THE WEISS CHRONICLES

I was at the Nationals game vs Cincinnati tonight.

The Nationals won 8-1. Gio Gonzalez went 8 innings and gave up only one run (a HR). Bryce Harper hit a HR well over the center field fence (about a 430' shot).

This is the 11th game in a row that I've been to in which the Nationals won.

On the way home I used metrorail. This is usually the worst part of the experience and tonight was no different.

The train was packed solid from Nationals Park to Gallery Place. I changed trains at Gallery Place but the Capitals (ice hockey) had just got out so the train was packed from Gallery Place to Bethesda. After Bethesda, I finally got to sit down.

posted by Martin Weiss # 11:18 PM

Monday, April 22, 2013

Spring at Last

Finally, we have several types of trees in full bloom in our neighborhood (the Cherry blossoms at the tidal basin downtown peaked about ten days ago).

These include dogwoods and Cherry Blossoms

The first image is one with a dogwood which has grafts of different colors of flowers. It was taken a few houses east of our house..

The second image is one with cherry trees on a little hill. It was taken about a mile south of our house.

Both images taken by G.

Click on the image to enlarge it. Click again to enlarge it again.

The eastern redbud trees are also in full bloom now. The third image is a little grove of along a walking path - I grabbed this off the internet but the redbuds around here look the same.

The dogwood and eastern redbud are native to North America, the asian cherry blossom isn't.

posted by Martin Weiss # 1:52 PM

Sunday, April 21, 2013

The End of the PBJ default era

I was doing Mashgiach (guarding kosher) today a the Charles E Smith Jewish Day School. There were a lot of things going on so the regular guy, who was there, needed some help.

Among the activities were 3 separate Families in Action (FIA) events where people make food packages, under supervision, for various homeless shelters or food kitchens. There was also a picnic.

Anyway, in one of the FIA events, people were making what looked to be Peanutbutter and jelly sandwiches, except they weren't.

They were Sunbutter and jelly sandwiches (sunflower seeds derived product used in place of peanuts). Apparently, the plague of peanut allergy has spread to the homeless and hungry.

posted by Martin Weiss # 6:36 PM

Thursday, April 18, 2013

Earwax Under Control - for now

I went to the audiologist yesterday.

The previous time I went, he found a large buildup of earwax. This is bad for the hearing aid for two reasons: first, it clogs the sound filter on the hearing aid; and, second, it changes the sound quality and since the hearing aid is 'tuned' for sound without earwax interference, it reduces the effectiveness of the hearing aid.

Since the previous exam, I have been using various non prescription earwax solvents just before showering (and briefly using the shower to clean the ear canal).

Anyway, for whatever reason, my ear canals were pretty clean this time.

posted by Martin Weiss # 1:36 PM

Wednesday, April 17, 2013

TV Flash Back

I saw George leaving the house this am. He was wearing a suit. He usually wears causal clothes.

"Are you going to be in court today?" I asked.

"No, I going out to change the oil." G responded.

This refers to an episode of "Leave it to Beaver" where Ward Cleaver (that's him and June in the image), comes into the house wearing a tie and dress shirt and says something like, "well I've finished changing the oil". I can't find this episode on line.

posted by Martin Weiss # 5:54 PM

Thursday, April 11, 2013

Should have used the Epley Procedure

Ann had a bad case of dizziness yesterday and it lasted all night.

We went to the emergency room today. The diagnosis was Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo.

Basically some dead hair follicles in the inner ear near the cochlea broke off and migrated to the various curvy canals. There they over stimulated the balancing protocols. The brain was overloaded and eventually told the stomach to expel food (she vomited at home and in the hospital waiting room).

The physican performed the Epley manuver, which is supposed to clear the dead hair follicles from the canals to the utricle and then to an inner ear storage area. He also got her some vertigo medicine (and a prescription for more of it).

Time we left the house: 615 am

Time we came back (including drop off of prescription): 9:45 am.

posted by Martin Weiss # 10:15 AM

Wednesday, April 10, 2013

Best Cherry Blossom Day Ever

The temperature made it to 91F today with low humidity. It was almost at the end of the cherry blossom festival but near the peak of the blooming.

The came as a welcome relief after a particularly cold and miserable March (see pre Passover snow images).

The image (click on to get a bigger version) is a familiar icon for early spring visitors to the DC area.

posted by Martin Weiss # 5:30 PM

Not enough food but plenty of Coke.

see post at the stuffed animal blog.

.

posted by Martin Weiss # 2:52 PM

Tuesday, April 02, 2013

OK Let's say the HaMatzah

On the second sedar, we were moving along pretty well but, since we had started rather late (after 830pm), Ann wanted us to maintain our alacrity.

So, at one point, she said, "OK, let's say the HaMatzah". Of course this is a take off of the "HaMotzi" that is said for bread (including matzah). Actually "HaMotzi" in the context of the blessing for bread means, "The one who brings forth" and the next word "lechen" is bread.

However, the phrase "HaMatzah" has a certain ring to it and we used it several times the rest of the holiday.

posted by Martin Weiss # 11:17 PM