Well, I haven’t written anything for a while, as you can see. I’m starting to get a little bored with the whole blogging thing. That's how I am, I find something new that interests me and I put a lot of time and effort into it for a while, but I always end up getting bored with it eventually. That’s one reason why I always found it so difficult to settle down with one job for very long.
This time it has been kind of weird. I’m bored with the blogs, but I don’t want to be bored with them. I want to keep doing it because it was really fun for a while. Bonus points to anyone who can explain that. So anyway, instead of just giving up on the blogs altogether, I decided to try and shake things up a little bit.
What I decided to do is come up with a new name for my audio book review blog, “Reviews From The Deep.” But that was too easy, so instead of just renaming it, I decided to create a whole new blog with the new name so it would have a new URL and everything. And that’s just what I did. My new audio book blog is called “Critical Mass Media, Audio Book Meltdown.” Since it was an all new blog, I wanted to put some different gadgets on it and do a few different things with it. So far, it has proven to be very challenging, which is a good thing because that will keep me interested for a while.
The first step was creating the blog. A simple enough task, unless you happen to be blind. To create a new blog, you have to complete a verification. It’s a little box with some letters and numbers in it and you have to type out what you see there. It’s called a CAPCHA I think, although I don’t know where that name comes from. Maybe Ro will tell us. They do that so you can prove that you are a human being and ot some auto-spammer. They have a little thing you can click on if you’re blind so you can hear the numbers instead of seeing them, but they never work. Until now, that is. When I got to the CAPCHA, I clicked the listen link and I could actually hear the numbers and type them out as it played. It really worked! I was very pleased about that and was off to a good start on my new blog.
The next step was to export all of the book reviews from my old blog, and then import them to the new one. That step was pretty easy, there are links to click on to export and import. Basically it’s just saving a file to my computer’s hard drive, and then opening it back up from the new blog. No problem there, all of my book reviews showed up with the comments still attached and everything.
Now I wanted to put some fancy gadgets on my new blog, namely a counter, and a drop-down list box for the labels. These are not standard gadgets that are available through blogger, but can be added by adding some raw html code. I ran into some trouble there. I spent about five hours working on those two things and got absolutely nowhere. That’s pretty frustrating because things like that used to be pretty easy for me. Not to worry, I’ll keep working on it.
Also, I ran into another problem. About the time I created my new blog, something that I use a lot quit working. To create links in a blog post, I use the keyboard shortcut "ctrl-shift-a." Suddenly that stopped working and I get some funny warning message when I try it. I think that some security setting in Internet Explorer has changed, but I haven't found out which one yet. I put a message in the help forum about it but haven’t gotten a reply yet. I'm going to do some research on that as soon as I'm done posting this. Anyway, that's why I couldn't provide a link to “Critical Mass Media” here. No big deal, the blog isn’t ready to be looked at yet anyway.
So those are the things I need to figure out. After that, the next step will be monetizing the new blog. Monetizing is a fancy name for using your blog to make money. Since I’m writing audio book reviews, I want to link them to websites that actually sell the books and get a percentage of the sale in return. That's called an affiliate partnership and both Audible.com and Amazon.com have affiliate programs. I'll have to figure out how that whole thing works, that's kind of new to me.
So that’s what I’ve been doing for the last several days. So far so good, my interest in blogs has been rekindled. For now, at least. I’ll keep you posted on my progress.
Ecclesiastes 1:3-9 What does man gain from all his labor at which he toils under the sun? Generations come and generations go, but the earth remains forever. The sun rises and the sun sets, and hurries back to where it rises. The wind blows to the south and turns to the north; round and round it goes, ever returning on its course. All streams flow into the sea, yet the sea is never full. To the place the streams come from, there they return again. All things are wearisome, more than one can say. The eye never has enough of seeing, nor the ear its fill of hearing. What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun.
Showing posts with label reviews from the deep. Show all posts
Showing posts with label reviews from the deep. Show all posts
Monday, April 19, 2010
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Journal - Basketball, Blogs, and Birthdays
First off, I need to make an addendum. I talked about Grandma Gladys the other day and totally forgot one of my favorite things. For longer than I can remember, there was a sun catcher hanging in Grandma’s big kitchen window. It was kind of a basic flower shape, a round center with evenly spaced petals around it, all in red and orange. The frame of the design is very heavy, maybe pewter or something similar. I have that sun catcher now and it is one of my most favorite possessions. Unfortunately I can never get it to stay in a window, it’s always falling because it is so heavy. Don't know how Grandma kept it hanging all those years.
Hmm. Hmm. Hmm. I noticed something about my screen reader, System Access To Go, the other day. It used to be that when I typed hmm, it just said the letters instead of actually pronouncing it. Now he actually says hmm the way a person would. Evidently they are making little improvements in the program. If I spell that with three m’s instead of only two he still just says the letters, though.
Sunday was Nebraska’s first game of the NCAA tournament for the women’s basketball team. Nebraska controlled the game pretty much from the start. They had a 13 point lead at halftime, and ended up beating Northern Iowa 83 to 44. They hit ten 3 pointers, which is good. Someone said they were having trouble with that earlier. Kelsay Griffin scored the 2,000th point of her 5 year career. I don’t know much about basketball, but I know it takes a lot of baskets to make 2,000 points. The next game for Nebraska is tonight at 8:30 versus either North Carolina State or UCLA. I don’t know how good those teams are but I can assume that each game will get more difficult as the weaker teams are weeded out.
The song I can’t get out of my head this week is “Need You Now” by Lady Antebellum. My favorite food of the moment is breaded chicken patties with swiss cheese on a hamburger bun with green olives and potato chips on the side.
I’ve really been enjoying writing book reviews for my blog “Reviews From The Deep”, and I'm really pleased that some other people have been enjoying it too. I already mentioned last week that Joni's friend Benning talked about it on his blog, “Benning’s War”, and on Saturday my Friend Ensign Ro also mentioned it on her blog, “In The Center Of The Roof.” She gave me some good feedback too that I think will help me write more interesting book reviews. Incidentally, Ro is, like me, blind, and if you want to see the world from the perspective of a blind person, you should definitely read her blog. She’s much better at describing the “blind experience” than I am. In fact, you should go do that right now. I’ll wait for you here.
All done? Good! Also I should mention Joni’s blog, "One Voice - Write Right." Joni mentions both of my blogs all the time and suckers, I mean “gets” people to read what I write. Thanks honey! If you’re interested in becoming a writer, Joni’s blog is for you, she always has lots of hints and tips for budding writers. Also, she posts her own, original poetry every Sunday, so check it out.
Speaking of Joni, today, March 23rd, is my sweetie’s birthday! Now, let me think, how old is Joni this year? 28? No, too young. 47? No, way too old! Oh, I remember! Joni is 39 this year. Happy 39th birthday, honey! I hope you have a really great day!
Numbers 6:24-26 The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace.
Psalms 4:6-8 Many are asking, “Who can show us any good?” Let the light of your face shine upon us, O Lord. You have filled my heart with greater joy than when their grain and new wine abound. I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety.
Hmm. Hmm. Hmm. I noticed something about my screen reader, System Access To Go, the other day. It used to be that when I typed hmm, it just said the letters instead of actually pronouncing it. Now he actually says hmm the way a person would. Evidently they are making little improvements in the program. If I spell that with three m’s instead of only two he still just says the letters, though.
Sunday was Nebraska’s first game of the NCAA tournament for the women’s basketball team. Nebraska controlled the game pretty much from the start. They had a 13 point lead at halftime, and ended up beating Northern Iowa 83 to 44. They hit ten 3 pointers, which is good. Someone said they were having trouble with that earlier. Kelsay Griffin scored the 2,000th point of her 5 year career. I don’t know much about basketball, but I know it takes a lot of baskets to make 2,000 points. The next game for Nebraska is tonight at 8:30 versus either North Carolina State or UCLA. I don’t know how good those teams are but I can assume that each game will get more difficult as the weaker teams are weeded out.
The song I can’t get out of my head this week is “Need You Now” by Lady Antebellum. My favorite food of the moment is breaded chicken patties with swiss cheese on a hamburger bun with green olives and potato chips on the side.
I’ve really been enjoying writing book reviews for my blog “Reviews From The Deep”, and I'm really pleased that some other people have been enjoying it too. I already mentioned last week that Joni's friend Benning talked about it on his blog, “Benning’s War”, and on Saturday my Friend Ensign Ro also mentioned it on her blog, “In The Center Of The Roof.” She gave me some good feedback too that I think will help me write more interesting book reviews. Incidentally, Ro is, like me, blind, and if you want to see the world from the perspective of a blind person, you should definitely read her blog. She’s much better at describing the “blind experience” than I am. In fact, you should go do that right now. I’ll wait for you here.
All done? Good! Also I should mention Joni’s blog, "One Voice - Write Right." Joni mentions both of my blogs all the time and suckers, I mean “gets” people to read what I write. Thanks honey! If you’re interested in becoming a writer, Joni’s blog is for you, she always has lots of hints and tips for budding writers. Also, she posts her own, original poetry every Sunday, so check it out.
Speaking of Joni, today, March 23rd, is my sweetie’s birthday! Now, let me think, how old is Joni this year? 28? No, too young. 47? No, way too old! Oh, I remember! Joni is 39 this year. Happy 39th birthday, honey! I hope you have a really great day!
Numbers 6:24-26 The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace.
Psalms 4:6-8 Many are asking, “Who can show us any good?” Let the light of your face shine upon us, O Lord. You have filled my heart with greater joy than when their grain and new wine abound. I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety.
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Journal - Too Much Time
Is it any wonder I’m not crazy?
Is it any wonder I’m sane at all?
Well, I’m so tired of losing, I got nothing to do
And all day to do it.
Styx – “Too Much Time On My Hands”
So last week I got another letter from BCBS. The last letter I got a couple of weeks ago asked for my general health medical records for the last five years. The letter I got last week asked for records from my eye doctor for the last five years. Now why on earth couldn’t they have asked for both of those at the same time? Because they are being deliberately difficult, that’s why. I suppose they’re hoping I will just give up on the whole thing if they drag it out long enough. No such luck, BCBS, I got nothin’ better to do. Joni took the letter to the library today to make a copy. We’ll have to mail it to Doctor Hargrave in Dallas. Poor Doctor Hargrave, my file is absolutely huge and they’re going to have to mail or fax all that paperwork. I know they’ll be glad to do it, though, they’re good people.
I’m still working out regularly on the exercise bike, five days a week. My workouts are up to forty minutes and I’m starting to see some progress. My fat l'il belly isn't quite so fat as it used to be and my muscles are stronger. I’m not going to make my workouts any longer because I’m afraid I’ll start to get bored with it. Instead, I'll work on pushing harder. Also, I'm not eating as much junk food as I used to. In fact I don't really eat snacks at all anymore, only once in a while. Come to think of it, I usually eat snacks when I’m up late at night writing my blogs. I’ve got crackers and cheese tonight. I guess it’s easier to take care of yourself when you have lots of free time.
I missed the Big 12 basketball tournament games because I never was able to find out when they were being played. I have found out since, however, that Nebraska won their first round game, but lost in the second round to Texas A&M. Texas A&M went on to win the tournament. I don’t know anything about basketball so I'm confused about something. Nebraska was named Big 12 champions for having the best record, but Texas A&M won the tournament and was named Big 12 tournament champions. What’s up with that? I’m having trouble finding out when Nebraska will be playing in the NCAA tournament coming up later this week, so if you know please tell me. All I have been able to find out is that they are playing Northern Iowa in the first round, don’t know when, though. Oh, I also found out that Nebraska's Kelsay Griffin was named Big 12 player of the year or something like that. She really is good from what I can tell on the radio.
I had quite a mess on my hands today. I was messing around with some of my audio books and dropped a whole stack of CD’s on the floor, about fifty in all. It took me a good hour and a half to get them back in order again. That’s okay, it gives me something to do.
On a final note, my friend Benning, okay he’s Joni's friend from her online writing classes but he's been reading a lot of my book reviews over at “Reviews From The Deep”. Anyway, he said some nice things about my book reviews on his own blog, “Benning’s War.” Benning is very much up on today’s issues and if you like to keep up to date you should go take a look. And don’t forget to leave him a note to let him know yu were there. Bloggers like getting comments, it makes us feel validated.
Psalms 39:4-5 Show me, O LORD, my life's end and the number of my days; let me know how fleeting is my life. You have made my days a mere handbreadth; the span of my years is as nothing before you. Each man's life is but a breath.
James 4:13-15 Now listen, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money. Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, "If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that."
Is it any wonder I’m sane at all?
Well, I’m so tired of losing, I got nothing to do
And all day to do it.
Styx – “Too Much Time On My Hands”
So last week I got another letter from BCBS. The last letter I got a couple of weeks ago asked for my general health medical records for the last five years. The letter I got last week asked for records from my eye doctor for the last five years. Now why on earth couldn’t they have asked for both of those at the same time? Because they are being deliberately difficult, that’s why. I suppose they’re hoping I will just give up on the whole thing if they drag it out long enough. No such luck, BCBS, I got nothin’ better to do. Joni took the letter to the library today to make a copy. We’ll have to mail it to Doctor Hargrave in Dallas. Poor Doctor Hargrave, my file is absolutely huge and they’re going to have to mail or fax all that paperwork. I know they’ll be glad to do it, though, they’re good people.
I’m still working out regularly on the exercise bike, five days a week. My workouts are up to forty minutes and I’m starting to see some progress. My fat l'il belly isn't quite so fat as it used to be and my muscles are stronger. I’m not going to make my workouts any longer because I’m afraid I’ll start to get bored with it. Instead, I'll work on pushing harder. Also, I'm not eating as much junk food as I used to. In fact I don't really eat snacks at all anymore, only once in a while. Come to think of it, I usually eat snacks when I’m up late at night writing my blogs. I’ve got crackers and cheese tonight. I guess it’s easier to take care of yourself when you have lots of free time.
I missed the Big 12 basketball tournament games because I never was able to find out when they were being played. I have found out since, however, that Nebraska won their first round game, but lost in the second round to Texas A&M. Texas A&M went on to win the tournament. I don’t know anything about basketball so I'm confused about something. Nebraska was named Big 12 champions for having the best record, but Texas A&M won the tournament and was named Big 12 tournament champions. What’s up with that? I’m having trouble finding out when Nebraska will be playing in the NCAA tournament coming up later this week, so if you know please tell me. All I have been able to find out is that they are playing Northern Iowa in the first round, don’t know when, though. Oh, I also found out that Nebraska's Kelsay Griffin was named Big 12 player of the year or something like that. She really is good from what I can tell on the radio.
I had quite a mess on my hands today. I was messing around with some of my audio books and dropped a whole stack of CD’s on the floor, about fifty in all. It took me a good hour and a half to get them back in order again. That’s okay, it gives me something to do.
On a final note, my friend Benning, okay he’s Joni's friend from her online writing classes but he's been reading a lot of my book reviews over at “Reviews From The Deep”. Anyway, he said some nice things about my book reviews on his own blog, “Benning’s War.” Benning is very much up on today’s issues and if you like to keep up to date you should go take a look. And don’t forget to leave him a note to let him know yu were there. Bloggers like getting comments, it makes us feel validated.
Psalms 39:4-5 Show me, O LORD, my life's end and the number of my days; let me know how fleeting is my life. You have made my days a mere handbreadth; the span of my years is as nothing before you. Each man's life is but a breath.
James 4:13-15 Now listen, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money. Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, "If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that."
Monday, March 1, 2010
Mirrors
Those of you that have visited my audio book review blog, “Reviews From The Deep”, have probably noticed that I am a big fan of Harry Potter. The other day, I was reading a short story called “The House of 1000Mirrors”, and it reminded me of something interesting from the first Harry Potter book, "The Sorcerer's Stone.” If you, reader, are a Potter fan, then you may have already guessed that the story reminded me of the Mirror of Erised, pronounced air-eh-said. The Mirror of Erised is, in my opinion, one of J K Rowling’s more fascinating creations. In a nutshell, it allows whoever is looking into it to see their greatest desire come true. Perhaps you noticed that Erised is desire spelled backward?
When Harry Potter looked into the Mirror of Erised, he saw his whole family standing all around him, looking back at him with approval and affection. Harry, of course, is an orphan who had no family, and what he was seeing was not real, it was merely his desire. Harry’s best friend Ron is the sixth child in his family. His older brothers were talented and popular and successful at school. When Ron looks into the mirror, he sees himself winning awards and trophies.
Harry, naturally, is completely enchanted by the Mirror of Erised, and he returns night after night for that brief glimpse of what his life might have been. Professor Dumbledor, headmaster of the school, finally intervenes, warning Harry that the mirror gives neither knowledge, nor truth, and that men have wasted away before it, entranced by what they see.
Clearly, this is a warning to all of us of how dangerous it can be to spend too much time wishing for a better life. God seems to be working very hard just lately to get that message through to me. Just yesterday, I was writing a blog about some of my childhood memories of going to the lake, and it turned into a reflection of how I should not wish to change my past. Then today I came across the story of “The House of 1000Mirrors", which made me think of the Mirror of Erised. And last week I was writing about how the little things in our lives can make a big difference, and that reminded me of Michael Jackson’s song “Man In The Mirror.” Not exactly the same message, but similar. Isn’t it fascinating how God uses our individual experiences to speak to us? Harry Potter and Michael Jackson were the perfect tools for God to reach me. God planted both of those seeds in me years ago, and waited until this precise moment in time to harvest them. Amazing.
So obviously this is something God wants me to understand. Stop fretting over the past, it’s over and done with and is completely beyond my ability to change. Focus on the things that are within my influence; the here and now. I think I understand, Lord, but I’ll keep my senses tuned in case there is more to this.
That just reminded me of something else. Hold on, I need to go look something up.
Okay, here it is. Most of you probably know this, but I don’t have it memorized. This is Reinhold Niebhur’s “Serenity Prayer."
God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference.
Living one day at a time;
Enjoying one moment at a time;
Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace;
Taking, as He did, this sinful world
as it is, not as I would have it;
Trusting that He will make all things right
if I surrender to His Will;
That I may be reasonably happy in this life
and supremely happy with Him
Forever in the next.
Amen.
I can’t say it any better than that. Thank you, God, for reminding me of this. I’ll have to work on memorizing that.
Check back tomorrow, reader. I’ll put up a copy of “The House of 1000 Mirrors."
1 Timothy 6:7-9 For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction.
Philippians 4:11 Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content.
When Harry Potter looked into the Mirror of Erised, he saw his whole family standing all around him, looking back at him with approval and affection. Harry, of course, is an orphan who had no family, and what he was seeing was not real, it was merely his desire. Harry’s best friend Ron is the sixth child in his family. His older brothers were talented and popular and successful at school. When Ron looks into the mirror, he sees himself winning awards and trophies.
Harry, naturally, is completely enchanted by the Mirror of Erised, and he returns night after night for that brief glimpse of what his life might have been. Professor Dumbledor, headmaster of the school, finally intervenes, warning Harry that the mirror gives neither knowledge, nor truth, and that men have wasted away before it, entranced by what they see.
Clearly, this is a warning to all of us of how dangerous it can be to spend too much time wishing for a better life. God seems to be working very hard just lately to get that message through to me. Just yesterday, I was writing a blog about some of my childhood memories of going to the lake, and it turned into a reflection of how I should not wish to change my past. Then today I came across the story of “The House of 1000Mirrors", which made me think of the Mirror of Erised. And last week I was writing about how the little things in our lives can make a big difference, and that reminded me of Michael Jackson’s song “Man In The Mirror.” Not exactly the same message, but similar. Isn’t it fascinating how God uses our individual experiences to speak to us? Harry Potter and Michael Jackson were the perfect tools for God to reach me. God planted both of those seeds in me years ago, and waited until this precise moment in time to harvest them. Amazing.
So obviously this is something God wants me to understand. Stop fretting over the past, it’s over and done with and is completely beyond my ability to change. Focus on the things that are within my influence; the here and now. I think I understand, Lord, but I’ll keep my senses tuned in case there is more to this.
That just reminded me of something else. Hold on, I need to go look something up.
Okay, here it is. Most of you probably know this, but I don’t have it memorized. This is Reinhold Niebhur’s “Serenity Prayer."
God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference.
Living one day at a time;
Enjoying one moment at a time;
Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace;
Taking, as He did, this sinful world
as it is, not as I would have it;
Trusting that He will make all things right
if I surrender to His Will;
That I may be reasonably happy in this life
and supremely happy with Him
Forever in the next.
Amen.
I can’t say it any better than that. Thank you, God, for reminding me of this. I’ll have to work on memorizing that.
Check back tomorrow, reader. I’ll put up a copy of “The House of 1000 Mirrors."
1 Timothy 6:7-9 For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction.
Philippians 4:11 Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content.
Friday, January 29, 2010
Journal - Insurance Update
If you’ve been following my blog, you’ll already know that I put in an application with Blue Cross and Blue Shield back in December, and for the past four weeks have been waiting to hear whether they were going to approve it or not. Well, I finally have an update.
Yesterday, I got two letters from BCBS. The first was a request for more information. It said I had left a couple of spots blank, and they could not complete the application without it. It went on to say that they needed the information within fifteen days or they would have to cancel my application. No problem there, I was glad to hear from them.
The second letter said that since they had not received the requested information within the allotted fifteen days, they were, regretfully, canceling my application. I guess fifteen days isn’t what it used to be. I received both letters on the same day, yesterday, and both were dated January 25.
Well, my initial reaction was, of course, anger and frustration. Ironically enough, I just finished a book called “The Rainmaker” by John Grisham. It’s about a crooked insurance company that rejected someone’s claim and a kid ended up dying because he couldn’t get the medical treatment he needed. Keep your eye on my other blog, Reviews From The Deep for the review. *wink* Is God trying to tell me I should sue the pants off of BCBS? No, I don’t think so; it was a funny coincidence, though.
Those initial feelings washed over me pretty quickly, when I remembered that this whole thing is completely out of my control anyway. When God is ready for me to see again, then I will see again, regardless of anything I, or my insurance company, try to do about it. Ironically, I wrote a rather lengthy blog on precisely this topic earlier this week and am planning to post it on Saturday. Another funny coincidence? No, I think God probably planned it that way in preparation of the challenge He knew I would soon be facing. His timing, as usual, was impeccable.
So what next? Well, I still feel like God is telling me to wait. Stubborn mule that I am, however, I will probably call BCBS in the morning and try to get to the bottom of this. Anyway, I have a lot of pent-up frustration, and would just love to unload it on some unsuspecting insurance agent. Who knows, maybe it was a simple clerical error.
So that’s my update. Sorry I didn’t have better news for you. I'll probably have more to report later. In the meantime, I need to do some thinking on how I’m going to handle that phone call in the morning..
Isaiah 30:18 And therefore will the LORD wait, that he may be gracious unto you, and therefore will he be exalted, that he may have mercy upon you: for the LORD is a God of judgment: blessed are all they that wait for him.
Luke 6:21 Blessed are ye that hunger now: for ye shall be filled. Blessed are ye that weep now: for ye shall laugh.
Yesterday, I got two letters from BCBS. The first was a request for more information. It said I had left a couple of spots blank, and they could not complete the application without it. It went on to say that they needed the information within fifteen days or they would have to cancel my application. No problem there, I was glad to hear from them.
The second letter said that since they had not received the requested information within the allotted fifteen days, they were, regretfully, canceling my application. I guess fifteen days isn’t what it used to be. I received both letters on the same day, yesterday, and both were dated January 25.
Well, my initial reaction was, of course, anger and frustration. Ironically enough, I just finished a book called “The Rainmaker” by John Grisham. It’s about a crooked insurance company that rejected someone’s claim and a kid ended up dying because he couldn’t get the medical treatment he needed. Keep your eye on my other blog, Reviews From The Deep for the review. *wink* Is God trying to tell me I should sue the pants off of BCBS? No, I don’t think so; it was a funny coincidence, though.
Those initial feelings washed over me pretty quickly, when I remembered that this whole thing is completely out of my control anyway. When God is ready for me to see again, then I will see again, regardless of anything I, or my insurance company, try to do about it. Ironically, I wrote a rather lengthy blog on precisely this topic earlier this week and am planning to post it on Saturday. Another funny coincidence? No, I think God probably planned it that way in preparation of the challenge He knew I would soon be facing. His timing, as usual, was impeccable.
So what next? Well, I still feel like God is telling me to wait. Stubborn mule that I am, however, I will probably call BCBS in the morning and try to get to the bottom of this. Anyway, I have a lot of pent-up frustration, and would just love to unload it on some unsuspecting insurance agent. Who knows, maybe it was a simple clerical error.
So that’s my update. Sorry I didn’t have better news for you. I'll probably have more to report later. In the meantime, I need to do some thinking on how I’m going to handle that phone call in the morning..
Isaiah 30:18 And therefore will the LORD wait, that he may be gracious unto you, and therefore will he be exalted, that he may have mercy upon you: for the LORD is a God of judgment: blessed are all they that wait for him.
Luke 6:21 Blessed are ye that hunger now: for ye shall be filled. Blessed are ye that weep now: for ye shall laugh.
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Journal - Audio Books and Football
Hi there everyone! I don’t have anything really important to talk about today. I do have a few minor things that I wanted to put down in the record, though.
I haven’t heard anything back from BCBS on the insurance. I’m not feeling too bad about that, though. Over Christmas I was feeling down and just wanted to get it all taken care of as quickly as possible. Now that I'm feeling better, I'm willing to wait again. I'm still not completely sure if this is the path God wants me to take, anyway. Joni filled out the application for me and mailed it in, and that’s really all I can do. Now I sit back and see whereGod leads me.
On a more exciting note, I have new audio books to listen to! Since Joni and I went to Minden and got our Nebraska I D’s, I was finally able to get a library card for the Kearney library. We went there last Wednesday to do that, and I took a look at their selection of audio books on CD. From what Joni says, and from what I could feelwith my own hands, they have a much larger selection than our library back in Carrollton. So for the last week, I’ve been enjoying searching through their catalog online. Their search engine is kind of tricky, not because I’m blind, but because it’s not organized very well, but I’m gradually getting the hang of it. I can find audio books online and put them on hold, then when they are ready to pick up, they send me an email and Joni can stop and pick them up on her weekly shopping trip. I haven’t had a new book to listen to for about a year so I’m pretty excited about hearing some new books and reviewing them for my other blog, “Reviews From the Deep.” In addition to the CD audio books, they also have audio books that you can download directly to your computer. Those are much more handy and the search engine for those is easier to use, but the selection is not quite as good. Between the two formats, though, I’ll have lots and lots of new books to listen to.
Okay, let’s talk football. I’ve never been a fan of basketball or baseball, but I love football. That means I spend the whole year anticipating the upcoming football season. This year was a little hard for me, however. The games aren’t as much fun to listen to, as they are to watch. I did get some enjoyment from listening to the Nebraska Cornhuskers’ games on the radio, those guys know how to do it, but the TV announcers are just no good. I never noticed before how little the commentators talk about what is actually happening on the field. All that aside, I have been enjoying the playoffs. Since I didn’t pay that much attention during the season, I was surprised to see the New York Jets as a wildcard team, and even more surprised to see them beat the Chargers. They have to play the Colts next, though, and I don’t think they’ll do it. Also, it was interesting to see all three teams that Brett Favre played for in the playoffs this year; the Green Bay Packers, who lost their wildcard game; the Jets who are still alive; and, of course, the Vikings who I think will beat the Saints and play against the Colts in the superbowl. I like Peyton Manning and Brett Favre equally, so I don’t really know who I will route for in the superbowl. Should be a good game though.
Last Sunday, Mom stopped by and brought food. Yay, I love food! She brought her famous German chocolate caramel bars, and her even more famous ham balls. Oh, and she brought Aunt LeeDel’s bread. Every Christmas, Aunt LeeDel makes banana bread, cherry bread, and pumpkin bread. She didn’t get to come for Christmas this year because of all the snow we had, and apparently it was even worse up in Sioux Falls, where she lives, so she mailed the bread to Mom, and Mom delivered it to everyone. The ham balls are gone already, the brownies are close, and the bread is about half gone. You’d think we never eat around here!
I’m still getting on the exercise bike, but not regularly. I’m trying to do better about that and this week I’ve done pretty good; every day so far. I downloaded some new karaoke music to play my sax with, but I haven’t realy been playing very much. I miss the Christmas music. Also I’ve been busy with audio books.
Well, that’s what’s been going on. Oh! I almost forgot, Bobbi's husband, Mike, had hip-replacement surgery last week. We visited him in the hospital last Thursday, the same day we went to the library. He’s home now and recovering so remember to pray for Mike!
See ya next time!
1 Samuel 12:23-24 Moreover as for me, God forbid that I should sin against the LORD in ceasing to pray for you: but I will teach you the good and the right way: Only fear the LORD, and serve him in truth with all your heart: for consider how great things he hath done for you.
I haven’t heard anything back from BCBS on the insurance. I’m not feeling too bad about that, though. Over Christmas I was feeling down and just wanted to get it all taken care of as quickly as possible. Now that I'm feeling better, I'm willing to wait again. I'm still not completely sure if this is the path God wants me to take, anyway. Joni filled out the application for me and mailed it in, and that’s really all I can do. Now I sit back and see whereGod leads me.
On a more exciting note, I have new audio books to listen to! Since Joni and I went to Minden and got our Nebraska I D’s, I was finally able to get a library card for the Kearney library. We went there last Wednesday to do that, and I took a look at their selection of audio books on CD. From what Joni says, and from what I could feelwith my own hands, they have a much larger selection than our library back in Carrollton. So for the last week, I’ve been enjoying searching through their catalog online. Their search engine is kind of tricky, not because I’m blind, but because it’s not organized very well, but I’m gradually getting the hang of it. I can find audio books online and put them on hold, then when they are ready to pick up, they send me an email and Joni can stop and pick them up on her weekly shopping trip. I haven’t had a new book to listen to for about a year so I’m pretty excited about hearing some new books and reviewing them for my other blog, “Reviews From the Deep.” In addition to the CD audio books, they also have audio books that you can download directly to your computer. Those are much more handy and the search engine for those is easier to use, but the selection is not quite as good. Between the two formats, though, I’ll have lots and lots of new books to listen to.
Okay, let’s talk football. I’ve never been a fan of basketball or baseball, but I love football. That means I spend the whole year anticipating the upcoming football season. This year was a little hard for me, however. The games aren’t as much fun to listen to, as they are to watch. I did get some enjoyment from listening to the Nebraska Cornhuskers’ games on the radio, those guys know how to do it, but the TV announcers are just no good. I never noticed before how little the commentators talk about what is actually happening on the field. All that aside, I have been enjoying the playoffs. Since I didn’t pay that much attention during the season, I was surprised to see the New York Jets as a wildcard team, and even more surprised to see them beat the Chargers. They have to play the Colts next, though, and I don’t think they’ll do it. Also, it was interesting to see all three teams that Brett Favre played for in the playoffs this year; the Green Bay Packers, who lost their wildcard game; the Jets who are still alive; and, of course, the Vikings who I think will beat the Saints and play against the Colts in the superbowl. I like Peyton Manning and Brett Favre equally, so I don’t really know who I will route for in the superbowl. Should be a good game though.
Last Sunday, Mom stopped by and brought food. Yay, I love food! She brought her famous German chocolate caramel bars, and her even more famous ham balls. Oh, and she brought Aunt LeeDel’s bread. Every Christmas, Aunt LeeDel makes banana bread, cherry bread, and pumpkin bread. She didn’t get to come for Christmas this year because of all the snow we had, and apparently it was even worse up in Sioux Falls, where she lives, so she mailed the bread to Mom, and Mom delivered it to everyone. The ham balls are gone already, the brownies are close, and the bread is about half gone. You’d think we never eat around here!
I’m still getting on the exercise bike, but not regularly. I’m trying to do better about that and this week I’ve done pretty good; every day so far. I downloaded some new karaoke music to play my sax with, but I haven’t realy been playing very much. I miss the Christmas music. Also I’ve been busy with audio books.
Well, that’s what’s been going on. Oh! I almost forgot, Bobbi's husband, Mike, had hip-replacement surgery last week. We visited him in the hospital last Thursday, the same day we went to the library. He’s home now and recovering so remember to pray for Mike!
See ya next time!
1 Samuel 12:23-24 Moreover as for me, God forbid that I should sin against the LORD in ceasing to pray for you: but I will teach you the good and the right way: Only fear the LORD, and serve him in truth with all your heart: for consider how great things he hath done for you.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)