Chapter 5

Chapter 5

 

 

Hello everyone.  It is time for the March update.  It has been an interesting month. I have several items of news to report.  I list them here and then spend more time later giving more detail.  The idea is that you'll be able to skip over the few items that do not interest you:

• My 20-year look-back is boring.  It seems like all I've done in the last 20 Marches is work and make job contacts.
• My current contract won't be extended for the 5th time.
• My new car got hit in the supermarket parking lot.
• I've made up my mind to get my knees replaced. 
• I reached the first week of my Weight Watchers goal.

I looked at my day-timer appointment logs for March for the last twenty years.  There are many entries I don't remember; There are some that I do remember.  Two things are clear about these log entries.  First, the up side -- I spent an extra-ordinary amount of time cultivating employment connections, which explains why I was rarely out of work for any significant time, despite the ups and downs of the economy and unemployment numbers.

Second, the down side -- I didn't do a lot of other "stuff." 

So we kiss off 20 years of the month of March.  Here is my revision to the old saying about March March -In like a lamb, out like a lamb.


The second item, my current contract, had been extended 5 times.  It was awesome.  Got the hours I wanted, and within 1.5 miles of my home.  I actually rode my scooter to work.  I guess all good things must come to an end, and thus, my project.   There is an excellent chance I'll get renewed in late Autumn if I'm available.  For now, I am reconnecting with all the employment connections I've made over the years.  What's interesting is that I don't want full-time.  Contracting is my preference and there are many opportunities out there. And I get the time to update my blogs, stories, etc.  Stay tuned...


Last week my new hybrid car got hit in the rear bumper.  It was an SUV with a trailer hitch.  It damaged my bumper but his vehicle had no damage.  Listen to this -- I had partly backed out of my spot when I saw him backing out.  I stopped and hit the horn.  He just kept on coming --Bam! We called the police and he told them, "I put on my seat belt, looked both ways, then backed out."  He may have looked both ways, but he certainly confirmed that he didn't look in the direction he was going -- Backwards!


My knees (Yes, both of them) are in terrible shape -- Bone on bone.  When I wear a brace there isn't much pain, but when I take the brace off, pain, and problems walking.  Oh!  Did I mention that I live in a 3-story townhouse?  My appointment with the orthopedic surgeon is April 17.  I'll know more then.


Finally, after a long struggle with the last couple of pounds, I hit my goal weight at Weight Watchers.  If I can stay in goal for 6 weeks, I become a lifetime member, which means I can attend meeting and weighings, but not pay.  Six weeks to go, and counting!

So all, Goodbye March, and Hello April!

Chapter 4

What's New

This section is reserved for Fyllis to add her story. I don't like to add anything about anyone without their prior approval. I know I have my story about Fyllis. I will let Fyllis make her own introduction.

Reserved for Fyllis

  

Hello all and welcome to my first blog entry of 2013.  It was an interesting day, today.  I had my tri-annual colonoscopy.  There are 2 phases to a colonoscopy: the bad part and the good part.  They are probably not what you think. 

• The bad part is the preparation -- effectively cleaning yourself out.  It takes place the day before.  No eating, lots of laxatives, and make sure you're within 20 feet of an available toilet at all times.
• The good part is when you get to the hospital and they give you the anesthesia.  Best sleep in years!  Wake up refreshed.

 

 

Here are the rules to follow:



• Family history of Colon Cancer?  Get a colonoscopy every 3 years
• Personal history of colon polyps?  Get a colonoscopy every 5 years

In any case, it sounds worse than it is, and it is one cancer that is almost 100% preventable.

 

 

Now, as promised before, here is a summary of 20 years of my February History.  I am only going to present the interesting parts:

• February, 1993 -- Totally blank
• February, 1995 -- Took the LSAT and drove to Gainesville
• February, 2001 -- Travelled between Dallas and Michigan on business contract
• February, 2005 -- Completed the music for our ("our" in this case means my friend Larry and me)  play, State U, and submitted it to the New York Fringe Festival.  I will soon publish it in my Log Lines blog
• February, 2008 -- Submitted, to the New York Fringe Festival, the rewrite of State U, including all new music, and started working on our ("our" in this case means my father's side of my family) genealogy

All the other years, I was just working and making business contacts --Boring. 

 

I must relate this story -- It may give you goose bumps...

Whenever I am in the Philadelphia area, I go the cemetery where my parents are buried.  Those of us of the Hebraic persuasion are urged to do this as an annual rite.  Since I live far away, I do it whenever I get to the Philly area.  Anyhow, this visit was unusually satisfying, oddly eerie, and if I had one word to describe it, I would use the word "supernatural."  Here are the details:

1.  As I had in previous visits, I approached the gravestone of my father to tell him what was new and exciting in my life.  I expressed my love for him, and how much I still miss him.
2. I then stepped to the adjacent grave of my mother and started to repeat the news I had just given to my father.  Then oddly, eerily, a comfortable feeling of calm and peace descended upon me like a cloak of peace.  Strange, I thought; unlike any of my previous visits to the cemetery.  The moment passed, but the feelings have lingered like the scent of a memory long gone, but not forgotten.  I relish in memory of the moment.  
3. At about that same time, I took pictures of their headstones to add to my genealogy database.  I used my iPhone camera then left the cemetery.
4. Later that day, my younger daughter looked at the pictures.  Guess what she saw?  I looked!  My whole family checked the pictures again.  We all saw it:  the faces of my Mother and Father on the headstone!!

I won't publish the photo for fear of those who may claim it's the countenance of the Virgin Mary.  I doubt it!  I'm Jewish!  In any case, I do have the picture; it's been witnessed by several family members; all agree about the resemblance to my parents.  I've added the picture to my autobiography. 

Here are a couple of final notes for this edition of My Story:

• My knees are in very bad shape -- Bone-on-bone.  I am getting to be a cripple ("mobility challenged" in PC terminology).  My appointment for knee replacement is in April.  I understand that they give some strong pain medication post-surgery.  Yes!!
• I went to an Andre Rieu concert last night.  Two words AWE!  SOME!
• Stay tuned for updates to my stories in Log Lines, and feel free to contribute.

Bye for February!

Chapter 3

What's New

I have the strangest work hours.  I love them, but others may think is a bit strange.  I work from 5:00 AM to 1:00 PM give or take.  I got into these hours because, to make a long story short, over time I came to realize being awake during these hours reduced to almost zero, the number of migraine headaches I get.  If any of you get migraines, you know what I mean.  And an added benefit is that my team is in Poland and India.  It's like working their hours.  The whole project benefits.

In my last blog, I talked about my cruise to Aruba and Curacao.  It was definitely relaxing, and I needed it.  Interesting is that I got my first taste of Curacao liqueur.  Awesome!!!  My new best friend is the rum raisin flavor. 

I was cleaning up around the house, and I came across my day-times from twenty years ago.  It's one of those paper types you keep in a leather jacket pocket.  It looks like I may be able to tell you what I did any month for the last twenty years. Before you go through this, remember that for many years, I was a consultant in the computer business.  So much of what you'll see is following up on contract opportunities. In a sense, What's New is what's old.  Here is January for 20 years:

• 1993 -- 35 separate calls, appointments, interviews for various consulting positions.
• 1994 -- Working
• 1995 -- Working.  Attended technical training and started looking for a new home
• 1996 -- Working.  Taught a class in Lotus Notes and went to Gainesville to see my daughter at the University of Florida
• 1997 -- Celebrated Fyllis' birthday.  Fyllis is my (again a long story) life partner
• 1998 -- Working and played racket-ball twice a week (Maybe that's why I now have knee problems?)  Got a great contract with John Deere in Moline, Illinois
• 1999 -- Still at John Deere.  Started listening to classical music while working.  As I mentioned, my love of classical music has increased 100-fold since then.  It seems like the initial music was Vivaldi's The Four Seasons.
• 2000 -- Flew from Times Square for the Millennium to my home in Florida and stayed for my older daughter, Adriane's wedding on Jan 16th.  Then, back to Moline on Sunday, January 23rd.
• 2001 -- Working at new contract in Dallas, Texas.  Imagine how a Philadelphia Eagles fan feels working in Dallas.  (If you don't know the rivalry, you won't know what I mean.)
• 2002 -- Attended several auctions and started making contacts for my next contract
• 2003 -- I had a procedure done that everyone over 50 should have done.  Suffice it to say that in preparation, I took a lot of laxatives.  'Nuff said.  Working at Citibank in Jacksonville.  Flew home once; took Greyhound once.
• 2004 -- Still at Citibank.  Spoke to cousins I hadn't talked to in 20 years.  After we spoke, it was clear why it was 20 years.  It will probably be another 20 years before we talk again.
• 2005 -- Several dozen contract contact and interviews.  Awarded contract in downtown Miami
• 2006 -- Working full-time at BankAtlantic
• 2007 -- Still at BankAtlantic.  Worked on my "mechanic's special" Mercedes.  Piece of junk! 
• 2008 -- Still at BankAtlantic.  Cut demo disc for our musical, State U.
• 2009 -- Still at BankAtlantic.  Went on a cruise.  Went to a shower in Tampa
• 2010 -- Still at BankAtlantic.  Spent a great deal of time trying to resolve our Homeowners' Association issues with our attorneys.  They weren't doing their job unless we "goosed" them along.
• 2011 -- Working at BankUnited.  Picking up my grandchildren every Tuesday
• 2012 -- Working back on contract.  Hosted our friends from Denmark, noted every song that I liked while listening to Internet streaming classical and jazz      

In summary, dozens of professional contacts, several contracts, 1 full time job, saw much of our magnificent USA, and had life events of a wedding and grandchildren.  It brings up an interesting point.  From now on, I will list only “important events” and be more specific about the date it occurred.

I wonder what surprises February has...

One other item for this issue -- I have decided that in January and July, I will mail all the cards for the six months that follow.  I'll note on the envelope, Open on your Birthday, or other relevant note.

Now for...

My Story

My father was a pharmacist in Coatesville, PA.  It was a true Norman Rockwell-esque pharmacy.  A soda fountain, Breyers Ice Cream, red counter swivel stools, and real 1930's Coke-style.tables and chairs.  The address was 24 North Third Avenue.  I still have the chairs.  Is the store still there?  I don't know.  I do know that I have sworn I will not go back to the area.  I don't want my wonderful memories of a long-gone simple and innocent era to be ruined by reality.

We lived in Coatesville until I was 5.  The home was on South Eleventh Avenue.  One day all the car horns were blaring.  I was frightened, until my mother calmed me down by saying, "The war is over!"  World War II had ended!

One other incident to relate -- Every kid had a pen-knife.  I was playing with mine and stuck it in a telephone pole in front of the house.  Somehow a policeman came and warned me I could make the pole fall.  I thought that was ridiculous,  but of course, I didn't tell the cop. 

Then we moved to Downingtown.  More on that in future chapters. 

Log Lines

Here is Chapter 3's log line idea.  It is actually partially true.  I won't tell you which part(s).  Check it out in loglines titled Obsession.   The log line is:

A gift from a dying friend becomes an obsession.

Feel free to contribute.  Let's see if we all can team up to create a helluva story!

Chapter 2

Here it is, one month to the day, for making my second blog post.  I've been thinking about how to organize the blog.  At least initially, I will have at least two sections for each post, and possibly three:

1. What's New -- A log of my experiences since the previous entry, and
2. My Story -- A paraphrased portion of my autobiography
3. Log Lines -- Story ideas about which I may be writing.  Your suggestions are welcome and helpful.

The second item needs some explanation.  After Bill Clinton left office, he began his own autobiography.  In an interview, when asked why he was doing it, he responded that everyone should do it, for their children, for their grandchildren, and for posterity.  It made sense to me.  So I began own My Story.  Each blog posting will have a section paraphrased from it.

 

 

What's New

 

This month has had its ups and downs.  As they say, "I've got good news and I've got bad news."  I'll start with the bad news.

 

This month, we learned that my younger daughter's father-in-law was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer -- A vicious, nasty type of cancer that ravages its victims is extremely short time.  And it is almost always fatal.  In about 1.5 weeks, he went from apparently OK to pneumonia, confusion, and breathing difficulty.  I feel bad for Jon (my son-in-law) who is very close to his father. I am helpless.  (I know about these things; I went through something very similar with my own father.)  The only advice I can offer is: 1) let nothing be unsaid between father and son: feelings of love, closeness, happy times, sadness, all of it.  Say it now because you won't be able to say it later;   2) attend to the business issues, bank accounts, passwords, wills, etc.  It may sound ghoulish, but it must be done.

Now, it's just waiting........  I am so helpless.  So much I would like to do; so little I can do.

Update --> Today is December 29, 2012.  More bad news. The pancreatic cancer finally won.  My daughter's father-in-law passed away this morning -- Twenty-three days from diagnosis to death! Time heals all wounds.  Both of my daughters and I have been fortunate to have excellent relations with all the in-laws. It is rare to have good relations with one set of in-laws -- but to have excellent relations with all in-laws -- extremely rare! Awesome! Kudos to you!  And it is important during these emotional events.

 

In contrast to the bad news, there was some good news.  I was on an 8-day cruise to the Southern Caribbean.  Ports of call were Curacao and Aruba.  Aruba wasn't too exciting, but Curacao was very quaint.  In fact, it closely resembled Amsterdam in the Netherlands.  But Duh... Curacao is part of the Dutch West Indies.

 

My Story

 

For my first entry from My Story, I want you all to know that I have come to believe in reincarnation from the Latin word, caro or carnis; meat. (Do Jews believe in reincarnation?  I don't know.  Is kosher involved in any way?  Can a non-Jew reincarnate as a Jew?  So many questions, so few answers!  But, no matter, I digress.)   I didn't come to the reincarnaton conclusion easily, but I can find no other explanation.  Here's the story; you decide.

 
 

The time is Summer, 1940, in London.  The Battle of Britain is in full rage. To refresh your knowledge of history, the Battle of Britain was the fire-bombing of London by the Nazis in the early days of World War II. 

It is nighttime.  Two of us are running for the London Underground used by Londoners to escape the nightly bombings.  The girl in front of me is wearing a wide paisley dress (petticoats?) and I am behind her.  I am looking down as I run; I see my pin striped suit with cuffs and wing tip shoes.  We are running; then there is nothingness!

... Fast forward 30 years ...

 

It is the early 1970s.  I am on my first trip to Europe.  I want to emphasize "first:"  First time in Europe, first time in England, first time in London.  I was walking for over an hour through several neighborhoods in London.  I turned a corner and was suddenly overcome with an intense feeling of "coming home."  If you've ever lost anything that you loved, and found it years later, you'll know exactly what I mean. That was the feeling.  I looked around, and within a block was an entrance to the London Underground. The homes on the street were relatively new, having been rebuilt after their destruction during the Battle of Britain.

That is my story.  You can draw whatever conclusions you like.  One other thing: I have viewed uncountable WWII movies and documentaries.  I have yet to find that scene in any of them.

 

Log Lines

 

Here is a story idea I had.  Check out Guilt in my log lines blog.  The log line is:

 

A widower with no children squanders an opportunity to be the father he always wanted to be.

 

Feel free to comment, suggest, or update as you like.  Be sure to enclose your pen name.  If it ever gets published, your nom de plume will be included.



Foreword or Preface, and Chapter 1

As I start my blog, my opening credits are to my family and to my friends. If you'll permit me to be a bit confessional here, I want to note very important people in my life who have died, but whose memories and souls remain vibrant, even after years:

• My Mother -- Kathryn and my Father -- Maxwell
• Some special cousins -- Donald and Benson
• A best friend -- Another Stuart

I miss you all and remember ==> You all live on -- Through me.

Now for the living -- In the film, Stand By Me, Richard Dreyfuss makes a very true statement at the end. It is about friends -- To paraphrase; the friends you make in high school remain your friends for life. And so it is!!   Friends then and friends now -- over 1/2 a century later.  I cannot put their names here because they've not yet gone to that great high school in the sky.

Some opening thoughts.  I have concluded that Life is a cruel practical joker or jokestress.  She gives you thumbs up with one hand, and simultaneously gives you the thumbs down with the other hand.  They say that the "left hand doesn't know what the right hand is doing."  Bull-dookie in Life's case!

Prosecution Exhibit 1:
-- 2 wonderful daughters and 2 wonderful grandchildren
-- One daughter gets pregnant after several years of trying -- only to mis-carry
-- The other daughter has 2 children who want to play ball with me, but I cannot.  My knees are really bad.

Prosecution Exhibit 2:
-- Always had work with excellent paying jobs, even in the worst economy
-- Every company for which I worked either had serious financial problems or went out of business

Life!!  You're not funny any more!!

-------------------------------------------

Some standard pap:

• Always loved jazz
• Getting hooked quickly on Classical, even to the point that there are some composers I like and some I don't -- Mozart - Yes!  Sorry Claude Debussy - No.
• I know most of Gilbert & Sullivan by heart
• I love and collect antiques
• Hobbies include genealogy, history, and politics.
• I love learning a language -- Majored in Russian in college.
• One other thing -- It is with great sadness that I confess to the crime of being an avid Philadelphia Eagles fan. -- 'Nuff said...

One other piece of insight -- I am a person out of sync with the times.  My decades were the 40's, 50's and some of the 60's.  But not beyond the 60's.

-------------------------------------------------------- 

Chapter 1

I am Stuart, but I assure you not the same Stuart I listed in the Preface. I am 71 years old and in better shape now than I have ever been. Lost lots of weight, working out like crazy, and working at my job. More about that later. For now, it is Thanksgiving, 2012. 

It has been a nice long weekend for me -- off Thursday, Friday Saturday, and Sunday.  These days off haven't been idle.  I am trying trying to clean up the garage.  Why, you ask?  I live in a 3-story townhouse.  I love it.  Unfortunately, my knees do not.  I am slowly but increasingly coming quickly to the conclusion that I'll need a single floor unit soon.  Knee replacement is looming like the sheer granite wall of the Rocky Mountains. 

In two weeks, I'll be on a cruise to the Southern Caribbean -- Curacao and Aruba.  I hadn't been too interested in cruising until the last 5 years.  But I am hooked!   Do it!  You'll get hooked, too.

I've been writing some stories, screen plays, and music.  Nothing published yet, but I keep trying, and further, I may even torture you all with some of my musings ...er... writings.  I also wrote My Story, a chronology of my life and the people in it. I work on it from time to time. It is becoming the central repository of all the factors that make me, me. 

OK!  Enough for my first blog post.  Feedback is welcome, but remember, I don't take criticism well.

Stuart