Do Your Job

-
Breaking news:

I have a big mouth.

I was actually looking forward to the Super Bowl because I wanted to see New England win it and I wanted to see Goodell get booed.

I woke up feeling lousy though.

Headache, sinus crap, barking legs.

There were parties to go to...but I was worn out!

We did make it to my brothers which was fun (great eats, laughs) but we were a quiet group moving around.

Except me.

I was giving the family a sermon on why New England was there. (No, not cheating). Preparation, organization and a Do Your Job attitude that allows the unit to function better.

My subtle jabs weren't going over well.

"You like Hoodie cause he's a miserable bastard," my beautiful wife said.

"A miserable bastard...with a goal!" I reminded.

Well, you can imagine how the first half was going for me.

Friends who know I like the Pats and their motto were unmerciful.

The boys were jabbing me with how great the Falcons were.

"New England doesn't look prepared," I said.

It was surprising!

(But I did win the first quarter square...so...oh well).

I was just shocked.

Yet the lesson grows deeper here.

There will be adversity along the way.

Keep doing your job!

Tom Brady never blinked.

His belief in himself, while shaken, wasn't broken.

Same with the miserable bastard:

They got close.

Got the ball back down one score with 3 minutes left.

"Piece of cake," I told the boys.

"Shut up," they told me.

Tie game.

Coin flip goes to Pats.

I think that ten million people groaned.

They knew it was over.

Brady didn't NOT complete a pass on the winning drive.

Everyone on that side did their job.

Precise and organized.

"I knew it," Sam said. "Even when they were down 28-3 I knew they'd be in the confetti."

I felt better.

They did their job.

I slept a little...

...got up to do mine.

By the time I got up...everyone was out of the house already...off to do theirs.

Makes the unit better.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Suits

-
Like a lot of other people we got pulled into the series, ‘Suits’ on Netflix. I’ve never had much fun hanging around lawyers who have questioned me as a construction safety officer. I once testified in a case where the opposing lawyer started questioning me by going through my educational background. “So,” he said, racing to a crescendo, “You graduated from college with a degree in Communications-Journalism and suddenly, 30 years later, you’re a ‘safety expert.’” He actually made the quotation marks with his fingers. I just looked at him. “How does that happen?” He bellowed, sure that he was going to discredit me. “Well,” I said. “I knew I was overqualified to become a lawyer.” The courtroom erupted in laughter. Even the judge chuckled. The rest of his questions landed flat. So, I wasn’t all that keen on a show about lawyers, but ‘Suits’ is great. Meghan Markle became a princess because of the show, and she is very good in it (and a beautiful woman). Yet, there is so much more. The wri
Read more

My Buddy, Dave

-
Way back in 1997, I started working with a steel erection company out of Syracuse. I was coming straight from a long stint with a steel erector here in Buffalo so I knew my stuff when it came to steel erection safety rules. On day one, I met with the safety director and he was just getting started as a safety guy, but man, he certainly cared about the guys he worked with. Dave was a good man from the start. He’d say things like: “You’re so full of beans.” Just a down to earth, hardworking guy who became a fast friend. We drove all around New York State setting up jobs. I always let Dave drive so that I could rest. One fine day, way up North of Syracuse, we passed a state trooper.  I glanced at the speedometer. “You’re screwed,” I said, and seconds later, the lights came on. Dave was beside himself.  The cop stopped by the window, grabbed the license and registration and headed back to his vehicle. “Here’s the thing,” I said. “You’re pissed, but you’re such a good guy that I bet you tha
Read more

Mom & Ollie

-
Image
 Ollie Stadium is a mess. The heavy rains rendered the backyard a mud pit and even though we threw in the side yard, the Big O was looking for more, and we were both covered in mud. I had to take some steam out of him somehow so I suggested we go visit Grandma. Ollie hates the car, but he laid quietly as we made the trip. We even brought the football because there is plenty of room to play at Grandma’s. Mom opened the door and started laughing. I thought about the love she had for every single dog we ever had. Oliver was quick to give my Mom a kiss, and then he stood beside her. The love between Mom and Dogs is a mutual bond. Through the years, Mom would make breakfast for the dogs.  Fried eggs, toast, bacon… She would wrap Christmas gifts for them. “To Jeter, Love Santa,” she would write on the cards. They played with the big chicken that made a lot of noise. Mom tossed the football and Ollie brought it back to her. As the visit drew to a close I headed for the door.  “C’mon, Oliver,”
Read more