This is a YouTube short, only 2-3 minutes long. Shortly after I was diagnosed with long covid in March 2024, I began following this guy on YouTube, also wrestling with long covid. He did everything under the sun trying to beat it. A couple times he thought he did (like I did, last summer) only for it to come back.
Anyway, he stopped posting videos a year ago--until this short this past week. He says it took him 3 1/2 years, but he's now been symptom free for a year and feels he's made a full recovery. I got the opportunity to talk to him and he was very understanding.
Mine has been ongoing for 2 1/2 years now. A week or so ago I was feeling good 3 days in a row and just when I began to wonder if this was something encouraging to blog about, the symptoms returned. But those good days and what he says below give me hope.
It's been awhile since I did a "Micro-blog" (written on a variety of subjects under one title) but I've got several things on my mind. So if you'll indulge me...
1. Missing any teeth? I am, 3 molars in my lower left quadrant. And Japan may save the day.
Back in September (when I assumed I was recovered from long covid and underwent a lengthy dental procedure which somehow triggered a relapse) I was all set to begin preparations for an "implant bridge" for 3 missing molars.
I may not have to go that route. Japan is completing testing of a drug that will REGROW TEETH IN PEOPLE WITH MISSING TEETH.
Apparently people are born not with 2 sets of teeth, but 3. A protein in our system called USAG-1 prevents the third set from coming in. Japan has created an intravenous drug called TRG-035 that inhibits the protein and causes missing teeth to grow in, with no adverse affects.
This has been tested successfully on mice, ferrets and 30 people with missing teeth aged to 64. The ADA said it should be on the market in 3 years and will have a profound effect on dentures and dental implants. Let's hope so.
2. Do you have any strange habits you can't really explain? Here's one of mine
Every morning when I make my bed, I rub a lemon fresh Clorox bleach wipe over my fitted sheet. I put on the top sheet, and do the same thing again.
Why am I doing this? I wear an extra large t-shirt to bed (and nothing else). I change my sheets every dozen days or so. But there's something about getting into bed every night with that faint smell of disinfecting lemon that really turns me on. Am I a weirdo?
3. Remember Susan Richardson from 'Eight is Enough'? You should see her now
This show ran on ABC from 1977-1981. Susan Richardson played Susan, the "jock" of the family. Born on March 11, 1952 she turned 74 a few days ago. This was her then, and how she looks now.
You should play this 20 second video of her. She hasn't had an easy life, I'm just shocked and saddened how poorly she's aged. It seems like every day I'm reminded I'm getting old myself.
And finally, speaking of aging... last week one of the people who read my blog (Carole) sent me a link to a long-covid drug study being done in Massachusetts. Thank you Carole.
I contacted them, and was told the study was closed to new enrollees but even if it wasn't, I was over the 50 years age limit. They expressed their regrets but asked if I'd still answer some questions and I said yes.
They said people in the study had been dealing with this for 2 years or longer. I said mine began in January 2024, about two weeks after recovering from covid. I said it was 16 months of hell, and then in the spring of 2025 I began having "well days" every 2-3 days. I told her I belonged to a senior club at the time, and used those 'well days' to visit the center and go on a couple restaurant outings. Finally, near the end of July 2025 it was mostly gone for good.
(It returned Sept 12, 2025 after that disastrous dental procedure and yadda yadda, you know the rest.) It's pretty much been bad ever since, with no "well days" like l experienced a year ago. In fact, every blog-post I've written this year I've been tempted to say I'm taking a break.
The woman I was talking to (Stacey) asked if I was maintaining a healthy mindset, I said yes and no. I said I was dealing with depression and guilt, she said that was not uncommon. I said I had three friends I talk to on the phone--Mary from the Senior Center, Diana & Pen who I went to high school with a hundred years ago. I added that I write a blog and follow others blogs, which helps me feel less alone.
Stacey asked me to contact her again when I feel I'm making a recovery, I said I'd do that. That's it. Thanks for letting me share, everybody.
Why does YouTube always recommend videos to me I've already seen? Because I've got a habit of rewatching stuff over & over? I only do that with certain videos, like the five below.
I can tell you how many times I've watched these, and I haven't gotten tired of them yet. Do you have videos on YT you've enjoyed again & again?
Not to worry, all of these are short--maybe not as short as Nancy Sinatra's miniskirt in the third one, but they're short enough!
1. Steve Lawrence & Edyie Gorme, The Ed Sullivan Show - September 17, 1967
When I was growing up in the 1960s-70s, I thought Steve Lawrence & Edyie Gorme were the hammiest pair on television. But I began "rediscovering" Eydie's career on YouTube several years ago and fell in love with her earlier stuff. Anyway, this is the couple at their finest.
Number of times seen: 16
2. Joan McCracken in the opening number of 1947's "Good News"
Love the movie, love June Allyson--but whenever Joan McCracken (below) appeared on camera, she stole the show. Sadly, Joan died at the tender age of 43 (from a heart attack) on November 1, 1961. One day after I was born.
Number of times seen: 19
3. Nancy Sinatra, Goldie Hawn & Ruth Buzzi - Laugh-In Salutes the End of the Sixties
Here's what I love in no particular order: 1969, Laugh-In, Nancy Sinatra, Goldie Hawn, Ruth Buzzi's surprisingly sexy legs.
Number of times seen: 17
4. The Kitten Lady meets Chickpea
I have a big confession--I love cat & kitten videos, and I've been following this young tattooed woman aka "The Kitten Lady" for at least 5 years now. She's nationally known and hugely respected, and takes in broken or orphaned kittens. (She's also rescued puppies and the occasional goat.)
In this video (which I've watched time & again for 5 years) she rescues Chickpea, a kitten that proves even too cute for her. I'm happy to report Chickpea lived happily ever after.
Number of times seen: Unknown, probably around 15
5. The DeLorean Time Machine in Back to the Future
Loved the movie, loved that pimped out ride. And that's all this is, the car hitting 88 mph. One awesome minute of it.
The United States & United Kingdom have always had a sort of “best mates” thing, don’t you think? We love the Beatles, the Royal Family, British telly (especially that British Bake Off) and of course those English accents.
The UK loves our big-budget Hollywood movies, our early rock n’ roll, and Bridget Jones had a thing for Frasier. Anyway, we sort of keep tabs on one another, know what the other is up to. At least, I always thought so.
So imagine my surprise the other night when I was on Youtube and came across this. “It’s the Black & White Minstrel Show!” The what?
A very popular program (aka programme) that aired on the BBC from 1957-1978, it featured music, dancing, very attractive women, and lots of men in blackface.
This variety show seemed to celebrate early American music. But didn’t minstrel shows pretty much end in America after the Civil War? Didn’t anyone tell England?
The Black & White Minstrel Show received a lot of criticism for it’s racial stereotyping, but did so well in the ratings the BBC told their naysayers to sod off (aka get lost) and kept it on the air. For 21 years!
Youtube comments to these Minstrel show videos are polarizing—older Brits praise the shows for their quality and entertainment, younger Brits slam them. I’ve watched a couple and while I admire the pretty legs and choreography, the blackfaces are really, REALLY out there.
You don’t have to watch the entire video below, just take a gander at the opening act. Two minutes should do. It sort of reminds me of The Lawrence Welk Show, that aired here in America at the same time for the same number of years.
The only blackface on Lawrence Welk was Arthur Duncan, but his was real of course. I hope my friends across the pond don’t mind me sharing :-)
When I was in high school in the late 1970s, my mom went thru this phase where she was calling everybody a turkey. At first it was amusing, then it got old pretty fast.
One day after telling us a corny joke, I suppose I rolled my eyes and she said “Doug you turkey!”
I said “MOM PLEASE STOP CALLING ME A TURKEY.” She said “What’s wrong? Don’t you want your old mom to sound cool?” I said “Yes but that’s not cool.”
She said “Up your nose with a rubber hose!” I laughed and said “NOBODY says that—only the Sweathogs did, and that was 3 years ago!”
She said “Sit on it, Potsie!” All I could do was shake my head. Hopeless!
I wonder what kids say today? Doesn’t matter. I live in Squaresville now and I’m not SUPPOSED to know. I remember way back in 1975, watching Soul Train one Saturday on tv. Don Cornelius introduced the Sylvers, who came out and sang “Boogie Fever”. They had good moves, an awesome sound and even the term “boogie fever” sounded funny and cool.
Three years later on The Love Boat, when Captain Steubing invited his sixtysomething dinner guests to join him on the dance floor and boogie, I wanted to throw up.
The reason I’m sharing this nonsense is because the other night I came across this video from 1968, and watched in disbelief. With some help from the ‘Young Folk’, Liberace was on his way to becoming a Flower Child. I couldn’t help but think about the real flower children, the hippies in San Francisco with flowers in their hair. The squares were taking over. I suppose that’s what they always do.
Okay, I’m done—if you have a couple minutes, check this out and tell me if ya think it’s bussin or crashy. (That’s “now” talk for awesome or crazy trashy!)
The other night I was talking with my friend & former coworker Erin, the only person I keep in touch with from my days at UPMC Health Plan. We worked off & on together until my retirement, from 2000-2015.
I’m surprised we even became friends, she’s a bit younger than me. I’ve always been more comfortable with people my age or older, but Erin’s different. Without giving away her age, let’s just say she was born when I was in the 10th grade.
But we worked side by side for years, were sci-fi geeks and fans of The Walking Dead and Big Bang Theory.
Where was I? Oh that’s right—so we’re on the phone the other night, and she asked if I’d ever heard of a book titled “The Fourth Turning” or saw the video on Youtube. Nope.
So later that night I clicked on the youtube link Erin sent me and was very intrigued.
This man explains that throughout American history, from before the Revolutionary War to the present, our country has gone thru the same blocks of history lasting 80 years. Each block is broken into four segments—High, The Awakening, The Unraveling, Crisis.
Here’s a chart of our current history block.
The social scientist goes into elaborate detail on these segments, including ones earlier (for example, our last ‘Crisis’ segment saw the collapse of Wall Street, the Great Depression, the rise of Fascism, WWII).
And then the 80 year cycle began anew. Our history block above.
Here’s what I found particularly fascinating; this video (from 3 years ago) is based on a book written in 1997—where the author forecasts a crisis segment in 11 years, 2008-2028. He had no idea what was coming. But sure enough….
I know one can twist historical events to make anything fit their story. For crying out loud, we celebrate Columbus Day and the man was a slave trader. But you can’t deny we’re going through a pretty epic crisis in American history right now, and have been since 2008.
So… four more years until the cycle begins anew. I wonder if we’re truly on the cusp of the next High around 2028? Fingers crossed. If you want to check out the video, it’s only 10 minutes long and right here. Here’s hoping history repeats itself.
While waiting to recover fully from this long-covid affliction and return to a more normal life, I thought I’d share this video I made almost 16 years ago for my sisters and nieces.
My 19 year old niece Sophia, and my 20 year old Kodak EasyShare camera
I made this in November 2008, as a wistful look back at the nice summer we had, and time spent together. These are my sisters Shawn & Donda-Lin, and nieces Sophia & Drew.
Shawn’s daughter Sophia was close to 4 here, now she’s 19 and completing her first year at college. Donda’s daughter Drew was 15, now she’s almost 31. Where does the time go??
Anyway—I made this at the time using my trusty Kodak Digital camera (seen here) to share on my blog in the fall of ‘08, but changed my mind at the last minute. I think I worried it might look a little too corny or something.
I guess that’s one nice thing about growing older… you don’t worry about those types of things so much.
While I’m waiting for this brain fog & long covid orofacial stuff to go away, I thought I’d share something silly I found (and long forgotten) on the internet Sunday.
Several years after my mom passed and before I retired in 2015, I belonged to an online club called Blammo.
Blammo was a place where we got into some pretty heavy discussions on everything from finances to music—but the focus was on comic books, movies, Doctor Who, classic and contemporary science fiction, Star Trek.
It was mostly guys and we teased each other relentlessly. Some became like brothers.
I was going to do a series of videos on there after the first one got so much feedback, but I worried the guys would see me as a goof and nothing more.
There’s only 4, and they’re only 1-3 minutes long, but if you’re curious to see me jibber-jabber in person so to speak, lisp & all, here ya go.
1. I made this first one to celebrate my 9000th post… MY 9000TH POST
2. That first video got such a positive response….
3. Third time’s the charm? (I was on something in this one)
4. Capped and caffeinated (this is still my favorite ball cap)
The other night I was on Youtube looking for local weather reports from the 1970s (my life is one thrill after another) when I came across a news jingle that surprised me—it was the first time I’d seen it in 45 years.
It was a catchy song from WTAE-TV (our local ABC station) and aired throughout 1977-79, “Hello Pittsburgh, Channel 4 Loves You”.
I remember seeing it often, but never grew tired of it. They produced different shorts of the 'Burgh, and I took pride in where I lived.
Anyway, I started to look into it’s backstory but soon discovered it wasn’t Pittsburgh’s own. (In fact, Milwaukee lays claim to that.) It turns out in the late 1970s thru the mid 1980’s, news stations everywhere aired their own version of it—and not just in this country!
I wound up finding 25 versions of this song, but I’m only sharing my Top 8 here. (Apologies to Witchita, Atlanta, Nashville, Rhode Island, Indiana & Syracuse, among others.) You should watch the ones below, they’re only one minute long—well, except for the last one it’s two minutes—but there’s a good reason.
1. HELLO PITTSBURGH – The video quality isn’t great, but it’s still my favorite. The traffic cop at the end was a downtown fixture for many years and made famous in the movie ‘Flashdance’.
2. HELLO HOUSTON - Space City USA!
3. HELLO MILWAUKEE - Milwaukee aired two versions, one sung by a woman, the other a man. (Pittsburgh did the same.) I think the male version here is smoother.
4. In the Canadian province of Alberta… HELLO CALGARY! Some great aerial shots here, and this was before drones.
5. HELLO SAN DIEGO – I think this one’s the prettiest.
6. HELLO ACADIANA – Hello Acadiana? Oh look, Ron Howard!
7. HELLO MELBOURNE – Yep, Australia! And looking good too.
8. HELLO OSMONDS (HELLO UTAH) – My other video roundups contain an Osmonds clip, why make an exception now?
Isn’t this a great idea? Instead of sitting here twiddling my thumbs, trying to come up with a topic blog-worthy to write about, I can just mash some odds n’ ends together from recent people, places & things swirling around in my brain or on the news.
And just like that, I’ve got a new blog available, suitable for reading, framing, or lining the cat litter box.
So, away we go…
1. This past weekend… Lisa Murkowski (the GOP senator from Alaska and one of the few GOP senators with half a brain) thanked Joe Biden for shooting down a mysterious, cylindrical object hovering over Alaska.
For some reason, the spaceship from the movie ET. the Extra-Terrestrial came to mind. I sure hope this gun-happy country (more like gun happy planet) didn’t shoot down E.T.!
2. This past weekend… I did my taxes early to take advantage of a 30% discount promotion I got in the mail from Turbo-Tax (that expires Monday, February 13).
After doing said taxes, which took 2 hours and 44 minutes because their online software required me to re-type my banking information and the 1099-INT, 1099-DIV, 1099-B & 1099-R forms already downloaded by them, the 30% discount promotional code I received in the mail was rejected as invalid.
The code was: LYAYPYCVBEC5G8. I entered it 6 times before calling the help number, only to be put on hold for 35 minutes. I finally gave up and pressed the ‘Continue’ button, I couldn’t throw away nearly 3 hours of work! I hate you, Turbotax. I HATE YOU SO BAD.
3. This past weekend… Nicholas Colasanto, who played Coach on Cheers, died on this date, February 12, 1985. He was 61 years old.
I mean no disrespect, but he was only 61 years old? I thought Coach was a lot older. I’m 61 years old. Do I look like an old man? I’m not an old man!
4. This past weekend… I watched the movie Tar starring Cate Blanchett, a drama about the Berlin Philharmonic’s first female maestro and came upon a startling realization.
Many actors have looks, many have talent. (I dislike Tom Cruise, but I won’t deny the man has talent.) Cate Blanchett has more; looks and talent and genius. My God, this woman IS a maestro! I didn’t look away the duration of the film.
5. This past weekend… I watched this too. I don’t know what it was, but this young man has talent up the proverbial ying-yang.
Apparently Zhou Shen has become a big deal in China, and deservedly so. But he’s a 30 year old man! How in the world—I’m reminded of that quaint custom the Catholic Church had 200 years ago, when they castrated boys before puberty to keep them sopranos for life.
Well, you never know what China is going to come up with next…
A couple months ago, my sister Shawn let me know that my 18 year old niece Sophia was in her first serious relationship with a boy and his name was Colby. I asked if this Colby was a nice boy, Shawn said yes, he’s nice.
I haven’t heard anything in awhile, so recently I asked if Sophia & Colby were still an item and my sister said yes. I said “So how about a picture of this young man?” I got the pic above. What the—!! These two look like they fell out of the Disney Channel, you have got to be kidding me!
I mean, of course I’m very happy for them (and even happier for my sister that Sophia’s young man isn’t a 32 year old Hell’s Angel) but these two take the cake. I said “So what do they do for fun when they’re not posing for adorable selfies in matching comfy pants?”
Shawn said “Well, they enjoy putting puzzles together” and sent me these 2 pics.
While I was looking these two photos over and wondering if this is what 18 year olds were really doing for fun in the 21st century, my sister sent the one below and remarked they were excited to recently vote in their first election. They’re wearing their “I Voted” stickers.
I said that’s great, but I’ve seen enough.
Frankly, these two were making me feel like white trash. Around the time I was their age during the holidays, I had recently broken up with my chain-smoking girlfriend Sherri and was involved with a girl named Kelly from work. We were invited to her cousin’s trailer for a Christmas party, and inside was a keg (filled with beer I assume) and this metal washtub filled with purple liquid and swollen oranges bobbing around in it.
When I asked what the concoction was, someone said “You want a Purple Jesus? Jesus is the reason for the season!” I learned the liquid was grape kool-aid & grain alcohol. You drop a couple sacks of oranges into the stuff, they soak up the drink and… voila. A Purple Jesus.
While I was mulling over the possibility of trying one and not making it to my 19th birthday, Kelly said “Gimme one of those things!” and chomped into one. A few minutes later, she was face down on the floor, passed out cold. Ah, good times.
Recently, my favorite maintenance man Josh told me they rented #404 (the apartment down the hall from me) to a tall black woman named Chantilly. She was moving in later this week. Chantilly? Like the song Chantilly Lace?
Maybe I’d greet her with a big “Hellooo Baby!” like the Big Bopper when I introduced myself. Anyway, I thought I’d go down the hall and sneak a last peek at the apartment, see if they made any big updates. I know… I’m nosy.
So I’m down there appreciating the new window blinds and sparkle of everything when I decide to head back to my place to change my shoes and go downstairs to the gym. As I carefully open the front door, the tenant in #405 is just coming home and unlocking his own door. Oops, I’m busted.
I say “Um, hi. I live up the hall from you, I was just down here taking a peek at #404 before the new tenant moves in. I hope you don’t turn me in for breaking and entering.”
This guy is big. VERRRY big. He looks like he’s 6’5” and weighs 425 lbs. He has a shaved head and full beard, and is on crutches. He laughs and says “No worries, I was going to check it out too.” He extends his hand. “I’ve seen you around, I’ve been wanting to introduce myself. I’m Alex.”
We exchange some small talk, and a couple things come to mind. This man is the walking definition of a gentle giant. He also strikes me as someone highly educated, he speaks very well. Behind him I can see a couple of nice art pieces on his living room wall.
I finally tell him I should get going and it was nice meeting him, he says likewise and if there’s ever anything I need, please let him know. I tell him I should be the one making that offer, if he doesn’t mind me asking, why is he on crutches? He tells me that on September 30, he was coming home, slipped in some water off the elevator and broke his leg. I said “Good grief! Did you contact building management?” He laughed and said yes, but decided not to sue as he liked living here. I laughed & said goodnight.
The next day, I’m downstairs collecting my mail and see a package from DXL. That’s a clothing company for big & tall men, I wonder if it’s for Alex? Yep, it’s for Alex P, in Apt #405. I bring the package upstairs and set it by his front door, return to my own apartment, get on my laptop and do a little sleuthing.
I find Alex—rather, his professional bio. I’m shocked at the irony.
Later that day, I run into my friend & neighbor Opal. I tell her about #404 being rented out, and ask if she ever talked to Alex in #405 and what a nice person he is. She says no, but she’s seen him and wondered why he was on crutches.
I said I knew why, and wait until she hears what he does for a living.
After I told her how he slipped to the ground and broke his leg, she said “I thought you said he broke it inside? The ground is outside.” I said “Okay, the floor then. He slipped on the floor.”
Opal said “Where?” I said “Off the elevator.” Opal said “How?” I said “He said he slipped in some water.” Opal said “I thought he fell inside.” I said “HE DID. THE WATER WAS INSIDE. ON THE FLOOR.”
Opal said “On our floor? I didn’t see any water on the floor.”
I said “It didn’t happen today, it happened September 30.” Opal said “Why did you wait to tell me now? Why didn’t you tell me then?”
I said “Did you have a stroke recently I’m not aware of? I have to go now before I do something I’ll regret.” Opal is clapping her hands and laughing now. She says “Haha! Did I get you fired up Doug? Hold on, what did you mean by wait until I hear what he does?”
I said “HE’S A PERSONAL INJURY LAWYER. AND I HOPE HE CAN RECOMMEND A GOOD DEFENSE ATTORNEY BECAUSE I MAY NEED ONE SOON.”
This morning I heard a news report that the gay rom-com “Bros” was flopping at the box office, and the director, producers and stars of the film were blaming it on several things:
The Midwest, homophobic people & straight men in general.
I know its received many positive reviews, but I was curious; did it include a lot of physical action? I did some googling and discovered it had nudity, sex, “lusty kissing”. I’m sorry, but I don’t want to see men doing that with each other.
I AM NOT HOMOPHOBIC. Far from it, I get along with gay men better than straight ones, and have often been asked if I was gay myself. (Well, I prefer musicals over sports and my all-time favorite entertainer is Judy Garland!)
I just don’t enjoy watching same-sex intimacy, be it men OR women. I gave up watching Batwoman on the CW last year, because at the end of every episode, Batwoman had a make-out session with her girlfriend with some heavy-duty smooching. Blecch.
It just occurred to me… I don’t like seeing ANYBODY kissing like that!
But a couple nights ago I watched the new English comedy Brian and Charles, and THESE two men I could watch & enjoy together all day. The movie is funny as it is charming, it’s quirky and original as they come. It’s about a quiet, bearded man named Brian who lives on a small farm in the English countryside. He’s lonely, and spends his time building odd inventions like egg-belts (you know, to carry eggs around) and flying cuckoo clocks so the townfolk can look up to the sky and see the time.
His inventions always fail, but he doesn’t let that deter him.
And then one day Brian finds an old washing machine & mannequin’s head at the local dump, and decides he’ll build a robot. He’s both amazed and delighted when the robot comes to life and gives itself a last name, and the two quickly become the best of friends.
There is one scene where Brian is in the kitchen cooking cabbage, and the robot comes in, stands there for a moment then begins doing a little dance. Brian says “What’s that you’re doing? Is that a jig, Charles? Are you doing a jig because I’m cookin’ your favorite, cabbage?” The robot dances harder. I can’t explain it, but I was laughing so hard I was crying, and the VERY NEXT MINUTE I was wiping my eyes for another reason altogether.
I don’t want to give anymore away, but I WILL say I am choosing this movie as my Favorite Movie of 2022. (In 2021 it was The Batman, in 2020 it was Saint Maud.)
If you have a couple minutes, please watch the trailer below. If you have Peacock Premium, do yourself a favor and watch the entire film.
It’s that special. And you won’t see anything more physical than a hug.
Here I am, Thursday morning. It’s 7:22am and I’m sitting on my ‘stretching blanket’ in front of my sofa, looking if there’s anything good to watch on Hulu after I finish this blog and before I make some breakfast.
I’m already on my second cup of coffee, I’ve been up for 90 minutes or so. The last couple weeks I’ve been going to bed early and getting up around 5:30am.
Is that a sign of aging, I wonder? Going to bed earlier? I was pooped last night by 9:30, in bed asleep at 10pm.
The reason you’re looking at my legs here is because this time tomorrow, I’ll be on a bus headed downtown so someone else can look at them too.
I have an appointment tomorrow morning at Mercy Hospital with my Egyptian PCP Dr. Nefrititi, to do a 6-8 month re-evaluation of my heart & hypertension drugs. (I take two doses of Carvedilol during the day to regulate my heartbeat, Amlodipine in the PM for blood pressure.)
The last time I saw my doctor in December, I was dealing with some pretty severe fluid retention. My legs and feet were swollen so bad they ‘wept’ at night, it was difficult to get around sometimes too. I wondered if the amlodipine was worsening things and asked to be switched to another drug, but she said my BP numbers were in stroke territory, and felt this med was best for the time being.
Still, they took a LOT of pictures of my legs from every angle with an iphone to add to my patient record.
She told me to commit to a daily exercise regimen, and in 6 months we’d re-evaluate the meds. Since then, my legs have shrunk considerably and I’ve lost 25 pounds. I use a treadmill 5 times a week, Sunday nights and Monday thru Thursday afternoons. I set the incline to 2 and the speed to 2.3, a pretty brisk pace.
I do 4 laps (with a 2 minute breather between laps) which takes around 30 minutes.
Here’s some proof of my daily regimen, the fitness Center’s sign-in sheet for May
Anyway, I’d like to lose another 30-35 lbs (and plan to), I just want to continue doing it without fad dieting. As for tomorrow, I’m hoping she takes a look at my lower BP numbers and skinny legs, and reduces these meds.
To be honest, the past several days haven’t been great. Last week, Pennie (my state’s health insurance marketplace) notified me my account was flagged and I could lose my insurance in 15 days due to income discrepancies. Saturday morning my laptop went black (my charger died). On Sunday I was peeing blood (sorry), and on Monday morning I walked into my bathroom and the floor was flooded! They wound up taking out my toilet and asked if I had some place I could stay for a day or two—nope!
Since then, things have turned around. I spoke to my urologist (who allayed my fears about the blood in my urine), got things with Pennie resolved and a new toilet installed yesterday. And then last night, a FedEx person buzzed me downstairs; he had the replacement charger & battery for my 5 day dead laptop.
I was more than ready to crank out a nice long boring blog post!
Now I can go back to worrying about finding a new chair… hopefully an update on that soon.
On an unrelated note, can I share some heartache here? This past Sunday morning, I was watching a tribute video to Olivia Newton-John on Youtube.
After the video I was reading the comments, and one person wrote “And RIP Judith Durham”. What?
I did a quick google search and sure enough, Judith Durham died at age 79 on August 5. I am heartbroken. Two of my favorite female voices of the 1960s were Lulu’s “To Sir With Love” and Judith Durham (and the Seekers) “Georgy Girl”.
Olivia deserves all the fanfare, but how is it I’m just now learning about Judith? (And for the record, unlike many singers, Judith never lost her voice as she got older. She sounded as youthful at 75 as she did at 25.)
I thought I’d end this post with one of my favorite Seekers videos. The title couldn’t be more fitting. RIP Judith, you will be loved and missed.
FOLLOW-UP TO MY 6 MONTH EVALUATION WITH THE DOCTOR
Fri, Aug.19 - I met with Dr. Nefrititi this morning at 8:30, both she and her nursing staff couldn’t have been nicer or more encouraging. Dr.Nef gave me a new goal to lose 15 lbs before my next visit in 3 months, but “no more than a pound a week”. Um, the math doesn’t work out there!
Anyway, she told me to accept the fact I would most likely be on these meds for the rest of my life. By re-evaluation and possibly dropping them, she only meant if the current drugs weren’t working as intended.
Thanks for all of your awesome & encouraging comments, everyone.
Yesterday (Thursday) morning, I awoke feeling a lot more refreshed than usual. I rolled over on my right and looked at my alarm clock. Wow! It was still early, 6:15am and I was fully awake. It occurred to me I hadn’t woken up even once to go to the bathroom during the night. When has that happened last? I honestly can’t remember.
Feeling revved up, I thought “You know what I’m going to do? I’m going to put on my baggy Champion shorts and dead man’s walking shoes. I’ll take a brisk, one mile walk then come home and watch the next episode of Westworld on HBO Max while eating my Wheaties with a sliced banana.”
After I brushed my teeth and put my shorts on, I brought my shoes into the livingroom to lace up while watching the local news. After turning on my tv, I heard this.
Yesterday afternoon, 52 year old Bryce Tacy of Washington County walked outside and shot his neighbor in the back of the head, 44 year old Jerry Anderson who was mowing his lawn on his riding lawnmower. Tacy then went back into his house and refused to come out when the police showed up. A SWAT team was called, and talked Mr. Tacy outside after 30 minutes.
Do you know what Tacy did next? He begged the police not to take him to jail, because he was too small to go to prison. Shouldn’t you have thought of that before gunning down your neighbor in cold blood, Mr. Tacy? Where do you expect them to take you, Candyland?
Jerry Anderson leaves behind a wife and 2 teenaged twin boys. As for Bryce Tacy, he has a 28 year old son who doesn’t live at home anymore—but a wife who will probably have to sell their nice home to pay for a defense attorney. His life, for the most part is over.
Just another day in gun-happy USA.
I wish there was something happier to watch in the morning, before guns took over. Back in my grade school days, I was always the first one out of bed on school mornings. Dad was usually gone at the crack of dawn (coal mining construction) and us kids let Mom sleep, as she often worked nights at Fisher’s Big Wheel (a local department store). I would come downstairs, turn on the tv and while the Farm Report droned on I’d take my navy shower and get dressed for school.
My youngest sister Courtney wasn’t born yet, and the next-to-youngest sibs Steve & Donda were too young to go to school, but I’d wake up my older brother Duke next and sister Shawn. Then, bowl of Post Toasties in hand, I’d sit down in front of the TV to watch New Zoo Revue.
I loved New Zoo Revue—actually, I loved Emmy Jo, in her smart miniskirts and white go-go boots. And of course, Doug because he could play the guitar (and his name was Doug). Here’s the show’s opener, it’s goofy as hell and still great.
That’s it, I’m done. Happy Memorial Day, everyone.
I have 6 folders on Youtube: YT movies, TMJ Exercises, Videos to Watch Later, Food Vids, ASMR Vids (designed to help you sleep) and finally ODDS N’ ENDS.
Those are videos (mostly music videos) I like to watch more than once for all sorts of odd reasons.
I like to share them here when I collect ten or more, but I’m going with a smaller number now. Do you collect Youtube videos?
Danny & Armi, pop star royalty in 1970s Finland made famous on Youtube with “I Wanna Love You Tender”
Anyway, enough with the jibber-jabber; time to watch some music videos!
7. “They Don’t Know” by Tracey Ullman, 1983
This past season on Curb Your Enthusiasm, I watched with unbridled glee as 60something Tracey Ullman played a somewhat gross, pap smeary councilwoman who Larry David seduces to get the law changed about a fence surrounding his pool. Brilliant as ever, and I can’t believe she’s only 2 years older than me!
It took me back to the first time I saw her, on MTV and her hit single below. It was love at first sight 40 years ago, and it is again today.
6. “Clair” by Gilbert O’Sullivan, 1972
When you look up and smile, I don't care what people say, To me you're more than a child… oh Clair
This is a curious song, a medley of sweet & strange. I’m sure in 1972 it was charming and innocent, but watching this 50 years later while listening to those lyrics… I feel uneasy. I can’t imagine someone attempting this today.
Clair (in her 50s now) defends Gilbert’s song, insisting he was a friend of her family and the caring was (and still is) genuine. Got it, Clair!
5. “Can’t Cry Hard Enough” by Andy & David Williams, 1992
If you grew up in the late 60s/early 70s, you might remember this pair. They were twin nephews of Andy Williams and had a hit song “Say It Again” which they sang on The Partridge Family. But for all their talent and teen magazine Tiger Beat’s efforts, they never found real success.
Twenty years later, they hit the charts again with this song. It’s wonderful. I heard it shortly after my mom passed in 2004 and it still makes me cry today.
4. “Here, There & Everywhere” by Claudine Longet, 1967
Speaking of Andy Williams, remember his teen bride Claudine Longet? (He was in his thirties when they wed, she was only 18.) Then she divorced him, manslaughtered her ski instructor/lover in 1976 and Andy came to her rescue!
Anyway, while this is NOT an ASMR video (designed to make you sleep) it should be. It’s the last thing I’ve been listening to every night for a couple weeks now, and it knocks me right out.
3. “Remember Me” by The Osmonds
I know, I know—I can’t seem to do one of these music video blogs without the Osmonds. Well I can’t help it, I love these guys—and while this one’s on the sappier side, I like how it manages to give each brother a brief solo.
2. “Always Look on the Bright Side of Life” featuring the North Korean Military, 2022
The only thing I love more than North Korean propaganda is North Korean SATIRE, and this video steals the show. If you can only watch one of these, watch this one—it’s fabulous. Move over Monty Python!
1. “Run to You” Whitney Houston cover by Lucy Thomas, 2022
I included Lucy in my last video roundup, I like her that much. You wouldn’t know she’s British by listening to her rendition of this Whitney Houston song, but if you wait to the end she’ll say a brief, thoughtful thank you which gives her accent away.
There is just something “old school” about this young lady, and I hope she doesn’t change her tune anytime soon.
A few days ago, my sister Shawn sent me this photo she’d found in an old wallet, which brought back a flood of memories. This was the first time I’d seen it in over 35 years.
The picture is from 1984-85. I was in my early twenties, a couple years after I’d dropped out of college (and a couple years before I’d go back). It was a time in my life when I did a lot of clubbing, and every weekend I’d go with a couple coworkers or my friend Dan across the state line to Morgantown, West Virginia.
The Foxes Den, The Chess Box, The Double Decker (with a gay bar in it’s basement) were the clubs we frequented.
They all blared 80’s music, and were filled with people our age wearing pastel sweaters or polo shirts (with the collars turned up) and drinking fuzzy navels or Bartles & Jaymes wine coolers.
I was enamored with a Chinese girl I’d met at one of those clubs, Sue Lin. Sue was a law intern, very hip, a real knockout. The first time I asked her to dance, she said “Sorry Nice Guy, I’m on my cycle!” which took me a full minute to grasp. I thought it was her way of telling me to scram, until the following week when she approached me and said “Nice Guy, still want to dance?” Yes! I even remember the song we danced to, Madonna’s ‘Crazy For You’.
(To be honest, on the rare occasion I hear that song on an oldies station on the radio, I think of Sue.)
We’d sit and talk between songs sometimes, but never exchanged any real information like phone numbers. I knew better than to ask, I was not in her league.
This went on for several weeks, and then one Saturday night we were laughing and carrying on more than usual, and when my friends said it was time to go, she offered to give me a ride home. I reminded her I lived across the state line, a 30 minute drive, but she was okay with it.
On the way to Waynesburg Pa, Sue asked if I had my own place and I said yes and no. I wasn’t living at home with my parents, but was sharing a place with my sister. Our grandmother on our mom’s side had recently been placed in a nursing home and we were living in her small home (and barely keeping the lights on with our low paying jobs in retail).
We pulled up in front of the house around 2am, and while I debated inviting her in, she asked if she could come in and use the bathroom. I said of course, and invited her to crash on the sofa until morning. I was surprised when she said yes, and she asked if my sister would mind. I said “Why would she mind?”
So, one thing led to another and she spent the night but didn’t spend it on the couch. The next thing I know, it was around 8am, and I heard Sue’s voice VERY clearly say “No who are YOU.” It came from the kitchen, which was right outside my bedroom. I jumped up from bed, grabbed my robe and rushed in there.
At the sink stood Sue, wearing nothing but my black t-shirt with the words SUCCESS IS EVERYTHING across the front. At the doorway which led to the basement was my dad, in his “plastering gear”.
Dad kept his trowels and plastering supplies in Grandma’s basement, which you could get to from outside. He stored it there for jobs in town, and would come up the cellar steps to the kitchen for a cup of coffee. My sister & I didn’t drink the stuff, but Dad kept a jar of Taster’s Choice Instant Coffee in our kitchen cupboard. It was sitting out, where Sue had awakened before me and decided to fix herself a cup.
I said “Sue, this is my dad, he keeps his plastering stuff downstairs. Dad, this is a friend of mine, her name is Sue…” Dad just stood there. Finally he said “Get her out of here before your sister wakes up” and went back down the cellar steps. I turned to Sue and said “I am so sorry—he can be pretty old fashioned when it comes to—“ and she said “I just want to get out of here!” and hurried past me into my room.
(When she got into her car, I saw she was still wearing my favorite t-shirt. Darn it! Oh well, letting her have that shirt was the least I could do.)
After she drove off, I went back into the house, got dressed and sat down at the kitchen table with a bowl of cereal. My dad came back up from the basement at the same time my sister Shawn stumbled into the kitchen rubbing her eyes. She asked “What’s going on?” and Dad said “When you come home for Thanksgiving next week, I don’t want you bringing him.”
Shawn looked even more confused and said “Why? I’m not coming without Doug..” Dad shook his head and left without saying another word. Shawn said “What did you do?”
I honestly can’t remember what I said.
Later on, Mom called and said “Your dad told me what happened.” I said “Yeah, I think he disowned me.” Mom said “He says he caught you with one of those geisha girls while your sister was asleep in the next room, what did you expect! Was she a prostitute?”
I said “That’s not how it went down, and she wasn’t a geisha girl and she wasn’t a prostitute!” Mom said “You mind telling me what he got right?” I said “She works for a law firm in Morgantown, she’s Chinese and Dad saw her in the kitchen.”
Mom said “Yeah, naked!” I said “Not totally naked, she was wearing one of my t-shirts!” Mom said “Jesus, Doug!”
She said “Well you know how he feels about these people, because of Pearl Harbor and the war when he was a boy. You should write him a letter and tell him how sorry--“ I said “Mom, I’m not apologizing for his racism!” She said “Fine, you do what you want! But if he never talks to you again, don’t come crying to me!”
Dad and I weren’t exactly on speaking terms for several weeks, and a couple weeks passed before I saw Sue at the club again. When I did, I just waved & smiled, and she did the same. Finally one night I got the chance to tell her how sorry I was for what had happened, and she said “Listen, if my dad thought we were dating it would’ve been sooo much worse!”
When I asked if it was because I wasn’t Chinese, she said “No because you’re a college dropout!”
A couple of nights ago, I was doing my customary ‘read for 1/2 hour, watch Youtube for 1/2 hour’ on my tablet before going to sleep when it occurred to me it’s been a year since I shared my last collection of favorite music videos.
For those of you unfamiliar with my selection criteria, every so often I come across a song or tune that just sticks in my craw.
If I watch it more than 4-5 times in the space of a month, it earns a spot on my blog wall! So in pretty much ascending order (definitely saving the best for last…)
10. “I Still Have Faith in You” by ABBA, 2021
Who would’ve believed it, the legendary group ABBA returning after 40 years? While I’m sure their reunion’s a short lived one (and what do you think of their younger CGI counterparts in this video), it still has been exciting seeing and hearing them perform together again.
9. “Lonely Nights (Angel Face)” by Captain & Tennille, 1976
Toni Tennille once said in an interview she had difficulty with this song, because of her own struggles with Daryl; it made her teary inside. Well, she looked about as teary as a bag of Jiffy Pop popcorn here! Still, she could belt out a tune and always gave me something to smile about. Love you Toni.
8. “We Got the Beat” by The Go-Go’s (Live from the Today Show) 2020
I saw this live back in September 2020 on the Today Show, and wondered briefly if I had any hormones remaining for Jane Wiedlin. In a word, YES. (She’s the curvy one with gray spikes jumping around.) But don’t they all sound great?
7. “How Do You Handle a Hungry Man” Campbell’s Manhandlers Soup Commercial, 1970s
Back around 1973 when I was in Boy Scouts, Brad Martin would cup his privates with both of his hands and sing either the Burger King jingle “It takes two hands to handle a Whopper” or this Campbells jingle below. He’d laugh so hard it made us laugh too!
Gee I liked Brad, he was a goof but a good egg.
6. “I Bet” by Shuba, 2021
Shuba was in my last music roundup, courtesy of Peter Tibbles from Australia who turned me on to her with a video of her singing along to Brian May’s guitar. I quickly became a fan of this young woman (and her sense of humor, as you’ll see here).
5. “Head Over Heels” by The Go-Go’s, 1984
What can I tell you… after seeing their sixtysomething counterparts on Today, I HAD to watch all of the Go-Go’s 80’s videos again. I liked this one best, I’ve probably watched it 20 times. (And if Belinda Carlisle is competing with Jane Wiedlin for my attention, they both won!)
4. “Sweet Jaime” (sung by) Lee Majors, 1976
Do you remember this storyline on The Six Million Dollar Man? Jaime was Steve Austin’s fiance. He talks her into going skydiving, her parachute fails, she breaks every bone in her body. Steve convinces Oscar Goldman to give her bionic parts like his own. They save her life, but Jaime forgets she was in love with Steve; so to be with her, he must pretend they’re only friends.
Meanwhile in real life, Lee Majors was fighting to get his wife Farrah Fawcett-Majors to come home after she left him for Ryan O’Neal. “Doug, were you really feeling sorry for the Six Million Dollar Man back then?”
“Yes! My heart isn’t made of stone, y’know!”
3. “When You Believe” from The Prince of Egypt (sung by) Lucy & Martha Thomas, 2021
A month ago after watching a special about Steven Spielberg’s West Side Story, I went on Youtube to do a search for songs from the movie. A girl named Lucy Thomas kept appearing in the results. Who’s Lucy Thomas?
It turns out, a very talented young woman from England, with a wide catalog of songs on her channel.
I’ve been listening to many of them, I predict big things for her. Here, 17 year old Lucy sings with her 11 year old sister Martha. It’s both sweet and a little old school, in the best way. These girls are terrific.
2. “Abhor-Rent: 525,600 Minutes Since the Insurrection” from The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, 2022
I admit it. A week ago (January 6, to be exact) I spent the day glowering. It’s been one year since Trump incited his white trash minions to overthrow democracy, so why in the world is this fascist phony still walking free??
By bedtime, my head was ready to explode! Thankfully, Stephen Colbert saved the day (and my head) with this AWESOME show-opener.
1. “To Sir With Love” (sung by) Lulu, 1967
I actually began watching this updated video of Lulu’s biggest hit around 3 months ago when it was first posted on Youtube. Love the song, the artist, love the movie. Sidney Poitier’s recent passing makes it even more poignant.
