What’s on your mind?

[Scepticalscribe]

Thanks. A trip west is on the list...and tossing the idea around making a short trip south-south.

Dispite snowing since I got up around 6 am it’s still a pretty decent day.
View attachment 821075

Mentally, I’m in Brazil with a caipirinha.

View attachment 821076

South south?

I will confess that certain elements of that cuisine do intrigue me (jambalaya, gumbo, the whole jazz and culture and history of New Orleans).

Well, do enjoy and take care of yourself.

I can well understand the mental travel; mentally, I'm in Burgundy, with a glass of nectar by my side.

The nectar is real - a white Burgundy wine (Chablis 1er Cru), but, tonight, I am visiting Burgundy only in my mind.

 

[chown33]

I took up electronics as a hobby when I was young. There was lead in solder, which I was exposed to as a child. And as an adolescent. And as an adult. So it's quite likely that lead is on my mind, or even in it.

 

[Gutwrench]

South south?

I will confess that certain elements of that cuisine do intrigue me (jambalaya, gumbo, the whole jazz and culture and history of New Orleans).

Well, do enjoy and take care of yourself.

I can well understand the mental travel; mentally, I'm in Burgundy, with a glass of nectar by my side.

The nectar is real - a white Burgundy wine (Chablis 1er Cru), but, tonight, I am visiting Burgundy only in my mind.

Coincidentally I’ve been reading a bit on Napoleon and France lately. Nothing deep, just easy stuff. Very interesting... .

I’m thinking south-south like Central or South America. Simple, isolated places.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Coincidentally I’ve been reading a bit on Napoleon and France lately. Nothing deep, just easy stuff. Very interesting... .

I’m thinking south-south like Central or South America. Simple, isolated places.

French friends told me that the country had barely recovered from the population decline occasioned by the Napoleonic Wars when the First World War occurred when France suffered catastrophic casualties.

Napoleon is interesting, but left very much a mixed - and very conflicted - legacy.

 

[decafjava]

French friends told me that the country had barely recovered from the population decline occasioned by the Napoleonic Wars when the First World War occurred when France suffered catastrophic casualties.

Napoleon is interesting, but left very much a mixed - and very conflicted - legacy.

Ouch was not awae of that, but was aware of the negative demographic legacy of the First World War on the French population that partly explains their collapse in 1940.

BTW this also explains partly why the USSR was always behind the US during the Cold War, a demographic calamity of WWII coming after WWI, the Civil War (the actual Russian Revolution was a pretty quiet affair one night in St. Petersburg in 1917) Collectivisation etc. This is why history is important.

 

[Mefisto]

Today the English language and it's curiosities have been on my mind. Things like "read" and "read", "lead (the verb)", "lead (past tense of said verb)", "lead (the element)" and so forth, how they, depending on the context have different pronunciations (and meanings) and such. Also the fact that "Arkansas" and "Kansas" sound nothing alike, but are spelled in a very similar manner.

Compared to f. ex. Finnish, where everything is pretty much pronounced as it is spelled, all of this is somewhat peculiar. Not that I just noticed this, but it's just been on my mind today for no particular reason. I'm quite aware there is a, at least somewhat satisfactory explanation for all this shenanigans somewhere online (and possibly even in some of the books on my shelf), but sometimes it's more fun to think about stuff than to actually learn about it. That's for another day.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Today the English language and it's curiosities have been on my mind. Things like "read" and "read", "lead (the verb)", "lead (past tense of said verb)", "lead (the element)" and so forth, how they, depending on the context have different pronunciations (and meanings) and such. Also the fact that "Arkansas" and "Kansas" sound nothing alike, but are spelled in a very similar manner.

Compared to f. ex. Finnish, where everything is pretty much pronounced as it is spelled, all of this is somewhat peculiar. Not that I just noticed this, but it's just been on my mind today for no particular reason. I'm quite aware there is a, at least somewhat satisfactory explanation for all this shenanigans somewhere online (and possibly even in some of the books on my shelf), but sometimes it's more fun to think about stuff than to actually learn about it. That's for another day.

How some of the words used in the language sound is something that has changed over the centuries, (including what is referred to as "the great vowel change") and this is not always reflected in the spelling of the word, if the spelling has not also changed over the intervening centuries.

But, agreed, it is a fascinating subject.

 

[Apple fanboy]

My sore back is on my mind.

Pain killers not touching it and my next chiropractor appointment is a week Thursday.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

My sore back is on my mind.

Pain killers not touching it and my next chiropractor appointment is a week Thursday.

Ouch.

Pain does concentrate the mind, doesn't it? And back pain, yes, most certainly.

My Swedish massage therapist - whom I haven't seen for months - got in touch with me last week; there is a possibility of a massage this coming Friday.

 

[Apple fanboy]

Ouch.

Pain does concentrate the mind, doesn't it? And back pain, yes, most certainly.

My Swedish massage therapist - whom I haven't seen for months - got in touch with me last week; there is a possibility of a massage this coming Friday.

Hope it works out. I know how often you look forward to them.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Hope it works out. I know how often you look forward to them.

Well, I haven't seen her for months - since around two months before my mum passed away, and - in common with your good self - my back is killing me.

Obviously, much of this is accumulated stress - the relief my back felt with the power shower I had last week told its own sorry tale - but it would be nice to have it alleviated somehow.

Re my mum, just when you think you are healing, and smiling fondly at cheerful and happy memories, you have a day (out of the blue - last Tuesday was one such) when - inexplicably - you just want to howl and almost anything can set you off.

 

[Apple fanboy]

Well, I haven't seen her for months - since around two months before my mum passed away, and - in common with your good self - my back is killing me.

Obviously, much of this is accumulated stress - the relief my back felt with the power shower I had last week told its own sorry tale - but it would be nice to have it alleviated somehow.

Re my mum, just when you think you are healing, and smiling fondly at cheerful and happy memories, you have a day (out of the blue - last Tuesday was one such) when - inexplicably - you just want to howl and almost anything can set you off.

That I can relate to. Moving some of my daughters things these last few days have had a similar result.
Some things you never really get over.

 

[kazmac]

@Apple fanboy -speedy relief to you. Ditto to @Scepticalscribe.

What’s on my mind?

Not my Job interview later this morning with prestigious private firm in bad weather.

More mom’s latest doctor appointment which I hope will find a cause behind some issues.

And speaking of doctors, came home to a potential $5.5k bill from the doc whose idea of treating me last summer was to come in to hospital once a week for two minutes, ask me how I was, tell me to exercise and be on her merry fracking way. Looks like her office apparently appealed these bills for me two weeks ago to med insurance who refused the appeal, which I have to call about (both doc’s useless billing office and med insurance). Now med insurance has paid most of these bills from her, but do not realize these are from the last two weeks of my stay at the rehab, because billing department claimed these were for charges from August to October when I was discharged in mid August.

I see medical insurance taking care of most of this bill too and whatever is still remaining from other doctors.

Still, all I wanted to do today after getting home from job interview was watch a movie or two, or nap. I still see myself being close to debt free, but gosh this delayed billing and hoop jumping to to get insurance to pay just makes me

 

[Apple fanboy]

@Apple fanboy -speedy relief to you. Ditto to @Scepticalscribe.

What’s on my mind?

Not my Job interview later this morning with prestigious private firm in bad weather.

More mom’s latest doctor appointment which I hope will find a cause behind some issues.

And speaking of doctors, came home to a potential $5.5k bill from the doc whose idea of treating me last summer was to come in to hospital once a week for two minutes, ask me how I was, tell me to exercise and be on her merry fracking way. Looks like her office apparently appealed these bills for me two weeks ago to med insurance who refused the appeal, which I have to call about (both doc’s useless billing office and med insurance). Now med insurance has paid most of these bills from her, but do not realize these are from the last two weeks of my stay at the rehab, because billing department claimed these were for charges from August to October when I was discharged in mid August.

I see medical insurance taking care of most of this bill too and whatever is still remaining from other doctors.

Still, all I wanted to do today after getting home from job interview was watch a movie or two, or nap. I still see myself being close to debt free, but gosh this delayed billing and hoop jumping to to get insurance to pay just makes me

I read all that and just think, thank goodness for the NHS. So glad it’s there, and long may in continue.

That said I do have private healthcare through work.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

@Apple fanboy -speedy relief to you. Ditto to @Scepticalscribe.

What’s on my mind?

Not my Job interview later this morning with prestigious private firm in bad weather.

More mom’s latest doctor appointment which I hope will find a cause behind some issues.

And speaking of doctors, came home to a potential $5.5k bill from the doc whose idea of treating me last summer was to come in to hospital once a week for two minutes, ask me how I was, tell me to exercise and be on her merry fracking way. Looks like her office apparently appealed these bills for me two weeks ago to med insurance who refused the appeal, which I have to call about (both doc’s useless billing office and med insurance). Now med insurance has paid most of these bills from her, but do not realize these are from the last two weeks of my stay at the rehab, because billing department claimed these were for charges from August to October when I was discharged in mid August.

I see medical insurance taking care of most of this bill too and whatever is still remaining from other doctors.

Still, all I wanted to do today after getting home from job interview was watch a movie or two, or nap. I still see myself being close to debt free, but gosh this delayed billing and hoop jumping to to get insurance to pay just makes me

That frustration, I can well relate to.

The bills are one thing, but that period when you are trying to obtain a proper diagnosis is also trying and testing; in my mother's case, they had diagnosed vertigo and/or Meziere's disease - on account of her falls (she was even sent to a series of "falls classes" to tach her how to fall safely), but finally arrived at the correct diagnosis of dementia.

Good luck with the job interview.

 

[kazmac]

That frustration, I can well relate to.

The bills are one thing, but that period when you are trying to obtain a proper diagnosis is also trying and testing; in my mother's case, they had diagnosed vertigo and/or Meziere's disease - on account of her falls (she was even sent to a series of "falls classes" to tach her how to fall safely), but finally arrived at the correct diagnosis of dementia.

Good luck with the job interview.

Thanks. It’s been 5.5 years, 25 doctors of varying backgrounds, no diagnosis for mom yet beyond the structural damage (arthritis and nerves) from a fall 25 years ago. There are other things going on, so it is frustrating in figuring how to treat these other things with arthritis/sciatica pain at the same time.

All else is fine.

I am glad they diagnosed your mom and she was able to get the care she needed.

Looks like I will have to fax the appeal to the insurance because that was the only way they went through with paying the bulk of the bills for this doctor.

Job interview, I ‘see’ I aced it. Thanks!

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Thanks. It’s been 5.5 years, 25 doctors of varying backgrounds, no diagnosis for mom yet beyond the structural damage (arthritis and nerves) from a fall 25 years ago. There are other things going on, so it is frustrating in figuring how to treat these other things with arthritis/sciatica pain at the same time.

All else is fine.

I am glad they diagnosed your mom and she was able to get the care she needed.

Looks like I will have to fax the appeal to the insurance because that was the only way they went through with paying the bulk of the bills for this doctor.

Job interview, I ‘see’ I aced it. Thanks!

Well, it can be a most frustrating time while they are waiting to work out just what exactly is wrong with your mum and how best they can then proceed to attempt to treat it.

Very well done on the job interview.

 

[Apple fanboy]

Thanks. It’s been 5.5 years, 25 doctors of varying backgrounds, no diagnosis for mom yet beyond the structural damage (arthritis and nerves) from a fall 25 years ago. There are other things going on, so it is frustrating in figuring how to treat these other things with arthritis/sciatica pain at the same time.

All else is fine.

I am glad they diagnosed your mom and she was able to get the care she needed.

Looks like I will have to fax the appeal to the insurance because that was the only way they went through with paying the bulk of the bills for this doctor.

Job interview, I ‘see’ I aced it. Thanks!

So they’ve made you an offer? I’ve not had a job interview in years. I’m well out of practice. Been with my current firm 11 years this March (although not the same position).

 

[kazmac]

So they’ve made you an offer? I’ve not had a job interview in years. I’m well out of practice. Been with my current firm 11 years this March (although not the same position).

And @Scepticalscribe

Being positive on the way into the job interview it is in less than hour, Vissualizing that I did very well.

Every time I do the positive thinking and have a confident nature I get the job.

Excited.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

And @Scepticalscribe

Being positive on the way into the job interview it is in less than hour, Vissualizing that I did very well.

Every time I do the positive thinking and have a confident nature I get the job.

Excited.

Ah, excellent.

Well, then, do please allow me to wish you the very best of luck in the interview.

 

[yaxomoxay]

I am trying to understand if the fact that I am less thrilled (that is, actually bored) about consumer technology (esp. smartphones and tablets) is due to the products themselves being less exciting or me being on the verge of my 40's.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

I am trying to understand if the fact that I am less thrilled (that is, actually bored) about consumer technology (esp. smartphones and tablets) is due to the products themselves being less exciting or me being on the verge of my 40's.

Perhaps - in different ways - both; this 'utterly transformational revolution' (and it is nothing less than that) has itself undergone a change, and what it is now focussed less on the kind of stuff that might interest those of us who fall into a slightly more mature demographic.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

The bureaucracy of death is on my mind; in order to pay the house insurance, I need a copy of my mother's will (I am one of the executor's), and her death cert, along with sundry other documents.

Every other year, it was simply a matter of paying the insurance when it fell due.

 

[Apple fanboy]

And @Scepticalscribe

Being positive on the way into the job interview it is in less than hour, Vissualizing that I did very well.

Every time I do the positive thinking and have a confident nature I get the job.

Excited.

Good luck with it.
[doublepost=1549995971][/doublepost]

I am trying to understand if the fact that I am less thrilled (that is, actually bored) about consumer technology (esp. smartphones and tablets) is due to the products themselves being less exciting or me being on the verge of my 40's.

When I bought my first mobile phone, iPhone, iPad they seemed great and changed the way I interacted with the world.
But with each subsequent upgrade, the improvement is more and more subtle. Just makes things a bit better, but hardly life changing.

 

[kazmac]

Job interview: I think it went well.

Medical Bill: I do not owe anything! Woot!

Mom: Doctor cancelled tune in two weeks from now.

iMac: it seems like it’s stuck on the start up, researching now. Glad I had access to my emails etc.