Hold My Calls

wonder what our elevation is?

It's time for me to take a few days off.  A blizzard is on it's way.  I'm off to Key West for some sun.

Smelt

oh no...I came from Ohio

No, it is not the past tense for smell, although I have heard, "He smelt bad." I don't think you'd get an agent if you used it in a query letter. It is a small fish, which often heralds the beginning of spring.  What?  It is indigenous to the Great Lakes and fishing season often starts in late March in Chicago.  Why?  Well, I just bought some and fried them up. Did you ever have a taste for something and then when you ate it, wondered why you ever liked it in the first place?  I remember having them when I lived in California and  I thought they were good. Things change, as do memories. Sometimes, it's better to move on and acquire new tastes.  

It Gets Better...

It does.  It may take time.  It may take work. But, it does happen.  There are a few friends of mine going through post-op healing from prostate surgery.  It's a rough time.  The uncertainty, the frustration seem daunting.  Hang in there. And for those of you wondering what happened to my blog, join the club. It's a new look.  Let's call it a work in progress and if you like, then it was deliberate.

Birth of The Blues

Who Put The Rahm In The Rama-Lama-Ding Dong....

Yesterday, Rahm Emanuel was off the ballot in Chicago. Today he is back on.  This is due to the Illinois Supreme Court's decision to give him a temporary stay, until they make a final decision as to whether he fulfills residency requirements.  He was asked by President Obama to be his Chief of Staff and consequently didn't technically live in Chicago over the last year.  The lower appellate court ruled he wasn't a resident. I met Mr. Emanuel recently and think he's a stand-up guy and would make a great mayor.  I'm sure he's been waiting for my endorsement. (ha) He couldn't have paid for better publicity.  Sometimes, things unfold so differently than what you expect. Hang on guys and enjoy the show.  

Relax.....

faster....

I want everything to happen yesterday.  That doesn't always work.  When creating, writing, editing, you need time.  I tell my friends to relax.  This is one of those times I need to listen to myself.

Availability

This word seems to be bouncing around lately.  I'd like to think I'm available, emotionally, that is.  I want to be there if someone needs me.  A friend, a family member. But sometimes, I think availability can be so consuming, it stops you from taking care of yourself. Be sure to set boundaries. When you allow yourself to clear, you'd be surprised what's waiting out there for you. 

Secrets

I have a secret.  Everyone does. But, I can't share it because it's  a ....OK, you twisted my arm.  I had prostate cancer.  When I was diagnosed, I was numb. I was afraid of what people might think.  I feel we, as men, don't want to share that we have a problem that may lead to impotence. I understand the reason, but it is a lonely road. It's nice to have a friend, a partner, a pal. If you're alone, look at the forums. There is someone else out there who's gone through this. Reach out. It doesn't have to be a secret.  

Sigh......

Or This?

I sigh a lot.  Sometimes when I'm happy or frustrated or sad. I just do.  I know that because someone pointed that out to me once.  Inner peace. I doubt it.  I've been productive, sane, and even healthy.  I need some chocolate. All I have are apples.

This?

Martin Luther King Jr.

A clergyman, an activist, a man who made a difference in this world.  Because of him, we have many rights we take for granted.  But most important, he had a dream.  A dream he was willing to die for. A dream that continues to affect and influence all of us today.  Dare to dream.  Dreams do become realities.

O Kegel, Where Art Thou?

Men are encouraged to do kegel exercises after prostate surgery to strengthen the muscles, which line the pelvic floor.  But first, you must locate them and that's a bit tricky. One suggestion is to stop your urine in mid- flow and isolate those muscles.  I do this first thing in the morning to a count of five.  Well, not every morning.  Some mornings. Well, a few mornings. I'm really not a morning person.

Focus

It's important. We all know that. Doing it is another thing. I seem to have a difficult time.  How about you?  I lie down, get up, go to the kitchen.  Forget why I'm there.  Eat a treat...maybe it's because I no longer have a prostate.  Oh wait.  I think I have my prostate. Do dogs have prostates? I know Ken no longer has his prostate.  If you think I have a hard time focusing, you should see him.  I think I'll go back to my treat.  Maybe, I can focus if I put my mind to it.  Ymmm. 

Haitian youths use hip-hop to inspire earthquake recovery

Inspirational.
Hang on and fight adversity.  Thank you Unicef.

No Place Like Home.....

My Aunt Blanche, who is 98 yrs. old, has been hospitalized for nearly two weeks.   I called her tonight to check on her.

A.B.: Who's this??

Me:   Kenny, your nephew.

A.B.  Oh, Kenny....

Me:   How you doing?

A.B.  Oh, I'm down. Down and out.

Me:   What's the matter?

A.B.  I don't know.  Can't seem to get over this cough.The Doctor gave me some pills.  
          I just want to go home.

Me:   I know.  There's nothing..

A.B.: The food isn't too good.  Salmon, sweet potatoes.  No taste. What's food without salt?

Me:   I know.

A.B.: Happy New Year. You're always in my prayers. I always pray for you.

Me:   And look what happened to....

A.B:  Prayers are good. And I'd like some wine.

Me:   I know.

A.B.   (Coughs)  I just want to go....sorry, Kenny, this cough.......home.

Me:    You will, Auntie.

A.B.:  I love you. Pray for me.

Me:     I love you, too, Auntie Blanche.

                             "Na Zdrowie"   (To Health)

Yes, she likes martinis, food, and gardening; and she's a real hoot.

R-E-S-P-E-C-T

We as a society have lost respect for each other. As I listen to the details of the shooting of Arizona Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, I can't help but wonder how much of Sarah Palin's vitriolic rhetoric was responsible for this unfortunate event.  Palin, who claims to be rational, does not realize that hatred begets hatred. In this case, the shooter acted out his hatred and it led to the killing of 6 innocent people and the critical wounding of Ms. Griffiths. I say shame on you Sarah Palin.  It's time we step back and start to respect each other as human beings. We can disagree, but disagree with respect.

Respect and Cancer:
Those of you dealing with cancer have learned to respect other survivors because we realize how fragile we all are and how we hold on by a thread. We believe in life and respect. It's time others learned the importance of this belief. 

Excellence

Excellence is becoming extinct.  I work with students occasionally and I am surprised to hear them say, " I'll be happy with a C."  I lived with an inner voice that said, "You will get an A or die." (Yes, Felicians and Jesuits nearly scared me to death, but I learned.) Now, mediocrity is the norm. I don't know if this is true internationally but it is becoming true here in the US. The only way I feel this will change is with education and awareness. It's up to you to demand it. Don't let excellence go to the dogs. When's the last time you achieved excellence?

Hot and Raw...elvis presley-hound dog-1956

In tribute to the King Of Rock And Roll, Elvis Presley would have been 76 yrs. old today.  Dancing like Elvis is guaranteed to improve the health of your prostate. (reach).

Long Live The King

Last night I saw The King's Speech, starring Colin Firth.  He was exceptional and so was Geoffrey Rush as his speech teacher, Lionel Logue. The movie depicted a great man who had to deal with his fear of stuttering. King George VI rose to the occasion and gave the speech of his lifetime, announcing Britain had entered the war against Germany and he didn't stutter.  I think everyone in the theatre identified with him.  I know I did.  It reminded me of being diagnosed with prostate cancer, getting something I didn't want, knowing I had to deal with it, and doing the best I could.  What fear have you overcome?

SYTYCD S5 - Melissa and Ade Breast Cancer routine

So You Think You Can Dance is one of my favorite shows. In this piece, Melissa and Ade dance so well, it brought tears to everyone, including me.  Another example of how dance can bring love and hope to all those fighting to survive.

The Importance Of Feeling Guilty

Being brought up Catholic, I can feel guilty while exercising, blogging, or breathing.  Almost anything. You name it.  It's not a good thing, it just is.  If you were brought up Jewish, you most likely have a similar problem.  If something goes wrong, you feel you were somehow responsible.  (I'm not specifically referring to Jews or Catholics. Maybe both. Does it matter?)  But, today I read a study done in the UK that linked emotional pain to physical pain.  In other words, if you are very angry, the pain could be linked to physical pain.  That made me wonder if people who get cancer also have emotional pain that is unresolved. There is a term defining this type of study called psycho-oncology.  Just a thought.   Do we feel guilty about having cancer?  Did we do something to deserve it?  Nonsense you say.  I don't have answers to any of this.  Random thoughts bouncing off the various screens in my man-cave. (ha)

Happy Kwanzaa

Although I'm a few days late, if you're anything like me, you still have decorations up and cards around and don't really want to get back into the reality of working.  It's much more fun to party and celebrate.

Therefore, I wish my friends a happy and healthy Kwanzaa.  You notice I've used the word healthy, so that qualifies as an attempt to deal with prostate cancer.  Another reach.  Oh, well.

Nathan's Resolutions

I have made two resolutions for 2011:

1.  Never sleep in Ken's bed

2.   Take Less Naps

The nice thing about being a dog is that I don't know what guilt is.  .

Resolutions And Cancer

Fight Cancer

When you've been diagnosed with cancer of any kind, it's difficult to say, "I resolve not to have cancer." Think about it.  Of course, we'd like to say that and hope and wish it were true.  It just doesn't work that way. But, we can fight. We can enjoy our battles. We can push forward, no matter what.  I don't believe in resolutions myself because I know I always break them, as do most people, and then you have to deal with the guilt.  What I've learned is to try to do "more" of the things I already enjoy, i.e. I like to read.  Read more books, movies, see more movies. You get the idea. Then it's a "win, win situation." As to cancer, I think you learn to live in the moment.  Life is meant to be lived. When you're healthy, you don't even think about it.  I've mentioned this before so I won't dwell on it. But, I do have some thoughts about the New year.  New suggests beginnings. A time to start fresh.  A renewal.  And I do think that is healthy.  Try to forget what didn't work well or if you must think about it, identify what you  learned from the experience.  Use that knowledge and add it to your "experience references." Onward.   Forward. Destroy the Aliens.

Tim Conway and Harvey Korman at the Dentist

Makes me laugh each time I watch it.  Hope you enjoy it as much as I do. Let's start the New Year with a laugh.