The New Hip - Now With A Picture!

I'm officially part titanium and part ceramic, now with pictorial proof.

The doctor took off the dressing, examined the incision, and was happy with what he saw. 

The incision looks good, no signs of infection or other issues.  He covered it with a steri-strip and gave some more instructions for caring for it.

The area around the incision is rather raw and has razor burn from them shaving the area.Also still rather swollen, which is to be expected.

X-rays taken shows everything is in the right spot and the surgery was a great success.

The spike into the leg bone is titanium and was press-fit into the bone during the surgery. It has a rough-textured matrix on the outside designed for the bone to grow and attach to the spike, further securing it and cementing the two parts together.

The ball is ceramic.

The cup at the hip bone is titanium with a slippery smooth plastic insert.   The cup, like the spike, has a rough-textured matrix on the outside. It also will have the bone grow and attach itself to the cup and, like the spike, the cup will be cemented to the bone and the screw will become a backup rather than primary attachment point.

Yes, that is a titanium screw at the top securing the cup to my hip bone.

I can now honestly and 100% accurately say I've been screwed.

The titanium is actually stronger than the bones it now holds together.  The worry from falling is dislocating it as everything settles in, or breaking the bones around it. So falling is highly undesirable and contra-indicated at this point.

Theoretically, I can have a normal and full range of movement in all directions as the leg will no longer be impinged by the arthritic hip.  Pretty impressive what modern medicine can do.

Looking forward to making that full range of motion happen.

Got discharged from at-home physio and had my first out-patient PT session today.

Started with a warm up and then we got right to it.  I had walked in with a cane.

They put a belt around my waist for safety, with the therapist holding an end and then had me walk unsupported for the first time since January 13.  

A very strange feeling. I walked essentially unsupported: forward, tip-toe, heel-toe, sideways, and backward and then marching in place.  

Then onto a balance board which was fun.  Then lying down doing all sorts of exercises.  Finally the exercises were done and I got a heat-wrap around the hip, and then a special ultra-sound machine designed to relax the muscles and break up some of the swelling and scar tissue.

A rather intense hour and I'm definitely feeling it now. This is going to be a lot of effort but it's going to be good.

IRS Mileage Increase For 2022 Doesn't Quite Keep Up With Inflation

The IRS has announced an increase in the standard deductible mileage calculation.

Instead of .56 per mile, you can now use 58.5 cents for your standard deductible mileage calculation.

Nice of them to recognise the increase in costs, but that's an increase of all of 4.5 percent.

Meanwhile, in reality, gasoline is up on average 57%, diesel is up 44%, and car maintenance and repair costs are also up.

Hip Status Report - Two Weeks After Surgery

Your weekly status report on your newest right hip fellow.

 

I’ve been doing much better quicker than I expected.

 

This is thanks to the excellent home care by the lovely wife, supported by my kids - when they’re not busy saying that I’m now really old because I have a hip replacement (they’re very caring like that).

 

Pain is down to a 3 or less, and is less than pre-surgery. Still taking pain meds, and the icing machine is still the greatest thing ever,  and still rather tired on a daily basis, but that’s getting better too.

 

Physio is going well, now using a cane for 50% of the time moving around with the other 50% using the walker. That was very quick progress.

 

The cane is much more maneuverable, but less support and took a bit of getting used to.

 

Have a lot more mobility this week and the swelling around the hip is lessened, which is nice, but quite a bit is still there.   

 

Can now actually lift the leg to get into bed, which is great so another thing I can do by myself, except for putting on the compression sleeves. 

 

Still under a lot of restrictions movement wise.   

 

Physio Therapists were impressed with the progress I’ve been making, but have warned me not to overdo it.  My right ankle swelled up to the size of a softball due to a bit too much effort, so lesson learned.

 

I can now easily get around the house, minus the basement and I’m really feeling the improvement daily.

 

Post-Op visit with the Doc is set for tomorrow and the bandage will come off, and then we’ll see if chicks really do dig scars.

If You Want To Play With The Sharks Part 3

In which our self-representing pro per dynamic duo catch yet another break from the Court.

Our pro-per Third Party Defendant, per the Court's Order after she filed her ridiculous motion for Summary Disposition  was required to file both a Notice of Hearing for the motion and a E-Praecipe.

Of Course she did neither.   Penalty for not filing those is the motion is an automatic dismissal of the motion, says so right in the motion.

But since they're pro-per the court is yet again bending over backwards.

Court Clerk just emailed, them copying me, asking if they were proceeding with the motion as scheduled on February 2 as they hadn't filed the notice as they should have done a long time ago and they're now technically past the due date to even file it.

They replied yes and the Court instead of telling them they screwed up and the motion is dismissed, replied "Well, ok then on we go".

No attorney would get such a break, not a chance.

On the upside, I now get to argue against this hilarious and frivolous motion.

How Soon Neil Young Forgets

So Neil Young is delivering an ultimatum to Spotify that it's either Joe Rogan or him.  I think there was a song already written some time ago that summed up how this is likely to go:

Well I heard Mr. Young give an ultimatum
Well I heard old Neil put Joe Rogan down
Well I hope Neil Young will remember
Spotify don't need him around anyhow

And verily, his ultimatum, as a last ditch gasp for attention, to which many youngsters and Joe Rogan podcast subscribers alike will say "Neil who?",  will likely fall flat.

To no one's surprise, except perhaps to Mr. Young, this has indeed gone pretty much as expected:

Wall Street Journal:  Spotify to Take Down Neil Young’s Music After His Joe Rogan Ultimatum

Hip Replacement Update

It's been only a week and a half since surgery. 

Need to keep reminding myself of that, as it feels like it's been much longer. 

Possibly getting a little stir crazy, but it is nice and warm in here compared to the outside, and since we got 5-7 inches of snow all day and night yesterday I don't have much motivation to go anywhere right now and not much need to do so anyways.

Apparently, I overdid the PT exercises a tad and have been up and out of bed too much. For some reason my right ankle swelled up to the size of a softball yesterday.  Probably due to overuse as I didn't hit it on anything or twist it or anything like that.  Ankle is better today but it was a good reminder to not overdo things and I should be lying down and elevating the legs more.

Just completed today’s PT session and the therapist says I’m doing great and she now wants me to start using the cane 50% of the time, and the walker the other 50%. All in a week and half since the surgery!

Therapist was also "Don't even think about trying to cut down on your pain meds right now."  Outpatient PT will apparently offer some new and different exercises and she warned that I'm  going to be very sore the first few times plus the stress of going outside to boot.

I will be converting to out-patient physio therapy starting next week.

Supposed to still use the walker anytime I go outside for doctor's appointments, etc due to risk of falling in snow and ice.  Falling needs to be avoided at all costs.

Still on serious restrictions as to no bending forward at the waist, no reaching downward below the waist either, no crossing feet or legs, no sudden turns or hip rotations, and still no going up/down a lot of stairs. 

May soon get cleared to drive which is pretty wild.

Overall, I've improved a ton since surgery in terms of range of movement.  A lot stronger and more stable.   Less pain than when I had the arthritis too. Down to about a 3 or 3-2 even.

Still need a lot of work though, as some movements still simply still don't move. 

I still, for example, can't get up from a chair without using my arms to help, and lifting the whole leg higher than an inch when it is straight out from the hip when lying down only works about 50% of the time, but it's getting there.

Doctor follow-up appointment has been moved from tomorrow to Friday due to a scheduling conflict on their end, so we will have to wait a bit for the official medical status update.

You Can Count On The Biden Admin To Make Things Worse - Supply Chain Edition

Let's theorize for a moment.

You're having a supply chain crisis.  

Goods are not getting to where they need to be quickly enough.  You have pent-up demand, store shelves going empty, and cars and trucks and other vital machinery not being built due to a shortage of parts and the inability to quickly deliver those parts when avaialble to where they need to go.

Do you: 

A. Facilitate doing everything possible to unclog the system and make it easier for deliveries to happen; or

B.  Add new regulations that are going to further mess up the supply chain by limiting the truck drivers and other delivery operators that can cross the border in a futile fixation on mandatory 100% vaccination, when it's already a known fact that the vaccinated can catch the virus and still carry and infect others even while vaccinated?

Yep, the Biden Administration, in yet another stroke of brilliance chose B.

PJMedia: If You Thought the Supply Chain Crisis Was Bad Enough, DHS Could Make It Worse

“Starting on January 22, 2022, the Department of Homeland Security will require that non-U.S. individuals entering the United States via land ports of entry or ferry terminals along our Northern and Southern borders be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and be prepared to show related proof of vaccination,” said Secretary Alejandro N. Mayorkas. “These updated travel requirements reflect the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to protecting public health while safely facilitating the cross-border trade and travel that is critical to our economy.”

This has not been a requirement for all the years now that goods have been shipped during this pandemic. Why demand it now and further interfere with cross-border trade when if anything we need to facilitate people crossing with goods as much as possible?

Even Canada stopped this idiotic policy of requiring delivery drivers to be vaccinated before crossing the border when truck drivers rebelled against it, but here we have the Biden admin doubling down and pushing a failed and rather nonsensical policy that is only going to further slow down the delivery of goods to where they are needed most and which will not improve public health. 

Seriously, Biden is about to implement a stupid and useless policy that even Canada has pulled back from implementing due to its both uselessness and lousy effects on the supply chain.

Oh, and meanwhile, Illegals are still pouring in not being either tested nor vaccinated for Covid, and being welcomed and then shipped by the Biden administration around the US.

You really can't make this up.  

Expect more shortages and delays in receiving goods near you due to yet another inane Biden policy.

The Democrats Attack On The Fillibuster Is Highly Situational

The filibuster is, per the Democrats,  a racist,  anti-Democracy "archaic legislative norm"  and a terrible impediment to their agenda.

It sis uch a bad, terrible no good thing - that the Senate Democrats themselves just used it few days ago to defeat a bill they didn't like: Fox News: Democrats slammed for blocking Russia sanctions bill using filibuster they've decried as racist

The Democrats sure lack self-awareness now don't they?  Either that or they count on people not paying attention and rthe media not reporting their ever-shifting stances.

Using the very thing they are decrying and going as far as censuring one of their own for advocating keeping it in place when it blocks their initiatives, when at the same time they have no problem using the same tool themselves when it suits them contemporaneously with them decrying the existence of such a tool and claiming using it is racist and anti-democratic - as they use it.

Consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds and all that I suppose.

No worries though, should the Republicans take back the Senate in the November 2022 elections, I expect the Democrats as a party will do an about-face regarding the filibuster with it to be publicly depicted as the greatest, most patriotic, and anti-racist invention ever, so fast that anyone looking for logical consistency from them will get whiplash.

Only Took 18 Years, But Better Late Than Never I Suppose

For 18 years now, a bunch of Antisemitic and anti-Israel protestors, including such lovely people as Holocaust deniers, have been getting their jollies by protesting and harassing congregants of a synagogue during Shabbat morning services in Ann Arbor.

It only took 18 years of this going on for the Ann Arbor City Council to formally condemn the activity because anti-Semitic and anti-Israel activities tend not to upset lefties all that much:

JTA: After 18 years, Ann Arbor condemns weekly synagogue protesters as antisemitic 

The protestors’ stated purpose is to critique Israel policy, but members of the group frequently bring antisemitic signs and chant antisemitic slogans. The group’s de facto leader, Henry Herskovitz, identifies himself as a former Jew and has spread Holocaust denial and praised neo-Nazis in blog posts.

Scratch an anti-Israel protestor, you'll generally find an anti-Semite hiding behind it, as is the case here.

Courts have upheld their right to be assholes and harass people from the sidewalk near the synagogue, and have their protests, but it's nice the city finally got around to condemning it.

If Biden Was Putin's Stooge, What Would He Be Doing Differently, Exactly?

After all these years of the lefties and Dems claiming Trump was Putin's puppet, along comes Biden who appears to be more than over the top in doing Putin's bidding, undoing most moves Trump made against Russia in record time:

1.  Removing sanctions Trump had put in place on the Russian Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline;

2. Withdrawing support for the Israel-Europe Gas Pipeline, that would have relieved Europe from having Russia as their sole supplier of natural gas; 

3.  Reducing US pipelines, oil and gas production increasing the price of gas to benefit Russia and harming the US economy.

3. Giving a green light for Russia to do a "minor incursion" into Ukraine; and

4. Ordering the evacuation of US Embassy non-essential persannel from Kiev.

Let's see if the lefties can be honest now about their false labeling of Trump and their drumbeat of the "Russia, Russia, Russia" hoax, hmm?  As Mr. B notes,  Democrats doth project too much.

Hip Replacement Day 9 - A Cane Break

Between doing work and then passing out when I'm not doing work, I've been kind busy today. This was everybody wants something immediately day.

Had a great PT session. Heckuva workout and it kicked my tail nicely.

Did have a notable first today.  Got to take a break from using the walker.

It was my first time using the cane rather than the walker to walk around.  Never used a cane before and there is a definite technique to it. Interestingly, its used on the left side even as its my right hip that was replaced.  Cane moves first, then right leg, then left leg.

Did good, but I'm supposed to stick to the walker for now except for short practice sessions with the cane, as I don't quite have the balance and support down yet.

Overall getting stronger but a long way still to go and that session tired me out but good.

Sadly, I really wanted to have a sword-cane but Michigan law prohibits such in public.  A sword-cane would have been rather snazzy and stylish. Instead, I'm stuck with a plain-jane black metal cane. It'll do.

Hip Replacement Update - One Week Post Surgery

It’s now a whole week since the surgery. The new titanium and ceramic parts seem to be making themselves right at home.

Overall, the pain is down and remains at a 3-4, although I am taking some painkillers, but I’ve been able to avoid the really heavy painkillers throughout the process, which is good. Compared to pain regularly being 7+ on a daily basis with the hip arthritis pre-surgery, this is a very welcome improvement.

Amazingly, it has not been hurting nearly as much as I imagined it would. Even though the leg by the hip itself is all sorts of stiff, sore, and swollen, with some really impressive bruises.

Even with all that, I’m managing to get around much better than I imagined I would this early in the process.

I’m walking pretty smoothly on flat surfaces with the assistance of a walker. I can get up and down 2 steps rather easily, get in the shower, get into and out of bed, get into and out of a chair, etc. Pretty neat and I’m a lot more mobile than I figured I would be one-week post-surgery. Physio-therapy and regular icing of the hip is definitely helping.

The only surprise so far is I’m a heckuva lot more tired than I imagine I’d be, passing out at the drop of a hat and sleeping for hours lots of the time. Forget about lying in bed and catching up on reading or a movie, I just zonk right out.

Still got a long way to recover, range of motion is still pretty limited, but it feels like it’s moving in the right direction so far.

Hip Replacement Day 7

Almost a week has now passed since the surgery.

The visiting nurse came, took my vitals and checked the bandage. So far, no signs of anything problematic.  Just a lot of bruising and swelling around the incision site.  Bandage is staying in place. I'm apparently recovering as expected, she's happy with my vitals, and that's the second and last at home nursing visit as part of the process.

Next was PT.

PT is indeed a workout. And my visiting physio therapist is good at making sure I make the most of it.

The leg raise while lying down is going much better and I do have better range of movement and can easily get the heel to the level of the knee on the opposite leg now. Much easier to get in and out of bed, too.

Some things still get me completely though.

For example, go sit on a chair with your butt parallel to the floor and your feet flat on the floor. Without using your arms for support or leverage, stand up.  You probably just did, no problem right?

Welp, I cannot get up from that position -- at all -- without using my arms for support, I get totally stuck and can't elevate from there at all. Hip is not ready for that yet.

Raising the leg as if marching in place is also rather hard.

Something to keep working towards.

Walking is very good though, and I'm able to get around pretty good walking- wise, and other exercises are no issue.  No problem making it up and down the two stairs and moving around the floor of the house.

PT therapist suggested I start elevating the leg to deal with the swelling in addition to the icing I'm doing, which I shall start doing immediately. She can see it is rather swollen which is part of the mobility problem and the muscle tightness.  To be expected, but if we can start getting the swelling down quicker the recovery will also be hopefully quicker.

Impressively, I'm not limping around now when I walk, whereas I was pretty much limping on a daily basis, with some days much worse than others before the surgery. A good sign.

Pain is around a 3-4 which is tolerable.  About to take a pain pill and have a nap as doing PT wears me out pretty good.  Overall, I  have a lot less energy right now and get tired a lot, and much more easily, but that's part of the process and apparently totally normal and they want me to sleep it off and recharge, whenever I'm not doing PT or getting up to walk around a bit.

So far, so good.

Why Are Leftist Institutions Of Higher Education Such Hives Of Sexual Harrasment And Assault?

Possibly it is because they have access to lots of victims on a University campus, and will be abetted by the University in doing so.

As has finally come to light, Dr. Anderson while he was at the University of Michigan in sports medicine abused over 1,000 boys during his time at University of Michigan athletics. Over 1,000 acts of sexual assault over decades.

Interesting how it has gained far less attention than the Larry Nassar case over at Michigan State University.  Just like in the Larry Nassar case, the powers that be at the University hushed it up for quite some time but this one involves the sexual assault of boys as compared to girls in the Nassar case.

The Detroit News: UM reaches $490 million settlement with Anderson accusers

Quite a sum, though the now men will receive smaller amounts of compensation than the women did in the Nassar case.

It is rather interesting isn't it, how the Universities talk a great deal about feminism, women's rights,ending sexual harassment, #metoo etc, and that society is to blame and it's all America's fault, but they end up being some of the largest perpetrators and facilitators of such outrageous abuse?

Bad enough that even one sexual assault is tolerated.  Permitting thousands to occur and keeping a blind eye to a pattern of abuse by powerful and connected individuals at the Universities shouldn't have been permitted. Yet it rather clearly was, by the same folks mouthing platitudes against such abuse.

But Anderson wasn't the only serial abuser kept in place at UofM.

In addition to the Doctor Anderson scandal, the Provost of University of Michigan Martin Philbert was only now just sacked for a decades-long history of sexual harassment at the University.  Note well that the University had been alerted to this early on, but it was apparently ignored or hushed up.

There's quite a pattern of hushing up sexual harassment and assaults at University of Michigan.

On top of that, the current President of University of Michigan was just very publicly fired for having an inappropriate (though apparently consensual) sexual relationship with a subordinate.  It's too early to tell if this was just an excuse to push him out the door, or a righteous firing for being rather cavalier with University resources, but it certainly doesn't look good, and his having such relations with a subordinate in light of the above reflects pretty lousy judgment in any case.

Hellavua way to piss away a million-dollar-a-year salary for an affair.

They certainly need to sweep out the Big House at U of M.

A Nice Attempt At Dipping In

Have some clients I'm representing who are cleaning up a mess left behind by a recently deceased relative.  He was real property rich, cash poor, and has a trust that is rather cumbersome for what really needs to be done. A bit too one-size-fits-all from a big firm versus really being tailored to his needs.

Well, we start to fix things up and get administering.

Since he's real property rich, we need to sell some properties to meet the very real cash flow needs to the trust and the beneficiaries, especially as at the time he died the gentleman was late with payments for things like property taxes which is not a good thing as losing valuable properties to tax foreclosure is a rather bad way to kick off your trust.

So we contact one of his renters about paying rent and also about showing the premises to potential buyers as the trust should be doing a lot less landholding and more land selling at this point to get everything balanced.

Starts out friendly but they then make a ridiculous lowball offer to buy the place way below market value and then get hostile when the lowball is rejected. 

They then want to deny any access to inspect the premises or let people in to see it as it is offered for sale.   Unfortunately they have a crappy lease that doesn't spell out Landlord's rights of access very well but does allow the Landlord to inspect the premises.

We send over a nice letter that we'll work hard to reduce any disruption and will give 24 hour notice of any inspection.

We get a letter back from an attorney from out of state. Most likely the tenant's relative.  I can't find him in the bar directory, but tenant claims he's licensed in Michigan. Not unless he's changed his name he's not.  

He then states he's not admitted in Michigan but hes in a firm with "national reach". 

Well, yipee for that. But yet he still makes demands for stuff and wants to be provided stuff as their attorney.

Not how this works, sport. You can't practice law in a state in which you are not admitted to practice and I'm rather sure he knows that.

I send back a nice letter "Please confirm if your named attorney wants to commit the unauthorized practice of law in Michigan by continuing to represent you in this matter, and we will then communicate with him accordingly."

No response yet.

Hip Replacement Day 6 - Tired And Sore But With More Movement Plus A Mistake

Got up a little sore today but I think I slept almost all the way through the night which was good.

Did manage to shower, etc which was nice and got some PT in. Could shower all by my own self and am moving about pretty good.

Did some walking around, going up and down the two stairs, and sat in a chair doing some work and catching up on matters for a few hours.

Then I decided to try and skip the 12 pm light pain med and try replacing it with just regular Tylenol.

Big mistake that, huge actually. 

It turns out I'm really not ready to step down to just Tylenol yet

Ended up doing a catch-up dose to knock down the impressive amount of pain that resulted, and then passing out accordingly.

Back up now to get some more things done, but we're going to take it a little slower.

Hip Replacement Day 5 - Full Speed Ahead On The PT

Pain remains controlled at about a 3-4 or so. Still not quite sleeping through the night but a little better.

Took my first shower yesterday which was rather nice.  The shower chair I had assembled remained assembled for the entire shower, which was happy-making. Did make me a bit light-headed but had been warned it might so was ready for that.

Pretty good line of bruises/redness near the incision site which is under a waterproof bandage that I'm not to remove. Not a lot of swelling, so the regular icing and anti-inflammatories are doing their stuff.

Had my first serious PT session today.  PT therapist was very detail oriented and wanted to see what I had been doing so far.

First thing she did after that was put tennis balls on the back legs of the walker and it caused me to walk with a much more normal stride as it now glides instead of halting on the rubber stoppers. Such a small fix and it's rather brilliant.

Next we conquered the 2 stairs between the bedroom and the kitchen and I can now handle those with pretty much ease. Another big small victory.

Then on to more exercises that she added to my current repertoire that proceeded to kick my tail nicely.  Need to run through them all again later today/tonight.

Still spending majority of the time sleeping as this is really tuckering me out and going to pass out again shortly.

Perhaps The Stupidest Thing President Biden Has Said To Date.

Biden on the Texas Synagogue Attack:

"I don't think there is sufficient information to know why he targeted that synagogue why he insisted on the release of someone who's been in prison for over 10 years... why he was using anti-Semitic & anti-Israeli comments."

Unbelievable.  

This ridiculous political correctness and dancing around avoiding any mention of the motivations of  Islamic terrorism and ideology is an absolute farce. 

Biden has no hesitation making unsubstantiated allegations in other situations, even when he's shown to be wrong later. But, when there's plenty of evidence and its a Muslim attack on Jews he doesn't want to make any conclusions and suddenly lacks sufficient information.

Yes, it's an actual quote from Biden and the President can be watched saying it on Twitter.

Interesting Reactions To Events, Aren't They?

Mr. B of In The Middle Of The Right sent me a link in the comments to the Daily Mail a newspaper with some very good coverage of the Texas Synagogue attack and the reaction among the terrorist's fellow adherents back in Ol' Blighty, who while many are now British subjects, are no exactly what you'd first think of when the stereotypical British subject come to mind.

Of course it's blamed on the attackers "mental health" and his family are condemning the crime but of course throwing some nice and false moral relativism in:

'Obviously our priority will be to get him back to the UK for his funeral prayers although we have been warned it could take weeks.

'We would also like to add that any attack on any human being be it a Jew, Christian or Muslim etc is wrong and should always be condemned.

'It is absolutely inexcusable for a Muslim to attack a Jew or for any Jew to attack a Muslim, Christian, Hindu vice versa etc.'

Nice relativism and cute deflection there.

Interestingly, and while given coverage what is rather unremarked upon is the reaction of the Blackburn, England Muslim communityfrom whence the attacker came to the event and his death:

 

One doesn't typically comment that a terrorist has "sadly departed from this temporary world" and one typically does not welcome a criminal to the "highest ranks of Paradise" now does one? Highest ranks of Paradise in Islam are reserved for those fighting Jihad, aren't they? Interesting reaction from the Blackburn Muslim community, that.

Dear AG Nessel: Better To Remain Silent And Be Thought A Fool Than To Speak And Remove All Doubt, And Remiove All Doubt You Did

But with Nessel there is no doubt that she is indeed a fool.  A politically useful one for mouthing Democrat talking points mind you, but a fool all the same.

An hour after it had already been announced that the terrorist in the Hostage situation at the Texas synagogue was demanding the release of a convicted Islamic terrorist, AG Nessel was busy publicly worrying the attack was a possible hate crime caused by a white supremacist.

Washington Free Beacon: Michigan’s Dana Nessel Speculates ‘White Supremacy’ to Blame for Texas Synagogue Terrorist Attack

Why exactly is our state's AG going into a hypothetical contrary to existing evidence during an actual hostage situation in another state?  Why is she (and Psaki, the media (attacker is a British citizen" - way to bury the lede, wot?), and the FBI for that matter) so quick to try to distract attention from a clearly Islamic act of terrorism?

I will note she has yet to make any correction to her inane statement nor to specifically condemn Islamic Terrorism.

Canada About To Further Befoul Supply Chains In A Riddiculous Own-Goal

The Detroit News: Michigan faces acute impact from Canada's refusal to let in unvaccinated US truckers

This newly implemented policy is already outdated, short-sighted, inane, and doesn't concord with "the science". 

We now know and have known for awhile now that the vaccines do not prevent transmission of Covid and variants.

As such the public health argument for requiring them to prevent spread is damn weak. Requiring them for truckers delivering goods is even weaker

We now know and have known for awhile now that the vaccines do not categorically prevent people from getting Covid even if vaccinated.

We do see statistically at least that having the vaccine does make your symptoms more mild and may result in you having no symptoms at all, and make you more able to fight off the virus. Clearly this is a good thing for the elderly, people with comorbidities etc and they do have value to that extent.

For example Tash got it, was vaccinated so relatively mild but even still categorized as feeling like her worst flu ever, she now has a lingering cough and shortness of breath.  Likely her vaccine reduced the potency of the case.  Likely also that our vaccines either prevented us from catching it from her as none of us came down with it despite being in the car with her for 5 hours after her exposure, or the vaccines gave us such a low reaction we don't even know we got it - although Ab's test came up negative for it.

As such, its very much a personal choice as to their use and the elderly and those with high risk factors ought to think carefully about getting the vaccine to protect themselves and people with lower risk factors may choose otherwise. Probably the vaccine is still a good choice to make, but again it's your body, you weigh your own risk factors and make your own informed choice.

It makes no sense now for Canada to introduce a regulation barring truckers shipping vital goods across the border unless they're vaccinated. Especially as we know the main public policy reason for the vaccine - preventing spread to others - simply isn't the case as the vaccines are currently not fully capable of doing that and even vaccinated people are picking up cases.

Expect more supply shortages in the auto industry and elsewhere due to this inane policy given our close trading ties.  The only consolation, if you can call it that,  is Canada is going to feel the effects worse than the US will as a result of this idiocy.

Hip Replacement Day 4

Sleeping through the night is still not perfect, a bit fitful and waking at times.  

Kinda stiff and and a little sore this morning.

Sticking to only the lighter painkiller for now, no need for the Percocet yet to date and hopefully don't need it later. Took all the morning meds as scheduled.

Pain overall is down to about a 3 which is great. 

While doing PT exercises this morning, lying down I can now slide my foot all the way up to my opposite knee compared to only being able to move it an inch or so when I started! 

Small victories, and still not easy to do, but I'll take it.  Ridiculous how much of a sweat such small movements can cause.

Need to get in two more rounds of PT today.

Overall, I'm a bit more mobile which is good but due to the compression sleeves and icing unit I still can't get out of bed by myself as I need help to take those off.

Can actually sit up in a chair now as long as it is high enough and I lean back as cannot even lean over 90 degrees forward for now, no twisting around, etc. Can now sit on edge of the bed as well. Can't do it for too long as I get really stiff from doing it, but it is a start.

Back in bed for some more icing and leg compression for now.

Hostage Situation At Synagogue In Texas

So an Islamic terrorist, allegedly Muhammad Siddiqui who is demanding release of his sister Aafia Siddiqui who is sentenced on terror charges for 86 years for trying to kill US Military and FBI agents in Afghanistan who is being held in a federal jail inn Texas.

Star-Telegram: 1 hostage released from Colleyville synagogue; rabbi among 3 still held inside; negotiations continue

There's also a Michigan connection to this sotry.  The Rabbi currently being held hostage with some of his congregants grew up in Lansing Michigan and was in the same Jewish youth group as my own Rabbi and they're good friends. It's a small world.

Praying and hoping the situation is resolved and the hostages are all released unharmed. 

Update:  FBI's Hostage Rescue Team performed a dynamic entry and the terrorist is now dead and all hostages are freed.  

Whitmer: Those Medicaid Rolls Weren't Going To Empty Themselves

Fox News: Whitmer admin significantly undercounted Michigan nursing home COVID deaths, state auditor finds

To the tune of undercounting deaths by about 42% per a recent audit to be publicly released Monday.

Michigan, under oGvernor Whitmer was one of the handful of states - all Democrat run - that required nursing homes to take in Covid positive patients.

With the completely unsurprising result of over a third of all deaths from Covid in Michigan coming from nursing homes. Put a disease that ravages the elderly and those with comorbidities in a place that is chock-full of residents that are elderly and comorbiditiesand it shouldn't have taken a rocket scientist to know what would happen.

After all, 84% of all deaths from Covid in Michigan are age 60 and over.

Requiring nursing homes to take in Covid positive patients was quite simply an insane policy, and the powers that be have been trying to obfuscate, duck, and deny responsibility for this horrendous policy ever since.  Given a complicit Democrat AG, and complicit media here, they may just get away with it.

Hip Replacement Day 3

A bit of a fitful sleep last night.  Up solidly at 7:30 am had some meds and did a few things and then passed out after an hour or so until 11:30 am.

Have not needed to take the heavy-duty Percocets for pain yet, and pain isn't bad today.  So, I'm going to hold off on the heavy stuff for now and hopefully wont need it. The ice and compression machine is really doing its thing nicely.

Did a round of PT exercises on my own today with some family member supervision. Was able to get another inch of movement on the leg slide which was nice and that's some progress.

Surgery center is very on top of things, checking in with me yesterday and today to see how I'm doing. Some difference among nurses between the visiting nurse yesterday and the surgical center nurses as to leg positioning but overall its good, and reminding me to keep having fluids, eat, get up and move about, etc. Moving with the walker is easier, as is getting up from lying down to a seated position, so that's some progress too.

Hip Replacement: The First Physio

Nerve block is wearing off and pain is going up quite a bit but still tolerable. Muscles are spasming in the leg pretty good at the incision site, which feels really weird but not as painful as the operating nurse indicted it would be so I'm happy about that.

Had a visiting nurse come today to check on me take my vitals and discuss medications. I'm holding off on taking the real heavy stuff - partially because it invariably makes my head even more spinny than it should be and nauseous to boot - but she said it the pain goes way up take it and I should take one of the heavies tonight before going to bed to knock the pain down and get a good night's sleep. Will follow medical advice accordingly, after all I’m not about to be driving a car or operating heavy machinery for awhile anyways.

Taking a ton of different meds - 8 scripts in all - most I've ever had to take, including a blood thinner to prevent clots which means if I fall at any time and land on my head it's a direct trip to the emergency room. Yowza.

Then on to my first at home physio. PT guy came and did a questionnaire and basic exam. Just a brief assessment and Day Two brought on new exercises, and it was a butt kicker even so. Already been doing ankle pumps since yesterday to stop clots now four more exercises are added to the repertoire.

One exercise today that seems simple is this: Lie down on your back and extend your leg out fully, then slide your leg on the bed dragging on your heel so you feel the stretch. You can probably touch your butt with your heel right? Right now I can move it only about 2 inches back before the pain really kicks in. But, better than the one inch this morning though, so that's progress.

I'm getting up to walk with the walker and doing good going straight and penguin feet for turns as I'm not allowed to rotate the hips. Good to be up to prevent clots and good to move around.

I went down two small stairs today to the kitchen for lunch - going down two little stairs was darn scary and tippy, even being supported by a wall, walker, and Tash. Made it, but I then found I couldn't sit down at the kitchen table due to the chair height being too low, so went back to the bedroom to sit there. Going back up the stairs was easy. Weird how things that were no issue before are an issue now, but with PT and some time I'm going to come back better than before.

Probably still a little loopy really, pretty tired most of the time, but no real complaints.

If You Want To Play With The Sharks Part 2

So our pro-per third party defendant manages to file a reply brief. She still hasn't figured out she has to file a notice of hearing and praecipe.

Of course she titles it: "BRIEF DISPUTING THIRD‐PARTY PLANTIFF/DEFENDANT’S RESPONSE TO THIRD‐PARTY DEFENDANT’S MOTION FOR SUMMARY DISPOSITION"

Which isn't exactly correct it should be a reply brief, and she spelled Plaintiff wrong, but anyways.

The words she then uses and stuff she cites to really does not mean what she thinks it means.

She states that since the rule says fall actual allegations in our complaint against her are taken as true", shes argues since our allegations in t he complaint against her are in her opinion false they cant be factual. Not what that means nor how that works at all.


She claims because the judge denied our motion over the email that it means all her proffered her evidence now has precedential value. Yes, she underlined it. No, those words do not mean what she thinks they mean.

She also tries to get around the MCR 2.116(c)(8) standard she filed the motion under that she can't add exhibits and it just doesn't work she claims she has to file the exhibits as required by law (underlined and in bold, natch). The law cleanly states instead you can't attach exhibits to this kind of pleading,

She even starts citing to other filings shes made that have been rejected. Then of course she accuses us of being "perjurious" (underlined and in bold, natch) which apparently means we're alleging and raising facts she doesn't like, and then goes off on some really cool unrelated tangents into never-never land. She never gets around to claiming our complaint counts aren't legally cognizable, because they are in fact effective.

In short, no lawyer would file such a document because its garbage and pretty much malpractice to even do so, but pro pers keep getting away with it.

Might be the meds talking, but her brief is just hilarious and I almost hope the court lets us argue it even without her filing the notice of hearing and praecipe. Given I'm on meds I'm not going to do any actual legal work today, but reading that nonsense gave me some well enjoyed laughs.

Hip Replacement Status Report Day 2

Slept rather fitfully last night and the nerve block seems to be wearing off as I'm a lot more achy now at the incision site and hip itself but no massive pain at all. Probably a bit more severe than the better days prior to replacement, but not worse than the worst days so that's something.

Most of the pain seems  to be referred to the right glute muscle, so yes, a hip replacement really is a pain in the ass.

Got up walked down the hallway and shaved this morning. Walking was a bit harder as I did a fair bit of walking yesterday to keep moving and avoid clots.  Back in bed now catching up on some work. Moving the leg is a little harder today, and it does take some careful planning, as I'm not allowed to  bend forward too far, flex the hip, or lots of other restrictions.

I'm hooked up to the coolest  machine right now - it uses pulses of air to compresses the calfs every so often to prevent clots and also gives timed water flow/icing to the hip.  Absolutely brilliant - no need to refreeze ice packs or time putting them on and off.

So far, so good.  Thanks for all the good wishes, they're appreciated.

Hip replacement status report

Status Update: I now have a new right hip!

Surgery went very well this morning and my doctor is fantastic. Nurses are absolutely wonderful as well at the center.

Walked once I woke up and stabilized. Then was able to get out of car and walk through house to bed. Probably high as a kite at the moment with a great nerve block so forgive this rambling.

Worst part of the whole thing was the 4 attempts and 8 needles to get an IV going. They thought they had it on the third attempt: gave me a shot of versed and said you should start feeling drowsy. Not so much. In fact nothing was happening at all. Redid IV and then oh my did it work and next moment I was back in recovery room and all done left arm looks like a pin cushion but if that’s the worst of it I’ll take it.

Now to bring on the physio, and seeing what this new hip can do.

Hip Replacement Day

Like a Gremlin, I was not allowed to be fed after midnight.

About to head off to the surgical center.

Only annoyance so far is that Michigan prohibits sword-canes in public.  having one of those while I was recovering and getting about would have been snazzy.

So, Why Is The Checkride Not Going To Happen Anytime Soon Now?

Well, it's because of what is going to happen tomorrow.

Why tomorrow?  Well, the reason for what will happen tomorrow likely began over 6 years ago, if not more, and will take a bit to explain.

In late 2016, I was doing karate and thought I had pulled a groin muscle on my right side.

Family doctor at the time said it was a groin pull, even took x-rays apparently looked at them and said groin pull.  More on that in a moment.

Nothing helped it.  Not even physio.  It just kept hurting.

Another doctor seeing my in early 2018 for something else and noticed how I was walking.  Discussed it with him and he said it wasn't a groin pull but most likely was a problem with my hip, and I should go to an orthopedic doctor to get it looked at ASAP.

March 2018 I get in with an Orthopedic Surgeon, he does a thorough exam, takes x-rays and says I have hip arthritis, badly in the right hip.  He doesn't want to operate on it as its too late for anything short of a replacement, and he wants to hold off on that as long as possible. 

Great, so at 44 I get diagnosed with hip osteoarthritis.  I thought that happened to old people.

Oh,  remember the x-ray by the family doctor in 2016? It actually shows the hip arthritis but he either blew it off or never bothered to review it and thus I did not know about it and wasted time on physio for a groin pull that didn't exist and a lack of care of the hip arthritis.  Thanks for that. Since then I've switched doctors.

Years go by, pain and aches continue, and intensify 

In short it's been daily pain and getting all the worse since it began in 2016.  Complete with limping and hobbling around, trouble sleeping, etc.  

Hurts (realistically more) if I do jitsu, hurts if I don't do jitsu. 

So, I keep doing jitsu because: 1. it's fun and challenging; 2. It's a really great bunch of people; and 3. It's a workout and I want to keep the weight off and keep being as active as I can be and do as much as I can make my body do.

I also keep doing it because you should never let what you can't do stop you from doing what you can do.

Hip gets progressively weaker, locks up at times,  and I'm less and less able to do stuff with it and it keeps hurting, I can actually see the range of motion decline year by year while doing jitsu.  

Basically, it has been daily aches ranging from a dull persistent ouchy kinda ache and stiffness with occasional jolts, to feeling like a knife is shoved in the joint, to someone taking a blow-torch to it for the past couple years. 

Suck it up and drive on, and just understand that the pain will be there no matter what, no point whinging about it, just deal with it.

Finally, in December 2021 the Doctor examines me and says it is time to do a hip replacement.

That time is tomorrow.

As such, there will no driving for at least a month, likely no flying for 2-3 months, and no Jitsu for a minimum of 6 months!

So to be honest, I'm rather apprehensive about tomorrow as this is pretty major surgery and is going to knock me on my tail for quite some time. 

The top of the leg bone will be cut away and a titanium pin shoved into the leg bone, topped with a ceramic ball.  A titanium cup is screwed to the hip bone and a plastic liner placed within the cup.  Ball then goes in the cup and voila, new hip! Sounds simple enough. 

I'm really hoping it works and I get a decent functioning hip with a normal range of motion and capabilities, and a chance for a future without daily pain from the hip. Would be nice.

So yeah, I don't normally ask for them, but some thoughts, good wishes, and prayers for a successful outcome if you're of mind to do so would be appreciated.

Flying And Not Flying - No Checkride Today

This morning I got up at 6 and got the weather brief.

I then also got a weather brief for my exercise planned IFR flight that will not actually be flown, but is required as part of the oral portion of the test.  

Did the wind correction and times by hand as required and got that done, which took quite some time.  Got the weight and balance done and printed out.  Filled out by hand an IFR ICAO flight plan, because again, ground portion.  All this took time and all could be done automatically by Foreflight and in real life you'd use Foreflight but for the checkride suffering is required.

Got to the airport.

Did the preflight, fired up the plane, did the run-up by the numbers and checklist.

Arranged for and got flight following to KADG.

Held short of Runway 27R and was told to head to Runway 27L for departure.  Slid along taxiway Hotel as it had a fair bit of ice between the runways and took off from 27L at Hotel, fair bit of ice on the runway which made it a tad interesting.

Plane performance is outstanding, density altitude is over -1000 feet, plane flies itself into the air like a homesick angel, all is great.

Headed southwest to KADG.

Almost immediately hit a fully overcast mist-ladden layer at 2,000 feet into the start of IFR conditions.

I'm not IFR certified yet, that's what this ride is for after all.

Duck under 2,000 immediately to get out of the start of IFR conditions and take a moment to assess the situation.  

Not legal for me to go IFR, nor particularly safe in this rather misty conditions with high icing potential.

Not smart to scud-run below 2,000 feet all the way to KADG, and if it comes down more, I will be truly screwed. Since you're supposed to be 500 feet below the clouds in Class E and D Airspace, I'd have to be at 1,500 with the ground at around 980 feet in order to be legal - that's not a lot of room and it's giving yourself a complete lack of options in an emergency.

Assessment - the flight is not within my personal safety limits so I'm cancelling.

Screw the Get-There-Itis and Want-To-Get-The-Checkride-Done impulses.  It's just not happening.

Cancelled with Detroit Approach and returned to Pontiac.

Of course, I did an absolutely perfect, and I mean absolutely perfect landing, because no one was watching.

Slid past taxiway Whiskey due to icing on 27R and got off on the next taxiway.

Back to DCT.

Now there's no chance for a checkride for another 2-3 months minimum and likely I will be out of flight review status as that expires at the end of March. 

So, I will have to take and pay for a flight review beforehand to be current - the IFR checkride would have counted as one but since that's not happening it doesn't.

I'll also have to take more lessons because the rules require three hours of instrument flight training within two calendar months before the check ride.

In short this cancellation just cost well over a couple grand easily.  FML.

.4 and 1 absolutely perfect landing.

So, Was Firing Unvaccinated Hospital Workers A Bright Idea?

The Detroit News: COVID surge could send health system 'over the edge,' Michigan officials say

So firing health care workers may not have been the best idea, neh?

Especially since the vaccines for Covid neither prevent you from getting the disease nor prevent you from spreading it to others, the move to fire those who chose to remain unvaccinated was rather ill-advised.

On the upside the vaccines while not stopping you from getting the Covids does seem to prevent serious complications, so it's still likely is a good choice to get it, but I'd say its up to you to as an adult to weigh your options and decide on what's best for you. 

Tash felt lousy for quite a few days but has pretty much recovered, albeit not back to 100% yet. Basically to her it felt like a particularly lousy flu and nothing more - headaches, low energy and tiredness.  Her mom in her 80s is also recovering nicely and given her history of health problems, I'd say the vaccines likely helped her recover.

In addition my fellow Michiganders, if you happen to feel like you may have the 'rona, quit rushing to the Emergency Room to get tested.   The test will not make you feel any better and you're taking up space and resources for people who actually need it.

Stay home, rest up and don't go to the hospital until you actually need to go to the hospital.  Quit freaking out. Omicron, while not pleasant seems to be pretty mild on a par with flus we get every year, so calm down, ok?

The Lighter Side Of Laughable Land Acknowledgments

I've talked about the stupidity of "Land Acknowledgments" before.

It seems a professor at University of Washington didn't just talk about the stupidity of required Land Acknowledgments, he went ahead and demonstrated the absurdity of such by inserting a true but certainly politically incorrect land acknowledgment statement on his syllabus rather than using the administration's approved message.

The result - perfection:

Yep, pretty much accurate, that. 

Computer science professor Stuart Reges rather delightfully and skillfully mocked the inanity that are these land acknowledgments.

The powers that be at UW were not amused. Really not amused.

Feathers were ruffled, students' fee-fees were offended. Snowflakes were melted.

770KTTH: Rantz: UW admin. goes to war over Seattle professor’s hilarious land acknowledgment joke

We will note for the record that to date neither UW, nor its Director of the School of Computer Science and Engineering, Magdalena Balazinska, have deeded their properties over to the Coast Salish tribes. 

Had they really believed in their own land acknowledgment virtue signalling BS, then it only goes to follow that they should have deeded the University and their properties over to the Salish - immediately - even as that would be rather ahistorical as much as it is woke.

So far, the University is putting a competing section of the class at the same time as Professor Reges' class, and have removed his syllabus from their website. and made a virtue signalling abject apology for it - and asking students to make complaints against him.

Yes, You Need A Light At Night Along With Your Defensive Firearm

Positive Identification of a potential threat at night is vital, and for that you need illumination.

Otherwise tragedies like this happen:

10WBNS: Sources: Man fatally shoots 16-year-old daughter after mistaking her for home intruder

Mistakes like this continue to happen and there's absolutely no reason for them to happen.

"Know your target and what is beyond" is not just a suggestion. 

And before you get all "Hurr Durr a light will give away my tactical position."  You're likely in your house at handgun range.  You're unlikely going to be  acting like a silent ninja at 3am when you hear breaking glass or your home alarm goes off, more likely you're going to be stumbling around grabbing your stuff,  and making some noise dialing 911.   Walking around through a pitch dark house when you think there's an intruder somewhere there is dumb. There's nothing tactical about it.  

Pointing a gun at and pulling the trigger on an unidentified shadow is a recipe for disaster.

A good light will let you most importantly accurately identify and hit your target -- if such target even needs to be hit to defend yourself. As a potential bonus, a good quality light may even temporarily blind or disorient your opponent as well.

Have a light so you don't have a completely avoidable  tragedy.

 Take a low light shooting course, it's rather illuminating as to why you need a light and what a light can do for you.

Update:  Eaton Rapids Joe also offers some cogent thoughts on the matter.

The Solvent Trap Trap

You've seen those advertisements on social media such as Facebook from Wish and other sellers selling items that look suspiciously like mostly-finished unregistered suppressors.

Because, well, they are.

In the words of Admiral Akbar:

 And verily, it is.

Possession of suppressor parts or a bunch of parts that can be quickly manufactured into a working suppressor by a quick drilling when you don't have the accompanying approved Form 1 or Form 4 along with your $200 tax stamp is rather bad news and really not advised.

That's because you may get a personal visit from people bearing bad news for you, or you may just get a letter like this as a new client of mine just did:

 

It seems that Diversified Machine Co, an online seller of such "solvent traps", was allegedly selling solvent trap kits that could be turned into a fully working suppressor a little too readily for the BATFE's tastes.

In short, if you are acquiring a solvent trap or fuel filter that looks suspiciously like a suppressor save for a little extra hole, and you don't Pay $200, then Do Not Pass Go.

Otherwise, you may Go Directly To Jail.

If You Want To Play With The Sharks, At Least Learn To Swim First

Having a fun case at the moment.

A quick summary: My client is a landlord that moved out of state 9 years ago.  She rented it to Tenant with a Lease that is overall ok, but could be better because of course she didn't have a lawyer draw it up so it has some important gaps. But, the Lease does specifically say that only Tenant, her mom, and son may live at the condo.

Tenant signs Lease in 2013.  In 2014, without asking the client or getting permission, her boyfriend moves in.

Fast forward to December 2020.   Lease is ending.  In December, Tenant tells Client there is a leak at the sink in the basement and water keeps dripping from the faucet.

Tenant and boyfriend move out in December 2020. Boyfriend was never on the Lease and my client didn't know he lived there. Boyfriend has never communicated to Landlord ever. Cleverly in 2017, they listed him as a resident in a single email, but had him as an emergency contact only in 2016 and again as an emergency contact only in 2018, and nothing sent later than that.

Boyfriend then sues after they move out, claiming mold from the leak in the sink makes him now unable to work.

Plaintiff is representing himself, and he doth have a fool for a client as a result. 

Likely because no lawyer wouldn't take his case as it stinks to high heaven.  The sink seems to have never been cleaned ever as there's no way that much grime and mold accumulated so quickly.  Plus, when repaired it looked like it had been leaking long before December 2020. 

So I bring the Tenant into the case as a Third-Party Defendant, for breach of contract, indemnification, and contribution, saying any damage Plaintiff gets from my client, the Tenant has to pay as it's her fault for him being there in the first place.

Tenant really does not like that and she represents herself as well, likely with her boyfriends "help".

Tenant filed a motion to dismiss and it gets dismissed almost out of hand due to it being a hot mess and without any basis and non-conforming.

Sadly, we then get a very new judge assigned to the case.  He's new and a nice guy, but unfortunately the court  (and sadly all courts tend to do this) tends to bend over backwards for people representing themselves.

Court denied my motion to dismiss Plaintiff's complaint on the grounds that he was a trespasser there without permission, stating the single 2017 email may have put my client on notice that Plaintiff was living there. Annoying.

Tenant then files a ridiculous motion to compel discovery when she hasn't even asked for discovery yet.    Doesn't work that way.  She also didn't know how to file it properly so it also is denied without even a hearing.

Tenant then files a bunch of subpoenas that are filled out completely wrong, including one she probably meant to be sent to my client but the "To:" area is completely blank so we ignore it, especially as she was asking for stuff we already gave her. 

She then files another ridiculous motion to compel, again misfiles it, and it is denied again.

She now files a Motion for Summary Disposition to try and dismiss our claims against her and attaches 185 pages of exhibits. The motion is a complete word salad, everything is a partial sentence, not properly formatted, and complete with underlining, bold, and italics thrown in everywhere, etc.

The court should have rejected it, and would have if an attorney had filed this garbage, but this judge lets it go and accepts it and then gives an order setting dates for me to respond and that she should file a notice of hearing with the date in February.

The 185 pages of exhibits are nuts and in most cases have nothing to do with the case against her but are her trying to fight the Plaintiff's case and lots of things that have nothing to do with the case at all.

Her problem, she filed under her motion the MCR 2.116(C)(8) standard, that our complaint failed to state a claim that could be granted as a matter of law.

But, under the MCR 2.116(C)(8) standard, the court looks only at the complaint itself to see if the claims in it are legally cognizable. The Court doesn't and cannot look at any other evidence and doesn't care.

I then file a response on time yesterday, asking for all her exhibits to be struck as a result and provide a response showing our claims against her are indeed legally justifiable, and for fun I ask for sanctions as this is her 4th frivolous motion to date. Likely, I won't get sanctions, because again, the court lets people representing themselves keep doing this stuff, but it never hurts to ask.

We will see if she files a reply, and if she actually files a notice of hearing to get the motion heard per the court's order about the motion.  She still hasn't done that. So we will see if the Court hears this on the date set, even if she doesn't file the notice as she is supposed to do.

Should be fun.

The Covids Are Coming From Inside The House!

No need to panic however.

Natasha's mom was feeling about wiped out over New Year's.  Then lost he sense of smell and taste and tested positive for Covid.

Quite a concern given shes in her 80's but shes doing better now, just a bit winded and did not need to go to the hospital.

Unfortunately, we're pretty sure she gave it to Tash, who on Sunday also lost her sense of smell, taste and otherwise has symptoms mirroring those she had back in December 2019 and after her jab. We have isolated her off accordingly.

Kids got tested and are negative, I'm fine with no symptoms but no time to be in line for hours for a test right now.

Tash is doing better,  just a little winded.

Such fun.

A Little Less Cordial Than He Was Used To

Ah, the gentle art of diplomacy.

The good ol' days of polite ambassadors resolving disputes in a manner filled with decorum, formalities. and courtesy. 

Or, well,  not so much. 

Peter Capaldi's dramatic live reading of the Reply of the Zaporozhian Cossacks to the Turkish Sultan illustrates how diplomatic communication can be at times a tad less polite, and it is a must watch - before you read the letter at the Wiki link.

The Cossacks had defeated the Ottomans in a battle, and the Sultan then sent them a letter demanding their surrender, their fealty, and to stop any further attacks on the Ottomans.

Their reply has survived through the centuries as a lovely example of how to diplomatically and at length say "Oh, Hell, No". 

Not Flying Today Either

It was the correct decision not to proceed yesterday as the weather was indeed unsatisfactory to say the least.

Today was a possible alternate for the test and the forecast said no, not today, and it was right.

Now have January 12 set as the date and if anything favorable comes up before then I'm jumping on it.  Long range forecast looks hopeful.  Talk about down to the wire.

We will see what happens.

Frack - Not Flying Tomorrow

Know how I mentioned the weather doesn't look favorable for tomorrow?

Well, forecast is for winds gusting 30-40 kts, and that's the "good" part (just so you know 30-40 knots in a small aircraft is bad m'kay?).  But wait, there's more:

Marginal VFR and IFR Conditions;

Airmet Tango for moderate turbulence;

 

Airmet Zulu for icing;

 

Wind shear; and

 

Likely snow showers.

 

My assessment: Not a good day for a checkride, nor particularly even legal for me to fly down to do it.

Called a briefer to confirm what I was seeing and he said the magic words: "VFR not recommended." We chatted and both agreed tomorrow is not a good day for a checkride.

Called my instructor - assessment is the same.

Called Examiner - He appreciated my thoroughness and agreed that it would be a bad day to do a checkride tomorrow.

He was in the middle of some stuff, so we will be talking to examiner tonight about rescheduling.

Flying IFR - Lesson 44 - Hopefully The Final IFR Lesson

Today was hopefully my final IFR lesson. 

Got to the airport at 0800 hours checked in with Kevin and prepped the plane.  Did the run-up by-the-book, pretakeoff checklist, the works.

Picked up VFR flight following for the trip.

Flew towards KADG as that is where the checkride will take place and got handed off to Toledo Approach.    As we got close to KADG we asked Toledo approach for the Localizer 25 Approach at Toledo as that will more than likely be on the test tomorrow.

I then proceeded to do the full procedure partial panel and I did it very well. Then I went missed and was told to head VFR direct  back to Pontiac.

The issue with direct is that being sent direct to Pontiac puts you into Detroit's Class Bravo Airspace.

So I called Detorit approach and stated we had been routed direct to Pontiac but asked to divert toward Ann Arbor to avoid the Bravo.

The controller, in a very friendly mood asked if we could maintain VFR first at 3,000, and then he changed his mind to 3,500.  

I stated yes indeed we could.

He then stated "Well, you're cleared into the Bravo at 3,500 direct to Pontiac".

Very cool when Class B controllers are helpful like that and direct we went. My second Bravo clearance.

Heading to Pontiac we did a visual approach and landing which felt really, really weird after doing instrument approaches all this time - a long left base to Runway 25R and down for a very nice landing.  I'm beginning to really appreciate the structure of an instrument approach.

The real Checkride is scheduled for tomorrow, but the weather is not looking too good so we will see what happens - pity it wasn't today as the weather was perfect.  I will prepare and we will see what the weather gives me.

Stupid Criminal Special - 2 Drunk Drivers For The Price Of One

Our first report of stupid criminals in 2022 gives us not one but two stupid criminals caught at the same time. 

 The Detroit News: State police arrest woman for drunken driving after she picks up boyfriend who crashed

Headline couldn't fit in that boyfriend was also drunk and caused a crash, then he called his girlfriend, who then drives drunk to pick him up and speed him drunkenly away from the accident site.

The Michigan State Police got a nice 2-for-1 special, picking them both up in one fell swoop.

Well, at least they got to spend a romantic night away from each other in jail for their efforts.  

Next time, they both may want to consider not operating a car while intoxicated and calling an Uber.

The Definition of Insanity Is Doing The Same Thing Over Again And Expecting Different Results

Applying that definition, Canada has gone insane, or verily has been insane for a few years now.

The Detroit News: Ontario shuts schools, indoor dining and gyms

 CTV news:  Quebec shuts down schools, bars, gyms, theatres as COVID-19 cases soar

 Let's hope Michigan doesn't join in the insanity more than it already has to date, yet the pump sure is being primed: 

The Detroit News: Michigan's COVID hospitalization tally increases to start 2022

Folks, welcome to Year Three of 15 days to stop the spread.

Happy 2022! Home Again, Now With Winter Storms

Made it to Toronto after a late start waiting for the delayed Covid PCR test results (all negative as expected).  Spent New Year's with Tash's family there.  The kids got to see their grandmother after being unable to see her in person fore the last two years due to the stupid border closing.

This was good and Tash was able to do a lot of shopping for her mom and help with New Year's preparations.

The preparations meant we had the traditional New Year's feast:

 That's just the appetizers.

Also, after the stroke of midnight, I got a nice New Year's present:

 

 A nice 12 year old single malt by Cardhu.  Since most of Cardhu's production gets blended to make Johnnie Walker, I'm interested to see how it tastes.

Not a bad way to ring in the New Year. 

Then weather reports of a major winter storm started rolling in, so we helped clean up this morning and with other things that needed doing and hot the road this afternoon.

Hit some rain on the way but only got caught in the snowfall in the last 45 minutes of the way home.  Even made it up the Driveway of Doom™ -  Barely.  Tash's car started to hesitate and lose traction when we were almost up, but we managed to get it into the garage with a little fishtailing.

Then I shoveled the driveway and we got our pups back and they were happy to see us.

Everyone is tired so it's going to be an early night.  Good to be home.