Ok, one gift down, twenty four to go. Thanks to all who contributed to my first gift. Hope you saved a little. Remember I’m asking for 25 total presents. 

Which brings us to today’s gift.  The first was relatively inexpensive, right?  Well, you’re really gonna have to dig deep for this one.  Some of you may not be willing or able to give this time around.  So what do I want? Simple.  For gift number 24, all that I ask is that we have the courage, the character, the manners and the “spirit” to speak to one another during this “Christmas” season. That’s all.  That’s it.  “Hello”. Or “Hey what’s up?” Or “How you doin’ today?  Easy enough right?  You would think.  Mind if I share a couple or three stories?

These incidents stuck with me because they showed me just how easy we can become insulated (yes I meant INSULATED people) from our own humanity and take ourselves for granted.  Because of the language involved I decided to discuss this now so as to not offend anybody as we get closer to Christmas. Please accept my apology now.

A few years ago I was taking a class at the local community college. It was around the Holiday Season and the semester was about to end.  I walked down a hall towards a small group of students who were approaching me. There were two men a little younger than myself among them.  As they got closer one glanced in my direction.  I nodded once and said, “What’s up fellas?” As they walked by without speaking I heard one ask the other, “Yo, you know ‘dat mawfucka man?” The other replied, “Naw man you?” “Uh uh”.  I couldn’t help but to laugh as I heard them go on and on about NOT speaking because they didn’t know me. A simple, courteous “What’s up man” would have saved them a lot of energy.  ‘Twas the Season……….”

A few years ago during the Holidays again I was out shopping.   While standing in an isle, empty handed and minus a shopping cart, a woman in a hurry turned the corner and hit me.  Seeing the shock and what I perceived as embarrassment on her face, I said simply, “Hello miss. YOU ok?”  Without responding or speaking she took a breath, made the eye roll of death and gave a long sigh like “huuuuh”.  Now, I had never spoken or written the word “BeJesus” in my life, but this…….. woman……..boy I wanted to slap the “BeJesus” out of her ass for real!  That’s not me.  Besides, it was Christmas Season right…….?

Last one. Again during the Holidays. Leaving a store I walked towards my car in the parking lot. About 50 feet away in the same path a woman headed towards me, staring the whole time. When she got about 10 feet away she crossed the road, still staring, to go around me. Never spoke. Now let me tell you, it was early in the morning and we both were dressed in our “hope nobody we know sees us” attire and therefore were mutually “unattractive”. But manners don’t cost you nothing. So me being me, I spoke anyway. She managed a reluctant smile and said hello. I then asked,”Hey, why you cross the street when you saw me? A “sister” can’t say hello to a “brother” during the Holidays? We had a good laugh and talked about black family traditions for Christmas. No names, no games, just people showing courtesy during the Holiday Season. ‘Twas the Season.

So, ‘Tis the Season. Be bold and courageous. Share some courtesy and manners as a gift to yourself this year. Return the favor if extended to you first. And to those who don’t wanna speak, I guess I don’t know y’all mawfuckas either. Sorry I couldn’t resist. Lol.

10pm and it is already past my bedtime. I go to work at 7am.  I usually wake up at 5:40.  Thankfully I have a short commute of around 20 minutes.  Even still, I shouldn’t have to go to bed so early to get up on time. 

Man I recall a time when I could go to bed at ANYTIME and make it to work with minutes to spare.  One time, I left Atlanta, Georgia (driving) at 6pm on a Sunday night, made it home to Maryland and then to work before 7am Monday morning to fall asleep at my desk.  I also recall, way back in my twenties, going to bed after 2am every night (or morning!) for three straight weeks and making it to work on time everyday thereafter.  Slept from Thursday evening until Sunday morning the following week!

Those were the days. I routinely went to bed around 11pm or midnight.  Up by 7 at my desk by 8 MOST every day. Now however, I have to be in bed by 10, which means preparing for bed by 9. Truthfully, I’m just waking up at 6pm. I had always been an evening/night person. Not anymore. 11pm is late according to my current biological clock. Even on Friday nights I have to force myself to stay awake past midnight. I still enjoy staying up late, though I pay a higher price physiologically.

But now…..for me and my recently recalibrated biological clock, 10pm is my bedtime. And tonight I’ve gone past it. Hopefully I wake up on time tomorrow…….Goodnight.

It is December 1, 2020.  I know it is cliché, but man this year flew by.  Its been trying and challenging but we’ve gotten this far. 

Thirty days post election.  Thats all I have to say about it.  Christmas time is here. Another cliché: know the reason for the Season.  More on that later.  Right now I wanna reveal my Christmas list to whomever it may concern.  I’m starting today because I have 25 gift ideas that are perfect for me.  Great timing as there are 25 to go. And, just so you know, these are very “practical” gifts as you will see.  Let’s get started.

Today’s gift idea is the 2021 Triumph Trident motorcycle.  Check it out. A new model, it will not be available until January 2021.  However I will accept the gift of a down-payment whenever you’d like to send it.  Cash App, Venmo or PayPal accepted.  Family and friends are welcomed. Remember, giving is better than receiving.  Lol! 😇😉🤗 Don’t like this gift idea? There are 24 more where that came from.

Many, many years ago, way back when I didn’t have to think so hard to remember, I decided that I’d keep a journal.  I wanted a recorded history of my daily life so I could assess the choices I was making.  Long after I should have, I started making a daily and weekly schedule to better utilize my time.  These two things combined, I hoped, would guide me to more efficient use of the all too important time/money continuum.

I enjoyed keeping a journal.  Every evening I would recall the events of the day and script them in a sort of stream of consciousness writing style.  I would then adjust the next day’s schedule to include tasks not completed during the current day.   It was fulfilling its purpose. I seemingly had more time to get things done and felt less stressed about time in general.  Money was a non issue because I budgeted proactively. It was around this time that I coined the phrase, “JUST BECAUSE I CAN PAY FOR SOMETHING DOESN’T MEAN THAT I CAN AFFORD IT”.  You know,  I wish I could convince my…………..never mind.

I managed to maintain my journal for about four years, my schedule for about five or so.  It wasn’t until recently that I was reminded as to why I stopped writing.  Yea my life got busier and I became a little bored so I just stopped making time for it.  However, the reality is that my journal revealed that my life was too static, not enough variety.  I noticed patterns in my choices that repeated far too frequently. So I decided to do something about it

I made a conscious effort to make different choices. I forced myself out of my comfort zone(s). Won’t bore you with the minutae and details because there are far too many. Changed careers, changed eating habits, changed life approach. Funny thing though. Thinking of the last 3,650 days has brought me to the realization that it is time for yet another personal renaissance. I like that word. This blog is a creation of that realization. My educational aspirations are as well.

So thanks for your interest and support. I will continue to share my thoughts and opinions of my evolution as long as you continue to find some value in them. Who knows. Maybe we’ll still be talking in about say, 3,650 days……….

3,650 days.  You know, I celebrated a wedding anniversary recently.   That, along with the Thanksgiving weekend obscured another anniversary that I almost forgot about.

One year ago, November 25, 2019 I left the company that I had worked at for almost exactly 3,650 days.  I started there November 29, 2009.  I am grateful for the opportunity. At the time I started I needed a position with a traditional (9-5 Monday thru Friday) schedule.  Got more than expected.  I actually was allowed flex time, starting my mornings anytime between 7:30 and 8:30.  Great. Had to work a few Saturdays though…..

October 2019 was a pivotal month in my life.  It was my time.  I had gotten all I would get from from that particular position. I had to face the fact that I had become comfortable with a job that had nothing more to offer.  Conversely, I had given all I had.  Initially I felt like the company didn’t appreciate my efforts, commitment and accomplishments. As I assessed my situation I came to realize that I needed a new challenge and it was not my employers responsibility to provide it. So I resigned.

3,650 days is ten years. Do you know where you were 3,650 days ago? What have you been doing for 3,650 days? Ten years is a good bit of time in a person’s life. Plenty of time for life lessons. Number one lesson for me: make sure to get a complete return on my time investment for the next ten years. Whether its a career, a relationship or a financial commitment, be sure your efforts are reciprocated.

Ok. Five days in. 3,645 days worth of lessons coming up. God willing…..

Back to September 1983. My first days at my new school.  I notice a whole lot of new faces.  Some notice me.  One day while in the cafeteria a young, shy girl approaches me.  There is a fundraiser for the track team and she is selling candies, among them……..you guessed it!  Snickers bars!  She asked if I would buy one.  I said I’d “buy” two, but “pay” for one…..lol. I did buy one Snickers.  As time went on I noticed her maturity, her easy smile, her friendly personality, her athletically toned well-developed body, and her ability to be a part of the “in crowd” without needing to “follow the crowd”. I noticed.  I may have bought more Snickers, but that first one lasted a lifetime.

I went on to marry that girl on November 23rd 1996.  We’ve come a long way from where we started. Owning our own homes, raising good kids. So today November 23rd 2020 we celebrate  TWENTY FOUR YEARS OF MARRIAGE!  My wife has not aged one day.  (I have done all of the aging for her……..) I’ve driven her as crazy as she has driven me.  You don’t even want to know.  (If you’re married you already do know!) But, remember the Snickers?  Remember I said I like chocolate?  Who knew it would provide 37 years of friendship and 24 years of marriage?  Happy Anniversary Carla.  We are just getting started.

It’s difficult to be your best at all times and even more so when faced with adversity. In light of the current Corona pandemic it seems as if the entire world is being challenged more than ever. And yes, it has been burdensome on many levels, but let us be cautious and take a broader look at how it has affected us.

Many have lost something because of COVID 19. Whether it be a home, a paycheck, a savings account, a job, a car, a semester, a material possession or worst yet, a loved one. This is a painful reality not easily overcome. And so what I am about to say I do not take lightly, but I do think important as we another season of uncertainty.

Do not let COVID 19 get the “best of you.” Try to be “the best of you” as often as you can. The three things that we must not let waver during this time are our humanity, our decency and our spirituality. Please respect one another as we all are dealing with similar circumstances. Please respect yourself by reinforcing your values and maintaining your character. Finally, seek a stronger sense of spiritually to help support the whole you. We are gonna make it through this. History proves that we always do.

What does being thankful mean?  How do we gauge our real appreciation for whom, what or where we are in our respective states of life?  I believe we all have some idea, but I tend to think this is relative.

Most of us feel grateful for that which we have, our health and happiness, and also what we’ve attained and achieved.  I hope that I am getting better at appreciating the people in my life.  Furthermore, I WILL get better at supporting those who are less fortunate than myself. 

Life sometimes provides sobering reminders as to why gratitude should be more widespread and abundant than it is, trailing far behind self-indulgence and entitlement.  I have experienced a reminder or two myself along the way. 

I’d like to share three stories.  Warning: these are not for the faint of heart.  They are graphic, disturbing, painful to endure and not easily digestible. However, they represent pivotal moments in my character development and shaped my perspective of my life.  Please read on if you are able.

Some years ago I worked as a Service Consultant for a specialty medical supplier.  Essentially I would quality check, transport and set treatment levels of  medical devices for patients in medical facilities.  As one might imagine I saw many people in various states of compromised health.  Three of these persons’ stories can be viewed as either cautionary or inspiring, or both, and to this day serve as personal reminders as to why we have more to be thankful for than we sometimes know. 

I was dispatched to a local hospital known to specialize in severe and unusual injuries.  The type of therapy mattress requested by the medical staff gave me an indication of what I might expect.  However, nothing could prepare anyone for what I would witness.  The hallway leading to the patient’s room was alive with activity, unusual for this ward during evening hours. As I approached the room the tension seemed to greet me at the door.  Hurried sounds and movements seeped through the walls.  A nurse appeared through the noise and issued this warning:  “it is not good so be prepared and exit quickly”.  My raised temperature and increased pulse provided no clue still as to what I did see. 

Before entering the room, I peeked in to see where I would place the new therapy bed.  I noticed that the regular bed was empty, but it was soiled with blood and every other bodily fluid.  The twelve or thirteen doctors and nurses inside seemed more like one hundred as they raced around the small space.  Every medical device I had ever seen was present and active.  Hoses and wires extended from these up into a harness where I finally notice the patient.

Suspended from what may have been a hoyer lift was a man’s badly broken body missing both legs from the thigh down.  The eyes were wide open, emotionless.  Mouth agape, breathless.  Fluids poured, literally, from every opening. After noticing me the charge nurse relieved me of the task of placing the mattress in the room.  I placed it at the door and left the room internally shaken and incredibly humbled by the what I saw. Bone chilling at the time, this experience was frozen into my soul indefinitely. I should be more thankful……

On a beautiful spring night some time ago, I was working my mandatory on call weekend.  It was Saturday, about 11:30 pm and I had just finished my last call.  While heading back to the service center I receive a message for a new call.  So I had to turn around and head in the opposite direction thirty minutes away.  “How dare they ‘mess up’ my weekend!

I arrive at the location sometime around 1am.  It’s a private residence, an apartment in a secluded area.  It’s late, dark with no driveway to the front of the building.  This patient has called because the nurse on the late shift has not shown up.  The pain is intolerable and getting worse.  Her wound vac needed a therapy adjustment.  A wound vac is a toaster-sized medical vacuum which is used to pull fluids out of a wound while simultaneously inserting medicine into it.  The tubes connect directly to the affected area and are bandaged/taped into place.

My equipment includes the vac, a portable printer, scanner and a supply box.  A good bit.  I walk around to the patient’s front entrance which faces the woods.  Approaching her building I notice a shadowy silhouette standing outside on a third floor balcony.  Alone.  Did not expect this at that time of morning, now approaching 2 am.

I hear a faint sound, maybe a voice, but it is too distant to make out.  Moving nearer I hear a faint whisper, almost a whimper, pleading “please help me, please help.”  I hear this repeatedly.  I ask. “Miss, did you call for medical assistance?”  I needed confirmation.  It was in fact her, the whimper now a small cry.  “Can you help please? I can’t take it any longer.” I make my way up to her apartment door which is wide open.  She meets me there wearing a night gown and bra and nothing more, clearly in agony. 

She falls backwards onto her sofa revealing her wound.  The clear bandage exposes a two inch wide opening on the right side of her navel.  It stretches from there down to about an inch away from her vagina.  I wondered how she got this wound, but dared not ask. She desperately needed a nurse or doctor to prescribe a new prescription.  They did not return her calls.  The pain was so unbearable that the patient begged me to change the therapy without authorization.  I did not, but received authorization from a nurse administrator after an hours worth of phone calls.  I will be more thankful……..

One day I received a call to go to Bethesda Naval Hospital to exchange a wound vac.  I had never been there before.  I knew that it was a military facility and figured that Veterans would comprise the majority of the patients and they did. However, I was completely unaware of the type of injuries I would see as I delivered equipment to the rooms.

News stations oftentimes do segments on Wounded Warriors, soldiers injured in the line of duty. These stories mainly focus on one particular individual which may deprive viewers of experiencing the magnitude of impact these injuries have. Visiting a hospital ward with multiple amputees, burn victims and various other conditions heightens and affects your senses in ways I can’t fully describe.

My patient was a young woman, no older than 30 years of age. She had lost one of her legs, the other suffering from some type of damage. She was alone, not in the best of spirits but courageously trying to remain positive FOR MY SAKE. As fate would have it, upon leaving her room I walked past another patient who had lost his foot. His mom and dad were there with him. He was upbeat and jovial as he described his accident and subsequent surgery. However, despite his best efforts his parents were not able to share in his optimism, his mother clearly attempting to mask her sadness and his father concerningly staring directly at his lower extremities. I wondered what he was thinking, how he was feeling….

I shared these incidents with no intention to be gratuitous, but to show that sometimes we take for granted that which we should appreciate most. Whoever you are, whatever you have be thankful for it. Appreciate life, health, family and time. And if you’re really thankful share some of what you have with someone who has less. We all should be more thankful.

I hate breaking things.  I really do.  When I buy something I try to keep it in the best condition possible.  I take pride in having my possessions last longer than others would expect.  Many years had passed since I last damaged something I owned.  Well……

I have owned only three cell phones in my entire life.  The one pictured here is first one I had.  The second was a Blackberry I had in the early 2000s.  The third is my current phone, a Samsung S10 Plus purchased in December 2019.  In between those two devices I had the benefit of using a company issued cell phone. 

During the ten years I worked for my prior employer I used two different “smart phones”, the Samsung Nexxus and the Samsung S6.  In ten years time I did manage to crack the screen of the Nexxus.  Otherwise no other damage.  Ten years I say.  As I started to develop a more active social media presence I thought it wiser to have a personal cell phone rather than use my work issued one.

Problem solved.  New Samsung S10 looked good to me.  One problem: my retailer has only the S10 Plus in stock.  Higher cost.  Surprise solution: they give me the S10 Plus at the S10 price! Looks even better! Got more than I expected. 

I was so excited to have my own personal smart phone after such a long time.  The freedom I had to utilize the latest technology inspired me to take a few IT courses and also expand my social media activities.  The whole world was now completely accessible with no concerns for work mandated phone usage limitations.  I mean I really enjoyed my new phone and people noticed…..

So, imagine the horror, the shock, the outright disappointment I felt when one day, upon arriving home from work, I retrieve my phone from my pocket and discover a CRACKED CAMERA LENS COVER!  Nooooooooooo! Six months.  SIX MONTHS AND I BREAK MY BEAUTIFUL NEW S10 PLUS.  Man I wanted to cry…..really. 

Now I’m not a total luddite, but I didn’t know much about phone repair.  I checked YouTube and called a few retailers for advice.  The verdict: do it yourself to the rescue.  After a few days my son orders the required repair kit via Amazon.  I eagerly await as it arrives a painstakingly slow two days later…….Guess what? Wrong one.  My son orders again. Another “unbelievable” two more days wait time.  Good thing it wasn’t a real emergency!

The kit was cool, a tidy package consisting of a precision blade, long handled tweezers, four replacement covers and cleaning cloths (wet and dry).  All for ten bucks baby.  Now remember, I’ve owned only three phones and the thought of repairing any component on one was far outside my realm of possibility. I was done in an hour. 

Just like new. Pride restored. Even more so because I did the repair. Now I know there are many folks who text faster than me, who have more “friends” and “likes”, who’ve owned a heck of a lot more cell phones, but……how many of you fixed your phone and made it almost new again? Oh, that’s right. Unlike me, you probably (hopefully) never broke yours.

Years.  Man, how they seem to evaporate into thin air.  On a nice fall day recently, I convinced myself to take a much needed walk in the middle of the day during the middle of the week. This is a rarity for me. I didn’t do it for “physical fitness” mind you, but for “mental health” purposes, in other words, to “clear my head”.  Man it worked!

During a point in my walk, I laughed to myself about a piece of advice given to me by a former manager. 

Some years ago during  Thanksgiving, I decided to play in yet another “Turkey Bowl” football game.  For the uninitiated, this is a game consisting of family and friends who may be “a little” past their prime getting together for some “friendly two-hand touch” football.  Haha…ok.  Well, during this particular game I was on defense playing cornerback.  I jumped to deflect a pass and fell right down on my ass! (Yea I can flow……lol!)  Never knew a bruised tail bone could be so painful.  My last Turkey Bowl ever…..

I was 35 years old.  The Friday after that Thanksgiving I had to call out of work.  For real.  When I made it back to work I was still tired from the game.  My General Manager walked over to me and said, “Man you are dragging ass today.  You OK?”  I replied, “You know, I never felt my ass moving around until I turned 35.  I actually feel my ass moving around in my pants and dragging as I walk.”  The Manager laughed HIS ass off!  We both did.  Later that day he came over to check on me.  He asked, “Randy you say you’re 35?”  “Yes I am”, I respond.  Then he asked, “Do you know that 35 is the most important age in a man’s life?”  And I did not.  “Why”, I ask.  He says, “35 splits the difference between 20 and 50.  See how fast the last 15 years went? Thats how fast you get to 50.  Maybe faster.  So use your time wisely ‘young’ man”

I had never been told that before.  You can believe it left an indelible mark in my mind.  Those years did in fact go by faster.  Which got me to thinking.  Too bad and unfortunately the Corona Virus is still all too prominent in our country.  Otherwise, I would consider playing in a “Turkey Bowl” game this year while I still have some years left.  Who wit’ me?  Come on man……Have a safe Thanksgiving everybody!