Long time readers and followers will know what this is an excerpt of, if new readers or confused readers of the blog want to know about this post email me at williamjdahn@aol.com. D.R. this one of those middle things I was talking about as being boring.
CHAPTER 4
March 30, 1990
Visions a gentlemen’s club on N.E. 72nd and Sandy. Gentlemen’s club is just a fancy name for a strip bar. Friday night a busy night as the single men that can’t get a date, the married men wanting to cheat on their wives, and the bachelor party group celebrating one of their friend’s last day of singlehood all there to throw money at the scantily and sometimes no clad women. A young women maybe barely eighteen gyrating around the pole at the center of the stage enticing the lonely men to throw their dollar and five dollar bills at her. In the back corner of the bar a group of five men were engaged in a conversation that was barely audible competing with the music. The five men preferred it that way because they didn’t want to risk anyone overhearing them. Officer Westbrook, Officer O'Donnell, Officer Ryan Frazier, Officer Dylan Grafton, and city attorney Ted Vernon.
O’Donnell “I delivered the goods last night and put the ten grand in the safe.”
Frazier, 6’4”, 200lbs buff, strong, blue eyes, sandy colored hair, a decorated war hero, on the force for ten years.
“Good. We need to keep the drugs in the gang areas and the wars going. We need to keep the Gang Enforcement Team going. It is our home to fight our war.”
Grafton, late thirties, out of shape, black hair, green eyes, 5’11”, 240, on the force for fifteen years.
“Power to The People”
“Power to The People” they all said in unison.
“I heard Ms. Lane went to see an attorney, a high profile attorney.” Westbrook said.
“Do we need to be concerned Ted?”
Vernon responded “The attorney is well respected and will not hesitate to file a wrongful death lawsuit if he thinks something is remiss.”
Grafton “We need to monitor him or scare him off early on.”
Vernon “What are you suggesting.”
Grafton “A threat. We find out when he is the most vulnerable and then have one of the boys politely talk to him.”
Westbrook “We can start the investigation tomorrow “
They all got up shook hands and left Visions to go to their nightly jobs protecting the city.
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Monday, July 28, 2008
The Economy And Cutting Back
I'm curious if the posters and readers here are being forced to cut back on certain items because of bad economic times. Or are you cutting back willingly to save money to prepare for things that might happen?
I've decided to cut back on a few things. Now that I have some extra time and I can do some things myself I just decided to save in case the economy takes another turn for the worst. The first thing I am doing is canceling the payroll service for my corporation. I'm the only employee and with CPA skills I can do my own payroll. Then I decided to cancel my housekeeper that comes twice a month. I am a very capable housekeeper. Being somewhat picky and a latent germaphobe I can lysol, dust, vaccum with the best of them. I actually clean better than the housekeeper. After the summer season I am also going to cancel my landscaper. Although yardwork doesn't rank high up there on my like list, I figure it will be good exercise. Add that to the golf and the walking and I will be as fit as a fiddle. Just those three things will save me about three hundred and fifty bucks a month. Not small change at all.
I can't say I am going to start using coupons because I have always used coupons. In fact my mom says that my epitath should be "here lies Bill, he expired before his coupons." I've gotten so good at using coupons that there have been four or five times when I've actually got money back for buying some products.
OK, what are you all doing, if anything?
Hope this will be a love filled day for all of you.
I've decided to cut back on a few things. Now that I have some extra time and I can do some things myself I just decided to save in case the economy takes another turn for the worst. The first thing I am doing is canceling the payroll service for my corporation. I'm the only employee and with CPA skills I can do my own payroll. Then I decided to cancel my housekeeper that comes twice a month. I am a very capable housekeeper. Being somewhat picky and a latent germaphobe I can lysol, dust, vaccum with the best of them. I actually clean better than the housekeeper. After the summer season I am also going to cancel my landscaper. Although yardwork doesn't rank high up there on my like list, I figure it will be good exercise. Add that to the golf and the walking and I will be as fit as a fiddle. Just those three things will save me about three hundred and fifty bucks a month. Not small change at all.
I can't say I am going to start using coupons because I have always used coupons. In fact my mom says that my epitath should be "here lies Bill, he expired before his coupons." I've gotten so good at using coupons that there have been four or five times when I've actually got money back for buying some products.
OK, what are you all doing, if anything?
Hope this will be a love filled day for all of you.
Saturday, July 26, 2008
A Week In My Life
This week was two work projects, a couple of movies, the county fair, some writing, interaction with mom, four trips to the driving range, a lot of computer time, and checking different west coast cities for jobs. I'm not really looking for a job as I have plenty of work to do with mom, helping the firm that bought my business, helping some business clients organize their financials and consulting with some CPA firms on IRS audits that their clients are undergoing. However, if a job came up and it was sort of a dream job I'd look into it.
Yesterday was a day at Mom's house. Mom hasn't really decided what she wants to do yet. She is really starting to like the place where she is at and has made a lot of new friends. If she doesn't show up for bingo or meals they come get her or check on her. What her and I decided together is that if she decides to stay at Chehelam Springs then we have to sell her house. Her house is in the price range of homes that are selling, is a nice home on a golf course, and well kept. So it will stand out from the others in her area that are for sale. What we are going to do is that every Friday we will go to her home and get the place ready to be sold. So when the time comes for her to make a decision about staying at the retirement home or going home one of the factors won't be how much work has to be done to sell the house. Yesterday our mission was to go through the closets and the garage and get stuff ready for Goodwill. We got a ton of stuff ready and I am taking it to the Goodwill center today. While there I cooked lunch and she said it was the best lunch she has eaten for a while. I'm getting better at cooking! I think it is a good sign that Mom no longer uses Pepto Bismal as a salad dressing when I cook.
Thursday was doctor day. Mom had an 8:15 in the morning appointment. That followed a 7:45 appointment on Monday to take her to lab for tests. Good thing I am an early riser. The news at the doctors office was great. She said mom is getting better. All her lab reports and blood pressure readings were great!
Sunday I had breakfast with my one friend from Portland's elite society. T is probably in the top 2% of the Portland social scene, I'm in the top 98%. It isn't that I don't know more of them, I've met some through my business, have represented some of them but I've always felt that if you were dealing with a person's finances you shouldn't socialize with your clients because it could cloud your judgment. So I never socialized with them and as a practice turned down invitations. T gave me my first expert witness job and since then we have become friends. We are comfortable enough with each other that we can confide our darkest secrets. A lttle about T. He has diplomatic license plates because he is a counsel to a foriegn country. He never uses the plates. He was once referred to by the founder of a shoe company as "the attorney I couldn't afford to hire." He later served as an arbitrator for the shoe company on a legal case. He is several famous politicians' attorney. He never mentions them. He knows secrets, never tells them. He is also the most generous man I know. We had a great talk and a great breakfast and his wife S, joined us later on in the morning. I love S too and her I will get into some fun discussions when she is there. She hadn't seen me since I made my healthy changes and for an hour she questioned me about how I did it. I love T and S and am so pleased that they see something in me that they want to be friends!
Maybe some day I will share with you the story of my first time as an expert witness and the day in court that bonded T and I.
May this be a great day and weekend for all of you.
Yesterday was a day at Mom's house. Mom hasn't really decided what she wants to do yet. She is really starting to like the place where she is at and has made a lot of new friends. If she doesn't show up for bingo or meals they come get her or check on her. What her and I decided together is that if she decides to stay at Chehelam Springs then we have to sell her house. Her house is in the price range of homes that are selling, is a nice home on a golf course, and well kept. So it will stand out from the others in her area that are for sale. What we are going to do is that every Friday we will go to her home and get the place ready to be sold. So when the time comes for her to make a decision about staying at the retirement home or going home one of the factors won't be how much work has to be done to sell the house. Yesterday our mission was to go through the closets and the garage and get stuff ready for Goodwill. We got a ton of stuff ready and I am taking it to the Goodwill center today. While there I cooked lunch and she said it was the best lunch she has eaten for a while. I'm getting better at cooking! I think it is a good sign that Mom no longer uses Pepto Bismal as a salad dressing when I cook.
Thursday was doctor day. Mom had an 8:15 in the morning appointment. That followed a 7:45 appointment on Monday to take her to lab for tests. Good thing I am an early riser. The news at the doctors office was great. She said mom is getting better. All her lab reports and blood pressure readings were great!
Sunday I had breakfast with my one friend from Portland's elite society. T is probably in the top 2% of the Portland social scene, I'm in the top 98%. It isn't that I don't know more of them, I've met some through my business, have represented some of them but I've always felt that if you were dealing with a person's finances you shouldn't socialize with your clients because it could cloud your judgment. So I never socialized with them and as a practice turned down invitations. T gave me my first expert witness job and since then we have become friends. We are comfortable enough with each other that we can confide our darkest secrets. A lttle about T. He has diplomatic license plates because he is a counsel to a foriegn country. He never uses the plates. He was once referred to by the founder of a shoe company as "the attorney I couldn't afford to hire." He later served as an arbitrator for the shoe company on a legal case. He is several famous politicians' attorney. He never mentions them. He knows secrets, never tells them. He is also the most generous man I know. We had a great talk and a great breakfast and his wife S, joined us later on in the morning. I love S too and her I will get into some fun discussions when she is there. She hadn't seen me since I made my healthy changes and for an hour she questioned me about how I did it. I love T and S and am so pleased that they see something in me that they want to be friends!
Maybe some day I will share with you the story of my first time as an expert witness and the day in court that bonded T and I.
May this be a great day and weekend for all of you.
Friday, July 25, 2008
Since Life is Boring Right Now
I will go with an interesting fact. Thank you to my cousin Sharon. Tomorrow I will report on my week.
Manure... An interesting story.
Manure: In the 16th and 17th centuries, everything had to be transported by ship and it was also before commercial fertilizer's invention, so large shipments of manure were common.
It was shipped dry, because in dry form it weighed a lot less than when wet, but once water (at sea) hit it, it not only became heavier, but the process of fermentation began again, of which a by product is methane gas. As the stuff was stored below decks in bundles you can see what could (and did) happen. Methane began to build up below decks and the first time someone came below at night with a lantern, BOOOOM!
Several ships were destroyed in this manner before it was determined just what was happening .
After that, the bundles of manure were always stamped with the term 'Ship High In Transit' on them, which meant for the sailors to stow it high enough off the lower decks so that any water that came into the hold would not touch this volatile cargo and start the production of methane.
Thus evolved the term ' S.H.I.T ' (Ship High In Transport) which has come down through the centuries and is in use to this very day. You probably did not know the true history of this word.
Neither did I.
I always thought it was a golf term.
Manure... An interesting story.
Manure: In the 16th and 17th centuries, everything had to be transported by ship and it was also before commercial fertilizer's invention, so large shipments of manure were common.
It was shipped dry, because in dry form it weighed a lot less than when wet, but once water (at sea) hit it, it not only became heavier, but the process of fermentation began again, of which a by product is methane gas. As the stuff was stored below decks in bundles you can see what could (and did) happen. Methane began to build up below decks and the first time someone came below at night with a lantern, BOOOOM!
Several ships were destroyed in this manner before it was determined just what was happening .
After that, the bundles of manure were always stamped with the term 'Ship High In Transit' on them, which meant for the sailors to stow it high enough off the lower decks so that any water that came into the hold would not touch this volatile cargo and start the production of methane.
Thus evolved the term ' S.H.I.T ' (Ship High In Transport) which has come down through the centuries and is in use to this very day. You probably did not know the true history of this word.
Neither did I.
I always thought it was a golf term.
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
The Dark Knight
I sucked it up and went to The Dark Knight this morning. As you probably remember I've avoided going because I've been having a hard time getting over the emotion of regret of Heath Ledger's death. Regret that such a major talent left this world before he had the chance to reach his full potential and that after THE DARK KNIGHT we will never get see another performance of his. The movie intensified that emotion. To me THE DARK KNIGHT wasn't in the movie to me the darkest night was the night that Ledger died. The dark of an amazing talent feeling the need to artifically enhance his life. The dark that someone gave him prescription drugs without knowing how they interacted. The dark is the family he left behind.
The movie THE DARK KNIGHT was amazing. The story was so well crafted that you forgot it was a comic book hero. The special effects were great. The acting was so top notch that the weakest link was Maggie Glyllenhaal and that was a performance that under different circumstances we would have spoken more highly of it. However, in THE DARK KNIGHT her performance was overshadowed by the performances of Ledger, Bale, Eckhart, Caine, Oldman, and Freeman.
Five footballs. One football for Ledger. One football for Bale. One Football for the screenplay. One football for the special effects. One football for all the other supporting roles.
The movie THE DARK KNIGHT was amazing. The story was so well crafted that you forgot it was a comic book hero. The special effects were great. The acting was so top notch that the weakest link was Maggie Glyllenhaal and that was a performance that under different circumstances we would have spoken more highly of it. However, in THE DARK KNIGHT her performance was overshadowed by the performances of Ledger, Bale, Eckhart, Caine, Oldman, and Freeman.
Five footballs. One football for Ledger. One football for Bale. One Football for the screenplay. One football for the special effects. One football for all the other supporting roles.
Monday, July 21, 2008
What I Am Reading
Before moving on to reading just wanted to mention to Pat that I may have been wrong about MAMA MIA on one of the blogs I go too everyone loved it. One person said it was the most enjoyable movie experience they had in years. Maybe it is the gender gap.
I was given three books for my birthday. The first one that I am reading is Harlan Coben's PROMISE ME. I've never read Coben before but so far so good. Up next is Janet Evonovich's FEARLESS FOURTEEN. Very light but very fun and fast reading. It is a Stephanie Plum novel. Love them. Then it will be on to Phillip Margolin's EXECUTIVE PRIVILEGE. Phil's father-in-law is a good friend of mine. We worked together at an insurance company and have been friends since. I've met Phil a couple of times and he is a very nice fellow. Sometimes his writing is to graphic for me but I'm giving this one a shot.
Since we are talking about books now here are some of my suggestions for late Summer Reading:
Books on Tape:
CAMEL CLUB by David Baldacci. Five retired government employees get involved in a murder investigation. First in a triology.
BLIND ASSASSIN by Margertet Atwood. Two books in one. Very entertaining, well read.
Reading Suggestions:
SAVING GRACES by Patricia Gaffney. Five women get together once a week to talk about their lifes. Graces is a dog that the five rescued. Very well written, very insightful, towards the end get a ton of kleenexes.
ART OF DECEPTION by Ridley Pearson. Set in Seattle, Washington. Part of the Dahpne Matthews series. She is a police forensic psychologist that meets murder and a teenage runaway as a volunteer teenage runaway counselor. Well written, good story.
THE INNOCENT MAN by John Grisham. Normaly I don't like Grisham books because all of his endings are the same. However, this is a great book. Grisham ventures out into the realm of true crime and weaves an amazing story. A New York Yankee prospect is arrested for a murder he didn't commit. Be prepared to be angry when reading this book.
THE WHOLE TRUTH by David Baldacci. Defense contractors and crime. Baldacci is the master story teller.
CAPITOL CONSPIRACY by William Bernhardt. Politics and crime. Bernhardt is actually my favorite writer. He has a real strong female character, Christina. In this book terror leads the way as the head of Homeland Security is murdered. The political fall out that follows is realistic, frightening, and a great read.
SOMEWHERE IN HEAVEN by Christopher Anderson. I saved the best for last. The ultimate love story and it is true. It is the story of Christopher and Dana Reeves. So well written you fall in love with couple so in love with each other that nothing can derail their respect for each other. A MUST READ.
Hope you all have a great day today.
I was given three books for my birthday. The first one that I am reading is Harlan Coben's PROMISE ME. I've never read Coben before but so far so good. Up next is Janet Evonovich's FEARLESS FOURTEEN. Very light but very fun and fast reading. It is a Stephanie Plum novel. Love them. Then it will be on to Phillip Margolin's EXECUTIVE PRIVILEGE. Phil's father-in-law is a good friend of mine. We worked together at an insurance company and have been friends since. I've met Phil a couple of times and he is a very nice fellow. Sometimes his writing is to graphic for me but I'm giving this one a shot.
Since we are talking about books now here are some of my suggestions for late Summer Reading:
Books on Tape:
CAMEL CLUB by David Baldacci. Five retired government employees get involved in a murder investigation. First in a triology.
BLIND ASSASSIN by Margertet Atwood. Two books in one. Very entertaining, well read.
Reading Suggestions:
SAVING GRACES by Patricia Gaffney. Five women get together once a week to talk about their lifes. Graces is a dog that the five rescued. Very well written, very insightful, towards the end get a ton of kleenexes.
ART OF DECEPTION by Ridley Pearson. Set in Seattle, Washington. Part of the Dahpne Matthews series. She is a police forensic psychologist that meets murder and a teenage runaway as a volunteer teenage runaway counselor. Well written, good story.
THE INNOCENT MAN by John Grisham. Normaly I don't like Grisham books because all of his endings are the same. However, this is a great book. Grisham ventures out into the realm of true crime and weaves an amazing story. A New York Yankee prospect is arrested for a murder he didn't commit. Be prepared to be angry when reading this book.
THE WHOLE TRUTH by David Baldacci. Defense contractors and crime. Baldacci is the master story teller.
CAPITOL CONSPIRACY by William Bernhardt. Politics and crime. Bernhardt is actually my favorite writer. He has a real strong female character, Christina. In this book terror leads the way as the head of Homeland Security is murdered. The political fall out that follows is realistic, frightening, and a great read.
SOMEWHERE IN HEAVEN by Christopher Anderson. I saved the best for last. The ultimate love story and it is true. It is the story of Christopher and Dana Reeves. So well written you fall in love with couple so in love with each other that nothing can derail their respect for each other. A MUST READ.
Hope you all have a great day today.
Saturday, July 19, 2008
Mama Mia Review and Unusual Headlines
I just have four things to say about MAMA MIA:
1. Meryl Streep can sing.
2. Pierce Bronsan can't sing.
3. The movie would have to improve to be lousy.
4. I should have sucked it up and gone to THE DARK KNIGHT.
Now on to other things. I have a cousin, Sharon, that lives in Virginia but commutes to her job as vice president of a Wall Street Brokerage House. She lives in her NY apartment five days a week and commutes home to spend weekends with her husband in Virginia. Despite how busy she is every Friday she sends me an email with different stories and different themes. This week the theme was weird headlines. Here are some of those headlines:
From San Francisco: TIGER WOODS PLAYS WITH HIS OWN BALLS, NIKE SAYS
From Madison, Wi.: ATTORNEY ACCIDENTALLY SUES HIMSELF
From Eugene, Or.: COUNTY TO PAY $250,000 TO ADVERTISE LACK OF FUNDS.
No Dateline: MEETING ON OPEN MEETINGS IS CLOSED.
From Salt Lake City, Ut.: UTAH POISON CONTROL CENTER REMINDS EVERYONE NOT TO TAKE POISON
No Dateline: ONE-ARMED MAN APPLAUDS THE KINDNESS OF STRANGERS.
From Colorado Springs, Co.: STATISTICS SHOW THAT TEEN PREGNANCY DROPS OFF SIGNIFICANTLY AFTER AGE 25.
May you all make headlines today and in a good way!
1. Meryl Streep can sing.
2. Pierce Bronsan can't sing.
3. The movie would have to improve to be lousy.
4. I should have sucked it up and gone to THE DARK KNIGHT.
Now on to other things. I have a cousin, Sharon, that lives in Virginia but commutes to her job as vice president of a Wall Street Brokerage House. She lives in her NY apartment five days a week and commutes home to spend weekends with her husband in Virginia. Despite how busy she is every Friday she sends me an email with different stories and different themes. This week the theme was weird headlines. Here are some of those headlines:
From San Francisco: TIGER WOODS PLAYS WITH HIS OWN BALLS, NIKE SAYS
From Madison, Wi.: ATTORNEY ACCIDENTALLY SUES HIMSELF
From Eugene, Or.: COUNTY TO PAY $250,000 TO ADVERTISE LACK OF FUNDS.
No Dateline: MEETING ON OPEN MEETINGS IS CLOSED.
From Salt Lake City, Ut.: UTAH POISON CONTROL CENTER REMINDS EVERYONE NOT TO TAKE POISON
No Dateline: ONE-ARMED MAN APPLAUDS THE KINDNESS OF STRANGERS.
From Colorado Springs, Co.: STATISTICS SHOW THAT TEEN PREGNANCY DROPS OFF SIGNIFICANTLY AFTER AGE 25.
May you all make headlines today and in a good way!
Thursday, July 17, 2008
The Movies, More Golf, and Mom.
Two movies are coming out Friday, Mama Mia and The Dark Knight. I think I am heading out to Mama Mia with Meryl Streep and put The Dark Knight on the backburner. I'm avoiding Dark Knight because I know the number one emotion I will have during that movie is regret. I am just having a hard time getting past Heath Ledger's death. All I will think of during the movie is what a wonderful talent he was and what a waste it is that we lost him so early to an accidental drug overdose. All the reviews say Ledger's last role is memorable and he gives his best performance.
Maybe someday I will suck it up and go to The Dark Knight but this is not the day and the day won't come for a while. There will be a review on Mama Mia this weekend.
I have a new set of golf clubs now. Took my clubs to the driving range and even improved over yesterday. My arms and shoulders are just fine now. After I loosened them up yesterday they withstood the assault on them today.
I was called out to the retirement home where Mom was today because the staff thought she was ill and needed someone to be with her. She was very ill but it wasn't life threatening. I stayed with her all afternoon and she got well. I tested her blood pressure which was normal, tested her sugar which was normal. So it was a one day stomach virus. I fixed her soup and gave her some diet 7-1up and some soda crackers. She got well within three or four hours. Well enough to go down to dinner at her retirement home. I'm glad she is better. The call was very bothersome, however, because when you get the call you think the worse. You think oh no this could be the day she leaves this world and the emotions just overtake you. Thank God she recovered so fast and hoping I don't get one of those calls again.
May this be a great weekend for everyone!
Maybe someday I will suck it up and go to The Dark Knight but this is not the day and the day won't come for a while. There will be a review on Mama Mia this weekend.
I have a new set of golf clubs now. Took my clubs to the driving range and even improved over yesterday. My arms and shoulders are just fine now. After I loosened them up yesterday they withstood the assault on them today.
I was called out to the retirement home where Mom was today because the staff thought she was ill and needed someone to be with her. She was very ill but it wasn't life threatening. I stayed with her all afternoon and she got well. I tested her blood pressure which was normal, tested her sugar which was normal. So it was a one day stomach virus. I fixed her soup and gave her some diet 7-1up and some soda crackers. She got well within three or four hours. Well enough to go down to dinner at her retirement home. I'm glad she is better. The call was very bothersome, however, because when you get the call you think the worse. You think oh no this could be the day she leaves this world and the emotions just overtake you. Thank God she recovered so fast and hoping I don't get one of those calls again.
May this be a great weekend for everyone!
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Investments, Stiffness, and Cards From The Visitor
Hello there everyone. Been a busy few days. I took a big step and invested into a beauty products company. The company is a start-up company so it is a huge risk but it could also have a huge reward. Because of where the company is at I was able to buy a small percentage of the company for about 25% of what it would have normally cost. It was still spendy. But my IRA money market has been hitting the skids so it seemed doable to me. I will either lose my investment or make a fortune. In the interest of full disclosure my niece and sister are also owners of the company. The product is a skin product that hydrates skin and cleans up blemishes. It is a vitamin based cocktail powder that you add to any drink that you enjoy drinking or even add it to ice cream or do what I did this morning and add it to cereal. I've tried the product and it really seemed to work. The blemishes that I had are pretty much gone. Where the company is now is that CVS Pharmacy has placed an order to put the product in their stores but the company doesn't have enough cash on hand to order the ingredients it needs to fill the orders it is getting. That is where my cash comes in. Maybe it will turn out to be a really dumb idea, maybe it will make me set for life. It won't be known for at least a year. And I am purposely not naming the company because I'm not going to use my blog to promote products, even if I have an interest in the product!
I know realize I have arms and shoulders. I went to the driving range yesterday and hit the ball pretty well. However, not having used those parts of my body for much the last few years the arms and shoulders were hard to move and now they harder to move because they are stiff as can be. I'm optimistic that I will live to use my arms and shoulders again. Probably tomorrow or the day after. The driving range was fun and the lesson was I need more excercise than just walking. My legs are stong, now the arms and shoulders will follow.
Each of the last two days I received a thank you card in the mail from my visitor, Kate. The first card was to thank me for letting her stay in mom's house, the second was for thanking me to take her to visit mom. She also said she is feeling much better now that she is back in Arizona. I don't know what to think of the cards, one would have been enough. I'm not getting sucked back in, my mind is pretty firm about moving on.
May this be a great evening and tomorrow be a great day for all of you.
I know realize I have arms and shoulders. I went to the driving range yesterday and hit the ball pretty well. However, not having used those parts of my body for much the last few years the arms and shoulders were hard to move and now they harder to move because they are stiff as can be. I'm optimistic that I will live to use my arms and shoulders again. Probably tomorrow or the day after. The driving range was fun and the lesson was I need more excercise than just walking. My legs are stong, now the arms and shoulders will follow.
Each of the last two days I received a thank you card in the mail from my visitor, Kate. The first card was to thank me for letting her stay in mom's house, the second was for thanking me to take her to visit mom. She also said she is feeling much better now that she is back in Arizona. I don't know what to think of the cards, one would have been enough. I'm not getting sucked back in, my mind is pretty firm about moving on.
May this be a great evening and tomorrow be a great day for all of you.
Sunday, July 13, 2008
The Challenge of A Friend
The other night I was on an instant message with a friend from a different part of the country that I live in. We are close to the same age, both looking for someone, and both a lot on the shy side. During the conversation we decided we needed to take more risks. We decided we need to get out there and make ouselves seen. I'm am so proud of her for what she did the next day.
She went out to breaksfast at a restaurant alone. A big step for anyone really but even more so for a woman. She saw some guys but they were all married or otherwise taken. But the important thing is that she took a risk. Good for her.
As part of taking a risk she challenged me to take a risk. To go to a grocery store and if I found an available woman to at least say hi to her. OK, she can do something big like go to a restaurant alone, I can do something big like go to a grocery store and smile and speak to someone. I walked over to the grocery store in my neighborhood not once but three times. Unfortunately, every time I walked through the grocery store all the ladies had wedding rings on or were with someone so I couldn't complete the mission. But the important thing isn't that I didn't complete the mission, the important thing is that I took a risk, and was ready to complete the mission if the situation presented itself. Good for me.
After my excursions to the grocery store I went to the golf course and explored taking golfing lessons. Monday I am going to the driving range just to see how far I've regressed since stopping playing golf a few years back and to see how much instruction I need. A beginning class or an advanced class.
I appreciate my friend that I instant messaged with becuase she has encouraged me to take risks. Friends like that are rare.
What risks are you taking today?
She went out to breaksfast at a restaurant alone. A big step for anyone really but even more so for a woman. She saw some guys but they were all married or otherwise taken. But the important thing is that she took a risk. Good for her.
As part of taking a risk she challenged me to take a risk. To go to a grocery store and if I found an available woman to at least say hi to her. OK, she can do something big like go to a restaurant alone, I can do something big like go to a grocery store and smile and speak to someone. I walked over to the grocery store in my neighborhood not once but three times. Unfortunately, every time I walked through the grocery store all the ladies had wedding rings on or were with someone so I couldn't complete the mission. But the important thing isn't that I didn't complete the mission, the important thing is that I took a risk, and was ready to complete the mission if the situation presented itself. Good for me.
After my excursions to the grocery store I went to the golf course and explored taking golfing lessons. Monday I am going to the driving range just to see how far I've regressed since stopping playing golf a few years back and to see how much instruction I need. A beginning class or an advanced class.
I appreciate my friend that I instant messaged with becuase she has encouraged me to take risks. Friends like that are rare.
What risks are you taking today?
Thursday, July 10, 2008
Hancock The Movie and News on My Brother
Went to the movie Hancock this morning but before my review of the movie I received some news from my brother. Would like to ask everyone for good thoughts and prayers for my brother for a quick recovery. Got a call from my brother from the emergency room in the hospital in Dubois, Wyoming. While playing tennis with my nephew my brother ruptured his achilles tendon on his left foot. He had surgery this morning on it and they are expecting a ten week recovery. He will be on crutches for most of the ten weeks. The recovery will be very difficult for him because he is so active and this is the first major injury that he has ever had. He is going to be fit to be tied most of those ten weeks. So come on everyone send some vibes to my brother for patience and a quick recovery!
Hancock was a very enjoyable movie. Stars Will Smith, Jason Bateman, and the beautiful Charlize Theron. The basic plot is a hard-living superhero who has fallen out of favor with the public enters into a questionable relationship with the wife of the public relations professional who's trying to repair his image. Will Smith is Hancok, the hero. Jason Bateman is the public relations professional, and Charlize Theron is the wife of the public relations professional.
Three footballs. One for Smith. One for Theron. One for Bateman. They are did an amazing job of acting. The pumped up a week story line and made it enjoyable to watch. Sometimes the movie is a little sappy, the story line is unreal at times, and the special effects are repititive. Still worth the money.
Hope this day finds you all well and in good spirits.
Hancock was a very enjoyable movie. Stars Will Smith, Jason Bateman, and the beautiful Charlize Theron. The basic plot is a hard-living superhero who has fallen out of favor with the public enters into a questionable relationship with the wife of the public relations professional who's trying to repair his image. Will Smith is Hancok, the hero. Jason Bateman is the public relations professional, and Charlize Theron is the wife of the public relations professional.
Three footballs. One for Smith. One for Theron. One for Bateman. They are did an amazing job of acting. The pumped up a week story line and made it enjoyable to watch. Sometimes the movie is a little sappy, the story line is unreal at times, and the special effects are repititive. Still worth the money.
Hope this day finds you all well and in good spirits.
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
I'm Back
After the exhausting visit of an old love I took a couple of days off from the blog, email, and anything that required thinking. There was a lot that went on during the visit that I didn't report on like the number of times I was asked "how much are you going to inherit when your Mom dies?" It was so mentally free not having her here the last few days that I just kind of went with the rest that I thought that I needed.
The visit, however, did not sway me from the path of looking for someone to share my life with. I still think that would add a wonderful dimension to my life. It just isn't going to be the old love that was here. I'm going to take some cooking classes, maybe some dancing classes, go to Events and Adventures, etc. I'm not the bitter type. Nor am I the type to condemn an entire gender for the actions of one very misguided woman.
The agenda this week is pretty much open. I'm going to write on the book an hour every day the rest of the week. There is also of course the morning walks. The new Will Smith movie is calling me. Some visits to Mom to get the things she needs. Plus the lawns at the two houses, Mom's and mine. Then there are a couple of work assignments that the guys that bought my business gave me. Plus the blog.
Thank you all for being there for me and commenting on my guest. You are a great support system.
May this be a great day for all of you.
The visit, however, did not sway me from the path of looking for someone to share my life with. I still think that would add a wonderful dimension to my life. It just isn't going to be the old love that was here. I'm going to take some cooking classes, maybe some dancing classes, go to Events and Adventures, etc. I'm not the bitter type. Nor am I the type to condemn an entire gender for the actions of one very misguided woman.
The agenda this week is pretty much open. I'm going to write on the book an hour every day the rest of the week. There is also of course the morning walks. The new Will Smith movie is calling me. Some visits to Mom to get the things she needs. Plus the lawns at the two houses, Mom's and mine. Then there are a couple of work assignments that the guys that bought my business gave me. Plus the blog.
Thank you all for being there for me and commenting on my guest. You are a great support system.
May this be a great day for all of you.
Saturday, July 5, 2008
The Visit The Final Installment
The day she left the day ended with a 911 call. Sort of an ironic end to the day that the visit ended. The 911 call has nothing to do with Laura or my health. I was out for my evening walk when a car pulled over and a woman rolled down the window and told me that she shouldn't coudn't breath or swallow and asked what she should do. After checking her blood pressure I called 911. She had just taken some medication and was having a reaction to it. I'd never met this lady before, didn't know anything about her, and don't understand why I was the chosen one by her since there were others around. Maybe it is the target on my forehead. I found out in my call to 911 that she is 76, had a history of drug reactions, heart trouble, and was diabetic. In another ironic twist a police officer pulled over a car right in front of us for a traffic violation. I went and got one of the officers that came back and helped. The paramedics arrived in about ten minutes. They gave her something that brought her back to normal and then let her drive off. Just like the lady visiting here that never bothered once to say thank you the lady in the car didn't say thank you either. What a reminder to me that I was glad the visitor was gone. The police officer, bless his heart, did say to me "we need citizens like you. thank you."
Thursday after sleeping all day Laura/Kate called and wanted to join Mom and I for dinner. The three of us went out and had a nice dinner. After taking Mom home, Kate/Laura and I had a nice talk during which it was decided that since she wasn't really feeling well and since there really wasn't going to be a long term relationship between us it was really better for her to go home. I changed her reservations so that she could leave Thursday morning instead of Sunday.
Friday morning Laura/Kate and I went to breakfast then I took her to the airport. Helped her with her luggage, said good-bye, and then breathed a sigh of relief.
I'm actually glad that I had Kate/Laura come for a visit because it answered another question from the past, confirmed to me that the healthly plan that I am on is the right path, and helped me define what I need in the future. Plus I didn't have to roller skate.
I always wondered if ending the one long term relationship that I had in my life was the right decision back then when I made it. This visit confirmed that I made the right decision. As to defining what I need in the future, is that I need someone younger. Not age younger. Age is just a number. Younger in spirit. Willing to be active. Willing to do things. Willing to learn new things.
I also decided that there will be no contact my direction towards Kate/Laura. This is truly the end. She has already called twice, which I didn't answer or return. Harsh yes, but it is just better for both of us if we move on to explore other options.
Hope this day is a great one for all of you and that yesterday's celebrations were fun for all of you and your loved ones.
Thursday after sleeping all day Laura/Kate called and wanted to join Mom and I for dinner. The three of us went out and had a nice dinner. After taking Mom home, Kate/Laura and I had a nice talk during which it was decided that since she wasn't really feeling well and since there really wasn't going to be a long term relationship between us it was really better for her to go home. I changed her reservations so that she could leave Thursday morning instead of Sunday.
Friday morning Laura/Kate and I went to breakfast then I took her to the airport. Helped her with her luggage, said good-bye, and then breathed a sigh of relief.
I'm actually glad that I had Kate/Laura come for a visit because it answered another question from the past, confirmed to me that the healthly plan that I am on is the right path, and helped me define what I need in the future. Plus I didn't have to roller skate.
I always wondered if ending the one long term relationship that I had in my life was the right decision back then when I made it. This visit confirmed that I made the right decision. As to defining what I need in the future, is that I need someone younger. Not age younger. Age is just a number. Younger in spirit. Willing to be active. Willing to do things. Willing to learn new things.
I also decided that there will be no contact my direction towards Kate/Laura. This is truly the end. She has already called twice, which I didn't answer or return. Harsh yes, but it is just better for both of us if we move on to explore other options.
Hope this day is a great one for all of you and that yesterday's celebrations were fun for all of you and your loved ones.
Thursday, July 3, 2008
Thunderstorms- Day 2
I can report on Day 2 early. There were thunderstorms here last night. I absolutely love thunderstorms. I got up and watched them. They energize and excite me.
Kate just called. The thunderstorms kept her awake all night and she doesn't want to do anything today. She wants to stay in bed all day and sleep. We are back to that energy thing. So basically Day 2 isn't going to happen. I was willing to go in and fix her breakfast and lunch and make sure she was comfortable but she doesn't want anyone to come there today. I tried to be thoughtful and considerate. She just doesn't want to do anything but sleep. So Day 2 will just be me. This is just further confirmation that we aren't the match made in heaven. I understand people getting ill on trips and was willing to go the extra mile. I was even willing to take her to the doctor. But it takes two to work things out. One way relationships just never work.
Off to buy a set of golf clubs. I had planned on doing that after she left on Sunday but am going to take the free time to start working on my twelve goals for the next year.
Kate just called. The thunderstorms kept her awake all night and she doesn't want to do anything today. She wants to stay in bed all day and sleep. We are back to that energy thing. So basically Day 2 isn't going to happen. I was willing to go in and fix her breakfast and lunch and make sure she was comfortable but she doesn't want anyone to come there today. I tried to be thoughtful and considerate. She just doesn't want to do anything but sleep. So Day 2 will just be me. This is just further confirmation that we aren't the match made in heaven. I understand people getting ill on trips and was willing to go the extra mile. I was even willing to take her to the doctor. But it takes two to work things out. One way relationships just never work.
Off to buy a set of golf clubs. I had planned on doing that after she left on Sunday but am going to take the free time to start working on my twelve goals for the next year.
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
The First Day
Today was the first day of the visit.
The day started out with a nine o'clock meeting at the offices of the men that bought my business. We were meeting with a client that I have had for over twenty years. When I first met him he was working out of the trunk of his car, selling advertising time on radio stations. Now he is a millionaire many times over. He owns ten fast food restaurants in California, one in Oregon and four in Washington. He erronously credits me with some of his success so he won't do anything without my approval and wanted me in on the meeting with the new guys. It went well and he is now comfortable with the passing of the baton. Jon, the client, told me anything I want anytime just call him and he would do what he could. He is just the nicest man. It was such a pleasure to watch him go from a guy struggling to a guy set for life. He just recently married Donna, his business partner. Donna was at the meeting too. She also is a very nice person. They are a good match. Two people in their fifities finding love. That is pretty exciting.
After the meeting there was lunch with Mom and then heading out to the airport to pick up Laura whom now wants to be called Kate. Her plane got here a little after two. When she walked out of the security area she walked right past me. Didn't reconize me due to the healthy changes that I have made since the last time she saw me in 2001. I recognized her and went over and re-introduced myself. She is really nice but I'm not sure I won't tire of the religious talk the next few days. God forbid she is a fan of the 700 Club. She did get points for telling me that the reason she didn't recognize me is that I was younger and more handsome then the last time she saw me. What is amazing is that we had different energy levels. I had more energy than her. Not something I ever thought I would say. We stopped for a snack on the way home before getting her to her to mom's house. We had both been up since five this morning. She was exhausted. I was still ready to go do things. She took a nap, I ran errands.
At six we went out to see Mom at the assisted living center, Chehalem Springs. Mom and Kate got along really well. They were both glad to see each other again. They shared some pictures and had a nice chat. Then we took a tour of the facility. Well half of a tour. Kate got to tired to complete the tour. We definitely have different energy levels. After talking to mom for a little bit more Kate and I went out for a late dinner. After dinner we did a little grocery shopping and went back to Mom's house. Laura/Kate was ready to go to bed at nine. I gave her a hug goodnight and came home to report about the day on my blog.
Tomorrow the day won't start until ten because she wants to sleep in until then. I'll have half the day over by then.
The good of the day is that Kate made me feel really good about myself telling me how handsome and nice I was. She told me that so often that I almost started to believe it. If she tells me that that many times in the next couple of days it may go from being a good thing to an annoying thing. lol. The bad is the religious talk and the energy levels. Be interesting to see what tomorrow brings.
Hope all is well with all of you. Will report on Tomorrow's events tomorrow night.
PS
Just got back from a little excitement. Laura called and the police were at Mom's house. King City is a small community and they know when things just aren't right. They knew mom's house was supposed to be vacant and they were checking to see if Kate was supposed to be there. I went in there to show my driver's license and the deed to the house that shows me as the trustee of the trust that owns the house. I verified that Kate was supposed to be there and would be there until Sunday morning. Everything is now hunky dory and I'm back home.
The day started out with a nine o'clock meeting at the offices of the men that bought my business. We were meeting with a client that I have had for over twenty years. When I first met him he was working out of the trunk of his car, selling advertising time on radio stations. Now he is a millionaire many times over. He owns ten fast food restaurants in California, one in Oregon and four in Washington. He erronously credits me with some of his success so he won't do anything without my approval and wanted me in on the meeting with the new guys. It went well and he is now comfortable with the passing of the baton. Jon, the client, told me anything I want anytime just call him and he would do what he could. He is just the nicest man. It was such a pleasure to watch him go from a guy struggling to a guy set for life. He just recently married Donna, his business partner. Donna was at the meeting too. She also is a very nice person. They are a good match. Two people in their fifities finding love. That is pretty exciting.
After the meeting there was lunch with Mom and then heading out to the airport to pick up Laura whom now wants to be called Kate. Her plane got here a little after two. When she walked out of the security area she walked right past me. Didn't reconize me due to the healthy changes that I have made since the last time she saw me in 2001. I recognized her and went over and re-introduced myself. She is really nice but I'm not sure I won't tire of the religious talk the next few days. God forbid she is a fan of the 700 Club. She did get points for telling me that the reason she didn't recognize me is that I was younger and more handsome then the last time she saw me. What is amazing is that we had different energy levels. I had more energy than her. Not something I ever thought I would say. We stopped for a snack on the way home before getting her to her to mom's house. We had both been up since five this morning. She was exhausted. I was still ready to go do things. She took a nap, I ran errands.
At six we went out to see Mom at the assisted living center, Chehalem Springs. Mom and Kate got along really well. They were both glad to see each other again. They shared some pictures and had a nice chat. Then we took a tour of the facility. Well half of a tour. Kate got to tired to complete the tour. We definitely have different energy levels. After talking to mom for a little bit more Kate and I went out for a late dinner. After dinner we did a little grocery shopping and went back to Mom's house. Laura/Kate was ready to go to bed at nine. I gave her a hug goodnight and came home to report about the day on my blog.
Tomorrow the day won't start until ten because she wants to sleep in until then. I'll have half the day over by then.
The good of the day is that Kate made me feel really good about myself telling me how handsome and nice I was. She told me that so often that I almost started to believe it. If she tells me that that many times in the next couple of days it may go from being a good thing to an annoying thing. lol. The bad is the religious talk and the energy levels. Be interesting to see what tomorrow brings.
Hope all is well with all of you. Will report on Tomorrow's events tomorrow night.
PS
Just got back from a little excitement. Laura called and the police were at Mom's house. King City is a small community and they know when things just aren't right. They knew mom's house was supposed to be vacant and they were checking to see if Kate was supposed to be there. I went in there to show my driver's license and the deed to the house that shows me as the trustee of the trust that owns the house. I verified that Kate was supposed to be there and would be there until Sunday morning. Everything is now hunky dory and I'm back home.
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Summary of Blog Vote And Updates
A big thank you to all that responded to the question of how to improve my blog. All your comments were appreciated. The general consensus is I should keep doing what I am doing and that I should write about what is on my mind at the time. Also that I should be myself. The problem is sometimes I don't know who myself is. I also agreed with Mary that I should show more of my humorous side. I've been thinking about my type of humor and why I haven't been able to show more of it on the blog. I've come to the conclusion that my kind of humor is reactionary humor not creative humor. I have a unique ability to see the humorous side in what people say and do. I also have the ability to make fun of the crazy things that I do and say. In the line at the grocery store I can make the whole line laugh by saying something in response to what the checker said or by making fun of what I am buying. However, to stare at a blank piece of paper and create something humorous is really difficult for me. It gives me an area of my personality to work on. I love that.
Here is some updates on what is going on in my life:
Mom. She seems to be losing a lot of her physical strength. Her mind is still sharp but she is having a lot of trouble walking. This worries my greatly. The place that she is in isn't the great place we all thought it would be. It is very poorly managed and they don't have the healthy menu that they promised us before we moved in. The number of activities they have is limited because they aren't that full. Mom is planning on going home in Septemeber if we can find the help. I'm still having trouble separating from her. I go out there to often. Not daily but often enough that it is to often. I feel such an obligation to help her that is hard to not do things for her. Because she is often emotionally down when I visit her and then emotionally up while I'm there I feel like I'm hurting her by avoiding visits there. I really do have to place a higher priority on my own life.
My Uncle. Not all the results of the tests are in but it appears that they were able to give him the right medication to stop the big stroke after the little strokes so that he didn't lose any movement on either side of his body. This is really good news. There is still a little danger until all the test results are in. However, we are hopeful. Thank you all for your good thoughts and prayers.
My book. You all have read the opening. I have a good start and a very chilling ending. The last four chapters are some of the best writing that I've done and has a very creative ending. Not an expected one that is for sure. It is the middle that I am having trouble with. It seems like the middle of the book is boring. It is mostly story and character development. I need to learn more about how to write the middle of the book. I have about 12 of 40 chapters done. Forty seems like a lot but not really because some of the chapters aren't that long. When I read I found out that I like books that have short chapters because that gives natural breaks for me if I have to stop reading to do something.
My goal list. I'm stuck at 200. I can't seem to break that number. I want to get to 185 and I know I will get there but it is taking longer than expected.
The visit. Tomorrow.
The end of the visit. Sunday.
Hope this is a great day for all of you.
Here is some updates on what is going on in my life:
Mom. She seems to be losing a lot of her physical strength. Her mind is still sharp but she is having a lot of trouble walking. This worries my greatly. The place that she is in isn't the great place we all thought it would be. It is very poorly managed and they don't have the healthy menu that they promised us before we moved in. The number of activities they have is limited because they aren't that full. Mom is planning on going home in Septemeber if we can find the help. I'm still having trouble separating from her. I go out there to often. Not daily but often enough that it is to often. I feel such an obligation to help her that is hard to not do things for her. Because she is often emotionally down when I visit her and then emotionally up while I'm there I feel like I'm hurting her by avoiding visits there. I really do have to place a higher priority on my own life.
My Uncle. Not all the results of the tests are in but it appears that they were able to give him the right medication to stop the big stroke after the little strokes so that he didn't lose any movement on either side of his body. This is really good news. There is still a little danger until all the test results are in. However, we are hopeful. Thank you all for your good thoughts and prayers.
My book. You all have read the opening. I have a good start and a very chilling ending. The last four chapters are some of the best writing that I've done and has a very creative ending. Not an expected one that is for sure. It is the middle that I am having trouble with. It seems like the middle of the book is boring. It is mostly story and character development. I need to learn more about how to write the middle of the book. I have about 12 of 40 chapters done. Forty seems like a lot but not really because some of the chapters aren't that long. When I read I found out that I like books that have short chapters because that gives natural breaks for me if I have to stop reading to do something.
My goal list. I'm stuck at 200. I can't seem to break that number. I want to get to 185 and I know I will get there but it is taking longer than expected.
The visit. Tomorrow.
The end of the visit. Sunday.
Hope this is a great day for all of you.
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