Domestic Geek

I've been in a current events deprivation mode since I've been unemployed. If it hasn't had to do with the weather outside or current job openings, I really haven't paid much attention. It's been strange since I used to get constant news while driving around in my car or at the pizza job. I was not really surprised that I hadn't heard about an unidentified amnesia victim found here in Denver when I read an entry on a fellow Colorado blogger's site yesterday. I was surprised at how long ago the story happened—September 10th. I've definitely been living under a rock, lately.

Anyway, I just got an 850koa news alert in my inbox that said the man has been identified and a news conference has been scheduled for this afternoon. According to the Channel 7 web site:

DENVER -- A man who doctors say has amnesia has been identified, Denver police said.

Police said the man's name is Jeffrey Ingram. He was previously being called "Al" until police could identify him.

Ingram, 40, said he found himself Sept. 10 in front of Denver's World Trade Center.

He eventually found his way to Denver Health Medical Center.

Ingram's fingerprints are not in any database, so police were unable to immediately identify him.

Several television stations aired his picture in hopes of identifying him. As a result of the media coverage, family and friends recognized Ingram and called police Sunday morning.

Ingram remains in the hospital and said he is grateful for the media's assistance in getting his story out.

Ingram's fiancee, Penny Hansen, reported him missing Sept. 14 from Thurston County, WA. She said she had not seen Ingram since Sept. 6 when he supposedly left to Alberta Canada to visit relatives. He never arrived and his family and friends said they had not seen him since then.

A missing persons flier reported that in 1995 Ingram experienced an episode of amnesia during a routine trip to the grocery store. He was located nine months later at a hospital in Seattle, WA.

It's a great thing that somebody identified him. How scary must that be that this is not the first time this has happened to that poor guy?

Note to Self: Stop drinking carbonated beverages, especially now that you don't drink them all the time. I had a Coke with dinner because the place we went to dinner doesn't serve brewed tea (only that nasty fountain crap). I have got the worst case of heartburn right now as a result. Ugh. This sucks because I had intended on going to bed early to get a good night's rest (still trying to fight off sickness). Does a woman's immune system drop right before her period? It always seems that when I do get sick, it's right around this time of month. *sigh*

Have you ever wanted a pair of night vision goggles? I have! I love going camping, but sometimes that complete darkness freaks me out a little. Especially when you can't tell what kind of critters are roaming around you. Of course, with the skunks, raccoons, cats and loose dogs running around here where I live, they would be helpful when I take Skippy out in the evenings, as well.

I really want to procure myself a pair of these for the next time I go camping. There is a great online optical superstore called Optics Planet that has a large selection of night vision products. I have always wondered how you can see better in the dark with night vision goggles. There is a whole page describing how the whole process works, including some helpful videos.

I was amazed at the large selection of other optic products this company carries by well-known and respected manufacturers: Bushnell, Nikon, ATN, Leupold, Barska, Steiner, Meade, Celestron, Swarovski, Leica and many others. They claim to have a Best Deal Guarantee (see the web site for details) to ensure you get the best possible deal. While checking out some of the other neat gadgets, I found something else I must have — a digital camera binocular! Man, is that cool or what?

If you have an outdoorsman, astronomer, photographer, bird watcher, sports fan or gadget enthusiast on your Christmas list, the folks at Optics Planet have compiled a Holiday Gift Guide chock full of unique gifts ideas. Everything from scopes, night vision devices, cameras, binoculars, microscopes and a whole lot more. If you’re in the market to buy any of these types of items for yourself, Optics Planet has a wealth of information to help you choose the product that is right for you. Buyer's guides, discussion forum and email assistance are all offered on the site to help answer any question you may have. An extra bonus: FREE UPS ground shipping on most orders over $29.95 in the continental United States. You can't beat a deal like that!

The overwhelming feeling that my whole life path is a mistake is creeping back on me. Where did I go wrong? How did I manage to screw my life up this bad? I know part of that sinking feeling is just that I'm coming up on that time of month. But just part of it. I thought by the time I hit 40, I'd have a pretty good idea of where I was going and where I wanted to be. The fact is, I've got less of a clue now than I have at any point in my life. Is it that nagging notion that I'd better hurry up and figure this out getting the best of me? I don't know. I had a thought recently that really freaked me out. If I've only got the same amount of time left on this planet that my mom had, I've only got 11 years left. See, she died right before her 51st birthday. All I do know is that I have never felt this worthless, confused, hopeless or frustrated in my entire life. It's hard to keep telling yourself you're smart and talented when you've been trying to find a job for over six months and nobody will give you a chance.

As usual, I found drawing by Hugh MacLeod of Gaping Void that depict exactly what I'm feeling right now:

While purusing the Apple employment site for me yesterday, Marcus noticed that they are now hiring for a Park Meadows location. I wonder where over there they are planning to put it? I hope it's not in the mall itself. I hate going into that place. Anyway, sometime in the next few months, looks like we're going to another Apple Store opening!