balls that they don't catch? Can you imagine Elrod just letting the ball sit there? Who do they think is going to come get the ball? Is the batter supposed to go get it? It looks like it has become the umpires job to chase the balls the catcher's don't want to get. I guess it's beneath a millionaire to play fetch?

Why Aren't Uniforms Uniform for Pro Athletes?

My son gets a kick out of watching ESPN Classic when they show basketball games from the late 1970's. He makes fun of all the guys in their short shorts. He told me not too long ago that they looked like dweebs, and they all looked the same! They all looked the same? Wait a minute, I happen to like the shorts the fall mid thigh, not mid calf, and I have pictures to prove it! But they all looked the same, like uniform in appearance. Isn't that the idea? Must not be anymore.

I was watching the Oriole game last night, great comeback! I noticed some players had baseball pants on with baseball socks, the stirrup ones over white tube socks. Others had straight leg, almost Capri pants, all the way down to the top of the shoes. Still a few had Bonds type trousers that almost cover their shoes! We had short sleeves, long sleeves, and you guessed it, sleeves that came to the middle of the forearm. They all wear different shoes, and they must all have jewelry contracts! What's up with the dirty helmets? Is it bad luck to have a clean helmet? I sure hope dirty shirts aren't good luck! Did anyone else want to go down to the Yard and snatch Rodney's hat off of his head and put it on straight? My wife had to hide my keys!

Basketball does it too. We have high socks, short socks, no socks. We have white socks, stripped socks, colored socks. What's up with the arm socks? Is that a brace, or something to cover up inappropriate tattoos? Bill Russell didn't need to cover anything up. You have guys wearing T-shirts, tank tops and body armor under their jerseys. (Or is it called under armor, I don't remember!) Shoes are what they design for Nike, and we have head band de jour!

Football has all the same issues. Blame it on "White shoes" Johnson. What are those rubber bands they wear around their biceps? I don't remember Butkis wearing them? I get so tired of seeing the players take their mouth piece out after every play and stick it in their face mask. Saw the one QB have to burn a timeout because he dropped his in the mud. That was a riot! Towels, leg pads, all of it optional. If I were an owner I'd insist they wore all the pads for what the investment is in them. Thin wrist bands, thick wrist bands, more of those damn rubber bands!

Do you remember how ominous it was when the Chicago bears came onto the field in their black uniforms, meaning black shoes too. Patrick Ewing changed the dress code for basketball with his T-shirt. Celtics used to look pretty good in their short shorts, and all the same color shoes. Call me old fashioned for thinking a uniform should be uniform, I'm funny that way. I wish a lot of things today could be more uniform. I think when they were the US was a happier place, it sure was safer. As for Fernando Rodney, I'm going to hot wire the car today if that damn hat isn't uniform over the doo rag!

The Whole Truth and Nothing but the Truth

Does anyone tell the truth anymore? Bill didn't sleep with that girl. George was going to fire anyone who outed Valerie. Raphael did not use steroids. Who can we believe? We are to the point that when some people talk, we should assume they are lying. Politicians lie. Crooks lie. Who else lies? How do you tell when someone is lying to you? It's hard sometimes. Some people are very good at it.

I'm pretty sure my friends don't lie to me? I'm real sure as a matter of fact. They told me I was a dumb ass once, and I was! They are a pretty straight forward bunch of guys. When I say guys I don't mean they are all men, they are just the guys! One of them looks pretty good for a guy! Anyway, they are a great group, but you had better not ask for their opinion if you don't actually want it! Come to think of it, we usually don't wait to be asked! They are a great bunch of people.

We have tried to teach the kids that it's easier to tell the truth and take your lumps then it is to lie and get buried in it. So far, so good. I'm sure they have with the little things, here's to hoping it is all in the past, and we don't have to worry about it anymore. I don't think it would be much fun to have a kid that you couldn't believe what they told you, and I'm sure they wouldn't appreciate me as their father for the way I would fix the problem!

Is lying a sickness, kind of like the flu? Can you catch it? Is it contagious? Are some people carriers? That would stink to go through life and be a liar and not be able to help it. Do you think some people can't help it, or do they just get used to it? I think some people have lied for so long they have forgotten how to tell the truth. I wonder what else they have forgotten?

Can I Call You Mel?

OK, so I'm watching the O's and I'm trying to figure this new bit the announcers are doing when they profile a player for each game. I wonder what bone head came up with that idea? Is this so the average slob, like me, will watch the players wives, mothers and fathers and say, "I did not know we had so much in common"? Why do they try to make them regular people, they aren't. Face facts, you have nothing in common with Kevin Milar and therefore should not hope he calls you to hang out on off days.

I watched one where the guys mother told us what a good boy he was growing up. OK, is that why he can't hit a curve ball? He prays before every at bat, every inning, and I think he says a prayer while he is getting ready to pray? That is a great thing to hear in this day and age of athletes using drugs, being drunks, beating wives and girlfriends, it really is. Maybe he should have prayed for the restraint needed not to cuss the umpire out on national TV using a word that started with "F". He may have been asking if they were still making fudge that night?

It warmed my heart to hear the one pitcher's father tell us his son was an all around athlete. That is so cool! My dad thought I stayed in the bathroom too long. Good thing they didn't interview him! His son likes the city, not as much as back home, but it's nice. That's super!

They interviewed Melvin Mora today. He seems like a nice guy? He lives about 20 minutes up the road in Fallston. He grew up in South America someplace, evidently pretty poor. I always like a good success story. They interviewed his wife. She seemed nice too. It's nice when nice people marry nice people. It's just nice! Mel only lets his kids eat healthy foods, like the foods people eat back home. He and his wife like the doctors here because they treat everyone the same. I would get the same care as a rich and famous person like Mel would. That was both entertaining and informative.

The kicker came when they talked about the costs of raising a family and how expensive it is. Brother I feel your pain! Just wait til they're ready for college Mel. You may have to keep from things you want to do to do the things you need to do! I heard your wife talking about how expensive food is. I think she said even shopping at BJ's was tough? WHAAAAAAAA? Are you kidding me Mel? Have you tried B Gaddies? Give me a break! Is Mel making more then a guy that takes early retirement from the County? I have a feeling the Mora kids aren't in danger of having to go to a community college, or join the free lunch program at their public school. Mel has learned to speak English very well, maybe he should now learn when to speak it!

Another bad news day!

It's official! It must be me? Checking today, I see that another major "news" website has the same type of information as the others. Once more there is no mention of our wars, no mention of casualties, no mention of a plan. I see Britney Spears is making a comeback though, and may I say it is about time! That comforts me in these hard times.

I see baseball is considering instant replay. That should speed things up nicely. Pet owners settled with makers of tainted food, I was worried that one was going to drag on as long as, I don't know, the wars? I see the Germans are organizing nude air flights. That's what I said, nude, as in nekid! We can learn about celebs hooking up, breaking up, and even cracking up.

Wouldn't it be nice to see something about the mortgage disaster? When I say that I don't mean seeing what the feds are going to do to help all of these people who took on mortgages they knew they couldn't afford. Heavens no, that would be awful if we held people accountable for their actions. I'd like to see them go after the mom and pop mortgage companies that popped up to take advantage of the housing boom. Yep, some of these mortgage companies made a killing. You know the the ones, they didn't have offices, they didn't have money to lend, they were subcontractors, finding mortgages for people making 30G's who wanted to buy a 800G home! Most were just tied into Realtor offices, cut out the middle man, that's how I made my money!

No one ever explained to me that a housing boom actually meant things were going to blow up in our faces! We should demand that these new millionaires, and they made millions, be held responsible and pay for the glut of foreclosure they helped cause. Again, where do I get a button for that? What political person do I call? Times like these, you know what I mean, times you want to scream, I like to take a long drive. That ain't happening! Gas is higher then the foreclosure rate! Man the newsies and politicians better hope I don't buy a button making machine!