Category Life

Considering My Options

Michael Leave a comment

Just a couple of years ago we proposed some nifty retirement jobs even though retirement was “years and years” away. (See Who Could Ask For Anything More.) Now, just 2 years later I find myself in a forced early retirement and those jobs look even niftier. But the niftiest one was even a consideration back then.

As fun as serving ice cream, driving a limo, or tending bar (on the slow nights) might be, I want to spend my golden years (ok, silver) (ok, ok, bronze) (but shiny bronze) (where was I?) I want to spend my after-work years as part of Jeopardy’s Clue Crew. If you’re a fan you know the Clue Crew. They are the intrepid 3-some who do the narratives for the visual clue in the background. I assumed they filmed those shots in front of a green screen and the clue was painted in by computer. Recently I found out those guys actually travel to the locale of the category in question. Or would that be ‘in answer?’ Either way, that is so cool.

Here’s why I would be the perfect addition to the Clue Crew. I like to travel, I read and speak well, I already know a bunch of useless facts, and I’ve been watching Jeopardy since Art Fleming read the answers.

Now all I have to do is get Alex to read the preceding paragraph, pack my bags, and get a passport. Retirement is going to be so cool!

That’s what I think. Really. How ’bout you?

Drive By

Michael Leave a comment

It’s been over two years since we posted anything about people driving their cars into buildings. (See Drive Through Service, Drive Through Part Two, Drive Around Please, and Drive On.) And there is a good reason for that.  When we started that little series it was almost cute the things drivers were getting themselves into. But lately it’s been tragic.

For at least the past year there has been a car driven into a home or business at least once a week with horrible consequences. Cars, trucks, and big rigs have plowed into doctors’ offices, hairdressers, fast food restaurants, convenience stores, banks, a do-nut shop, and private homes. Each time, someone has been injured and buildings have been rendered uninhabitable. One intrusion resulted in a fatality.

Some of the collisions might have been caused by snow-covered, icy, or wet roads, but many of them happened in 70 degree, dry,calm weather.  When is wasn’t dry or calm, the drivers should have taken extra care.

So they haven’t been fun, haven’t been innocuous, haven’t even been cute. Why bring it up again? As a reminder to please be careful out there. Just because a car’s speedometer goes up to 120 mph is no reason to try and get there. Just because your phone is ringing doesn’t mean the caller won’t be there when you’re parked. And just because they zoom about in the commercials they really mean it when the put those teeny words across the bottom of the screen that say “Professional driver, do not attempt.”

Take your time, keep alert for hazards in the road, and hang around as long as you can. We want you to be reading us for a long time.

That’s what I think, How ’bout you?

A Sporting Smorgasbord

Michael Leave a comment

We might have brought up something similar a while ago but if we did it was no where near the events of this past weekend. If good, unusual, unexpected, or cosmic things happen when the planets align, imagine what could happen when all the sports fields,arenas, and courts align? Yep, sports.

if you had the right cable or satellite package or lived in the right city, you had a unique opportunity last Saturday that sports aficionados crave and more normal people fear. All in the same day you could have watched:

a Major League Baseball game,
a National Hockey League Stanley Cup playoff game,
a National Basketball Association playoff game,
the National Football League entry draft,
a USL (United Soccer League) regular season soccer game,
the Kentucky Derby,
a National Women’s Football Association regular season football game,
the PGA World Golf Championships, and
various and sundry boxing associations prize fight Mayeather vs. Pacquiao.

That was a lot of sports.

That’s what I think. How ’bout you?

Welcoming Me Back

Michael Leave a comment

I was finally discharged from all of the hospitals I’ve toured this year.  I’m not quite home but am as close as I’ll get for a little while.  When you’ve been in a hospital for almost 3 months it’s going to take a little more time to function independently. Fortunately some nice siblings are sharing their space with me for a while. I’ll try to think only nice things.

You would think after being released after all that time I’d have nothing but nice things to think and say.  It’s like when two years ago the surgeon came into my room and said they got all the cancer. Every day after that is a gift.

No, wait! Why do we do that? This time around made me realize something. EVERY day is a gift. You don’t have to have cancer for your life to take on meaning. Every day for every person is a gift to be cherished and exploited. Gee, it’s good to be back!

That’s what I think. How ’bout you?

PS: If all goes according to plan, we’ll be back on our regular Monday/Thursday schedule. Spread the word.

Mad Men

Michael Leave a comment

Hello out there. Recovery here is progressing. Not so much that I can get back to regular posts though. But I do want to take a couple of lines and add my voice to March Madness. Go crazy, people!

If you would like to see some older thoughts, type in March or Madness or NCAA into the search box and go crazy!

That’s what I think. How ’bout you?

Figure It Out

Michael Leave a comment

There are two kinds of people I the world. . . planners and those who can type, cut, and paste “two kinds of people.” I could stop here and have a legitimate post.  In fact, I believe I will. You get to figure out which one I am.

That’s what I think. How ’bout you?

Three little words

Michael Leave a comment

Sometime in the fifties “they” came up with three little words. Fries with that? Paper or plastic? Fill ‘er up? The winner is!

What was important were not the words but the meaning.  This might be my shortest post but here goes. By the time you read this I could be in surgery. Come next Thursday. we get back to Real Reality. My secret phrase until then? Three little words…

It’ll be ok

That’s what I think. How ’bout you?

And on and still on…

Michael Leave a comment

It was only a few weeks ago that I began the year with the caveat that these are becoming more “me” than “us.”  Here’s what hsppens in a true unscripted world. There is no “me.”

Would it not be nice if I could have have planned the past four weeks.  I could have talked about new home kichen techniques, Oscar nominations, a new job. Instead I am entereing my fourth week in the hospital.

I’ve been in the hospital before, had major operations. This trip is different. Almost all of the time has been in Critical Care and poking/prodding hits new levels. I’ve also begun dialysis. If you know anyone on dialysis they probably have said how exhausting it is. Yes, it is. Somehow I have managed to keep my Monday and Thursday schedule but only by writing a sentence or two at a time. I’ll take it.

One thing I did not expect is a peak into some of my physicians’ lives. One who has been with me since my first hospitalization was told to me that he saidf I had the soul of Job. Maybe so but only Job’s twin could figure that out. I’ve worked in health care for 35 years and I always wanted to be the stoic health care worker. Not again. The world needs as many souls of Job as it can get.  I’ll do it.

That’s what I think. Hou’ bout you?