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Tuesday, July 05, 2005
I've just had one of the best holiday weekends in recent memory thanks to the international Live 8 Concerts held to promote changes in financial policy and debt relief for Africa. The goal is certainly admirable and I hope that this helps the leaders of this world to work together to address the problems effectively.
Sunday afternoon I logged into AOL and began listening to their webcast rebroadcasts of the Live 8 Concerts. They had a Global mix, London, Berlin, Philadelphia, Rome and Toronto available and accessed by clicking on tabs for each stream. I mainly stayed with Global, London and Berlin and they were in play almost non-stop from that point on until I shut down the computer early this morning.
The music was fantastic. I haven't immersed myself in the rejuvenating waters of a variety of good rock like this in decades, and by doing it this weekend I felt about 20 years younger! Adding to this experience was fabulous weather, good food and drink, the completion of a very major leg of my huge photo scanning project, the glee at the approach of the new Big Brother season, and some IM and chat fun. I also was also physically feeling quite good which makes a huge difference anyway.
The big names were all there...U2, Madonna, Elton John, Coldplay, etc. and almost all the performances were really good. Part of my joy was in discovering a new artist or song here or there. I want to describe some of my favorite sets or songs from the show, from what I saw (which was by no means the entirety, even at my 3 main venues):
- The Live Aid 'commercial' music...particularly the one with the banging guitar music to the words to the effect, 'One Event, 8 Men, 3 Messages'. If anyone knows who it's by or how to find it, please let me know.
- Sets by Coldplay, Green Day, R.E.M., Black-Eyed Peas, Keane, Good Charlotte, and Stereophonics.
- Stereophonics singing "Dakota" ... the feel-good summer song of them all
and best song of the event:
- Audioslave singing "Like a Stone" ...soulful, powerfully sung, gorgeous
The full concert links on AOL are down now and replaced by a free 'song by song' on-demand feature for those of you who get AOL. It's organized by city and then by artist.
I'll remember this event a very long time, and will follow the African relief efforts with greater interest after this weekend.
Posted at 7/5/2005 4:56:44 pm by lifeonhold
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Sunday, July 03, 2005
It's been a while.
HONEY
 We have our morning routine, my kittie and I. As soon as I show signs of life, however premature, she comes in for some petting. After that she begins her campaign. Not for food. Not for more petting because she gets lots of that. She parks herself at the end of the bed closest to the window and gives me little pointed crys. She is telling me to open the blinds! She wants to see her birdies going to and from and at the feeder. It's her Birdie TV, and she must have it every day.
It has been 18-1/2 months that I've had Honey now, and in that time I've forgotten to open the blinds a total of 2 times. Nevertheless, she is anxious every morning that I remember to do this task for her. Sometimes she will push her face through the blinds to ensure I am getting the message. I tell her I can't do this until I'm at a certain stage of being dressed for the day. When I do open the curtains and the blinds she purrs and gives me an appreciative nuzzle. Every morning. She is so wonderful!
THE NEIGHBORHOOD
Is is a coincident that right after Mr. Backyard Burner's nightly garbage fire habits were quashed by a visit from the Bridgeport Fire Department that a For Sale sign appeared in front of the house? I've also noticed that ever since that visit and the end to the burning Mrs. Burner has once again been able to hang her laundry out again.
ALL IN MY HEAD (or neck?)
I had my appointment with the Neurologist on Thursday. He didn't give me any indication of what is happening. He did the reflex tests and looked in my eyes both which seemed to be ok. Then he gave me a paper for blood tests; I'll also be going for an MRI sometime this month. I am currently leaning towards Atypical Migraine complicated by eye strain, at least until I find out differently.
CIVIC DUTY, 'CHECK'
I showed up for the Jury Pool this Tuesday and made it as far as being selected for a Jury Panel on a civil trial that involved a woman injured in an auto accident. The panel was sworn in and given a first-pass screening that consisted of listening to a list of names associated with the case or the law offices involved in the case. Half of the panel, my half, was sent back to the Jury Pool room to wait while the remainder of the panel was questioned by each side. At 3:40 pm my half was dismissed without being called back. Duty done.
BIG BROTHER CHECK-IN
Anticipation increases for the start of Big Brother 6 this Thursday and I've been been getting the fever. Hamster Time is coming alive again. Due to the near meltdown of EZBoard, the host site for Hamster Time, a back-up board, hanstertime.net, is being set up in case there is a mid-season meltdown. I watch both sites get set up with the same enthusiasm I used to watch guests arrive from the balcony for one of my parents' parties. Threads are created for the new season; the live feed links are established.
Both old friends and new (or de-lurking) people check in and get set up for the season with introductions, HT profiles (new this year!), getting the Real Superpass feed subscription, updating AIM to get into chat, and trying out their avatars. It's like going back to school in the fall and seeing all your old friends again as we find our lockers,homerooms and classes. Yes, we're juvenile. It is our alternative vacation from adulthood that we claim and live out as a guilty pleasure each summer.
SO, WHAT HAPPENS HERE?
Life Off Hold is going to go into 'BB-summer' mode. Actually it already has. I do plan to continue posting, but probably less frequently. Or, perhaps, it will have a lot of content spill-over from the Big Brother coverage. I don't know. What I do know is that it will become secondary for a few months. Even when the point comes when I can no longer stomach watching the remaining hammies in the BB house on the live feeds, I will still need to read the recappery at Hamster Time because it is wildly entertaining and not to be missed.
Most of Life Off Hold's humble readership comes from my Hamster Time friends who will also be just as pre-occupied. Once Big Brother ends I plan to be back here and anxious to 'get a life' once again. Make sure you come back!
Posted at 7/3/2005 12:46:24 pm by lifeonhold
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Sunday, June 26, 2005
It's the first weekend of summer. Both Honey and I have been a bit unladylike with the heat and in the privacy of our apartment. She's cute so I'm showing her off.
Due to the advent of summer heat, I'll just be rambling on a bit about not too much.
Today is Day 2 of minimizing computer time in order to rest my eyes. I've noticed a difference so maybe they just need a really good rest. This is not the best timing with Big Brother starting on the 7th. Even during the creation of this post I'm getting some visual distress.
This weekend was our annual church festival of hispanic music and a variety of food; I went both days in order to lend some support. It was a rather pitiful event and not well staffed or attended despite very nice weather. Our pastor has despaired about the lack of help and participation and the economic impact this has on the parish. All I could do is come and spend money.
Here's what's ahead for this week:
Air Conditioning? Thursday and Friday of last week the A/C in my office area went down. The workers were there Friday afternoon but then disappeared. Do they need a part? Have they just given up? Feedback would be nice. I suspect that it will not have been fixed over the weekend and so Monday should be really fun.
Oil Change. Overdue. I keep forgetting.
Jury Duty? I have a notice to report on Tuesday. There is a number to call the night before to see if I'm needed. If the A/C at work is still not working then I'll be pulling for a call to civic duty. [I'd like the experience anyway.]
Neurologist. Friday is my apointment with the Neurologist. I have a lot to discuss with him and am preparing notes.
Ok. boring. Kudos for finishing the post.
Posted at 6/26/2005 5:43:44 pm by lifeonhold
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Wednesday, June 22, 2005
I got my test results back from the ENG test to determine the cause of the dizziness that I've been experiencing, and which has been getting worse. Electrodes are placed around the eyes to measure eye movement in reaction to dizzy conditions that are created by blowing hot and cold compressed air into each ear. Before that is done the technician measure eye movements following red dots on a light board. This is a calibration and possibly also a measurement.
She did not give me test results, but I noticed two 'differences' during the test. I seemed to recover more slowly from the air-in-ear portion when my left ear was tested. Also, during the first part, one segment had me following a streaming red dot (like a marquee) that went from left to right then in the other direction. The instruction was to pick up a dot, get it in focus, and follow it across the board. I was able to do that just fine going right to left, but couldn't do it at all in the other direction.
My Ear, Nose & Throat doctor phoned to inform me that my ears were not causing the dizziness, but the test was 'not perfect' and he recommended that I see a Neurologist. My primary physician agreed that 'it probably would be worthwhile' for me to see a Neurologist, and so that's scheduled for the end of the month.
This is a little scary, but all along I kinda thought I'd end up at Neurology. The most likely (and least severe) diagnosis from my layman's standpoint is that this is migraines.
Here is a little diagram that I can relate to:
Here is a list of symptoms that come with this (not all in every event):
- visual disturbances - sparkly 'electronic firestorms'
- blurred or distressed vision
- tightness of my eye muscles, sometimes with spasms
- increased sensitivity to light, sounds and smells
- light to moderate nausea
- a sense that the vegas (?) nerve in my midsection is spasming
- pressure sensations at my temple and side of the head
- light to moderate headache pain - usually one side of the head
- tightness in the jaw and neck, sometimes with spasms
- pain and tenderness in my neck, shoulder, head, ear, face
- tight muscles
- dizziness, sometimes severe
- words not coming out right, unless I think about it more than usual
- occasionally tingling/numbness in my toes, feet, and hands & fingers, particularly on my right side.
- difficulty sleeping
I know many people live with this. My main concern is knowing what the underlying cause is in order to stem off potentially catestrophic health events (like a stroke) and to use the right medications to treat it (assuming I'm correct on this). I think I've had some of these symptoms for quite some time but attributed them to sinus and allergy problems, but since my health problems last September and October I've been getting these problems on a daily basis.
Do any of you migraine sufferers out there have these symptoms too? On a daily basis??
Posted at 6/22/2005 12:50:11 pm by lifeonhold
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Sunday, June 19, 2005
If I didn't have anything to complain about I wouldn't have a blog at all. Thankfully, I'll never run out of material.
The gripe de jour concerns my neighbor and his remedy for the unwanted by-products of his home renovations and the dendris of last year's garden:
He has this red cast iron furnace which he loads up with wood that he took out of his home and a humungous garden trellis that he's been tearing down. It goes into the furnace. This photo is taken from my bedroom window from my 2nd floor apartment. First I get the smoke then it clears a little when the fire gets going, but I still get fumes. All weekend long he has been feeding the fire and my bedroom (the worst) and apartment have been smokey.
He also has large bags stuffed with the leftover bio product from last year's garden; I estimate about 12-16 bags. They are up against the fence between this house and his. I'm really worried that after he gets done with the wood, and the old door, he might decide to do the bags.
There must be a city ordinance against this sort of thing. Monday I intend to call my landlord about it.
UPDATE: YAY! The Fire Department was called and showed up in their truck. By the time the guys got to the back yard the neighbor was putting out the raging fire (much bigger than pictured) with his garden hose. This fellow must have known that it was illegal. I didn't even think of calling the fire department! This is awsome. I want to kiss the neighbor who made the call! I'm so happy. Woot!
Posted at 6/19/2005 7:09:17 pm by lifeonhold
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Saturday, June 18, 2005
This feast is a little late because I was celebrating my birthday!
Appetizer
What's one word or phrase that you use a lot?
"Move through the material." I say this to myself a lot when confronting any job that requires processing a lot of papers, information or material things. It is almost a personal mantra in my work in Accounts Payable and in my personal projects. It is how I got through big projects. It reminds me not to get fixated on any one thing, but to keep the overall goal in mind and work towards it in my actions.
Soup
Name something you always seem to put off until the last minute.
Wow. I have a list: take out garbage, clean cat litter, mop floors, clean the grill's grill. Those are my worst offenses at this time.
Salad
What was the last great bumper sticker you saw?
I don't see them anymore. I see lists of funny ones in e-mail humor, but I can't remember even one. I'm easliy entertained because you can tell me the same jokes over and over again.
Main Course
If you could be invisible for one day, how would you spend your time?
I'd call the National Enquirer and have the phenomenon documented and authenticated and then try to profit from it somehow long after my special day. Personally I'm not really that interested in being invisible.
Dessert
Describe your hair.
Shoulder length, straight, brown except for some grey up front and around my part. My hair has always been very fine and silky and in the last 4 years it has thinned quite a bit to the point where this is somewhat visible. The avatar I created of myself (upper left corner of this blog) is quite accurate for both the hair and other aspects.
Posted at 6/18/2005 1:25:21 am by lifeonhold
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Friday, June 17, 2005
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Happy Birthday to meeeeeee, happy birthday to meeeeee....
I made my favorite cake the other night: spice with peanut butter frosting. Yum!
I just ordered Coldplay's X&Y.
After work I plan to pick up some sushi and enjoy it with classic gin martinis garnished with gorgonzola stuffed olives, a wonderful combination.
Best thing? The next birthday is a whole 365 days away.
Posted at 6/17/2005 11:44:38 am by lifeonhold
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Thursday, June 16, 2005
Hanging Around the Old Haunt Last Night
Things are so boring, I forgot to blog.
I'm like a kid at the end of the school year when there's no focus in the schoolroom. We've had our exams and now we sit waiting for the test results, all bored and squirmy.
Actually, I'm busy with my photo project and other stuff, but I miss my online friends during this 'dead zone' between reality shows that finished in May and the start of Big Brother 6 on July 7th. Some of us have started to hang out at Hamster Time before the season starts and look for any activity. It's great seeing people from previous seasons begin to check back in again.
Last night, amid this generally low level of activity on the board, we get this (edited)action:
ferfelabat
So. Bored out of my freaking brains today I searched the internet for free BB feeds from any-fucking-where and found
http://bigbrother.3mobile.com.au/live.asp
Australia.
Wills Shorts
Oh dear Lord, Ferfe, what have you done to me?
I've never had a live feed before... it's.... mesmerizing...
SlaeSlae
ferfe, you're my hero.
lifeonhold
Even if by some miracle I can get the Australian LF I'll probably save myself for BB6. But I want to have a look! [It took me an hour and a call to tech guy at Optimum Online...well worth it!]
Bretley
Sweet, 4 hamsters sunbathing and one chick is topless. My first live feed ever and...tits!! Awesome.
jerrye25
You guys rock, I just read about this on some other website so I decided to go looking for it, but first I decided to check in here and lookie (looky?) what I find.
ferfelabat
Damn. My Snark is rusty.
Highwaygirl98
There's a guy named HOTDOGS???
buffyvol
You guys better NOT! start recapping those Oz Hammies. I have things to do before the Real BB starts. ... So don't do this to me. You know I'm weak.
I'm feeling the excitement, but not for Aussie BB; this is just a little appetizer that has started the juices flowing. A promise of things to come...the opening act that can be half-followed while we settle into our seats, welcome our friends, get the chilled drinks and snacks.
Woot!
Posted at 6/16/2005 12:50:50 pm by lifeonhold
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Monday, June 13, 2005
Neverland! Open for Bus-i-ness!
A new sign was just put up on the Neverland gate:
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Give me your tired, your poor,
Your dysfunctional mothers yearning to live free,
The wretched man-boys of your conjugal spore
Send these, the homeless, broken-homed, to me:
I lift my lamp beside the bedroom door.
(apologies to poet Emma Lazarus, from The New Colossus) |
[I concede that the jury felt there was too much doubt to convict, but still...../bitter editorial]
Posted at 6/13/2005 6:40:38 pm by lifeonhold
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Saturday, June 11, 2005
Here's a little meme that I picked up from Gemmak's blog during my Saturday blog visits to read the Friday's Feast entries:
As a child.... did you ever...?
(x) sneak out of the house ...the Christmas morning we got ice skates
( ) get lost in your own neighbourhood
(x) see a shooting star
( ) get into a fist fight
(x) laugh so hard you had milk/coke come down your nose
( ) have an imaginary friend or pet
( ) push all the buttons on an elevator
( ) skip school
( ) gotten stitches
(x) gotten the chicken pox
( ) done the splits
( ) played spin the bottle
( ) cheat on a test or exam
(x) deliberately ignore your curfew...primarily by reading long after lights out
( ) go out in public in your pajamas
(x) shoplift...2 times: a stolen eraser and a milk shake I didn't pay for; caught both times; one as a child, the other early grade school.
(x) have a crush on a teacher ... several...not really as a child, more as a teen.
As an adult ....have you ever...?
(x) been to any other countries....Europe, Bosnia/Hercegovnia, Canada, Mexico
( ) had a serious surgery
(x) kissed a stranger
(x) hugged a stranger
( ) been arrested
(x) skipped work ...three words, "mental health day(s)"
(x) been in love
(x) been to a casino
( ) been skydiving
(x) skinny dipped
( ) scuba dived
(x) been fired ... fired, and downsized - one of each
( ) had a crush on someone of the same sex
(x) had feelings for someone who didn’t have them back ....sigh, sigh, and more sigh!
( ) gone on a blind date
(x) lied to a friend
( ) lied to a significant other/spouse
( ) celebrated Mardi-Gras in New Orleans
( ) been married
( ) gotten divorced
( ) had children
( ) seen someone die
(x) had a close friend die
(x) driven over 400 miles in one day ...many times
(x) been on a plane
(x) seen the Rocky Horror Picture Show ... heck, I dressed up as a character too!
(x) met someone in person from the internet ... if I include the intranet, then yes, several
( ) lost a child
(x) gone to college/university
( ) graduated college/university
( ) fired a gun
Posted at 6/11/2005 9:18:03 pm by lifeonhold
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