The LifeWreck Blog

How Telling Your Product From Far Eastern

2009-11-10T08:06:00.000-08:00

Thank you for proudly puchase of RocketTech(tm) 600 Can Opener/Knife Sharpener.
Product design many years happy usage.

Operation Instruction
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Warning!!! Important Safety Instruction!

Mis-use of product not labeled death or serious injury.
Never frayed or broken power cord use.
Keep fingers from sharp edges.
Young children not use please - important supervise children.

Quick Instruction
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Choose can or knife sharpen function switch (top of unit).

Can

Press handle firmly down.Important: Hold down until cycle complete. Other hand catch can prevent spillage.

Careful lid - sharp edge!

Knife

No serrated!
Never children sharpen unsuperv.
Pull knife toward you - don't push.
3 or 4 times.
Only clean washed knive please.

Detail Instruction
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Warranty Service
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30 days - Return place of purchase along with receipt. Not responsible for mis-use.

The Keychain Frog and the House Key

2009-01-03T17:55:00.000-08:00

Keychain Frog (KF) was never a tadpole. Not knowing his origin, he was about two inches long and one high, not counting the length of the chain growing out of his back, nor the length of his bright red curled up tongue - which he could never retract into his mouth, as he had none. His body was bold blue with yellow patches, all of which contained within them red splotches.

KF's first memory was of his bin at the register of the hardware store - he shared it with many other keychain animals, including other frogs of similar and different colorings. Consequently, KF didn't consider his existence to be particularly unexpected or significant.

As the chain in his back was a part of him from "birth" (though it carried no sensations), he rarely thought about it or its purpose in his life - that is, until the fateful day when he was plucked from his bin by a large creature who seemed either bent on eating him, or spinning him through the air on his chain - neither of which appealed to his fancy; though his life in the bin hadn't seemed all that fanciful either, so stoic acceptance was his watchword.

This all changed suddenly, when the creature produced the most stunning being KF had ever seen - nothing like his companions in the bin.

This being was about the same length and breadth as KF, but in it's third dimension (KF being quite portly in that one), this being was so thin, it almost could be said to not occupy its third dimension at all. The most stunning part about it, however was its coloring - KF had never experienced all of these colors on one being at once - red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and violet, interspersed with a brilliant white. Furthermore the creature was broad at one third of its length, then abruptly much thinner, with an attractive jaggedness on one side and a perfectly straight edge on the other.

Summoning up all his courage and boldness, KF spoke to this being, and asked of it its name. "I am House Key (HK)" replied the creature. KF, not knowing either what a house was, nor a house key, assumed it was just a name, much like his own - which bore no meaning to him other than his identifying moniker (he had never asked, and hence never found out, that many others in his birth bin bore the same name as him).

In yet another surprise, the giant creature which had plucked KF from his nest then proceeded - through apparently great effort - to permanently fasten HK to the far end of KF's chain. As neither had a clue how to alter this situation, it appeared to both that they would be fused in this way for the rest of their lives (whatever that might mean).

Both KF and HK being of a stoic nature (HK would later relate to KF the story of her torture on a grinding wheel by the largest creature she had ever seen), they accepted their mutual fate, and as conflict would certainly be untenable in this situation, agreed to be friends, with mutual benevolence and altruism being their philosophy.

This accidental arrangement went very well for a time, and when the pair was placed in a strange, dark but warm place for great lengths of time, they kept each other company by whispering stories to each other. These stories came, unsurprisingly, not from vast experience (truth be told, they had little experience to relate), but from the imagination born of long days of silent waiting. Both agreed that this imagination was the best palliative for the loneliness of existence - for all who exist are lonely by definition of being separated from the vast consciousness which in fact dreamed them into their own forms. Thus did their shared philosophical discussions comfort them.

One day, in the middle of just such a conversation, KF and HK were together thrust into the daylight by the self-same creature who had originally fused them. Then a very strange and disturbing thing occurred. HK was quickly thrust into a small metal crevice - her thin end first - and as she hardly even fit, she screamed in agony as her jagged side scraped painfully on one side of the crevice, which was also jagged, but did give way, albeit grudgingly. Now an even greater torture was perpetrated, as the creature brutally twisted HK in this crevice by her wide end before finally jerking her out of the crevice again with the same painful, jagged motion.

KF, for his part, could only watch in horror as the tragedy unfolded. As they were together thrust back into their dark, warm place, KF wondered if HK would be the same, or would the shocking experience change her to her core?

"Are you alright?" KF asked with great concern. "Yes, I think so." said HK, "It was very scary and painful, but somehow I feel different now, and not entirely in a bad way."

"What do you mean by different?"

HK had to ponder for a moment.

"I feel... I feel like I know why I'm here - sort of - it's hard to explain... I feel somehow there's actually some purpose or meaning for my existence - but that meaning isn't inside of me, and I'm not sure I understand it completely."

"Do you mean you're meant to be tortured in that awful crevice? That doesn't sound like it has a useful purpose to me!"

"I know it doesn't make much sense, Keychain Frog, but it's a feeling I've got now. It's as if that huge creature was using me for something greater than I can understand. Something powerful and deep and profound. The pain I felt made it all the more real to me. I honestly can't explain it, but I've been touched by something truly awesome."

"All well and good," said KF, with a hint of sarcasm in his voice, "but where does that leave me?"

"I'm not sure, Keychain Frog, but I think - or I feel? - that the same is true for you - there's something greater that you're here for than just existing. You have a purpose - but you won't find it all in your imagination - there's something outside of you that needs your participation."

"What could I possibly be here for, House Key? All my life things have just happened! I was born, I know not how or why. I've been thrust here and there, without my control or consent. I know nothing of what may happen in my future, if I even have one! And yes, I can see that something about you has changed, but I'm not sure I have your confidence in it."

"That's OK, Keychain Frog, I won't force my new viewpoint on you - though I do think you'll discover it for yourself in time - after all, we're best friends, and so we shall remain."

"That is true, House Key, for better or worse, we're together - so for what it's worth, if you learn more about your purpose, or especially mine(!), please be sure to tell me."

"That I'll do gladly, Keychain Frog, and I don't think I'll be the one to define your purpose for you - after all, I'm not even sure what my own is! Your meaning will unfold for you alone, as we experience together our strange new existence. And don't worry about me - something in my experience just now told me that the pain is necessary if I am to learn."

And so it went between the two friends for a long time. They continued to share stories and imaginings, but HK's imaginings took on a new dimension that very much impressed KF - her thoughts, instead of being in the past or present as they had been, now tended to dwell in the future - she even seemed to start looking forward to those strange, jagged, twisting torture sessions. Oddly, these seemed not to harm her in any permanent way - in fact, she seemed to grow stronger and calmer and wiser the more they happened.

One day, during one of their dark, warm conversation times, HK grew thoughtful, and asked KF, "Have you thought anymore about what might be your purpose, your meaning?"

"I have," replied KF, to a slightly surprised HK "and oddly, in a strange way, I think it has something to do with you and your purpose."

"How so, Keychain Frog?" asked HK.

"Don't get me wrong, House Key - I don't know that my purpose is as grand or profound as yours. Listening to you talk about it all this time, I can tell you're onto something really good and important. But now I'm convinced there's some reason we got fused together - it wasn't just so I could follow you around and watch you go through your pain."

"I think you're right about that, Keychain Frog, but don't sell yourself short. Even as you 'follow me around', you're participating somehow in that great dance that I believe gives meaning to both of us. And something tells me that I couldn't do my part without you there."

Then it happened.

KF and HK were lounging in their dark warm place when suddenly they felt a tugging, but it was different than the normal feeling when the giant creature pulled them out. It was more a slow, jerky sliding motion, and whoops! Out they fell, to another dark place, but it wasn't warm here. Both were a little scared, as this had never happened to them before.

All the more scary was the fact that the giant creature was nowhere to be seen. Strangely, they'd come to rely on this creature and its habits.

Time in this place waxed very long, but KF and HK occupied themselves, as usual with stories and philosophical discourse. Much of that discourse centered on KF finding his own purpose and meaning (while helping HK try to elucidate her own - a daunting task!)

Then they both saw a bright light entering their dark place, and they recognized the familiar voice of their giant master. "Where is that frog! Find the frog! - it's the only way we'll find the key!" "I found the frog, daddy!" piped a smaller, higher voice. "Good for you honey! Is the key still attached to it?" "Yes, daddy, what a pretty key, and a pretty frog too!"

And so KF and HK were returned to their warm, dark place, and from that moment on, KF no longer wondered if he had a purpose and meaning in his life. He'd seen and heard that these big creatures valued him as a helper for finding their prized key (who KF now prized even more).

Still not knowing the ultimate reason for it all, and wisely realizing that they may never know for sure, KF and HK continued on, as best friends, serving their master as best they could, with confidence and pride in knowing they both had a real purpose and meaning.

More Victims of the Recession - Cost of Suicide Skyrockets

2009-01-03T10:51:00.000-08:00

In yet another report of fallout from the current recession, the number of suicides has decreased as the cost of offing oneself has skyrocketed in recent months.

Jerry in Los Angeles had recently contemplated making the Big Choice, but has had to postpone his plans due to rising rope costs (his preferred method). "If I'd planned ahead a year ago" said Jerry from his low-rent, one-room flat, "I'd have been able to obtain plenty of hi-test Mylar, as well as a stainless steel bucket to kick. As it is now, all I can get is some cheap twine and a plastic kitty litter pan."

Guns and bullets too, have taken an inflationary beating as demand for these items has increased fivefold in the past 6 months - largely due to the increased self-defense needs of suburbanites. "Everyone's snapping up arms and ammunition faster than the shelves can be stocked." said an anonymous Wal Mart employee. High demand means higher prices for everyone, and this marginalizes the suicidal - who typically have incomes well below the Federal poverty line.

The various chemical methods haven't escaped the trend either. "Don't even talk to me about prescription tranquilizers," said Stacy of Simi Valley, "what with losing my insurance - which didn't cover my preferred drugs anyway - and the increasing cost of the newest and most powerful drugs."

Drugs aside, poisons in general (weed killers, rodent & other pest control products) have not benefited from recent dips in the price of petroleum, from which many of these products are derived. "It's criminal," said one prospect for the Big Kahuna, who prefers to remain anonymous, "how the poison industry has ignored the lower raw material prices, and reaped huge profits from the terminally depressed." Even the old standby Arsenic has become less available as environmental regulations have failed to keep up with the demand for cheap, reliable death.

Bridges too, the old romantic standby method, have come under scrutiny by the ISSC (International Suicide Selection Committee) - many of the most sought-after venues now have barriers that will only open for those who pre-pay the associated bridge maintenance district a hefty fee for cleanup operations. "People haven't traditionally considered the costs." says Ron Debnowski, of the Manhattan Bridge District. "We often end up having to bring in a crane boat - and the cost of doing so is enormous - sometimes as much as $5,000 per event. That doesn't even include the cost of body storage and identification for those who neglect to include proper documents with their jump." Debnowski says a typical jumper must pay an up-front fee of $500, and present valid ID and contact information for next of kin.

Naturally, suicide prevention organizations have expressed optimism that the dark cloud of the recession has produced this apparent silver lining. "We couldn't be more pleased with this report." stated Julie Stenner of the International Suicide Prevention Hotline. "A drop in suicide rates is good news, no matter why it occurs. We can only hope that as the recession deepens and spreads across the world, we'll see an even more dramatic drop in suicide rates."

Journal: Recovery in a Recession

2008-12-27T12:17:00.000-08:00

Forget the whys for now; read enough of my blog and you'll come up with your own ideas - satisfactory to you, no doubt - but wrong, because there is no why: there is only IS.

16 days ago I had my last (alcoholic) drink (it was early morning, so I count myself 16 days sober today). On that day, I also began seeking treatment; jobless, homeless, without insurance.

After much searching, I landed that evening in a detox facility in Richmond, CA. This was supposed to be a 7 day stay, but I cut it short on the 3rd day, because I couldn't handle the insanity of both the staff and some of my co-residents. I also felt pretty well by that time, so back to my sister's home I went, to begin seeking my long-term treatment. Reminder: No money.

Enter Delancy Street in San Francisco - I sat on their bench, hopeful that I might qualify for their allegedly life-changing program. Unfortunately, I did not:

- No criminal arrests/convictions/jail time
- Not physically able to do construction work
(the only offer; Meniere's, weak back)

Back to my sister's, now searching more locally to her - After many phone calls (most messages un-returned) I went in person to a facility called Rubicon in Richmond. Their counselor recommends a short stay at a homeless shelter (to certify me homeless?), then I can be fast-tracked into a long-term recovery program. So be it. I'll be calling the man on Monday to get it set up.

Meanwhile, Christmas at my sister's was a blast with all my family and (sister) in-laws. I kept my status low-key, of course.

Needless to say, this blog, which seldom gets updated, will seldom get updated for awhile longer, as I won't likely have Internet access for quite awhile once I'm in shelter/program. When I do, I'm sure I'll have lots of fascinating experiences to share here. Think of me as your "reality reporter at large." Maybe I'll try to take (paper) notes as I go. That should keep me busy anyway.

No worries - I look at life right now as an experience to experience, and all roads lead up.

Yours Truly,
LifeWrecked (aka Paul S)

The Monitor

2008-11-02T10:13:00.001-08:00

I am the Monitor.

Some people want to pretend I don't exist. That's alright by me.

99% of my job I do silently. So it isn't surprising that my presence would be dismissed.

Then there are the people who call me God or The Wise One or sometimes even Satan (yes, I can get a little cheeky). Pretty bizarre when you think of it - all that power from the brain of an overgrown ape. Can you spell ego? Fine, I thought you could.

Mostly I just listen anyway. Sometimes I nod. Do you recognize me yet?

I know your innermost thoughts; your darkest secrets. Because they're mine. I am you, or the mirror reflection if that's easier. You've got to admit you love me more than you love yourself.

Let's face it, I'm someone to talk to. You have to have someone to talk to during your miserable little existence. Don't worry, I'm not judging you - you and me, we travel as a package, so anything I say about you I'm saying about myself (and vice-versa, by the way). I'm just trying to get your attention here, so humor me a tad of cynicism.

Believe it or not, I'm not engaging in pointless ramble here. You already know I don't speak out of turn lightly. If your mirror could speak to you, what would it say? (And no, I don't refer here to the witch story - that's been played through already).

I want to tell you that you're lovable.

Except I can't - not a for sure promise, anyway.

You see, aside from me (and this one too is qualified) no person can ever love you completely.

You're going to need a bath sooner or later - we all will. The difference with me is that I can't leave you even if I want to. I can't beat you bloody. I can't make you see my point with force. I can't argue with you until I'm blue in the face - I don't have one. Not unless you decide to give me one.

But you're lovable.

The reason is simple.

Nothing you can DO or NOT DO can make you LOVABLE or UNLOVABLE.

If I wasn't writing, I'd say it twice for effect - so read it again.

Neither you nor I are a human DOING. We (well, at least you) are a human BEING.

Oh, I know the arguments.

Life doesn't really work like the (ideal) description. Every person has to figure out some strategy to carve their survival out of this hellhole of a planet. You could do it with good looks if you're lucky enough. You could work yourself to death, and make it play out. Forget the bath - EVERYBODY is subject to IT. And whether you want to believe it or not, therein lies your salvation.

Because it's everybody.

The only real resource you have in this world is about 7 billion other people.

That's another one I'd read twice if I were you (and we've already established that I am).

So do us both a favor.

Love ME even if you can't seem to love yourself. The only thing I can promise you in return is that I'll be here as long as you are. Not much, I admit, but we're all we've got. Well us and those 7 billion others. It could certainly be (about 7 billion) worse.

Poverty

2008-10-15T04:37:00.000-07:00

It isn't just about money - but you wouldn't know that by looking on the surface. Poverty is what you make of it.

I ride the bus - not because I'm poor, but because I might as well be. WHY a thing is so doesn't change its meaning. Witness.

Clearly stranded - that's my best assessment. She's sexy in her own way (a bit on the chunky side, seriously drunk, but that's never out of the question). She's in a one-piece bathing suit (it was pretty hot that day in central California), but she's definitely missing a beach - this is hospital row, about 2 miles north of downtown Stockton. Stranded because she obviously can't decide where/what to do/go next.

I'm across the street, sitting on the bus stop bench (aside: they don't all have benches; that becomes a prized commodity - particularly for the homeless - become a "non-consumer" for a minute sometime, and try finding a place to sit or take a crap - an education, believe me).
She's (first noticed) at the gas station across the street. She's off on foot. Doubles back. Off on foot again. This is pacing. This is somebody pissed off or confused. Or both. To my combined hope and horror, she's crossing the street, and sure enough, there she is, sitting (right) next to me on the bus bench.

I can hear (sort of), but you have to help me understand. It's called life. The only thing I can decipher from her transmission is "f**k" - over and over again. I did what I always never do - stoic silence, just waiting to see if anything useful happens. It only lasts about 90 seconds. I believe her parting comment (back to the gas station) is something like "You're a prick." OK, I can own that.

It also seems I can (if I wanted) own the clearly inadequate knit sweater she left on the bench. But I don't want to own it (she's vanished, permanently, it seems - I guess she'll miss the sweater later, then again maybe not). The bus driver (finally) does his part - is that yours? Nope.

I said someplace, (and I paraphrase myself) "Lose everything. Then you'll know the value of money." I meet a lot of people at bus stops who've lost "everything." I can't escape the feeling that maybe I'm one of them. I try to take solace sometimes in the concept that I'll probably have lots of company coming down from the "middle class" pretty soon. It doesn't work though. I can feel pain no matter who has it. Life again.

Poverty is what you make of it.

LifeWrecked out.

Gong Me - Stupid 101, or The Folly of Confidence

2008-09-28T07:34:00.000-07:00

Last night I missed my bus. The following observations are pertinent:

a) I was at the bus stop on time.
b) The bus came on time.
c) I was awake.
d) I saw the bus.
e) I got up to get on the bus.
f) The bus driver waited for me.
g) I sat back down and missed the bus anyway.

I don't know if this sort of thing happens to other people, but I suspect it's more common than most of us would like to admit. They say the devil is in the details, so here are some details.

This bus route is San Joaquin Regional Transit District's answer to servicing a large area that has significant but sporadic ridership. What they've done to accommodate this area is "split" the route in a "Y" configuration, with with two buses - one starting on an "arm" of the Y, the other starting at the base, passing each other at the junction, with the "base" bus serving the other arm of the Y, then both turning around and reversing roles. A little crazy sounding perhaps, but to the credit of the route "committee" (I'm very sure) it does get the job done with minimal resources.

Noteworthy: I live right next to a convenient stop at the junction (middle) of the Y - the place I normally catch the bus to go toward a) downtown (South) or b) the malls (North). Needless to say, it matters greatly which bus I get on to get where I'm going.

One more pertinent detail and we can move on to my personal idiocy attack.

The route number is 61. Not 61 and... Just 61. So to catch either bus, you catch bus 61. Good thing the buses are modern, and have these wonderful marquis that tell you the route # and where the particular bus is (hypothetically) heading (DTC - downtown center, or Malls). Of course, it's a task of the bus drivers to change the marquis when they turn the bus around at either end of the route.

Now I'm sure you can guess where the fly most often gets into this mechanism - and let me assure you that I've known about this and experienced it multiple times, which is why I decided last night that I really do deserve the title of Official Moron. Don't worry about my self-esteem though, as I don't have the slightest doubt that I share that title on a regular basis with all 4 (or whatever it is now) billion fellow inmates on this dusty muddy space rock.

So last night I'm waiting for the bus going toward the mall (it's the last one for the day, BTW), and right on time, here comes the bus with the sign saying "DTC". These buses often come to this stop (junction of the Y, remember?) very close together in time, so this is (stupid, stupid, stupid) no big worry for me. The only thing I can assume the driver thinks is that I'm a bum just resting on the bench (look at my picture at the bottom of my blog page and vote in comments if you agree or not with the driver - I'm thinking maybe so). BTW, I'm the only person at the stop.

Now since this is the junction of a Y, it's pretty easy to tell (in depressing retrospect) which bus you MISSED - since the one going North (Malls) turns left at the light, and the one going South (DTC) goes straight. This "DTC" bus turned left. Recall that it's the last bus going North.

I must have done it a thousand times before this moment. Ask the driver, ask the driver, ask the driver! Never ASSUME anything. Trusting any human system or intent (including my own) unreservedly is sheer folly. I KNOW this. Now I could say I've finally learned this lesson. Yep, I could say that. I'm very sure it'll stick for at least a couple weeks.

Welcome to my humility zone.

Cheers,
Paul S

Hearing in the Recovery Zone, Dear Alcohol

2008-09-20T16:05:00.000-07:00

About time I subjected you weary blog travelers to a new test of your sensibilities.

As many of you know, I've been in treatment for recovery from alcoholism, and I'm happy to report 38 days clean and sober as of this writing - thanks to several blessings and opportunities; AA, my supportive friends/family/co-workers, and an excellent detox and outpatient group therapy program at St. Joseph's Behavioral Health Center.

I'm currently on short-term disability leave through Sep 29th, expecting to be back at work Sep 30th. I await my (approved) disability check/deposit with bated breath - living on serenity and faith (with some food stockpiled) currently - anticipating the regular pay cycle this Friday, but I'll be checking with HR on Monday. :)

Hot news - as of last Wednesday, I'm sporting a brand new pair of Phonak BTE hearing aids (top end - better be for $5800 - and no, Virgina, I don't have that in pocket change!) These are very clearly (pardon the pun) better than the Siemens I tried a few months ago - and the telecoil feature actually works. I'm experiencing (personal assessment) very close to 95% speech recognition (SR) in ideal situations (directional, low ambient noise) and vastly improved SR in noisy situations. Best I've heard in a long time, and though only time will tell as my base hearing varies, I'm quite happy with these aids currently - and we (audiologist and I) haven't finished "tweaking" them yet (my right is a bit "hot" - that ear tends to distort loud voices - but I'm still getting overall improvement).

I'll close this post with a "term paper" assignment from my outpatient therapy - I'll be reading this on Monday as I get "coined out" of the group...

Dear Alcohol,

It's not easy, but it's time for us to part ways. For 34 years now, you have been like a companion, sheltering me from pain and loneliness when I felt a need to hide from God and my fellows. You waited in the wings through most of my troubled marriage, but like a jealous lover, you burst onto the scene to destroy it. Had I but known the vengeful pain you had in store for me, perhaps I could have resisted your beauty - perhaps not - as you regularly gave me ample warning in our early days. Now, as if waking from a troubled dream, I find I must dismiss you, lest you lead me into oblivion.

We first met when I was only 15, a child struggling to become a man. You had the power to instantly turn a shy, ungainly boy into a confident young man - but even then you charged a bitter tax for your service. The tax soon forgotten, I'd return again and again to you over the years when I wanted to forget the pain of now.

Make no mistake, you are a beauty unmatched - for with a gentle whisper, you can bring the mightiest empire to its knees. Better men than I have, and will, die in your embrace. Today I choose life, and so I must leave you alone. I have changed because you never will - and for that change, I thank you. Perhaps if you weren't there, I'd have never had the desperation to seek treatment, and ultimately growth.

Of all the life challenges I've faced, you were the most insidious. It wasn't until very late in our long relationship that you began to show me your true colors. At first it felt like love, but in the end, I learned your mission was to destroy me utterly - all that I was would be lost, and anything that I might become would be drowned by you.

My first indication that you were plotting my death came in the form of regular and frequent hangovers - much like a cold or flu, but in some ways worse, as my sickness was self-imposed by my "happiness". This cycle went on for years and years. Then a few years ago, I was confronted with you and some of your henchmen (don't deny it, for I was still partly awake) as my now former wife fell (back) into your (and their) arms. The agonizingly slow destruction of a marriage that was never meant to be should have driven me away from you. But you knew from the start that you had captured me years ago, even though I felt free (delusion). All you needed to do was slip your noose gently over my head by allowing me to re-experience the loneliness of my youth - and the false comfort you'd bring me to con me back into your clutches.

And then came the day that my desire for you became need. You would greet me in the early morning on that day, and many days after - in fact, the distinction between early morning and late night became blurred - truly the clock spins in endless circles, and what is an hour? If I didn't pick you up in the morning, noon, evening, anytime, at intervals growing smaller by day, a shaking, jittery sickness would overcome me, and pitifully, I did know just how to cure it - temporarily. For this you didn't judge me - only condemned me without judgment or prejudice, just as you would anyone who tried to control you.

You didn't just beat me up physically either - you missed no opportunity to bring me misery, the better to ensure my demise - even if it were to be at my own hand. You cast me into the pit of depression, a place the most modern medicine could not reach, as your grip is more powerful than the strongest of the doctors' chemistry.

You cast a fog across my brain, making clarity of thinking and decision-making a distant dream. Though we've been apart for many days now, I haven't yet fully recovered my faculties, but with God's grace, I may (though by no means certain).

Bad decision-making fuels bad decisions, and bad decisions fuel broken finances. Today I'm $50,000 in debt, and likely to be bankrupt soon, as a direct result of my belief in you and in my ability to conduct my affairs while wandering aimlessly in your fog.

You caused me to isolate - because, harsh mistress that you are, you refused to share me with anyone at all. You took me from my family, my friends, my co-workers, and worst of all, my Higher Power - the loving God who would have been happy to bring me serenity (as he does now) and a guiding light through and beyond the destruction you engineered.

If there is good to be found in my relationship with you, it is this: My Higher Power was with me, watching over me through the worst trials you created - though I was ignorant and even tried to deny his existence, not to mention his love. I know this now because when I finally cried out to him in pain, he brought friends into my life who would gently push me (some tough love) onto the road to my Recovery. And on this road, I shall stay, moving always forward, even if my steps seem slow and halting at times.

I'll never again believe the lie that you told me about myself - that I'm unlovable, and that I can never know true friendship. Baloney! When I got real and honest with the people around me, and practiced humility, I found love and better friendships than I had ever before dreamed possible. You see, when truth shines its light, darkness is banished.

I found out in time. Your game is up.

Goodbye, dark mistress alcohol.

I think I won't be missing you.

Loneliness Is: HOH

2008-08-07T11:27:00.000-07:00

I stated in the last blog post that I drink to kill the intellect. While that's certainly true, there's yet another reason that matters.

The loneliness of being hard of hearing (HOH) is probably another big driver of my "situation".

The thing is, though I can still do a one on one, face to face conversation fairly well. I just can't do groups.

Now perhaps you think this is a minor thing, a blip in the radar. But if you think that - you're wrong.

We are a social species. Both our survival and our thriving are related to how we manage our relationships with our "local" peers. I parenthesise local because we can now, indeed, have peers across the globe, thanks to the Internet.

Yesterday, I had an actual JOB REQUIREMENT, to attend a minor league baseball game (Sacramento Rivercats (home team) vs. Memphis Redbirds)

A "Team building exercise" it was called.

And build it did - no question, so don't consider my words here a disparagement of the event - it was a fun afternoon, for all, including me.

When you're HOH (hard of hearing) things work out a little different.

I'm in the situation where if I can face a person directly, read their lips a bit, and get them to talk slow, I can understand them - but a group conversation is impossible for me.

As it turns out, the group socialization is probably more important to the individual psyche than most one-on-one interactions (perhaps the exception is the "significant other").

I can't begin to express to you the isolation (loneliness) I felt (again, as usual) in this group of about 9 people, as I couldn't comprehend more than about 20% of the "chatter" among the group. Should I laugh when everyone else laughs? I chose not to. I've grown to loathe "faking it".

The loneliest moments in my life are when I'm in a group of people chattering away. I don't have a clue. I don't have a hope of comprehending. I'm the outsider. I'm the one probably a lot of people consider "standoffish" because I don't respond. I can't respond. Not appropriately.

OK, so it's existential bitching. Well, welcome to my blog - where existential bitching is the norm. It's my blog, so I'll bitch when I want. ;)

Next time you encounter an HOH person, may these words burn in your memory, and may you treat them as you would treat a beloved friend. That's all.

Paul S (AKA - LifeWrecked)

The Alter Ego Speaks

2008-07-19T12:44:00.000-07:00

Ok, first things first, just so you don't get hopelessly confused: Love is Pain. And yes, I love, so I have pain. I'm sure it's the same for you. You're probably reading this message because I Pain you.

I saw a video the other day done by an amazingly brave BBC reporter; showing how the big (Israel / U.S. sponsored) armored vehicles (think DUCKS, but, bigger, armored, and with cannons) were shooting up women and children in Palestine. Terrorists all, I'm sure. God, I hope nobody loved them.

In a world gone mad, I'm Mad as Hell. So sue me.

Back when I used to pay taxes (well, I still do, unfortunately - I can't stop them from taking it, but I'll be DAMNED if I'm going to put my name on it anymore - check it out, I can get 3 squares a day, a cot, a toilet, and probably a regular rear-end tryst with a huge dude with tattoos covering his whole body - and all on YOUR dime!); there was a point here, but somehow I think I made it without actually making it.

I drink to kill the intellect. I don't want it anymore. It knows too much. It looks into peoples' eyes and it figures out exactly what's going on in there. STOP. I don't want to know. Knowing means I have to LEAVE and be RESPONSIBLE at the same time. Let's face it. If you KNOW a thing, where is your morality if you just get up and walk away? Ethanol is a moral anaesthetic. It works wonders. You can also run your car on it. Such a deal!

Did you know that we're about to RUN OUT of corn for human/animal consumption? Even the GM stuff. Why? Because it's getting DIVERTED to FUEL ETHANOL production! It's the future of the SUV!!! Love it while you can. At least we'll solve the obesity problem in the U.S.! BTW, dreams die hard, but you can't drink the fuel C2H6O - it's "denatured" by mixing it with none other than our good friend petrol. Now THAT'S a cocktail!

Ok, that was a bit of a side-slide, I admit - but strangely related, in a singularly American way, no?

I may have written about this somewhere else before, and if so, forgive me being repetitive - it comes to me again as I'm actually PLANNING on a fun experience in what most rational people would call a nuthouse. I'll be sharing the dorm with addicts to who knows what, "cutters" (they cut themselves - one of the purest addictions - let's face it, I have to envy them their lack of need for chemistry), and then, well at least last time, there's the person (and I say "person", because I STILL don't know, to this day) who's not 3, not 4, but about 6 fries short of a Happy Meal. And as I KNOW I've told you elsewhere (my blog, probably), I am, by definition, this person's BEST FRIEND (whether I want to be or not). I can hardly wait.

Actually, I don't regret meeting the last of "those" - I got one of my deepest realizations of truth from watching this person, and then what happened (or didn't) to them.

We go through life with a "world view" - it's the collection of theories we have about the world, and especially about people. At the time, I knew I was in pretty deep need of help, and I was counting on these folks to help me - and they came through, no question. But I had a world-view shattered in the process; you see, when I went in, I thought I was going to a "first tier" thing. Certainly everyone going there needed significant help. Certainly the staff would do their best to help. And "certainly", if they couldn't help, and the person just couldn't stay there (due to behavior problems, etc.), they'd send that person off to the REAL nuthouse. You know where this is going.

"Girlfriend" (and I use the term advisedly) had a natural fit one day right before the "lunch march". The reaction of the staff present convinced me of one thing that really stuck with me since then. When it comes to my personal well-being and safety, there's nobody who will be responsible for it except me.

Plexiglas is amazing stuff, and the staff used it well - all cowering in the little central Plexiglas office cube. Then came the "orderlies" (in pubs, they're referred to as "bouncers"). It took 4 of them to subdue dear heart (she's not fat, but she's BIG).

None of this (yet) represents my deepest revelation. Those of us who were allowed to march off to lunch did so - Ghetto Fabulous stayed behind, of course. We get back, and there (she) is, in THE ROOM, strapped down, and apparently "appropriately" medicated. Here was my thought: "Oh, (she) won't be staying here anymore - they're going to ship her out to..." Uh, yeah, to...

Next day, GF was at breakfast, just as if nothing had occurred.

I realized, in that moment: The facility I think they might ship (her) to - THIS IS IT. I'm in it. You can't imagine how (mental) health-promoting that revelation can be. I was feeling so much better, so fast. By the next day, I was the picture of mental health, and sent home.

Ok, so I'm the alter ego. I have a role to play in this thing called Paul. Except you already know: I'm not perfectly real.

I'm not any more or less real than any other aspect of that person that maybe you love, but might never fully understand. It turns out, I'm the same guy who'll drop $500 on the SWC Silent Auction, (and God help me, I honestly can't remember the 50/50 outcome - I'll trust the consensus on that one). But go back to the top and read again.

I believe that folks who get a MPD (Multiple Personality Disorder) diagnosis don't actually have any more personalities than you or I do. They just have amnesia. So maybe somebody won the 50/50 and actually got it. If so, it probably made for a pleasant trip home (yes, I remember that, and I know I had cash; and well, I just had cash).

And see, the cash isn't the point. Money only gets its power through movement. If it's not moving, it might as well be so much dust and scattered leaves. I'm not spouting platitudes here. I truly believe and live that. No, it hasn't always been so. Get nothing to lose. Repeat for emphasis. GET NOTHING TO LOSE. Then you'll understand the value and the purpose of money. I'd rather give it to SWC and the kids with cancer and the researchers for breast cancer and the Center for Skeptical Inquiry (yes, Virgina, this Alter Ego is a skeptic) - all of those and more, than to King George's War.

And so it is.

Rounding it up, finally, to the top thought: I'd like to say to you that the love is worth the pain. And I guess it really is. Since none of us get out of it alive, it might as well be. So love. Be in pain. And live, as best you know how. That's what I'll be doing. It's all we can do.

Peace.

Paul S (AKA: LifeWrecked)

When Little Things Become Big Things

2008-07-18T14:40:00.000-07:00

(Written about 6/30/08, posted when it says)

"Oh darn, I'm out of bread.", "Rats, my watch battery just died.", "Stupid new cell phone! It won't go a day on a charge!", "Great! - FSA refund checks! Now I just need to go cash them!"

Things like the above are all part of a normal, everyday life experience, and fall under that famous slogan (and book) "Don't sweat the small stuff..."

That is, until you become "transportationally disabled" by intermittent/severe vertigo attacks (and "routine" balance issues).

So for the safety of society, and yourself, you decide to stop driving, and rely solely on public transit, friends, etc., to get you around.

Suddenly, something strange happens to the "small stuff" - in flagrant violation of the premise of that famous book, it becomes big stuff after all. Allow me to explain...

Most folks don't use public transit (PT) for several (possible) reasons, not least of which is the fact that you're forced to conform to their schedules rather than what might be optimal for you. Of course, that's assuming that their (PT) schedules can even come close to matching your need. And THAT was before the (California) legislature, at the bidding of the governor, recently slashed the PT budget, resulting in the further thinning out of already thin transit services.

So now consider: You need the battery in your watch replaced. Experience tells you it's a pretty good idea to have a jeweler or at least a savvy electronics type familiar with changing watch batteries do it (and buy the battery from them, hopefully). It's more than worth the money to avoid the hassle and possible damage you might do attempting it with inadequate tools and knowledge.

So all you need to do is go uptown to the local mall where you bought the watch originally, and where the gentleman who sold it to you assured you he'd happily service it any time. A quick drive, a few minutes for him to handle the job; pay the man, and you're done. NOT.

In reality, you're staring at a minimum, 2 - 3 hours of WEEKDAY time in the face. Weekday. Hmmmm. What do we like (sic) to do on weekdays? Oh, that's right - it's called working for a living. Why is it 2 - 3 hours? Enter PT (public transit, in case you forgot).

In Stockton (CA), there is (happily) a bus that travels from very near my residence to said mall. So far so good! It runs (now) every 1.5 hours on WEEKDAYS (it also runs weekends, every 2.5 hours). Now do the math.

I catch the bus at the appropriate moment (assuming it isn't late), and merrily roll along to the mall. I exit the bus, go see the man, etc., etc., and now it's time to go home. That took me (counting travel) maybe 30 minutes. Great. Now I can proceed to wait at the bus stop (weekdays) 1 hour. On a weekend, I can wait 2 hours. Are we having fun yet?

Sure, you say, but why don't you maximize your time at that mall?

Exactly. And that's why my watch, today, is still precisely correct exactly twice a day. Because I'm not going to get it fixed until I have collected enough "necessitators" to make that trip worthwhile. And that, my friends, is the life of a non-driver.

And again, all of the above "math" assumes that said buses are running on schedule. That in itself turns out to be a rather fanciful assumption. Anyone who has ridden PT for awhile knows that the published schedules represent the EARLIEST times you can expect the bus/train/whatever to appear at the designated stop. Yeah, yeah, most people would say what's a few minutes here or there. Except it isn't always a few minutes. Sometimes it's more than a half-hour. Sometimes (for all practical purposes), it isn't AT ALL.

So back to the watch battery. Let's say I decide to take the late bus right when I get home from work (on my commute bus). Compelling question: What are my odds of getting home THAT NIGHT? To be honest, they're probably better than 90%. What would you decide to do if you had, say a 10% chance of not making it home? No, it's not huge, but remember - if you lose the bet, you DON'T GET HOME.

Well why don't you just get a friend to give you a ride? (I hear you thinking). Sure. And believe me, I do, all too frequently. It's just that there's this thing called schedules, and independence. Other people have busy lives, full of "small stuff" just like me, and they're dealing with it, albeit at a somewhat faster pace. When you ride the bus, one thing you learn very quickly is patience. Time is not money, time is molasses. My friends who help me on occasion know how deeply I appreciate it, because I'm always very certain to let them know directly or in some reciprocal way.

None of that can fully mitigate the fact that in a driving society, the non-driver (for whatever reason) is seriously disadvantaged (for example, why isn't it the law that ALL public roads in incorporated areas shall have sidewalks? A: Pedestrians are an unavoidable nuisance).

This all leads naturally to the (mostly self-imposed) transit fiasco I suffered over a recent weekend.

I'd been invited to my sisters' home in El Cerrito (SF bay area) - about 50-60 miles from my home in Stockton. The good news is I'm experienced at (most of) this trip. I know well that there's an Amtrak train that runs regularly (weekends) from Stockton to Richmond (a near stones throw from my final destination) - and it's way cheaper than driving would be (if I did that).

All I have to do is get myself from my home to the train station - on the other end, my sister will pick me up; but there's a catch. My sister and her partner have an obligation to tend to, very shortly after my train is scheduled to arrive - so if it's late, I'll need to get a cab. None of this represents any "transit stress" - I can certainly handle it, I assume. I've got my "trusty" cell phone with me (containing all the needed phone numbers, addresses, etc.) - the battery indicator says it's fully charged (and was, recently - do you hear the "Jaws" theme playing yet?)

Now, I'm really proud of myself that I've learned how to manage the Stockton (city) bus schedules like a pro. My train leaves at 9:00 a.m., so I'll take a 7:30 near my house to downtown, then hook up with an 8:00 that will take me directly to the Amtrak station well before my departure time. And indeed, it all goes off without a single glitch.

And Amtrak is in Stockton on time! This is going way too well to please Murphy.
I'm rolling along the Delta, toward the Bay Area, and my sister texts me asking how the trip is going (on time?) - I'm pleased to report back that everything looks like a "go".

Then, just past Martinez, the train (as trains sometimes do) comes to a full stop in the middle of nowhere. The pilot or captain or engineer or whoever it is lets us know we'll be losing about 5 minutes waiting on some freight train or something.

I decide it would be a good idea to let my sister know I'm probably going to be a bit late, and perhaps she could arrange the cab for me. I open up the cell phone to find the "sad battery" (flashing) logo (and an appropriate message). "Odd," I think, since it was showing full charge not 3 hours ago, and it's done nearly no work since. I change my mind about texting my sister and turn OFF my phone to conserve what little battery life may remain - for an emergency should it crop up.

Fast forward to my arrival in Richmond. The train is late as expected, and my sister is nowhere to be found. Not a problem. I'll just call a cab and give them the address I stashed in the cell phone. Phone on (phone off). Phone on (phone off). The battery is DEAD. My sister's address is new. So here I am at the Amtrak station in Richmond, no cell phone, don't know my sister's address (nor her phone number), and don't know another soul in the area who I could call (on a payphone). Nor did I know the number (in my phone) of an out of area person who could serve as a "relay".

So I reviewed my options. Then I reviewed them again. Just to be sure, I reviewed them a third time. Yep. I had exactly one.

There's a novel I've read; so long ago I can't remember either the title or the author, but it describes a sure fire method of finding anyone you're looking for (assuming they're ambulatory, etc. - and looking for you) - it's called the Advanced Theory of Search. It's actually the most recommended method if you're lost or injured in a remote area. The Theory in short: Stay Put. Since they're looking for you, moving around does you no more good (and can actually make you harder to find) than staying in one place - and it wastes energy you may need later.

So I made myself as comfortable as one can do on one of the lovely concrete benches in the parking lot waiting area, and hunkered down. I mused on the good news that it was neither raining, nor particularly cold or hot. I mused on how peculiar some people are who will drive up, stop, look like they're waiting for someone and then leave. I mused on the stupidity of someone who would travel without essential contact information written on paper (a resolution was submitted by this particular committee, and accepted in full by the Board of Directors).

Two hours later, the Advanced Theory of Search was empirically proven, and my sister showed up, full of the obvious questions and relating concerns of trains crashing, etc.

The visit was delightful, and the trip home, uneventful.

The point of writing the above is NOT to grumble and gripe about the lousy state of public transit (or the stupid state of people like me who'll rely on high-tech when low-tech would do the job better and more reliably).

No, the point is that this was a day in the life of a non-driver. As a non-driver, you are:

- At the mercy of transit schedules, whatever they may be.

- At risk of being stranded wherever you are.

- An expert at finding the nearest local watering hole (to bide the time, as appropriate).

- A victim of "Yellow Cab, Inc." - I'll say nothing else here.

- As patient as a librarian working the math-science section.

Am I obsessed with a need for vengeance on the system?Am I an activist seeking to make public transit humane?Am I just another pundit, seeking to make my living trashing public facilities?

No.

What I want to convey here is the sensibility, the understanding, that when someone doesn't drive, the world runs at a slower place. We take our time, and we get there when we do. Meanwhile, if we're savvy, we bring our necessities with us - always.

Hooch? We've got that!

It makes the wait much more endurable.

Criticize as you must. Wait 2 hours at the Richmond Amtrak/BART station. Now criticize again.

That's my point.

This is a very long post - if you've read it from beginning to end, I stand in awe of your persistence/patience. I do think it's done.

Peace,LifeWrecked (AKA Paul S)

HA Diary - Day Two - The Fun Zone

2008-05-31T21:21:00.000-07:00

Everybody has to visit their fun zone, now and then - and of course, a Saturday evening is one of the best times.

Mine is called "The Graduate" and it's in easy walking distance (a good thing, since I don't drive) from my home.

All day long, while doing my chores, I worked - in anticipation of visiting my fun zone - to get my right ear in shape (recall: fungus infection) to strut into my fun zone with both ears blazing.
I succeeded! With diligence of cleanliness, and some Tinactin cream, I beat that bully back to a NO SYMPTOM state!

I then engaged my new BTEs on the directional, noise canceling program, about half volume (like yesterday), and made my way down the boulevard.

It wasn't long before I met my first "customer" - a guy by a crossing light, wanted to borrow my cell phone for a quick call. It took about 3 tries for him to get through to me (at first, I thought he wanted money), but eventually I got that he only wanted to borrow some cell time (and he seemed to be willing to pay for it too - but I deferred).

So score about 50% for that one - not too good, but this guy had no clue he needed to work me.

So now, enter The Graduate - a blue collar bar & grill not far from where I live. I'm white collar by profession, but blue collar in personality, and so it fits me pretty well. I'm crazy about their rib-eye steak sandwich, which (if the right guy is on the grill) they do to perfection.

I won't claim "Cheers" here, but everybody behind the bar really does know my name. ;)

Dennis greets me in his usual fashion, and doesn't hesitate after a thumbs up validation to make me my fav (I'll leave that to your imagination).

I ask him - do you see them? (pointing at my ears)

"No!"

So I turn my head to show them.

He asks "So is it better?"

And I tell him the truth. I'll have to work it for awhile - I have a pretty good program set up - very directional - if I look right at you, I can understand you better, but most of the ambient noise is muffled.

Dennis has been one of my best allies (I guess he has good reason - I'm pretty good with tips ) in dealing with my hearing issues. He's been happy to go get my food orders for me when they call it over the intercom - it's always dicey whether I'll recognize.

Everyone goes to their fun zone for a reason.

My reason showed up about an hour after I got there.

Eva.

There she was, acknowledging me. I asked her the same question - see them?

"What?" (showed) "Oh, you got them already!" - Same questions, same answer, of course.

I should tell you a little about Eva. I strongly suspect that Eva is the Matriarch of a BFEA (Black Folks Escort Agency). I have no proof. It's just intuition. ;)

Eva is perpetually busy on the cell phone. Eva has long and winding and passionately crazy conversations on said cell phone (details, I can't know, but emotions, I can read well). Eva comes to the bar, drinks a few drinks, and then really has to go.

So why would Eva be a "reason"?

Eva talks to me. Eva doesn't mind that she has to repeat. Eva feels me out for a thought (repetitively if she must). Some people are good, even if they're not that good. 'Nuff said.

My score (hearing ) with Eva was about 75%. It's better than it was before BTE.

The TV I couldn't hear, but that's not unusual, even before I was HOH.

Eventually, I wound it down, and decided (before I got too stupid) to call it an evening. Back home I came, to write this entry into my HA diary.

Whatever you get from this, I'm glad you got it. :)

Paul S

Hearing Aid Diary - Day One - My First Experience

2008-05-30T21:47:00.000-07:00

Hopefully, this diary will help others who are new to the HA (hearing aid) experience - and keep my friends and family updated on my progress as well. My blogging friends are welcome to link to it.

Today, at 2:30 p.m., after a nervous 1 transfer bus ride across town (Sacramento) from work (nervous you would understand if you frequented city buses - the schedules of which can be somewhat unpredictable), I was greeted by my now familiar audiologist, and introduced to my first ever pair of HAs - Siemens Centra S BTEs (behind the ear).

My Audi recommended binaural (two aids) because to both of our surprise, my "thought dead" right was actually adding significantly to my speech recognition (SR), and so it's worthwhile to equip both.

To cut to an obvious set of questions, these HAs have the following features:

Fully digital, multi-programmable (I have 3 programs).
T-coil
Multiple microphones (directional and omni)
Automatic situational adjustment (volume and directional feature)
Learning: Will adapt each program to user volume preferences over time
Remote control of program and volume ("ePocket")
Tiny and nearly invisible! Front view in mirror astounded me - never expected that for a BTE!
External input (e.g., FM)
"e2e" wireless technology - volume/program adjustments for L/R can track each other (you can also defeat it)

Yes, Virginia, they ain't cheap. ;)

My audi had them set up beforehand with 3 programs: 1 - Good Days - omnidirectional limited volume, 2 - Noisy Environments - highly directional, 3 - Bad Days - full volume range, omnidirectional.

She spent about an hour with me, teaching, testing and (slight) tweaking - didn't want to tweak too much on the first visit, as there's much adjusting this 49 year old brain needs to do first. She promised we'll tweak more next visit, once I find my performance pattern on different kinds of days.

For my nearly dead ear, we'll eventually settle on a "fixed" program, once we find out what works best. The "variable better" L will stay dynamic, to account for that variability.

Ok, now for the important part - my hearing experience. Based on my first day, I'm guardedly optimistic - I did notice an improvement, but of course, it wasn't the perfect hearing experience everyone hopes for (and probably nobody gets). My SR with the audi definitely improved once I got the program and volume settings right. Too much volume, and my right goes nuts with distortion (as expected from experience with ALDs), but I can trim it to an acceptable point where my SR is quite good (today wasn't a particularly bad hearing day though - we'll see when I have a really bad one).

I was quite happy, though, when walking home from my bus stop, with my program set to 2 (noise reduction, directional), and the volume in the middle; neighbors doing the "howdy do" came through with almost perfect SR - and one of them was 20 feet away! If you knew what my normal experience is, you'd be as amazed as I was.

There's always gotta be one glitch, and this one is partly my fault (haven't gotten to the doctor yet) - I've got an annoying recurring fungal infection in my right, that I have to get taken care of before I can continue wearing the R HA. Audi insisted I clean the earmold with a magic pad she gave me on removal, and don't put it back in until the doc blows his magic powder in my ear and knocks the fungus out.

Well at least now I'm motivated to demand a fast appointment. :)

That's Day One!

Paul S (AKA: LifeWrecked) - Out.

My Personal Cell Tower

2008-05-24T10:22:00.000-07:00

Technology can wow us, sometimes - even those of us who've been hardened into cynicism by the constant barrage of glitz and hype.

I am currently "wowed" by an astonishing coincidence of techno-melding.

When I bought my 3G wireless router, my only intention for it was to break me free from the physical Ethernet cable on my laptop - I was thrilled that I could roam the whole house unhindered.

Enter now a difficult conundrum. My "ex" and I have been sharing a cell phone "family" plan - and stupid me, I'm the "payer" but not the "primary"! I'd finally had enough when she (apparently) lost her handset AGAIN (4x? 5x? I've lost count). I called up T-Mobile (our carrier) and told them I want out! Of course, since I'm not the account holder, they could do nothing for me. I'm not mad at them, but I'm not paying any more either. ;) So it's a new phone and number for Paul. Did it a couple days ago. T-Mobile I like, so I stuck with them...

I was happy when the gentleman offered me a free (with contract) Samsung t490. I like Samsung phones better than any Motorola (Nokia runs a close second). I had no idea I was about to have a really annoying issue with my cell service solved by happy circumstance.

T-Mobile, it seems, is now offering phones that include a "HotSpot @ Home" feature. This amazing phone will (after initial setup - I'm a security fanatic) automatically use my "Wi-Fi" router to connect through my broadband (DSL) to the T-Mobile network! In other words, my router just became a local cell tower!

I've been suffering for years with the fact that I live in a cellular "hole" (carrier doesn't matter). I'm sandwiched between concrete and chicken wire, and it's iffy at best to get a good cell signal here. So you can understand how happy I am - I've got as good or better connection (and it really works, folks!) as somebody standing right next to a cell tower would have. And the phone knows how to choose the best signal!

I post this for anyone suffering the "cellular blues" at home or at their business. I picked up my Linksys (Cisco) router for about $50 at Circuit City. My Samsung SGH-t490 was free from T-Mobile with a 2 year contract (easy for me, they're the best I've ever had, and I've had them all). It's a solution made in heaven, and it can work out in the big world too - all you need is a wireless network (open or not - of course, you'll have to set up "not").

Happy Digital Trails,
LifeWrecked (aka Paul S)

Science Watch: Microwaves - The Health Benefits of Clockwise Cooking

2008-03-16T08:56:00.000-07:00

It has long been understood that cooking food in a microwave can impart health benefits due to the polymolecular energizing properties of the microwave field. Users of microwaves have for years reported an increased appetite for convenience foods, more tolerance of children's whining for a snack, and better control of their coffee temperature.

It has also been known that the "turntable" version of a microwave oven enhances these benefits by increasing the electron spin of food particles (Lambda-F). What has not been clear is whether the direction of turntable spin in a microwave oven has any impact on the benefits so derived.

Now a new study by Einma Dipthschlicht, of the Swiss Council on Science and Ham has caused health experts worldwide to look at microwave cooking in a new light (particularly since the old one had burnt out).

Recalling basic microwave oven design principles, you may note that many of the more modern devices are capable of switching the rotation direction of their turntables automatically with each use. This advanced feature, which no doubt kept many engineers up late nights to develop, goes largely un-noticed by the general microwaving public. Dipthschlicht's study has broad impact on the best operating methods for these devices.

As it turns out, electron spin is subtly but profoundly influenced by the rotational direction of the turntable in the microwave field. This is evidenced anecdotally by users who report their coffee gets hotter faster when the table is spinning clockwise (orientation: looking down from the top of the device). While this observation remains un-tested empirically, Dipthschlicht's study lends it some credence.

Dipthschlicht's hypothesis is that the electron spin gained from the microwave field is either enhanced or attenuated depending on the rotational direction of the turntable. Clockwise rotation increases electron spin (since most food has positive spin in the first place). Anti- or counterclockwise rotation retards the electron spin, negating some (but not all) of the health benefits of spin.

So how can you use this information to your own benefit? Obviously, until manufacturers re-engineer their products for clockwise-only rotation, you'll have to use the "dummy food" method before starting each cooking session - to toggle the oven so it cooks your actual food in the clockwise direction.

What's best to use as "dummy food"? Generally a small (microwave safe) cup of water will be easiest. There's been no evidence found that the amount of time you cook the "dummy food" has any effect on turntable direction, so a second or two will do it. If you repeatedly re-use the same water, be careful, however, that you don't dispose of this water down the drain - please be sure to follow your local guidelines for correct disposal of hazardous waste.

Yours Basking in the Light of Science and Reason,

LifeWrecked

Guest Post: Diogenes - The Wire (response)

2008-02-07T09:47:00.000-08:00

A perfect description of the male "wire" and right on target as far as how men function. Some have minds capable of short circuiting that wire, some have strong value systems that play a part in that... but ALL are susceptible to lapses... in values, in standards, in mental acuity... call it "biological nature calling" that creates the short circuit. That's fine with me because it is the reality of life.

Now here's a reality from the female side (or the gay male side if that's your cup of tea). Any women has the capability of clicking the switch that creates that short circuit. And though they may not SCORE the one that they want, they can get satisfaction in knowing that at least for a split second they were able to put any man in a lapse condition. (Heterosexual males are especially unglued when a gay male knows how to push that switch and give him even for a second the thought that he MIGHT.... )

Now if you are a thinking man, you say but you have STANDARDS and you'd never get led down the thorny path by an old, wrinkled, fat, stupid, ugly, dirty, nasty, nagging,... whatever the words are... woman! And I'm here to tell you that you're wrong. The techniques of seduction of males are as old as history itself.... and the moaning of pleasured men! First comes an all consuming over one minute eye contact... where the male sees into the lusty soul of the female and knows she wants him lock stock and barrel. That's when he forgets to look any place but in her eyes as he sees his pleasure there. Then a simple lip licking will start the man's weighing his values against his pleasure. The intimate touch, even so simple as touching a hand when a cigarette is lighted... can start a man drooling! And the scent of sex on the fingers waved under the nose and a nibble on the ear... and a goodly number of men even forget they have a name!

A woman has a wire too... one that says make babies and get the best man you can for that. Strongest genetically and financially as you'll need help raising those kids. So most young females are very careful in using their powers to only go for a male that they feel will fulfill their destiny's needs.

The interesting part of the sexuality of humans is when the female is past the age of seeing sex as a procreation thing. Men are wired to be the sperm producer for procreation... and have their strength and drive early with a decrease every decade. However women are "cross wires"... as young women they have a flat minimal response rate. Then about age 40 their sexual drive increases dramatically and they can enjoy sex as great pleasure! At mid life a man best be very careful or he'll find himself worn out at a young age by having to tend and support a brood of kids. While a woman who has raised her children and has become financially independent is able to attract an increasing number of very grateful males of all ages.

Viva la Cross Wires! LOL

My friend, Tinnitus

2008-01-25T13:10:00.000-08:00

I'd like to introduce you all to one of my faithful friends, Tinnitus, or "Tinny" as I like to call him these days. Tinny has been at my side (right, that is) for about 40 years now.

In more recent times, Tinny's been expanding both his venue and his sonic repertoire - he now visits my left side often (while maintaining his vigilant guard of the right), and serenades me with both classical and modern musical compositions, overlaid on the steady "test tone" he's provided for me all these years.

Tinny's repertoire these days isn't limited to simple tones and music either. One of his favorite ways to entertain me on the left side is by challenging me to guess whether I'm hearing:

a) A refrigerator
b) A fan/ventilation system
c) A somewhat distant tractor
d) Muffled voices in another room
e) All of the above at once

Tinny is not generally an early riser, like I am, so usually I have to wait a few hours after waking until he starts his floor show. This I don't mind, since I know I can count on an entertaining day with my friend, and it's always fun trying to guess what "style" he'll use today. Of course, I can always stir Tinny from his slumber by exposing us to loud environments like a bus ride or a bowling alley. Then, being the good friend he is, he'll put extra effort (and volume) into doing his job well. He can also be roused by having an ENT poke around in my ear(s). Who wouldn't wake up if someone was rattling and banging in your bedroom?

One of the most interesting things about Tinny is that he accepts (musical) requests (when he's playing music). Sometimes, I must admit, I find his compositions rather droll - some of his favorites are endlessly repeating two, three, or five tone sequences. I've found that when I've had quite enough of a certain ditty, Tinny will take the hint, and accept my suggestions - with a little prodding. Fortunately for me, I have a vivid musical imagination, so I can "play" the melody in my head and Tinny will soon get the idea and start following along. It takes a little encouragement sometimes, but once he gets it, he'll be happy to play the song unbidden for many minutes, and sometimes even for hours.

Needless to say, it's not always chocolate and roses. Life with a professional noisemaker can be trying at times, particularly when I'd like to sleep, and as mentioned, Tinny keeps somewhat different hours than me. If he's feeling musical in the late evening, that doesn't really bother me much, as I'm musically inclined anyway - and I can often have my choice, as mentioned above.

However, if Tinny is feeling more "noisy" and less musical, and decides to try the guessing game (a-e above), sleeping can become a challenge. Good drugs (all legal, don't worry) are essential at these times.

Last night Tinny was on his mark with the noises, and while waiting for my 1-2-3-sleep combo to take effect, I'm ashamed to admit that I actually said this prayer:

Dear God, please give me nothing! I'll take totally deaf - I'll deal with it, whatever I have to do! Just give me some silent peace!

Well I don't know if God takes these sorts of prayers seriously, but I suppose I'll find out eventually. Meanwhile, it's me and Tinny, working out how to live together in "harmony".

Thanks for listening.

If you have a tinnitus story to share, please do feel free to comment!

LifeWrecked - out.

ICA: Times Change, Things End (sigh)

2008-01-25T12:30:00.000-08:00

It would appear that your Deacon has been abandoned here in the slumlands of central California! No more does http://worshipalcohol.com bring us the joy of learning and worshipping our beloved Stella Artois online! We are quite saddened by this recent discovery, but know that all is not lost! For though we may be scattered, our Holy Beverage Maker is not! Still in pubs and shops nearly everywhere, you can acquire sufficient quantities of Thy Holy Beverage so that you may remain an 'alshipper' in both flesh and spirt, in full communion with "God". You are hereby encouraged to lift a pint often to Thy Holy Beverage Maker, in honor of our departed Church, always remembering to recite the ICA sign of faith:

In the name of the Stella, and the Smirnoff, and the WKD, Beer bless you all!

The Feng Shui Experience

2008-01-17T19:51:00.000-08:00

OK, so every now and then I get the urge to blog, and it only happens, well, every now and then. :)

This coming weekend, I'll have a quite welcome guest in my house - my eldest sister, who may not know it, but she's been a guiding light to my mind and spirit. This is a special mission she's on - she's going to help me (begin) to "Feng Shui" the natural disaster of a triplex appartment I live in. It's a disaster for reasons you might guess from my earliest posts (it was our - my STBX and I - "living" quarters).

Now mind you, about Feng Shui, I know nada (in case you are in the same boat, here's a Wikipedia link for it: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Feng_Shui) - and no, I haven't read the whole thing, because there's quite a bit to it!

You may wonder (I sure would) how I, Mr. Skeptica Ecclectia would go in for something as mystically based as Feng Shui, and I'll explain it to you easy: I like how it looks! The most fundamental principle in it involves "eliminating clutter" - and gawd, I should show you the pictures here (of my clutter)! So any philosophy that says reduce, clear, clean, lighten, and minimize, is OK in my book! Do I buy all the philosophical/mystical arguments? I don't *care* about all the philosophical/mystical arguments if this place can be made livable again! They can be true, they can be nonsense, but I'm the sort who will happily accept whatever works better than what I'm doing now. And I've seen the results of applying the Feng Shui principles to a living environment, and my beloved Committee for Skeptical Inquiry slap me silly, I *love* those results!

So Feng Shui it will be, and no doubt I'll become the guru of it eventually. :) I do think I'll put the "before" (I already took those in detail, as my sister needed them to get a "lay of the land") and "after" pics on this blog in a future post - so stay tuned!

LifeWrecked - out.

A Taxi in My Back Pocket

2008-01-03T11:07:00.000-08:00

I decided yesterday to give the Jolly Yellow Giant (Yellow Cab) another try, and be doggedly persistent in telling them what's up and demanding service - this to get to my local CTAP office to get certified (Yes!!!) for a CapTel phone. The optimism was based on the fact that no standing appointment is needed at the CTAP office, so I wasn't time pressed (good thing, too - take a number). (CTAP is California Telephone Access Program).

As I expected, the first driver got lost seeking my tricky to find work location. I could see the cab wandering semi-aimlessly a distance from my waiting point, but they couldn't see me - people are smaller than cabs, and not bright yellow either. So deaf as I was, I called Yellow on my cell, and informed them that their driver was lost, and that I really need this ride, so don't let them give up!

Apparently, they sent a different cab driven by a lady who actually lives near the business park where I work (my starting point). She found me quickly, no problem (though some confusion with parking lot traffic so I had to chase her a little). Though I informed her I was HOH, she wanted to chat anyway, and worked patiently to do so - was interested in my hearing loss and related to the dizzies because she'd had an episode herself that went away on its own. Naturally, I gave her a good tip, and she gave me her receipt card with her cell number - something many drivers have done, but I've not had much success getting them to come on demand - particularly since using the phone is hard for me, and taxi drivers as a class are notorious for having accents from distant shores.

This morning, it occurred to me that I had never tried *texting* a taxi driver to arrange a pickup. It is, after all, a cell phone, and most these days are text enabled almost by default, whether the person cares to use it or not. Since I have an actual standing appointment for my CT scan tomorrow, (the same one the JYG caused me to reschedule from last week), I decided that the very worst thing I could get from trying was nothing, so I texted "Debra" (if I'm reading the scribble on her card right), to ask if she could accommodate my appointment, with appropriate details included.

To my happy surprise, she responded with one word - Yes. Two exchanges later (both "Yes" - Debra either doesn't text a lot, or is being reasonably prudent while driving ), and it's a done deal! Of course, I'll have to see the follow-through tomorrow (I'll be sending a reminder), and I know this won't work for me every time, as taxi drivers have lives and schedules too, but to the extent it does work, it's pretty neat to have a taxi in your back pocket!

- LifeWrecked

Deaf and Dizzy meets Dumb - Life Frustrations Amplified

2007-12-21T15:09:00.000-08:00

Here I am, back at my workplace, gradually getting less than mad as hell at no one in particular (Yellow Cab in general). Life was frustrating sometimes even when I could hear, and drive - now that I've landed myself outside of both of those option sets, my frustrations seem to be amplified, partly by my own denial - trying to act independent and competent in a driving, hearing culture.

The frustration today? I was *finally* scheduled to have my CT scan so my doc could get on with the process of diagnosing me so that maybe soon I can actually qualify for some of the assistance that I need. So it's a 20 minute cab ride from my office location, and I give "Yellow" an hour and a half lead - speaking to their dispatcher boldly and proudly through Sprint Relay. All set - 5 to 15 minutes, I'll be on the street...

Now yours truly is no stranger to taxicabs, busses, etc. - if there's one thing I'm an expert at, it's waiting on the street for same. Now I'm sure you can guess what happened (or more correctly, didn't happen). Mind you, the logic of calling Yellow back, and begging, didn't escape me, but consider my dilemma as my deadline approaches. I can't talk to them on the cell phone, I'll need Sprint again - and God help me if I go back inside to hook up, only to find my cab came while I was spending the 10 or 15 minutes it takes to get through a relay session with a taxi dispatcher (and that's if you *don't* have a problem). So I decided that my only realistic plan was to continue waiting until the last possible moment, and give up. So I waited, it was, and I did. Fortunately the folks at UC Davis (where my CT was scheduled) were the understanding sort, and they happily re-scheduled me for the 4th of January. Not bad, I can live with that.

NOW, my plan on January 4th :-) - I'm going to give Yellow a 3 hour lead, and see if they can handle that! Yeah, it sucks, and I miss work, and all that, but what is one to do when the monopoly (here in Sacramento) that is Yellow Cab can't serve me - for any price? There's probably a bus that goes (LOL) - and it's probably more reliable (this wasn't my first, nor my most costly issue with the Jolly Yellow Giant). My existential gripe today is about the daily grind - just trying to get through what should be the routine stuff of life - and my (sad looking, I suppose) refusal to wear the "disabled" label on my shirtsleeve. Ugh!

Since I'm on a grumbling roll, I might as well toss in the fact (explained in great detail, very clearly and slowly, on my home answering machine), that I can only be helped by the California Dept of Rehab if I *don't* have a job. So what I need to do now is take lots of these 5 hour excursions to 1/2 hour appointments in the middle of working days, so my employer will fire me, and then I can wave my disabled/unemployed flag and shout "no-fair! pay up!"

I hate it when I get cynical, but there it is. Ugly, but it keeps me entertained.

Thanks for "listening" ;)

LifeWrecked - Out.

Company Holiday Party - Bah Humbug!

2007-12-14T18:40:00.000-08:00

Warning: Disgusting display of narcissistic whining and self-pity ahead. Not recommended for the overly cheerful.

I fully expect a visitation from Marley's ghost (not Bob, the reggae artist - the Dickens character), and probably all three of his sidekicks, TGOCPst, TGOCPrs, and TGOCFut tonight, or some night between now and the Winter Solstice. They will no doubt have much to teach me about humility in the face of enforced social isolation. I hope they have strong, distinct voices, speak slowly, face me when speaking, and don't cover their ghostly lips.

Today we had the scaled-down version (from recent years) of our annual "holiday party" at my workplace. Scaled down for two reasons: WE (employees) are scaled down (our numbers have dwindled remarkably in the past year); and the giant multinational that owns us had decreed that all holiday parties henceforth shall not be held in any fun place, like a nice restaurant, a hotel bar, or a touristy apple farm in the foothills (all places our parties have been conducted in the past). In other words, no fun allowed.

This one was held where all our in-house gigs are held - a double-size (split partition) conference room, of the nice, modern, well-equipped, socially sterile variety. Credit to our local admin staff - they did have it catered, and the food was delightful. I'm sure I would have had a great time, had I been fully present, but of course, I wasn't, and didn't, though I tried very hard to keep reminding myself that I enjoy the company of my co-workers (perfectly true), despite not being able to understand a word they say.

Adult-onset Deafness is a silent killer - of spirits. I wanted so bad to relax and enjoy the camaraderie and laughter (all in plentiful supply). All I could do today was sit and smile. I felt cheated - not by my friends, but by this awful prison sentence of silence. Even though I can hear that people are talking, my discernment, at the moment is very near zero for normal speech. Sure, I can goad the people nearest me to help me out, and often will, but it’s still not at all like a normal, spontaneous group conversation. That's what I miss most - the freedom to catch someone's off the cuff remark, or follow a long-winded gag. Those freedoms have vanished for me. And yes, I'll be in the HA (hearing aid) crowd soon, but first I need to collect enough funds (state funding? - *please don't ask* - "You have a job, and we only help..."), and also let my doctors prove (CT scan coming) that I'm not in worse trouble than we think, and/or am curable.

It's in times like this that I know I need to count my blessings, so the first thing I'm thankful for is that I actually am able to consider it. I know some of us aren't. Part of my counting actually can start in that selfsame workplace - I do have many wonderful colleagues who go to great lengths to work with my hearing issues, and have plenty of compassion and understanding. I also have a bevy of the most awesome online friends (SWCers, that's you!) who totally understand what I'm feeling (and worse) from their own experiences. One of my major sanity anchors, right there. My family, who I've recently re-connected with after a long hiatus (future post, probably) is also very understanding and patient, and I know not everyone in my position gets that either. So, we see, I'm not really as socially isolated as I think, and the only thing that can make me lonely is the same thing it ever was (hearing or not) - I have to be willing to stretch myself socially (I'm an introvert by nature). In other words, welcome, Paul, to your own, personal - yet shared - version of humanity. We all get our turn, one way or another. I'm glad I have so many friends who'll listen when I take mine.

A happy and healthy holiday season to all!!!

[Note to Marley: Forget the chains - their message will fall on deaf ears ;)]

A Spam Bake

2007-11-10T08:41:00.000-08:00

The tab is there to open the can
The can is there to hold in the spam...

- Weird Al Yankovic ("Spam")

Every now and then, something triggers a memory, and my mind goes tumbling into the past; the sights, the sounds, and yes, the smells of my childhood.

One of my fondest memories is of my mom, working artfully in the kitchen, preparing our Christmas dinner. And what could be more appropriate and traditional for the season than a good old-fashioned spam bake?

Mom would carefully pry the key from its anchor on top of the can, and with an ease and a sense of purpose that only a wise, loving mother has, wind the little metal strip from the side to reveal the glorious, pristine contents.

Then, after removing the spam and scraping off the wonderful goopy gelatinous scum (I always begged for this, but mom said she had a better use for it - she never told me what it was though - I wonder why?) she would place the spam-loaf in the center of a pie tin, and garnish it with whole cloves.

And if it was for Christmas dinner, mom would top the spam with a brown-sugar and canned pineapple juice glaze - adding extra class to an already classy meal. Into the oven it would go, to bake at 350 for about 35-40 minutes. And oh what a smell on a Christmas afternoon! It was heaven, and every time I have a spam-bake, the smell of roasting spam reminds me of mom, and home.

Do you have a favorite holiday dish that reminds you of home? Add your own recipe in a comment!

The Wire - The Biological Imperative of Being Male

2007-11-07T19:30:00.000-08:00

If anything is likely to garner some comments (and not necessarily friendly ones), this post is probably it - because today, I'm going to discuss what I call "The Wire" - a metaphor, for sure, of the biological (genetic) imperative of being male, and (by definition) the difference in the "sexual agenda" of men and women. And no, I'm not going to try to rehash the "Venus & Mars" thing - it's already been beaten to death.

What I'm going to talk about here, is a simple fact of the human condition.

As I've mentioned in an earlier post, I usually bring up the subject of "the wire" with most of my female friends eventually (be they simple, "Platonic" friends, or otherwise). The startling thing, to me, is that even when I bring this one to the attention of women who are close to my age (middle, going on older), I'm surprised by their (apparent) ignorance of the subject, at least in terms of its etiology (the men I talk to are no better, so ladies, don't think I'm picking on you - it's just that I think women in general would be very well served by taking it to heart).

To save you the suspense, here's the metaphor: There's a wire, (think electrical, communication, etc.) from the "basal" part of a man's brain that runs unhindered to the sexual equipment (down below). Every person who has one Y chromosome (male) has it (the wire operates just fine guys, whether you are straight or gay). The wire is fed by inputs from the senses - particularly visual, but also tactile, olfactory, etc., all uh... six.

The purpose of the wire is a genetic/evolutionary one (yes, I buy evolution as a reasonable theory, if not a perfect science). Life wants more life. Genes want more like themselves, but some level of variation is helpful because a one-trick pony is always doomed eventually when environmental conditions change. The wire has evolved in the genetic code of the Y chromosome for the specific purpose of adding diversity to the (in this case, human) genome.

Here's a very important concept: The wire (and the genes that code for it) does not give a damn about the "happiness" of any person (male or female). It exists for the purpose of propagating a specific genome as widely as possible. In other words, it doesn't know and doesn't care (because genes can't "know" or "care"), for any human values. We are angels tethered to the Earth by our biology.

Now before anybody runs off the deep end here and thinks I'm trying to justify "anti-social male behaviors", relax, and give that one up. There is *no* excuse for bad behaviors (e.g., rape, misogyny, etc.), wire or no wire. The fact is, all males are (normally anyway) born with a genetically (and otherwise) sophisticated cerebral cortex, which is perfectly capable of overriding any and all signals imposed by the wire at any time it so chooses. It's *always* a choice, and this is one for (particularly younger) women to take to heart from (perhaps) the one man who will give you the truth straight - there's no such thing as a "need" for sex in men (with any imaginary mental or physical trauma of "starvation"). Men are interested in sex (and you might be surprised, ladies, at the loose criteria) because the wire tells them (unconsciously) to procreate. Remember biologically tethered angels. It's a choice.

Ok, all of the above said, why do I think this is important, particularly for women, to understand? It's simple - based on a lot of conversations I've had with women friends, it seems that they are often in the dark about the wire (metaphor though it may be). This is not surprising, given that people with two X chromosomes (female) have a *complementary but different* biological agenda than do males. The Y chromosome (males have one X and one Y, normally) was "invented" for the (primary) purpose of facilitating genetic diversity (there's some scientific evidence for that statement; I believe it completely). That's not the case for women. That's why *all* (I repeat for emphasis: *all*) males of sexual maturity, have the wire. Meaning: All men who "experience" (any of the senses) an "attractive" (normal) member of the "trigger" sex (remember, it works for gay men too), will have a fully active, signaling wire - in *all* cases. The only difference in *result* lies with the activity of the cerebral cortex. A man can be trained not to react; a man can decide not to react; a man (if not ill) will *always* have the biologically determined signal - on the wire.

Men who read this: Go ahead, tell me it ain't so. I dare you.

Again, why should *women* take this to heart? Because it will always color your relationship (non-specific meaning of that word) with *any* (heterosexual) man, to some degree, even if only slightly. It is inescapable. Before said man can have a socially (or otherwise) equal relationship with you, he *must* consciously choose (at least sometimes) to override the wire. The fact is, depending on your *real* (social) agenda (ladies), you can either assist him in doing that successfully, or (quite frankly) make it as difficult as hell. No, there is never any excuse for bad behavior by men. There's also no excuse for insensitive behavior by either sex. Nuff said there (here comes a fight).

My case here is best served by a recent example of a conversation in which I explained this concept to one of my female friends (light friendship - all I'm willing to engage in, currently - see earlier posts). My friend was "venting" to me about a mutual friend (male) whom she "suspects" has a "hidden agenda" other than mere friendship. She wants to know (two things, actually); a) Do I think he does (have a side agenda)? and b) Is there something she's doing (wrong) to give him ideas?

My answer is: a) Yes, of course he does, honey, and b) No, not unless *being an attractive woman* is some sort of mean-spirited act. Honey, *I* have a (apparently) "hidden agenda", since it's a BUILT-IN FEATURE OF BEING MALE! (sexual preference notwithstanding).

The only thing you might want to be concerned with in a situation like that (my friend) is to make sure you stick very firmly to your personal boundaries (whatever they may be). If you do that, (and he doesn't get plain stupid) then no, there's nothing "wrong" with anybody. It's the biological thing - you won't escape it. You (my friend) don't have that trouble with *me* because I am consistently and constantly choosing to avoid getting into any intimate/romantic relationships right now because that's simply safer for me. Would I happily jump your bones in a hot New York minute if that (or some other personal boundary - there can be many) weren't the case? Well of course!!! It's biology, baby! The cycle of life, and all that. I can no more 'not have the feeling' than you can choose not to have your monthly cycle. It's what we *do* with our feelings that really counts, isn't it?

Thing is, we (as in I) go around thinking stuff like the above is just common knowledge. My friend was (carefully - she really likes me) shocked. I could tell it was big news to her, and here I was surprised she didn't know it. Ladies. Know it. Also know that there is *nothing* you can do to control it or make it go away, and there's not a man born (healthy) who doesn't have a viable functioning wire - so if you're waiting for your "Mr. Right" who's (general-purpose, BTW) wire is specifically tuned to you - forget it honey, give it up. It doesn't exist. They will *always* look. Looking isn't acting, it's just looking. Again, we are *trainable* (in terms of behavior - *NOT FEELING*), so there's hope for you yet.

- LifeWrecked - Out.

The Ghosts of the Living

2007-10-18T11:50:00.000-07:00

Halloween makes me think of ghosts.

There are ghosts of the living everywhere.

How could the living have ghosts? It's easy. They just need to be gone from your life for good. That, after all, is what makes a ghost a ghost. Death is one way, but not the only one - all that really matters is they're gone, and you'll never see the actual (corporeal) person again. But something remains, does it not? Something that is utterly invisible, but more real in some ways than the chair you're sitting in. That something is their ghost.

You'll meet ghosts often, at first, when the person is newly gone. The meetings can go something like these (thoughts):

"Wait until ______ hears about this!"
"Maybe I could ask ______ - they'd know"
"I'd better include ______ in my cc list on this e-mail"

These ghosts, of course, evaporate into the ectoplasmic void as soon as you realize the actual person is no longer present.

I'm pretty certain (or my pride likes to hope) that I'm a ghost to at least a half-dozen folks, who for one reason or another will never pass (in reality) through my life again. Friends and relations I've lost contact with over the years - and worse, who probably wouldn't recognize me (personality) today. My younger self is actually a ghost of mine - he's not dead, but he's definitely not coming around again. Think "Phaedrus" of "Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance" (Robert M. Pirsig, 1974), and you've got the general sense of that ghost.

These ghosts can give you some trouble, and cause various unproductive mental states, but believe it or not, they're not the worst, and certainly not the spookiest.

There's another kind of ghost I'm quite familiar with, but I'm not sure if it's a common one for others. This is the ghost of someone who has never lived, outside of my imagination. In a way, this could be said to be a ghost of (part of) myself. I'm not sure everyone sees them, because I'm pretty sure not everyone has the vivid imagination I possess. There are, however, some interesting, albeit spooky, aspects to this sort of ghost. These aspects are all entirely subjective/anecdotal on my part - if you have such ghosts, yours may very well be entirely different in aspect. I can't possibly know.

Probably the spookiest thing about them, is that although I never expect to actually see them (visual, "corporeal"), I actually do get that opportunity from time to time. Always as a stranger, on the bus, walking down the street, anywhere at all. Broad daylight doesn't matter to these ghosts. The tricky part is I'm never expecting to see them, so when I do, it's pretty "dumbfounding" and the simple reality test of speaking with the person is frightening in the extreme. So far I've never overcome that fear. Mind you, this is nothing like an every day experience. I'm talking maybe a few isolated times in my 48 years. These ghosts feel very "real", but they're rare, for me, anyway.

Funny though - my personal ghosts aren't "haunting" - they're hauntED. Nothing about their appearance is particularly startling except for the eyes. These are people who desperately need to tell somebody something - something really deep and important - if only someone would ask, and actually listen. It's in their eyes.

The other day, coming home from my initial session with my divorce attorney, I wondered if any of my fellow bus riders were experiencing me as such a ghost. To say the least, I was feeling about as haunted as I've ever felt in my life. I had just been presented with the hard reality of the process I'm about to go through, and the "best" likely outcomes for me financially (not too pretty, even in modern, "liberated" times). Dreams die a very hard death, and that day I had a quiet, business-like funeral for a dream. I felt like a ghost.

Culture Shock: Romance and Confusion in the International Age

2007-10-07T13:14:00.000-07:00

No question - the world is shrinking, and the Internet is probably one of the main causes. In sum, I think this is a wonderful thing, particularly the effect of having ordinary folks, not just the wealthy or political leaders, making inroads in communication and cooperation internationally.

It's now technically as easy for me in California, USA, to have an "instant message" chat with someone sitting in Ghana, Africa as it is to talk to my next door neighbor (it's also very nearly as free). Emphasis on the word "technically" - and therein lies the rub.

All the technology in the world (even if we eventually have a breakthrough in language translation), won't address the issues I've recently encountered in talking with some potential romantic interests in that (same) African state. Although language is an issue, cultural differences are a bigger one, and are particularly relevant in terms of conducting the "art"/"science" of romance.

Admittedly, trying to get to know someone online well enough to even consider them as a romantic interest (I'm 48, and have more stringent and holistic criteria than the average 25 year old), is quite the task in itself, irrespective of any cultural issues.

Put a cultural divide in the mix, and you can almost literally have a three-ring circus, chat style.

Put Ghana on the map. All three (yes, that's 3) contacts I've made in the last month (Singlesnet) from that very country are amazingly similar - not so much in appearance (photos), but in terms of lifestyle and general attitudes about male-female relations. (BTW, all of them live in the U.S., according to their SN profiles). I'm really starting to get a strong sense that what I'm up against in a lot of my attempts to communicate my reality to these folks is not nearly so importantly language issues as cultural ones.

You see, I have this thing, (lately) of not being the least bit interested in hooking up (romantically, sexually, whatever you want to call it) with anyone who is not willing to take the time (months, if not years) to get to know who I am - *most importantly* all my weaknesses, faults, excess baggage, etc. *Of course*, the 30-something African princesses in skimpy shorts and tank-tops "fire my wire" - (these days, I usually end up explaining "the wire" to all my female friends - they don't want to believe it exists - it's utterly real, and every male human being (orientation/GI is just that) has one - I might do a blog post on it someday - keep watching).

The trouble is, (apparently) in their culture, or their (3x!) upbringing, or something (sigh), "love at first (sight)" isn't an "option," it's an inviolable romantic rule of thumb. The ensuing fantasy "relationship" (one-sided, believe me), is nothing if not insane. And it actually hurts. Why? Because in that (fantasy) relationship, *I* do not exist! "I" am a dream, a wish, a pleasant thought to sleep on. I also get this funny feeling that the purpose of this fantasy is to escape (literally) something. Which also makes it just plain tragic - cuz it ain't happening, honey.

The related trouble is that no (real, almost brutal!) effort on my part to shake the person from their fantasy by foisting my (partly ugly) reality on them is useless. See my last post on this blog for one failed attempt. Twice now (2x people), I have simply given up, and it's no more talk for me. How sad!

All of the above not withstanding the potential for this golly rot to be a (somewhat sophisticated, but useless on me) scam attempt (other posts of mine describe one I think was genuinely that). Makes for a cross-cultural nightmare.

So why do I even do it?

Why ask why? Why am I human? Why do I need friends and lovers and family and co-workers and the roughly 150 people who can fit in my "monkeysphere" (again, Google it, and/or visit the "Interesting" link on this very blog if you're curious)? Why am I a dyed-in-the-wool cynical skeptic, and an incurable romantic at the same time? And why do I think the only *right* social attitude is a universally inclusive one? Beats me. If you have a clue, (or even if you don't) feel free to comment.

Love Professed - The 20 Question Test

2007-09-30T13:01:00.000-07:00

People (Women, especially) who profess to love me, or "be in love" with me, would do well to answer the following 20 questions about the *real* me. Why I suggest this, is because if what you love about me is based on some fantasy that you have, we're not going to get very far in any kind of committed relationship.

All of the information you need to answer these questions is either available on my blog:

http://thelifewreckblog.blogspot.com/

and/or if I've sent you this test in e-mail, I've already made it clear to you in plain English - and if English is not your cup of tea, we've still got a deep issue to overcome (albeit if only in terms of communication).

Answer the following to the best of your ability (you're welcome to look it up if needed).

If you refuse to respond appropriately to this test, then clearly you do not know me / understand me well enough to "love" me, and your efforts to convince me of same are pointless indeed.

I will not enter a deep relationship (beyond a simple friendship) with anyone who refuses to know the real me - if only to the point of what I'm willing to share publicly.

You are welcome to be as elaborate (lengthy) in your answers as you wish. If you can get close to expressing the reality of who I am (as publicly presented), that is all that counts.

Here we go...

1. What is my significant physical disability/challenge today?

2. What is the most painful aspect of the above disability/challenge? In other words, what bothers me the most about it?

3. (Easy one) How old am I?

4. What is my current marital status (please be very specific)?

5. Why do I appreciate my current marital status as a positive thing?

6. What is most significant about my current financial situation. Again, please be as specific as you can.

7. What is my favorite alcohol beverage (evidence of this is clear on my blog - feel free to look)? [Important! - This has changed recently! - see my comment (this post) as of 10/3/2007]

8. What is my favorite general area of interest (as evidenced by the "Other Sites I Like" section of my blog)?

9. Why do I have a blog? (You can use my own words, expressed clearly there)

10. What city in California, USA, do I work in?

11. What city in California, USA, do I live in?

12. Essay question - Purpose - learning your general attitudes about me, my sense of humor, my oddities, etc.: Why do you think I find the blogs/web sites in the Interesting Blogs/Sites section of my blog "interesting"? (You don't have to actually visit the sites to answer this one well). Please be as thorough as you can with this one - I'm not an easy bird to capture. :)

13. Free question that gets you extra points for real thought (hollow compliments don't work well): If you could use one word to describe my core personality, what word would you use?

14. What's the most usual form of transportation I use? (e.g., to go to work, shopping, etc.)

15. What's the 2nd most usual form of transportation I use?

16. I recently gave up something most people (in the USA anyway) consider a necessity in their lives. What was it?

17. Why did I give up the thing in #16?

18. Do I now regret giving up that thing (#16)? Why or why not?

19. Do I believe in God (omnicient, omnipotent creator of all that is)?

20. Who and/or what is "Tovy"? :)

Thanks for taking my little test (if you did). Please understand; the point of this test is not to put you "on the spot", or judge you in any way. The point of it is that I truly believe that no one can really love me unless they know who I really am. And that is a very complex thing - it doesn't happen overnight, and no, it isn't as easy as reading a blog - but that's a good start, because I'm making every effort to be as real, and open, and honest about all my issues, thoughts, feelings, stupidities, ad nauseum on there.

So take this in the quasi-cynical tone it's meant, enjoy it if you can, and when you decide you're "in love" with someone (whether it be me or not), take my advice, and *slow down*. If you've got time to love, you've got time to love for *real*.

Paul S - AKA LifeWrecked

The Challenge of International Relations

2007-09-29T16:21:00.000-07:00

Talk about presidents doing (or not doing, as the case may be) diplomacy. How do you conduct a new friendship (possible "relationship") with someone whose primary (secondary, tertiary...) language isn't English?

Singlesnet is *clearly* an international forum, but then again, profiles are un-verified, so a lot of folks from foreign lands will represent themselves in their profiles as living in various U.S. locations. Case in point: Ghana, Africa (Iowa, USA). Yes, I know - another Ghanan Paul? Africa is the latest hotbed of scams, you know - well, I'll let you know. :)

Trouble with this one is, English is a good trick. I'm learning to keep it very simple, but still, it's hard, and I can't help but be reminded of my deaf days. I identify with my contact - she's struggling to understand me, and respond appropriately, just as I struggle to understand hearing folks when they talk to me a mile a minute. Parallels are everywhere.

Different culture too. Apparently, in Ghana, when a man talks to a woman, that's it - they might as well get hitched next week. :) Needless to say, I'm keeping very tight boundaries on this one. ;)

Pleasant thing, in many ways, ;), but very young for me, in more ways than one. I'm in the mode of "friend for far away oppressed, lonely person who's needing outside contact so she can muster up the courage to take the reigns of her own life." I can be that, and that only, no problem.

The language thing is a doozie though. Same for all of us. I am what I fear. How about that?

Collateral in the Dirt Wars - The Attack of the Leaf Blowers

2007-09-27T12:13:00.000-07:00

This morning while walking to catch my connecting bus in downtown Sacramento, I was given the all to familiar opportunity to enjoy a "dust bath" - two gentlemen armed with high-power leaf blowers were kicking up a literal dust storm on the sidewalk. Though when they saw me coming, they did throttle-down and lower their weapons, it was far too late. With the air being relatively calm, the menacing cloud of grit enveloped me as I did my best to hold my breath while accelerating my pace and attempting (hopelessly) to shield my eyes.

Later, on the bus, after my eyes stopped watering, I pondered yet again the unanswered question that has plagued me ever since I started my "bus walks" as I like to call them. The question, in its simplest form: Who's dirt is it anyway?

Here's the deal - the sidewalk is dirty, I get that part. So blow the dust out into the street. Now the street is dirty (the sidewalk on the other side, too). Here come cars and trucks and buses, (other people's leaf blowers...) Wind. Now the sidewalk is dirty again. If I ever want a career with perfect, eternal job security, I think my search is over.

All I really want to know - and I do encourage comments on this one - am I the only one who thinks this method of "sidewalk maintenance" is nuts? I know they're doing it this way (probably) because there's an ordinance against doing it with water (air vs. water, hmmm... breathe vs. drink... hmmm....)

Ah, the things life begs us to ponder...

Sad is Not Depressed - What is Love?

2007-09-26T22:10:00.000-07:00

The Problem.
The Gift?
I see it and know it.
Everywhere.
Everyone.
Yes, woman compels.
But man is there too.
Sad - I know. I know.
I know so much.
Silence.
A shroud.
Presidents.
Yes, Presidents.
Decisions.
Alone.
Sad.
Bag Lady.
Negotiates.
Succeeds!
Sad.
Pinch my fingers tightly.
I'm just that far today.
Again, I do.
Nothing else.
What to do?
Nothing.
Built-in.
Sad.
Lively teen.
High on life.
Talking for it's own sake.
Lonely teen.
Listens, nods.
Grateful there's contact.
What a bus ride.
Watching.
If only you knew.
What?
Barriers.
Sad.
We will know We.
Or know nothing.
Sad?
And my friend in Accra.
Speaks English, almost.
What a beauty.
And so distant.
I go deaf.
She goes clueless.
Online.
Sad.

Not depressed.
Just Sad.

Dangerous World - Life in the Singles Lane

2007-09-22T18:49:00.000-07:00

Scammers are everywhere. Funny. The last place I would've thought to beware of a money con probably should have been the first place. Lonely singles, seeking their "other" on Singlesnet. The good news - I'm 48, and if you've read my other posts here, you know, I've been around the block and back again. I didn't get burned. But holy s**t, did I come close - and I worry for the next mark.

"all_about_love" was the screen name. Should have been "all_about_your_money". Sweet thing, theoretically female (I really don't know - can't know online), mom and dad both died early, all alone in "ghana" (Africa, for the geographically challenged). Understands my current plight completely (but honey, look at my blog, look at my blog, look at my blog - thank God, "she" apparently didn't, and didn't capture my e-mail address either).

Next day (YM chat) "she's" waiting. Been up all night, thinking about "something I want to discuss with you". Really? Gosh, one chat. When women want to have a "discussion," it's
usually serious. Uh, we ain't serious yet. :*)

Do tell. "You promised you would do absolutely anything to help me, right?"

Uh, [*really*], uh, no! Think... You must have been talking to someone else, but of course, I'm friendly, so if am *able* to help you with something, I'll surely try!

Now I can't even fully relate the rest of the "story"... It's so convoluted - but the upshot is that girlfriend needs up to $1300 in *cash* (US$) to secure $190,000 that *I* (theoretically) would get to manage, and "why don't you tell me how much can you help me with?"

Mind you, I've chatted with this person *once* before. We're already asking for money. This relationship is going well. :*) Anybody besides me smell a rat?

I called girlfriend's hand. I won't go into details here, but suffice it to say that there was nothing left to say ("she" got very silent in a hurry).

YM Friends List: all_about_love removed. Yahoo mail: removed. Interestingly, all_about_love Singlesnet: member does not exist. Naturally. I actually liked "her" after the 1st chat. That's how close it came.

Good thing I'm essentially broke anyway (one of the things I mentioned when I called the game - "...I'm not a good mark, honey").

Scammers are everywhere. Be careful people. They play on your weakness. Think you don't have one? Good luck to you.

-LifeWrecked

Blessed When I Hear You, Blessed When I Don't

2007-09-16T07:25:00.000-07:00

It occurred to me, when e-mailing a friend the other day, that I haven't yet posted on my blog my "hearing history" - how I came to be a HOH/Late Deafened and sometimes dizzy spin guru.

I've always had some trouble with my right ear, since I was a young child (about 9 or 10). It developed a lot of tinnitus (ringing), and progressively became almost useless for hearing. Nobody back then knew what it was; my doctor just called it "early deafness".

The good news then, of course, was I had one perfectly good ear, so although the tinnitus was maddening (I eventually learned to ignore it), I wasn't seriously impaired, and had no problems communicating.
This situation lasted most of my adult life, until December 2005, when I started having periodic severe dizzy spells (not faintness, dizzy like if you just got off the tilt-a-whirl ride). I eventually saw an ENT doc (ear, nose throat specialist), who listened to my history and my current symptoms, and said "You have a classic case of Meniere's syndrome."

Huh? (never heard of it before) Well the long and short of it is it's an inner ear fluid imbalance (as far as they know), and the prognosis is periodic bouts of declining hearing, eventually leading to functional deafness in many cases. The dizzies are also related to the fluid imbalance (since the gizmo that keeps you upright is part of the inner ear).

The good news is that the doctor has managed to bring my dizzies under control fairly well with a diuretic (water pill) that he says I'll probably need to be on all my life.

The hearing in my left ear is a different story, and for the last couple years, it's been declining in waves of bad days and good days, with the bad days slowly eating away the quality of the good days. I'm not using a hearing aid yet, but I do sometimes need an assistive listening device (a little hand-held amplifier with earbuds), and I also use an amplified phone both at home and at work.

On my worst days, even the amplifiers don't work for me, so I feel really blessed that I live in an age of alternative communications - e-mail, instant messaging, cell phone text messaging, chat services, and voice-relay services where an operator translates typed text to voice & vice-versa for phone calls.

I also feel blessed because my dizzies (even though under better control, they still occur from time to time) eventually brought me to the decision to surrender the car keys for good. I no longer drive - and yes, Virginia, it's a blessing! [Side note: Plan on being likewise blessed in the not too distant future - the madness can't continue forever.]

Not driving means: 1) I never get high blood pressure from a traffic jam. 2) I can get anywhere I need to be from anywhere I am because I *had* to learn how. Need makes for quick learning. 3) I never feel "hopelessly stuck" anymore (because my car broke down, or whatever), owing to #2. 4) If you add up your car payments, insurance, gas, license, and repair bills, I'm sure I don't have to tell you how much better my cash-flow situation has gotten (mega-debt not withstanding). 5) Though I'm no athletic prize winner, and God help you find my pecks or gluts :), I have a lot more stamina these days because I do lots of healthy *walking*.

Real blessings can come in funny looking packages.

- LifeWrecked

Begging - Starbucks Style, and Other Musings

2007-09-13T22:19:00.000-07:00

Nearly every weekday, these days, I visit a Starbucks in downtown Sacramento, while waiting for the commuter bus that takes me back home to Stoctkon. I do this not because I'm particularly enthralled with the place, but in the summertime, especially, it's a wonderful 20-25 minute hangout because they have *the best* air conditioning in the city. I almost always order the same thing (so much so that the barristas often start making it the minute they see me walk in the door) - a decaf iced latte ("tall" the small one) - all of $2.65 plus a tip because of the aforementioned clairvoyant service. :) I consider it the rental fee for 20-25 minutes of air-conditioned bliss - particularly when it's 95-102 outside.

So there I am, today, at my favorite table (closest one to the A/C vent), and I wouldn't mention this, but it's actually the *second time* it's happened to me in less than a week. A person who's clearly had a rough life walks up to me, (today, forced to negotiate my "rain but near monsoon" hearing weather), and asks me if I COULD BUY THEM A COFFEE. I kid you not. Begging has reached new heights of optimism. No longer are folks just begging for "food", oh no, now it's a Starbucks coffee - the most expensive cup of Joe on the planet. No dumb bunnies here!

Now, I'll tell you the truth - even though I had to make this poor guy work for it, I dismissed him. It's not that I'm not compassionate, and that I don't care, and it's not that I just couldn't do it either (he did get a pretty lady to take care of it for him mere seconds later). It's just that, well, folks, c'mon, it's ***Starbucks***. It's yuppie heaven. Nobody who cares about saving a buck or two goes to ***Starbucks***, do they? Well, I guess I stand corrected (twice! it was an old lady the other day). Apparently, that's the latest thing to go begging for. ***Starbucks***. Sorry, it just throws me. I'm used to giving dollar bills to the guys that ask could I help them out with change at the bus stop. I'm not used to financing a beggar's high-end caffeine addiction (even though I know where my buck at the bus stop is likely going). Ok, off the stump, Paul. :)

In other news, last night I did something totally foolish and out of character for me - I signed up (and it ain't free, either) as a member of Singlesnet.com. What do they say about the luck of fools? It wasn't 10 minutes, and I hit the profile of 41 and "hard of hearing" (and incidentally, drop-dead gorgeous - but don't worry, that's only incidental). Several e-mail exchanges and an evening YM chat later, and I've got yet another new friend. Romance, who knows? I always make a point these days to let it be known that yes, I'm an incurable romantic, but that I'm much more circumspect with my distribution of same these days. Friends first, that's' my motto now. :) Worst thing that can happen is I end up with lots of friends. Horrible thought, ain't it? :)

I couldn't wrap up a post tonight without making a statement of sorrowful disgust at the plight (in recent news) of one Megan, a young woman who was brutalized beyond belief by a cadre of evil monsters, apparently as punishment for the "crime" of being born black. Talk about a wrecked life. I stand blessed and painfully aghast. Make no mistake people. If we, collectively, hold anything but outrage against this evil, it will surely consume us all. My prayers (and I don't pray easy, truth be told) are with Megan, her family and friends. Let her somehow find peace and strength beyond the painful madness she endured. It could have been any one of us, or our children. It will be, if we remain complacent.

If you don't yet know the story, it's easy enough to find on the net.

Yours in a mix of humility and and blessings, perspective appropriately adjusted...

-LifeWrecked

As Barriers Crumble, Friendship Thrives

2007-09-08T17:50:00.000-07:00

(Another Advantage of a Wrecked Life)

Strange. You would think having your life wrecked would be isolating; depressing, lonely. You'd be right at one level - when I choose to sit squarely on my pity-pot, it's as lonely as you might imagine. The good news is I've never been one to sit on a pity-pot for long.

By nature, I'm a dyed-in-the-wool introvert. http://www.theatlantic.com/doc/200303/rauch?r
This doesn't mean, BTW, that I'm shy. People sometimes confuse the two personality traits; they actually aren't related. Introversion simply means I focus my ego on myself, and how my behaviors affect others (and hence, how they react to me). Extroverts tend to be focused on the world (and people) outside themselves, and if folks react to them badly, they assume the problem resides in those folks (rather than themselves - which may very well be true).

One of the wildest (to me) advantages of my wrecked-life situation is that I have become willing to just "spill the beans" as it were, to anybody who's patient enough to listen (hence this blog). As a "consequence", it turns out I'm making new (and some quite deep!) friendships at a (relatively) prodigious rate, compared to earlier times when my life was "hunky dory".

Why? My hypotheses are that a) Everybody has "issues" of some sort or another; b) Most people deeply appreciate honesty (e.g, "spilling the beans") because it entails "trust given" and hence reciprocity (in trust) is easier and safer. Also, of course, there's my changed attitude which lets me trust - I sense that I have little (left) to lose in the "transaction"; It's just easier to let it go, and if people run away, so be it - but some stay, and then mutual trust and friendship happen almost like magic.

So, am I recommending that you go and get yourself a Wrecked Life so you can have "little (left) to lose..." and therefore gain lots of wonderful new friendships? Nope. I strongly suspect there's a shortcut. :*) It's called *risk*, and it's scary, for sure, but it pays big dividends when it works (and at least half the time, it does work!)

Stepping out to the broader sense, methinks a willingness in people (in general) to risk and trust is going to soon be essential to our survival as a species (maybe even the whole biosphere). I'm not a doom and gloom prophet, but bad things are happening to our freedoms, our country, our planet. We're going to need to be really good at *listening* (funny - I'm pretty much deaf these days, but you know what I mean) to each other, and responding with compassion. My personal wreck is but a metaphor for the wreck we, together, may become, if we don't come together on the important issues. 'Nuff said. Weird - I actually care.

- LifeWrecked

City Bus Riders' Code of Ethics

2007-09-05T13:36:00.000-07:00

Based on actual observations

by LifeWrecked

1. Be respectful of the homeless - the bench you're sitting on may be their bed.

2. If, while waiting at a bus stop, someone comes along and asks you if bus #(n) (not yours) has gone by yet, be kind to them and tell them you just got there (whether you did or not), and you haven't seen it (whether you have or not). It isn't polite to dash people's hopes with reality (whether you know what that is or not). Besides, their bus will probably show up before yours anyway (see Murphy's Bus Law below).

3. Avoid laughing at the passenger who just got on the bus wearing clown hair (pink, green, chartreuse, or various combinations thereof). Remember that everyone is born with some genetic defect, whether obvious or not.

4. Always be polite to your bus driver. After all, you're riding the bus because it's your last hope. They're probably driving it for the same reason. You can't have too many friends with wheels when you're living on the cheap.

5. Bus drivers really like surprises, so be sure to wait until the bus is five feet from your stop to ring the stop bell. The rest of the passengers will also appreciate the opportunity to re-organize their carry on stuff (purses, grocery bags, etc.)

6. Lose the fantasy that your bus driver is a mechanic, rocket-scientist, chief-of-police, sanitation engineer (garbage-collector), or priest. See #4 above. Why would they be driving you around if any of those things were true?

Useful Definitions

1. Bussneck (bus' nek): A tendency for one's neck to be twisted left (and difficulty looking right). Caused by constantly looking left hoping that the bus is coming. Note that this condition may be reversed in some countries.

2. Optimistic: The person who gets on the bus and has to rummage around in their pocket/purse for the fare. Also refers to the person who attempts to negotiate the fare with the driver.

3. Tanning Salon: A "bare" bus stop - no bench, no overhang, no shade/protection of any kind. See also: Automatic People Wash.

4. Busspass (bus pas'): What happens if you don't move fast enough or look desperate enough when the bus is coming.

5. Door of Hope (2-door buses only): At your destination stop; the door the really slow moving person isn't headed for. Note that at your boarding stop, this door does not exist.

6. MyBizizYourBiz: The bus rider who likes to use their "walkie-talkie" cell phone (nice and loud) so everyone can enjoy both sides of their personal conversation.

7. Out of Service: Full. Alt: (driver) avoiding un-desirable clientele.

8. On Time: Any time no earlier than 1 minute before scheduled arrival. No limit on time after scheduled arrival.

9. Self-entertaining: The crazy/loaded person who has determined that you alone, among all 10 or 12 people waiting for the bus, "understand".

10. Groucho Marx: The guy at the bus stop who asks you for a light (and you don't smoke), when there's another person standing three feet away from you, smoking. When you tell him no, he approaches that other person, asks for a light, and then asks for a cigarette.

11. Gag Factor: The likelihood of multi-passenger asphyxiation due to someone boarding the bus with extra strong perfume/cologne/aftershave.

12. 4-Alarm Bathing Emergency: When a passenger who clearly hasn't bathed in a month boards the bus. Often this will prompt the driver (thankfully) to drive with the doors open (if the doors aren't interlocked). If not, walking begins to look like a viable option if it isn't more than a couple miles to your destination.

13. Murphy's Bus Law: When you arrive at your boarding stop, your bus will be the last one of those of all the passengers who are waiting (or who arrive in the 10 minute period after you) to show up. This is irrespective of any published bus schedule.

14. BegWitchery: A female beggar (or a male, if you're female, or, - well never mind...) who is clearly a) more affluent then you, b) so young and good looking you can't bear the thought of the word "no", c) only needs a quarter to ride a $2.00 bus, and d) apparently isn't catching said bus at your stop.

15. DontKnowButThinkImGlad: At the bus station, waiting in the bus for the driver to get back from coffee break. There's a young man in front of you who is looking around apprehensively, as if searching for someone (or hiding there from). About 5 minutes later, he gets up, peers out the window with a terrified look, and bolts off the bus, never to return.

16. WishMyLifeWereThatEasy: Similar scenario at bus station, only this time it's a lady who looks cool as a cucumber. She waits for the driver to get back, calmly gets up, walks off the bus, and boards the bus right next to it.

17. Murphy's Bus Law Corollary #1: Rain causes the bus to move slower due to water resistance (think of swimming). Failure to carry an umbrella amplifies this effect.

18. Murphy's Bus Law Corollary #2: If you are one minute late at your boarding stop, the effect noted in Corollary #1 is reversed - rain causes lubrication of the bus through air, and will result in the bus leaving your stop exactly on time.

19. The Rule of Enlightened Self-Preservation: If the bus driver of the bus going in the opposite direction of your destination (other side of the street) waves you to get on THEIR bus, dodge the cars if you must, and DO IT. Trust me on this one. :)

20. Route and Schedule Expert: Your bus driver. The crankier they are, the better. See Code of Ethics #4, and The Rule of Enlightened Self-Preservation above. Trust no one else.

Hearing Weather, and the Mystery Fate of the Insane

2007-09-05T10:44:00.000-07:00

My "hearing weather" today is what I call a Monsoon. Here's a key for easy reference:

Fair - I can hear you easily!

Partly Cloudy - A little tricky, but still pretty good.

Overcast - Be sure to face me and stand close.

Rain - This will be a challenge - you'll be repeating yourself.

Monsoon - Use e-mail or other non-voice methods unless you want me to drive you nuts. :)

Utterly Hopeless - Forget it - I have no speech recognition unaided.

Yesterday varied between Overcast and Rain - a pretty good day, really. Spent a single planned vacation day with a good friend kicking around Old Sacramento, museums and such. Mild weather and couldn't have been happier...

Until...

Crazy, round 402, set 10, post-game goal-line skirmish.

It's 8:30 p.m., (at home) phone rings.

I see on the CID it's the STBX ("Soon to be Ex-spouse").

It's only Overcast, so talking is possible.

STBX: "You e-mailed Crystal (my granddaughter) and you're not supposed to contact her!" (this per Crystal's dad while divorce is pending, and I've honored his wishes - meaning the premise presented in this opening gambit is false).

ME: [Far too many pointless references to reality to matter, then] Final statement: "I have not e-mailed Crystal nor contacted her in any way. Goodbye."

[I Hang up]

3 minutes later...

Phone rings (guess who?)

I don't answer.

The answering machine is off because the thing has lost its digital mind (I need a new one :).

For the next 15 minutes, STBX keeps ringing. I am setting a boundary here, I am setting a boundary here, I am setting...

[I turn off the ringer]

[STBX keeps phone line busy off and on ringing for the next 2 hours, as evidenced this morning on my CID box]

My philosophical query of the universe in general is along the following lines.

I am keenly aware now (have been, for awhile, actually), that my STBX is beyond neurotic, but actually insane, quite possibly in a literal, clinical sense. Part of the explanation of the nonsense above is likely due to her mis-understanding of third-party derived information - I had been communicating, e-mail & otherwise with Crystal's mom, and also (other) my STBX's daughter; during said conversations I had mentioned a *desire* to see/communicate with my granddaughter, but nothing of the sort has occurred. Knowing my STBX as I do, this information was likely passed on to her and, as routinely occurs, she leapt to conclusions without understanding facts, and once having leapt, there's no backtracking to reality.

The insanity of the ensuing behavior, however, is the compelling point here.

When someone doesn't want to speak to me, and makes it clear by hanging up the phone with "Goodbye", I make the reasonable assumption that a) they're being truthful about their wishes, and b) that they have a perfect right to have their wishes in that regard fulfilled expeditiously. In my belief, that is one aspect of the elusive condition we collectively call "sanity" - the ability to appreciate and honor another person's boundaries, whether I agree with them or not, and regardless of how I feel. Not the case for my STBX. Certainly not this time.

Depressingly ruminating on this situation today, I began wondering if it's possible that I actually have a social responsibility here that I'm not dealing with correctly. Even though I don't know *exactly* what started this latest nonsense (above analysis is bold conjecture, with knowledge only of my own actions), I do know enough to understand that this woman (STBX) is seriously "bent". The question is, how far "bent" can a person be (along with various addictions including "rage") before they'll do actual damage to themselves or others? My own safety comes to mind, not without prior justification; the safety of others comes to mind as well.

It isn't the fault of my STBX that she's nuts (it's not mine either), but that doesn't mean that I or anyone should have to tolerate abusive or dangerous behaviors. So right now, (all is quiet this morning), I'm in a holding pattern. Everything wise in me says "wait", "hands off the situation", "it's not your problem". I think for now I'll listen to the wise mind. :-)

-LifeWrecked

Advantages of having a Wrecked Life

2007-09-03T13:36:00.000-07:00

Believe it or not, there are several advantages to having your life wrecked (at least in the manner described in the prior post). Though some of them may sound cynical, they actually are real, and tangible, at least in the near term. [Please note that the enumeration below is simply for the reader's (sic) ease, and has no relationship to the enumeration in the prior post. Some are more generalized than others, but then, that's how it goes when you're a victim of my blog persona. Deal with it.]

1. That which doesn't kill me *really does* make me stronger - I know, it's a tired old saying that "Christians", especially, like to bandy about until it carries next to no meaning; life really does work that way. Mind you, the word "stronger" does not imply that 5 minutes from now you won't keel over dead from a myocardial infarction. It only means that in the 4:59 between now and then you'll get to enjoy a more solid sense of self respect and personal meaning, since having difficult or unlikely successes in compensation for your efforts is key to what most people would define as happiness. "BUT WAIT A MINUTE", I hear you thinking - how can a "Wrecked Life" have things in it like "success" or "happiness"? Read on, grasshopper.

2. Having your Vicodin/Crack/Alcohol/Rage-addicted wife decide that she can't stand YOUR sneakiness, miserism, and temperamental episodes; let's face it - that ain't *all* bad, when she finally follows through. The operative word here, folks, is *peace*. Waaaayyy more peace in the last few months than I've known in the last 10 years.

3. A lot of people get their houses knocked down by hurricanes, but for most of them, it only happens once (we're assuming survival here). Part of the reason has to do with #1 above, but there's more. Experiencing the worst stuff you could never in a million years imagine a)happening to you, b)doing, c)surviving means you aren't any longer operating on platitudes and un-tested theories about (hurricanes) life (whatever domain). I frequently tell people I don't regret for a minute *any* of the 10 years I spent in my (marriage) relationship. And I'm not kidding. Today I am oh, so much wiser, and I don't plan on building any more houses in the Florida Cayes - for *any* reason.

There's more, and I'm sure I'll think of them eventually. Blogs are fun.
-LifeWrecked

How to Wreck a Life - 10 Easy Steps

2007-09-02T16:05:00.000-07:00

1. Fall in Love.
2. Get Married or ceremoniously attached (helps if you marry/ceremoniously attach to the person specified in #1).
3. Become a functional doormat. Just say "yes".
4. Run up a $50,000 + debt in an attempt to placate/support said person with cruises, hotels in the Bahamas, paying medical bills, and supplying funding for various habits like crack coccaine and alcohol.
5. Ditch your whole-life insurance policy to finance #4 above.
6. Sell off any additional assets you may own ala #4 above.
7. Watch patiently as person specified in #1 pawns and ditches your memories (some worth siginficant $) to support specified habits in #4 above.
8. Negledct to report disability paymets for person specified in #1 to IRS and CA Franchise Tax Board because "disability isn't taxable, silly".
9. Creditor phone calls: Ignore, Ignore, Ignore... (ignore, ignore - they actually do stop calling after awhile!)
10. Wait for person specified in #1 to file for divorce. Plan on having the opportunity to pay for their filing/court cost.

The LifeWreck Blog

2007-08-31T12:48:00.000-07:00

Welcome to The LifeWreck Blog.

This blog is dedicated to the wreck that is my life. It may be real, or it may not be real. Then again, I may be real or not also. Seems appropriate.

Other people with wrecks of lives are welcome to comment here, since you can't ruin it, nor can it ruin you (since both are already wrecked). If your life is not a wreck, you're still welcome to comment, but please be aware that I can't guarantee your life won't become a wreck just by reading and commenting here. Wrecks of life and blogs of wrecks of life tend to grow amorphously outward in time and space, infilling and obliterating the effect typically known as happiness. You have been warned.

-LifeWrecked