This I Find Irritating

A local construction project, involving Federal funds, a local city, and the Texas Department of Transportation finds the contractor in default. The payroll checks are bouncing, with knowledge by the company of the checks being written on a closed account; suppliers cut the contractor off months ago; the project is way behind schedule; and the stories coming out are of a contractor that not only refused to complete quality work, the principal administrators have a bizarre way of doing business.

I won't write the contractors name, but it's owned by a large Mexican company, and the news stories about the company indicate either terrible management, or criminal activities. Accounts have been seized by the feds in other states, and it's apparent those most affected by the lack of revenue are not the owners. Locals took the hit and so did the larger suppliers left with unpaid invoices.

I'm pissed. Not only for the crappy way of doing business, but for the attitudes of those even down to the superintendent level. It's obvious they don't care to run an ethical business, or follow the law. Hopefully, some jail time is in the future for some, but I don't have much faith in that happening. All they have to do is cross the border, and live on the money they slushed from public funds. They were paid for the work performed, neglected to pay suppliers, and the employees that took them for their word are now three weeks into being screwed out of their wages.

The bonding company will ultimately complete the project, if it's solvent, and not another group of crooks that figured out how to game the system. Time will tell.

Carpal Tunnel Release Update

It's been a little over two weeks since my surgery. The strength in my hand is determined by whether it hurts, or not, but the pain seems to lessen daily; and the hand is far from useless; like it was right after the surgery.

I don't wake at night due to pain in that arm, but I still wake from the pain in my left arm. Surgery for that had is scheduled in two weeks, which should give sufficient time to have almost full use of my right hand.

I still have numbness in the tips of the fingers most affected by the strangulation of the median nerve in my right hand. Whether the numbness leave is determined by the preceding damage. I won't know about that for up to a year. Still, it's a minor trade off for what was becoming a constant interruption of sleep.

As I've learned more about carpal tunnel release surgery, I've developed the attitude it's best to be aggressive with treatment as soon as the symptoms appear. There are many steps of treatment before surgery, but those steps might only prolong the inevitable surgery to stop  the damage, which can be due to genetics. Having thin wrists, and a job that increases the pressure, are things that can be beyond your control. You deal with the problem when it happens.

If I was asked on whether the surgery is a good idea, I'd answer in the affirmative. The only thing I'd caution on would be the surgeon. I asked around, looked up the surgeon, and made my final decision after a visit. As it turns out, my surgeon has been described as "the best" by locals, which is a good thing.

Bicyclist Breaks His Leg

The following photo is of an important political person that broke their leg while riding a bicycle. If you look closely, you can see his helmet right before it short circuited, and caused the wreck that broke his leg.

I'm thinking his handlers should reconsider the size of their control module, and lower the voltage. Such errors in design can lead to strange thinking and bizarre behavior.

I Suppose I Should Write Something

I won't write about the weather. With all the rain, there isn't much to write, except it wasn't a good time to be in a flood plain, or traveling one of the local roads that have a tendency to flood. Some wrecker drivers had a good week, that and I imagine some car salesmen are salivating like a pit bull about to steal a steak from the pit. I doubt mechanics were really that excited. Submerged cars have only one repair, and it only involves large machines, with hydraulic presses.

I won't write about politics; other than it's apparent all the efforts to crunch economic data in favor of the current administration failed. I know they worked real hard to subvert the data, but sometimes even deceptive number crunching doesn't change the facts.

I won't write about the muckity mucks with the national soccer sport. It has a name, which I can't can't remember, but the acronym sounds like something you'd name a mutt you adopted at the pound.

I won't write about Baltimore. Enough are writing about what has turned into a shining example of corrupt politics, ignorant administrators, and the media frenzy that destroyed a city.

I will write about the blue jay family in the yard. What started out as two is now five, although I've only seen four together during the last few days. I need a system for determining which is which. I thought of paint, but I can't make the blue jays stay still long enough to paint a number. Maybe I should just enjoy them as they are, and keep the peanuts coming.

For some reason, the following song popped into my head as I was making coffee this morning. I wonder why? I never cared much for the song.

Maybe, Not Important

I've witnessed some injuries on projects. One involved a mangled hand, with the realization the pink stuff in the exposed inner flesh of the fingers was live bone. It was terrible to behold, and the helplessness to offer much relief was unpleasant.

That's mild, compared to those that watched friends succumb to injury during battle. I can only imagine trying to help hold intestines in, while waiting for a medivac, or listening to the wails of someone with nerves reacting to a wound that will eventually end their life.

We honor those that fell during their service this weekend, but I like to honor those that survived, wondered about their luck, felt some guilt for surviving, and went on to live their lives in a society that rarely contemplates the horror of combat.

We're all in this together, and we're all responsible for all that transpires during the tribulations of our nation. Never forget those that sacrificed their life, and never discount the importance of all that are part of our national defense.