Even after 17 seasons (twice a year for 8 years), when you think things can’t get any better or more interesting, this latest season, Survivor Gabon, has done just that.

This latest episode, when Sugar conspired with Bob, to make Randy think Bob had the hidden immunity idol, and then give it to Randy at Tribal Council to protect Randy from the near certainty of being voted out, has to go down in television history as the best absolute episode ever.

There have always been people I disliked, and people that I like, but I can’t think of any other single participant, not even Sue in the very first Survivor, who deserved being voted out more than Randy did this season.

That’s just more proof for me, “what goes around, comes around”, and no matter how bad things may look at the moment, remember, there really is justice in the world.

But even with all the devastation around us, it did make for one spectacular sunset last night, and it’s still a good excuse for not going on a bike ride this morning.

The fires are so bad, the smell of smoke 45 miles to the north, and 30 miles to the east, is permeating the air, and the sky is heavily overcast from all the smoke and ash.

Even worse, hundreds of homes are burning, numerous freeways are  closed, and the fires are threatening electrical power lines [and I think I even heard some electrical power plants] around LA.

WOW! It’s even difficult breathing outside, and we’re a long way from the fires. I can’t even imagine what it must be like closer to the fires.

I doubt there’ll be many people riding their bikes on the road for at least the next day or two. Although I wasn’t planning on riding this weekend, because my back is acting up again, at least now I’ve got a really good excuse.

I just hope when Obama gets in, he doesn’t screw up the economy too bad.

SAY WHAT? As if the economy isn’t screwed up enough already, after 8 years of George Bush, 6 years of a Republican congress, and a free market system left to run amok, he’s worried Obama might screw things up more. (Sorry ……. I couldn’t help myself. )

No matter what Obama does when he gets into office, has to be an improvement. I don’t think it’s possible to screw things up any more than they already are. There just isn’t that much room left, if any, for things to get worse.

But even with that said, I can see it now, as clearly as I can see LA from the top of Turnbull Canyon when the Santa Ana’s are blowing, Sarah Palin and Rush Limbaugh calling for the impeachment of Obama, and blaming this whole economic mess on him and the Democratic congress.

Then on top of that, I’ve got a customer “all up in arms” complaining the manufacturing plan that was submitted by the machine shop, for some parts that we’re making, isn’t satisfactory.

The big deal in this case is, there isn’t even a requirement to send a separate machining plan for approval. (We already provided a manufacturing plan, including machining, which was approved.) It seems our sales manager requested this plan from the machine shop (bypassing quality), and then proceeded to send it to the customer.

Like I said, sometimes I just have to wonder where some people have their heads?

But in the wake of the latest request by the automotive industry for more money to help it survive, there is one thing our government can do immediately to help all business, especially the auto industry, and consumers alike, and that is to once and for all remove the burden of health care from the backs of US business.

One of the biggest obstacles facing the US, as we attempt to drag ourselves out of this morass we’re facing, is the non competitiveness of US industry, and the loss of a huge portion of our manufacturing base to low wage countries like, Mexico, China, India, etc, where businesses are not forced to bear the health care burden.

My only concern is we haven’t lost too much of our manufacturing base already, preventing us from ever extricating ourselves from this economic downturn, as it did during WWII.

MEDICARE FOR ALL!

As I write this post, Senator McCain is conceding defeat.

I know there are likely more than a few people seething over the prospect of a democrat (not to mention a black democrat) as president of the United States, but I couldn’t be happier.

All I can say is, now is the time to get the politics out of government. It’s time we move away from the policies of fear and divisiveness, which have so been a trademark of the past 8 years, and start thinking about what is in the best interest of the country, and not just what only serves our own individual self interest.

And I can think of no better person able to accomplish that task, and guide this country through what is sure to be a tumultous few years than Barack Obama.

After Morris lost his last collar (presumably in a fight), Edie went and bought him a replacement collar that had a bell on it. When she bought it, we [I] never considered how it might effect his ability to hunt, but after about 3 months without any late night surprises, I was starting to get suspicious. Plus, 3 months is about the longest Morris has ever gone without losing his collar.

So this evening I decided it was time to take the bell off, and no sooner did I do that, Morris proudly strutted home grasping a freshly caught rat in his mouth, which he quickly devoured while we watched the evening news.

Sylvia was mortified, Edie wasn’t particularly happy either (she hates it when Morris kills anything), but I was so proud.

Just like me, Morris still has a few good years (he’s 12 now) left in him.

Maybe the last week, without much to occupy my mind, I had way too much time on my hands to dwell on the future.

Part of the problems is, despite continued stable blood counts, and feeling mostly fine now, getting sick last week made me start to wonder, even more so, how much longer I can maintain this facade.

Then there’s the economy. Even though my savings hasn’t been effected nearly as much as many others in the US, and the rest of the world, I still can’t help but worry. Remember we all live on the same planet, and what effects one of us, has at least an indirect (if not direct) effect on everyone else.

And of course there are the elections. What direction will the electorate take us this time? Are we to continue a policy of dividing the country between red states and blue states, and the I’ve got mine, so who cares about anyone else philosophy?

Or will we move away from the divisive policies of the past 8 years, and chart a new course?

After this election is over, and no matter who is elected president, I just hope we at last take a good hard look at what we want this country to represent, and decide what is best for everyone in the US (and the world), not just what is in our own self interest.

Ok, that made me feel a lot better now, plus I just checked out Russ Roca’s website, and I got the “cover” in his latest post. Yep, that’s me on the bike. I also lifted this photo from Russ’s blog.

I never knew I was so photogenic.

Her platelets are still a little low, but her white counts are back to normal, which I’m hoping means she won’t have to go on a restricted diet. She will have to be careful she doesn’t cut herself though, due to her low platelets.

All that’s left now, before I can go pick her up, is to remove the Hickman Line, which I’ve just been informed has become a little complicated. It seems the doctor won’t remove the line, until she receives a pint of blood (another complication of the low platelets).

Oh well, at least there appears to be an end to this tunnel, and things should be back to normal soon.

3 PM Update: As of 3 PM today, Edie is at home, and looking and acting as if she never left. She has to take some precautions (like stay away from me, since I am still recovering from my cold), but other than that everything is good.

Of course, if I’m not totally recovered that isn’t going to happen, but things are looking up, and I’m optimistic there will be an eventual end to this entire ordeal, sooner than later.