It’s been 5 months?

I rolled in this afternoon/evening after I had left over turkey, lumpy mashed potatoes, green beans and cranberries(whole ones) followed by pumpkin pie with that pressurized whipped cream…… I was gonna enter something profound and highly literal and kaboom, I suddenly realized it had been five months since I had been here…. So here goes ladies and gentlemen……

I have been working because we are considered mission essential. I know some folks who are not that lucky especially given the edicts of our not so esteemed governor, Greasy Gruesome Newsom. He is a reason that makes a repeat of 1776 a rather splendid idea at times………

We had a bit of a stressful event at Eddie’s Airplane Patch relative to the 412th AMXS in the July-August time frame that did cause some consternation in the unit. In a nutshell it was a possible contact with a possible contact of a confirmed case in a member’s family. To several of us it was an option to get the quick nasal check for the said China Virus. My flight chief at the time was sort of pushy about me getting it done. He worried about me due to my age and the fact that I have had some health related issues and having had cancer being one of them. I wound up being placed on administrative leave from Mid August to Mid October. Full pay and regular leave and sick leave still being earned. At least Missus ORPO and I were able to take a trip to Wichita, Kansas for the First Birthday of our Grandson, Grayson Austin Green. Add in that your humble Crew Dawg was also rolling Sixty-Six in that time period. My New Flight Chief was in a bit of a tizzy when he was informed about said vacation. I had already forecast it in January before he moved into his current position. I don’t even think I got charged the full amount of leave. Missus ORPO and I had a splendid time with the family.

I also had a fun event in August that required my old friend, the prep. You know THAT PREP! I also had the endoscopy done and that was a first. Polyp in the transverse colon and rectum, both of which were negative on the biopsies. The upper tract had some items that also had biopsies done and those were negative as well. The diverticulitis is there and it is being dealt with as I would prefer the surgery to be done after I retire at Edwards and we return to Kansas. Then I will have all the time in the world.

No Hockey yet. Supposedly the AHL is going to start the new season next week but no one knows anything because the above named elected official is being his usual 24 carat ass wipe self…….

There, caught up, I think. I am still thinking on whether or not to keep ATJT going or not. I am up against the free amount expiration soon. I have considered doing the Pinch Paisley thing and just calling it good because of the social media thing taking over.

Medical things, as in two times in three days

Wednesday was a trip to the West Los Angeles VA Hospital Dermatology Clinic. I had this shit break out on the webbing between the fingers and it sucked balls….. I got an Rx for a topical ointment and was out quickly. One hour to Sand Canyon Road in Santa Clarita and the In-n-Out.

Friday had me going to the Sepulveda ACC for an imaging appointment. It was to look for an aorta aneurysm check. Age and having been a smoker caused my primary provider at the VA clinic in Lancaster (CA) to order the said procedure….. It was a snap. The stop for chow was the Denny’s at the Sand Canyon Road exit in Santa Clarita.

Next Thursday is the Chronic Pain Clinic at the West Los Angeles Hospital. That one is one of those….. Hmmmmm things ya know……..

Emergency Rooms and Me….

Three times in the last 18 months……..

That being said, It is a much lower rate than when I went through that weight loss fun and games in the period from 2015 to 2017.

The one that I have been to lately is at Adventist Health Tehachapi Valley. Awesome place. The staff is great. I will not have to submit myself to those eleven hour and plus trips to Palmdale.

I have not kept count of the total number of ER visits in the last five years as that is a bit on the morbid side, ya know. The fun with the diverticulosis and the issues with the digestive tract is not something I enjoy. The imaging technician at Adventist and I are now on a first name basis. Nomar is my bud, ya might say.

Yeah, ER visits are a part of the normal for me these days……. It sucks bigtime……….. Oh, my blood pressure was in limits. OK, it was toward the high side but nevertheless it was in limits.

The photo is for attention only……….

Something on the mind

Well since all are pretty much aware that the youngest daughter is with child, a grandson who is due in September, there is some decision making in regard to the lad’s naming. Missus ORPO is pushing for his middle name to be the same as mine which is as most know is Mark. It is hard to not try and have any influence in this process as in reality, it isn’t my decision. Straight up, it is not my decision in any fashion. I have never thought of leaving any legacy as it were at any time in my life. Would I like the grandson to have my name in some manner? Yes I would but I have absolutely no control over that.

On my part, I am glad that I will have a grandson whose early years I will be a part of. In around 18 to 24 months or so, we will be going back to Wichita, Kansas when I retire from the civil service at Edwards AFB. Let’s face it, I ain’t getting any younger and the mileage, wear and tear have taken a toll. I will need every moment that I can get.

I want to be able to take the boy fishing and shooting just like my Paternal Grandfather did with me. He also taught me how to run a bottling line in the days of glass bottles.

Please pardon the ramblings of an old man who now has much on his mind.

Trains and Clouds

I hauled the Trusty Nikon with me on the way to work on Thursday afternoon.  I had seen a large buildup to the East from Cal City. I even managed to catch an intermodal train rolling East through Edwards heading to it’s crew change in Barstow. Apologies for the vehicular traffic on the 58. It is one of the few major East to West routes through the Sierra Nevada Range at Tehachapi.

All were taken with the 55-200 lens in auto.

Desert Wanderings: 21 April 2018

I had to go to Mojave to get things at Stater Bros Market for Missus ORPO. I took the trusty Nikon along. I got some shots of the yard where the components for the wind turbines are unloaded from special flat cars for movement to the area where they are assembled and put into service.

I have included random shots of other stuff as well. Enjoy.

#desertwanderings

Sunday afternoon in the Mojave Desert

I had to do some Christmas shopping for the Missus today. The Trusty Nikon got some work.

America, America

Walking on an empty cement parking lot, it snowing
And my face has taken on a winter storm

I remember how good friends we used to be, now knowing
We were younger and protected from your harm

America, America
You are so far away
Your fossils are the children of today

And though there’s joy in emptiness
I cannot say your absence fits the joys of living

Medical Fun and Games…..

After calling and calling the VA at Sepulveda about my CT Scan that I had on May 8th, the neurology called back and wants me to make an appointment…….

I can’t fathom why they just won’t send me the information. But after all the bullshit, I guess this is a step in the right direction. I still have to find out if my regular doctor who is my primary provider under the Veteran’s Choice Program has the results as well. After work this morning, it’s phone tag part whatever as I quit counting.

The colonoscopy is to be done on Friday the 28th, two days from now. I won’t get a check in time until I talk to the nurse on Thursday. I told this clinic that I need to know ASAP on Thursday so I can get some sleep before the preparation begins……….I think I actually got through.

It has been an aggravating and stressful three months…….

To all of my friends and followers on Facebook, I humbly apologize for the hasty departure. I may fire it up again but in a more compact manner with Neptunus Lex first and foremost.

I haven’t been the most pleasant person to be around. Maybe Missus ORPO and I should split for the Central Coast for a long weekend just to get a change of scenery.

I will be purchasing the upgrade here at WordPress to keep the blog going for quite some time I hope……….

 

Eyes of a Stranger

Queensryche………………………

Eyes of a Stranger………………sometimes when I look in the mirror, I don’t know the man looking back at me……………………

All alone now
Except for the memories
Of what we had and what we knew
Every time I try to leave it behind me
I see something that reminds me of you
Every night the dreams return to haunt me
Your rosary wrapped around your throat
I lie awake and sweat, afraid to fall asleep
I see your face looking back at me, looking back at me

And I raise my head and stare
Into the eyes of a stranger
I’ve always known that the mirror never lies
People always turn away
From the eyes of a stranger
Afraid to know what
Lies behind the stare

Is this all that’s left
Of my life before me
Straight jacket memories, sedative highs
No happy ending like they’ve always promised
There’s got to be something left for me
And I raise my head and stare
Into the eyes of a stranger
I’ve always known that the mirror never lies
People always turn away
From the eyes of a stranger
Afraid to know what
Lies behind the stare (Lies behind my stare)

How many times must I live this tragedy
How many more lies will they tell me
All I want is the same as everyone
Why am I here, and for how long

And I raise my head and stare
Into the eyes of a stranger
I’ve always known that the mirror never lies
People always turn away
From the eyes of a stranger
Afraid to know what
Lies behind the stare

Lenticulars over The Fremont Valley

I made a run to the Rite Aid for Missus ORPO and these were in the sky. We are actually located in the Fremont Valley and not the Antelope Valley.

Looking West Toward The Grapevine

I took these on the way home from Lancaster this afternoon. It was snowing when we left but this one was really heavy duty.

Ugly on The Southern Sierra Nevada Range

I took these on Friday. It was in poor light with a very low battery in the trusty old Nikon.

10 Ancient Warriors who were certified badasses (10 Photos)

Germanicus

During the height of the Roman Empire, Germanicus was universally recognized by soldiers, citizens and politicians alike to be the single most ferocious, merciless yet honorable warrior ever to be produced by Rome. Despite being born into the elite, Germanicus spent most of his life knee-deep in dead enemies on the battlefield, writing poetry about astrology and most notably – extracting brutal revenge on Germans.

You see, after hearing about the Romans suffering a humiliating defeat at the hands of the German Tribal Chief Arminius, Germanicus spent several years seething in quiet rage and plotting retribution. He had three goals in mind – First, to find the site where they suffered defeat and bury the bodies of fallen Romans. Second, to recover the captured Eagles the Germanic Tribes took and bring them back to Rome. Lastly, to turn into a limb-severing machine and take the lives of as many enemies as possible. He succeeded in prolific fashion in all endeavors and returned home a paragon of loyalty, the ultimate symbol of an honorable warrior, and the one guy you shouldn’t piss off.

I have heard of Germanicus the most………………………

10 Ancient Warriors who were certified badasses (10 Photos)

Electrolyte Update

I received a letter from my doctor yesterday. All of my electrolytes are normal including the potassium which is at 4.5!

Another hurdle is cleared!