Halloween Crock Pot Stew Videos, and a Thanks!

 Welcome back My Dear Readers, to The Other Shoe and a special video edition for Halloween. Last week I shared my concerns… about my lack of food in the new home. I remarked that I have the rent covered, but that I would be without food until my SNAP benefits came on the 10^th of November. I explained that I was putting up several of my personal possessions, in order to purchase some food. I have added a link to The Other Shoe eBay Store to every article, since.

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I did not come out and scream that I was without food, or proclaim that I was not eating (even though… I was not). I dropped a hint and worked to post many of my personal belongings and hoped that they would sell. Once I saw that eBay had become the ‘Dirt Mall’ of the internet, I explained that I would be moving all the articles to sell over at Amazon… once again, to get some food in my home. FYI I have not listed at Amazon, yet, because they demand the weight of each item I am posting… and I do not have a scale of any kind. Therefore, once I get my disability at the first of the month I am going to purchase a scale. That way I can continue to try to raise funds to help my family.

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Allen went to his first day of work, at his new job @ Khol’s. He was hired late last week, and today he is working his first full day at his new job. I am very proud of Allen. Proud that at 47 he managed to land a job so quickly. He was very busy looking for work, and this had been a very difficult time for Allen. My condition is bothering him, I am waking a lot at night… unable to breath. My pain is much worse, and the pain medication (that I have been on now for ten years) just isn’t doing the trick anymore. My depression grows, with every passing day.

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I am hoping that my doctor changes my pain medication when I see him next week. Now that I have all of that out of the way, I would like to share a series of videos I have made today… of my Halloween Crock Pot Stew.

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This first video shows the staging of all the contents of my Halloween Crock Pot Stew;

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[youtube=http://youtu.be/wj4l_Dasy7k]

(Staging For The GREAT Halloween Crock Pot Stew)

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This next video shows all the contents in the crock pot, all cut and combined, waiting for me to turn on the heat and begin the 10-12 hour process.

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 [youtube=http://youtu.be/f1gvQEeNB1U]

(Stew All Ready For Cooking!)

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This next video is about two hours into the cooking process. You can see that the veggies are beginning to cook.

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 [youtube=http://youtu.be/iUAe5q63QwE]

(Two Hours Into The Slow Cooking)

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This is the last video I have made, today, About six hours in, it is really beginning to look (and smell) like a great stew.

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 [youtube=http://youtu.be/v6Ngprufml8]

(My Wonderful Halloween Crock Pot Stew @ Hour Six)

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Now, I have to take a moment to give credit, where it is due. After all my efforts to make money on eBay. After all my mentions on Facebook and my blogs. One person did come to my aid. Again, Ian Cottier worked tirelessly to get food to me. First, he went to Von’s Home Delivery web site and picked out a whole bunch of food for me, and was ready to have it delivered to me at home. Once Ian was faced with the road block of Von’s not accepting European Credit Cards on their web site. Ian went yet another step and sent me funds via Paypal.

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Thanks to Ian I am going to have a wonderful ‘Halloween Crock Pot Dinner’ and more than a week’s worth of food. This could, easily, take me right up to the date I get my SNAP funds. I am in debt to Mr. Ian Cottier, for his generosity and his diligence in getting food to me. .

“Thank you Ian!”

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As always I am honored that you come here and read my work.

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Thank you.

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[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="234"] The Other Shoe eBay Store[/caption]

Weekday Wisdom - The Lie About Your 'Cheap' Health Plan

Welcome back My Dear Readers, to The Other Shoe. I know this is supposed to be “WeekEND Wisdom’ but my hand was being pushed. I have been reading… some posts on Facebook… and comments from others on posts on Facebook. The complaint that I am hearing, and the retort for many still supporting the Affordable Care Act (law) is a simple (minded) one.

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“I wasn’t allowed to keep my old health plan… and now I have to pay more…”

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On the face of it, this seems to be a genuine complaint, often aired by (what appears to be) intelligent and ‘informed’ people. Nothing could be further from the truth, unfortunately. The proof is coming out, all over the place, that these claims are ‘junk’. Just as the plans these unfortunate (and often grossly uninformed) Americans had been paying for, often for many years.

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See, what happened was that unscrupulous insurance agents had found a way of taking advantage of Americans in good health, and unfortunately poor legal & reading skills. If one can read outside of one network, and one radio station, they will soon be forced to hear or read and articles, like this one;

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“An example from CR: A plan costing $65 a month held by Judith Goss, 48, a Michigan department store employee. When Goss was diagnosed with breast cancer, she discovered the drawbacks of the policy's coverage limits of $1,000 a year for outpatient treatment and $2,000 for hospitalization -- barely enough to cover a day and half a Tylenol in the hospital. She delayed treatment, so her cancer got much worse before she finally opted for surgery. Those sorts of coverage limits are illegal come Jan. 1.”[1]

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Many Americans (without understanding… knowing) had unwittingly been hornswaggeled (by crafty/devious and cunning… if not ill reputable)insurance agents into purchasing very low premium health insurance plans. These plans (as outlined in the report by Consumer Reports[2] ) were crafted for low-information consumers in good-to-great­ health. Only to have, these poor unfortunate consumers, faced with huge medical bills if they were misfortunate enough to get sick, or have an accident.

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“Many people who believe they have adequate health insurance actually have coverage so riddled with loopholes, limits, exclusions, and gotchas that it won't come close to covering their expenses if they fall seriously ill, a Consumer Reports investigation has found.

At issue are so-called individual plans that consumers get on their own when, say, they've been laid off from a job but are too young for Medicare or too "affluent" for Medicaid. An estimated 14,000 Americans a day lose their job-based coverage, and many might be considering individual insurance for the first time in their lives.”[3]

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Further, many thousands of Americans had no idea that they possessed one of these ‘Junk Health Plans’ until this year when they went to their agent and were told “we are no longer offering your health plan… because of Obamacare…”. When the real truth of the matter is that the plans were no longer being sold… BECAUSE? These junk plans were now illegal under Federal Laws to protect consumers!

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“We talked to insurance experts and regulators to learn more. Here is what we found:

• Heath insurance policies with gaping holes are offered by insurers ranging from small companies to brand-name carriers such as Aetna and United Healthcare. And in most states, regulators are not tasked with evaluating overall coverage.


• Disclosure requirements about coverage gaps are weak or nonexistent. So it's difficult for consumers to figure out in advance what a policy does or doesn't cover, compare plans, or estimate their out-of-pocket liability for a medical catastrophe. It doesn't help that many people who have never been seriously ill might have no idea how expensive medical care can be.


• People of modest means in many states might have no good options for individual coverage. Plans with affordable premiums can leave them with crushing medical debt if they fall seriously ill, and plans with adequate coverage may have huge premiums.


• There are some clues to a bad policy that consumers can spot. We tell you what they are, and how to avoid them if possible.


• Even as policymakers debate a major overhaul of the health-care system, government officials can take steps now to improve the current market.”[4]

Many Americans, often low information consumers, were being used and defrauded by, what they often thought were, honest and reputable insurance agents. Either due to financial constraints, continuing to use the same agent my father used, or living under the misnomer (based on low information) that “if you just look hard enough…”.

“"There is this persistent dream of consumers that, if they only look hard enough, they'll find really good insurance that costs a lot less," said Metcalf. "It's not going to happen. There's no such thing as a bargain on health insurance. If it's cheap, it's cheap for a reason."[5]

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Now, do not get me wrong, I am not placing the entire blame on these consumers. The industry certainly shares much of the burden of blame.

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“Major insurance companies, including Cigna and Aetna, offer mini-med plans that allow for minimum and capped benefits. Robert Zirkelbach, press secretary for America's Health Insurance Plans, the national trade association representing the health insurance industry, said many states use these types of plans to expand coverage for uninsured Americans.”[6]

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Whereas I do not ‘blame’ these consumers for the years and (often) decades of paying for a plan that did an injustice to them and their families. I do, however, blame them for their actions to spin their ignorance into a slam on the Affordable Care Act. In all reality these individuals, and families, should be thanking President Obama, and the Democratic Congressmen and Senators that made this bill law, and set about protecting consumers from themselves.

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These mini-med plans are no illegal to sell, as they should be, and now Americans will not be faced with crippling debt due to their lack of due diligence (when it came to becoming informed about the health care coverage). Here is the real rub for me, as an American and as a writer. These mini-med health plans? They were costing the average tax payer hundreds of millions a year!

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They cost the taxpayer by shifting the cost of care from the ‘insured’ American consumer to the public sector once these consumers fell through the cracks. Once their plans paid out, the cost of their care (Americans making $50,000 - $500,000 a year) was shifted to the public sector plans. Having their savings gutted by irreputable agents and a chronic or catastrophic health concern, high wage hard working Americans ended up on the public services. Whereas, if they had done their due diligence and not looked for something for nothing they would have manageable bills and not ended a burden to society.

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So, here in the ‘No Spin Zone’ of my “Weekday & Weekend Wisdom’ articles I am shifting the paradigm and blame back to these Americans that honestly thought “I had a find with my pervious health plan… now Obamacare has ruined…”. When the reality is that, thanks to the Affordable Care Act, a law they hold in public disdain has protected these very Americans. Can we say IRONY?

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As always I am honored that you come here and read my work.

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Thank you!

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[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="234"] The Other Shoe eBay Store[/caption]

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[1]http://www.latimes.com/business/hiltzik/la-fi-mh-healthplans-20131030,0,5590179.story#axzz2jFin59GP

[2]http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/2012/05/hazardous-health-plans/index.htm

[3]http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/2012/05/hazardous-health-plans/index.htm

[4]http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/2012/05/hazardous-health-plans/index.htm

[5]http://abcnews.go.com/Health/mini-med-health-plans-useless-consumers/story?id=15522939

[6]http://abcnews.go.com/Health/mini-med-health-plans-useless-consumers/story?id=15522939 ibid

A Week In Review October 28th, 2013

       Welcome back My Dear Readers to The Other Shoe. This is my very first ‘A Week In Review’ in some time, as I have generally published three or less articles each week. I am quite happy to announce that, this week (October 20^th – 27^th), I have seven articles. I am working diligently to provide more content on a more regular basis. This is what I have promised you, My Dear Readers, and I am doing my best to not let pain or depression stand between myself and that goal.

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Earlier today I published a short article outlining some content changes, here at The Other Shoe. This series, ‘A Week In Review’ will be (temporarily) be moved to Monday morning. Starting this Saturday, November 2^nd, 2013) I will start a new series ‘Weekend Wisdom’. I have a good feeling about this series because it is another opportunity for me to ‘tell it like I see it’. I mean no disrespect to any of my readers. However, I must be completely honest in telling you that, in the past year, I have ‘pulled a lot of punches’ in an effort to garner wider support.

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When we all were younger, we called this selling out’. I prefer to see my efforts as working to appeal to a broader audience, and making a genuine effort to represent both sides of an argument. I have no problem with honesty in reporting or writing. However, I have been asked… I feel to stretch the truth in order to appeal to a… small and misguided minority.

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The majority of you, My Dear Readers, see my writing as; honest, genuine and truthful. During my last Indiegogo campaign, I was told that ‘if you start writing about the mistakes Democrats make (example- “Free Obama Phones” and stories of that nature) [FYI I did look into the “Free Obama phones” story, and I found that this was an unsubstantiated story. One carried by only one cable network and based, very loosely, on the increased requests for Mdeicare paid ‘Medi-Alert’ phones for seniors with health problems that choose to live independently. With 50,000 Americans becoming ‘Seniors’ every month once can, reasonably, expect the use of and requests for these type of services to spike. Unfortunately, this spike has been mischaracterized and spun (disingenuously) into a story with no legs.] With each and every story, I do my best to;

• · Document the validity of the point I share and include references in the form of footnotes


• · Keep an unbiased and factual viewpoint


• · Keep hyperbole and rhetoric, of any type, to the minimum if not non-existent

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I understand that, to some, I am seen as biased merely because I do not parrot rhetoric just to appeal to a larger audience and garner wider support and even financial favor. I ask, those that see my work as biased towards Democrats, that I understand that everything I write here will be with me for the rest of my life. Therefore, I cannot simply write articles to win support if I do not believe in what I am writing. I hope, and pray, that I have a long and productive career writing. Having said, I can not put the credibility of that career into jeopardy by echoing “today’s deeply divided political beliefs” for momentary social or monetary gain.

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I have to write from an informed point of view, and write what I know will be true not just today, but tomorrow and tomorrow’s tomorrow. I simply must take a long view on what I write and the political positions I take on my blog. I apologize to those who might think that I am politically lopsided. I disagree with that assessment and offer this; I read and gather news from many sources. I am open to the failures of Democrats, just as much as I am open to the failures of Republicans. However, there is one major and significant difference, today. Today’s Republicans, in office, often advocate and parrot extreme positions merely out of a deep and real fear of being primaried. This fear has made many intelligent and honest Republican Senators and Congressman to say and do things… out of character, and that they later regret.

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The current atmosphere of intimidation of ‘being primaried…’ is coming to an end, and the Republican party has fallen into such public disgrace that many Republicans are stepping out of the shadows and into the light. The majority of Americans are disgusted that Republican Senator Ted Cruz shut down the government (costing $24 billion) all out of a disingenuous brinksmanship over the Affordable Care Act law. Recent polls (from CNN to Reuters to Fox News) show that this action has caused Republican approval to historical lows. As well, the majority of Americans blame Senator Cruz and Congressional Republicans for the “Failure of government”.

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These actions have helped me regain my spirit to write what I believe. I am garnering even more support from My Dear Readers in England and many other places outside America. I deeply believe in America. However, I agree with President Lincoln;

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“A House divided cannot stand…”

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America has been divided by those with wealth, they have turned us against each other. Brother against brother, son against father and daughter against mother. All in an effort to concentrate wealth and power into the hands of the few. They have pulled no punches and ever resorted to using very old tactics from The John Birch Society. I honestly think that Republican Judge Carlo Key said it better than I ever could;

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“For too long, the Republican party has been at war with itself… Rational Republican beliefs have given way to ideological character assassination. Pragmatism and principle have been overtaken by pettiness and bigotry.”

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“I cannot place my name on the ballot of the political party that is proud to destroy the lives of hundreds of thousands of federal workers over the vain attempt to repeal a law that would provide health care for millions of people throughout our country.”

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““As the smallest minds continue to make the loudest noise in the Republican Party, true leaders will be driven by their principles and values to become Texas Democrats.”

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His words have given me strength. His actions have spurred me into action. From now on I will proudly write and publish my beliefs, and help chart a course to a; better, kinder and smarter America.

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And, now, without further adieu, ‘A Week In Review’.

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• · Time Article About Texas… And MORE!: “I do not believe that the future of our great Republic lies in; low wage uneducated workers, cheap housing at the expense of the general health of a population, and the gutting of the middle class just to make the already wealthy, more wealthy. I do not believe that Americans should just ‘get used to’ getting paid less for more work each and every year. Accept that One in three adults and one in two children do not have any form of health care.”I disagreed with the author of this article. I was offended by the superficial nature of his characterization of Texas, and Texans. I find deep disagreement with his underlying theme, that the fringe and temporary greed-based atmosphere in Texas is ‘the future of the nation’ and that libertarian ideals shall rule America they way they rule Texas. I also take offence to his proposition that ‘more guns = less violence’ and that the ‘Old West’ mentality (that is currently spreading like a disease through the south and mid-west) will make the America of the 21^st century anymore safe than it made America in the 1870’s. I ran out of toes and fingers to count all the ways this author mischaracterized Texans and painted them as some two-dimensional characters from a Zane Grey[1] novel.


• · The Other Shoe… Changes : “I wanted to make you all, My Dear Readers, aware that I just made a ‘pre-reservation’ for the URL www.theothershoe.blog. When these new URLs become available I plan on moving The Other Shoe to this new web address. I am hopeful, that by this time, my financial… difficulties will have worked themselves out and I will have the resources to obtain; the URL, web hosting, email addresses and everything I will need to move from blog.com and wordpress. It is my intent to keep these original blogs updated.” ‘A leap of Faith’. I just could not describe my actions in any better way, than to say I am taking a leap of faith. This week I put in a pre-reservation for the new URL www.theothershoe.blog . (There are several new URLs coming out soon. Instead of; .com, .org and .net there will be; .blog., .company, .ecom, .enterprises and many many more. I had heard about these upcoming domain extensions and wanted to make sure that The Other Shoe was the ONLY .blog The Other Shoe on the internet.


• Moving The Other Shoe Store to Amazon, Soon. : “In an effort to replace said funds, I sought to sell some electronics. I have been buying electronics parts and peripherals from eBay since 2007. Now, I though I might turn the tables and make some money. Easier said than done, I tell you what My Dear Readers. Before I ventured into this unknown territory I; read the FAQs at eBay, read several articles on the web about ‘How to sell on eBay’, and followed all the directions as I listed my items. I did everything according to the advice and directions I received.” I simply cannot put into words how much damage the theft of my $300 has caused me to date. I understand that to most of you, My Dear Readers, $300 is a lot of money, but not so much that it would take food off of your table… for weeks. It has, for me. I could not come to you, My Dear Readers, and ask for your assistance (via an Indiegogo campaign) so soon after my last campaign. I did not have any other viable course of action, at that time, than to take some of my worldly possessions and place them up for sale. I thought that eBay would be a good place to get a fair price for my items, as I had used eBay many times in the past six years to find parts for my computers. Little did I know just how much eBay had changed, since last I used it, or how much it had become like a ‘dirt mall’. I placed the items up for sale three weeks ago and I have had only two bid on, and neither buyer has paid for the items. What kind of person gets a 3G data card for 99 CENTS and NOT pay for the item once they win the auction?


• October 25th Update, and Danny’s Dreams and Nightmares… : “Bottom line, I found that the buyers I had encountered wanted something for nothing and then some. I have used eBay since 2007, but only as a buyer. Until now I had never attempted to sell anything I owned on eBay. Now, as a disclaimer, I am sure that not all buyers on eBay are expecting something for nothing, I am just expressing my personal experience and nothing more. I have made the decision that I have more time than patience.” I explain my ongoing frustration with the current eBay mentality. I also indicate my hopes that I will have better luck moving to Amazon. I also share a very ironic nightmare I experienced, and explain that for the past ten years I have very few dreams or nightmares that I remember upon waking. Just another enjoyable and entertaining update on Danny’s life and living.


• Weekend Update October 26th, 2013 And A Tour! : “Welcome back My Dear Readers to The Other Shoe. I opened one of the final boxes to unpack, today, and found what I thought to be a lost 1080p video camera. I had used this camera for lots of videos during the last Indiegogo campaign. I had feared that the camera was lost forever. Overwhelmed with joy, I was, upon finding it today.” A very happy day for me, and one that I wanted to share with you, My Dear Readers. Seems I thought that I had lost my only 1080p camera for my computer. Alas, on this day I FIND my 1080p camera and am very happy at my find. I also include, in this post, a short Tour Of My New Home! ENJOY!


• Sunday Funnies October 27th, 2013 : “Welcome back My Dear Readers to The Other Shoe. It has been a long and tiring day. I had hoped to post this article, and the featured video, early in the morning. That is when most people enjoy their ‘Sunday Funnies. That just did not happen, and the morning was lost to an unwelcome and incomplete journey.” Rather than focus on my failed adventure, or the lack of food that was driving a deep and painful hunger (little did I know that help would be coming, shortly, in the way of a ‘Care Package’ of food from… England! Thank you, again, EVER SO MUCH Ian! With the discovery of my better (1080p) camera, and Alexander rebuilding his second home, I made a short video. This video is of Alexander taking torn up grocery store brown paper bag into his NEW second home. A delightful little video, of my favorite little man in the whole wide world! Thanks, Alexander!


• Content Changes Here at The Other Shoe : “Welcome back My Dear Readers to The Other Shoe. You all have noticed the site changes at my primary blog location at blog.com. Now, I am making a few changes to posting times of regular articles. From now on; ‘A Week In Review’ will be posted on Monday and contain all the links to the previous week’s content. This will continue until such time I get another author and/or I get a microphone to use my Dragon Speech program.” This article outlines some structural changes to the posting schedule here at The Other Shoe. Until such time that I; get a new microphone and fix the problem with my Dragon Speech Voice-to-Text program, and/or get assistance with writing and/or editing here at The Other Shoe. I have made some simple changes to shift the work load, and hopefully make meeting the schedule of my regular articles more easily obtainable for me. My pain is the worst it has been, in nearly a decade. My use of my left hand is at an all time low, and all this happens just as my desire to write… and personal need to write hits an all time high. I simply LOVE writing for you, My Dear Readers. It is ONLY my pain that keeps me from writing a ten page article seven days a week. I am hoping that Allen will help me by buying me a new microphone later in the month… or for my BIRTHDAY (November 20^th… FYI). It would be nice to have a good and old friend (hint, hint James) help me out by editing articles for me. Just another set of eyes to check spelling and grammar prior to publication… but I am not holding my breath. Just getting a new headset microphone would enable me to get back to dictating articles and that leaves me with just checking what it typed for me, and publication.

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That, My Dear Readers, brings us to the very end of the first ‘A Week In Review’ in more than three weeks. I am hoping, that with the schedule changes, this will be the last time I got weeks without this very popular weekly article. I am so happy that you all came by and read this review. I look forward to seeing you here, later this week and this weekend. I hope that you have a very happy and productive week. As well, a BIG “KUDOS” to my niece Jessica Hanning on “Vet school has taken a turn for the better despite it being "hell week!". We all are so very proud of you, Jessica. Keep up the great work and know that you have a crowd of people and family standing behind you cheering for you every day. As well, to Kimberly Hanning on her very successful Halloween party this Saturday the 26^th. I am so proud to have such wonderful and talented nieces. :)

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As always, I am deeply honored that you come here and read my work.

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Thank you!

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P.S. I would like to express a VERY special Thanks to Ian Cottier. Ian saw that I managed to be able to pay my rent, come November 1st, but was forced to "sell my worldly possesions for food..." This did not sit well with Ian, he is such a great and caring friend, and Ian helped me out with a 'Care Package' of food! Later this week I am going to prepare (thanks to Ian's generosity) my famous beef stew in my crock pot. Look for pictures of the stew, from start to finish, later this week right here at The Other Shoe. Ian, thank you very much for your kindness and timely support!

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="234"] The Other Shoe eBay Store[/caption]

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[1]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zane_Grey

Content Changes Here at The Other Shoe

             Welcome back My Dear Readers to The Other Shoe. You all have noticed the site changes at my primary blog location at blog.com. Now, I am making a few changes to posting times of regular articles. From now on; ‘A Week In Review’ will be posted on Monday and contain all the links to the previous week’s content. This will continue until such time I get another author and/or I get a microphone to use my Dragon Speech program. I am hoping that this is a temporary change, as I really like the review on Saturday morning. Like a Sunday paper for my blog, it gave you an overview of all the content from that business week.

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Taking the place of ‘A Week in Review’ on Saturday mornings will be a new feature ‘Weekend Wisdom’. When I first came up with this series I was going to just share favorite quotes and words of wisdom. Whereas, the series will contain that content I will be adding something all my own. I will be taking ‘conventional wisdom’ from name magazines and newspapers and revealing their fraud and lies. This week I will be taking on the ‘conventional wisdom’ that has lead the Food and Drug Administration to ask the D.E.A. to change the classification of hydrocodone based pain medications from their existing class III to class II.

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I will be taking on the ignorant and bloviating writers from; USA Today, and Time and showing you, My Dear Readers, the huge lack of complete and proper information and how they have spun (what is essentially a demographic change in the American population) into some national worry of no consequence. Each and every week I will take some… ‘article’ I used that word quite loosely) published by a major magazine or newspaper and reveal it for the bloviating and ignorant ‘boy crying wolf’ that it is. I will also do my best to share a favorite quote of mine. I will share how the quote applies to my life, and how it has helped my life journey.

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My Dear Readers, I am working without a net, here. When you come to my blog… everything you read I have typed all by my lonesome, then edited (to the best of my ability, James), and published for your enjoyment. As little as a year ago, this was not the physical challenge that it is today. Unfortunately, my pain increases with every passing day. My degenerative disease… well, is doing just what degenerative diseases… do.

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I ask not for sympathy, I only ask for continued support and understanding. My Dear Readers, there will be weeks where I manage to; write, edit and publish six or even ten articles. Then, there will be weeks where I will only be able to manage three to five. If I had better pain medications… and a nice microphone for my Dragon Speech (Oh, and now I need support… seems there has been an upgrade from my program… I have tried using my program.. but it seems to have difficulty starting… at all. I need an afternoon with technical support, and the afore mentioned microphone).

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Once I have my voice to text software sorted out, I am genuinely shooting for seven articles each and every week. That has been my desired goal since day one, back in 2010. I am lacking in ideas, nor words, for content. There is an old saying I used to hear in Baptist church, The soul is willing, but the flesh is weak. As a boy, I respected those who said these words. Today, I completely understand… and live the life they spoke of with that adage.

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I am going to get this update up, today October 28^th, 2013. I am hoping that, shortly, I can begin the process of writing (and editing… James) ‘A Week In Review’ for this past week. Seems I actually published… six, or seven articles. I do love when I manage to write and publish that many articles. Please know, My Dear Readers, that you are in my thoughts every single day. Each and every day I wake up thinking of ‘what can I share with my Readers?’. I tell you one thing… current American Politics is just; giving and giving and GIVING.

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My goal, a new microphone… and better pain medications and then I promise you, My Dear Readers. I will give you enough content to satisfy even the most voracious appetite for knowledge and content. Thank you for reading.

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As always, I am deeply honored that you come here and read my words.

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Thank you!

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[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="234"] The Other Shoe eBay Store[/caption]

Sunday Funnies October 27th, 2013

  Welcome back My Dear Readers to The Other Shoe. It has been a long and tiring day. I had hoped to post this article, and the featured video, early in the morning. That is when most people enjoy their ‘Sunday Funnies. That just did not happen, and the morning was lost to an unwelcome and incomplete journey.

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I spent the morning… looking for food. You see, I have chosen rent over food. I simply must keep my current residence… and I could stand to loose a few pounds, anyway. Now that adventure is over, the laundry is done, and here for your enjoyment.

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IS Alexander R. Hanning working to rebuild his second home after I cleaned out his house.

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Enjoy!

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[youtube=http://youtu.be/teao33clJ_A]

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[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="234"] The Other Shoe eBay Store[/caption]

Weekend Update October 26th, 2013 And A Tour!

        Welcome back My Dear Readers to The Other Shoe. I opened one of the final boxes to unpack, today, and found what I thought to be a lost 1080p video camera. I had used this camera for lots of videos during the last Indiegogo campaign. I had feared that the camera was lost forever. Overwhelmed with joy, I was, upon finding it today.

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Since I was so happy to find this, better, camera I decided to make a video. One, to make sure that it had really survived the move and to show off my new apartment. I am very thankful to everyone that contributed to my most recent Indiegogo campaign to raise the funds to move. I wanted to show you, My Dear Readers, and everyone that contributed, the great apartment that I found and acquired with the funds you so generously gave me.

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Later today I am hoping that Alexander shows his little fury face so that I can get a new video of him, too. I am waiting for all my auctions to end at eBay, Once they have I will start the process of generating new auctions and sales at Amazon. I am genuinely hoping that I can garner better bids and more money.

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I am still panicked about the financial situation I find myself facing. However, it does no good to focus on the fall, just makes one fear the landing, more. I hope that I can sell some of the items, at Amazon. Until then, I will just eat Ramen noodles three meals a day and get by the best that I can. Allen had another second interview, yesterday. I am hopeful. He is out most every day putting in applications, and it is just a matter of time before he gets a job.

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Again, thank you to everyone that gave and made this new home possible.

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As always, I am hono9red that you come here and read my work.

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Thank you!

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[youtube=http://youtu.be/2__J84cp6rg]

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[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="234"] The Other Shoe eBay Store[/caption]

October 25th Update, and Danny's Dreams and Nightmares...

            Welcome back My Dear Readers, to The Other Shoe. I wanted to update everyone on; my eBay experience and how things are going in my new place to live. So far as eBay goes… well, my experience with this company and the buyers there has been less than stellar. I found that items that I had kept in pristine condition (for years) had all original packaging and manuals for were getting bids for 99 CENTS. Then, as if to add insult to injury, having asked they wanted to know ‘does this come with ___”. ‘Blank’ being an extra not contained in the item when originally sold.

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Bottom line, I found that the buyers I had encountered wanted something for nothing and then some. I have used eBay since 2007, but only as a buyer. Until now I had never attempted to sell anything I owned on eBay. Now, as a disclaimer, I am sure that not all buyers on eBay are expecting something for nothing, I am just expressing my personal experience and nothing more. I have made the decision that I have more time than patience.

.

Therefore, as each and every listing I have at eBay ends, I will be moving all my items over to Amazon. I have looked around Amazon (I have been a buyer there since 2006), and I think that I will have a much better experience. I am gravely concerned about my ability to ‘Make ends meet’ with my current rent. However, selling my personal items for 99 cents is not going to radically change my financial standing and will only add insult to injury.

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[caption id="attachment_1767" align="aligncenter" width="630"] Daniel at Disneyland Christmas 2001[/caption]

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Now for my new home. I am happy beyond expectations. In the four weeks I have lived here I have; baked more in one month than in six months prior, used my power chair to go shopping and just get out more in one month than in the previous year, have written more (except when I was running an Indiegogo campaign) than I have in many years, and greatly enjoy the manager, Ed. Example, today I received some boxes I ordered for shipping. Instead of just putting a note on the door, Ed brought the boxes to my door. We have lived upstairs for the past decade. I understood that it would be a transition living on the ground floor.

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I was quite willing to overcome noisy upstairs neighbors, just to be able to use my power chair more often and easier. However, I had not anticipated a very heavy young granddaughter with a habit of jumping off the couch and bed onto the floor. Running like a stampeding elephant, and yelling and screaming whenever she does not get her way. I endured this problem the first weekend I was here, she only visits on the weekends otherwise the upstairs neighbors a very quiet. However, when the second weekend came along and the situation not only continued, but became much worse. I went down to talk to Ed, the manager.

.

I was very pleasantly surprised that when I came down to explain, Ed was very understanding and supportive. I found out, on Monday, that when he went up to talk to the grandparents, he actually saw her jump from the couch to the floor… and run around jumping. He instructed the grandparents that she could not be making such noise and that the downstairs neighbors had complained. The following weekend, it happened again. This time Ed put a notice in writing and informed them that any further complaints would result in the end of residency. Since then, it has been very quiet.

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The apartment is nearly twice the size of my room at the Cypress Lodge. There is a living room area, where I have; my bed, the TV stand, my computers, book shelves, my power chair and the majority of the remaining boxes to be unpacked. That is the room that is, easily ,twice the size of the same living area at the Cypress Lodge. Off the living room is the kitchen, and the bathroom. The kitchen is a full kitchen. There is a gas range top and oven, a full sized (and relatively new) refrigerator, the kitchen sink and a small amount of counter space.

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The counter space is occupied by; my microwave over, my small toaster/convection wave oven and my dish rack. Under the counter are four under counter cabinets. There is very little cabinet space, in the kitchen. However, there is a large area (meant for a dining room table or breakfast table) that is currently filled with the (other) remaining boxes to be unpacked. Once we have the funds I am going to purchase some shelving units/kitchen cabinets to put all our; pots, pans, stoneware, cooking/baking supplies and remaining small appliances.

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Off of the kitchen are a dressing area and the (quite small) bathroom. Unfortunately, the dressing area is also where clothes closet is, and it is uncovered. Humidity (and odors from the bathroom) get easily into the clothes. This is the part of the room design that I find the most disturbing.

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I find that I will be able to write here… once I have put the financial stressors to rest and Allen is working full time… somewhere. My adventure with eBay has been an unmitigated failure. Regardless of how much I read, and studied, about ‘eBaying’ the market place (IMHO) has devolved into the ‘Dirt Mall’ of the internet. It is wonderful for buyers, but a bit of a nightmare for sellers. eBay is set up to push you to start all of your items as auctions, and that all auctions should start out at 99 cents. This rigs the entire marketplace in favor of buyer, and is done this way to keep stock prices high.

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[caption id="attachment_1766" align="aligncenter" width="630"] Allen Christmas 2001[/caption]

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This is not the eBay of 2000, or even 2005. I was really hoping to make enough money to relieve… or at least lessen my financial anxiety. Since this effort failed, I have been forced to take out an advance on my direct deposit on my checking account. This just makes my skin crawl. I am not a gambler and taking out this kind of advance on future funds is not like me. I am not doing this so that we can eat pizza and steak every night… or any night.

.

Allen has not, for whatever reason, received any unemployment checks since he got out of jail. That means we are both living on my checks and the money I managed to save from the last campaign. What I wouldn’t give for the $300 ‘Larry’ stole from me, back. Oh, and I have not had enough money to pay the filing fee and service fees for the small claims lawsuit I have prepared against ‘Larry’. I really want my day in court against this thief, but I do not have the money, spare, to start the process.

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I do not know if anyone else, My Dear Readers, suffers with this malady. However, whenever I am under a lot of financial or emotional stress I find it terribly difficult to write. Updates, like this one, are easy enough. As well, outlines for the novel are coming along quite well. I have finally nailed down the through-line for the first three novels, and have managed to complete a lot more of the chapter by chapter outlines for the first novel. The skeleton, as it were, is coming along well. It is just when I sit down to actually write the scenes… the dialogs… the actions… that I get all verklempt. I know that this will pass just as soon as I know how ends will meet.

.

I have changed the opening scene, for the first novel. I am very happy how the new opening scene works and how it leads the reader into the novel and introduces the two main characters, Princess Nadia and Daniel. Having said, I am very glad that I had not written the (previous) first scene because I would have to gut that scene and make it work with he newest opening scene. This time has also given me the opportunity to pick the software that I like working with best.

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My two choices were; yWriter5 and Storybook. It has taken some time and effort, but I have finally made my decision. I am going to use Storybook to write the novels. I will still use Word to write the actual text of each and every scene. Once written I will paste the text into Storybook. Storybook really helps me keep my characters in place and all my threads. I can track who is where when, track important items, and make sure that I am touching on all my strands. I really like the interface, and it is just a better software than yWrite 5.

.

Well, that is about the long and short of my life and my new home. I apologize that I am not writing more of my creative work. I have a lot of ideas for; ‘The Mars Report’ and ‘Weekend Wisdom’. I even have a lot more to say about our current political climate. I am quite anxious to write more political work. Did you, My Dear Readers, see? ‘The Implosion Heard Around the World’ received twenty-one ‘Likes’! I am thrilled that I received so many likes… it was like when I was writing for the last campaign.

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Funny that… may I confide in you, My Dear Readers? I know that many do not like my campaigns. I do not like… being in that position. I feel unclean and ashamed to have to ask for charity. However, there is something about the pressures… the atmosphere… the deep desire to garner support, that brings out some of the best work I have ever written. Now, I am not saying that I plan to use campaigns to spurn better writing. Nope, that is not going to happen. I fear ostracizing too many of you, My Dear Readers, but running unnecessary campaigns. That would be gravely immoral. I just thought it was enlightening that I write some of my best works for you, My Dear Readers, when I am asking for your financial support.

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That brings us to the end of this Update. It is actually 2 AM on the 26^th, but that is ‘OK’. The update for was the 25^th, and it was mostly completed on the 25^th.

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As always, I am deeply honored that you come here and read my work.

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Thank you!

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Addendum:

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Seems I left this article a little premature. In the title I mention “Dreams and Nightmares…” but I do not share the nightmare that woke me up this morning. My regular, My Dear Readers, will certainly get a kick out of this one. As I have, often, written I do not remember my dreams much at all since the head injury back in 1987. In any given year, I will remember one or two dreams or nightmares. So, it is a pretty big deal when I do wake up and remember what I have dreamt. This morning was no exception.

.

The nightmare that woke me this morning was ironic. I was with Allen… and we were out and about, in an unfamiliar city. We were walking… yes, I was WALKING! (I often do, in my dreams), and we got frustrated walking. The next thing I know, Allen and I had taken a truck… (this ringing any bells?)… we drove it around… were pursued by the police… and ended up I drove the darn truck off a pier into a marina. Like all dreams/nightmares. I saw me driving it into the marina, then we were standing on the pier watching it go under. Funny thing? Once we were out of the truck and standing on the pier? The police disappeared.

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And, that, My Dear Readers, was the nightmare mentioned in the title of this article.

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ENJOY!

 

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="234"] The Other Shoe eBay Store[/caption]

 

 

Moving The Other Shoe Store to Amazon, Soon.

       Welcome back My Dear Readers, to The Other Shoe. Last night I wrote about how I am hoping to make changes with The Other Shoe, by expanding my blog to its own URL location. In the spirit of change I am here to announce another change, coming soon. As you all know, about two weeks ago I entered into an adventure at eBay. The heartless and soulless theft of $300 of my charitable donations, by one Lawrence Hierlmeier of Anaheim, I am facing a huge hole in my finances for the next several months.

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In an effort to replace said funds, I sought to sell some electronics. I have been buying electronics parts and peripherals from eBay since 2007. Now, I though I might turn the tables and make some money. Easier said than done, I tell you what My Dear Readers. Before I ventured into this unknown territory I; read the FAQs at eBay, read several articles on the web about ‘How to sell on eBay’, and followed all the directions as I listed my items. I did everything according to the advice and directions I received.

.

Now, with two weeks into this venture I have; One item that was bid on seven times only to have the highest bidder withdraw his bid because “I was confused when I place the bid…” and now I am going through all the previous bids with ‘Second Chances’. And, One item (with a value of $45) being sold for 99 cents! IMHO eBay is the 99 cent store of the internet.

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[caption id="attachment_1757" align="aligncenter" width="225"] MC760 USB Data Card for $.99 at eBay[/caption]

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The majority of people using eBay are chronic users that, pretty much, sit in their mother (or grandmother)’s basement looking for any item for 99 cents, purchasing it and turning it around for a profit. There really are no individuals left on eBay that are regular normal folks… it has been taken over by chronic eBayers. That is all fine and good, and I have learned a valuable lesson with only a small loss of time and money.

.

As of today, I will be slowly removing all my items from eBay and setting them up over at Amazon.com where I will set myself up as an individual seller. In order to be a “Professional Seller’ I would need to pay $39.99 a month. That is a non-started with me, seeing as I am trying to make money and not spend money. As I have said, this is a great learning experience and I am not upset or angry about anything that has happened. (So far).

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[caption id="attachment_1056" align="aligncenter" width="630"] All SIX Dessert Plates n Crft authticity[/caption]

(Six 50th Anniversary Disneyland Dessert Plates)

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I am deeply disturbed that I do not have the $150 filling fee or the $40 service fee so that I can sue Lawrence Hierlmeier for the $300 the black hearted _____ stole from me. I am working as hard as I can to make sure I have; rent, my phone bill and food. Once I have that all paid for I am going to save my money so that I can take Lawrence Hierlmeier to court. I hope to win back my original $300 plus the filing fee, fee to have him served and I am going to ask for ‘pain and suffering’ and money to compensate me for all the extra work I have been forced to do, thanks to his greed and avarice.

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I have enough proof, and I am quite good in court. I have little doubt that I will win, and think that I should come out of the court with just shy of $1,000.00. Then I will place a lean against his home and his car, and wait for him to pay me. It shouldn’t be a long wait. J

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So, My Dear Readers, this week (and culminating by this weekend) I will be moving all of the items I have for sale from eBay and over to Amazon. I have a ‘good feeling’ about Amazon. I spent several hours, early this morning, looking over like merchandise at Amazon and I am pretty sure that I will be able to make some money with far less “I got confused” and 99 cent sales. See, I understand why eBay tells you that you will have a better chance of selling an item if you start the bidding at 99 cents. It builds traffic for eBay at the expense of sellers like me. No hard feelings, they have to hurt others to make money for their share holders. It is a soulless business, but I have no hard feelings for the blood sucking losers. (Meg Whitman made here millions making eBay the blood sucking company it is today. Only to loose $130 million of it running, and loosing, against Jerry Brown.)J

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Well, My Dear Readers, that about sums up things for today. Oh, yes it is 5AM. I get up really early anymore. I help Allen get ready for work, then I check on my sales and do some writing. My pains reasserts itself about 6AM, and I go back to lying in pain in bed until later in the morning or afternoon. I am working as hard as I can to get as much work into each and every day that I possibly can.

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Remember to stop by my listings at eBay, and soon Amazon.

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As always, it is a great honor that you come here and read my work.

.

Thank you!

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[caption id="attachment_1749" align="aligncenter" width="234"] The Other Shoe eBay Store[/caption]

The Other Shoe eBay Store

The Other Shoe... Changes

[caption id="attachment_1751" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Daniel Hanning[/caption]

Dear Family, Friends and Followers of The Other Shoe.

I wanted to make you all, My Dear Readers, aware that I just made a 'pre-reservation' for the URL www.theothershoe.blog. When these new URLs become available I plan on moving The Other Shoe to this new web address. I am hopeful, that by this time, my financial... difficulties will have worked themselves out and I will have the resources to obtain; the URL, web hosting, email addresses and everything I will need to move from blog.com and wordpress. It is my intent to keep these original blogs updated.

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However, I plan on having 'Special' articles and weekly series that will only be available at the new (and all my own) web home. This is a very big step for me and my blog. Just to let you know, My Dear Readers, in adavance I am planning on having advertisements at my blog's new home. Few and limited, at first, I will be working to make this new location self-supporting. As well, the new home will be the ONLY place you will see ANY releases of 'The Adventures of Princess Nadia - The Healing Light'. I feel it is only fitting that the new location be the new home for my future novel.

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I will be keeping you, My Dear Readers, up to date as quickly as possible on this move and upgrade. I will be asking for input on; Web hosting, web design, regular articles, advertisers and most importantly... should the new location be 'Members ONLY'. I have been toying with that particular idea for the past two years. The Other Shoe here at blog.com and Word Press will always remain FREE. I just cannot help thinking that the new location should be... special. Making readers register is quite a bother and I know and understand that is different and might well meet with stiff opposition.

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My thoughts on this is simple. For three years I have provided over 300 articles completely free, barring the Indieigogo campaigns I have run to help me obtain a power chair and avoid homelessness. I plan on making membership completely free I have a deep desire to control the exposure of 'The Adventures of Princess Nadia'. You see, I have big plans for Princess... plans that could well stretch into the next decade. I do not want just anyone reading 'Princess Nadia' and the people that do read this work... well, I want to be select... and I would appreciate feedback.

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Of course, this is all in the planning stages and nothing is written in stone. Finally, I am tossing around the idea of... staff. I have realized that i simply cannot keep up the pace that my blog demands... that you, Mu Dear Readers, need and desreve. Between the new expenses of web hosting myself and a greater need for more content... staff... It just might be a nessecity that I run an funding campaign to raise the money I need to start this... well, it is nothing short of... business.

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I belive in my work. I believe in You, My Dear Readers, and I belive that I have the ability and desire to make this happen. I will be looking to you all to give me your feedback, your thoughts and (most importantly) your support. I am bringing something great to life. Something that, currently, just lives inside of me. Soon, it will come to life and take to living and growing outside of my mind and in the; hearts, minds and souls of my readers and supporters. The Other Shoe was always larger than just me. I have been selfish, in a way, for the past three years. Now it is time to let The Other Shoe take flight... and time for "Princess Nadia' to walk and live among us all.

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As always, it brings me great honor that you come and read my work.

.

Thank you!

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[caption id="attachment_1749" align="aligncenter" width="234"] The Other Shoe eBay Store[/caption]

Time Article About Texas... and More!

            Welcome back My Dear Readers to The Other Shoe. Who knows, by the time this article is ready for publication my blog (at blog.com) might actually being working so that I might actually be able to publish at my primary blog location (URL). Yes, I know that most people could give peanuts less if I am able to publish at the same URL that I have been publishing too/at for the past three years. However, I do care if I am able to publish to www.theothershoe.blog.com. Did you, My Dear Readers, know that I am rapidly approaching the magic number of Three Hundred articles? Yes, at The Other Shoe I will be publishing my  300^th article… perhaps before Halloween.\

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[I would like to make it perfectly clear and understood. I do NOT agree with the author of this article at Time magazine. As a Texan I was offended by many of his assertions and his backhanded compliments did not make up for his gross mischaracterization of Texas and Texans. Whereas, I do believe that ‘low wage zero growth’ jobs are NOT the future for Texas or the nation. I happen to know that Texas is growing jobs of all kinds. I wrote about this article because I found it sorely lacking in the facts department and I really wanted my friends and family, in Texas, to be aware of this article.

I hope that everyone… all of you, My Dear Readers, understand and accept this article as it is presented to you. As a factual piece, taking aim at prejudices and gross mischaracterizations within national media, about the Great State of Texas. Thank you.]

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[caption id="attachment_1743" align="aligncenter" width="400"] (Photo-illustration/ Sarah Illenberger for TIME)[/caption]

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Three hundred article in just three years. I am rather proud, if I may say so myself. That is not what I came here to write about, this late Friday night. Nope, I have come here to write about… Texas. More specifically? To write about the Time Magazine article in the October 28^th, 2013 edition of Time magazine. Here is what I wrote earlier today:

.             “TEXAS made it to the COVER of Time, this week. The feature article will NOT be very welcome in my home state. Here is an excrpt from the second paragraph:

 

"A recent report from the FBI found that the home state of Chuck Norris (who lives just outside L.A.) LED THE NATION as the place the most people got kicked punched to death in 2012."

 .

 Not my words, a quote from Time magazine October 28th, 2013.

.

 Being in the national spotlight is not all it is cut out to be, let me tell you.”

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Then I read on… further in the article.

            “Roughly a quarter of residents have no health insurance…”

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Here is when I began to realize that the writer of this article, at Time magazine, was…colouring his ‘facts’ in this… non-objective article about Texas. Here is the reality about the uninsured in Texas:

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            “Texas is the uninsured capital of the United States. More than 6.3 million Texans - including 1.2 million children - lack health insurance. Texas' uninsurance rates, 1.5 to 2 times the national average…”[1]

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The real number is more like 33%... see the image below from the Texas Medical Association web site:

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[caption id="attachment_1733" align="aligncenter" width="630"] Uninsurance rates in Texas 2009-2010[/caption]

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I am looking for more recent data, as I am writing this article and reading from about six different sources at the same time. Back to the article in Time. The writer freely admits that most of the job growth in Texas (for the pasrt ten years) has been in low wage and unskilled work. Released during the last Presidential campaign, under Governor Rick Perry the average wage of the “millions of jobs” created in Texas was below the Federal Minimum Wage. .

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The writer admits this fact, but counters with this statement:

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            “Automation and globalization don’t just make a lot of goods and services much cheaper---they sometimes make them free.”

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Lat me ask. Is there free food in Texas? Is there free gasoline in Texas? Is there free rent in Texas? Is there free health care in Texas? Is there free electricity in Texas? I didn’t think there was free stuff essential to life, in Texas. As well, I hardly think that lower costs can even come close to making up the difference between a minimum wage in Texas and a real living wage.

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See, this author is promoting “The Texas Model” and saying that what is working in Texas will soon be what works all over the United States. I completely disagree with this ‘libertarian’ point of view. To prove what the author was pimping, here is another quote (I find… disingenuous);

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            “There’s no reason a worker should need legal permission to become, say, a barber or a cosmetologist…”

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I just could not disagree more with this uninformed opinion. Did you know that barbers need to be trained in basic chemistry? Yes, if they are going to color or frost your hair… well you bloody well better hope that they have received the proper training in the chemistry of hair coloring and that the4y have passed a recent TEST on said chemistry. As well, you really do want your Pharmacy Technicians to be fully trained and regularly certified by the state they practice. Often, the only thing that stands between a distracted doctor and a lazy pharmacist sending aspirin to a patient on blood thinners is a well trained pharmacy technician. (FYI if you were to take aspirin or aspirin based product while taking a blood thinner? You would end up bleeding out of your; eyes, ears, mouth and anus... bleeding to death)

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I do not believe that the future of our great Republic lies in; low wage uneducated workers, cheap housing at the expense of the general health of a population, and the gutting of the middle class just to make the already wealthy, more wealthy. I do not believe that Americans should just ‘get used to’ getting paid less for more work each and every year.Accept that One in three adults and one in two children do not have any form of health care. I think it is unconscionable to make light of the growing violence in Texas and just push it off to the side of the page as ‘a cost of living leaner…’. I honestly think that Americans should be safe in their; homes, schools, churches, grocery stores and playgrounds. Further, I am factually certain that ‘arming more of your population results in lower crime rates’ is a bold faced LIE.  

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As this article factually states, Texas instituted a concealed carry permit for guns and it has resulted in; “rates of murder and violent crime… property-crime rates are high…” Texas “led the nation as the place where the most people got punched and kicked to death in 2012…”  Texas had 699 gun related murders in 2011. One of the highest firearm assault rates in the United States @ 58.28%. [2]

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It is going to take many years for the data to be collected and tabulated but one fact is becoming readily clear. Having more concealed weapons does not equal lower; crime rates, murder rates, homicide rates and suicide rats. Honestly, if it were as simple as having more Americans carrying guns? Wouldn’t the ‘Old West’ been a calm a quiet time with longer life spans. As opposed to the reality of the “Old West’ where gun deaths accounted for nearly one in three deaths and the average life span was 35.

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I have written, and published, this article NOT to “Bash Texas”. I understand and fully accept that there are going to be people I know and trust that disagree with my statement. They will insist that I have ill will in my heart and that I am just writing this article to further some campaign of discrediting Texas. You just couldn’t be further from the truth.

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Here are some sobering FACTS about guns in homes;

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            “Based on a review of the available scientific data, Dr. (Steven) Lippmann (of the University of Louisville School of Medicine) and co-authors conclude that the dangers of having a gun at home far outweigh the safety benefits. Research shows that access to guns greatly increases the risk of death and firearm-related violence. A gun in the home is twelve times more likely to result in the death of a household member or visitor than an intruder.”[3]

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            “Having a gun at home not only increases the risk of harm to one's self and family, but also carries high costs to society, concludes an article in the February Southern Medical Journal, official journal of the Southern Medical Association. The journal is published by Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, a part of Wolters Kluwer Health, a leading provider of information and business intelligence for students, professionals, and institutions in medicine, nursing, allied health, and pharmacy.” [4]

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            “Those persons with guns in the home were at greater risk than those without guns in the home of dying from a homicide in the home (adjusted odds ratio = 1.9, 95% confidence interval: 1.1, 3.4). They were also at greater risk of dying from a firearm homicide, but risk varied by age and whether the person was living with others at the time of death. The risk of dying from a suicide in the home was greater for males in homes with guns than for males without guns in the home (adjusted odds ratio = 10.4, 95% confidence interval: 5.8, 18.9)” [5]

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            “Nearly 800 children under 14 were killed in gun accidents from 1999 to 2010, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.” [6]

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            “In the 1990s, a team headed by Arthur Kellermann of Emory University looked at all injuries involving guns kept in the home in Memphis, Seattle and Galveston, Tex. They found that these weapons were fired far more often in accidents, criminal assaults, homicides or suicide attempts than in self-defense. For every instance in which a gun in the home was shot in self-defense, there were seven criminal assaults or homicides, four accidental shootings, and 11 attempted or successful suicides.” [7]

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            “Guns and cars have long been among the leading causes of non-medical deaths in the U.S. By 2015, firearm fatalities will probably exceed traffic fatalities for the first time, based on data compiled by Bloomberg” [8]

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            “A gun in the home -- thus available for self-defense -- is 22 times more likely to be used in an assault or homicide, an accidental shooting or a suicide or attempted suicide.

Researchers reached this conclusion by studying hospital admissions, emergency medical technician reports, police and medical examiner files in 626 shootings in or around a residence in three cities: Galveston, Texas; Seattle, Wash.; and Memphis, Tenn., for between 12 and 18 months” .[9]

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And that was all I could find in just one day pf researching this problem. Imagine the mountain of information and proof I could amass in; a week… a month… a year. I love the great state of Texas. However, I am not afraid of pointing out the shortcomings… in the state of my birth… or myself. America needs to come to the full realization that nothing is going to replace paying our citizens a living wage. Building and providing more affordable housing, and that the aphorism "a rising tide lifts all boats" is a truism.

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The future of our nation lies in finding the correct social and economic environment where we can lift all boats. That we can make life at the bottom more livable without harming the wealth, and while expanding the middle class. People, we have done this before in our nation’s history. And we did not do it by dividing ourselves against each other.

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As always, you coming here and reading my words honors me.

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Thank YOU!

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P.S. Please… drop by my eBay page and check out my listings… further… IF you would like to help me.. keep my new roof over my head… and eat a little better? You can contribute to help me at anytime by going to PayPal (click there to take you directly to sending money via email address) and looking up Danny Hanning email enzomatrix@earthlink.net

 

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[1]http://www.texmed.org/Uninsured_in_Texas/#sthash.h3aseOaB.dpuf

[2]http://www.theguardian.com/news/datablog/2011/jan/10/gun-crime-us-state

[3]http://www.dailykos.com/story/2013/01/12/1178533/-Guns-in-homes-kill-people#

[4]http://www.news-medical.net/news/20100204/Guns-in-homes-can-increase-risk-of-death-and-firearm-related-violence.aspx

[5]http://aje.oxfordjournals.org/content/160/10/929.full

[6]http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/05/11/children-protection-gun-violence/2079177/

[7]http://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/03/opinion/sunday/dangerous-gun-myths.html?_r=0

[8]http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-12-19/american-gun-deaths-to-exceed-traffic-fatalities-by-2015.html

[9]http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/purple-wisconsin/184209741.html#ixzz2iEvlBL3c