Late Next Week

I'm going to be following the MRF guidance for the next 8 days rather closely over the next several days. It is forecasting temps. to hold in the 20s next Wednesday with some snow likely during the day in Louisville. Next Thursday, temperatures start in the lower teens and rise to about 25 degrees. I realize this is just a model, but these models are rarely accurate when forecasting the intensity of arctic cold. It is usually worse!!! It is also calling for widespread sub-zero temperatures across the Northern Plains. I realize that earlier models (other than the MRF) were expecting a snow system to develop in the Deep South the following days, the weekend of the 12th-14th. It should be cold enough well into the southern states for that to occur. I'm just going to wait a few more days before I tackle the possibility of a wintry southern storm. This is just a quick little update on the weather outlook for about a week from now, on this day, Thursday, the 4th of December, 2008.

Just A Few Notes

Well, with the pattern of below normal temperatures and above normal precipitation, the Ohio Valley should be due for several snowfall events in the next two weeks to come, I would imagine. There should be one day of mild weather this week. It should be Wednesday, with high temperatures likely reaching the 50s. But, again, it's a one-day affair. Next week, there could easily be two to four days of milder temperatures. I'm thinking next Tuesday to perhaps Thursday could be near the average for this time of year. But, it seems a reinforcing shot of arctic air should plummet well into the South by the following weekend. It appears the jet stream may become configured in such a way that there's a southwest-to-northeast storm track along the east coast. With above normal precipitation the forecast, could this be a set-up for Nor'easter-type storms? It's difficult to say right now exactly where the predominate storm track will take shape. I feel sorry for folks in Alaska, as below normal temperatures will be accompanied by a tight pressure gradient. That's right, it will be very windy as well. At least, those type of winds aren't expected in the lower 48, well, unless an intense Nor'easter-type storm forms somewhere in the vicinity of the east coast. I am not forecasting a Nor'easter, it's just a pattern that would be suitable for one. The sub-normal temperatures, as a result, shift westward. I feel quite confident that the Ohio Valley will see multiple chances for snowfall. There was some forecasted for today, but it was a bust. Okay, so we can't always get it right. I knew the Weather Channel was way overestimating the system by placing our area in a 1 to 3 inch category. We had two snow showers that weren't even persistent enough to dust the ground. Oh well. There will be many other opportunities for snow this month, so I won't hold a grudge. :o)

Considering The Latest Outlooks

Well, I was thinking the low pressure anchored over the Aleutian islands of Alaska would cause the jet stream to re-position itself over the next several weeks, but now I have my doubts. That surface low appears to be in a weakening phase going out about 7 days. However, a storm will slam into the British Columbia vicinity, and I would say, for a few days, give the eastern U.S. a break from the below normal temperature regime. Like I stated yesterday, the outlooks posted over the weekends, I don't take very seriously. Until today, when I can see a pattern that appears to be taking place in the week to two week time period. There seems to be a stalling of the main systems during that time that will set a low pressure trough over the Dakotas region, probably blanketing the area in quite a bit of snow. Another, more like the main surface low, will develop on the eastern side of the Great Lakes. It will be far enough east, as it appears, that the cold will be flowing right back into the eastern part of the country, with the exception of the far Northeast. The coldest weather would appear to be in the middle of the country, stretching into the mid-South (compared to average.) I really don't know how long the pattern will stall, but the new forecast for December came out today, and the east remains in the colder than normal pattern of temps. The severe cold over Alaska would appear to be easing looking out two weeks, so that gives the impression that the pattern will be progressive to at least some degree.

Louisville may have its first "tracking" snow tomorrow, if the snow shower activity becomes intense enough. I wouldn't think there would be more than that much because the snow comes with a trough and residual moisture behind the main low pressure system and cold front.

Short-Term and Long-Range Forecast Discussion

I don't give much confidence to the outlooks released on the weekends because it is my understanding that they are produced without the assistance of forecasters. They are, in other words, automated projections. I did underestimate a late-week cold spell of next week. It may be more like 10 days into the future before warmer temperatures come to the eastern U.S. I did note the building of severe cold in Alaska about 10 days to two weeks into the distance, suggesting the low pressure system over the Aleutians will move east and bitter cold will overtake Alaska. It is my guess that the low pressure will weaken but slam into areas of western Canada around British Columbia. Like I said yesterday and continue to believe, the trough should lift out of the east before that storm moves across the northern states into the plains region. The cold should follow, and plummet behind that system, first building in NW Canada. I would say that between two and three weeks from now, unseasonable cold will likely plummet behind that surface low and cold front. I still expect a period of mild weather in the east, even though the 8-14 outlook released today does not agree with my forecast. It is the extreme cold building in Alaska from that forecast to which I am giving most of my attention.

Updated Forecast (11/28/08)

The system to affect the Midwest into the Southeast on Sunday into Monday looks to bring a variety of weather to the Ohio Valley. It appears that all precipitation on Sunday should be rain with temperatures in the 40s. But, Sunday night, temperatures should fall low enough to change the rain over to snow. Then, occasional snow should persist on Monday behind the surface low, as temperatures hover within a few degrees of the freezing mark. The temperature will be the critical measure as to whether or not roadways will become slippery. It could be that the temperature will remain above freezing until the precipitation ends later Monday. So, only a grassy accumulation could be the result of the snowfall. Anyway, it looks interesting. I will continue to watch the event closely.

In regard to the long-term forecast, the 6-10 day and 8-14 day outlooks are agreeing with my original thinking. The eastern U.S. is going to warm up in the week to two week range. The outlooks I mentioned call for near normal temperatures in the east. So, it doesn't look warm, but normally chilly. The really cold weather shifts west, but I still believe the intense low pressure that seems to be anchored at the end of the Aleutian islands in Alaska will be the major player in the weather pattern for the month of December as a whole. It appears to be stalled at that location from 3 to 7 days from now. I don't know how long the jet stream will move into a "holding pattern." It definitely appears the eastern U.S. will warm considerably. Most long-range forecasters are still discussing the return of the cold to the east by the end of December, but this low pressure system south of Alaska has to move across the country and bring a pooling arctic air mass in its wake and reconfigure the jet stream into an eastern trough once again. This low around southern Alaska has a barometric pressure lower than a lot of hurricanes, so it really is significant, so much so that it should determine the position of the jet stream across the lower 48. Anyway, I, along with other forecasters will be watching the progression of this system. Personally, I really want a white Christmas this year, so the extreme cold must return to the east in time for the holiday. We will find out soon enough, I suppose.

Happy Thanksgiving To All

I just wanted to take an opportunity to wish all a very happy Thanksgiving! I should be having some very delicious food about 24 hours from now. I know none of them read my blog, but many thanks to all in my family who cook this holiday!!! I wish I had inherited the culinary arts gene in my family, but unfortunately, I didn't!

A Mild Thanksgiving Day As Forecasted & More

As it turns out, I was right about a milder Thanksgiving Day. However, it should be the only day to have afternoon temps. crack 55 degrees this week in the Ohio Valley. Tomorrow we could easily see the high end of the 50s in Louisville. It would be an above average high temperature for a change. I know. Nobody has to remind me that it's not going to last more than one day. But, I'm becoming increasingly interested in a precipitation event to take place Sunday into the day on Monday. Right now, it looks like a mixture of rain and snow, but could it become cold enough for some light snow accumulation? Probably just another dusting, but I'll be watching the development of this system, carefully!

I'm going to make another forecast while I'm thinking about it. Most have prognosticated a sub-normal temperature regime in the eastern part of the country for December. However, I'm anticipating, at least, a period of mild weather in the east because of a huge storm that will be moving south of Alaska in the next 5-7 days. It seems to me that the storm should be intense enough to change the configuration of the jet stream across the country. It should initially push the trough out of the eastern U.S. and raise temperatures in that area. I think we'll experience a really mild period about 10 days to two weeks from now. That's not to say that the cold won't return to the east by the latter part of December. But, this system south of Alaska looks formidable. Maybe as the system moves across the lower 48, bitter cold that has been building up in the arctic will pool in Alaska and NW Canada initially and plummet southward and eastward as the low pressure system and cold front shifts into the eastern part of the country by mid-December. I am really impressed by this storm south of Alaska in the coming days, if I haven't said that already!!!

Winter Outlooks

Well, the new outlooks for the winter months (and actually the next twelve,) were released today. It is always no surprise to me that the Ohio Valley is placed in an above average regime of temperature for the winter, DJF. The 30-day outlook for December alone calls for Equal Chances (EC) for temperature, whether it be above, below, or average. Of course, if the pattern that seems to be taking hold of the eastern part of the country now persists, it should be below normal. The JFM 90-day precipitation map seems to be demonstrating the axis of a persistent storm track for that period. Excessively wet or white weather streaks across the southern plains into the lower Ohio Valley. Could that mean more snow than usual? The above normal temperature pattern relaxes by the FMA time period, so at least late winter looks normally chilly. The part of the winter that is appearing to be the mildest, compared to normal, looks to be January, on average the coldest month of the year. I was thinking that if the skies were persistently cloudy during that period with a tendency for above normal precipitation, that the cloudcover could raise overnight low temperatures that average in the middle 20s in January to create the above average warmth. I'm only trying to think logically. It has been many, many years since this part of the country has had a forecast of a colder than normal winter, perhaps 20 years? Maybe once 2010 gets here and the unusually cold and snowy 1970s are removed from the 30-year average, this trend may be altered. Who knows? By the way, Louisville experienced its first dusting of snow this evening with a period of intense snow shower activity. Tomorrow looks to be almost 20 degrees below normal for this time of year, with high temperatures struggling to climb to about 35 degrees! Tomorrow night looks to be our first night of the season down into the upper teens for low temperatures (at least in areas outlying the city of Louisville!) Yes, this is more typical of mid-winter. And, they're forecasting a mild one ahead? I guess we'll have to wait and see in that regard. By the way, it is looking like "Turkey" Day will be a near normal lower 50s for afternoon high temperatures. But, that "warmth" doesn't look like it will last.

Excellent Heart News!

It's good to finally be reporting good news. Apparently, the doubling of the dose of Altace, one of my heart medications, caused my cardiac output to increase substantially. My ejection fraction increased from 30% to 46%. Normal is 55% or higher. So, my heart is doing better with the two medicines prescribed to improve its function. I am, still, at a higher risk if I were to endure back surgery. But, if I can take the steroid treatment every six months and remain on the narcotic pain killer, hydrocodone, I should be able to continue to tolerate my pain better. My pain level is less than it was before the steroids and Lortab, so whatever works short of surgery is what I would pursue. It certainly beats a surgical procedure! I saw my cardiologist yesterday, and he told me that my ejection fraction will vary from day to day, but that my heart did seem to respond well to the increased Altace. My left bundle branch block remains, but I was doing very well the day of my MUGA scan back in June. I mean 46% is all the closer to the normal 55% or better, right? :o)

Early Forecast For Thanksgiving

I made mention of it last weekend, but I'm thinking Thanksgiving will be a dry day with afternoon temperatures in the 50s. The lower 50s are average for this time of year, so it won't really be mild by any stretch of the imagination. A local forecaster has mentioned that he believes truly bitter cold air may reach the eastern U.S. around December 5th. I don't know how he can see out that far, but I got this year's Old Farmer's Almanac and it says that December will wind up being the coldest month of this winter. I suppose we will soon see if that is the truth. I was hoping that some of the warmth of the western U.S. would spread east in time for the holiday with above normal temperatures, but it looks like seasonable is about all we can count on! However, the end of next week should definitely be warmer than any given day this week!!! :o)

FIRST OFFICIAL SNOW FLAKES OF SEASON!

Well, November 17th of 2008 will go down as the day most of the Ohio Valley saw its first snow flurries of the season. Now, I'm really looking forward to our first light accumulating snowfall of the season, oh, maybe in the order of a couple inches... nothing too heavy! :o)

Weather Update (Since I Did Make A Forecast)

I may have been wrong about next weekend's cold spell being especially chilly. It is now looking like the next three days (Sunday - Tuesday) will wind up being among the coldest of the next seven, though a reinforcing shot of arctic air is due by next Friday. Even though it will not warm up considerably at any time during the next week, the sharply colder forecast for the end of next week and weekend may have been overstated. I do not believe high temperatures will rise above 50 degrees in the Louisville, Kentucky area until the week of Thanksgiving if my original thinking comes to fruition. I just glanced at the 6-10 day and 8-14 day outlooks for the country in regard to temperature and precipitation. Both periods reveal a pattern of warmer than normal weather over the western 2/3 of the country and colder than normal temps. over the eastern 1/3. Apparently, the cold in the eastern third will be reinforced a number of times over the next two weeks. I still have a feeling that it will warm by the Thanksgiving holiday. We will just have to wait and see, I suppose. :o) Lastly, I don't see anything in the forecast that would bring more than mere flurries to the Ohio Valley. Personally, I cannot wait to see them. But, I do not see an accumulation of snow in the near future, despite temperatures struggling to reach the 42 degree mark on Sunday afternoon. On Monday, before the next polar front clears the area, temperatures could easily reach 45 degrees. It should remain in the upper half of the 30s on Tuesday afternoon in Kentuckiana. The next day of coldest weather after Tuesday should be Friday.

November News

I just wanted to update my health news. Next Monday, I go to my cardiologist to consult about a possible back surgery. We will discuss if my heart is strong enough to endure the anesthesia required for the procedure. I took a round of Medrol (steroids) which was supposed to help with the inflammation and pain. It did help to a degree, but I continue to have the sensation of being stabbed in the middle of the back. The thoracic spine specialist said he would relieve my pain by fusing T8 and T9 that are the most herniated of the discs. I can manage the pain at this point with the narcotic pain killer Lortab, Celebrex, and Neurontin. My gp is worried about me becoming dependent on narcotics at my age, but they help tremendously. I'd rather be on a medication that I could become addicted to than go through surgery, which is far more risky! I get so tired of every physician I see say to me that I'm too young to have these problems. I don't want to hear this fact. I mean, really, tell me something I didn't already know... the cardiac issues and now the herniated thoracic discs in my spine. The back pain started out as a diagnosis from my gp of fibromyalgia, which I think I do have also, but the MRI would tell a different story.

Anyway, to a more pleasant topic, the weather. It looks like we overall missed autumn weather altogether, going from September-type warmth to a more early December-like pattern. I've looked at the long-range forecasts, and it looks like a real blast of winter cold could hit the eastern part of the country not this weekend, but the next. Louisville will probably see its first snowflakes of the season this weekend however. I believe Saturday will be a day of slowly falling temperatures throughout the day into the 30s with clouds and an occasional snow flurry. Looking even further out, it would appear that colder than normal weather will stick around until the days approaching Thanksgiving when a more zonal-type of jet stream with milder temperatures could replace the deep trough and cold in the east. We will see if my inclinations are correct in a few weeks. Personally, I'm hoping the cold spell around November 20-22 will bring snow showers that will dust the ground, which I know is still too warm to support a light snow accumulation. Maybe it will be the first "tracking" snow of the season? I apologize to all the snow haters out there in the area. I love snow, but the Ohio Valley seems to get more ice storms than snowstorms with warmth easily overtaking the upper layers of our lower atmosphere. Oh well, I won't get technical. I just hate ice because you can't walk on it, let alone drive on it. When we have sleet/ice pellets or freezing rain, I refuse to drive! It's lunacy to do it! You take your life into your own hands. Anyway, first flurries this weekend and light snow showers the following weekend... that's my forecast. Take it for what it's worth. But, again, I'm expecting a mild spell for the holiday week. So, don't fret if you're in the eastern U.S.!

In regard to music, I've discovered an amazing new folk artist who plays beautiful music. His name is Daniel Martin Moore. I found him through the nationwide World Cafe program on a local public station that plays mostly adult-alternative music. I've discovered so many new and interesting music artists and groups through the World Cafe. If you enjoy dance music from the late '70s and early '80s, Hercules & The Love Affair might appeal to you as well. I listened to them and really enjoyed the music. I hate club music from the last 20 to 25 years. I will always prefer the original disco with real musicians/live bands playing the music in the studio. Like Billy Joel said in the 1980 song "It's Still Rock & Roll To Me," the music is still rock if it's "hot funk, cool punk, (or) old junk... (maybe) next phase, new wave, dance craze, anyways." Well, if it were still 1980, I'd agree with all these statements! I'm a limited fan of techno/electronica if there are still elements of live music in it. But, club music is just repetitious programmed sounds, voices, and beats. I hate it. I would much rather listen to an artist like Daniel Martin Moore who plays his acoustic guitar and sings (very well.) He adds studio musicians when necessary for support. There are no drum machines or programming in his music! Anyway, that's enough of my soapbox for today! :o)

Autumn Weather Arrives... Finally!!!

On a less serious note, Wednesday was likely the last day of 80 degree weather in Louisville for the rest of 2008. I've studied the forecasted weather patterns for the next two weeks, and it looks like temperatures will average near to slightly below normal in our part of the country. The average high temperature right now in Louisville is about 67 degrees. The next seven days should range between around 62 to 72 degrees during the day. Nights will be chilly, but I just love this time of year! The last half of October is usually my favorite time of year with our peak fall color happening then as well. Anyway, after such a heavy blog about my physical conditions, I thought a little meteorlogy talk would improve the mood a bit. :o)

Health News (Again, Not Good News)

Well, I haven't been blogging because I haven't been certain that I wanted to share the poor health news that continues to barrage me. The arthritis in my back just keeps worsening, and I've had an MRI of the entire spine at this point. I went to a neurosurgeon back on Monday. After waiting two hours to see him, he spent maybe 5 minutes or a little longer with me (my dad came along.) After looking at my MRI films, it was clear that the stabbing sensation I've been experiencing in the center of my back is due to herniated discs in the thoracic spine. There are also bone spurs, typical of an arthritic condition. The neurosurgeon did say my MRI is more consistent with someone who has been in a severe car accident, but I haven't been in an accident since 1997. The arthritis in my back is being treated with Celebrex, Lortab (narcotic), and I just finished a round of prednisone (the tablet.) Of course, steroids lower your immune system even though they have an anti-inflammatory effect. Well, the stabbing pain in the thoracic spine will not go away, even with the steroid treatment. My gp was hoping that I could discontinue the use of the narcotic pain killer, but it helps a great deal. I am so tired of everybody telling me that I'm too young to be experiencing all of this. But, that is one reason they really don't want to perform back surgery. The other is, of course, my weak heart. One friend keeps suggesting to me that I go back to the cardiologist and say that I want a pacemaker. I've heard so many testimonies about the better quality of life produced by the implantation of a pacemaker. I am so tired all the time with the pain that won't cease. The neurosurgeon who saw me for such a brief time, has sent me to a thoracic spine specialist to see next week. There, hopefully, we will have a longer discussion about my options. I really need a pacemaker and back surgery, but I'm only 34 years old still. My gp doesn't want me to be a chronic narcotic pain killer user either, but I don't see a choice if I'm to be comfortable. Anyway, this is why I haven't blogged in so long. Luckily, my psychiatric state right now is stable and I have no complaints in that regard. Strangely, with all of this going on, I keep a really good attitude. I don't know if it's my belief in a higher power or if its a positive trait in my character. It could be both? If any of you readers pray, please put me in your prayers. I believe it can be a powerful tool. Well, I see the specialist next Tuesday. I don't understand why it seems I've been falling apart physically, but I know the apostle Paul wrote about a "thorn in the flesh" that caused him to suffer. Even though he prayed that it be removed, God would not to keep Paul humble. I don't think I have a problem with humility, but maybe God is trying to show me something through it all? I am just so thankful that I have two parents who love me unconditionally and are always by my side, even when I make bad decisions. The only people who call me now are my parents and Louis who I met back in June. Louis is a very sensitive guy and talks with me about my various illnesses in detail and wants to help if he can. We are only friends now, but I am just happy to have a friend who wants to be involved in my life on a regular basis. Thanks for reading! I hope there are solutions to my heart and spine afflictions that will be carried out in the near future! Until later...

Health News And More Ike News

After the weekend, I'm going to have an MRI on the thoracic part of my spine. This part of my back was left out the first time because most problems originate in the cervical or lumbar areas. However, the bone spurs that are compressing nerves in parts of my neck could very well be causing the rather severe pain in the middle part of my back. I cannot straighten my back without major pain now. Bone spurs can be "scraped" away as they are jagged calcium deposits. But, there are risks with surgery, as with any procedure. Right now, we only know of the two in my neck that are compressing the nerves. By the end of next week, my regular doctor and I will know the whole scope of the nerve compressions which are causing the pain from my neck down through the thoracic spine. At the same time I have arthritis and these bone spurs on my spine, I also have hypertonic muscles in my neck, back, and shoulders. My gp, not knowing exactly what is causing this reaction, diagnosed me with fibromyalgia. It could be a side effect of any one or more or combination of the 13 drugs I am taking right now. At one point, I was taking 17 medications, so a reduction of four should be a good thing, but most everyone I know is saying 13 is too much, especially for someone as young as I am.

Several weeks ago, I believe my mental illness changed from one thing and went to another. My original diagnosis was schizoaffective disorder. Well, I haven't heard voices in a very long time. But, about two months ago, I was becoming predominantly manic, most of the time. Its intensity kept getting stronger to the point I felt crazed. Everybody around me noticed it. I was more "chatty" and more upbeat, but soon I was bouncing off the walls and didn't know if I could hurt myself or others. This was the first time in my life I felt like I could harm another human being. I had been suicidal in my life, but I had never been truly manic before, never to the point that I was about to snap. Luckily, I was able to get into my psychiatrist's office the very day I called, being I told them I could be either suicidal or homicidal. He looked into my eyes and knew this was no joke. So, one of my medicines was doubled in dose, a drug used for bipolar disorder or schizophrenia, and another drug was introduced, primarily used for mania. Within two days, I felt like my old self again. A few people missed my really sociable personality, but most were glad I stabilized and became the old me. Anyway, the main point is I think I am now more bipolar than schizoaffective. I am on that one drug that works for both schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, but if that medication was removed, I really don't believe I'd hear voices again. I would just be afraid of the mania returning. It's strange. Mania, in some ways, feels really good. It's like being really pumped up and excited in a good way. However, its harmful potential is too great to allow it to occur.

Well, I am glad to be back home in the air conditioning after staying at my parents' house for three days. The afternoon temperatures are rising to near 90 degrees F here at the end of the week, even though the nights have been cool. I feel so bad for my folks and my sister. None of them have had electricity since early Sunday. Today, I packed up my refrigerator and freezer. No, actually, I just got a few things to eat for the next few days. I can't afford to "stock up." I have extended an open invitation for any of my family members to come over and stay with me. But, my parents are sort of standing by their generator because it has problems internally. It was driving all three of us crazy while I was staying over there. It would tank and almost shut off then soar like it was about to take off. At least once, it was emitting flames. Unfortunately, my folks have hundreds of dollars worth of food that they are trying to preserve. This is the third time they have had to use the generator, of course the first two times were for relatively brief stints. My father talked to someone from an electric company working on power lines, and they told him that it may be next Tuesday before electricity is restored to the neighborhood... that's about ten days after the "Ike" event. My sister, husband, and kids will probably get power sooner. An adjacent building in their condominium complex has electricity. They are going to a military wedding this weekend, and I told my sister today that she and her husband could get ready over here where it's nice and cool.

As a comparison between two extremely destructive weather events, it was noted on a local news channel that this windstorm knocked out power to about 300,000 households around Louisville whereas the "super" tornado outbreak of 1974 caused between 80,000 and 85,000 households to lose their electricity. Wow! This windstorm, a result of the remnants of Hurricane Ike, was phenomenal!

A Quick Side Note

There is another thing to note about the effects of Hurricane Ike's remnants. It caused schools to be cancelled for an entire week in the Louisville area. This has never happened as a result of a windstorm, nor during the month of September. They plan to have classes resume next Monday with some certainty. Anyway, the last time in history schools had to be closed for such an extended period of time was as a result of a severe winter storm in January 1994 when parts of Kentucky and Indiana had between 15 and 18 inches of snowfall.

Hurricane Ike in the Ohio Valley

Today, electricity was restored to my condominium. It had been out since Sunday around noon. Hurricane Ike, which made landfall in the Galveston, Texas vicinity, made a track up through the Ohio Valley with hurricane force winds widespread in the Louisville area. The official peak wind gust was 81 mph. But, strong tropical storm force winds were sustained throughout the afternoon on Sunday, creating much damage and causing a 75 - 80% power outage for the local utility company, LG&E. In my parents' neighborhood, I saw many trees down, several falling onto housetops, others knocking down power lines. For a while, even telephone service was down. Now, it is four days later, and some businesses are just now getting power restored and opening up once again. LG&E officials have said that some areas might not get power for up to two weeks, 10 to 14 days after the onslought of the powerful windstorm. Usually, the remnants of hurricanes that reach this part of the country only bring torrential rains. But, this one made history! It was a windstorm, and not a rainstorm at all. In fact, little if any rainfall occurred. Unfortunately, Kentucky needs rain desperately. This is traditionally the driest time of year, but lawns are mostly brown and foliage is shriveling. It looks like this autumn season will bring a dry, far from spectacular change in fall color. Dull would probably be a good word to describe it. Well, I will report more about the storm later. There is much to be accomplished after four days without electricity.

Health News and Relationships...

Well, I talked to my regular doctor on the telephone a couple hours ago. I had a MRI done on the cervical and lumbar spine the beginning of last week. It showed nothing other than some general arthritis in the lumbar area, but there was a "moderate" nerve compression on the left side of the C3 and C4 vertebrae in the neck. The arthritic condition in that vicinity was also noted. An epidural type of surgery was mentioned. I guess that would mean injections. However, since the pain is not localized, my doctor did not believe that would helpful. Anyway, he wants me to make another appointment with him to discuss it further. I have asked my father to go with me for support. I really don't want to rely on narcotic pain killers and muscle relaxants for the rest of my life. Something has to be out there that would be beneficial.

Lastly, I was in a relationship that I thought had potential to be long-term. However, it has been reduced to mere friendship now. I'm not going to devalue friendship, but I loved someone who didn't love me back. It's a shame, but I keep telling myself that no one can have too many friends. At least, that's always been my philosophy! I'm giving this other person the space that they have needed, and maybe, just maybe, we will turn out to be really good friends. Actually, we had very good communication, but I was always ignoring the excuses and warning signs. I wanted to believe we were lovers and that this was the next long-term relationship in my life. I guess I was the best of dreamers. Well, I'm going to let things cool off, and like I said, give this individual the space that they even told me they desired. I could listen but not hear, the subtle difference.

A Little Bit of Everything...

It has been almost three weeks now, and I'm still waiting to be referred to get my MRI done. I'm also waiting to hear from the same doctor's office to see when I can visit a neurologist. I was told it might take some time before I can see them, usually several months! Anyway, I am still in a lot of pain. Conversely, I have been feeling very good emotionally this week. I haven't felt this good in a long time. I think the medications are all finally right, the psychotropic ones, even though I am still taking 13 drugs total. Remember 4 of them are pain-related right now. Two are for allergies, two are heart-related, two are to treat the bipolar illness, two are for sleep, and one is for acid reflux. My insurance is crazy. They are more likely to pay for Viagra than they are to pay for a drug for acid reflux. They don't pay for my Clonazepam (Klonopin,) which is a benzodiazepam and is nearly $33 a month. Now, as of this year, they are not paying for my Somnote (the capsule form of Chloral Hydrate.) It is $82 a month. Both of these medicines are largely for sleep. Klonopin tends to keep you more at an even keel as well. Lastly, they stopped paying for Zyrtec, even though it is now generic. That's another $10 to $15 each 100 days. So, even though I have Medicaid, I still put out quite a bit in prescription drugs monthly.

I wanted to take this opportunity to give my condolences to one of my best friends who just lost his father. I can't imagine losing either one of my parents. Even though I don't see eye to eye on most issues with my mother or father, I still love them very deeply. And they not only tell me that they love me, they demonstrate it through many of their actions. I hope both of them are around for many more years, healthy, of course. However, I realize no one knows what the future holds. Who knows, I could go out driving on an errand tomorrow and be killed in an car accident. I'm the youngest, yet I could go first in some kind of tragedy. Like I said, nobody knows. I realize, however, that I don't work, unlike my sister, and I could be there for one or both of my folks, if at any time, they needed help that I could provide. I just hope they remain healthy until it is their time to pass on to the other side. Both of my mother's parents died with a heart that just stopped. Wouldn't that be the best way to leave this earth? Okay, I've talked enough morbidity in one blog. Anyway, Buzz, my thoughts and prayers are with you, your brothers, and especially your mother, as you all work your way through the process of grief. Please communicate with me when you are ready to talk!

Lastly, I have been going through a lot with my relationship with Louis. I think he is afraid of a long-term relationship, because he has never been in one that lasted more than six months. He tells me the other night, ironically the first night that I really started to feel better emotionally, that I can't be all that he needs in a boyfriend. He says that I can't motivate him to do things, to be with his friends and get out of the house as he needs. First of all, I've only met one of his friends at this point, and how could I encourage him to do something with someone I don't even know? I have no idea what any of his male friends are like. I could always support his desire to get out and be with somebody, even without my presence. Apparently, he feels the need to do things and participate in events on a regular basis. A steady relationship can work when one goes out and does something while the other stays home. I have no problem with it, anyway. Then, he tells me that I'm making him feel tied down. He said that he is not the kind of person who has a phone conversation with his significant other every single day. I really have no problem if we don't talk every day. I really enjoy hearing his voice each day, but if he feels less bothered to let a few days go by without conversation, then I guess I'll let it be that way. I really want to have a long-term relationship with Louis. In fact, I told him that I already love him. I have always said it in a manner where he would feel no pressure to respond likewise. I believe we are so complimentary, and there is a lot more about Louis that I like than anything that would be objectionable at all. There are two issues with him that are consistently a problem. First of all, he is always making suggestions. It is not that I care that he would advise me one way or another on an issue, it's just that sometimes he can be a bit on the pushy side. I know it's just because he cares, but he has in the past made suggestions that feel more like demands. However, I must say that he is realizing that he is doing this far too often, which certainly is a start. The other thing, the issue that bothers almost everybody he knows is his tardiness. He is always late!!! I try not to let it bother me, but at times, he is so far behind, that it alters our plans, or at least shortens the time that we spend together. In this area, I don't know if or how I can motivate him to be more prompt. I think the change has to come from within him, and I don't think confronting him all the time will make a difference. Anyway, that's all the lastest concerning the love of my life.

Not So Good Health News...

Well, I wrote about the improvement in my heart function last time, but I didn't mention what's been going on with me lately. I have been in severe pain from the neck and shoulders area all the way down to the feet. A multitude of blood tests were done to rule out a number of possibilities, and they all came back negative. Now, I've waited two weeks at this point to get an MRI scheduled. My doctor believes I either have a tumor growing in my cervical spine vicinity, or I have a pinched nerve in that area. An MRI would show what's happening, but I have a feeling that my insurance doesn't want to pay for it, because it is very expensive. At the same time, I'm taking four different medications for the pain alone. I'm taking Lortab (the narcotic pain reliever), the top dose of Ibuprofen, Soma (a muscle relaxant), and Neurontin (which is suppose to relieve neuralgia... any type of nerve pain.) It's taking all four of these drugs to touch the pain. Why does it seem like there always has to be something that's not quite right with me? I have no idea. But, I don't believe in bad luck.

Anyway, it's not all bad news. Louis, who I wrote about in the last blog, is still there for me, constantly. If we miss a day talking to each other, it's a rare occasion. Nothing that I've gone through has freaked him out. He always has advice, even though I don't appreciate all of it. But, I've definitely needed someone other than my parents to talk to regularly. I have other friends, but they all have very hectic schedules. I don't blame them for not contacting me frequently. I'm the type of person who is introverted and has very few close friends. Louis, on the other hand, is an extrovert who needs to be with friends almost every day. So, after talking many times, I think he finally understands I'm not the socially needy type of individual. I like all the time I spend alone. As long as I have my music, both to play and listen to, I'm perfectly content. Well, it looks like an August heat wave is going to set in this weekend. I hope all the people in the eastern half of the country have a cool place to be. In the long term, it looks like temperatures will return to a more normal type of heat by the latter part of next week. I hope we have nothing like last August where Louisville hit over 100 degrees F at least ten times! Well, keep cool! I mean that in the literal and figurative types of speech.

Right now, I have a showdown going on with my parents. My dad put a McCain sticker on his car. I said to myself that once he does it that I'm going to find an Obama sticker and show my support for the other side. I can't believe anyone would support a candidate that would continue four more years of failed Bush policies. Our economy is a wreck, and Bush policy supports corporate greed by giving them tax breaks. We learned in the 1980s under Reagan that trickle down economics doesn't work. They don't create more jobs, they keep the money. It's time tax breaks were given to those who need it. I know it sounds cliche, but the rich get richer and the poor get poorer under a Republican administration. The middle class has virtually disappeared. They said today in the news that Obama is playing the race card, but racism is quite alive and well in 2008. I think there are a lot of people who won't vote for Obama simply because he's black. And there remains the myth that he is somehow Muslim. He has said directly into the camera that he has never been a Muslim. If he is a liar, he's a damn good liar. Anyway, that's my political soapbox for this day. Please respond as you so desire...

A Long Time Has Passed...

Hello readers! I haven't blogged in months now. I am now inspired because there is a new love in my life. Yes, this person is 20 years my senior, but our relationship seems to work out just fine. We are both fans of an eclectic collection of music, but we both seem to love the original disco from the 1970s. I have always felt like I was born in the wrong generation, well, at least I'd like to have been about 10 years or so older, so I could have enjoyed that time period of music as an adult. He is a big fan of classical music, jazz, Broadway soundtracks, and a bit of pop music here and there. I don't think he understands my love of rock music, sometimes heavy rock, but he knows I play guitar and love to figure out guitar riffs from the past. He has yet to hear my music compostions on the keyboard or the two guitar songs I have written and performed on tape. One of the guitar song lyrics are from a poem I wrote some time back, the other was an off-the-cuff love song that I wrote for my ex about 10 years ago. In one of the two songs, I used the B7 chord, which is very difficult to play on the acoustic guitar. I have to develop tough fingertips in order to do it, as well as keep my finger nails trimmed practically to the quick!

I am writing today because I am having an off-day. I am so tired that I don't feel like doing a thing! Part of it is my fault, but I slept very little last night. I didn't get myself to the pharmacy last night to pick up a medicine that plays a role in my time and quality of sleep. Anyway, I thought it was time to blog after many months of silence, especially after meeting someone who has brought inspiration back into my life! After meeting Louis, I began playing music again, which is something I hadn't done in many, many months. I'm referring to actually picking up an instrument and playing it. I am always listening to music on my stereo! Right now, I'm trying to put together a collection of songs onto cd from about the mid '70s to the mid '80s to play when the family gets together at the swimming pool at my mom and dad's house. I'm choosing songs that my parents could tolerate, but would be appreciated by me, my sister, and her husband. Right now I have about 40 songs selected, so it will probably take 2 discs to put them together. I know, I don't believe it's legal, but I think since I bought the cds, I should have the right to make a collection of my own.

Well, I do have other good news. The last time I had a check on my cardiac output, the numbers improved. I was going to have to have a pacemaker/defibrillator surgically implanted, but since my ejection fraction went up, that procedure became unnecessary... at least any time soon. Thank God!!! I wasn't looking forward to the implant surgery. At the same time, I have heard that a lot of people have felt tremendously better after getting the pacemaker. I may want to do it anyway... at least some time down the road. I guess I didn't mention that I had an increase in the dosage of one of my heart medications before the last test was done. The cardiologist thought the higher dose of medication might improve my heart function, and, well, I guess he was right.

It won't be difficult to remember the date I met Louis because it was on June 21st... the summer solstice! Any weather guy is aware of such things as the longest day of the year. Our relationship has moved rather fast, mostly because we have been open and honest about everything in our lives. At first, Louis thought I was rather self-absorbed because I kept rattling on about myself and all my life stories. He didn't think I was showing much interest in him. But, since he was honest enough to tell me that early on, we have been more equal in sharing information about ourselves. Sometimes, I just need to be quiet and let the other person talk. I used to be so shy, but lately, there has been a significant change in my personality. Everybody has noticed! At times, I think I become manic and really chatty. I probably need to share this with my psychiatrist, but it feels good to be a more outgoing person. I've become really excited to do karaoke of late. I think I'm now the least timid person in my family doing karaoke. I've had compliments about my singing, so I suppose I'm a bit more confident. I love to sing. One of my neighbors in my condominium complex suggested that I join a choir. I'll have to give that some thought. I don't go to church anymore, so I guess it will have to be a secular type of choir. I know that I probably should go to church somewhere, but I really have no interest in doing so. I don't think I'm missing anything really, except for perhaps the social aspect. I still believe in God, but I have become rather indifferent about organized religion. It might have something to do with my more left-leaning politics of recent times. Louis and I come from two different religious traditons, but it doesn't bother me in the least. I think we are all God's children, and I remember that my "big brother" once told me that God doesn't create any junk, so what do I have to worry about?

Well, on this very hot and humid July afternoon, it is getting ready to storm, so I probably should get off-line. Geez, was it ever miserable when I went outside today! I hope this thunderstorm knocks the temperature down a good 15 or 20 degrees F. I, personally, can't wait for autumn! I despise hot weather! I think once my mom and dad pass away, I should move to the west coast or something. I saw the high in San Francisco several days ago was only 63 degrees F. I would give anything for such a lovely cool day! Anyway, I guess I've written enough for today. I know several of you have wondered what had happened to me. Well, I'm back. I will be writing again soon. Next time I'll share about my Whiteley family reunion last month. It was wonderful, and I was actually the one who organized it! I missed several family members, but I certainly enjoyed the company of those who came. More later... :o)

My Sister's Wedding and Other Odds and Ends

Last Friday night, my sister got married for the second time. She is now Mrs. Thomas Craig Rayhill. I like Craig, as he is known by. He is a bit of a redneck, which worries me some, but he has never been unkind or disrespectful to me. He wants me to teach him how to play the guitar. Of course, I can only teach him the chords and some of the riffs to songs I know that I figured out how to play on my own. Right now, I don't even have any picks. I've lost all of my picks through the big hole toward the bottom of the guitar. Once they're lost in there, I can never seem to get them out. Anyway, back to my sister's wedding and my new brother-in-law. They played all the typical songs that a dj would play at a wedding dance. I got out on the floor for 4 songs, at least 2 of them slow, and that's all I could muster. They played one country song that just emphasizes how redneck my new bro is. The lyrics are sung by a male country singer and it goes to the effect that she sees "Bambi" and he sees "antlers over the mantle." Apparently, he and his brothers go shootin' from time to time. I can't imagine, but anyhow, Michelle and Craig's first dance was to the song "When You Say Nothing At All," Alison Krauss's cover version. It was perfect for them.

Saturday morning, after the wedding, I woke up to a nightmare. My kitchen sink was overflowing with thick, black water. My dad came over and siphoned out both sides of the sink and tried to use a plunger on it, but that was just the beginning of the "fun." The maintenance man was called out on an emergency basis Saturday evening, and he used a 25-foot auger to snake through the pipes, and after four hours, he could get nowhere beyond like 21 feet. Then, he called the plumbers that are contracted through the complex's advisory board to come out that night and give it a try with a power unit. They had no success either and came back the next morning, sawed into the hallway wall where my pipes are, the access panel if you will, and ended up snaking their way into my neighbor's condominium across the hall where I still don't know if any damage was done by their power unit. I haven't heard from my neighbor. Anyway, they had to come back Monday morning, thinking they were going to have to tear up the flooring in the hallway to get to the blocked pipe. Luckily, they checked my sink after doing a bit of jackhammering in the hall to find out that the vibrations from the jackhammer unclogged the pipelines. Thank God! Really! Today, Tuesday, I'm just kicking back and doing nothing and it feels great. Of course, I still have quite a bit of clean-up work to do, but I've done enough that I can at least function in the kitchen. My dad also used this plumbing mess time to put up blinds for me in the front room and two air-conditioning units, one in the bedroom window and one in the front room window. I helped some, of course. They don't turn on the condominium central air until they absolutely have to, usually some time in April. It can easily reach 80 degrees F in March during a particularly warm spell, and it gets miserable inside. I got a note from my doctor stating that I had seasonal allergies, which got the approval of the board so I could have the window units installed. More later...

After the Big Snow...

Well, I think Friday's snowstorm was the fourth largest on record for Louisville at 14.4 inches. Now it's Sunday and in the 40s with the big melt-down well underway. Actually, I can't believe how fast that much snow is evaporating. I guess it's the higher sun angle of March... about the equivalent of the first of October. It sure doesn't feel very cold out there. I felt overdressed when I went to pick up a couple of prescriptions. At this rate, the snow should be gone by some time Tuesday when the high is expected to reach into the 50s. I guess I should say all the snow should be gone except those huge snow piles in the shopping center parking lots across town.

Also, there is a relatively new music artist that I'm now fond of that has to be gay. With his lyrics and his angst, it's pretty obvious, but he makes a big production of his music. He has strings. He has choirs. I'm talking about Rufus Wainwright. I'd hate to have that name, but anyway, the music has some of the characteristics of a lot of my favorite music artists and music groups. ELO, Queen, Elton John, and ABBA are some that come to mind, at least musically. None of those sing lyrics so overtly homosexual, with the exception of a few Queen songs I can think of. But, Rufus is very talented, and I hope he goes far. He says in his liner notes that his mother is his biggest fan and thinks he can do no wrong hardly. Oh well, if my mother felt that way, she'd go to PFLAG meetings and encourage me to mingle and meet that special someone. But, I've been alone for 3 years now and with my health, I don't see that changing anytime soon. Anyway, I feel music is the love of my life, and I'm not sure I'd want to change that fact. By the way, I think I have the best parents in the world. They just have to abide by their unbending biblical moral code and I understand that. I really do. Enough for now...

Ice Storm Warning Yesterday and Health News

Yes, it was another eventful winter storm yesterday. Louisville experienced sleet and freezing rain for the balance of the afternoon and evening with temperatures climbing through the 20s. Untreated roads and other pathways became a sheet of ice and very treacherous. Unlike last week's storm, which produced around 4 inches of snow before the ice began, this storm was mainly the ice... the ice being much worse than the snow. Schools and businesses shut down by the noon-time hour, then the city was basically closed for business in the afternoon. This morning around 10 AM, the temperature was still only 34 degrees F. The ice is not melting quickly as fog and light rain showers move in. Tonight, we may have a brief period of light snow before it all comes to an end.
In health news, the cardiologist specializing in pacemakers and defibrillators basically told me I need the defibrillator device. He said my heart has sufficiently weakened to the point that a bad heart rhythm could kill me at any time. The defibrillator would shock the heart back into its proper rhythm if this event occurred. I asked him about exercise, and he said that it probably would not strengthen the heart, but certainly wouldn't be a bad thing to do. I especially think so since I need to lose about 30 pounds to be average weight. Unfortunately, a bad side effect of the atypical anti-psychotic drug I take is weight gain, but I'm nowhere near the top dose. I'm taking 300 mg of Seroquel and the top dose is 800 mg. I'm just happy that I'm not hearing voices with this relatively low-dose of medication. A few weeks ago, I was taking three different anti-psychotic drugs... the Thorazine being taken mostly for sleep. Now I'm taking Chloral Hydrate syrup for sleep, the only potential risk being respiratory, not cardiac. The specialist I saw yesterday said that he would have worried about the Thorazine if I were still taking it because it could cause adverse cardiac effects. It's a good thing I stopped taking the Thorazine when I did because my dad tells me he has noticed some involuntary limb movements which could have deteriorated to tardive dyskinesia had I continued taking the Thorazine. My psychiatrist warned me of stiffness with taking the Thorazine, but not the involuntary movements. All of these drugs are potent and have the potential to help or to hurt you. I'm just glad I didn't develop the t.d. because it is potentially irreversible and people would likely treat you like you were crippled or worse. Back to the heart... the doctor is going to try and increase my heart medications to see if my cardiac output improves with them in a couple months. If not, it looks like I'm going to get the defibrillator.

Winter Storm Warning for Louisville

Well, it looks like another potentially major winter storm is likely to hit the Louisville area this evening into tomorrow morning. It looks like snow will develop around 4 pm this afternoon. Then, overnight, as warmer temperatures move into the higher levels of the atmosphere, the snow will changeover to sleet and freezing rain. Depending on the track of the low pressure system that will be bringing the inclement weather to the region, Louisville will experience a changeover to plain rain by morning. Temperatures have to rise a good 10 degrees from where they are now for that to happen. I'm a bit skeptical, but I believe the transition to rain will take place some time Tuesday morning. We may expect to see 2 to 4 inches of snow and sleet to accumulate before the changeover to freezing rain, which may coat trees and power lines with a tenth to a quarter of an inch of ice. It may be more if the transition to plain rain doesn't occur. Temperatures will top out in the 30s tomorrow, but how much above freezing will that be? I should be able to check in tomorrow morning to analyze the storm potential even more. But beforehand, a Winter Storm Warning is in effect for Louisville until noon tomorrow. The temperature means everything regarding this storm, as it does for any major winter storm. We've had no problem rising above freezing in other winter storms this season, but we'll see if this one's any different. More later...

Glasses and Cogentin

Well, I finally went to get tested for what tinted lenses I needed for my Scotopic Sensitivity Syndrome. I ended up needing two different shades of grey, which will look pretty dark, but really I know it's necessary. I got my psychiatrist to write a prescription for the Irlen lenses and a diagnosis of photophobia. I'm trying to get Medicaid to pay for the lenses. They have for some people, so it's worth a try. I think the prescription and diagnosis will be taken more seriously coming from my opthalmologist, Dr. Conrad. He specializes in eye diseases, but it's great to have a psychiatrist who cares as much as Dr. Miller. He has done practically anything to help me. He prescribed Cogentin to help with the pain and throbbing in the legs. It's an anti-Parkinson's drug which helps with akathisia. It's a good thing he told me to quit taking the Thorazine when the akathisia showed up. I just hope it isn't permanent. He has told me before that it takes about 2 weeks for the drug to get out of the system. But, the Cogentin in addition to Gabapentin (Neurontin) is taking care of the pain in my legs. I hate to drive now. There's just too much discomfort in my legs. Right now, I'm using dark grey sunglasses to assist me in the meantime. It will take approximately 3 weeks to get my glasses tinted and back to me. It will have the astigmatism prescription along with the Scotopic prescription. The diagnostician said they will just look like sunglasses, but some people end up with pink or green lenses, so I'm thankful that shades of grey were my colors.

Anyway, the weather has calmed down after the tornado outbreak Tuesday and the prior Tuesday. It looks like we're going into a much quieter weather pattern over the next two weeks. It will be significantly cooler, but not brutally cold (except Sunday,) when we get a quick shot of arctic air from Canada. It's getting to the time of year that arctic plunges in temperatures don't last very long. The wind will be gusty Sunday, so it will feel frigid. Most of the day will see temperatures in the 20s with wind chills getting as cold as the single digits. High temperatures will be in the 40s and 50s for much of the next two weeks. That is near to slightly above normal, average highs being in the mid 40s. More later...

Summer-Like Temperatures and Thorazine Withdrawal

Well, it's almost 2 AM, and it's very "sticky" in the condo. It's 67 degrees F outside, feeling more like a summer morning. I wish I had air conditioning because I would be using it now for sure. I slept about 4 hours before I got on the computer. I realize I haven't blogged in a while, so I thought I'd write about it. I developed akathisia on the Thorazine that was helping me sleep, so my psychiatrist took me off the drug "cold turkey." Since then, I've had residual side effects. Mostly I've been experiencing pain in my legs. It has improved somewhat, but the doctor told me to take Benadryl for the anticholinergic effects, which should help the pain. It is very difficult to drive my car with this discomfort in my legs. I don't think it's dangerous for me to drive, but it is uncomfortable to say the least. I hope this pain goes away because I realize the Thorazine was damaging my dopamine receptors. What I'm experiencing now is psuedo-Parkinson's symptoms. Anyway, a lot of people are praying for me, and I know that the power of prayer is potentially life-changing and very real.
This summer-like weather Louisville is having today may result in a severe weather outbreak this evening. There's a significant potential for damaging winds, and even a slight risk of isolated tornadoes. Personally, I'm looking forward to high temperatures returning to the 40s. At least we probably won't see the 7 degrees F again that we saw on the morning of January 20th as an arctic air mass enveloped the region. According to the two-week forecast, the arctic air should remain bottled up in Alaska and Canada, and above-normal temperatures should dominate most of the lower 48. Again, I don't think we'll see temperatures in the 70s again in the two-week period ahead, but there could be a lot of 50s, more like what is average a month from now... and quite a bit of rain is in that outlook as well.

Another Night of Little Sleep and Glasses

I am so frustrated. Even with some pretty potent prescription drugs, I can't sleep. Well, I did get a bit over two hours, but that just isn't enough, not for anybody. I'm doing all I can to improve my cardiovascular output by walking daily and taking my medications. My decreased ejection fraction makes me tired as it is, and on February 7th, I see a cardiologist who specializes in pacemakers and defibrillators. If a pacemaker increases my energy levels during the day, I'm all for it. But, if the insomnia doesn't abate, I'm likely going to feel pretty lousy anyway. Sometimes I just wish somebody would knock me over the head with some blunt metallic object so that I can pass out. I don't want to use this blog to complain about not sleeping all the time, but it's a determining factor in how I'm going to feel each and every day. I've had two cups of coffee or I wouldn't even be blogging this morning.

Today, I go to Bardstown, Kentucky to test different colored lenses by trying to read something with the various shades. If the color is right, reading will be smooth and easy, not choppy or uncomfortable. Once the right color is established, my prescription glasses will be sent off to be tinted. I will miss them while they're gone. My vision is so much better now that I have corrective lenses. Of course, I've written about this in a previous blog. The coloring of the lenses block out certain wavelengths of light that interfere with one's visual processing so that they can read better and have improved depth perception, among other things. It's a rather painstaking process to discover what the right color is, but I imagine I will start with what worked in 1996. I really have a feeling it's changed. I was told all the prescription drugs, the chemicals I put into my body can change the wavelengths of light to which I'm sensitive. I will find out soon enough. More later...

An Inch of Snow Creates Havoc and the Last Polar Plunge!

Tuesday morning was a mess. The Louisville area had about a quick inch of morning snowfall, just before and during rush hour. The Jefferson County Public Schools decided to implement the two-hour delay, which had parents scrambling to find carpools and other arrangements for their children so that they could get to work as soon as they possibly could. The kids delighted in the late morning, of course. My niece, Lauren, had no school because my sister lives just outside of Jefferson County in the Goshen vicinity (Oldham County.) They called off classes period for the day. Children there had a four-day weekend. Lucky them, I guess. Anyway, temperatures were right around the freezing mark when the snow was falling and ground temperatures were cold enough to support the "sticking" light snow cover, until it melted off in the late morning/early afternoon hours when temperatures rose well into the 30s.

Also, Louisville is expecting another quick shot of arctic air to move in tomorrow (Thursday.) We should see a few flurries and another bout of frigid wind chills. Friday morning, I expect temperatures to fall into the single digits once again, but this coming weekend, there will be a major warming trend. A period of snow or wintry mix may fall late Friday night into Saturday morning before temperatures climb to near 40 Saturday afternoon, which, as "balmy" as it may seem, is about average for this time of year. Then, above normal temperatures take over for a few days, 50s expected by Monday. The extreme cold looks to be over for now, once this weekend arrives. The 8 to 14-day forecast suggests that temperatures will hover somewhere close to average and precipitation (mostly rain) will be heavier than usual. The only snow I expect to see over the next two weeks should be light and rather insignificant, following behind storm systems in wrap-around moisture. I expect a lot of snowfall to the north, in the Midwestern states, like around Chicago, where their seasonal totals thusfar are already exceeding the norm. Louisville's total snowfall for the 2007-08 winter season to date is 3.5 inches, considerably below the typical amount.

Johnny Rivers Rocked!

I was amazed at the talent of Johnny Rivers last night. He can play almost anything. He started off with a couple blues numbers. He played the solos with ease and excitement. Everybody who was there could probably tell that Johnny Rivers likes to play rock 'n' roll. He did play a few acoustic numbers, but that just emphasized the diverse music that Rivers could play. And when he played a slow song, the Louisville Orchestra kicked into gear and washes of strings just made them all the more beautiful. When he first took stage he said, "Hello, all you symphonic rock 'n' rollers!" You could tell that he had a good sense of humor. His singing was most of the time right on, but occasionally his voice revealed a lack of power. But, I had to remind myself that this guy is 65 years old. I just loved that he loved what he was doing, and it showed. His band was awesome as well. The keyboard player rocked like the best of them and was apparently responsible for some of the arrangements. The drummer was exceptional. And the bass player as well as the extra guitar player were obviously fine musicians. A funny side note... the backup singers were good, but one of them that my parents and I talked about afterwards was getting raunchy with some sexually suggestive movements. I know she was just really into the music, but watching her was entertaining. I'd like to see her at a dance party. Anyway, I really do want to get a cd compilation of Johnny Rivers' greatest hits. I know in several cases, he trumped the original artist who wrote the songs with his own version. He had an ordinary voice, but one that was very pleasing to hear.

Sleep Medication, The Arctic Invasion, and Johnny Rivers...

Well, the insomniac didn't blog yesterday because I was a basketcase. I slept absolutely zilch Thursday night. I tried Trazodone at 300 mg again because it had been a while. I lowered my Chlorpromazine dose from 300 mg to 200 mg, thinking that the Trazodone would compensate for the extra Chlorpromazine. But, it didn't work. Last night (Friday,) I got a new prescription for Sonata. I first tried it without the Chlorpromazine, but I couldn't fall asleep. So I ended up taking 20 mg of Sonata and 200 mg of Chlorpromazine to sleep several consecutive hours. Why can't I shut off my brain when I'm trying to sleep? It's not that I'm consciously thinking about something. I don't know. It's very frustrating! Anyway, I believe I got close to eight hours of rest last night, so I'm feeling much better this morning. If only I could get eight hours every night... without drugs!!! My psychiatrist really wants me to quit taking the Chlorpromazine because it's an ancient anti-psychotic drug with possible side effects that could show up at any time. He tells me that he's concerned about stiffness associated with it, but the primary concern should be movement disorders. I've been on it for several years now, and 200 mg isn't a terribly high dose or it wouldn't come in a 200 mg tablet. Chlorpromazine is also used for pre-surgical anxiety, nausea, and hiccups (believe it or not.) So, enough about my insomnia!

As far as a weather update, the arctic front is just on Louisville's door-step this morning. Right now, it's 30 degrees F outside, but it's only 10 degrees F up the road in Indianapolis. Rarely is there a 20-degree difference between here and Indy. It still seems that afternoon temperatures should fall into the teens here with subzero wind chills. Most weather forecasts are predicting temperatures to hold in the 20s throughout the day. I just don't see it staying that "warm." Hopefully, I'm wrong and temperatures don't fall quite so dramatically!

Tonight, I'm going to a Louisville Pops concert with my parents. We're going to see Johnny Rivers play with the Louisville Orchestra. My folks have seen him before and were quite impressed. He had a bunch of hits in the '60s and early '70s. I know he didn't pen them all, but he has written at least a few originals. I have a freebie coming to me from BMG, so I might just get "The Best of Johnny Rivers" as my selection. I only need a one-disc collection. "Secret Agent Man," "Mountain of Love," and "Rockin' Pneumonia and the Boogie-Woogie Flu" are just a few of his hits. Anyway, thank God I got some sleep last night, so hopefully I can enjoy the concert this evening! I hope to enjoy this show as much as Kool & The Gang and Olivia Newton-John, which have been my favorite performances in the Louisville Pops series over the past few years.

So It Did Snow (a bit) and February 5th...

Okay... so I was wrong. It did snow last night into this morning, mixed with rain at times, and temperatures did get close to freezing. I hope it didn't cause any major problems on the roads this morning. I haven't listened to the news yet... so I have no clue about road conditions. Right now, there's just a light drizzle falling and the temperature is about 34 degrees F. That's about what I thought this morning's low temperature would be in Louisville. Part of the reason I believed there would be no snow was because it was raining in Chicago yesterday! Yet, it snowed in parts of northern Alabama and Georgia (briefly) before it moved into the Carolinas last evening. All I have to say is the atmosphere must have been pretty convoluted over the past 24 hours. Anyway, I've updated some of my posts so far, but a journal is generally not corrected. Therefore, my forecasting mistake will remain part of my blog.

Well, I'm really looking forward to February 5th. Three much anticipated new cd releases are coming out that day. I've been a fan of Sheryl Crow and Lenny Kravitz since their first singles came out, back in 1989 for Lenny and about 1994 for Sheryl. I really like the title of Lenny's new cd... "It Is Time for a Love Revolution." Isn't that the truth? There is so much hatred and bigotry out there... all around the world. I've always liked the fact that Lenny can play just about any instrument and play it well, kind of like Stevie Wonder in the '70s and Prince in the '80s. The third new release that I'm looking forward to is Jack Johnson. His music is almost too sunny for me, but I love the way he sings and plays that acoustic guitar. I think his first cd came out around 2000. His surfer buddy, Donavon Frankenreiter, came out with a terrific cd in 2006 with the title "Move By Yourself." He's a bit more soulful than his friend Jack, but I enjoy listening to them both.

I Say Mainly Rain, Not Snow for Tonight! and Birthday Heart Re-Evaluation...

I can hardly believe the National Weather Service is still calling for snow tonight into tomorrow morning. I think the temperatures are far too warm for snow. They are saying it may mix with rain but are still predicting an inch or less of accumulation. I don't believe there will be any snow. I think a few ice pellets may mix in with the rain at the onset, but temperatures will be safely above freezing throughout the night. The main weather story should remain the arctic cold to hit Saturday. I'm thinking most of that day will see temperatures in the teens with blustery conditions, sending wind chills below zero.

Anyway, today is my 34th birthday. I saw the cardiologist this morning after having an echocardiogram done. My cardiac output remains around 30 percent, not the kind of improvement I'd hoped and prayed for. Still 30% is slightly better than 27%, so it's going in the right direction. I just have to face it that I have a weakened heart and need to focus on my walking (light exercise) that has been suggested by my cardiologist and other doctors. It's just so difficult to want to do anything when you feel so very tired. I don't feel awful all the time. It is helpful when I'm in the company of family and friends. It is then possible to rise above how terrible I actually feel. Of course, coffee (a bit of caffeine) helps lift me out of my lethargy to some degree, depending on the day and how well I slept the night before. I had a really good time with my friends Harold and Michael last Friday night. I was more outgoing than usual I noticed. It definitely helps me psychologically to get out and socialize with people who care. More later...

Featured Albums of the Week...

Some will notice I removed The Spill Canvas from my list of $7.99 cds to get this week. I took another listen and did not like what I heard the second time around. And I wanted to add that I already have Amy Winehouse, Shiny Toy Guns, and Feist, 3 more of the 18 showcased up and coming artists' cds on sale this week. Amy Winehouse uses a bit too much foul language for my taste, but I love the classic Motown instrumentation. Listening to her led me to Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings. It is 1960s Motown all over again, and it sounds so fresh. I got "100 Days, 100 Nights" for $7.99 a few weeks back from none other than Best Buy. I plan to get the two cds previously released by Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings in the near future. Again, I don't have the funds to just splurge, so I will take my sweet time filling up the few remaining gaps in my cd cabinet. I've been selling cds that I don't care much for any longer to make room for new ones that I will listen to. Why have cds taking up space that are never listened to? In a few other cases, I'm upgrading the catalog of certain artists who have meticulously remastered their original recordings to the much improved 24-bit technology of the 21st Century. I don't know if the sonic clarity can get much better in today's digital world.

Genesis... The Band, Glasses (cont.), and The Arctic Express!

I finally completed my "classic" Genesis collection, which I consider from 1971 (when Phil Collins joined the band) to 1981 (the last year Phil Collins played at least semi-acoustic drums.) I love "Abacab" (the 1981 album.) It has three songs that I really enjoy. The title track, "No Reply At All" and "Man on the Corner" all three got considerable airplay back in the day. There's a really irritating song on it though, called "Who Dunnit?" I think I'll skip that track the next time I listen to this cd. Anyway, I like Genesis past 1981, but the instrumentation changed to include more electronic devices and effects. "Invisible Touch" from 1986 had 5 hits on it, so I'm bound to enjoy at least a couple of those tracks. However, the mid-1980s was a time when synthesizers were taking over and drum machines were commonplace. A lot of the pop music became "bubble-gum" at the time and that continued until the grunge revolution in the early 1990s. I'm not a fan of grunge, but I appreciate the fact that it brought music full circle back to less processed sounds. Well, that's enough of my musicology for the day.

Today, my glasses feel right. Looking at this computer screen is putting a lot less strain on my eyes. It is the same with watching tv. The only complaint I have is that there is a sense of motion that I'm not used to. Perhaps as I get accustomed to wearing the glasses, that feeling will go away. I almost feel a bit of motion sickness, but everything else seems right. Now I just have to wait to get the glasses tinted correctly. I was told that I'd have to get used to the prescription lenses before I get them tinted... three or four days, I believe. So, if the weather cooperates, next week I'll go to Madison, Indiana to be retested for the right colored lenses to assist me with reading and photosensitivity.

Now it looks like Thursday's snowfall with be insignificant. The system will remain split, with energy passing to the north and to the south of Louisville. If they merged, we'd get an accumulating snow, but right now... it doesn't look promising. The major story over the next week to 10 days will be the arctic cold coming in about Saturday and again about Tuesday of next week. It looks like tomorrow's high temperatures in the lower 40s F will be the warmest we'll see for about 10 to 12 days. And they thought this was going to be a mild winter. As I learned in Climatology class, El Nino and La Nina weather patterns are rarely a permanent feature during those years. This winter, there is a La Nina in the equatorial Pacific waters... waters that are colder than average. It tends to keep the polar jet stream well to the north, keeping the arctic air masses resticted to Alaska and the far northern parts of the United States.

Well, people, be prepared for some brutally cold weather during this last half of January! It looks like it will effect nearly the entire lower 48 states with colder than normal temperatures, and generally light precipitation events, except for the occasional coastal low travelling up the East Coast. It could be a snowy period for the Mid-Atlantic and the Northeast. More later...

Glasses

Today, I have to pick up my prescription glasses. My vision, when tested, like last Wednesday, is losing ground. My right eye is significantly in worse shape than my left. In both cases, I have astigmatism. I've been noticing for some time that my vision's been blurry. I thought it might be my medications making my vision blurry, but it is impossible to know if that is the case. I go back to the eye doctor in a year. I hope it doesn't get much worse. I thank God that Medicare will pay for the visit to Dr. Conrad. It didn't, however, pay for the frames and the lenses, which my parents picked up on their credit card. My parents are so generous when it comes to their children. I am so thankful! Next, I am to be examined for the right tinted lenses to accommodate my prescription. I have Scotopic Sensitivity Syndrome and need colored lenses to assist me in reading and tolerating bright lights. Last time, back in 1996, it was teal and beige. Beige is the background tint. It is either beige or gray, but the color can be almost anything. The way I've been gravitating towards purple lately... I almost think the color has shifted from teal to purple. We will see. This syndrome is so common, yet so misunderstood by many. There are certain wavelengths of light that some people are intolerant to that it makes reading at best choppy... not smooth and comfortable like it should be. White light is all colors in one, and certain tints of the entire prism of colors are distracting and negative for many to see. I know that yellow and gold shades are difficult for me to process. Anyway, I will probably make an appointment with the scotopic folks for next week to amend my new prescription lenses with beige and whatever color feels right upon examination.

Winter Returns, Heart Talk, and Best Buy Deals!

Well, a bit of light snow is moving this way across southern Indiana this morning. It's hitting the area right at the morning rush hour, which could be messy. But, I don't have to go anywhere thankfully. Anyway, I'm looking forward to Thursday to see if we might get an accumulating snow... perhaps a couple of inches. A light snowfall would be appreciated, at least by me. I have a feeling this weekend will be colder than currently forecasted, especially if we have snow cover. I think we will at least get down into the single digits in Louisville. I was correct earlier this month when a brief shot of arctic air hit the area. I thought one day the temperatures wouldn't climb out of the teens. Well, it hit 21 degrees F for a high temperature with most of the day hovering in the teens. A near 30 F was forecasted for that day.

This Wednesday, my birthday actually, I will find out if my cardiac output has improved. I am hoping and praying that it will. My ejection fraction with a MUGA scan was at 27 percent last summer. That is pretty significant cardiomyopathy. I'm currently taking Coreg and Altace for this condition. There are 12 prescription drugs that I take daily. It was up to 17 at one time, but thankfully, I was able to reduce the number without consequence. 3 are for psychosis and anxiety, 3 are for allergies, 2 are for cardiac function, 2 are for pain and stiffness, and 2 are for insomnia. One of my insomnia drugs was taken off the formulary this year, and it was the best medication for sleep that I've ever taken. That was Somnote (chloral hydrate), and I may replace it (with the consent of my doctor) with Sonata, which worked to some degree the last time I tried it. I've tried everything for sleep. My psychiatrist has seen thousands of patients throughout his career, and he says I'm the worst insomniac he's ever treated... not a status that I am proud of.

There are 3 cds that I'd like to purchase this week that are $7.99 a piece at Best Buy. They are up and coming artists in the music industry. But as most anyone knows, a person on disability doesn't have money to throw around on entertainment. But, there were 18 artists in this week's ad being showcased. I listened to samples of each of the artists' songs on Amazon.com to determine whether or not I liked the artist, and I quickly narrowed the 18 down to 3. The three I liked were Colbie Caillat, Plain White T's, and Rilo Kiley. The only way I'll get these albums are if I get a Best Buy gift card for my birthday on Wednesday... hint! Anyway, there's more to talk about, but I don't have to discuss it all at once. I consider this blog to be like a diary. Rick's music, weather, and health... truly!

The Beginning of the Blog

As usual, I am the perpetual insomniac. I guess about 5 hours of sleep is good, but waking up before 3 AM isn't all that fun. The only reason I slept at all was the sedatives that I take. The doctor that prescribes these medications said that all these drugs would knock out a baby elephant!

Anyway, the sun is about to come up now, and it's raining outside. It's about 40 degrees F out there, so it's a chilly rain... cold rain being my least favorite weather condition. The weather pattern is in the process of changing to a much colder one for the eastern part of the United States. Louisville, Kentucky, my hometown and where I live now experienced a 70 degree F record high temperature just last Tuesday. We may see that again in March, I suppose.

Anyway, a cousin recommended a cd to me a few weeks back, so I bought it. The name of the group is Angels & Airwaves. The cd is titled "I-Empire" and I enjoyed every song on the album. It's rock music, but very pop-sounding with electronica effects. I guess it might be classified as "adult-alternative," but, all in all, it's just a very pleasing sonic delivery. More later...