marlen

Stroke Survivor - male
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Blog Entries posted by marlen

  1. marlen

    A FRIEND'S SUICIDE

    By marlen,

    THIS AFTERNOON, I CAME HOME, SAT DOWN IN MY EASY CHAIR, OPENED THE NEWSPAPER, AND EVENTUALLY CAME TO THE OBITUARIES. THERE , I READ ABOUT THE DEATH OF ONE OF MY EX-BUSINESS PARTNERS OF 10 YEARS+. I CALLED A MUTUAL FRIEND TO FIND OUT WHAT HAD HAPPENED. IT SEEMS DANNY CAME HOME DRUNK, TOLD HIS WIFE HIS LIFE WAS A MESS AND DECIDED TO PLAY RUSSIAN ROULETTE. THE FIRST TWO TRIES FAILED, BUT THE THIRD ENDED HIS LIFE AT 50.
     
    LET ME BACKTRACK. DANNY AND I GO BACK ALMOST 30 YEARS. 12 YEARS AGE, WE DECIDED TO GO INTO BUSINESS TOGETHER. I HAD OTHER INTERESTS TOO, BUT OUR PARTNERSHIP PROVED TO BE VERY SUCCESSFUL. IN TIME, WHILE I WAS SAVING MONEY, HE BOUGHT A HARLEY, CORVETTE, STARTED DRINKING HEAVILY AND LIKED TO GO TO THE CASINOS ON A REGULAR BASIS. IN DECEMBER 2003, I HAD ENOUGH AND WE PARTED WAYS. I HOOKED UP WITH SOMEONE ELSE AND SUFFERED MY STROKE TWO WEEKS INTO MY NEW ENDEAVOR. DANNY TRIED TO KEEP THE OLD BUSINESS GOING, BUT AFTER A FEW MONTHS GAVE UP. THE DRINKING AND GAMBLING CAUGHT UP WITH HIM. SO DID THE DEBT HE ACCRUED OVER THE YEARS. IRONICALLY, HR GOT A JOB DEALING BLACKJACK ON A GAMBLING BOAT.
     
    HE HAD THREE CHILDREN. DANNY WENT THROUGH A BITTER DIVORCE IN 2001 AND IMMEDIATELY MARRIED A GAL HE HAD MET A YEAR EARLIER. THE YOUNGEST OF HIS CHILDREN, DANIEL, WAS A LOST SOUL. I TRIED TO HELP HIM, BUT HIS FATHER WASN'T THE BEST ROLE MODEL. ANYHOW, DANIEL DECIDED TO GO INTO THE ARMY. HE AND THREE OF HIS FRIENDS GOT DRUNK ONE NIGHT, AND DANIEL TOLD THEM HE HAD A BULLET-PROOF VEST. HE PUT THE VEST ON, AND ASKED ONE OF HIS FRIENDS TO SHOOT HIM WITH A SHOTGUN IN THE CAR. THE VEST WASN'T BULLET-PROOF AND DANIEL DIED AT 19.
    DANNY NEVER RECOVERED FROM THIS TRAGEDY AND IT PROBABLY WAS THE MAJOR FACTOR IN HIS SUICIDE.
     
    NOW HERE'S AN IRONY. THE NEIGHBOR AND HER HUSBAND BEHIND ME THAT I HAD SO MUCH TROUBLE WITH IS DANNY'S WIFE'S BEST FRIEND, THEY WORK TOGETHER. SO I LOST CONTACT WITH DANNY OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS.
     
    I FEEL BADLY BECAUSE OF THE LOSS OF HIS SON. BUT I ALSO FIND HE HAD EVERY OPPORTUNITY TO LIVE A SUCCESSFUL AND PRODUCTIVE LIFE. UNFORTUNATELY HE CHOSE A PATH TO NOWHERE.
     
    WHY AM I WRITING THIS? I NEED TO PUT DOWN IN WORDS HOW CHOICES AFFECT HOW WE LIVE, AND HOW WE MUST LEARN TO COPE WITH ALL THE ADVERSITIES THROWN AT US. LIFE AIN'T EASY. NOBODY EVER TOLD ME IT WOULD BE
     
    ENOUGH
     
    MARTY
  2. marlen

    ALL ALONE AM I

    By marlen,

    GOODY. MY WIFE LEAVES ON A FOUR DAY "VACATION" WITH HER TWO SISTERS IN ATLANTA, GEORGIA STARTING MONDAY. SO WHILE SHE IS GONE, I DECIDED TO VISIT THE GAMBLING BOAT, COOK DINNER FOR MY NEW NEIGHBOR UPSTAIRS, GO SHOPPING, AND TRAVEL AROUND THE AREA. THEN YESTERDAY, SHE SAID, "DON'T DO ANYTHING STUPID WHILE I'M GONE". SO, I WILL BE EATING ALONE, NOT GAMBLING, AND CURLING UP WITH A NEW BOOK I JUST BOUGHT. OH WELL, LIFE IS GOOD.
     
    BUT TODAY WE GO TO THE ADOPTION AGENCY WHERE MY GRANDSONS CAME FROM. MY DAUGHTER AND SON-IN-LAW ARE SPEAKING TO A GROUP OF PERSPECTIVE PARENTS. SHOUD BE FUN AND INTERESTING. LIFE IS GOOD.
     
    I'M DISAPPOINTED JEAN DIDN'T INVITE ME INTO THE CHAT ROOM WHEN ALL THE INAPPROPRIATE THINGS WERE HAPPENING. BUT THEN AGAIN, IT COULD HAVE BEEN A STING AND I COULD HAVE BEEN ON "DATELINE". SOME THINGS JUST DON'T BELONG HERE.
     
    THE SUN IS SHINING, IT'S 50 DEGREES, SO I'M OUT OF HERE. LIFE IS GOOD.
     
    MARTY :Clap-Hands:
  3. marlen

    boom, boom, BANG BANG

    By marlen,

    FINALLY, I CAN SIT HERE IN A LITTLE PEACE AND QUIET. APARTMENT LIVING ISN'T THAT GREAT. I HAD TO ASK MY NEXT DOOR NEIGHBOR TO TURN THE BASS DOWN ON HIS STEREO. MY CAT WAS SITTING IN THE CHAIR WITH HIS PAWS OVER HIS EARS, AND THE WALLS WERE SHAKING.
     
    AFTER 7 MONTHS, I NOW HAVE A NEIGHBOR OVERHEAD. HE MOVED IN LAST NIGHT WITH HIS GIRLFRIEND.
    I'M EXAUSTED JUST HEARING THE CREAKING OF THE BED. I HOPE THE FLOOR ABOVE IS REINFORCED, OR I COULD HAVE COMPANY IN MY BED.
     
    ON A LIGHTER NOTE, I HAD A BONE SCAN AND ULTRASOUNDS ON MY NECK AND HEAD. NO RESUTS YET. I'M SO SICK OF TESTS I'M GOING TO REVOLT AND NOT DO ANYMORE. I JUST DONT WANT TO KNOW IF ANYTHING IS ABNORMAL.
     
    I DECIDED TO TREAT MY WIFE FOR HER BIRTHDAY IN JUNE, AND MADE A TENTATIVE RESERVATION AT A COTTAGE ON THE INTERCOASTAL IN BEAUFORT, SOUTH CAROLINA. WHAT THE HELL. MIGHT AS WELL MAKE THE BEST OF WHAT'S LEFT OF THIS LIFE WHILE WE STILL HAVE THE CHANCE.
     
    JUST FELT LIKE BLOGGING. IT'S BEEN A WHILE. OH WELL, THERE GOES THE CREAKING BED AGAIN.
     
    MARTY :bouncing_off_wall:
  4. marlen
    LIKE EVERYBODY, I'M IN VOGUE BECAUSE I HAVE A CPAP MACHINE FOR SLEEP APNEA. I DON'T HAVE THE NOSE MASK BECAUSE I CAN'T KISS MY WIFE WHILE TRYING TO STAY ALIVE FALLING ASLEEP. I HAVE THE NEW ONE THAT FITS IN THE NOSTRILS.
     
    THERE IS A RUBBERY THIN BAND THAT FITS AROUND THE HEAD TO HOLD THE APARATUS IN YOUR NOSE. THIS BAND STRETCHES AFTER CONSTANT USE AND BECOMES USELESS. SO I WENT TO THE HOSPITAL GOODIE SUPPLY STORE TO GET A REPLACEMENT BAND. WELL, THEY DON'T SELL REPLACEMENTS. THE ONLY WAY YOU CAN GET A NEW ONE IS TO BUY THE WHOLE NOSTRIL SET-UP. THIS 5 CENT PIECE WAS NOW GOING TO COST $217.00.
     
    AS THE INTELLIGENT, GUM CHEWING, BUXOM, SUPER INTELLIGENT CLERK REMINDED ME, "WHY SHOULD I CARE, MEDICARE PICKS UP THE TAB". NOW, I'M NOT THE ONE TO WASTE $216.95, SO I FOUND A PLACE THAT GAVE ME ONE AT MY PRICE. ZERO.
     
    I WONDER HOW MUCH MEDICARE IS WASTED EVERY DAY? NEVER MIND, I CAN JUST IMAGINE.
     
    MARTY
  5. marlen

    AN OUTSOURCE PERSON

    By marlen,

    LAST JANUARY, I BOUGHT A BUNCH OF BABY THINGS AT TARGET FOR THE NEW GRANDSON ARRIVING IN FEB. THE CLERK SUGGESTED I OPEN A TARGET CHARGE AND SAVE 10%. CONSIDERING THE SIZE OF THE BILL, I SAID OK. I THEN WENT ACROSS THE ISLE AND PAID THE CHARGE OFF. I HAD NO BILL THE NEXT MONTH, BUT I FILLED OUT A CHANGE OF ADDRESS ON THE BACK OF THE COUPON THAT GOES WITH THE PAYMENT. RATHER THAN USE MY OTHER CARD FOR ALL EXPENSES RELATED MY MOTHER-IN-LAW'S DEMISE, I CHARGED EVERYTHING ON THE TARGET CHARGE.
     
    A BILL NEVER ARRIVED, SO I CALLED TARGET TO INQUIRE WHAT HAPPENED. THEY STILL HAD THE ORIGINAL ADDRESS ON FILE. WELL MY CALL WAS BEING TAKEN IN INDIA. THE PERSON I SPOKE TO OFFERED TO MAIL ME A DUPLICATE BILL FOR $2.00. I EXPLAINED I WOULD NOT PAY $2.00 BECAUSE I SENT THE CHANGE OF ADDRESS IN AS REQUIRED. I TOLD HIM TO BILL ME BUT DON'T EXPECT PAYMENT FOR THE DUPLICATE. AFTER 5 MINUTES ON HOLD, A SUPERVISOR MADE AN EXECUTIVE DECISION AND WAIVED THE FEE. NOW I SUPPOSE THEY WANT THE $3300 I OWE THEM.
     
    MARTY :bouncing_off_wall:
  6. marlen

    A DAY AT THE RACES

    By marlen,

    WELL, WE SPENT THE WEEKEND AT MY DAUGHTER'S. YESTERDAY WE WENT HOUSE HUNTING AND FOUND ABSOLUTLEY NOTHING. HAD A WONDERFUL HOMECOOKED DINNER LAST NIGHT, AND SLEPT WITH 2 CATS AND A COCKER SPANIEL. OH, AND MY WIFE WAS SOMEWHERE IN THE BED ALSO. SHE WAS NOT THE COCKER SPANIEL.
     
    MY 7 YEAR OLD GRANDSON (BEN), IS A CUB SCOUT AND TODAY HIS SCHOOL HELD THE PINEWOOD DERBY. FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO DON'T KNOW WHAT A PINEWOOD DERBY IS, A QUICK EXPLANATION. EACH KID IS GIVE A BLOCK OF WOOD, AND WITH HELP, MUST DESIGN AND CARVE A RACECAR. THE CAR CAN WEIGH NO MORE THAN 5 OZ., SO WEIGHTS CAN BE GLUED ON TO MAKE IT GO FASTER.
     
    THERE WERE 86 CARS AND THEY MUST RACE IN 8 RACES IN EACH OF THE 8 POSITIONS ON THE TRACK, WHICH IS A SLOPED PIECE OF WOOD. THE WHOLE RACE TAKES LESS THAN 3 SECONDS. MY SON-IN LAW WAS ON THE COMMITTEE, AND THEY RIGGED UP A COMPUTER AT THE FINISH LINE TO RECORD THE TIMES OF EACH CAR. VERY WELL DONE. THERE'S NOTHING LIKE SITTING ON A METAL CHAIR, EATING COLD PIZZA, WITH OVER 100 NOT SO WELL BEHAVED KIDS FOR 3 HOURS. BEN GOT A TROPHY FOR 7TH PLACE, AND KALEB, HIS 3 YEAR OLD BROTHER, WON FIRST PLACE IN THE SIBLING CATAGORY. TWO TROPHIES, PRIZES, PLUS A RAFFLE WINNING. WHO NEEDS MORE?
     
    THE PEACE AND QUIET IN THIS APARTMENT IS DEAFENING. BUT WHAT GREAT WAY TO SPEND A WEEKEND.
     
    007 AKA MARTY
  7. marlen
    SO YESTERDAY I WENT TO THE INTERNIST. AFTER I RECEIVED A CLEAN BILL OF HEALTH, WE REVIEWED MY MEDICINES. OF COURSE THE QUESTION OF PLAVIX AND ASPIRIN CAME UP, BUT I WAS TOLD IT WAS UP TO THE NEUROLOGIST TO HANDLE THIS TOPIC. I SAID SINCE YOU'RE BOTH IN THE SAME OFFICE, CAN'T YOU FIND OUT. NO, I WOULD NEED TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT WITH THE NEUROLOGIST. SO AT THE CHECKOUT AREA, I VENTED MY FRUSTRATION, AND EXPLAINED I LIKED BOTH DOCTORS WHICH IS WHY I SWITCHED INTERNESTS IN THE FIRST PLACE. I THOUGHT BY HAVING BOTH DOCTORS IN THE SAME OFFICE, LIFE WOULD BE EASIER.
     
    AS I LEFT, I TOLD THE RECEPTIONIST SHE SHOULD INTRODUCE THE TWO DOCTORS TO EACH OTHER. WHEN I GOT HOME, THERE WAS A MESSAGE FROM THE NEUROLOGIST'S NURSE. HE WANTS TO DISCUSS MY QUESTION. SO I GUESS I'LL PLAY PHONE TAG TODAY.
     
    MARTY
  8. marlen

    RING, RING, RING

    By marlen,

    SO TODAY I TOOK MY WIFE OUT FOR LUNCH. SEATED IN A BOOTH WITH A SENIC VIEW,
    I OBSERVED A WOMAN SITTING DIRECTLY BEHIND ME, IN HER MID FIFTIES. ALL WAS WELL UNTIL THE LADY DECIDED TO MAKE A CALL ON HER CELLULAR PHONE WHILE WAITING FOR HER MEAL. SO I LISTENED TO ALL HER AILMENTS, TESTS SHE JUST TOOK AT THE HOSPITAL, AND HER CONVERSATION WITH THE DOCTOR.
     
    I CALLED THE WAITRESS OVER AND SUGGESTED SHE COLLECT THE CHECK BEFORE SHE SERVED THE WOMAN HER FOOD. DIDN'T SOUND LIKE SHE WOULD MAKE IT THROUGH LUNCH. SHE HEARD MY CONVERSATION WITH THE WAITRESS, HUNG UP THE PHONE, AND LET ME KNOW SHE WAS FINE.
     
    NOW I THINK CELL PHONES SHOULD BE BANNED FROM ALL RESTAURANTS. WE DID FINE YEARS AGO WITHOUT THEM, WHY NOT NOW? WHO IS SO IMPORTANT THAT THEY CAN'T ENJOY A MEAL WITHOUT ONE?
     
    MARTY
  9. marlen
    I CAN'T BELIEVE I'VE BEEN GONE FOR 4 MONTHS AND I'M STILL ON PAGE THREE. IT SURE IS NICE TO BE BACK. THE NEWGRANDSON IS WONDERFUL, BUT NOW WE WON'T GET TO SEE HIM UNTIL SUMMER WHEN WE HAVE BOTH OUR CHILDREN HERE WITH ALL THE GRANDSONS FOR A WEEK OF REUNION.
     
    WITH THE PASSING OF BOTH IN-LAWS WITH 5 MONTHS OF EACH OTHER, THERE IS DEFINITELY A VOID. BUT THE WORRY AND PRESSURE IS FINALLY OFF MY WIFE'S SHOULDERS. AT 91 AND 92, THEY WERE ABLE TO LEAD FULL LIVES.
     
    WE STARTED LOOKING AT TOWNHOUSES LAST WEEK, NEAR WHERE WE USED TO LIVE AND AROUND THE APARTMENT. NEXT WEEKEND, WE'RE GOING TO VENTURE UP BY MY DAUGHTERS IN ILL. TO LOOK AROUND.
    I'M BACK IN MY WATER THERAPY CLASS AND IT SURE FEELS GOOD. I MISSED THE WATER AND THE PEOPLE.
     
    LOTS OF NEW MEMBERS SINCE I LEFT, SO I BETTER INITIATE THEM AT MY FEEBLE ATTEMPT AT HUMOR. GLAD TO SEE ALL THE FAMILIAR NAMES ARE STILL AROUND.
     
    NICE TO BE HERE,
     
    MARTY