Processus Interruptus

In days of yore, before technology ruled the world, group presentations and proposals were often done using visual aids.  One of the most popular was the utilization of an easel to hold essentially a giant sketch pad.   The presenter would create their presentation on the pages of the pad, then during the presentation, the presenter would flip the pages of the pad to illustrate the various points in the presentation or proposal.  That is the general premise behind one of the apps that is native to my new smart phone.  Flip Board is a customizable news feed where you pick the topics that interest you, and the app creates story boards with articles related to the topic at hand.  Instead of scrolling down the page, you flip the boards to read the stories, like turning the pages in a book only the flips are vertical not horizontal.  

Flip Board is where I ran across this story from the folks at Buzz Feed...... 

(***  It was at this point in my day that my FF decided to eat itself and basically lock up my computer.  The whole ordeal that transpired this afternoon drove me to tears.  After finally uninstalling FF, deleting all files and folders associated with FF and then reinstalling the latest version, I think I am back to where I was about 7 hours ago.)

.... relating the stories of LGBT service members all the way back to the Korean War and WWII.  Here is the headline blurb from the Article:

This Veteran’s Job Was Discharging Gay Sailors In The Navy — But He Had A Secret

From a closeted gay sailor who typed the dishonorable discharges for Korean War servicemen accused of homosexuality, to a lesbian correctively raped by Marines while serving in Desert Storm, these are the stories of LGBT veterans and their decades-long fight for equality in the armed forces. 

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It is a fairly lengthy yet fascinating look at the lives and history of our heroic LGBT Service Members who have always been there alongside our hetero compatriots.  It ran 38 boards on Flip Board, but it really did not take that long to read.  At the end of the article is an 8 minute documentary on the closeted gay sailor from the Korean War, Otto Bremerman.  Also discussed in the article is proposed legislation to make it the review process easier for those dischaged before the repeal of DADT to have their discharges upgraded.  My own appeal is ongoing at the moment.  

The article also mentions the fund raising efforts of National LGBT Veterans Memorial Project for a LGBT Veteran's Memorial to be erected near the grave of Leonard Matlovich, the first Out Gay Service Member in the early 70's in the Congressional Cemetery in Washington, DC.   You may recall Leonard's epitaph written on his headstone: “They gave me a medal for killing two men and a discharge for loving one.”  Been there, done that, got the fucking  T shirt.  Still fighting the battle and so....... life goes on.

For your musical entertainment today, I have four Concerti by Johann Sebastian Bach.  Included in the play list are the Violin Concerto in A Minor, BWV 1041; the Concerto for 2 Violins in D Minor, BWV 1043; the Violin Concerto in E Major, BWV 1042 and the Concerto for 3 Violins (reconstructed form the Concerto for Harpsihord, BWV 1064 by Simon Standage).  Today's performance is by Simon Standage and Collegium Musicum 90 featuring Soloists other than Standage in Micaela Comberti and Miles Golding.  Over on my tumblr you may join the Cologne Chamber Orchestra under the baton of Helmut Muller-Brühl featuring Christian Hommel as the Soloistfor 4 Concerti by Bach for Oboe/OboeD'Amore. 

As for some eye candy, your splashing good times are to be found in this edition of Wet Wednesday down below  as well as the 'Tropical Treat' who is your Hottie of the Day! over on my tumblr.  One final note on a long and stressful day and then I will let you be on your merry way.  Today is my birthday, and absolutely no one remembered.  Not even Will.  Makes me wonder if I am even relevant any more.  Any way , you guys have a great day and we will see you on the flip flop.  Until next time as always, Enjoy!

My Test Results

My experience at the VA yesterday was a pleasant one.  I arrived on time and was quickly ushered into the audiology lab to see Dr Lane.  Dr Lane administered a battery of tests then came in to explain the results.  My left ear tested near normal in all ranges in the spectrum of sound, however my right ear was another story altogether.  The tests showed a significant loss of the ability to hear in almost all ranges of the sound spectrum, but  especially in the upper ranges.  Dr Lane then said she thought I could benefit from a hearing aid in my right ear.  However she wanted to know how I felt about having to wear one.  After nearly 40 years of straining to hear things, I had no hesitation stating that I, too, felt I would benefit from wearing one.

Dr Lane showed me the samples she had and ordered one for my right ear that looks similar to the photo below.  Unlike the bulky units of years past, this aid is a tiny sophisticated electroaudio device that is programmable for my specific needs and nearly invisible when worn.  I have a return appointment on June 2 for fitting and programming of the device.  I am looking forward to hearing the difference it will make in my ability to hear in most situations.  I am also sure Will will welcome any improvement so he does not have to repeat himself so often (lol).

Your Midweek Musical Moment features the Concerti a Cinque, Opus 10 by Tomaso Albinoni with Simon Standage leading Collegium Musicum 90.  A complete play list can be found here.  You may also hear Albinoni's Adagio for Organ and Strings over on my tumblr. 

On display below the video is an eclectic mix of handsome hunks splashing about various bodies of water and/or baths in a terrific edition of Wet Wednesday.  Thanks for spending time with  me today, see you again tomorrow.  Until next time as always, Enjoy!

The Plan, Part Two

In yesterday's post, I outlined my goals and desires for the rest of this year.  In The Plan, Part Two, I will outline my goals and desires for the 12 months of 2014.  Basically, I want to add $200 per month to my savings account which will allow me to accomplish the 3 major financial goals I have for next year and still leave a cushion in the savings account for a cushion against things that come up from time to time in every one's lives.  

The first goal of the savings plan, is to set aside $500 as a base to my savings  that shall not be spent unless it is to cover the deductible part of the insurance policy on my new car.  This will allow me not to worry if some idiot makes a point to involve me in his stupidity by hitting my car.  I am a good driver with many years of experience and the caution that goes with it.  It has been more than 20 years since I have been involved in an accident of any kind, so it is not my driving that concerns me but those others on the road that are less cautious than I. 

The next two financial goals are flexible desires that can be subordinated to any emergency that may arise.  The first is to provide myself with a more powerful computer with a greater data capacity.  I believe I will be able to accomplish this for under $500 through Newegg,com which is where Will and I get all of our computer hardware components.  We have found that Newegg,com has the most reasonable prices available on the internet so of course that is where I will shop when the time comes.

The other item on the savings agenda is to replace my current bottom denture plate which, although broken, is still serviceable.   Through my current health care provider, this will cost me a $50 copay for the initial dentist visit for the impression from which they will form the denture plate and a $400 copay for the denture plate itself and the fitting appointments.  

Accomplishing these three things should still leave $900 to $1000 in the savings account at year's end as the aforementioned cushion against unpredictable events.  At this time I can not predict any other major purchases necessary or desirable for the foreseeable future.  I should then be able to add regularly to my savings as time moves forward from there.  

In addition to all the things I have delineated in The Plan, Part One and here in The Plan, Part Two, I will be investing $100 per month in Will in the form of an allowance starting with my first SSRB deposit. This will enable him to purchase the things he wants that I do not provide already and to invest further in his home based computer repair business.  I would like to see him build that business into a viable source of income for him so that in the event of the demise of my ability to provide for him as I do now, he will be able to support himself.  That is my grand design as far as I can see it for now.  We shall see how the execution goes in real time beginning in 21 days with the arrival of my first SSRB deposit.  

Your Midweek Musical Moment features a reprise of one of my favorites, the Concerti a Cinque, Opus 10 by Tomaso Albinoni with a performance by Simon Standadge and the Collegium Musicum 90.  The video is followed by a super sexy edition of Wet Wednesday for your viewing pleasure.  Thanks for sharing a part of your day with me, see you again soon.  Until next time as always, Enjoy!