BE A KID...WHILE YOU CAN

I love basketball...like to play...like to watch. Let's restate that. Like high school, love college, don't care much for professional basketball. Our Boilermaker team has provided nearly 30 years of fun for Cindy and me.

All this has been covered in previous blogs...nothing new.

Today, there is an article in the Chicago paper about a young man who is very, very talented at basketball...maybe the best player in the country. Problem? He's 10-years old!

College coaches recruit high school players. Some high school players were recruited out of grade school. I feel sorry for this 10-year old. He will be hounded for years...by people he knows...and more people he doesn't know...who will try to convince him they have 'only his best interest at heart'.

At least in the follow up article, it sounds like his parents have some control over him and guidelines for him to follow.

I hope, he has the chance to just be a kid...while he can. Sounds like he's going to have lots and lots of people hoping he'll grow up fast...to help 'them'...not 'him'.


Dan

OUR OWN THEATER

Cindy & I took the day off from work today. The grandkids are on spring break this week and we didn't want them to spend the 'entire week' at the babysitters, so we thought we'd try to at least make 1 day memorable.

So we packed the 3 of them and 1 of Mason's friends in the car and headed for the movie theater. We thought we'd go see 'How to Train Your Dragon'. After emptying the savings account, we paid for 6 tickets, popcorn, drinks and candy and headed for the hallway leading to the multi-theaters.

The kids led the way and we found a room that was showing our movie. First thing we found was that if you want to watch a movie without the big crowds...go during the 'day'. The six of us were the only ones in the theater.

We guessed we were a little early because they weren't even showing previews. We sat a little longer...and a little longer...and Cindy finally asked...is it possibly showing in another room? So I stepped back out in the hall, and right next door...was the theater room we were 'supposed' to be in.

I headed back to gather the crew and we headed to the 'right' room...and still had the place to ourselves.

A good movie...and a good time together.


Dan

THINGS DONE AT WORK

The hospital I work for, did a little research on use of the computers at work. There are 12 hospitals across the midwest in our order, so there's lots of computers in use...at all times.

The IT guys found 'not all' of the work...has been for hospital use. They found thousands of 'hits' on Facebook and MySpace...every day. Based on that, they decided to 'block' access to those accounts.

It looks like the practice of checking out Facebook, and the likes, is pretty common in the workplace. As well, with more and more SmartPhones out there...how much work is 'not' being done as people keep 'one eye' on their phone?

As companies watch their bottom lines more and more...I wonder how many other companies will follow the example of 'the sisters'?


Dan

GERTRUDE = DAN = GERTRUDE

The photo of Gertrude reminds me of what I'm seeing when I look in the mirror lately.

Cindy got some new bathroom scales last week. Thinking of having her take them back because their broken...I'm sure. As I've said recently...we need to replace our dryer too because it keeps shrinking my pants.

They just don't make appliances like they used to!


Dan

WRONG TIME...TO BE RIGHT

Tuesday...while at work...several of us began discussing the local news in which a Purdue student was missing since Sunday. Seems he had last been heard from via a text message late at night, suggesting he was going to someones home north of Indianapolis, in the area of Geist Reservoir.

The young man, as reported, seemed to be a nice fellow, not one who would just disappear without notice. He was a good student...and a good son.

During our conversation I hinted they should be looking in some of the ponds or hidden bays near the reservoir. I said it's not impossible for someone...late at night...to be in a hurry to get 'unlost'...drive a little faster than they should...turn down a road they hope would get them to a place that looked safer...and more familiar. What if this happened...and he unknowingly drove right into the lake?

Wednesday morning...he was found in his car...in the lake. A sad ending. May his parents and family find peace...somehow...someday...from an awful tragedy.


Dan

MORE ON 'THE BILL'

Yesterday...I wrote about 'Joe' and his interpretation of the signing of the healthcare bill. Shortly after I submitted the story...I felt vindicated...unfortunately...for how I perceive 'Joe'.

I try to not watch too much TV news and I was reminded why, yesterday. I was passing by the TV (no one was watching it...it was just on) as I was on the way to the deck to grill something and I heard...maybe...the first 2 minutes of the news before I had to walk away from the negativity and go outside.

Of course the lead story was the passing and signing of the healthcare bill. Here were the first 4 comments that I heard on TV. 1) Limbaugh saying..."we have to run these bastards out of office" (implying the Democrats who voted 'for' the bill); 2) Palin having a list of 12 Congressmen she put on the top of her 'defeat list'; 3) over $1 million dollars had been donated to the 'defeat Nancy Palosi fund'; and 4) a dozen AGs (State Attorneys General) who were going to sue for the illegality of the bill.

In 2 minutes...that was the news being reported. No wonder 'Joe' is confused. He wants to believe something 'good' has been done, but he is overwhelmed by negativity.

I repeat...the President and the Democrats better get out there and convince 'Joe' that the right thing was done yesterday.

Without a doubt...the November elections are going to be ugly. The Republican stance will be 'we DIDN'T vote for the bill'. The Democrat stance will be 'we DID vote for the bill'.

'Joe' will either follow the Republican response and vote them in to replace the Democrats who support the bill...or...with the lead of the President...see that the negativity and divisiveness of the Republicans is only making matters worse...will vote even more Democrats into office to do even better things. The Republicans are rolling the dice and going 'all in' here.

Each party has much to lose. And so do we!


Dan

CHANGE? AGAIN?

I would consider myself 'average Joe American'. I do not know the governments 'doings' inside-and-out. I do not know my congressmens' opinions and voting record on every subject. Maybe I should...it is my right...but I don't. I believe there are more 'Joes' like me out there...than there are those who do know those things.

The new healthcare plan has now been signed by the President. Is it good? Is it bad? I think 'Joe' thinks it's a little of both...but he probably has heard more bad than good.

The President...in my opinion...has made a mistake in NOT making his reasoning for this plan more understood by 'Joe'...and I think he'll pay for that mistake. Oh, he's told 'Joe' that more Americans (30-35 million of the 43 million uninsured) will be able to be insured in the coming years. But the President has not talked down those 'pundits' who have continually told 'Joe' that 'this plan' will cost $1 trillion over the next 10 years. What the President needs to say to 'Joe' is..."maybe it will cost $1 trillion...but if we DON'T do it...it will cost 'THIS MUCH'."

I have patients 'every day'...not once a week...not frequently...but 'every day' who are unemployed and thus uninsured. Most of them I feel sorry for. The guy who has lost his job because the factory is downsizing...or the business closed due to lack of paying customers. That's not 'his' fault. He 'would' work...if he 'could'...but there's just no jobs out there. At least few paying decent money with benefits. I don't mind helping 'this guy'...because he'd likely do it for me if the situation were reversed.

However, I struggle with the '20 something' kid who is having his test while on 'disability'. WHAT!? You are standing on 2 legs, you have 2 arms (albeit covered with tattoos), I see the pack of cigarettes in your pocket...and the cell phone clipped to your pants. And you say your daughter you have with your girlfriend is at your parents house while you're here...and you're heading to McDonald's when you're done because I wouldn't let you eat before the test...and you've convinced someone that the ache in your back has 'disabled' you from working...ever again! YOU...sir...I don't feel sorry for.

In both of these examples...my hospital will probably write off most, if not all, the debt because they won't get paid. In 2009, I believe they wrote off over $50 million in these type situations. And that's just the 2 hospitals I work for. There is a 3rd hospital less than 2 miles away and I'm sure they write off millions too. And an hour away, in Indianapolis, there are probably 15 hospitals...and across the country there are how many hospitals?

How much are they all writing off? The President needs to tell 'Joe' THESE numbers. The $1 trillion dollars for the new plan may seem small in comparison.

Who IS paying for all these write offs? 'Joe' is....that's who.

Since the bill is now passed, I think the President and his fellow Democrats better do some fast talking. America knows that NO Republican voted for the bill...only Democrats.

I believe the reason the President and many of the Democrats now in office...are there...because the country was tired of the direction we were headed with Bush and the Republicans. The buzzword was CHANGE. "We need CHANGE...and we got it!" I believe that same buzzword will be used this fall in the mid-term elections.

For those people who are opposed to the newly passed healthcare plan...and for 'Joe'...who just doesn't understand it but keeps hearing how much it's going to cost him...they will be a strong voice come election time. And they won't care who the Republican candidate is or what his policy is...they will just hear that 'he' didn't vote for the plan and that Democrat 'did'.

The bill, I hear , is 2400 pages in length. I haven't read 2400 pages in the last 10 years and I'm betting 'Joe' hasn't either. I'm guessing few of those in Washington have read every word on every page of that bill. Instead...I'm also guessing...10 of their 'staffers' were each given 240 pages to read and told to return to a meeting to give their summary of those pages. The 10 summaries were combined to make 'one' opinion of the overall document.

President Obama...in my opinion...needs to simplify those 2400 pages into a 5 minute speech that 'Joe' can comprehend and accept...telling him why the 'new' plan is better for him than the 'old' plan. Otherwise...come November...I think we are gonna see ANOTHER CHANGE!


Dan

IF IT WALKS LIKE A DUCK...

I've heard of scams. Probably been 'taken' in minor ones in the past. But I believe I'm reading about one.

Seems as though Italy has a way of tracking down...who 'they' believe...are law breakers. Maybe the speeders are legit. And maybe we should do a little of it here. Hey...I've already commented... in a previous blog...about the idiots who like to pass me on the right because I'm 'only' driving the speed limit.

But Italy is also tracking down those 'dirty bastards' who don't put their dimes and quarters (euros) into parking meters!

Scam? If it walks like a duck...sounds like a duck...


Dan

SODIUM CONUNDRUM

We've all seen them. As I remember, my dad was one of them. The people who sit down at the table...and reach for the salt and pepper shakers...before they've taken that first bite. Just a habit they've picked up over a lifetime.

Sounds like we all still take in too much salt.

I've tried to break the salt habit. I rarely add salt to my food unless it's 'so bland' that I have to, to tolerate the taste. Pepper? Yes. I add pepper to much of my food, maybe to cut back on the salt use. So salt...yeah I'm doing better.

Now sugar...that's another thing.


Dan

THE DEATH OF THE LOCAL VIDEO STORE

A few years ago I visited a 'new' store at the 'new' strip mall where our grocery store moved...from the 'old' strip mall across the street.

The new store...was a Blockbuster. It had a plan that I liked. I could go to Blockbuster.com...order a couple of movies online to be delivered in the mail to my house. A few days later, the movies arrive. After watching them...I could take them to the Blockbuster store at the new strip mall where I was going to go to the grocery store anyway...and trade them in for 2 more movies off the shelf. While I was watching them...they were mailing me 2 more movies from my online list. For less than $20, we were watching 20-25 movies a month.

I thought the plan was a lot better than Netflix and the Red Box that were their main competitors. Netflix was also online, but had no place to trade in. You just put them back in the mail box and have to wait 'til the mailman took them back and then delivered new ones. With Red Box...I could see 'new' movies, but not old ones...like I could get through Blockbuster.

We watched a lot of movies over the last few years. But some months ago...Blockbuster changed their plan. They sent 2 movies that I could then exchange at the local store...but they didn't send me 2 new ones from my online list, until I had returned the ones I got from the store. Still...it wasn't a bad plan and we were watching about 4 movies a week. Still not a bad deal for the price.

Last week...all that changed. I walked into the Blockbuster store as I was heading to the grocery...and there were no movies on the racks. The store was being shut down. Bud, who I'd gotten to be friends with since day 1...was soon to be out of a job...and I was about to be out of a movie store.

Bud said that in a few years...'all' video stores will be going the way of Blockbuster. People don't want to go to the store to rent movies...when they can get online and download them immediately...without getting out of their car. Or Red Box is there, with an improved system, with movies for $1.

We want it 'now' and we want it 'cheap'.

Bud's out of a job...I'm out a video store.

Maybe the timing is right. Summer is coming...I don't want to stay inside and watch a movie anyway.


Dan

PROPER GARDENING WEAR

Cindy loves working in the garden. She has lots of flowers that she likes to get planted and tend to. There are several varieties that bloom in the spring...some more during the summer...and then a few late bloomers that last into the fall.

Working in the sun is something she's always enjoyed. She tans well (unlike me who is either pale white or red). Getting out to tend her flowers makes her feel good.

Generally, she's observant of her neighbors and wears appropriate clothing. Usually, she's in shorts...a sleeveless shirt...probably some gloves so she doesn't get too much dirt under her nails or stuck with a thorn or sharp object.

Apparently in Colorado, there's a lady who wears a little less while doing her gardening.

To most of us 'old men', it might be interesting if that neighbor is 25. But when she's 52, I'm guessing I'm looking the other way.

I love Cindy's flower gardens. I think the neighbors do too.


Dan

NOT THIS WEEKEND !

Without a doubt...we have become an electronic, visually stimulated, society. We are into out flat screen TVs...in the media room...in the bedroom...downstairs...heck, even out in the garage. We have desktop computers...laptop computers. We have cell phones that do almost anything that we need them to do.

The National Day of Unplugging is scheduled for tonight through tomorrow.

Now...this probably is a good idea. Let's unplug...and get outside and enjoy the weather. Let's read a book. Let's talk to our kids/parents. Let's take a walk. Let's go to the museum.

Let's unplug.

But THIS weekend is NCAA basketball. There are games on from Thursday through Sunday. My team's playin'.

I ain't unpluggin' nuthin'.

Maybe if my team loses. Then I'll go for a walk...and cry.


Dan

NUN SENSE

No secret that I am a Purdue Boilermaker fan. One of the things I was most proud to hear at the last basketball game of the regular season, was to hear that the 3 seniors on the team this year...will all graduate in May with their degrees.

I'd wager that most of the 64 teams in the tourney that start Thursday...cannot say that. Well...there is at least one other team that can...Xavier...thanks to one of the nuns at the school...who makes sure they study.

Student...athletes. In that order...not the other way around.

Students first...athletes next.


Dan

YOU STINK !

One of the policies in our hospital is to NOT wear strong perfume or cologne. Some of our patients feel bad already and don't need to be 'overpowered' by STRONG odors.

Unfortunately, it's a policy not followed very well. There seems to be several people that I run into 'too frequently' who choose to not bathe daily. Their answer, to their body odor, is to put on MORE perfume to cover it. If the perfume's aroma could be 'seen'...I'm certain you could see the 'cloud' around them as they walk down the hall, like Pigpen in the Charlie Brown comic strip.

Then there are those who choose to smoke cigarettes. They often make 2 mistakes. One...they 'reek' of the smell of smoke when they come back inside. Two...some try to 'hide' the odor of smoke by spraying on an overpowering cologne thinking it will hide the smell of the smoke. I'm not sure which one is worse.

Sounds like the city of Detroit has their own attempt to solve the problem...based on a lawsuit that someone won there.

There's good stink...there's bad stink. Either way...it stinks.


Dan

THAT SICKENING FEELING

Yesterday afternoon Cindy & I attended the Boilers basketball game in Indy with friends Vince & Lisa. It was a terrible display of basketball by the Boilers and the 'sickening feeling' was evident by all of us Purdue fans.

But we were to have yet another sickening feeling later.

After the debacle, the four of us decided to get out of 'downtown' Indy to get a bite to eat so we headed for the parking garage, found the car, argued over who would pay the parking fees and headed north to Zionsville, where we found Plum's Upper Room. It is a quaint, small, local restaurant upstairs in an old wood floor - rafter ceiling - location. A piano plays in the background for some entertainment but not so dominating you can't talk at your table without yelling.

It was a lengthy meal, not hurried, as we talked, relaxed and commiserated as we enjoyed a nice salad and soup and then awaited the meal. We all chose something different - Lisa...the crawfish without the antenna and eyes - Cindy...the pork loin - Vince...the pizza - and I had the manicotti. Our thought was to share a bite of each meal...among ourselves...but it was all good and we didn't share nuthin'...except some great carrot cake for dessert. We finally asked for the checks to settle up the bill.

That's when the 'sickening feeling' returned.

Vince reached for his money...and found the cash he carried...but he was missing the credit cards that he kept inside the folded cash in his pocket.

'That' feeling hit both him and Lisa as the thought raced through their mind of where those cards might be...is someone charging up items after finding them...the hastle of having to cancel them and then waiting on replacements. We've been there before...and it 'is' a sickening feeling.

The nice evening...the conversation...the good meal...were quickly forgotten. But cool heads prevailed. We traced our path...did he have them when we left the game? YES. When did you last reach in that pocket before trying to pay for the meal? Pause.......when we argued over who'd pay for the parking. Well then...they have to be in the car. We head for the car...open the door...and there they are...on the floorboard...having fallen out, unnoticed, when we pulled up to the parking paybooth.

The panic...the sickening feeling...the relief that it wasn't as bad as we thought it was gonna be.

Ah...panic over. Man that carrot cake was good.


Dan

CANDY ANYONE?

Candy machines. Love 'em...always have. Spent many of my younger years...before candy machines...at the corner drug store or at the 'Blue Bunny' down the street...gettting some penny candy with as many of my pennies I could round up.

Today...at many stores...you still see the little 'gum ball' machines with a variety of different candies and nuts in them. What used to be a penny or nickel or dime slot...has now turned into a quarter slot for your money. But after you insert your money...you crank the silver handle 'once around' and hold your hand down near the chute and open the lid...for your goodies to fall in your hands.

Am I the only person who still occasionally walks up to one of those little machines and...without putting any money in the slot...tries to turn the handle in hopes that just a few bits of FREE candy will drop down into the chute? Woohoo! Free Candy.

I've never seen a 'candy' machine that I could crawl up into...but as a little boy...I probably would have tried it too.


Dan

THAT 'TIME' AGAIN

Saturday night...no wait...it'll likely be Sunday...I'll need to go around and set all the clocks in the house.

And don't get me started. Why doesn't our 'entire state' change...or not change...when Daylight Savings Time comes around? There are counties north of me that stay with Chicago time, while we move to New York time. There are counties in southern Indiana, around my 'home' town that are on a different time. I just don't get it.

So Sunday...I'll roam around and try to get 'em all...the grandfather clock, VCR, TV, bedroom, kitchen stove, microwave, thermostat...let's see...it that all?


Dan

NEW AND IMPROVED ! YEA RIGHT

It appears the bad winter weather in Florida has driven up the price of orange juice. In the gallon size...Tropicana will raise the price. But in another product, they'll keep the price the same...but but decrease the size of the container.

Is this anything new?

I'd heard years and years ago...to look closely when you see a product advertising 'New and Improved!'. Generally...it means 'smaller size' or 'higher price'.

With Tropicanas' upcoming orange juice...it's gonna mean 'both'.


Dan

A KIND PEOPLE

Back in November, I wrote an article titled, 'Remember When'. The idea was spurred by the anniversary of the assassination of JFK. Many people of our generation remember where we were and what we were doing when we heard of the death of the President.

The country truly mourned the passing of JFK, and many, wrote letters of condolence to the young bride...the first lady...that he left behind.

Now, nearly 50 years later, many of those letters have been found and traced back to the sender and a new book it out that shares the letters...and the emotions felt by the writers...and the people they represented.

A few of the comments are listed in this article.

We are a caring people. When we are down...some people turn into the most amazing human beings.

I hope I'm one of them.


Dan

AH...THE QUIETNESS...WELL...SORTA

Last night, for a little over an hour...we lost power in our neighborhood. It wasn't storming...and I didn't hear any sirens nearby as if someone had wrecked a car into a nearby power pole and knocked out electricity in the area. It just...went out.

It was actually quite nice. It reminded me of less hectic times in my younger years. There was no TV playing non-stop. There was no phone ringing. The washer...dryer...dishwasher...were not running, causing their continual 'hum' of background noise.

We lit candles and lanterns to have light to see what we needed. Cindy read a book by 'flashlight'.

It was just...quiet...well...sort of.

There was the sound of a car passing by the house on occasion. But there were two noises...that were non-stop. One...was the house down the street about 2 houses away. He has a generator set up in the back of his house...that powers ON whenever there is a power outage (rarely). So we heard the hum of a motor running during our 'quiet time'...as it supplied power of some sorts to that neighbor.

The other...more obnoxious noise...was Mason...our grandson. Even with our coaching and asking...he could not keep his mouth shut...and just enjoy the serenity of peace and quiet. "When's the power coming back on?" "What happened?" Go play your DS! "I don't want to play my DS. It won't work without power?" Oh yes it will...it's battery powered! "Nuh-uh."

Oh for my younger years...when I could invent games to keep myself occupied. When the darkness allowed you to create an 'all new' set of rules and gameplaying.

Apparently that doesn't work for the newer generation.


Dan

THINGS YOUR KIDS SAY

As this article asks, 'are you writing down what your kids say?', I remember two that we wrote down.

Our daughter Jaime was the first. One day while Cindy, Jaime and I were driving by the nearby McDonald's restaurant, one of us made a comment about the American flag they were flying. The wind had whipped at the flag so much that the ends of the flag were tattered and 'frayed'. Jaime picked up on the comment and asked, "why is the flag 'scared'?" (she thought we were saying 'afraid').

The second comment came from Joni. One day while passing by her and Julie's bedroom while they were playing, an ambulance passed by the house with its' siren blaring. Joni ran to the window to see, then looked at me with big eyes and said, "I was going to say Holy Shit...but I know that's a bad word." The equally wide eyed look she gave as she realized she 'just said' what she wasn't supposed to say...was great.

I'm sure there's lots more...but those 2 are ones I've never forgotten.


Dan

DECISIONS AT THE END OF LIFE

Almost every day, I care for a patient who may be nearing the end of their life. Probably once a week, the patient is in such poor health that I wonder 'why are we doing this test'? 'where is their family and why are they doing this to their loved one'?

It is easy to think those thoughts...when we aren't 'directly' involved in the decision. When it is 'you' or 'your loved one'...do different thoughts run through your mind than when you are looking at the situation from 'the outside world'? Of course they would.

An interesting article by a wife of a man who died from cancer. Look at it from 'her perspective'. Look at it from 'his' perspective. Look at it from an 'outsiders' perspective.

What decisions would you make?


Dan

ELECTROCUTION ERROR

My brother questioned my story of the man who 'reportedly' died of electrocution while urinating on a downed power line. Dave said that 'mythbusters' has proven that a person can't be killed in that way.

A new story sides with my brother. The man may have been urinating...but that wasn't what killed him. He accidentally...or unknowingly...picked up the downed line and was electrocuted when he did.

Matter corrected.


Dan

P*** ON IT !

Some days...it just doesn't pay to get out of bed.

I'm going to have to question if there was any alcohol involved. My initial guess is...YES.

Maybe this guy just got the P*** scared out of him. Accidents can do that.

Any way...a shocking end.

Sorry!


Dan

PET PEEVES # 2 & 3

Some time back I spoke of a pet peeve regarding people who 'overuse' their remote door lock feature on their cars. (See blogs for specifics on the topic).

Two more 'peeves' reared their ugly head yesterday. It had been a long 10-hour workday and I wasn't in the happiest of moods on my way home anyway so they really irked me.

One peeve is pretty short-and-sweet to explain...and I know there are those of you out there who agree with me. Two words...TURN SIGNALS! More specifically...those people who apparently don't have them installed on their cars...because they DON'T USE THEM! Okay...enough said...I think you know where I'm coming from so I won't get into more specifics. But sometimes...I'd like to have an external loudspeaker on my car so that...when I'm passing by that moron not using his signal, or he's pulling in front of me while not using them...I'd like to click on my 700mHz loudspeaker and 'kindly' ask him to...USE YOUR ****ing TURN SIGNALS!!

Peeve two will take some explaining and some visual imagination on your part. Our city has created a pretty good infrastructure of streets in that many of our 'heavily' traveled streets are 4 lanes...two in each direction. That helps to move the traffic through the north-south and east-west directions quickly.

My peeve is when I am in the 'left lane' of the 2 lanes going my direction...doing at or slightly above the speed limit...having some moron pass me on the right...and then pull in front of me. If he needed to be in 'my lane'...stay behind me and do the speed limit or above rather than speed by, just to pass me and then slow down. IDIOT...you are now going to get to where you were going exactly 1.3 seconds faster by being in 'front' of me than if you were 'behind' me by one car length.

After rereading this...I'm not sure I can explain the degree that this TICKS me off...but it sure does. The reason it really 'got' me yesterday...was that it was a police officer that did it. My usual gutteral utterance to the nincompoop who is illegally passing me is...'where is a cop when you need one...so he could pull that idiot over'. And I'll be damned...if this time...it WAS a cop. He wasn't going anywhere...and I was already going 3mph over the speed limit...he just needed to be 'in front' I guess.

Come drive with me someday...and I'll 'show' you what I mean. I don't know why that ticks me off...it just does. Anybody out there know what I mean...or am I just a crabby old man that needs something to bitch about?


Dan