It's all about me -- Dec 8, 2008

I seem to be self-absorbed for the last week or so, hence, it is all about me!

Five weeks ago I had the cataracts removed from my left eye; three weeks ago I had the cataracts removed from my right eye. I had been told the operation would be easy , and that was true. I had lenses implanted that correct my astigmatism and far-sightedness. They are made to focus at 20 feet. I now can see quite well to drive, and was surprised how many things one can actually see when driving after dark -- so from that standpoint the operation was a success. I need reading glasses, and at present I am using Walmart reading glasses. I miss my old trifocals, and have trouble with stuff that is 5 or 6 feet away. I expect I will still need glasses, but they will be nowhere nearly as strong or thick as the ones I formerly had.

Last week I had a cochlear implant on the right ear. This operation was a little more taxing than I expected. I was feeling pretty rough for about 5 days. Part of the problem was that the doctor did not want me to use the CPAP machine for several days. (CPAP machine is to overcome sleep apnea.) So I was steadily getting more and more out of sort each day, finally Saturday I capitulated, got a good nights sleep, and felt like my old optimistic self on Sunday. I am still trying to get my sleep awake cycle adjusted, but that will be OK in a day or two. meanwhile, I am completely deaf in the right ear, well almost completely deaf -- curiously I can hear through the bone, the electric tooth brush when it is on the right bottom molar. Well isn't that little chunk of information interesting? I told you, this is all about me!

I have been doing a fair amount of reading, and watching TV. I am now an expert on the People's Court, so I probably can help any of you needing legal advice. I also have been watching with increasing fear as Congress and the Treasury try to stop the financial melt-down. I was impressed for a while that Henry Paulson really knew what needed to be done. It is now apparent that no one knows what needs to be done, and some period of time is needed for all of the unfortunates finish losing money on investments that were as we now know, a bad idea.
It seems very discouraging to me that after all these years, there still is no way to soften normal business cycles.

I am reading a wonderful book, that i would recommend, "Dreams from my Father" by Barack Obama. He is a very good writer, and his account of growing up, and dealing with both the issues of race, and the issue of his father - an overbearing, but brilliant man, apparently -- who Barack Obama admired, but really never knew, is interesting. Watching Obama as president-elect is fascinating. Usually the present-elect takes it easy until of inauguration, and leaves all the messy problems to the incumbent president. That is not what is happening this time -- I am surprised Bush is not a little more resentful, and does not do everything he can to get things going right before he leaves. I think perhaps he is wrapped up in ideology, that the free market will solve all this mess. We are paying the price of having a spoiled rich man as president. I am always surprised how short Bush is. He usually surrounds himself with people shorter than himself. lately he seems just go out and mix with anyone, so it easy to see he is shorter than most men.