Category Archives: Musings

I Am Totally Bummed Out Right Now

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For the crappiest of reasons probably. Perusing “Hospital Corps” on FB I see several pictures of identified Hospital Corpsmen on patrol carrying rifles. Rifles! Designed for long distance killing, a rifle is anathema to everything a Corpsman stands for. Or supposed to stand for. We’re supposed to save lives, not reach out and take them.

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Although we trained in their use, I don’t think we were allowed to carry the M16 “in combat.” Geneva Convention or something. Sure, we had a .45 (M9 later) to protect our patient; but that was up close and personal. Not reaching out to take a life. I would have had no problem killing enemy to protect my Marine patient. That’s what we’re supposed to do. It’s hard to explain. It just seems wrong to me.

To me, a Hospital Corpsman using a rifle to kill would be like having a Doctor be a sniper when he’s not treating a patient. The two are incompatible.

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Renters just came up and talked for awhile. They’re splitting up and she’ll be moving out over the next couple of weeks. He wants to stay but can’t afford the full amount for rent. But he can afford most of it so that’s okay with me. They’d have to be out by the end of June anyway and getting someone else settled to have to have them move out would be unfair and a hassle. Sorry to see them split up though. Both of them are nice and I enjoy talking to them when we do. Ah well.

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Our Saturday date went as usual, mostly. SWMBO bought me some new shoes and a new coat-thingie. Dinner at Arby’s. Spent too much at COSTCO. Usual Safeway stop on the way home. Did get gas for $1.68/gal with my $.20 discount! That was cool. Got about 22 gallons for less than $40. Nice!

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Way Too Early Morning Musings

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I have my personal site through 1and1 hosting (this one & TANSTAFFL) but I also use WordPress (the Site) and Blogger (mostly as backups “Just In Case”) and Tumblr. I like using WordPress (the program) because I really can make it look & Do what I want. And I can pretty much say what I want without fear that TPTB will cut me off (since I AM TPTB!). It can be a lot of work though just setting up the Security shit and getting it all to work right. Not to mention the dozen other plugins I use. Having my own site also allows me to play with new programs (php) too.

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But, it does duplicate what I do (which is post a very boring blog mostly). I use Windows Live Writer and have to remember to cross post; which isn’t hard or too time consuming. My site costs me about $24 every 6 months (which ain’t bad) but, still, the other’s are “free.” But then TPTB have complete control over whether I’m seen or not. And PC has run so rampant that you really aren’t allowed to post your mind anymore.

I also have a Facebook (for family) and Google+ (for ???) account; but have never considered those a “blog” like WordPress/Blogger. I suppose they could be used that way. Except that FB are notorious Control Freaks and you can get banned for making bad comments about the Weather (being Weatherphobic, you know) much less anything important. Not sure what’ll get you banned from G+. Or if either of those will cross post to WordPress, Blogger, or Tumblr.

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So, I guess what it boils down to is: Should I keep paying for my site where I publish an extremely boring blog (11k visitors in 5 years) and can say what I want without fear that I’ll cut me off and can make it look/do what I want? Or should I drop that (sometimes hassle) and go with the “free” services (which are mostly okay)? And if I do that, which one? I mean, it’s not like anyone really reads my blog(s) anyway. Does it matter which service you post a mostly unread blog to?

And, why do I post to a blog anyway? I’m a fat 62 year old highly opinionated Libertarian Redneck Nudist retired Navy guy that “putters” around the house most days, occasionally plays on the radio, and leads such an extraordinarily boring life that I get morose when I stop to think about it. Which I try not to do.

The Sweet November Rains

Shit. Sounds like the mid-Winter Blahs have finally landed squarely on my Soul. Might be time to start a new project around the house.


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No Snow @ Our Place. Yet.

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Just sitting around this morning thinking about various things. One is the state of our economy and how it’s really kind of funny. I stuck with the Navy 20+ years specifically for lifetime “free” medical coverage (which I don’t get. It costs me bucks out of my pocket), and 50% of my pay for the rest of my life. I figured it was worth taking the chance I’d get killed for this (once Great) Country (They did give TWO wars for me!). So, after taxes and medical I’m living on about half of that. And people bitch about it. (People, I notice, that have never served in the Military.) At least we get a bit more respect now than we did during Viet Nam.

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Personally, I think I did well in the Navy and was pretty good at my job. Not the absolute best Hospital Corpsman that ever was; but not bad. Not too hot on the “book learning” but never lost a patient. If they were alive when I got to them, they were alive, patched up and in no danger of dying, when I left for the next one. And a couple that were “clinically” dead are enjoying their lives today. (Hopefully)

Sick Call twice a day. Emergencies anytime. Daily Berthing and Sanitation inspections. Water testing. LGBT readings when underway. I could suture with the best of them. Even diagnosed a couple of “greenstick” fractures pre-X-Ray.

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Yeah, I was once a highly trained, motivated, individual. And look at me now. Thinking about the Past. What a waste of time.

OTT, pretty normal Saturday, so far. Watching a storm move in to Eastern WaRshington. It’s just wet outside here. SWMBO is still catching up on her lost sleep. Even I “overslept” this morning and didn’t get up until 0730. Must be getting old. No, I am old. Beats the alternative though.

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My Lovely Young Bride of almost 30 years showed up around 1500 and took me out to dinner at Taco Bell. Then we went to Best Buy where I spent way too much money (but not as much as I could have thanks to that gift card her Son got me for Christmas) on a new video card, 32 Gig thumb drive, and “How To Train Your Dragon” on Blue Ray. Made our usual stop at Safeway and came on home.

Almost time to hit the rack. But, instead, I installed the new video card. a GTX 750. And the HDMI works! Cool!!!!

Now it’s bedtime.


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So, I’m Thinking Of A New Life Rule

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When I make a “pit stop,” I tend to take my Nexus 7 along with me and spend way too much time “sitting” there catching up on Tumblr. Yep, mostly Tumblr. Way long after I’m finished my “business;” if you know what I mean. I have permanent elbow marks on the tops of my knees.

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Then, when I go to bed I’ll spend about half an hour on G+ catching up. Then another half hour on Facebook, catching up. Then finish out with Tumblr again. Just catching up you know. By that time I’m ready to go to sleep. Usually.

I never just read anymore. Which I miss. So I think I’m going to make a rule that I catch up on G+ & FB during my morning absolutions. Then, at bedtime, I can catch up on Tumblr for half an hour  before delving into the latest book I’m reading. Actually doing this is going to be the problem though. I’m a renowned procrastinator.

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Not much going on today. Raining out most of the day so we’re pretty much stuck inside unless we want to pile on the clothes and rain gear. Which I don’t. So I’ve been “doing things” around the house and in my room to get ready to spray paint. Need to make a trip to Home Depot for some paint sometime soon. And my counter tops. And some 2X4’s.

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Oh, something y’all should remember:

  • A robot may not injure a human being or, through inaction, allow a human being to come to harm.
  • A robot must obey the orders given to it by human beings, except where such orders would conflict with the First Law.
  • A robot must protect its own existence as long as such protection does not conflict with the First or Second Law

Just in case y’all forgot. Too bad we can’t apply these rules to our Politicians. Suitably modified, of course.


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