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Mar 27 2026 12:24PM
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License Plate Readers
I just read a very interesting article on the use of stationary (fixed) license plate readers that are currently in use in many California cities and some of you (myself included) were not aware of this law enforcement tool. Now we’ve all seen the cops cars with a cornucopia of antennas and sensors inundating their cars. Some of those items are license plate readers. So how do they work. A stolen vehicle’s license plate is entered into the stolen vehicle law enforcement data base. Officer Jones is just finishing up his double double burger and begins to pull onto the street when an alarm in his vehicle alerts him that a stolen vehicle just passed one of his scanners. His on board computer will tell him the direction of travel, full description and any other pertinent information.
SmartK9 has felony warrants (hypothetical people I got them all cleared up and did my time ALSO A JOKE) He is known to drive a particular vehicle. His license plate is entered into the database of wanted fugitives and I am toast or anyone driving my vehicle.
So your community MIGHT be installing these cameras on street light poles traffic signal poles, high crime rate area poles etc. Now they are recording constantly but only alert on vehicles entered into the database. So it allows law enforcement to look for suspect vehicles, a witness or a victim
Victim of human trafficking is known to be in a particular vehicle. That vehicle license plate
Is entered into the system and eventually stopped.
Also just an fyi at the border crossings license plated readers have been used for years along with facial recognition cameras.
Hope you find this of interest.
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Mar 24 2026 06:55AM
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Pre Prostate Cancer diagnosis procedure.
I’ve had multiple messages asking me about the procedures I went through before I got my actual results.
Early last year
Annual physical with PSA blood test
Results “Elevated” PSA level 12
Confirmation PSA test also level 12
Now I’m worried
Schedule appointment with Urologist
Month later see him super nice guy and now I know why, he was about to have his way with me and it cost him nothing, no dinner, no gift, I couldn’t even get a positive rating out of him.
Conducted a DRE. DIGITAL RECTAL EXAM. Dropped my pants, my chonies, grabbed the cell door bars in front of me (oh wait that’s what i envisioned sorry PTSD moment) heard the latex gloves go on with a snap then the lube being squeezed out of the tube.
Steps behind me and off to my left side and places his left had on the small of my back. I cinch up tighter than a gnat’s ass because I now realize exactly what’s gonna happen. He leans over to me slightly and tells me, “you need to relax” I’m sure my voice was two or three octaves higher when I responded, “easier said than done”(I wanted to call him Bubba but i figured i better play nice)
It seemed longer than it actually was and honestly it was very very uncomfortable. When he was done and I was cleaned up (which i had to do myself with no warm moist towel provided geez) he told me, “I felt something you will be scheduled for a biopsy go see my staff”
Now I’m scared
Two weeks later PROSTATE BIOPSY
Now the staff tried to minimize this procedure because if you actually knew what you consented to you’d run for the hills. First of all you are wide awake lying on your side in the fetal position with your bare butt exposed. Numbing gel is applied to the out side of your rectum. The doctor inserts an ultrasound wand along with a spring loaded punch. Using the ultrasound he finds you prostate and using the spring loaded punch he proceeds to punch through your rectum wall into your walnut sized prostate not once but 12 times. It was white knuckle painful. When done your are bleeding out your butt( they give you maxipad) for 2-3 days you are pissing blood for 2-3 days and you have blood in you semen for 2 months.
Two weeks later RESULTS
Now I.am relieved I can tell my family
Dr. nonchalantly but very professionally tells me I have prostate cancer and schedules me for an MRI and bone scan
After those are completed and it’s been 4 months since my initial PSA test my cancer has not spread it’s confined to the prostate. It’s an aggressive form of cancer however it was caught early and totally survivable with treatment and life long monitoring.
I’m lucky….you've been told this by me and others get yourself checked. You are correct when you feel your “manhood” is disappearing in front of your eyes. I was depressed the hormone treatment the radiation it all and still does effect me. But during this whole ordeal I have been with some very compassionate and understanding providers and I call them friends . Don’t despair and don’t give up.
8 comments
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Mar 22 2026 08:14PM
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Savannah Bananas Petco Park
I got invited today to the above venue and what I got was a total entertainment experience. The baseball game was good but the pregame and the during the game entertainment was just plain family fun. You know how when you are at a “professional” baseball game music is turn off until between innings . Not at all with Savannah Bananas baseball the rock music is blaring the entire game. Fans are standing and sitting just rocking out. Dancers on the dugouts roofs and a guy on a motorized surfboard traversing the outfield. Between innings dancers, contests and other activities it’s great family fun. The game started at 3 pm and is over basically 2 hours later no matter what inning the game is in. “Banana Savannah” baseball rules apply make it really enjoyable.
Although the game started at 3pm the pregame activities started at 10am with players from both teams signing autographs and pic taking, live music and dancers are all part of the act. It was just good fun .
If you haven’t been think about it . The Bananas played the Coconuts today with the Bananas winning in a nail biter.
7 comments
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Mar 11 2026 04:39PM
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St. Patricks Day approaches just who was he.
Being Irish (mostly) myself I try to know a little bit about my heritage. Some of you may already know what I’m going to say, others might find it interesting and still others might just say, “who cares get me another green beer.”
So who was the real man this St. Patrick?
Well for starters he wasn’t Irish. He was a Roman/Brit.
At 16 he was kidnapped by pirates and sold on the slave market in Ireland. There is became a sheep herder till he escaped back to Britain in his early 20s.
Once back in Britain he entered the church and rose to the title of Bishop. He then returned to Ireland to spread Christianity throughout the country.
The 3 leaf clover is said to be popularized by him since it is said he used the 3 leaves to explain the holy trinity. There is actually no proof of that but it makes for a feel good story.
His color was blue not green. Green became the recognized color of Ireland much later
Technically he wasn’t a Saint either. Saints must be canonized by the church to achieve Sainthood. That procedure did not exist when St. Patrick was alive. So by popular decree he’s a Saint. As with all Saints their day of their deaths is a religious holiday to speak so we have March 17.
One last thing his name wasn’t Patrick. His true name was.Maewyn Succat. Put saint in front of that and well just doesn’t have the same ring to it.
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Mar 6 2026 04:21PM
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Calif Vehicle Code 23123.5
My apologies if this has been addressed already in a previous blog. I did a blog search and did not find anything.
Recently a couple family members were cited for “Holding or Touching a cell phone while operating a motor vehicle in violation of the above section. Both times these desperados were stopped at a red light, picked up their cell phones, looked at it and put it back down. As they are pulling forward a sneaky, stealthy motor officer pulls them over issues a citation which carries about a $150.00 fine with all the court cost added etc.
This became law last year in my research your phone must be mounted in a stationary position where you can only swipe or one touch. You can’t even hold in your while the phone is off. It must be mounted on your dash or windshield.
I have a bad habit of looking at my phone when stopped and I’m sure others do as well. The only time you are allowed to use your phone while operating a motor vehicle is for an emergency or calling 911.
14 comments
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Mar 5 2026 05:38AM
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California still has Daylight Savings a gentle reminder
This Sunday March 8th is another daylight savings event. For those of us who don’t have internet based time pieces and must manually move our watches/clocks forward an hour hopefully this reminder might be appropriate. A very simple adage applies here if you, like me, can’t remember if you gain or lose an hour.
SPRING FORWARD (lose an hour)
FALL BACK (gain an hour)
So take the time change into consideration when scheduling any of those appointments.
9 comments
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Mar 4 2026 06:37AM
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Post Prostate Cancer Treatment Residual Effects
In October my radiation treatments ended however I was still suffering through the hormone LUPRON therapy. Early December I had my first labs which showed my prostate cancer was not measurable in my system (not totally eliminated but effectively gone), my testosterone level was 15ng where the average healthy male has 222ng to 775ng in their system. Chemical Castration is defined at having a testosterone level of 20ng and below.
I just had my 4 month lab work. It’s been 5 months since my last radiation treatment and 32 days post LUPRON being active in my system. LUPRON was given to me in August one single shot that last 6 months, 180 days. So the end of January was the 180th day, but who’s counting. Why is LUPRON given? Prostate cancer feeds off of testosterone LUPRON suppresses the production of testosterone. Women are also given LUPRON for certain types of breast cancer.
So where am I at today? LUPRON is still in my system and it will take four months to a year for recovery and the hope of a decent sex life (for me). My current testosterone level has rocketed to (drum roll here please) 17ng! I have hope because it has increased.
So my advice to those males here that are facing Prostate Cancer in their futures. And you will . Early detection is obviously key here. Get your PSA done yearly. I had a PSA test of 4 two years later the results were 12. Yes I was shocked. No symptoms just the PSA test telling me the bad news. Hormone therapy is common now. I would suggest you get a testosterone level check before treatment so you have a baseline. I did not because I did not know.
Any questions you know I’m here for you. In dealing with this bitch cancer we are all friends.
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Feb 20 2026 02:11PM
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Kauai bound
Taking extended family to Kauai early summer time. Appreciate any info on “hidden gems” that family can enjoy some of you here in the community might know about? Plans already in the works for paintball, tubing, zip lining, luau, Waimea Canyon and of course the usual water endeavors.
Thank you in advance for any info.
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Feb 16 2026 06:25AM
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Movie for us Veterans and others of course
For those that served or have family that served Netflix just released an Oscar nominated film called SINGERS. It’s very short (18 minutes) . The storyline is a smoke filled bar obviously on the poor side of town adjacent to some railroad tracks filled with Vietnam and Middle East war veterans. It’s an emotional feel good movie.
Definitely not as emotional as the movies Taking Chance or Last Full Measure but a very good movie.
2 comments
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Dec 16 2025 01:51PM
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My Christmas, My Cancer and My Hope
Officially I was told by my Urologist that I am factually and medically cancer free. I finished my radiation therapy on 10/2. I was scheduled to have lab work done 12/4. I received the results that night. My PSA was basically 0. At the beginning of 2025 my PSA was 12.5 (it had been a 4 two years earlier). From that point on I was given multiple exams blood work, MRI, bone scans and a prostate biopsy (which was incredibly painful) to determine the extent and level of my cancer. Final analysis I had aggressive prostate cancer cells in 80% of my prostate with the “good news” being the cancer is still within the confines of my prostate. My Gleason score was a 7. Recommended treatment radiation treatment hormone therapy treatment.
Early August I received a single 6 month shot of Lupron. Lupron removes the testosterone from my body and suppresses production, prostate cancer feeds on testosterone. My current level of testosterone is 15 you are considered “chemically castrated” and level 20. A normal male’s testosterone level is 221-276. Due to my testosterone being so low my estrogen builds so yes I am menopausal I have night sweats I have hot flashes, my nipples are on fire and stick out ALL THE TIME. I am miserable. I did radiation therapy every weekday for 28 days. My bladder had to be full and my bowel empty (this is to keep the prostate stationary during treatment).
So what is my current state well due to the radiation my bladder, bowel and prostate are damaged.i have no “early warning” system when i got to go well i gotta go. No accidents everything still work well there fine. No longer any semen flow .
So now every four months I have to go in for labs. My Christmas is gonna be great much to be thankful for. My cancer has been beaten back and My Hope is well fully restored.
Thank you to all that supported me. I am forever your friend
38 comments
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Nov 1 2025 08:55AM
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Veteran’s Day and Those in Uniform
It’s long so bear with me I had to dig it out.
ALL OF US BURY OUR DEAD
All of us know we’re human
We’ll probably make a mistake
Trusting to luck and chance we can duck
If we don’t get a decent break
We tend to fall into patterns
Forgetting to use our heads
And every once in a while we have to bury our dead
All of us hide our emotions
Bury them deep inside
Not to display our grief and dismay
Is a point of professional pride
Yet a common feeling binds us
One we have learned to dread
One of pays so the bugler plays
And we touch our hands to our caps
At such a time we wonder
How our family will be raised and fed
When we are the subject of honor
When we come to bury our dead
All of us knows who kills us
But few of us understand why
The action we crave runs close to the grave
Though nobody wants to die
To give us a righteous answer
Are we wolf born though honor bred
Or a gaggle of fools who play by the rules
And forever must bury our dead
Author anonymous
Dedicated to all those in uniform currently or in the past.
God Bless you All
5 comments
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Oct 28 2025 09:24AM
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Who’s the Man (person) Behind the Curtain-Wizard of Oz 1939
No I did not see it when it was first shown but I did see it in black and white originally. I’m asking who is in control of blogs, postings and profiles. Please don’t tell me the hx community polices themselves because I’ve never been asked to vote for anything except Excommunicatoing (John Wick) someone.
I’ve seen blogs disappear in a heartbeat (like the one today about cancellation of fees) and yet others are allowed to remain even though the go off topic and/or denigrate into name calling and accusations whether true or not. I’ve seen certain levels of members almost getting away with anything, saying what they want, abusing the OP’s blog by running up the comments to reach the magical level of 50 because they don’t like what’s being said about THEM (the comment poster).
I’ve seen profiles “here today, gone tomorrow” with the red warning “not a valid user”. I’ve pm’d providers received a response from them and when I reply shortly thereafter “poof” they are gone.
Is it a committee of level 5’s or members with longevity or one person? I’m not looking for identity of any member or members in the position just WHAT is behind the curtain?
Just curious that’s all maybe I’m the only one
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