Just Plain Living

http://youtu.be/2nuBVOuG1ks
The above link is a good FYI video on what generally they do during an inspection. It's a 45min video explaining what most inspections are expected to check for and generally explain why. It stuff of thought.

http://youtu.be/_cO0-WszD0g?list=PLCp7nC-YhF3CVUckomppKTwEzbHcZDOB3
this second link, is video log / playlist of most of my inspection spanning since 2012

Honestly, I have my ups and downs including high anxiety during weeks before my apartment inspection. Obtaining more information to understand the process each year has helped me cope.

What I've noticed from my playlist I sure do loads of furniture rearranging. I do this because I have bunny rabbits and I put emphasis to get under the furniture ranging from the sofa, to the tables and, shelves/drawers. I found that fur drifts in the most peculiar places.

as for temperature controls, as time passes, i figure i have a little control over that. I guess when it's hot, turn the fan/AC unit and if it's cold turn the heat on. I admit I"m very fortunate to reside where I am now. I have good neighbors; ..er, a few kinda annoying ones... but overall. It's wonderful; I heart my apartment.

*smiles*

Sugar Makes the Medicine Go Down, In the most Delightful Way

Expanding on the my journey in Rehabilitation:

While growing up, I had an ability to lead by example. When others took notice, at first I didn't understand, but as I continued with growing, it becomes more and more obvious. 

I went through rehabilitation to organize my thoughts, I found tools such as assertive communication, taking responsibility, and finding simple solutions. It was kinda like learning the basics all over again.

Additionally, the medications help too. ... and my very caring psychiatrist who is now working for UCLA geriatric department. Gotta give that Doctor credit for sure. Anyhow... on the topic of my journey in rehabilitation, I find genuinely concerned and helpful people and I find other who's help just become smothering and *sigh* it becomes a disruption; even if intentions were innocent.

I have come to accept: There is good and bad, but overall. I strongly believe there's still hope for me in the world. I don't think I'll ever be the over achiever I was when I was younger. Humbly, I still lead by example. What I realized during my rehabilitation, I have a voice; unlike the mute girl, in a near catatonic state in the hospital who was less than 95 lbs and just a train wreck.

I sometimes get insulted when I do speak my mind and the other end just expects to hear what they want to hear. *laughing* Sometimes, there's no winning just accepting things as they are.

During Rehab, I mingled with the AA groups. (note: I rarely drink and when I do I drink coffee!) What I recall most from the meetings were their serenity prayer; which is in translation Saint Francis of Assisi's Prayer in the Catholicism. I heard it from a girl in the hospital; I asked her to write it down for me so that I can remember... I knew if I didn't have it in writing for sure I would forget due to the sedatives and medication! and of course, she graciously did so.

I recall a former teacher of mine describing how it felt to speed read, then slow down remarkably with age, and re-learning to read again at an average pace. Well, my rehabilitation was just that.

I remember when I was starting to go through my mental symptoms asking myself: "When did I begin to read?" I was an awful student during elementary school. Kinda scary to know my math and reading skills were below average before Junior High School. In my opinion, I strongly feel I was delayed in my learning skills. Tonight, I can call this cognitive dissolution of mine my way of reflection.

I think then, I was so scared and frightened inside that I didn't want to read. I didn't want to know anymore. I wanted to tune the whole world out because I didn't know who I had become. I stopped. I shut down. Without the help of my supports, I wouldn't have seen the goodness again.

Although I'm a person with a gravely disabled status under the mental health courts. Neat a roo! I'm a ward of the state! That's a thought I'm flattered to think about.

Anyhow, basically, multiple hospitalizations and inabilities to adapt back at home had my social workers decide that independent living was best for me. Adjustment wasn't pleasant. I continue to adapt.

I'm going to stop this entry here for now. I'm okay with that.

Deep Cleaning Vinyl Records with Wood Glue

Deep Cleaning Vinyl Records with Wood Glue

How it Works, the PROs and CONs to this approach

I enjoy listening to vinyl records; music I enjoy most on vinyl records are American Songbook type music. I am a proud owner of multiple Vinyl Records; Records from as early as the 1920s! With time, dirt, dust, and oils can accumulate on older records. I would know because the majority of the records I own are older than I am. 

When I first purchased my Vinyl Records from the local MTA Thrift Store at the Heart of the San Fernando Valley; I took note how much tender loving care the records needed. I found that wood glue, when applied in generous amounts can remove imperfections on Vinyl Records. Of course, there are Vinyl Record Cleaning Solutions that can be found online or in Record re-sellers. I found a variety of cleaning approaches effective. I chose to make this youtube video because the Wood Glue cleaning approach (done originally by a male on youtube videos) was the most creative. 

I looked into the matter more further and found that Wood Glue has a bit of Vinyl. When the glue is applied to the Vinyl Record, dried over night, and removed, I found that imperfections, whether oils, dust, and stuff alike adhere to the Wood Glue. I would recommend this cleaning approach for the Vinyl Records found in places like Goodwill, MTA, and local Thrift Shops. Remember, this approach requires patience.

This week I found a "Wood Glue Disaster Story" youtube video. This blog is my response to what hell can occur. From the Link, I found a good pointer: when applying Wood Glue to your Vinyl Record, apply a generous and thick amount.

If a thin layer of Wood Glue is applied, the removal of the Glue will be more challenging.

Whether vinyl record owners choose to clean with liquid solutions, wood glue, or vinyl record cleaning machine; I encourage, have a good time at caring for these treasures.

Vinyl Records in my opinion are much more valuable. Technology today has a ten year tops shelf life. Vinyl Records (analog audio) can easily exceed today's standards. In addition, analog audio has a fuller sound. Something about listening to music from these older records, moves my soul and I hope it moves your soul too. 

Music Boxes of Extra Ordinarily Simple Things

I enjoy observing the excitement that either an adult or a child experiences when they get a simple toy. Last week I spent time going Thrift Store to Thrift Store searching for a music box or something that contained a music box to present to my son, who is nine years old this year. I found a music box from a ceramic teddy bear's wooden bottom-base. Of course, the music box had it's flaws; for example, its gears were so dried out it played very very slowly its melody. With a little grease and DW-40, I had made the music box run more optimal.

Has anyone marveled about how a music box operates? I have. When I was younger, I would open and close my mother's jewelry box and turn it upside own and use screw drivers to take it apartment. Two weeks before this week, I noticed my son appreciating music coming from the snow globes at Target Store. When my son stop for a few minutes to listen to music box snow globes, it reminded me of playing one when for him when he was a young as a newborn. The Song it played was the Unchained Melody tune. Unchained Melody would quiet him from his colic in exhausting morning hours before the sun arrived in the horizon. I think he still has that music box at my folk's place.

This week, I smashed the ceramic teddy bear into pieces; I didn't care for the ceramic bear (rest in pieces) I just thought to myself 'what a wonderful gift this would make for my son!" In fact it did. During a van ride to the Simi Valley area, I've never heard my son as quiet as he was that Saturday afternoon. The music box had brought a little bit of magic into that vehicle for the afternoon. He marveled at its gears, listened to the music it played, and for a moment or two he sang with its melody, the song "White Christmas"

If my head were a balloon it would've already popped by now. As I entered my parent's van, I presented the music box on a wooden circular platter / base, it looked really plain Jane and ordinary. I recommended to him that he keep it in a glass or something equivalent so that the music would amplify much better and contain its moving parts.

When I finally gave him the piece, I was so excited. I had broke a ceramic music box to get to its guts! Some ceramic teddy bear is broken to smithereens! *smiles*

Like a hunter bringing back his hunt to his family, I gave the ceramic bear's guts to my son who marveled at it. He hadn't imagine the insides of a music box contain to looks as it did in his hands. I warned him "there's a little spinner there, moving parts, and be careful not to get the grease on your fingers'.

Wasn't until Saturday afternoon, he found it and he was able to spy its gears turning, as he touched its greased gears and tiny parts, and watched it's cylinder of melody notes roll and its keyboard play the White Christmas song and felt the bit of air coming from it's spinning blades.

I thought he just liked the music like I simply do. Of course so! What hadn't occurred to me that his tiny self was asking 'how does it work?'

He tells me, while in the van, that this mechanical music box was like a miniature computer. He wonders on and imagines if one make one as stronger music box, maybe it would efficiently be able to cool a computer... and I guess it happen: when my axons, synapses, and entire brain were overloaded. *smiles*

I thought it's possible. whoa. Imagine a crank-up computer that operates by kinetic energy such as a wounded up spring. If this mechanical music device were to be a computer; the cylinder would be its hard drive... the music keynotes and gears word be the processor of sorts, its spring, its power supply, and the its wooden base it's amplifier. I noticed that the wood make the music volume stronger.

would its spinning blades be strong enough to cool a computer? Andrew-Noel asked. *pop* i think another one of my braincells just busted at the thought. I think so I answered.

I described the contraption a kinetic mechanical device of sorts that allows music to be played on a wooden amplifier.

my dad considers it mechanical; considered it analog. either way it is a contraption that is a raw workings of a computer, a music box is a simple & basic machine.

my son thought that the cylinder of notes was binary on and off switches. and i'm like *kaablewey* the entire drive over to my Simi Valley was a blast. I've never heard him so quietly focused as he marveled about the little thing. The times he spoke was to sing with the music and to ask many many questions.

He had imagined what the insides his music box (Unchained Melody) at home contained, however he did mention that he imagined something different. i'm like whoa. honestly, i don't know what he imagined; but wow.

here's a 'hand-cranked' the same music box song:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cE-pTWB0qrw

a spring-powered music box is much different. In contrast to the 'hand-cranked' music box, it has more parts to it. I'll leave that to be googled by the reader. 'hand-cranked' and 'wind-up' music boxes appearance are different. for sure.

Anyhow, Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays 2013.

My Purple Aura

earlier this evening, I went on this link: (re-sharing a friend's share)
http://www.quotev.com/quiz/1366538/What-is-Your-True-Color-Aura/
I found that based on these questions, My Aura is Purple. This is what result I gathered from the quiz of sorts. I wanted to share because it hits home...

taken from: a quiz online... here were the results!

Personality: PURPLE
Purples hold themselves to sky high standards, and are always very graceful. Purple is envied, idolized, and copied without even realizing it. They are an icon for those who know you. While it is hard to be a perfectionist, rest assured it’s paying off! Purple is the most down to earth aura, they are the typical guy or gal next door. Purples may think they are better than others but deep inside they know they are not. Purple is very practical. Other auras take a liking into purple. Idealistic and thoughtful, they have the mind and ideas to change the world. Purple has the charisma of a great leader. Purple always seems to know what to say or do in every situation they are confronted with. They exercise good judgment daily. They don’t agonize too much about their decisions, the right answer just seems to come to them. Purples have one of the most active imaginations, but tend to be more focused on what could be potentially possible than dreaming about the impossible. Purples live a well balanced life and prefer to stay as calm as possible.Having a personality color purple or violet as your favourite color means you are sensitive and compassionate, understanding and supportive, thinking of others before yourself. You are a gentle and free spirit. Purples feelings run deep and you can be quite sensitive to hurtful comments from others, although you would never show it. People are drawn to your charismatic and alluring energy. You are usually introverted rather than extroverted and may give the impression of being shy although this is not the case. You are creative and like to be individual in most of your endeavours, including your dress and home decoration - you love the unconventional. You are idealistic, and often impractical, with a great imagination, Purples tend to look at life through rose-colored glasses. People who don't understand you sometimes think you are eccentric because you spend so much time in your fantasy world. You inspire others with your creative thinking and your ability to deal positively with adversity. Purples are very intuitive and quite psychic. You are a generous giver, asking for little in return except friendship. You can be secretive, with even your closest friends not really knowing you well. You dislike responsibility and have difficulty dealing with real day-to-day problems. You dislike being part of the crowd. You don't like to copy others and you don't like them to copy you. You are a visionary, with high ambitions, dreams and desires, and a compulsion to help humanity and to improve the planet earth. You often hold positions of power because you are visionary, but you delegate to others all the minor details that you aren't interested in. You like to have the best of everything, so you aim high. Being the free spirit you are, you love to travel to experience different cultures and meet new people. You are a good judge of character and sum others up quite quickly and accurately, although you usually see the best in everybody. Time means little to you and you are often late for everything. You trust the flow of the Universe to take care of everything. You can sometimes appear arrogant and conceited if operating from a negative perspective. You can be selfish and self-indulgent as you don't like being imposed upon by others beliefs and regulations.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Love Life: 

You're very passionate but often too busy for love. 

You need a partner who sees your vision and adopts it as their own

Yellow: Way to immature to meet our standards!

Pink: If outgoingness is on our “Have to have list” pinks are also one of the top choices for Purples

Green: Greens are way too shy and may be overlooked

Blue: Blue is one of the others that may meet our standards. They are deep and Sincere and is an awesome mate!

Orange: Can be just a little bit more mature than Yellow, but nawh I think we’ll pass

White: Way deep inside purples may have this strange feeling for whites

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Perfect Color Love Match: 

Red is the perfect mate for a purple they meet every standard of ours.

Friendship Color: 

Blue is the perfect friend for a purple due to there introvert attitude

Color Opposite: 

Your color wheel opposite is Yellow. While yellow people may be wise, they lack the manners and class needed to impress you

Words that Describe Purple: 

Intuitive, Seeking, Creative, Kind, Self-Sacrificing. Growth Oriented, Strong, Very Wise, and Rare

Purpose of Life: 

Saying Truths That Other People Dare Not Say

Goodbye for now; Monarch Stadium: closes public access

from 5-star rating to 1-star rating (since the LAVC has closed public access to its Monarch Stadium) I hope it doesn't stay permanent since the Stadium was built on Taxpayer funds...

POSTED earlier this week on yelp:
Today, got word of failed audits (past news, most likely public record) and cuts to the Athletic Department at LAVC (Cross Country & Community Track hours affected; Football team/coaches maybe affected as well)

upsetting because there are many buildings being built within this community colleges; without students or faculty to occupy the buildings. Plain economics makes it so that admin is willing to allocate funds to building new buildings and lay-off the more important & caring faculty such as a few coaches in the athletics department.

dark days at LAVC. They are taking Community Action Committee CollegeRecommendation #8 into effect... http://www.lavc.edu/accr…

In addition, more information on accreditation can be found here: http://www.lavc.edu/Accr…

Should have saw this coming.. for example, LAVC were know for their abundant trees and home of many different species of trees. When the building were built many trees were lost. Where are the fat squirrels? :( I hope they are somewhere safe on campus.

Budget Meetings are announced via newspaper and ???
question: does anyone subscribe to the local newspaper? anyhow, enough said.

update: 11/9/13
Today I was at LAVC's Monarch Stadium. This Saturday LAVC will be closing its Olympic sized track & field.
My jaw dropped. when I found that among the new buildings being built. a climbing wall will be in one of them. (honest, there's 'concept' photo in front of one building in construction. *rolling my eyes* who is going to pay the liability and trainers for the climbing wall? my reaction: you kidding?
anyhow, I still haven't heard word of whether LAVC has planned to fix the upside down air conditioner that drips Freon onto the Nursing Building...
I got a call from the Vice President of LAVC doing his 'best' explaining that LAVC needs to pass their accreditation & they are cutting back on staff and community access to balance budget and pass accreditation. Cross Country & Track/Field courses have been cut as well as tutors.

note: LAVC has not balanced a budget for nearly 7 yrs.

it only costs 10k to have a person option to open Monarch Stadium for 3hrs/6days a week. yup, it's that bad.

POSTED on yelp earlier this year:LAVC is the home of Monarch Stadium with an Olympic Athletics track (10 lanes total - where 9 lanes are used and 1 left vacant ) There are only two locations where you can find a similar track as this one. One located in the East Coast, the other one here: at Valley Glen, CA. I love the fact that its open to the community for six days in the week. When I visit my local community college, I use the campus' track and field; stairs and football field included -my morning is dependent on my exercise goals.

What you can find here are regular, joggers, walkers, race walkers, and sprinters. I am confident about the Stadium's safety, I feel safe and comfortable there during very early hours (6am or even earlier than that, i appear.). I am rating this community treasure 5-stars.

I believe there are few who know about how the this community college accommodates to its local community. Free admission at Monarch Stadium during community hours; however, I am mindful about how I use its facility; I leave my area neatly with consideration for the next users.

Its close distance to Metro's Orangeline; because of this, it gives opportunities for surrounding communities to attend this college.

I love watching the sun rise from Monarch Stadium. Its quiet during my mornings and a superb place to just release.

Squirrels are ... well feed. I've never seen such healthier looking ones! (thanks to students and staff) Squirrel residents may be the most happiest in the Valley

Whether your goals are to transfer, study, discover, or exercise. This place is wonderful.

Looking at Academics, I chose this community college. I took a couple college courses/classes at LAVC during my High School years and later, after I graduated with my High School Diploma, I continued my education here. I am happy that I have. (note: my background - I graduated among the top 15% of my class, I choose this college. I did consider many other options. Los Angeles Valley College has been the best choice for me.)

Kudos.

readers are welcomed to also view my YELP profile page

Tie a Yellow Ribbon - Christmas Tree 2013

This Yultide 2013, I've decided to decorate my Christmas tree with Yellow Ribbon Bows. My Christmas tree was complete before Halloween even arrived. *sigh* I'm looking forward to the Holiday season, spending time with Family and Friends who now have the time this season.

Yellow Ribbon Bows are for Support of America Veterans who risk their life to fight for our Constitution.

Total amount of time spent to decorate the tree: 6hrs. 3hrs to make the yellow ribbon bows and 3hrs to unpack the tree and embellish it with decorations.

I have handcrafted the yellow ribbon bow and decorated the tree with 64 total yellow ribbon bows; In addition, to accent the bows; I've added: white synthetic baby's breath, white ribbons, and lastly white holiday lights.

A large multi-looped white bow can be found at the topmost part of the tree.

I think it looks absolutely breath taking. Who knew that this artificial Christmas tree stands at 4ft tall and purchased at my local MTA thrift store two years ago. Ribbons and material were purchased at my local 99cent only store.

I'm sure that the amount spent totals close to $10. With budget in mind, I think I have done well.
This Christmas tree maybe the most impressive that I have done yet.

In the past, I have decorated the tree with Origami Cranes, and other ornaments. I look forward to visitors this year. I hope they enjoy the sight of my decor. It was handmade with tender loving care.