Life's Tragedy According to John G.

 Just read his lengthy acount of recent misfortunes in his life. He had to replace his dishwasher and his tire blew out on his way to work, necessitating replacement in the amount of $240. Yet he finds comfort in that he survived what could have been a serious accident and in knowing he had the money to pay for the expenses he incurred. Geez.

Ballet to Politics

 Good advice,  from Rahm Emmanuel:   "Disagree without being disagreeable."  

"Nobody likes him"

 In my efforts to achieve my goal with the VA, this is the best advice I ever received, and it was free. 

As recounted previously, I finally got the results I wanted, but not without intensive efforts. Including contacting every source that I thought could possibly apply. The VA had already rejected my case filed by a well-known doctor, who was also a lawyer. (As it turned out, it seems the majority of those involved in veterans seeking service-connected disability are certified in both medicine and law.) 

 This first doctor, Dr. B. , charged an exhorbitant fee, had several published recommendations, spoke with Dave and me several times on phone calls, predicted a favorable outsome, and since my attorney had told me, knowing where we were headed, to spend as much as I legally could in order to qualify for impending Medicaid, we enlisted his services. As soon as we received the copy of his appeal to VA, I knew we were doomed to failure.

   His approach to the VA was that he had extensive experience with and insight into such matters and that his knowledge surpassed theirs. That's all I'll say about him for now. Of course, we filed an appeal, which was also rejected a total of 5 or maybe 6, up to that point.

I kept looking for more options, contacting more potential help, and among scores of requests that is when I encountered Doug, a doctor/ lawyer located in North Carolina. His initial response was that he was unable to take our case, but he wished us well. Okay, I'm used to rejection, on with the hunt. 

  But then, unexpectedly, Doug  called me on the telephone, saying he had not intended to condemn me to defeat. He had re-read my file and noted that I had used the services of Dr. B. He told me he had often encountered him in the courtroom and that NOBODY LIKED HIM. The takeaway was to find someone else.

  I persisted  and eventually happened upon another doctor/ lawyer.Although outside his area of chosen expertise, he agreed to take the case, for a very reasonable fee. He did so, and the VA doctors agreed with his assessment and awarded the sought-after  VA rating.

  What is notable is that this doctor presented his areas of disagreement in a cordial and professional way, pointing out where the VA had overlooked the facts relating to treatment. (Dr. Remington Nevin is the most professional, organized, reasonable, and successful person I ever encountered in my hundreds of attempts.)

The VA changed its rating to favorable. 

I would conclude that if nobody likes you, your chances of achieving success or fame will eventually be  doomed  to fail.

Screwdriver Excess

In  trying to organize, downsize, clean house or whatever, I found I have in my house at least 35 screwdrivers. And probably at least 100 tines that number of screws.Say what you will.

Lost---and Found

 (Bear with me, Blog)

It is frustrating, when you live alone, to lose an item in your house, because you know you have no one to blame but yourself. You wrack your brain trying to figure out where you might have put it. You go back to the last time you saw the lost item, and try to recall why it is not where it should be. You exhaust all possibilities, conduct a friutless search,  and finally accept that you may never know what happened to it.

1) I lost a theater program that I had listed on ebay, sold it, couldn't find it, issued a refund. I later, quite a bit later, discovered it beneath the pad on my kitchen table, where I had placed it to make it wrinkle-free.

2) I knew I'd recently seen some old Star Wars coins, remembered changing their longtime location when attempting to organize, looked everywhere I could have placed them, to no avail. I came across it searching through a box of ephemera while looking for something else.

3) I have Dorothy's deluxe steam iron, in great working condition, but the teflon sole is scratched due to crafting. I vividly recall putting it in a plastic bag for donation, and placing it in a spot I'd be sure to find it. I still don't know exactly where, because Danny handed it to me the other day when he was here.

4) I keep a hard-cover journal type notebook in a secure place in my living room; it's important because among other entries, it contains all the poems Snookie has read to me over the phone, which I have submitted to The Express, most of which were published, and I need them to remind her of her past successful, published poetry. It was missing, I searched everywhere, and could only conclude I must have gathered it up with a bunch of newspapers and magazines and inadvertently recycled it.It appeared in a basket with other paperwork, stashed in the bedroom when I was trying to unclutter for the Fair company.

The timing was propitious.

 Another sleepless night, so again I turn to you, O Blog, since I have thought scenarios running through my head. Here's one such:

  While writing  one of my high school research papers, I was taken by the sound of the title sentence above, and   included it in my paper. Not wanting to be caught up in a plagiarism issue, I thoroughly researched the meaning of the word propitious, though no question was ever raised. During my freshman year of college, I took a beginning French course, not realizing the other students in the class were not unfamiliar with French, just trying for an easy A in an already familiar language. I had no issue with that, but I certainly did not volunteer to answer any questions the professor asked. Except once. While reading some selection of literature, he asked if anyone knew the definition of the word propitious. No one answered. Except me. It hadn't to do with French, but I answered the question. He said I had a good vocabulary. Yay.

     Years later, when I worked at Herkimer BOCES, a guest speaker, author of a number of books, happened to stop her lecture and inquire if anyone knew what propitious meant. No one answered, except me. She announced to the class that I had a good vocabulary. 

   So if anyone would like to be complimented on word meanings, be ready to reply with the meaning of propitious. You never know when  it might be helpful. 

  N.B. An apt synonym begins with the letter O.

   

Not them, it's me. Ha!

 In certain seasons of life, it seems it has become necessary to show that one is  {still} able to conduct the affairs of life. When fate intervenes in admittedly insignificant  ways, the person in that specified season of life consciously or subconsciously becomes defensive, supplying  justifications and explanations to deflect blame, and any corresponding shame.

Case(s) in Point:

1. Customer orders and successfully pays online for a home appliance, with inclusion of delivery, installation and removal of present appliance. 

     Appliance arrives at home, but technician is unable to install, due to unforeseen changes in specs of said appliance and its ilk.\

    Because customer's longtime credit card company was acquired by another company, the customer's payment was declined pending notification or investigation or other cr*p, and the customer had to undergo process of duplicate payments.

2a) Due to an installer's claim that a replacement horizontal roof diverter parallel to the rain gutter would be better than the customer's request for the inverted V shape, the doorway became a target for last winter's snow-covered doorstep, and the rain and snow melt likely caused the front door to warp, and make it difficult to open, especially with rotor cuff issues.

2b)Calling a roofer (original installer) whose ads proudly promise no job is too small, and receiving no CB.

3) The pharmacy is, for unspecified reasons, unable to refill prescriptions online, making it necessary to plead one's case in person, and undergo a waiting period. 

4) I'm not even going to reprise automobile and tire, towing and loss of use problems, only remembering what it's like to try to drive with missing lug nuts right after having new tires installed.Each wheel needs 5!

5) Failed usps delivery of package where first response is to blame amazon. Nope.

6) Receiving receipt for school tax payment as separate and terse receipt only, with no return of submitted school tax statement,as formerly. I suppose it can be retrieved somewhere, but why not just check the "paid" box as usual. 

7) Finding that the "order checks" page in your checkbook no longer is able to re-order checks, perhaps because it's been a long time since checks were ordered. I write few checks now, it's true. So ordered checks from another source and was told delivery in 2 weeks. 

8) Not gripes, just things that are not usual---pertaining to ebay sales

     Sales are down. One of my own children said b/c everything in my house is crap. But the last 2 items sold are empty boxes.  I find the latest sold item listed has had 62 views so far---for an empty box. The buyer of the previous empty box paid $2 for the item and $24 shipping, for an 8-ounce pkg. I emailed I will issue refund and he said things happen, he knew usps was expensive and n.p.

9+ to be continued

  

Ancestry:

 I think our 

 mother's father, and brother Timothy:

O Lordy

 Going through stuff acquired in my youthful days. Somebody's got to clear the clutter. I find written in one of my books:  "I'm schizophrenic and so am I."  Ah, to be young...

P.S. I wish I had saved more boxes, as per FB.

You the Juror

 Just askin'   

The "suspect" was handcuffed to a door in the police station. He pulled away and the door broke. The police charge him for the door, the cost to repair or replace. Would you as juror vote to hold him responsible for door damage?

Bye, George P.S.

 Most often, when I first wake from a dream state, the events of the dream are crystal clear, in every detail. But on fully awakening, the dream dissipates, fading away like smoke.  

  But occasionally, elements of a dream persist in my mind, vaguely disconcerting, and I find writing what I remember about that dream keeps the intrusions away. Finding a listener is not an option.

 Anyway, the night before last, I had one of those dreams where I am not a presence in the dream, but I experience the dream through the actions and language within it. 

I had the thought that an episode of the Seinfeld series was being replayed. The main character in this episode was George, though the others interacted with him, as in their usual fashion. 

The dream played out in detail, with thoughts and strategies enacted in great detail. It would have been at least a 30-minute dramatization. Though sections of the dream continue to intrude upon my mind, I cannot recall the elements of the plot, which were central to the content. The main plot consisted of a prank. George was determined to cause a disruption, albeit in good humor, of some event involving another character. He enlisted the aid of Kramer  to carry out the complicated ruse. It involved digging along some structure in a back yard, near a fence along a basement line, which somehow would cause an eruption of some type of smoke. However, and not surprisingly, Kramer went to the wrong address and installed the would-be prank stuff there. Jerry and Elaine were not surprised at this twist of fate, and while George was initially set back, he later found a way to potentially profit from the prank gone wrong. It involved some type of sale, maybe even connected to eBay.  

There! I can erase it from my consciousness.

   P.S.  The next night's dream contained a machine that could erase time. Ma didn't like it, though.

i

To-Do List Undue

 Last night, at the onset of a new season, I composed a list of things that I decided required action on my part: appointments I should keep, or make; calls I should make for household service calls or repairs. The list was not very long, but with it came the  realization that nowhere did there exist any expectation of response, other than on my part. 

  During a fitful night's sleep, all that might have transpired from the pathos of that ill fated to-do list consolidated into that ogre from the past---a term paper with a pending due date. 

  I sat with the term paper before me, only a page and  half written, out of a minimum requirement of at least 20 pages in length. The person beside me, not a particularly astute student, was proudly flaunting his completed paper, needing only for  it to be properly bound. I looked at it, hoping to gain inspiration, but I only managed to start re-writing my own paper, again starting from scratch. The professor was making rounds, checking on progress. I had hoped for some type of assistance, but he just passed by without any comment at all. I knew the penalty for submitting a late paper would detract from the grade, possibly resulting in failure anyway, so I realized the importance of getting that paper handed in on time. 

 Emerging, finally, from the torture of that dreamlike state, I realized that there  was no entity awaiting a term paper from me, nor for anything on my to do list. Hallelujah.

The Cardio Wars

 Why can't we all just get along?

December 30, 20025---Capital Cardiology Associates announced that on Jan. 1, 2026 they were transitioning all inpatient cardiology services from Samaritan Hospital to Albany Med. and St. Peter's, in order to provide their patients more consistent and comprehensive care.  (Even if it should happen that any outpatient care at Samaritan might have to be transported  to Albany if further treatment became  necessary, and even though Samaritan Hospital is located right across the street.

Shortly after, widespread publication from Albany Associates  in Cardiology that the 3 top cardiology practices are now the EXCLUSIVE provider of inpatient cardiology services at Samaritan Hospital: Albany Associates in Cardiology, Cardiology Associates of Schenectady and Saratoga Cardiology Associates all formed ST. PETER'S Cardiology Associates. 

August 31, 2026---Ellis Hospital sues St. Peter's over cardiologist noncompete agreements.  

This is where it becomes complicated. Formerly, Cardiology Associates of Schenectady (CAS) worked with Ellis, before St. Peter's acquired Ellis, even securing a Professional Service Agreement, so their cardiologists could continue to work there if the contract was ever terminated. 

   Here is where the monster raises its ugly head: President and CEO of Ellis Medicine claims that UNBEKNOWNST  to them, St. Peter's put in their employment agreement --------- the dreaded NON-COMPETE language which, it seems, prevents Ellis from having contact with St. Peter's to employ their doctors.

One thing is certain: all these sordid details will be worked out by doctors, lawyers and CEO's so that patients will receive the best possible cardiology care, those who survive, that is.

Words of Advice--well, just a few

 "Don't pay what's owed until it's due."  Sara M., who'd graduated from Business School, when she sent me to the post office with a money order for her store items. 

Don't try to explain your reasoning to someone who just wants to criticize you."  Richard V. , business associate of Dave's, when an opinionated party goer interrupted  and disputed an innocuous comment.

"It doesn't matter what he thinks; we hired him because he's a good surgeon, not for his personal opinion."  Dr. Martin Symansky when the surgeon (for a  4-year-old) said I didn't need to stay overnight in the child's  hospital room. 

"Watch out*for that science teacher who asked you to chaperone the field trip to Howe's Cavern. Just be on guard." George L. probably the best person who ever entered the teaching profession. * He was right.

"Don't be concerned about your adult children; think about yourself."  Anonymous and  arrogant doctor in anonymous time and place.

There may be more but I didn't need to be told not to fire until I saw the whites of their eyes.  

Excerpt from the Archives

 Last stanza of "Memory Reset"

"Those memories of the good old days

Are victims of time's theft.

Instead recall the battles won

In the time that we have left."

My Word!

 Yesterday I came across a word I'd used in writing decades ago. I had to look up its meaning, even though I'd used it years ago. Today the word appeared in Spelling Bee as the pangram. The word is mordant.

Folder Fodder

 Going

through stuff with the thought of clearing out the detritus, I came across this forgotten vinyl carrybag, the kind Dave used to bring to the office containing files and resumes and such. But I had appropriated this one for my use, filled with college papers, memos, and, lord help us, some of my early writings. It is true that most valued had been my post-graduate exam from Dr. J. Thompson Littlefield, where he had written a personal note, and finally, an A in literature. 

But inserted in the pages, some of my early poetry . Snookie keeps telling me to write more, but I don't think she would mean of this genre:

      Mordant Terror

Sometimes in the sleepless night

Comes the cold, clear knowledge

That all are mortal and must die, 

And I feel I should call 

And invite everyone to a party

So that they might live.

But with the dawn comes daylight

And with it the illusion

That what had appeared as certainty

Is only a nightmare

And will pass. 

And then the sun comes out

And burns away the truth.

One of the last of the Charming Lane party survivors:

 Don DeWeerdt, He often showed up .

What a prude:

 but how was I to know. 

Those left-handed compliments

 Well, "high functional status" is preferable to "spry."  I guess.