Double Dippers

This is not about rude party guests who stick their chip into the guacamole twice, and the subsequent flogging they should receive.

What this is about is people who retire on Friday, get the gold watch and big send off, and are back at work on Monday, doing the same job.

And the subsequent flogging they should receive.

The Toronto Star published an article in June covering the plight of new and substitute teachers getting a foothold in the world of DD's. They also contend, however erroneously, that theirs is the only profession in which this occurs.

My Darling Bride and I both work in the public sector where this practice is commonplace, if not rampant.

One of the few 'perks' of working for a government is that the pension plans generally have a 'magic number' of combined age and years of service to strive for. After you have reached your magic number, you may retire with full pension and benefits.

In my case, my magic number is unreachable, as I got on board too late. I will have to work until 2 years after I am dead to reach it. I currently work with two people that are retired from our department and working 'on contract' or as 'consultants' or more commonly, double dipping. Don't get me wrong, I like these guys and I value their years of experience, but they are taking slots that could be filled with other staff, and allow people to move up or realize other career goals.

M.D.B.'s magic number is also unreachable as she is part time. Has been for eight years. There are DD's (double dippers) on her job that are filling spots part time. To my mind, two part time jobs equals one full time job.

Now, you might say that the DD has specific skills that are hard to replace. I say that twelve pages did not suddenly fall off the calendar. They could have trained their replacement long before they retired. They are also preventing staff with less experience from moving up.

From an employers perspective, it is good value. They generally pay these staff at a lower rate, and do not have to contribute to their benefit fund. From a DD's point of view, lets look at the numbers. Let's say that their hourly wage before retirement was $30/hr, and their pension is 66% or $20/hr. If they make more than $10/hr they are making more than when they were working, doing the same job, for the same employer.

In my opinion, if you want to stay working, then defer your retirement. Or retire and find something else to do.

My Brother-in-law did it right. He achieved his 'magic number' in his late 40's, took his retirement package, then got a paper route. He still had a reason to get up in the morning, and made extra income. I worked in the taxi industry with many retired persons supplementing their income by driving a few hours a day. There are plenty of opportunities for Retired Persons for part time work or even a second career.

Double dipping, be it chips or work, is just plain greedy.

DJW

Chronic Pain

A chronic pain is what some would call me but that is not what this is about. This about treatments and strategies for dealing with ongoing chronic pain. I am not a medical professional, a Pharmacist or Physiotherapist; I am a chronic pain sufferer who has developed strategies for coping.

In fact, I have suffered from chronic pain for twenty odd years now. It started when I was a welder in a school bus factory while in my twenties. The repetitive heavy lifting and deep bending took its toll, and eventually the pain stopped going away. On my last day there I had taken eight Tylenol 2's before noon and was still in enough pain to be distracted.

I won't go into the diagnosis but it took one Doctor two pages to describe. I was on a steady diet of codeine, anti-inflammatories and stomach medications (to combat the side effects of the AI's).

I was taking over $300 a month of prescriptions, and it wasn't working well, in fact it was hurting me. One Doctor ordered blood tests before treating me, and then refused to help me until I got treatment for alcoholism. This was a surprise, as I was a social drinker, but by no means a problem drinker. I couldn't afford booze and medications at the same time.

This is when a light went on. I was in pain, the drugs weren't helping, my stomach and liver were being wiped out, and I couldn't concentrate or remember the simplest of lists.

I had to do something.

I started reading.

Turns out Codeine has the same effect on your liver as alcohol. Hence the false blood tests indicating alcohol abuse. The part of the liver that is attacked is the part that processes vitamin B12, which in turn fuels short term memory. Which is why chronic alcoholics can't remember the night before, and why I couldn't remember a 4 item grocery list from My Darling Bride. This part of the liver also doesn't regenerate, so I now must take B12 supplements for the rest of my life.

So then I had to find something to replace the Tylenol. Something that wouldn't screw me up worse than I was. Anything OTC was ineffective. Anything prescribed was expensive and included anti-inflammatories, which were hard on my stomach.

Pot was illegal.

Then I found natural remedies. This was many years ago, before you could get St. John's Wort at Shopper's or Shark Cartilage at Zehrs.

After much research, I came across combination of compounds that actually worked.

Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) is a natural sulfur compound. It has anti-inflammatory properties and is also a muscle elasticizer. I also believe that MSM cleared up the Tinea Versicolor that had affected me since I was a lad. What most data won't tell you, and what I stumbled on through discussion and more research, is that you need equal doses of vitamin C to metabolize MSM if you have liver damage.

Chondroitin and glucosamine are usually sold and used in conjunction and are often combined in one capsule.

Chondroitin is a critical component of cartilage, and normally breaks down with age. It is the part of cartilage that help it resist compression. (hence, creaky grinding joints). Those who over work thier joints will suffer cartlige breakdown sooner than others.

Glucosamine is another part of cartilage make up, and acts as a lubricant of the joints.

Celadrin is newer to the scene, and promises to have all the effects of the other three combined. It is available in a capsule and as a topical cream.

What I must stress is the following:

• None of this works like taking asprin for a headache. You must take them regularly, in large enough doses, and wait 4-6 weeks before you feel any noticable gains.
• This will NOT make you completely pain free. For me it makes the pain manageble so I can get on with my day.

I have been using this treatment for over fifteen years now and I am happy to report that I can move pretty well on most days, I can think pretty clearly, and my stomach is intact.

As with any kind of treatment, consult your Doctor, do some resarch, and give it time.

DJW

Another un-needed law?

Common sense apparently does not exist in Ontario.

Ontario has taken steps to enact a law banning the use of cell phones and other electronic devices while behind the wheel.

Now, you might think I would be in favour of a law making our highways safer.

I am.

But this isn't the right law.

Police services would now have a new nuisance call, Cell Call In Progress. (It would be ranked with Stupidity in Progress)

This law would affect many people. Many service trucks have mobile display terminals (MDT's), as do taxi's, Trucker's have two way radios and C.B.'s

Ambulances come with both radio's and MDT's, with a patient in the back the driver must break the law to operate either.

Every Police Officer has three devices: radio, MDT and cell phone. In order to enforce the law they must break it.

The argument for them is that they have special training in the safe use of these devices. Whose to say that a regular driver can't have special training? Truckers have to take a course to achieve a 'Z' endorsement for air brakes.

I had an argument several years ago with a Driver Trainer on an advanced course I was on. His argument was to ban all cell usage while driving. My argument was that my hands free cell phone was the same as having a conversation with someone sitting beside me. A little later he was telling us of a trucker he saw tailgating a small car, and how he called him on the CB to point out the error of his ways. I raised my hand and asked him, "Did you pull over and stop so you could safely operate the radio?" He went silent for a moment and then replied" It's not the same."

He was cornering the wrong guy.

I spent eight years in the Army, one of my qualifications being Driver Instructor, and eight years driving taxi. My radio was both my income and my lifeline.

My reply to him, "A radio requires you to take your hand off the wheel to hold the microphone, my hands free cell lets me keep both hands on the wheel."

He changed the subject.

I am all in favour of making our roads safer...I once slapped the windshield of a cell phone distracted driver with a stop paddle. (sidebar...the Traffic Safety Course now states thou shalt not slap the windshield of a cell phone distracted driver with a stop paddle)

I'm not endorsing cell calls on handsets or texting while driving I'm just saying this isn't the right law.

The right law already exists.

It's called Careless Driving and it reads:

Careless driving

130. Every person is guilty of the offence of driving carelessly who drives a vehicle or street car on a highway without due care and attention or without reasonable consideration for other persons using the highway and on conviction is liable to a fine of not less than $200 and not more than $1,000 or to imprisonment for a term of not more than six months, or to both, and in addition his or her licence or permit may be suspended for a period of not more than two years. R.S.O. 1990, c. H.8, s. 130.

(Source: E-LAWS)

Next week, in a continuing effort to protect us from ourselves, the Government plans to introduce a bill banning running with scissors.

DJW

It's TV time again

Ok, call me weird. (I know, that's a given)

I'm excited that one of my favorite TV shows is getting ready for it's season premier.

No, it's not Monday Night Football, or Hockey Night in Canada.

Are you ready for this?

It's Canada's Worst Driver 4!

For those who are uninitiated, each year, 8 bad drivers from across Canada are nominated to 'compete' for the title of the worst driver in the country. They are all brought to a secret location, given expert driving instruction, and then put through a series of driving skills tests. The most improved driver every episode gets their license returned to them and sent back out on the road. They are critiqued by a series of experts including my favorite, now retired OPP Sgt Cam Woolley.

If you've never seen it, give it a view and see if you recognize any habits, or anyone you may know.
It has a brother show called Canada's Worst Handyman, hosted by the same sarcastic guy, Andrew Younghusband.

I'm happy to say I've never been nominated for either show.

Interesting coincidence; CWD4 dovetails with the end of the NASCAR season, and wraps up near Daytona time in February.

I can watch for bended metal all year round now.

DJW

Election Results

Stephen Harper has won another minority.

Being the only male in a house with three women, I know how he feels.

Sometimes I think I'm in charge too.

DJW

The Inn at Christie's Mill

My Darling Bride and I had the pleasure to stay at a Muskoka Resort this weekend. Made even more of a pleasure as it was all paid for, by someone else!

The Inn at Christie's Mill is a luxury resort spa, plunked right on the waters edge at Port Severn, Ontario, the gateway to the Muskoka's and the Trent-Severn Waterway.

Now, my experiences with resort/spas has been limited to a conference center in Mississauga annually for work related events, but this was different.

The view from the room this time did not include the 401 or office towers and the approach lights for Pearson.

This was far different.

Our view overlooking the harbour would only have been more perfect if it hadn't been cloudy.

The room itself was as big as our living/dining room combined. It's only lacking was a side table to put beside the chairs while watching the fireplace.

The bed was best described as oversized. It seemed bigger than our king bed at home, perhaps because you needed a stool to get in it. It was quite comfy, even if we were sleeping in different postal codes.

The bathroom was bigger than my first apartment, complete with his and hers sinks, a tricked out water closet and a Jacuzzi tub with a heat lamp. The bath fixtures were Kohler, complete with a fully height adjustable shower massage with three settings: soothing, massage and 'marry me.'

The dining room was very something. I can't quite find the right words.

Maybe rustic elegance.

It was built in a circular pattern to invoke the feeling of the working parts of an old grist mill. Lots of stone and wood, which I like. Of course I had to sit there and analyze its construction.

Again, a spectacular view overlooking the water and an island.

The dining was Chef prepared, with the emphasis being on the preparation and presentation. You had all your major food groups represented, steak, lamb, pork, veal, chicken and seafood. I shied away from the steak, as it was advertised as a 9 ounce, and that would have been an appetizer for me. I selected the veal with pasta, and it was grand. The pasta was done in a garlic butter and Parmesan sauce that tasted as if I had made it. My Darling Bride chose the pork tenderloin and veggies. The loin was tender and tasty, but the veggies were more arranged than served. I guess I'm not cultured enough for the fine dining experience (or the prices). Dessert for me was a 'Chocolate Disaster' of ice cream, ground up brownie and chocolate sauce served in a champagne glass. M.D.B. had the blueberry crumble, served in a coffee cup with ice cream and ornately drizzled with chocolate and caramel.

We did not partake in the spa part of the spa, as bookings did not jive with our schedule, but we did peek into the area. The pool was smallish, and the hot tub smaller, but with the Jacuzzi in the room, it wasn't needed.

If I had to find complaint about the experience, its that the resort's layout is very strung out, and someone with mobility problems would find it tedious to get around.

The other complaint: that we couldn't stay longer.

Thanks to Thing 2 for the life experience getaway, and to Thing 1 for the spending cash. Luvya both.

If you get the chance, we can now recommend The Inn at Christie's Mill.

DJW

Todays Lesson Is...

...Make sure you know who you are talking to.

Last week I was given a job at work, laying out a sewer in Oakville. Nothing unusual about that, it's part of what I do. As an addendum to this task, I was asked to hand out notices to area residents and businesses about the upcoming construction. That task is usually reserved for the inspector.

Well, circumstances intervened and the letters didn't get delivered. No sweat, I thought, the inspector could deliver them when he made his initial pre-construction survey of the site. I gave the letters to the inspector and explained that I hadn't had time to deliver them, and pointed out that it was part of his job anyway. He was non-plussed by this.

The next morning I answer my phone and get this, "Why didn't you deliver the letters?"

No hello, good morning, or, "Hi it's Fred."

Just, "Why didn't you deliver the letters?"

I pointed out that I had told him yesterday why not, and he carried on. The conversation quickly escalated into a yelling match and I finished the call with,"Why don't you get off your lazy a** and do it yourself! HAVE A GOOD DAY!" and I snapped my phone shut.

After calming down for a few minutes, I decided to call my boss and let him know about this. I left him a voicemail saying, "Joe, its DJ. I just had a run in with Fred. Give me a call."

A few minutes later, Joe calls back. I started to explain when he cut in, "I didn't appreciate being hung up on."

Silence

"That was YOU? It sounded like Fred!"

"I have a cold."

After I delivered the letters I bought my boss some cold medicine.

The lesson: make sure you know who you are talking to before you tell them to, "HAVE A GOOD DAY!"

DJW