25. December 2011 by [JP].

Earlier this month, I read a well written, eloquent comment on a Facebook discussion about X-Mas. I even learned something from it.

Regrettably, i cant find it again, probably because the original thread was deleted, due to the FB profile’s owner not enjoying being owned by an old lady while on the interwebs.

Therefore, You’ll just have to deal with me copypasta’ing a few wiki articles together and adding my own comments.

Oh Noes, dont take Christ out of Christmas and replace him with an X.

Oh, but wait…

“Xmas” is a common abbreviation of the word “Christmas”. It is sometimes pronounced /ˈɛksməs/, but it, and variants such as “Xtemass”, originated as handwriting abbreviations for the typical pronunciation /ˈkrɪsməs/. The “-mas” part is from the Latin-derived Old English word for “Mass”,while the “X” comes from the Greek letter Chi, which is the first letter of the Greek word Χριστός, translated as “Christ”.

There is a common misconception that the word Xmas is a secular attempt to remove the religious tradition from Christmas by taking the “Christ” out of “Christmas”.

The word “Christ” and its compounds, including “Christmas”, have been abbreviated in English for at least the past 1,000 years, long before the modern “Xmas” was commonly used.

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12. December 2011 by [JP].

I wanted a new wireless mouse that works with my new keyboard. Sam’s had the model I wanted for 29 bucks, and I was going to get it there. But I got on CL to see what I could find.

And I found. For 35 bucks, that model mouse AND a wireless keyboard.

So I emailed the guy to confirm the model number.

And it was correct.

So I said i’ll take it.

The first indication that something might be amiss was him asking if I’m sure I wanted to do it so late in the day… um, 6pm after work was late? He asked if I was sure I could make it out, with the possibility of snow. Of course, I have a truck. How far could it be, he said Rio Rancho.

Yeah. Rio Rancho. Specifically, that one subdivision way the heck out there by the armory, 10 miles outside of the city’s heart. You know the one, with those weird random O shaped things.

I stopped at the Walgreens to get some cash, and a snack. Then I noticed the GPS said i was 20 miles away. I was like wait, no way.

Then, 15 miles later, instead of routing me over 700 feet of perfectly good road, the GPS, not beliving it existed, routed me thru a nearly 2 mile loop of mud, ice, and a snow covered hill.,, which I must admit, was the best part of the trip. Finally I get to the loop he lived on… all the cookie cutter houses looked the same.

But of course, how could I miss it, since he told me the scientific name of the trees alongside his driveway… Yeah, next time, just say “the 2 skinny ones” So, I arrived. Being that I wasnt working, the taurus was in the usual off-duty spot, in my tac bag. Which was in the back seat of the truck. Why would I need it? After all, i’m just going to ring the doorbell, pick up the keyboard and mouse, and hand over some cash.

I walk to the door, he invites me in. My spidey sense is way tingling. 3 steps inside his house, alarm bells are going off in my head, and I think to myself,  ”oh. crap. can I take this guy if I have to? Do I have a weapon on my person? Oh, right, theres a pocket knife in my cargo pocket. Whew. Can I reach it? I dont know”

We turn the corner and the only open door in the hallway is a bedroom. I’m like WTF did i get myself into here? and why are my 13 hollowpoints on the other side of a door, and 20 feet of ice and snow, rather then tucked in my belt. He points to the linen closet, and when he opens the door, I expect the worst, like a decapitated head, or some S&M gear to be hanging.

Instead, there was the mouse and keyboard on a shelf. I pick up the mouse and inspect it, its just what I wanted. I hand him the money and back towards the door. I thank him, and walk outside to the truck. It hesitates for a split second before starting and i’m like WTF, seriously? I back out of the corner lot, and head down the street.

Of course, I take the frozen muddy hill again, that shit was fun the first time.

PS, this mouse, the Logitech m705, is freaking awesome.

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21. September 2011 by [JP].

 If you’ve been reading me at all, you may know I have a chronic medical condition. About 3 weeks ago, I was hospitalized with it again. I was held in the ER for about half the day, given 4 liters of fluid via slow drip IV, and when my electrolytes normalized and my blood sugar dropped to acceptable ranges, they discharged me. There were a few problems with that. First off, my lipid levels were high on admit, 2145, which was near the top of their ability to actually read the levels. Not exactly a personal record though, as i’ve been much higher in the past. After the fluids, they had only dropped to just under 2000.

Normal treatment for my condition is a minimum 24 hours with no food, a 72 hour minimum admit with constant fluids, with a 5-8 liter bolus to start with, and then 200 ml/hour infusion after that… it literally dilutes my blood, then filters it clean by just pure volume.
So, the fact that they only gave me 3 liters in the ER (1 was in the ambulance) meant that I had nowhere near the required amount of fluid for treatment.
So, its not surprising that after being borderline sick for 2 weeks, i ended up back in the ER.
This time, however, my lipid levels were higher then the hospitals in-house lab could read, and it resulted in an admission for stabilizing treatment.
During this admission, my medical team made a few changes to my overall care.
First off, the drug regime i’ve been on for about 2 years, which has lead to a stablization of my condition (2-3 crashes per year, vs 7-10… this is good) also has a serious possible side effect, a serious muscle condition called Rhabdomyolysis. However, over the last 2 years, they were more concerned about me dying of my condition then the minor possibility of a muscle condition, which I agreed with.
Now that i’ve been mostly stable, they decided to change the combination of drugs i’m on to some newer ones, with a significantly lower chance of the side effect… if these new ones are as effective (or, hopefully more effective) then we’ll stay. If not, we can always go back.

Second, they’re going to try a procedure called Plasmapheresis on an experimental basis. They’re going for total serum replacement. Basically, its similar to donating plasma, except, they’re destroying the plasma they take out, and replaceing it with a plasma replacement serum… originally, they considered just filtering it, and reinjecting, but they decided otherwise.

Assuming this goes well, they want to consider doing it quarterly as a preventative measure, as well as having the option to do it as an emergency measure in the event of another crash.
The advantage is, that my blood gets completely filtered of lipids in a 2 hour procedure outside my body, instead of by my organs in a 72 hour hospitalization. Its safer, and stablizes me much sooner then treating me for the condition.

My first appointment is Friday morning, so we’ll see how that goes.

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24. May 2011 by [JP].

Now. Lets talk about… um. Cookies.
I want cookies… that is all.

Penny says ‘ambulance’ funny.

My phone has been acting up, i’m giving it one last chance then im replacing it with a Droid X.

I dont know the last time i’ve taken my meds… oops. I’ll take them as soon as this posts.

I hope my latest paycheck gets here before i leave town wed eve.

I have a 8am! work order an hour from my parents house in El Paso. WTF.

WTF. Penny just sent me a FB message from the other room… she wants… oh.

Um. I still want cookies.

If you are going to comment, at least use your own damn email address so I know who it is… or, alternatively, subscribe, so I dont have to moderate the comments each time like from an anon user.

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28. March 2011 by [JP].

My kindle was pretty much dead… it was a first generation unit, that i got used on craigslist for 40 bucks. It pretty much lived in my hospital bag (the bag by the door that i take to the hospital with me when I get admitted) and the battery was just failing, and the screen had a few issues.

So, i figured it was time to get a new one… except, i was saving the cash for an android tablet… so I went to B&N to look at the Nook color, and ended up buying one.
Rooted it, installed newer android software, and the kindle app.
Yes. I have the kindle app on a Nook. Yay irony.
And honestly, for under 300 bucks, its a pretty damn nice little tablet. fast, pretty lightweight, does almost everything I wanted a tablet to do (except play Stupid Zombies, which requires android 2.2, but thats a month away)
Battery life is pretty decent, had it playing slacker radio for a few hours while we took a nap, and it was barely down to 90%.
Plays Angry Birds pretty well also.

I’m happy with it, it fulfills 3 of my needs… it can display work PDF’s pretty well, so I dont have to print out 30 or 40 page instruction manuals at sites (i REALLY liked the ipad’s ability to do this when i had it) it does all the internet apps i want on android pretty damn well… like my phone, just with a significantly larger screen, and it makes a pretty nice e-reader… well, at least on the kindle app… i dont have any B&N books.

I wish it had its own data radio like the ipad did, or like the tablets that the cell carriers sell, but my truck has wifi, my phone can broadcast a wifi hotspot as well, so thats something that works out.

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14. February 2011 by [JP].

    It smelled like rain. The desert landscape was dry as a bone, and the tires kicked up plumes of dirt as the dusty old pickup truck crept along the dirt road. Anyone who has lived in the desert long enough knows that, even on the driest day, the mesquite bush, when disturbed, gives off the familiar smell of fresh rain.

     He did not belong there, the stranger driving the well worn Ford. In fact, this was his first trip out on the reservation, although his parents often spoke of the land of their parents. The green and white flashes of the airport beacon off to his right shone thru the dust streaked windows, and reflected off of the buckle on his hat, and the traditional turquoise and bone jewelry he wore around his neck.

     The stranger was dressed all in black, in a worn and threadbare suit that the thrift shop in Albuquerque charged him ten dollars for. The boots were a parting gift from an old friend, who knew that he was never to return. Only the hat was his own, a felt cowboy hat that had been his sole companion for most of his adult life. The eagle feather woven into his long grey braid fluttered in the wind as he rolled down the window and adjusted the side mirror again.

     He was almost to his destination, to the home he had never known. To the land that his grandparents had both been born on, and had both died on. The land of his people, even though until now, he had never even been to that part of the state. Soon, he’ll be home. And soon, he’ll die.

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26. January 2011 by [JP].

When i got the WJ, i had written a jeep forum post about my plans for upgrade.

Now that i have the Dakota, i’m going to just post my plans here, and start checking them off as I go.

• NMO Mount on the front left fender for two-way radio
• NMO Mount in the roof for the other radio
• Install dual band Icom in cab with remote face kit
• Install VHF radio in cab
• Dedicated circuit for CB radio with quick install/disconnect… still figuring where to put the antenna
• New headlights, keeping OEM turn signals and corners. Best quality bulbs possible. (silverstars temporarily, ordering good bulbs)
• LED bulbs in all three rear brake lights.
• LED high wattage bulbs in cargo lights
• LED bulbs in interior dome lights
• Small led strip to illuminate under dash where cup holder and stuff are
• Phone cradle for dash, possibly also buying garminfone for gps
• Aux 12v outlets. One constantly powered, others switched by key
• Keyless entry (ended up getting alarm installed)
  
• iPod integration
• OEM trip computer/overhead console… possibly even with homelink to use for switching.
• Better bulbs in fog lights, possibly HID. Also cleaning or replacing OEM lenses.
• KC 57 series long range lights in lower bumper with hella 85 watt yellowstars.
• Baja/Prerunner style bumper lightbar
• Rear LED reverse lights under hitch, with on/off/auto switch.
• Cargo cover and some type of box for the bed.
• Spray on bedliner in bed, and under hood.
• Cone filter intake
• Repaint truck. I’m thinking de-badge, re-paint black, add burnt orange accents.

I’ll come in and highlight the ones that are done as I do them.

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25. December 2010 by [JP].

Warning: Contains meat, dairy, HOT STUFF, totally NOT Kosher, not vegan, not Halal, and should not be consumed by… anyone. You have been warned.

Tools:

Big deep skillet
Crock Pot
Hammer
Stirring things
Hands
huge microwave safe dish

Ingredients:

2 big blocks of Velveeta
2 standard blocks of cream cheese
2 cans evaporated milk
1 can Rotel Tomatoes and green chili
2 cans Rotel Tomatoes and habaneros
1 large can chopped green chili
1 small can jalapeno
1 tub pre-made pico de gallo
1 pkg fresh queso fresco (low moisture mozz works as well, or any crumbly white cheese)
1 pkg peyton brand chorizo (pork or beef)
wee bit of cooking oil
1 bottle water
1 energy drink.

Initial prep:

Turn crock pot on high. Pour evap milk into a microwave safe bowl, and microwave for 90 seconds.
Pour oil in skillet and turn to medium high.
Drink energy drink.

When the oil is hot, drop in the chorizo and stir and break it apart into small chunks, fry until crumbly and dark purple or black. Pour in all cans of hot veggies (do not strain) and pico de gallo, stir, making sure the chorizo and oil are mixed into the hot veggies. reduce heat to medium, simmer for 15 minutes uncovered, stirring frequently.

Crumble the white cheese into small chunks… good way to do it is freeze the cheese overnight, then beat with a hammer until its crumbled. Put the white cheese in the hot crock pot, and pour the hot evap milk over it, stirring frequently. Cover the crock pot.

Put cream cheese and velveeta in large microwave safe bowl, microwave on 50% power for 5 minutes, or until it starts melting. Transfer melted cheese blend into crock pot, and continue to stir.
After hot veggie mix has simmered for 15 minutes, fold into cheese mix in crock pot, reserving some of the liquid that remains in the skillet.
If the queso is too thick, pour in the liquid from the skillet and stir until fully mixed.
Leave crock pot on high and continue stirring, being sure to scrape from the sides and bottom.

Drink bottle of water, and serve Epic Queso!

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25. December 2010 by [JP].

’twas the night before Christmas, and all thru the house, everyone was busy, and Zachary took my mouse.
The family was getting ready, the kitchen was trashed. I’m in my bedroom, and damn it, Hulu just crashed.
Break out the medicine box, the pepto and tums.
And what is that sound, oh, his mother got him drums.
I”m eating my marshmallow santas, from my secret stash… my mom will kick my ass, if she finds the wrappers in the trash.
The stockings were hung, in that room over there.
My mother trying to put Zachary down, so we can prepare.
Time to duct tape him in bed, and give him a beso.
I need to check my groceries, tomorrow I make epic queso.
When out on the lawn, arose such a glare, I realized the wind knocked over a luminaria out there.
And from the den, came such a clatter, that I paused Dexter to see what’s the matter.
The final touches on tomorrows food, making pies and stuffin’.
I checked the table, who left Santa skim milk and a bran muffin?
And when the presents were wrapped and under the tree, the family in the den, watching food network on tv.
And finally it was silent, everyone in bed.
Happy Christmas to all, that’s what he said.

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30. November 2010 by [JP].

The end.

Yay.

I made it.

Alive.

Heres a link thats a followup to yesterday.

http://ping.fm/oFSY8 My brother’s the one with the red walker, goatee, and o2.

The end.

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