Random Updates

Yesterday the Boss had a surgical procedure implanting electrodes near her lower spine and a rechargeable & programmable battery pack under her skin.  Using a remote control she can change the type and intensity of electrical stimulation to her spinal cord, that masks nerve pain.  Hope this allows her to live a semi-normal life that's been elusive of late.

I've mentioned before that I'm employed by a company that's a division of a larger corporation, and that business has been growing, despite the economy.  Recently it was announced that for the first time, the corporation reached $1B in sales.  The division where I work, and my department in particular, is having trouble keeping up with product demand.  We're doing our best to expand production capability but that's barely enough now, nor in the near future.

After 2-1/2 years, looks like we finally sold the old house.  Based on our purchase price in 1998, we're loosing $20,000, not counting the addition and improvements made since we bought the place.  Thanks to the Fed. government induced recession.

Rumor ??

So the Feds backed off their cattle rustling operation in Nevada, supposedly to defuse a volatile situation.  I've read that the Feds will pursue legal action.  That implies that what they've been doing until now is not legal.

I've also read that the whole affair has nothing to do with a tortoise.  Apparently Harry Reid and his son are involved with a solar power venture with the Chinese that needs that land.

At least that's what I read.

Froggies

I've heard it said that if you put a frog in cool water and start heating, the frog will happily swim around until he's boiled to death.  If you drop him into boiling water he'll panic and immediately jump out of the pot.

At least since Roosevelt we've been happily swimming around while our liberties have been squelched.  But rather than boiling to death, we froggies finally took notice.  Concealed carry has almost become the norm, and citizens of CT and NY are saying "no way" to new gun control laws.

Bad News

Several years ago I picked up an old Ishapore that had the barrel chopped to create a fake jungle carbine.  It's fun to shoot with Mil-Surp ammo.  For several years I've been thinking about having the barrel threaded for a flash hider that I could position to change the barrel harmonics, thus improving accuracy.  I've also thought about having a rail added in front of the receiver, turning it into sort of a scout rifle.

Today while running errands, I stopped at the local gun smith to have the modifications made.  There was a sign on the door telling me that he closed his business 3 weeks ago.  This guy did excellent work at a reasonable price.  Damn.  Now I gotta find someone else.

Just Crap

Our older and much larger home and lot has been on the market for about 2-1/2 years.  The list price started at a little higher than the taxed appraised value, and is now below.  In that time we've had just 1 offer.  That was recent and at $45K less than the list price.  After many counter offers, if accepted by the buyer, we'll be about $30K less than priced and #20K below what we paid for the place, ignoring the upgrades and addition we spent money on.  At this time we don't know if we have a deal, but we're as low as we will go on this.  Right now we still own 2 homes, but thankfully only 1 mortgage.

Yep, the economy is in good shape.  Standard government bull shit.

What a Tease

The temporary electrical wires were removed from the Boss this morning.  A few minutes ago I was requested to get her bottle of oxy . . something.  She went all last week without taking any pain pills.  This was a trial to see if the electrical stimulation reduces her pain, and it turned out to be a tease. 

The insurance approval was only for the temporary trial.  When she decides to go for the permanent implantation, the insurance requires another approval process and then scheduling of the surgery.  I'm guessing it'll be another 2 months before she can once again get off the pain medications.

If it Walks Like a Duck . . .

Does it feel to you like we're still in recession?  Here's evidence that we certainly are.

. . . means that real labor usage on net, taking into account hours worked, fell by the equivalent of 100,000 jobs since September.