tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-283908092024-03-08T08:33:10.843-08:00River's RamblingsRiverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01490428394705761768noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28390809.post-52298870006471270502010-01-13T13:16:00.000-08:002010-01-13T13:20:13.084-08:00Getting back into the swing of things.For quite some time now, I have been feeling quite unwell and have not had the energy to keep up with<span style="font-style: italic;"> </span>our <span style="font-style: italic;">politics as usual</span>, nor have I had the ability to be up and around enough to actually post to my blog my rantings regarding them. My apologies to the few and precious people who actually do read what I have to blog about. My health is returning to me slowly and I am beginning to feel much like my normal self again so hopefully very soon there will be another posting here on River's Ramblings.Riverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01490428394705761768noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28390809.post-2388419799511921482009-08-12T15:03:00.000-07:002009-08-18T10:48:12.422-07:00Yes, Sir, Mr. President!<span style="font-size:100%;">Yesterday, Tuesday August 11, 2009 President Obama was quoted saying, "</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);font-size:100%;" >Spread the facts. Let's get this done.</span><span style="font-size:100%;">"</span><br /><br />By all means, let us spread the facts. For quite some time now I have been scouring H.R. 3200, America's Affordable Health Care Choices Act of 2009, which is current legislation being proposed at the House of Representatives. This is an insanely long piece of potential legislation filled with labyrinthine twists and turns like to give anyone a headache as they try to navigate their way through it. I know, it gave me one.<br /><br />There are so many issues with this legislation that I can only concentrate on one at a time here. I will visit as many of the issues as I can for as long as this debate goes on.<br /><br />First up is the claim from the White House that by no means does any of the proposed legislation prevent you from choosing your insurance, your doctor or both. The talking points repeated over and over again by our president assure the American people that by no means is this reform about converting America into a single payer public health care system.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Isn't it amazing out those in power in our government can tell a truth that is anything but?</span><br /><br />The proposed legislation does indeed spell out that you will have the right to choose to stay with your current health insurance. But what it also says is this:<br /><br />(highlighting is mine for emphasis. I have included Section 102 in its entirety in order to prevent any thoughts that I may be taking anything out of context and thus propagating "misinformation".)<br /><h3 style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);"><span style="font-size:85%;">SEC. 102. PROTECTING THE CHOICE TO KEEP CURRENT COVERAGE.</span></h3><br /><br /><ul style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);"><span style="font-size:85%;"> (a) <span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">Grandfathered Health Insurance Coverage Defined</span>- Subject to the succeeding provisions of this section, for purposes of establishing acceptable coverage under this division, the term `<span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">grandfathered health insurance coverage' means individual health insurance coverage that is offered and in force and effect before the first day of Y1 if the following conditions are met:<br /><br /></span></span></ul> <ul style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);"><ul><span style="font-size:85%;"> (1) <span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">LIMITATION ON NEW ENROLLMENT</span>-<br /><br /></span></ul></ul> <ul style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);"><ul><ul><span style="font-size:85%;"> (A) IN GENERAL- Except as provided in this paragraph, <span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">the individual health insurance issuer offering such coverage does not enroll any individual in such coverage if the first effective date of coverage is on or after the first day of Y1.<br /><br /></span></span></ul></ul></ul> <ul style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);"><ul><ul><span style="font-size:85%;"> (B) DEPENDENT COVERAGE PERMITTED- <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Subparagraph</span> (A) shall not affect the subsequent enrollment of a dependent of an individual who is covered as of such first day.<br /><br /></span></ul></ul></ul> <ul style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);"><ul><span style="font-size:85%;"> (2) LIMITATION ON CHANGES IN TERMS OR CONDITIONS- Subject to paragraph (3) and except as required by law, the issuer does not change any of its terms or conditions, including benefits and cost-sharing, from those in effect as of the day before the first day of Y1.<br /><br /></span></ul></ul> <ul style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);"><ul><span style="font-size:85%;"> (3) RESTRICTIONS ON PREMIUM INCREASES- The issuer cannot vary the percentage increase in the premium for a risk group of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">enrollees</span> in specific grandfathered health insurance coverage without changing the premium for all <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">enrollees</span> in the same risk group at the same rate, as specified by the Commissioner.<br /><br /></span></ul></ul> <ul style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);"><span style="font-size:85%;"> (b) <span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">Grace Period for Current Employment-based Health Plans</span>-<br /><br /></span></ul> <ul style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);"><ul><span style="font-size:85%;"> (1) GRACE PERIOD-<br /><br /></span></ul></ul> <ul style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);"><ul><ul><span style="font-size:85%;"> (A) IN GENERAL- The Commissioner shall establish <span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">a grace period whereby</span>, <span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">for plan years</span> beginning <span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">after the end of the 5-year period</span> beginning with Y1, <span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">an employment-based health plan in operation as of the day before the first day of Y1 must meet the same requirements as apply to a qualified health benefits plan under section 101, including the essential benefit package requirement under section 121.<br /><br /></span></span></ul></ul></ul> <ul style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);"><ul><ul><span style="font-size:85%;"> (B) EXCEPTION FOR LIMITED BENEFITS PLANS- <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Subparagraph</span> (A) shall not apply to an employment-based health plan in which the coverage consists only of one or more of the following:<br /><br /></span></ul></ul></ul> <ul style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);"><ul><ul><ul><span style="font-size:85%;"> (i) Any coverage described in section 3001(a)(1)(B)(ii)(IV) of division B of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Public Law 111-5).<br /><br /></span></ul></ul></ul></ul> <ul style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);"><ul><ul><ul><span style="font-size:85%;"> (ii) Excepted benefits (as defined in section 733(c) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974), including coverage under a specified disease or illness policy described in paragraph (3)(A) of such section.<br /><br /></span></ul></ul></ul></ul> <ul style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);"><ul><ul><ul><span style="font-size:85%;"> (iii) Such other limited benefits as the Commissioner may specify.<br /><br /></span></ul></ul></ul></ul> <ul style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);"><ul><ul><span style="font-size:85%;">In no case shall an employment-based health plan in which the coverage consists only of one or more of the coverage or benefits described in clauses (i) through (iii) be treated as acceptable coverage under this division<br /><br /></span></ul></ul></ul> <ul style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);"><ul><span style="font-size:85%;"> (2) TRANSITIONAL TREATMENT AS ACCEPTABLE COVERAGE- During the grace period specified in paragraph (1)(A), an employment-based health plan that is described in such paragraph shall be treated as acceptable coverage under this division.<br /><br /></span></ul></ul> <ul style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);"><span style="font-size:85%;"> (c) <span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">Limitation on Individual Health Insurance Coverage</span>-<br /><br /></span></ul> <ul style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);"><ul><span style="font-size:85%;"> (1) IN GENERAL- <span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">Individual health insurance coverage that is not grandfathered health insurance coverage under subsection (a) may only be offered on or after the first day of Y1 as an Exchange-participating health benefits plan.<br /><br /></span></span></ul></ul> <ul style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);"><ul><span style="font-size:85%;"> (2) SEPARATE, EXCEPTED COVERAGE PERMITTED- Excepted benefits (as defined in section 2791(c) of the Public Health Service Act) are not included within the definition of health insurance coverage. Nothing in paragraph (1) shall prevent the offering, other than through the Health Insurance Exchange, of excepted benefits so long as it is offered and priced separately from health insurance coverage.</span><br /><br /></ul></ul><div style="text-align: left;"><br />What I believe this to be saying (and I am by no means a legal expert) is that if this Act is signed into law, the private health insurance that you currently have will stay the same, and you can choose to keep it, but that at the end of a 5 year grace period it must then convert to and only be offered as an Exchange-participating health benefits plan. Thus an end to your private insurance and the beginning of a government supervised and enforced health care insurance system as outline here:<br /><br />(Again, highlights are mine for emphasis only. In this next section the QHBP means Quality Health Benefits Plan.)<br /><br /></div><br /><h4 style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);"><center><span style="font-size:85%;">TITLE II--HEALTH INSURANCE EXCHANGE AND RELATED PROVISIONS</span></center></h4> <h4 style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);"><center><span style="font-size:85%;">Subtitle A--Health Insurance Exchange</span></center></h4> <h3 style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);"><span style="font-size:85%;">SEC. 201. ESTABLISHMENT OF HEALTH INSURANCE EXCHANGE; OUTLINE OF DUTIES; DEFINITIONS.</span></h3><br /><br /><ul><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);"> (a) Establishment- There is established within the Health Choices Administration and under the </span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">direction of the Commissioner</span> <span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);">a Health Insurance Exchange in order to facilitate access of individuals and employers, through a transparent process, to a variety of choices of affordable, quality health insurance coverage, including a public health insurance option.<br /><br /></span></span></ul> <ul><span style="font-size:85%;"> <span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);">(b) Outline of Duties of Commissioner- In accordance with this subtitle and in coordination with appropriate Federal and State officials as provided under section 143(b),</span> <span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">the Commissioner shall--<br /><br /></span></span></ul> <ul><ul><span style="font-size:85%;"> <span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);">(1) under section 204</span> <span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">establish standards for, accept bids from, and negotiate and enter into contracts with, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">QHBP</span> offering entities for the offering of health benefits plans through the Health Insurance Exchange</span><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);">, with different levels of benefits required under section 203,</span> <span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">and including with respect to oversight and enforcement;<br /><br /></span></span></ul></ul> <ul><ul><span style="font-size:85%;"> <span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);">(2) under section 205 facilitate outreach and enrollment in such plans of Exchange-eligible individuals and employers described in section 202; and<br /><br /></span></span></ul></ul> <ul style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);"><ul><span style="font-size:85%;"> (3) conduct such activities related to the Health Insurance Exchange as required, including establishment of a risk pooling mechanism under section 206 and consumer protections under subtitle D of title I.<br /><br /></span></ul></ul> <ul><span style="font-size:85%;"> <span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);">(c) Exchange-participating Health Benefits Plan Defined- In this division,</span> <span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">the term `Exchange-participating health benefits plan' means a qualified health benefits plan that is offered through the Health Insurance Exchange.<br /><br /><br /></span></span></ul><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Don't take my word for any of this by any means. Go to <a href="http://www.whitehouse.gov/">www.whitehouse.gov</a></span> and look into the claims being made and then, go to <a href="http://thomas.loc.gov/">http://thomas.loc.gov</a>, click on the brightly highlighted link entitled HR3200: </span><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);font-size:100%;" >America's Affordable Health Choices Act of 2009.</span><span style="font-size:100%;"> This will take you directly to a page that gives you several choices for links to click in a grid, choose the top link in the second column from the left, this will take you to the page that contains the full text of the proposed legislation.<br /><br />Compare what you see, look at the disparities yourself. This isn't a "staged protest". This is not fear mongering, this is imploring you, for the preservation of your freedoms to look into the facts yourself. </span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);font-size:100%;" >Do not believe anything I tell you.</span><span style="font-size:100%;"> </span><span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0);font-size:100%;" >Do not <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">blindly</span> believe anything our president is telling us.</span><span style="font-size:100%;"> </span><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);font-size:100%;" ><span style="color: rgb(255, 153, 102);">For the sake of all that is good, don't listen to the popular media.</span> <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Find out for yourself</span></span><span style="font-size:100%;">, and when you do, talk about it and encourage everyone you see to do the same.<br /><br />To paraphrase our President, doing nothing here would be extremely detrimental to America.<br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);font-size:100%;" >How's that, Mr. President, for spreading the facts?</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /><br />~If you're not outraged, you're not paying attention.~<br /><br /><br /><br /></span><br /></div><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);"></span></span></div>Riverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01490428394705761768noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28390809.post-8835697559640732672009-08-10T15:46:00.000-07:002009-08-10T19:58:59.972-07:00"Facts are stubborn things . . . "This phrase is used as the title of an article written by the White House Director of new media, Macon Phillips on The Blog at <a href="http://www.whitehouse.gov/">www.whitehouse.gov</a>, written Tuesday August 4, 2009 with the apparent purpose of dispelling "disinformation" regarding current efforts toward health insurance reform.<br /><br />The quote used as the opening title is from the second president of the United States, John Adams the full text of which is, "<span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 153);">Facts are stubborn things; and whatever may be our wishes, our inclinations, or the dictates of our passion, they cannot alter the state of facts and evidence.</span>"<br /><br />It is indeed a wonderful quote, however, I wish to share with you another one attributed to John Adams.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255); font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">"When people talk of the freedom of writing, speaking, or thinking, I cannot choose but laugh. No such thing ever existed. No such thing now exists; but I hope it will exist. But it must be hundreds of years after you and I shall write and speak no more."</span><br /><br />In the article found at The Blog on the White House's web-page something a bit more sinister appears, a request for American citizens to email the White House if they see or hear anything "fishy" in regards to opinions related to health insurance reform.<br /><br />Quote:<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0);">"There is a lot of disinformation about health insurance reform out there, spanning from control of personal finances to end of life care. These rumors often travel just below the surface via chain emails or through casual conversation. Since we can’t keep track of all of them here at the White House, we’re asking for your help. If you get an email or see something on the web about health insurance reform that seems fishy, send it to </span><a style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0);" href="mailto:flag@whitehouse.gov">flag@whitehouse.gov</a><span style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0);">."</span><br /><br />That's right folks, a dedicated White House email address specifically earmarked for you to send reports about your neighbor's political opinions, especially if they are "fishy." This request is in opposition to free speech. It puts the fear of undue governmental influence on those who would speak out, limiting those who would feel free to exercise their right to speak.<br /><br />It is so beyond unethical it is nothing more than a most reprehensible example of governmental corruption.<br /><br />I cannot even begin to express the level of disgust I am feeling as I write this post out. The White House openly asking for information on their dissenters, the thought is hugely frightening.<br /><br />Now, the White House will tell you that its not collecting any names, not creating any databases. I just don't know if I trust my government that much. Nor should you. The technology is there to track all sorts of statistical information about you and me simply by using an easily accessible IP address from which an email is sent or a blog is written. This is in clear violation of current law!<br /><br />According to <a href="http://www.usdoj.gov/opcl/privstat.htm"><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);font-size:85%;" >The Privacy Act of 1974</span></a><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 153);font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;" ><a href="http://www.usdoj.gov/opcl/privstat.htm"><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"> </span></a><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:85%;" ><a href="http://www.usdoj.gov/opcl/privstat.htm"><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">5 U.S.C. § 552a</span></a>,</span> </span> United States agencies, including the Executive Office of the President shall, <span style="font-size:100%;">"<strong style="font-weight: normal; color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">maintain no record describing how any individual exercises rights guaranteed by the First Amendment unless expressly authorized by statute</strong><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);"> or by the individual about whom the record is maintained or unless pertinent to and within the scope of an authorized law enforcement activity.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">"</span><br /><br />Reporting the political views and opinions of your neighbors to your government, talk about "Big Brother". Yeah. I hope that someone does send a link of this blog to the White House. I will certainly be having quite a lot to say about the current proposals for health insurance reform and Obama's policies, and much more in the very near future. I hope that our President sees it.<br /><br />If you're not outraged, you're not paying attention. America is the greatest nation on the planet, help us keep it that way; join the new American Revolution. Speak out, send in your tea bags, write to your representatives, if you remain complacent the America we love and for which many have fought and died will be lost.<br /><br />In closing I leave you with one more quote of John Adams, written in a letter to H. Niles, February 13, 1818.<br /><span style=";font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;" ><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0); font-style: italic;font-family:Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:100%;" >What do we mean by the American Revolution? Do we mean the American war? The Revolution was effected before the war commenced. The Revolution was in the minds and hearts of the people; a change in their religious sentiments, of their duties and obligations...This radical change in the principles, opinions, sentiments, and affections of the people was the real American Revolution</span><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0); font-style: italic;font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;" >.</span>Riverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01490428394705761768noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28390809.post-68634175724734304872009-07-25T15:42:00.000-07:002009-07-25T16:55:53.863-07:00Tea anyone?I can't say that I've been overly committed to this act of blogging, because I know that I haven't. I can't can't say that even when I have blogged that I've put down into words anything that is of any intrinsic value. Not really. I need to change that, at least for this one post. Maybe for other posts to come.<br /><br />I need to speak of something that is of the most vital importance to our country. It is political, but it has nothing to do with party lines. Whether you are a staunch Republican or Democrat matters very little. What matters is your love for this country, The United States of America. The best country in the world. <br /><br />What I have to say today has every thing to do with two powerful words. Patriotism and dissent.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Patriotism</span>: love for or devotion to one's country.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Dissent</span>: to differ in opinion.<br /><br />We are at a precipice, right now, you and I, a turning point of grave importance. The video linked at the bottom of this article is of Bob Basso speaking to us as Thomas Paine, founding father, activist and author of Common Sense, and other pamphlets written during the American Revolution. <br /><br />Reclaiming America the great, <span style="font-style: italic;">our</span> America, is quite possibly the most important thing that you or I may ever endeavor to do. Watch the video and join the Second American Revolution. Step up and help us to be known as the greatest generation in American history.<br /><br />Some people may say that to speak out against our President, our government, our leaders is un-American. Nothing could possibly be further from the truth. We, the citizens of the United States of America have a duty to question our leaders, to hold them accountable and to speak out when their actions are against the interests of this country.<br /><br />If you love your country, then you are vested in its future. Don't be fooled and don't give in. Dissent <span style="font-style: italic;">is</span> patriotic. It is possibly one of <span style="font-style: italic;">the</span> greatest expressions of patriotism. <br /><br /><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jeYscnFpEyA">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jeYscnFpEyA</a><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 204);"><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Now is the seedtime of continental union, faith and honor. The least fracture now, will be like a name engraved with the point of a pin on the tender rind of a young oak; the wound would enlarge with the tree, and posterity read in it full grown characters.</span> </span> <span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 153);">~Thomas Paine, Common Sense, 1776</span></span>Riverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01490428394705761768noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28390809.post-89950390181541548942009-05-26T16:41:00.000-07:002009-05-26T17:12:05.568-07:00Hot New Wheels<span style="color: rgb(51, 153, 153);"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Recently I purchased my very first "every day" wheelchair. Ordering something this customized and, well, expensive is somewhat of a nerve wracking experience. Even more so because I purchased it online. However, I was quickly put at ease while speaking with Scott at bike-on.com. He took the time to actually talk with me and get a true feel on the types of activity and places I would be using my new chair, and never once made me feel "less than" because it was my first time ordering such a chair.<br /><br />I decided on a Quickie GPV in midnight purple and spent quite a while on the phone with Scott specifying all sorts of details like seat width and depth, back rest height, options for breaks and footrests. When it was all said and done I put my money where my mouth was and ordered the chair. It took about two weeks from ordering to receiving and I woke up one morning with a giant box sitting in my living room waiting for me to open it up.<br /><br />I love this chair!<br /><br />For the last year, ever since losing the use of my legs, I have been using a second hand Jazzy power chair. The power chair was comfortable, and lets face it, free...so I had been more than happy with using it since I had no other options at the time. It had its uses, but lets face it...it also had its drawbacks. For one, it had a limited range, only being able to go a total of five miles, when the batteries where brand spanking new and fully charged. As the batteries got older, the range of the chair became less and less. We put quite a bit of money into the chair, having bought two sets of batteries over the past year and a new charger for the unit. Another one of its drawbacks was that it was heavy and quite a bit of a challenge to transport, making it absolutely impossible for friends to drop by and pick me up for an afternoon out.<br /><br />I have been dreaming about a new wheelchair for at least the last six months. However, a good "every day" wheelchair (not the kind you see at hospitals used to transport patients here and there) costs a pretty good chunk of money. The most economical of them run between $1,000-$1,500. I had to wait until I knew for sure that the investment was necessary and for the money to be available to us. Finally the day came and I bought my new wheels.<br /><br />This chair is so light, and the wheels are so easy to remove that I am able to transfer into almost any old car and break the chair down myself and put it in the backseat. How cool is that, I ask you? Pretty damned cool!<br /><br />The seat and angle of the leg rests are so comfortable...I never knew what I was missing until I spent just a few minutes sitting in it. Its great, absolutely great. I took it to a grocery store and went shopping with my family not too long after receiving it to test drive it in the world. Gliding along the polished tile floors in the grocery store was practically effortless!<br /><br />I love this chair so much that in celebration of receiving it, I put purple highlights in my light brown hair to commemorate its arrival.<br /><br />So now I have myself some hot new wheels and a hot new hairdo to match. Life is good.<br /><br />~River, simply being me.<br /></span></span></span>Riverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01490428394705761768noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28390809.post-79097292471561545752009-04-09T20:40:00.000-07:002009-04-09T20:41:32.369-07:00A letter of thanksDear Pogo/EA games,<br /><br />Thank you! Just prior to my sojourn in the void I wrote to your customer support and asked about the options of having a wheelchair to place my Mini in. Your response at the time was polite, but stated that that particular option had not yet been developed. I went shopping around in the Mini options today and found that you had developed that option. I congratulate you on your open-mindedness and willingness to accommodate those who are disabled and who wish to incorporate that into the expression of themselves on your site. A big thumbs up and kudos to you!<br /><br />Thanks.Riverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01490428394705761768noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28390809.post-5251948821608101772009-04-09T18:50:00.001-07:002009-04-09T19:07:38.414-07:00A Return From the VoidSo, I really sucked at Blogging quite some time before...and I may continue to bore people who stumble unwittingly upon River's Ramblings. However, I believe that it is time to give this one more go.<br /><br />Things in life tend to change drastically, so drastically sometimes that it forces you to change and/or redefine who you are. I've had one of those changes in my life, just this past year. I was hit by a catastrophic illness that left me paraplegic, unable to continue my life as a Registered Nurse. So, now at the tender age of 33 I have been forced into early retirement. I have a lot of time to fill now.<br /><br />A portion of this past year, half of it in fact, I have spent without access to the internet. This period of time I have been referring to as the void. I had to create things to keep myself occupied and to keep myself from losing my mind. Fortunately, part of the aftermath of my catastrophic illness comes with a boost in creativity. Something that I sorely lacked before in my life, being the consummate left-brain science nerd.<br /><br />Now, I am spending my time writing a novel length story, knitting, crocheting, learning the tin whistle, etching glass, carving art into tile...all sorts of things.<br /><br />Part of me thinks that cronicling some of the things that I am doing and creating would be interesting to others...the other part of me knows that it will at least be interesting to me. So, for no other reason that it being interesting to me, I believe that I will pick up my blog once more and see if I can't bore the innocent passer by once in a while.<br /><br />Treat yourselves well, you're the only 'you' you have.Riverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01490428394705761768noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28390809.post-1170882500913625902007-02-07T13:03:00.000-08:002007-02-07T13:08:20.933-08:00The most boring blogger on the planetI've decided that I really suck at this blogging thing. I posted a few times, then never got back to it. I've recently re-read my previous posts and decided that my topics and writing style are completely boring.<br /><br />Oh well...<br /><br />Read on if you dare...<br /><br />I may or may not ever post again!<br /><br />Blessed travels,<br /><br />~RiverRiverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01490428394705761768noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28390809.post-1148755292768799672006-05-27T09:55:00.000-07:002006-05-28T09:28:38.793-07:00The Bugsy Chronicles: Bugsy and the Banana Caper<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#663366;">Over the past year of so, we have gotten into the habit of spoiling ourselves by ordering our groceries online and having them delivered to our home. This, in general, has been a rewarding experience. It prevents us from having to travel to the market and slump among the throngs of people doing the same, and also relieves us of the duty of hauling all of our purchases from the store, into our vehicle, out of our vehicle and then into our home. We simply place our order online, and then, hassle free, our groceries effortlessly arrive at our home and are placed upon our dining room table. How wonderful is that?!</span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;color:#663366;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;color:#663366;">Recently, we placed a rather large order and when it arrived, our dining room table was overflowing with bags and bags of grocery items. Among these items was a small bunch of bananas, about three bananas in total. In the chaos of such an enormous load of groceries there were numerous bags placed on the floor until we got everything stored properly in the cupboards.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;color:#663366;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;color:#663366;">It took about an hour for my two children (Sparky, my daughter age 12 and G-boy, my son age 9) to somehow, miraculously, cooperate with each other and get everything put away. This in itself is a feat that defies any description. Later that afternoon, I got a hankering for a banana. So I asked G-boy to go and fetch me one. Ten minutes later he comes to me and says that he can't find the bananas. G-boy not being able to find something isn't anything new, it just simply means that his mind is running so fast that his eyes can't get a word in edgewise to tell him that he's seen what he's looking for. With this in mind, I send him back into the kitchen to look again. This is done to no avail. The bananas simply cannot be found.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;color:#663366;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;color:#663366;">If you've ever been around children, you KNOW how a minor situation like this can escalate into a chaotic whirling vortex from the netherworld. The Husband says, "Well, I know I ordered bananas, what happened to them?" G-boy says, "I don't know. I saw them in the bag over there on the floor by the table." I ask, (playing "good cop") "Did they accidently get put in the refrigerator with the other fruit?" G-boy goes and looks through the fridge, finding that there is indeed no bananas mixed in with the other fruit. Yes, we have no bananas, we have no bananas today.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;color:#663366;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;color:#663366;">At the absolute wrong moment with decidely wrong vocal inflection, Sparky pipes up and puts in her two cents worth. "Did they get thrown out with the empty grocery bags?" This situation is PRIME. The Husband is now virtually helpless against the forces that are now mercilessly begging him to play "bad cop". "I don't know, Sparky. Why would you even think to suggest that the bananas might have gotten thrown out with the grocery bags if you didn't already know this had occurred?" Sparky, now feeling accused of a crime she believes she didn't commit, becomes defensive and slightly snotty. This is a bad move on her part. Things then go from bad to worse all over three insignificant bananas. </span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;color:#663366;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;color:#663366;">Accusations fly that Sparky is lying to cover up a small error, which in our house is a big crime. Seeing that things are getting a bit fired up over a mystery that appears we will never solve, we drop the subject and shake things off, moving on with the rest of our normal daily activities.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;color:#663366;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;color:#663366;">The next day I went to work, so I was not home at the time that the mystery was solved. I learned about it second-hand, which in the big picture did not make it any less amusing. Among our other various and veritable zoo of pets is a champange colored ferret named Bugsy. Bugsy is so named because she is a thief. If she can drag it across the floor and stash it away in one of her many hidden treasure troves, it is hers.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;color:#663366;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;color:#663366;">It was discovered by G-boy that mysteriously the bananas we thought were tossed out with the trash were indeed the victim of an altogether different crime. They were kidnapped and held captive by the sneaky and professional criminal animal Bugsy for her own nefarious designs. Beaten, battered, bruised, bitten and snacked upon, the abused bodies of the poor innocent bananas were found stashed under the couch no doubt stored there for further snacking. </span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;color:#663366;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;color:#663366;">The evidence was brought before the judge (my Husband), and found to be very compelling, however, the deviant and whiskered weasel Bugsy remains at large within our home. May the powers that be protect us all.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;color:#663366;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;color:#663366;">~River, simply being me.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;color:#663366;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;color:#663366;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;color:#663366;"></span>Riverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01490428394705761768noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28390809.post-1148140342979183892006-05-20T07:58:00.000-07:002009-05-26T16:18:23.780-07:00Coffee...the juice of life<span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 102);font-family:Trebuchet MS;" >I don't know about anyone else, but for me, the world does not begin turning in the morning until I've had my cup of coffee. So here I sit at my computer sipping at my coffee and trying to compose lucid ramblings. I don't know if its working yet, my brain has not yet shifted into gear. </span><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 102);font-family:Trebuchet MS;" ></span><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 102);font-family:Trebuchet MS;" >I'm waging a great and heroic battle against this head cold I've been fighting for the last 5 days. Its simply gotten to the point where its interfering with my plans for the day and I'm not pleased with this at all. There are two major things that I want to get accomplished today and come hell or high water I'm bound and determined to go and do them.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 102);font-family:Trebuchet MS;" ></span><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 102);font-family:Trebuchet MS;" >As of late, I have become interested in a fun group of people called the Nevada Old-Time Fiddlers Association. I went to one of their open jams two weeks ago and had the very best time. I've been looking forward to joining them again, but I missed last week's open jam because I had to work. (Here's me growling at this...grrrrrrrr). I don't want to miss today's open jam simply because my head feels like its full of sand. Although the thought of breaking every five minutes to hock up a lung cookie or to blow my nose is less than appealing in general and more so if I've put myself into the position where I'd be doing it in the company of 30 other people. So I've got to make a decision do I stay at home and rest up for what my number one priority is (which I will describe momentarily), or do I go and try to feel human again?</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 102);font-family:Trebuchet MS;" ></span><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 102);font-family:Trebuchet MS;" >My number one priority is a Brad Paisley concert that I've been looking forward to for 3 weeks. My best friend purchased the tickets weeks ago and we both rearranged our work schedules to make sure that we could attend. I was in search of a lamp shade to wear on my head in honor of Brad Paisley's song "Alcohol". I gave up that search since there wasn't a convenient one at the house and I'm not sure that I could pull off that look. </span><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 102);font-family:Trebuchet MS;" ></span><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 102);font-family:Trebuchet MS;" >As always,</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 102);font-family:Trebuchet MS;" ></span><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 102);font-family:Trebuchet MS;" >~River (simply being me)</span>Riverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01490428394705761768noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28390809.post-1148051634346571612006-05-19T08:05:00.000-07:002006-05-19T08:13:54.356-07:00Not a lot of time...<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#663366;"><span style="font-family:georgia;">This is my first ever blog posting</span> and who knows, I may love it or hate it. I may never post another blog again, or I may end up writing so much that no one will be able to keep up. I am a simple woman, with simple tastes and an uncomplicated life. I'm sitting here with a head and chest cold listening to the bell on my ferret's collar jingle as she runs amok through the house. </span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;color:#663366;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;color:#663366;">I seriously don't have as much time to write at this moment as I would like. My Husband is driving the children to school and we have a guest on his way over to the house to hang out and play some guitar with us. With this in mind, I really should throw on a bra and comb my hair so that I am at least presentable. </span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;color:#663366;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;color:#663366;">Hopefully, I will get back to writing here later today.</span>Riverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01490428394705761768noreply@blogger.com0