ProfessorTomoe

As with the thread from the previous incarnation of the board, I begin this one with a request that the information within remain confidential. This is a thread for those seeking support as they deal with very sensitive situations involving either their own or a loved one's health. Please let this be a thread where such information can be shared with a level of trust. Now, back to the topic at hand. I picked up my second filling of Brintellix yesterday—all $141 of it, for a month's supply. I find it odd that it is an antidepressant, yet the price is so high that it is depressing just to purchase it. As for its effects, I'm still getting used to them. I haven't been able to sleep for more than three hours at a time for a couple of weeks now. When I do wake up in the middle of the night, I'm not groggy. In fact, I feel for at least a short time that I've had a decent night's sleep. That sensation only lasts a few hours, though. I don't crash out—I just sort of fade to the point where I need to sleep again. Very weird. I've also lost weight. Not a lot, but every pound counts, and it's been a slow and steady drop. Some of this might be related to the small dose of metformin that I'm on (my A1C hit 6.5 again, causing my primary doctor to freak out). I seriously don't know. Whatever the reason, it made my cardiologist happy at my appointment yesterday. Speaking of cardiologists, mine determined that I am status quo as far as my PVCs are concerned. He hasn't seen them in the short 30-second EKGs he runs at every appointment, but the memory of my Holter monitor results from several years ago is enough to keep him on his toes. Still, he saw no reason to increase my lisinopril or to add a beta blocker to my shoebox full of medicines. I hope this thread will be as useful as the last one was. Thanks for any support you can provide.

Let's see if we can consolidate some of the "what are you eating/drinking/breathing" threads into this one. I am currently ingesting Crystal Light tea. Just had some hummus & pita chips beforehand. I'm considering getting a glass of Bulgarian buttermilk (I was shocked that my local Albertson's actually had the Bulgarian style! Nom.).

Sorry for the absence - I've been busy putting something together - a new album! My first one in ages. It's called "Going Big," and it's up on Bandcamp now. It consists of pieces that I've released before, but they're all compiled here now. All my "Big" works, like Concert Band, Orchestra, French Horn Choir, that sort of thing. Here's the link: https://leejackson1.bandcamp.com/album/going-big Please grab a copy and pass the word along! Thanks!

I'd like to use this thread as a way to highlight new releases of my music. Anyone else who has any music coming out is welcome to do the same. For starters, I've just released a song called "Ant Farm Melee" to my Bandcamp account. You can read all about it on my latest blog post. Please grab a copy of the song today!

If things go as planned, Mrs. Prof. will be purchasing a new laptop for herself about now: https://www.microcenter.com/product/649163/acer-aspire-5-a515-57-52yq-156-laptop-computer-gray She does not need a huge multimedia machine. She just needs something she can use to do spreadsheets, communicate, and watch streaming content. Please tell me I haven't steered her wrong.

This silver/gold business is turning out to be fun to discuss, so I figured I'd set up a new topic for it. I did a little more digging on APMEX's site and found what @mlooney was discussing, more or less: something called "Prepper Silver." Little one gram bars that are meant to be bartered at will in the event of a financial meltdown: The image is obviously much larger than the bullion would be in real life. Here's what the sales pitch has to say in part: I was actually thinking of buying one of these little guys just because they're cute and cheap...until I read this crap. Now, I think I'd feel dirty carrying out the transaction. I don't know. I might buy one anyway, but I'd have to swallow some serious pride in the process.

I've tried Firefox and Arc, both on the Mac.

Trying again with the image link: http://www.lbjackson.com/images/Libertad2023Obverse01.jpg http://www.lbjackson.com/images/Libertad2023Reverse01.jpg This is a 2023 Mexican .999 fine 1 oz silver coin called a Libertad. I got it on Monday. Libertads have been appreciating in value rapidly on a yearly basis. In a couple of years, this thing, which cost around $38 when new in 2023, will probably bring in around $60. EDIT: damned undefined error. I give up.

Let's try posting a picture again... https://i.imgur.com/lG7Abx9.jpeg Nope, I'm still getting that damned "undefined" error. Well, anyway, this is my current "Family Portrait," version 3. Lotsa sparklies in there.

Meow. *Ka-CHING!* https://imgur.com/a/vBxHwX9 (still not working for some reason)

It's difficult because they are quick, especially the brown ones, and they have a tendency to jump over the lazy dauxg.

My silver odyssey has paid off big time. Here's my "family portrait," containing my current stash: https://media.invisioncic.com/l328053/monthly_2025_05/FamilyPortrait2_0-small.jpg.ee3ba9a3f3312d12aa561e62072a2312.jpg For some reason, the board won't let me link images anymore, so please click on that. It's safe, I promise. It's a metric assload of silver - around 21 troy ounces - worth almost $700 at spot prices. I don't know if I'm going to sell any of it or not. Maybe, maybe not. We'll see.

Those are for sinners. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LvZJp1ddYXM

Surgery went well, although the new drain line is shorter than the old one. It's a PITA to deal with in the bathroom.

Here's more. The "wait and see" got a LOT worse. My right leg looks like The Elephant Man's leg now. I had a sonogram today - they found a 7.3 cm "bubble" of fluid in there, so they're going to put me under tomorrow (Friday) and insert a new drain. Just what I always wanted - more surgery.

No, no "Meh," fortunately. In other news, I'm starting to swell up a bit. The doctor said to expect this, and that I should ice down the area, which I have done.

New silver added to the repository: It is a 2015 Canadian $8 "Superleaf" coin, and it comes in at .9999 Fine. That's the purest silver I have in my collection. Beautiful coin.

I saw the surgeon today, and he took a good look at the damage. Pronounced it "wait and see."-type damage. I've already got an appointment on Thursday, so we're keeping that and will use it to reassess. In any case, he said he's seen worse.

The pope is dead. However: If you are a devout Catholic, you may be offended by what follows. Please forgive me. It is only meant as friendly humor. Annuntio vobis gaudium magnum; habemus Papam: Eminentissimum ac Reverendissimum Dominum, Dominum Pisces Sanctae Romanae Ecclesiae Cardinalem Swimmeatus qui sibi nomen imposuit Dopefish.

Oh shiat. I got my drain hose caught in the folds of my recliner leg rest upon standing and yanked it out, stitches and all. There wasn't even any pain as a warning. There's pain now, though. My right side is sore. I'm going to have to see the surgeon on Monday to figure out what to do. Oh shiat.

You have your next T-Shirt ready to go now.

I messed around with the sticker and wound up peeling it off without residue. Good enough. The back is now visible, but with something that annoys me: https://ibb.co/cKg12nmK (it won't embed, for some weird reason) Anyway, you can see the scratches on the thing. I think they're on the plastic sheath, so they'll go away when I remove that and put the bar into a hard plastic capsule. We'll find out.

And they're here! I am now the proud owner of a Johnson Matthey silver 1 oz bar, serial number A495919. Mondo cool. As for the Star Wars coin, it's even prettier than the bar! Beautiful frosted highlights. I've already put it up, or I'd post a pic of it. As for the bar, here it is: It doesn't look pristine for a couple of reasons. First, it's inside of a sealed plastic slipcase. Second, it's not brand new - Johnson Matthey have been out of the refining business for many moons now, and this is somewhat of an antique bar, so to speak. None of this affects the value, which is in fact enhanced by its collectibility due to its scarcity. I've got a better, hard-plastic shell case coming for it. Once it arrives, I'm going to remove the bar from the soft plastic and put it into the new plastic for better protection. Besides, APMEX slapped a barcode sticker on the back of the soft plastic case, so you can't see any of the reverse side of the bar thanks to that. I'll be freeing it up.

Quick update: I think the official Apple Thunderbolt 5 cable may have solved the problem I had with my external 4TB drive disconnecting. I haven't had that happen once since I hooked in the new cable. Just as a precaution, though, I bought an el cheapo heat sink to put beneath the drive housing. It's quite large - bigger than the drive itself, although only by a bit - and it does seem to work somewhat in keeping the drive coolish. Life with the MacBook Pro MP4 continues to be swell and dandy. No major hiccups, now that I've alleviated the drive disconnect issue.

Big day today! My 1 oz. silver bar is due to arrive, as is the 1 oz. Star Wars Imperial logo coin that I got for my son for Christmas. Can't Wait!