Thursday, June 24, 2010

Back to the Future


Our CFO and main squeeze here at Transplant Trib Solar System Headquarters pointed out that I had not suitably described the past Father's Day weekend. So with your permission, Dear Reader.....

FATHER'S DAY EXTRAVAGANZA

We have a long-standing tradition (goes way back nearly a month now) of extending Mother's/Father's Days to several days in length. This is due to the somewhat wacky work schedules of both our Trader Joe's couple and, specifically, Andrew who is still working away at two jobs. Last month at Mother's Day we had the traditional Sunday observance, then off to HP Pavilion for James Taylor/Carole King on Tuesday night. Wednesday was spent touring with the Chaws, winding up with a gourmet dinner (oysters!) at Leslie and Chris'.

So once more we invoke the magic watchword "anything worth doing is worth doing to excess" for Father's Day. After all, fair is fair. On Saturday we went to Sacto for a very nice lunch/brunch (featuring a Bloody Mary make-it-yourself bar) with Linzel and Andrew. Andy had to work at the restaurant that night, so we headed out to our monthly Dinner with the Gang. This time it was Looney's BBQ in Oakland. As always much mirth ensued and we returned home with plenty of BBQ leftovers to enjoy.

The traditional Sunday celebration started with breakfast at our local Country Waffles, rubbing shoulders (I THINK it was a shoulder) with all the other blue-haired ladies and old-fart Dads. Then we took in the early screening of "Get Him to the Greek". Funny as poop, definitely leave the kids at home. We were totally alone in the theater while the rest of the place was awash in ankle-biters seeing "Shreck 3D". We wound it up with some serious motor racing on the tube and another killer dinner by my Sweetie. There were quite a few excellent and needed gifts for The Old Guy which was very much appreciated.

Leslie planned to have us all over for a Moss/Chaw Father's Day yesterday, but due to her brief illness and Allan's work schedule it has been postponed a week.

HEALTH UPDATE

Under the umbrella of unnecessary distractions I would place my current dental situation. A coupla weeks ago my tooth hurt a bit, and one evening while flossing/brushing a piece o' tooth dropped clean outta my mouth. Looking back I shoulda saved it to put under my pillow for the Tooth Fairy. Anyway, no urgency, and I went into the dentist yesterday. Seems I cracked the tooth somehow, and one chunk came off. The tooth was split all the way down so the dentist dug the rest out and gave me a bunch of gauze to jam up in there. No further problems so far.

READER FEEDBACK

My CFO mentioned that some folks have difficulty with the length of these vignettes here at the Transplant Trib. Some are saying they try read it at work but it is too long to comfortably do that. Yes, I admit to frequent incidents of Journalistic Diarrhea, and I humbly apologize. But the creative process is at work here and sometimes (most of the time) I can't help myself. Do you suppose Michener's or Follett's publishers told them "OK, guys, 475 pages and that is IT!". While we have actually considered publishing a Reader's Digest-style edition, with large print, current economic and staffing concerns prohibit this.

Please allow me, therefore, to offer a few sincere suggestions on overcoming obstacles to fully enjoying your Transplant Tribune experience.

1. If your boss peers into your cubicle at your screen, consider reading the blog at home. Pour yourself a favorite beverage, put on your jammies and read away.
2. You say you don't have a computer at home? Simply go to your nearest Fry's, Best Buy, or Office Depot and getcha one.
3. No computer stores nearby, or can't afford one? Try Kinko's or your local library for short-term use of their computers.
4. Consider reading the blog in easy-to-handle portions, resting comfortably in between sessions. You certainly would not eat an entire deep-dip sheepdip cherrystone cobbler (the best in all of Lompoc) in one sitting, now would you?
5. Failing all these suggestions, you can email me with a convenient time and a preferred phone number and I, or a reasonable facsimile of me, will personally call you and READ IT TO YOU!! Try that with Danielle Steele and see what it gets ya.

I fervently hope these ideas help you in your quest to keep up with this little silliness of ours. Please, do let me know. On second thought, let my Sweetie know so she can break it to me gently. I may be Bob/Irv version 2.0 but I am still a sensitive kinda guy.

Well then, I see it is time to leap into action. Until our next bloggable session, I remain:

Bob/Irv
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RJ/Bob/Irv is a 61-year-old beloved husband, father, uncle, brother, motor racing fanatic, and Livermore resident who received a heart and kidney transplant in February of 2010. Bob's recent years have been defined by his health, which forced him into early retirement. Unfortunately, many of his days were spent in a dialysis center or at various medical appointments, primarily due to his living with diabetes for over 40 years. Numerous were panic visits to various Emergency Rooms all over California for treatment of chest pain. But now no more dialysis and no more late-night dashes to UCSF! The main focus of Bob's family, friends, and doctors has been a prompt transplant, so that he can get back to traveling with his Sweetie, driving fast cars, enjoying great music and laughing with his friends. This blog will function as a way to communicate with all interested parties and to keep everyone informed. And hopefully it can serve a great purpose also, in making people more aware of the importance of organ donation and how each life saved has a positive effect on dozens of related friends and relatives.