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Stuff that Caught My Eye – Ouch!

Stuff that Caught My Eye – Ouch!

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A snapshot of recent bits:

Video

So Called “War on Christmas” Persecution

To this strawman viral post:

“We can’t say Merry Christmas, now we have to say Happy Holidays? We can’t call it a Christmas tree, it’s now called a Holiday tree? Because it might offend someone? If you don’t like our “Customs” and it offends you so much then LEAVE!!! I will help you pack. They are called customs and we have our traditions. If you agree with this please post this as your status!! I AM A PROUD USA CITIZEN… MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!! Do you have what it takes to repost this?”

Response:

You can say Merry Christmas as much as you want. We just want you to be tolerant of those who prefer to say Happy Holidays or celebrate the season in a way different from the way you do. You can call it a Christmas tree too. You just need to be tolerant of those who prefer to have a secular Holiday tree, or perhaps a Menorah. If you don’t like living in the SECULAR America that the forefathers intended, LEAVE. I will help you pack. Perhaps you can move to a theocracy like Iran or a country with less government involvement like Somalia. I AM A PROUD AMERICAN CITIZEN. Happy holidays to all of you, no matter how you choose to celebrate the season! Do you have what it takes to repost? Happy Holidays Everyone!!!!

Hope You’re Safe and Sound

Hope You’re Safe and Sound

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This song about Persephone is haunting me, seeping into the interstices between all my favorite Christmas music. I think I’ll have to add it to the list.

“Persephone” by Kula Shaker

Deep below the world Persephone
Sings of love forgotten
Calling out across the river – Persephone

Deep below the world Persephone
Waits upon her rescue
Mother Nature’s only daughter – Persephone

She saw the dawn with the light in her hair
Twisted and torn she was taken from there
Now she’s down down down

Oh my dear Persephone
Your heart sings a melody
Hope you’re safe and sound
underground

Now she’s gone, the world is calling
Calling for her loved one
Calling out across the river – Persephone

She saw the dawn with the light in her hair
Twisted and torn at the sight of her there
Now she’s down down down

Oh my dear Persephone,
Your heart sings a melody
Hope you’re safe and sound
underground

See how the winter has frozen the poor
Come back Persephone and be reborn
Come back my darling,
We miss you, my darling
Return turn turn, return

Deep below the world – Persephone
Sings of love forgotten
Hear her song, the willow weeping
Persephone – Persephone

Oh my dear Persephone
Your heart sings a melody
Hope you’re safe and sound
Yes we hope you’re safe and sound

Safe and sound

“I believe that imagination is stronger than knowledge – myth is more potent than history – dreams are more powerful than facts – hope always triumphs over experience – laughter is the cure for grief – love is stronger than death.” ~ Robert Fulghum

Weekend plans

Weekend plans

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In my new daily planner, I made a list yesterday of the things I need to do. They are roughly in order of priority:

  1. Get a present for my nephew
  2. Go to my nephew’s birthday party
  3. Learn how to use Gantt Project
  4. Create a master plan with timeline, resources, and subtasks for work
  5. Take down the Christmas tree – yes, really
  6. Get an oil change for my car
  7. Do laundry
  8. Call Mom and Gramma
  9. Pack away the clothes I’m not wearing
  10. Clean the house
  11. Install new light fixtures at the front door
  12. Pack up some kid clothes to send off for my other nephew
  13. Pack up some books for Mom and Gramma
  14. Pack up some books to bring to work
  15. Get a new filter for the furnace
  16. Measure the screen door to replace it
  17. Empty the calcium crystals out of the faucets and showerheads
  18. Get an estimate from plumber: three new toilets, water pressure issue
  19. Pick out the flooring for the kitchen
  20. Pick out the paint for the kitchen
  21. Buy the paint for the kitchen
  22. Paint the kitchen
  23. Buy the kitchen flooring
  24. See if I have any barter-strength left from freelancing
  25. Tighten the screws on the back door
  26. Get an estimate for non-fiberglass insulation
  27. Pack up all the non-family items in the basement
  28. Clean the basement Get the basement cleaned
  29. Reorganize the garage
  30. Reorganize the kitchen
  31. See how much it would cost for broadband to be cabled in a couple more convenient places
  32. Sell, give away, or toss all the stuff that needs to go away
  33. Find out how much the hot tub repair might be
  34. Flip the mattresses
  35. Tally up lightbulb needs, buy, install
  36. Watch The Prestige so I can finally get my next Netflix
  37. See how much it would cost to replace the upstairs carpeting
  38. Work on the novels
  39. Read stuff I should read
  40. Read stuff I want to read

So, for this weekend, I’ve done 1 and 6 already. I’ll do 2 shortly. 3, 4, 5 and 8 are non-negotiable and must be done.

Most of the rest of the stuff will probably not happen – again. Maybe the laundry and some cleaning, if I don’t get too tied up with the work stuff, or suddenly get inspired to write (that’s when it’s bound to happen).

There is a kind of a disconnect in my priority structure. I’m pretty selfish with my time, I guess.

See? I’m blogging when I have all this other stuff to do. I’m supposed to be at the party in 45 minutes, and I haven’t even taken a shower yet.

Better scurry.

Tip for the sniff snuffle cough wheeze COUGH

Tip for the sniff snuffle cough wheeze COUGH

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It appears as though my “get sick for Christmas” tradition is active again this year. Can’t blame the tree, since it started before I got it. I’ve got to work tomorrow, but that’s my last day. I’m hoping to get ecards out – at least – before Christmas. I managed to send out a box to my mom and grandma – who are adjusting to sharing a house again after all these years – but that’s about it. So today the plan is to putter around very slowly, and catch up on some work that needs to be done around the house.

I think I still have some Swiss Kriss – my secret weapon – around here somewhere. This stuff is the only thing I know about that might help, since I’ve started wheezing now. Swiss Kriss is a laxative tea. I’ve never actually tasted it, but the combination of herbs is powerful.

Swiss Kriss

Here’s what to do:

  1. Prepare a space on the counter, and grab a big towel.
  2. Get a nice wide pot and boil some water in it.
  3. Throw in a bunch of the Swiss Kriss tea.
  4. Turn the heat down to a simmer.
  5. Make it at least double the strength of tea that you’d drink, steeping for at least five minutes.
  6. Carefully transfer the pot onto the counter.
  7. Drape the towel over the back of your head like a parachute, to catch as much of the steam as you can.
  8. Be careful not to burn yourself. Gradually move into the steam.
  9. Take regular, deep breaths through your nose and mouth.
  10. Almost immediately, your sinuses will drain.
  11. Then your face will sweat, and you’ll start coughing.
  12. Continue to breathe in the herbal steam for at least 10 minutes.

This clears out all the gunk in your sinuses and in your lungs, and it’s even good for your skin. I usually follow up with a nice long shower to amplify the effect.

I’m really sensitive to decongestants and antihistamines and I try to avoid both. This more mechanical method has always been a lot more effective for me.