Trey Smith
I wanted to share this cool graphic. It was created by a friend of mine many years ago for a t-shirt.
Showing posts with label potpourri. Show all posts
Showing posts with label potpourri. Show all posts
Monday, March 5, 2012
Monday, May 16, 2011
Most Read
This blog has been around since January 2005. To date, there are over 5,200 posts. I have found it interesting which of these many posts brings new folks to TRT.
Since the bread and butter focus is on philosophical Taoism, it would be nice if I could report to you that Taoist-themed posts do the trick. But alas, only 1 of the four most popular posts has anything to do with Taoism!!
While I don't keep meticulous data of the most frequently read items, I think I still have a good idea of the top 4.
The most read post BY FAR is Who Was Matt Hughes? This post was about one of the guys featured on the Storm Chasers television program. He committed suicide and I wrote about it in several posts.
The second most read post is entitled, Will You Kill for Me? Just like above, the subject matter (Charles Manson) dealt with something broadcast on TV along with my reaction to it and commentary.
Number three on the list is Looking for a Few Good Saps. It was the first of several posts about my odd experience and later research on an outfit named Linda Christas.
Rounding out the Top 4 is the only post of these that has anything to do with Taoism and I didn't even write it!! A Taoist Jesus was written by a fellow who went by the moniker, Disciple Dan. I first read and copied his wonderful essay from a website that later disappeared. I haven't been able to locate him since.
Since the bread and butter focus is on philosophical Taoism, it would be nice if I could report to you that Taoist-themed posts do the trick. But alas, only 1 of the four most popular posts has anything to do with Taoism!!
While I don't keep meticulous data of the most frequently read items, I think I still have a good idea of the top 4.
The most read post BY FAR is Who Was Matt Hughes? This post was about one of the guys featured on the Storm Chasers television program. He committed suicide and I wrote about it in several posts.
The second most read post is entitled, Will You Kill for Me? Just like above, the subject matter (Charles Manson) dealt with something broadcast on TV along with my reaction to it and commentary.
Number three on the list is Looking for a Few Good Saps. It was the first of several posts about my odd experience and later research on an outfit named Linda Christas.
Rounding out the Top 4 is the only post of these that has anything to do with Taoism and I didn't even write it!! A Taoist Jesus was written by a fellow who went by the moniker, Disciple Dan. I first read and copied his wonderful essay from a website that later disappeared. I haven't been able to locate him since.
Friday, May 6, 2011
A Vicarious Adventure
One of the regular readers of this blog, Brandon, hasn't stopped by for awhile. Can't say that I blame him since he is having the adventure of a lifetime. He and a buddy are hiking the Pacific Coast Trail!!
If you want to follow along with his adventure, he has set up a blog, Moccasin's PCT Hike. His posts will be sporadic as he spends most of his time out in the elements. When he stops at a town or a resort along the way, he plans to invite us into his world for a moment or two.
His latest post is from a stop in Warner Springs, 100 miles into this long hike.
Walking a block or two is about all I can do these days without debilitating pain, so I'm glad he has set the blog so I can share in his adventure...vicariously!
If you want to follow along with his adventure, he has set up a blog, Moccasin's PCT Hike. His posts will be sporadic as he spends most of his time out in the elements. When he stops at a town or a resort along the way, he plans to invite us into his world for a moment or two.
His latest post is from a stop in Warner Springs, 100 miles into this long hike.
Walking a block or two is about all I can do these days without debilitating pain, so I'm glad he has set the blog so I can share in his adventure...vicariously!
Monday, April 4, 2011
A Syllabary
My last post dealt with the inaccuracies in a certain music video in relation to the Cherokee (Indians). In case you were wondering why I seem to be a mini-authority on the Cherokee, it all goes back to my second stint in college (1988).
I was taking a History of Journalism class at Arkansas Tech University. Our final assignment was to choose a newspaper and to trace its history. While all of my classmates chose "normal" newspapers like The New York Times, the Hearst Syndicate, the Chicago Tribune and an assortment of Arkansas-based publications, nonconformist me chose the Cherokee Phoenix.
What I found so interesting about this Cherokee publication is that, before they could put any words on paper, they had to invent an alphabet or, more accurately, a syllabary. Like many native languages, theirs was an oral, not a written, tradition.
The initial task of creating a written language from the oral one fell to Sequoyah. As stated in Wikipedia, "this was the only time in recorded history that a member of an illiterate people independently created an effective writing system." Really amazing stuff!
While doing the research for the paper, I learned a lot about the Cherokee people and that's why I know several of the images and statements related to the song are not historically accurate.
I was taking a History of Journalism class at Arkansas Tech University. Our final assignment was to choose a newspaper and to trace its history. While all of my classmates chose "normal" newspapers like The New York Times, the Hearst Syndicate, the Chicago Tribune and an assortment of Arkansas-based publications, nonconformist me chose the Cherokee Phoenix.
What I found so interesting about this Cherokee publication is that, before they could put any words on paper, they had to invent an alphabet or, more accurately, a syllabary. Like many native languages, theirs was an oral, not a written, tradition.
The initial task of creating a written language from the oral one fell to Sequoyah. As stated in Wikipedia, "this was the only time in recorded history that a member of an illiterate people independently created an effective writing system." Really amazing stuff!
While doing the research for the paper, I learned a lot about the Cherokee people and that's why I know several of the images and statements related to the song are not historically accurate.
Sunday, February 27, 2011
One Reason Americans Aren't Too Bright
I believe that it was Bill Maher who coined the term sheeple to describe the overall intelligence of the American populace. My hero George Carlin was a bit more blunt; he called Americans dumb and stupid. When you consider some of the crazy stuff too many Americans believe -- for example, most people in the Tea Party -- it's hard not agree with Maher's or Carlin's assessment.
Why is it that Americans are so easily manipulated into believing so-called "facts" that can be easily disproved just by thinking about them for, say, 10 seconds? While there are an abundant number of theories on this topic, I can at least shine a light on why NEW American citizens might learn "facts" that aren't necessarily true.
In an article posted on TruthDig, "How I Passed My U.S. Citizenship Test: By Keeping the Right Answers to Myself" by Dafna Linzer, the author highlights several answers on the citizenship test that are plainly incorrect.
Here are some examples offered by Linzer.
Why is it that Americans are so easily manipulated into believing so-called "facts" that can be easily disproved just by thinking about them for, say, 10 seconds? While there are an abundant number of theories on this topic, I can at least shine a light on why NEW American citizens might learn "facts" that aren't necessarily true.
In an article posted on TruthDig, "How I Passed My U.S. Citizenship Test: By Keeping the Right Answers to Myself" by Dafna Linzer, the author highlights several answers on the citizenship test that are plainly incorrect.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, a department within Homeland Security, spent six years consulting scholars, educators and historians before the current test was introduced in 2008. The result: 100 questions and answers designed to provide an in-depth treatment of U.S. history and government.The problem with this assertion is that said basic knowledge often is in error. It is rather a serious indictment on the overall level of smarts in this country when even the experts don't offer the choice of the correct or most correct answers!
"The goal of the naturalization test is to ensure America's newest citizens have mastered a basic knowledge of U.S. history and have a solid foundation to continue to expand their understanding as they embark on life as U.S. citizens," said Christopher Bentley, a spokesman for USCIS...
Here are some examples offered by Linzer.
Take Question 36. It asks applicants to name two members of the president's Cabinet. Among the correct answers is "Vice President." The vice president is a cabinet-level officer but he's not a Cabinet member. Cabinet members are unelected heads of executive departments, such as the Defense Department, or the State Department.
The official naturalization test booklet even hints as much: "The president may appoint other government officials to the cabinet but no elected official may serve on the cabinet while in office." Note to Homeland Security: The vice president is elected.
**********
Then there is Question 12: What is the "rule of law"?
I showed it to lawyers and law professors. They were stumped.
There are four acceptable answers: "Everyone must follow the law"; "Leaders must obey the law"; "Government must obey the law"; "No one is above the law."
Judge Richard Posner, the constitutional scholar who serves on the U.S. Court of Appeals in Chicago, was unhappy. "These are all incorrect," he wrote me. "The rule of law means that judges decide cases 'without respect of persons,' that is, without considering the social status, attractiveness, etc. of the parties or their lawyers."
**********I also wasn't asked Question 1: "What is the supreme law of the land?"
The official answer: "the Constitution." A friend and legal scholar was aghast. That answer, he said, is "no more than one-third correct." He's right.
Article VI, clause 2 in the Constitution, known as the Supremacy Clause, explicitly says that three things — the Constitution, federal laws and treaties — together "shall be the supreme law of the land."
**********
Question 96 asks: Why does the flag have 13 stripes? The official answer: "because there were 13 original colonies." In fact, the flag has 13 stripes for the 13 original states.
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Cock-A-Doodle-Doo
One of my blogging compatriots sent me a beautiful T-Shirt of the Year of the Rabbit from the Chinese zodiac. It piqued my interest to find out which animal I was born under. Turns out it is the Rooster.
Like most things zodiac, it often depends on where one looks for information. There often is a wide disparity in information and descriptions.
The first site I checked out, Chinese Zodiac, doesn't describe my personality at all!! In fact, I think it is safe to say I represent its antithesis.
I next checked out another website with the same name. I would give this one a grade of C+ - B-. While it describes some aspects that don't reflect my personality at all, there are many aspects that are on target.
Next I turned to the Chinese Culture Center of San Francisco. Their description, while not perfect, fits me better than the other two.
Of course, no stock description -- from the zodiac or otherwise -- can accurately describe any one of us. We each possess these unique aspects of life that we call the self. Physical, social and environmental factors go a long way toward shaping our personalities. Still, it can be fun to see how well we do or do not match up with our zodiac signs.
What Chinese Zodiac animal were you born under?
Like most things zodiac, it often depends on where one looks for information. There often is a wide disparity in information and descriptions.
The first site I checked out, Chinese Zodiac, doesn't describe my personality at all!! In fact, I think it is safe to say I represent its antithesis.
Roosters are extremely sociable and prefer being the center of attention, always bragging about themselves and their accomplishments. They continually seek the unwavering attention of others which can be annoying. Roosters are as proud of their homes as they are of themselves. They’re extremely organized individuals as evidenced by the fact that their homes are always neat.Sociable? Neat? Those descriptors are hysterical. I am a very cluttered and anti-social being.
I next checked out another website with the same name. I would give this one a grade of C+ - B-. While it describes some aspects that don't reflect my personality at all, there are many aspects that are on target.
Roosters are the most eccentric of the Chinese zodiac. They are full of dreams and romantic ideas. They are colorful and attractive, radiant and dashing, and they are quite proud of themselves. Roosters are organized, precise,and their sharp eyes seek out fine details in everything. They are perfectionists and leave no room for human error.Points that don't describe me are "colorful and attractive, radiant and dashing and they are quite proud of themselves." However, I AM quite eccentric, I love a good debate, I write and speak well, I am indeed a very blunt person, and I'm good with money.
To Roosters, a difficult task is a challenge. They dearly love starting controversies. Roosters express themselves very well both in writing and speech. They are knowledgeable in most subjects you wish to discuss. When you challenge them you must be prepared for a long fight. Their stamina is amazing and they win their point at all costs. Even when they are wrong, they will still be right in one way or another!
Roosters can be blunt and brutal. Their direct approach to life makes them poor diplomats. They speak their minds with little regard for the feelings of others.Why should others be upset? Roosters are right, aren't they?
Roosters are good at handling money and their self-control with keeping budgets is phenomenal. They are not miserly, and in fact, they can be extremely generous and giving. They simply want their finances in complete accord, and yours, too.
Next I turned to the Chinese Culture Center of San Francisco. Their description, while not perfect, fits me better than the other two.
People born in the Year of the Rooster are deep thinkers, capable, and talented. They like to be busy and are devoted beyond their capabilities and are deeply disappointed if they fail. People born in the Rooster Year are often a bit eccentric, and often have rather difficult relationship with others. They always think they are right and usually are! They frequently are loners and though they give the outward impression of being adventurous, they are timid. Rooster people's emotions like their fortunes, swing very high to very low. They can be selfish and too outspoken, but are always interesting and can be extremely brave.Most of this is square on, except for the brave part. I tend to be overly cautious and a bit of a weenie.
Of course, no stock description -- from the zodiac or otherwise -- can accurately describe any one of us. We each possess these unique aspects of life that we call the self. Physical, social and environmental factors go a long way toward shaping our personalities. Still, it can be fun to see how well we do or do not match up with our zodiac signs.
What Chinese Zodiac animal were you born under?
Monday, December 13, 2010
Gas
Beans. Lettuce and cabbage. Broccoli and cauliflower.
Believe you me, some bad combinations there!
Believe you me, some bad combinations there!
Thursday, November 4, 2010
How to Drive Traffic to Your Blog
Most people who have a blog write to be read by others and, in my opinion, there's nothing wrong with that. It is a way of sharing and a virtual means for making connections. However, with millions of blogs across the globe, people want to know how to increase their traffic, the number of people who will visit their blog.
As a public service, I'm here today to tell you about one method. If you follow my advice, you stand a great chance of seeing your traffic increase by 1000% or more!!
Now, if you are a regular reader of TRT, you're probably asking yourself right now, "Where does the Rambling Taoist get off with offering this kind of advice?" Just like most of you, I have a piddly little blog. Just like most of you, my daily visitor count is nothing to get all excited about. Consequently, you must understand that, while the info I'm going to share with you contains much truth, I'm sharing it in a very, very tongue-in-cheek manner.
I have discovered a secret to writing great blog posts and, interestingly enough, it could have come straight from Lao Tzu and Chuang Tzu, if they had lived during the computer age. What you need to do is to write a post that is immensely popular and timely BEFORE you know that it will be popular or timely. If you can accomplish this, the world will be your oyster!
All kidding aside, yesterday was an epic day on this blog. As of 7:00 pm, we had 204 visitors which, for TRT, is a very high number. We've probably only exceeded that number maybe 10 or 20 times in nearly 6 years. So, I think you can understand why I freaked out when I checked our blog stats one hour later. From 7:00 - 8:00 pm, we had 4,892 visitors!
From 8:00 - 8:10 pm, we added another 5,437 visitors and the aggregate total for 8:00 - 9:00 pm was a stupefying 13,751 visitors -- That's more in one hour than we had our entire first year!!
For the day, we ended with slightly more than 27,000 visitors. Compare this to the day before yesterday when we had a mere 197 folks stopping by. The number is so dang high I am almost completely dumbfounded.
I'm sure at this point you're dying to know why a blog that averages around 3,000 visitors per month can attract 27,000 in one day. It is because I wrote four posts on the death of Matt Hughes of Storm Chasers (Discovery Channel).
I didn't write these posts because I thought they would be popular or they would put TRT on the map. As with all things I write on this blog, I wrote about Matt Hughes because his death saddened me greatly and writing is one of the best methods I know for dealing with my own grief. That's all there was to it.
Did I think we might pick up a little traffic because of these posts? Sure. I thought a few stray folks might happen by, but because TRT is such a dinky blog, I thought it might increase our traffic by 10 or 20 people for a day or two.
I soon realized I had greatly underestimated the interest in this story. Over the past week, our blog traffic had increased significantly. Consequently, I figured that yesterday would be a banner day because the episode of Storm Chasers would mention Matt's passing. That said, I thought we might receive up to 500 visitors as the absolute max. Needless to say, my guesstimate was way, way, way off.
It should go without saying that this whole thing is a fluke. Within a few days, it will be a distant memory and our blog's traffic will return to normal. Who knows? We may pick up a meager few new readers, but 99.9% of the people who have dropped by recently weren't here to read about philosophical Taoism and I'm sure very few of them read any of the posts ON Taoism.
They were here to read about Matt Hughes. May he rest in peace.
As a public service, I'm here today to tell you about one method. If you follow my advice, you stand a great chance of seeing your traffic increase by 1000% or more!!
Now, if you are a regular reader of TRT, you're probably asking yourself right now, "Where does the Rambling Taoist get off with offering this kind of advice?" Just like most of you, I have a piddly little blog. Just like most of you, my daily visitor count is nothing to get all excited about. Consequently, you must understand that, while the info I'm going to share with you contains much truth, I'm sharing it in a very, very tongue-in-cheek manner.
I have discovered a secret to writing great blog posts and, interestingly enough, it could have come straight from Lao Tzu and Chuang Tzu, if they had lived during the computer age. What you need to do is to write a post that is immensely popular and timely BEFORE you know that it will be popular or timely. If you can accomplish this, the world will be your oyster!
All kidding aside, yesterday was an epic day on this blog. As of 7:00 pm, we had 204 visitors which, for TRT, is a very high number. We've probably only exceeded that number maybe 10 or 20 times in nearly 6 years. So, I think you can understand why I freaked out when I checked our blog stats one hour later. From 7:00 - 8:00 pm, we had 4,892 visitors!
From 8:00 - 8:10 pm, we added another 5,437 visitors and the aggregate total for 8:00 - 9:00 pm was a stupefying 13,751 visitors -- That's more in one hour than we had our entire first year!!
For the day, we ended with slightly more than 27,000 visitors. Compare this to the day before yesterday when we had a mere 197 folks stopping by. The number is so dang high I am almost completely dumbfounded.
I'm sure at this point you're dying to know why a blog that averages around 3,000 visitors per month can attract 27,000 in one day. It is because I wrote four posts on the death of Matt Hughes of Storm Chasers (Discovery Channel).
I didn't write these posts because I thought they would be popular or they would put TRT on the map. As with all things I write on this blog, I wrote about Matt Hughes because his death saddened me greatly and writing is one of the best methods I know for dealing with my own grief. That's all there was to it.
Did I think we might pick up a little traffic because of these posts? Sure. I thought a few stray folks might happen by, but because TRT is such a dinky blog, I thought it might increase our traffic by 10 or 20 people for a day or two.
I soon realized I had greatly underestimated the interest in this story. Over the past week, our blog traffic had increased significantly. Consequently, I figured that yesterday would be a banner day because the episode of Storm Chasers would mention Matt's passing. That said, I thought we might receive up to 500 visitors as the absolute max. Needless to say, my guesstimate was way, way, way off.
It should go without saying that this whole thing is a fluke. Within a few days, it will be a distant memory and our blog's traffic will return to normal. Who knows? We may pick up a meager few new readers, but 99.9% of the people who have dropped by recently weren't here to read about philosophical Taoism and I'm sure very few of them read any of the posts ON Taoism.
They were here to read about Matt Hughes. May he rest in peace.
Monday, October 11, 2010
Offhanded Remarks
Let me say at the outset that this post is about not much at all. More than anything else, it's an experiment. This extremely right-handed blogger is typing this post solely with my left hand! Can you discern a difference? :-D
It turns out that it's not as difficult as I thought it would be. Of course, as a one-fingered typist anyway, I'm simply pecking with a different finger!
The upshot of this experiment is that I no longer need to worry much about going through "blogging withdrawal" after my upcoming surgery. Once the anesthesia wears off and my wits return, I can sit down at my wife's computer downstairs to share with you all my "glorious" insights about the whole stinking process.
Oh, what a treat you're in for!!
It turns out that it's not as difficult as I thought it would be. Of course, as a one-fingered typist anyway, I'm simply pecking with a different finger!
The upshot of this experiment is that I no longer need to worry much about going through "blogging withdrawal" after my upcoming surgery. Once the anesthesia wears off and my wits return, I can sit down at my wife's computer downstairs to share with you all my "glorious" insights about the whole stinking process.
Oh, what a treat you're in for!!
Monday, October 4, 2010
Safety Tip of the Day
Don't leave your upper or lower dentures in a place that one of your dogs can reach it.
Monday, September 27, 2010
What Some Think
About two weeks ago, around the time of the anniversary of 9/11, I was tootling around the web looking at a variety of information. I happened upon a website called World Public Opinion. As the name would indicate, this group conducts polls to gauge how people from around the globe feel about different topics. One of the many issues concerned 9/11.
Here, in the US, many Americans are suspicious of the "official version" of what happened on that infamous day. Public opinion has vacillated, but I've seen a few recent polls that indicate that a majority of people here believe there was something fishy about the whole ordeal. While there are those who believe it was all the work of Muslim terrorists, a not insignificant number of Americans believe our own government had some sort of hand in the process.
Knowing this, I was interested to read what citizens thought in other nations. On the whole, only 46% believe that 9/11 was the sole responsibility of al Qaeda. A full 15% believe the US government played a key role -- that's a tad bit less than 1 in 7! Another 25% simply don't know.
As to the percentages per nation that believe the US government had a major role, I think some of the numbers will surprise most people. On the one hand, it should not be surprising at all that 36% of respondents in Turkey and 27% in the Occupied Palestinian Territory lean that direction. But a full 30% in Mexico and 23% in Germany lean that way too!
When one thinks of all the work that has gone into selling the "official version" -- a version marketed strongly by the government AND the mainstream media -- it simply astounds me that, regardless of where a person hails from, less than 50% buy it!!
For the record, I don't buy it either. Call me a wacko conspiracy nut, if you must, but I'm one of the 1 in 7 who believe my own government played a key role in the tragedy. I'm certainly NOT suggesting the Bushies orchestrated the entire affair, but I won't discount that notion either.
All I do know from my research on this important issue is that the "official version" doesn't stand up to muster. Something smells awful fishy.
(Of course, now that I've made this statement on a public blog, maybe the FBI will come raid my abode like they have done lately to a lot of peace activists in the Midwest.)
Here, in the US, many Americans are suspicious of the "official version" of what happened on that infamous day. Public opinion has vacillated, but I've seen a few recent polls that indicate that a majority of people here believe there was something fishy about the whole ordeal. While there are those who believe it was all the work of Muslim terrorists, a not insignificant number of Americans believe our own government had some sort of hand in the process.
Knowing this, I was interested to read what citizens thought in other nations. On the whole, only 46% believe that 9/11 was the sole responsibility of al Qaeda. A full 15% believe the US government played a key role -- that's a tad bit less than 1 in 7! Another 25% simply don't know.
As to the percentages per nation that believe the US government had a major role, I think some of the numbers will surprise most people. On the one hand, it should not be surprising at all that 36% of respondents in Turkey and 27% in the Occupied Palestinian Territory lean that direction. But a full 30% in Mexico and 23% in Germany lean that way too!
When one thinks of all the work that has gone into selling the "official version" -- a version marketed strongly by the government AND the mainstream media -- it simply astounds me that, regardless of where a person hails from, less than 50% buy it!!
For the record, I don't buy it either. Call me a wacko conspiracy nut, if you must, but I'm one of the 1 in 7 who believe my own government played a key role in the tragedy. I'm certainly NOT suggesting the Bushies orchestrated the entire affair, but I won't discount that notion either.
All I do know from my research on this important issue is that the "official version" doesn't stand up to muster. Something smells awful fishy.
(Of course, now that I've made this statement on a public blog, maybe the FBI will come raid my abode like they have done lately to a lot of peace activists in the Midwest.)
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Taking a Powder
With my dad and step-mother arriving this afternoon, chances are I won't be posting any scintillating tidbits until later this evening, if at all. This is not to suggest that, if I'm struck by massive inspiration, I won't run upstairs to my computer to peck it out, but I wouldn't count on it. :-)
Of course, since I tend to write the posts for the various series a day or two ahead of time, it's not like there won't be any new content today. If you feel the need to read something on this blog AND you don't like what's on the front page, there are over 2900 other posts for you to sift through, including the various series listed in the left sidebar.
Now, after having made this announcement, watch me instead whip up 3 or 4 posts. With me, ya never know!
Of course, since I tend to write the posts for the various series a day or two ahead of time, it's not like there won't be any new content today. If you feel the need to read something on this blog AND you don't like what's on the front page, there are over 2900 other posts for you to sift through, including the various series listed in the left sidebar.
Now, after having made this announcement, watch me instead whip up 3 or 4 posts. With me, ya never know!
Saturday, September 11, 2010
Crack of Dawn
Hopefully, if you read this around the time it posts, I'll be asleep. I am rarely asleep now, but I have to get up at 3:00 a.m. -- around the time I usually head off TO bed -- to take my wife to Aberdeen to catch a bus. She is headed off to a big union meeting near Seattle for the weekend.
Originally, our plan had been for me to take Della to Aberdeen on Friday night and have her stay in a motel. It's been several years since I last checked motel prices and, like everything else, said prices are a lot higher than they use to be. The least expensive room I could find would run about $75!!! It's not worth it...though I may think differently as I drive bleary-eyed through the Willapa Hills in a few hours. :-(
Addendum: Of course, I'm NOT asleep. It's too early. I went to bed a little after 11:00 p.m. and all I did was lay there staring at the ceiling. So now, I'm sitting here at my computer DREADING the drive in two hours. I dread it because it's upsetting my routine and, as a very regimented person, I get freaky when my patterned existence is altered.
It's a really weird sensation. I'm going to drive a route I've probably driven 100 times before. It's an easy drive and something I could almost do in my sleep. Yet, here I sit with a knot in my stomach and my pulse racing. It doesn't seem to matter what my rational mind thinks of the situation; the neurons in my brain seem to fire on their own.
Sigh.
Originally, our plan had been for me to take Della to Aberdeen on Friday night and have her stay in a motel. It's been several years since I last checked motel prices and, like everything else, said prices are a lot higher than they use to be. The least expensive room I could find would run about $75!!! It's not worth it...though I may think differently as I drive bleary-eyed through the Willapa Hills in a few hours. :-(
Addendum: Of course, I'm NOT asleep. It's too early. I went to bed a little after 11:00 p.m. and all I did was lay there staring at the ceiling. So now, I'm sitting here at my computer DREADING the drive in two hours. I dread it because it's upsetting my routine and, as a very regimented person, I get freaky when my patterned existence is altered.
It's a really weird sensation. I'm going to drive a route I've probably driven 100 times before. It's an easy drive and something I could almost do in my sleep. Yet, here I sit with a knot in my stomach and my pulse racing. It doesn't seem to matter what my rational mind thinks of the situation; the neurons in my brain seem to fire on their own.
Sigh.
Saturday, July 17, 2010
My Own Little Milestone
Not that it means anything at all -- but as an aspie I really dig numbers -- later today this blog will pass a little milestone: 100,000 page views. So allow me to say a big THANK YOU to all the readers who have stopped by this humble blog over the years.
I write because I have to write; it's part of who I am. That said, your involvement and participation is what HAS made it meaningful.
I am indebted to each of you.
I write because I have to write; it's part of who I am. That said, your involvement and participation is what HAS made it meaningful.
I am indebted to each of you.
Friday, July 9, 2010
This Is Odd
Like most folks with tracking software on their blog or website, I can look at a bunch of data for recent visitors. One piece of information that I often find interesting and, sometimes hysterical, is the search terms utilized that bring individuals to The Rambling Taoists.
Today someone arrived here after typing into Google the following criteria: "taoist breasts." How odd is that?
To be perfectly frank, I've never really thought about these two words in combination. I've certainly thought about breasts before! As this is a blog about philosophical Taoism, it should be readily apparent that I spend a lot of time contemplating this philosophy. But Taoist breasts?
Are breasts somehow different when they are hung -- so to speak -- on a Taoist? Do Taoists look at breasts differently than the average person?
I'll need to ponder this some more at great length! :-D
Today someone arrived here after typing into Google the following criteria: "taoist breasts." How odd is that?
To be perfectly frank, I've never really thought about these two words in combination. I've certainly thought about breasts before! As this is a blog about philosophical Taoism, it should be readily apparent that I spend a lot of time contemplating this philosophy. But Taoist breasts?
Are breasts somehow different when they are hung -- so to speak -- on a Taoist? Do Taoists look at breasts differently than the average person?
I'll need to ponder this some more at great length! :-D
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Indentations on My Butt
This seems to be my day for weird blog posts and this one definitely meets that description!!
Since my earliest days, I have sought to keep my legs warm to help nurture along my arthritic left hip and leg. I've tried a number of strategies and generally wear something under my pants as long as the temperature remains below 70 degrees.
For years I wore sweats under my jeans or overalls. While this strategy indeed kept my legs warm, it proved very problematic because I have very little butt and so, no matter how tight I drew the drawstring, the sweats always seemed to slip below my waist. This meant I spent most of the day pulling up my pants and sweats.
In time, I switched over to the use of buffalo pants (they look like flannel pajama bottoms). They weren't as bulky as sweats, but I still had the same problem with the drawstring.
This past year I rediscovered something that I wore in my 20s during my work with the US Forest Service -- the union suit. It's a one-piece pair of long underwear. One of the cool feature of a good union suit is that it comes with bombay doors -- a flap on the bottom side that allows one an easier ability to...well...you know. :P
The flap is kept closed by a button and here lies my problem. Because I sit a lot, the button tends to leave indentations on me keester. This isn't a serious problem because few people -- including me -- ever see my butt. It also doesn't induce severe pain or anything, but it can be a bit annoying, at times.
I don't know, I suppose it's representative of life, in general. Almost everything we do or have brings its own pluses and minuses to the table. While my union suits solve a recurrent issue I had with the other strategies employed, it also creates one of its very own.
Not an earth shattering problem, mind you, but it can be a bit of a pain in the ass. :-D :-D
Since my earliest days, I have sought to keep my legs warm to help nurture along my arthritic left hip and leg. I've tried a number of strategies and generally wear something under my pants as long as the temperature remains below 70 degrees.
For years I wore sweats under my jeans or overalls. While this strategy indeed kept my legs warm, it proved very problematic because I have very little butt and so, no matter how tight I drew the drawstring, the sweats always seemed to slip below my waist. This meant I spent most of the day pulling up my pants and sweats.
In time, I switched over to the use of buffalo pants (they look like flannel pajama bottoms). They weren't as bulky as sweats, but I still had the same problem with the drawstring.
This past year I rediscovered something that I wore in my 20s during my work with the US Forest Service -- the union suit. It's a one-piece pair of long underwear. One of the cool feature of a good union suit is that it comes with bombay doors -- a flap on the bottom side that allows one an easier ability to...well...you know. :P
The flap is kept closed by a button and here lies my problem. Because I sit a lot, the button tends to leave indentations on me keester. This isn't a serious problem because few people -- including me -- ever see my butt. It also doesn't induce severe pain or anything, but it can be a bit annoying, at times.
I don't know, I suppose it's representative of life, in general. Almost everything we do or have brings its own pluses and minuses to the table. While my union suits solve a recurrent issue I had with the other strategies employed, it also creates one of its very own.
Not an earth shattering problem, mind you, but it can be a bit of a pain in the ass. :-D :-D
Thursday, April 1, 2010
April Fool's Day
I spent a bit of time this morning researching the origins of this day of pranks. It seems that no one knows why or how this particular customary day came into being. There are many theories, the most prominent being that it had something to do with the change from the Julian calendar to the Gregorian version.
I did come across an interesting story in the Christian Science Monitor. Here's a snippet.
I did come across an interesting story in the Christian Science Monitor. Here's a snippet.
Back in 1983, Boston University Prof. Joseph Boskin got a call from the press relations office asking what he knew about April Fools' Day. "I said [sarcastically] I'd been researching it for years," Dr. Boskin recalled Thursday, in a telephone interview from his home in Cambridge, Mass.If you run into someone today who tells you he/she KNOWS the origins of this prankish day, beware. It's probably an April Fool's joke. :P
Days later, he was flying to Los Angeles to interview Norman Lear, producer of "All in the Family," to write a history of the television show. When his flight landed, the airport intercom called his name, telling him to go to the nearest white phone. It was BU's press relations office again, saying it had set up an interview between him and the Associated Press to talk about the history of April Fools' Day.
"I said, 'You know, I was just jiving,' " Boskin recalls. "I protested and said I couldn’t do it. She said, 'Oh no, you must call him.' "
Later that day, Boskin got on the phone with an AP reporter in New York City. "I said, 'I know nothing about April Fools' Day.' And the reporter said something like, 'You’re being modest.... What are the origins?' "
Boskin relented, spinning a yarn that the holiday originated in Istanbul in the court of Constantine when "the jesters decided to unionize." The king was so amused that he agreed to give up the throne to a jester for the day. The first-ever April fool was Kugel (Boskin thought of the name because his friend especially enjoyed the Jewish pudding), who declared it a day of absurdities...
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
A Rough Month So Far
At the start of February (2/2), I had all my teeth yanked. Two days later I wound up in the emergency room with a pill stuck in my windpipe. Less than two weeks later (yesterday), I was back in the hospital ER receiving intravenous fluids for dehydration.
Over the past weekend, I came down with a nasty case of the stomach flu. My wife caught it first and suffered through about 10 hours of retching. Within another day or two, she was on the mend. My case has been worse because I rarely vomit (last time it happened was approximately 30 years ago). Though I felt like retching several times and actually TRIED to induce it, my body would not allow it. So, it's taking a lot longer to work its way through my system.
Another thing that's not helping is that I can't eat many of the foods recommended -- dry toast, bread, rice -- because I still can't chew. So, while I am feeling somewhat better, my current diet of jello, juice and applesauce isn't providing much in the way of calories and protein; my brain still isn't working very well.
Hopefully, I can return to regular activities in the next day or so.
Over the past weekend, I came down with a nasty case of the stomach flu. My wife caught it first and suffered through about 10 hours of retching. Within another day or two, she was on the mend. My case has been worse because I rarely vomit (last time it happened was approximately 30 years ago). Though I felt like retching several times and actually TRIED to induce it, my body would not allow it. So, it's taking a lot longer to work its way through my system.
Another thing that's not helping is that I can't eat many of the foods recommended -- dry toast, bread, rice -- because I still can't chew. So, while I am feeling somewhat better, my current diet of jello, juice and applesauce isn't providing much in the way of calories and protein; my brain still isn't working very well.
Hopefully, I can return to regular activities in the next day or so.
Monday, February 8, 2010
Bound and Gagged
In the movie about the life of Ritchie Valens, La Bamba, one point that is underscored several times is that Valens suffered from a fear of flying and had a belief that he would one day die in a plane crash. This might be nothing more than Hollywood hype or it may genuinely be true (I've read stories that have promoted one or the other perspective). All we do know is that Valens did, in deed, die in a plane crash.
Many people fear certain things. I know of people who are convinced that they will die by drowning and others who know their demise will come in a car crash. For me, my greatest fear is that I will die from choking and last week, Thursday, this almost came to pass.
Since as far back as I can remember, I have had swallowing difficulties. My wife will tell you that I must masticate my food to the point it has broken down into a liquid before I can swallow it. I've gotten to the point in which I can't swallow pills -- no matter how large or small. Whenever I attempt it, I end up choking...like on Thursday.
Several doses of vicodin had left me a bit silly in the head. For some dumb reason, I decided that my new dentures would make it easier for me to swallow a pill. So, I took my next dose of vicodin by splitting the pill in half. I got the first half into my mouth and tried to swallow it with liquid. Of course, it only went halfway down before getting stuck in my windpipe.
Because both my mouth and throat were still sore and swollen from my oral surgery 48 hours before, I couldn't seem to muster the needed flexibility to dislodge the pill. Of course, since choking to death is one of my greatest fears, I went into full panic mode. I could barely breath and foam started pouring from my mouth.
My wife called for an ambulance. In all candor, I thought this was it -- I was going to die by choking to death in my own living room. The EMTs arrived and, to be frank, they weren't very helpful. They seemed convinced that I was having a heart attack. Between my gasps for air, I explained that my heart was fine; I was choking!
I was placed on a gurney and then into the waiting ambulance. On the short trip to the local ER, my throat filled up with fluid and foam 3 or 4 times. Each time I thought I would never catch another breath; each time, however, I somehow managed to spit up just enough fluid that my airway was opened slightly again. As they wheeled me into the the hospital, I violently spit up a large amount of foamy liquid AND the pill itself. Once that happened, the crisis was averted. My breathing and pulse rate quickly returned to normal.
I will be the first to admit that my ordeal was made far worse by my anxiety and panic. Had I been able to remain calm, I might not have needed the ambulance at all. However, people like me with severe anxiety disorders can't simply say to ourselves, "Don't be anxious." It's not that easy. Often, the rational part of my brain will understand the situation very clearly, but my emotional side wins the day each time.
The fact that I have a very strong gag reflex is causing an additional problem now. While my new dentures fit as they were intended to, the back of the upper plate comes to rest near the back of the roof of my mouth and this causes me to feel like I'm gagging whenever I wear the upper plate.
As long as I'm wearing it, I can't eat or drink anything. I can only do those two important things when my dentures are out. So, for the time being, I'm on solely a liquid diet. Until I can get some modifications made in the upper denture, I'm not going to progress at the expected rate. In fact, I may not get to eat solid food for another 1 - 3 weeks. Crud!
Many people fear certain things. I know of people who are convinced that they will die by drowning and others who know their demise will come in a car crash. For me, my greatest fear is that I will die from choking and last week, Thursday, this almost came to pass.
Since as far back as I can remember, I have had swallowing difficulties. My wife will tell you that I must masticate my food to the point it has broken down into a liquid before I can swallow it. I've gotten to the point in which I can't swallow pills -- no matter how large or small. Whenever I attempt it, I end up choking...like on Thursday.
Several doses of vicodin had left me a bit silly in the head. For some dumb reason, I decided that my new dentures would make it easier for me to swallow a pill. So, I took my next dose of vicodin by splitting the pill in half. I got the first half into my mouth and tried to swallow it with liquid. Of course, it only went halfway down before getting stuck in my windpipe.
Because both my mouth and throat were still sore and swollen from my oral surgery 48 hours before, I couldn't seem to muster the needed flexibility to dislodge the pill. Of course, since choking to death is one of my greatest fears, I went into full panic mode. I could barely breath and foam started pouring from my mouth.
My wife called for an ambulance. In all candor, I thought this was it -- I was going to die by choking to death in my own living room. The EMTs arrived and, to be frank, they weren't very helpful. They seemed convinced that I was having a heart attack. Between my gasps for air, I explained that my heart was fine; I was choking!
I was placed on a gurney and then into the waiting ambulance. On the short trip to the local ER, my throat filled up with fluid and foam 3 or 4 times. Each time I thought I would never catch another breath; each time, however, I somehow managed to spit up just enough fluid that my airway was opened slightly again. As they wheeled me into the the hospital, I violently spit up a large amount of foamy liquid AND the pill itself. Once that happened, the crisis was averted. My breathing and pulse rate quickly returned to normal.
I will be the first to admit that my ordeal was made far worse by my anxiety and panic. Had I been able to remain calm, I might not have needed the ambulance at all. However, people like me with severe anxiety disorders can't simply say to ourselves, "Don't be anxious." It's not that easy. Often, the rational part of my brain will understand the situation very clearly, but my emotional side wins the day each time.
The fact that I have a very strong gag reflex is causing an additional problem now. While my new dentures fit as they were intended to, the back of the upper plate comes to rest near the back of the roof of my mouth and this causes me to feel like I'm gagging whenever I wear the upper plate.
As long as I'm wearing it, I can't eat or drink anything. I can only do those two important things when my dentures are out. So, for the time being, I'm on solely a liquid diet. Until I can get some modifications made in the upper denture, I'm not going to progress at the expected rate. In fact, I may not get to eat solid food for another 1 - 3 weeks. Crud!
Sunday, February 7, 2010
A Very Weird Week
Up and until the past 5 days, I generally spent, at least, 25% of all waking hours parked in front of my computer doing one thing or another. Over the past year or two, that one thing or another tends to involve blogging. However, my activities have also included family banking, some work for pay and general leisure.
It feels weird sitting at my computer this morning to type this post. For one thing, my head has been generally fuzzy from vicodin, used to control the pain. I have felt like I'm floating through clouds and have been unable to focus on stringing words together to make cogent sentences. My fingers haven't been working that well either!! ;>)
I realize that a lot of people like this sort of cloudy-in-the-head feeling, but I'm not one of them!! I've started to switch to high-dose Tylenol and, in time, I hope to get off the painkillers all together.
Once the fuzz clears from my mind, I've got a lot of different observations to share about my experiences from the past week. For now, I'm just looking forward to the day -- I hope it's not too far away -- when I can eat solid food again. (I've lost 10 pounds this week!!)
It feels weird sitting at my computer this morning to type this post. For one thing, my head has been generally fuzzy from vicodin, used to control the pain. I have felt like I'm floating through clouds and have been unable to focus on stringing words together to make cogent sentences. My fingers haven't been working that well either!! ;>)
I realize that a lot of people like this sort of cloudy-in-the-head feeling, but I'm not one of them!! I've started to switch to high-dose Tylenol and, in time, I hope to get off the painkillers all together.
Once the fuzz clears from my mind, I've got a lot of different observations to share about my experiences from the past week. For now, I'm just looking forward to the day -- I hope it's not too far away -- when I can eat solid food again. (I've lost 10 pounds this week!!)
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