re: GMT

Today in History December 14

1751
The first military academy in the world, the Theresian Military Academy, is founded in Austria

1819
Alabama is admitted as the 22nd state, making 11 slave states and 11 free states.

1900
Max Planck presents the quantum theory at the Physics Society in Berlin.

1911
Norwegian Roald Amundsen's Antarctic expedition is the 1st to reach the South Pole

1960
A U.S. Boeing B-52 bomber sets a 10,000-mile non-stop record without refueling.

1994
Construction begins on China's Three Gorges Dam on the Yangtze River.

1999
Tens of thousands die as a result of flash floods caused by torrential rains in Vargas, Venezuela.

2003
US President George W. Bush announces the capture of Saddam Hussein

2008
President George W. Bush make his fourth and final trip to Iraq as president and is almost struck by two shoes thrown at him by Iraqi journalist Muntadhar al-Zaidi during a farewell conference in Baghdad

2021
American Covid-19 death toll passes 800,000, with more deaths recorded in 2021 than 2020

2022
President Joe Biden vows to extend US involvement in Africa in address at US-Africa Leaders summit in Washington, amid competition from China on the continent

2023
European Union agrees to open membership negotiations with Ukraine at a summit on Brussels

Born on December 14

1503
Nostradamus [Michel de Nostredame], French astrologer and physician.

1896
Jimmy Doolittle American air force general who conducted the raid on Tokyo in 1942, born in Alameda, California

1932
Charlie Rich, crossover country singer, musician ("Behind Closed Doors").


Joke of the day

Want to know why women don’t blink during foreplay?





Not enough time.

Right
Good Morning

quote:

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1900
Max Planck presents the quantum theory at the Physics Society in Berlin.

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There is direct correlation between a country's scientific prowess and its place in the international pecking order. Germany was a intellectual, economic, and military powerhouse in 1900. The UK was in its heyday.

Tl:dr. Knee replacement update

Thought I would give an update on my overall recovery. Now 9 days out.

I'm still amazed they put me in the car and sent me home 20 minutes after they woke me up from surgery, but it was 5pm on Friday.

Have had PT twice. Given a series of exercises that I do 3 times a day. I also have a ROM (range of motion) bike that I ride 5 timed a day.

My pattern is coffee first (always), then ride and ice. Then exercise and ice/elevate. Then repeat. Two rides in the morning and one set, then two in the afternoon and one set, then one each in the evening.

The exercises wear me out, but I'm doing them. I also, when not riding or exercising or icing, I put my foot in a foam brick that holds my leg off the couch or chair to let the leg try to straighten. I do that basically all the time that I can. And it hurts all the time. Cannot sleep when using it, or even nap.

My entire leg from 3 inches above my ankle to my upper thigh is blue and purple from bruising. Apparently they don't staple the incision closed anymore, but use glue. My bandage has some blood and discoloration, but not a lot and PT says its normal.

Pain is tolerable. Not as bad as I expected, but it hurts all the time and getting in and out of a chair, couch, bed is not enjoyable. I'm still taking pain pills, but cutting back each day and more Tylenol. They told us not to stop too quick to "stay ahead of the pain, don't get behind it".

Sleep has been better than expected. I have to sleep on my back, can't roll on my side, so I have chosen to sleep in a recliner so I can't turn over.
I have a foam triangle incline pillow, so I put that under my surgical leg, put my ice machine cuff on and set it to 20 on and 20 off all night, put pillows under my other leg, lean the chair back, so my legs are above my heart. It sounds weird, but is reasonably comfortable. I can sleep 3-4 hours at a time.

Initially I had pills round the clock at all hours, but now just 3-4 times a day.

I'm still using the walker to get around, but should transition to a cane either this week or next.

Go back.to Dr. The day after Christmas to get the bandage off and see my scar.

I could start back to work this week if I wanted, I work from home, but my company hates its employees, so I'm going to wait another week.

Oh well, you probably didnt want this, but I'm calling it therapy.

Today in History December 15

533
Byzantine General Belisarius defeats the Vandals, under King Gelimer, at the Battle of Ticameron

1791
US Bill of Rights ratified when Virginia gives its approval, becomes amendments 1-10 of the US constitution

1862
In New Orleans, Louisiana, Union Major General Benjamin F. Butler turns his command over to Nathaniel Banks. The citizens of New Orleans hold farewell parties for Butler, "The Beast" - but only after he leaves.

1890
As U.S. Army soldiers attempt to arrest Sitting Bull at his cabin in Standing Rock, South Dakota, shooting breaks out and Lt. Bullhead shoots the great Sioux leader.

1965
The United States drops 12 tons of bombs on an industrial center near Haiphong Harbor, North Vietnam.

1967
President Lyndon B. Johnson signs the meat bill in the presence of Upton Sinclair, the author of the controversial book The Jungle.

1973 The American Psychiatric Association votes to remove homosexuality from its official list of psychiatric disorders.

1978
US President Jimmy Carter announces the United States will recognize the People's Republic of China and will sever all relations with Taiwan.

2001
The Leaning Tower of Pisa reopens after an 11-year, $27 million project to fortify it without eliminating its famed lean.

2005
Introduction of the F-22 Raptor into USAF active service

2021
COVID-19 Omicron variant called "probably the most significant threat" of the pandemic by head of UK Health Security Agency, warning of "staggering" growth in next few days

2022
Tens of thousands of nurses go on strike in England, Wales and Northern Ireland in largest strike in NHS history

2023
Mexico's Maya Train inaugurated by President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, first part of a $20 billion, 950-mile line tourist train route around the Yucatan peninsular

Born on December 15

1883
William A. Hinton, developer of the "Hinton Test" for diagnosing syphilis.

1892
J. Paul Getty, American oilman and art collector..

1933
Tim Conway, actor, screenwriter, producer, known for his comedic roles in TV and film that he frequently improvised (The Carol Burnett Show TV series).

JOTD

It's Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final, and a man makes his way to his seat right at center ice. He sits down, noticing that the seat next to him is empty.
He leans over and asks his neighbor if someone will be sitting there. 'No' says the neighbor. 'The seat is empty.'
'This is incredible,' said the man. 'Who in their right mind would have a seat like this for the Stanley Cup and not use it?'
The neighbor says, 'Well, actually, the seat belongs to me. I was supposed to come with my wife, but she passed away.
'This is the first Stanley Cup we haven't been to together since we got married.'
'Oh, I'm so sorry to hear that. That's terrible... But couldn't you find someone else, a friend or relative, or even a neighbor to take the seat?'
The man shakes his head. 'No,' he says. 'They're all at the funeral.

Dam how old are you?

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61

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I'm a bit younger than you but at our age recovering from a surgery is no bueno.

I can say I am not looking forward to something like that done. Opioids are tremendously effective for me. They make me so sick to my stomach I don't have time to feel much pain.

We're always here to be part of your therapy buddy.

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1967
President Lyndon B. Johnson signs the meat bill in the presence of Upton Sinclair, the author of the controversial book The Jungle.

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A prime example of how the US government was designed to work by the Founding Fathers.

Sinclair's expose on the conditions immigrants faced in Chicago, particularly in the filthy meat packing plants, horrified President Roosevelt who immediately begin pushing for something to be done. Teddy Roosevelt. In 1905.

This is how our government is built to do things. Divide powers so passing major laws and acts takes a lot of time and forces opposing sides to compromise. We have had some knock down, drag out fights about passing those laws, but, other than slavery, at the end of the day what crossed the finish line was something that everyone didn't hate.

It isn't until very recently that the "Imperial Presidency" tendency has concentrated power in the President's hands and stripped it, effectively, from Congress. Even when the opposition controls Congress they can, at best, hope to impede the President. Not slow him down.

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