Put Michael Vick in the past

Ok, ok ... what Michael Vick did was bad and I'm not condoning his actions whatsoever. But it was dogs that he was mistreating. Where is all the outrage and disgust when children are neglected, abused or killed? Or is the fact that abuse against women and children happens so much that we are just immune to the action and let it go by unnoticed?

Let M.Vick have some jail time (and fine and suspension from NFL and etc), but as a society, we need to make sure the ones who are ding the same type of actions against other people get extended lodging at the cross-bar motel as well!
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Caption Winner

I listen to 89.7 The House radio station and they have a run a "write a caption for this picture" contest.  When going reviewing some of the previous winners, I found this one and had to pass it on to my faithful readers:

 

In this 1973 photo, the rock band "The Marshmallows" plays their hit single "Your Fire Melts My Heart". After the performance, the crowd threw graham crackers and Hershey's candy bars at the stage, shouting "we want s'more!"

 

One of the runners-up (Honorable Mention) in the contest entered with:

The next Cingular commercial rehearsal:
"More bars in more places. CUT CUT! Who put Short Bobby on the left?!?

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Babs and AD, sitting in a tree..

Yep, you know the rest of that:
K ... I ... S ... S ... I ... N ... G

Here I am going through my RSS reader and find that AD (Ambulance Driver) has a posting with title of Boy Meets Girl (guess who is boy). After reading his post, I saw that Babs (Just Me, Just Peachy, or whatever name she is using currently) posted this response.

Ain't that sweet?

I like to follow AD's blog because of the medically related stories he shares. Renee has asked me several times that if I could have a "do over" on my career of choice, what would I pick. I normally response EMS/Ambulance. Being an ex-cop, I know what they do and I highly respect the profession, and think I would excel in the job.

AD has another blog, which is actually a blog-based novel he is writing titled Star of Life which I am following closely (and wishing a few more chapters would get posted - hint hint). If you can get past the numerous f-bombs, it is really a fantastic story. AD has another book out, which I have requested via inner-library loan and am currently waiting on to get here.

Note: If you got to read the Star of Life novel, remember it is blog based, so use the blog archive options on the left to start in July to read the "Prologue" and work your way up toward "A Brief Respite"
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One week without a cell phone or other electronic device

Sprint challenged several of their employees to give up their phone, handheld device and broadband card for a week...

 

Could you survive? (I'm not sure I could)

 

During the week the employees blogged their experiences and it makes for some interesting reading. Check out all the details HERE

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I wish I could make some some endusers do this.....

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New adventure

I was asked to be the manager of a small 15 unit apartment complex here in the great metropolis of Stillwater, America.  After determining that there is an on-site maintenance (jack of all trades) resident, I accepted the position.  It shouldn't take a large number of hours each month, but will be a nice little addition to the bank account.  My primary duties are to collect rent and late fees (mailed to a central PO box), ensure minor maintenance issues are resolved, coordinate major maintenance issues (serious issues for the professionals) and "be there" for the residents. 

 

I spent a good number of hours this weekend straightening up the lease contract (since most tenants have been staying on a month-to-month basis due to previous leases being expired) as well as creating addendums for Pets and Parking, as well as other various forms and spreadsheets.  I also met with the maintenance guy to discuss a new Maintenance Request Form that would have a a tear-off section to be left behind in the apartment when the work is completed.

 

This evening, I went around with the current manager and introduced myself to all the tenants that were home.  I was able to share how some things won't change (still mail your check to the PO box), but other things will:

-- Email receipt of rent payment to be sent

-- New maintenance schedule (air filter each qtr & smoke detector batteries twice a year)

-- New maintenance form, with better communication method

-- More interaction between management and tenants, especially via email.

 

Now that I look back on this weekend, I have put in a good amount of work, and I don't officially start until Sept 01.  It should make for an interesting year!

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Where have I been?

The last couple of posts have shared a little about my last two weeks.  I will try to share a little more here, and then try to return to my "usual jovial self" next week.

 

As many of my regular followers (all three of ya ...hahaha) know, I am an amputee, with the lower half of my right leg missing.  I went through 2.5 painful years between the initial accident (June 2001) and the final surgical procedure of amputation (Dec 2003).  One of the good things to happen during this time was recognizing a possible reason for me to go through all this:  help others when it happens to them!  That has been a major piece of the previous two weeks.

 

Time travel back about 8 weeks:  I am the webmaster of ErtlReconstruction.com.  As such, I receive emails on a weekly, if not daily basis, from amputees, potential amputees and/or the family of both groups.  I normally reply with the info I can, forward the message to one of my surgeon contacts and work as the middle-man during initial communications.  I got an email from MJ (name withheld for privacy reasons) about his accident, how he is looking into the possibility of needing to have his leg amputated and was wanting to contact a particular surgeon.  I got an additional message about MJ from a prosthetist friend of his as well.  Something about MJ's situation made my ears perk up much more than they normally do (divine intervention). 

 

Unknown to me at the time was the fact that surgeon was getting ready to go off the grid for several weeks on a much-needed family vacation.  Long story short: I got MJ in contact with my surgeon in OKC and we got everything scheduled for his amputation in a very timely (and surprising) manner.

 

In the weeks since our first contact, MJ and I had numerous conversations on the phone to discuss issues such as the pros and cons of amputation, mentally preparing for the procedure, possible levels of pain during recovery, changes to daily activities and items to get for the house to assist in daily activities, etc.  Renee even offered to talk with MJ's wife to share the "spouse's side" for the change.  That offer was accepted, with an almost 2 hour conversation as a result (those two can talk non-stop).

 

Without getting into all the travel-troubles they had, MJ and his wife 'flew into' OKC on Monday, 06 Aug.  Renee and I already had plans to be in the area of OKC since Sarah was flying out the next day to see a friend, so we stopped by and introduced ourselves in person (finally) at their hotel.  While there was tension in the air due to a pending surgery in the morning, the visit was one that I will always remember.  MJ and his wife are absolutely GREAT people.  After talking about his visit with my surgeon earlier in the day, and showing off my prosthetic leg and how it works, he called his mom to come down to the room, as his parents had travel to OKC to be with him during this time.  I can see how MJ turned out to be such a great guy, as he had great examples in both his mom and dad!

 

Tuesday rolled around and MJ's first operation was done (for various medical reasons, the amputation was staged between two surgeries).  Renee and I stayed with the family all day and made sure MJ was squared away in his room before we left. I knew he would be without his foot when I walked into his room, but now I know a little of how Renee must have felt when she first saw me in that condition. We returned on Wednesday, and then was there all day long on Thursday, when the 'big surgery' happened.  All that time, I was the one being asked tons of questions about pain, procedures, expectations, etc.

 

MJ and his wife left for their home on the west coast Wednesday evening (this week).  Renee and I were with them to help get packed, etc.  When they drove off, it was a very sad moment, as we have been drawn together through a very tough, but compassionate, situation.  I have mentored/counseled dozens of amputees over the years, but haven't been with one completely through the process (in person).  It brought back a lot of feelings, many of which I really need to deal with as I continue to make myself available to other amputees.

 

I mentioned how great both MJ and his wife are, and I want to show just a little of that.  When they were sending their email updates to their family and friends, they included the following (shared to show their graciousness, not blowing my own horn):

 

...and a tremendous couple from Oklahoma, Ron and Renee King, who have been helping MJ with this entire process over the last couple of months.  Ron is also an amputee, and he has been guiding and mentoring MJ via phone calls and email.  Ron and Renee spent time with us on Monday night at our hotel to help us out, and they also came to the hospital this morning and stayed with us through MJ's entire recovery, making sure we had everything we needed and that MJ was receiving the best care possible.  They have been amazing.  They have provided as much support and comfort to me as they have to MJ, and I just can't thank them enough.

 

Ron and Renee King, our wonderful friends out here, got to the hospital at 9am and didn't leave our side until MJ was settled back in his room at 6pm.  They kept MJ's mother and I occupied with wonderful conversation and company all day.  Renee loves to talk as much as I do, and she is so gentle, compassionate, and strong...so I have developed a very special love for her (and Ron of course!).

 

Renee and I both agreed about one thing: While our amputation ordeal was difficult, being there with MJ and his wife was just as difficult, but for different reasons.  It probably boils down to the fact it is hard to accept that others have to deal with this type of situation.  But that isn't going to slow me (or Renee) down in being there to provide support for others as needed!

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Back, but only for a short while

Following up on the "Off the Grid" message:

 

1. Annual Leave: much enjoyed, very busy and extremely too short

2. Sarah flying off:  Still gone, gets back Wednesday evening (Yep, I miss her)

3. Spending time with a new amputee: He, and his family, appear to be doing well

4. Wireless connection toast: Found a work-around (I'm very happy about that!)

 

Taking a few more days of annual leave this week (Tuesday- Birthday & Wednesday- Sarah returns!)

 

Time to apply nose to grindstone......

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"Off the grid" for a short while...

Due to a few reasons:
1. Annual leave...
2. Sarah flying off to see a friend...
3. Spending some time w/ a new amputee...
4. McAfee's update on 30 July which toasted my wireless connection...
I won't be posting for a while.

I will be at work a few days between A/L sessions, but I will probably be required to actually work (go figure). I am keeping a list of posts going, be they original content or links to other great posts I have found lately.

I will be using my trusty Windows Mobile device to stay up-to-date with my normal blog I follow....

TTFN!

Sent via my Windows Mobile device
(which may explain why it was short)
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DIY: Add a counter to your blog

I received a cry for help about adding a site counter on a blog from one of my 'faithful readers'.  This blogger was able to follow the instructions and add a counter (with a link for guest viewing of the stats).  After visiting their blog and seeing that they received a request for instructions to do the same thing, I thought I would share the instructions here:

 

   1. Sign up with StatCounter.com (that is the one I use for all my projects)

   2. Configure the counter the way you want
           (There is an option for an invisible counter, which I use)

   3. Get the code for the counter (copy it)

   4. Log into blogger.com (if not u

   5. From the dashboard, click on the Template link for your blog

   6. Paste it where you want the counter to be displayed

       (mine is just before the </body> text at the end of the template

   7. Preview to see how it looks (if not using an invisible counter)

   8. Save Template Changes

 

If you don't use Blogspot.com for blogging, you are on yor own from step 4 to the end.

 

Bonus Link: Here is an interesting spin on Tetris:  Statetris

                 'Assemble' the United States .... Tetris style (three levels of difficulty)

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