|
November, the second to the last month of 2003. Time to start thinking about the holidays. How are you going to spend Thanksgiving. But first for those of us who are fortunate enough to have Veteran's Day off work, what are you going to do for Veteran's Day? It's a Tuesday this year. I like having a Tuesday off. Monday is over, by the time you go back to work after Veteran's Day it's Wednesday already, hump day. Once Wednesday comes, the end of the traditional work week is within sight. And there goes another week, another month and eventually another year. Stop, the count down. I want to enjoy my life, the days of my life. That sentiment is very true. We need to stop and enjoy every minute of our life - the good and the bad and the ugly. I'm among the biggest offenders to this practice. I'm always saying, for example, "I can't believe it's November". Well if I sopped saying that "I can't believe....etc." , I could enjoy that particular moment in time and then I would be able to believe it! I think that I am a very positive
Well, back to what I was going to talk about before I got sidetracked, What are you doing for the holidays? If memory and Stabile history severs me right, Judy and Ted will be hosting Thanksgiving. I believe one of my family members confirmed that to me. It's over the river and through the woods to Judy and Ted's house we go. Just hope there aren't snow drifted roads. Maybe it would be good to have snow drifted roads for Thanksgiving. How about the December holidays? First there's Chris', actually November 29 and Jamie's (December 8) birthday party. Haven't heard anything about it, yet. Whether it's a scheduled event or not, don't forget your family member's birthdays. Contrary to some popular beliefs, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to write down the date and send a 99 cent card, if you are so inclined. Yes, there are 99 cent cards, if you are on a budget. K-mart, Target, Eckert, Walgreen and maybe even Wal-Mart, too has those 99 cent cards. Remember, the road to hell is paved with good intentions. Make those heart felt intentions a reality. You will make someone's day! Of course I should talk about making someone's day. I keep putting off calling Ken. I mean to, but time goes so fast. I get home from work around 3:15 p.m., I have to unwind and eat supper. Then I have to do my walking. And the Golden Girls are on from 6:00 - 7:00 p.m. weekdays, I can't miss them. Then by 7:00, Ken may be retired for the evening. On weekends, Saturday goes so fast, After I get up and put in some computer time, it's time to go and eat. Then I have to walk, call Dad and by that time it's evening and too late for Ken. Sunday, it's even worse. I get up after a hard night of clubbing, go and eat, walk and get groceries, then it's night again. Seriously, I must make time to call Ken, and I will some day. [Update, I did call Ken on Halloween. He sounded a little down. I think he was a little depressed. He said that there's not much to do. He started sounding better as we talked. He is so alert. His mind is sharp. Many of you have told me that he looks great. It must be hard for him.] A card, a telephone call or a visit are somewhat like a gift. A gift should be given freely, without strings attached. And the recipient should not expect it. No one should take getting a gift for granted. If that card doesn't arrive on your exact birth date or doesn't arrive at all, if that call doesn't materialize, or the visit doesn't happen, remember - it is truly the thought that counts. If you don't know, I will be visiting the family on December 26 through December 29, Friday - Monday. Hope to see everyone, especially but not exclusively, my nephew Jacob. I hope his mother and/or dad will stand next to him so I will be able to recognize him. By then Jacob and his parents will be in their new house. Oh happy day. This is truly a special time of the year. Enjoy it and make the most of it. This particular moment in time will never happen again. Make Thanksgiving a truly thankful day. Some November dates worth noting:
|
|
Entertainment Out of Time The setting is the upper Keys. They did some of the filming at South Beach, Miami Beach and Hollywood Beach. I noticed the Hollywood Beach boardwalk and a motel when I saw the movie. Rich, Judy and I walked right pass the spot on the boardwalk that they showed in the movie. Denzel Washington put in his usual good job in the movie. The plot was so, so. A little hard to believe, but the movie was entertaining. ******************************************** Luther is a great movie. Everything was excellent. The acting, script and plot were dynamite. I particularly enjoyed the historical significance. The movie portrayed the start of the Lutheran religion. You know what a big fan I am of the Catholic Church, especially the boys in Rome, well, this movie really gave me food for thought. At the end of the movie I felt like converting to the Lutheran religion. The movie was very historically correct in dealing with the events leading to Martin Luther's break from the Catholic Church. Even at that time, there were some in hierarchy of the Church who felt that the selling of indulgences and the view of the common man or woman held by the Papal Sea were wrong. Many wanted to change these practices, but the majority of the hierarchy wanted to keep the control. It's hard to believe that the Catholic Church was the way it was during Luther's time. I am a Roman Catholic. In spite of my opposing views of some of the practices of the hierarchy of the church and my liberal interpretation of God's Word, I still remain committed to my religion and my church. ******************************************** What about those Florida Marlins? Pinch yourself. The winners of this year's World Series! I'm so interested in the series that the cab driver had to tell me that the Marlins had won the game Saturday night when he picked me up for my customary Saturday night out. One thing you can say about them, the Marlins are definitely unpredictable. When you think they have had it, they spring back to life. Unpredictable indeed. Can you believe that Pudge gets $10 million a year. Just for catching a baseball. Heck Rich was a catcher in little league or minor league or maybe both. Rich should have went to the majors. He too would be getting $10 million a year. But $10 million, come on who on Earth is worth $10 million a year. I have always said that we have the money in the USA, but it's just not distributed equally. I know how sports operate. The same for movies and TV, but this is reality folks. Let's put are money where our mouths are. Yes, every person should get a fair wage, but this is ridiculous. I think that I am going to protest. No more sport events for me. I am not going to watch any sports events on TV, or go to any games, or support any sports functions until a fairer distribution of the United States money is developed. (As if I ever watched any sports on TV, or those other things. Easy for me to say.) ******************************************** How is the new TV season looking to you? Not to good to me. Yes, there are some pretty good shows on TV, but for the most part I find contemporary TV piss poor. Give me the 24 hour news channels, Nick at Night, Television Land, Sci-Fi or the Food Network anytime. One thing about TV that I am extremely excited about, Comcast has expanded. I now get 12 new channels that I didn't get before. TVland, Sci-Fi, Food Network, Bravo, Game Show Channel and Hallmark or among them. Give me that old time TV.
|
|
|
The saga of the James Stabile Health Issues continues. Wednesday, 10.29.03, I got the results of my last 4 biopsies. The biopsies of three of the four moles showed cancer cells. They are pre-melanoma. The derm said he could take care of them in his office. He took care of two of them that night. He cut more of the flesh out and then did another biopsy. If the biopsy comes back good, then that one is done. If it comes back cancerous, next time he cuts out more. So, he took care of two of them Wednesday. The third will be done in November. It's a little more extensive and my need stitches. When I go back in November he will do biopsies on a few other first time moles. He said that I will have to be doing this for quite awhile. When I went to the derm on Wednesday I thought everything was going to be alright. I was shocked when he told me. After he explained everything to me, I felt better. At least it's not as bad as the first melanoma. It could always be worse. I've accepted the fact that I will be going through these intrusive procedures for the foreseeable future. At least it's curable. Just one day at a time. And during that day I need to remember to count my blessings. Blood pressure, now that's a different story. In the October 2003 issue of this newsletter I spoke briefly about my blood pressure and the herb concoction, Pressur-Lo, that I heard about through a nurse at the hospital. Well it didn't work. When I went to my family doctor, he said Pressur-Lo was not reliable. He put me on a mild diuretic. He scheduled a blood test for two weeks and a return visit in 3. A couple of days before I was to go back to the doctor it became apparent to me that I was on the wrong medication. I never had a problem with water retention. I was getting quite thirsty and my leg and arm muscles started cramping. Down from my right armpit, the area was turning black and blue. It's been sensitive there due to the lymph nodes biopsy. The muscle was strained from using my hands, you got to use your hands. Anyway I suspended the medication until I could get the doctor's suggestion at my next appointment. My blood tests show a extreme drop in my sodium level, duh? The doctor put me on a beta-blocker. No significant reactions, except a little dizziness which is normal. I think they are working. I'm noticing a significant reduction in my blood pressure. At my visit Tuesday, 10.28.03 the doctor said that he was pleased with the readings. It will take monitoring to get my blood pressure where he wants it to be. So maybe my blood pressure is back on track. How can one be in "perfect" health in July and 2 months latter all hell breaks loose? I've said it before, but I'll say it again, it could always be worse and I am thankful. I feel like I've ruined my record, my permanent health record. I've never had anything that was chronic and definitely never anything as deadly as skin cancer. Thank God I can proudly say that I'm a melanoma skin cancer survivor. A colleague at work went to his dermatologist right after he heard about my episode. He had a skin cancer removed. I don't know if it was melanoma or another variety of skin cancer. I guess melanoma is the most deadliest of skin cancers. It spreads quickly to body organs. Other skin cancers do not spread to organs. At least my experience helped at least one other person. You can be sure that I use my moisturizer with sun block SPF15, every morning. I cover my exposed skin completely. Later if I walk that day I apply another layer of protection. To protect myself from mosquitoes that carry the West Nile disease, is that it's name, I apply insect repellant. Now that the time has changed and it gets dark earlier, before I walk I apply insect repellant containing DEET. It has a nice clean fragrance about it. The name, Cutter Skinsations with aloe and vitamin E. Then on weekend nights, if I'm "lucky" it's a Trojan that helps protect me. Whatever happened to that easy, simple way of life. It's gone, gone for good I'm afraid. Life in the 21st century. ********************************************
|
|
|
We are back to nine candidates for the Democratic Party nomination for president. Can you name them - Carol Mosley Braun, Wesley Clark, John Edwards, John Kerry, Joe Lieberman, Dick Gephardt, Al Sharpton, Dennis Kucinich and last but definitely not least, the people's choice, Howard Dean. Read about the candidates: Democratic National Committee, White House 2004: The Candidates. I think I am leaning towards Howard Dean. I just hope he keeps his temper in control. Also, I hope he is able to win the national election. He may appear to be a bit too liberal for independent and swing voters. Although he is right in line with my political views - fiscal conservative and social programs liberal. I believe we must get our national budget in line. We are experiencing an administration that lacks real leadership. Have we learned nothing from President Ronald Reagan and President Bush #41? Trickle down economics or voodoo economics as the then 1980 presidential candidate George H. W. Bush said of the then ex-Governor Reagan's economic proposal, does not work. Giving the wealthiest of Americans tax breaks, tax relief and special consideration will not trickle down to you and me, the common Americans. The wealthiest of the Americans will and did try to hang onto that money bequeath to them by the past 2 Republican administrations. In less than 3 years the federal budget has become a ferocious monster. It has the capability of derailing our seniors and robbing from our young people. And the million of jobs lost! My goodness, high school students can not secure part time employment because those service related jobs are being sought out by white collar workers who have lost there jobs due to the lack of leadership of President Bush #43. What a travesty of justice. Senior citizens, many in their 80's are finding it necessary to return to the world of work. They are running out of money. This may not be entirely the current President's fault. They may have misjudged their financial situation after retirement. However, seniors are experiencing skyrocketing medical insurance and pharmaceutical costs. This is a direct result of the failures of the present administration. The current president misled the American people as well as the American congress concerning the appropriateness of conducting an unilateral attack on another country. The current administration did not tell the whole truth about the situation in Iraq. Yes, Saddam Hussein is a tyrant. He is a malicious and corrupt leader. He is a murderer. But that does not give the current administration the right to mislead the American congress and attacking another country without United Nations support. The United States government has found itself involved in a very difficult situation in the eyes of the world. The Bush Administration was eager to go to war, without a clear plan of objectives and measures to secure a quick and peaceful reconstruction after the war. The American people are becoming aware of the inadequacies of the Bush Administration. The newly instituted Department of Homeland Security is losing credibility. It's only by the grace of God that more Americans have not lost their lives in other terrorist attacks. The Bush Administration is derelict in it's war on terrorism. In reality any of the nine Democratic candidates would be superior to the current President. After Howard Dean, I believe I would support Dick Gephardt for president. Representative Gephardt was part of the New Democratic Party who took control of the White House in the 1990's. He was part of the governmental action that aided President Clinton's economic and national success. His opposition to NAFTA is a big stumbling block for me. I support President Clintons stand on NAFTA. America is part of a global economy. I love America, but America must become a world player in the economic arena. America is only one country in this world economy. It has a major responsibility in the world situation, but it must respect the other countries who are other players in this global economy. To tell you the truth, I would enthusiastically support the Junior Senator from New York for President of the United States. Senator Hillary Clinton has positioned herself to unseat the current President. I feel she will not run for President in 2004. I believe she will honor her commitment to the people of New York. The only way she will run in 2004 is if no clear Democratic frontrunner emerges and she is drafted to be a candidate. In that case, I feel that the people of New York would release her of her promise. If the United States would be in the situation of urgently needing Senator Clinton to rescue the Democratic Party as well a America as a whole in 2004, I think that she would accept the challenge. She has the skill, the intelligence and the political savvy to take back the White House for the good of all Americans. In this case it would be a repeat of 1992. A Clinton would defeat a Bush for the office of President of the United States. In that case, just keep the First Man away from the White House interns.
|
|
|
Remember the members of our family and friends who have died. November 1 is All Saint's Day. On November 1 we honor all those people who have died and are in heaven. It is fitting and proper to realize that these people are truly saints. The are in the presence of God. Praying to these saints can't hurt. Remember any special "power" that these saints may possess comes from God. November 2 we pray for the poor souls in purgatory. We pray for the people who have died and not yet reached heaven. I remember going to church as a kid on All Souls Day and saying 6 Our Father prayers, 6 Hail Mary prayers and 6 Glory Be prayers for our deceased family members. It use to be that every time you visited a Catholic Church on November 2 and said the litany of prayers above, your loved one would get closer to heaven. I believe in praying for the dead, but I don't know if I believe in that prescribed method. Prayer is prayer. All prayer "counts". I don't think the church has the power to tell us how God deals with our particular format of praying. The importance of all this is that prayer is important. In any case pray, it can't hurt. Speaking of purgatory, I don't know if I believe it really exists. I think if a person survives his or her crosses and challenges of this world and then dies, he or she has already atoned for their sins. Purgatory would be a mute point. It seems to me the Catholic Church still think it has it's own secretive ways to the father, so to speak. The hierarchy still wants to control our destiny. In Martin Luther's day, the church believed that the common man and women did not have the ability to interpret the Bible and understand certain Christian doctrine on their own. That is an important reason for Luther's break from the church. Poppy cock, if people do not have the ability to find God through the Bible or in life in general, how in the world will they be able to face God one on one at that last judgment. We are born alone, we will die alone and we will meet God alone. We have the power. The church has no secretive way to the Father. God the Father has revealed himself through God the Son and has given us God the Holy Spirit to reach salvation. God has given man and woman all that is needed for salvation. No matter what your particular church teaches, in the end it will be you and God. The church will not be there as your agent. Your beliefs and "record" will be the only relevant pieces of information available for you to rely on. You will have all the knowledge and power you will need to deal with that meeting with the Father. The number of times you have gone to church will not be relevant. The number of times you knelt in pious prayer although important in life, will have little meaning in that meeting. What will be important, and this is simple, is, do you love God and do you love all people. That is it. You will not be asked for a portfolio of good works. You will be asked those 2 questions, "Do you love me (God) and do you love your neighbor." By the way the answers to those questions will already be known to God and yourself. The bottom line: I'm not saying that our church is not important. We are social beings. A church or religion is a way of meeting our social need. We are members of a particular church because we share certain beliefs with other people. Humans are social beings. The church and religion help us to ban together and give us support in our quest for God. However, in the end each of us will be held responsible for our own lives. We will be all alone, so to speak. It will come down to a direct, face to face meeting with God, the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Praying to the Saints in heaven, canonized or not, is a good idea. They have seen God. They have all the answers. Maybe they can help us reach our union with God. Remembering any power that they may possess comes directly from the father, we may feel more secure and comforted in praying to the people we have known and love on earth in our quest to be with them in heaven.
|
|
|
Tech Talk Isn't technology wonderful? Yea, right. Technology, primarily in this case the computer, can be one of the biggest frustrations to the modern day worker. I'm talking about corporate, business, technology in our professional or work life. Have you ever tried to log on to your company's network and find out that it's down temporarily? That happens. At my work they have initiated a new e-mail system, voice mail and grade book program in the last few months. Coworkers are going crazy. Especially the non-tech or limited tech workers. There are many "bugs" in the system. All can be worked out. Many have been worked out, but it is still frustrating. The idea is great, but once again the outcome is not always the desired outcome. People who are technologically challenged are finding it hard to complete the training and then the implementation of the training. They complain. They try to do it the "old" way. They just need to do it. Stop the complaining and tackle the problem. It's here to stay, so get on board. Starting November 3, parents and students will have the ability to log on to "Virtual Counselor" and view the students' transcripts and daily grades and attendance right from the teachers' grade book. Teachers put their records right on the computer and that information is downloaded every night to "Virtual Counselor". Can you imagine the delight of students and parents. This is great. But as they say, a little knowledge is not always a great thing. We are gearing up for an onslaught of telephone calls concerning problems and concerns of parents and students. Teachers will have to be precise, correct and up to date. If not, the students and parents will get inferior data. This may put more stress on insecure teachers. To me the stress is warranted. Teachers should be precise, as precise as possible. They should be correct and complete tasks in a timely manner. I feel this is a great tool for students and their parents.
|
Congratulations Tom Stabile, owner of Stability
Fitness... Best wishes to Tom for reaching his lifelong goal. Not only
is he living his dream, his dream is a service to humanity. Tom is
providing an essential service to his clients. He takes a holistic
approach in his concern for the well being of his clients. Good
luck!