Random Ramblings #3

A Little Break - I didn't intend to, but I guess I needed a break from blogging & twitter. I've focused on other things like Yahoo Answers, and trying to think of what I can do besides CNA work. I'm going to start visiting blogs again soon. I just wish I knew what other type of work I could do lately. I've been feeling a bit blue. I need a change.

King Of Twitter - Congratulations to my buddy Dan from dcr Blogs dot Com for having over 20,000 followers on Twitter! See for yourself by clicking here. I'm sure that he would love it if you followed him. Dan is an intelligent, creative man. He always comes up with good information or something witty, but Dan also enjoys having fun. When it comes to business most of his experience is in communications. I would call him a computer geek. ;) I'm not sure if Dan's current goal is to make $300k or higher, but if anyone can make that much it's Dan! Qapla'! I honestly think that he has what it takes. Besides he has an Army of Stamps to help him.

Digital TV - I don't have mine yet. My neighbor showed me hers. She had purchased a special rabbit ears, antenna, but she was still losing the signal. It faded in and out. Have you had trouble with your DTV?

McDonald's "Filet-o-Fish" commercial -Have you seen that silly commercial with a catchy tune? Well it's song by Spencerport native Joey Auch, Spencerport is a village near Rochester, NY. Also his song "Come on Home" appeared in the March 18 episode of the ABC sitcom Scrubs. Hey, nice song. Way to go Joey! Now...if I can only get that silly fish tune out of my head!

I can't do this anymore...

I can't do this anymore. I can't see another person die. Another person dead. I can't see suffering. I'm used up and useless. I've seen so many dead bodies in my life time as a nursing assistant. I just can't. I can't anymore. I've felt this way ever since my 3 relatives died, 3 in a row. Especially my father. I just can't do my work anymore. My relatives don't understand. My not having work is a symptom, not a cause. I just can't do this work anymore.

Tonight I saw an old woman die on Gray's Anatomy, and I cried. I cried uncontrollably. She looked like one of my old patients, but I couldn't remember which one.

How many dead bodies have I seen? I don't know. How many people have I watched suffer? I don't know. It's been over 20 years now. I just can't do this anymore. I just can't. This is nothing new. I know this, but I bury it inside. Bury it till I forget. My family probably thinks that I'm lazy, but I just can't handle what I use to be able to handle. I just can't take it anymore. That's why I probably have panic attacks sometimes before I go into work. That's why I'm not looking very hard for a full time facility job. I've had my fill. I'm imploding and no one gets it. No more dead bodies! No more dead people! Please God! No more suffering! God, can't you hear me? How long on this merry-go-round must I ride? This merry-go-round from hell?

What can I do if I don't work as a nursing assistant? I don't know anything else but taking care of the sick and dying. This is all I know, but I just can't. I can't do this anymore. Why can't you hear me God? It's been so long. I've been paralyzed inside. Imploding slowly in silence. I don't know who I am anymore. I've become this person who just can't handle life.

Wordless Wednesday - Yahoo Answers

Have you tried Yahoo Answers?

Guess what I'm doing.

Rochester, NY Winter Summery 2009 & No Kodak Bonuses

I'm a bit lazy today. I'm putting 2 posts in one. Both are short and Rochester, New York related.

Rochester, NY Winter Summery 2009 - Yes, I know that we might still get snow, but I'm summarizing it now, and crossing my fingers. The snowfall accumulation to date was 101.7" - not a record, but it's more then our average of 89.6". December was the snowiest month of the season, bringing 46.2 inches. We didn't have a blizzard. I don't believe that we had any major storms. We had several moderate ones. We rarely had those terrible mixed precipitation combo snow/ice storms that I dislike so much. We just got a good amount of steady snow throughout the season. Well, that's not such a bad winter for Rochester. See current weather and forecast here.

No Kodak Bonuses! - I'm getting so sick of hearing economic news, but this is a major change for our area, and has made national news. The Eastman Kodak Co. has been one of Rochester's largest employers for many decades. The company has suspended its bonus, and it means a loss of millions of dollars to Rochester.

Stores use to plan sales around Kodak bonus times. New cars, appliances, furniture, big ticket items. The only other time there wasn't a bonus was in 1934 during the great depression. Click here for local news and comments on the subject.

I remember when having a Kodak, or Xerox job met that you had it made for life - good money, benefits, and job security. Sadly, those days are gone.

Friday Funnies - Arrrrrgh...

(To be posted VERY LOW on the refrigerator door, at pet nose height.)

Dear Dogs and Cats:

The dishes with the paw prints are yours and contain your food.

The other dishes are mine and contain my food.

Please note, placing a paw print in the middle of my plate and food does not stake a claim for it becoming your food and dish, nor do I find that aesthetically pleasing in the slightest.

The stairway was not designed by NASCAR and is not a racetrack.

Beating me to the bottom is not the object.

Tripping me doesn't help because I fall faster than you can run.

I cannot buy anything bigger than a king-sized bed.

I am very sorry about this.

Do not think I will continue sleeping on the couch to ensure your comfort.

Dogs and cats can actually curl up in a ball when they sleep.

It is not necessary to sleep perpendicular to each other stretched out to the fullest extent possible.

I also know that sticking tails straight out and having tongues hanging out the other end to maximize space is nothing but sarcasm.

For the last time, there is no secret exit from the bathroom.

If by some miracle I beat you there and manage to get the door shut, it is not necessary to claw, whine, meow, try to turn the knob, or get your paw under the edge and try to pull the door open.

I must exit through the same door I entered.

Also, I have been using the bathroom for years--canine or feline attendance is not required.

The proper order is kiss me, then go smell the other dog or cat's butt.

I cannot stress this enough!

Thank you,

Mom
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a LIQUID ILLUZION post

How The US Celebrates St. Patrick's Day

I was talking on Twitter and realized that the British celebrate St. Patrick's day differently then we do in the states. I thought I'd just mention the basics for those in other countries, and I welcome hearing about your traditions no matter where you live. :)

In the states we wear green colored clothing even if we are not Irish. Sometimes people wear an inexpensive pin in the shape of a shamrock, or with a saying like "Luck of the Irish" etc. This was done more when I was younger. Usually families will gather together for corned beef and cabbage dinner with carrots and potatoes. Sometimes we drink green beer (food coloring.) We have parades (Rochester photos), Some go to bars (pubs.)

St. Patrick's Day is viewed as a holiday to spend time with family and friends eating & drinking, rather then being viewed as a religious holiday.

Chicago dyes its river green and has done so since 1961. I've never hear of this tradition until this year. President Obama is from Chicago and dyed the White House fountains green. Here is a video of it. Personally I don't care for green water.

As for me I spent a quiet evening eating a traditional corned beef, and cabbage dinner, and I was thirsty for green beer. How do/did you celebrate St. Patrick's day? Here is some history. For more information click here and here.

Wordless Wednesday

One More Small Step For Lesbians! (LGBT)

Congratulations Ellen Degeneres on your Cover Girl Commercial...and Thanks!

How Do You Prioritize Blog Commenting?

We all look forward to receiving comments. I have about 60 blogs that I read and comment on. I also have an old, slow, computer with dial-up so it takes a long time to download some blogs. It is very time consuming. Generally my method is to start at the top of my reader list and go down. It takes me many hours, more then a week to make my rounds. I have time to do it now, but once I get a regular job my method will be impractical. I was wondering how you prioritize your blog reading/commenting? Do you have any tips to make the process faster?

Sometimes it takes up to 10 minutes for me to download a blog. Occasionally my computer will freeze, and I have to start again. I'm sure that there are many others in my position. One way that you can make your blog more accessible is to cut down on the number of posts you have per page. (Some say the maximum should be 7.) As I wrote before, "factors that influence the load times of pages include the number and size of images, extra items like flash, the amount of excess code, and the size of your pages."

Some people might say that they want a lot of posts per page because people only tend to look at the 1st page. However, if your blog takes a long time to download people will get frustrated and leave. So you will be losing readers, and comments in the long run.

I want to thank those who have made their blogs more user friendly...

Lady Banana

Speedycat Hollydale Page

rambling stuff (Mike Golch)


Related Post - Top 10 Easy Tips to Make Your Blog More User Friendly

photo credit

Random Ramblings #2

Signs of Spring - 1) Hello mister ant! I haven't seen you, or your kind in months! Sorry but ~SQUOOSH~ I guess it's time to get some ant buttons. 2) I've had a case of the blues like I've recently been getting during the long, hard, Rochester winters. But my mood for the last few days has been a bit better. I even did a few very small positive things for myself. I haven't done that in a long time. It's been sunny, and warmer. Coincidence? I doubt it. 3) I heard a noise. I thought that maybe it was a snow plow. Then I remembered that we don't have snow now. The last few days have been above freezing. I looked out the window and the noise was coming form a lawn mower. I stood at the window glaring at it for several minutes in disbelief as if it was an alien from another planet. It was 47F (8.3C) degrees. Winter may still flair up in Rochester, but spring is around the corner...FINALLY!

No Perfect Blog Server - WordPress blogs disappeared yesterday. I'm sure they will reappear soon. Googles been playing tricks since they updated things. I've heard numerous complaints about MySpaces. None are perfect. I'm sticking with Google Blogger. I'm use to it, and the grass is not greener on the other side.


Neighbors Corned Beef - My neighbor dropped off some corned beef the other day for St. Patrick's day which was very nice of her, and appreciated. Yum! She knows that I'm virtually out of work. We help each other. Before I had car problems I use to driver her to the store occasionally. When my car is back on the road, I'll offer my services more often because I know first hand that it's almost impossible to get around Rochester without a car. (I will blog on Rochester's horrible bus system soon.)

The Luck of The Irish! - Look who won a FREE Olivia sweepstakes cruise for two. St. John Island anyone? Hey, don't cut that cake!

Food Storage Chart - This chart might come in handy.

Wonderful Friday 13th - Surprisingly things went very well for me that day. For example a supervisor at my phone company gave me a $50 credit to my account. (long story) That never happened before. I also had two other little nice surprises.

Disclaimer - No ants were harmed during the writing of this post. photo credit.

Friday Funnies - Friday the 13th Joke

A man bought a new Mercedes to celebrate his wife leaving him and was out on the interstate for a nice evening drive.

The top was down, the breeze was blowing through what was left of his hair and he decided to open her up. As the needle jumped up to 80 mph, he suddenly saw flashing red and blue lights behind him.

"There's no way they can catch a Mercedes," he thought to himself and opened her up further. The needle hit 90, 100.....Then the reality of the situation hit him. "What am I doing?" he thought and pulled over.

The cop came up to him, took his license without a word and examined it and the car.

"It's been a long hard day, this is the end of my shift and it's Friday the 13th. I don't feel like more paperwork, I don't need the frustration or the overtime, so if you can give me a really good excuse for your driving that I haven't heard before, you can go."

The guy thinks about it for a second and says, "Last week my nagging wife ran off with a cop. I was afraid you were trying to give her back!"

"Have a nice weekend," said the officer.


Origins of joke

Wordless Wednesday - Do You Know What This Is?

This photo was found on the blog of Liquid illuzion

Please Pray for KC

Real Live Lesbian is asking prayers for her friend KC. He was recently in a bad car accident, and his back and neck were injured. He was paralyzed from the chest down. He had the use of his arms and hands, but lost their use suddenly. The doctors don't know what caused this change. Please pray or think positive thoughts or send vibes.

Random Ramblings #1

I'm going to start something new called Random Ramblings. Well it's not really new. I've noticed some people giving brief updates by saying a few sentences about many different topics, whatever is on their minds. People call it by different names. I'm going to call mine Random Ramblings. Here we go...
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I hear thunder last night. It was a sound I've not heard in a long, long time. A smile came to my face as I opened the window to hear the rain pouring, and thunder. Ahhh, spring is around the corner! For me it means that some of my blue feelings may dissipate. But it will be cold again in a few days. Winter is not over yet.
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Don't forget to set your clocks forward! Spring ahead.
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Now that I have car problems it is very difficult to get around. The transportation (bus) system sucks! I spent a good amount of time mapping out my route. Then I called to double checked with the bus company. It looked good! However, when I looked for the bus I was told by a bus driver that it no longer went that route. The bus driver was extremely nice. He flagged down another bus that could take me to my destination. If you live in Rochester NY, you should really have a car. I might write a post on the transportation system.
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When you think of Sunday what comes to mind? Church? Lazy afternoons? Wonderful Sunday dinners? Well, I think of political shows. I like Meet The Press, and This Week. Yes, I know I should go to church, but no car, no church. Actually I haven't gone to church since my Church moved it's location to downtown. I hate downtown. I've heard that the police gives out tickets if you park in the wrong spot, and that's easy to do at this location. I know I should have found another church by now, but I haven't. So if anyone asks, I'm spending the morning with George Stephanopoulos.

Friday Funnies: Medical Typing Blunders

I found this at the blog of Lady Banana. She's wonderful, and so is her blog, so please pop in for a visit. This made me laugh until I cried! I hope that you enjoy it. Thanks LB for letting me use it. :) Um, yes it's a day late.

These are sentences actually typed by Medical secretaries in NHS Greater Glasgow:

1. The patient has no previous history of suicides.

2. Patient has left her white blood cells at another hospital.

3. Patient's medical history has been remarkably insignificant with only a 40 pound weight gain in the past three days.

4. She has no rigors or shaking chills, but her husband states she was very hot in bed last night.

5. Patient has chest pain if she lies on her left side for over a year.

6. On the second day the knee was better and on the third day it disappeared.

7. The patient is tearful and crying constantly. She also appears to be depressed.

8. The patient has been depressed since she began seeing me in 1993.

9. Discharge status:- Alive, but without my permission.

10. Healthy appearing decrepit 69-year old male, mentally alert, but forgetful.

11. Patient had waffles for breakfast and anorexia for lunch.

12. She is numb from her toes down.

13. While in ER, she was examined, x-rated and sent home.

14. The skin was moist and dry.

15. Occasional, constant infrequent headaches.

16. Patient was alert and unresponsive.

17. Rectal examination revealed a normal size thyroid.

18. She stated that she had been constipated for most of her life until she got a divorce.

19. I saw your patient today, who is still under our care for physical therapy.

20. Both breasts are equal and reactive to light and accommodation.

21 Examination of genitalia reveals that he is circus sized.

22. The lab test indicated abnormal lover function.

23. Skin: somewhat pale, but present.

24. The pelvic exam will be done later on the floor.

25. Large brown stool ambulating in the hall.

26. Patient has two teenage children, but no other abnormalities

27. When she fainted, her eyes rolled around the room.

28. The patient was in his usual state of good health until his airplane ran out of fuel and crashed.

29. Between you and me, we ought to be able to get this lady pregnant.

30. She slipped on the ice and apparently her legs went in separate directions in early December.

31. Patient was seen in consultation by Dr. Smith, who felt we should sit on the abdomen and I agree.

32. The patient was to have a bowel resection. However, he took a job as a stock roker instead.

33. By the time he was admitted, his rapid heart had stopped, and he was feeling better.

Freebies Website

I found a site that I want to share with you. I have not tried it yet, but I will. I Googled the words "free sample." I used Stumble Upon ratings as a guide. It looks good.

SHOP4FREEBIES - According to the comments on Stumble they say that there is no SPAM, or surveys. You can get "alot of shampoo, face stuff, animal food, cookies, perfume, lots!" There is a rating system for each freebie offered. One of things I saw listed today is "free small fry and fountain drink" at Jack in the box on Tues. March 10. It looks like you can just print out a coupon. If you use this site please tell me your opinion. :)

This Isn't Me

This isn't me - Sometimes crying myself to sleep. If I'm able to sleep much at all.

This isn't me - Greeting the morning by saying "Ah shit!"

This isn't me - Occasionally having a panic attack outside of work, and having to talk to myself out loud and pray in order to be able to walk inside.

This isn't me - Sometimes going to a family gathering. Hardly saying a word, and trying not to be noticed because I feel like I will be rejected.

This isn't me - Worrying about money almost every day. Sometimes it's my first thought in the morning.

This isn't me - Sometimes feeling numb or frozen, other times feeling intense emotional pain.

This isn't me - Sometimes canceling a job interview, or social engagement because I can't face people, or fear rejection, or feel to emotionally exhausted, or to sad.

This isn't me - Someone who needs to be supported by others, rather then support.

This isn't me - Feeling like I'm stuck in a huge pit that I can't get out of, and I'm slowly sinking further, and further down.

This isn't me. This is the depression, and anxiety in my life. It has taken over to the degree that others no longer see the real me, and sometimes I can't either. It's like being encased in a thick shell. But I'm still in here, deep down inside. Hoping and praying that a miracle will occur, and my life will be normal again. But I wonder if it ever will?


Disclaimer - These examples might be totally based on my experiences, or partially, or perhaps not at all.

Before You Use Your Real Name...

Before you use your real name on your blog, read this partial post entry from Speedy Hollydale Page ...

Here is the thing, if you use your real identity EVER anywhere on the net, you are crazy. Just don't do it. We could go on all day about copy writes, personal privacy issues, and how we all "OWN" what we write on our blogs and other media sources, but truth is once you hit enter, your content is everywhere and recorded by much more than Google or Facebook. Think you have a private blog that is not searched by bots?? Think again. I could publish something, erase or alter it, but feeds and readers will have already captured every word. FOREVER. There is not privacy on the net, and there never was. I will say again ..... do not use your real identity or true address anywhere - anytime.

Thanks Speedykins for letting me use this good info! ;)

Wordless Chicken Tuesday #1

I thought I'd try "Wordless Chicken Tuesday" because I've found a great photo. This photo was originally seen at Posh Totty's website. Her post features some unique hand pictures. Check out her fun post by clicking here.

Wordless Chicken Tuesday is found at Speedycat Hollydale Page

Personal Update: Nah, I don't want to !

A few people have asked me for a personal update. I appreciate people caring enough to ask, but nah, I don't want to. Well, if I told you then you might get depressed and/or bored. Also I might sound like I'm complaining, and I don't feel like doing that now...maybe later. LOL! So just read my past posts at the bottom. Unfortunately things are a bit worse. One thing new is that I have car problems and have to take the bus, or walk like Kermit The Frog. The public transportation system sucks in Rochester! You really need a car to get around. I might blog about it one day. At any rate it makes life even more difficult. I rarely have work. It's hard to look for a new job without a car. Yada, yada, yada. So not much new. Same old crap. I'd rather have a good time with you guys today then complain. I'm sure I'll complain another day. ;)

Before you read about my life, let's hear how Kermit The Frog is.. click here.

No Work Till Jan. 1st

Is Bankruptcy Worth It?

Wordless Wednesday - Tree is still up (Update - Yes, it's still up)

Some Post Ideas - Keep on Blogging!

We all hit the blog wall from time to time. The following are some post ideas. Some are just my thoughts, others research, some are your ideas. I had a post recently asking for your ideas, and if you responded to that post in any way, then your link is here.... Thank you for contributing!

You don't need to write a great amount. It's suggested that the average post be the size of an e-mail 1 to 3 paragraphs long. You can still post a few times a week even with a busy schedule. Here are some ideas...
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There are some easy to do posts (memes?) that are for specific days. Most involve just a photo, with maybe a few sentences. This is not an exhaustive list. See websites for instructions. (It seems like a good way to network too.)

Wordless Wednesday

Fridays Funnies - (Link?)

Mellow Yellow Mondays.

Music Monday

Meet My Friends Monday

Camera Critters

Through My Eyes Fridays

Wordless Chicken Tuesday

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Some other ideas. The easiest are (*) stared. relatively easy (especially if it's taken from on-line) will have a (+) plus sign.

+A Poem - Yours, or someone else.

+A Song/video - Yours, or someone else.

+Comedy - A joke, funny story, video, or photo.

*Guest Speaker (ah, blogger) - Ask someone else to write a post for you.

A Contest - Give away money, or a gift - good examples - Beetle's Memories "n" Ramblings and Acrostic Only

*Post a famous quoit- You can say a few words about it if you want.

Personal Update - What's going on in your life? Tell us about you.

*Short Posts - good example - Banana Shorts

Topical Post or Nitch - Whatever interests you crafts, hobbies, sports, movies/book reviews, Star Trek, technology, politics, etc.

Write a Review - On a movie, restaurant, T.V. show, etc.

Interview Someone - This can be done by e-mail, or you can put it on audio or video.

+Ask a Question- Post a question, or take a survey.

Diary - Be very careful if you make it public. What you write will be on the net forever.

*Re-post - Copy a post from the past and post it again.

+Quiz - You can use an on-line quiz, or make up a few questions yourself.

Make a List - Example - 100 best albums by women, or a top 10 list.

Your dog/cat - Writing about your animal/s now & then.

Meme - Pass it along.

Award - Pass it along.

+Personal photos & family update photos.

Technology - The latest gadget.

Weird, or Unusual News.

Politics - Careful you don't start WW3 ;)

Recession Related Tips - How to stretch the dollar, save money, indoor games, gardening, knitting clothes, reduce consumption.

Letters - to your son/daughter

Informative, or how to posts
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Here are your ideas taken from the comments on my post- "Your Input Needed! - Blogging (Post) Ideas" Thank you for commenting!


Mike Golch and Babs (Beetle) both liked a Mixed bag - silly stuff & Comedy along with serious and informative items.

Amias said she could use more humor to laugh at.

dmarks said to look at Tara's Eclectic Spaghetti for some good ideas.

Jaffer said that Drowsey Monkey has a collection.

Lilly's Life said that she has lots of ideas.

twofinches said, "I like what one blogger I go to does. He asks the same interesting question to individuals with a wide variety of thought streams. They send him their answers and he formats them into a single post."

LadyBanana When she really gets stuck turns to Plinky

The Daily Blonde says the "best writing is just from the heart...or the gut... REAL LIFE is best...and funny...yes, we all need funny."

Ghost Dansing uses satellites

S'onnie says "just taking a walk and looking out the windows are a good source of idea. Plus reading the news and giving your two cents worth over a story is always good :) "

74WIXYgrad trys to have a "little bit of everything, I just try to stay away from political issues there." He says that he uses original or old jokes, and likes to write poetry.

Speedcat Hollydale had a list of ideas...

1. write a short story
2. to a news piece with your own personal spin
3. meme
4. Ask someone to send you questions
5. Do a photo themed post. You can find 10 billion images on the net.
6. write on a topic you know a LOT about
7. Re-live an old memory from the past
8. do a humor piece ... things you find funny from the week
9. Do a review of a movie, show, or blog
10. Just start typing. Many times I have no idea what will come out, but just start typing!!
Hmmm, ok, I know that physiology is your thing. I found a web-page that might give you some topical ideas.

Both dcr and meleahrebeccah said that they are both out of ideas and looking.

L'uragano (The Hurricane) and Giggle Pixie like the suggestions that they got from others in the comment section.

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Here is a list of more ideas - Wondering What To Blog About?
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The idea for this post is a response to Health Psych's post - "Hitting a blog wall." She's back! Her blog has reopened. Please visit her and say Hi.
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Related Posts - Top 10 Easy Tips to Make Your Blog More User Friendly
Your Input Needed! - Blogging (Post) Ideas

Some of this information has been taken from -
Starting a Blog? 12 ideas for blog posts
What To Blog About During A Recession
How to Choose What to Blog About
And YOU! Thanks for your suggestions!