Back is Back

 I have two sayings when someone expresses sympathy for my back not being good; it's just part of the joy of being me, and, everyone has something, this is mine.  And I thank them for their expression.

Everyone knows I have a bad back.  I've had one neck surgery, two back surgeries and came close to having another one a couple years back ago.  I've been through this so many times, but this last episode has been a bad one.  Maybe a month or so ago I was having issues on my lower right side.  That lasted about two weeks, then moved to my left side.  I believe my left side was trying to compensate for the right side, which is why it moved over and has gotten worse since.  No sense going to the doctor yet, he would only give me muscle relaxers which I already have, and maybe some pain pills that I don't want and they don't really help the issue by just numbing it.  If I miss another day of work, though, I will have to contact my doctor for a note.

At work I have a stand up desk and a very good chair with good lower back support.  I was reminded of this when I went in on Saturday for a couple hours.  A poor decision on my part as I was so tight I couldn't even straighten my legs all the way, but I managed to get the needed work done in a couple hours.  At home I have two chairs, one with a more upright, adjustable back that I use for work and one with a fixed back that leans back and I have a lumbar roll on it that I use for relaxing.  Once it's more safe to go out and shop, I'll be trying out new chairs that will combine all these features.  No cheapie this time, it will have to be a high end, more expensive chair but it will be well worth it.

What I've been avoiding saying so far is that it's much of my own fault.  I've fallen out of the habit of doing my daily exercises and with the colder weather our neighborhood walks have ground to a halt.  Today I will start trying to change that.  I just made it around the block on a walk, though it was slow and I got slower as I went.  I have an icy/hot patch on my lower back now and will attempt my exercises when there is not a cat napping on the bed.  Exercises are basically planking and holding, and I do them on the bed because it is the most comfortable for me and getting up off the floor just ain't what it used to be.

Back problems are very common, I am not unique, and I know several others with issues and I'm sure you do, too, if you don't have back issues yourself.  Exercise is the true key, keeping those muscles in my lower back in shape while not hurting myself in the process.  Now I just have to do it and keep up with it or this will happen more often.

The picture is from a firepit last Friday afternoon.  (If you look just above the peak of the porch you can see where the branch broke off that blocked the road, from a few posts ago.)  I was trying to be careful then as I already ached, but firepits do usually end in at least a small backache for me.  The forecast does not look good for this weekend, so perhaps the last fire of the year, but not if I can help it.  Now I have to get up and move as I just can't sit here any longer.  Take care of your backs, people, you only have one and it affects everything you do.

New Fence

Yesterday we had our back fence replaced, and wow!  A side by side comparison really shows just how old, rotten and beat up the old fence was.  There were no real issues installing it, thankfully, and we gained a bit of our property back.

Neighbor Jane, on the right in the above picture has her back fence on the property line.  Neighbor Dave, on the left, has told me that his fence is a foot or two this side of the property line because when he installed it he didn't want to put it up a little hill he has at the back.  What they ended up doing is moving the fence line closer to the actual property line by several inches by the compost bin and the other side maybe just an inch or so, basically splitting the difference again.  So, no, it's not perfectly straight across the yard but you can't tell by looking at it.

Also, I wanted it straight across on top and there is a slight dip in the ground in the middle so while it is at ground level on the ends the middle is about 2 inches or so above the ground.  I can easily fill that in come spring, then the hostas will cover it all.  

Overall, I'm very pleased.  And after seeing it without a fence I am so very glad we have it.  It gives us so much more privacy back there and we don't have to look at the neighbor's odd junk behind and alongside their garage. I should have done it last year as the cedar would have been a bit cheaper but the miser in me wanted to get every last bit of use out of the old fence.  Oh well, it is done now and looks pretty good, I think.

If you're interested, pictures of the process will be after the break.

Thanksgiving 2020

 

Snow and Fence Weather

Last year by this time we had gotten about 15 inches of snow, this year only .1 inches so far - until today.  Neither is unusual for us, and today it started snowing before light and continued until around midday.  Currently it is raining, so most of this snow won't make it until tomorrow.  And if it does it will not make it much longer as through the weekend high temperatures in the 40's (ºF, 5-10ºC) are expected.  Which means I should be able to get at least one evening by the fire. 

Speaking of fires, I thought my last firepit of 2019 was between Christmas and New Year but I might have been mistaken.  According to my pictures - and I usually but not always take some pictures - the last fire was on the winter solstice, December 21.  I can only hope to have another for this year's winter solstice, but every fire now could be the last of the season.  

I think I mentioned here that our rotting back fence was going to be replaced.  That was supposed to happen on November 10, but they called that a rain day.  The next day I got a call that they only had the 4 inch boards and wanted to be sure I was okay with that rather than the 5 1/2" I ordered.  No, I was not.  See, there has been a shortage of cedar this year, so they can order all they want but they'll only receive a portion at best.  I only need 40 feet of fence replaced and I want the same as I have but new.  I don't think I'd like the look of 4" boards on the 6' dog-eared back fence.  Yesterday they finally called to reschedule my fence replacement for this Monday, after the holiday weekend.  It's forecast to be cold that day with a high temperature just under freezing, but I'll be out there keeping an eye on them often.  My main concern is that they do not attempt to move the compost bin, they'll have to pre-build that panel before installing.  Cross your fingers they set aside the 90 or so boards needed for me.

I'll put some recent, somewhat interesting pictures after the break.

LLP Bonus - Eskimo Callboy and Skynd

I was going to save this for a later time to space out the music posts, but I just don't have much to say currently.  All is well; eat, sleep, work - you know how it goes.

There are two other acts that have caught my attention this year, Eskimo Callboy and Skynd.  I haven't heard enough of them or know enough about them for them to be worthy of a full LLP post, but I am intrigued and like what I see so far.  Both these artists are very different, but I enjoy lots of different music.

Eskimo Callboy is a German band that has been around for about a decade or so, and I do remember hearing the name before but it was on a local radio station so I probably dismissed it as I really don't pay a whole lot of attention to radio to find my music.  They've been described as a mix of metal, comedy, hardcore and electronic.  I don't care what you call it, this song is very catchy and the video is hilarious in an eighties workout video kind of way.

Eskimo Callboy - Hypa Hypa

Skynd is a little different, to say the least.  Her music is dark and eerie, yet I find it catchy and interesting.  She doesn't have a whole lot of songs out, 7 or 8 from what I can tell, and they all have a serial killer kind of theme.  Literally, her songs are about serial killers and the songs are named after the serial killer she is singing about.  The latest song, though, is a little different as it's just called Columbine.  If you forget, it's the high school in Colorado that two kids shot up back in 1999.

Skynd - Columbine

Latest Listening Pleasure 37 - Code Orange

This year has been terrible for the music industry.  Live shows and tours have been postponed, rescheduled, and now are starting to be postponed yet again.  And with digital music being consumed practically for free, live shows are how most musical artists survive.  Yet time moves ever forward so albums still get released, videos still get made, and many artists have turned to the internet to put food on the table.  Code Orange is one such band, having released their latest album, Underneath, early this year in March, just in time for the rest of their plans for the year to get cancelled.

But this band has moved forward as best they can, and have put some good livestream shows together over the course of the year.  First, in March, they played their first livestream show, Last Ones Left: In Fear of the End, and it was very good.  Later, at the end of July, they had another, but this time it was set up like an old MTV Unplugged show.  Under the Skin got rave reviews from fans and critics alike as their music translated to acoustic better than one would have thought.  Then on Halloween they did it again, back to a full heavy concert feel with Back Inside the Glass (a paid livestream, no link available).  A truly enjoyable show and happily a very different setlist.

Code Orange - Sulfur Surrounding (from Under the Skin)

I was lucky enough to see all those shows, and I look forward to more.  But enough of the acoustic, here is the title song from the album Underneath.  A tune I find very catchy, indeed.

Code Orange - Underneath

Now, I didn't know a whole lot about Code Orange (formerly Code Orange Kids) before this year, but I've been learning.  What I find really interesting is how this young band has evolved over time.  One guitarist used to be the bass player.  The keyboards and electronics guy used to be on guitar.  And the frontman used to be the drummer, might still be for the studio as they list the current drummer as a session musician.

The band does have what I find to be quite a different style and sound, yet I like it and find it refreshing and a bit unpredictable as sometimes it seems hard to catch the rhythm but it always turns up in an interesting way.  Vocals are shared by the female guitarist, frontman and keyboardist, a mix of clean singing and growls.  I never find my next favorite band when I'm looking for it, it just shows up when it wants.  I'm happy Code Orange showed up, and continues to be active in these times.  I also look forward to what this band does next and will be there to support them, whatever that may be.

Previous LLP Posts:
LLP 1 - Pain
LLP 2 - Nightwish
LLP 3 - Die Antwoord
LLP 4 - Pain part 2
LLP 5 - Andrew Bird LIVE
LLP 6 - Nightwish part 2
LLP 7 - Paramore
LLP 8 - Newsted
LLP 9 - U.D.O. LIVE
LLP 10 - Nightwish Imaginaerum Movie
LLP 11 - Kiss
LLP 12 - Rick Springfield
LLP 13 - Hyrax
LLP 14 - In This Moment
LLP 15 - Faster Pussycat LIVE
LLP 16 - Sebastian Bach
LLP 17 - Cradle Of Thorns
LLP 18 - Amaranthe
LLP 19 - Lindemann
LLP 20 - Halestorm
LLP 21 - Garbage LIVE
LLP 22 - Arcade
LLP 23 - Nightwish LIVE
LLP 24 - Ace Frehley
LLP 25 - Darkc3ll
LLP 26 - Dementia
LLP 27 - Rammstein
LLP 28 - Marilyn Manson LIVE
LLP 29 - The Harp Twins LIVE
LLP 30 - Diamante
LLP 31 - Steel Panther LIVE
LLP 32 - Scum Of The Earth

LLP 33 - Marty Friedman LIVE
LLP 34 - Buckethead LIVE
LLP 35 - Alice Cooper LIVE
LLP 36 - Poppy

LLP 37 - Code Orange

2020 Election, Final Thoughts

Well, maybe not my final thoughts but I probably won't post about this again and 'second thoughts' carries a different meaning.  It took several days, but we got there.  I've heard very little from the orange one since the race was called for Biden, just a few flagged tweets and threats of lawsuits, and I find this rather surprising.  Maybe he's being advised to lay low, but he's too impetuous to stay silent for long.  It would be nice if he would just go quietly, but I'm not sure he could if he tried.

Tomorrow will be interesting to see if they follow through and file tons of lawsuits or not. or if he will possibly concede and perhaps even congratulate his opponent (ha!).  This will still take time to play out, but seeing what I have from him for the last four plus years I don't see a peaceful transfer of power happening.  In fact, part of me wants to see the sideshow continue, if only because it has an expiration date now.

All across the world bells were rung, fireworks lit and horns honked in celebration.  I could hear them as soon as I stepped outside yesterday after the call.  Does the rest of the world always pay attention to our elections?  Likely, and likely more so since Sideshow Don arrived on the scene.

To clarify a few things from my last post for those who don't read the comments, Wisconsin has a population of 5.82 million.  Of that, 4.53m are of voting age (18+) and 3.68m are registered voters.  Wisconsinites cast about 3.24m votes, which at about 71% is on the high end of typical voter turnout here for a presidential election.  

Also, my analogy is off as blue leans urban and red leans rural, and not just here - everywhere, so while you look at the map and see Wisconsin as blue, upon closer look it is very red.  Makes it pretty apparent where some of the bigger cities are.  Out of 3.24 million ballots cast in Wisconsin the difference was only 20,000 votes.

Now it's time to forget about colors and move forward.  This time, hopefully, with fewer distractions.

2020 Election, First Thoughts

Aaaaand it begins.  Or has already begun, actually.  Lies, false claims, lawsuits to stop ballots from being counted (really!).  All from Trump, I've not heard much from Biden.  Imagine that.  Election day was yesterday but we're far from done.  This will end up dragging out longer than anyone wants it to, I fear.

And, almost 6 million people total in Wisconsin and (a record) 3.3 million voted.  Still, Trump only lost our state by about 20,000 votes.  I know it was also close last election, the other way, but it still shocks me we're so divided after the antics we've witnessed the last 4 years.

It makes it hard to ever go outside again knowing every other person that I live among has looked around at what's happening in our country and the world and said to themselves "Yup, I like how things are going." 

I've been working all day and only checked the news sporadically, mostly this morning, until very recently.  Time to do something more relaxing.  I'm sure we'll talk more about this very soon.

Halloween 2020

This pretty much sums it up.  I found this sign online, copied and printed, and taped it to the door yesterday.  I was going to get a picture of it from outside but I guess I couldn't be bothered.  We didn't get any trick or treaters, but I don't think there were many out.  I think the families in the neighborhood may have visited other families in their local group, but that's about it.  No sweets, no decorations, and no fun for us this year.  But also no snow.  Last year we had several inches on the ground for the holiday.

On the bright side, while today is cold and blustery with a random snowflake here and there, at least the sun is shining now and the forecast looks like we'll stay above freezing with much more moderate days for the next week or so.  There's not a lot to do outside again until all the leaves are done falling, so a quiet day in today with the Packers starting at noon and newspaper to catch up on.

How was your Halloween?

Yesterday's Fire, Today's Snow

After a bit of yardwork I had a fire last night.  It was cool, 40ºF and falling as I started the fire.  Today is a bit cooler yet and we got our first snow.  It won't last the night, it's just a harbinger of more to come.  But it was a nice night mostly alone by the fire with my thoughts, and music.  And another 'fireside chat' with my mom.

Any night by the fire is a good night.  Halloween is coming, but I bought a ticket for a band's livestream concert that night, so no holiday fire next Saturday.  Also no Halloween celebration for us this year, but more on that later.  Sorry, it's mostly another firepit post again, it's just this 2020.  A couple more pictures from last night are after the break.

Mask Up*

A. Do you wear a mask?  

    Yes, thank you, go to paragraph B.  

    No.  Really?  Go to paragraph G.

B. Do you wear a cloth or paper mask?

    Cloth mask, go to paragraph C.

    Paper mask, go to paragraph D

C. How often do you wash your mask(s)?

    Often, constantly, or similar go to paragraph F.

    Rarely, if ever, go to paragraph G.

D. How much wear before disposing of your mask?

    Constant, multiple days, go to paragraph G.

    Minimal, disposable is disposable after all, go to paragraph F.

F. Thank you.  You are doing well but always strive for better.

G. What the hell is wrong with you?  Clean up and respect your fellow man, for a change.

Okay, you get the idea, but there's more here and elsewhere.  Blue Witch brought up the topic recently on her blog, and she is correct, this should be talked about more and correct protocols discussed.  And I don't think either one of us is above mask-shaming.  Masks are nothing but icky things on your face if not used correctly.  And by correctly I also mean covering both your nose and your mouth.  At the same time!

On the other side of the fence is another blogger who I shall not name, but is in my right column*.  I've followed them for a very, very long time now so while I still check in over there I usually refrain from commenting.  I have a feeling I would be shouted down anyway as I'm not really debate team material. At all.

One of my favorite sayings about masks likens it to pee:  Imagine you're standing in front of someone, facing each other, and you're both naked.  If he pees, you get wet.  If you wear pants and he pees, you still get wet, but not as bad.  If he wears pants and pees he gets himself wet.  We can't help but pee, or in this case breathe.  Respect others and keep yourself contained, for chrissake.

I've not addressed my own mask wearing here yet, but I will now.  I don't wear a mask 98% of the time, but that's because I'm at home 98% of the time now, if not more.  I don't wear a mask outside in my own yard, but I don't run into other people in my own yard.  I don't wear my mask on neighborhood walks, unless we have to get near people, which is a good reason to avoid the bike paths.  I don't wear a mask in my car, I wear a mask when I get to my destination, outside of home.  Anywhere I have to go outside the home, like just regular errands, I wear a mask.

We've had exactly 10 friends over to the house effectively all of this year, and all for firepits.  Social distancing is pretty easy in the back yard as the most at a time we have over is 2 other people.  I have required masks if they need to go into the house, and all have happily complied or not had to go inside.  No large gatherings here, and not likely for the holidays, either.

When this first started I ordered a pack of cloth masks, and used them, and washed them.  But the washing made them shrink so they were tight and uncomfortable, so I bought a box of 50 individually wrapped black paper disposable masks.  Much more comfortable for my big head.  Now, if I only use one for a few minutes then I have been known to throw it in the glove box and use it again,  but keep in mind that one I used for just a few minutes one day may sit for over a week until I use it again.  I'll probably get some grief for that, and it may be deserved.  But at only 40-50 cents a pop I have no qualms about tossing them and using a new one for most things, either.

How is your mask use?   How's mine?

*Update:  I removed this link from my right column on November 18, 2020.  I can no longer support or promote his writing by leaving it there.

Firewood, Fall Chores

Late afternoon yesterday the firewood delivery arrived.  I'd been done with work for hours and was pretty much in relaxation mode, but with my wife's help we got it all neatly stacked.  The small pile on the far left is the leftovers, the other small pile is new wood that wouldn't fit on the rack.  I don't expect either of these small piles to last very long.  Now I know I'll have enough to get through spring, or at least to spring.

Today has been overcast and blustery, with an expected high of 67ºF, and again the news is saying this will be the last 'nice' day as high temperatures will be going back down to about the 50º mark in the extended forecast.  I managed to get some yardwork done yesterday while waiting for the wood, including mowing/mulching the leaves in the back yard, but there is more to be done yet.

I contacted the fencing company yesterday to verify we're still on for replacing our fence about a month from now, and they confirmed.  The exact day may change due to the weather, but it should only take one day to complete.  I wanted to keep the old one as long as possible but it's just gotten so rotten it's starting to fall apart.  I probably should have done it last year and next year it will only be worse, so best to just get it done.  It should look pretty similar, 6' dog-eared, but brand new cedar.  At least it will be one thing crossed off the list, and it will look a lot better, too.

Is cedar the best wood for raised bed gardens?  I'm going to have to figure that out.  I'll not use treated lumber again as I may as well use regular lumber because it obviously won't last more than 9 years or so anyway, and my hope is to not have to rebuild these again, however wishful thinking that may be.

Most fall chores now are just hurry up and wait.  As the plants wilt I'll mulch them up with the string trimmer.  As the black walnut leaves fall I will mow to mulch.  After the maple tree leaves fall I'll rake and mulch them for flowerbeds.  And when all the leaves are done I'll need to clean out the gutters.   All the potted plants will need to be cleaned up and the compost turned.  And before it starts to freeze regularly (still haven't had first frost, but maybe tomorrow morning) I'll have to get the hose put away and the power washer stored in the basement, along with a couple crates of paint, lawn care and other products out of the garage.

So, while it seems like a lot of work it will be spread out for several weeks up to a couple months yet.  I hope for plenty of opportunities to relax by the fire along the way.  

Actually, I hope to be able to go out to eat, hang out at the bar, go see a show or just socialize with friends and family, but I'll take what I can get this year.  Stay safe, all.  And wash your mask.