Author Topic: ...Izee's Thread  (Read 505091 times)

Offline MageNathaniel1

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Re: ...Izee's Thread
« Reply #1245 on: November 22, 2022, 07:34:36 PM »
At least you got on well with the conductor and his wife was able to advise on when to come in. Smiles

Offline Izee

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Re: ...Izee's Thread
« Reply #1246 on: November 27, 2022, 09:33:40 PM »
...Dogs, I really wish I could have one, but I have a deathly allergy to anything with fur or feathers...and pollens and other such things.  When I first went to summer camp as a young child, I was hauled to the local ER in the middle of the night because of a bad asthma attack.  The blanket was made from wool.  So, I was one of those 'special kids' that brought her own sheets, blanket, and pillow to summer camp.  As a child, I had to get injections every week, one in each arm, to help me cope with allergies and asthma.  To anyone who doesn't have asthma, it is a scary disease.  If I just TOUCHED a dog or a cat, or stayed close to one for too long, I would get a bad asthma attack.  Those were scary.  My lungs seemed to close up.  I would open my mouth wide, and pull on my breathing muscles to try to get in air, and only a little bit of air would get in, and I would gasp again.  My lungs seemed to fill with fluid, and I would cough up lungful after lungful of green and yellow fluids.  My parents would call our MD, he lived and had an office nearby, I played with his son, and a few times he came by and gave me an injection and put a mask over my face that forced air in and out until I recovered.  But, I would be very weak for the rest of the day. 

I must have an aura that attracts animals...dogs and cats always walk over to me, and want to be friendly...or...they know I am allergic and want to torment me.  My allergies have improved a lot, so I can pet a dog, or hold a cat in my hands for a little while, but I have to wash my hands right away, and I do keep my rescue inhaler close if I know I am going to be around animals.  My daughters' rats loved me.  (At least something loved me... :-* ) I would set a towel on my lap, and feed one tidbits and pet it, and it would go to sleep after a while.

Rats grind their teeth when they are content, guinea pigs chatter their teeth when they are angry.  We had 'pigs' (We left off guinea when we talked about them).  It was easier to just say, "You won't believe what the pigs did today" than to include the extra word.  Our Mother was very frugal, she grew up in a small town on the border with Mexico, and we didn't have much money when my brother and I were little.  So, rather than buying lettuce and cabbage from the supermarket, she would go in the back and ask for free scraps of vegetables for the animals.  She met a new clerk, and asked him for lettuce for our 'pigs', and he was bewildered, saying, I didn't know pigs ate lettuce, and we just have a few scraps".  She laughed, and said, "I mean for our little guinea pigs."  She always came home with bags of 'discarded' vegetables.  I would go through the bags, alone, and pull out what look fresh and good, and eat it myself.

I figured that rats had similar mannerisms, and once my daughter was holding a large male rat in her arms, and it started grinding its teeth.  I said, very softly, "A-----, stand up carefully, and gently put the rat back in the cage, it is getting angry...it is grinding it's teeth."  She did, and we were both puzzled, it stood and looked around when it was back in the cage, it was calm and wanted to be picked up again.  She read a small book about domesticated rats, and showed me that they grind their teeth when they are content, it is a rat's version of 'purring'.  So from then on, around our household, the kids would call out "Mom, a MAD RAT" when a rodent was content.  I would call back, "Put it down, carefully, and RUN!!!  Don't panic, just RUN!!!"

...I just re-read what I wrote...and boy...what a ramble.  I had a great insight on dogs that I wanted to make...Sounds like one of my "Opening Statements" I made in Court.  Not really, I was always short and precise when I presented a case.  I would hide a smile when the plaintiffs' attorney made an hour long opening statement in a simple case.  I could see the Jury getting bored and irritated.  I would take 10 or 15 minutes, and talk about the case, and leave out the crap about how wonderful the Jury System was and how appreciative we were that they were serving.  I knew that they had been 'drafted', and just wanted to get their service over. 

Better finish...I started to ramble again.   :P

Offline MageNathaniel1

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Re: ...Izee's Thread
« Reply #1247 on: November 28, 2022, 06:05:37 PM »
Nothing wrong with rambling smiles. I too have allergies and asthma so can relate.most of my allergies are to dust and pollen more than animal fur but oddly I am very very allergic to orange tabby cats, no other breed, jist orange tabbies, cannot even be in the same room with one or I go into an asthma attack. Typing this with my own tuxedo cat laying next to me. We have had many animals through the years, dogs, rabbits, a guiniea pig, cats etc. So am used to various animal behaviours smiles

Offline Izee

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Re: ...Izee's Thread
« Reply #1248 on: November 29, 2022, 09:11:17 AM »
...Never heard of an allergy limited to Orange Cats, Nate, when you can have a Tuxedo Cat in your house.  Sounds like an excellent reason to have a study, you ought to see if Biden will give you a $25,000,000 Grant to study the phenomenon.  When you get the Grant, send me $5,000,000, after all, it is MY IDEA, and you can call it a 'Consulting Fee.  (Please send it all in cash, and don't make a record of it, so I can just stuff the green into my pillowcase, and sleep with it and not tell the Revenooers about it.   ;D )

I like Tuxedo Cats, there was a male that lived next door, and he would come over and visit when he heard that I was in the back yard.  He wasn't very demanding, he just wanted to get a short pet, and then he would sit or lay down on the grass, and just look around.  I would feed him when his family went away for a while, so I guess he saw me as some sort of family member.  Plus, often I would be eating something that was OK for cats to eat, and he would get a snack.

When my personal obligations allow me, I do plan to move out of CA, the State in INSANE!!!  I kinda laugh when I hear that TX, AZ, and NV are worried that migrating Californians will bring their pinkish commie politics with them, and try to change their States into CA.  Believe me, when I arrive in a new State, I will be relieved that I am not having to deal with CA politics, and probably won't vote in local Elections until I understand what is going on.  The people I talk to in CA who are going to move, or already did move, have the same mindset as me.  We are SICK of open Borders, lack of support for the Police, and the GENERAL STUPIDITY of our politicians.  I hear that the Politicians are upset over the lack of Minorities as Air Traffic Controllers, so, they are talking about lowering the Standards to become one.  Isn't that just INSANITY???  If I was a Pilot, I would just want the most qualified people to be the Controllers, and wouldn't give a DAMN about their Race, Sex, or Sexual Orientation.  I believe that the passengers would feel the same, although I suspect some IDIOT LIBERAL passengers would be upset because their plane wasn't being guided in by a half blind lesbian Lebanese crossdressing Anarchist.  Modern day Liberalism is REALLY a Mental Disorder.  I did once speak here of a very intelligent woman friend who was a liberal, and we had a spirited debate at a time when the Liberals controlled CA, and the State was in a downward spiral because of insane Laws and Regulations being passed by them.  I brought the Laws to her attention, and showed how everyone agreed that they were bad for CA, and were causing the downturn, and asked her how she could support such politicians.  She finally just shouted at me...I mean...she really did shout "I DON'T GIVE A DAMN IF THE STATE GOES TO HELL, AS LONG AS THE DEMOCRATS ARE IN CONTROL!!!"  I stopped discussing politics with her after that, there was no point.  Our Educational system is controlled by the Dems, over 90% of teachers are registered as Democrats, and they are really INDOCTRINATING the children, NOT educating them.  Private and Religious Schools are flourishing.  Responsible parents are sending their children to them, even though they have to pay, rather than have their children ruined by the Public Schools.

Now, Biden and the Dems have opened our Borders, it is predicted that when Title 42 lapses on 12/21, we will have 20,000 illegals A DAY trying to cross the border.  The Criminal Cartels will see to that.  They are bringing people from all over the World to the Border, and charging them $10,000 to get into the USA.  There are HUGE camps of illegals camping out on the South side of the Rio Grande who will swarm across on 12/22.  I can testify, from personal experience, that the Rio Grande has MANY areas where the water is mostly waist deep.  When I was a child, and we visited relatives in Texas in a town that was on the border, my Brother and I easily waded, and swam a few yards to get across the river.  There was a nice rock on the Mexican side that had a deep pool beside it.  So, we would cross into Mexico, climb on the rock, and dive off, and then wade back into the good ol USA.  (Gee, I just CONFESSED to illegally entering another Country.  I also did eat the wild berries I found in Mexico, so that is probably another Felony.   ::) )

Thing is, I just can't blame the illegals.  If I was a poor peasant in South America, and was told that if I made it into the USA that I would be given a place to live that had floors and a roof, and a bed, and I would be given food, clothing and medical care and a chance to get a job, I would EAGERLY agree to pay $10,000 as I earned it and do what they told me to do.  And, I would probably let the Cartel members fuck me if they wanted to. 

What a mess the Dems have gotten us in to.  I will be TOTALLY pissed if the Republicans, when they take over the House don't try to do something to close the border again.  No other civilized Country in the World would allow this.

Offline MageNathaniel1

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Re: ...Izee's Thread
« Reply #1249 on: November 29, 2022, 07:02:19 PM »
Lol on the research idea and while I am certified to perform research involving human subjects, this is not my field and I do not think the government would fund such a limited scope research project, although they do pay people to count mosquitoes in florida so who knows. I do knoe I cannot be anywhere near an orange tabby though but all other cats are fine. Smiles on you and your neighbours cat.

I agree with your desire to leave ca and do not blame you. I do not agree with the liberal policies of the dems and it only seems to get worse year by year sighs.

Offline Izee

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Re: ...Izee's Thread
« Reply #1250 on: December 01, 2022, 10:42:41 PM »
...Oh, how times have changed... ::)

My elderly Mother wanted to watch the Dolly Parton Christmas Show this evening, so we put it on...but changed the channel pretty quickly.  Mom was hoping for a soft, uplifting show that celebrated this time of year, with nice singing of Carols and dancing.  They were signing Christmas related and referenced songs, but the one that we changed the channel on had, as a recurring lyric....

..."Go to Hell"...

"Go to Hell" in a Christmas Song???? On a show during prime time by a reputable entertainer????    :o :o :o :o :o

Now, don't get me wrong, I am pretty jaded and can tolerate, and instigate, very improper things that I believe are funny.  But, this was a bit too strange, even for me.   :P

Offline MageNathaniel1

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Re: ...Izee's Thread
« Reply #1251 on: December 02, 2022, 07:15:17 PM »
I agree and no idea how anyone vould think that is acceptable for a Christmas show. Sighs

Offline Izee

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Re: ...Izee's Thread
« Reply #1252 on: December 03, 2022, 01:09:14 AM »
...*Shakes Head*

Switzerland is anticipating a very cold winter, and due to the paucity of electricity, is going to forbid the use of Electric Vehicles unless absolutely necessary.  They need to use their electricity to warm homes and such, and won't be able to charge EVs. 

The Libs and Dems here are urging ALL of us to get EV's, and we already have shortages of electricity here in the good ol USA.  They talk about rolling blackouts here in sunny CA, and I read that other States are counseling citizens.  So, when we ALL get EVs, we will just sit at home during the winter, and only drive to the store to buy food.  Or probably sit at home during the summer, too, since the AC's are running.  But, but....WAIT!!!!  I have the ANSWER!!!   ;D

We will stick a wind farm propellor on top of all of our cars, and it will rotate as we drive and create electricity!!!

Offline MageNathaniel1

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Re: ...Izee's Thread
« Reply #1253 on: December 03, 2022, 07:40:41 PM »
Lol on the windfarm on the evs. And yes the dems have not thought out tue ev concept properly not to mention at the same time wanting everyone to switch to evs they are getting rid of coal and natural gas based power plants thus lowering the amlunt of electricity generated. Shakes head

Offline Izee

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Re: ...Izee's Thread
« Reply #1254 on: December 04, 2022, 05:21:40 AM »
...Gabriel Faure'...what a COMPOSER!!!  I will need to buy a biography on him, his music is so inspirational.  We all know 'Pavane', it is very commonly played.  IMHO, his Requiem truly was inspired!!!   :)  I have sang, and played cello in the work several times.  We performed the Requiem at Conservatory in my Frosh year, and the choral Director would kick me out of the Choral Class, and tell me to practice the cello part since I was the Principal Cellist.  (And hurt my GPA by giving me a "C" in the class.  I might have hit Summa Cum Laude except for that damn "C"   >:( >:( >:( >:( >:( )

This section, "Agnus Dei", is so soothing...and has, IMHO, one of the most BEAUTIFUL chord progression starting at 2:18.  This is the section where, in Choral Class, we all just stopped and stared at each other in amazement during the first rehearsal.  I had a 'mental orgasm' during that first time, the music just locked into a portion of my brain, and my body got hot and I felt very weak when we finished.  I was able to maintain my composure more when I was in the orchestra, but I would still get very warm.

Amazing what our brains can do to our bodies.   :) :)

https://youtu.be/q1FKoPO-S2w

Offline MageNathaniel1

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Re: ...Izee's Thread
« Reply #1255 on: December 04, 2022, 08:01:14 PM »
Music has a way of youching many parts og our being invoking responses like nearly nothing else can

Offline Izee

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Re: ...Izee's Thread
« Reply #1256 on: December 04, 2022, 10:09:37 PM »
Watching a concert on PBS, they are performing 'Le Miserables'...and I am in tears for so much of the time.  Watching live performers who are acting the part is much more moving than just listening to the music.

 Reminds me of playing in Pit Orchestras.  You would NOT BELIEVE what can go on in the Pit.  The audience, and the Performers, couldn't see us, so we just did what we wanted.  We would pass food around.  Once we passed around a jug of wine...the Director YELLED AT US after the show for doing that, so we apologized...and brought in little bottles and hid them from him after that.  In Pit Orchestras, I was often set at the very edge of the group, on the far left of the conductor, the string bass behind me, so I was alone.  I often knew the bass player, and we would pass snacks and rude notes to each other.  He would slip porno Pictures in my part, I would turn a page and see a large ----, or a gaping -----, and just turn the page and stumble through the next few measures.  I told him that I would KILL HIM if he ever did that to one of my solos.  He did once...I did OK, I always memorized my solos so I could focus and blend with the singer.  So, I came in early to the pit one evening, and wrote very insulting and rude notes all over his part.  He spent the intermission erasing, cussing me out...as I giggled.  ;)

We all wore pajamas one time, and the cast were laughing at us at the end.  They said that it was hard to stay in Char when the orchestra was looking like it just got out of bed.

 I often gave a 'cue note' to a singer.  This would happen when there was a long dialogue, and then the Char had to start singing at the same time that the orchestra came in, or before the orchestra started.  The cello is the instrument closest to the human voice, so I would softly play the first note of the singers song, and hold it for a moment, so he or she could adjust their voice.  Once, I was distracted, and didn't play the note right away, and I heard a throat clearing from the stage, and looked up, and the Bass/Baritone was standing on the edge of the stage looking down at me.  I quickly started playing the note, and he started singing.  The Conductor did tell me to FOCUS during a performance.  It happened during a light moment, and the song was comic, so my mistake didn't ruin the storyline.  I actually thought of proposing that we add it to the musical, but the Director had no sense of humor. 

Offline MageNathaniel1

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Re: ...Izee's Thread
« Reply #1257 on: December 05, 2022, 07:28:26 PM »
Directors never seem to have a sense of humour have been in a few theatrical troupes and found the directors always are too serious

Offline Izee

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Re: ...Izee's Thread
« Reply #1258 on: December 12, 2022, 06:47:29 PM »
..."Going for the eyes"..... :P

I really enjoyed studying the martial arts, and did study in different schools.  My first was a Japanese School, and it was a 'Hard Style'.  It emphasized strength and endurance, and sometimes the hour long group lessons were just calisthenics, people would drop out or just lay on the mat after 15 or 20 minutes.  At first, I could only handle 30 minutes or so, and at times got an asthma attack.  I experienced a 'healing' once when I was sitting on the floor, in my Gi, trying to breathe, and I didn't have my inhaler.  One of the Owners came over, he was a late middle aged Japanese man, and he helped me stand, and then put his arms and hands around me, and squeezed me in certain places, and my lungs cleared, and I felt very good after 23 minutes.  I asked him what he had done, and he just said "I directed your Ki to heal you", but wouldn't say more.  I mentioned the healing to my allergist, and She just shrugged and said that I must have just been having a minor asthma attack.  Sometimes the Instructors would speak about Ki...I understood it to be a certain vital life force that very few of us can control.  But, "Ki" explains why people can do amazing physical things when motivated, like pick up the front of a car, or run through flames without getting burned

When I got up to Blue Belt, I was learning a very advanced 'Kata'.  A Kata is almost like a dance, you are doing a series of punches, kicks, and other moves.  There was one move where you extended your right hand, with the first two fingers extended at the level of your head, and then twisted your hand when your arm was fully extended.  I asked what that was about, and the Instructor said, "You are plucking out your attackers left eye."  I got a bit nauseous driving home, thinking about it, but I figured, "If some guy is going to try to beat me or rape me, I guess doing that would be in order."  I did think that even if I didn't pluck it out, the nails on my right hand would hurt if they landed in the eye socket.

I did have an amazing experience doing a long, 3 minute Kata.  I was off to the side at the Dojo, the group class was gathering, and I did the Kata...but my mind was BLANK!  I had no idea of what I was doing...one moment I was just standing there...the next moment I was standing in the same spot and was sweating and my arms were tingling.  An Instructor had been watching, and he said, "You almost have that one down, I could see your Ki shifting, keep focusing." 

I was talking with one of the Owners about a current event, and asked him about Ki.  He just smiled and said, "Everyone has Ki, but few learn how to focus it.  And, sometimes Ki will take control of the body, and your mind is set aside.  All of those difficult and repetitive things we make you do is not only to make you stronger and more limber, but also to get you to recognize your Ki, and to be able to focus it.  When you learn to call up your Ki to help you fight, well, you will become a very dangerous woman."

I pondered that, and realized that he had explained how seemingly small and weak people can disable a larger opponent.

I asked him if Ki was also mental and intellectual...and he just smiled...and wouldn't speak of Ki any more.

Offline Izee

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Re: ...Izee's Thread
« Reply #1259 on: December 12, 2022, 06:49:19 PM »
...That was '2 to 3 minutes'...not 23...