Thursday, June 16, 2011

Off to see the Wizard

Or, perhaps it's the orthopedic surgeon! The surgery is at noon. I hope to at least briefly text over on my Facebook wall. I can't get to the blog with my phone. (Yes, I have a dumb phone.) Sydney will post an update when she hears.

Wish me luck!

Sunday, June 12, 2011

Off Topic - That Was the Week It Was - June 12, 2011

Okay, it's Sunday once again. You know what that means! It's time for my off television topic reflection on the week gone by in both words and photos I've taken. Of course, I haven't had any ON TV topic posts this week, but that's beside the point. It was my last work week before my surgery, most of the week was enveloped in heat and humidity and, while I did watch some shows, I really wasn't up to posting.

Gah. What a week it's been! I still feel like my head is spinning trying to wrap up everything for a lengthy stay away from my workplace. We have a couple of major changes which affect my job and, not only did I have to learn a bunch of new stuff, I had to prepare the person filling in for me. Plus, filing swamped me each day this week and I had to get all of that caught up. Gah. Oh, wait. I already "gah'd." Well, it's worth a double gah. So there.

On the 100 degree day, not to be confused with the 102 degree day, I had my last pre-op appointment with my orthopedic surgeon. Since I walk and use public transportation, that meant extended time in the heat and humidity. I think the trip could have been in lieu for a stress test not taken in prep for the surgery. (My EKG was excellent, no need for a stress test -- thankfully!) But if the time spent walking in the heat and waiting in the heat didn't kill me, no surgery ever will!

Have I ever mentioned I HATE to sweat? This week's weather was of the kind that my forehead starts sweating while I'm just standing there doing nothing. Grr.

The doctor's visit really wasn't much. Perhaps it's the last chance to back out! He told me all the medical tests were fine, gave my knee one last look-see and answered a few of my questions. He told me he can't guarantee that I'll have the same 150+ degree bend in the right knee that I have now in the left one he replaced three years ago. He feels he might have set the bar a bit high as I'm the most flexible knee replacement patient he's ever operated on.

I will be having the same exact knee as the previous one -- a Smith & Nephew Genesis II, cemented. I understand the results might differ. But if I don't have constant pain and stabbing pain when bending the knee more than it wants to be bent, I'll be fine. I'm ready. It's too bad my apartment stuff and lots of loose ends still need to be done!

Now that I've bored everyone with the knee stuff, it's onto the photographs I've taken this week! Clicking on an image will open it larger in a new window, then hit your back button on your browser to return to the blog.

This is not a photo I took!

This is a copy of the flyer for the Plainfield Public Library Photo Exhibition. When we were discussing the date for the opening, I had been thinking my operation would be scheduled mid-May instead of mid-June. Oops. But I'll be four weeks into things, so I'll probably be using my crutches, but I'll be there!


Wazzat?

It's a camera, silly squirrel. East Front Street, Plainfield.


Already a name change?

Goody, goody (in my best Hannibal Lechter voice). They just rehabbed and opened this restaurant within the last year. Now it seems to have a new name and is touting that it's a "Spanish and Chinese restaurant." Huh? ALL of the Chinese restaurants around here have Spanish dishes! I always wonder if they make as many typos in Spanish as they do in English on the menus.

If one really wants any kind of Hispanic related foods, I'd recommend they just look around at any of the many restaurants from every Latino-related country in the world ... right here in Plainfield. This Chinese "Spanish" restaurant is on Watchung Avenue in Plainfield.


I don't know what it is, but I like it.

I'm talking the green car, of course. The other car is too much like the cars I grew up around as a teenager. Bridgewater, NJ.


Feet off the seats, fool!

Hogging up one of the four four-seaters on the upper level of the train, sitting on the aisle seat with her nasty feet up on the seat blocking anyone else from sitting there. Now, who would want to when she had her feet all over the seat? I'm having a knee replacement this week. I can't take my Advil leading into the surgery. If anyone ever needed to elevate her feet, it would be me! Do I? NO. I wouldn't want my shoes which have gone through who knows what on the seat!


The chicory is back.

Plainfield Train Station.


Outdoor ant

He stopped running around long enough to get one clear shot out of about ten! He's bigger than those tiny ants, but smaller than a carpenter ant. Bridgewater, NJ.


Seeing these amidst the grass makes me smile.

Bridgewater Train Station.


Absolutely no clue

I've never seen this plant before and it's in a place in Bridgewater I've walked by for at least seven years. They're very tiny and, as you can see, even the stems and such are brilliant royal blue. When I first saw it, I thought it was fake. A brief tug proved otherwise. There are about five of them growing in a patch of "lawn" alongside the Bridgewater Train Station parking lot.


Pink beauty

Growing in my neighbor's lawn.


Again, no clue.

Well, it's not a plant! It's very tiny, less than a quarter-inch long. Bridgewater Train Station.


Bound Brook flowers.

I feel I should know what these are, but I'm very flower-ignorant. They were growing by the Presbyterian Church on Union Avenue in Bound Brook.


Knee action figures!

This is what happens when you leave me alone in an examination room at the doctor's office. I shoot knees. Bound Brook, NJ.


Intertwining vines on a guy wire.

They've definitely taken it over! Maple Avenue, Bound Brook.


Peaceful

Although it was SO hot and there didn't seem to be any shade in Plainfield, my walk from the bus to the doctor's office in Bound Brook was shady. That's the office on the right. Maple Avenue, Bound Brook.


Idyllic

That cool big tree has a historical plaque -- George Washington slept there or something. Maple Avenue, Bound Brook. (Actually the plaque states the tree was there before George Washington -- it's over 300 years old.)


Another unknown flower in Bound Brook


Cool blue/purplish flowers

East Front Street, Plainfield.


NOT a new shot of Vincent

This is where he'll be staying while I'm in the hospital. He'll have his own three level cat condo with a litter box in the "basement." They'll let him out daily to roam the cat room and check on the view from the windows. Although they have dogs there, the cats are all in this room where they can't even hear barking. I used them (Best Friends in North Plainfield) when I went on vacation last year and was very pleased. They even email a photo daily to the owner! (Which won't do me much good as I'll just have my dumb phone with me -- it can go on the Internet, but isn't good about it.)

So, that's just about it. I swear once this operation is done and over with, I'll be back to posting more about television shows ... especially Big Brother. How was your week?

Sunday, June 05, 2011

Off Topic - That Was the Week It Was - June 5, 2011

It's Sunday morning, time for my weekly off television topic look back at the week gone by in both words and photographs I've taken. My television heavy season isn't too far down the road, so TV fans be patient! If you're watching So You Think You Can Dance, I've been posting on that and I'd love to get your opinions. I watched (but did not post about) America's Got Talent this week and I'm happy to hear that The Glades is returning.

I've just had a lot on my plate and stressful stuff going on leading into the surgery. Stress on my job hasn't eased and throw in getting my apartment prepped, medical stuff, insurance stuff, financial stuff ... I might need a brain replacement next! Plus, the knee must be realizing it's on its last days and has been more painful than ever. Gah! But once I'm back home from the hospital, I anticipate lots of television watching! After all, it's not like I'll be able to go out jogging.

Mind you, I never liked the idea of jogging anyway. But that's beside the point!

This past Monday was Memorial Day. My father and grandfather were both veterans, but ones who made it home okay. We know not all do that. I salute all of our military men and women. I personally don't believe wars solve the problems of society these days, but I respect and thank those who serve our country.

I had my PAT on Tuesday. That would be Pre-Admission Testing at the hospital. I was poked, prodded and had all sorts of tests to make sure I'd neither die on the table or kill those around me with disease. My blood alcohol level is 99! Er, wait ... that would be blood oxygen level. There's a difference. That level is perfect and shows my heart and lungs are working well together. My blood pressure is perfectly normal. I guess the EKG, MRSA tests and all went well as I haven't had any phone calls from them.

This Wednesday I have my pre-op appointment with my orthopedic surgeon. That doesn't worry me at all -- we both know my knee is shot! I always worry about the other medical tests as there is diabetes in the family, early deaths on record, etc. I should take better care of myself than I do. But I seem to keep on kickin'! Except for the knees, of course.

After an extremely hot and humid earlier part of the week, we've had springtime glee for a few days now. I so love days in the 70s with no humidity! Yesterday was cloudy all day, a sprinkle here and there, but the 70s made it all worthwhile.

Onto this week's photos ... clicking on an image will open it in a larger window, then hit back on your browser to return to the blog.


Don't fence me in!

Some plant or another, usually weeds, grow in the crevices between the chain link fence and the wall at the Bridgewater Train Station each year. This year, it's this.


We need scratch and sniff!

I realize this is no work of art. But if you could smell it, you'd realize it's nature's artwork! I came upon this confederate jasmine hedge near the Somerset Medical Center on Tuesday. I was in heaven!

Sweet days of summer
the jasmine's in bloom...
-- Seals and Crofts, "Summer Breeze"


General Anesthesia?

Just outside the main entrance to the Somerset Medical Center I made note of this empty liquor bottle. My gosh, I hope they're not using that to cut costs!


I'll be in good hands.

Of course, they're the same hands I was in with the other knee, but now they have AWARDS. I'm still not keen on the coach (no, I don't have one) and group things. But one thing I learned the other day at my joint replacement class (I have a guide book, too!) is that all joint replacement patients get PRIVATE ROOMS at no extra cost! YAY! My health insurance doesn't cover private rooms, but this is indeed covered as they no longer have semi-private in the "Joint Surgery Institute." They say it's to cut down on the possibility of infection.

I say, "Well, then. Why do I have to eat my meals with the other patients and have group physical therapy?"


Pretty flowers of some kind.


Smile!

A bird checks me out as I wait for the train at the Plainfield Train Station.


Another pretty flower.


Through the cracks

I took this one on West Union Street in Somerville, NJ near the hospital. It's like another world on the other side of the fence.


Plainfield early morning

The corner of Watchung and East Front Street early on Tuesday morning. I really wish the billboards would sport both Spanish and English, though. I can figure it out, but prefer to have translations. How am I going to learn Spanish by guessing what the billboards say? Not everyone in town speaks Spanish, Wells Fargo and T Mobile. I understand reaching out to those who do speak Spanish, but they could more easily learn some English just like I could more easily learn some Spanish if the signs were in both languages!


Gang truce?

The big news a week or two back was a gang truce in Plainfield. Now I see birds not of a feather flocking together. This could signal trouble for humans. We already know they've been conspiring against us! Bridgewater, NJ.


First stinkhorn sighting of the season!

Ah, those stinkhorn mushrooms are making their return to Bridgewater, NJ.

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The next bunch of photos could be called ...

Bugging Out!


Color coordinated fly

Or, is it camouflage? East Third Street, Plainfield.


Bug on a flower in Somerville, NJ


Black wasp (?) in Bridgewater, NJ


Moth

Plainfield Train Station


Oh my.

Bridgewater Train Station


That gold shiny beetle.

Still about the size of a ladybug, still looks shiny metallic gold to the naked eye. But this is what it looks like close up and "magnified." It still has the clear force field around it, too. Bridgewater Train Station.


First damselfly sighting of the season

And he was kind enough to pose. I can't get a shot of these flying as they're really small (about the size of three bundled sewing needles) and they dart around. But once they grasp something, it's easy to move in for the shot. Bridgewater Train Station.


Are there any weeds/flowers without bugs on them?

This one looks almost like some kind of tick. I don't know.


Oh great

I sit on the bench and it's infested with a gazillion of these orange/black/grey creepy crawlers. Bridgewater, NJ.

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

No more bugs! For now, that is ...


New convenience store on North Avenue

Located in the old billiards parlor, this new store seems to have appropriated the neon from the closed XPress Mart a few doors down. It's been closed when I've gone by for the most part. One day I was laden down with packages and, sure enough, it was open then when I really couldn't stop! I've peeked in. It's big. It looks like the registers are behind bulletproof glass bringing to mind stores I've stopped in in South Philly.

I will have to pay it a visit. Maybe some ice cream after getting off the train on a hot day!


The fungus on the stump

This way cool fungus was growing on the tree stump in the edge of the cemetery behind the Friends Meeting House (Church and East Third, Plainfield). By the end of the week it darkened and shriveled.


Excuse me, Vincent ...

... do you think you could take up any MORE room? I don't think he's the biggest cat I've ever had. But when he stretches out like this, he could very well be the longest cat from toe to toe that I've had.

How was your week?

Thursday, June 02, 2011

So You Think You Can Dance: Los Angeles Auditions


The auditions are onto Los Angeles. Will we be mesmerized by talent once again? I won't be live blogging each and every audition, but I'll surely mention those who make an impression on me. Please feel free to share your thoughts in comments!

Sexy and provocative was up first. A sure bet to Vegas.

The next guy, DC, was fantastic -- a street style done incredibly amazingly! Woot!

It looks like LA hit the jackpot of dancing machines. You know that that means FAIL is up soon.

Not yet, though. Hero MacRae, a Japanese import (female) is a popper/locker sort, amazing! Straight onto Vegas. Who cares if she can waltz or cha-cha?

Previous dancer Janine's sister is up next -- Alexis Mason. Contemporary style, done very well. It's not my favorite genre of dance. I tend to lean a bit towards street dances. She's through to Vegas.

I love Patty Ann! The women this season should rule! She's another street style popper/locker. Two sisters, one on the heavy side, put on a tremendous audition. After choreography, both made it to Vegas.

Next week will be Las Vegas with 160 hopeful dancers looking to make the dream.

Wednesday, June 01, 2011

So You Think You Can Dance: NYC and Salt Lake City Auditions


Tonight's SYTYCD extravaganza covers the auditions in New York City and Salt Lake City, two very culturally different cities. We'll have to see how much the dance styles differ! I won't be able to live blog the show as thoroughly as I did last week, but I'm sure to comment now and then! And, you're all welcome to chime in with your thoughts in comments!

Salt Lake City is in the house first. I think they're Stomping the Yard! The two were good at it.

Annie, dancing to "Sweet Dreams are Made of This," is absolutely amazing! Onto Las Vegas! The dance with her father made me giggle.

The Ringo Starr "daughter" is very bizarre. And, of course, not the daughter of Ringo Starr or Richard Starkey (who IS Ringo Starr). No, she can't dance. NEXT!

NYC auditions are up and running! I thought the first audition, Princess Lockaroo (Sandra Cohen) would be a loser, but she was tremendously entertaining! Wow! Mesmerizing! Vegas.

Local guy from New Brunswick ... very nice. He's through. A lot of contemporary dancers are making it through to Vegas. Let's see how the krumper does ... talk about attitude! He's onto choreography.

Irish dancer Mary Kate is up, excellent! She's won all sorts of awards for Irish dancing, but can she get through choreography? She makes it to Vegas! Mr. Tough Krumper Attitude Man also makes it though ... crying.

The theater dancer dude is very good. I like him better than the judges. He's going onto choreography. He SHOULD have gone straight to Vegas! He makes it through to Vegas ... as he should.

Tomorrow night is the Los Angeles auditions show.