JOURNAL ENTRY 14: Extended visit

I have been in Florida since December 10.  The trip is entirely for my mother. However, she didn't tell me about her eye doctor appointment until last week and that is for January 9, four days after I am supposed to leave.    I wasn't going to worry about it before but now I will stay for it.  Mom was diagnosed with cataracts a few years ago.  She should have had them removed but complicating things is the fact she also has paresis of the eye.  After she had chemotherapy ten years ago the eyes froze.  She can see and read but she has to turn her had to see things to her side because the eyes won't move.  She is 86 years old.  I will not force her to have this surgery.  It's easy to tell someone what they should do.  My eyes are normal.  I can only imagine the anxiety she must feel when she wonders if the surgery goes wrong if she will even be able to see.  If her vision was bad I would insist.  She can sign her checks and read her prayers so I am leaving her alone.  For now.

Journal entry 13-Observation

I just finished entry #12 and a white guy, about my age with  his son walked up to me where I am sitting (I am at a BOOKS-A-MILLION) and asked to use the electrical outlet next to the one charging my laptop.  He needed to charge his son's cell phone.   He plugged in in and is not even sitting next to it.  My point is, that takes trust.  For all he knows I could be one of those cell phone thieves.  I think of this when I see violent crimes on the news involving young men sharing my race.  I am not a soft looking guy, but at the same time I have had minimal bad dealings with people.  People don't generally grab their purses when I am around.  I like that.  But I wonder how much longer I will enjoy that luxury.

JOURNAL ENTRY 12 Black Man's Frustration part 1

I posted the following links for a reason.  For those reading who may not know, I am an African-American male, in my late 40s.  I consider it younger middle aged.  I live in New York but I travel to Florida frequently because my elderly mother and aunt reside there.    I have been in Florida for about three weeks on mixed family leave and annual leave to assist my mother.  I have always said that I would never WANT to stay in Florida. In the three weeks I have been here there seems to be a car accident and a violent crime every day.

The vehicle accidents seem to almost always be fatal and the crimes vary from home invasions to bank robberies to convenient store hold ups.  Every day.  If it's not a robbery then it's the occasional shooting for no apparent reason.

My point for bringing this up is that being African American from New York I know a little about racial profiling.  It's been reported about the STOP and FRISK program involving the New York Police Department and men of color where the mayor and the police commissioner justify stopping men of color in particular neighborhoods.  The philosophy is that in certain precincts where there is high crime the police will "randomly" stop a person.  Statistically though, in these neighborhoods most of the crimes involve people of color so naturally people, primarily Blacks and Hispanics are up in arms.  For me, considering Black on Black crime continues to be too high for me I don't have a big problem with STOP and FRISK with certain modifications.

In Florida there is no problem concerning STOP and FRISK because there is no reported use of the program.  However, as I stated earlier there seems to be a violent crime in Florida (specifically Central Florida) every day.  More disturbing for me is that a lot of these crimes are caught on video and  they mostly involve young Black men.


Cops looking for suspects in armed robbery at Maitland hotel

Hotel robbery 911 call: 'I need the police... I was just robbed'

Police investigate Orlando-area hotel and restaurant robbery spree

Not include in the links:

1.  A recent arrest were a 16 year old Black man was accused of breaking into a home at gunpoint.
2.  A Black kid in his teens allegedly shot a student in a high school.  The student survived but still has a bullet in him.

To be fair, it's not only happening n Florida.  in New Jersey four young Black males are facing federal car jacking charges and might get the death penalty when the victim got shot in the head, killing him.  I still blame our government...in part...for this growing trend.    In part.  I still think you are responsible for your own actions, however the conservative believe of "ending entitlements" have led to more violent criminal acts.  Recently Congress approved a budget that will cut unemployment benefits.  Republicans said that extending unemployment hurt peoples' chances of getting a job because they were no longer encouraged to look for work.  This comes after they voted to cut food stamps.  Understandably you have desperate people committing desperate acts, like robbing the local 7-11 and Circle K.    Two days ago (also not in the links) a guy in a Spiderman mask robbed a convenience store with a sword and left with $100.  The hotel robberies were also for small amounts of cash.    I don't steal or endorse robbing but to me, anything less that $100K is not worth risking going to prison over and if it involves pulling a gun on a person it is definitely not worth the effort.

People need to wake up.  This is only going to get worse.

The real controversy

http://m.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2013/12/the-real-em-duck-dynasty-em-scandal-phil-robertsons-comments-on-race/282538/

F**K Duck

http://m.nydailynews.com/1.1557327

The controversy regarding Phil Robertson's remarks continue.   I actually think he shouldn't have been suspended.   In fact I feel he should be allowed to say what he feels.   I am disappointed that most if the controversy is about the remarks made about homosexuality.  Robertson allegedly made comments about Blacks and slavery.   Supposedly he said something in reference to us being happy about it.   That's a far more damaging statement.   Black people didn't ask to be slaves and I am certain my ancestors didn't enjoy lynchings.  

Fortunately or unfortunately Robertson has a right to say whatever he wants.   Personally I prefer it that 5.  For one, I don't want people censoring me. Two, I would rather know what he is thinking and how many people agree with him or are empathetic towards him.

Man arrested in Palmer Twp. in fatal N.J. carjacking had robbed bank - Morning Call

I heard about this case a few days ago.  Four guys allegedly shoot a man to death in a car jacking.  The FBI is now in on it and I have heard they face federal charges and the possible death penalty.
For starters I hope they have the right people.
Next, I am still against the death penalty, but if they do have the right crooks this case is so bad I won't shed any tears if they actually get the death penalty.  The carjacking is bad enough, why shoot the guy?  Is a car worth someone's life?


Man arrested in Palmer Twp. in fatal N.J. carjacking had robbed bank - Morning Call

Journal Entry 11: Christmas reprieve

I am still in Daytona Beach.
I had a close call yesterday.  The home attendant for Mom recently told me she wanted more money.  The details were complicated but I understood her situation.  I also understood why Mom was against it even though she likes her aide.  Yesterday the attendant told me not to worry about it, that what she is making is fine for now.  I feel good for now, but eventually she is going to have to get extra money.  She is working on her own with no agency.  An agency will cost a lot more than what we are paying now.   Problem is Mom can't really afford to pay much more than she is currently paying.

Journal Entry 10...Desperate crimes

I am still in Daytona Beach.  So far the trip is restful.  I really have to get some work done in my remaining two weeks here. 
SO far I have managed to do some shopping for my mother and do a few things around the house.  I cooked some salmon for her which she loved.  I still have to take her to two doctor appointments, the bank and a few other places.  Plus I still have to get an elder attorney to the house to counsel her and my aunt on Medicaid.  I think I will take my time.  I was tired when I got down here.  No need to rush.
Christmas dinner is being divided between my cousin and me.  I have the ribs, the Cornish hen and the vegetables to cook.  My cousin cooks the ox tails, macaroni and cheese, Spanish rice and cake.  Now, I didn't want spare ribs on the menu.  Mom is struggling with her cholesterol and I didn't need the extra temptation.  I got voted down though.  So my job now is to give my mother as little of this stuff as possible.
Yes, I seem like a Scrooge but she is not very mobile.  She is not going to work off the Christmas fat so I have to be careful.  I love coming down to help her out this time of the year but it does get frustrating.

JOURNAL ENTRY 9: Bootleggers

Just had another posting taken down.  This was the last one I shared from YouTube featuring the cancer patient.  Mind you, I got it FROM YouTube and it allowed me to share.   If they ddn't want the video to go around why not privatize it?   The more I see things like this the more I love bootleggers.  SMH

Journal Entry 8: Fair wages 1

I am in Daytona Beach and as usual the local news is depressing every day.  There is usually a car crash or home invasion reported  daily.  Featured last night are folks who follow delivery trucks then steal Christmas gifts.  An additional feature was folks who lifted credit cards and/or numbers from unsuspecting victims.  That is usual, sadly.  This time though the thief allegedly took the stolen card and bought diapers.  Once the card was reported stolen and thus frozen, the thief paid for the diapers and baby stuff with food stamps.  I am hearing more about random robberies.  At least one or two a day.  And even though there really is no reason to steal I blame politicians and I blame us.  Somehow our elected officials have us convinced that common everyday people who are less fortunate just need to get off their butts and find jobs, most of them won’t even pay for our necessities.    Wake up world.  People need help.   If a company can charge what they want they should be forced to pay fair wages.  Yes, I am for a fair wage act.

For some homelessness starts with this

http://m.toledoblade.com/local/2013/12/13/43-000-in-Mich-40-000-Ohioansto-lose-unemployment-benefits.html

Journal entry 7-HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM

Happy 86th  birthday Mom

journal entry 6 (wtf)

I have been in Florida since Tuesday.   Every day I see a news report about either a car accident or a robbery.   Last night TWO guys robbed a 7-11at gunpoint.   Who does that?  Not that I condone robbery at all, what loser robs a convenient store at gunpoint?   For $500??
Earler this year a couple of idiots robbed a sandwich delivery guy and shot him.  The delivery guy had to have no more than $30

Smh

Journal entry 5 (getting old sucks)

I told Mom last night that she is going to have to pay her home aid more money.  Instead of $9 she will have to pay $10.  She didn't like that one bit. 
She pays on average about $390 a week.  Mom is worried she will now pay $500.
In all actuality Mom would pay about $420. 
Now even though she actually likes her aide Mom is willing to part with her to save money.  Problems with that are :
1.  We know this attendant and she does very good work.
2.  We are actually getting a bargain because we are not dealing with an agent.   With an agent we would also pay fees.
3.  With a new person it takes time to bond with them, if you even do bond with them.
4.  I actually feel for the lady.   I don't think $9 an hour is fair for them.  It doesn't mean I am happy about paying the extra

I am going to offer a possible solution to my mother.   Under no circumstance do I want a new person.  It would cost more financially as well as practically. I am going to try to convince my mother of that. 
With $10 an hour I will try and cap the hours at 40.  This way the most she would have to pay is $400 as opposed to $360.  No it's not great for her but this is one of those crimes with no victim and no offender.
If this doesn't work I'll have to let Mom do as she pleases.   She has to be made to understand that she cannot nickel and dime her care.   She definitely needs assistance and unfortunately she has to pay for it.

Scary

http://www.newsweek.com/good-luck-getting-psychiatric-care-224340

http://www.salon.com/2013/12/08/millennial_hardworking_homeless/

'Caregiving' it all: When taking care of mom and dad impacts work-life balance

'Caregiving' it all: When taking care of mom and dad impacts work-life balance

Investigation Continues into Inmate Death - Los Angeles Local News | FOX 11 LA KTTV

For what this man is accused of doing he gets no sympathy from me.  I cannot say I am glad he is dead but I do think that if he killed homeless people the world is less one asshole.


Investigation Continues into Inmate Death - Los Angeles Local News | FOX 11 LA KTTV

Journal entry 4-Probate ish

Probate issues suck.  I went from being simple administrator for Dad's estate to having to fill out probate papers amd paying a steep fee.

Journal entry 3-Florida Errands

When I get to Florida next week the first and most important piece of business once my cousin gets there will be to obtain an elder attorney.   In an earlier post I may have mentioned that an elder attorney can provide information and help get your elderly loved one on track with a will, a living will, power of attorney, etc.  In my mom's case I need to get information about Medicaid.  Each state is different with their laws.  In some cases I heqr Medicaid may be able to assist with home aides.  My mother and my aunt are paying a big chunk of money now for their assistance.   Hopefully this will help.

Utah couple fined $3,500 for bad web review

Even though this has nothing directly to do with elder care or homelessness this story is really worth following.  If you want to know about our rights and if our elected officials are selling us down the river the results of this case may give an answer.  Imagine not legally being able to complain about shotty service.



Utah couple fined $3,500 for bad web review

Customer Fined For Posting a Negative Review Online Ripoff Report to Res...