I shouldn't write this

I shouldn't write this ... but I'm going to.

I'm going to write this because others won't ... or can't.

I'm going to write this not to point fingers, but to remember what was.

I'm going to write this not out of bitterness ... but out of friendship.

I'm going to write this because I need to ... and have to.

And, I'm going to write this ... without names ... to protect the innocent.

I got word today that my former employer, which continues to struggle in this economy, made another round of job cuts.

I was a victim of one of those some months ago ... and there have been several rounds since then.

Let me stress something again ... I'm not bitter or angry. I'm disappointed. And I'm saddened.

I'm not disappointed in the decisions that were made, because my former industry is a business just like any other, and not a charity.

I understand why the cuts were made, and why the people chosen to lose their jobs were chosen.

I'm disappointed because they were all GOOD people. Hard-working people. Folks that gave decades of sweat ... and even tears ... to the place they worked.

That included working long hours, working on days you were supposed to have off, even rushing in to replace a sick colleague at the expense of missing a college friend's wedding.

Many of these people sacrificed their personal lives to make the business a success.

And I'm most disappointed because these people were veterans. People who knew their city. Who knew their customers. Who reflected their customers' values, likes and dislikes.

Which brings me to the sadness.

I'm sad because it was a good team. A strong team.

A team that, while it had its share of stumbles, could pull together a massive project like no other.

A team you could be proud to work with ... and work for.

And I'm sad that these veterans will likely never be replaced. Nor will their knowledge. And their history.

And if they are replaced, it will be by people who aren't from the area ... weren't born here, didn't grow up here, or call this area home for an extended period of time.

People who may remember details of the OJ Simpson verdict. But, don't remember that it happened the same day as the Indians' first playoff game in almost 40 years.

That may sound like trivia. And it is. But, you never know when it might come in handy.

There's value in experience. There's value in knowledge. There's value in history. And that's walking out the door, never to be replaced.

Yes, it's a new era. The era of working harder and faster, putting in more hours and doing more jobs for less money.

And that's fine.

But, a new era shouldn't mean automatically tossing away members of the last era.

Many of them were willing to adjust, willing to adapt, and willing to tackle the new challenges head-on.

I don't envy any manager for having to make the decisions that they make.

But, while the cuts may balance the bottom line, they also might crush the heart and soul of a once-proud organization.

So, I wish the best to those who have left ... and those who remain behind ... fighting the good fight, with dwindling resources, against growing obstacles.

I will close that chapter of my life formally ... with this entry.

But I will always remember that team, and the feeling of a job well done.

I'm not ready!

I'm sure this will be the subject of a lot of Northeast Ohio blogs this morning ... so I'll join the chorus.

While I didn't wake up to snow on the ground outside my suburban estate, what fell from the sky a little later in the morning was most definitely snow.

And, for the record, I'm not ready.

You see, I'm not a winter guy. I like being warm. I like baseball. I like concerts at Blossom. I like mowing my lawn.

I don't ski. Or sled. Or toboggan. Or build snowmen.

Winter means my gas bill goes up, and I spend more time indoors than I really like.

Winter means I have to watch the news do multiple live shots every time a couple flakes fall in Chardon.

Winter means I don't get to see my friend the sun for several months. And if he does pay a visit, it usually means it's about 4 degrees outside.

Look, I grew up in Ohio. I know this happens.

But sometimes, I really wonder why I STAY here.

Highway Politics

I laughed when I saw this blurb on Ohio.com today ... explaining details of the McCain/Palin rally in Green.

"If possible, the Summit County Sheriff's Office suggests avoiding Interstate 77 in the Green area and Massillon and Steese roads between noon and 5 p.m. (The candidates will be flying in and out of the Akron-Canton Airport.)"

Awesome.

So, IF POSSIBLE, motorists should avoid the only North/South highway connecting Akron and Canton ... for most of the day!

OK, OK, I know you could use Rt. 21 ... but really? Avoid I-77 if possible?

Trust me, for plenty of travelers that's like saying "Could you avoid breathing for a few hours?"

What does my mailman think?

I got a good chuckle today while retrieving my mail.

You see, my friendly neighborhood letter carrier delivered 5 items to me this afternoon.

2 were coupons for local pizza places.

The other 3 were offers from casinos.

Might I add, not only were they from casinos, they were from gambling meccas in both Atlantic City AND Las Vegas.

In my defense, the pizza coupons were completely unsolicited ... from 2 chains I never have ordered from.

I wonder, though, if letter carriers form opinions about their customers based on what they get?

If so, he probably thinks I'm a fat guy with a gambling problem.

And I happen to know that I fit only half of that description! :)

I've been tagged!

Normally, I don't get into this kind of stuff ... but, when Mom2Amara is doing the tagging ... you pay attention.

Seriously, when I grow up, I want to be just like her. Except, you know, still a guy.

Apparently, these are the rules I must follow.

Post the rules on your blog.
Write 7 random things about yourself.
Tag 7 people at the end of your post.
Pass on the tag.

I'm skipping Rule 3 ... for a very good reason ... that you can help me with. Yes, I'm adding homework to the tagging.

Ok ... onto my 7 random things.

1. I have sleep apnea. My friends noticed that I nearly died in my sleep on a couple road trips, so I got it checked out. The result? I can now sleep. But if you thought it was possible for me to get even less sexy, you should see me at night!

2. I still collect baseball cards. Yup. Avid baseball fan. Collected them since I was a kid. Still do. They've evolved into my therapy. Bad day at the office (or no day at the office!) ... open a few packs. If you get something good, your stress melts away.

3. I'm active on an internet message board. Weird, huh? Know what it's for? The band Genesis. My absolute favorite group growing up re-formed last year for a tour, and launched a new website to match. For some reason I began posting on it. You know what's weird? I've actually met some of the people on it ... and have made some pretty good friends as a result.

4. My online "handle" is the same as the former name of my fantasy baseball team. Stengals. The rule in the fantasy league was that you had to name your team using part of your real name. My co-owner's last name was Case. So, we became Case's Stengals, in honor of legendary manager Casey Stengel.

5. I'm WAY too into my fantasy baseball team. It's a super-competitive league, with some really funny, cool, smart guys. The draft is 8 hours long, pretty exhausting, yet hilarious. I've won the league 3 times in 13 years. Doesnt sound like much, but its actually a pretty good ratio.

6. I've done stand-up comedy professionally. It's a long story ... but, it was extra cash while I made $13,000 on my first "real" job out of college.

7. I don't wear crazy costumes for Halloween ... but I do for St. Patrick's Day. Ah, if only I could find those photos of the green vintage tuxes with the puffy shirts underneath.

So, there ya go. Random facts.

I'm not tagging anyone else ... because frankly, I only read a few blogs. And, some of them are by "real" writers who do it as a job.

So, help me out here ... both of you who read this ... ship me some more blogs I should be reading!

Another Daily Show goodie!

This is the reason I watch.

The good stuff is about 2:51 in. Oh, and be sure to pause on that "unveiling of new things" graphic ... funny stuff in there.

Out of Practice?

Well, I was cruising right along ... already thinking of my return post ... when Mom2Amara threw me off.

You see, she posted this about her daughter's doctor ... and it got me thinking to my recent experience with my Dad.

Specifically, it got me wondering whether doctors can get too old to practice. I mean, we talk about taking away driver's licenses ... what about medical licenses?

Dad underwent surgery for a hernia ... which was a much larger operation than I thought it would be. He has a big incision, and about 70 staples holding him together.

To top it off, his healing was delayed by a bit of pneumonia which he came down with post-surgery.

He got great care ... his nurses were fantastic, his surgeon is said to be a "perfectionist", and the respiratory therapists were out of this world.

But, there was one small problem.

You see, the surgeon took a few days off, and left one of her "partners" to cover. And this "partner" seemed to me to be a little past his prime.

The first day he visited my Dad, he entered with a hearty "Ready to go home?" and all but signed his discharge papers ... after a visit lasting about one minute.

Unfortunately, and I apologize for the graphic detail, Dad did not have a bowel movement yet, something they wanted to see before he could go home.

That didn't seem to worry the doc ... who, like I said, was ready to let Dad get out of there.

Thankfully, a nurse basically tackled the doc in the hallway, told him about the BM situation, which caused the doctor to return to the room, with a "Well, it won't hurt you to stay one more day."

So, Day 2 comes ... and Dad has made the magic happen in the bathroom.

The same doc returns ... and is again ready to discharge my Dad ... after a consultation that lasted about 30 seconds.

He didn't look at my father's incision ... nor his stomach swelling ... just a quick ... "Let's get you out of here" ... and a hastily planned exit ... probably to go golfing or watch the Ravens game.

Of course, my Mother says "What about that drain that he still has in?"

The doc's response ... without even looking at the drain ... "You know what, it wouldn't hurt you to stay one more day."

Thankfully, Dad's surgeon returned the next day, gave him a thorough exam, ordered the drain removed ... and sent Dad home.

Of course, this is only AFTER a pair of nurses told him that he was the subject of conversation at the desk.

That conversation ... "Why is Mr. H still here???"

We explained the doc's visits over the last few days ... and discovered from the nurses ... that the doc has a bit of a "reputation" around the hospital. And by "reputation", I mean "subject of repeated jokes."

Thankfully, Dad is home ... hopefully never to see that particular doctor again.

Lucy, I'm home!

Sorry, dear readers, that it's been so long between posts.

I really haven't written much because most of the past couple weeks have been spent going back and forth to the hospital.

And for all of you who asked how my Dad is doing ... thanks, you all continue to be the best friends a guy could ask for.

And, for those of you who haven't asked, he's doing fine. He's finally relaxing at home after surgery, and a quick bout of pneumonia as well.

He's still being held together by about 76 staples ... but those should come out soon as well.

So, here I am, back in Ohio after a 7-hour drive from the Shore. And promising not to neglect my poor bloggy blog as I have the last few weeks.

So, what to write about?

I have some ideas ... I know the next entry will include the words "love" and "hate."

So, you have that to look forward to!