I Don't Need the ***

One thing I never thought I'd do is text.  When it first came on the scene I thought it was dumb.  People getting these huge bills for the thousands of texts they sent each month.  Why couldn't they just dial the number and use their voice to say what needed to be said.  I'd have never thought that I would be one who prefers to text over call.  How things change.

There are no more per text charges and people can not only send words in their texts, but balloons, voice, music, pictures, invisible ink, cartoons and even play games, all right within the text.  Along with all these advancements has come the jargon, the abbreviations and made up words specific to texting.  They are mostly made up by kids, I assume, but I guess I use them too.  Then the auto correct and the humor that can add to a conversation.

Speaking of auto correct, it often doesn't get the word right.  While this, for some, adds humor, for others it's frustrating.  They can't stand to see a word sent that isn't exactly right.  Add to this that most texters are typing fast on a tiny electronic touch screen and you get typos, usually "sent" before they are realized.

Enter the *

I see this from time to time.  Someone sends me a text.  I get the text, read it, understand it.  Quite simple, you'd think.  Then, very shortly after the first text, comes an additional text to the first text, and it starts with an *.  It goes like this.  The sender wants you to know something.  They compose their message and send.  They then take a half a second to read what they just sent and realize they (or auto) sent a word that wasn't right.  And then ***

I'm thinking there could be a couple of reasons for the arrival of the *.  

The sender might just have a disorder.  They can't stand to have anything grammatically associated with them that isn't correct.  Never mind that they are conversing with a childhood friend or their spouse.  Not their boss.  Not a potential boss.  Not the President.  Just one of probably hundreds of little snippets of thought, most likely of little lasting consequence.  

Or the sender could be worried about your ability to figure out what they are trying to say.  You might not be of sufficient mental acumen to read past the omitted apostrophe or missing space between two words to understand.  And you must understand.  It is critical that you know, that you do not misunderstand, how they feel about the latest hollywood breakup.....  or something equally as important.  

I'm not trying to say that accuracy in spelling and grammar aren't important or that an * isn't needed sometimes, but there is a place a time for worrying about it, and your everyday text (or blog) isn't one of them, at least for normal people.  I don't need the ****

El Toro Negro

Some Like It Hot

Some like it hot and some don't.  Me?  I like it on the cooler side.

I built a house a few years ago on some land my parents gave me.  Ten acres in the country.  It was a chance to include any options that I wanted.  There was a guy named Mike that was more or less a consultant for me.  I asked him questions about house building.  He made suggestions about house building.  Two suggestions I'm glad I followed.  1) Put in a zoned A/C system and 2) use spray foam insulation.

A zoned system is just what it sounds like.  I have three zones in my house.  Upstairs, downstairs, and my bedroom (also downstairs). I can set them at different temperatures, and I do.  I keep my bedroom on the cool side, especially when I sleep.

Spray foam insulation is great at maintaining my desired temp.  It allows me to keep my house cooler than I might be able to afford otherwise.  Sure, it was a bit more money to install, but the electric bills have been great.

There is just something wonderful about climbing in a bed, with blankets piled on, when the room is cold.  Not those junky blankets, but the heavy ones that are noticeable when you are under them.  My mom made one such blanket for me years ago.  Maroon and white.  It is perfect for winter bed cover.

Sometimes, when I first get in, I have to thrash my legs from side to side to warm up the bed slightly.  Some might say it looks a little weird, but I'm sure we all do it. Another thing I like about cold sleeping is when I move my body, or more specifically, when I move my legs (after the initial warm-up).  It's like moving in and conquering a new territory.  My legs are cold again and the sensation is fresh.

Sometimes I don't move.  I can't move.  I am just a still as I can be, on my back, enjoying the cold.  Maybe it's like that calm you get before you freeze to death.  I have heard that after a while, before you die, you just want to go to sleep.  Maybe it's like that, but you don't die.

My wife will disagree, but you just sleep better when it's cold.