Trying to manage weight loss

Well, I suppose that I've had a tool in place to assist with the weight loss routine. The lap band has been helpful, but I think it might be slightly too tight. I may see if the doctor will remove a small portion of the saline that is is in the band to allow slightly more food to be eaten, to pass through my smaller stomach pouch slightly easier. I REALLY REALLY like the meatloaf and mashed potatoes that my wife makes. The 10 ounce tubbies with screw on lids have been phenomenal in helping to control portion sizes. I had a co-worker ask me about the lap band, and I was upfront with him. I hope that if he chooses to do it, it will work out relatively well for him. Avoiding diabetes, and the compounding health problems that it causes is a big factor. The chewable vitamins for bariatric surgery ar pretty good. Mostly it's supplemental vitamins, and then a big b-12. I guess it's better in an easier form for absortion. The b-12 was important. I had been told by my doctor that I should take a b-12 supplement. It did improve my mood, and help me see things in a more positive manner. Maybe I saw more options, more ways that I could influence things around me. Of course, this is also impacted by my traumatic brain injury issues which still probably affect some stuff even today, and also important to deal with is my teeth issues. The teeth will be expensive to have crowns placed on them, but eventually, I should have a newer better smile. More importantly, I should be able to continue with my chewing, and eating for some time into the future. The prosthedontist's office had some pretty cool x-rays and computer displays displaying basically health root structures for my teeth.

Snowden

“I don’t understand what he was thinking,” she said. “Is he a little boy with no idea about the consequences?”
The above quote comes to us from:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/europe/seeking-snowden-in-sheremetyevo/2013/07/04/ef67ece4-e4d1-11e2-aef3-339619eab080_story.html
I wonder how he keeps his precious laptops secure for days on end. I wonder where Miss Harrison is at? Wikileaks is the one who seems to want the spotlight.
I doubt Snowden plays chess.
For that matter, I'm not sure that Assange plays chess.
Maybe Mister Assange in fact does play chess, now that he is at the Equadorian Embassy in London. Or, maybe not.
I'd think that the Russian Security folks should know where he is. If in fact, he is still in the transit zone. Did Miss Harrison continue on with her travels?
Is she located at some wikileaks underground bunker? I doubt it.

Jobs numbers in the US

I suppose it is good that the jobs numbers are picking up. It would perhaps be better if there weren't as many part time employed people, who state that they would prefer full time work, but it is what it is. I guess some businesses might be a little bit concerned about adding full time employees, with the impacts of Obamacare, or whatever. I really don't think that it should be of much concern, but the fact that the federal government is paying contractors to do jobs that federal employees used to do, or perhaps more to the point, paying people more than federal employees, but also not contributing to benefits, time off, etcetera, and presumably allowing the contractors to try picking up health coverage on their own, or whatever. In speaking with a former contractor, he said that yes, the individual rate of reimbursement was higher, but there was no paid time off, no medical, no dental, no retirement system. Maybe the contracting agency might be able to set up something, but I doubt it. The federal government probably likes the fact that they don't have to pay for all of the costs associated with providing benefits, and the contracting agency probably makes some money by providing people with certain skill sets who are able to do certain jobs. The former contractor tells me that he was just an hourly employee, when he was a contractor, I suppose that Mister Snowden was also an hourly employee, working for the NSA.

Back from Highlands, NC

I'm back in Tampa, after having spent a few days visiting my parents in Highlands, NC. I'm ready to go back to work tomorrow, and feed my co-worker's fish. I suppose that I'll be one of a few people at work tomorrow, but who knows? I had a good time with my parents and my wife. On the linked-in network, I've discovered a number of other people who I've sent inquiries to. I'll see how readily it translates into an expanded network of contacts as relates to my desire to share some experiences and wisdom gained or just evidence that recovery from a moderately catastrophic injury is possible.

Indian notion of time

Part of what is interesting about the Indian understanding of time is that it doesn't exist separately from other units. I am not even sure that it makes sense, but that was part of what I took away while listening to the guy from mountain stewards yesterday. The fact that everything is sacred is also interesting.

Buddy the Buddy Holly story

Last night, we went to go see the play Buddy, the Buddy Holly story. I was impressed with the story. I did not realize that his career. Only lasted 18 months. Much of what I know of the story is encapsulated in the song American Pie by Don McLean. "I can't remember if I cried when I read about his widowed bride."

Laser Spectacular: The music of Pink Floyd at the Mahaffey Theater

Last night we went to Downtown Saint Petersburg for an evening of music. We went and picked up our tickets early for the show Laser Spectacular: the music of Pink Floyd at the Mahaffey Theater. They sold us special glasses which I guess refracted light a little bit differently, and enhanced the laser show. My eyes were dry, so I put drops in my eyes. I carry around the little bottle of refresh liquigel lubricant eyedrops, since having the lasik surgery. I haven't had to use the eyedrops for awhile, but I guess that the laser show might have been a bit much. Maybe the strobe lights, or the fog, or other causes exacerbated the issue. The music was pretty good. We only stayed for the first half. it was tiring. But it was fun. We enjoyed the time there. As we left, many people were outside taking a smoke break. And potty break, and buying beverages. Earlier, we walked to Kilwin's for some ice cream milk shakes. It was a good time.

A play Live Theater "Distorted Love"

We went and saw a play called "Distorted Love" tonight at a strip center in Temple Terrace, the play was very good, about generational dynamics. Maybe it wasn't totally realistic, but it touched upon similar themes which result in generational conflict. Toward the end, a statement was made that we should never let pride get in the way, for we are really only given today, tomorrow is not a certainty. We had a great time. The play had three actresses. We drove by the place about 3 times before stopping at the place. It didn't appear to be what I'd think of as a big enough of a location, but there was maybe room for about 20 - 30 people not including the cast or crew for the play.
I guess since they are hoping to eventually find a bigger location, and involve more young people in production of plays and whatnot, it is a good thing, but who knows how successful they will ultimately be.

dental (at the prosthedontist's office)

Yippie. Well, I got a second opinion on what needed to be done with my mouth. Really, a fourth opinion, this was the second prosthedontist. This guy is a preferred provider with my dental plan, so there is a projected savings due to negotiated fee schedule agreements. I suppose it is good that my roots and related structures appear to be good on the panoramic x-rays. The TMJ appears to be good. The solution proposed was slightly more involved than the lesser involved solution put forward by the other prosthedontist, in fact, crown lengthening everywhere means that it may be more expensive, but due to the dental plan, it might be the option that I'll go with. This guy will try to get the preauthorization from the insurance company, and when that happens, they will call me back and try scheduling some stuff. I hope that some stuff will be covered. Maybe this will be better as far as keeping my teeth longer. Grinding teeth at night, or whatever I guess causes problems with the teeth. The dental hygenists have been somewhat taken aback by my complex mouth. The dentists might see new wheels for their vehicles, or other options. The prosthedontists might see more options on how they can help improve smiles. I tried to impart that I'm not concerned about the smile. The functionality of my teeth, as far as chewing was what I was most concerned about.

Waiting on the Air Conditioning repair guy

Waiting on the Air Conditioning repair guy can be a long process. The good thing was that it was only a capacitor which needed to be replaced. I act like I know what I'm talking about. I just know that it is what they check when they come out and check our A/C unit. They were last out to check the status in April. They usually try to get me to invest in a biocide ultra-violet light system for disinfecting the air handling unit. This guy came out and tested our capacitor, and sure enough, the capacitor didn't have enough of a charge for the condenser unit outside. A different A/C repair guy (with the same company) came out last night, and he just pulled the fuse and reset it, and it started back up, but then sometime over the night, it went out again, so we called the company up again. Another $124 or so. I am happy that I get paid well enough doing what I pretty much enjoy.

living with TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury)

I have a right frontal Traumatic Brain Injury. When I was eleven, I was struck by a car, life flighted to Norfolk General, transferred to the Children's Hospital of the Kings' Daughters, discharged, brought home, recovered, progressed through education. I earned a Master's Degree in Library Science, I got hired at a VA Hospital. I was touching computers, and was offered a full time permanent position in the computer section.
Most of the time, the deficits are not too pronounced. Sure, I speak somewhat slower than the national average, and I walk with a limp, and my left side is not as used as much is my dominant right side. My left arm/hand used to be curled up and atrophied at my side. Now, it is significantly better.
I suppose I am a testament to the fact that recovery after a traumatic brain injury (TBI) can continue to progress. For me, education seemed to be a way to get a good job.
With Traumatic Brain Injury being more recognized as a serious event in the lives of so many, it is important to acknowledge that life goes on. Recovery is possible.

Snowden is not a whistleblower

Snowden is not a whistleblower. As a contract employee, Snowden has (had) limited protections. His employer Booz Allen Hamilton, terminated his employment. The intelligence agencies, by using the contracts can pay other people to handle personnel matters.
The process of whistleblowing is trying to work within the system.

intel outsourcing

growth in intel outsourcing has been long process
I suppose that people aren't eager to bring many new people on the government roles of employees. Not paying for benefits and pension and retirement has advantages, but it decreases loyalty. The mantra of smaller government is appealing, but there are risks.

MSFT stores to share locations with best buy (mini stores)

MSFT mini stores to pop up in 500 best buy locations
Perhaps the microsoft stores will help to sell the consumers on the need for more robust computing power than most people can achieve with iphones, and various other cell phone manufacturers' products. Maybe with the Nokia Lumia phones, there will be more advancements.

OK, this might make more sense

NSA and MSFT supposedly cozy
If Skype is compromised, or any of the peer to peer programs, then sure those people who buy systems with programs loaded, such as skype, they might be more available. Yes it is possible to use some pretty effective encryption, but then communications need to be encrypted. I'm not a conspiracy nut. I don't think the NSA wants to divulge too much. It will be sad if there will be another attack of similar scale as 9/11/01 due to revelations made by Snowden.

Snowden

ap-impact-snowden
I don't know why someone would choose to try upsetting the US Intelligence Community by making up stuff, even if there are parts of what is claimed are truthful, there seems to be parts which are beyond present capabilities. Maybe some capabilities are mischaracterized by Snowden, maybe misreported by the reporters involved. Potentially, dumbed down by editors to make a complex process understandable to an average person. In any event, it would seem to me that the individual reporters should not be gone after for damaging the reputation of the United States Information Infrastructure. Maybe if the publishers, or the money behind the organizations were to be sought to make some sort of restitution for damage done to commercial interests, things might happen. The possible misunderstanding might be in words used by editors "direct server level access" which to IT security minded individuals can mean different things, perhaps than to editors.
Litigation is a not very productive way to move forward.

Iran

Iran elections
I for one am pleased to see that the Iranian People have chosen a somewhat moderate who promises to be more open to reform measures. It would be nice if the Iranian people were able to re-engage with the western world, and participate without external forces acting. It remains to be seen just how fast some reforms can be put into place, and how much centralized control the Supreme Leader is willing to release. If this leads to more stability, it could be a very good thing, but there are probably many ways things might have a way of falling apart.

Fwd: monk

A monk prays for an elderly man who had died suddenly while waiting for a train in Shanxi Taiyuan, China

Fwd: A culture and what it produces is made possible and is reflective of the knowledge that underlies it.

A culture and what it produces is made possible and is reflective of the knowledge that underlies it.

Fwd: kung fu fighting

47. EVERYBODY WAS KUNG FU FIGHTING 

 
Photograph by China Foto Press 

OK, back at my macbook pro.

The laid back features of the kindle fire has benefits, the small form factor is cool, the relaxed multi-tasking is pretty awesome, but the limitations are significant. I'm as good as the next person with trying to share things, and it is good, but I find that for being serious, a "real" computer just can't be replaced, having the mouse is important, the keyboard is also high up there. I want to share: martysalo.wordpress.com is a cool little thing which I've been working on in sort of a separate path from the google plus activities. I was pleasantly surprised when I found that google plus is bringing the plus experience closer to the blogger properties.

Well, got a kindle fire, it is nice.

The little tablet in the horizontal position is comfortable to type on, while sitting in the recliner. I am not all that sure about using this as a platform, compared with my WordPress account which tends to be more focused onrecovering and enjoying the processes of living.

Hmmmm... I am uncertain how much interaction I will get from this, or other means of social media... It is interesting to consider how much I have enjoyed connecting with some very cool people through Facebook, but there are potentially more cool people here using GOOGLE plus.