Potholes or craters?

I was reading a blog post from a friend that lives in the United States and my little light came on. I should warn anyone that has never tried to navigate the roads here, or as we like to call them the never-ending potholes, do not eat just before driving or the 'bumps' may remind you of what you just had. Just look down at your clothes and ask yourself, did I have salsa on those tacos? 

Infrastructure is NOT on the to-do-list in this country. When they do decide to patch some potholes the material they use is so inferior that you can see a crew filling holes and pass by in a day or so wonder how far that patch material floated before totally disintegrating. And now the hole is bigger!!! 

 

The first time I moved here I had just bought a brand new Pontiac Firebird. I had spent 4 days checking out the country and knew that that T-top Cinnamon color low riding sweetie was not coming here with me if I decided to take the promotion and added day to day headaches that were waiting in the three countries where I would develop manufacturing plants. So the company bought me a new Jeep and my wife got a new RAV-4. Take that you nasty potholes[craters]. 

 

Driving here is like driving in Washington, DC or Los Angeles. You fire up the car, exit and walk around to each wheel housing praying that your guardian angel did not take this day off. Here they spell car, AGGRESSION. Don't get me started about motorcycles! These riders would scare the hell out of Evel Knievel.  

 

   

Here's a little something that falls in the 'Go Figure' category. I have seen Mercedes Benz, Ferrari's, Stingrays, Corvette's, Town-cars, and other high end cars that simply don't fit in this washboard road country. That is unless you have more money than brains and replacing the suspension system yearly is on of the ways you get your jollies.    

 

Thank God that there is an awesome public transportation system! You can get anywhere via bus or taxi at a very reasonable cost. Now with Uber arriving the cost for a ride is even cheaper. The taxi companies have already held three strikes because Ubers rates are lower. Plus the individual owners and drivers of the cars are heads and shoulders above in appearance and vehicle maintenance.

 

                                                                       DON'T 

     

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A sign that used to be on Williamson road 

to tease the taste buds and please the wallet

Here's a fast-food burger chain that I essentially I grew up with during my time in the great state of Virginia. It was around and thriving in the '60s and '70s. It had 50 locations and as was customary at the time every location was a mirror image of the other ones. Unlike today where you find McDonald's, Taco Bell and many others have a different look depending on their location and theme that they are striving for in the area.

Although there is only one original Kenny's Burger still standing at             

Kenny Burger 635 Waddell Street Lexington, Virginia 24450 

The Kenny burger was different and delicious because of its special sauce. You can find the recipe at:

https://www.recipesecrets.net/forums/your-favorite-recipes/25778-kenneys-broiled-burger-sauce-50s-80s.html  

I know the ingredients sound strange but just try it. 

Kenny's Burger's began as Biff-Burger in 1958 and was owned by William Bill Kenny. The name was changed as the chain grew and the new name caught on quickly.

Then along came Ray Kroc and the now omnipresent McDonald's. McDonald's with a more efficient workflow to serve faster orders and more ingredients to make a much tastier burger. Not to mention other food changes that started a wave of customers that couldn't get enough Micky Dee's and Kenny's Burger's that could not see enough, customers that is, with empty bellies and full wallets.   

Having been in the fast-food restaurant business and can vouch for the fact that it is one of the, if not the toughest, businesses to succeed in all I can say right now is.....

I WANT A KENNY BURGER!!  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=16&v=MJRbYCgkOjU&feature=emb_logo

November 11, the day to honor and revere the men and women who have served our country and still are serving. Many paid the ultimate price for the freedom that we as a country and society bask in and enjoy. We do this by having parades in their honor. Speeches by some of those that were severely wounded by enemy gunfire, IUDs, or some other life-ending activity due to war.

Today will be the first time a sitting president will speak at the glorious event. This I ask of myself, WHY? Many if not all have been invited in the past and each has declined. Here is a list of presidents that DID NOT SERVE:
The 12 Presidents who did not serve in the military are: John Adams, John Quincy Adams, Martin Van Buren, Grover Cleveland, William H. Taft, Woodrow Wilson, Warren G. Harding, Calvin Coolidge, Herbert C. Hoover, Franklin D. Roosevelt, William J. Clinton, Barack H. Obama and Donald Trump.

The climate, atmosphere, of today, is counterproductive for our society to continue as the world's military force. That is a good thing IF...... we could get the political nincompoops to put down their rattlers and security blankets and grow up.     

But the things that have been around since God created Earth, GREED AND POWER LUST, will simply not allow this to occur.    

The youth of today have lost their perspective, that is assuming they ever had one, and for that reason, we will always have the need for November 11 to always be viable.

And Jesus said, 

“Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” 

And they cast lots to divide his garments.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hospital Mexico

Hospital San Rafael

 

 

 

 

Entry number three regarding my 'stay' at Hospital San Rafael in Alajuela and my visits to Hospital Mexico in San Jose. At least I got out with all my fingers and toes still attached. Please sit back and allow me to enlighten you about my 2+ weeks at these Costa Rica hospitals.

 

It all began on the evening of October 29, 2019, which brought on a phone call and I was told that I had 2 hours to report to the hospital or lose the room I had been waiting on to have testing started on cancer that I had been diagnosed with earlier in the month.

 

We started jumping around to collect the items needed for the beginning of my stay. We know from experience that when they say jump you do it or if you are late you stand the very real chance of losing the room and another won't become available for 1-2 months at least!

 

So we get there in our allotted time period and we sat for 4 hours before the bed is ready. You see in this country they have 3 speeds: SLOW, SLOWER, and SLOWEST. That is unless they are waiting for you. Then it's what are YOU waiting on. 

 

First day: Blood test. They knew that due to cancer my mouth was extremely sore and liquids were all I take in, chewing was out of the question. So what was I served for lunch? Partially cooked carrots and potatoes and an unidentifiable vegetable that was also partially cooked. When a complaint was registered I was told they would do better in the future. So for dinner, I received a bowl of cold brown soup that smelled late dirty socks and a glass of an unknown liquid that was white in color and had a bland taste. Going forward there is no need to describe additional meals, they were each similar even after repeated complaints to various doctors when I was told we will do better. That ship my friend NEVER SAILED. *I lost 12 pounds while there

Second day: Chest X-ray. Several doctors stopped in to ask how I was doing. With each one, I ask "What is your specialty"? Two said general medicine. One said he was a pain doctor. I said great you are the one that can help me with this pain I have in my mouth. His response, no, not right now. I see you are already taking 5 medications. Oh, so true doctor but they are not relieving the pain. His response, more tests are needed. So in the meantime, I just lay here and suffer. I was told they would fix that ASAP. That night I was given 1/2 of the prescribed medication. When I ask why the next morning I was told that was a mistake. It won't happen again. Guess what.........IT DID!! Repeatedly.

 

Third day: I was transported via ambulance to Hospital Mexico to talk to an oncologist. He examined me and concurred, yep, you have cancer all right. He said he had a colleague I needed to talk to. She said, yep, you have cancer in your tonsils. We need to have some teeth pulled that will interfere with the Radiotherapy and Chemo that you will have to have. We also need more x-rays. You also have anemia and we have to find out where that's coming from. I asked isn't that a depletion of iron? Yes, but not always.

 

Fourth and fifth day: It was the weekend and doctors, as a rule, don't work weekends. There are NO tests done on the weekend. So you sit in the room for 2 days with 5 other guys with various illnesses and they don't speak English and there is NO TV either.

 

 

 

 

Sixth day:  Off to Hospital Mexico to talk with a doctor and see the dentist. One to discuss the treatment procedure itself and the other to be told that 4 teeth would have to go but they would need x-rays of the mouth to decide which ones. That was odd because every time in the past the dentist would get x-rays first. Anyway, I had to return twice and they pulled 8 teeth in total.

The other tests during my stay included having a mesh mask made that must conform to my face without any space, fit like a glove as it were. This must be worn during each treatment to keep from damaging my skin permanently. A couple more CT scans and since a spot was found on one of my lungs they did a biopsy to determine if it is malignant or benign. 

It was determined that my anima is from an iron deficiency. They have to put a PEG in my stomach for me to be fed through during my treatments.

The primary doctor released me until the treatment begins in a few weeks. I will receive 32 sessions of 2 hours each 5 days a week.

 

     

YOU MUST LIE PERFECTLY STILL 

(THEIR WORDS NOT MINE) 

                              DURING THE ENTIRE 2 HOUR PROCEDURE

      

 

 

First Annual National Period Day 

https://www.period.org/nationalperiodday

 

October 19th, 2019 marked the first National Period Day. Now don't be embarrassed or ashamed if you missed it. Research shows that women intentionally kept it a secret so that the next time we males do something wrong, no matter how small, they can use that as a double whammy. "I can't believe you did that AND forgot National Period Day. You're sleeping on the couch slimebag and eating bologna sandwiches for the rest of the week!!"       

  

What do you buy for them on this day? Tampons or pads! Are you supposed to throw in some of that medication that helps with cramps and backaches? Are you supposed to buy them a loose-fitting pair of pants so the 'problem' can't be easily seen from behind? WARNING!! Don't ask any of these questions until you are back in bed and on regular food.    

What's next? National Bad Hair Day. Or, "Ignore that Full Closet Of Clothes Day', I don't have anything to wear!!!! 

 

Maybe we men should create 'National Clean Your Gun Day'. Then say to her, now look down the barrel to make sure it's clean as a whistle. While you do that whistle as you pull the trigger. You need to make sure that works too!  

 

 Author not responsible for any 'accidents'

 

 

1/3 of the line waiting to get into the hospital at 5:30 am

I went to the hospital again Thursday to get a biopsy of a dark spot on my lungs. This is another test that has been ordered by one of the doctors before they start the treatment for cancer in my tonsils. Let me tell you about that experience!

 

We arrived and went to the area that was pointed out to us. They had me strip down to my undies and socks and pull on a surgical gown. My wife talked with the receptionist as I sat quietly and patiently next to her desk. Then the circus started.

 

I have a file that is at least 5 inches thick from the multiple times I have been there. The hospital even called a few days before the appointment to verify that I would be there. The doctor came in and as he was talking to my wife about the drugs I currently take each day, (I don't speak Spanish and he doesn't speak English). When she told him that one of them was Plavix the circus was about to kick into high gear.   

  

He asked Nuria when was the last time I had taken Plavix. She told him at 10 am the previous day. He looked a little alarmed and said that he wasn't sure if he could do the procedure because I had to stop taking it five days BEFORE this procedure. She explained that we were told that I could not eat or drink anything 12 hours before but no one said I had to discontinue the drug before. I could see the doctor mentally shrugging his shoulders in the gesture of it's not my problem.

 

He told her (us) that he would make a phone call to verify that he could not do the procedure. Please have seat, this won't take long. Boy, was he wrong!! After waiting 30 minutes we ask if there was an answer and by the way, what happened to the doctor. The receptionist said he was in a meeting. A MEETING!! WHAT??? Do you have to call a meeting to make a phone call?

 

A short time later we saw the doctor and he was consciously ignoring us. You know how the person will look your way and then quickly divert their eyes. I had Nuria call out to get his attention. By this time over an hour had passed. He told us that he had turned the situation over to his boss and was waiting for an answer. Oh, he also said that his boss WAS IN A MEETING!! I immediately got pissed. I'm sitting here waiting for a simple answer to a simple question and those in charge of my time is IN A MEETING! 

 

15-20 minutes later I put my clothes on and ask my wife to tell the receptionist to reschedule the appointment. The receptionist said she could not because she didn't have access to his schedule. W-H-A-T?? About this time I'm about to throw a hissy fit. But instead, I told Nuria I was going outside for some fresh air.

 

She came out and we went to the pharmacy there on the grounds. As we were leaving the young fellow from the doctor's office caught up with us and told Nuria the doctor wanted to see her. She went and met with two doctors. They told her I was to have the procedure in a different hospital, closer to home, but first, they wanted her, the doctor, to determine why I was still anemic. That has to be fixed before the procedure can be performed. I'm pulling my hair out. I'm handling the cancer OK, but these doctors are driving me crazy. I'm beginning to wonder if they know their arse from a hole in the ground. This is not the only time that I have found myself in the middle of this circus. I have been dealing with it for 3 years.

 

I have a bad heart. Possibly they are just trying to put me in cardiac arrest and then into the cremation vase so they can wash their hands of me and seek out their next  victim, I mean patient.    

Just get in line, we'll be with you when we are damn good and ready.

See above photo

                                       Mariska and Peter                                    

Have you ever seen Law and Order: Suv? Then you know Mariska Hargitay. She's the star and plays Olivia Benson, who now has achieved the rank of lieutenant. Her specialty is catching sex crime perps. Mainly rapists and assorted other inhuman types.

Jane Mansfield in Promises, Promises

She was born on January 23, 1964, in California. Her father was a bodybuilder, Mike Hargitay, Mr. Universe, and her mother was, wait for it......Jane Mansfield. That's right, one of the first Playboy Bunnies! Several years ago I would have voted Mariska a bunny also. But like so many of us she grew out as well as up. She probably put on the extra weight so she could handle those criminals better. But the truth is I think she is still foxy in her own way. But she is 55 and married and I am retired nursing cancer, boohoo, boohoo.

Her and her hubby, Peter Hermann, have three children. One she gave birth to via cesarean section and two adopted. They married in 2004 after meeting on the show. She has been in that show since 1999. As of August 2012, Hargitay was earning approximately $400,000–$500,000 per episode. She is one of the highest-paid actresses on television, with an estimated annual salary of $13 million. Mariska has an estimated net worth of $50 million.

 

Here is more info on her: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mariska_Hargitay She is an interesting lady. Maybe she will contribute to my cancer fight with some of her wealth and we will ride into the sunset together.........A guy can dream, can't he?!

 

 The Family

 https://www.countryliving.com/life/entertainment/a28100025/mariska-hargitay-husband-peter-hermann-marriage/