Music / Picard

Every year at this time I'm reminded how important music is to education.

I was in my school orchestra in Fort Atkinson.  First Chair cello, not because I was good but because I was better then the other younger classmates.  We were the first class to have an orchestra in Fort Atkinson.  I went on the fame and fortune as 12th chair cello in the Wisconsin Youth Symphony  . . . for a while.

HOWEVER - in my tiny little class we now have 2 Grammy nominations and one Grammy winner when Scott Kluge penned the score for Martin Scorsese's movie Silence.  My other buddy Mike Marquart played briefly with Flock of Seagulls and is now President of Windmark Recording and is married to Winifred Johnson-Marquart who is the president of the Johnson Family Foundation (and worth $4.2 Billion).   Mikes daughter is also a performer and has recorded with Coldplay, Jeezy, J. Cole, YG, Justin Timberlake, Pharrell, Kanye West, and Kendrick Lamar.  YIKES!   little guy does good. 

Mike was the drummer for Wonderhorse our rock band. We were the only "touring" band that had two timpani (he had a key and we would sneak them out of the band room on weekends :0 

Add to that two other orchestra classmates are conductors. One as the head of the Green Bay Symphony and the other I believe is the head of the Quad City Orchestra AND we have a professor that teaches music in Japan.  All from one tiny orchestra.

Music is so important in school as an escape for the daily rigors of being a kid and just a great way to have balance in your life.  I hope the Columbus Schools continue to have music in their schools.  I have heard other schools dropping music and art from classes because of funding. 

BTW - The Grammy's were fantastic last night!

***********************   

PICARD - OMG what a great great show - If you plan on watching Picard (highly recommended) there are 10 episodes on Next Generation you should watch first to just to jog your memory, it;s been 27 years you know.

S2E9
S2E16
S3E16
S3E26
S4E1 and E2
S5E25
S6E15
S7E25 and E26

This will fill in some details that relate to Picard - For instance I had forgotten Data created a daughter and they reacquaint you with The Borg.

DJ was not really familiar with Next Generation or Sir Patrick Stewert and is now obsessed with Next Generation.  we watched 6 of those episodes those weekend.  SO GOOD!

***********

And if you have never watched Survivor this is the season to see what it's all about.  Season #40  has 20 winners from the past. All have won at least $1 million. Two winners have married each other and have kids and one is the only woman (or man) to ever win twice.  These guys are the best of the best. No fake drama, just pure game play to outwit, outlast and outplay the other winners. 

************

I'm having a LOT of people look at images on Fine Art america . . .FROM CHINA!   Over 200 last week. Whats up with that.

Meanwhile look at what is up at Kestrel Ridge. They took down the weird Dogs hunting painting and put up yours truly the Columbus Train Station. 

    ***************

And this just had DJ and I in stitches  . . . . although it was late Saturday night.  This handsome dude TRIED to lure woman.  Not successful for some reason.   

Keston Hiura / WIN 7 / knee-gress

So of course the day I brag about my knee feeling FINE it pops up to a 2 (uncomfortable but very little pain).   A holistic friend said cinnamon is a great anti inflammatory so I found some cinnamon capsules and am now burping cinnamon (not a bad thing actually).  I thought it would be easier then taking a teaspoon of powdered cinnamon.  blach!

*******************
We were at Costco yesterday and walked by some blueberry muffins. DJ debated about buying them but  WHY NOT - what can go wrong.

Well . . . . . . the actual muffin and the photo on the box is not  REALLY a match.  I'm returning them today.  Can't eat a puke green muffin.

**************

Baseball - Remember the Brewers second base dude Keston Hiura?   OMG - literally (no seriously literally) the worst fielding full time second base I have ever seen in Strat-o-matic.  NO REALLY. Unplayable. The pitching staff  REALLY suffers with him on the field. 

By my calculations Hiura allows 70+ extra bases a year compared to a league average 2B.   He is the polar opposite of Arias at SS who is one of the best fielding shortstops in MLB . . but can't hit.

For any SOM players Hiura is a 2B  4e38 (that means 38 errors in 162 games and absolutely zero range.  So he never gets to the ball and when he does he throws it away.

*******************

I seem to be drawn to Scandinavian rock bands.  They are classified as symphonic metal, Within Temptation, Nightwish, Delain, Sirinia, Epica and so forth.  The interesting thing is all of these bands help each other on tour and albums.  I watch videos and keep seeing members of other bands joining in.  

I mention this because I had an "album" by Delain which I really liked.  On Pandora I heard a new old song and purchased that "album" and WOW - I REALLY like this guys. 

I was reading about them and their lead singer (a classical trained vocalist who was influenced by Pink Floyd, Deep Purple, Genesis, Led Zeppelin, and Kate Bush) and came across this          

"Bassist Otto Schimmelpenninck van der Oije suffered an injury, when he was accidentally hit by a streamer cannon, causing his left testicle to rupture. This incident was said to be caused by uncertain stage positioning, as there were six people onstage instead of the usual five.

WOW - that HAD to hurt!     BIG hair band.  Wish I had hair like these guys!  

https://youtu.be/jaATQzLr_20

****************

And then there is Antonio Brown who has been charged with burglary and battery. What a total dork!  

And of course Aaron and his comments about church and his family is all going anal on him.  

“Religion can be a crutch, it can be something that people have to have to make themselves feel better,” Rodgers continued. “Because it’s set up binary, it’s us and them, saved and unsaved, heaven and hell, it’s enlightened and heathen, it’s holy and righteous … that makes a lot of people feel better about themselves.”

****************** 

OK computer geeks - I have a desk top computer that has been running 24/7 with the weather station for 8 years with WIN 7.  I think I turn it off once a month for 10 minutes. It's never had any non man made issue.  NOW it seems WIN 7 is no longer a viable operating system.  How bad is this issue?  I probably need a new desk top at SOME point as my graphic card is OLD and the box can not handle a new card - too small of a box.  Graphic cards seemed to be bigger now. 

HOWEVER - switching to a new computer is FUBR with software that is no longer around and all the other hassles with moving to a new better computer.  So I'm procrastinating.   

If I have good security installed is WIN 7 a security problem?  What's the issue?   8 years with zero issues except an old graphic card . . . . just sayin'    

Carry on. 

Rudy called me! / Backing off a TKR a little /

Seems to have a formatting issue 

BE IT KNOW - I DID NOT HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH COLUMBUS CHATTER GOING BELLY UP  - not me this time.

*********************

I try to workout 3 times a week  M,W F and maybe blog the other two days but yesterday was the day the SOM rating guide comes out so I was in baseball mode. 

Looking at Yelich - where did his fielding go!  SAD. BUT holy crap was he a total monster vs. right handed pitching last year. I sorted all players with >400 ABs  and he was the best BY FAR!   But then I looked at who was best vs. lefties.  J.D Martinez beat Yelich BY WAY WAY FAR!!!

J.D Martinez  had a batting average over .400, an on base of .494 and a slugging  . . .wait for it . . . .of .887.   He had 19 home runs with 170 at bats vs. lhp in a NON home run park (Boston).

OK - nuff said on that!

****************

SO - the Packers seemed to lose Sunday . it was an easy loss for sure.  Relaxing actually.  Best loss of the year.  The good thing was that did anybody REALLY think the Packers were Super Bowl material?  I mean come on - they beat Detroit twice AND NEVER LED IN EITHER GAME.

The Packers can be better next year and win less games as they will have a much harder schedule.

Brewers?  Las Vegas has them winning 85 games . . . seems about right.

****************

My knee?  I'm seriously thinking of NOT having a TKR . . .YET.  Why hurry.  I keep a spreadsheet on pain and in the last 3 months only 3 days where it was near a 5 and with an anti inflammatory it was back to <1 6="" hours.="" p="" within=""> <1 6="" day="" even="" hours="" later.="" nbsp="" next="" or="" p="" the="">ODDLY the same days the knee flared was the same time my PMR flared.  So I have an appointment on the 31st at Prairie Ridge and I hope Andy the PA will talk to me as opposed to trying to sell a TKR RIGHT AWAY.  OH - I will need one at some point I'm sure.

In the last 30 days the pain has topped 1 once (it was a 1.8).  I sort of gauge my knee with stairs.  Last night I was bounding up the stairs 2 at a time and I rarely use a railing going down.  We shall see.

I'm not against a TKR as  . . . .it's something to do in my boring life in winter.  Waiting for the mail is the highlight of the day.

**********************

THIS is a funny show - SADLY it's only a half hour on HBO

https://youtu.be/w8Zr3f-_Ft8



********************
<1 6="" day="" even="" hours="" later.="" nbsp="" next="" or="" p="" the="">
<1 6="" day="" even="" hours="" later.="" nbsp="" next="" or="" p="" the="">I'll say it once.  A trial without witnesses is a cover-up. Plain and simple. The blue wave will continue with a corrupt Senate.  
<1 6="" day="" even="" hours="" later.="" nbsp="" next="" or="" p="" the="">
<1 6="" day="" even="" hours="" later.="" nbsp="" next="" or="" p="" the="">Some men change their party for the sake of their principles; others their principles for the sake of their party  - Winston Churchill  

I have never ever seen so much hypocrisy in our GOP controlled Senate.   
<1 6="" day="" even="" hours="" later.="" nbsp="" next="" or="" p="" the="">
<1 6="" day="" even="" hours="" later.="" nbsp="" next="" or="" p="" the="">OH - I took a fun poll on what candidate is closest to MY principles.  Bloomberg was #1 (I agree wit that assessment)),  Bernie was #5 and I think Warren was last.  I do like Bernie but I doubt he would get anything done.  I'm a pragmatist.  
<1 6="" day="" even="" hours="" later.="" nbsp="" next="" or="" p="" the="">
<1 6="" day="" even="" hours="" later.="" nbsp="" next="" or="" p="" the="">VOTE BLUE NO MATTER WHO!  
<1 6="" day="" even="" hours="" later.="" nbsp="" next="" or="" p="" the="">
<1 6="" day="" even="" hours="" later.="" nbsp="" next="" or="" p="" the=""> I believe most so called liberals don't care about the economy and more on social issues.  Remember, 2 million more Americans do not have health insurance from last year and everybody else's insurance pays for their health bills.  Remember my buddy who had a $30,000 bill for a hospital stay, he paid nothing as he is 300% below poverty.  Who paid?  you and me.   With Obamacare you and me would not have paid his bill. 
<1 6="" day="" even="" hours="" later.="" nbsp="" next="" or="" p="" the="">
<1 6="" day="" even="" hours="" later.="" nbsp="" next="" or="" p="" the="">The GOP believe healthcare is a privilege, not a right. What is their plan?   
<1 6="" day="" even="" hours="" later.="" nbsp="" next="" or="" p="" the="">   
<1 6="" day="" even="" hours="" later.="" nbsp="" next="" or="" p="" the="">***********************
<1 6="" day="" even="" hours="" later.="" nbsp="" next="" or="" p="" the="">
<1 6="" day="" even="" hours="" later.="" nbsp="" next="" or="" p="" the="">We got LeafFilter on our gutters - WOW they are expensive when a gutter is 30 feet in the air.  But we had leaves and at the time I did not trust my knee 100%  on a ladder 30 feet up.  OH - 15 feet would not have been an issue . . . 30 feet?  hmmmmmmm  that is a long fall. 
<1 6="" day="" even="" hours="" later.="" nbsp="" next="" or="" p="" the="">
<1 6="" day="" even="" hours="" later.="" nbsp="" next="" or="" p="" the="">************************

I think Rudy called me yesterday - I think be butt dialed me.  I really wanted to answer it but was afraid of some reverse charge. LOL

<1 6="" day="" even="" hours="" later.="" nbsp="" next="" or="" p="" the="">**************

OK - carry on
<1 6="" day="" even="" hours="" later.="" nbsp="" next="" or="" p="" the="">  

Packers and the regression to the mean

There is a saying I have heard about the NFL, it goes something like this. Its very hard to beat an NFL team 3 times in one year.

Not sure how true this is but on Pro Football Reference there is an article that looked at all teams that have played in the playoffs that also played each other in the regular season.  They looked at all of these situations going back to 1970 and found that when a team is blown out in the regular season it is MUCH harder for the winning team to win in playoffs.

"An interesting implication of this formula is that the more you cumulatively beat your opponent by in the regular season, the lower your chance is of beating them in the playoff rematch."

This actually makes sense. It's not unlike looking at this at a micro level of a game.  In the first half if you are crushing your opponent do you change strategy?  Probably not.  The losing team DOES change because they have learned from their mistakes and hopefully fixed issues.

Looking at the 49ers and Packers, why would San Fran change their strategy while the Packers gained MUCH more information on what the 49ers did to beat them. 

"a team that was blown out in the regular season gains more information for the rematch than the team that dominated".

Plus the ol' "regression to the mean"

Both teams are healthy and the Packers won't go to San Francisco as cocky as last time.  The line is +7.5 -115 so taking out Home field advantage the line makes believe the Packers are ABOUT 4.5 points worse the the 49ers.

++++++++++++++++++

Rise of Skywalker crossed the 1 billion dollar mark but in China it made 12 million opening weekend, compared to 52 million on The Force Awakens.  A Dog's Way Home did better then The Rise of Skywalker.

++

I watched The Aeronauts on PRIME and it was REALLY good.  It's a story taken from true events but is NOT a documentary  . . . it's a movie about balloonists and the first meteorologists combining to take readings of the atmosphere and along the way break some records.

38,000 feet in a balloon with no O2 or warm clothing but WOW - I had some serious shrinkage  on some of those scenes. BRAVO on the beautiful cinematography.


****************

100 years ago today prohibition began. Thank you evangelical Protestantism. Basically all it did was promote the rise of crime and bootlegging and made criminals millionaires and the cost of law enforcement dramatically increased.  It was a lose lose bill.

WEATHER - looking at 5 inches Friday, dang cold next week and more snow storms NEXT weekend

carry on   

Denver dispensaries vs. Illinois dispensaries

OK OK I'll admit it.  I'm obsessed with the coming end of Prohibition on cannabis.  One reason is I 100% know CBD is a very good product for treating many kinds of issues and that the whole package that also contains THC is even better.  But really it's just fascinating to watch this experiment.

I have read everything I can about the great Colorado experiment and their problems and how they have fixed them.  NOW - Illinois is in the act.

We have been to Denver and checked out their dispensaries and asked questions like cub reporters and yesterday we had to go to Illinois anyway so why not see what is going on there.

The one dispensary that used to be called MedMar in Rockford was Medical only is now Sunnyside and since it is the closest dispensary to Wisconsin it's also pretty much sold out of all "flower" (what you smoke). 

When it was NOT sold out the average wait in line time was 4-7 hours.  South Beloit is building a dispensary to open later this year.  We were going past Ottowa ILL and they have a dispensary so we decided to stop there and see what was up.

**********************************

6  take away's from the first 14 days of sales in ILL. 

1. Demand is FAR FAR greater then expected 
2. Customers do not mind waiting in line for 3 hours in freezing temps
3. people are VERY pleased with the shopping experience
4. High prices and taxs are not slowing sales 
5. Supply will be a big issue for months 
6. There has not been a spike in DUI arrests 

In 12 days the state has sole over 20 million in cannabis 

********************************************
From what I have seen so far.

Dispensaries in Denver, for the most part are in industrial areas but I believe many times they have grow houses attached.  In Rockford Sunnyside is in an upscale neighborhood area with an outstanding upscale coffeeshop restaurant right next door.  In Ottowa it's next to an AnyTime Fitness fast food area.  The interesting thing is that in Colorado they found that the 3 square blocks surrounding a dispensary has MUCH less crime.

So in Denver and ILL you walk into a waiting room where there is normally a guard, you have the person behind a bank teller like glass cage and you give them your drivers license.  In Denver you then site down and wait, normally 10 minutes and talk to the other people in the waiting room or line.

 Always ALWAYS very friendly - it's like waiting in line for a concert ticket. You are all there for the same reason and everybody is your friend.

But this is where things diverge.  Denver you are called in and the Budtender asks how you can be helped, what are you looking for and  he/she will spend all the time you need.  There are perhaps 30 different strains and you can look and smell each one.  Some are for stress and relaxation (indica - "I da couch") and some are for getting things done (sativa) and give you energy and you can buy up to 2 ounces.

In ILL, at the moment, you stand in line, fill out a menu with MAYBE 3 strains but you can only purchase  1/8 of an ounce (3.5 grams). You don't get to see or smell and only know the THC level.

I believe this will change but there is SO much demand they just do not have time.  There were maybe 15 people in front of us and the line took 15 minutes.  The Budtender explained that supply is an issue as there are only 21 grow houses in ILL at the moment and the one they use is expanding by 24 acres this summer.

Prices?  For comparison.  Black Market in Wisconsin you get, I BELIEVE, on average $50 for 1/8 of unknown lower quality weed that has been pinched so instead of 3.5 grams it's 3.2 grams and who knows how much insecticide is in it.

Illinois  1/8 is $55 (per person) of high quality but very little choice on what you buy with 17% *** tax so it's about $64. With every single nutrient listed and tested.

***  17% seemed really low as I had heard it was more like 33%  from others. So I'm not sure what went on.

In Colorado the same strain (Blue Dream) $24 with about 22% tax so it's about $29. Heck you can get an ounce for under $200 easy in Denver of very high quality weed and there are dispensaries that are 100% organic.  *NOTE - got a text this morning from L'Eagle in Denver, an organic dispensary, $70 half ounces - HAPPY TUESDAY (if you are in Denver  LOL)

We did not bring any back to WI but as we crossed the border with 300 other cars per minute there was a trooper on a ramp watching.   

So - that is what cannabis in Illinois is about at the moment.  Not a lot of choice as supplies are stressed and it's expensive but you know what you are getting when it comes to pesticides and instead of putting money into drug lords pockets you are helping pay for education and roads and health care in Illinois.

Just don't touch your phone when driving.

ILLINOIS CANNABIS TAXES AMONG NATION’S HIGHEST, COULD KEEP BLACK MARKET THRIVING

Wonder where the recreational marijuana sold in Illinois comes from? Here’s how it’s grown.

********************

Packers are +7.5 dogs.  Not going to touch it.  I did love the -3.5 last week on the Pack but no opinion on this one.


 

STORM COMING

YIKES - I went down to 2.5mg prednisone and I think there are unintended consequences - my bad knee has swelled up and I think I'll have to take a meloxicam (not to be confused with a Mexican).

Seems prednisone is a huge inflammatory killer so while it was working on my PMR it was also helping my knee.  Now I have to wait 6-8 hours for the meloxicam to take hold.

I have heard so many bad things about prednisone and how it makes you so moody.  I have not had any of this.  On a side note DJ left me, she was getting so bitchy lately, I don't know what her problem was.

KIDDING

++++++++++++++

WEATHER

Meanwhile Gus the Weather Dog on Facebook now has 386 followers.  Good Lord people must be bored. I'm so jealous.  STORM - this thing is ramping up and we could get a whopper Saturday.  Looking like 6+ inches now. Gus 3 days ago said 4-5 inches when the talking heads were saying maybe rain mix.   STAY TUNED TO THE WEATHER

*****

With relatives in Texas it's been funny watching their Facebook pages as they talk about the Cowboys hiring McCarthy and then McCarthy hiring Joe Philbin.  Some are saying Brett Farve is still available.  Texas is not happy with the Cowboys becoming Green Bay South.

I believe the Packers will cover the -3.5.  The Seahawks barely beat the Eagles who only had one player that was not on their practice squad and then he went out in the first quarter.   

Seattle's running game was a disaster which is Green Bays achilles heel.  Marshawn Lynch  ran 6 times and gained 7 yards, 5 of them on one run.  The other guy,  Homer was 11 attempts for 12 yards.

The left side of the Seattle's offensive line is injured so it's all on Russel's hands.

Of course what happens IF the Packers win will be different but San Francisco is injured also.   BUT - the Super Bowl winner has already been declared as Baltimore so . . . . .

*****************

I'll spare you the normal commentary on Trump and his full of lies news conference where he just makes up unbelievable shit for his cult followers to believe. Good Lord America is so much better then that.  When did we become do gullible.

***************

Did you know that America has only NOT been at war for 16 years in  it's entire history? And Trump wants to start another one . . by accident?  let's get out of the Middle East by sending tropps  . . to the Middle East and stir the pot more.

************

We watched the new season of Dr. Who.  Every time I have tried to watch this show I have not liked the character, Dr. Who.  This one I like.   Sort of a quirky Timeless-like flick and I appreciated it.

DJ met a Dr. Who, the 4th one, Tom Baker.   Jodie Whittaker the first female Dr. Who is fun.

OH - and finished Game of Thrones - yea -the plot holes you could drive a truck though but seriously - the entire series was full of plot holes. It was OK with the ending.  And seriously, how many GOOD series finale's have there been.  Justified was the BEST I had ever seen with Battlestar Glactica a close second.

Now we can wait for the 10 year reunion movie that will be as bad as the highly anticipated Deadwood movie disaster which was horrible.   

**********

Columbus is desperately looking for people to run for council. Everybody complains about the government but nobody wants to run.  There are 3 out of six openings and no takers.  Who will we complain too. 
 
Nuff said.
   

Rockford / Wild Card Weekend / Pinocchio's Whitehouse

Anybody considering a road trip to Rockford for legal cannabis think again.  It's really not that dangerous but is it worth it? 

Hour and 15 minute drive to a parking lot where you then hop on a shuttle bus to the dispensary for the 3-7 hour line for a choice of ONE strain with a 33% total tax.

SO - bottom line is you can buy 7 grams (about 50? good buzzs maybe?) of very potent cannabis flower tops for $136 + $45 tax = $181

OR - in Wisconsin buy 7 grams of illegal drug cartel cannabis which is more like 6 grams of "ok" lower grade shake with a couple flowers tops for 40 "ok" buzzes for $100.

Just puttin it out there.  Personally if I smoked cannabis and inhaled I would go to Rockford as it is

SO SO much better (I have heard) BUT not with a 3-7 hour outside line . . . . NOPE! 

With that said - Martha Stewert is so much more fun since she got out of prison LOL   Her and Snoop Dog are an amazing couple.  Who knew they would have their own cooking show and I will guarantee they are both stoned.  They are such a cute funny couple.

********************

OK - WILD CARD WEEKEND!

Last weekend was a weekend I did not think I would have.  It was exhilarating.  You see for 3 months I thought the weekend would be spent in bed with pain and oxy from a new knee.  I could watch the games in a haze of pain and meds drifting in and out for 2 days.

BUT NOOOO!!  As luck would have it both DJ and I got really bad colds and I was forced to cancel the knee.  This was actually a good thing as it let me switch from an "off the shelf" knee at UW Hospital to a "custom made" knee at the more technology driven Prairie Ridge Hospital in Columbus. 

HOWEVER - I was so sick.  Things started to clear up Friday and the weekend was like a gift.  I was feeling well enough BUT sick enough, to watch 4 games AND not feel guilty for not doing anything else.  WIN WIN.

And what fantastic games.   It was nice to have the Vikings beat the Saints. In fact I liked every outcome.  Buffalo would have been nice but I had no real opinion. I just wanted good games and man did that turn out nice.

BUT - It's our turn to get stressed next week. Packers are -3.5 favorites, Vikings are +7.5 underdogs and Baltimore and Kansas city should be blow outs.

WAIT - - - - what about the Patriots (insert evil laugh).   

*************************

I've been looking for a youtube video about peeling hard boil eggs - SO FREAKING SIMPLE.  I'll have to make my own video. All the ones I see are like 3 minutes and it's really a 10 second thing.

Take the hot egg.  Put it in a glass with some water.  SHAKE SHAKE SHAKE  HARD breaking the shell everywhere.  Take out egg and squeeze PLOP!  no shell.
++
DJ has made a beef tenderloin which is almost cheaper then chicken . . just larger . . and it's amazing simple and you can eat the whole thing with no weird fatty bits.  Just pan sear and bake.  Simple as that.  Like a hamburger.  WHO KNEW!  Where has tenderloin been all my life.

I always thought it was real expensive but when you compare how much you actually eat and then look at the price of GOOD chicken. . . . . . .

******************

The cost of having a baby has increased by 48% last 10 years . . . if you do not have insurance.

And insurance - In America an average of $2,497 a year goes to administration, in Canada that number is $551. 

Meanwhile in Canada (single payer system) overhead is $146 per person. America? $844.

*****************

Anybody wondering about the election?   Latest polls on Biden vs. Trump.  Michigan Biden leads Trump by 8%, Pennsylvania Biden leads by 10% and Wisconsin Biden leans by 1%.  WTF is wrong with Wisconsin.  Are we really that backward?

I could not find any polls with Sanders vs. Trump.

Funny how NOT ONE world leader has sided with Trump in killing the 2nd in charge of Iran.  I laugh at people who believe Soleimani was a terrorist.  This is like calling Hitler a terrorists. And yes - nobody is shedding a tear on his death but the real issue is that it puts the entire Middle east in total chaos which is never ever a good thing.

Trump only looks at the short run and not the entire globe (Does he even know where Iran is?).

Remember when we had the Iranian Nuke deal and everything was going smoothly?  yea - maybe a little cheating by Iran but look at it now - they have 100% pulled out of ANY nuke deal and are flaunting enriching uranium.  Yea - THAT WORKED.

and imminent threat?  What has Trump and his cronies EVER said that you can say - "oh, I believe him".   imminent threat = weapons of mass destruction.   Impeachment? OH - we forgot about that.

All Trump did is kill one guy that we knew what he was doing and create a million unknown future terrorists.

total 100% lies out of Pinocchio's  White house.   

**************

 Chears     

Qasem Soleimani / Prairie Ridge Health

WELL - Surprise   Modern Warfare stocks are UP 2% today along with Fracking Stocks up 2.2%.  Modern Warfare is a no brainer but Fracking?   YUP - Rising energy prices and geopolitical instability.  OH - oil is spiking so expect to pay more at the gas station.

************

In my quest for a new knee I now have a appointment with Prairie Ridge Health for January 31st.  I tell ya - I got good vibes on the phone.

Also have been in contact with people who represent PRH and that is nice to have someone to communicate with who has been there done that AND he reads the blog (probably to make sure I don't spread fake news . . . I know a few places in Columbus read the blog watching my every word and correcting things. . . . .I  think I made the "watch" list).

Remember Boyd Kraymer(sp??)  the previous City admin?  He love this blog (gave me an award) until I outed some cronie weirdness and then he hated me.

**************
A brief comment on the new "war" Trump and only Trump started.  I can't even blame the GOP for this.   

I have ZERO issue with killing Qasem Soleimani - the guy has killed hundreds of thousand over the past 30 years.  But why now and why that way.  The BS we are being told about an "imminent attack" is laughable bull shit.

The problem is there is no overall strategy, it's not how Trump works.  There is no 3D chess game he is playing is more like beer pong strategy.  Chest pounding showing America is the most powerful.

Iran will respond sneakily with MUCH more terrorism, cyber attacks and stealthiness and then Trump (not America) will respond with more bombs.

Remember the Iran Nuke Agreement and when everything was calm? Everyone was getting along?  Then Trump decided to poke Iran in the eye and give them the finger?  That worked out just fine didn't it. GREAT foreign policy.

One the bright side it MIGHT work.  Showing strength is always a tactic (not really a strategy) . . . . . but it it does not work things could get much MUCH worse.  It's tossing the dice and hoping for a 7.

**************

carry on     
           
 

TKR put on hold - switching knees to ComforMIS

I quickie update - my Total Knee Replacement has been put on hold / temporally canceled.   DJ and I both caught super bad colds and there was no way to go through a TKR - MEANWHILE there were so many red flags with my ortho that I am switching it up a little.

One thing I want to do is change venues - I'm not going to the UW as SURPRISE they do not have the best knees!   

I ASSUMED that since there are 600,000 knee replacements every year there was some standard procedure,   BUT NOO!!    UW Madison and all LARGE hospitals use "off the shelf"  knees.  What they do is measure your knee in 8 different spots and using an algorithm pick the best one and then the Doc whittles everything to the right size.  

HOWEVER - smaller hospitals like Prairie Ridge in Columbus use ComforMIS 3D printed knees which take longer to make but are MUCH MUCH better.   

With these knees you have a cat scan from your hip to your ankle and a knee is 3D printed to the exact size. Since every knee is different this knee will be an EXACT copy. Every tendon and ligament will not even notice a change.  Results are outstanding and healing is much much faster.  I'm not sure I believe this but many people comment they never really had to do any physical therapy.  I take that with a grain of salt but more then one person has said this on facebook who had ConforMIS knees.  

One woman on  facebook said she had her knee replaced when she was 92 years old and was walking without a cane in 7 weeks with no PT,  although I doubt she was playing soccer.  

I talked to a woman last night who had a ConforMIS knee and went to a holiday party 7 days after she got her knee . . . although she was narced up with OXY and had pillows and so forth. She did drive on day 11 and did a full rotation on a stationary bike on day 9 (slowly).

     

Another red flag was my Doc used Zimmer knees and gets paid by Zimmer for every knee he installs.   Plus a few questions I asked had bad answers.   

So - since I have been in no real pain for 3 months,  just a swollen knee and I can't really walk a LONG distance I'm in no super BIG hurry. Pain is not a issue. 

I had been thinking about ComforMIS for 3 weeks and reading EVERYTHING I could find but was just going to along with the herd.  BUT with this cold by BOTH of us I canceled.  It was a sign.  

I know so many people who had knees done at Prairie Ridge in Columbus/Beaver Dam with outstanding results.   OH - I'm not thinking this will be a cake walk miracle in anyway.  Don't get me wrong.  Everyone is different.  

But when I talk to people that say "everything went great" and " healing was much faster then anticipated"  I ask what the knee was and it's ComforMIS. 

SO - advance to the rear and start over.     

(I am not being paid by ConforMIS).