January 1, 2019

It is a new year. Great day to be here in Seattle, Washington in the beautiful Pacific Northwest. Went outside on the deck this morning with no shoes on...barefoot. Good to see the backyard tamed and poised for re-birth come Spring. Looking forward to that.

Went for my 3-mile walk around Green Lake. The weather was really nice; Sun was shining, temps quite mild in the mid-40's; and there was quite a throng of folks out walking, jogging, strolling, etc.

Talked with Leslie while walking. Had put the el cheapo iPhone knock-off earbuds in and she could tell, instantly. Given her protest I offered to "pull out", to which she howled; actually I believe she got quite a chuckle out of that; feigned outrage.

Love

"You can't help who you fall in love with." So said Marla Maples in reflecting back on her star-crossed, ill-fated relationship with Donald Trump. Playing out in real-time. There were the usual ups and downs; fights (lover's quarrels), break-ups followed by rapprochement. Ultimately, they married after the birth of their child Tiffany. I believe it was in regard to Marla that Trump rather indiscreetly intimated "Best sex I ever had."

This is somewhat of a breakthrough for me today; it certainly rings true. We have but one life to live and it behooves us to do all within our power to be happy while we yet may. I am making the decision to create a new life for myself and to seize happiness. The inimitable Donald Trump lost three business associates in a helicopter crash. He himself could have been on that same flight had circumstances been different. It was likely then that he decided to break with Ivana and take up with Marla.

Chapel Hill

This has been an enriching experience. My first assignment in North Carolina, my very first time working in the state ever.  Beautiful topography here in the Raleigh-Durham area.

Arrived here in Raleigh on April 1st. I have now worked 12 nights in a row since Friday, April 4th; 12 nights straight (including weekends) at 12 hours per night. Do the math.

Great to be in touch with my dear friend and former classmate Debbie Bragiel Tancier, who is now living in nearby Wake Forest.

Unfortunate that I didn't have an opportunity to venture into Raleigh or Durham to see these cities first-hand, up close.  Perhaps next time.

Good to reconnect with my friend Shelly Luu.

Good to see my buddy Regis again.  It's been a while since he and I worked together  Minneapolis-Saint Paul on the Park-Nicolett project.

UNC

Epic Systems   Epic@UNC.

The World of Favors

I returned from greater NYC on Friday morning, only to receive a distress call from...you guessed it Paul. Turns out that he had locked his keys in his car, his AAA roadside service had already maxed out, and apparently couldn't afford the approx. $75 to have someone come out. So guess who gets the call, yet again. Several months back I responded to a similar SOS when his van stopped cold on I-275 during early Winter of last year. Fortunately, it was not very far away. I drove out to pick him up; we went to the coffee shop; I called my mechanic Drew and asked timely advice, which put us on the right track. In the end, we got the vehicle going again and he was on his way.

Now, back to the story. I had only home for about an hour. Fortunately, occurred close by at Lilley & Joy Road, within a couple miles from the Olde Village. The young man has been self-employed - an independent contractor - for many years. His credit is shot, precariously toward losing investment in Milford Township home. I've offered to assist. Sat down with him, discussed some of the possibilities.  Only involved because his needy ex-wife reached out to me asking yet another big favor.  BTW, this weekend she and the kids are off to an amusement park. No mention of the $50 due for electrical work favor at Reve's condo; no mention of the $600+ due for "favor" when loaned for half of inordinately exorbitant Buick dealership auto repair bill.

• Did I mention that she called again late one evening to ask another "favor" - call LarLee Cohen to come repair A/C at Reve's condo for the tenant. 

• Did I mention that they are paying approx. $600 per month car note for a hefty Buick Enclave (with tinted sunroof) that they can ill-afford?

That said, I still feel tha I owe him a debt of gratitude because it was he who put me on the trail of the former ServiceMagic.com, lo these ten years ago (2005), and which in turn led to my entry into EMR/medical infomatics early the following year, wherein I am generally prospering to this very day.

Today I met Martin Luther King III. I had just landed at Washington Reagan National airport and was approaching baggage claim when I noticed him standing nearby while speaking to someone on his mobile phone. He kindly acknowledged me and, extending his hand, permitted me to interrupt his call. We shook hands. I felt honored to make a connection, even in such a small way, with the life and legacy of his father, the late, great Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. It was similar in many ways to the experience when I met the late Rosa Parks. She was crossing Lafayette Boulevard on her way to work at the offices of Congressman John Conyers in the old Federal building in downtown Detroit.

Sometimes things go just right. I would be the first to admit that I am not a Walmart fan.  I am not happy with their their over-all business model, corporate culture, or public image.  Ordinarily I am loath to enter one of their stores.

That said, I must say that Walmart made things happen for me yesterday.  I went into the Canton store with the intent of picking up a WiFi adapter for my troubled Toshiba laptop. I had no intention of walking out with a new flat screen television.  True, I had been gathering research on the subject from a few resources lately, and had just about settled on the criteria for what I was looking for.  to wit:

• 40-42 inch
• LED
• HD 1080p
• Smart TV
• Sharp, or equivalent brand.
• Maximum $500.00, or under.

After buying the Wifi adapter that I needed in the electronics department, I thought I'd stroll on over to the nearby TV display area and take a look at Walmart offerings. Couldn't help but observe the common confusing mix of technology combinations and screen sizes; LCD, Plasma, LED, 720p, 32", 52" $700, $3500, Sony, Samsung, Emerson, etc., etc. I spoke to a sales associate who, though dutifully answering  a few questions, seemed rather disengaged and not particularly  interested in whether I bought a new TV or not. When I finally asked him if I could buy a particular display unit, he sad no.My eye had been drawn to a nice 42" Vizio model that had everything that I was looking for, including price. But alas, that model was out of stock and the display item, I had been informed, was not yet for sale. It had originally retailed at $548 and had since been marked down almost 10% to $498.  I decided to ask someone else.

Dave had been very helpful with the WiFi adapter decision and said If interested in TV very knowledgeable. When sked about the Vizio in question suggested that speak to Lorraine, who knew everything. She came over, scanned product tag and, to my delight, informed me that not only could I purchase item, but at additional %20 off the already reduced price, or $398.00. I replied "Wrap it up", or something like that. Dave was sent to back room area to locate a fitting carton necessary tools to dismount unit.  Since I could see that things to do, didn't want to rush them, said I would be back in 15-20 minutes, to which Dave replied that that would permit them sufficient time to ....

Upon returning the unit was neatly boxed and on a hand truck ready to go. Lo and behold, the cashier said that their would be yet an additional %20 reduction, now to $298.00.  I remained silent, asked no further questions so as not to upset the apple cart.  I swiped my Amex card, signed, and got out quick before anyone could change their mind.

What a day. 

The first day of April and not a flower has bloomed anywhere in S.E. Michigan. At least not that I have found. The temperature hovered in the mid to upper 30's today; small comfort when one would anticipate temp's in the balmy 60's or even the occasional 70° here and there. Well, as Gary, branch manager of Canton CFCU said, at least there isn't snow.

Yes, we should be counting our blessings because we are not yet out of the woods until at least the 3rd week of the month. The Daffodils are making progress in reaching toward the sky and do exhibit evidence of blossoms in waiting, but not a one has yet burst forth. Even the stout Hyacinth is not yet observed in full flower. The Tulips, for their part, are cautiously holding in abeyance for more favorable conditions.

This is so unlike previous years when little stems rose from the ground even in late February, poised to issue forth by mid-March.  I can even remember Tulips blossoming in late March.  This year there has been none of the upper 70's, low 80's witnessed (and enjoyed) in years past.  As I said to Gary, we didn't see the temperature reach 60° last month.  Highly unusual, given past experience.

I was in Arkansas back in early January and was pleased to see Daffodils popping up everywhere.  I was in West Virginia in mid-March and was delighted to see both Daffodils and Hyacinths decked out in full regalia, as well as a stand of colourful Pansies arrayed in their typically bright yellows and violets with a splash of white.