Below are the 20 most recent journal entries recorded in Carmanfan1's LiveJournal:

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Thursday, October 12th, 2006
2:24 am	Long Overdue! Hi all, I'm finally back to blogging again after some serious delays. Since you heard from me last, I've been out of town and back again, and now am dealing with the problem of what DBS calls "Self employment." I've been a contractor for the place of business where I work for a little over 3 months now and am getting frustrated with it and decided it is not necessarily the best way to work. It's hard to do this kind of work when you never quite know when paycheck time is coming and if you don't work with someone, you don't get paid. Surely there's got to be a better way of making aliving. there's got to be! Now, I was out of town because abe didn't want to cross streets corectly. Now he's got the hang of that, we can move on to what happened to him a couple Saturdays ago. He came out on the patio with me to discover we had a visitor. A Terapin, or Box turtle, as some people know these creatures of the dry land was on the patio just hanging out. Abe thought I should have this new animal in my collection, but when he went to pick it up, it bit him on the nose. He dropped his new prize and stepped back in amazement. What was this hard shelled thing up to? A neighbor took it out to the country in the wooded area where he belongs so he can prepare to hibernate. Lastly, my cockatiel Carman had to be put to sleep on September 30th and that was a hard day for me. the vet gave him 4 to 6 months to live, but he was in just too much pain to leave alive to suffer. He's buried at my friend's house but I still have my Noah Abe brought in for me in July. Well, so much for the Mouth of the South and I promise not to be gone so long this next time. Carmanfan1 Books are written for information; The bible is written for Transformation! (Comment on this)
Thursday, July 27th, 2006
7:58 am	Working Again and Other Stuff. Well, it's good to be working again. I've finally got things back in perspective again. Sleeping late is over and long days away from the house are done again with no problem. Secondly, the Mobility lessons are over now. I can ride the city buses but there's one reason that stops me a little bit. Poor Abe has ridden the Paratransit buses for so long he's forgotten how to have confidence in himself to make decisions. However, the forms have come from Leader Dogs and i'll fill the medical stuff out tomorrow and hopefully get it all back to the office in time to get in class before school. I can't be sure they'll have me come back there or come here but either way I've got to deal with it. I'm not happy and have cried several times but we will see. Noah the cockatiel is growing daily. He's also getting smarter too, the little brat. e opened the door where his food goes in and got out this morning. He came right to me and I put him back in the cage and wired the door closed. Carman, the other cockatiel is 20 years old. We looked on his band around his leg and he was hatched out in 1986. They can live up to 30 years. He's getting to be an old man. I had to have a friend cut his nails. they were so long they were curling under his feet and now he has to learn to walk around the cage again and use his feet and not his nails. I've got confidence in him and I know god will help him with this endeavor. God looks out for the birds; the Bible says so. Well, now that things are working again, I can get back to my Journal. This is Carmanfan1, mouth of the South closing for the moment. PS. company's comin around 11:00 AM this morning to talk to me about a place for me to rest my bones when the work is done here. that's another topic for either later today or tomorrow. (Comment on this)
Monday, June 26th, 2006
11:03 pm	I Hate Paperwork! Did you ever notice that when you start a new job or a new anything you almost have to sign your life away? I'm starting a new job and am glad to have it but I've never signed so many papers at one time in all my life. this afternoon Abe and I made our way to the new job place and had to sign about ten different papers there besides the one I signed last week and then we had to go to a place and I had to take a drug test which meant there were two more papers to sign. I don't know about a lot of people but after a while my handwriting really gets to look more like scratches on a piece of paper than a name. LOL! what a mess when that happens. I love computers because you can make as many copies of something as you want and even have it electronically or digitally signed, (whichever name you prefer) and you can be on your way. Hopefully the majority of the paperwork is over and things can start happening and I can start bringing in a payroll. Well, the mouth of the South has had a long long day and I'm ready for a good night's sleep. don't worry, be happy! Carmanfan1 (Comment on this)
Sunday, June 25th, 2006
11:01 pm	Hi Ho! Hi Ho! It's Back To Work I go! Well, it's time to be able to go back to owork and I must admit I'm a bit glad. I've never had such a frustrating month in my life but this has been one. Lots of stuff has happened. I've signed a contract with a place here in dallas and Abe has also brought home another pet for me, A baby cockatiel named Noah. He's about nine weeks old and is furious because Carman, my older Cockatiel, wants absolutely nothing to do with him. But they'll have to work it out. tomorrow afternoon Abe and I are going down to sign some paperwork and see what else is happening. I've also received a call from Bender Consulting and yes, I'm going to consult with them. I want to be sure I have full time work and don't want to leave any stone unturned. I had my Pastor at work pray over my contract though so I do believe I will work full time again. My friend I used to work with also got hired so we are excited to be working together again. Well, this Mouth of the South has a lot to be excited about. Carmanfan1 signing off saying, "when you're down to nothing, God's Up to Something!" (Comment on this)
Friday, June 16th, 2006
8:45 am	Oh what a Tangled Web They Weaved. I'm so furious! I went to apply for a job yesterday that was supposed to be part time with a full time position after two months. I had no idea the rules had changed before I got there. when I went in to the office for the interview, I was told they had decided to hire people by contract. Get this, I have to get my own clientelle, and they pay me 80% of the fee. I was also informed they wouldn't be taking the taxes and stuff out and I'd have to do that myself. I sat there thinking whether it would even be worth it or not to do this thing. I'm thinking that for six months this job was offered as a part time position with a promise of full time work. Oh What a tangled web we weave When first we practice to Deceive. Was I deceived? Yep! They are trying to work out the information. I'm not impressed but I'll see what they have to say. I need employment so I'm going to have to do something. Anyway, it's a big let down. This Mouth of the South will make sure I'm heard loud and clear! If you go for a job interview, make sure they keep it as promised. Carmanfan1 Still Job Hunting. (Comment on this)
Thursday, June 1st, 2006
3:50 am	Job Club And Job Fair!! Greetings all, It's been a while since I've written but I feel as if I'm frustrated enough now to write and tell all about Job Clubs and Job fair. Fair as I know it is supposed to be a fun thing. Club is a thing that's joined if it is something you really want to do and would enjoy doing it. that's my experience with these two things I've been dealing with for the past few weeks. My friend amy, my Leader dog Abe and I went to a Disabilities job fair a couple weeks ago and I consider it a big waste of time. Most of the people hiring advised you to "go online" and apply. Daah! why go to job club then? I must admit it was a waste of time. There was no one there to help us with the tables and stuff so we just walked around and asked who was at each table. We finished early and went home. My question is: Is that all there is to job fair? Job club recommends we go so I went to one and another one is looming in the very near future. However, there's a job prospect for me so hopefully it will work out. Carmanfan1, Mouth of the South, tired of searching for work. (Comment on this)
Thursday, May 11th, 2006
3:03 am	Crazy Buses. I've always wondered how Dallas handled the Dart bus system. It's such a big place and there has to be an order to their madness. I found the madness but a strange order. I learned there are three number 11 buses that run past my apartment complex and one letter tells where they go. the Skyline bus takes me to the West transfer station and there I can catch a bus or train. this is rather convenient for me. I can pretty much do the city and go to fort Worth if I want too. that's great. The way out of the Transfer Station can be rather tricky. why in the world do they have so many buses with the same number. Wouldn't it be simpler just to put the name on the bus instead of using numbers and letters? It makes sense to me but evidently not to the ones who created the ride. Paratransit pulled another lovely stunt. they decided to have all who ride fill out a form and get a doctor's statement even though you've been a rider for years. they said they sent mine in February. They didn't! So, when i got it, I rode downtown with my mobility instructor and got it filled out at the Aston Center. Two buses down. It's a bit tricky but doable. On the way back, I caught the bus at Parkland Hospital. Seven different buses come in there so you'd better know exactly wich one you want. LOL! The whole trip took me from nine AM till 2:10 PM and that included lunch. Well, abe and I are out and about on the buses again with caution. After that accident, we've not been able to do that. Carmanfan1, staying home all day today. (Comment on this)
Sunday, April 23rd, 2006
12:26 am	Boredom! Well, everyone knows in Texas the weather can be unpredictable. I have known that for some time. weather can change without warning and I've known it to do just that. I must admit I wasn't prepared for the weather Monday. since I am not working at the moment, I decided to take some mobility lessons and learn the area and the bus routes and train options I can use to go to different places and get away from some of the Paratransit rides. this way I'd have a little more flexibility in my schedule which would be great. Abe and I did our first lesson yesterday morning at nine AM. He and I studied the best routes to get to the office and we worked on this which gave me a chance to see how my instructor would do working with a person who travels with a dog. she's great! We worked the route the first time and returned to the apartment and talked about bus routes. this conversation lasted for about an hour and then we went back out and Abe and I walked the office route again and returned home with a flawless trip for both of us. by eleven o'clock Abe had started to pant and by noon it was in the nineties. by three PM it was 102 degrees here in dallas. It's not even May yet and we are having this kind of heat wave. Tuesday it is supposed to be the same and then Wednesday should bring rain along with cooler temps in the seventies and eighties. I wasn't prepared for such hot weather. there are electrical outages all over the State. I thought about this unfortunate event and am wondering why we are not always prepared for this kind of thing since everyone knows Texas does get hot. the electric bills will come and we will not be prepared for them either. so, what's the deal with TXU? If it's like this all summer then there are going to be a lot of people in pure misery. I hate it when I'm bored. Boredom can be one of the hardest things to deal with especially when a job you've applied for comes along and you wonder if you get a chance at it. I applied for a job last week and am now waiting probably like a lot of other people to see what happens with the outcome. Abe and I find ways to fill our days with work. The best time has been this past week when I worked over at the church all Wednesday afternoon and did some stuff there. This morning I've gotten on to write my blog and there are yet more changes to go through. It's greaqt to blog but getting tougher too. JAWS is accessible on here but wow! What a lot of stuff to go through. I'm bored, and yep! I need something to do. Carmanfan1 Frustrated. (Comment on this)
Sunday, April 16th, 2006
1:51 pm	Happy Easter. There's not much going on today for me except church, the most important thing in the world to me. christ is risen, and today's the day to honor that wonderful event so many years ago. Jesus never mentions in the bible for us to remember his birth or the miracles he did but he said to remember his death. As we celebrate this day, please remember the reason for the season. He is risen. He is risen indeed! (Comment on this)
Thursday, April 13th, 2006
11:29 pm	My computer's Fix! Yay! Well, after a year of stalling and just putting it off, my computer is fixed. quite frankly, it's like having a new toy again. I was told this morning that the processor on my computer was getting just a little out of date but that doesn't bother me very much. I know it isn't as fast as some of them but it works for me. what's so good about it is I can get back to things I like to do like blogging. I love Live Journal, but it didn't seem quite as user friendly with my Pac Mate. so, it's good to be back on the computer again. I keep looking to make sure the fan is running. LOL! It's so quiet now. well, probably a boring post, but you can be assured I'm one happy blogger. (Comment on this)
6:53 am	Today's the Day! Well, the day has finally come for me to take this computer and get an ongoing problem fixed. I'm so frustrated it took me so long but the first time it was taken in the "problem" didn't show itself. some of these AC adapters that run the computers have fans on them and that's what mine has. so, after a year of fighting the darned thing, it will be fixed this time. I hate it when computers go down and you can't use them. wireless is great but wireless PDA'S don't necessarily let you do all the things you need to on a big computer. They sure are great for traveling though. I love my Pac Mate. It's great and does a wonderful job but I like it better when both computer and Pac Mate can work together. the thing I dread the most is putting this back together. I can do it but it is a job. At least it won't be as bad as setting it up for the first time and getting everything situated. I'm in disagreement with DBS about a scanner. They don't think I need one but I won't let the thing rest till I get my prize. Well, hopefully this computer stuff won't take too long and while I'm there, I'll go next door and drop an application off at Comcast Cable. they say they aren't taking applications but we will see. I'll be prepared anyway. Carmanfan1 I'll be glad to have my computer up and running again. (Comment on this)
Saturday, April 8th, 2006
4:29 pm	What a Day! I never could understand some of the ways DBS thinks. I love to watch their work. Here they are a blind services organization and why do they do what they do? Here's the deal! I love my Leader dog Abe. I call him Buds for a nickname because he's closer than a brother and many times more of a best friend than a dog. Well, one thing I've never been able to do is teach him to read print. No matter how I try, he simply refuses to do this. What does this have to do with DBS? Well, they send me their information in print. This past Tuesday, they sent me for a technology assessment. the two hour interview lasted all of fifteen minutes which included the walk to the office. Well, why not! I taught the stuff for eight years. Irene, the lady who did the assessment recommended I get a scanner and Openbook since I live alone and need to read the mail I'm sent. I left content that the interview had been successful. Yesterday I wrote my counselor and told her about the Interview and what was recommended and she told me to come in and use their equipment. the trip to and from will cost $5.00 so I won't be doing that. she's sent me some print mail. I can't read it. So, it will lie on my table upopened and unattended. I've done all they've asked of me and still am getting nowhere. Oh well, We wonder why the State stays so broke. (Comment on this)
Thursday, April 6th, 2006
10:18 pm	The Mystery of Cell Phone Signals. This past week I decided to get my mother a cell phone and put her on my family plan. she and I are the "only family" so we can share the bill together. The phone arrived at her house yesterday. she put it on the charger for the Obligatory 12 hours and then I called to help her set it up. Everything seemed to be all right. But for some reason it didn't want to turn on. We thought the battery wasn't there so action had to be taken. We talked to Customer Service and she took the phone to a Cingular store in her area. the battery was there, the phone was working, and so she returned home. She still had trouble so she got in touch with a friend of hers who discovered the problem. Since she lives in a Mobile Home, she was having trouble getting a signal. As soon as she moved out to her patio, she was in business again. The best thing about it is she will have a phone with her when she travels now and that is a good thing. Mobile homes can be a problem but she is in business now and that is a good thing. Those towers can truly be a problem sometimes and it is all due to how the signal from the phone hits. she's happy though and that's good. Guess that's it for now. (Comment on this)
Tuesday, April 4th, 2006
5:46 pm	How Can People Be So Cruel? I'm never fascinated any more about how cruel people can be but things still bother me. This afternoon as we were going to pick up a passenger on the Paratransit van, we topped at a Presbyterian Church and to the surprise of all of us, someone had placed a cat in a cage on the front doorstep of the church in hopes that someone would take this poor cat home. the cage was closed and he had no food or water, and I was furious and entertained ways to figure out how I could take the cat with me. I couldn't think of any. fortunately the Minister of the church showed up and assured us that the cat would not be left there when he went home tonight. I was greatful for that. He said he had three cats at home already and would have four if no one would take the cat. He gave it come water and planned to give him a can of food. How can people be such cruel individuals! the bible says God gave Adam dominion ofer the earth and we sure don't use this honor wisely. Well, that's it for now. Carmanfan1, Mouth of the South, angry still but signing off for now. (Comment on this)
Friday, March 31st, 2006
5:47 am	New Software, new fun! Well, as everyone probably knows by now the Pac Mate 4.0 release has probably gone on most Pac Mates. Mine is no acception. I was a little slow in getting it done but now it is going fairly well. But one thing I do recommend! Don't try installing a program on your computer 30 minutes before you have to leave. It causes stress time unspeakable. I had taken Norton Internet Security off my computer because it did something crazy and destroyed itself. Just one little file caused the problem and I don't know how that happened. I decided at 4:30 yesterday afternoon to put the program back on again. Having AVG free anti-virus software made me just a wee bit too nervous. All is working well and as far as I can tell, both virus checkers are working. Great! Hopefully one will get what the other misses. I've got to go to an overnight Ladies Night out at a hotel here in Dallas and there in my down time I can go through all the new changes to the 4.0 firmware upgrade. Well, that's it for now! hope there's no hassle in your castle. Carmanfan1 (Comment on this)
Monday, March 27th, 2006
1:35 am	Good Dog Abe! What a good dog Abe is! Many times I almost forget when he does something ordinary so extraordinary. Yesterday was Care Group at our Church and since it was such a wonderful day, I decided to go with a friend to her Care Group. the couple who hosts my Care Group are in Hawaii for ten days. (Now how cool can that be?) We started out at a park because he wanted to celebrate his daughter's birthday. Abe guided me across tree roots, around two horses, (and they were very much alive), and right to the area where the picnic was to be held. He stepped back a few paces when he first saw the big Penyada that was there but when he realized it was just an object with candy in it, he got his confidence back again. We had to leave however because the wind was blowing so hard it was putting sand and dirt in everything. We went back to Auggie's house and he and his family put on a feed fit for a King. As we sat in the den talking, someone gave his family a Dachshund named Rocky. I love these little dogs, and my heart ached for this little animal. He became fast friends with Abe. We sat and talked till almost nine PM and then headed for home. They let Rocky out the front door to use the bathroom and he ran out in the street. Luckily he didn't get hit. but I'll worry about that gorgeous little dog. I'm back home again and up early because I ate too much of the treat stuff. I've stirred around for a while and feel much better now. Guess that's it for now. LOL! Carmanfan1, the Dachshund Lover, signing off. (Comment on this)
Saturday, March 25th, 2006
8:09 am	Out with the Old, In With the new. I guess by now most people know Electronics have a way of developing personalities after you've used them for a few years. My 6340I Nokia phone falls in this category. For three years it served me well letting me carry on conversations with news about the good, the bad, and the ugly. However, all things come to an end and when the insurance company said they didn't carry insurance on my phone any more, I knew it was time for a change. I made a purchase over the phone with Cingular for a new flip phone. It's one of those that can grow from half size to fully size in a matter of seconds. bingo! Flip it open and it's ready to go. when the lady found out I couldn't see, she did what the people normally doesn't do but what God does do when he sees the need. she fixed it so they would send it to me. It would have been free in the store, so she thought it fair I shouldn't have to pay for it. It finally arrived yesterday. I awaited its arrival and did a recording on my Pac Mate of all the rings of my old faithful friend, the 6340I and at 7:02 PM it was officially turned off. There were a few laughable moments when I tried to turn the new one on using the wrong buttons,but my friend's husband Steve showed me the correct buttons to use. So, now it's officially going. It's the 6061 which doesn't have the talking software in it but it does work for me. I don't use it a lot but now I have a phone to carry again. So long for now! From the Mouth of the South Carmanfan1 (Comment on this)
Thursday, March 23rd, 2006
8:52 am	Norton Was Naughty! Good Morning all, I had something happen this morning that was totally unexpected and so I got rid of an old friend. I'd used Norton for years. In fact, I'd used it ever since I have owned a computer. Well, this morning as I worked on email and was planning to update my Journal, I got this message that my computer was at risk. Upon further examination, I discovered a DLL file had strangely disappeared. I had purchased AVG Professional virus protection in January but was furious because it ate some of my eudora files. But what to do! Norton was being naughty! I installed the free version of AVG and found it to be quite pleasing to work with and from those who have used it quite a bit says it seems to work fine. so, I took it on and Microsoft's firewall which also seems user friendly and believe it or not, my computer is keeping up with my typing and is not sluggish any more. I wonder if it was trying to tell me something? very strange. Computers never cease to amaze me. they have amost as many viruses and bugts and problems as humans. But I promise you! i love this computer and still need to get the fan fixed. I will. Just haven't gotten it there yet. Well, happy computering to all and to all a good day! carmanfan1, off to try some more stuff on the computer. (Comment on this)
Wednesday, March 22nd, 2006
1:17 am	The Directions Game!. Following directions, especially if you don't actually know them, can be a tricky business. I found this out recently when I became the proud owner of a portable DVD player. No radio, no TV, but oh those movies and different music files. It's worth the ownership....Well, it is...after you learn how to play the game of operation. I tried to get my Leader Dog abe to read these directions. However, i'm convinced he's willing to be a wonderful guide but is not interested in reading. as I examine my newest techy toy, I started formulating in my mind the plan to charge the battery and enjoy the tunes. When 8 hours had passed, I realized to my chagrin that the battery had not charged. After three days of this important operation not happening, it was time to call in re-enforcements; a sighted person. My "consultant", a friend named Irene from my church, sat down with me and looked through the lovely little book with wonderful pictures and graphics and translated in to English what was required to get a battery for this DVD player to charge. Wallah, very simple. 1. Unplug the power cord and snap in the batter...Right, I did that. 2. Make sure the player is turned off. (Use the right power button.) I was not. I had it and the monitor switch mixed up! 3. Snap in the battery. Simple and performed correctly by me. 4. Plug the AC power adapter back in and leave it turned off. (I can do that.) It only takes five hours to charge. I'll sleep. 6. Unplug the AC power adapter and use the battery. (That makes sense.) After all, isn't that wy you have a battery; to be away from the electrical power socket and still enjoy movies or tunes? 7. Charge it again if you're going to restore it and make sure the AC is unplugged when you take the battery pack off the back of the player. (That's easy!) 8. Be sure to plug the AC adapter back in so the player will work while the battery is being stored. (Right!) It doesn't take a Rocket Scientist to figure that out. hehehe! So, it's been a game of wits between the player and the playee but now I know how to play the game. The two little speakers in the monitor are wonderful stereo sounding and even though small, they can do a good job for very personal listening when you're out and about. So, that's my deal for today. I don't buy a lot at Best Buy, but the Insignia Portable DVD player is easy to operate once you understand the simple rules of battery maintenance. I have mine hooked up to external speakers and play more MP3'S than movies but they all work. So long for now. From the MOUTH OF THE SOUTH! Carmanfan1 (Comment on this)
Friday, March 17th, 2006
7:10 pm	Abe's Mad At me! People who love their dogs know how well communication can be between a dog and his person. We who have guide dogs are very aware of this kind of thing. We also know how are much loved guides become used to habit and expect certain things to happen when certain things are done. Last night, (Thursday to be exact,) I was getting ready for school. After a shower and getting dressed, I proceeded to the living room and checked on Carman's food supply and then walked Abe. All this stuff is routine before leaving the house. I got my back pack and stuff my Pac Mate inside as I anticipated the evening's informational study. Abe danced around the room just knowing we were going on a trip. He smacked his mouth as he always does when something wonderful is about to happen. I make a call to the church to check on those who are there and to let them know I'm arriving early only to find there is no school...It's spring break. The back pack is put back in the closet and the Pac Mate is returned to the table where I've been working. Abe's harness goes on the door where it hangs and the leash is placed there too. Abe sits in front of me furious his trip has been cancelled. But how do you explain spring break to a dog? I know they understand a lot of things, but we have no children so what do I tell Abe? He pouted all evening and finally treats got him in a good humor again. That's all for today. Sorry I missed yesterday. Carmanfan1 Signing Out! (2 Comments |Comment on this)