DIGITAL WONDERS

Or, how to see the back of your own ear. I seem to have a knack for unusual injuries. A couple of weeks ago I managed to slide off my chair and cut a bit of a gash on my forehead. Cliff picked me up, and after putting on some antiseptic, bandaged it. Then a couple of days ago I pulled the same silly stunt, except this time I managed a cut on the back side of my left ear. (Repeat emergency procedures as before.) Ever try to see the back of your ear? Maybe a series of mirrors would do it, but I had a better idea. I had Cliff take a picture of it with my digital camera. Oh! There it is. Looks ok.

But what really had me puzzled was why I was sliding onto the floor. Finally figured that out. Bear with me. I sit in swivel chairs both in the dining room and den. My brain injury of long ago affected the left side of my body. And when I swivel to the left, I have to pick up my left leg. Otherwise my left foot refuses to move, and instead rolls over. See photo. And pulls me right out of the chair. Plop! Well, at least now I should know better.



Humor, maybe -
The following is either very funny, or quite terrifying. This is from a book review in this Sunday’s paper. The book is entitled “Country Driving -- A Journey Through China From Farm to Factory” by Peter Hessler. The headline for the review reads: THE CRAZY DRIVERS OF THE NEW CHINA. Here are excerpts from the review:

“Hessler makes the delightful case that perhaps no other people take such a joy in driving badly”.

“The Chinese rarely use turn signals or windshield wipers, or seatbelts, or headlights. They tailgate and honk like mad. People pass on hills; they pass on turns; they pass in tunnels. If they get passed themselves, they immediately try to pass the other vehicle back, as if it were a game. Traffic lights are occasionally mistimed, showing green in all directions. Highway patrols are so rare that officials put fiberglass statues of police officers at some intersections to function as traffic-calming human scarecrows.”

Well, you get the idea. Funny or horrifying?

CARNIVAL IN VENICE

Many years ago - 1971, if I remember correctly - Amalie and I made our first European trip. And one of our stops was Venice. We were there for a few days, but there was no carnival going on at the time.

I suppose these photos are supposed to make up for that.

Enjoy!


































Fun time --

Reasons given for coming to work late:
“I dreamed I was fired, so I didn’t bother getting out of bed.”
“I had to take my cat to the dentist.”
“I got all the way to the office when I realized I was still in my pajamas, so I had to go home and change.”
“I saw you weren’t in the office, so I went looking for you.”

CLARIFICATION

Just to be clear about my “under the weather” condition the other day, let me give you a brief explanation. I’d been feeling rather “draggy” for a couple of days, and my stomach was unsettled. Then Tuesday night when I got into bed, I felt a pain where I fear it the most -- at the top of the “V” where the ribs come together in the front.

From the early ’90’s until about October, 2000, I had had multiple attacks of pancreatitis, and that area is where the pain hits. At its worst, the pain is excruciating. The treatment? A liquid diet for about 4 days until the pain subsides, and then soft foods for a few days, before being allowed back on a normal diet.

The discomfort I felt that night was not terribly severe, but the location had me worried. I’d not had an attack in 10 years, and I was not interested in starting again. So Wednesday I saw my M.D., who, after examining me, decided it was NOT a pancreatitis attack. I felt better almost immediately.

So much for that!

Cartoon humor -

PRINTER REPAIR NEEDED

Caller : Hi, our printer is not working.

Customer Service: What is wrong with it?

Caller : Mouse is jammed.

Customer Service: Mouse? Printers don't have a mouse!

Caller: mmmm??.. Oh really?

POOL? WHICH ONE?

First, in response to those of you who ordered my improvement in health, let me just say that I am following orders.

But this is too funny to not share:
I had a call a couple of days ago from one of the park residents who told me that the pool table in the clubhouse was going to have the felt removed and replaced, and would I please take a few pictures for the park magazine. Seems that no one, including the park owners, could remember the last time the table had been re-covered. Could be that it had never been done before, and the park is 40 years old!

Anyway, I said I would, but I awoke not feeling well, so I asked Cliff if he would go down to the clubhouse and take a few pics. He would, and he did. Except ... Well, when I loaded the photos from the camera to the computer, I was looking at five lovely photos of ... would you believe? ... the swimming pool!

And you want other humor, too? Awright.

Taped to the refrigerator was a ”job sheet” for a mother’s kids. “Does it work?” she was asked. “Like a charm,” replied the mother, “I haven’t paid anything for weeks!”

NOT QUITE A TIME FOR CELEBRATION

Today is an anniversary -- of sorts. It was exactly 59 years ago today that the Federal government gave me a free ride from San Francisco to Monterey County -- Fort Ord, to be precise. Ah, fond memories never die.

I’m a bit under the weather, so if I’m not back here for a day or two, you’ll know why.

In the meantime, let’s have a bit of fun -

A propane supply store advertisement: Tank heaven for little grills.

***
A second grade teacher was showing her class some photos of Greek ruins including the Acropolis. “Any questions?” she asked. One boy raised his hand, “Who bombed it?”

FANTASTIC, FABULOUS, FUN

The title refers to a website, courtesy of LynnM, that embodies all those adjectives.
Just click here.

Yesterday Cliff and I went to Foothill College to see a musical entitled SPELLING BEE. That was certainly a lot of fun, even if they had words I didn't recognize.

Humor -

After an exhausting military maneuver, the colonel collected all his officers and told them, “I intend to go home now, opena bottle of wine, and sit with my wife in front of the fireplace. I suggest you all do the same.” “Yes, sir,” said one young officer, “if you don’t think your wife will mind.”

CATTY CORNER

Beautiful felines. Enjoy.

I like playing with my paws!

I promise. I won't do it again. Whatever it was.

What dat?

Don't bother me. I'm feeling grumpy.

Okay, now how do I get down?

I luv you! You luv me?

Humor -

How many elves does it take to change a light bulb?
Ten. One to change the bulb and nine to give him a boost.

***
A pilot explaining a problem to the mechanic: “The radio works intermittently, but only sometimes.”