Antivirus program plays keep away with my word document for the last time

I wrote the following last night using Word in anticipation of posting it at 5:00 A.M. this morning. Well, my Norton Antivirus program would not let me open it this morning because I needed to renew. I removed Norton Antivirus. Screw you. Who do you think you are? Microsoft? I will buy another antivirus program after I post this. Symantec you pushed me too far this time. It was a long day but the sales call went well.

Blog month starts off with me having to catch a plane to Indianapolis at 7:00 A.M. I’m returning later in the afternoon so it’s just a long ass commute. But I have to get up at an ungodly hour to get the plane, fly to Indy, rent a car, flawlessly schmooze a potential new client (falling asleep or yawning is not an option), return the car, get on the plane and return home. I’m really glad I don’t have to commute like this every day. My regular daily commute has been reduced to 5 to 7 minutes.

I did however spend the better part of 12 years using up 3 hours a day getting to work and back. I did it because I had to but it mostly sucked. Most of those years were spent on a commuter train which is much better, safer and less expensive than being stuck in your car. I did have a lot of time to unwind and read on the train and I met some nice people I wouldn’t have met otherwise. One of them works with me now and has for many years. So like everything there were some benefits.

My all time record driving commute was 3 and a half hours to get to work and 4 hours to get home. I believe that was the day that male pattern baldness started to become a bigger part of my life.

Commuting does play a big part in the lives of many of us. Here’s a modern blessing or toast for all of you. “I wish all of you the commute of your dreams.”

National Blog Posting Month

This is something that my lovely daughters happened upon and if they're going to do it, I'm going to do it. A blog a day for the entire month of November. I have no idea what will come out of this short of my daughters saying something about the fact that I did real well for the two days that I actually posted something. Maybe I should have saved this for tomorrow...damn!

I will post something every day in November.

Kicking politicians through the uprights

It's that time of the year! Unfortunately I am not talking about football season...

American politics and our political leaders are an embarrassment to us all. Discuss.

The Pathetic Cup

Warning: If you are not a golfer you may get lost in this rant or your eyes may glaze over.

At my local golf club there is an annual event that is modeled after the Ryder Cup. Two teams playing against one another. Individuals qualify for the team based on their tournament performance over the course of the season. For the sake of argument, lets call it the Harry Cup.

Now that it'’s over, here is my real take on the frickin'’ Harry Cup. My opinion is that the winning or losing of the Harry cup competition won'’t hold any true value unless there is some revelation and the cheaters (aka sandbaggers) disappear. Sandbaggers manipulate their handicaps to give themselves an advantage.Will Barry Bonds home run record ever have value? Will he ever be respected? Baseball is a game that was not founded primarily on the principle of honor. Golf is. If there is one life lesson to take from this game it'’s that you are the only one looking over your shoulder and you should do so with honor. Cheating on one'’s handicap is dishonorable and disrespectful to the game and to your fellow golfers.Hey bagger boy, you are missing the entire frickin point!

I know the sandbaggers won'’t disappear but I don'’t have to respect their actions or stoop to their level for the sake of claiming a victory in a meaningless local tournament or any tournament. What I set out to do was have fun playing the game, challenging myself and getting to know some very nice people.It'’s really the only reason I would ever play in this thing in the first place. The reward is in the process. Mission accomplished. I had a great time.I am not pointing fingers at anyone or asserting that sandbagging has been confined to one team or the other. I am not saying we lost or won because of sandbagging. I'’m saying that win or lose I would have felt the same way about the tainted value of a victory.

It's a goddam shame. There is no better reward than prevailing in a fair competition. There is no better feeling than playing on a level playing field and giving it your best; even if your best isn't good enough on any given day. The cheaters are stealing that from all the competitors.

Is it just me or does the idea of cheating to beat your “friends” in anything, let alone a golf tournament, seem pathetic? I'’m sorry but it pathetic. Make it a capital P Pathetic.

Freedom?

This whole same sex marriage fiasco makes me want to puke. Freedom in America should not be subject to religious interpretation. Same sex marriage is not harmful or dangerous to anyone and the government has no justifiable basis to deny this freedom. None. Nada. Zippo. While I really don't see this ruling affecting my personal life directly (I have always been an opposite sex marriage kind of guy), the denial of freedom in the "Land of the Free" absolutely affects all of us. Mr. Bush and the rest of you self righteous religious fanatics, what part of freedom are you failing to grasp? You are free to express your opinion on this matter but you are not free to make your opinion a law that eats away at every American's basic right to freedom and the pursuit of happiness.

Wake up!

Memory Meme

1. Who was your first prom date? My high school sweetheart who I eventually married.
2. Who was your first roommate(s)? It was a socially maladjusted guy that was obviously perfectly matched to me. No, strike that...he once said this while crying "my mommy told me I had to be a big boy when I went to college." I asked the college to find me another room after that incident.
3. What alcoholic beverage did you drink the first time you got drunk? I don't know for sure but I think it was bourbon.
4. What was your first job? I worked for a little company that did inventory of liquor stores. I never got to count the liquor but I was great on the beer nuts and swizzle sticks.
5. What was your first car? It was a turquoise 1967 Ford Galaxy 500. It was quick, it had a 390 horsepower engine. I loved that car...we called it the Peacemobile. Ah, the 60"s.
6. When did you go to your first funeral? My grandpa. Funerals suck.
7. How old were you when you first moved away from your hometown? It had to be when I left EGV for college. It was scary because I didn't know anyone there but it became my new "home" pretty quickly.
8. Who was your first grade teacher? ? I think her name was Sister Terese.
9. Where did you go on your first ride on an airplane? I flew to St. Louis from Milwaukee and then on to Dallas. I was a junior in college.
10. When did you sneak out of your house for the first time, who was it with? I never did.
11. Who was your first Best Friend and are you still friends with them? I think Dan Martin and yes we still keep in touch.
12. Where did you live the first time you moved out of your parents’ house? I lived in a dorm at college. My room was known as the club 402 so my room number will never fade from my memory. The name of the dorm is gone from my brain.
13. Who is the first person you call when you have a bad day? ? I try not to have bad days. My best friend and partner Michelle is usually helpful with that.
14. Whose wedding were you in the first time you were a bridesmaid/groomsman? My uncle Mickey's. I was about 15 or so. I stood up with one of the bride's sisters. Her husband threatened me and told me not to try anything with his wife. I was hopelessly hetero at this point in my life but my honest response to him had he not been a huge neanderthal of a guy that might hurt me would have been..."you are kidding aren't you?"
15. What is the first thing you do in the morning? Make coffee.
16. What was the first concert you ever went to? It was R.E.O. Speedwagon and Styx at my high school.
17. First tattoo or piercing? No
18. First celebrity crush? Candace Bergen...I still think she's an attractive package.
19. Age of first kiss? The first one that I want to remember was when I was in 6th grade. Amy....I liked it. The next time I went to confession I confessed it to the priest. He asked me if I did anything else and I had no clue what he was asking.
20. First crush? Gigi in first grade. We moved away when I was in 3rd grade but her family moved to EGV when I was a senior in high school so I got to know her again. That was pretty cool.
21. First time you did drugs? I went to college in the early 70's. Pot was a given and it was relatively cheap. Never messed with anything else recreationally.

Miracle Cure or Say No to Drugs

Well, it has been a while but I had to get this out there. For the last 3 years of my life I have been feeling kind of lousy. I had a myriad of bothersome muscular pain, occasional dizziness, muscle cramps, shortness of breath and last but not least, escalating anxiety. In the process of trying to figure out what was going on here, I was told I should have my gall bladder removed a couple of years ago. OK, you're the doctor. I thought this would solve the problem. Well, I did feel slightly better but not good.

This all started because somehow I was convinced I needed to get a physical when I turned 50. I entered the doctors office feeling great and came out and felt like crap for the last 3 years. Thanks for that!

I was trying to convince myself that this malaise was just part of the aging process and I would have to deal with it. Fortunately, I was wrong.

I've never been a big medication fan and until my 50th never really took anything outside of some advil, tylenol or aspirin. Well, my doc suggested that I take Prilosec OTC every day for treatment of my heartburn and GERD. I had been taking it for about....3 years. You see where this is going? It didn't occur to me that this drug (with the safe sounding OTC (over the counter) in its name) might have such serious and debilitating side effects. The packaging didn't give me any clues as to what this medication could do.

On a lark, I decided about 8 days ago to stop taking the Prilosec. I was grasping at anything at this point to try to feel better. Within 24 hours every symptom was gone. I felt as if I came out of a haze. I felt like me again for the first time in over 3 years. I still haven't come close to having any of the negative symptoms that I listed above. I have three words to say here "What the FUCK!"

I went up to the internet to research side effects as soon as I realized I was cured of the 3 year curse. I feel like a fool for doing this so late in the game but late is soooooooooooo much better than never. I visited this sight named askapatient.com and any others I could find. I discovered on askapatient that my side effects were not unique. Son of a bbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbb. God damn it! I cannot believe I suffered through this and the info was a few clicks away. While I am frustrated that it took me so long to figure out, I am ecstatic about the way I feel. Pissed and giddy at the same time...

This "Say no to Drugs" thing has a whole new meaning for me. The crap the drug industry peddles seems far more dangerous than the one I used occasionally in college which had me frantically looking for a Oreo cookies. My advice, be careful what you put in your body. Just because your doctor tells you to take something, don't give up your absolute right to decide what you do with your own body. The info is out there....be diligent...be decisive....be smart.

Christmas 2005

I'm stealing this from my daughters who in turn started the thievery.

What is the best gift you received this year? (Tangible gifts only, please!)
This is difficult. I got a lovely guitar to take to home #2. I'm really excited about that. I also got photos of all the kids and the pictures are excellent. The thought behind them was wonderful. Chocolate covered cashews are evil.

What is the best gift you gave this year?
I think I had a hall of fame year this season. I gave my lovely partner a limited edition John Lennon lyrics (Woman). I gave my lovely daughter limited edition John Lennon lyrics (Happy Christmas). My other lovely daughter received a great computer to take her into her IT masters program. We gave the two boys X-box 360's...Getting them was a trick. And there is always the Uncle J Christmas ATM imitation on Christmas Eve. I think my brothers and sisters, nieces and nephews would speak in favor of this act.

When did you do most of your shopping/creating?
I started sometime after Thanksgiving. I am an expert consumer. Most of the shopping was done online.

Did you go shopping the day after Thanksgiving (U.S.)? day after Christmas?
No frickin way on either day. Did a little online shopping after Christmas.

What stands out already about Christmas 2005?
I had a wonderful time with all of our kids. It was peaceful, relaxing and full of joy for me. My batch of homemade Christmas deep dish pizza was outstanding and da Bears beat da Packers!

Just do it

Another quotation with meaning for me.

"Write in your heart that every day is the best day of the year" Ralph Waldo Emerson

If you only had one more day to live, what would you do? I'm pretty sure you would not choose to be mean to anyone or worry about your job or pick a fight with anyone. Well, I don't know about you but I don't have a guarantee for tomorrow. I like my odds but life is one big uncertainty. One of the things I would do is surround myself with my loved ones and make sure they knew that I loved them. I do love them and I hope they know it. I will try to keep letting them know at every turn.

It takes wisdom to be able to live this way. Wisdom is hard earned knowledge. It can't be taught and it can't be purchased. It takes effort and experience. I'm willing to make the effort one minute at a time. The wisdom for me centers on two things my much adored father said to me on his death bed. "I can't believe it went this fast." and "I should have partied more." For those of you who knew my dad #2 is an understatement.

So, thanks to my dad I know its going fast and I am trying to make the most of every stitch of time that I have. I am not going to waste an opportunity to show or tell my loved ones that I love them. I am not going to spend time feeling sorry for myself. I am not also going to put myself in the position to say that I should have partied more. I believe in making everything a party. Even work.

You wanna party? Join me
Are you a loved one? I love you

Macca, thanks man!

I just wanted to write my thoughts about seeing Sir Paul McCartney in concert. I have been fortunate to have seen him a number of times. It's always been wonderful. This time was no different. One of the things I noticed at this show was how many people spent time smiling from ear to ear. I'm sure I was smiling as I was looking at them. Smiles are always a good sign.

Oddly, I have a feeling that I will never see him do a live show again; probably a combination of his age, my age and having seen him a number of times.

During the show, I felt like I was saying goodbye to an old friend. A friend I've never had a conversation with, shaken hands with, hugged, shared a meal with, never helped move or bailed out of jail. Yet this is someone special to me. Maybe because he never did ask me to help him move. No, that's not it. It was the gift.

Thank you Paul (and John annd George) for all the joy you've brought to me. You sparked my interest in music which is one of the greatest gifts I've ever received. It continues to make me smile.

Well, I deliberately soaked up every minute of the show and made sure I said goodbye to him after he finished the last song. He is forever responsible for one of the good parts of who I am.

Don't Worry Write Your Masterpiece

I have always loved quotations. There can be a lot of wisdom found sometimes in very few carefully connected words. They make me smile sometimes but mostly they make me think and I like that. So...I will share some in the days ahead that struck me.

"Worry is a misuse of the imagination" Dan Zadra - Business executive

I don't believe in worrying. I always found it to be a terrible waste of energy. The connection with imagination never occurred to me. But worry is just that...creating little negative cartoons in your own mind. Maybe it's a gift but most of the time I have been able to realize that I was about to "worry" and change my thinking. Imagine all the good things that one can conjure if you take your negative imagination and go the other way. I like the idea. As Sir Paul McCartney sings "What's the use of worrying? No use."

Brothers and sisters

Hurricane Katrina. What devastation. What an opportunity. Come on people. Reach deeply into your pockets and give. Our neighbors need help. Consider American Red Cross or Operation Blessing. The FEMA website has a list of others. Pick one, pick two, pick them all. There are a lot of people in a lot of trouble. Here's your chance to reach out and be a part of the recovery effort. Count your blessings and then share whatever you can and then some. What if it was your brother or sister, daughter or son?

If you consider yourself part of the American community, it is. Get busy.

Clues for the clueless?

My wonderful oldest daughter wrote this in a mail to me as a response to an article I had sent which pointed out that there were many many parents and spouses of killed servicemen and women that strongly disagree with Cindy's position. Just trying to present all sides...

"I guess I think that people like this aren’t listening to Cindy Sheehan, not really. I think that they see the protest of the war, but forget to hear what Sheehan is saying—that she doesn’t want anyone else to suffer the way all of these parents have. I suppose, too, I just don’t see how that dishonors any of the soldiers who have given our lives for their country.

I feel for any parent who loses a child to a war, no matter the cause or reason. But I think that the hopelessness I would feel, knowing I lost my child to a war that has no reason—or reasons that have been disproved—would be somehow different. It’s terrible, all of it. The insurgency’s not getting weaker, and more Americans (and many, many more Iraqis) will die. We can’t tame it, and I hope these people don’t think that we can, not with what we’ve got on the ground now. It’s not dishonoring the sacrifice of their children to ask that no more Americans be subjected to a fight we can’t win, is it?"

Heres my take...

All wars defy reason. I happen to believe that we do not know the complete truth about why we went into and still remain in Iraq. I also happen to believe that sometimes our leadership must decide what we (the public) need to know. There are intelligence reasons for withholding information at certain times.

At the same time, having watched Hotel Rwanda and knowing that the “West” was roundly criticized for “letting” Rwanda happen I can’t help but think we (America) cannot win. We ousted a brutal dictator in Iraq. Isn’t this a good thing for the good people of Iraq and the world community? Extracting ourselves from this mess is now the issue. How and when we get out without throwing the Iraqi people back to the lions is the central issue and should be our leaderships #1 concern. I admit that my #1 concern is that our leadership doesn't have a clue sometimes. (Don't we all?)

I think what our front liners are doing by proudly carrying out their duty, is something that we all need to get behind. I choose to believe that they are risking their lives in an attempt to free people they don't know because its the moral thing to do. I am proud that they are serving for us and hope as strongly as anyone out there that they return home as soon as possible. I also hope that the people of Iraq embrace sovereignty and protect it with the dedication that we do.

Hey Leaders...c'mon with the clues already. Get us out of there!

Evil Demon

Ok, it's time to go public with this. I am quitting the habit of smoking. I began the effort on Monday and am doing very well. Failure is not an option.

Now, having said that, cigarette smoking is an evil demon. The characterization of the ciggys talking to you and saying "Oh it's ok. I'm your friend. One won't hurt. Have one now." is more truth than fiction. Addictions are not fun to kick but this addiction is not fun to keep any longer. It's a pain in the ass. The anti-smoking fanatics keep reminding me how bad this is for me and more importantly to them, how it is bad for them and intrudes on their space. I wish they would mind their own fucking business but that is another issue. I did not decide to quit because of their inane efforts. I decided to quit for me and those that love me because they want me to quit not for the nameless know it alls that want to force their beliefs on me.

I can't wait until the nutrition nutcakes make me eat my cheeseburger in the parking lot so the fats don't leech into their systems. What's the quote "...from my greasy dead hands".

Only three things are certain, death (hey health fanatics this does include you), taxes (a thank you note from Uncle Sam would be nice, thats all I'm saying) and people that insist on foisting their will on other people (bite me!).

Think the withdrawal thing has put an edge on me? Ahh, you can bite me too!

Now this is good form! 

Where in the world am I? 

I Saw Brain Damage

I went with my daughters, nephew and my honey to see the Dave Matthews Band at Alpine Valley last Saturday. My quick concert review...Dave and his band are good at it. Excellent.

Now what the hell else was going on there was eye opening. We spent 2 hours of our precious time on the way into the venue on a highway route that should take 30 minutes or so in normal concert traffic. Traffic had gotten totally screwed up by an earlier thunderstorm I guess. There were kids, I'm guessing from ages 16 to 25, hanging out of cars, riding on the roofs of cars, puking out of car windows, urinating at will by the side of the road, drinking beer in cars, drinking vodka in cars, walking along the highway drinking (did I say chugging?)from rum bottles, vodka bottles and various other liquor bottles. Freaked me out a bit I must say. I was driving sober amongst this unruly hoarde and I was afraid for me and afraid for them. Passed out kids, kids crawling in mud, one bright bulb that would not clear the road so I could leave the concert. She even stopped walking so I had to stop my car. And then she turns and says "don't hit me bitch". Well, I wouldn't have even fantasized about making a pancake out of you "bitch" if you weren't walking down the middle of the freakin road. Get your fat drunken punk ass out of the road and you won't have any problems. Either that or get the syrup ready.

Concerts can be really a nice experience. These out of control kids don't really know anything about that. It's all about "Look at me...I can drink too much alcohol." It's not a skill people, any moron can do it. It was a moron festival. Ugly.

I guess I have always gone to shows for the show...there were kids that overdid it when I was a kid too. I didn't understand it any better then. I guess I love music, I love the experience.

Why would you buy an expensive ticket to a concert and then render yourself unconscious before the show even starts? No explanation will make sense. It is just simply brain damage.

Things that piss me off

I was just thinking about ticketmaster because a conversation on ticket brokers and ticketmaster and the whole fucked up system of getting tickets for any good shows anywhere. So in addition to Ticketmaster here are some other things that piss me off.

Ticket Brokers. How does the average fan get to see his favorite band or show without binoculars and an overworked Visa Card?

Politicians. They make my skin crawl.

Terrorism. Civilization and terrorism can not co-exist. I vote for civilization.

That there are people starving in this world...someone let me get em a sammich or two!

Bigotry...racism, sexism, ageism...any of these isms piss me off.

Traffic Jams when you are in a hurry. It never fails.

Not seeing Stevie Ray Vaughan play in person when he was alive. You can add Jimi Hendrix to that list...John Lennon...big list here. Now I go when I can to see those that still grace us with their talents.

Rain on any day that would otherwise be suitable for golf
Not getting enough rain this summer
Alright so I'm conflicted on the rain thing.

People that play golf slowly. It's a courtesy thing.

Poor customer service. Respect for everyone is not that difficult a concept. Treat your smallest customer like your biggest customer. Someday they might get there.

People that are rude. I was with 7 other people at a popular Maui cheeseburger joint and the sidewalk is a zoo..i see no reconizable line to get our names in to get a table. The dude says "OK who's next and how many?" And I start to say my name and this BITCH to my left says "I don't think you are next. I have been standing in line here and we are next. If there was a line it was only me and her but had she been polite i would not have cared at all if she went ahead of me. It would have been a chance to have a conversation in a non-confrontational manner and I would have believed her and let her go...no biggie. But she treated me as if I was a jerk before I even got to be a jerk. Slow down honey not everyone is an asshole like you. I did defer to her but she reviled me to the point that I hoped her dinner sucked. But I let it go...what a sorry bitch!

Poor losers and poor winners...I think I used to be like this at some point. Lose with grace. Win with grace. I like how that feels much better.

Not being able to think of any more things that piss me off right now!

Are they really human like me?

I am disgusted that I am a human when other "so called" humans use their abilities and resources to kill other humans when they are going about living their daily lives. We cannot let these bastards succeed in trying to steal freedom. These cowardly lunatics are for real and working to eliminate them is a positive step toward peace and freedom and the dream of a civilized world.

My heart is heavy for the civilized people of London and the balance of the civilized peace loving free world. Peace and Freedom...I'm not willing to give up the dream. Are you?

A meme that my daughters completed

Haven't been around in a while...who stole all my free time?


1) My uncle once: hired me to work construction during the summers of my college years. The truck we rode in was not working properly so we had to ride home on excrutiatingly hot days with the heat on full blast.

2) Never in my life: have I felt the need to use a "line" on a woman.

3) When I was five: I cut the fingers off one of my sisters dolls. Ok so a manicurist I'm not. I got a spanking for this one.

4) High school was: an interesting place to be in that era

5) Fire is: a word you never want to hear when you are blindfolded with a cigarette in your mouth?

6) I once saw: Count Basie in Morrie Mages...which was at one time the largest sporting goods store in downtown Chicago.

7) There’s this woman I know who: was a clown in Barnum and Bailey's circus.

8) Once, at a bar: I shared the bathroom with a couple of guys from REO Speedwagon.

9) By noon I’m usually: starving.

10) Last night: I fixed my newest electric guitar and played it for a while; it felt great.

11) If I only had: more time.

12) Next time I go to church: will be when the Cubs win the World Series...so never.

13) The best thing about my last relationship was: that we made 3 wonderful children.

14) What worries me most: is people that worry. A Paul McCartney lyric asks "What's the use of worrying? No use". I agree.

15) When I turn my head left: My wall calendar.

16) When I turn my head right: Three boxes of wine and a limited edition Walter Payton football.

17) You know I'm lying when: I say I like all kinds of music. I'm not sure I can get into a lot of the world music and most rap is not "music". It may be art but...

18) What I miss most about the eighties: my youth.

19) If I were a character written by Shakespeare, I’d be: an insuranseth unerwritereth.

20) By this time next year: I may have completed my male pattern baldness adventure.

21) I have a hard time understanding: why people aren't more kind and tolerant.

22) You know I like you if: you're not mean.

23) If I won an award, the first person I’d thank would be: Leonardo Da Vinci. He's the first person that came to mind. For what reason, I don't know.

24) Darwin, Mozart, Slim Pickens & Geraldine Ferraro: are up on the tee next.

25) Take my advice, never: say never.

26) My ideal breakfast is: making breakfast for my kids.

37) If you visit my hometown, I suggest you go to: one of our great restaurants.

28) Why doesn't everyone: just chill.

29) If you spend the night at my house: our hospitality will amaze you. And no, you must leave eventually.

30) I’d stop my wedding: What wedding?

31) The world could do without: politicians, bigots, so many lawyers, dictators, politicians, bigots, violent crime, hunger, greed, puritanical bullshit and life insurance sales persons.

32) My favorite blonde is: (was) an old blonde colored persimmon driver that I use to just crush off the tee until it shattered. The clubs name was actually "Blondie".

33) If I do anything well, it’s: spend money.

Uh, what happened to 34-43?? This meme was designed by the government and they needed more funding.

44) And by the way: Eric Clapton can really play that thing.

45) The last time I was drunk, I: had a good time drinking vino at home with some friends.