Sunday, December 30, 2007

Discombobulation


Love the word; not very fond of the state.

Whatever gremlins have been plaguing us have not left yet- on Christmas Eve, as I was scrubbing the Smidgen-prints off my glasses - the glasses frame just snapped in two.

Ah, joy.  I've been wearing glasses since 3rd grade.  And for 10 years or so, they've been bifocals.  This was my only pair of bifocals...

So now I'm wearing a 20 year old pair- single lenses, prescription a little weird.  I cannot read with them; or work at the computer; good only for distance.  Getting a new pair over the holidays was not going to work out-

It's amazing how big the effect is- one more thing to think about; one more roadblock to just getting stuff done.  My available brain RAM is already near capacity- now a chunk of it has to be used to monitor my eyesight constantly...  kind of like I was riding my bicycle, and somebody shoved a broomstick into the spokes...

Not like I really NEEDED this little nudge from the universe "Dear Sir; Regarding your pending mortality..."  yes, yes, I was already aware, thank you very much.

Hated the bifocals when I first got them, of course- no matter which way I turned, I couldn't see- couldn't see my feet when walking anymore- couldn't read the instruments on the car dashboard without wriggling; but of course I did adapt, and they became second nature.

wham; one more piece of critical technology jerked out from under...

Ah, well; could have been worse, probably.  The frames were weak and worn, obviously; what fun if they'd collapsed while I was on a trip; driving, or talking... with no back-up glasses along...

And we are just about to go on a trip.  My father is 95- and has been hollering for a visit for years.  We're traveling, quite some distance, to spend a week or so with him.  I'm dithering about leaving the laptop behind- that would be the first time since laptops were invented.

In any case.  I'll be back here in a couple weeks.  Hopefully, with the new year, our gremlins will move on.  And hopefully, I'll have some brain RAM freed up to devote to this blog.

15 comments:

Crunchy Chicken said...

Duct tape. It's not very fashionable but it might work?

Greenpa said...

Crunch- what!? a female person recommending duct tape to a male person?? Is that legal?

:-) alas- wire-rims; the wire that holds the lens itself busted- duct tape might work, if I covered the lens with it... no, wait...

Best New Year's wishes anyway to all big and little Crunchies.

Theresa said...

Sending you well wishes for a year filled with a little less excitement in 2008!

(Your eyesight might be a bit blurry but your vision is still crystal clear!)

Crunchy Chicken said...

Well, then, you'll just have to try clear packing tape instead! I hear it's the next hot fashion item.

Have a great New Year and give Smidgen and Spice a squeeze from all us Crunchies.

(And, yes, I watched far too many episodes of MacGyver in the 80s. He's your age, BTW :)

Christy said...

I'm sorry about your glasses. I just got new glasses last week. Lenscrafters is a life-saver. 2 hours and I had my eye checked and the new glasses on my face.

I'm sure 2008 will be an easier year for you all. Have a good trip.

katecontinued said...

My suggestion was a little more Mad Max - copper wire.

Please, no more discombobulation. It's one thing to be a good problem solver and another to do it non-stop.

Anonymous said...

They just don't make anything like they used to!!!! Best wishes for the New Year to 'ya. Enjoy the time with your father - we'll be here waiting for you. :)

Greenpa said...

I chickened out and brought the laptop; currently on free wireless in LAX. I figured if I didn't have it, I'd fret more. I wonder what Henry Thoreau would have done? :-)

Anonymous said...

He totally would have brought the laptop!!!

Anonymous said...

Hi from Oregon...I just found your blog..enjoying it. Though you may have answered this in older postings (haven't found it yet) but just a question please.
Do you still have an income coming in? I have to work so therefore I live within the area of my job. I am also a renter...applying "off the grid" gets a wee bit tricky. Anyway, is there a way I & others like me can apply "off the grid" stuff? THANKS
sageearth@msn.com

Sage WhiteOwl said...

Enjoy finding your blog...I live in Oregon. I try to live "off the grid" but being a renter and have to live close to work...I wonder if I ever get to truly live "in the woods". Anyway I hope I can apply what I read and continue to dream.

Hank Roberts said...

Thoreau would have salvaged a VAX out of some junkyard, thrown out the innards, and had his nice weatherproof box to sleep in ...

anna j said...

hey, greenpa. i couldn't find your post about your idea regarding cars with 35hp engines, but i saw this article in the ny times this morning and thought of your post:
http://tinyurl.com/23ytyv

"People familiar with the car describe a $700 rear-mounted engine built by the German company Bosch, measuring 600 to 660 cubic centimeters, with a horsepower in the range of 30 to 35."

it's not intended for the u.s., but might it be a matter of pushing on icebergs?

~anna in nyc

Unknown said...

I just came across your blog via No Impact Man's list. Keywords at work, I saw "woods" and thought about that funny summer camp song "Little Cabin in the Woods" and was hooked. Now I've listed your blog on my list of favorites too: www.iheartmountains.blogspot.com

Cheers, Ann

Greenpa said...

Anna Banana - here's the link to the 35 horse post -
http://littlebloginthebigwoods.blogspot.com/2007/05/cutting-gordian-crap-possibility-2.html

Sorry it was hard to find- I see the earliest posts are not coming up in the side-bar navigation tool; but they are still there. Hopefully Blogger will get that fixed.

Meanwhile- there IS a "search blog" thingy way up at the top left- if you search on "horsepower" it comes right up.