Thoughts of a Common Man

Golfed on Sunday with a couple of gentlemen who were well into their 7th decade. We just met the guys and so we told a few stories in an effort to get to know one another. The one guy told us about playing all the famous courses in Scotland - he received the gift from his wife so he could celebrate his 60th birthday. Reminded me that I have just three weeks left in my 50’s. Now, all of my classmates have reached the nice, round number but I was one of the late born kids. Sixty!!! Seems insane to me. When we golf I always head into the woods and search for golf balls. I don’t need golf balls, and the ones I find I either give away or save for Sam in a huge box in our storage room… …he needs golf balls. But I search for them, through the woods, up and down little embankments, and under tree because when I’m looking for them I still feel like a kid. I usually go home with dirt all over me and cuts in my arms and legs. I don’t take for granted that I move pretty well across job sites and u...

I certainly can’t listen to the Republican candidate for president speak, but I can read the recap of his rallies. 1). Migrants are stealing the black jobs. What does that mean? What’s a black job? It’s so disgraceful.  2). Immigrants are running rampant with AK-47’s. First, how is this Kamala Harris’ fault?  She has been the vice-president.  Secondly, wasn’t there supposed to be a big, beautiful wall? You know who failed as far as fixing the immigration problem? Yeah - the guy who promised to fix it and have Mexico pay for it. 3). Kamala is stupid. This has been said at nearly every rally for a month now.  That sounds like something running for 4th grade president might say about his opponent, and it’s certainly not even remotely true. Harris was a prosecutor in California, not a game show host. Stupid is bankrupting a casino. 4). Windmills cause cancer. I don’t even know where someone might come up with that. 5). Hannibal Lector is not a friend of his. He brings th...

Years ago, I was asked to speak in Vegas by a work colleague, Jon, who was convinced that I would entertain a crowd of safety professionals. We were two different kinds of safety professionals - he taught classes at a major university, and I did a bit of standup as I taught the classes. When we met, my boss called me into his office and said, “Don’t bust this guy’s balls. He’s an intellectual. You have to pull it back a little.” I never did and it didn’t take long to bring, Jon, stuffy intellectual to the dark side. We became fast friends and I definitely busted his balls. Jon retired a few years back, but every few months, we texted just to catch up a little bit. This week, he texted me. “Hey buddy, I don’t even know how to tell you this. My wife had a fatal heart attack. 42 years. I’m adrift.” What does one say - in a text - to such a message? “Oh Good Lord,” was my immediate response. “I’m so sorry.” There wasn’t much more to add to that additional text. I needed to give him the spa...

I don’t watch every Yankees game anymore, but I certainly know the score of the game as they’re playing.  I watched last night as Stanton homered and cleared the bases with a double as they blasted the hapless Orioles and won the division. For good measure, Judge hit his 58th homer. In the top of the 8th the Orioles had two on with two out. Down 9-0. Kathy made a move to change the channel. “I think they’re going to be all right,” she said. I made her keep it there until Holmes got the 3rd out. It’s been 11 years since Mariano retired. Ten years since Jeter left. These aren’t my Dad’s Yankees anymore… .:.but he would’ve been happy this morning. They belong at the top of the sport. Now let’s go get #28.

I had a training session that took me through the center of Wales. It’s a tiny little village but as like every other place in America there is a Dollar General. I swung in for a few things for Ollie and the Camp Clifford campers - I had a solid half hour before my meeting, which was just five minutes away. I was in and out of the store quickly, but unbeknownst to me an elderly woman had a medical emergency on the sidewalk leading to the store. I spotted her, being loaded onto a stretcher. She was alert, which seemed like good news. She also had about 4 paramedics around her - they arrived in two vans that were strategically pulled close to the door… …blocking 5 cars - including mine. I got out of the way, tossed my bag into the car and watched the paramedics go to work. A few minutes later, a man about my age, stepped out the door. “Oh what the f*ck?” The man yelled. He pointed at his blocked in vehicle, and then looked in my direction. “Why did they block us all in?” He screamed. I w...

As I rapidly approach 60 years here, I have figured out my aches and pains. The left hip will always hurt. My back needs ice after a work week or a round of golf. My feet are so nervy that sometimes it feels I’m wearing electric socks. Used to it. You can get used to anything and sooner or later it’s just your life. It’s the days when you go to bed intact and wake up in the morning thinking: “What the hell is this?” Pain in the bicep 💪 - right arm - this morning. I tried to think about where I might have hurt it the day before. Nothing! Climbing a ladder? Throwing for the Big O? No idea… …I worked it a little bit as the day went along. It’ll probably go away… …replaced by something else. Ain’t gonna’ get any better!

Monday was an odd day because for the first time in a couple of weeks there wasn’t bright sunshine. And it was Monday. And the Bills had a night home game… …which meant that people would be heading for the gate early. Messes up my routine because no one is truly thinking about work. I battled through. Then did my level best to avoid the NFL even though their circus was a mile and a half from my house. I was watching Rizzoli & Isles when the Bills went up by two touchdowns. I heard the fireworks from the game and my neighbor praying to Josh Allen. Now, I’m the old dude shouting at the clouds, but listen to Jeff Perlman talk about the end of Walter Payton’s life. The NFL has a Walter Payton Man of the Year award for him because he died early. Of cancer. Yet, when Payton got the cancer, as a young man, he was HAPPY he had a death sentence because he hated living in the pain. I can’t watch it. But Go Bills! I can’t escape it either, I guess.