Thursday, April 11, 2013

FTSF: Temporarily Closed For Repairs

The Time Has Come!
(No, it's not the 
 end of the world.)

It's been a very tough decision.  Yet, several factors have gone into this.  

Hopefully, you'll understand.

No, I'm not giving up blogging forever!  (Lord, that's the last thing I ever plan on doing.)  

However, I am going to have to take a break from the circuit.

You've probably already figured out something wasn't right, haven't you?

I used to be one of the most loyal blog visitors to all those that visited mine, as well as others.  (Of course, that was before Janine started writing 37 blogs a day!) But, recently, things haven't quite been that way.  In fact, I wouldn't be surprised at you feeling as though I'm becoming a blog writer that doesn't even visit the efforts of others that I've become very close to in many ways.  But, that couldn't be further from the truth!

There are actually three factors that have led me to make the decision that's been made:

  1. I feel guilty.  With my current employment, things are exceptionally hectic.  I've been able to read some of your blogs on my phone during the day, but commenting is an employment "no-no", as you well know.  I really haven't deserted you, but without commenting, you don't really know that.  I've tried to comment at night after I get home, but after a twelve hour day (sometimes six days a week), I'm doing good to make it through the evening meal without nodding out. (And, "NO", I'm not smoking that stuff anymore, so put that thought out of your mind.)  I can't expect you to comment on mine if I'm not commenting on yours ... as it's not fair ... and it also doesn't correspond with the FTSF rules.  
  2. My eyes are giving me trouble again.  As you may be aware, I recently had my eyes give me fits with double vision, blurriness, and partial blindness.  The doctors thought they had it taken care of.  (So much for doctors thinking!)  Anyway, it's coming back.  There are times where I can't even read your blogs with my screen at a magnified view.  So, instead of continuing to strain them, I've got to give them a rest, get them taken care of (hopefully "right" this time), and do what I've got to do to keep my vision.  (Damn, getting old is a pain in the ass, to say the least!)
  3. The home is in need of attention.  I've put many things on hold this last year as I've been writing.  Now, they're starting to catch up with me.  I've got to take some time to get them repaired before the house is a shambles (getting pretty close already, lol).  Very little time to do this is available with the schedule I'm working, and especially when you add in the writing and commenting.  

So, my options really are limited at this time.  To put forth the time I feel necessary to be a good fellow blogger and writer is simply not possible.  My vision won't allow me to do it and my wife is beginning to remind me about things around the house a little too often.  

Thus, I'm going to take about 
a month and a half off.

Don't shoot me, please!

I will be back June 1st at the latest.  Hopefully, some things will go better than planned (healing, etc.) and I'll be able to return sooner.  (I may even drop by from time to time just to bust the bubbles of those that are happy I'm gone, muhahahaha!!!)

Now, since that's out of the way, let's get to my last FTSF for a while.  I'll try to visit your blog this week and comment, as long as the vision holds out.  If I don't comment immediately, remember, I'm probably still reading it ... it just may take me a few days to do so.

So, here's the obligatory JPEG of the rules and the wonderful people that host this event.

Now, here's the prompt (or sentence to finish if you're picky about such phraseology):

"If I could live anywhere, I'd live ..."

Okay, now this is where I come in with my response.

...in the past as a time traveler.

Just imagine, knowing what you now know about all the atrocities that took place in the past, and being able to travel through time to actually stop them from occurring.

My, you do look like a
pizza delivery boy, Adolf!
Why, a person could go to Germany and shave off Hitler's mustache while giving him a haircut.  Without his signature caterpillar, he'd be mistaken for a pizza delivery boy, robbed by the Nazi Party, and turn into a baby circumsizing specialist for the local Jewish community!  World War II would never have occurred!

Think about it.  I could go back to the 50's and become a small plane pilot.  When the Big Bopper, Buddy Holly and Ritchie Valens came to fly to the next show on that fateful night, I could've cancelled the flight and kept them alive producing Rock 'n Roll music into the current time, keeping the crap (and rap) that's on the radio today from ever having been heard!

Hey Charlie, I got some really good
stuff for you tonight!
Feel like bridge hopping?
A person could even be a drug pusher in the 60's, and provide Charles Mansion with some acid so mind blowing he'd think Helter Skelter was the name of an obscene halter top, lead him to develop a strong interest and get into porno films, be physically embarrassed during his first nude audition, and go out and jump off the San Francisco Bay Bridge.  Sharon Tate could have gone on making lousy movies, Jay Sebring charging too much money for lousy haircuts, and Abigail Folger and her boyfriend could have had coffee beans of their own!  

One could be the first to write an epic "How To" book on proper parenting for future generations!  By doing that, it would beat all the fake "mind doctors" that pushed permissiveness, video game experimentation, and religious mockery.  Just think, there would be no need for Political Correctness as manners and common sense would be common nature!  (Okay, so I'm hoping for miracles on this one.)

Think of being able to point out the boxcutters in the pockets of the 911 hijackers to security ... being able to stop Harry Whittington from going hunting and getting shot by Vice President Cheney in 2006 ... and even stop Kristen Stewart from messing around on Robert Pattinson while filming Snow White and the Huntsman.  (Nawww ... she's not worth the time token it would take to get there.)

Imagine ... free birth control pills in the drinks of the potential mothers of today's politicians ...  Ex-Lax in the pastry cooked for Oprah ... and proper vision care provided free of charge to all college basketball referees!   The would could be so wonderful!

No nuclear weapons would ever have been invented, special interest groups would have forever been banned from politics, and greed would be looked at as an evil.  Instead, man could learn to live together, politicians would actually work to help those they represent, and everyone could have their fair share for a fair day's work.  Nature would be looked upon as a gift from God worth preserving, police would only be necessary to direct traffic when the electricity went out during a storm, and everyone would chip in and help when a disaster occurred.  

This couldn't be done by only one person.  No, I'm not that naive.  But a group of persons, working together in complete secrecy to change the course of history, could create a Utopia for all to reside and thrive.  Families could be happy, communities loyal, and countries working hand in hand.

And if that didn't work, and time traveling was out of the question, 
well, how about the Bahamas?

I can see me in my speedo on the tropical beach, frolicking in the glowing sun of the afternoon, enjoying Pina Coladas endlessly with gorgeous tropical females.

Hmmmmmm!  Maybe I'll take the Bahamas!


See y'all in a month and a half!


35 comments:

  1. WOW, you are brave and wonderful for recognizing your needs as YOU to take time off. I stubble SO MUCH with a balance between work that needs me, my son that really needs me, with my blog that I NEED but does not need me...

    Best wishes. And we will be back.

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    1. Kristi - My late night friend! :) I don't know about the brave part. It's really a matter of being able to see or not. My vision has gotten so bad that it's a battle to read posts anymore. It's time for the medical industry to prove its worth and get this problem solved. I'm tired of not being able to read blogs and such that I really enjoy. I appreciate your support in this. Many Thanks!

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  2. Shew, I'll be honest, I've been missing your comments and you! I completely understand...working those hours is not a joke. You've got to do what's good for you and your health/home/life. And enjoy life, not feel guilty or stressed out for not commenting on blogs! Thinking of you, and hope your eyes, the house and everything else gets sorted and that you find some great balance. I've got a few new things planned and in the pipelines, and hopefully by 1 June 2013 one of them will be finished. Good luck my friend! See you later :)

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    1. Melanie - As Gabriela would say, "How are you my dear friend from the bottom of the world?" :) I've missed reading many of your posts because of this problem. However, I have read a few on my phone during lunch. lol It's time to get the doctor's to earn their pay and do things right. Hopefully, it won't take as long as they preach, but still, I've got to listen to them and not hurry things as I did before. Can't wait to see what you've got up your sleeve for the future. Remember, a smile is always better than a frown, unless you're standing on your head! :) Many Thanks!

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  3. Rich, please just take care of yourself. Know you will be missed, but I do agree that you need to focus on getting better and also doing for you at this point. I told you my dad recently had issues with his eyes and had to have surgery on his retina. He also was having problems with his vision and is in his 60s. Scary stuff and saw first hand just how much this can hamper the things he could do at the time. So seriously, please just be well and will be thinking of you my friend. Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers!! :)

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    1. Janine - Where would I be without friends like you? Sounds like your dad and I have similar problems. It is a major frustration, more than anything else. One doesn't realize how much we depend on vision until it throws us a left hook. It's been one hell of a year, but it has no where but up to go from here. So, by all rights, I will be back the beginning of June. I greatly appreciate all your kindness and caring. Many Thanks!

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  4. I think you are really smart to take a break. I think many of us have felt like it for a lot of the reasons you've mentioned- I know that I definitely relate to the guilt, the fatigue, and the worry that I'm not getting enough other things done. It can be too time consuming, and very overwhelming. I think balance is very elusive in blogging. We will definitely miss your "voice" but I think you are doing the right thing. We will all still be here when you are ready to come back! I hope you truly enjoy your break, and that is takes some stress off your plate!

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    1. Stephanie - Really good of you to stop by. I've got to take this time to primarily get my vision back. There's so many great blogs I'm missing simply because I can't see them that it's really getting to me. Besides, double vision is never good, especially when I look at my wife! lol (She hates it when I say that one.) Hopefully, I won't be gone as long as the doctors say, but I'm not going to rush things this time. That way, it things don't work out right, I can always sue! lol Many Thanks!

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  5. I am sorry, as dismayed as I am at you taking a month AND A HALF off, I am laughing as you leave with the vision of the speedo....See you soon!

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    1. Kerri - I love it when a new friend recognizes my humor! lol No one else mentioned that one. (If you knew what I looked like, you'd be laughing even more!) I used to make a joke about thinking about one's grandmother wearing spandex ... until my wife became a grandmother and actually wore it. Took me a week to recover from the shock. I don't think the bike ever recovered. :) (Poor thing ... the tires used to be round.) Hopefully, everything will work out and I'll be back soon. I'll miss all of you, believe me. Many Thanks!

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  6. Well...I'm doing some regrouping myself and after finding out most of my articles over at HP were copied, I have done some re-evaluation myself and took a week (more or less) off of blogging, so I completely understand.
    As for your eyes, you gotta start eating pumpkin. It sounds weird, but if you eat the canned stuff in some form - even in cakes or pies - but better as soup or drunk as a tea - it WILL help your eyes. I'm legally blind in one eye and I swear by this stuff. It's helped my good eye so much.
    And don't feel guilty. Dang, you must have had some Catholic background or something. I do and I'm forever guilty, so I know it's easier said than done.
    In any case, I'll keep an eye out for ya. Even if you can't blog that often. :)

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    1. Cyndi - My artistic maestro friend, how are you? Sorry to hear about the hub thefts. I figure he's shut down by now, or at least hope so, with all he stole from everyone. I don't know what's worse, having Hubpages hide your work or having someone steal it. Either way, you've done all the work and get nothing out of it.
      Pumpkin? I've never heard that. Actually, I've never heard of pumpkins soup or tea either, but then again, I've lived a sheltered life. lol I'll give it a shot and see what happens. I trust your judgement and experience in this.
      And, you guessed it, my mother was Catholic. Guilt over not being able to see or visit as I feel I should is there, for sure. Yet, a greater frustration exists right now. Hopefully, the doctors will be able to get it taken care of.
      You know it's going to be tough for me not to try to sneak one in here or there. Kim Jong Un is dying for attention, and I'm dying to give it to him. We'll just have to wait and see if I'm able or not. Keep smiling! Many Thanks!

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  7. Bravo Rich. Take your time- heal, get happy, make the wife sing. I'll miss you but all good things in good time. See you in June! :)

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    1. Cheryl - It's good to have new friends like you. My biggest concern is just getting my vision back. Hopefully, all will work out as the medical profession professes. And, yes Virginia, there is a Santa Claus. :) We'll see how things go. I do appreciate your support! Many Thanks!

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  8. Good luck. I hope you get well, and get all your stuff done. Take care of yourself. Be well. :)

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    1. Tamra - There have been so many times I've wanted to read your blog and had to bypass it because of this damn vision problem. What I've read is great stuff, for sure. Thanks so much for the kind words and support. Many Thanks!

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  9. Hysterical that you even thought to include Harry Whittington in your post! Don't worry about the hiatus - do whatcha gotta do - we'll all be here when you get back. Although I don't have specific vision problems, I do have periodic bouts of vertigo, so I can imagine how frustrating that must be. Not sure what home repairs your have in store, but don't do any (mis)hammering until you get the blurries under control. Don't want you losing a thumb! ;) As for the time travel, that made me think of a Stephen King novel I read a while back - JFK. An interesting read.

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    1. Chris - So good to see you here! Harry just happened to pop into my mind when I started thinking about the strange things that's happened over the last few years. I mean, how many times in history has an American VP shot a hunting partner. Wouldn't you think the Secret Service might step in and say, "Ah, Mr. Vice President ... that's not a deer, sir! Don't shoot!!!" lol The home repairs are minor, mostly a reorganization needs to take place. I've got over 7,000 cd's now, all supposed to be alphabetized and in proper genre. Many of them are lying loose in stacks since my vision has kept me from seeing the titles properly. My DVD and Blue Ray collections are the same way. If I don't get to them soon, my house will be featured on some hoarders program! Time traveling has always appealed to me (especially since hindsight is 20/20). It just seemed to fit this topic well. Glad you enjoyed! Many Thanks!

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  10. You will be missed, Rich! I will especially miss your genius Friday posts, and your hilarious and smart comments on my blog. But I feel so proud of you for recognizing what you need to do. Take good care of yourself. I wish you all the best!

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    1. Rachel - I tried to read a blog of yours last Friday night and couldn't. That was one of the reasons I decided to get this taken care of now. I'm missing too many excellent blogs and having it hinder my daily activities too often. I will return, come hell or high water, as I've grown close to many of you. Thanks so much for your care and concern! It's greatly appreciated. Many Thanks!

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  11. We'll miss you....and I think that person (organization) existed. It was/is called the CIA :-)

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    1. Jen - Good of you to stop by! I'm missing you all by not being able to read your blogs as of late. Hopefully, that will soon be taken care of ... or so the doctors say. CIA? I thought that meant "Caught In Action"? :) Sorry, but most CIA agents are so easily recognized they're almost a joke in many parts of the world. Almost as bad as the "Forever Backwards Insight" that other agency presents. Manson's followers could have, and did, hidden in the crowds better. Besides, if time traveling actually did exist today, wouldn't someone have already kept Howard Stern off of America's Got Talent? lol Many Thanks!

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  12. so much how blog-writing people read and take directions to heart! lol

    ("I know, what part of 'I am taking a little time off' do I have to not look at to allow me to write this Comment in good conscience!? lol)

    Actually I admire your judgement (in the sense of balance of priority and not robbing Peter to lend to Paul*)... good luck with the vacationette, you certainly have earned, as a relatively new member of this particular mob, I will say thanks for all that I have learned watching you work your craft)

    *updated for our modern culture, of course lol

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    1. Clark, my friend, how I've missed being able to peruse your blogs as I once did. The doctors and I have talked about this for a while now, and I've finally given in to their demands. I did so, only with the comment, "I have complete and total trust in your wisdom and high limits of malpractice insurance" being stated. The vacation will be more of a recovery time, as I cannot rush this one as I did the last. I've come to grips with the fact "to write, one must be able to see to edit" concept. :) Your words are only too kind, sir. I know little of this thing you label as "craft". I simply try to do three things when I write: 1) make it interesting either by humor or some emotional concept, 2) make it so no dictionary is ever required to understand what is being said, and 3) write from the heart to reach the reader's heart. I want my tales to sound as though the reader and I are simply sitting together in a room conversing. Through that intimacy, hopefully, I can stir interest. Besides that, we're lucky as hell to have such a loyal group of readers supporting what we attempt to accomplish. Take care, my friend, hopefully I'll see you soon. Many Thanks!

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  13. Feel better soon and good luck with the housework - it's easy to avoid when you're nose-down in the computer. I love your history-changing idea and yet, it's what Dr Who always fought against!

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    1. Considerer - Thanks so much for your kind words. The doctors are making some demands, so I must comply for the future to be visible. :) Dr. Who ... would you believe I've never read or seen a program of his? Seriously! It's not that I didn't want to, but something always seemed to have a higher priority at the time. Perhaps, when things get better, you can enlighten me as to him in a greater manner. I'd definitely be interested. Many Thanks!

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  14. As a frequent hiatus taker, I can sympathize with yer need to reshuffle the priorities. Take care of you and yours and the rest will fall into place. And, you did name your blog "That's Life...Sometimes" after all. ;)

    We'll be here when you return. And I can only imagine the interesting stories you'll have to share about the home repairs, Toolman. ;)

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    1. Terrye - Good to see you! I actually went to your blog the other night and only got about halfway through it before my eyes gave out on me. Really is irritating. The home stuff is more straightening up than anything. Otherwise, I'm going to be making headlines, "Hoarder found buried underneath cd and record collections." We definitely need a bigger house, or just less stuff. Big thing is dealing with doctors again. I wonder how many of them read my last article I wrote about them? Oh well, live and learn. Thanks for your support! Many Thanks!

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  15. Oh Rich, I will miss you and your blogs and comments so much! The FTSF are the first ones I search for after the hostesses! Still I will send positive vibes on getting better! And Cyundi is right the natural products such as carrot and pumpkin have "betacaroteno" (I wrote that in Spanish, God knows how it's spelt in English!) that's what provides the orange coloring, and it's specially for the eyes! So eat away, my friend! We can't have you damaging your vision even more! I guess we will all be waiting for you to come back, so take care! All the best from long, string-like Chile!

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    1. Joan - My good friend, so good to see you! I'm sure I won't even be missed by most, but I do appreciate your kind words. I appreciate the vibes! :) I've always been a fan of carrots, but they've not done much good to this point. I'm sure I'll be back before most know it. I'm actually having a hard time not sitting down and writing something. lol Many Thanks!

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  16. Wow, Rich, I hope your eyes get fixed. That's got to be so hard. Don't feel guilty about the commenting. I can't keep up either. I'm getting to the point now where I figure I'll post and if people want to read it, they can, if not, that's cool. Real life is a lot of work. We can't do it all.

    We'll miss you!

    Cool take on FTSF. Going back in time would be WAY crazy.

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    1. Kate - Really good to see you! I hope they do too. They were supposed to be fine after the last treatment a few months ago, but they've steadily gotten worse. I've got to give them time to heal this time, instead of rushing back to read and write. I know where you're at on the attitude. It can definitely become a task to complete all that's expected. Hang in there! We can only do so much. Many Thanks!

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  17. oh Rich.. I was on a one month vacation and was wondering why there were no posts from you after I got back.. now I know why!

    I do hope you feel better and get back into the blogosphere earlier than planned!! You will definitely be missed!!

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  18. Rich - I have really missed your hubs and your comments, and I have been worrying about you. I knew there were serious concerns about your eyes. MY mother's eyesight began to be compromised in her mid forties (uncontrolled diabetes) and she lost most of her sight. Certainly protecting your eyesight, your sanity, and your marriage have to come first.
    Taking some time off, especially with your demanding work schedule, is the wise and necessary thing to do. So do, first and foremost, take care of your eyes. I have an extremely busy year, teaching-wise, but if I don't see you back on HP in the next month or so, I will know to come here and look for your work. Blessings and Prayers. Theresa

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    1. Nina and Theresa - Thanks so much for your support and kind words. I'll be back very, very soon on a very limited basis (did I say "very" enough?) : ) Greatly appreciated!

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