The Death Book

I have finally gotten around to starting to write my death book.  It's really not as morbid as it sounds.  I have done a terrible job of keeping the Misses in the loop when it comes to stuff like passwords, account numbers and things that she will need to know when I pass on from this ol' life. 

So what kind of stuff is in this book--which is still right now mainly a bunch of scraps of paper but which is slowly being turned in to a well organized script for the Misses for life after me?  Well first of all, I have the policy numbers for the life insurance policies.  And the phone numbers of who to contact!  There are account numbers and phone numbers for the various savings accounts.  And there are the passwords for all the various web sites that I visit....And who to contact to cancel certain things.

I am writing my obituary.  Figure this will save the family some time when I pass.  And who really knows me better than me?    I am also including some of my wishes as far as funeral services and what not.  Don't want it to be some morbid thing--I've really been a very lucky person.   Hope somebody will get a few cases of beer, turn up some tunes and have a little party....we know how I hate funerals.

I plan on writing little notes or letters to friends and family that I love.  Yeah I know these things should be done while I am still alive, but that's really not my style.  So people will just have to deal with that.  I still haven't decided if I'll leave notes to those who have irritated me, but it's an interesting thought to me (probably won't happen). 

When my Dad died I learned quite a bit about what needs to be done after a person passes on---I was the executor.  It can be a real pain in the butt.  You need to get x number of certified death certificates.  You need to close accounts and notify various companies and people.  It all happens very quickly.  And it is very hard on the ones left behind.  I really think it will be a "final gift" if I can kind of get things a little organized for the family when I'm gone.  It's a lot easier for me to do it now than for them to try and do it when I'm gone.  You may want to have a little talk with your family about these things, because the last time I checked none of us are going to be here forever.....

Happy Birthday Stewart

Today is my little boy's twenty first birthday.  I know that everyone says it, but it bears repeating.  Boy, the time sure does go fast.  I don't like to brag, but he is a wonderful young man.  Thoughtful, caring, intelligent, athletic. sense of humor.  On second thought. I do like to brag.....

I've been thinking lately about what Stewart has meant to my life.  It got me to thinking about what Teddy Roosevelt said when he was asked about going on an hunting trip after he was president.  He said something to the effect that it was his last chance to be a boy.  And that is exactly the way I feel about having Stew around here growing up.

I started to remember all the things I would have never done or learned about if Stewart and his sister Aleah hadn't come along.  I would have never known Elmo,or the Count or Gina or Hooper.  I would have never known Fred Rodgers or Mr. McFeeley.  Or Bill Nye.  I wouldn't have known what the Magic School Bus is, or Barney.  Would have never spent so much time in the parks or on playgrounds.

I doubt if I would have ever gone to a soccer game.  Must have been to well over a hundred by now.  I probably never would have gone back to the zoo, or the museum, or the Domes.  I never would have went to a train museum.  And the trips to Chicago for Science and Industry, or the Field museum, or the planetarium, or the aquarium.  Never.  I would have never gone back to Disney World......

I got to be a Cub Scout again.  Oh, Stew was the scout, but I was the "Den Mother" and got to do all the stuff with him.  He was a better scout than I was.  And what about all the family vacations we took.  Probably wouldn't have gone to half the places if the kids hadn't been here.

And then of course there were all the athletic events, from rec to select teams to high school, and all the other stuff in high school.  I had the opportunity to do some coaching.  Met some interesting people.  Never would have went to a track meet.  Never would have went to a band concert, or to a band revue.  All things that have made my life so much richer.

And it has continued in college.  I think a trip to St. Louis is just a short jaunt now.  I get to follow his track team, just as I did his high school team.  I got to go to the Drake Relays.  I've driven like a maniac for five or six or twelve hours to watch him run for two minuets at a time.  All worth it. 

I continue to be impressed with what a fine person he is.  I never got a call from the police, or from school, or from another parent with some kind of problem.  He knows what he needs to do, and just does it.  He actually is the person I wish I could have been.

So here is my birthday wish for you Stewart, on your twenty first.  I know all your work will pay off someday, so I'm not going to wish that for you.  And I could shower you with material things, but you never were much for that type of stuff either (good for you).  My birthday wish for you will be that one day you have a son much like yourself, one who enhances your life as much as you have mine.  Love you, Dad

Do As I Say, Not As I Did

I had to go back to my first posting to kind of get my bearings back on the ol' blog.  That being said, a little bit of advice to my younger friends....

A long long time ago I was in high school.  I was just an average student, maybe a little above.  As they do in high school, they eventually got around to asking me what I thought I wanted to do with my life.  I told them I wanted to teach high school history.  To this day I remember what Dale Hayman, my high school guidance councilor told me.  "Take it from a history teacher, you'll never find a job".  I'm sure he thought he was doing the right thing, but what a pompous little man.  And I was a fool for listening to him.  I ended up drifting through college, graduated with my history degree, but not my else.  Should have gotten the teaching degree.

I am a mailman.  I got very lucky finding a job that enabled me to help support my family.  The benefits and schedule and vacation time has enabled me to enjoy my children, see America and to be able to see a pretty good retirement on the horizon.  But it is just a job.  It is boring.  There is really not much thinking involved, basically just the same thing day after day.  At least I don't hate it.  I get to interact with different customers (for good or bad) everyday, and I am outside quite a bit, so there are some things to be said for it.  And as for being something that was just temporary for me, it's too late to change now.

Which leads me to the points I want to make.  Everyday I see people trudging to their jobs in various offices and stores.  I talk to people that really hate what they are doing.  They don't want to be there.   Now I understand that sometimes you need to do what you need to do.  Good jobs are hard to come by.  That being said, I would suggest that you had better find something to do that you enjoy doing.  If you are indeed lucky, you will be doing it for 35 or 40 years--or more!  It is a long time.  Your life will most likely be happier earning a living doing something you like. 

So do some research, then listen to yourself.  If you want to teach, teach.  Be a banker, a chef, a salesman, a doctor, a plumber or soldier.  Do whatever YOU want to do.  Work at it, stay with it--you will be successful.  But try to do something you'll be happy doing.  May be one of the secrets of life......

TELEVISION

I've been doing some thinking lately about how I never seem to have time to get things done that I need to do or want to do.  I have come to the realization that I am spending way too much time watching television.

Then I start to think about all the garbage I am watching.  Why should I really care about cops and the criminals they are chasing, or watching them in prison, or acting like fools in lockup?  Why should I care about some goofy pawn shop, whether it be in Vegas or Detroit or New York or Chicago?  Why am I watching a bunch of goofs rummage through peoples storage units all over the country?  I think that stuff has to be staged anyways....

And then there are all the "hillbilly" shows I tend to gravitate to.  Guys catching gators, turtles, hand fishin', the list is long.  And the Moonshiners.....do I really care about Tim and Tickle and whether they get caught by the Feds?  And how can they not get caught---just watch the stupid show.....What is it about folks from the south???

I watch sports.  I watch sports I have no interest in.  Games I couldn't care less who wins.  I don't follow much basketball anymore, but football and baseball I watch.  For not much reason that I can think of.  Heck, I watch soccer, even though Stew isn't around anymore.

So I'm going to try and be done with it.  I have too many other things to do.  Books to read, chores to complete.  It's not going to be easy for me.  I find it very easy to just sit down when I get home from work, flip on the TV and the next thing I know 2 or 3 hours are just gone.  Well I have had enough of that.  Now there are a couple of things that I will still be watching....Seventeen or eighteen weeks of Packer football per year will not be missed.  Modern Family is must see for me, and will continue to be.  I do like a few PBS offerings, and they will be recorded.  But I am going to try and limit it to about that.  We will see how it works out. 

Although I would like to see how that Amish Mafia thing works out.....

The Tip

I've been thinking about this for some time now.  The Misses and I  like to go out to eat, probably too much.  It is easy to do, a little treat for us, less work for her, so we go.  No big deal.  But after the meal is over, it's time to pay the bill (why do they call it a check?).  Of course, with the bill comes the tip.  And here is where my questions come in.

How much do I tip my server, and why?  I know the waiter will say 20 percent (or more), if you can't afford the tip you should stay home.  Others say 15 percent, others still have their little math formulas or tip calculators they follow.  Then does it matter if it's breakfast lunch or dinner?  What about if I have a coupon, or a Groupon?  So many questions......

Does the size of the party come into play?  Sometimes the restaurant will add a tip amount if your group is more than 6 or 8.  I find that usually these folks would do better (with me at least) if they let me figure it myself.  What about if you go by yourself?  I had breakfast the other day by myself, bill was nine bucks.  Tip was three bucks.  Now if I was out with the Misses and the bill was eighteen, I really doubt if I would have left the lady a six dollar tip. 

What about the "quality" of the restaurant?  The the higher cost of the meal justify a higher tip for your server?  If I'm just getting average service at an upscale restaurant the percentage tip will probably be lower than if I'm just getting average service at an average price place.

We have a couple of places around here we go to that generally have buy one/get one coupons quite often.  The wait staff at these places make out pretty well with me if they even have average service, as I usually  just tip the cost of the free meal.  I figure I'm saving the cost of the tip, so I'm happy, they're happy, it works out. 

So how do I tip?  Well I guess I tip women more than men.  Don't know why, just do.  I guess I figure they need it more.  I try not to let the meal determine how much I tip.  I tend to tip more if I go to an inexpensive place because I figure there are too many folks there that simply use some math formula.  If you have a poor attitude, forget it---don't treat it like a chore, it's your job.  Act like you enjoy it.  If you "add a gratuity" don't expect one cent more, you won't get it from me.  I'm usually in the 20 percent range--you really need to irk me to get anything close to 10 from me.  College age wait staff get a bump from me as well as I have a couple of kids that age and am really happy they don't work in that industry.....

Well that's about it.  Finicky part of the world we live in, but it is what it is....let me know your thoughts......

Green Bay Packers 2012 Epiloge

Well that was an ugly ending to the season.  Who ever heard of giving up 300 some odd yards rushing?  Everyone has their opinions on what went wrong, so I've decided to chime in.  Kinda' my view of what the Pack needs to do to get better.  Since I obviously know better what goes on with the organization .  Ha....

Seems like every year we hear about how the offensive line is built for pass protection, not the running game.  Only problem is that Rodgers is getting hit and sacked at an alarming rate.  Don't know if Sherord would help, think Bularga will--if he comes back from hip injury.

It is time to find a running back.  Not some old retread either.  These guys they come up with are cute, make a nice story.  Don't care.  They need some one who can haul the ball 20 some times a game and not get hurt.  Running game will improve with better run blocking as well.

Defense needs to tackle better.  A lot better.  Geez, some of these guys should be embarrassed.  Hopping on guys backs, bouncing off with shoulder tackles.  I know they are leery of fines, but once in a while you need to pop somebody.

Maybe it's time to get back to the basics a little bit.  Seems like the injuries just decimate the offensive and defensive lines.  Last nights game, Sitton goes out and the next guy in is Jeff Saturday?   But you have six receivers active?  Nobody carries 5 tight ends on the roster, except Green Bay.  I know every year we hear about how everyone wants our young skill guys and we have to keep them on the roster.  Maybe we should just let some of them go and build better depth elsewhere....boy if Rodgers ever goes down....

There was a time not that long ago when Dom Capers was considered the big defensive guru.  They were always afraid he was going to some other team.  Maybe it's time for a little reevaluation here.  I haven't been that impressed with the D for the last couple of years.  And on the offensive side, maybe they have too many receivers--they have guys running all over the place.  Sometimes it looks like McCarthy is coaching Arena league.....

I hate to say it, but this team is soft.  Who is the tough guy, the guy who won't take crap from anyone?  Matthews?  Nah, great player, but he is more of a finesse guy.  Woodson. too old now, too injured.  Raji?  Too nice.  Hawk?  Not good enough.  Rodgers?  Nope.....Sitton?  Probably toughest guy they have....They need a couple of guys willing to take on the entire other team, and back it up.  The kind of guy on other teams that we call "dirty".

So who goes?  Driver, gone.  Take the emotion out of it, should have not been on the team this year.  Woodson, gone.  Hall of Famer--- slowed down, $10.5 million next year, can't afford the luxury  Jeninngs, gone.  Will want one last huge salary.  Too many other weapons left.  Two tight ends.  Three is plenty.  Waldon--GONE.  Gee whiz, how many times you gonna' get sucked in on a fake?  You need to set the edge...I'm sure there will be other changes as well.  I just hope we don't keep eight or nine or ten first year guys again.  I know the money figures in, but sometimes you need to let guys play together for a while to make a better team.

Decisions need to be made on a number of free agents, and I know Ted Thompson doesn't dip too deep into the free agent pool.  He likes to develop and pay hid own guys.  Sometimes the problem with that is the same problem we all have.  We think our stuff is worth more than it really is, and we place too high a value on it.  I like Thompson, thinks he does a good job overall and know what he is doing.  I just don't think we need so many rookies and free agents.  Hey, maybe it's a good time to trade UP in the draft.

I'm pretty sure the Packers will have a decent team again next season.  They have good management, coaching, and a great quarterback.  But he is 30 years old now.  You only get so many shots at the Super Bowl, and I know it's tough.  But when you have as many weapons available to you as the Packers do, you need to take advantage.

This and That

A few things on my mind...

...Well we have backed away from the "Fiscal Cliff".  The brokers on Wall Street sure seem happy, but this isn't the end of our problems.  The debt ceiling looms, the Speaker is dropping F-bombs, and now a new Congress is sworn in.  I'm no economist, but even I know that if ya' spend more than ya' take in, your gonna have trouble.  Work together to solve problems people....

...Speaking of the new Congress, we now have the least amount of veterans since WWII, and the most women ever (20).  Will be interesting to see if the ladies can get things accomplished.

....Sad to see that Newsweek has ceased publication of their print edition.  I enjoyed reading the magazine, along with others like The Sporting News that are now gone.  I realize the way the business works, with the internet and what not.  It's kind of hard to argue when you can pretty much carry every newspaper and magazine and book in your pocket or briefcase.  But to me, there is still some thing about holding a book or newspaper in your hands---the smell, the sound of turning pages,----I will miss it.

....Glad I don't live in Chicago.  Heard on the radio there were 15 shootings on Jan 1st.  Then they say that only three people were killed though.  The guy sounded kind of disappointed, like they needed target practice or something.  Guess it's come to the point if you have a beef with someone ya' start shooting.  Time to find a new Marshall Dillon...

...Nave you noticed how may college football bowl games there are?  When I was a kid I think there were maybe ten or so.  You had the Cotton, Orange, Sun, Gator, of course the Rose Bowl, and a few others, like the Tangerine.  Now there has to be nearly 40 I would guess.  Get a couple of guys (or schools) together, find a sponsor, a place to play and somebody to televise it and you have your own bowl game.  And you have tams with 5 or 6 losses playing.  Guess we need something to fill up all the network TV. At least the games I've watched have been entertaining...

....Speaking of TV, I can't get over the stuff they put on TV.  Moonshiners, pawn brokers, swampers, Amish Mafia, cheating wives (and husbands), prison garbage.  I know they wouldn't put it on if people weren't watching, and there is plenty of good stuff on, and if I don't like something all I have to do is switch the channel (or just turn it off).  I just hope I don't see anyone I know on any of these shows....

....I see in Kansas the state is going after some guy for child support.  He says he was just a sperm donor for his lesbian friends.  Only problem with that is they didn't use a sperm bank, just went at it naturally.  Yeah, okay, sounds a little fishy to me, if ya' know what I mean....

....Wishing everyone a prosperous New Year.  Stay safe.....