In fact is that IT is very useful (almost indispensible now that we've come to know and use it), but if you can't filter out what you don't want, you it's not much help to you. Too much information is as bad and sometimes worse than no information at all.

If you're a webmaster or website owner, trying to get your site listed on the major search engines, then you're in for a pretty rough ride. Even if you're a computer or IT geek (no offence intended to experts), don't think it's necessarily going to be easy. The major search engines change their algorithms all the time, so just because you got onto page one, or two, of Google this week, doesn't mean you'll be there next week - and it's extremely unlikely you'll get there in the first place unless it's in a paid advert that will likely cost you an arm and a leg. I'm not trying to suggest that the search engine companies are doing anything wrong. Indeed, when you look at what they're doing and why, it's difficult to see how they could do much different.

However, that doesn't help you and me much, does it? Somewhere along the line, we need a completely different take on this problem - and I only wish I had an answer because I'd be a billionaire in a very short space of time if I did.

If you think you know what to do, just tell me and I'll give you credit for the initial idea when I make a fortune from it ... honest! ;)

The Dresden Green stands out among the
natural colored diamonds. It is the largest
green diamond in the world weighing
40.70 carats. This diamond is historic, large
and has a natural green color with a slight
blue overtone. These facts make it virtually
priceless.

The Conde Pink is a pear shaped and
weighs 9.01-carats. This pink diamond was
once owned by Louis XIII.

The Tiffany Yellow diamond a beautiful
canary-yellow octahedron weighing 287.42
in the rough (metric) carats discovered in
either 1877 or 1878 in South Africa. The
gem after cutting boasts the extraordinary
weight of 128.54 carats. And until recently,
was the largest golden-yellow in the world.

The Koh-I-Noor ( Mountain of Light ) is now
among the British Crown Jewels. This
diamond weighs 105.60 carats. First
mentioned in 1304, it is believed to have
been once set in Shah Jehans famous
peacock throne as one of the peacocks eyes.

The Agra is graded as a naturally colored
Fancy Light Pink and weighs 32.34 carats.
It was sold for about 6.9 million in 1990.
Since this sale, it has been modified to a
cushion shape weighing about 28.15 carats.

The Transvaal Blue is pear cut. This blue
diamond weighs 25 carats. It was found in
the Premier Diamond Mine in Transvaal,
South Africa.

The Great Chrysanthemum was discovered
in the summer of 1963, in a South African
diamond field. This 198.28-carat fancy
brown diamond appeared to be a light
honey color in its rough state. However,
after cutting, it proved to be a rich golden
brown, with overtones of sienna and burnt
orange.

The Taylor-Burton Diamond is a pear-shaped
69.42 carat diamond. Cartier of New York
purchased this diamond at an auction in
1969 and christened it "Cartier." The next
day Richard Burton bought the diamond
for Elizabeth Taylor. He renamed it the
"Taylor-Burton. In 1978, Elizabeth
Taylor put the diamond up for sale.
Prospective buyers had to pay $2,500
each to view the diamond to cover the costs
of showing it. Finally, in June of 1979, the
diamond was sold for nearly $3 million dollars.

(word count 406)

PPPPP

This week, besides the fact that PGP / NUS hasn't fixed my LAN point in my room, leaving me to suffer unstable internet connection, some bastard had to steal my wallet too.

I suspect I lost my wallet at PGP's Foodgle foodcourt last wednesday, and some a-hole picked it up and decided to be dishonest with it, DESPITE there being only $20 inside. Best part, I didn't even notice it til the next morning, and it took a full half an hour for me to realize it was GONE.  Flipped my entire room upside down, downside up but to no avail.  

Thinking I could avoid the exorbitant cost of replacing my NRIC ($300 cos I lost it twice), I waited til today before making a Police E-Report. I thought the idea was quite cool, and I quickly submitted my report.  Okay, I had a tummy ache and I rushed through it, and I shouldn't have.  Ended up, I got the DATE messed up, forgot to include my Matric Card into the list of items lost!

I guess I'll have to wait for the Investigation Officer in charge to call me so that I can clarify it.  What a drag... This whole week felt like I was trying to lift off a short runway, with just mil power and my boards out.  Crashed n burned.

This new year has gotten off to a good start. I went to my first country fair on Monday, September 1st. I watched pig racing and a lumberjack show. I ate a fried onion bloom and looked at the region's award winning pumpkins, sunflowers, and cross-stitch samplers. I let my roommate talk me into riding my first fair rides - the Sky Diva, a ferris wheel with pods that could spin round, as well as the Zipper, which had a revolving arm and pods that flipped and flipped (and flipped and flipped). I watched a long-haired country band from Illinois lay down some licks, and devoured almost an entire bag of maple cotton candy. I licked my fingers and went home thoroughly pleased with myself and fairs and life in general.

That attitude of going for it is what I want to carry with me throughout the next year. It's not as easy as you might think. I'm good at being lazy, and often need the enthusiasm and encouragement of friends to get out and do things. I wouldn't have ridden the Sky Diva if I had been on my own. I needed Lea Ellen's extra push. I don't think that's a bad thing. It's usually that much more fun to share experiences with another person. My goal though is to not turn down experiences because they might be a little scary or weird. I would rather try something and dislike it than not try anything at all!

Each year I make a little progress in this, and that is exciting. The whole process is exciting! It is probably just all part of growing up, and everyone does it. That's good. I am glad that there are other people getting as much fun out of trying octopus, or visiting a new waterfall, or riding a ferris wheel as I am.

And to all the people who still aren't getting out and immersing themselves fully in the lake of life I say, "Hey, I'm certainly not God's gift to swimming, but if I can stay afloat I'm sure you can. So come on in! The water's fine."

Heh. There's an idea. Perhaps this year, the year I'm 22, I should learn to swim!! :)

nalulunod rin ba ang isda?

Serious...

Welp, the my last first home was super fun, well most of it at least.

Our first run on the football field was awesome,
im so proud of my freshmen
=D

The stands were super fun, and we def performed some illegal dancing

(hehe)

but then there was today.............

the last paulding meadows
(the only awesome part of the day)
all im gonna say is apparently im a bitch
and im going to have to rethink some friends.
thank god there was maybe 2 or 3 ppl there that cared.

wat eva though

because this is the first of the last of everything. Each game is one step closer to the end, each random piece of pointless drama, each back stabbing friend is a step closer to graduating and getting the HELLZ OUTTA HERE!!!!!!!!!!!!

CLASS '09!!!!!!

Studies have shown that when families take holidays together, they are more likely to eat together and are less likely to argue. They do not watch as much television because they are involved in doing things together. Kids even report that their parents seem to act differently while on holiday.

While family holidays are a good time to connect with your kids, communication problems that are already there will not automatically disappear. Especially with teenagers it is important to listen and be flexible. Find out what the kids would like to do and eat and plan accordingly. While even teenagers need boundaries, it is important for parents to try to avoid needless confrontation. Explain why you make the decisions you do and show them positive attention.

Kids will appreciate being included in travel plans. There's a good chance they will choose a theme park or the beach if those are among the options. Sometimes it works well for a teenager to take a special friend along on family holidays. While this might increase the parents' load, the teen is likely to really appreciate it. Also, sometimes it works well for kids to go on holidays with their grandparents instead of their parents. Sometimes there is a special relationship here that can help kids open up and communicate about their concerns.

While on family holidays, if teens are uncooperative or behave improperly, try to deal with the problem in private. Teens are very aware of embarrassmant and it is needlessly mean to exploit this sensitivity. In fact, you might explain to the kids how their behavior embarrasses you, and they in turn might work harder at getting along and acting appropriately.

Kids will be happier on family vacations if they have snacks, drinks, and entertainment. Few kids enjoy a long ride in the car! Try to provide individual CD players or hand-held video games, and don't forget to take plenty of bathroom stops. Sometimes kids enjoy the ride more if they can help you follow the map. This is an educational activity for them as well. By following these suggestions, your family holidays can make a happy memory.

1. What is the difference between a guy acting as a friend and a guy making advances to you?

2. Does a woman ever really know her own heart?

3. How can a guy can act as a close, trusted friend who is attentive to your needs and concerns and stay just a friend? Can it be done straight off the bat? Can it be done at all?

Explanation to follow next week

Najbardziej popularne tagi na wordpress.com :

Politics News Life Music Family Sarah Palin John McCain Personal Religion Travel

One of the most popular family activities in Newport
Beach is going to the beach. During the summer months,
the beach is a very popular resort and getaway spot for
the entire family. You and your wife or your friends can
enjoy swimming, boat riding, or even hitting the waves on
a jet ski. With temperatures in the summer hitting 75
degrees and above, nothing breaks the heat better than
the beach.

For the kids, the beach holds many different activities.
They can build sand castles in the sand, play around in
the water, or simply bask in the glorious sun. If they
get tired of playing in the sand, you can simply go back
to your hotel room and enjoy the fun of the safe yet
confined swimming pool.

Another popular activity in Newport Beach for the family
is the Balboa Fun Zone. There is something here for
everyone, with the Fun Zone keeping kids entertained the
entire time they are there! If you've never experienced
the Fun Zone before, you'll be in for the treat of a
lifetime!

The Balboa Fun Zone is comprised of many different areas,
including restaurants and beaches. There is so much to
do here that you'll probably have to come back over the
course of several days to see everything that the Fun Zone
has to offer.

Another activity that yields a lot of fun in Newport Beach
is rollerblading. You can rent rollerblades from many
different providers, from kids sizes to adults. There are
also many places to use your rollerblades, including the
sidewalks along the beach. If you like rollerblading,
Newport Beach helps to set a new standard of fun.

When it comes to the kids enjoying themselves, nothing
will please them more than the Toy Boat. Located at 3331
East Coast Highway, the Toy Boat is the best place in
Newport Beach to take the kids. There are hundreds of
thousands of toys and activities here to keep your kids
and probably yourselves entertained for hours.

After you have a day of family fun in Newport Beach or
the surrounding areas, you can stop and have a relaxing
meal at one of the fabulous restaurants. The food here is
to die for, giving everyone in your family a chance to
eat their favorite food.

With something for everyone, it's hard to believe that
Newport Beach is actually an undiscovered vacation spot
for many. The area has so much to offer, that it's just
a matter of time before people start to discover
everything the area will provide them with. When the time
comes for your getaway - make sure you give Newport Beach
a try - you'll be glad you did!

(word count 498)

PPPPP

But one thing that I know i'm not good at because I've never really tried to learn, is photography.   It's pretty ridiculous that I know literally nothing about photography, because I'm friends with alot of really great photographers.  Sean, John, Steph, and Andy to name a few of many.

So I guess what I'm saying is, Friends - I would like to be schooled.

HUMOR:--SALARY REQUEST & BOSS REPLY

-

-

Salary Request :

-

Dear Bo$$,

-

A$ all of u$ have read from the new$paper, the $ingapore economy ha$ come out of the rece$$ion.

In thi$ life, we all need $omething mo$t de$peratele. I think you $hould $how under$tanding for the need$ of u$ worker$ who have given $o much $upport including $weat and $ervice to your company.

-

I am $ure you will gue$$ what I mean and re$pond $oon.

-

Your$ $incerely,

-

Norman $oh

-

Boss Reply :

--

Dear NOrman,

-

I kNOw you have been working very hard. NOwadays, NOthing much has changed. You must have NOticed that our company is NOt doing NOticeably well as yet.

-

NOw the newspapers are saying the world's leading ecoNOmists are NOt sure if the United States may go into aNOther recession. After the NOvember presidential elections things may turn bad.

-

I have NOthing more to add NOw. You kNOw what I mean.

-

Yours truly,

-

Manager

Though I came across this personality in college, I only knew him better after the college times. I happen to share my first days in corporate career with him as roommate. A person with passion towards technology, enormous creativity and a true caring nature - all bound us into very close firends. He knows what he has to do. He has better plans and he always reaches star aiming for the moon! An optimist and loyal friend. Hope blogging takes his personality and creativity to the yet another higher level.

Welcome buddy! Wish you very good time blogging!! :)

Loving him is following him

Muslims all over the world are deeply hurt by the recent caricatures of our beloved Prophet Muhammad , in Danish and several other publications.

Every now and then, some Western media outlets provoke Muslims by insulting the Prophet Muhammad . The baiting often succeeds in eliciting Muslims' outrage and sporadic violence.

The latest incident started with a Danish newspaper's caricature portraying the Prophet Muhammad as a terrorist. To add insult to injury, Norwegian, French, German, Dutch and a few other newspapers reprinted the defamatory cartoons to "defend"—they claimed—the freedom of expression.

The real issue is not the freedom of expression. Free speech is not and was never meant to be absolute. There are laws in the West that ban certain kinds of speech, including those that incite anti-Semitism, racism and violence. Moreover, some countries have laws against blasphemy and defamation. To Muslims, banning blasphemy against Allah and the Prophet Muhammad has a higher priority.

For the European newspapers to reprint the offensive cartoons to show solidarity with their Danish counterpart seems akin to the plot the leaders of Quraysh had hatched to assassinate Prophet Muhammad .

The Quraysh masterminds had figured that including representatives from major tribes of Makkah in the heinous plot would make it impossible for the Prophet's clan, Banu Hashim, to avenge. But Allah willed that the Prophet Muhammad would migrate to Madinah unscathed while the plotters laid siege to his house.

The West often underestimates the Muslims' reverence for their beloved Prophet Muhammad, (sallallallahu alayhi wa sallam) and is, therefore, staltred by the fierce Islamic reaction to an insult against him. Few in the West know that for Muslims, loving their Prophet more than themselves is a matter of faith, not choice.

Further, the depiction of the Prophet Muhammad , as a terrorist is a falsification of history. He was considered "Al-Ameen," the trustworthy, by his people even before he received the Prophethood.

Once, when asked by some of his followers to invoke Allah's wrath on the enemies, he refused saying he had been sent as a mercy unto mankind.

Objective Western intellectuals have acknowledged the superior character of Prophet Muhammad . In his “The 100, a Ranking of the Most Influential Persons in History," Michael H. Hart ranked Prophet Muhammad, (sallallallahu alayhi wa sallam) No. 1 because "He was the only man in history who was supremely successful on both the religious and secular levels.”

Alphonse de Lamartine, a renowned 19^th Century French writer, had this to say about the Prophet Muhammad : "As regards all standards by which human greatness may be measured, we may well ask, is there any man greater than him?”

Unfortunately, some Muslims forget that loving their Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) means following him. Burning Danish embassies, as they did in Damascus and Beirut, to avenge the insult to the Prophet Muhammad is a complete disservice to him. Our violent reaction only plays into the hands of those who wish to reinforce the negative stereotypes about Muslims.

Do Muslims need reminding that Prophet Muhammad , forgave the people of Ta'if who had rejected his message of monotheism and pelted him with stones, bloodying him? Islamic tradition has it that when Jibreel (Archangel Gabriel) sought his permission to punish the perpetrators, the Prophet , instead prayed that some day the inhabitants of Ta'if would leave their idols and worship Allah alone. Within a few years they did.

Prophet Muhammad's, (sallallallahu alayhi wa sallam) servant once noted his forgiving disposition, said, "I served the Prophet , for ten years, and he never said ‘uf’ (a word indicating impatience or discontent) to me and never blamed me by saying, `Why did you do so or why didn't you do so?" (Al-Bukhari and Muslim)

Prophet Muhammad's, (sallallallahu alayhi wa sallam) archenemies hated his Message and hurled malicious insults at him, to which he responded with forbearance. Years later when he, sallallallahu alayhi wa sallam returned as victor to Makkah, his city of birth which he was forced to leave, he asked its awed citizens, "What do you think I'm going to do to you." They said, "You are a noble brother, son of a noble brother; we expect only good from you." The Prophet responded with a general amnesty.

Let Muslims not forget that the Prophet , encouraged freedom of expression. In the Battle of Badr, he changed the battlefield against his own opinion due to the passionate advice of some young soldiers.

Part of the West's success today is the freedom of expression, of thought, of religion—that draws Muslims to it from their oppressed societies. For that, Muslims should be thankful to the West. After all, freedom is an Islamic value that the West has embraced while Muslim societies have forsaken.

Defending Prophet Muhammad requires allowing freedom and practicing compassion and forgiveness, like he did. In his lifetime he , bore insults with magnanimity and devoted his time to spreading the Message of Allah. In fact, he never avenged anyone for a personal offence. Can we really respect him by violent retaliation?

Muslims should turn this extremely painful incident into something positive, by teaching the world what the Prophet , means to us and what his life was like.

As for the West, there really is a need to reexamine the notion of free speech. Without safeguards, the exercise of this freedom can be lethal, as we have seen.

One may ask, is it morally defensible to provoke violence, cause death, and create a civilizational conflict for one cartoonist's freedom of expression?

The West already has laws to protect religious freedom, which Muslims and other peoples of faith admire. What it now needs to do is protect this freedom from being trampled by unbridled free speech. No one should have to insult Prophet Muhammad, Jesus, or Moses, may Allah exalt their mention to speak freely.

We can turn these negative, malicious cartoons into something positive by learning about the Prophet , by following him, and educating others about his teachings.

Allah described the Prophet in the verse (which means): "And verily, you (O Muhammad) are on an exalted standard of character." (Quran 68:4)

And (what means): "Indeed in the Messenger of Allah there is a good example to follow for him who hopes in (the meeting with) Allah and the Last Day and remembers Allah much." (Quran 33:21)

By a divine decision, the status of Muhammad was raised forever, as in the verse (which means): "And (has Allah not) raised high your fame?" (Quran 94:4)

Muslims were commanded to lower their voices low in the presence of the Prophet , out of respect, as in the verse (which means): "O you who believe, raise not your voices above the voice of the Prophet, nor speak aloud to him as you speak aloud to one another lest your deeds be rendered fruitless while you perceive not. Verily, those who lower their voices in the presence of Allah's Messenger, they are the ones whose hearts Allah has tested for piety. For them there is forgiveness and a great reward." (Quran 49:2-3)

While other prophets were sent to their own people, Muhammad was appointed as the Messenger to all mankind. And such he was asked to declare (what means): "Say (O Muhammad): `O mankind, verily I am sent to you all as the Messenger of Allah - to Whom belongs the Dominion of the heavens and the earth." (Quran 7:158)

On the Day of Judgement he will be the only Messenger to intercede with Allah to seek forgiveness for the wrongdoers.

As blasphemous as the drawings are, we believe that behind all events there is Allah's pre-decree and wisdom that mortal beings fully understand only in hindsight. In the end, this deeply hurtful incident would be seen as benefiting the image of the Prophet .

A case in point is the verse (which means): "Verily, We have given you (O Muhammad) a manifest victory." (Quran 48:1)

When this verse was revealed, even some of the most exemplary Muslims could not understand how being prevented from performing pilgrimage by the enemies could be a manifest victory. Prophet Muhammad had just signed a treaty with non-Muslims of Makkah that imposed unfair restrictions on Muslims.

The Prophet swore by Allah that no matter how restrictive this treaty seemed, it was a clear victory for Muslims. Within a few years, the victory became abundantly clear when Muslims marched into Makkah, not just as pilgrims but as victors.

Our love for the Prophet Muhammad cannot be expressed except by following him. If we did that, we will see how Allah can change this painful incident into a great opportunity for the Islamic cause.

http://www.islamhouse.com/p/132779

Actually, no anything this week. I am unspeakably lame.

I've been pretty much snowed under with work and not much energy left to do anything other than my minimum word count. Subsequently on the writing front I've only just managed to finish the first draft of Ice and Forever is still languishing in a drawer.

Last weekend's trip to Wales was I much looked for break from London and it was good to see my sister on her birthday. My niece, C, is growing fast and taking an active interest in her surroundings. Not sure she likes the facial fuzz - on me not her, just to be clear. However, after a series of weekends running around it is nice to have a weekend at home doing whatever I please.

Plenty to look forward to. If my cunning plan for the clearing of decks comes to fruition then I'll be starting the second draft of Forever imminently and I appear to actually have a social life over the next few weeks. Oh and I'll be at the Neil Gaiman talk in Clerkenwell in October, looking forward to that as I'll be taking my sister who has not seen him speak in person. That's the same one as partook in the Hay-on-Wye incident, I'm hoping we don't get ejected. :)

That's it for now. I promise to post more regular and more interesting content soon.

Those that regularly make the trip to nearby parks or campgrounds tend to wonder how their backyard can be fun. The reality is that there are a number of different ways that your backyard can be a fun and cheaper alternative to many public facilities. This is because there literally are an unlimited number of family friendly backyard activities to choose from; however, to participate in these activities you may need to purchase some additional accessories. To better prepare for your next backyard adventure, you are encouraged to familiarize yourself with these activities and the equipment that they may require.

Outdoor sports are popular, family friendly activities. Outdoor sports are great for individuals of all ages, including young children, teens, and adults. What is nice about playing outdoor sports is that there are a wide variety of different games that you can choose from. Many popular games include softball, baseball, basketball, soccer, kickball, volleyball, and badminton. When it comes to purchasing equipment for outdoor sports, the equipment needed will all depend on which games you and your family will be playing.

One of the most popular games to play outdoors is baseball or softball. With baseball or softball, you may find that your family already has the equipment that is needed to play. If you dont, most gloves, bats, and balls can be purchased for an affordable price. While baseball and softball can be considered an affordable outdoor sport, not all can be. If you are interested in playing basketball or volleyball, you may need to purchase large pieces of equipment. Most volleyball nets and basketball hoops are fairly expensive to purchase. If money is not a factor, you should be able to purchase these items online or from most department stores or sports stores.

In addition to outdoor sports games, many families enjoy cooling off with water. If this seems like something your family would enjoy, you may want to consider purchasing a swimming pool, if you dont already have one. When it comes to purchasing swimming pools, most are a fairly large purchase. If in-ground pools or traditional aboveground pools are too expensive, you may be able to find a cheaper alternative. In recent years, large inflatable swimming pools have been developed. In a way, these pools are similar to kiddie pools, but they can have water depths as high as three or four feet. If you have enough backyard space for one of these pools, they are a great and reasonably priced way to go for a swim.

The above mentioned equipment and accessories are important, but they are not the only things that you may want to purchase for your next backyard adventure. While outside, whether it be swimming or playing a game of baseball, you and your family may want a drink or a snack. Instead of running back into your house, you may want to think about brining these items outside with you. With a small cooler, you can easily store your perishable snacks and drinks. By keeping plenty of drinks and snacks on hand, your family should be able to take quick outside break without having their fun interrupted.

PPPPP

Word Count 562

Here’s the story… One week ago today I went quad riding. Had a blast! We took a long trail up through Roger’s Trough and it was gorgeous. Saw some young deer – only 30 yards away.

One guy caught and killed a rattler – we know what he’s having for dinner…

And I broke my arm. Short version: already tired, on unfamiliar ground, I got going too fast on a slight downhill. I braked…hit loose gravel and slid. I wasn’t able to regain control, and slid right off the edge of a small, steep ravine. The quad took it well… I didn’t.

I'll spare you the pics of the broken arm... and the colorful bruises... and the swelling.

Luckily I kept my seat and did not go sailing off the bike – even though, by all rights, I should have. The impact snapped my right wrist, and I sat there, more calmly than those around me, saying, “ummm…I broke my wrist.”

We got the quad out of the ravine, and I rode another mile or two – slowly… one handed. My right arm pressed to my body, my left reaching across to handle the throttle. The road got too rough for me to manage, and with another 15 miles to go, we left my quad with some hunters and I clambered onto the back of another for the ride out. Let’s not even discuss how un-fun 15 miles of “off road” terrain is when your broken wrist is wedged between your chest and someone else’s back. Every bump, jiggle and jostle was torture.

The guys have a new level of respect for my “toughness” – since most of them admit they’d never have done what I did; they’d have sat and waited for someone to go fetch a jeep or something. Hell, I just wanted out of there, ASAP, and to the ER before I passed out or puked.

The ER visit was typical - $250 bucks to tell me I had a broken arm, wrap me in a splint and send me home. It seems, ERs don’t set bones any more.

Finding an orthopedic doc who would take my insurance, and who had an appointment open within the next decade, and who was willing to see someone whose fracture would require surgery, was not an easy task – especially coming off a holiday weekend.

Surgery is scheduled for Monday… I get a couple of nice metal plates and some matching screws in my arm… Oh, and from now on, I get to set off metal detectors… tee hee. Meanwhile, I still have a glorified Ace bandage securing those lovely loose bone pieces. Let’s talk pain, hmmm?

Work has been… well… bad. With the pain, fogginess from pain meds and having only one arm – I’m basically unable to do a lot of writing, can’t do it fast enough, etc for their schedule (let’s not discuss how long this has taken…and how much editing…). So, I’m knocked down to half time/half pay until this is over and I have two hands again. I would have been better off if they had just laid me off… As it is, the list of reasons why this sucks is nearly endless.

Then I find out that my insurance is not quite what I thought. My choices were pretty miserable anyway, and I opted for the decent, slightly expensive, but not going to kill me coverage. The kids are on their Dad’s plan, so they weren’t part of my insurance calculations. In essence, I have an 80/20 plan. Which, with my California insurance, meant I paid 20% and I had an annual out of pocket max of $5000, not including copays. Period. Pay 20% of all major medical. Reach $5000 – that’s it. Pay no more. And they bill you for your portion.

This is not California. And this plan is different.

It’s 80/20 alright. Up to the amount of the annual max. If it goes over that amount, you pay the whole annual max amount – in this case, it’s not an annual out of pocket maximum, but a deductible. So, I’ve got $5000 I have to cough up – since payment is due in full, in advance. Here’s the kicker: If this had been less than $5000 total, I would be paying a flat 20%. Since it’s over, I’ve got the whole fucking amount to pony up. What the fuck?

Combine that with lost wages and this is one fucking expensive arm.

If I’m lucky, I’ll have a regular cast, and use of my fingers, a week after surgery. If not… well, I’ll think about that when and if I need to.

As it stands – there will be a week in a surgical splint, then 6 to 8 weeks in a regular cast. That’s if everything goes well. Guess I’ll be hunting in a cast, huh? I am not about to give up a primo deer tag!!! That’s October 31, so… It should be fairly well set by then. LOL

And so… I’m learning that I am, in fact, quite ambidextrous. But there are some things that are very hard to do one handed - at this point, my right is pretty useless – I can’t even use my fingers, or use the arm to hold things. Basically, everything from the elbow down is just a painful thing getting in the way.

Try fastening a bra with one hand. Or putting on jeans… Buttoning anything… Washing your hair… Yeah… The list goes on…

So, that’s all the news that’s fit to print. I’m sure there will be more… And now y a know what’s up with me.

This time, "Hurricane" Hanna (it's officially a tropical storm now) is off to my south and east, and so far, so good. It's very warm, it was extraordinarily humid last evening, and up to this point, we've see much more rain than wind.

According to this live weather tracker (warning - the link will we outdated relatively quickly) the storm center is over the South Carolina/North Carolina border as I type this, so we're hours from the worst of it.

If I can get some decent video, I'll post it as an update.