Will There Be Gambling in Paradise?

Did you know that only Hawaii and Utah of all the fifty states have no legalized gambling in any form. That may soon change. It seems that Hawaii, like all the other states, has a financial deficit, this one to the tune of 1.8 billion dollars. So Gov. Linda Lingle, long time opponent of the gaming industry, has decided to consider legalizing gambling to make up the deficit. She said there were two choices. The money could come from the transit authority, meaning I presume that the money raised for the rail system could be used, or gambling could be legalized. I voted for the rail system to be built, but I'd rather see that money save the state than that they bring gambling here.

Gambling and lotteries are touted as a means to relieve the financial burdens of the state, but in reality they do just the opposite by preying on the poor and the elderly especially. The inducement of a chance to win big causes people to waste their limited resources with little real chance of receiving any value.

Since forty eight states now practice some form of gaming you would think that if it worked those states would be in financially stable situations. They are not as can plainly be seen by their current economic distress. I believe if gambling comes to Hawaii it will be detrimental to the moral fabric of Paradise.

Forever Is Not Long At All. . .

when I'm with you. On Saturday, the 24th, we will have been married 39 years. That might seem, and sometimes does, like a long time. As I look back over those years, I realize they have flown by "on wings of lightning".

I marvel in the gift of the spouse God has given me. I know I must have done something good, or that God had seen some potential there, because I have married someone far better than myself.

Although he sleeps through Church, Tim seems to be much more connected with real spirituality than I have yet learned to be. He honors his priesthood by persuasion and never compulsion, while on the other hand, I am often stubborn, unbending, and contentious. Still he manages to endure all my faults and continues to love me.

Tim is a great protector, provider, and example for me, for our children, and for everyone who knows him. His leadership is subtle but his loving care keeps me from falling off the path. If I am weak and would sleep in rather than study scriptures, he is there to turn on the light and begin.

He gently pushes me to learn new things by saying "come here let me show you this. . .", or by buying me gifts such as the new GPS for our car. He shares his talents by inviting students or friends to come over and play Wii or Rock Band with him, then loaning them some of his toys so they can use them at home too.

Yes, forever is not very long when there's someone you can do everything with or nothing with and there are no awkward silences. Our loves grows stronger because he nurtures it so well. Happy Anniversary Hubby! I love you forever and ever!!

Reprograming the Electronics

Since I'm sure everyone is highly interested in what life is like with a pacemaker, here's the next installment. This week I had an appointment to get the little electronic piece of equipment reprogrammed. This is necessary to optimized the battery life and therefore my life.

It turns out that even though I am 100% dependent on this thing to cause my heart to beat, it doesn't take a very big kick to get it to move. Therefore the power behind the kick could be turned very low and still do the job, which will probably add a couple of years to my battery life. The other interesting thing is that the pacemaker is capable of adjusting heart rate based on body movement and hormones emitted, but it seems that my heart does not need that function at present so it is not turned on.

Previously I told you that I could call the doctor and hold the phone up to my pacemaker and the doctor could read the battery life, etc. right over the phone. That was based on what the nurse had told me rather than directly from the doctor. Yes, it is true for many pacemakers where the reason for them is too fast a heart beat. In my case it was too slow and that particular feature has not yet been implemented in this style although it is due out this year sometime.

My pacemaker stores information about my heart rate. so when I was seeing the doctor he looked at the readout and said "I see your heart was beating a little fast on Dec. 2 (your dad though he said Dec. 22, oh well whichever) but that was the only time since you've gotten this. Your numbers are perfect" It seems nothing is hidden anymore. No, I don't know what I was doing on that date.

So far I am feeling fine so don't spend even a moment worrying about how I am doing.