January 19, 2010
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News and Notes for January 2010
HEALTH: I'm going in to see my doctor this Friday. I called my opthamologist last week, and was told I had to get a referral from my gen. practitioner. (Even after the receptionist seemed surprised I hadn't seen the doctor since 2005, when I had my last cataract operation.) I just checked the last two News and Notes columns and didn't mention failing eyesight. That's cause I only recently noticed that the cataract which is in my right eye had started to grow. Believe it or not, I first noticed blurry or milky vision when watching my HDTV bigscreen! I believe I've mentioned either somewhere in comments or here on the blog that it's getting difficult to see the wire numbers when I test control panels at work. I saw the periodontist (gum specialist) right before Christmas, and he related that I need some kind of gum operation, but that's in referral status right now, and my eyesight is a little more important at this point. So I called my doctor's office to schedule a referral and also to get my yearly physical out of the way. The receptionist told me I hadn't been in to see my doctor in 2009, but she's mistaken. I saw him at least 4 times, and one of those was for a physical. She asked if I wanted two appointments! One for the referral and one for the physical! I pay a $35.00 copayment every time I go in to the medical center, so I told her I wanted to cover both bases at once. The referrral will take about 10 seconds and should have been available over the phone. Two things besides the eye problems I want to discuss. 1. I stopped taking my medications, and want to see if the cholesterol levels are okay. I don't know if there's a "cure" for my overactive bladder. I'll tell him I'm getting up less during the night after stopping taking the "pee medicine" which seemed to be making me go to the bathroom more instead of less. 2. I'll discuss my skin condition. Of course I don't have any "worry spots" right now as I prepare to go see him, but I'll tell him about them. Maybe I'll mention the small bump on my head. Perhaps I need a biopsy. It's been there forever, but so was Joel's cancer ball. If I'm about to die from brain cancer anytime soon, it might be good to know.
WEALTH: Next month my largest credit card consolidation bill will drop below $30 grand. This is the bill I was able to lower from nearly 18 percent to less than 5 percent in October. I'm paying more each month ($620.00 compared to $750.00 before the APR drop) on the principal now, and am seeing the numbers decrease. I used my Christmas bonus to pay down my overdraft credit card, on which I'd been borrowing regularly for most of the last year. I have my W-2 in hand and am looking for the lowest price on TurboTax software. (For both fed and state, seems to be about a $50.00 outlay everywhere.) I thought the prices on the TurboTax website looked good, but although the federal tax program was cheaper, the state program was more than in the stores. This will be the very first year I've ever used itemized deductions, and hopefully the purchase of the mobile home this last year will net me more of a return amount. I should know this coming weekend when I do my taxes. OfficeMax has the lowest price on the TurboTax program that I've seen so far, at $46.00 for both programs.
FOOD: I could consider myself a "foodie", but I've always eaten in restaurants. For most of the last year, I've been cooking for myself, and usually the food I cook is basic "bachelor chow". Lots of hamburger helper and sandwiches. With the encouragement of my friend Jim, who is quite a cook (he loves Gordon Ramsay) and with a renewed sense of anticipation after watching the movie Julie and Julia, I'm amping up a notch or two for 2010. I've been using cookbooks and online recipes more and more, and using my own ideas in the kitchen. (I know I'm eating too much cheese for my cholesterol condition, but I expect to know about my levels when I get a blood test this Friday.) For instance, I love to prepare rice a roni, just out of the box, for a quick lunch. Now right after the mix has almost finished simmering in the skillet, I'll grate some quesadilla cheese and melt it over the top, and then stuff the mix into a warm tortilla. Instant rice and vermicelli burritos! In a month or two, I'll be cooking from scratch! Funny that in the house I shared with Joel, I hardly ever went into the kitchen, and it's become one of my most used rooms in my new home.
ONLINE: I really need to start updating www.allthingsmike.com. As the years pass, it has become somewhat of a chore to add yearly "pages" to the sections. I "owe" one for both ElectricPoetry and MikeVideo for 2009. And of course this is another decade, so I need to add decade sections. I never wanted my website to be a "chore". As soon as that happens, then I move on to other pursuits. I have been making more videos lately. (My latest video blog is below, in two parts) I've been writing more, and am about to post Chapter Three of my latest blog series, DrunkStory. I also have plans for another edition of Xangapedia, and have at least half a dozen unwritten essays kicking about in my brain.
I was "featured" three times on Xanga's front page over the past two months, and have hopefully picked up some more readers, however I seem to still get the same amount of comments. I still "return comments" as my main way of interacting with people on Xanga, and my comments are still pretty long, so I don't cover a lot of ground. (And there are more comments to return when one gets featured.) I even "nominated" another Xangan's entry for featured status a couple of weeks ago and was delighted to see that it got featured as well. But I still savor my "regular" readers the most, the ones who keep coming back, whether or not I'm visting them. I only hope I offer them enough gratitude.
What I really need to do, however, is go through my main site and delete the links that don't work since I closed down the older archived site on Homestead, update the main site section pages, and add content which for the most part is only accessible from this blog! I'm forever contemplating just adding a blog element to my site, but then I'd probably stop writing for this one, and I know that people on one platform don't usually "cross over" to another, so I'd lose the readership base I've cultivated here on Xanga.
SOCIAL LIFE/ENTERTAINMENT: I won a hundred dollar gift certificate to Best Buy at the Christmas party, and I was going to use it for DV tapes, or a new tripod, or something I "needed" but decided to use it for something I "wanted" instead, when I kept passing the same endcap with the blu ray collectible editions of two of my favorite movies of all time, "Gone With the Wind" and "The Wizard of Oz". Both movies turned 70 in 2009, and Warner Home Video created some excellent packages with high quality books, collectible programs, and of course the movies themselves in restored HD.I'm not using credit I don't have to make collectible purchases like I used to, but that makes something like this even more special to own.
As soon as the weather gets nice, and they turn the heat on in the pool, I'll go back to hanging out poolside as I did last summer. I am hanging out with my neighbor Mike a lot more these days (He's "MikeVideo Jr. in the latest video blog below). He usually drops by on Friday evenings after work and we "party" for a couple of hours. In order to stay up late, I've been drinking a couple of those "energy drinks" on Fridays after work. They're basically fruit drinks with a lot of caffeine in them. I know they aren't good for the body in excess, but I only imbibe on Friday nights to stay up. I used to use much stronger drugs to stay up for days, and as long as I don't overdo it, I should be okay. I have read a lot about the effects of taking too much caffeine. Mike has introduced me to quite a few folks in the park, and some of his other younger friends. Last Friday I met a guy in his mid 20s who teaches martial arts, and we watched some of his moves on a YouTube feed from his iphone to my bigscreen!
I do miss having a relationship, since Liz and I broke up over two years ago. But I can't really afford to go out right now, so I'm taking it easy. The Friday night "parties" with Mike are enough for now.
MONTHLY AFFIRMATION: Everything seems to be falling into place. Of course, as I'm always apt to point out, I could get hit by a bus crossing the street at any time. We can only plan so much, hope for so much, and wish upon as many stars as we see in the sky (and around Los Angeles, that's not a lot) but what we can do is savor the life we lead, and the world around us, whether it's a small geographical area, or just what's inside one's garden gate. I was out in the yard weeding this past weekend, and essentially continuing the projects in the yard I started before my operation last year. I don't really look at any time as having been wasted, and even though it seems to take longer and longer to do things as I get older. (I need to take frequent breaks) My life is good. My outlook is positive.
Comments (25)
News and Notes~ totally enjoyed! I'm not one for recipes~ I throw things in a pot. I sew this way as well~ no patterns~ I just do it and learn by my mistakes. I wish you well, Mike~ as you venture further out into the world of cooking.
Oh to be in the yard pulling weeds~ and gardening. Soon my spring~ soon. lol We did hit 60's yesterday~ and for the rest of the week. Good for this summer soul. Would love to hear about your outdoor projects~ Tamy
So great to see you are doing so well! It must be nice living in an area where you can be outdoors year round, while there are times in the winter when I long to be outside, I don't think I could survive without my 4 seasons...and snow. Hope your year continues to be as good as the beginning!
Glad to hear things are going well. I found the bachelor cooking comment to be quite relevant. I'm going to have to try that burrito recipe, I never thought of doing that even though it seems so simple. Best wishes on the appointments, I hope the news is good.
Mike – Many congrats to you for paying down your debt. Many years ago I too had a debt problem and I too decided that there was a better way. More recently a post by Judi concerning wealth brought back memories of everything I went through so I wrote a poem concerning that emotion and posted it yesterday. So happy for you and likewise my life is good and my outlook is positive. Hope your 2010 is filled with many smiles. :sunny:
A good post, Mike -- positive and good things happening in your life!
Hi Mike,
The results are miraculous - colors especially become magical. they put in new lenses when they do it so your vision will certainly be improved.
a few comments about this update:
My wife and I had our cataracts removed a couple of years ago. Nowadays lazer surgery is outpatient - but you probably can't drive yourself home
At my age I can appreciate your irritation over your "overactive bladder" (Benign Prostate Hyperplasia). I finally just gave up Saw Palmetto Root pills and went to Hytrin, which seems to work better.
As a freckle-faced kid growing up and getting regularly sunburned in South Florida, I've been left with dozens of various types of skin cancer ranging from squamous cell to malignant melanoma (that's exciting) and have learned to live with it. I'm an expert at experiencing Mose surgery, skin grafts, the whole thing - if you need advice, I' your man.
I find myself doing more and more of our cooking and find it sort of fun. As a bachelor many years ago, I almost never used frozen or pre-packaged dinners and still don't. There are lots of easy, quick, nutritious meals you can self-prepare. Invite your neighbors occasionally - it'll be fun.
I'm glad that everything seems to be falling into place for you. Things cannot always be planned but it looks like you are at least laying a good foundation for good things to come your way.
to me other than the health issues and debt you seem to be doing very well. i did like the movie Julie and Julia. I thought that was a very interesting way to do a blog and also sounded like it was a good way to learn how to cook to choose a chef and start creating that way. personally i'd choose rachel ray her recipes seem a lot easier
but i'm not a cook in any sence of the word.
oh perhaps you could invite your new friends over to the house for a dinner like that. would be interesting.
Hope everything goes well with your Dr. Michael. It amazes me how the cost of medical care has gone way up and yet, we are expected to make two and three appts. with our Drs. instead of going one time and getting everything taken care of.
s far as being able to pay our bills, TD and I are able to do that and am grateful to be able to do so. By living on a tight budget for one year, we shall have over half of our debt paid off and shall be able to concentrate on the rest over another two year period. We live comfortably in an apt. and do not have the overhead of a home, although living in our own home is always more desirable it is simply not going to happen.
In todays economy we all need to be grateful for where we are.
We seldom eat out and do a lot of crock pot meals. Sounds like you are well on your way to becoming Chef Michael.
Have a good day.
:wave: Hope you get all your questions taken care of at your doc's visit. Let me know when you're scheduled for the cataract surgery. Mine went well yesterday, and I saw my regular eye doc this AM for follow-up. My dental appt is Thurs. I've been cleared to drive. Looks as though we're in same groove w/medical and dental needs.
Also, good on you for working on whittling down your debt. Keep that.up. I'm working on mine, though it is has diminished quite a bit since I began paying down. Still, winning a sweepstakes would be a big help.
~~Blessings 'n cheers
Mike, you sound very upbeat and positive. You are making some great changes in your life.
Have a great week!:coolman:
Mike
Good luck at the doctor's. You seem to be in great health. Hope that it stays that way for you.
Sound like you are really really busy. Don't know how you find the time to visit all of us. I can't wait to see each new update of yours. I feel like I know you so well.
Careful of those energy drinks. The damage they can do can sneak up on you. Just use them in moderation and if you start getting headaches cut them out. Caffeine is rather addictive you know.
I hope that you find a new girl to attend those friday night parties. You guys could use a good woman around. LOL Just for the record you don't have to spend a lot to be in a relationship these days. Women are a bit more understanding. We are all in the same boat by our age.
Hope you are well. Hugs
Kat
:wave: Hiya Mike,
Long time no talk and I apologize for that. I'm glad to hear that all is as well as can be expected. Good luck with your eyes. I like that Julia and Julie inspired you as well. I'm going to try and cook the Coq au Vin this weekend and I'm trying to figure out the best wine to use. The recipe I found online says pinot noir and Zinfindale are both good. I just don't know which one would be the best one.
I hope you don't get hit or run over by a bus. Good luck with the cooking this year and let me know how it goes. I'm making a pact with myself to visit xanga at least once a week. I'm doing good so far...two days in a row. Lol.
I have to go catch up with some other people. Glad to hear from you.
Autumn
@thegirlwiththecamera - Dear Beth, If I want to see snow, I just drive up into the mountains. (If the roads are open, that is.) I've never had "seasons" like you do, so I don't miss them. Our seasons are Mudslide (which we're in the middle of now), Summer, and Fire.
@slmret - Dear Nancy, RYC on my pulse. Well, two storms down and two to go. (the worst is coming, so they say) After yesterday's storm passed, I drove home with the top down! Inexplicably, the broken support on my roof decided to stick yesterday, and I tore a hole the size of a dime in the fabric. I'm parking in our dockwell today, and I brought the camera into work in case it pours like it did yesterday, so I can get video!
@DonnaLou - @tychecat - Dear Dick and Donna, I had the first cataract surgery in 2005, and so I know what to expect. Donna, you'll be seeing much better pretty soon!
@stixandstonz2009 - Dear Ruth, My last five year plan was to get into a senior mobile home park, which happened, and the current plan is to be debt free by the time I hit the big 6-0, in 2013.
@Betrayed1959 - Dear Kat, RYC on my pulse. The mobile home has been on the same spot since 1973 so I'm not too worried. The "tornado" warning caught everyone off guard. This is SoCal, not the midwest. It was hyperactive news teams, however, going off of radar reports. Nobody saw a twister. An SUV did get tipped over in the wind. So far most of the women I've met at the park smoke cigarettes, a definite turn off for me.
@soccershades7 - Dear Autumn, Neat to "see" you back commenting on my blog. I always remember those neat "stories" you used to write about the Internet Islanders. Xanga has changed somewhat but a lot of us are still plugging away.
A very good blog, Mike!! You are definitely on the right track!! Your hard work is paying off, big time! I loved your comment about the women smoking..where have they been hiding? Smoking is not cool, pardon the pun!!
Oh, so now you're going to start cooking some culinary delights eh? Why not try a recipe and upload your progress here, just for fun?
@baldmike2004 - Mike -- Do stay dry -- it's beginning to rain again now, and this one is to be worse than yesterday's -- amazing!!! The Canyon Road was shut down yesterday due to flooding -- but I'll bet that Barbara's Lake will be beautiful when the sun comes out again! Janet
Mike
Overall it seem that 2010 is not treating you badly. You seem to have recourse to address the eye problem.
I am happy to hear that you had been featured three times!! Wow! If anybody deserves to be featured then it certainly is you. You put in a great amount of effort and this entry is one of the best. I always enjoy the odd glimpse into your life.
So far all is going well on my side as well. (oh, and I placed a photo for you today of the shelve I put in yesterday). I know you were there but do pass by and come and see my handiwork...I am a very proud DIY guy.
Regards,
Jurgens
Well Mike I hope your vision doesn't get so bad that you stop visiting other blogs and slows your writing down.
I really don't have a very high opinion of trailer parks except for the ones in California. Even the average trailer park in California is way above a trailer park in some really bad areas. I rate the trailer parks in South Bay even higher than the trailer parks in other parts of Los Angeles.
Why cook? I have trail mixes with nuts and the premade salad mixes that they sell in bags. However the premade frozen dinners for a dollar is not a big health hazard like some fast foods. If anything eatting too much is hazardous to your health if you aren't too active.
I'll be sure to send you some of my favorite - and completely EASY recipes, your way.
I can't believe you have to get another referal to see a doctor you've already seen in the past. That seems so ridiculous to me!
I wish you all the best! And thank you for nominating my one post to be featured, that meant a lot to me! (I don't think it made it though, but it was an honor to even be nominated by someone!)
Something I do on the weekends, which I have been encouraging others in, as well: camp-ins. My cooking has always been "Hit and miss" - sometimes it's a hit...sometimes [oooooof!]- you wish you had missed it! Between that and the shoring up of hours and jobs lately for a bunch of us, we've come up with something a little different.
It started with playing a game - Dungeons & Dragons, on Saturdays. We took it up because, collectively, we used to play as kids, but forgot all about that while playing video games, growing up, having little kids all over the place, going out to eat...you get the idea...but now, my kids are teens, and so we tested it out - and succeeded!
Well, giving up going out to eat, and getting sick of my "misses", one friend volunteered her efforts in the kitchen. Then others. Instead of a potluck of overpriced garbage food, now we each "team-cook" meals, set out for Game Night, sometimes the folks camp on the sofas overnight, and we have this as a standing ritual of sorts every weekend.
Sundays, for years, were a family thing - "Breakfast Sundays" - where there will specifically be NO COLD CEREAL - but, rather, a menu of items, laid on the table, buffet-style, as we gather in one spot, mandatory, once a week, to catch up with each other.
This is now expanded to include not just the family...but also between one and five friends who have come over. We have a blast!
Sunday afternoon, with a homemade snack fit for an army, we gather in one lump of sorts in the living room, and it's Movies: whether the newest release rented from a RedBox or a "Golden Moldy" from someone's collection, we are gathered together to watch the movie, then spend....oh...the next hour either critiquing the movie or rehashing the better quotes from it.
This, too, is a weekly event. It's fun, it's predictable, yet it's anticipated through the week.
During the week, things are busy, hectic - we barely get a chance to see each others' faces. Weekends, we're piled together - and we *stay that way* - for Game Night[Saturdays], Breakfast Sundays, Movie Madness.
Works for us!
@the_kcar - Dear Max, Thanks for the visit. I'll have to return the favor soon. Too bad we don't live near each other. I'd like to join the party. (or "camp in") I could even offer up my place for movie night. My 60" HDTV is almost as big as a movie screen! And I've got a large collection of films in my library, plus stream movies from the internet (including my own MikeVideos!)
@baldmike2004 -
Now that, my friend, would be, "A Slice of Awesome"
On occasion, the movies we choose out may be too intense for my youngest, who has autism - in those cases, we've gathered around the computer to watch "webisodes" - various shows that independent writers put together and feature on YouTube - many of them are odd. One example is The Guild - a series based on online role-playing "gamer" friends who have moved their friendship to the offline world. Another example is Red vs Blue - based on Halo characters [popular video game].
This week, the movie that was chosen, we felt, was a bit too intense for youngest to handle - so we gathered in "the game room", same setup, same pile of people, watching The Guild. Cute series, filled with inside jokes.
You know - you could do as we do with a couple friends from Arizona - on Saturdays, we hold Game Night, with a microphone and vid conferencing that helps them participate in the game. Or you could develop a team of people to start this sort of "new tradition" in your entertainment setup - who knows? I've a friend in Colorado who says she's planning to try it out on a few in her circle of friends. Couldn't hurt - and could be fun!
We had the best looking tents at Daisy State Park, overlooking Lake Greeson, Arkansas.