Fireside Randomness

As the clock ticks down on 2024, it's time to drink deep from the randomness bottle and spew some musings and thoughts. 

No matter the time of day, or season, a wood burning fire is a true delight. 

Going to therapy or counseling is a good thing only when you truly give them permission to call you on your bullshit. 

Red sauce is so much better than white sauce. 

12 personnel is so much damn fun when you have the players. 

Reading actual paper books is therapy on its own.

"Sideways" and  "Swingers" are the consummate dude friend flicks.  

Day drinking and afternoon delights are healthy choices when used in moderation. 

If you truly live your life like Kerouac, Hemmingway, Shackleton, and Buffett did, you'd be the best version of yourself. 

There is nothing sexier than a tall beautiful blonde in tall boots. 

You should hate to lose more than you love to win. 

Dive bar bartenders are the best people to take advice from (and cheaper than doctors or lawyers). 

You are never too busy to take in a sunset or sunrise, go for a walk, talk with an old friend, read a book, sit quietly, write, appreciate art, listen to music, dance for no reason, or take a 20 minute nap. 

I challenge you to find a better all purpose word that carries such a diversity of emotions than "fuck." 

Dave Brubeck is still the definition of "cool." 

Don't confuse goals with dreams.  And, don't stop working on both. 

And...once you find your "happy place," go back to it, often. 

The Waiting Game

 

An uncomfortable quietness mixed with a feeling of helplessness. Uneasy anticipation. Impatiently waiting for the news.  

The hospital waiting room. 

Unlike in days of yore, when expectant fathers waited in the waiting room, today's waiting room is usually filled with a thick haze of despair.  

Hoping to hear that "everything went well" or "she is going to be okay." 

The minutes go by and it feels like a lifetime. 

You wonder what others are there for.  What are their stories? 

You could stretch your legs and get coffee to pass the time. Maybe, you read. Maybe, you watch TV mindlessly while you wait for the doors to open and call your name.  Whatever you can do to keep your mind going where you don't want it to go. 

Tom Petty said it best. "The waiting is the hardest part."  You are in limbo as your and your loved one's fates are in someone else's hands but the next time you find yourself in the waiting room, be kind to yourself, hold onto hope, and give yourself permission to feel what you are feeling.  It's Ok to be frightened of the "what if" and be excited about the "what could be." 

"The doctor will see you now."

Let's Get Physical

 

Before we discuss my latest physical, I need to give a prologue about Olivia Newton-John. 

It was a dream. Probably nine...maybe ten years old.  I still remember it like it was yesterday. 

Apparently, in my dream, Olivia was not only good friends with my sister but also an ex-girlfriend of mine (yes, the sleepover my sister had was awkward).  She drove me to my grade school (on a motorcycle of course) as we said our last goodbyes. She dropped me off, we hugged and kissed each other goodbye and that was it.  My first love...over, and there was no Danny Zuko comeback.  I was hopelessly devoted to her. 

Now, onto the real meat of tonight's diatribe.  My annual physical. I started seeing my new Doc last year when I moved and it was really just about who was seeing new patients.  Last year, high cholesterol.  Low blood pressure, triglycerides, and weight.  This year, low cholesterol and blood pressure and higher triglycerides and weight.  It's always something when you're getting older (I still can't figure out how I got this old).  The good news is that there is no bad news about the prostate, liver, or kidneys. 

A check-up is important. Both physically and mentally.  Your body and mind work together to get through this thing called life. Your soul then, follows. Take care of yourself.  Cleanse the brain and the bod every once in a while. 

Cheat sometimes, but don't cheat yourself.  Treat yourself, but not always with treats.  Care and be cared. Moderate and indulge. Live the teeter-totter to the fullest. 

Here's the thing...I've known way too many people who have died young (yes, anything under 70 is young).  I don't want to lose another. 

Time for some Xanadu.