Pitt Rehab

CMH Recipient Told Not to Fly the American Flag

2009-12-04T08:41:00.002-05:00

Col. Van T. Barfoot a Congressional Medal of Honor Winner and veteran of three wars was recently told not to fly the American flag on his property due to flagpole restrictions implemented through his homeowners association.

These people have obviously lost their minds. It is through the sacrifices this man made that we are able to enjoy all the freedoms we have in America. Now some homeowner association is telling him to take down the flagpole.... At 90 years old this man has earned the right to fly the American flag any damn way he sees fit.

Wheelie Catholic

2009-12-03T08:27:00.000-05:00

Wheelie Catholic Today is International Day of Disability 2009. Please check out the outstanding post over at Wheelie Catholic's Blog, she says it much better than I ever could.

At the age of 31 I acquired my disability and like many individuals was pretty clueless when it came to disability issues.... Now that I'm part of this exclusive group I understand that disability affects all of us. If not you personally, a friend or relative or if you live long enough chances are it will affect you.

Attitudes towards disability and individuals with disabilities need to change. Access to technology, resources and barrier free environment's are a few of my pet peeves. Most of the time I am more disabled because of my environment or lack of resources than because of my spinal cord injury.....

Attitudes and perceptions need to be the first thing that change and that will happen through education of the general public. Have a great day and hopefully start thinking outside the box.

World Aids Day 2009

2009-12-01T07:12:00.002-05:00

Today is World AIDS Day 2009 with a few exceptions. Uganda and Iran are more than likely not participating.... You see the official party line from the Iranian government is there are no AIDS cases in Iran. Uganda wants to sentence individuals with aids to life in prison or execution (that should make getting tested a real incentive)....

Aids is a disease that affects all populations. Get tested, and take the necessary lifestyle precautions....

Deer Season 2009

2009-11-30T11:24:00.003-05:00

Today is the first day of deer season in Pennsylvania, 750,000 hunters are expected to take to the woods. It's raining and looks like a miserable day to be out in the woods. But like they say, even a bad day in the woods is better then a good day at the office. Good luck to all the hunters today!

The University of Pittsburgh's football team lost to West Virginia University this weekend. All of my WVU friends were quick to point out the final score to me.... thanks so much.

The Pittsburgh Penguins crushed the New York Rangers on Saturday, 8 to 3. They play again tonight in New York City. Something tells me it's going to be a very hard-fought game.

I watched the Pittsburgh Steelers lose to the Baltimore Ravens last night in overtime. Third string quarterback Dixon did a much better job than I was expecting. If the Steelers defense was a little better, Pittsburgh could have won the game.

That about sums up my weekend.... watching sports and eating wings. I think my mouth is still on fire from the mango habanero sauce.

Surprise E-Mail

2009-11-28T11:35:00.005-05:00

In yesterday's blog I wrote about reading Treason, by Don Brown on Thanksgiving day. He actually has three books on the Kindle bestseller list. I enjoyed reading Treason very much and will be starting Hostage or Defiance later today.

I was very surprised by receiving an e-mail from Don Brown last evening. He thanked me for reading his novel and mentioning it on this blog. Receiving his e-mail really made my week, to think that he took the time to write me was awesome. And it gets better, he offered to send me an autographed copy of Treason at no cost.

I was really thrilled to receive his note and look forward to reading his additional novels. He has a very good website which I encourage you to check out for yourself, Donbrownbooks.com If you're looking for an outstanding Christmas present or would like to sit down with a great book, give Don Brown a try.

Friday's Thoughts

2009-11-27T10:45:00.002-05:00

I spent a quiet Thanksgiving at home finishing my electronic copy of Treason by Don Brown. I switched back and forth between my laptop and Kindle2, using the speech to text function on the Kindle2. I really enjoyed the book and the price was certainly right, free. Several of my friends called or texted Thanksgiving Day wishes, which I really appreciated.

Today is game day, the Pittsburgh Penguins are playing at 2 PM and I plan on watching the game. Later tonight is the backyard brawl between the University of Pittsburgh and the West Virginia mountaineers. I have a lot of friends on both sides of the field today. If Pittsburgh wins I can harass my WVU friends for another year (you know who you are).

Hopefully your Thanksgiving went well, I have so much to be thankful for and I am looking forward to Christmas. Enjoy your weekend and go Penguins!

Day 20 Olympic Torch Relay with Sidney Crosby: Halifax, Nova Scotia

2009-11-25T17:59:00.001-05:00

Navy SEALs Face Assault Charges for Capturing Most-Wanted Terrorist - Iraq | War | Map - FOXNews.com

2009-11-24T16:48:00.000-05:00

Navy SEALs Face Assault Charges for Capturing Most-Wanted Terrorist - Iraq | War | Map - FOXNews.com
CHARGING THESE MEN IS BEYOND WRONG

Strange Billboards

2009-11-24T07:12:00.004-05:00

I was out on the highways this weekend and came across two of the strangest billboards.. Hell Is Real and the second one Where Will You Spend Eternity. Now as a Catholic school inmate, I mean graduate..... I learned very early in life that I was going to hell for impure thoughts, etc. because we all know thinking it is just as bad as doing it at least according to Sister Mary.

So these two billboards had me thinking about my eternal damnation and what my idea of hell actually is. For me it's definitely not fire and brimstone yada yada yada.

It would be a small room with no books, no music and a giant plasma television with only one channel, nonstop Regis and Kelly, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Yes America thats my idea of Hell.

I'm hoping for an 11th hour reprieve that will speed my soul past this little room...

Bear Hunting Season Begins in Pa

2009-11-23T08:21:00.006-05:00

Today is the first day of Bear Season in Pennsylvania. As some of you know prior to my injury I was an avid Bow Hunter. I would often hunt several states and even traveled to Canada on a bear hunt.

Although I was fortunate enough to harvest many Deer and Turkeys I was never able to get a bear. There is a great deal of adaptive equipment that would allow me to go hunting again, but it's not the same experience for me. I enjoyed the independence factor. In sitting silently in a tree stand, the early-morning woods, watching and waiting for my opportunity.

My two older brothers are on the hunt this morning near my parents home. It's a picture-perfect day to be out in the Pennsylvania woods. To drive the quad into the mountains, set up in the perfect location and wait..... Hopefully a very large black bear will make an appearance.

It would be great if they were able to get a bear this morning, either way I'm anxiously awaiting the story of their day.

Update: no bears were harmed or even seen on the Twins hunting trip....... Better luck next year guys.

Jackson Browne - The Load Out / Stay - Live 1978

2009-11-20T08:44:00.001-05:00

Started my Friday playlist with a little Jackson Browne... what's on your list?

It Wasn't Pretty

2009-11-20T07:55:00.003-05:00

That's how Jordan Staal described last night's loss between the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Ottawa Senators..... 6 to 2, I have to agree, it wasn't pretty.

My friend Mark came down to watch the game last night and although we had a good time, the actual game sucked. The Pens scored in the first minute of the game, after that it was all Ottawa. The Senators scored 4 goals in the third to the Penguins 1 power-play goal.

The good thing is, it's early in the season and I'm sure the Penguins will learn from this game.... Despite the poor road game performances they are still a team that can put the puck in the net, and win games.

The Rain, Sleep and Books

2009-11-19T08:02:00.002-05:00

It rained so loud last night that the noise on my skylight sounded like I was sleeping in a snare drum..... So obviously I was not sleeping very well.

Chesapeake rehab delivered my new battery charger for my power wheelchair this week. The last charger was under warranty when it decided to go south. I'm really pleased with this one, it's very quiet with very little humming noise. Some people can go to sleep to the radio, TV or other ambient noise.... I prefer quiet.

It's a hockey night, the Pittsburgh Penguins are playing Ottawa tonight. Team captain Sidney Crosby took a slight detour yesterday to Halifax in order to carry the Olympic torch for the 2010 games..... I plan on watching the game with a friend of mine. If the weather cooperates we may go out to watch the first couple of periods.

I'm still enjoying the Kindle 2, reading many free books from Amazon. I also like the fact that I can read the Kindle books on my laptop with the free software. I just recently read Mania by Craig Larsen, it was a really interesting book, you may want to check it out.

Oprah Winfrey and the Porn Star

2009-11-17T07:57:00.002-05:00

Oh Oprah, have you really exhausted every other topic that you have to interview Jenna Jameson ? Has daytime television succumb to this.... is every talk show now like Jerry Springer?

In doing a little bit of aaaah research for this blog I found out some interesting facts about Jenna Jameson. Her autobiography was on the New York Times bestseller list for six weeks, she's made about $15 million in profit, she likes long walks on the beach..... and her favorite color is, okay the first two were true.

What are your thoughts on daytime television? I know sex sells, but really is anyone watching this crap?

Ugh Monday

2009-11-16T09:01:00.002-05:00

I thought the end of the world was supposed to happen in 2012 according to the Mayan calendar. I'm taking Pittsburgh losing to Cincinnati twice in one year as a sign of the apocalypse.... Moving right along.

Have you had a chance to see the new pedigree dog food commercial? I was watching good morning America today when I heard the phrase " optimize your stool " nothing in the English language makes you look up more quickly than that phrase......thank God it was a dog food commercial, but still creepy.

Hopefully my week gets better, I found a small pressure sore under my arm. Nothing huge but it will take some time to heal.... At least I'm satisfied with my stool, I really shouldn't complain.

War Dog's 14 month walk about

2009-11-15T09:26:00.002-05:00

Check out this incredible video and survival story of a specially trained K-9.... It's amazing what dogs can do.

Big sports weekend

2009-11-14T09:33:00.005-05:00

It's a pretty big sports weekend here in Pittsburgh, at least for me. Penn State plays this afternoon followed by Pitt and Notre Dame tonight, along with the Pittsburgh Penguins game..... it's days like this I wish I had TiVo.

The way the Penguins have been playing lately I will probably be watching the Pitt game. I will be switching back and forth to at least check the score ( I'm no fair weather fan ). The pens certainly need a victory.... injuries have been taking a toll on the team.

I need to check the sports lines but the last time I heard, Pitt was favored by seven points over Notre Dame, it's a huge game for the Pitt Panthers. I also think it is a huge game for the Notre Dame coach, Charlie Weis. I have a feeling his job is on the line, the Notre Dame faithful do not tolerate losing.... I'm a fan of both teams, but I will be rooting for the University of Pittsburgh tonight!

Not to mention the Steeler game on Sunday, the Steelers play Cincinnati here at home. The top spot in the division is on the line. I think Pittsburgh is a better team now than when we first played Cincinnati this year. My money is on the Steelers for a big win at Heinz Field.

Hopefully the field will be in good shape after the Pitt game. The weather is going to be gorgeous, sunshine and 60° ! It's hard to believe it's the middle of November here in Pittsburgh. I have friends attending all the games and I'll be watching on TV.... It's a big weekend for Pittsburgh fans!

Squirrel Hill teen wins $75,000 on 'Jeopardy!'

2009-11-14T08:33:00.003-05:00

Squirrel Hill teen wins $75,000 on 'Jeopardy!' I want to say Great Job on your victory and even better donating 20 % of your win to charity ! You are a true champion.

I watched Rachel win last night and she was quite impressive. Sometimes I think I'm addicted to Jeopardy, I watch it almost every evening. Shouting answers at the TV followed by an expletive when I'm wrong.

It was nice to see a local competitor win the tournament. Hopefully this is not her last appearance on Jeopardy, I believe she has a very bright future and obviously a social conscience, Congratulations!

Triskaidekaphobia or fear of 13

2009-11-13T08:34:00.002-05:00

Today is Friday the 13th and a lot of people are superstitious about today. I just read a pretty good article over at Time magazine regarding this phobia and the history behind the superstition. What are your thoughts? Do you do anything different on Friday the 13th?

As for me, I'm not the superstitious type so I do not plan on doing anything different today.

Jamey Johnson - High Cost Of Living [ Music Video + Lyrics + Download ]

2009-11-12T18:37:00.001-05:00

Injured soldiers try adaptive sports at UCLA

2009-11-11T16:13:00.001-05:00

Veterans Day 2009

2009-11-11T08:53:00.001-05:00

As we all know today is Veterans Day and hopefully you are taking a minute to appreciate what the men and women in uniform are going through today.

The sacrifices they and their families make need to be recognized not just today but every day. To all you active military and veterans reading, thank you for your service!

Kindle Software for your PC

2009-11-10T10:11:00.002-05:00

Now you can have all your Kindle books on your PC for free! Download the software here , how cool is this! Kindle is the best e-reader as far as I know...

After using this software for a day I wanted to follow up on my original post. First of all the software downloads very easily and only takes one minute... It's not the full version of Kindle but the format is exceptional. It's easy to configure and syncs with your Kindle to the last page read. Today's Washington Post says it better than I can, check out the article here.

Tuesday's Thoughts

2009-11-10T07:14:00.002-05:00

Last night's Monday night football game turned out to be pretty exciting between the Steelers and Broncos. The Steelers won 28 to 10 at mile high Stadium in Denver, that takes Pittsburgh's record to 6-2, tied with Cincinnati for first place. I'm looking forward to next Sunday's game at home against Cincinnati, a 1 PM kickoff.

Today John Allen Mohammed, the DC area sniper is set to be executed for killing 10 people. In my opinion, here is one individual who deserves the death penalty...

Sesame Street turns 40 today, think about all the characters that show produced. Cookie Monster, Big Bird, Count, Bert and Ernie.... Oscar the grouch, the list goes on. Hopefully they have another 40 years of educating and entertaining children.

Pitt 37 Syracuse 10

2009-11-08T09:34:00.005-05:00

Yesterday's football game at Heinz Field was a great time! The weather was beautiful and it was so nice to roll around the stadium. This was my first visit to Heinz Field and I have to say it's a beautiful stadium, very accessible and friendly.

I also seen the new statue and monument to Fred Rogers, I'm not crazy about the statue but I think it is a fitting tribute for a man who touched so many. I couldn't believe the lines for the Nina and Pinta replicas, there were people everywhere. Check out some of yesterday's photos...

I'm not sure who this drummer is for Pitt but his Permobil went great on the field !