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Praetorium Honoris

Sunday, September 23, 2018

This and That - Musing, Muttering, and Moaning About Stuff


Poetry, music, film, even life itself means different things to different people. You can't understand where the other fellow is coming from unless you see things exactly as he does. (Or she as the case may be, it's inclusive we are here at The Chant.)

And yeah, lately I'm all about the music. It's been a long, long time since I've held guitar in hand and tried to put a few chords together to make my own songs. There were a few chord progressions that I really, really liked. But it's been over fifteen years and while I might remember a few things, much has been lost in the intervening days, weeks, months, and years. Time flies when one is having fun, but it also flies if one isn't paying attention.

I listen to a lot of music these days, at work and at home. I used to need quiet for work. Writing new things takes a bit of concentration. But now I'm documenting the work of others, manuals and such to let users know how the thing works. No deep detail, more of a quick reference sort of thing. I know how most of it is supposed to work, it's just a question of taking screenshots and tossing a few words at it to explain things.

Something I can almost do in my sleep. I've been working on this system for a long, long time. Some of it has changed, most of it looks the same as it did ten years ago. The little nuances and improvements that the coders have made don't alter how it looks. Does alter how it behaves, but it's like putting a better engine in your car. It looks the same, the controls are the same, it's just faster maybe, or more efficient.

So I put the ear buds in, head for YouTube and play 50-song mixes while I explore the mysteries of the system and document it all. With the music playing in the background, I'm in my own little world. Lately I seem to be in some weird zone, I spot things that aren't quite right, call them out to the developers and keep moving on. Last week I even worked on a project I hadn't looked at in two years. A bug had been spotted in another chap's code. As he's left the company, I had a look.

Simple fix really, while fixing that, I found a much more potentially serious problem, for which the fix was also simple. Like I said, for some reason the music has put me in the zone. And I'm enjoying the Hell out of it.

There is a price though. Listen to music all day and it tends to stick in your head, long after you kind of wished it had stopped. Like while trying to sleep. But that's starting to smooth itself out now. I expect the music, it's almost necessary now.

Learning to play the drums is, in itself, very interesting. Back when I played the bass, that's the part of a song I would concentrate on, seeing the fingers on the frets in my head. Then trying to figure it out on my own guitar. Sometimes I'd nail it, sometimes (with the advent of the Internet) I had to look it up. But playing it correctly was awesome. If just for my own enjoyment and satisfaction.

Now I listen to the drum bits. I'll hear something and try to reproduce that on my own kit. I still have two left hands and two left feet (you southpaws think of those as right and right, I know) and my efforts are still pretty uncoordinated. But I'm getting there, there's a guy online who has a bunch of recorded lessons, so I'm not trying to do this all my own. I've actually learned some good stuff from this chap. (Jared Falk for those who want to know.)

Maybe it's old age setting in, maybe I'm trying to recapture lost glories which never were, but man, I can't get enough Foo Fighters. Their music really speaks to me. I haven't found a song of theirs that I don't like, haven't heard all of them yet, but listening to those 50+ mixes on YouTube, I find a new "favorite" song every day.

The blog is still necessary to my sanity so that's ongoing, though I have to say that there are days when it's a bit frustrating. I seem to be in a bit of a slump lately.

Par example, those stats above. Three days out of five with less than 200 page views. Comments on those posts are kinda low too, dontcha know? Maybe I'm getting too big for my britches here, expecting all y'all to eagerly gobble up every post, commenting wildly. Of course, Beans tends to boost the comment count, man gets on a roll and the comments go through the roof. As I writer I love the attention. Because I really am an attention whore in some respects. I believe in being honest with myself.

The eye thing is a bit of a downer, no word on the surgery yet. But my doc is competent and confident. Things I look for with folks about to mess with my optical sensors.

Also, the feline staff is aging, one of them visibly. I mean fifteen is pretty old for a cat. Anya is still pretty spry, Sasha is starting to slow way down. Yeah, this concerns me. They've been my furry buddies for a long time now. I am terrified of anything happening to them.

Maybe as I age, I just "feel" more. There are days that I get a bit emotional. I mean this is all new territory for me ya know? I mentioned a bit of an ache in my back to my regular doc the last time I saw her. She seemed a bit concerned. gave me all sorts of exercises and the like, mostly stretching. Wondered why I hadn't mentioned it before. I told her I just figured it was part of getting old.

There are days that I get up and everything hurts. Not screaming agony or any of that, just a sit up in bed and say "ouch" as if some part of the body is yelling, "Dude, not so fast, slow it down, ya ain't 20 anymore."

No, no I am not. But mentally I'm still thinking of what I want to be and do when I "grow up." The Missus Herself has indicated on more than one occasion that me "growing up" would be really, really nice, though she has no fear (hope?) of that happening anytime soon.

And I'm good with that.

So this and that. Mutterings. musings, and moanings of a Saturday evening. Here's some Foo for you.

It's what I do, I share...

Peace and love y'all.



FWIW, I think their drummer (Taylor Hawkins) is freaking awesome. You should see him in concert, he's the freaking Energizer Bunny!

Oh yeah, Happy Autumn. Perhaps I'll add pumpkin spice to the blog.

Not.



46 comments:

  1. You need a a small orange and whote tomcat, like my Tyrone. For some reason, he appointed himself Head Cat, and he others accepted that. He believed that being Head Cat meant you were, to use a mixed metaphor, the Sheepdog to the Herd, and he watched out for the other gauys and gals.I miss having Kattes. I often think of them, Lazarus, the Norsk Skogkatt. He was such a weirdo, but an entertaining one.

    I believe you saw my Facebook post about making a 1:6 Hofner Bass. If you lived closer, you could teach Notpatrica how to play!

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    1. My two tuxedo cats are more than enough, constant companions for a decade and a half. I do remember your tales of Lazarus, a good boy was he.

      Yes, I saw the post and the photos. You are going to paint Notpatricia's guitar, aren't you? (Hint, hint.)

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    2. Yes, I shall, most likely red, blue, or black. I do not own an airbrush, so I cannot do a "Sunburst " pattern.

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    3. Ja, I saw your pattern choices over on koobecaF. I'm partial to blue (my guitar) or black (as it goes with anything, my drum kit is black). I think Notpatricia would rock the red guitar.

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  2. While I read here daily, sometimes I don't feel like leaving a comment, no knock intended just..... ah bit of the introvert... maybe? You do have loyal readers and some names I haven't seen ever during the time I've been visiting. Since my parents died I've become more emotional than I was, especially since my dad died. Movies scenes that didn't rate any reaction now result in the room becoming dusty....sometimes real dusty... just happens. Part of being human I guess. Spent yesterday digging out perennials that needed to be removed, woke up this morning feeling sore and achy here and there.....ya..... age hits home when you're Medicare eligible (chuckle). The body can't do what it used to do so.....need to adjust. Saw a sign at a local car repair spot " Back Again Pumpkin Spice Brake Pads!" :)

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    1. Yeah, not sure what I'm whining about, I read lots of blogs but don't leave a comment, often because they use a system wherein the comment block opens in a separate window, which my company computer blocks. Or they use Disqus, which is just a pain in the ass.

      I guess I should count my blessings, neh? And quit whining. ;)

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  3. You have lots of loyal readers, Sarge. And lots of them comment on your good stuff. (I don't get comments for some reason)
    Your blog is a daily must!

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    1. Thanks BC. Speaking of comments, I was trying to comment on one of your posts yesterday. Blogger showed the "Comment" hot spot, you'd click on it and it would go away, but not bring up the comment block. Google made some changes (they call them improvements, I call them unnecessary gew-gaws which add nothing) so that might be it.

      Every time I open a new browser window (I use Chrome) it flashes this "Do you like our new look?" dialog box which vanishes before I can say "NO!" Progress, bah, humbug.

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  4. I have been trying to clean up the shop this week. It's become a trap for "stuff". (See Madame Blueberry's Treehouse-apult) Or maybe I made a gravity sink... I moved 2 lathe chucks yesterday evening, no sweat! 8 inches across, about 60 odd pounds each.

    looking in the top of the percolator this am, and the left LT* started shrinking.... Dang, that hurts... I'm hunched over like I'm petting a worm to stretch it. Old age isn't for the weak.

    I'm right there with you on all counts. I'm rediscovering old music, work is entertaining at times, and the room gets dusty for nothing more than a dim memory of something or someone. The bod is in rebellion to what I require of it, and life keeps going on. It does help to have fellow travelers to visit with, even if I wouldn't recognize them in person.

    *Longissimus Thoracis



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    1. Ow, ow, ow!

      Trap for stuff, I have a few places like that! ;)

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  5. Ok, I'm posting over here, in addition to the Facebook response. I rarely miss one of your posts, even if I don't reply. You always grab my heart when you get sentimental! And, I'm getting to love the Foo Fighters now!

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    1. I know you're one of the faithful Mary. Sometimes I complain more than I should.

      As The WSO to me a couple of days ago, even if you're not a big fan, you should go to one of their concerts. Incredible fun, incredible energy. Truly one of the best days of my life, can't wait to do it again.

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  6. My blog stats are down also, I think this blogging thing is past its hay days and there are just less people interested in blogging and when they stop posting they stop reading and commenting...don't drop out.

    Keep banging those drums!

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    1. Yeah, it seems to come and go. I have no patience with Twitter, writing a blog post is like writing a song, Twitter is like writing a ditty. No scope, no depth, no breadth. Kinda like society today.

      I'm here for the long haul, I'll stop blogging when my keyboard has to be pried from my cold, dead hands. Course, you'll need to pry the sticks away as well.

      Having loads of fun with the drums. Feels like I'm making progress too. Good times.

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  7. A pox on the blog stats. As you said "The blog is still necessary to my sanity...". It's your blog, you write from your heart. The rest of us can choose to stop by or not, but it's our loss if we don't.

    I think as we get older, we begin to miss things that are now in the past. This starts to leave a void that we need to fill. That's the wonderful thing about this (and some other) blog. Making new (virtual) friends of like mind and spirit. And, it does stroke our egos a bit when someone else considers our remarks to be wise, whity, and profound. Welcome to the human race.

    Variety is good. If you do your favorite thing 24/7, after awhile it becomes SOSDD.

    Got out of bed a few weeks back and muscles in my lower back spasmed. Ow. Sore as hell for two days. Thank God for Advil. Also saw the new eye doc. Good man. Small cataract in my left eye, easily correctable with my glasses for the near future. All else good to go.

    Music. Yes. Oh my, yes. Here's one that caught my ear recently. Enjoy. And writing whenever the hell you feel like it.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KkM71JPHfjk

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    1. OMG, I saw that the other day, love it. The Danes are awesome people, served with a few in NATO. No better comrades anywhere.

      And RHT447, thanks for being here.

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  8. Dude, you used to play a fish? What scale did you use? (My wife, the music nut, hates when I pronounce bass as the fish and not the other way. I do it to tweak her. It works. Gotta get my jollies one way or another, right?)

    Music is definitely something that sticks into my head. Lately, we've been (meaning Mrs. Andrew has) been playing "Jersey Boys" to fall asleep to. Good movie about Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, not much shouting, good music, directed by Clint Eastwood. So, of course, I have FVatFS music running through my head a lot.

    As to page hits, well, if I went by the number of comments, then I'd a stopped writing, as only the dog post and me losing it post have generated huge comment numbers. But... I have noticed that usually Thursday to Sunday posts tend not to get as many comments as Monday-Wed posts. Plus, you're getting more views and comments now than when you first started. So there's that, too. And, of course, if you were writing for money, you'd have written a few books by now. You're righting to share your life and empty your brain. So, well, get over yourself. Yeesh. :)

    I hate it when cats start slowing down. Had cats most of my life. Losing them is always painful. Especially indoor only kitties. Hang in there. Don't get down. There are kittens that will need you after the badness happens. And that will also give you something to blog about, as sharp little kitten assassin feet attack you at all hours of the night. (One day I will relate the 'snake' episode. One day.)

    You are also reaching a funny moment in your life. Retirement is just around the corner, and part of you is wondering and worrying about it. Have you gone to a financial planner as juvat and Tuna and others suggested yet?

    Then there's the whole turning of the seasons. It is that blah time after summer-summer but before fall-fall and all the goodness of harvest time, leave changing time, Thanksgiving and the Christmas Season (that seems to start before Halloween these days.)

    Hey, look at the bright side. At least you're not Catholic. We-uns of the RC variety are watching our beloved Mother Church kill itself, as more and more stupidity gets exposed that should never have happened. Almost makes me want to go nail some scribbly words on the local doors of the churches.

    And, well, pain. Yep, what others above had said. Takes yourself your favorite pain killer and well, get over it. If it is particularly annoying, get it checked out now before you retire.

    Take care. Hang in there. And get LUSH to at least write a comment now and them, if not a blog post. After all, you're her father and you control her, right?

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    1. Sound wisdom Beans. (Love your first bit, I used to think it odd that they had special boats to play the bass on...)

      Jersey Boys? Clint Eastwood directed? I need to check that out. Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons reminds me of when I was younger, good stuff!

      I get down at times, melancholy and the like. But it passes. I have too jovial a soul to stay down for long.

      Have you checked out Essays in Idleness yet? Canadian fellow, very RC and a BRILLIANT writer. I read everything he posts. While I'm not Catholic (grandpa was, favorite uncle was, LUSH and her family are), the Roman Catholic church is often on my mind, I even refer to it as Holy Mother Church a lot of the time, it's the oldest and the biggest. It sickens me to see what's happening to Her. Pisses me off too. I had such hopes for this Pope, damned commie he seems.

      People mention the financial advisor thing, why pay someone for what I already know. Three pensions to come, I'll be very well situated compared to many. If worse comes to worse, I have certain skills for which there is a demand around here. I can always go back to work part time.

      I never worry about that kind of thing. God watches over me, always has, I pray He always will. I put myself in His Hands long ago, and have never regretted it, my blessings far outweigh my petty complaints.

      Once again, I am so glad you found your way here. We have so many great readers, commenters, and contributors (not all of whom write here, but many of whom inspire in the comments and in emails).

      Truly, I have much to be thankful for!

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    2. And the next time you start feeling all maudlin, go check out this and related videos.

      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HPLaGb2wucw

      WARNING: MAKE SURE TO DRAIN THE BLADDER BEFORE WATCHING!

      And I'll take your thanks for giving you something to do all day long. Read the comments too, they are priceless.

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    3. Getting towed is something that has happened to me once. In the "if it ain't moving and if it has a DoD sticker on it, tow it" city of Norfolk, Virginia. I won't watch towing videos for precisely that reason. A couple of snooty apartment building witches felt the heat of my wrath after towing The Nuke's car from in front of her residence. She was at sea and had been for a month. The WSO and I flew down to bring her car back to Little Rhody while she was at sea (for six months). Seems the assholes who ran the apartment complex instituted a new sticker for residents as "too many visitors are jamming up the lot" and any car without a sticker would get towed.

      The WSO and I flew down to Norfolk, went out to eat and when we came back, there was space right in front of the apartment. The next morning when we got up, no car. It had been towed. One of the few times in my life where I literally wanted to kill someone. Cost us 150 bucks (to include the taxi to the impound lot) and a four hour delay in getting on the road for the ten hour drive home. At first the apartment Nazis weren't going to let me use the phone to call for a taxi!!! When I pointed out that they had two choices, let me call a taxi, or call the police to report a homicide in progress, they let me call for a taxi.

      I despise tow truck operators who deal with parking Nazis. Sure, sure, they're just following orders. Hhhmm, where I have heard that before?

      You couldn't have known. Again, I reveal a really weird facet of my personality. It's quirky I am. And strange.

      For maudlin to enraged is not something one wants in a Scotsman. Just sayin'...

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    4. Ah, I forgot that particular episode. Yah, I can see your point. Especially when you're not wearing a hat...

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  9. I'm a regular reader here and have commented a time or two, being an avid reader of military history and an amateur student of language. Not having personal acquaintance or having been in any branch of the service, I would be reluctant to comment on most of your personal revelations or career reminiscences, though I generally find them interesting, digressions and all. As one already retired, also a husband, father, grandfather, and keeper of generations of dogs, cats, and other critters, I say you're doing better than most.( and, yes, the Foo Fighters are excellent)

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    1. Good to have you here LoFan. Sounds like we have a number of interests in common.

      Glad you like the digressions. :)

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  10. [img]https://i.imgur.com/uFEK1xS.jpg[/img]

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  11. Sarge.. how to publish pics in comments ? got some nice pics of the B52D at Orlando Airport Park

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    1. Unfortunately Mark, Blogger doesn't allow pictures in the comments. I looked it up, you can provide links using the following syntax:

      {a href="URL of the link"}{b}TEXT TO SHOW FOR THE LINK{/b}{/a} - Replace "{" and "}" with "<" and ">"

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  12. I have to admit that it is rarely a day that goes by that I can't find time to enjoy your musings. Most of yur postings are within my area of interest,but I have to admit you lose me on music.I admit to being an old foggy. I grew up with the big bands and have a taste for what my kids call "elevator music." I'm still a fan of folk and can listen endlessly to the Kingston Trio or the Brothers Four. But when it comes to rock I am reminded of Ulysses Grant, who, when asked what his favorite song was, responded that "I only know two songs. One is "Yankee Doodle" and the other isn't."

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    1. That's one of the beauties of life, everyone can enjoy something different. There are so many types and forms of music, many of which I enjoy listening to. Google Mongolian throat singing, stuff gives me a rush! Isn't for everyone though.

      A lot of the music my parents listened to when I was a kid I couldn't stand. It grew on me over the years. While I prefer rock, I have really eclectic tastes in music, can listen to almost anything, except most rap and most modern Gospel music. Bleh.

      I remember that about Grant, a classic!

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    2. Mongolian Throat Singing is so cool. Met a real singer once, he still rode herd, carried a bow, lived in a gyr, had a smartphone, solar power for his cappuchino machine...

      This world sometimes gets a little weird, doesn't it?

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  13. Holy smokes, Sarge, you nailed the way I've been feeling the last several years as I've aged. 30 never bothered me, 40 blew right by, and I laughed at 50. But when I hit 60....?....THAT left a mark.

    Then there was the "MRSA Incident", followed by the "Heart Attack and Stent Incident", and so on and so forth.

    But at least we got out of Kommiefornia alive....

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  14. My usual standard for comments is that unless I have something that contributes I refrain from commenting.
    And I really, really, have to spend effort on my comments to meet the median standard.
    Reading your blog late in the day usually means that all the "good" comments are taken. (smile)

    I like music. I remember coming back to the States on Forrestal and watching this Swedish group sing some song called, "Dancing Queen." I still like their music.

    I'm listening to military bands cover "Unchained Melody," while I type this.
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ejm3Q5ZKr28

    I like the posts (and the commenters) at this blog. Bravo Zulu.

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    1. ABBA!

      Man, I listened to that and...

      Got dusty all of a sudden, what a beautiful version. Breathtaking.

      Thanks for that John, made my evening.

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    2. Oh my. Dust indeed. Thanks to John from me as well.

      In the far way-back times, I bought one of these new---

      https://www.amazon.com/Remanufactured-Teac-Wall-Mountable-Discontinued-Manufacturer/dp/B000FOP0EM/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8

      Still have it. It sits neatly tucked away on the wall in my garage man-cave, and is connected to the output from my garage PC. Playing online music videos is a delight. Here is something a bit different. A real toe tapper.

      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QZJ0N8USO0o

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  15. Ok, so yes, music is important, especially as a block out the other noise from the other room as I am trying to do my charting at the end of the day. I find I think faster, and definitely type faster when listening to music.

    I am not talking about kitties getting old as my guy will be 17 next week, he has his routine vet appt in 2 weeks, and his back is getting kinds boney...he still is be-bopping around like usual, and still has a gut on him...but the day is coming...I will be a mess, I was for the last one, some 17 years ago. Do not want to jinx things...

    I don't always comment, although I do read here every day...or if I miss a day, I catch back up the next day.
    And I enjoy reading what you and everyone else writes.

    So far as turning 60...yea, it is slowing me down a bit...what is hard for me is when my brain writes checks my body laughs at. Many days I am 110 years old when I wake up and get out of bed...then as I walk across the room, my muscles loosen up, and I drop 40-50 years age. Lol

    And when the house is dusty, or when I read something/watch something on TV, my empathy kicks in, and I am reaching for the Kleenex box. Oh, well, I could have worse habits.

    I listen to the Foo Fighters, but like ABBA much better. :)

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    1. Don't worry, Suz, I've been doing the same thing regarding empathy since, oh, about 22yoa. Coincidentally, I proposed to my wife when I was 22yoa.

      I have always been the one bawling during touching scenes with my wife looking at me like I'm a big wussy. And then I'll do something typically man-stupid like break a toe, reach down, straighten it, and keep going. Meh, it's a toe, got 9 more...

      Foo Fighters to me are just a fun time. ABBA reminds me of what was good during the Disco era (which there was a lot of, contrary to many people's opinions. Really good dance music, beats Rap and Rap's descendants all to heck.)


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    2. Suz - Ah yes, the wake up feeling like the hundred year old man, walk to the bathroom and back and suddenly, I'm 65 again. Put some top-tapping musci on, I'm 25 again. But if I jump around too much, ouch the next day.

      Oddly enough, Dave Grohl and Taylor Hawkins are both fans of ABBA. I like 'em too. Great dance musci. (I dance, much to the chagrin of others, and horror, oh, the horror.)

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    3. Beans - Great description of man stupid. I broke a little toe a couple of years ago. Hurt like Hell, longshoremen 300 miles away were blushing at the words coming out of my mouth. Then I reached down, put it back where it beloonged and taped it to its neighbor. My Doc asked why I didn't come in to see her. I asked her what she'd do for it, other than x-rays to say "Yup, broken." She said there isn't much you can do, just tape it to the next one. I think she was slightly peeved when I told her that's what I did and I didn't need to go to med school for that. She has a hard ime reading me at times.

      Love ABBA, fun music.

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  16. Well I was going to stop reading your blog when you listed the Marines in the honor roll and forgot/left out poor Joe Foss. I decided to give you a second chance. I have the pleasure to be around 2 Maine Coons who are enormous. They sometime feature on my blog or at another one. They aren't allowed up here on the 3rd floor since this is the palace of plush comfy chairs and fabric that claws would destroy in an instant so I write without their violent input. They really really like mice and rabbits and my food and sleeping around in the all the comfy spots.
    I usually read everybody on my list every day but there are some days when that doesn't happen. I don't comment as often as I used to.

    And now for what ails you. There it was on the right side of Lex for all these years. Guinness is not just for strength, it helps with the body ease into growing older. You clearly need more.

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    1. Hahaha! Yeah, sorry about that. ;)

      My parents had two Maine coons for a good twelve plus years. Huge cats, wuith even bigger personalities.

      And yes, Guinness, it IS good for what ails you. I am Guinness-deficient, obviously. I shall take your Rx to the store ASAP.

      Thanks Cap'n.

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    2. Lazarus was a Norwegian Forest Cat, they are sort of the S-10 version of the Coin Cat. 8 pound cat, with 78 pounds of personality!

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    3. I've heard that the NFCs, in addition to being BIG cats, also have HUGE personailities. A plus in the feline species.

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