It’s Just An Opinion

Published January 23, 2012 Notes, Thoughts & Personal Expressions Leave a Comment
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That’s all it is. An opinion. My opinion. But it’s mine and no one else’s. My own take on a subject. It’s a collection of life experiences encapsulated into a series of short bursts that i dispense when the time is right. My opinions determine mood, impact feelings, reward creative and sting and build up egos. I rarely think of the impact when in the moment. I would think it’s much like a surgeon who doesn’t think of the future scar he/she leaves behind after a major procedure. They’re just concerned with the success of the operation. But then again, that is still just an opinion (since I am not a surgeon, nor have had any medical training outside of the application of band-aids).

The latest was judging creative work for the Canton Ad Fed Addy award show. A years worth of blood, sweat, tears and budgets judged in a matter of hours by me and my three fellow judges. The creative fate of the entrants rest in the balance of our opinions. When judging creative work it’s hard for me to suppress the hurt feelings filter, or conversely the “I wish I thought of that” response. Overall the work was solid. I did my share of involuntary laughter, and marveled at some executions that pushed the limits of budgets and what I thought possible. Long story short … there is some great creative coming out of Canton, Ohio.

All around the country, there is a lot of good creative work that gets produced for clients every year. However the good work goes on the fridge. It’s the exceptional ones, the ones that went from good to great, are singled out and get the gold.

And even that … is still just my opinion.

The 75th Ride on the Reading.

Published January 3, 2012 My Little Buddy , My Marsupial , My Sweets , Notes, Thoughts & Personal Expressions Leave a Comment
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I love the game Monopoly. If I had to pick a favorite board game this would be it. Monopoly is the perfect game. Just enough strategy, balanced with luck. I love the game pieces, the colors of the board, the illustrations on the Community Chest and Chance cards. Monopoly has just enough math for me and I love that the playing board is filled with properties that are named after actual locations around Atlantic City, NJ. (However Illinois Avenue was renamed Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. in the 1980′s and the actual St. Charles Place no longer exists courtesy of a casino.)

Thanks in part to my Brother Dan and his friend Eric this is one game I know far too much about. Property costs, mortgage rates, and the fact that the famed Reading Railroad is pronounced Redding, not Reading. I have played so much I know what properties are the “real” ones you want to get, and when going to jail can sometimes win you the game. If your in the mood for a quick parlor trick, quiz me sometime. I won’t disappoint.

In 1998 Julie and I got a Deluxe Monopoly game for Christmas. The set has wooden, not plastic houses and hotels, gold colored game pieces including a classic train. A sweet spinning holder for the property cards, and a banker’s tray to keep the cash at the ready. More importantly the board has a dark purple Mediterranean and Baltic Avenue. Unlike the brown of the new sets of today. On January 1, 1999 we played our first game. Julie was the boot and I was the racecar and Julie won. I know this because for that game, and every game since, I have written on the underside of the box lid in a white Prismacolor pencil who played, what piece they used, what the date was, and more importantly who won.

Thirteen years later, game 75 was played last Sunday, New Year’s Day, 1-1-12. We had had several opportunities to play this game, We had the chance to play with Dan and Linda, My Mom and Norbert, Julie’s sister Joanne, and even our friends Mike and Rachel. For one reason or another we opted to not play and Game 75 was held. Held until Sunday.

This was the cliff notes version of game 75:

Julie was the thimble, Joey was the train, Rebekah was the dog, Aaron was the racecar, and I was the old utility van. Rebekah made it around the board first and ironically bought the Mediterranean Ave as the game’s first property. Aaron spent a lot of time in Jail, and I mopped up free parking and landed on Illinos Ave seemingly on every pass around. Aaron was out first, even with a saving move by Julie. She was next, then Rebekah setting up a showdown between Joey and me. In the end this game saw at least two fatal moves, mentions of the “full color spectrum, and 3 house plateau”, and ended up with Joey as the winner.

I’m glad my family likes Monopoly. I’m glad that as a family we can play games that don’t end in arguments. I’m glad that for 2 hours or so we can just worry about getting that last orange property versus a high score on some electronic device. In the end, this game was a worthy 75th, and one that I know we’ll all remember vividly when we pencil in #100, #125, or even #150.

The Fortune Teller

Published December 23, 2011 My Little Buddy Leave a Comment
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At 9 years old my son A.J. has a great concept of the art of sarcasm and humor, and employs them whenever possible. Tonight at the dinner table over hot turkey sandwiches and sweet potatoes he once again proved why I call him “My witty and entergetic little fireball.”

Aaron made one of the fortune tellers out of paper and was going one by one telling us our fortune. I remember making these when I was his age and walking the halls of Wiley Elementary School back in Michigan. My fortunes were written something along the lines of… “you will be the best baseball player”, “you like the first girl you see next”, or “you are great”. Sometimes they had the names of girls inside like “Joanna”, “Lisa”, “Jenny” and “Cheryl” Around the playground we’d and tease about who the other liked based solely on the fortune read at the end of the, pick a number, pick a number, and reveal your fortune sequence.

There are eight possible outcomes one can arrive at in this fortune teller.
These are Aaron’s eight fortunes.

1. You will live in a box.

2. You will get attacked by rats in 5 days.

3. You get a lifetime supply of pumpkin pie.

4. Safe!

5. For Christmas you will get a pony.

6. You will live in the trash.

7. You will be a pepper taster when you grow up.

8. You will need a cane when you are 20.

Julie got number 2. He proceeded to let us know “to watch out, because in 5 days the rats are coming. Even if we forget… they will come, and then it’s, aaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh! RATS!!!”

Crap, didn’t I already say no rats in the house?

Adell, Dom & the Three Little Pigs

Published December 19, 2011 Notes, Thoughts & Personal Expressions Leave a Comment
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On November 12, 2011 I was the officiant for a wedding between my two good friends Adell, and Dom.

Yes, I have been ordained. No, I still do not wish to debate the humorous nature of the previous statement. Instead I’d rather focus on their beautiful outdoor wedding. The temperature was warm outside, the bride was stunning, the groom was charismatic, and afterward the martini’s flowed. I decided to share my service in my blog (after I had the blessing of the bride and groom). I have to say this experience has forever changed me. I am not saying I am going to do the preacher man gig full-time, but it did give me a reawakening to what is important: Good friends and family, good faith, and spending the rest of your days with the love of your life.

Grab some chips and a martini, it’s a long read.

Good afternoon everyone. Please be seated. As we begin this service I would ask that you indulge me in a prayer. It’s a modified prayer that I say before performing on stage, cantoring in the choir, or just getting up in front of large groups. And it’s a prayer that my wife, my children, and Adell and I have shared before the curtain rose on many a show. And I cannot think of a more appropriate way to start this service today. So I am going to ask everyone to join hands and bow your heads.

Heavenly Father, give us the strength today to use our talents for good. For the benefit of others. To make the ones around us better. To love. Give us the wisdom to remember our vows, the resolve to honor our commitments and the courage to endure when things don’t go according to plan. May we sing through life with our best voices, smile with our brightest faces, triumph over our darkest days, and understand that every day is a gift when we are with the ones we love. Amen.

Please be seated. On behalf of the families and friends of Domenick and Adell, I would like to welcome you to this most joyous and somewhat nervous day to celebrate this sacred moment. We gather together to celebrate with Domenick and Adell as they stand before each other, and all of you to declare their love. And I ask God to bless their love and that they be joined forever as husband and wife. So it’s appropriate that we are exited and nervous. I sure am. I remember that day in my office at Jay Advertising where Adell called me up, and she said, “hey I have a very important question to ask you about the wedding…. You got a minute?” So as she made the trek over from the other building …I thought, She’s probably is going to ask me to stand up… maybe sing a song at the wedding? No invites, she wants me to create the invites.

Imagine my surprise…

All kidding aside. I was honored that day, I’m honored to be here today, and I’m delighted that all of you are here as well. Domenick and Adell have invited us here to be a loving support to them, because we’ve been there throughout their lives. They have called us here to witness their love, to stand behind them, to support them as they promise to face the future together, accepting whatever may lie ahead. They have searched their hearts, and their pasts, and have desired to be lifelong partners. And thus we are here not only to witness their vows to each other, but also bestow upon them our blessing. So I ask, do you bless this couple and pledge, now and forever, to support and strengthen their marriage by upholding Domenick and Adell with your love and concern?

Witnessing their pledge reminds us of the things that we’ve devoted our lives to, our own husband or wife, our partners, our work, our hearts. For a wedding is a reflection both between Domenick and Adell, but also among the congregation, you may not feel very religious, but what we have here, is, in fact, a congregation. At times like these we remember those who have moved on from this world. Domenick I know you are thinking a lot about your Dad and Adell your family too. And nothing can replace them being here with us today. But know that they are proud of you and they look down up on you with their love and blessing.

Domenick and Adell also called us here because they have something important to show us. In what they do today they show us what Gods love for us is like. A love that is total, and permanent and unconditional.

I have become good friends with Domenick and Adell over the years, and I was not surprised when Adell told me that she knew Dom was the one. The first time I met Dom, I turned to my wife Julie and said, you know what… he reminds me of your cousin Nick. Funny, Entergetic, Matter of Fact, Italian, Smart. He put’s up with all of Adell’s quirks. He’s perfect for Adell.

I have taken Domenick and Adell’s request to marry them very seriously. I struggled for a long time to find the perfect analogy to share today. My one tip to Domenick and Adell for a successful marriage. I mean really, what makes me the authority? Does my almost 15 years of marriage to my wife Julie qualify me to dole out advice? Maybe. Even so, it’s hard to put into words when forced to articulate it, In fact, in the words of Chicago Tribune columnist Mary Schmicht, “Advice is a form of nostalgia, Dispensing it, is a way of fishing the past out of the disposal, wiping it off, painting over the ugly parts and recycling it for more than it’s worth,”

But I got it.

Once upon a time there were three little pigs and the time came for them to leave home and seek their fortunes. Before they left, their mother told them ” Whatever you do, do it the best that you can because that’s the way to get along in the world. The first little pig built his house out of straw because it was the easiest thing to do. The second little pig built his house out of sticks. This was a little bit stronger than a straw house. The third little pig built his house out of bricks. One night the big bad wolf, who dearly loved to eat little piggies, came along and saw the first little pig in his house of straw. He said “Let me in, Let me in, little pig or I’ll huff and I’ll puff and I’ll blow your house in!” “Not by the hair of my chinny chin chin”, said the little pig. But of course the wolf did blow the house in and ate the first little pig. The wolf then came to the house of sticks “Let me in, Let me in little pig or I’ll huff and I’ll puff and I’ll blow your house in” “Not by the hair of my chinny chin chin”, said the little pig. But the wolf blew that house in too, and ate the second little pig. The wolf then came to the house of bricks.” Let me in , let me in” cried the wolf “Or I’ll huff and I’ll puff till I blow your house in” “Not by the hair of my chinny chin chin” said the pig. Well, the wolf huffed and puffed but he could not blow down that brick house.

So the advice is: Listen to your Mother. Whatever you do, do the best you can every day. Do everything with love. Work hard to build a solid foundation, so that when the tough times comes, when tragedy strikes, You can rely on the rock solid foundation you have with each other to pull you through.

Now I ask you to please stand.

VOWS
My friends we come together in love to witness this joyful union. We have come together here to unite Domenick and Adell in the institution of marriage. This is a sacred rite, an ancient rite. God may bless it, and the state of NY may recognize it as legal, but these are but symbols, The true ceremony is what is happening within Domenick and Adell, as their hearts reach out to each other, and pledge their devotion.

Domenick Repeat after me:
With God’s blessing and presence in me and throughout our union, I, Domenick, take you Adell, to be my wife and life partner, to stand by your side when we’re on top of the world and when we have to lift each other up off of the ground, when funds are abundant and when we are financially burdened, on the days that we are healthy and during the times we are sick, to love, respect and support, from this day forward.

Adell Repeat after me:
With God’s blessing and presence in me and throughout our union, I, Adell, take you Domenick, to be my husband and life partner, to stand by your side when we’re on top of the world and when we have to lift each other up off of the ground, when funds are abundant and when we are financially burdened, on the days that we are healthy and during the times we are sick, to love, respect and support, from this day forward.

RINGS
The circle is the symbol of eternity. It has no beginning and has no end. It is a symbol of union and of the earth. Of holiness, of perfection, of peace, and of a shared love. May Domenick and Adell who wear them always have a deep faith in each other, for the rings they exchange now serve as a constant reminder of the vows and commitment they make today.

Domenick repeat after me:
Take this ring as a sign of my love and fidelity. Let it be a reminder that I am always by your side and that you are surrounded by my enduring love.

Adell repeat after me:
Take this ring as a sign of my love and fidelity. Let it be a reminder that I am always by your side and that you are surrounded by my enduring love.

Sarced scripture says to clap your hands with shouts of joy.

FINAL BLESSING
My friends it has been an honor to celebrate the union of two people that I am very fond of. But we come now to our final blessing. And I invite you now to join in with me on this final blessing my raising your right hand and praying it along with me. Sound out an Amen. Show them your love and support with your loudest voice.

May almighty God with his word of blessing unite your hearts in the never ending bond of pure love….. AMEN

May your rock solid foundation of family and friends bring you happiness, and your generous love for them be returned to you many times over…… AMEN

May the peace of faith live always in your hearts and in your home, may you have true friends to stand by you, both in joy and in sorrow. May you be ready and willing to help and comfort all of those who come to you in need, and may the blessings promised to the compassionate be yours in abundance….. AMEN

May daily problems never cause you undo anxiety, or the desire for earthly possessions dominate your lives. May the Lord bless you, with many happy years together, so that you may enjoy the rewards of a good life… AMEN

And may almighty God bless you and bless all of you. This great celebration has ended. Now let the celebration begin. I would like to ask that everyone needs to remain outside for a group photo immediately following the ceremony and before heading upstairs for cocktails.

And by the authority vested in me by the State of New York, the Universal Life Church, and those attendant it is my pleasure to pronounce you Husband and Wife. And it’s my honor to introduce to you for the first time Domenick and Adell Cecconi. Dom you may kiss your bride.

Norfolk & Western Rides Again

Published December 13, 2011 My Marsupial Leave a Comment
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It is finally complete. A 20+ year dream is a reality. The much awaited train track is under our tree. I spent the evening with my son Joey cleaning my old blue Norfolk & Western train at the kitchen table so that Joey, Rebekah, and Aaron can use it on the new track. The problem is that the train has not run in years and I am hoping that it still works. We take the rubbing alcohol, the q-tips and the sand paper to the wheels just like my Father and I used to every Christmas. Joey and I even made a make-shift connector from an old Rubbermaid lid to reattach the coal car to the engine. Once the train was cleaned and all tidy it came to the moment of truth.

Place the train on the track.

My heart was racing as I slowly gave power to the trails via the transformer. I have not seen this train move in a very long time. I was nervous because I was unsure of the emotions I was going to have either way. Whether it worked or didn’t. I wasn’t really prepared for either. I certainly didn’t want to get my hopes up and I for sure wanted it to move. The heart was racing fast. Then, I saw the light come on. The train hummed, sputtered, start and stopped, and finally roared to full speed ahead. “WOW” I said, and Joey cried, “It’s working!” And then the train promptly slid of the track trying to make it’s first turn. We both laughed. It didn’t matter thought. Seeing the train move warmed my heart. It was a great healer for a week full of mental ups and downs.

We tried and tried again, and each time the train would slide off the track. The train was acting like it was trying to shake the years of rust off it’s parts and it seemed determined to make it. The highlight was the ‘ol Norfolk & Western had just completed it’s second loop around the track without falling off when my 14 year old son Joey asked me. “When was the last time you saw this working Dad?”

I never really thought to do the math, so I paused and thought…

“15. Joey I was 15 years old.”

Joey’s eyes got really big with surprise and I could see him mutter a reflective “15 years old” under his breath. He responded with a quick, “Let’s put the train back on the track, and try again.” I certainly didn’t mind.

A Merry Christmas indeed.

All Aboard the Memory Express.

Published December 4, 2011 My Marsupial , My Sweets , Notes, Thoughts & Personal Expressions Leave a Comment
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I like spending time with my Father. It doesn’t happen often but when it does I cherish it. I think about him at least once every day but spending a block of time together is something really special.

The reason for his visit this time was the holiday train track for under the Christmas tree. This weekend I have been look forward to for years, scratch that… decades. Ever since I can remember I have wanted to make a track for under the tree. We just never had the space. Growing up my Father had made one. His was an HO scale set complete with roads, streetlamps, multiple tracks and houses that were colorfully lit from beneath. Some of my favorite holiday memories are traced back to the times I spent playing the engineer, robbing the local bank and having the sheriff come in to make the rescue while the ‘ol blue Norfolk and Western circled the city. The two pictures to the left are old Polaroid photos that I found that detail my Father’s preliminary track layout. I didn’t realize I had these. Coming across them last week in two separate locations within my own collection of train parts and pieces was the Geraldo Rivera find of the century. These two photos have not been together in a very long time. (Time to frame them and give them their proper artistic due.)

As for my track, Santa has been bringing us one HO scale house each year in anticipation of having the space to have our own track someday. After the season, the kids and I would sit around the kitchen table and over the course on a couple nights would build the house. Since Joey is 14 we have a city full of character. My brothers John and Dan and I, divided my Father’s houses up a few years ago that were on his track. So i have 5 additional houses, scattered within my own that makes our final city.

Tonight was fun. Laying out the track parts and arranging the houses. Spending time with Dad in my garage while spending time with Joey and Rebekah as they helped. They didn’t know Grandpa was there with us, and that’s fine. They don’t think about him like I do. I don’t expect them too. I know my Father was smiling when Rebekah went house by house asking “Is this one that Grandpa built?” What about this one? And this one?” Each time I pointed out the next Grandpa house, she’d pick it up and inspect it closely. I liked her comment when she said that “Grandpa was really talented. I wish I would’ve know him” I responded, “Yes he was Rebekah, yes he was. He would’ve loved you. And he would’ve spoiled you rotten.”

I’m glad we have the space in the new house to finally make this track. when I complete mine it will be an HO scale set complete with roads, streetlamps, multiple tracks and houses that are colorfully lit from beneath.

Wait, Did You Say a Rat?

Published November 29, 2011 My Sweets Leave a Comment
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I am not in the door two steps from arriving home from work when Rebekah hits me with her news. “Hey Dad, at school we have these two rats that had 11 babies, and well… the teachers are allowing some of us to adopt two rats to take home as pets, so I filled out the an application at school, so can I get the rats if my application is accepted?” Now, I can safely say that without hesitation I said, “Absolutely not” in the next two steps into the house.” A Rat? Really? I don’t like the chipmunk who thinks he has free reign in the garage. A rat in the house? Wait, two rats in the house?

Um… NO.

Rebekah was crushed at my quick response. She ran upstairs sobbing into her bedroom and shut the door. Now realizing that maybe I answered her too quickly. I went upstairs for some much needed damage control.

I know her heart is in the right place. Unfortunately she is allergic to dogs, cats, and horses. She can’t pet them, be near them and it breaks her heart. Mine too. What little girl does not yearn for the affection of one of these animals? (In case you have not guessed it, we do not have any pets.) She is also allergic to dairy… so no milk, ice cream, heavy cream, and her cheese intake is low. As for the rats, she articulated to me very well that since she was allergic to all the other animals that maybe, just maybe, she would not be allergic to rats. Rather hopeful outlook, and I admired the thought process… but rats in the house? Willingly? Um… NO.

We talked for awhile and she cried some more, I’d like to think that she understands my position, but I guess I’ll find out in the morning.

Switching gears here, I secretly hope she is allergic to rats. It will make dating go a lot easier on my daughter.

And me.

1991 Utica Chieftians

Published November 27, 2011 Notes, Thoughts & Personal Expressions Leave a Comment
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Jen, Billy, Me, Brett, Chris, and Chuck

20 years.

XCI=XX.

More time out that in. The 1991 Utica Chieftains (from MI not NY) celebrated in relaxed style at Snooker’s Pool & Pub Friday. 20 years out and there is the grim realization that life has battle tested us all. The 20 years have been harder on some, and easier on others. A few faces show the weariness beyond there age. Some look like they just stepped off the podium at graduation. Some classmates are married with kids, some divorced with kids. A few have come out, and some are happy being single. A few were transitioning to new professions while some were still unemployed from a depressed Detroit job market.

In every case, the friendships still persevered. The clicks still intact. I spoke with many classmates that I have not seen since the 10 year, and we picked up right where we left off. It’s funny how life is like that. Despite whatever cards life has dealt us. For 3 hours we forgot about all that was life and were transported back into the band room, to homecoming and prom, on the football field, in AP History, the auditorium at Cinderella rehearsals, and even elementary school, religion class, and recess. I would venture to say that most people needed the time away from life. I would be lying if I said I didn’t appreciate the 3 hour recess.

I looked around the room on Friday and thought to myself “Who was voted most likely to succeed? Did they live up? Who was voted The Prettiest? Well Dressed? Class Clown, Biggest Flirt, Most Intellegent?” 20 years removed do these superficial labels still hold up? I was voted “Most Creative” and “Most School Spirit” My pal Chuck was voted “Most Artistic” I can safely say the two of us have tried to uphold our end of the bargain. Have others? It would be an interesting exercise to revisit that list. I wonder if it’s in the yearbook? (If only I had been voted “Best Memory” Dammit!)

Here are 20 highlights from my 20 year high school class reunion:

1. There were a lot more people there than expected.
2. There were many people not there that I expected to see.
3. Sam’s response to Seth’s question: “So you graduated with us? Why don’t I remember you?” was classic… Sam responded, “well that’s okay I understand that you don’t remember me… I just only gave the commencement speech at graduation.”
4. John saying he was going to leave after 30 minutes and then staying for another 3 hours. I am glad he stayed.
5. Spilling beer and wine on a pool table is not frowned upon by the waitstaff.
6. Everybody loves a raffle. Even though it was B U L L S H I T that I didn’t win.
7. Three vodka martini’s. mmmmm.
8. The twins Todd and Tom’s name tag fight. At one point they read “Not Todd” and “I’m not the gay one.”
9. Reenacting a picture from the 10 year reunion and realizing we are a lot more colorful now. (I hope we all make it to see the 30.)
10. “Snooker’s Pool & Pub” should be renamed to “Snooker’s only 4 pool tables & 200 drinking poker players”.
11. Billy needs to be playing the blues guitar and raking in the cash.
12. Realizing that Dawn has an excellent memory, and maybe loves the Detroit Tigers almost as much, if not more than me. Her 2 boys are on probably cloud 9 since she won two of the Tigers prizes.
13. Chris… “Yeah, I flipped and Alfa Romeo in high school.”
14. Chuck’s artwork is still hanging in the band room. Courtesy of Chris.
15. Looking across the room at my former High School sweetheart and then realizing we’ve been married for almost 15 years.
16. Dave Essad’s quote that ended in “Mouthwash” is truly an off air story, and that his faith in the religion of Sarcasm is as strong as mine.
17. Realizing that Margo was more prepared for our reunion than the planning committee. (She graduated in 1992)
18. Rachel has a daughter that has already graduated.
19. Camp Tamarack was nothing compared to what fun Joel gets to have at his camp, and that my title as Creative Camp Counselor at StormFrog, has in fact, nothing to do with a real camp.
20. Wiley Elementary wins with the most in attendance at the nights end.

Thursday Night Hunting Season

Published November 20, 2011 Notes, Thoughts & Personal Expressions 2 Comments
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Ugh. Third time’s a charm. Tried to get all savvy and write this post from my phone, then from my ipad. Both times I prematurely published the post before it was ready. Sorry about all the confusion. Now onto the real post:

When I come home from WBER on early Friday morning I usually am thinking about my pillow, looking for cops and looking out for the crazies on the road. Last Thursday got me thinking about a whole new danger. The deer.

The proximity of the new house allows me to take the back roads instead of the expressway when coming home from the radio station. It’s much faster and I’m home in a flash. I never see deer. Frankly, the time is pushing 2:30 am, and I rarely see anyone. However last week I got spooked by 4 deer crossing the road. I had to slow to a stop to allow them all to safely cross. I thought to myself how odd it was to see deer out so late and continued on my drive. About a mile later another deer started to cross the road. On the right I saw his eyes glint, he hesitated, the started to come on the road then thought twice. He turned and bolted back into the adjacent field.

Now I am on high alert. One of my biggest fears while driving is hitting animals. Especially deer. By the time I got to the village I caught up to another car. Less than a mile away from my house, a deer bolts from the left and the white Honda in front of me never had a chance to react. SLAM… the deer was struck and was now in the middle of the road. I stopped to see if the driver was okay, and I have to admit I was very apprehensive of coming up to the damaged car. It’s like that moment in E.R. where the doctors realize they are needed to help the victims of an accident and there is blood and broken bones everywhere. Except I would have no idea what to do. Thankfully the two young girls here both okay. They were shaken up. But they were both okay. Unfortunately for the deer he was still alive and immobile in the road. It looked like he was laying down watching us but it was clear that the reason he was not going anywhere was because he had major damage to his body. (I say he but I guess it could have been a doe, not really sure though.)

The driver called 911 and in moments there were squad cars, fire trucks and volunteer fireman on the scene. One of the policeman recognized the driver and it turns out this girl hit another deer a couple weeks ago, and he helped her then as well. She had just gotten her car back from the collision shop a few days earlier. Talk about bad luck. Her white Honda was crushed in on the driver’s side. The girls were safe and in good hands and the time was pushing 3:30am. I took my cue to leave when the one officer mentioned he needed to put the deer that had gotten hit down. I knew it was the right thing to do, but I didn’t want to be there when it happened.

When coming back from WBER, I need to not think about my pillow anymore and just worry about the road, the cops, the crazies, and now the deer. By thinking about these will ensure that I will safely find my pillow.

My 10 Adopted Rules of Thumb

Published November 12, 2011 Notes, Thoughts & Personal Expressions Leave a Comment
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I received a great gift today.

This gift as given to me by my good friends Adell and Dom on the eve of their wedding day. Few know this, but I will marry them tomorrow in an outside service at a local country club here in Western New York. Yes, I have been ordained. No I’d rather not debate the humor of the previous statement. Instead I’d like to talk about the gift. It’s a framed poster titled: My 10 adopted rules of thumb, and it’s pictured above. I wish i could take credit for this list and the design, but alas it was done by someone else. Adell and Dom know me well, and they also know this is something I would really enjoy. They nailed it. As their reward I will nail the framed poster on my office wall, and enjoy it every time I pass by. For me there are very few gifts that surpass framed art with personal meaning, especially the ones least expected.

And the list is as follows:

My 10 Adopted Rules of Thumb

1. If you are in love with an idea you are no judge of it’s beauty or value.
2. It is difficult to see the whole picture when you are inside the frame.
3. After learning the tricks of the trade, don’t think you know the trade.
4. We hear and apprehend what we already know.
5. The dog that stays on the porch will find no bones
6. Never state a problem in the same terms it was brought to you.
7. If it’s off beat or surprising it’s probably useful.
8. If you do not expect the unexpected, you will not find it.
9. Don’t get to serious.
10. If you hit the bullseye every time the target is too near.

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